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

Looking at the table full of food, Xia Lei felt very apologetic and kept thanking them.

"Minister Xia, the meat and dried mushrooms were delivered by Uncle Zhou. The fish was dead; the vegetable shop sold it to me cheaply without asking for any ration coupons. They're all ordinary vegetables; please don't mind."

Feng Lin took out a bottle of liquor he bought at the supply and marketing cooperative and poured it for Jin Tao and Xia Lei.

"Was the meat sent by Zhou Zhonghai?" Xia Lei asked in confusion.

"Yes, Uncle Zhou's in-laws slaughtered a pig and remembered us, so they had Secretary Gu bring two jin (1 kg) of it."

Zhao Jintao didn't notice Xia Lei's change in expression and said casually.

"Did you also send one to Governor Feng?"

"I don't know, Secretary Gu didn't say."

"I saw it. Gu Quan was sneaking around carrying meat. I asked him where he was going, and he said he was going to the provincial party committee on business. Humph, so he was just delivering meat. That scoundrel Zhou Zhonghai, I only said a few words to him, and he's already forgotten all about me," Xia Lei couldn't help but curse.

Zhao Jintao and Feng Lin were stunned. Had they gotten themselves into trouble?

"That's true. Governor Feng is a leader, so it's natural for him to offer you a gift. You're a junior, and he's worried you won't eat well. I don't mind, I don't mind. Here, Jin Tao, have a drink."

He said he didn't care, but in his heart he cursed Zhou Zhonghai a hundred times.

Zhao Jintao quickly raised his glass, took a sip, and busied himself serving food to his teacher.

Fenglin and Miaomin served themselves rice and ate in small bites, not daring to speak.

"Teacher, Fenglin repaired a sweater and a coat for you and your wife. Please don't find them too nice." Zhao Jintao quickly changed the subject.

Miao Min nimbly put down her bowl and quickly went to get her sweater and coat.

"Minister Xia, look, Sister Fenglin carefully selected this, and the damaged parts have been repaired," Miao Min stammered.

Xia Lei picked up the sweater and looked at it. Oh my, there was a little tiger on the corner of the sweater.

"Fenglin, you have such skillful hands! This little tiger is so cute."

Xia Lei put his unhappiness behind him. Zhou Zhonghai doesn't care about me, but my student does. Humph, your clothes definitely don't have a little tiger.

"Minister Xia, the flower patch I gave to Uncle Zhou looks even better and is more elegant on yours," Feng Lin said ingratiatingly, deliberately elevating Xia Lei's status.

"Okay, okay, I like it very much. Fenglin, you guys don't earn money easily, the teacher can't take it for free, you have to pay."

"I'm glad you like it. It's just a student's filial piety, and it's not worth much. Minister Xia, look, this coat your teacher's wife is wearing has a little phoenix on it," Feng Lin said, holding up the woolen coat.

"Oh my, it's beautiful too. Your teacher's wife always complains that I'm not romantic enough, but this little phoenix is ​​so incredibly romantic."

Xia Lei was overjoyed; the feeling of being remembered was wonderful.

"Minister Xia, I'll keep this for you. Please have your meal first."

"Let's drink, let's drink, Jin Tao, we won't leave until we're drunk tonight!"

"Okay, thank you, student."

Xia Lei accepted the clothes and didn't mistreat Zhao Jintao, giving him an extra three jin of meat coupons every month.

The bond between men is quite perplexing. If you could get the meat tickets yourself, why would you care that Zhou Zhonghai didn't send you two catties of meat?

That's the honor of being recognized. Being recognized by your superiors gives you more energy to keep working.

Men who drink tend to reminisce, and Xia Lei was no exception.

Xia Lei, his face flushed from drinking, held Zhao Jintao's hand and said, "In my life, I made my success in agriculture, and I failed because of agriculture. In 1953, I was about your age and knew a few words. The brigade recommended me to go to university. My grandfather said, 'If you're going to go, go to an agricultural university. Food is the most important thing for people. Studying agriculture is the right thing to do.'"

