But no matter what, his eldest grandson, Gu Yunpeng, was the most important. He'd heard that ever since the school fell into chaos, Secretary Gu had been going to the commune every now and then to ask if there had been any recruitment efforts in the past two years.

"So you're saying that Secretary Gu values ​​Gu Yunpeng quite a bit?"

"Yes, after all, he's the eldest grandson of the Gu family. The future success or failure of the Gu family will definitely depend on Gu Yunpeng."

"Since he has reservations, he won't do anything to harm you. He's just afraid that Old Madam Gu might make things difficult for you in the production team."

"Don't worry about that. I know what I'm doing. That old lady Gu only does some small things behind the scenes; she wouldn't dare do anything else. Besides, I'm not just here in the brigade for nothing. I have ways to deal with that old lady Gu."

"That's good"

"By the way, Uncle Shen, don't just ask me. Are you and Aunt Zhou alright? How are you doing? How many people are living together?"

"You've asked so many questions at once, which one should I answer first?"

Let's do it one at a time.

"You, alright. To be honest, your Aunt Zhou and I haven't suffered much. Besides, this battalion commander's son is your older brother's comrade-in-arms, so he won't do anything to us. It's just that people have been coming over a lot lately, but nothing's wrong. As long as we cooperate with them, they won't dare to do anything to us."

"What else? Did they take you and Aunt Zhou on a parade through the streets?"

"No, they wouldn't dare. Don't be fooled by the uproar they're making now. They still wouldn't dare do it to your Aunt Zhou and me. Firstly, no matter where we are, we can't find fault with us, and we actively cooperate with them. Secondly, going to the countryside was something your Aunt Zhou and I requested ourselves. Do you see that our living conditions are the same as everyone else in the brigade?"

"What does that prove?"

"That shows how good we are. Also, before you went to the countryside, Uncle Shen had already asked someone to help him get a doctor's certificate stating that he was no longer suitable to lead troops into battle. He has suffered countless injuries from leading troops into battle over the years, and they might relapse at any time. At the same time, he had already asked his superiors for permission to retire and planned to return to his hometown to farm. As for coming to Tongshi, that was also prepared in advance."

"So how many people are living here now?"

"Right now it's just me and your Aunt Zhou. It's quite a coincidence, but this summer, because of the heavy rains, the original cowshed was destroyed. The place we're living in now is the one we just built."

To prevent the cowshed from being washed away by rain again, the brigade leader used high-quality timber to rebuild it, and the earthen walls were made of mud bricks.

Another thing is that it's cold here in winter. The cowsheds aren't like those in the south where they're drafty. They're just like the houses people live in, with only a bed and a door.

The production team also built about ten warehouses, planning to raise more pigs in the production team next year. This area is close to the city, where the demand for pork is relatively high, and it's also closer to the city than other places.

"That's good. I was worried about where you and Aunt Zhou were staying."

"She has so many worries at such a young age."

"That's right. Oh, by the way, Uncle Shen, these are things prepared for you and Aunt Zhou. You'd better hide them well so no one else finds them."

"Don't worry about that. Recently, when no one was around at night, they secretly dug a cellar in the room where your Aunt Zhou and I live."

"That's good, just make sure no one finds out."

"It's alright. Your Aunt Zhou and I are old revolutionaries; we know this much. But you brought so much stuff; do you have any left? Is it enough? Don't make yourself suffer for our sake."

"Uncle Shen, since I brought it, it means I don't need anything. Here are some clothes and blankets for you and Aunt Zhou, as well as some food and preventative medicine, all clearly labeled. Oh, and also, go find the ointment and medicinal wine that Grandpa Wang prescribed for your rheumatism. Drink it secretly, don't deprive yourself for the sake of others."

"Don't worry, I understand. There are all sorts of monsters and scoundrels everywhere these days, and there's no trust between people anymore. But we can't generalize and condemn everyone, you know?"

"I know, Uncle Shen. I didn't bring much food, so you and Aunt Zhou can keep it for yourselves."

"Don't worry, I know what I can and can't take out. I won't reveal these things until I fully understand the other person."

"That's good. I was just worried that you and Aunt Zhou might suffer because of others."

"You silly child, stop worrying about such trivial things."

"Okay, I understand."

"How many days of leave did you take this time to come?"

"Just three days: one day yesterday, one day today, and one day tomorrow. I have to take the train back first thing in the morning."

"Hurry back. Things are different now than before; the regulations are much stricter. Be extra careful when you're out and about."

"I understand, you can rest assured."

"By the way, it gets very cold here in winter, Uncle Shen. You and Aunt Zhou must prepare plenty of firewood, or people will freeze to death."

"I know that. You've forgotten that your Uncle Shen also went to the battlefield and knows how cold the winters in Northeast China are. But you really can't come here anymore; staying too long might attract attention."

"I know, that's why I brought so much stuff. I don't plan to come back for the next two years. You and Aunt Zhou must take good care of yourselves. Whatever the higher-ups ask you to do, you must cooperate fully."

"I know, sometimes you have to bow your head. I won't risk my own life and your Aunt Zhou's life for the sake of so-called pride. This is an internal conflict among the people, not a conflict with the enemy. I can tell which is more important and which is less important."

"Uncle Shen, please take these things back with you when you have time. I won't go into the village to meet Aunt Zhou, as I'm afraid it might cause you and Aunt Zhou trouble. I'll be going now."

"Go back now. If anything happens, we can keep in touch by letter, but not too often. Two or three letters a year, just to let each other know we're safe, okay?"

Don't worry, I understand.

"Uncle Shen, you and Aunt Zhou should go up the mountain to find food whenever you have free time. I'm afraid the brigade won't allocate much grain to you and Aunt Zhou."

"You don't need to worry about that. Your Aunt Zhou and I went through the toughest times. We know better than you kids how to survive under the most severe conditions."

"That's good. You and Aunt Zhou must take good care of yourselves. Don't forget that my brother and I are waiting to reunite with you."

"I know, it's getting late, it's almost time to go to work, I have to go back now, you should go too."

Okay, I'm leaving then.

Let's go.

Seeing that Shen Bo hadn't given up his life for his pride or determination, as depicted in books or on television, I could finally rest easy.