between clouds and mud

Chapter 32
The villagers sitting below were still whispering softly at first, but their voices gradually became quieter. They looked at the people on the stage and began to look at them seriously.

Standing in front of her was no longer the frail and timid little girl in her memory, but a woman who had become shrewd and capable since no one knew when.

She has the spirit of a leader in every gesture, and her speech is decent, and every word is clear.

Gradually, the villagers were also infected by her words, and after serious thinking, they began to ask questions enthusiastically: "Secretary Zhang, we farmers have grown these melons and fruits before, but we have grown them on such a large area. After planting them, who will they sell them to?" ?”

Zhang Fang nodded with a smile, calmly took out several documents from the bag, and distributed one to each family.

"This is the government's policy to help farmers. Regarding this, I have already applied to the unit in the provincial capital. After we planted it, we encountered difficulties in exporting. There are government-cooperated businesses to purchase, but the price will be lower than the market. become."

"This is just an alternative plan. Since we are going to do things, we must be rushing to make money. I have worked in a national chain supermarket for several years. I know the contacts and supply methods for export. When the time comes, our immediate If the quality of Ximi pomelo can be well controlled, I will solve the worries of the villagers." Zhang Fang continued to add.

Zhang Fang's words were like thunder on the ground, which boosted morale, and the villagers also became motivated.

But after all, there is no young labor force in the village. Most of them are old people and children. Without the ambition to start a business, it is easy to say, who will do it?

The crowd was silent for a moment, and the village head was the first to raise his hand. The old man who was nearly sixty years old stood up first and said, "Secretary Zhang, I'm signing up."

The head of the village is Zhou Laoliu, with a stooped figure. He used to be the only foreign man here, and he was unanimously recommended to be the head of the village a few years ago.

He is simple, honest, and generous, and his educated daughter is also outstanding, and he can be regarded as a dragon and phoenix among the masters.

Most of their generation is illiterate, the most knowledgeable person is none other than Lao Liu, and the most convincing is none other than him.

With Zhou Laoliu taking the lead, most people in the village also signed up. Only a few elderly households who were really unable to work did not participate.

That's a pretty good start.

At the end of the meeting, Zhang Fang packed up her things, and after the crowd dispersed, Zhang Fang and Zhou Laoliu stayed for a discussion, and talked about the work arrangement in more detail.

Zhang Fang thanked Old Sixth Uncle: "Sixth Uncle, thank you."

Holding a heavy report in his hand, Zhou Laoliu said with emotion, "Silly boy, we should thank you."

After Zhang Fang sent her sixth uncle away, there were still a pair of parents waiting for her outside the door.

Fang Nier's parents enthusiastically took their daughter home for dinner. Zhang Fang knew that her work still needed their support, so she nodded politely and followed her home.

Even when the family doesn't mention money, the surface is still harmonious and beautiful.

In the early years, in order to help Junzi repay the debts, the husband and wife wiped out all the family assets, so their lives were relatively tight.

Zhang Fang looked at the bowl of porridge and pickles served on the table, knowing that it was for her, she finished eating without changing expression, and planned to leave.

The couple faltered and stopped the person, expressing their feelings that the daughter's current appearance is indeed promising. The husband and wife also actively participated in supporting the daughter's planting project, but the family's financial situation is not good and money is really tight.

Zhang Fang understood the meaning in her heart, and said that she would figure out a solution by herself.

The husband and wife released him contentedly after receiving this guarantee. After a few days, there was no news. When the two were itching, they received a letter from the town.

The husband and wife are illiterate, and after asking Zhou Laoliu to read it for help, their faces were a little uneasy.

This is a loan application form for a rural cooperative. In addition to the clauses, there is also a text note specially circled: The situation at home can get a small amount of low-interest loans for participating in government-supported projects.

They knew that Zhang Fang was now the deputy secretary of the town's party committee and was working in the town government. The husband and wife had the audacity to run several times to find someone, but they never met.

So the husband and wife simply stayed at the gate of the town government, and began to inquire about Zhang Fang when they encountered people coming in and out.

