The Red Era: Living in Seclusion in a Siheyuan as a Boss

Chapter 557 Good people will be rewarded!!!
Zheng Hongjun has served as a communications soldier in the "Black Panther Commando" for five years and will soon be discharged from the army.

In the twelfth lunar month, the north wind howled and heavy snow fell.

Zheng Hongjun carried an old canvas bag and walked through the thick snow towards his hometown in the mountains.

His hometown is in a remote mountainous area, and it takes a whole day to walk along the mountain road to go out.

You can forget about riding in a car these days; you'd be lucky to have a pair of sturdy rubber shoes.

Going home to visit relatives is a big deal these days.

The army only gives home leave once a year, and it's a matter of turns. If it's not your turn, you can only swallow your saliva and listen to others reading letters from home.

When it was getting dark, Zheng Hongjun walked to a small mountain village called Fengshuping.

The mountain was blocked by heavy snow, and the road was difficult to travel on. His legs were numb from the cold.

In the distance, smoke rose from cooking fires. There was no electricity in this village, and only kerosene lamps were lit here and there.

Zheng Hongjun couldn't walk anymore, so he followed the light of the oil lamp and knocked on a door.

The person who opened the door was a lean old man with a broad back and strong arms. He looked like a tough man who had done farm work all his life.

Standing behind him was a little grandson about seven or eight years old, hiding timidly behind his grandfather.

"Are you a soldier? Come in and warm up." The old man greeted Zheng Hongjun warmly.

The old man’s surname is Zhou, his name is Zhou Fugui, and his grandson is Zhou Xiaowu.

The earthen kang was warm, and the old man and his wife quickly brought a bowl of steaming sweet potato soup and a handful of fried peanuts.

"Come on, drink it while it's hot. It's so cold, drink something hot to warm your body." Old man Zhou's wife's simple words were filled with a strong rural accent.

Xiao Wu sat quietly in the corner of the kang, looking at Zheng Hongjun's military uniform curiously with his big eyes.

Zheng Hongjun took out a few pieces of fruit candy from his backpack and stuffed them into his hands.

The baby is so sensible that it makes people feel distressed. He gave a piece to his grandfather first, and then he held a piece in his mouth, squinting his eyes because of the sweetness.

Old man Zhou looked at his military uniform and his eyes slowly turned red. "My son Zhiguo is also a soldier. He may be in the same unit as you."

Zheng Hongjun was stunned, and thought carefully about his days in the army. He seemed to have heard the name Zhou Zhiguo somewhere before.

"Is it Zhou Zhiguo who won the third-class merit for the wildfire rescue four years ago?" Zheng Hongjun suddenly remembered.

Old man Zhou nodded excitedly: "Yes, yes, it's him! What a pity." As he spoke, his voice choked.

It turned out that Zhou Zhiguo fell seriously ill last year and passed away suddenly.

His wife remarried soon after, leaving the old couple with Xiao Wu.

Old man Zhou dug out his son's military uniform from the bottom of the box, on which was pinned a faded third-class merit medal.

"If Zhiguo were alive, he would have retired this year." Old man Zhou gently stroked his military uniform, tears falling down his face.

Zheng Hongjun's heart ached. Who says men don't shed tears easily? It's just that they haven't been sad enough.

That night, Old Man Zhou talked to him a lot.

He talked about stories about his son's military service, about Xiaowu's schooling, and about the gossip of villagers behind his back.

"Some people say that I am asking for trouble if I still have a baby at my age. But what can I do? This is the only bloodline left by my son!"

Xiao Wu was lying on the kang, having fallen asleep long ago. The moonlight shone through the window onto his tender little face, and his father's shadow could be vaguely seen between his eyebrows.

The next morning, Zheng Hongjun was about to leave. Before he left, Old Man Zhou forced two boiled eggs on him, saying that they would fill his stomach if he was hungry on the road.

