Restarting life in Siheyuan

The fleet finally left, taking away three damaged warships, six dead soldiers, compensation for dozens of wounded soldiers, all military expenses, and a portion of war compensation, and directly swept away the Coconut City National Bank's gold reserves worth 22 million US dollars.

Along with those who left were nearly 250,000 abandoned people from Coconut City. Yes, they were voluntarily abandoned by Coconut City. There are official documents on this matter. Coconut City's proactive attack on the fleet on the high seas was also recorded in detail. The two sides reached a written memorandum, which General Su signed in humiliation.

There was no way. I didn't know whether the enemy was excited after learning that they were attacked, or deliberately set a trap during the retreat. Our army was once again stuck with the enemy and could not withdraw. At the same time, compared with Li Xiaojun's repeated emphasis on handing over the war criminals who provoked this dispute, it was easier to sign a confession of fault and pay compensation. They chose to block the news of this incident, which was too shameful.

"Commander, it's a pleasure to follow you. Old Yang should be happy now." Li Xiaojun said with a smile.

"This matter is not over yet. They have suffered such a great loss this time, they will never swallow it. I don't know if what we did is right. The autonomous region still needs to do some preventive work."

When Li Xiaojun became the final signatory, he had already stated the identity of the fleet. This was only natural, otherwise how could the two parties reach a memorandum of understanding.

"Of course it's right, Chief. We rescued so many compatriots this time, brought back so much money, and avenged our compatriots. How can it be wrong?"

Looking at the surging sea, Zhu Xuefeng sighed, "With such a huge loss, he has to find a place to make up for it. I guess they will treat the compatriots who didn't leave even worse. So, I don't know whether it's right or wrong."

Li Xiaojun scratched his head. "Chief, now that you put it that way, it's very possible. He will probably hold the Han Chinese responsible for this. What should we do then?"

"Of course I can't just sit there and do nothing. I have to go to Europe when I get to Star City. These are the drafts I've been thinking of these past few days. Take them back and study them carefully. This matter is definitely not over yet."

Zhu Xuefeng left after throwing down a pile of plans. Li Xiaojun followed the leader's wishes and sailed back slowly. Every time he passed a port, he would stop by to receive some of the abandoned people. The cities along the way unexpectedly maintained a high degree of cooperation, and all the garrisons and fleets remained silent about this strange fleet.

As a result, Li Xiaojun's fleet had no place to use its power, and he could only return home depressedly with his increasingly large fleet. Along the way, he requisitioned countless large and small cargo ships. Of course, these civilian cargo ships would return home after receiving a little reward.

After reading the plan left by the leader, Song Yan handed it to Yang Maosheng, who was still smiling, without saying a word. Yang Maosheng read it carefully and let out a long sigh.

His Highness's plan was incredible. "No doubt, our Civil Affairs Department strongly supports it. I have no objection."

Not to mention the autonomous region's follow-up actions, Zhu Xuefeng stayed in Hong Kong for only one day before leaving in a hurry. The public in Hong Kong is now outraged, and some indignant Chinese businessmen and various groups and organizations are also holding secret discussions.

Zhu Xuefeng was completely silent after returning to school. He ignored the turmoil in the outside world and immersed himself in study and research until the holiday came. He disappeared in Moscow for two days, finally solved a big problem, and returned to Beijing in a low-key manner.

It was already the beginning of April in 1966. In the study room of the compound, the three of them were talking to each other from the bottom of their hearts. It had been half a year since they last saw each other.

“You said that Uncle Lu’s family’s affairs have even affected your father?”

“Well, Grandpa Lu is down, Uncle Lu has also been dismissed, and my dad is under investigation.”

Zhu Xuefeng was in a daze for a moment. He had long forgotten about Uncle Lu's family. He was still thinking about it a few years ago.

"What a big noise?" Zhu Xuefeng still couldn't believe that even Director Xia would be affected.

Xia Yuhong nodded. "It was quite a commotion. The entire public security system was affected. Deputy Director Guo directly replaced Grandpa Lu."

Zhu Xuefeng was silent. It seemed that this was the big thing that Team Leader Guo had been planning since the year before last. He didn't expect that he could make a comeback again. It was really amazing.

"Guo Junjie has been released from prison and is now idle at home." Lin Na added a new piece of information.

"Don't worry about him, he can't jump." Zhu Xuefeng didn't take him seriously at all.

"How's your work going? Is there any progress?"

The two shook their heads. "It's very difficult here. The higher-ups have set requirements that require you to be politically qualified, have worked for three years, and have strong professional abilities to have a chance to sign up. Now I can only keep waiting." Lin Na was also a little disappointed. Hope was right in front of her, but a temporary new requirement ruined the plan that had been prepared for more than a year.

