In the soft sleeper compartment, Zhang Guoqing began to teach and answer his sons' questions along the way, vowing to raise them to be all-round sons.
Fortunately, there was plenty of time on the way to the Northeast, allowing him to pour out the little ink in his belly to the three Ping An brothers bit by bit.
Of course, he himself also gained something. Some of the questions raised by the three Ping An brothers would often give Zhang Guoqing sudden enlightenment.
In recent years, as Zhang Guoqing's position has been promoted, his private time has become less and less, and his attention in his free time is still on his wife.
In addition, after the three children grew up and entered university, they were all busy with their studies, so the family of five really didn't have such a long time to get together.
The family chatted and laughed, and they didn't feel the time was unbearable staying in the narrow space. When they arrived at the terminal, everyone was still full of interest.
This was a sudden trip to visit relatives.
Zhou Jiao only informed her godfather Zhao Chuangguang, and sent a telegram to Zhang's father and mother. Even the personal guards were only Xiao Zhu and Xiao Liu.
Zhou Jiao's original plan was for the family to come quietly, spend the New Year with her parents-in-law, and then pay their respects to old friends and elders before leaving quietly.
She wanted to travel in a low-key manner.
But she forgot that Zhang Guoqing was the Minister of General Logistics, and she was the director of the State Planning Commission. This dual identity was doomed to fail.
Before they even left the station, important government officials who had heard the news and rushed to greet them, as well as Zhao Chuangguang and several soldiers, had been waiting at the station for a long time.
When Zhou Jiao got out of the car, she was a little surprised to see those people. However, having been in the officialdom for many years, she quickly recovered her composure and went forward to exchange a few words with the relevant government officials.
This time their family went back to their hometown to visit relatives, which was a personal matter in nature. Zhou Jiao had no intention of using public office for personal gain to accept their invitation to the banquet.
No matter how many years have passed, she still remembers her first visit to Hai City, every move of Old Lady Cheng in the Peace Hotel, and the lessons she taught her.
Of course, she understood the significance of even high-ranking officials personally welcoming her today. It seemed the State Planning Commission held even greater power than she had imagined.
However, she also knew one thing: no matter which faction these people in front of her belonged to, harmony was the key in such a situation.
Living in the secular world, Zhou Jiao had no choice but to learn to be diplomatic. This was one of the reasons why she was tired of socializing with outsiders, and it was also the reason why she was considering switching to a dark career.
After a round of greetings, Zhou Jiao, like Zhang Guoqing, declined the other party's invitation with a smile and made an appointment to meet at another time.
After getting out of the station, Zhou Jiao smiled apologetically at her godfather, and then she and Zhang Guoqing were finally able to take their three sons and get in a car that went directly to their hometown.
What happened today has disrupted her plans. Originally, the five of them had agreed to stay in the provincial capital for one night.
For example, meet Zhang Guofu, meet Zhang Laoer who was recently transferred to the provincial capital, or have a good chat with Zhao Chuangguang and his wife.
There were also several other uncles who remained in the military region, who came to visit Zhao Dashan and his wife, as well as their old friends and elders.
But now?
Judging from the situation, they have to avoid even the county town.
Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao, who were sitting in the car, looked at each other, smiled bitterly and shook their heads - it was unlikely that they would be able to spend the New Year quietly in their hometown.
Zhangjia Village at the foot of Daqing Mountain in the cold winter with heavy snow covering the mountains.
It was evening, and large flakes of snow were falling from the dim sky, shrouding the entire village in white.
Although the weather was very cold, with the north wind howling and biting, it still couldn't stop the happy mood of the children running around in the village.
Looking forward to the New Year and celebrating the Spring Festival.
The children can finally wear new clothes, set off firecrackers, get lucky money, eat lots of delicious food, and have fun.
A string of firecrackers, taken down one by one and set off slowly, a string of firecrackers can be set off for a whole day. Their world is always simple but satisfying.
Three or five children at the entrance of the village heard the sound of a car driving. After the car stopped, they stood on tiptoe, stretched their necks, and suddenly their eyes widened.
"Go and call the adults! A four-wheeled vehicle is coming towards our village."
"That's called a car!" said a chubby boy, turning around and running away. "I'll go call my great-grandfather. There are so many cars..."
"Brother, I'm going to call our grandfather."
A boy of seven or eight years old waved his little hand and said, "Where are you going? Stay here!"
"Brother, could it be that you are here to see our Second Master?"
When they arrived at the village entrance, Zhang Guoqing asked Xiao Zhu, who was driving, to slow down.
Three cars slowly drove towards the foot of the northern mountain and stopped in front of the last yard.
Zhang's father and mother were already standing at the gate, as were the villagers who had rushed over after hearing the news.
As soon as Zhang Guoqing got out of the car, he saw his parents standing in front of him, grinned, and walked quickly forward, "Dad and Mom, your eldest son is home."
Mother Zhang took the lead and stepped forward, grabbing him with both hands. "Okay, okay. We received the telegram two days ago, and your father and I have been waiting every day. We figured you should be here today." She smiled broadly at Zhou Jiao, who was a step behind. "Are you freezing? Is it colder than in Beijing?"
Zhou Jiao quickly shook her head, "No. Mom, you and Dad are back so early? I wanted to pick you and Dad up after I packed up."
Aunt Zhang and the others laughed and said, "Your mother came back a few days ago and said she would spend the New Year in her hometown this year. I was wondering why she wanted to clean up your yard."
Zhou Jiao stopped and greeted Aunt Zhang and Old Aunt Zhang with a smile.
Father Zhang, who was standing by, had already left his son and looked at his three grandsons who got out of a car behind. He laughed happily and immediately waved to the three Ping'an brothers.
"Grandpa, grandma, we are back to spend the New Year with you."
Father Zhang nodded excitedly, "Okay, you're freezing, right? Come into the house and warm up. We've had the kang heated since yesterday."
"Grandpa, it's cold outside, you should go inside first." Wuyi pushed his two brothers and said, "You two should go inside with Grandpa first, and I will take care of the outside."
It was only then that Father Zhang realized that six military comrades had gotten off the car, two of whom looked familiar... Oh, right, these were Xiao Zhu and Xiao Liu who were with his eldest son.
He immediately moved a step, tugged at his wife who was still chatting with their son, and whispered, "Go in and prepare some more food."
Mother Zhang followed his gaze and took a look - oh, there were so many people, she really didn't prepare so much food, she immediately put her old son down and turned to walk inside.
Zhang Guoqing shouted in amusement, "Mom, slow down, don't be in a hurry."
Zhou Jiao was surrounded by several aunts and wives over there, greeting everyone one by one. Seeing Zhang's mother walking in, she quickly chatted with her for a few words and followed her in.
She hadn't been back for many years, and the yard was still the same yard, with basically no changes inside. She didn't bother to go into the main house and went to the kitchen first.
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