In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

As Guangming pushed his bicycle through the courtyard gate, Aunt Tong, who was washing vegetables by the sink in the front yard, straightened up and greeted him with a smile: "Guangming's back? Oh, you went fishing? Judging by your posture, you've had quite a catch!"

Her gaze naturally fell on the metal bucket tied to the back rack of the bicycle. The bucket was covered with a straw mat, so she couldn't see inside, but the bucket looked heavy, so she knew that the harvest must have been quite substantial.

Yang Guangming stopped and replied with a smile, "Aunt Tong, washing vegetables? Yes, I went to Xiaoqing River to try my luck, it was alright, not a wasted trip."

He spoke in a relaxed tone, neither deliberately showing off nor being overly modest.

At this moment, Granny Ma, who lived in the west wing, also poked her head out, glanced at the water bucket, her eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of barely perceptible envy, but she didn't say anything and then shrank back.

Upon entering the Intermediate People's Court, Mr. Han, who was repairing a small stool in front of his house, smiled warmly at Yang Guangming and said, "Comrade Guangming is back. You must have had a hard day."

"It's no trouble at all, Master Han. It's quite peaceful sitting by the river," Yang Guangming replied as he pushed his cart further in.

He could feel the faint gazes behind him all focused on the water bucket covered with a straw mat.

In an era of scarcity, any extra food harvest was enough to stir people's emotions.

He didn't stop, but pushed the cart straight through the front and middle courtyards, heading towards the moon gate of the east courtyard.

As soon as she entered through the moon gate, Yang Shanshan, who had been listening intently to the sounds outside, flew out of the house like a little swallow, her face full of anticipation: "Brother! Brother! You're back! Did you catch any fish? Were there many?"

The little girl's voice was crisp and bright, full of anticipation.

Immediately afterwards, Mother Tian Yufen and Grandmother Qin Lanying also came out of the main room one after the other.

Tian Yufen and the old lady's eyes immediately fell on the bucket.

"You're back? Perfect timing, dinner's just ready, we've been waiting for you to eat. How was it, did you catch anything?" Tian Yufen asked.

"Mom, Grandma, look." Yang Guangming propped up his bicycle, a look of triumphant joy on his face, and reached out to lift the slightly damp straw mat on the bucket.

Suddenly, more than half a bucket of fish was presented to the three of them.

At the very top were three gleaming silver grass carp, each weighing about a pound and a half. Although they were no longer moving, their large size was pleasing to the eye.

Below them were crucian carp and silver carp of varying sizes, crowded together, along with some other small fish whose names I didn't know. Most of them were still weakly opening and closing their mouths, showing their tenacious vitality.

"Wow!" Yang Shanshan exclaimed first, pointing her little finger at the bucket with wide eyes. "So many fish! And such big ones! Brother, you're amazing!"

Tian Yufen was also taken aback, and a delighted smile spread across her face: "Wow! Quite a lot! These three grass carp are really plump! I thought I'd be lucky to catch a few small crucian carp."

The old lady beamed with joy and leaned closer to examine it closely: "Good, good, good! This is perfect! Guangming is really lucky! This grass carp is great for soup or braised, it's a delicious dish!"

"Quickly, Yufen, go get that big washbasin, add some water, and keep these live fish alive." The old lady quickly gave instructions.

Tian Yufen agreed and quickly went back into the house. She soon brought out a large washbasin, which was filled with about half a basin of water.

Yang Guangming lifted the bucket and carefully poured all the fish into the basin.

"Plop, plop..." A series of loud noises followed. Apart from the three grass carp that remained motionless at the bottom of the basin, the other fish immediately began to struggle and wriggle upon encountering the water, splashing up a lot of water and appearing very energetic.

Looking at the three grass carp, Yang Guangming said with a hint of regret, "These three grass carp were the first ones we caught. They've been out of the water for too long, so it looks like they can't be saved. We have to eat them quickly, or they'll go bad. The other fish are still quite lively. If we keep them in the basin, we can eat them for a few more days."

Yang Shanshan squatted by the basin, watching the swimming little fish and the plump grass carp, and clapped her hands excitedly: "Mom, let's stew fish for dinner! I want to eat stewed fish! Stew it with that big grass carp!"

