I was married off to a disabled hero in lieu of marriage; my in-laws doted on me and I aspired to gr

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, villagers came to Qiaoqiao's house to offer their New Year's greetings. Qiaoqiao's grandfather, who had been unable to straighten his back for many years, smiled broadly and warmly offered candy to the villagers.

Dashui Village was very poor. Every household ate some broad beans, soybeans, and sweet potato chips that they grew themselves as snacks. Only Qiaoqiao's family had high-end candies.

Some came to gather information, some to curry favor with Commander Zhou, and some were simply after the high-grade candy.

Zhao Gui came because of the news about rural reforms. Zhao Jintao was going to university, and he was promoted to team leader.

"Commander Zhou, hello. I'm Zhao Gui, the squad leader from Dashui Village. Do you think our Dashui Village will be able to raise rabbits this year?"

Zhao Gui was a little nervous as he faced Zhou Zhonghai for the first time.

"Yes, if any more rabbits and pigs that have been raised and given away are handed over to the patriarch, you can lead the villagers to my in-laws, and I will compensate them."

Zhou Zhonghai reassured Zhao Gui.

"Really? Will we lose money on last year's pigs?" a villager asked tentatively as he paid his New Year's visit.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Commander Zhou was sick last year and couldn't manage things. Pigs and rabbits have nothing to do with him," Zhao Gui scolded.

"Actually, it's also related to me. I gave the commune secretary confidence. I was sick for a year, and I never expected such a big change to happen. Fellow villagers, I'm sorry. This year, wait for me. I will definitely make Dashui Village the first to get rich." Zhou Zhonghai encouraged everyone.

"Commander Zhou, we only dare to raise them because you're here. You should come to Dashui Village more often so the commune secretary won't dare to act so arrogantly," the villagers complained.

The commune secretary and the county party secretary were helpless. It was the municipal party secretary who took action against a small village. Zhou Zhonghai was very curious about which son of a bitch was the municipal party secretary who wouldn't even spare a small village.

Villagers came in droves to offer their New Year's greetings. Around noon, commune secretary Gao Bing and brigade secretary Wang Jiakun also came to offer their greetings.

Gao Bing has a chicken in his left hand and a duck in his right.

Wang Jiakun has a chicken in his left hand and a duck in his right.

This is the highest-level New Year's gift ever; the hen can lay eggs!

Upon entering the courtyard, Gao Bing handed the chickens and ducks to Qiaoqiao's father, quickly greeted Zhou Zhonghai, shook hands, and said with emotion, "You're back."

Zhou Zhonghai chuckled: "He's not dead."

Gao Bing walked around Zhou Zhonghai, carefully examined him, and said, "He's fine, healthy, just a bit pale."

Zhou Zhonghai laughed heartily: "My head is a little dizzy, but everything else is fine."

Gao Bing felt like crying. He pulled Zhou Zhonghai into the house and said, "Come in, come in, I want to have a good talk with you."

After entering the house, Gao Bing said with a wronged expression, "Without you, nothing can be done. Take those few pigs in Dashui Village, for example? Commander Zhou, I feel guilty and dare not come to Dashui Village. The villagers wish they could skin me alive. Tell me, can we do anything this year? I just need a definite answer from you."

Qiaoqiao poured tea for Gao Bing and Wang Jiakun, and seeing that they wanted to talk, she took Zhou Xiaowei to the west room.

"Not only do it, but do it big. I'm your source of confidence. These past few days, I've gotten a general understanding of the local situation, starting with wheat seeds, corn seeds, and pesticides. I'll go to the provincial agricultural university research institute when I'm at work to see what new varieties they have, and I'll bring them back for you."

In addition, there are side businesses. Every household can raise pigs and rabbits, and also grow potatoes. Plant potatoes all over the sandy land, and I'll take care of the sales. As for other side businesses, I need to go to the research institute to inspect them. I'll bring back any crops suitable for Tonggang County for you.”

Zhou Zhonghai briefly explained his thoughts.

"Great, wonderful, Commander Zhou, you are our people's benevolent ruler!" Gao Bing was so excited he almost cried.

