Siheyuan: The Era of Struggle

Chapter 406 Everyone has their own thoughts

He Yuanchao roughly guessed Li Hongtao's thoughts, and without making excuses, readily agreed:

"Instructor, don't ask for anything. We're comrades-in-arms. If there's anything I can help you with, just let me know."

Seeing He Yuanchao's attitude, Li Hongtao felt much more relaxed, and the tense expression on his face also eased.

"Cheng Daliang, I won't stand on ceremony with you. Here's what I'm thinking: if my household registration isn't settled in Kyoto and I'm relocated back to my hometown, could you please ask your father-in-law to talk to his work unit and transfer me to the Ministry of Coal Industry, even if it's the hardest and most tiring job?"

Given Li Hongtao's family situation and personal qualities, as long as he finds the right connections, settling in Kyoto would be no problem at all.

He Yuanchao had seen a similar situation with his old squad leader Guo Boquan. A demobilized cadre from Tianjin had settled in Kyoto and found a job through his father-in-law's household registration.

As for the ins and outs, I remember Guo Boquan mentioned it briefly, but since it wasn't really relevant to me, He Yuanchao didn't ask any further questions. It seems I'll have to ask the squad leader about it when I get back.

Li Hongtao is currently feeling anxious and uncertain, so he probably won't listen to anything you say right now.

To put his mind at ease, He Yuanchao, for the first time, made a bold promise: "Instructor, don't worry, I'll talk to my father-in-law about this when I get back. If he has any concerns, I'll find another way to get you transferred to Kyoto."

He Yuanchao was so confident for two reasons. First, Li Hongtao met the requirements and should be able to be settled in Beijing without much trouble. Second, he was backed by his godmother, Liu Lihua.

When the mother and son chatted together, Liu Lihua not only talked about everyday things, but also often discussed work-related issues.

Besides admonishing him to be strict with himself, study hard to improve his abilities and do his job well, he talked most about networking and connections, and subtly reminded him more than once to make friends with capable colleagues and comrades.

He Yuanchao had his own reasons for deciding to take a temporary post at the Public Security Bureau, but it was his godmother Liu Lihua who made him finally decide.

In my godmother's words, although companies and factories offer high wages and good benefits, making everyone eager to join, the main driving force in the long run is still the government at all levels and functional departments such as public security, procuratorate, courts, and justice.

Working in these departments will pave a wider path for your future career.

When He Yuanchao first transmigrated, he originally wanted to lie down and do nothing, but as he experienced more and more things in this era, he quietly changed his mind. Especially after Zhang Min became pregnant, he became even more determined to move up the social ladder.

The reason He Yuanchao went to such lengths to help Li Hongtao this time was to plan for the future. After all, a fence needs three posts and a hero needs three helpers. The more people cheer for him, the more solid his foundation will be and the further he can go.

While He Yuanchao and Li Hongtao were discussing their business, the food and drinks were gradually being served.

Upon hearing He Yuanchao's words, Li Hongtao's face lit up with excitement. He stood up, grabbed the bottle, opened the cap, and began pouring wine into the glass in front of him, grinning as he said:
"Da Liang, I won't say thank you, it's all in the wine."

After saying that, he put down the bottle, picked up a full glass of wine in front of him, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

Li Hongtao understood He Yuanchao's temperament and knew he wasn't one to boast. Since he spoke so decisively, he figured his plan was very likely to succeed.

Seeing that Li Hongtao had downed a glass of baijiu in one gulp, He Yuanchao quickly picked up the chopsticks on the table and handed them to him, saying in a slightly reproachful tone:
"Instructor, what are you doing? Do you need to act like this with our relationship? Hurry up and eat some food to calm down."

"It's alright, Da Liang, you don't know."

Li Hongtao didn't take He Yuanchao's reprimand seriously at all, and took the chopsticks with a relaxed expression, saying:
"The matter of resettlement after demobilization has been weighing on my mind like a huge stone. Now that you've removed it, I'm not afraid to drink a glass of wine, or even a whole bottle."

After saying that, he picked up the wine bottle to continue pouring wine.

Seeing this, He Yuanchao quickly snatched the wine bottle and said, "I know you're happy, but you can't drink like this. Come on, let's eat some food first to fill our stomachs."

The young soldier sitting to the side was already drooling when he saw the dishes being served, but he didn't dare to move because Li Hongtao didn't say anything. When he heard He Yuanchao's words, he immediately looked at his chief of staff with longing eyes.

Most people at this time of year were pretty thin, and Li Hongtao was no exception. The dishes on the table had already made his mouth water, and after hearing He Yuanchao's words, he seized the opportunity to say:
"Alright, I'll listen to you. Let's eat something first." They were all grown men and comrades-in-arms, so none of them stood on ceremony. They started eating, taking bites of steamed buns and bites of vegetables.

When Liu Caixia brought the last dish of fish to the table, the three of them put down their chopsticks and began the normal routine of comrades meeting again.

Because of strict military regulations, the young soldier driving the car didn't drink alcohol. Instead, he picked up a fish head and slurped it down with relish.

He Yuanchao and Li Hongtao chatted and drank, and ordered another bottle of baijiu in the middle of the meal. The meal was not over until they finished both bottles.

The two bottles of Fenjiu weighed about two jin (approximately 1 kg). Each person drank one bottle. He Yuanchao was as if nothing had happened, but Li Hongtao was not so lucky; he even started to slur his words.

When it was time to leave, He Yuanchao came to the service desk to say goodbye, which made Liu Caixia cry again.

After leaving the hotel, He Yuanchao intended to walk back to the guesthouse, but Li Hongtao grumbled and insisted on driving him there.

"Da...Da Liang, I...I want to tell you...today is...the happiest day of my life so far, I'm so happy..."

"Yes, I know you're happy."

He Yuanchao responded as he deftly helped Li Hongtao into the jeep.

After settling Li Hongtao in, He Yuanchao turned to Liu Caixia, whose eyes were red and swollen, and said, "Sister, I'm leaving now. You should go back too!"

"Take care on your journey, my friend, and remember to call and let me know you're safe when you get back."

"Okay, sis."

……

He Yuanchao was most reluctant to face parting. After saying a few words, he made a tough decision, turned around, and got into the jeep.

The hotel was not far from the guesthouse where He Yuanchao was staying; the jeep arrived at the guesthouse entrance in less than five minutes.

During the meal, Li Hongtao learned that He Yuanchao was going to Yuantai Railway Station later, and insisted on taking him there.

He Yuanchao stood beside the jeep, and after much persuasion, he finally managed to convince Li Hongtao to back down.

Standing at the entrance of the guesthouse, watching the jeep drive away, He Yuanchao turned around and was about to walk into the guesthouse when he heard a series of urgent car horn sounds.

Turning around at the sound, I saw the jeep that had just driven away speeding back.

Just as He Yuanchao was feeling a bit confused, the jeep pulled up in front of him and as soon as it came to a stop, Li Hongtao opened the door.

"Look... look at this little bit of wine... I almost forgot... for the important thing because of all that drinking."

As he spoke, he took two white cloth bags out of the car and handed them to He Yuanchao, who had stepped forward.

The white cloth bags weren't too heavy; the two together weighed about 30 to 40 pounds.

He Yuanchao, carrying the bag, was a little confused. Just as he was about to ask what it was, Li Hongtao had already gotten into the jeep and sped away from the guesthouse entrance.

(End of this chapter)