The matter was very simple: the blackboard newspaper was produced by the students, and the one holding the pen was the class monitor, Lily Lincoln. Of course, it was impossible for a fifth grader to write such a theoretically profound article, so tracing the source of the article naturally became the primary task. The target was quickly locked onto the homeroom teacher, Grace Bolton. The special investigation team acted immediately and took control of Grace Bolton, who was out on errands.

Grace Bolton hadn’t been to school all Monday, so she naturally didn’t know what had happened at school, nor did she know that a “reactionary article” had already appeared on the blackboard newspaper. Even when the special investigation team brought her to the city public security bureau for questioning, she still looked completely unaware.

“Grace Bolton, was that article on your school’s new blackboard newspaper written by you?” the investigator asked bluntly.

“Yes, is there a problem?” Grace Bolton found it very strange. She didn’t understand why the police were asking her this question, nor did she know why they had brought her to the station.

Huh? The investigators found this unbelievable. According to common sense, reactionaries would always try every possible way to deny things for a while before finally succumbing to the authority of the righteous investigators and confessing. Why did this woman answer so straightforwardly?

But the less trouble the better, and the higher-ups were pressing hard, so the investigator asked again, “Why did you write this article?”

“That’s perfectly normal, isn’t it?!” Grace Bolton thought the question was completely unnecessary. The article she had prepared was titled “The Spring of Education,” and its content was a positive response to the spirit of the recent National Education Conference. She never imagined that her article had already been swapped out.

“Reactionary to the core, beyond saving!” Upon hearing her answer, the investigator immediately drew his conclusion.

Several documents were handed over for Grace Bolton to sign, then a few official seals were stamped, and the “515 Iron Case” was thus established.

Chapter Eleven: Sudden Upheaval

“How is this possible?!”

The news spread quickly and soon reached Henry Faulkner’s ears.

A current counterrevolutionary—Henry Faulkner could never have imagined that his wife would be associated with such a charge.

It wasn’t just Henry Faulkner who was anxious; Olivia Faulkner and William Faulkner also found out, and ran home crying to ask what had happened. Edward Faulkner, who hadn’t been taken to school by his mother, was playing at a neighbor’s house. When he heard the news, he ran home as well.

“What happened to Mom? They’re all saying Mom is a counterrevolutionary!” Olivia Faulkner asked through her tears.

Olivia Faulkner was about to enter high school, so she naturally knew how serious this accusation was, and couldn’t help but panic.

“What exactly is going on?” Edward Faulkner felt that something was off.

Grace Bolton was busy with school matters all day long—how could she possibly be involved in any current counterrevolutionary activity? They must have made some kind of mistake! After Edward Faulkner pressed for details, he finally figured out what had happened.

“You’re saying that something forbidden was written on the blackboard newspaper Mom was in charge of?” Edward Faulkner’s expression turned a bit odd.

“I heard it was a commentary article, and it was written by Mom herself,” his sister Olivia Faulkner said.

“What was the topic?” Edward Faulkner pressed.

Everyone was used to Edward Faulkner being a prodigy, so they recounted the article’s content as they had heard it. As for the actual writing on the blackboard, it had long since been destroyed after being photographed for evidence—after all, it was extremely “reactionary” content.

“Oh, so that’s what happened.” After listening, Edward Faulkner understood completely, and then asked, “If this charge is real, what will happen? Is it enough for a prison sentence?”

Although Henry Faulkner was anxious, he was still an adult and more experienced. He replied, “A prison sentence is almost certain. Even though things have loosened up a bit regarding speech these days, something like this can be a big deal or a small one, but it’s very likely she’ll get a few years. Sigh, what are we going to do!”

How could Henry Faulkner not be worried? But with three children in front of him, no matter how anxious he was, he had to hold it together. If he collapsed, what would happen to the kids? The eldest and second could barely take care of themselves, but the youngest, no matter how capable, was still not even three years old! At this thought, Henry Faulkner grew even more worried.

“Dad, you don’t need to worry. Sis, Bro, you don’t need to cry either. I don’t think this is a bad thing—in fact, it’s a good thing!” After figuring out what had happened, Edward Faulkner felt confident.

Edward Faulkner thought it through clearly: since the Guangming Daily had already published “Practice is the Sole Criterion for Testing Truth,” it meant that at least a relatively strong new core had formed at the central level. Publishing this article now was just to clear the way for the next step by removing obstacles in public opinion. Although his mom had become collateral damage because of him, she just happened to represent the kind of ordinary people who bravely uphold the truth. Even though she was suffering some setbacks now due to local authorities not fully understanding the central government’s intentions, once the clouds parted, she would become one of the few “enlightened and prescient” people.