Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 192 Panzhihua, built ahead of schedule, and the people who admire the King of Soldiers.

Before the Lunar New Year, He Yuzhu sent some food to the families of several of his comrades-in-arms. Each family received a small bag of wheat flour mixed in with cornmeal, enough to make a good meal of dumplings.

The He family's business was always more prosperous than others. He Daqing used the soybeans given to him by He Yuzhu to make a lot of tofu at the factory. In addition to distributing it to the kitchen staff, he also kept some for the leaders.

The rest were either fried or frozen at home and stored away. The He family would also occasionally send out some bean sprouts, which were very popular whether stir-fried or mixed.

Last year, around July or August, He Yuzhu used his connections to get over a hundred alcohol bottles. The whole He family worked together for several days to make a batch of tomato sauce.

Then they pickled several large vats of various kinds of salted vegetables. Although they couldn't compare to Liu Biju, the taste was still quite good thanks to the joint efforts of the He family father and son.

Old He's family also dried a sack of green beans, and after buying Chinese cabbage after winter arrived, they also pickled several vats of sauerkraut.

If you ask what kids like best, it's definitely scrambled eggs with tomatoes.

Chen Lanxiang also asked He Yuzhu to deliver ten bottles of tomato sauce and five or six catties of dried green beans to Wang Hongxia's family. After Wang Hongxia asked how to make them, she said that her family would make them next year as well.

As for the pickled vegetables, of course they were taken from Old He's house; they couldn't make them taste the same.

The aroma wafted from the east courtyard all year round. However, since the kitchen built by He Yuzhu was well-sealed with its doors and windows closed, the smell didn't attract anyone's attention.

The He family's children are having a blast. This year, He Yuzhu has prepared pork, beef, lamb, chicken, duck, and fish for them, ostensibly to give his wife a good boost.

Of course, Lao Zhao also gave some of these things, and Lao Fang also sent some prepared braised meat and the like. Both of them knew that He Yuzhu had made a lot of connections in the past two years because of grain, so they didn't pry into it.

Old Fang gave all the wine coupons, food coupons, and sugar coupons that he didn't need to He Yuzhu, and told He Yuzhu that if he got more next time, he could send more over, because his unit didn't have much else, but plenty of coupons.

Of course, there were no cigarette coupons. You can't expect a bunch of heavy smokers to save up cigarette coupons. Old Fang had already confiscated He Yuzhu's cigarette coupons, since that kid didn't smoke.

The next day, Lao Fang received a call from He Yuzhu, who asked him to send someone to pick up the key from the warehouse, just like last time.

Lao Fang's driver arrived at He Yuzhu's place as quickly as possible, and He Yuzhu received a call from Lao Fang a little over an hour later.

"Zhu Zi, on behalf of my men, thank you."

"Thank you for what."

"You don't understand, you don't understand, anyway, thank you."

"Is there enough food?"

"That's enough, that's enough. We can have a good New Year this year."

"That's enough. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up. I'm busy."

"Wait, after I finish calculating, I'll have someone send you the money and tickets."

"No rush, you can't possibly blame me."

"Hahahaha, I'm done for."

Actually, Lao Fang and his comrades weren't having an easy time either, especially those who were killed or injured. Their families were struggling even more. How much could the comrade-in-arms allowance provide? These days, nobody could get anything.

Their department can't afford to act recklessly, which is why Lao Fang specifically called to thank them. This year's gifts are in order, and the people below will also receive their New Year's benefits.

They never complained, but Lao Fang knew they must have been complained about at home. Most of the good things were given away as gifts, so it's no wonder they had a hard time celebrating the New Year in previous years.

The reason He Yuzhu is doing this this year is because Lao Fang helped him with the batch of things sent to the desert before.

Old Fang had actually guessed it, which is why he mentioned it when He Yuzhu sent him braised meat. Little did he know that He Yuzhu would give him such a surprise.

Ever since the unplanned grain started coming in, He Yuzhu hasn't done anything else. He can get rice by exchanging it for anything, and Wang Hongxia's network of connections is quite good too.

The New Year brings joy to some and sorrow to others; as long as you don't starve, there's hope, isn't there?

On the first day back to work after the New Year holiday, He Yuzhu's office welcomed a long-lost person.

"Little He, do you still remember this old man?"

"Dean Huang, what brings you here?"

"Why can't I come? Our steel industry still owes you a thank you. I'm too ashamed to come. A simple thank you is too inadequate for all that you've done."

"No need, that's what I should do."

"On behalf of everyone in the national steel industry, thank you!" Dean Huang said, bowing to He Yuzhu. He Yuzhu rushed to help him up, but it was too late.

"What brings you here today, sir?"

“It’s a great opportunity. I’ve been asked to come and invite you.”

"Great news?"

