Siheyuan: The Era of Struggle

Chapter 370 He Daliang, is that you?
"No need to bother making a special trip. Just tell me what time the cafeteria opens for dinner."

The staff member had worked in the guesthouse for four or five years and had seen many leaders with various temperaments and personalities, so he didn't say much. After telling He Yuanchao the meal time, he specifically pointed to the location of the canteen.

He Yuanchao thanked him and turned to go upstairs.

When I returned to the room on the third floor, Zhang Lide had already gotten up and was washing up.

Knowing that He Yuanchao had the habit of getting up early to practice martial arts, he didn't ask much when he saw him coming back early in the morning. He turned around and continued to be busy with his own work.

By the time Zhang Lide finished washing up, changed his clothes and got ready, it was time for lunch in the cafeteria.

The father and son walked downstairs carrying their bags, whispering about taking the bus.

As soon as I walked into the lobby on the first floor, I saw the driver who picked me up last night standing at the door of the reception room, chatting casually with the staff inside.

The driver must have driven for the leaders for a few years and was very considerate. When he saw Zhang Lide and He Yuanchao coming downstairs, he hurried over to them.

When He Yuanchao saw the driver of the man surnamed Wang coming over early in the morning, he was stunned for a moment, and then he realized what was going on.

Zhang Lide glanced outside the door and asked in confusion, "Xiao Wang, right? Where is your Secretary Wang? Why can't I see him?"

"Leader, I don't know where Secretary Wang is right now. Last night, the secretary told me not to go to the office today and to report directly to you."

"This old Wang!"

After hearing the driver's reply, Zhang Lide shook his head with disapproval, and then smiled and said: "Xiao Wang, first of all, thank you and your secretary for your kindness, but this is my private matter, how can I use the public car? You should go back to work!"

As soon as Zhang Lide finished speaking, the driver looked embarrassed.

"Leader, please be kind and don't let me go back! Our secretary said...said that the days I've been working with you guys are considered business trips and I get subsidies. Please let me earn a few more kilograms of food coupons for my family!"

After saying that, the driver pretended to look pitiful and looked at Zhang Lide.

"Xiao Wang, it's not that I don't want you to earn food coupons, it's just that I'm not on a business trip this time..."

"dad."

After spending such a long time together, He Yuanchao was familiar with some of Zhang Lide's behavior habits. He knew that he didn't really want to refuse, so he interrupted:

"Comrade Wang is also following orders, which is not easy. Let's not make it difficult for him. At worst, we can settle the fees with Secretary Wang after we finish our work."

"What nonsense."

As soon as He Yuanchao finished speaking, Zhang Lide frowned and scolded him: "This is not a matter of cost, this is a matter of principle..."

Zhang Lide's behavior frightened the driver. After he finished speaking, the driver glanced at He Yuanchao, who was looking down and not saying anything, and then he mustered up the courage to speak:

"Leader, calm down. What Comrade He said does make sense. I forgot something important in my haste. Secretary Wang said that he would settle all the expenses of the car with the bureau and would never let the bureau suffer any losses."

After hearing what the driver said, Zhang Lide seemed to be at a loss for words for a moment, and an embarrassment immediately appeared on his face.

When the driver saw that there was a chance, he quickly winked at He Yuanchao. It was not really for the sake of a few pounds of food coupons, but he was really afraid that he would not be able to complete the task assigned by his leader.

Although he didn't know Zhang Lide's specific situation, he knew how much his leader valued him. Therefore, he attached great importance to this matter, otherwise he would not have come to the guesthouse to wait so early in the morning.

He Yuanchao glanced at the driver who was looking at him eagerly, and then glanced at Zhang Lide who looked serious. He knew that the time was almost right, so he said, "Dad, since Uncle Wang has said so, let's not let him down.

Besides, it’s not easy for Comrade Wang to come here so early in the morning. If we let him go back like this, who knows what Uncle Wang will miss him! "

"Yes, yes, Leader. Leader He is right. If you let me go back like this, I really won't be able to explain to our Secretary Wang."

"Oh! This old Wang is giving me a hard time." Zhang Lide sighed helplessly, then smiled at the driver and said, "Let's go eat first and talk about it after we finish eating."

"Leader, I've had dinner..."

"Then eat some more, or you can drive back now."

Before the driver could finish his refusal, Zhang Lide said something with a stern face.

"This……"

"Stop talking about this and that, let's go and eat."

As He Yuanchao spoke, he took the driver's arm and walked into the cafeteria.

……

The roads in Yuantai City are not much different from those in Kyoto. They are better inside the city, but become bumpy as soon as you leave the urban area.

The jeep bumped along the rugged gravel road for more than an hour before finally arriving at the base of Zhang Zhao's troops.

The car stopped outside the cordon and the driver spoke before Zhang Lide could say anything.

"Leader, the army has strict rules, and our local cars can't drive in."

Zhang Lide nodded and smiled, "It's okay, wait here, I'll get off and take a look."

Having said that, Zhang Lide pushed open the car door and got out.

He Yuanchao felt a little uncomfortable after sitting in the car for a long time, so he didn't wait in the car. He got out and followed Zhang Lide in two quick steps.

As soon as the father and son arrived at the entrance of the military camp, an 18- or 19-year-old soldier in military uniform and armed with a gun shouted, "Stop, what are you doing? What are you doing here?"

"We are from Kyoto and came to visit relatives in the army."

After hearing Zhang Lide's reply, the sentry's expression softened significantly. After checking the ID, he said in a friendly tone, "Excuse me, who are you here to see? I'll call you to find them."

Zhang Lide took the certificate handed back by the sentry and said with a smile: "I'm here to see Zhang Zhao from your logistics department."

"Oh! You're looking for Secretary Zhang!"

The sentry looked Zhang Lide and He Yuanchao up and down, pointed at the white line at their feet and said, "Stay here and don't move. I'll contact you."

After saying that, the sentry turned around and walked quickly towards the duty room at the entrance of the camp.

It wasn't long before the sentry came back.

"Comrade, I'm sorry, the logistics department said that Director Zhang took a leave today, and they don't know where he went."

After hearing the sentry's words, Zhang Lide couldn't help but frowned and opened his mouth to ask something, but in the end he didn't ask. He thanked the sentry and turned back.

The father and son came to the jeep, opened the door and were about to get in when they suddenly heard someone calling He Yuanchao's name.

"He Daliang, is that you?"

When He Yuanchao heard someone calling his former name, he was stunned for a moment, then he quickly turned around and looked in the direction where the voice came from.

(End of this chapter)