In Hanzhong, Shaanxi, a sad and indignant past is like a nightmare in another world, constantly echoing in Zhang Koukou's heart. Twenty-two years ago, a bloody murder caused by a homestead caused him to lose his mother, and 22 years later, a cold and shining blade ended three lives. What kind of hatred is this that can make a man carry such a heavy revenge?
In the summer of 1996, a tragic family dispute was staged in Xinji Town, Nanzheng District, Hanzhong, Shaanxi Province. Zhang Koukou, who was only 13 years old at the time, witnessed his mother, Wang Xiuping, being beaten to death by three brothers from the neighbor Wang family during an altercation. That scene, like an unforgettable imprint, was deeply imprinted in his memory.
The incident originated from a homestead plot. Wang Xiuping insisted that the land belonged to her family, but Wang Zixin believed that the land belonged to the Wang family. The two sides quarreled endlessly, which eventually turned into a tragedy. On that day, the mother and son passed by the door of Wang's house and had an argument with Wang Fujun, the second son of the Wang family, and then the other two brothers of the Wang family also joined the fight, and Wang Xiuping was beaten to death by the group. The Wang family argued that Wang Xiuping made the first move, and they were just defending themselves.
After the police investigation, the villagers had different opinions on the incident. Some people say that Wang Xiuping has a short temper and often gets angry for no reason, and some people think that the Wang family often runs rampant in the countryside because of the fact that they have several sons in the family. In the end, the police characterized the case as a mutual assault, believing that Wang Zhengjun accidentally beat Wang Xiuping to death because he was too heavy. Although the Wang family paid part of the funeral expenses, the outcome for the Zhang family was far from calming their anger and grief.
Since then, Zhang Koukou has been burdened with a deep hatred for his mother's death. Instead of continuing his studies, he chose to enlist in the army. In 2001, Zhang Koukou joined the armed police force with a lonely heart and served in remote Xinjiang. After two years in the army, he was not resettled, so he had to return home and start a part-time job that lasted for more than ten years. He traveled from construction sites to security guards to waiters, and even strayed into pyramid schemes. Over the years, he has always lived at the bottom of society, feeling the warmth of human feelings and the heat of the world.
Although the years have passed, the thorn in my heart has never been able to pull out. Every time I came home and saw my father's aging face, the anger in my heart was hard to suppress. Until one time, when he learned that his father was bullied by the Wang family again, all the anger and hatred broke out instantly. He decided that he couldn't endure it any longer.
On a cold morning in 2019, Zhang Koukou, with years of accumulated anger and hatred, held a kitchen knife in his hand, and decided to seek justice from the Wang family. He first found Wang Fujun and killed him on the spot. Subsequently, he found Wang Zixin and Wang Zhengjun, and also sent the two to the Yellow Spring Road. This series of actions, although extreme, is an explosion of hatred and powerlessness that has accumulated in his heart for many years.
After the incident, the police quickly arrested Zhang Koukou. Throughout the trial, Zhang Koukou confessed to his actions, saying that this was to avenge his mother and let his father be a man. Although his actions are extreme, the reasons behind them are thought-provoking. How should this kind of deep-rooted family hatred be resolved, and how should there be a balance between the justice of the law and the catharsis of emotions?
The court finally sentenced Zhang to death on the grounds that his murderous methods were cruel and heinous in nature. This result has aroused widespread concern and discussion in the society. Some argue that although Zhang's actions are excessive, the underlying reasons are worth reflecting on, especially in the application of law and social justice when dealing with rural land and family grievances. Others insist that, regardless of the cause, all persons are equal before the law and that the conduct of all persons should be regulated and judged by the law.
This case is not just a simple murder case, but also a mirror that reflects the complexity of society and the multifaceted nature of human nature. Although Zhang Koukou's behavior is unacceptable, his experience and psychological changes are social issues worthy of in-depth discussion. He, like a tragedy, makes people wonder how we should find the balance that makes people feel at ease in a society where the rule of law and human feelings are intertwined.
Zhang Koukou is an extreme but highly cautionary case. It not only allows us to see the actions that individuals may take when driven by extreme emotions, but more importantly, it allows us to see the shortcomings that society may have in dealing with traditional grievances and land disputes.