The villagers watched from a distance, whispering among themselves, filled with both awe and curiosity.
Su Jianguo straightened his tie, opened the car door, and stood under the locust tree, looking around.
He needs to solve the problem of food and lodging for these "bodyguards" first.
After all, they would have to continue playing this role for the next few days.
"Jianguo, you're finally back!"
A familiar voice came from behind. Su Jianguo turned his head and saw Wang Dahe, the second son of Old Master Wang and Wang Xiulan's second brother, jogging over with a worried look on his face.
"My father told me to wait for you here, saying that the things you asked me to do have been arranged."
Su Jianguo nodded and turned to the burly man with the thick beard.
"Old Hu, you and the brothers come with me, your brother-in-law, to rest. I've already had food and bedding prepared. Remember, keep a clean image and don't give anything away."
The burly man with the thick beard straightened his back and lowered his voice.
"Don't worry, boss, the brothers understand."
After he finished speaking, he turned around and gestured to the others. The twenty people lined up neatly and followed Wang Dahe with steady steps.
Su Jianguo watched their departing figures, a slight smile playing on his lips.
These unassuming workers looked quite respectable in their suits, and even their gait changed.
Then, Su Jianguo looked at Village Chief Zhang standing to the side.
From the moment he got into the car, Village Chief Zhang's legs felt weak.
It's still shaking now, and I almost couldn't walk.
The two walked through several village roads and arrived at Village Chief Zhang's house.
Back home, Village Chief Zhang finally felt at ease.
He lit his pipe and started smoking.
Su Jianguo poured himself a cup of cold tea and drank it all in one gulp.
"Village Chief Zhang, the Song family has lost face today, they certainly won't admit defeat so easily."
Village Chief Zhang took a puff and nodded.
"Jianguo, you have no idea how my heart was pounding on the way back. It's been so many years since I've seen Song Tieshan look so humiliated..."
He shook his head, his eyes filled with both lingering fear and admiration.
"Your 'bodyguards' are really..."
"Just a paper tiger."
Su Jianguo chuckled softly.
"I haven't used my real trump card yet."
Upon hearing this, Village Chief Zhang suddenly looked up.
"Is there another plan?"
Su Jianguo did not answer directly, but asked a question instead.
"Uncle Zhang, do you have the keys to the village office? I need to make a phone call."
Yes, yes.
Village Chief Zhang took out a bunch of keys from his waist, took one out, and handed it to Su Jianguo.
"Who are you calling so late?"
"My nephew, Su Mingchao."
Su Jianguo took the keys, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.
He's serving in the military.
Village Chief Zhang's eyes lit up, then dimmed again.
"Can the military... handle this?"
"Give it a try."
Su Jianguo stood up.
"Uncle Zhang, you've worked hard today. Get some rest. There's another tough battle to fight tomorrow."
After leaving Village Chief Zhang's house, Su Jianguo walked alone on the village road.
The cool night breeze dispelled the day's fatigue.
In the distance, the lights of Grandpa Wang's house were on full display, and the sounds of his "bodyguards" eating and laughing could be faintly heard.
He nodded in satisfaction; these workers, though only temporary actors, had performed quite well.
The village office is a low brick building located in the center of the village.
Su Jianguo unlocked the door with his key and pushed it open to enter.
He fumbled for the light switch, and with a "click," the dim light illuminated the simple office.
In the corner sat an old-fashioned rotary telephone, its black body showing signs of paint chipping.
Su Jianguo walked over, took out a small notebook from his pocket, and turned to the page where Su Mingchao's contact information was written.
He took a deep breath and began dialing.
The turntable made a "click-clack" sound, which was particularly clear in the quiet night.
"Hello, is this the switchboard? Connect me to..."
Su Jianguo gave out the unit number and extension number of Su Mingchao's unit.
While waiting for the call to connect, Su Jianguo's fingers unconsciously tapped on the table.
He needed to be careful with his words, so as not to cause trouble for his nephew, but also to ensure that he received the necessary help.
"Hello, who are you looking for?"
A young soldier's voice came from the other end of the phone.
"I'm looking for Su Mingchao. I'm his uncle, Su Jianguo."
Su Jianguo's voice was calm and steady.
"Please wait a moment."
Footsteps and shouts came from the other end of the phone.
"Platoon Leader Su! Phone call!"
A few minutes later, Su Mingchao's voice came.
"Uncle? What happened? Is there a problem with the greenhouse?"
"Mingchao."
Su Jianguo carefully considered the wording.
"Something has happened at home, and I need your help."
He briefly recounted what had happened.
When his mother-in-law passed away, Song Guixiang caused a scene at the funeral hall. He led a group to intimidate the Song family and to deter any possible counterattack from them.
On the other end of the phone, Su Mingchao's breathing became heavy.
"Uncle, about this matter..."
Su Mingchao's voice sounded troubled.
"The military has strict regulations; it's not so easy to mobilize troops. Unless it's a genuine emergency, otherwise..."
Su Jianguo's heart sank, but he understood his nephew's predicament.
"I understand, Mingchao. I just wanted to ask if there were any other options?"
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Su Mingchao's voice suddenly lowered.
"Uncle, over in Baoding... I have an old comrade-in-arms who's now a battalion commander. If... I mean, if they happened to be doing 'training exercises' near Lijia Village that day..."
Su Jianguo's eyes lit up, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.
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