980
However, time is merciless, and they have all grown old.
Of my old friends, only a few are left now.
"Brother Huo," Old Man Qi said, his eyes filled with tears, "how are you feeling?"
"Good!" Old Master Huo said with a smile, "My health is still quite good, and it seems you are doing well too. Seeing that you are living a happy old age, I can rest assured."
This good brother's wife and son have both passed away, leaving him a lonely old man. Fortunately, some of the younger generation in Qijia Village are filial to him, so Old Man Qi can now enjoy a happy old age.
"Yes, the younger generation is filial now and they are doing very well." Old Man Qi smiled and looked at Third Grandma Qi, who was chatting with Madam Huo. At least in the final stage of his life, he had someone he knew and loved by his side.
This is already the most satisfactory result for him.
Old Master Huo, being a wise and experienced man, naturally saw through it. He smiled knowingly but didn't say anything. After all, at their age, formalities were no longer important; what mattered most was their attitude.
"That's good. It's rare for us brothers to meet this time. After the military parade, I'll invite a few old buddies over for a get-together," said Old Master Huo. "They often mention you too."
"Hehe, I'm just an ordinary person, what's there to mention?" Old Qi chuckled. "Alas, it's just that we're getting old, and we were seriously wounded in battle when we were young. I guess even if those old comrades are still alive, their health isn't what it used to be."
“Who can argue with that!” Old Master Huo sighed. “Last year, Old Li passed away, and now Old Liu is bedridden. The remaining few, although they can still walk around, are too old to travel easily.”
Old Qi sighed with regret upon hearing that all these familiar people were now very old.
"Time waits for no one," Old Qi said. "Life is a cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death; it's the natural order of things. Although it's regrettable, it's the law of nature. We will all leave this world sooner or later, and the younger generation is capable of holding up the sky. Compared to those comrades who sacrificed their lives in the War of Resistance, we are fortunate to have lived to see the victory and to live to see liberation. We witnessed the rights and wrongs after the founding of the nation, and we also witnessed the country gradually becoming stronger. All of this was the purpose for which we took up arms and fought back then. Even when we are in the afterlife, we can tell our comrades who fought alongside us that their blood was not shed in vain."
Old Qi's words left Old Master Huo deeply moved.
Back then, with limited technology, the victories of the new China were built up little by little with blood and lives lost.
Faced with the enemy's strong ships, powerful cannons, and advanced weapons, our soldiers had only their broken guns, their not-so-strong bodies, and their unwavering will to charge forward.
They sacrificed their precious lives for victory, for liberation, and for the people to become masters of their own destiny.
However, they became a handful of yellow earth buried in a foreign land.
May the loyal bones live on forever, and may the loyal souls return peacefully to their homeland!
The two men thought of their former comrades-in-arms, and tears streamed down their faces.
Those who noticed this lowered their voices as well.
This is a sign of respect for the deceased, and also a gesture of sympathy for the two veterans who have spent their lives in the military and are now old and frail.
After a long while, Huo Zhegan slowly said, "Father, Uncle Qi, the country is thriving now, and you can be gratified. Let's not talk about these things anymore, and talk about something happy."
Old Master Huo took the handkerchief his wife handed him, wiped away his tears, and nodded, saying, "Yes, the country is getting better and better, what regrets could I possibly have? Brother Qi, we should laugh, let's call up all our comrades who went to the battlefield back then, and have a good get-together."
This is the last time we'll have this get-together.
Although Mr. Huo didn't say it, everyone could understand what he meant.
"Alright, this is your home turf, Brother Huo, you make the arrangements." Old Man Qi smiled slightly. He had been hiding in Qi Family Village, and although it was quiet there, he felt very lonely inside.
Fortunately, there are still younger generations around, and there is still her.
With so many people coming today, He Tiantian prepared a lot of dishes and arranged two large tables.
The men sat at one table, drinking and talking; the women sat at the other, eating, drinking, and gossiping.
Grandma Qi was particularly interested when Qi Xiaoyan was mentioned attending the party, thinking that she must see it.
There were many children, and the younger ones were very excited, playing in the yard.
With so many adults around, there's no need to worry about the children.
The event didn't end until 9 p.m.
Grandpa Huo, Grandma Huo, and others returned to the old national residence.
The next morning, Old Master Tang came to see Old Master Huo.
"What brings you here so early in the morning?" Old Master Huo asked the visitor as he slowly practiced his tai chi in the courtyard after washing up.
At this time of day, Grandpa Tang is usually exercising and wouldn't come over.
"Hehe, you wouldn't come here without a reason, I have something to ask you!" Old Master Tang said with a smile, acting like a close friend.
"I think you're up to no good, like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken," said Old Master Huo. "Just say what you have to say, seeing your wrinkled face while you're smiling gives me the creeps!"
"I heard from Tang Qian that Qi Zhengmin's grandmother has come. My son likes Zhengmin, and since her elders are here, I can't just ignore it and pretend I don't know. That would be impolite," said Old Master Tang. "But as you know, my fourth son did something foolish before. Although he's turned over a new leaf now, I'm worried that the girl's family won't be satisfied. So I wanted to come and ask for your help to put in a good word for him. If all goes well, you can act as a matchmaker and arrange the marriage between my fourth son and Zhengmin."
I knew it was about this!
When Old Master Huo saw Old Master Tang approaching, he guessed what had happened.
"Hehe, I've seen Xiao Si's changes. But I'm not suited to be a matchmaker," said Old Master Huo. "How about this, you come with me to Yingjie's house today. My brother Qi is Qi Zhengmin's second grandfather, and he's our comrade-in-arms. Let's visit as friends first. If they're interested, we can move on to the next step. But if they're not interested at all, you can't trick me into going ahead with it."
"Huh?" Old Master Tang was taken aback. "Are you talking about Qi Xingwang?"
"Yes, it's Qi Xingwang," said Old Master Huo. "He was a formidable general back then, but he grew tired of the treacherous life and returned to his hometown. Qi Zhengmin's grandfather and Qi's father were cousins, sharing the same grandmother and grandfather. So, Qi Zhengmin is Qi's granddaughter. Now that Qi Zhengmin's father, Qi Shuliang, is taking care of Qi's father, she's truly his granddaughter. You can't just take advantage of your family's power and influence to force this young girl on him."
Grandpa Tang was speechless, then said, "Hey, Old Huo, don't you know what kind of person I am? I'm very cautious in my actions. How could I dare to bully a young girl?"
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