The train driver in the courtyard

After being measured by Technician Liu, the canal was found to be in full compliance with the planning standards. Li Aiguo returned to the tent and prepared to pack his bags to return to the capital.

While they were busy, Zhao Yue'e came in carrying two large pumpkins. She stood at the door and said timidly, "Driver Li, are you busy?"

"It's Aunt Zhao, come in quickly." Li Aiguo glanced at her. Zhao Yue'e's eyes were still red and swollen, but there were bloodshot on her face.

Humans are highly adaptable animals. Sadness belongs to the past, and we should always look forward.

"You are busy, you are busy." Zhao Yue'e put the pumpkin on the ground and smiled: "This is what I planted in my own plot. I will bring it back for Xueru to taste."

Li Aiguo had packed his luggage by this time, and he stood up and asked, "Aunt, are you here for Zhongxing today?"

Zhao Yue'e didn't know how to start, but when she heard this, she quickly said, "Driver Li, I can't hide anything from you, I know ZTE too well.

He was so angry that he secretly hid in the cowshed last night to sharpen his knife. I was afraid he would cause trouble."

Landlord Huang killed Wei Zhongxing's father, and the two families formed a blood feud. Wei Zhongxing was a hot-blooded young man, and he might really resort to violence.

"Driver Li, the child only listens to you now. Can you help persuade him?" Zhao Yue'e felt a little embarrassed for wasting other people's time.

"Call Zhongxing over here, I want to talk to him."

Li Aiguo didn't want to see a young man with a bright future go astray because of two old ladies with bound feet.

Zhao Yue'e happily agreed when she heard this, turned around and walked out of the tent. After a while, she came in with Wei Zhongxing.

Wei Zhongxing has now lost his childishness and seems to be much more stable, but his eyes are a little gloomy.

"Brother Aiguo, you are looking for me."

Everyone in the village calls Li Aiguo "Driver Li", but Wei Zhongxing calls him "Brother Aiguo".

Li Aiguo threw away his cigarette butt and turned to look at the uneasy Wei Zhongxing: "Stand still!"

Li Aiguo's voice was still as easy-going as before, just like when he first came to Wei Zhuang Commune to deliver a thermos and enamel basin to Zhao Yue'e's family.

It was just like when he was dealing with the bandit woman, the words "I will kill you if you dare to move" were unquestionable.

Wei Zhongxing quickly stood at attention.

For a teenager like Wei Zhongxing, Li Aiguo, who is both a literary talent and a martial artist who can build big machines and defeat a landlady, is a true idol.

Li Aiguo lit up another cigarette and narrowed his eyes: "I heard you're going to chop off those two old ladies with bound feet?"

Wei Zhongxing wanted to deny it, but Li Aiguo glanced at him and he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue: "It's me, I want to avenge my father!"

"If I don't avenge my father's murder, am I still a human being?"

"The landlord Huang ran away, and they have to pay the price."

He puffed out his chest.

"You killed someone? You abandoned your mother and fled to the northwest?"

Li Aiguo would not do anything to harm his family.

The two old ladies with bound feet followed Landlord Huang in eating and drinking the fine food and drinking the fine drinks, and also made many suggestions. It is impossible for them to say that they have no responsibility at all.

But now the two old ladies with bound feet are being dealt with by the commune, and we cannot take personal grudges.

Wei Zhongxing also understood this truth, but he was still unconvinced: "Landlord Huang ran away, it seems he ran to the island, and I can't find him."

Li Aiguo laughed: "You are so arrogant, why don't I give you two wings and let you go bomb the island!"

Wei Zhongxing: "Brother Aiguo, you know what, this is really a good idea."

Li Aiguo: "."

"Brother Aiguo, I know how to take revenge! I'm going to join the army, and when we attack the islands in the future, I'm going to kill Landlord Huang with my own hands." Wei Zhongxing's eyes lit up and he clenched his fists tightly.

"Okay, be a soldier! And be a pilot, and drop bombs on Mr. Huang's head."

Li Aiguo didn't expect that this kid had such big ambitions, but since Wei Zhongxing could concentrate on being a soldier and wouldn't get into trouble for the time being, he nodded in agreement.

Li Aiguo had not thought at this time that several years later, his words would come true.

Of course, these are all things for later.

After packing up, the convoy returned to the capital city under the watchful eyes of Village Chief Lao Wei and the commune members.

Due to the large size of the trench digger, it can only be transported to Jinling by rail. The Qianmen Locomotive Depot and Staff Officer Xiao are coordinating the train schedule with the department and formulating a confidential transportation plan.