"My situation is different from Sister Na's. I haven't been formally employed yet. Now my father's investigation is not over, so I can't even submit the application. If my father has no problem and can get out smoothly, I still have a chance in the second half of the year."

In the second half of the year, Zhu Xuefeng secretly sighed. It was already April, and there were only two months left before the big wind rose. It would be difficult to travel normally by then. Zhu Xuefeng no longer had any hope for the two of them to go to Hong Kong normally, as plans could not keep up with changes.

"How about this, Lin Na, I will go with Xiao Hong to see Lao Xia tomorrow, and then go to your house the day after tomorrow."

The complicated marriage relationship between the three people has been kept secret from everyone. So far, it is going smoothly and has not been exposed, so Zhu Xuefeng has to run back and forth when he comes back.

"I'm fine. You should accompany Xiaohong to see his father first. My mother is fine now."

"That's it then."

After arranging plans for the next two days, I got to know my younger brothers and sisters. Generally speaking, everything is fine. Xuesong came back during the Spring Festival, so the two girls specially called them over to spend the New Year in the compound, to make up for the regret of their eldest brother's absence. The two little guys are now tacitly aware of the fact that they have two sisters-in-law. After the last meeting in Hong Kong, they already knew that there are several sisters-in-law.

"By the way, I see there are a lot of temporary sheds on the street outside, and they haven't been demolished yet. Is the earthquake having such a big impact?"

A few days ago, a strong earthquake and several large aftershocks occurred in Xingcheng, not far from the capital. I heard that it had a significant impact on the capital.

"Beijing is not bad. Some old and dilapidated buildings were in danger, but there were no casualties. However, it is said that the local situation is quite tragic. Both our units organized donations, and many units also organized rescue teams. Many people from the steel mill also went there."

"These years have been filled with disasters." Zhu Xuefeng sighed and said nothing more.

While the two girls were at work, Zhu Xuefeng sent Qiu Hong away. She had to go back to the temple to check on her two little children who were practicing in the temple.

In the space, only Gulinaza was lying quietly. This poor girl might have to lie there for ten days or half a month. She really suffered a great loss. When Xia Yuhong came back from get off work excitedly, the two of them carried their big bags and small packages, rode on Xia Yuhong's big pedal, and left the compound.
Zhu Xuefeng's arrival greatly surprised Xia's mother. Seeing the young couple carrying so many gifts in large and small bags, Xia's mother took them distressedly and said, "Just go home, why buy so many things? Xiaofeng, you are still in school, what a waste of money. In the past, you always brought a bunch of foreign things when you came back."

Although she said this, Xia's mother was still very happy in her heart. This son-in-law was really to her liking. Although he was still studying abroad, whenever he came back, he would bring large and small bags of rare things. He was extremely filial.

"Mom, don't feel bad for him. He's studying abroad and his salary is higher than the three of us combined. Where's Dad?"

Mother Xia sighed and glanced at Zhu Xuefeng. "Your father is upset and has gone to the small lake in the back to relax. My meal should be ready soon. You two can go back. Xiaohong, go buy some cooked food and let the father and son have some drinks later. Xiaofeng, go to the small lake in the back to call your father back."

"Okay, Mom, we'll go down right away."

Old Xia now lives in the new family quarters of the steel rolling mill. Several factory leaders are in this building. They are probably working overtime, so I didn't see any leaders along the way.

"You go to the lakeside, I'll buy some cooked food myself, pig ears and peanuts, right?" Xia Yuhong knew that Zhu Xuefeng liked these.

"Well, you really don't need me to accompany you? Zhu Xuefeng smiled. Even though they were at the grocery store, Xia Yuhong still wanted to send him away. She must be shy.

Xia Yuhong shook her head. "No, hurry up and enlighten my dad. He has been a revolutionary all his life, so it's good for him to have some free time now. Don't hang out in the alleys all the time. It makes you feel uncomfortable."

"You should tell Lao Xia these words yourself."

"My dad doesn't listen to me, but you are the one who works. Hurry up, I'm leaving." Looking at Xia Yuhong jogging a few steps and then looking back at herself, the two of them were together less and less, and each time she would leave after only a few days.

If I really let the two of them go to Hong Kong this time, I would be alone again when I return to China. For a moment, the plan in my mind was a little shaken. A family only feels home when they are together. It seems that I have lost a lot of things by doing this. It seems that I need to discuss it with the two of them again.

"Xiao Feng, when did you come back?" Old Xia, who was sitting in a chair by the lake in a daze, unexpectedly saw his son-in-law. He was overjoyed and stood up happily.

"Dad, Mom asked me to call you back for dinner. I got home yesterday afternoon and slept all day, so I came here today."

