Walking out of the gate, it's late autumn and the crops have long been harvested. The fields are bare, and the wild grass in the valleys and ditches is yellow and can be ignited with a little fire. In the distance, there is a desolate scene. In the distance, some villagers are working in the fields, some are carrying loads, and they are busy everywhere. It's the slack season now, but there is still work to do in the countryside. Year after year, they are busy at home and in the fields, hoping for a good harvest next year, so that the elders, wives and children can have enough food and clothing. At the entrance of the village, old ladies are twisting ropes. There is no shortage of ropes in the countryside. Ropes are used everywhere. It is the old and weak who do this work to earn some work points to supplement the family income at the end of the year. Sometimes they shout a few words to the children, and the younger children are playing and fighting, and from time to time they hand over things to help.
Zhang Guoqing looked around and saw that there was no one around, and no one could hear him privately. He pushed his bicycle forward a few steps and sat in the same row with his father. The two of them walked slowly. He stretched his neck and leaned over to his father and said in a low voice, "Dad, to be honest, I don't want to go to Beijing and be like a live-in son-in-law. I also plan to transfer my father-in-law and mother-in-law back to the Northeast.
In Beijing, if a brick falls, the first person to die is an official. Beijing is a place where officials hide. Furthermore, many units are full of one-size-fits-all positions. It's been over a decade since my father-in-law returned. His former comrades have either retired, transferred, or been promoted, and their camaraderie has faded. Even if he climbs higher thanks to his Lin family connections, in this world where landlords fight one day and capitalists the next, who knows when the Lin family will face bad luck.
There should be many factions in the capital. There are so many people who want to move up, but there are only so many positions. What should we do? Then we should fight and overthrow them with all our strength. When there are vacancies, there will be positions for people to move up. My father-in-law has been away for more than 10 years. His network of relationships is almost gone. Many people have left their jobs and the personal relationships have become alienated. So if he relies on the Lin family for something, it will be like shooting a bird out of a wood canopy when something really goes wrong. And my uncle who went on the mission with my father-in-law, has he returned safely? If he has returned, and this time he is transferred out of the capital to another province, then my father-in-law will be in even greater danger. It would be better if both he and my father-in-law are in the capital.
Otherwise, my father-in-law would be exposed. Who would save him if something happened? It would be best to leave the capital and return to the Northeast. He could get a promotion there. No one knows his past, and who knows if, in a few years, someone would arrest him and ask him to explain his past ten years away, accusing him of some random crime. So, leaving the capital and staying in the Northeast for a few years, and then developing himself for a few more years, this place is more stable than the capital. If things go wrong, the Lin family will protect him in the capital, and if things go wrong, he can stay in the Northeast.
After a few years, when the situation improves, I want to transfer back to the capital. The Northeast has its own team. Let me put it bluntly. If something happens to the Lin family, he will be safe in the Northeast. We can't put all our eggs in one basket. I think he is in the provincial military region. I am his only son-in-law and I can trust him. Then I can go ahead with confidence. I am just afraid that he will be induced by the Lin family, such as Jiaojiao's future in the capital. He will be tempted. But if the Lin family puts him in the capital, he will be the son-in-law of the Lin family and represent the Lin family. One of his two sons is in the northwest, and the other has been transferred to another province or city. Well, all the ups and downs in the capital will fall on him, which will make him a target for the Lin family. Unless, the eldest uncle of the Lin family stays in the capital like my father-in-law, it depends on how the Lin family handles things. We will know when we see it.
They're always preoccupied with maintaining their status and power. I'm just afraid the Lin family might shamelessly use Jiaojiao as leverage, so I'm determined not to go to Beijing for the next few years. Dad, I haven't met the Lin family yet, but I'm used to assuming the worst. It's better to be prepared. Even if I'm wrong, it's no big deal. Isn't that better?
Let's say my father-in-law works in the Northeast Military Region. If the Lin family wants to help me find a job, I can just say I'm strong and want to work in the Public Security Bureau or the Armed Forces. Then, my father-in-law can help me out, and then finding a job won't be a big problem. The Public Security Bureau manages people, and the Armed Forces manages soldiers. Building connections is incredibly easy. Anyone who wants to join the army can ask me, because I have the power. The same goes for the Public Security Bureau. For example, if a leader's child makes a mistake, whether it's minor or serious, I'll give them face. From then on, it's my favor, and I won't have to ask the Lin family or my father-in-law for help.
