Chapter 38: Lao Zhang Arrives at Wang's House
The next day, on the 5th, at 8 a.m., the Mavericks announced Terry Davis' injury. He had a mild concussion and multiple soft tissue injuries. He needed to stay in the hospital for observation and would be out for at least a month.
On this day, the violent fight between the Suns and the Mavericks on the court made headlines in major sports media.
As one of the protagonists, Wang Tiejun finally made the front pages of many media.
Sadly, instead of praising him, they condemned his violent behavior, and almost all media ignored Terry Davis’ elbow and highlighted his violent behavior.
Will Houston, the famous basketball commentator who had attacked him in a TV interview, condemned him in an interview with the media:
"The violent behavior of the Chinese deserves condemnation from everyone. It reflects their low quality. They are irrational and barbaric creatures. Civilization is insulated from them..."
The Suns were pretty strong. They contacted local media and worked together to condemn Davis' racist behavior.
The management provided some video evidence to the league officials and invited lip-reading experts to interpret what Davis said, proving that Davis used racist words against Wang Tiejun at the time.
Barkley accepted an interview with Phoenix Sports and said: "I saw with my own eyes that rubbish Terry Davis hit K's neck with a fatal elbow. I also heard him use racial slurs against K. Even if he is lying on the hospital bed, he deserves to be condemned by everyone, except for the racists who will sympathize with him..."
Star players such as Kevin Johnson and Danny Ainge came out to accept media interviews, condemned Davis and expressed their support for Wang Tiejun.
At twelve noon, the alliance made an official response.
First, Terry Davis was given an additional three-game suspension and a $10,000 fine.
Second, impose an additional fine of $100,000 on the Mavericks.
Third, an additional three-game suspension and a fine of $10,000 were imposed on Wang Tiejun.
Fourth, an additional fine of $100,000 will be imposed on the Suns.
In a word, each team got fifty lashes and the league earned $220,000.
"Fuck, what a loss!"
The Suns management then informed Wang Tiejun of the league's decision, and he regretted it deeply.
Ten thousand dollars, plus tax, is equivalent to a loss of twenty thousand dollars. He worked illegally in New York for almost five months and only earned more than three thousand dollars. It would take him several years of illegal work to earn twenty thousand dollars.
"Tiejun, you finally made it to the NBA, don't mess around!"
Zhang Heli called from Tucson, sounding anxious.
"It's okay, we didn't beat him to death." Wang Tiejun said with a smile.
"If you beat him to death, you will go to jail." Zhang Heli said anxiously.
"Do you know that I've been in jail?" Wang Tiejun asked in surprise.
"Well, before coming here..."
Zhang Heli knew he had said the wrong thing, and quickly explained: "...I asked about you and found out that you were selected for the National Youth Team, and then you got into a fight..."
"It's not a fight, it's about saving people. I'm saving people." Wang Tiejun got angry when he mentioned this matter. His tone was very bad and he even swore.
"Yes, yes, save people, save people." Zhang Heli hurried to put out the fire.
He added: "Well, Tiejun, the environment here in the United States is not good, especially for us Chinese. You have to control your temper..."
Wang Tiejun interrupted Zhang Heli and said, "Brother Zhang, I know what I am doing. Please come back as soon as you finish my business. I need your help here."
" Chengcheng, don't worry, I will be back as soon as possible." Zhang Heli said hurriedly.
"Also, Brother Zhang, when you come to my house, ask my dad to get more medicated oil and bring it directly to the United States so that I don't have to get it myself." Wang Tiejun said.
"Okay, that saves me from having to buy herbs." Zhang Heli said.
The two chatted for a few words and then hung up.
On January 7, 1993, Zhang Heli set off from Los Angeles and returned to Beijing, China, landing on the morning of the 8th.
To adjust to the time difference, at 8 a.m. on the 9th, he rented a truck, loaded it with a 50-inch color TV he brought from the United States, bought an automatic washing machine and a large refrigerator in Beijing, borrowed a Beijing jeep, and went to Cangzhou. Around noon, he arrived in Qing County and sold some felt hats before he found the 57th Brigade.
"This road is so bad that my dad's mouth full of messed up teeth is smoother than it!"
Coming down from the asphalt road, the road was full of potholes and Zhang Heli felt like his butt was split into eight pieces.
The truck followed the jeep with black smoke coming out of it, honking all the way to Team 4, and stopped at a fork in the road at the entrance of the village.
"Kids, which family is King Kaoshan's home?" Zhang Heli asked loudly as several children were playing on the roadside.
"Over there, next to my house."
A brave little girl of about seven or eight years old immediately stepped forward and pointed to the east, shouting crisply, "Big Sister and Second Sister just passed by here. Uncle, come with me, I'll take you there."
As she said that, she waved her hand and ran to the east, and the other children followed her with laughter.
There were outsiders entering the village, in two cars, and going to the home of Wang Kaoshan. This immediately attracted the attention of the entire village. As the cars drove towards Wang Tiejun's home, more and more people followed behind the cars. Many of them were holding a big bowl in their hands, and some children were jumping in front to lead the way.
"Hey, is this some big item that the Zhang family bought?"
Aunt Six was cutting vegetables when she heard the noise outside and hurried out. Seeing several large boxes on the truck, she thought they belonged to the Zhang family, the richest family in Team Four.
"Mom, we're going to Brother Tiejun's house."
The little girl in the front shouted as she ran past Aunt Six, and she didn't stop but ran straight past.
"Tiejun's family? Xiaojiu, wait for mom."
Aunt Liu was stunned and hurried over.
Three more houses away, you will reach Wang Tiejun’s home.
"We're here. This is it."
Aunt Liu's daughter Xiaojiu stood at the Men's house and shouted to Zhang Heli in the jeep, "But my brother Tiejun is not here. He went to the United States to work. You can't find him."
Zhang Heli got out of the car and took a look. Outside was a short earthen wall three or four feet high with a doorpost and two broken doors that were half-closed. Inside was a yard of half an acre in size and a bungalow with five rooms and four rooms made of earth and wood. To the east were a utility room and a kitchen, and to the west were a pigsty and a firewood room.
"The Tiejun family had a very difficult time in the past!"
He looked around and sighed.
For such a poor family, it is difficult to provide food and drink for a kid of Wang Tiejun's size. Sports require a lot of nutrition and are very expensive. It seems that the whole family is supporting Tiejun alone, and the others have to make do with their lives.
"Aiguo, Damei, Da Ya and Er Ya, come out quickly."
Aunt Six yelled at the top of her lungs as she pushed open the half-closed courtyard door. She turned back and said to Zhang Heli, "Come with me. They just came back. I came back from the fields with them."
"Okay, thank you."
Zhang Heli nodded quickly and touched Xiaojiu's little head next to him.
