Zhou Jiao said to Old Man Lin with a worried look on her face, "Grandpa, you must keep an eye on my mom when you go back this time. Make sure my dad is really safe and that the matter between him and my uncle has been cleared up. This is very important. Don't listen to their nonsense."

Mr. Lin nodded.

Zhou Jiao continued, "There's also my dad's job. I told my mom last night about the transfer back to Northeast China. I'm so worried. I'm afraid of my grandfather; I know him best. But will he be implicated in factions in Beijing? I don't want my dad to get promoted. He and my mom just want to live in peace. There's nothing better than a family reunited and safe. Can you give me some advice?"

Old Master Lin nodded. "Factions exist everywhere, including in the Northeast. It all depends on your tactics. Your father is no lack of tactics. Besides, I don't know what he's been thinking all these years. I'll ask your father when I see him."

Zhou Jiao thought for a moment and nodded. "Now we can only wait to see him in person. Let's talk about it after we meet. Grandpa, please tell my dad that he doesn't need to worry about me. He can do whatever he wants. As long as he and my mom are safe, there's nothing to worry about in terms of background for me. I can work hard on my own."

"I know. I'll definitely mention this. Anything else?"

"Well, just tell him to think about his work arrangements and not keep remembering where I am. Xiaowu and I won't stay in the Northeast. According to the plan, we will be leaving soon. As for where to go, don't worry about it. I'll decide after I find out where they are."

Mr. Lin said with a smile: "Okay, if you have anything else, tell me everything and I will tell him when I see him."

Zhou Jiao shook her head. The rest was personal matters and she would talk to him about it later. "I didn't expect it. I'll tell him about it later. It's just a small matter."

Grandpa Lin took out the note from his pocket and said, "This is Grandpa's phone number. It's direct. If you have any urgent matters, you can just call him directly."

Zhou Jiao smiled flatteringly at the old man and looked at him ingratiatingly, "Grandpa, can you talk to that person?" She pointed to the sky.

Old Master Lin raised his eyebrows and said, "That person won't take care of trivial matters. If you have anything to say, tell me."

Zhou Jiao coquettishly tugged at her mother's hand. Lin Lishan smiled and said to her father, "She misses that person's calligraphy and wants him to fill in a few characters and leave them for Ping An as a family heirloom when he grows up."

"Oh, what kind of calligraphy do you want? Don't just write randomly. You don't have to bring it back. If you want ordinary calligraphy and paintings, I have plenty. I can have as many as you want. I also have ancient calligraphers."

Zhou Jiao glanced at her grandfather with a bad temper and said, "It's not those. Can you fulfill one of my wishes this time? Just one. I want my father and uncle to come back this time. I like calligraphy the most. I want their calligraphy. Grandpa, please give me two copies. Don't use those poems. Just write that Zhou Xiaozheng is a good comrade. It would be even better if you add words like enduring humiliation and being a pillar of the country.

I want to keep it for Ping An as a family heirloom. It will also let my descendants know the hardships of our ancestors. They'll know that his grandfather was also very capable, even praised by the leader.

I don't think Grandpa has any either? Grandpa also asked for one for my uncle, and wrote on it that Comrade Lin Aiguo is a good comrade, and that there are two sets for my father. In the future, the Lin family will also be the only one in the capital to receive his praise."

Mr. Lin said unhappily, "I have all his calligraphy works in my study, but nothing like what you asked for. I'll try and wait for an opportunity. He's so busy, what am I going to say?"

"Grandpa, you are the best. Please get one for me so that I can keep it. No matter what, you must get one for me. I will ask you for it when I return to Beijing." Zhou Jiao pouted and acted coquettishly pitifully.

Old Master Lin was pestered and had no choice but to say, "Okay, got it. I will definitely find a way to get it before the New Year. Okay. Is there anything else? Let Xiaowu come in."

Zhang Guoqing was just outside looking out the window. When he heard the old man inside tell him to come in, he went straight in.

Zhang Guoqing walked to the old man and the old man asked him to find a stool and sit down.

Old Master Lin asked him, "You've decided on the Armed Forces Department. Zuo Lin said he'd arrange for you to work in the Public Security Bureau. Isn't that good?"

Zhang Guoqing said to the old man, "Grandpa, I'll tell you the truth. I don't plan to stay here long-term. I just want to stay in the Armed Forces Department to get familiar with some people. The Public Security Bureau is good, but it's not what I want."

Grandpa Lin asked the two of them, "Then can you tell me about your future plans? Do you trust me?"

Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao looked at each other, and they both understood each other's intentions. Zhou Jiao nodded.

Old Master Lin and Lin Lishan looked at and smiled at the two children.

Zhang Guoqing looked at the two of them. "For the past two years, I've been studying while working, learning about government management. Jiaojiao is also studying at home with the kids. I'll go to university if I get the chance."

He looked at his grandfather and mother-in-law, then continued, "After graduating from university, I'll go into administration. Jiaojiao should decide what she wants to do within two years before she gets admitted to a university. The future depends on the situation. We're too remote here, so we won't know until we get out there. We'll decide then."

"That's a good decision. There's still time to improve it later. So, what do you think about your father-in-law's work? Do you want him to stay in the capital? If you all plan to stay in the capital, there's no need for them to come back."

Zhang Guoqing was silent for a moment, then shook his head and said with a resolute expression, "My father-in-law should have some plans for his work. Besides himself, the most important thing is you. It depends on your plan. If my father-in-law is left alone in the capital, he will be in danger.

If my father-in-law feels tired after these years, it would be more stable for him to return to other military regions.

If you intend to keep my father-in-law in the capital, then my uncle shouldn't transfer to another military district. With the two of them in the capital, no one else dares to cause trouble. With them both in the capital, you should slowly lower your profile. Besides seizing military power, don't rely on either side. You're the orderly, so just listen to him and ignore everyone else. Grandpa, the world is going to be in chaos, and I only dare to speak out when you're by my side."

"Well, go on. Lishan, go look outside and don't let anyone in." The old man pointed at Lin Lishan and motioned her to go out and look outside. She sat up straight and looked straight at him.

Zhang Guoqing continued, "Most of the CX side has returned, and then there will be a redistribution of military power. Who is willing to give up what they have? Movements follow one after another. Let's look at the developments before the founding of the Song Dynasty and the rise of the Tang Dynasty under Li Shimin. Some things are difficult to say, but history tells us how to avoid them and how to go with the flow. Will the East suppress the West, or will the West suppress the East? As long as you remain your orderly, you can't control others, and others can't control you. Grandpa, don't you think so? I've read 'Das Kapital', 'Records of the Grand Historian', and 'Zizhi Tongjian', and now looking at the present, I always feel that history is actually repeating itself."

Old Master Lin patted him on the shoulder and said, "Yes, you are young and promising. Many people cannot see clearly what is in front of them. You have already entered the field. Go to a big place sooner and gain more experience. You will have a bright future. I will say this here and never say it out loud again."

Zhang Guoqing nodded solemnly. If he hadn't been worried about the old man forming a clique, siding with him early and joining the fray would have affected his father-in-law, and thus his own plans. He wouldn't have uttered these words. The human heart is unpredictable, and no one can be trusted. With the exception of Jiaojiao, he'd never been able to fully commit to anyone. He kept these words in mind: act cautiously, keep a low profile, conserve energy during low points, and plan ahead.