"It's cold, walk slowly on the road." The old man's words were full of concern.

Xiao Wu reluctantly accompanied him for a long way, and was not willing to go back until they reached the village entrance.

Looking back, the figures of the grandfather and grandson gradually became blurred in the morning mist.

Zheng Hongjun made a decision quietly in his heart.

As soon as the new year was over, he returned to the Second Squadron.

"Zheng Hongjun, what are you thinking? You can have a bright future in Yanjing, so why do you insist on going home?" Liu Wu frowned and asked Zheng Hongjun.

Many veterans are about to retire. As the squadron leader, Liu Wu is really reluctant to part with these good brothers who had been through life and death with him.

However, this is the rule of the army: the camp remains permanent, but the soldiers come and go!
Although Liu Wu was reluctant, he still wanted to do his best to provide a good future for these passionate young men so that they could have a bright future after they retired from the army.

The Liu family in Yanjing controls many large enterprises and has an urgent need for these outstanding soldiers.

It was originally agreed that Zheng Hongjun and others would report to Liu's security headquarters in Yanjing after they were discharged from the army.

However, when the time came, Zheng Hongjun found Liu Wu and said that he would not go and wanted to return to his hometown.

This really puzzled Liu Wu.

No matter how his comrades tried to persuade him, Zheng Hongjun was determined and could not be persuaded to change his mind.

No matter how his comrades tried to persuade him, Zheng Hongjun was determined and no one could change his mind.

Zheng Hongjun was not without hesitation. He knew that if he went to Yanjing, he would be taken care of by his old leaders and his future would be bright.

However, when the images of the two kind elderly people and Xiao Wu's poor child appeared in his mind, his heart became more determined.

At the bitterly cold train station, the comrades who had come to see them off had already dispersed.

Wearing a neat Type 87 military uniform, the second-class medal of honor on his chest shines in the cold wind.

Along the way, Zheng Hongjun carried with him five years of mountain-like military memories and deep longing for his hometown.

"Comrade, can you help me?" a timid voice came.

Zheng Hongjun looked back and saw an old lady with a thin face. Next to her stood a girl wearing a blue cotton-padded jacket, who looked to be about eighteen or nineteen years old.

"Auntie, let me help you." Zheng Hongjun took two steps forward and took the blue cloth bag and bamboo basket covered with patches from their hands.

Although it is just ordinary luggage, it is all the belongings of a family.

The green train started moving shakily.

The carriage was packed with people returning home, and the air was filled with the smell of fireworks and sweat.

Zheng Hongjun helped the old lady and the girl find a seat. Upon asking, he found out that they were going to Zheng Hongjun's hometown.

The old lady’s surname is Yang, her name is Han Xiulan, and her daughter’s name is Yang Xiaofang.

The old lady's husband died of illness when her daughter was ten years old, and the mother and daughter depended on each other for survival.

After graduating from junior high school, Yang Xiaofang went to the city and worked as a female worker in a state-owned garment factory.

"Xiaofang hasn't been home for two years because she wanted to take care of my eyes." Aunt Han's eyes turned red as she spoke. "The factory only pays her 65 yuan a month, and she lives frugally, not even willing to buy her a new piece of clothing."

Zheng Hongjun felt sad when he heard this, and thought of his younger brother Zheng Changshan who had just turned 20.

A few days ago, his mother wrote to him saying that all the suitable girls in the village had married, and asked him, as her brother, to keep an eye out for them.

As the night deepens, the train moves forward in the vast darkness.

Suddenly, a harsh metal friction sound was heard and the car shook violently.

Yang Xiaofang screamed and subconsciously grabbed Zheng Hongjun's sleeve.

"The line ahead is frozen and we need to wait for emergency repairs!" The conductor's voice came through the loudspeaker.

The carriage suddenly exploded with some people complaining, some sighing, and some cursing.

The heater stopped and the cold air seeped in through the gaps in the car windows.