Seeing her daughter's greedy look and then at the big pot of fish, Tian Yufen was also happy and readily agreed: "Okay! We'll do as you say. Tonight we'll pick a big grass carp and stew it! We'll treat your brother to a good meal."

Grandma Qin Lanying looked at the fish of all sizes in the basin and estimated that, apart from the three grass carp, the other fish probably weighed about ten pounds.

She thought for a moment and said to Yang Guangming, "Guangming, you caught quite a lot of fish this time. Even if our whole family eats them all at once, it will take us several days to finish them."

There are many people and eyes in this yard. If you catch so many fish and don't share any with others, but instead keep them all to yourself behind closed doors, people will probably gossip behind your back and say that our family doesn't know how to behave.”

She paused, then continued, "There are over twenty households in the courtyard, so of course we can't send gifts to every single one, and we can't afford to."

We'll just pick a few families we get along with well, those with whom we exchange gifts, and send a few to each as a token of goodwill, a sign of neighborly harmony.

Yang Guangming nodded; he had originally planned to do the same. In this large courtyard where interpersonal relationships were valued, appropriate sharing was an important means of maintaining good relationships.

“Grandma, you’re right. I’ve been thinking about this too. I’ve noticed that since we moved in, the families of Deputy Director Li, Uncle Tong, Grandma Zhang, and Master Han have all been very supportive and we visit each other regularly.”

"Just send some to these few families. Not many, just a few decent ones from each, enough to weigh about a pound."

Tian Yufen, who was listening nearby, also agreed: "That's the way to do it. A close neighbor is worse than a distant relative. These families are all quite upright. Sending some fish will show our goodwill."

The matter was settled.

Looking at the time, it was almost 1 p.m., so the family quickly ate lunch.

Lunch consisted of steamed buns made from two kinds of flour and simple stir-fried vegetables, which I had prepared in the morning. I was just waiting for Yang Guangming to come back so we could have lunch.

Although today's lunch was already quite good, Yang Shanshan still couldn't help but peek at the fish in the pot after taking a bite of rice, which made everyone laugh.

After finishing her meal, the old lady busied herself with arranging for the fish to be delivered.

She picked out all the small fish from the basin. Although they were called small fish, they weren't actually that small; the smallest ones weighed about two ounces. They were mainly crucian carp and whitebait.

She deftly grabbed a few stalks of reed and skillfully arranged the selected fish by size, about five or six per family, weighing roughly a pound each. She threaded the reeds through the gills and out the mouth, then tied a knot, making it easy to carry and also looking nice.

Four sets were prepared, one for each of Deputy Director Li's family, Grandpa Tong's family, Grandma Zhang's family, and Master Han's family.

With the fish still wriggling slightly, Yang Guangming first went to the home of Deputy Director Li in the main building of the Intermediate People's Court.

The person who opened the door was Li's wife, Aunt Li. She was quite surprised to see the fish that Yang Guangming was carrying: "Guangming, what's this?"

"Aunt Li, I'm off today, so I went fishing by the river and caught a few fish. I was lucky. Here's some for you and Director Li to try. Don't mind." Yang Guangming handed it over with a smile.

Aunt Li took the fish, feeling its weight in her hand, and her face immediately lit up with a smile: "Oh, how can I accept this! Look at you, it's not easy catching a few fish, and you're still thinking of us. This fish is really good, it looks so fresh! Thank you so much, Guangming!"

"You're too kind. We're neighbors, it's only right."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Yang Guangming went to the home of Grandpa Tong in the east wing of the front yard, the home of Mrs. Zhang, a family member of a martyr, in the east wing of the middle yard, and the home of Mr. Han, who pulls a cart in the middle yard.

The reactions of these families upon receiving the fish were similar to those of Aunt Li; they were all surprised and delighted, and repeatedly expressed their gratitude.

These days, fresh fish is a rare treat. This gift may not be extravagant, but it carries genuine sentiment.

Grandpa Tong, holding the fish, insisted on pulling Yang Guangming inside for a drink of water, but Yang Guangming politely declined.

Grandma Zhang held his hand, praising his thoughtfulness and telling him to come visit often when he had time.

Master Han rubbed his hands together, his dark face full of gratitude, repeatedly saying, "This is too much trouble."