There was only one woman in the whole unit, and the one transferred from Changsha city, how could it be the golden phoenix flying out of the backcountry?

The husband and wife took out the photos with certainty, and several colleagues looked at each other, only then did they confirm that they were the same person.

Zhang Fang didn't know about the turmoil until after several village mobilization meetings. She rode a bicycle in a dusty environment, and had a few blisters on her mouth. She saw the husband and wife waiting for her at the door of the unit from a long distance away.

After more than a week of verbal confrontation, Zhang Fang was a little exhausted, but had to brace herself to deal with the two in front of her.

She was overwhelmed, and the communication for a long time was fruitless. Knowing that they were determined to ask for money, Zhang Fang directly called the security guard at the door to take them away.

For half a day, the colleagues who came in and out next to him secretly looked at the situation from the corner of their eyes.

After this incident, Zhang Fang discovered sensitively that the attitude of her colleagues in the unit was different from before.

What a realistic animal people are, when they know your birth, your conditions, the former kind expression will change to a bit of ridicule and contempt.

It must be a lie to say that she doesn't care about other people's eyes. Zhang Fang can only ignore this discomfort as much as possible. She is no longer the little girl who had a strong desire for self-esteem to be satisfied. She cares more about whether the work in hand can be done well.

Therefore, she kept her spirits up, and faced the secretly scrutinizing eyes of her colleagues, she only concentrated on her own affairs.

But the husband and wife did not let it go. They cried, made troubles and hanged themselves at the door every day, and came to the government gate to mourn from time to time, which caused a very bad influence.

After repeated warnings, Zhang Fang was asked to suspend her job because of her style of life.

The family simply tore up their faces and made an ugly scene.

The husband and wife took the lead in putting down the pickers and not cooperating with the work progress promoted by the government. There were many rumors in the countryside, and rumors spread from all over the country.

The gossiping women in the village were chatting about the secretary's duplicity and filial piety, with vivid expressions.

Zhang Fang went to the countryside to inspect as usual. Although her job in the government was suspended, she still cared about visiting and paying attention to the situation of honey pomelo planting on the mountain.

If there is a lack of labor in the home of an elderly person who is too old, Zhang Fang will help out with a hoe, so her work in the government office has gradually become a labor in the countryside.

Looking at the saplings planted one by one, the old and tired white-haired man couldn't help feeling: "Secretary, you are different from what others say."

In the hot summer, a bus full of mud stopped in the town.

The man who got out of the car was tall and tall, carrying a large military bag on his strong arms, his eyes were slightly squinted by the sun.

After getting off the car, he stood at the intersection and looked around for a while, seeing the rolling green hills and the thriving scenery, he couldn't help being stunned for a moment.

Passing by a fellow on a motorcycle at the intersection, the man stopped him and asked, "Brother, in which direction is the Wick Bridge?"

The fellow on the motorcycle also looked at him a few times.This man who came from afar with a bag on his back has a firm face, a tall and straight figure, and a strong and powerful tone of voice. He is carrying a lot of bags on his back, and he is probably a foreigner.

The fellow looked at him: "Are you here to visit relatives?"

After the man heard this, he was stunned for a moment, then said with a smile in the local dialect: "I'm going home."

Zhang Jiaxiang had been in the army for eight years, and he only had one vacation to visit relatives every two years.

It is basically in winter, and the scenery when I go home every year is a piece of cold wind and bleakness.

Seeing the trees lined with shade and vitality now is very strange to him.

I can't remember the way home.

The sourness in his heart is self-evident, and the folks couldn't help but smile when they heard it: "Get in the car, and I will give you a ride along the way."

Zhang Jiaxiang thanked him and sat in the back with a big horse.

The roads in the countryside were uneven, and the motorcycle was a little bumpy while driving, and the wind mixed with the smell of rice blew past their ears.

On the hillside passing by the roadside, there are neat rows of saplings with slender branches and sparse green leaves on the branches.

"It's only been half a year, and this tree grows vigorously, making people look at it with open heart." Zhang Jiaxiang couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

The voice of the folks came along the wind blown by the motorcycle: "A female secretary came to the town and said that she would lead everyone to a well-off life. Women think simply. There are not many young people in our countryside, so how can we run?" Xiaokang?"