Seeing Aunt Yang shivering, Zheng Hongjun took off his military coat and put it on her.

Yang Xiaofang quickly stopped him: "No, no! You are a soldier, these clothes are so expensive!"

"Auntie, you are old, you should pay more attention to keeping warm." Zheng Hongjun took out the dry food he brought from his backpack and said, "Come, try the special biscuits provided by our troops."

The waiting time was extremely long.

Zheng Hongjun talked about stories in the army, how our squadron won first place in the military district competition, and how we made contributions in the battle.

Aunt Han listened with great interest and kept saying, "Great, great! It's great to be a soldier!"

Yang Xiaofang sat aside, secretly glancing at Zheng Hongjun from time to time, and lowered her head quickly when he noticed her.

Zheng Hongjun noticed some calluses on her hands, probably from years of working at a sewing machine.

"Hongjun, you are such a sensible kid." Aunt Han held his hand and sighed, "It would be great if there were young men like you in our village."

Zheng Hongjun's heart moved: "Aunt, I do have a younger brother, he is 20 years old this year, works in a factory in the county, and can earn more than 80 yuan a month.

Although he is a bit shy, he is honest and dutiful, and he is filial to his parents. "

Aunt Han's eyes lit up: "That would be great! Let your brother come to our house someday and I'll make him a bowl of egg noodles."

Yang Xiaofang blushed and pretended to tidy up her clothes, but Zheng Hongjun clearly saw that the corners of her mouth were slightly raised.

At daybreak, the train finally started again. The golden sunlight shone through the window and onto Yang Xiaofang's face.

At that moment, Zheng Hongjun seemed to see the appearance of his brother's sister-in-law.

After returning to the village, Zheng Hongjun immediately told his mother and younger brother Zheng Changshan what happened on the train.

Unexpectedly, when the boy heard about Yang Xiaofang's situation, he couldn't sit still that night and insisted that Zheng Hongjun go to propose marriage.

……

"Xiao Lin, your father doesn't treat me as a human being!" Zheng Hongjun angrily crushed the enamel teacup in his hand, letting the fragments and tea spill all over the floor.

This summer, Zheng Hongjun returned to his hometown to work after retiring from the army. In the office, the fan was whirring, but it still couldn't keep away the stuffy heat.

Soon after arriving at the township government, Zheng Hongjun became infatuated with Wang Xiaolin, the daughter of the county magistrate.

Although the newly discharged soldiers can be assigned to work in county and township agencies, Zheng Hongjun's arrangement has caused many people to gossip behind his back.

"This Zheng Hongjun must have climbed up the high branch of the county magistrate's family!" The office director Sun Degui's words, with a dagger hidden in his smile, reached Zheng Hongjun's ears.

Zheng Hongjun was feeling angry but couldn't say it out.

His acquaintance with Wang Xiaolin was purely accidental.

That day, Zheng Hongjun was riding a 28-inch bicycle to the county to deliver official documents. He braked suddenly and almost hit her who was holding the files.

The files were scattered all over the floor. She stamped her feet in anger and said, "Comrade, what are you doing? You don't even have eyes when you're riding a bike!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Zheng Hongjun was busy helping her pick up the files. When he looked up, he saw her puffed-up face, which was quite cute.

From then on, Zheng Hongjun always ran into her in the county government compound.

Gradually, they became familiar with each other.

Wang Xiaolin is not as arrogant as other children of cadres. Instead, she is approachable, talkative and cheerful.

"Hongjun, do you think the way we are doing this is like an underground party contact?" Wang Xiaolin often teased Zheng Hongjun with this question.

Every time she finished speaking, she would giggle.

The laughter was as clear as a mountain stream, and Zheng Hongjun felt itchy inside.

The work in the countryside is not easy either.

Every day before dawn, Zheng Hongjun had to go to the various production teams to collect agricultural taxes and also had to deal with the inspection teams from above.