"Of course, I also hope that you will uphold your duty to serve the people and do a good job in grassroots work. If anyone embezzles or accepts bribes and harms the interests of the people, I will shoot him dead."

The person Zhou Zhonghai most wanted to kill was that son of a bitch, the municipal party secretary.

"Rest assured, our commune secretary will definitely respond to your leadership."

Gao Bing finally breathed a sigh of relief and pulled Wang Jiakun aside, saying, "Wang Jiakun, the brigade secretary, is particularly concerned about the development of Dashui Village. He's back from the army."

Wang Jiakun saluted and said, "Commander Zhou!"

"Good, good, the troops are coming back to build up their hometown, good, very good."

As fellow soldiers, Zhou Zhonghai punched Wang Jiakun on the shoulder: "With you assisting me at the grassroots level, my confidence as the Minister of Agriculture has greatly increased."

Gao Bing looked at Wang Jiakun with surprise, and the two said in unison, "Hello, Minister Zhou!"

"Haha, don't take it seriously, we're all serving the people. Hey, Secretary Gao, who's the current municipal party secretary? Why is he so interested in a small village like Dashui?"

The group sat down and drank tea.

"The municipal party secretary is named Wu Zhengkai. I don't know him personally, but I've only heard Secretary Fu mention him. I think he's the son of some general."

"Wu Zhengkai, Wu, General, could he be the son of General Wu Wanlong?"

"Minister Zhou, do you know him?"

Zhou Zhonghai shook his head: "I don't know him, I've only heard of him. General Wu passed away many years ago. Logically speaking, he was a descendant of an old revolutionary, so why would he be so bothered by a few pigs in Dashui Village?"

"Minister Zhou, what he's really thinking about isn't the pig, but the position of Deputy Secretary and County Party Secretary, isn't it?" Gao Bing kindly reminded him.

Zhou Zhonghai frowned: "They say that every emperor brings a new court. Fu Sanjun isn't even considered one of my soldiers, yet he's already being targeted. It just goes to show how tough it is for you grassroots cadres."

Gao Bing was so moved he almost cried: "Minister Zhou, what you said really saddened me. The villagers of Dashui Village cursed my ancestors for eighteen generations. At the beginning of the year, we encouraged them to raise pigs well, but at the end of the year, we confiscated all their pigs. I, Gao Bing, really can't do something like giving birth to a child without an anus, but there's no other way."

"You've been wronged? Let's start over. I'll see who dares to cut off the tail of ordinary people again. I'll cut off their ancestors for eighteen generations."

"With your promise, I, Gao Bing, have confidence."

While Qiaoqiao was delivering water, she also overheard the difficulties faced by the two secretaries. Her father-in-law was about to take office as the Minister of Agriculture of the province, which would probably be a tough battle.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Qiaoqiao poured tea all day, while her grandfather and father entertained guests until their faces were stiff from smiling.

But they were very happy. Their once quiet homes were now bustling with activity, and the dignity of scholars had returned.

Qiaoqiao's mother was also delighted and whispered to Qiaoqiao, "Look at your father, he's genuinely happy. Qiaoqiao, you've married into a good family. Your in-laws are such high-ranking officials, yet they've never looked down on us farmers."

"Yes, my parents-in-law are both very good people."

"Aunt Mao even pulled me aside and asked, 'Isn't your son-in-law without legs? How can he walk?' I told her that my son made him a pair of legs. You didn't see the look of surprise on Aunt Mao's face. She said, 'You can make legs yourself?' Qiaoqiao, your mother is prouder than honey. You and your brother are both good and promising children. Our Yang family has finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel."

Qiaoqiao's mother laughed while wiping away her tears.

"Look at you, you're so happy you're crying. Don't you want to see your eyes?"

"Don't cry, don't cry. Your grandma made a vest and cotton pants these past few days. Xiaowei will wear it tomorrow. Qiaoqiao, if anything happens, just write to your mother and I'll come to the city to see you."

"Okay, Mom, you have to tell us if something happens at home. Grandma's illness is such a big deal, but you haven't mentioned it at all."