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By Root 1182 0

also pretty smart. He knew that Gao Shengchan was trying to force his hand, but he also knew that for the sake of his future career he had to back down somewhat. He informed Gao Shengchan and Li Tiejun that the Zhang Family Village land-requisition program was definitely going forward as planned, but, with the good offices of the county government, every family would receive increased compensation for their land. Furthermore, due to a revision in the amount of land required, the land occupied by the homes of the church members was no longer within the scope of the plan. In this way, the business-interest group had been made to give up some of their large potential profits, and the township leaders who had failed to stop corruption had been thoroughly reprimanded; the government’s credit with the people had been maintained and an organized mass protest had been prevented.

As County Head Yang formally escorted Gao Shengchan and Li Tiejun to his office door he reflected that when promoted to provincial level he would no longer have to deal with the schemes of these church people. Gao Shengchan, aware that he had achieved his goal, offered up a few words of praise: Yang was a genuine mother and father to the people, he said. And Yang replied that it was the people who were his mother and father, and it was his duty, as a mere public servant, to serve them. In this fashion, with a mutual acknowledgment of their insincerity, they bid each other a cool good-bye.

Walking back to the church, Gao Shengchan felt he had accomplished something very good. The rights of his parishioners had been restored, and a direct confrontation between the church and the government had been avoided. His only worry was in facing those of his flock who had been so enthusiastically preparing to mount a protest, especially Little Xi. Nevertheless, Gao Shengchan never wavered as to what was important and what was not.

Meanwhile, Lao Chen and Fang Caodi were sitting in the chapel among the worshippers and looking all around for Little Xi. She was in the kitchen, and while helping prepare refreshments, she was just managing to calm herself after the emotional turmoil of the afternoon—when she looked out and spotted Lao Chen among the faithful, her heart immediately started to race again. She hid behind the door, not daring to enter the chapel. Just then she heard the sound of the Canaan hymn “What Am I?” and felt deeply moved.

Gao Shengchan and Li Tiejun entered the chapel and Gao instructed Li to ask the congregation to settle down because they had something to tell them. Then Gao Shengchan announced the new decision taken by the government on the Zhang Family Village land issue. This decision in favor of the brothers and sisters of their fellowship, he said, was an example of God’s grace, and demonstrated that God had heard everyone’s prayers. Finally, he led them all in giving thanks, shouting, “Thanks be to the Lord!” Some of the faithful were moved to tears of joy. Many of them, however, were there precisely to witness such moving reactions.

When they had settled down again, Lao Chen stood up and proclaimed in a loud voice, “Everybody, I have something I want to say to you.”

Li Tiejun tried to stop him, but Gao Shengchan indicated to Li to let him speak. Gao Shengchan knew that such events could not be prevented by force, but had to be handed over to the Lord for His disposition.

“Fellow countrymen,” said Lao Chen, “I am on the lookout for someone. Her name is Wei Xihong, also known as Little Xi.”

The people stared quietly at the stranger, but did not respond.

“I am a friend of hers,” added Lao Chen.

Still no response.

“If you know where she is,” Lao Chen continued, “please tell me. Please let me see her, because … because I love her very much and I can’t live without her. I hope you … hope you can tell me if she is here or not.”

The entire fellowship of the good people of Henan looked back intently at Lao Chen.

Lao Chen waited with rising emotion, fighting back his tears.

All he received in return was a deep silence.

Finally, he calmed