"How long will you stay here, fellow?" the man asked him.

Zhang Jiaxiang supported the back seat of the motorcycle and explained: "I just came back from serving as a soldier, and I will stay and find a job in the future, so I won't leave."

"Aren't you leaving?" the folks asked him

"My family has planted honey pomelo on two hills, and I have to stay in the future, and look for a job."

"If you don't go outside when you are young, you will regret it later. I heard that you can earn a lot of money outside, and the houses in the city have elevators."

"Hahaha...everything is worse than being at home."

The two men started joking with each other. Regarding the matter of running to a well-off society, no one knew where it was headed.

But Zhang Jiaxiang knows in his heart that the construction of his hometown cannot do without the strength and support of young people.

Someone has to take the lead and be the first to respond to the government's call.

Zhang Jiaxiang resolutely chose to go back to his hometown in a crowd of people running around.

After resting at home for a period of time, Zhang Jiaxiang relied on his status as a retired soldier.

I found a job as an auxiliary police officer at the police station in the town. The salary of the auxiliary police is not high, and it is very hard work in the sun and rain.

Most of the work content is to solve some trivial matters. At night, he rests in the duty room, and several villagers make a scene at the police station. It is said that it is a family conflict.

Family conflicts are the most difficult to reconcile, and it is hard to explain why, and it is easy to cause a commotion.

As a result, the mediating police generally just deal with it and act as a peacemaker.

Zhang Jiaxiang's accent sounded familiar, like someone from Dengxinqiao, so he asked a few words to the colleague handling the case.

The colleague said helplessly: "The couple came to the police station every now and then to make trouble, saying that the daughter did not support the elderly. This case is difficult to handle."

"Why is it so difficult?"

"Last time we mediated for more than half a month, and it broke out again." Colleague Sikong met and said, "I'm not satisfied with the money."

The husband and wife were crying in the office, calling themselves miserable.

Zhang Fang inspected the mountain for a day, and was summoned by the police in the middle of the night.At this time, her eyes were a little tired and bloodshot, and her pale face looked a little haggard.

The police handling the case were caught in the middle to persuade, and both sides were not pleased.

What the husband and wife meant was that the money discussed last time was too little, the family was in trouble, and the whole family was going to starve to death, and so on.

Zhang Fang sat aside, looking a little numb.After mediating so many times, she no longer has the energy to continue arguing.

Zhang Jiaxiang pushed open the door with a pair of shackles in his hands and walked in. He first said hello: "Uncle, aunt."

It is rare for the husband and wife to see an acquaintance here, and when they heard him take the initiative to say hello, the two of them seemed to see a rescuer.

Having already classified him as one of their own in their hearts, the husband and wife began to cry to Zhang Jiaxiang according to the routine.

Zhang Jiaxiang did not show impatience, but smiled: "Let's accumulate some virtue."

This sentence made both husband and wife stunned.

Zhang Jiaxiang slapped the shackles in his hand on the table, and said word by word:

"Deputy Secretary Zhang is a national public official. Because your multiple malicious interferences have seriously affected your work, and you have even been suspended without pay. You are obstructing official duties. If the circumstances are serious, you will be imprisoned."

Zhang Fang's expression in the corner finally changed a little. She slowly raised her head and looked at the well-dressed man in front of her. He was standing under the bright white lamp, and Zhang Fang's eyes were moist.

Zhang Jiaxiang knew that this kind of short-sightedness of the parents could not be explained clearly, so he simply made the matter bigger.

When it comes to policy and national affairs, the plot is different.

Zhang Jiaxiang continued: "Family disputes are civil liability, and those who obstruct public affairs shall be held legally liable, unless the parties do not pursue it."

Zhang Fang responded: "I will pursue it." Although her voice was hoarse, she was firm.

After completing the registration of the case, Zhang Jiaxiang glanced at the couple standing next to him. The two were bullying and fearing the hard. Now they were honest and stopped talking.