It is common for me to work overtime to write summary reports at night, and eat a few steamed buns when I am hungry.

After Wang Xiaolin found out, she always secretly sent meals to Zheng Hongjun.

"Look at you, weren't you very impressive when you were in the army? How come you have become a small clerk who is rarely seen now?" Old Liu in the office joked.

Zheng Hongjun touched the back of his head and said, "We are soldiers to serve the people. Isn't it the same now?"

Life is quite fulfilling.

But the good times did not last long, as County Magistrate Wang soon found out about Zheng Hongjun and Wang Xiaolin.

One night, he sent his secretary to call Zheng Hongjun to the county government.

"Xiao Zheng, you are a good comrade and the organization trusts you, but..." County Magistrate Wang's words made Zheng Hongjun feel uneasy.

"Dad, Hongjun and I are truly in love!" Wang Xiaolin suddenly pushed the door open, startling them all.

County Magistrate Wang's face turned pale: "Go back! How disgraceful!"

Zheng Hongjun stood there, his whole body stiff.

At this moment, he suddenly understood what the class gap was.

But what I didn’t expect was that County Magistrate Wang’s next words gave him an unexpected opportunity.

"Xiao Zheng, I've read your file. You've made several contributions in the army, and you've also taught yourself college education. How about this, you go to the county's agricultural bureau and be the deputy director. Work hard, and in the future..."

Zheng Hongjun stood there in a daze. Was this a test, or a breakup in disguise?

What Zheng Hongjun didn't expect was that he would officially take office half a month later.

But how could the work of the Agricultural Bureau be so easy? The farmland water conservancy facilities in the county had been in disrepair for a long time, and the farmers complained bitterly.

Zheng Hongjun went from village to village every day and his feet were covered with blisters.

During one visit to the countryside, Zheng Hongjun saw that the rice fields of the production team were almost dying of drought due to silted-up canals.

Team leader Lao Zhang wiped his sweat and said: "If we can clear the channel, the output can at least double."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Hongjun took off his shoes and socks and jumped into the channel without saying a word.

"Come on, a few people, let's dig through this section first!" Zheng Hongjun still retained his military habits. He roared, shocking the villagers.

Unexpectedly, this jump made Zheng Hongjun discover the key to the problem.

It turned out that the water conservancy station upstream secretly intercepted the water source, causing the farmland to dry up.

Zheng Hongjun immediately wrote a report and submitted it directly to the county party committee.

"Good boy, you're really capable!" said the deputy county magistrate in charge of agriculture, patting Zheng Hongjun's arm.

After this incident, Zheng Hongjun's weight in the hearts of the farmers changed.

But at this moment, an unexpected news came.

The county wants to jointly set up a fertilizer plant with a neighboring county, and the Agriculture Bureau will send people to prepare for its construction.

However, County Magistrate Wang specifically asked Zheng Hongjun to go.

"Red Army, this is a tough job. If you go, we won't see each other for a long time." Wang Xiaolin was so anxious that she burst into tears.

Zheng Hongjun saw the deep meaning behind it: "It's okay, we men can handle it!"

The preparation and construction of the fertilizer plant was more difficult than imagined.

The two counties have conflicts of interest and serious local protectionism.

Zheng Hongjun took people to coordinate everywhere and studied fertilizer production technology at night.

I often wake up and find myself slumped over my desk.

Once, Zheng Hongjun went on an inspection trip to another place and met an acquaintance, Cui Yongjian.

This guy is an old comrade of Zheng Hongjun in the army, and now he is the section chief of a large chemical plant.

"Old Zheng, what kind of punishment have you suffered?" He shook his head as he saw Zheng Hongjun was so thin that he looked unrecognizable.

Zheng Hongjun smiled bitterly and said, "For the sake of a fertilizer factory, we have to fight hard."

"Okay, I'll lend you our factory's process flow chart for reference." Cui Yongjian felt sorry for him and secretly handed him a stack of drawings.

