The patriarch tells his son that he fired the scientist because he was interfering with the family's plans to marry his daughter-in-law. The patriarch also says that the marriage agreement between the bai and nie families has been put on hold. He says that this man pushed his son into the river and ruined the reputation of the family. He adds that the scientist must die if he is to be credited with any scientific or technological advances. If the scientist dies accidentally, all of his credit will go to the nine counties of the federal government.