After delivering the fish, Yang Guangming returned to the east courtyard, feeling much more at ease. This way, he maintained neighborly relations while avoiding unnecessary gossip.

In the kitchen, Tian Yufen had already started cleaning the fish. She had chosen the largest grass carp and was scaling and gutting it by the sink. Yang Shanshan followed her mother around like a shadow, chattering away, asking when they could eat fish.

Grandma sat on a small stool at the entrance of the main room, watching her busy daughter-in-law and excited granddaughter, a satisfied and peaceful smile on her face.

As Yang Guangming watched this scene, his heart warmed. This was the peaceful life, full of everyday joy, that he wanted to protect.

He went over to help his mother prepare the fish, but Tian Yufen shooed him away: "Go and rest. You must be tired after fishing all day. You don't need to do this."

Yang Guangming didn't insist. He moved a small stool and sat next to his grandmother, keeping her company and talking to her.

"Are there many people by the river today?" Grandma asked casually, fanning herself with a palm-leaf fan.

"It's alright, there are only a few here and there. I found a quiet spot, it's quite peaceful," Yang Guangming replied.

"It's good to have peace and quiet. You've caught so many fish without attracting any envy." Grandma nodded. "You're such a reliable child."

The grandfather and grandson chatted casually when familiar footsteps approached from afar.

Yang Shanshan, with her sharp ears, immediately exclaimed, "Daddy's back!"

Sure enough, Yang Jianxiong's tall figure appeared at the Moon Gate, followed by his bodyguard, Xiao Zhang.

Yang Jianxiong's job is unusual. When he's not too busy, he can usually make sure to come home once a week to see his elderly mother and check on things at home. But if he's on a mission or in training, he might not be able to come home even once every two weeks.

Every time he came back, if conditions allowed, he would always try to bring something back. Sometimes it was canned food specially supplied by the army, sometimes it was rare fruit, or some snacks, trying his best to make up for what he owed his family.

This time, he was carrying a net bag filled with green apples, which looked to weigh about five or six pounds. These days, fresh fruit is a rare commodity.

"Dad!" Yang Shanshan greeted him cheerfully.

The old lady greeted him with a smile, "It's good that you're back. Perfect timing. Guangming caught a lot of fish today. We'll stew some big fish for dinner tonight."

Yang Jianxiong handed the apple to Tian Yufen, walked to his mother's side, and asked with concern, "Mother, how have you been feeling these past few days?"

"I'm doing well, I'm eating well." The old lady patted her son's hand. "Have a seat and rest your feet."

Yang Jianxiong sat down in the main room, took a sip of water his son handed him, and his gaze fell on the large laundry tub in the corner of the yard. Seeing that there were still quite a few fish swimming in it, he nodded: "I heard about it as soon as I entered the yard. Guangming has indeed had a great harvest today."

"That's right, we even sent some to Director Li and his family," the old lady added from the side.

Upon hearing this, Yang Jianxiong gave his son an approving look. His son seemed to be more adept at handling neighborly relations than he, a man who had spent most of his life in the military.

The family sat and chatted for a while, mainly Yang Jianxiong inquiring about his mother's health, showing concern for Yang Guangming's work, and testing Yang Shanshan's studies.

After sitting for about half an hour, Yang Jianxiong gave Yang Guangming a wink and said, "Guangming, come with me for a moment, I have something to tell you."

Yang Guangming understood that his father wanted to talk to him alone, so he got up and followed his father into the west room where he lived.

The west room was brightly lit and decorated as a study and bedroom. A desk was placed by the window, piled with math books and drafts. Next to it was a single bed, neatly and simply made up.

The father and son sat down in chairs next to the desk.

Yang Jianxiong looked at his son, a hint of barely perceptible expectation in his eyes.

On his two previous trips home, he talked to his son about issues related to military training and tactical command, and his son always offered unique and insightful perspectives.

Some of these ideas may seem a bit ahead of their time, but upon closer examination, they align with military logic and even point to some subtle flaws in the current training and command system.

After returning, he selected a few suggestions that were not too advanced but were indeed effective, and conducted a small-scale trial within his authority.

For example, the fire support plan for infantry squads was improved, and some details of night marches were optimized. The results were unexpectedly good and received unanimous praise from the staff.