Our Li Aiguo also got two days of rest.

After checking the trench digger in the section, we turned into the greenhouse.

The vegetables, peppers, eggplants and tomatoes grown in the greenhouse are growing well, but there are some small insects underneath.

Li Aiguo went to the fire station next door to get some dust, picked a few tomatoes and a bunch of green vegetables, put them in a net bag, and staggered back to the courtyard.

As soon as I entered the door, I saw Yi Zhonghai coming in from outside. His skin was sallow, his hair was messy, and his lips were cracked and bleeding. It was obvious that he had suffered a lot.

Yi Zhonghai also saw Li Aiguo, turned his head away with a flickering look, pretending not to see him, and walked into the compound in shame.

"Hey, uncle, you're back. From now on, don't do those messy things. Raise your ideological awareness and don't embarrass our compound." Liu Haizhong appeared out of nowhere and took the opportunity to scold Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai was so angry that he rolled his eyes but couldn't say a word. He could only nod awkwardly and leave.

"This old Yi, hey, he's suffered a big loss this time." Liu Haizhong saw Li Aiguo and hurried over: "Aiguo, you're back."

Li Aiguo greeted him and asked, "Has Yi Zhonghai been released?"

"Yes, I heard that the deaf old lady looked for Director Yang several times and finally dug Yi Zhonghai out."

"Today the factory announced that Yi Zhonghai disregarded the production system in pursuit of output. He will be given a serious offense, have his salary deducted for half a year, and will be disqualified from the promotion exam."

Liu Haizhong shook his head as he spoke: "Everyone in the factory said that he was too clever for his own good."

Li Aiguo didn't care about this. He turned around and was about to go into the house. Liu Haizhong grabbed Li Aiguo's arm.

"Patriotic, wait a minute."

He turned around and went into the house, bringing out dozens of dumplings.

"This is what your second aunt just made. She added some lard inside. It's really fragrant."

"Second uncle, this is inappropriate."

"Hey, we're a family, why are we being so formal?" Liu Haizhong looked around and said in a low voice, "This lard residue is a welfare gift from Guangqi. It's a full pound and a half. Guangqi eats at the construction site, so there's no way our family can finish it all."

"Then I'll take it." Li Aiguo took the dumplings and asked Chen Xueru to take them back to the house. He took out a bag of dried vegetables from his bag and handed it to her: "I brought this back from the countryside. Try something new."

"You are so polite, kid." Liu Haizhong laughed awkwardly. Seeing that Li Aiguo insisted, he had no choice but to take the dry vegetables.

Liu Haizhong took the dried vegetables back. Second Aunt saw them and asked in surprise, "Hey, didn't I ask you to send something to Patriotic Country? Why did you bring something back?"

"Aiguo is such a picky kid. What can I do?" Liu Haizhong took out the dried vegetables and hung them under the eaves to dry.

"Don't answer it next time, otherwise we will never be able to repay this favor." What the second aunt cares about is her reputation.

"I know." Liu Haizhong said a little impatiently.

The second aunt said angrily: "Don't be like the third uncle, who fools people with a few small cat fish all day long, and isn't he afraid of being stabbed in the back."

"Stop talking so much." Liu Haizhong turned his back.

While the second uncle and the second aunt were arguing, the first uncle and the first aunt were also fighting.

"Now it's okay. I've had half a year's salary deducted and was also given a serious warning." The aunt felt aggrieved. Today, the residents in the compound looked at her with strange eyes.

"And Jia Dongxu came to our house to borrow fifteen yuan a few days ago."

"You lent it to him?" The old man frowned after finding out what Jia Dongxu had done.

"Aren't we going to take care of him as an elderly person? He said he wanted to pay a fine. How can I not lend it to him?" said an old lady unhappily.

The old man felt aggrieved.

His master was arrested, but Jia Dongxu did not help to find a solution. Instead, he went home and burned his ancestral grave.

After getting into trouble, he still comes to borrow money.

Jia Dongxu doesn't behave like a parent.

"Fortunately, Jia Dongxu hasn't played cards recently. He just needs to be trained well."

In the end, Yi Zhonghai could only comfort himself in a low voice.

At dinner time, Yi Zhonghai personally brought a bowl of noodles and knocked on the door of the deaf old lady.

"Out?"

"Out."

"You haven't been wronged, have you?"

"No."

"Go back."

"Eh."

The deaf old lady didn't say anything else and waved at Yi Zhonghai.

After leaving the house, Yi Zhonghai sighed.

This time I owe you a big favor.

