In Sichuan, Lao Zhong, a butcher, sparked days of protests by assaulting people. According to reports, thousands of people gathered in front of the butcher shop involved, demanding severe punishment for the assailant, leading to clashes with the police on the scene. The local public security bureau later issued a notice stating that the assailant had been caught, but at the same time, two people were reportedly punished for spreading rumors, leading to online criticism questioning if they are once again targeting the “problem-solvers.”
The incident, which has been closely followed by blogger “Yesterday (@YesterdayBigcat)” who focuses on human rights issues in mainland China, was reported on X platform on the 26th and 27th. The cause of this incident, as reported, dates back to December 23, when an elderly man at the Xingjia Bian vegetable market in Langzhong found the weight of the pork he purchased from a butcher seriously insufficient when he returned to a nearby noodle shop. Several eyewitnesses claimed that this action angered the butcher, who then gathered 7-8 people to beat the owner of the noodle shop. Rumors of a death were circulating online, but the information could not be confirmed.
This event quickly spread on local social media, provoking strong public outrage. From the 23rd to the 25th, thousands of citizens gathered for three consecutive days at the entrance of the butcher shop, demanding justice for the beaten noodle shop owner. While the butcher shop remained open during this time, the public perceived it as a lack of action by the local government and suspected possible connections between the butcher and local authorities.
By December 26, a large number of people once again gathered at the butcher shop, continuing their protest against the butcher’s bullying behavior and calling for severe punishment. Video footage from the scene showed that compared to the previous days, the protests on that day were more intense. Demonstrators were emotional, attempting to charge into the closed butcher shop but were blocked by the vigilant police.
The mother of the noodle shop owner who was beaten also appeared at the protest, holding a loudspeaker and accusing the butcher of inciting 7-8 people to beat her son. During the incident, the police tried to arrest the mother, and the crowd surrounded the police car, shouting slogans to prevent the police from taking the elderly woman away, leading to pushing and physical confrontations, creating a tense atmosphere at the scene.
On December 26, the Langzhong Public Security Bureau in Sichuan reported that on December 23 around 8 am, a case of assaulting others occurred at the Xingjia Bian vegetable market in Langzhong. During a dispute between Li Mou (male, 42 years old), who was selling noodles on the roadside of the market, and Gao Mou (female, 36 years old), the owner of a pork factory shop, along with the shop employees Li Moumou (male, 33 years old), Gao Moumou (male, 56 years old), and Huang Mou (male, 42 years old), assaulted Li Mou.
The report stated that Li Mou has been sent for a medical examination and suffered minor injuries without major complications. Gao Mou, Li Moumou, Gao Moumou, Huang Mou, and four others have been administratively detained. Li Mou (female, 51 years old) and Wei Mou (female, 54 years old) spread rumors such as “pork shop owner kills” and “noodle seller’s death” on online platforms and were subjected to administrative penalties.
However, the official report raised questions from the public: “If it’s as simple as stated in the report, why did it provoke public anger? There must be twists and turns in the story.”
“If it was just a normal fight or injury, why did it cause such a stir? What is the truth?”
“The Tangshan barbecue incident was also a minor injury previously.”
On an overseas X platform, netizens commented:
“It’s always those who try to solve the problems who end up being targeted.”
“Chaos in the world starts in Sichuan.”
“County officials may have never seen such a scene before, that’s why they are handling it cautiously.”
“What this town needs is a Lu Zhixia. If only there were Liangshan heroes.”
“The Communist Party wants people to fight each other so they can benefit. Down with the Communist Party!”
“Lacking a Liangshan hero, this society needs it more than the police.”