This made him look at his son with even greater admiration, and at the same time filled him with curiosity, wondering how many more such wonderful ideas his son had in his mind.

“Guangming, the detailed plan you mentioned last time about using the terrain to conduct wave-like alternating cover during squad assaults, I had one of the elite squads try it out,” Yang Jianxiong said, getting straight to the point with the seriousness of discussing business. “The results were very good; the speed of the assault and the casualty exchange ratio have both improved.”

Sunshine nodded, not surprised.

The suggestions he made were merely things he had seen in the documents in his second life. They were the basics of relatively mature infantry tactics that had been tested in practice in later generations, and naturally seemed somewhat novel in this era.

“If it’s useful, that’s good.” He said calmly. Yang Jianxiong pondered for a moment, “Then, about that idea you mentioned last time about how to make more effective use of existing communication equipment to achieve rapid information flow at the company and platoon level, I’ve thought about it carefully for a long time and I think it has great potential.”

"There are some details, such as the signal abbreviation settings for different terrains and the backup plan in case of interference, that I'd like to hear your thoughts on further."

Seeing the thirst for knowledge shining in his father's eyes, Yang Guangming understood that his father hoped to gain more "inspiration" from him so that he could achieve more in the construction of the army.

But he was aware of the proper measure; too much of a good thing is bad.

He is currently just a 19-year-old college student, and his occasional brilliant ideas can be attributed to his intelligence and thoughtfulness.

However, if he keeps coming up with overly advanced and systematic military theories, it will inevitably arouse unnecessary suspicion and attention, which is definitely not a good thing for him and his family.

The suggestions he has given are enough for my father to digest and absorb, and to gradually verify and improve them in practice. They are enough to make my father stand out in his current position, gain a foothold, and even get promoted faster.

That was enough for him.

In this life, all he wants is to protect his family and live a peaceful and stable life; he doesn't want to get too involved in these areas.

So he smiled and said, "Dad, those are just some random thoughts I come up with, they're very immature."

The specific details still need to be explored and improved by commanders with practical experience, based on the actual situation.

As a student, I'm good at theoretical discussions, but when it comes to practical application, I'm far from capable.

He paused, then continued, "I think the existing ideas are enough for you and your subordinates to study and practice for a while. The key is to thoroughly understand the spirit and apply it flexibly, because the battlefield situation is constantly changing and there is no unchanging template."

Yang Jianxiong, being a man of great stature, immediately discerned the reluctance in his son's words. He paused slightly, feeling a pang of regret, then looked at his son thoughtfully.

My son's words make sense; those ideas do need time to be digested and put into practice.

Moreover, the son seemed... unwilling to explore these issues in greater depth.

While feeling somewhat disappointed, Yang Jianxiong also felt a sense of relief.

This child is meticulous and knows how to conceal his talents; he's not the kind of brat who wants the whole world to know about his abilities just because he has a little bit of skill.

He stopped insisting and nodded: "You're right, we need to take it one step at a time, based on reality. Dad was being a little too impatient."

The father and son then discussed some of the points they had previously raised in more depth, but Yang Guangming always kept a balance and did not put forward any new points. Instead, he supplemented and explained the existing ideas.

Yang Jianxiong listened attentively, occasionally raising his own questions, which Yang Guangming answered by citing classical texts and relating them to the realities of the era.

Time slipped away quietly during this in-depth exchange.

About an hour later, Yang Jianxiong raised his hand to look at his watch; the hour hand had already pointed to four o'clock in the afternoon.

As if remembering something, he said, "Oh, right, I almost forgot. I have to go to the city hospital later to see Political Commissar Yang's wife."

Upon hearing this, Yang Guangming asked with concern, "Uncle Yang's wife? What happened to her?"

“It’s an old problem, anemia, and my health is relatively weak. The doctor recommended that I be hospitalized for a period of time to recuperate.” Yang Jianxiong sighed. “Political Commissar Yang has been quite worried about me lately.”

Yang Guangming immediately said, "Dad, then I'll go with you. Uncle Yang came to see Grandma before and helped our family a lot. It's only right and proper that I go and visit him."

Yang Jianxiong looked at his son, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, and nodded, saying, "Good, it's good that you have this thought. Let's go now, let's go early so as not to disturb the patient's rest too much."