Zhang Jiaxiang sealed the file to his colleagues, took a flashlight, and sent Zhang Fang back to the dormitory safely.

"Brother Daxiang, when did you come back?" Zhang Fang asked proactively.

"It's been more than a month." After Zhang Jiaxiang came back, he hadn't actively contacted his friends.

Zhang Jiaxiang sent her to her residence and planned to go back, Zhang Fang took the initiative to invite her: "Brother Daxiang, go up and sit for a while."

The two haven't seen each other for many years, and as they grow up, there is already a little strangeness and distance between them.

She called Brother Daxiang, as if bringing his memory back to his childhood.

Zhang Fang has her own single dormitory, which is small and neatly furnished.

There is also a glass vase by the window, in which are some flowers that are not common in the country.

The only thing that was a little messy was her desk, with a pile of materials and notes on it. Zhang Jiaxiang glanced at it, and most of them were related to honey pomelo policy and poverty alleviation.

Zhang Fang tidied up the table in a hurry, and poured a glass of water for Zhang Jiaxiang.

"Brother Daxiang, thank you." There was only one stool in Zhang Fang's room, and she sat on the edge of the bed: "I didn't expect to have you protecting me when I grew up, just like when I was a child."

When I was young, no matter who was bullied, Zhang Jiaxiang always stood up and upheld justice, because he was the eldest brother and the king of children.

Zhang Jiaxiang took a sip of water, he looked at the girl in front of him who looked completely different from what he remembered, and couldn't help but sigh the magic of time: "You are different, not at all like before."

Zhang Fang couldn't help laughing: "You are not like before."

"Ok?"

She looked at the man in front of her who was strong and steely, and praised: "It's more like a man."

Zhang Jiaxiang also smiled, his skin was dark, and his white teeth showed when he smiled.The wind and snow at the border was really strong, blowing away the immaturity of the past, and polished this man's awe-inspiring righteousness.

After the two chatted for a while, Zhang Jiaxiang got up and said goodbye.

Zhang Jiaxiang had already heard about the fact that a female secretary came to the town when he was still in the military camp. His parents hesitated on the phone, should they plant the honey pomelo or not?
Planting, of course, and planting the entire hill.

money?This is not a problem.

Zhang Jiaxiang took out all his retirement bonuses and wages and put them in.

Therefore, their family is the most cooperative with the government's work. The two hills of the family are full of honey pomelo saplings, which is the largest planting land in the village.

But Zhang Jiaxiang understands that being a soldier is not as glorious as it used to be. Compared with his former partners, he is quite average.

The encounter with Zhang Fang this time was unexpected for him. Looking at this girl, he couldn't help admiring her growth, but also felt sad because of her experience.

As the eldest brother, he had to do something for her.

Zhang Fang, as always, shuttles and inspects among the fruit trees on various hills. If she finds diseases and insect pests, she records them as soon as possible, and then immediately tries to figure out the cause and the pest control plan.

If a large area of ​​fruit tree saplings on a hill does not grow well, she will look through planting books and manuals, or ask experienced fruit growers in neighboring provinces to ask about the situation and causes.

Zhang Fang seems to be a half-expert in fruit tree planting. During this period of time, her wretched parents have not bothered her.

Within a few days, Zhang Fang resumed her original job, and even her colleagues in the unit were impressed by her.

It turned out that villagers from various villages in Linxi Town jointly wrote a letter, with more than 100 names and red handprints, all in order to thank Deputy Secretary Zhang for his hard work during this period.

When Zhang Fang saw this letter in the office, her character was not so pure that she was indifferent to fame and fortune.

Tears welled up in her eyes. Although the yellow letter paper was light in her hand, it was heavy in her eyes.

"Comrade Zhang Fang, I'm sorry, you have been wronged." The unit leader deliberately stood aside and patted his shoulder to comfort: "We have also received a notice from the police station, and you are not to blame for this matter."

Zhang Fang's parents are currently receiving ideological education at the police station. They were detained for [-] days in addition to fines for spreading rumors and maliciously disrupting government policies.

(End of this chapter)