This stack of drawings was like a key that opened up Zheng Hongjun's thinking.

Zheng Hongjun conducted research overnight and finally found a production plan suitable for the actual conditions of the two counties.

Soon after, the fertilizer plant was completed and put into production.

The first batch of fertilizers was sent to various towns and villages, solving a major problem for the farmers.

This incident earned Zheng Hongjun a lot of face in the county, and County Magistrate Wang praised him at a county-wide cadre meeting for the first time.

"Comrades, Comrade Zheng Hongjunjun from the Agriculture Bureau has proved his ability with practical actions. The organization should boldly use such cadres!"

After the meeting, County Magistrate Wang called Zheng Hongjun to his office and said, "Xiao Wang, I have been paying attention to you for the past six months. You have not let me down."

Zheng Hongjun was so excited that he was speechless.

At this moment, he finally understood that County Magistrate Wang's original arrangement was a training for him.

"Hongjun, actually I've seen through it a long time ago. My father is testing you!" Wang Xiaolin hugged Zheng Hongjun's arm, with a cunning light in her eyes.

At the end of the year, Zheng Hongjun and Wang Xiaolin held their wedding.

The father-in-law, County Magistrate Wang, drank a few glasses of wine, which was rare, and showed a gratified smile on his face: "Son-in-law, I am testing you not because you are a veteran, but to see if you have a heart to serve the people."

Wang Xiaolin joked: "Remember that time when you smashed the teacup?"

Zheng Hongjun smiled and waved his hands: "Hey, don't mention it. I am young and energetic. How can I understand what it means to succeed naturally?"

Whenever he has time, Zheng Hongjun will visit Old Man Zhou and his family.

Zheng Hongjun also recognized this little Wudang godson who had the same name as his old leader.

There were no educational facilities in the village, so Zhou Xiaowu went to school in the county. He lived in Zheng Hongjun's house on weekdays and only returned to the village on weekends.

After learning about Zhou Xiaowu's family situation, the kind-hearted Wang Xiaolin felt very sorry for this sensible child and treated him as her own child.

Zheng Hongjun is usually busy with work, and the household chores are entirely up to his wife Wang Xiaolin.

On the first day of school, Zhou Xiaowu came empty-handed. He asked Zheng Hongjun a little sadly, "Godfather, why don't I have a schoolbag? All the other students have them!"

Zheng Hongjun looked at him, feeling somewhat guilty and not knowing how to answer for a moment.

He is usually too busy and can't remember these things for a while. I smiled and said to him: "Xiao Wu, godfather will buy it for you tomorrow. Let's go to school first today!"

After hearing this, Xiao Wu was very sensible and didn't make a fuss anymore. He just nodded.

Zheng Hongjun clearly felt that he was unhappy, and blamed himself in his heart for forgetting about this matter.

"Hey, why are you walking so fast, Xiaowu, wait, you forgot to take your schoolbag!" Just after taking a few steps, my wife Wang Xiaolin caught up with me and shouted.

Wang Xiaolin was holding a brand new schoolbag and handed it to Xiao Wu. Xiao Wu immediately smiled and was extremely happy. He touched the schoolbag with a smile. Zheng Hongjun glanced at his wife and said to Xiao Wu: "What? Don't you thank your godmother for your new schoolbag?"

Xiao Wu finally reacted and said to his wife with a smile: "Thank you, godmother, I have a schoolbag!" Then he ran to school happily.

Zheng Hongjun patted his wife Wang Xiaolin on the shoulder and asked her when she bought it. She smiled and said, "It will be difficult if I give them all to you. Hurry up and keep up with the children!" She pushed him and Zheng Hongjun hurried forward.

As the saying goes, good people will be rewarded!

Less than a year after Zheng Hongjun married the daughter of the county magistrate, his difficult brother Zheng Changshan and his sister-in-law Yang Xiaofang also got married successfully.

(End of this chapter)