The two got up and left the room.

Inside the main room, Tian Yufen and the old lady were preparing ingredients for dinner. The large grass carp had already been cleaned and cut into pieces.

Yang Jianxiong said to his mother and Tian Yufen, "Mother, Yufen, Guangming and I are going out to the hospital to visit Political Commissar Yang's wife."

The old lady inquired about the patient's condition and then said, "It's only right, it's only right. Political Commissar Yang is a very honest man; he's helped us a lot. Please wait a moment..."

As she spoke, she walked to the washbasin and pointed to the two grass carp remaining inside: "Take one of these fish with you! Fish is good for the sick and helps them recover!"

Yang Jianxiong quickly waved his hand: "No need, no need, Mom, I've already prepared everything. I even left a bag of apples and two cans of fruit in the car. Let's keep the fish for home."

"Take it!" the old lady insisted. "We have so many fish at home, we don't need this one. When you go to see the sick, buying only canned fruit and snacks is not as practical and nutritious as this big grass carp!"

Tian Yufen also chimed in, "Mother is right, let's take one with us as a small token of our appreciation."

Seeing that his mother and wife both said so, Yang Jianxiong no longer refused: "Alright, I'll listen to Mother."

Without prior preparation, it was inconvenient to take things from the refrigerator. After thinking for a moment, Yang Guangming took two bottles of honey and a can of milk powder from what he already had at home.

These two items are more practical nutritional supplements than canned fruit for people with anemia and weak constitution.

He also packed the honey and milk powder. Including what his father had prepared—apples, canned goods, fresh fish, honey, and milk powder—it was quite a substantial and practical gift in those days.

The father and son told their family, and the bodyguard, Xiao Zhang, followed them out the door with their belongings.

We got into the car at the gate, the jeep started, drove out of the alley, and headed towards the hospital in the city.

On the way, Yang Jianxiong gave a brief introduction to Political Commissar Yang's wife.

Her surname is Wang, and she is also a veteran cadre who joined the revolution in her early years. Her health has never been very good, a chronic illness she developed when she was young, which has caused her to frequently visit the hospital over the years.

Upon arriving at the hospital and parking the car, Yang Jianxiong, clearly not a first-timer, led Yang Guangming to the third floor of the inpatient department and to a private room.

He knocked lightly on the door.

A young man's voice came from inside: "Please come in."

Yang Jianxiong pushed open the door and entered, with Yang Guangming following behind him.

The ward was very clean. On the bed by the window lay a woman in her fifties, pale-faced with her hair neatly combed, but with a sickly and weary look in her eyes. She was Aunt Wang, the wife of Political Commissar Yang.

Sitting on a chair by the bed was a young man in his early twenties, tall and with a face somewhat similar to Political Commissar Yang. He had a heroic air about him, but at this moment, his eyes could not hide his worry for his mother.

Upon seeing Yang Jianxiong, he immediately stood up and said, "Uncle Yang, you've arrived."

"Xiao Yang, don't be so polite." Yang Jianxiong waved his hand, quickly walked to the bedside, and looked at Aunt Wang with concern, "Old Wang, how are you feeling? Are you feeling any better?"

When Aunt Wang saw Yang Jianxiong, a weak smile appeared on her face, and her voice was a little hoarse: "It's Jianxiong. I'm sorry to have troubled you to come all this way again. I'm much better, but it's just my old ailment. I need to stay in the hospital for a few days to recuperate."

Her gaze shifted to Yang Guangming, a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

Yang Jianxiong quickly introduced, "This is my son, Yang Guangming. Guangming, this is your Aunt Wang."

Yang Guangming stepped forward, bowed slightly, and greeted her politely: "Hello, Aunt Wang. I heard you weren't feeling well, so I came to see you. I wish you a speedy recovery."

Aunt Wang looked Yang Guangming up and down, a hint of approval in her eyes: "This is Guangming. Old Yang praised you a lot when he went back, saying that you are a good kid, so young but so mature and sensible. Please sit down, please sit down."

Political Commissar Yang's son also looked at Yang Guangming, his gaze filled with scrutiny and a hint of curiosity.

