Special forces soldier demobilization: Starting from the county government compound, a meteoric rise

On Lunar New Year's Eve, the capital city was blanketed in a rare, auspicious snowfall.

Feather-like snowflakes fell gently from the gray sky, covering the ancient alleys and majestic red walls with a layer of silver.

The courtyard house of Liu Ming's family was bustling with activity.

The old jujube tree in the center of the courtyard was adorned with festive red lanterns, and the icicles under the eaves refracted rainbow colors in the sunlight. In the kitchen, Xi Wanqing and Nangong Yao were making dumplings with their granddaughters-in-law, their laughter and the aroma of flour carrying far and wide.

Liu Ming moved a grand chair and sat at the entrance of the courtyard, holding a warm purple clay teapot in his hands, squinting at the snow like a real old man.

"Ding-dong."

A crisp doorbell rang out from outside the courtyard gate.

Liu Ming's grandson, the chubby-faced "Little Asura," dressed in a red Tang suit, rushed over like a little cannonball and opened the door.

"Grandpa! We have a guest!"

Outside the door stood an elderly man with gray hair, yet still with a straight back.

It was Lu Chen, the former mayor who had retired many years ago.

He was carrying two bottles of aged wine that looked quite valuable, and a smile of reunion on his face.

"Old Lu, you old codger, how come you've learned to launch surprise attacks?"

Liu Ming smiled, stood up, and went to greet her.

"Your gate, Chief Liu's, is now harder to enter than the central government. If I don't launch a surprise attack, I'm afraid I won't even have anywhere to deliver your grandson's New Year's money," Lu Chen laughed, shoving the wine into Liu Ming's arms.

The two were exchanging pleasantries.

Outside the door, there was another roar of car engines.

An SUV with police license plates pulled up at the entrance of the alley. The door opened, and a robust old man with a full head of white hair, but still walking with a brisk pace, jumped out.

It's Lei Tie.

He was carrying a freshly slaughtered sheep, and his voice was as loud as thunder.

"Brother Liu! I've come to see you! I brought you some local specialties from our hometown of Ningzhou!"

"You old rascal, what brings you here too?" Liu Ming was both surprised and delighted.

"Hey, you can come, but I can't?"

Immediately afterward, a taxi stopped. A chubby figure rolled out of the car; it was Zhang Dapao, who was so fat he could barely walk.

"And me too, Mr. Liu! I brought you the most famous braised duck from Linjiang!"

……

In a short time.

This once quiet alleyway suddenly transformed into a bustling market.

One car after another converged from all directions.

Yes, there were representatives of the old miners from Qingyun County who brought their homemade rice wine. And there were representatives of entrepreneurs from Ningzhou High-tech Zone who brought state-of-the-art smart home products.

Even Zhang Aiguo, the finance section chief whom Liu Ming once saved from the brink of death, is now the deputy director of the provincial finance department.

These people include high-ranking officials, wealthy businessmen, and ordinary citizens.

But today, they have all set aside their identities and airs.

They came for only one thing.

—Wishing a Happy New Year to the man who changed their destiny.

"Quickly! Don't just stand at the door! Come inside! Come inside and have some tea!"

Looking at the group of old buddies, subordinates, and friends who held most of his life's memories, Liu Ming couldn't help but feel a little teary-eyed.

He knew that these people were his most precious treasure in this life.

……

The entire courtyard was instantly filled with a long-lost liveliness, brimming with the warmth of everyday life.

The men sat around in the courtyard, drinking heavily, boasting, and loudly singing old military songs.

The women were in the kitchen, making dumplings, chatting, and occasionally bursting into silvery laughter.

The children were having a snowball fight, building snowmen, and chasing each other in the snow.

Those faces were filled with happy and content smiles.

Those greetings were filled with sincerity and blessings.

At this moment, it all transformed into a warm current, more mellow than any fine wine and warmer than any merit, slowly flowing through Liu Ming's heart.

He sat in that old rattan chair that he had been sitting in for decades.

Looking at the scene before me, so joyful and harmonious, it was like a beautiful "Peach Blossom Spring".

That heart, once turned cold in the pursuit of revenge.

A heart hardened by the pursuit of power.

It was completely melted away at that moment.

He slowly closed his eyes.

A genuine, satisfied smile curved at the corners of his lips.

he knows.

This is the prosperous era that he and his father, two generations of people, had strived for their whole lives to see...

A prosperous age without oppression or darkness, only sunshine and laughter.

……

"Grandpa, look! It's snowing!"

The little grandson was jumping happily in the yard with his hands outstretched.

Liu Ming, open your eyes.

All I could see was a hazy gray sky.

One after another, pure white snowflakes are falling gently and gracefully.

Soon, the ancient eaves and the bustling courtyard were covered with a layer of holy silver.

Auspicious snow.

A bumper harvest year.

Looking at the swirling snowflakes and the joyful laughter filling the courtyard, Liu Ming's eyes became calmer than ever before.

he knows.

His story is about to come to an end.

But the greater legend that belongs to us, to this nation.

This is just the beginning.

"Old man, don't sit outside, you'll catch a cold."

Xi Wanqing came out with a thick coat and gently draped it over his shoulders.

"Come in."

"The dumplings are ready."