"Yes, that's great news. We're going to build a huge steel plant and invite you to the groundbreaking ceremony."

"Have we thoroughly understood all the information?"

"Mostly, mostly, but it's enough for now." Dean Huang said modestly, but the slight smugness on his face was still undeniable.

"where?"

Panzhihua, Sichuan.

"When you go home, let your family know. We're leaving tomorrow morning. We've already informed your workplace."

"it is good."

"Hey, aren't you going to blame us? When the data was sent back, I was in Shanghai watching them install the equipment they bought. When I came back, no one reminded me."

"I only realized you weren't in the country when I remembered, so I put the matter aside."

"Several years have passed. We've been busy with research and construction. If the engineer in charge hadn't mentioned you this time, we would have completely forgotten about you, our great contributor. We went to your former workplace to find out that you went to the Ministry of Trade, and then we went to the Ministry of Trade to find out that you came here. If we had known, we would have sent you to our place. Let's see who would dare to give you a hard time. I'm really ashamed."

“What’s due has already been given, Dean Huang, you don’t need to blame yourself. I can’t work there, I’d only cause you trouble if I went,” He Yuzhu said.

"Hmph, that's what they gave you. All of us at Steel Works owe you a thank you. Let them make up for it this time. You have to go when they break ground!" Dean Huang stepped forward and tightly grasped He Yuzhu's hand.

"Go, I'll go."

"Good, good, good, that's more like it. Don't worry, you'll definitely get the honors and rewards you deserve. Just don't worry about it being late."

"That's not necessary."

"Use it, you absolutely have to use it. You don't even know what you sent back. If you don't use this, what else is useful?"

"I"

"Alright, you don't need to say anything. Go home and get ready. A car will pick you up tomorrow."

"it is good."

After Huang Yuanzi left, He Yuzhu went to see Lao Zhao. Lao Zhao said, "You gave me another surprise. Breaking ground on such a large enterprise is something others would beg for."

"Please don't be so modest, what I did was nothing."

"Alright, stop being modest. The dean himself came to invite you. I'm afraid my little temple won't be able to keep you here this time."

"No way, I'm doing just fine here, I don't want to go to the steel industry."

"Alright, you'd be outstanding anywhere. You only came here because of me and your Aunt Wang. Otherwise, you wouldn't have a chance to come here."

"Please don't say that. I think you're here to find some peace and quiet too."

"Come on, you've done plenty of things, big and small, and you're still trying to shirk your responsibilities. Go on, accept the honor you deserve."

"Ah."

That evening, He Yuzhu came home and said he had to go on a business trip. Chen Lanxiang immediately asked, "How long? Your wife is heavily pregnant. Don't go away for another year and the baby will be born by the time you come back."

"About ten days to half a month."

"That's alright, where to?"

"In Sichuan." "Sichuan? Your company has business with Sichuan."

"It's about my previous workplace."

"I hope you're not going to be asked to do something again. Don't be silly and agree to everything."

"No, this matter is very simple."

"That's good."

That evening, Xiaoman thoughtfully packed He Yuzhu's luggage. Unlike Chen Lanxiang, she didn't ask any questions, but simply said, "Brother Zhu, be careful on the road and come back soon."

"Okay, this is really a small matter. I'll be back soon."

"Ah."

"Be careful on your way to and from get off work while I'm not home."

"Okay." Xiaoman gently stroked her belly.

He Yuzhu climbed up to listen and asked, "Why is there no sound?"

"Brother Zhu, you're too impatient. The baby is still so small."

“Then you should eat more, and he’ll grow faster,” He Yuzhu said with a smile.

“I’m eating much more than before.”

"Don't skimp on yourself. Just tell Mom what you want to eat."

"I know."

"have a rest."

"it is good."

The next morning, Chen Lanxiang and Xiaoman got up early to see him off. Chen Lanxiang also made him pancakes, boiled eggs, and brought a whole jar of stir-fried shredded meat and pickled vegetables.

The steel institute provided sleeper berths, and He Yuzhu was with Old Huang and a few others.

The Baoji-Chengdu Railway opened to traffic on January 1, 1958. Although it did not provide a direct route, it still made travel much more convenient.

The journey took 70 hours, and Mr. Huang and He Yuzhu talked a lot.

This also made He Yuzhu aware of the rapid development of the domestic steel industry in recent years, not only in terms of output but also in terms of the types of steel products.

Dean Huang also subtly mentioned special steel and cast iron used in tractor and automobile engines, letting He Yuzhu know that there should also be significant breakthroughs in the research and development and manufacturing of domestically produced tanks.

However, judging from the situation, Dean Huang probably didn't know that He Yuzhu had also brought back that part of the information.

After arriving in Chengdu, it took almost another day by bus to reach our destination.