Yang Jianxiong placed the things he brought on the bedside table: "Old Wang, this is a small token of my appreciation. This fish was caught by Guangming today, it's very fresh, perfect for making soup. There's also this honey and milk powder, you can mix them with your drink, it's good for your health."

Aunt Wang looked at all the things and quickly said, "Look at you all, you came all this way, why did you bring so much stuff? It's too much of a waste!"

"It's nothing, don't be so polite." Yang Jianxiong turned to look at Political Commissar Yang's son, "Little Yang, thank you for taking care of your mother here."

Commissar Yang's eldest son, Yang Kenan, quickly said, "Uncle Yang, you're too kind. This is what I should do."

Yang Jianxiong inquired carefully about her condition, the attending physician's explanation, and how long she needed to remain hospitalized.

Aunt Wang answered each question in turn, explaining that the main problem was severe anemia, requiring blood transfusions and medication, as well as increased nutrition. She estimated that the patient would need to stay for about a week to ten days.

After sitting for about ten minutes, Yang Jianxiong noticed the patient looked tired, so he got up to say goodbye: "Old Wang, you should rest well. We won't bother you any longer. If you need anything, have Kenan come to me, or you can call the office."

Aunt Wang said, "Thank you for coming to see me. Jianxiong, you're so kind. Guangming, thank you too."

Yang Kenan escorted the father and son to the door of the ward.

Yang Jianxiong gave him a few more instructions, telling him to take good care of his mother and to let him know if he had any difficulties.

As I stepped out of the inpatient building, the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the hospital's white walls in a warm orange hue.

Sitting in the jeep, Yang Jianxiong leaned back in his seat and sighed softly: "Your Aunt Wang is just too strong-willed. She worked hard when she was young and ended up with a lot of health problems. Old Yang has had it tough too."

Yang Guangming nodded silently. He could feel the deep camaraderie between his father and Political Commissar Yang.

The car started and slowly drove away from the hospital.

By the time I returned to the courtyard house, it was already dusk. Dim yellow light shone from the windows of each household, and the air was filled with the aroma of everyone's dinner.

In the east courtyard, the lights in the main room were on, and the aroma of the food was even more enticing.

Hearing the noise, the old lady and Yang Shanshan came out to greet them.

"You're back? How is Political Commissar Yang's wife?" the old lady asked with concern.

"The situation is relatively stable, but he needs to rest and replenish his nutrition," Yang Jianxiong replied.

Yang Shanshan eagerly grabbed her brother's hand: "Brother, the fish stew is ready, it smells so good! We've been waiting for you to come back for dinner!"

The family entered the main room and saw that the food was already laid out on the octagonal table.

In the center is a large pot of steaming stewed grass carp, with chunks of fish bubbling in the milky white broth, exuding a wonderful aroma.

There was also a plate of stir-fried greens, a plate of cucumber salad, and steaming hot steamed buns made from a mixture of wheat and vegetables.

That pot of stewed fish was undoubtedly the star of the evening, attracting everyone's attention.

"Quickly, wash your hands and eat!" the old lady called out with a smile, her face beaming with satisfaction.

Yang Jianxiong and Yang Guangming washed their hands, and the family sat around the table.

Tian Yufen first served her mother-in-law a bowl full of fish soup, with several large pieces of fish meat in it. Then she gave her son and daughter each a large piece of fish belly meat.

"Eat more, everyone. Guangming worked hard to catch it, and Yufen worked hard to cook it," the old lady said.

Yang Shanshan couldn't wait any longer. She blew on the hot fish and carefully took a bite.

The fish was tender and melted in her mouth, its rich aroma exploding instantly. She squinted her eyes in satisfaction and mumbled, "Delicious! So delicious!"

Yang Guangming also took a sip; the fish soup was rich and flavorful, and the fish was fresh and delicious—truly a feast. More importantly, today the whole family was gathered together, sharing the taste of the fruits of their labor.

As Yang Jianxiong ate the fish, watching his mother's satisfied smile and his children's happy faces, a rare warmth and peace welled up in his heart.

This kind of simple and warm family life was something he had longed for but could not achieve for many years in the military.

He placed a piece of food on his mother's plate, then looked at his composed son, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction. This family, because of his son's growth, was becoming better and more vibrant. (End of Chapter)