****
Chen Zilan has been stimulated recently and is busy with the 1+1 project, so he has no time to be a tutor.

The next day, Li Aiguo planned to have a good rest at home and help He Yushui with his homework.

Just after breakfast, Zhou Ke came in a GAZ jeep.

"Patriotic, hurry up, the movie crew is here."

"Filming a movie? That's too fast."

Li Aiguo was puzzled.

You have to know that there are very few movies these days, and each one is shot very carefully. How come it's only been a few days and they've already started shooting?

When he arrived at the education room and met two unfamiliar middle-aged men, Li Aiguo realized that Zhou Ke was not a qualified communicator.

These two are indeed filmmakers, but they are not from Beijing Film Academy. Instead, they are from Shanghai Art Studio, and they make animated films.

In fact, the domestic animation industry started very early. As early as the 1920s, the first animation "Shu Zhendong Chinese Typewriter" was produced.

After liberation, several film studios in Shanghai were formed into Shanghai Art Studio, which produced a series of classic cartoons such as "Havoc in Heaven", "Nezha Conquers the Dragon King", "Black Cat Sheriff", "Calabash Brothers", "The Lotus Lantern", etc.

In 1955, the first domestic color animated film "Why Crows Are Black" won the Venice International Children's Film Festival Award.

"This is Comrade Li Aiguo, the author of Kung Fu Panda."

A leader from the cultural department introduced the two parties.

"This is Deputy Director Liu of the Art Film Studio, and this is Director Wan Ming."

When he heard the name Deputy Director Liu, Li Aiguo was still calm, but when he heard the name "Wan Ming", his expression immediately became serious.

When talking about the development history of domestic animation, we have to mention the real pioneer of domestic animation - the Wan family.

There are four brothers in the Wan family, namely Wan Ming, Wan Chan, Wan Chen and Wan Huan.

They established the animation department of Star Pictures in the 1930s and trained the first batch of animation talents in the country.

During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Wan brothers resolutely led the animation team to join the anti-Japanese and national salvation movement.

They used their pens as guns and their paintings as blades, and created more than 20 animated short films full of anti-Japanese and anti-imperialist spirit.

Compared with his brothers, Wan Ming prefers directing. "Deputy Director Liu, Director Wan, hello."

After a brief greeting, Wan Ming directly stated the purpose of his trip.

"Our Art Studio plans to film Kung Fu Panda into a TV animation."

"TV animation?" Li Aiguo felt strange.

There are few televisions in the country these days and the audience is small, so it would be a thankless task for the art studios to do this.

Wan Ming explained: "Now Xiaomei's Disney has filmed several TV animations in succession, which have received wide acclaim. Tezuka Osamu, who is still young, is also preparing to film "Astro Boy."

Osamu Tezuka is a famous cartoonist and animation producer in the daily life. His comic work "Firebird" published in 195 is generally regarded as the highest masterpiece in the daily life comics world.

Li Aiguo also knew that Wan Ming and Tezuka Osamu had been good friends for many years and had been exchanging letters.

Wan Ming is worried: "The movie version of the cartoon can indeed reduce costs and gain the greatest profit, but it cannot be spread to the widest range and cannot have an impact."

"TV animation is the future direction of animation development."

Hearing this, Li Aiguo looked at Director Wan in surprise.

As a pioneer of domestic animation, he realized so early that the biggest benefit of animation is actually its influence.

In later times, it was called IP.

Take "Saint Seiya", "Naruto" and "One Piece" for example, each of them has been filmed for hundreds of episodes. People grew up watching these animations, so they naturally have an influence.

When Disney was creating IP in the early days, it actually took some shortcuts and turned folk tales such as Snow White and Cinderella into its own.

In order to develop IP in the later stage, they had to shoot "The Incredibles Series" and "Coco Series".

Of course, just because an art studio is clear about the future development direction of animation doesn’t mean they can move in that direction.

Due to the shortage of domestic materials and insufficient attention paid to entertainment products such as cartoons, it was very difficult for Shanghai Art Studio to independently produce hundreds of episodes of "Kung Fu Panda".

More importantly, although "Kung Fu Panda" has received positive reviews in China and was adapted by Li Aiguo into a story about fighting against local tyrants, it is inevitable to find flaws if you look at it through a magnifying glass.

In this special era, that flaw is often fatal.

Deputy Director Liu spoke up at this time: "So, patriotic comrade, we hope to jointly produce this TV animation with your railway department, and the copyright will belong to both of us."

The Art Studio has talents and technology, and the railway department can serve as a backer and provide funds. This is a win-win cooperation.

Xing Duanchang interjected: "This kind of thing should be decided by the leaders of the ministry."

