Restarting life in Siheyuan

The prince expressed great joy at the visit of his good friend and his wife, and received them with the highest treatment of the royal family. It was the first time for the two of them to meet the elders of the royal family. After Zhu Xuefeng delivered the last contract as agreed, they were treated with meticulous hospitality.

Dongsheng Company's proposal also received strong support, and a Xinyue International Trading Company, a joint venture between the two parties, was established, announcing that the cooperation between the two parties had reached a new level.

"Dear brother, thank you for your generosity. The heavy motorcycle you brought this time is so cool. I can't think of any words to describe it. I don't think there is a motorcycle with better performance and cooler appearance on the market. It's really great. I am confident that this extraordinary product will be delivered to every customer who likes it."

The prince was full of praise for the new gift, saying that this heavy motorcycle far surpassed the current products of the same period in North America in terms of both appearance and performance.

"I believe it, my brother."

The two hugged each other gently. "Your generosity is beyond our ability to repay. According to my father's will, I have asked someone to prepare a gift for you. It will arrive in Hong Kong soon. I hope you like it. However, before you receive the gift, please let me keep it a secret. Haha, I am sure you will like it."

The prince kept it a secret and Zhu Xuefeng didn't want to ask any further questions. After visiting the newly explored oil field again, the two of them set off on their journey home.

"Honey, they mine those oil fields themselves, right?"

"Well, they are state-owned, but I can buy it first, just like in China. The oil processing industry in the autonomous region needs to speed up. I didn't expect them to move so quickly. You have to cooperate with the relevant technicians and equipment. It's impossible to rely on the talents of the autonomous region alone. It's okay to set up a simple small-scale oil processing, but for such a big project, there are still not enough technicians."

Wu Qianqian nodded, "Hubby, there are many people studying chemical engineering in Hong Kong, and there are also many skilled workers. Let's recruit some from here first and build a factory. But do we still have to go to North America to buy the oil refining equipment?"

Zhu Xuefeng thought for a moment, "The price in North America is not cheap now. You can contact the Ministry of Petrochemical Industry in China and form a team to investigate. Buy two sets of better ones and give one set to China for imitation. I believe they will be happy to do so and will imitate it quickly."

Wu Qianqian nodded. She was used to men wanting to involve China in everything. "I will make sure they keep it confidential, but you have to ask them to consider the location of the factory in the autonomous region. When the equipment in North America is installed, they have to pay attention to some things."

"You don't have to worry about that. Before I came here, I looked at the address they selected near the port. The location is good and the defense measures are in place. I asked the Yang family to take the lead in implementing this matter as a way to repay their family's long-term support."

Wu Qianqian frowned, a little worried, "Husband, I don't understand too much, but is it appropriate for a family to control the autonomous region's energy? This is the industrial lifeline of the autonomous region. You have already handed over the construction of roads and bridges in the autonomous region to their family. This benefit should be enough."

Knowing that the woman was worried about him, Zhu Xuefeng smiled and comforted her, "This is different from Luqiao. The oil industry is definitely not privatized, but the refinery is related to future tanker transportation, crude oil procurement, oil sales, and many oil derivatives. The benefits are too great. Letting them participate is just to let them take a position and get a little bit of the profit."

Although she didn't understand the man's thoughts, Wu Qianqian still accepted the decision to deal with the Yang family later. Zhu Xuefeng's thoughts were not simple, but he couldn't say it out loud. The oil industry certainly could not be handed over to others. This was a touchstone. With Zhu Xuefeng's acquiescence, the Yang family developed rapidly. Zhu Xuefeng did not mind the Yang family becoming a giant, but the premise was that their loyalty to him could not be compromised and the interests of the autonomous region could not be infringed.

After checking the mountain of grain at the dock warehouse in the industrial park, Zhu Xuefeng nodded with satisfaction.

"Yes, the freighter is ready."

"Two medium-sized cargo ships will be back from North America in a few days, so there won't be any delays. But will there really be a major flood? The mainland has been dry for several years, and the rivers are seriously short of water. This little rain won't cause a major disaster, will it?"

Wu Qianqian did not object to donating to the country, knowing that her husband had this tendency, and she did too. Now that her family had the ability, it was natural for them to do some good deeds. This was the way it was in their hometown, and there were many such practices in Yangcheng, Guangdong Province. She supported her husband's move.

But I still can't quite believe that there will be a major flood in the north. It's too unbelievable. The latest news is that heavy rain did fall in Henan Province, but it's still far away from the capital. Besides, there's no sign of a flood. Everywhere is jubilant. It's finally raining heavily. The river water level has slowly recovered after several years. Everywhere is celebrating. This is a good thing. Even if there's another drought next year, at least there's water in the river and there's hope for the crops.

