At the end of March, Lu Bairen started packing up early. Many elderly people in the courtyard knew that the old couple were going to follow Lu Shiyi to Songjiang Commune, and they envied them for being able to stay away from disputes.
After discussing with their families, Mr. Ning and Mr. Fu decided that the four elderly people would follow Mr. Lu to Songjiang Commune.
They arrived early that day, intending to discuss with Lu Bairen about letting the two elderly couples go along. Because of their straightforward tempers, they had not been going to the senior activity center for the past few days to avoid disrupting the old leader's plan.
Many elderly people in the yard noticed the tense atmosphere and sent people to inquire about the situation. They heard that there were two rows of vacant yards behind the farm.
After breakfast, Mr. Ning and Mr. Fu went to Lu's house together and finished his work before Lu Bairen left.
The old leader transferred the younger generations of the Ning and Fu families out of the imperial capital and sent them to work in other provinces. The four old people felt lonely at home, so they decided to go with Lu Bairen and the others and stay away from trouble.
The two entered the Lu family's house and saw Lu Bairen holding Hanhan with a smile on his face. They missed the little boys at home. In order not to delay their studies, they let them leave with their parents.
"Is there something you two need to come here for?" Lu Bairen sat on the sofa and looked at his old comrade.
Su Jin brought fruit and tea from the kitchen and placed them in front of the two old people.
Lu Shiyi sat aside, exchanging a glance with Lu Bairen. The old man reminded him that Elder Ning and Elder Fu would definitely follow. Lu Bairen looked as if he had guessed right again, and Lu Shiyi could only think about how to strengthen the protection of the farm.
"Old Lu, we'll go to the farm with you. If all three families go, you and Old Du will have some company." Elder Ning and Elder Fu had discussed it at home, and the two of them worked together to persuade Lu Bairen, "The yard where the young couple lives with Hanhan is not big. You don't want to live with the children, do you?"
"That's right. The old couple has to live separately from them. Besides, Mr. Song and his men have to go to the fields every day, and you two don't have to do that." Old Fu followed closely behind.
"Let Ayi choose three small courtyards for us. They are next to each other so we can take care of each other." Old Ning saw that Lu Bairen seemed to be persuaded, so he immediately continued his efforts.
"The three families helped each other. In the past, they could go to the private plot together and stay on the farm for nearly a year."
Lu Bairen was persuaded by Mr. Ning. He thought that Mr. Song and others were accompanying him on the farm, but he could not interact with them like before.
Mr. Song and his companions have to go to the fields to earn work points every day, and it would be bad if they went over to disturb them.
"Old Ning is right. Old Song and the others need to go to the fields to work, otherwise there will be no food during the autumn harvest. The two of us will take our spouses with us, so the six of us can stay together, right? Let Ayi find three connected yards on the farm to live in, and life will be pretty good there." Old Fu said immediately afterwards.
Lu Bairen listened to what Mr. Fu said and felt that it made sense. There were two firecrackers in front of him. After being cooped up at home for nearly a year, they were probably going to have a mental breakdown.
"Before you go, please tell the children. It's extremely cold in the Northeast. Spring plowing has just begun, and the cotton-padded clothes and quilts here definitely won't be thick enough," Lu Bairen reminded them in advance. "We'll be leaving for the farm in four days. There's no time to make new clothes or thick quilts."
"Ayi, can we buy thick cotton clothes and quilts from the farm?" Old Ning looked at Lu Shiyi and asked, "We only need money and tickets, and you can help buy winter clothes."
Lu Shiyi hummed, "The logistics department has extra military coats and other supplies. As long as you have money and tickets, there won't be any problem."
Mr. Ning and Mr. Fu were relieved and just needed to pack up their belongings at home.
"We... have to apply to the higher-ups, and it will probably take a few days to get the approval. You may have to leave later." Old Fu looked at Old Ning. The two old men were going to go back and write the application now, and submit it directly to the chief for review, which would also take several days.
"Grandpa Ning, Grandpa Fu, the commander called yesterday and said there are only four elderly people left in the Ning and Fu families. If you are willing to follow Grandpa to Songjiang Commune, I can take you away directly."
"Really?!" The two old men looked at Lu Shiyi in disbelief. "If the four of us go together, will it cause you trouble? If it does, we can go separately."
Lu Shiyi shook his head. "I'll make the arrangements. You go back and quietly pack your things. Four days later at 4:30 in the morning, Zong Li will drive to pick up the four elderly people and take them away. Only trustworthy guards will be brought along."
The Ning family and the Fu family have new guards around them, and they are all arranged by Mr. Ning and Mr. Fu to work on the periphery.
"I'll go back and find an excuse to send the people back. Qi Xiaohu and Zhou He will follow." Old Ning thought for a while and informed the guards led by Lu Shiyi.
"My family only has Jin Dashan and Quan Youlin. They are orphans I picked up during the civil war in our neighboring country. They have been with me all these years and are no different from my own children." Old Fu thought about the situation at home and told Lu Shiyi.
"The two old men go home today and send the extra people back to the logistics department first. We'll start cleaning up tomorrow." Lu Shiyi instructed the two old men, "You can find any excuse, but don't make it related to my family."
Mr. Ning and Mr. Fu left the Lu family happily, thinking of sharing the good news with their spouses.
Lu Bairen watched their backs as they left and looked at Lu Shiyi worriedly. He had originally discussed with the chief that the Lu family should leave the imperial capital, leaving only Lu's father and his wife to work in the imperial capital.
Now, Lu Shiyi has taken away two elderly couples, Mr. Ning and Mr. Fu, and the chief has left no chance of recovery.
"Grandpa, it was the leader's request that the four old men make up their minds to leave the imperial capital. This is also a good thing for the leader." Lu Shiyi didn't dare to say anything else. He just wanted to comfort Lu Bairen.
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