Deputy Director Liu smiled and said, "In fact, we have asked the Ministry of Railways before. The Ministry is very interested, but we still need the cooperation of patriotic comrades."

After all, Li Aiguo is the author of "Kung Fu Panda" and owns the full copyright.

"This is indeed a good idea, but our strength is still too weak with just the two of us. Kung Fu Panda will not only be broadcast in China in the future, but also go overseas. We should bring in another helper."

Li Aiguo thought of Lou Xiaoe.

This girl will graduate from Gangcheng University soon.

However, this tripartite collaboration still needs approval from the ministry.

After seeing off the leaders of the Magic City Art Factory, Li Aiguo came to the subway construction site in the afternoon.

Thanks to the shield machine, the construction efficiency has been greatly improved. The subway laying work at Pingguoyuan Station was completed in just half a month, and we are now studying the follow-up work.

Liu Guozhang also had a rare chance to relax.

"Hey, Aiguo, how come you have time to come here today?"

"Teacher, hey, there's something I want to ask you for help with." Li Aiguo skillfully picked up a pack of cigarettes from Liu Guozhang's desk, took out a cigarette and handed it to him, then took out one for himself and put it in his pocket.

"Are you planning to make animation?" Liu Guozhang was shocked by the news.

He knew very well that although Hextech Technology in Gangcheng was nominally owned by the Yang family, it was actually the property of the Ministry of Railways and Li Aiguo.

"Teacher, cartoons are a good thing. People tend to have a lot of feelings for things they have watched since childhood, and feelings can provide a lot of emotional value."

Li Aiguo talked about his idea of ​​making Kung Fu Panda a well-known IP.

Liu Guozhang was amazed and said, "You made a fool of a kid with this toy. But don't tell me, this is really the reason. But for this matter, you can go find Minister Teng yourself."

Liu Guozhang was halfway through his words when he suddenly froze and his eyes became fiery.

Liu Guozhang is now a member of a five-member team. Judging from his rank, he should be ranked at the top in the railway department.

It’s just that he doesn’t have enough qualifications. He was only the director of the Railway Technology Research Institute before, and he has always been criticized.

Now Li Aiguo has put the credit that is within his reach into his hands.

"What a good student!" Liu Guozhang said sincerely.

If Liu Guozhang can make further progress in the future, it will also be beneficial to Li Aiguo's grand plan.

This is called a sedan chair that everyone carries.
After Liu Guozhang realized the importance of this matter, he arranged the afternoon work and hurried to the department with Li Aiguo.

After listening to the report, Minister Teng and several leaders unanimously expressed their approval.

After all, this is also a good thing for the Ministry of Railways.

As a preliminary arrangement, Li Aiguo picked up the confidential phone and contacted Yang Jizong in Gangcheng.

"Brother Ji Zong, please go to Gangcheng University."

Lou Xiao'e has been living in Gangcheng with Wang Ma for four years. With the help of those boxes of small yellow croakers, they bought a house in Gangcheng and went to study at Gangcheng University.

She has adapted to life here, and her only regret is that she cannot be with Li Aiguo.

Lou Xiao'e, who is already a senior in college, did not look for a job like other classmates, applying for positions in various large companies or returning home to inherit the family business.

Because two years ago, Li Aiguo told her in a letter that he would arrange a job for her after she graduated.

"What exactly is this job?"

Early in the morning, Lou Xiao'e picked up a pack of instant noodles and soaked it in a bowl.

When Aunt Zhang came back from shopping, she saw Lou Xiao'e eating instant noodles again and scolded her, "Miss, eating too much of this stuff will make you get angry. Why didn't you wait for me to come back and cook?"

"I just like this taste." Lou Xiao'e tilted her cute little face and said coquettishly: "How about you help me fry an egg?"

"Hey, miss, wait for me, I'll be there right away." Aunt Zhang didn't care about being angry anymore. She hurried into the kitchen and quickly made an fried egg.

The plate was placed on the table and Aunt Zhang stood beside it.

Lou Xiao'e took a bite of the fried egg and pointed at the chair opposite her: "Auntie Zhang, I've told you so many times that we are a family, there is no distinction between master and servant."

"Miss, when the master was still alive." Aunt Zhang mentioned Lou Bancheng, seemed to realize something, and quickly shut her mouth.

Although Aunt Zhang didn't know what happened that year that resulted in Lou Bancheng being unable to get out.

But after thinking back to that rainy night countless times over the years, she still figured out something.

Lou Xiao'e didn't seem to hear it, biting the fried egg one bite at a time: "Auntie Zhang, your cooking skills have improved again."