Old Xia took his son-in-law's hand and looked him up and down. "Yeah, you've been through so much trouble along the way. Why come back if you have nothing to do? Come on, come on. Now that you're back, have a couple of drinks with me. Only when you come will I let you drink. Don't miss this opportunity." Old Xia seemed to have forgotten all his worries and was in a good mood.

When I got home, Xia Yuhong had already returned. As soon as I reached the fourth floor corridor, I heard her boasting, "Mom, I'm lucky today. There are still two braised pig's trotters left. I bought them all. I knew you like to chew on this stuff."

"As if you don't like chewing it, damn girl, give it to me, I'll cut it up so that the old ghost can eat it with wine later."

Old Xia happily pushed open the half-open door and said with a smile, "Oh, there are also pig's trotters, good stuff, haha, Xiaohong, thanks to you today, I will have to drink more later."

Mother Xia muttered in the kitchen, "You have to take care of your own body. You are not young anymore, take it easy. It's like someone doesn't allow you to drink."

The family sat down happily, with a big stew, a pickled vegetable, a portion of peanuts, a portion of pickled pig's trotters and a portion of shredded ears. Old Xia rubbed his hands, picked up the chopsticks and greeted them.

"Come on, we're just family, don't be so particular, try my wife's stew first."

Zhu Xuefeng poured wine for everyone while smiling. "It smells delicious. I always miss this dish at home when I'm abroad. Mom, you have to pass on your cooking skills. Xiaohong's stew is far inferior to yours."

Xia Yuhong rolled her eyes at Zhu Xuefeng and said, "Then I'll stew it next time, but you mustn't eat it. What kind of person are you? You want to flatter my mother-in-law and step on me."

Mother Xia was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling. "Xiaohong doesn't usually do much, so I told you that if you can't even cook well at home, you will definitely be blamed. My daughter, don't be unconvinced, you still need to practice hard."

After everyone drank a glass together, Zhu Xuefeng smiled and said, "It's definitely a good idea to listen to your parents more."

This caused Xia Yuhong to roll her eyes again. After three rounds of drinks, they slowly started talking about Old Xia. Director Lu's father was Old Xia's superior, and now he has been reported for making mistakes and has been demoted. As an old and close subordinate, Old Xia naturally had to be investigated, so he resigned from his job and is now idle at home.

"I'm fine. I estimate that it will be fine in another month or two. The main thing is the things at the factory. I'm a little worried."

The trust model of the steel rolling mill is progressing steadily with the support of superiors. As Lao Xia is now unemployed, the vehicle factory is temporarily taken over by Li Huaide, the main person in charge of the trust model. It is now being promoted with great fanfare. In order to strengthen contacts with relevant units in various places, a project office has been established. At the same time, because the units affiliated with the trust project are distributed all over the country and work needs require, the guesthouse belonging to the trust is also being planned in full swing.

"Dad, are you worried that you won't be able to go back even after the investigation is over?"

Old Xia took a sip and said, "Don't tell me, it's possible. You haven't seen that Deputy Director Li. He is in a hurry now, as if he is going to do something big. He has made a lot of noise and now he has taken over the vehicle factory. I think it will be difficult to get him to give up again."

Old Xia has deep feelings for the vehicle factory. Nearly half of the people here are old employees who came from the original motorcycle factory. In the past few years, Old Xia has worked hard in the vehicle factory. Anyone would be unhappy to watch the children they raised go with someone else.

"Old man, there's nothing to be reluctant about. In my opinion, these are all the country's. Just do whatever you are asked to do. With your abilities, you can make a name for yourself anywhere." Mother Xia said while biting a small piece of pig's trotter.

"That's right, Dad. I believe in you. With Xiaofeng here, let's build another car manufacturing plant to piss off that Li guy." Xia Yuhong knew that many projects of the vehicle factory were products designed with the help of her man. She was quite confident about this. Her eyes rolled around, wondering if it would be more appropriate to kidnap her father and let the man be a factory director. She had seen the industrial park in Hong Kong, and the heavy motorcycle factory there was larger than the vehicle factory, with better conditions.

"My dear, this matter is not as simple as you say. A project needs to go through many discussions and reviews before it can be approved. Besides, the steel mill has already built a vehicle factory, so it is impossible for the higher authorities to approve another one."

Xia Yuhong smiled but said nothing. This was her little thought, to find a chance to ask her man if it was possible.

"Dad, since you're allowed to rest, then take a good rest for a few days. You've been exhausted these years, so it's a good opportunity for you to take good care of yourself and provide logistical support for Mom for a few days."

Zhu Xuefeng smiled and said that he had never heard of any large trust projects in China in later generations, and it was estimated that the steel mill trust model would end up like this. (End of this chapter)