Panzhihua is now all green mountains and clear waters. Perhaps the builders of today can't imagine how big a steel city it will become in a dozen years.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, He Yuzhu also met several bigwigs. He wasn't as excited as he was when he saw the others, but the commander-in-chief of the peninsula made him give a very solemn military salute.

After asking around, the person learned that He Yuzhu was one of the soldiers he had commanded, and even a top soldier. He laughed and praised He Yuzhu as a good comrade, a hero on the battlefield, and still shining brightly off the battlefield.

This is the best praise for a soldier like He Yuzhu who came from the battlefield.

Of course, his rank was not high enough to warrant someone accompanying him, but He Yuzhu asked privately and found out that this person was not the third deputy director at the moment, because that department had not yet been established.

Afterwards, He Yuzhu received a warm welcome, as people from the steel industry from various places had benefited to some extent from He Yuzhu's information.

He Yuzhu only stayed in Panzhihua for three days before heading to Beijing. On the way, he planted a few orange trees, including both red and ugly oranges.

Back in Beijing, He Yuzhu was summoned by Lao Zhao, who informed him that his salary and position had both been promoted, bringing him to the deputy bureau level. However, since there were no vacancies, he would remain in his original position while awaiting further instructions.

He Yuzhu didn't tell anyone this news and continued to go to work as usual, occasionally doing some side jobs.

Xiaoman's belly grew bigger day by day, and her tastes changed from time to time. She wanted to eat sour or spicy food one day and spicy food the next.

So He Yuzhu went to learn a trade: making dried fruit, jam, and canned goods. As for how he learned it, the Industry and Commerce Bureau regulates canneries and food factories, and he didn't need their core recipes or anything.

They sent a few experienced workers who were able to handle He Yuzhu. Of course, He Yuzhu didn't learn for nothing; he did pay tuition.

The fruit trees in the ecological space have already started producing fruit, but they don't consume much.

He Yuzhu also brought back a bunch of canning jars, making a lot of canned pears, peaches, and hawthorns. At home, there was only one step: cooking them. He Yuzhu went to the east courtyard to make them late at night. The rest were in his space, so they didn't attract much attention.

Now all the kids benefited from Xiaoman's good fortune. Chen Lanxiang wanted to keep it, but He Yuzhu said, "Mom, this can isn't sealed well; it won't last long."

Then, amidst the children's cheers, Chen Lanxiang distributed canned food to the children using bowls.

Of course, He Yuzhu couldn't take it out every day. He would occasionally give it to Xiaoman, and Xiaoman would only eat a little bit and share most of it with her younger siblings.

He Yuzhu bluntly stated, "You're eating your own food, but they all have some too."

“I know, it makes me happy to see them eat.”

"Just keep indulging them."

“If I treat them well, how could they not treat our children well in the future?” Xiaoman said with a smile.

He Yuzhu was speechless. How could these be the same thing?

By May Day, Xu Damao got engaged to Lou Xiao'e.

He Yuzhu even teased the guy privately, "Didn't you say you wanted a promotion but not a wife?"

"Brother, please stop making fun of me."

"Alright, now that you're engaged, you should treat her well."

"I know."

"If you mess around recklessly, I'll let you know you know the consequences."

"Understood, understood." Xu Damao shrank his neck.

Although this kid didn't go to the countryside to show movies, he still had a lustful heart, and he did flirt with women at the factory.

He Daqing had mentioned to He Yuzhu that Xu Damao had been severely punished once and had become well-behaved.

The guy who had been on his first blood is still a virgin, and He Yuzhu took him to the hospital for a checkup. Xu Damao naturally resisted to the death, but unfortunately, he wasn't strong enough. After the checkup, the guy was deflated, and the doctor told him that it would be difficult for him to have a child.

"Brother Zhu, what should I do? The engagement is already set."

"If it can't be cured, I'll find a way to get you treated outside."

"Can it really be cured?"

"You won't get any better if you don't get treatment. Do you even want to have kids anymore?"

"Of course I want to, then I'll get treatment honestly."

Should we tell Xiao'e about this?

"It's up to you."

Then the boy went to tell Lou Xiao'e, and Lou Xiao'e cried, but didn't tell her family. Then she started supervising the boy to go to the hospital for treatment.

She also gave money to Xu Damao, who is not short of money now. After following He Yuzhu for so long, he has become quite wealthy.

For He Yuzhu, Xu Damao's matter was just a minor incident. He would definitely take care of it, as he still respected this younger brother because Xu Damao, who hadn't gone astray over the years, had been very good to his family, especially when he wasn't home.

Otherwise, He Yuzhu wouldn't have taken him to the hospital. He Yuzhu thought to himself, "If it really comes to bad, he'll be sent away. We'll see what happens then."

(End of this chapter)