I listened to my grandfather and went to a training course at the Agricultural Research Institute in the county. Compared to now, going to school back then was really hard work; I spent every day in the seed fields. Later, the Agricultural Research Institute saw that I was willing to endure hardship and treated me as a talent for development, transferring me to the laboratory. I achieved results, and my grandfather was happy. Who knew that the three years of natural disasters would occur, and my grandparents would both starve to death.

When he got emotional, Xia Lei broke down in tears.

"My grandson was in agriculture, while his grandparents starved to death, all so that they could save the last bit of food for my parents. Jin Tao, I can't bear it. Here, have a drink, have a drink."

After downing a glass of wine, Xia Lei continued, "With the idea of ​​ensuring that people have enough to eat, I spend all my time in the laboratory except for eating, sleeping and going to the toilet. I just want to develop good wheat varieties and good pesticides."

Jin Tao, in this life, I, your teacher, have never thought of myself, nor have I ever had a single selfish thought. But, but half my life has passed, and the common people still can't get enough to eat. It saddens me."

Xia Lei was genuinely upset; his eyes were red.

"Teacher, I understand how you feel. Fortunately, everything is getting better, and the people will soon be able to eat their fill and stay warm." Zhao Jintao took a sip of wine and comforted him.

"That scoundrel Zhou Zhonghai really has guts. Don't let my scolding of him fool you, I admire him. If it were anyone else, our province's agriculture wouldn't have taken off for at least two years. The country desperately needs capable and courageous leaders. I'm ashamed to have him put me in the position of Minister of Agriculture. Fortunately, through some diversionary tactics, we managed to get all the new wheat and corn seeds planted in the fields."

"Teacher, you are already very excellent. I admire you from the bottom of my heart."

"Haha, it's a source of pride for a teacher to gain the recognition of their students. Jin Tao, I'm over fifty and my time is limited, but you're different. You're in the prime of your youth and have plenty of opportunities."

"Teacher, you are my role model. I will follow in your footsteps and move forward without hesitation," Zhao Jintao said with a firm look in his eyes.

Xia Lei put a hand on Zhao Jintao's shoulder and said, "Only those who have the people in their hearts can accomplish great things. Agriculture is a tough path, but it's also very rewarding. Jintao, do your best. I hope that when I retire, you will take over my position."

"Teacher, no, I can't."

Zhao Jintao never even dared to dream of becoming the Minister of Agriculture of a province, a vice-ministerial level official.

"Why not? Your insights and perspective are far superior to mine. I can only see what's in front of me, while you have a long-term vision that anticipates potential problems even in times of peace."

"Teacher, I just saw that Tonggang County had so many agricultural products exported in just one year, so I thought of the whole province."

Zhao Jintao chuckled. Actually, it was County Chief Guo's letter that inspired him. County Chief Guo was very worried about the sales of apples in their county.

On one hand, there's a need for fruit, and on the other hand, there's a need for vegetables. By making a trip to both sides, you can get what you need and even make money. Isn't that an excellent way?

Just like bicycles and sewing machines from Shanghai, once transported to the province, they can be resold and half the price is made.

After finishing their meal, Fenglin and Miaomin quietly mended their torn clothes while listening to the teacher and student talk, and they were deeply moved by what they heard.

Fenglin came from the countryside. Farmers really suffer. They eat cornbread all year round and rarely get to eat white flour.

With land distributed to individual households and the economy opened up, farmers can now engage in sideline businesses. As long as they are hardworking, their lives are getting better and better.

Miao Min is a city dweller. She doesn't even have a proper job and only hopes to have a place for herself in the tide of reform.

The meal was enjoyable, and Xia Lei was slightly drunk. Feng Lin told him to rest at home, but he refused, wanting to go home and give the phoenix-embroidered coat to his lover.

Zhao Jintao had no choice but to ride his bicycle to take the teacher back.