Even carrying water for irrigation is no problem. The people can endure hardship. Compared with going hungry for several years, a little hardship is nothing.

"After a long drought, there will be heavy rain. If I'm not mistaken, this heavy rain will last for a long time and cover a wide area. Even though it's okay now, if it continues, it will not be a good thing, but a disaster."

Wu Qianqian sighed. The man spoke so confidently, it seemed to be true. The man’s judgment in the past few years had not been wrong. Although she didn’t know where he got the information, she still had to listen to what the man said.

"Also, the 4,000 assault boats left in the capital are to be used for disaster relief. It's already the end of July, and it probably hasn't rained in the capital yet. Have someone keep an eye on that area, and send a telegram as soon as there's any news of a flood, saying that these are free aid for disaster relief. Got it?"

The sales of assault boats were very good, but Dongsheng Company controlled the sales volume after selling one thousand sets, and always ensured that there were four thousand in stock in Beijing, just for this moment.

"Yeah. Hubby, you've been preparing for this flood."

"Well, if you don't plan for the future, you will have immediate worries. Our ancestors have long reminded us to bring an umbrella when it's sunny and to bring food when it's hungry. After a few years of drought, the first thing we need to prepare for is floods."

"Also, regarding the donation, we will try to get it from the mainland. If possible, the donation should be sent over in a timely manner. It would be best to mobilize our workers and other bosses in the electronics industry. It would be best if we could get the four foreign companies and the Hong Kong government involved."

"Honey, this is not a good job. The people are closely connected to the mainland, and they are very enthusiastic about donating every time. However, the mainland simply does not accept it. Do you think the foreign companies and the Governor of Hong Kong can control the life and death of the mainland? I think it is difficult to get them to pay money."

Even if Wu Qianqian believed in the man's judgment, she was unsure about the foreigners. She took the tasks assigned by the man for granted.

Zhu Xuefeng shifted his gaze from the Dongsheng Company logo on the rice bag and raised his head.

"Don't think of these people as simple-minded. They know whose land they are making money on. Without support from the mainland, they can't even solve the fresh water and food supply for millions of people in Hong Kong, let alone make money. This is an opportunity for them. There are too many things you don't know, but I can tell you one thing. Regardless of the blood ties between Hong Kong people and the mainland, they will definitely donate enthusiastically. These capitalists and the Hong Kong government will also seize the opportunity to show goodwill to the higher-ups. Go ahead and do it. The result will definitely change your perception."

"Well, I hope it's what you think. I really don't believe that these money-hungry foreign companies will pay."

"Prepare various medicines and other disaster relief supplies. When the time comes, you can send them over directly on a special plane. Also, send the tents prepared by the garment factory over by air..."

"By the way, are the food and relief supplies specifically donated only to the capital?"

"Of course not. The capital city probably can't use 5,000 tons of food. Let them decide how to distribute it. We don't care. Just transport it to Jinhai Port. Jinhai will probably be affected by the disaster this time."

In Zhu Xuefeng's memory, the areas around Jinhai, Baoding and Beijing were the worst hit areas. Although other places also experienced heavy rains, the damage was relatively minor.

After Zhu Xuefeng gave his instructions again, he left Hong Kong. It was now the end of July. Although he did not know the exact date when the flood occurred in Beijing, he still remembered it was early August. No one would believe such a disaster if he told others about it. Now, the only women who believed Zhu Xuefeng's judgment were Daya and Wu Qianqian.

When they arrived in the capital, the heavy rain had not yet arrived, but Zhu Xuefeng still checked the courtyard carefully. Thanks to Daya's efforts, the courtyard had been waterproofed and the sewer expanded, so there shouldn't be any major problems. Just in case, he prepared a hill of sandbags in the wing room in the front yard.

After sealing the entrances to the cellars of several courtyards, we returned to the No. 95 compound. The heavy rain that had been wandering in the suburbs for two days finally entered the city. A rare torrential rain swept across Hebei Province along the eastern side of Taihang Mountain, triggering the largest flood in the Haihe River in hundreds of years.

The heavy rain moved from the upper reaches of the Huaihe River to the Haihe River basin. The main path of the rainstorm started from Nanyang, Henan Province, passed through Xuchang, and reached Handan, Hebei Province. Heavy rainstorms occurred in all areas along the path, with the 24-hour rainfall reaching nearly millimeters. This is a scale of one meter on flat ground. It would be strange if it did not become a disaster.

Soon Baoding was in a state of emergency again and again, and Jinhai was also in imminent danger. The heavy rain only lasted for one day when water began to accumulate on the streets of the capital.

"My goodness, who must have poked a hole in the sky? It's raining heavily for a whole day and night without stopping."

Sha Zhu and Lou Xiao'e returned to the compound in a miserable state, and the people behind them were also soaked. After an hour's journey, no matter how well they covered themselves, they were still soaked.