"As long as Miss likes to eat it, I will cook for you for the rest of my life." Aunt Zhang smiled and was about to stand up to get busy, but suddenly she stopped and turned to look at Lou Xiao'e.

"Miss, the eldest young master came to see me yesterday."

Speaking of her elder brother, Lou Xiao'e's mood suddenly became bad: "What happened to him?"

"How could the young master tell a servant like me? I just saw a few yellow-haired people following him. They seemed to be collecting debts. How could the young master owe so much money? We are all family. If we can help..."

Aunt Zhang was about to continue talking, but Lou Xiao'e wiped her mouth, stood up and interrupted her.

"Auntie Zhang, I'm busy preparing my graduation thesis recently, so I won't be back at noon."

"You're not used to the school meals, I'll bring you a lunch box."

Aunt Zhang hurried into the kitchen and started busying herself. Lou Xiao'e listened to the clanging sounds and let out a long sigh.

The eldest branch of the Lou family had arrived in Hong Kong City several years ago.

According to Lou Bancheng's arrangement, the eldest brother Lou Wen and the second brother Lou Wu purchased a lot of properties in Gangcheng, opened factories, and established relationships with local communities.

After arriving in Gangcheng, Lou Xiao'e, as Li Aiguo had instructed, persuaded Lou Wen and Lou Wu, hoping that they would be careful and not spend all their money.

But neither of them listened to her.

Later, things developed just as Li Aiguo had expected.

The Lou family was a big piece of fat meat in Gangcheng. The families on the east and west took a bite, and soon it was all eaten up.

Lou Wen and Lou Wu were also set up in a trap and owed a large debt.

Lou Xiao'e helped them once, but as the debts grew, she had no choice but to avoid them.

Lou Xiao'e has figured it out. As long as the two men have money on them, those gang members will not let them go.

It would be better for her to leave some money so that they could save their lives at the critical moment.

After experiencing that stormy night, Lou Xiao'e is no longer the ignorant capitalist daughter.

Aunt Zhang had prepared the lunch box by now. Lou Xiao'e took it and left the house with her handbag.

She bought this place specifically for her university studies. It is less than two blocks away from Hong Kong University and has a relatively quiet environment.

As Lou Xiao'e turned the corner, several figures suddenly jumped out from the side.

They were all wearing black work clothes, black baseball caps, and textile gloves. Four or five of them stood behind Lou Xiao'e, and the scarred man in the lead walked directly in front of Lou Xiao'e.

"You are the sister of the Lou brothers, right?"

"Which one are you?"

"Ask me who I am and tell him."

Scarface didn't answer but turned to look at a thin man in black work clothes.

"Do you know Brother Kun from He Shenghe?"

Of course Lou Xiao'e didn't know who He Shenghe was, so she could only pretend to be calm and asked, "What are you going to do?"

"Your two good brothers owed the company a sum of money, not much, one million, and they asked you to help pay it back."

Lou Xiao'e was shocked: "Wasn't it only 200,000 a while ago?"

"The company doesn't want interest on its money, and my little brothers don't want to drink tea? One million is already a favor."

"I don't have that much money, you know. I'm just a student."

Scarface looked Lou Xiaoe up and down and blew out a smoke ring. "A student girl like you can be sold at a high price in the stable. I will find a horseman to take you to Bolan Street to work as a water carrier. In three years, I guarantee you will earn this much."

Although Lou Xiao'e had never come into contact with those messy things, she had heard about the horse stable on Bolan Street. Her face turned pale with fright, and she reached into her pocket, took out a dagger and held it in her hand.

"Hey, she's worthy of being a woman from the mainland, she's got personality." Scarface grinned, walked forward with the dagger in hand, and stretched out his hand to grab the dagger.

"You little girl, do you know what we and Shenghe do?"

"boom!"

Hearing the gunshots, several men in baseball caps immediately dodged everywhere. Scarface seemed to have been hit and was rolling on the ground holding his wound.

An old man in a gray suit and a top hat strode over with a pistol in hand, followed by seven or eight other men in gray suits.

As if thinking that the scarred face lying on the ground was a little noisy, Butler Bai walked over and stuffed the long gun barrel directly into his mouth. The scarred face endured the severe pain and didn't dare to scream or even breathe.

The few men in baseball caps nearby wanted to resist, but were confronted by seven or eight men in gray suits with pistols.

"Miss Lou, I came here this time because I want you to answer a phone call." Butler Bai took off his hat and said to Lou Xiao'e with a smile.

(End of this chapter)