As I interact more, I'll naturally get to know more people. It would be very convenient if I could arrange for my brothers and nephews to join me. If I could get into the armed forces, I'd spend two years there learning how cadres are managed, how to respond to policies, and how to handle relationships with superiors and colleagues. These are all things I want to learn. After two years, when I've arranged for my brothers, Jiaojiao and I will still have to go to college. Only after graduating from college can we have a high degree. Add to that two or three years of experience working at the grassroots level, and I'll be more than just a soldier. By then, my Zhang family will have established themselves in the county. No matter what the situation is, we will be low-key in our personal lives and high-profile in our work. We have connections and connections. Unless the sky falls, what does my Zhang family have to fear? Don't you think?
Who would care if I went to Beijing now? I'm the son-in-law of the Lin family's son-in-law, so we're quite close. For the next two or three years while I'm preparing for college, I'll need their help with my work. Even if we become successful, they'll still be grumbling about me, saying I got in through connections. I don't have any real talent, but I owe them a lot of favors. If I want to arrange for my brother or nephew to get in, I'll have to ask them for help. Don't you agree? What's so good about Beijing? I have the money to buy a big house in the county town, and I can get good things from Jiaojiao in Beijing, too. I'm not short of money, so why should I go there so early?"
Encouraged by Zhang Guoqing, Father Zhang's eyes became brighter and brighter, and the wrinkles on his face were all smiling. He didn't even feel his body trembling. He rubbed his hands vigorously and glanced around furtively.
After calming down for a long time, he said softly: "Xiaowu, Dad thinks what you said is absolutely right. It's a good arrangement. When you get into college, your ancestors will be very proud. I think when your father-in-law comes back, I will pick out some things to talk about with him. He and I know each other, so he's easy to talk to. Your father-in-law is a very smart guy. You haven't met him, but I admire him in these ten miles and eight villages. He dares to fight and think. Maybe he has already made plans without you saying anything. If he thinks the same as you, things will be easy to handle. As for who made him the first bird to stand out and set a target, will he fall for it? That's impossible."
Zhang Guoqing felt even more relieved when he heard this. "That's good, Dad. That's what I initially thought. Someone from the Lin family is coming soon. We have to discuss it with you so that we won't be hit by sugar-coated bullets. And it's up to you to mention work in front of the Lin family. We haven't seen what the Lin family is like yet. You only know a person's face but not his heart. No one knows what they are like. In front of the Lin family, I'm just a farm boy with no experience. When the Lin family comes, we'll see their attitude and how they plan to arrange my father-in-law. Only after seeing them will we know their intentions. We have to wait for my father-in-law to come back, and then we'll see what arrangements he makes."
Zhang Guoqing tugged at his father's sleeve ingratiatingly. As for his father's description of his father-in-law as someone who wouldn't be taken advantage of, he wasn't surprised. It was perfectly natural for someone to be able to venture out on their own at 16 and even make a name for themselves in the military, especially someone as smart as him. He was just worried that everyone had weaknesses. Besides, it was better not to be taken advantage of. He loved dealing with smart people, especially his smart father-in-law; it was effortless.
Father Zhang patted the bicycle seat that Zhang Guoqing was pushing vigorously and asked, "How sure are you that your father-in-law is still alive?"
Zhang Guoqing said firmly, "I'm 100% sure. I asked Jiaojiao some questions today, and combined with my guesses, I'm completely sure. Don't worry."
"Well, let's see what happens when the Lin family comes over. We're all assuming the worst right now, so let's wait and see. I don't know when your father-in-law will come, and what his attitude is towards the Zhou and Lin families."
"My father-in-law named his daughter Jiaojiao, you can tell by looking at the name. Whenever he leaves the barracks, he will look for Jiaojiao. The Lin family will try their best to tell him about Jiaojiao's situation. I will ask Jiaojiao to give the Zhou and Lin families a hint at that night. Hehe." Zhang Guoqing grinned.
Father Zhang raised his foot and kicked him. Zhang Guoqing quickly jumped away. Father Zhang looked at him and laughed, "What a stinky boy!"
He glanced at the sky and waved his hand. "You're such a bad boy, don't go too far. Hurry up and go to your sister's place. Remember to give the money to your brother-in-law. Next time you want to lend money to your sister or brother, discuss it behind their backs. Don't set a trap for Jiaojiao. Wait until they ignore you and you still have the nerve to show off. Go early and come back early. I'm going to find someone quickly."
Zhang Guoqing jumped onto the bicycle and pedaled for a long time with his long legs. "Dad, I'm going to do something first. Be careful. I'll bring you some wine later." Before he finished speaking, he had already ridden far away. It's great to be young. He feels that he has endless energy every day. He is really born with supernatural power and energy.
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