"Hey, you're back?" Looking at Zhu Xuefeng who was standing at the door watching the fun, Sha Zhu let out a strange cry, causing Lou Xiao'e to roll her eyes.

"Well, what a coincidence. Go home quickly and change your clothes. I have prepared them here, so you two don't have to start a fire."

"That's great, my brother is the one who takes care of me. Haha, Ezi, hurry up, go home and dress up, and have a good meal."

"Don't talk nonsense. You can't control your mouth. How did he become a rich man? Don't let anyone with ulterior motives hear it."

Lou Xiao'e complained quietly, and the two of them walked away quickly holding a piece of plastic sheet, and the people behind them also ran home one after another.

After a while, Yan Jiecheng and his wife came back in a disheveled state. They went straight into the third uncle's house and came out in a hurry after a while.

"What's the matter? Why aren't you staying home when it's raining?"

After changing their clothes, Sha Zhu and Lou Xiao'e stopped the couple at the gate of the central courtyard.

"My dad's house is leaking. We have to go back and take a look. You almost demolished that house back then. It might be leaking too."

Yan Jiecheng gave a brief explanation and quickly slipped back to the backyard. Sha Zhu, on the other hand, was asked in a low voice by Lou Xiao'e, "What does it mean to demolish someone's house?"

Sha Zhu said a few simple words, and the two of them shook off the rain at the door and went in. The three of them were very familiar with each other and no one was polite. They looked at the neatly arranged dishes.

"Ezi, we are in for a treat today. Haha, this guy even hid some beef."

Zhu Xuefeng poured wine for the two of them and filled his own glass as well. In his previous life, he liked to drink some warm rice wine on rainy days, so today he would drink white wine instead.

"Dried shrimp and winter melon soup, dried shrimp and cabbage, and dried shrimp and egg. Brother, you are fighting with dried shrimps. Except for the beef, it's all dried shrimps."

"It's raining heavily. I sealed the cellar after getting the beef. I forgot that there are only dried shrimps outside. Let's make do with it, haha."

When I was cooking it, I realized that I had sealed the cellar in a hurry without getting some ingredients first, so I had to adapt to the ingredients.

"Even if you have food, you still can't stop talking. Leader, why are you pouring me some wine too?"

"Sister-in-law, this is not a very honest thing to do. It's not like you can't drink. You two walked away from several tables while you were doing your business. Don't bully me and say I didn't see it. Besides, you got wet in the rain. Drink something to get rid of the cold."

Lou Xiao'e blushed. The first time she drank was with Sha Zhu, and then it worked. The second time she drank was with Sha Zhu, and it worked. Now she blushed and explained, "That's working. You have to drink even if you can't."

"Ezi, don't be polite with my brother. He is right. It's good to drink something to drive away the cold. Besides, it's just one cup, it's not a big deal."

After three rounds of drinking, Sha Zhu slapped his head and said, "Oh no, oh no, I forgot something. I'm sorry, brother. I have to prepare some food."

"That's it? Just pretend. We have more than enough."

Sha Zhu said without hesitation, took a bowl from the kitchen at the back, put a little bit of various dishes in it, and took another bowl for rice.

"For the old lady?"

"That's right. It's raining so hard that the old lady can't go out. She must have no dinner yet. I'll just give her some. The old lady doesn't eat much. Don't mind it, brother."

"It's not a big deal. If you want another bowl of soup, the three of us won't be able to finish it."

"Let me do it." Lou Xiao'e stood up and served a bowl of winter melon and dried shrimp soup.

"Hurry up, the rain is getting lighter now."

Zhu Xuefeng took out the basket, and Sha Zhu placed everything in place, carefully put the soup in place, and added a piece of cabbage leaf to cover it. It is said that this way the soup will not spill easily.

Lou Xiao'e took the umbrella and was about to accompany Sha Zhu over, "You stay with my brother for a while, I'll be fine by myself and will be back soon."

Seeing Sha Zhu walking into the central courtyard with an umbrella in one hand and a basket in the other, Lou Xiao'e sat down with him.

"My brother Zhuzi is like this. The old lady treats him well, and he always thinks about her. That's good."

"That's right. After the last meeting, he told the uncle that he wanted to hold an 80th birthday party for the old lady. I don't know much about the old etiquette in Beijing, but I do know a little about the etiquette of holding an 80th birthday party. It has to be arranged by filial sons and grandsons. He treats the old lady as his own grandmother."

Zhu Xuefeng calculated the time, and it was true. The deaf old lady was born in 1985, so she would be 80 years old in 1965. This age was indeed rare in this era of food and clothing shortages. Logically, a birthday party should be held to celebrate her birthday. (End of this chapter)