Huang Cuilan had misunderstood her children on one point. The reason they hadn't returned home was not because they weren't worried about their family, but because the current situation was unusual.
How could Zhang Mingzuo and others not have considered the problem that Zhang Guofu thought of? Otherwise, Zhang Laoer would not have been the first to know about the news of the Huang family.
Once perjury, reporting, framing, and all kinds of other messy tactics are used, many times even jumping into the Huangpu River cannot clear one's name.
If they don't keep an eye on things from outside, don't conduct close surveillance, and don't send a few strangers to gather information, how can they tell whether someone is taking the opportunity to cause trouble or trying to involve their family?
"So this is really a feud between women?"
Zhang Ziwen listened to his brother's words and shook his head. "You still have to be vigilant at all times. You two brothers should go to your grandfather's house tonight. We will cover for you."
Zhang Mingzuo understood what he meant. It would be too disheartening if the entire family didn't show up. His father wasn't suitable to show up, and his eldest brother wasn't at home, so only the two of them could go.
"After you guys finish your work here, go back first. You must keep an eye on that position in the county propaganda office. Xiao Zuo, your handwriting is pretty good. If nothing goes wrong, you'll be able to get a job after graduation."
"Okay, the three of us will keep a close eye on it."
"It's not official to fight against private companies. Don't get too close. It's easy to offend people."
The brothers whispered to each other for a while, and Zhang Mingzuo winked at him, saying that the corner was not a safe place, and some things should be said when they got home.
Seeing that he understood, Zhang Ziwen smiled at everyone and went ahead with his briefcase.
The last rays of setting sun in the west reflected a string of figures. Several young men, each holding a red paint bucket, newspapers and other promotional supplies, were returning home one after another.
Inside Zhang Guoqing's courtyard, Father Zhang frowned as he smoked. He looked at his wife pacing restlessly and waved his hand, "Don't mention these things to our Xiaowu. He's already bothered enough by what's happening outside."
"Then, in-laws, do you want to go and take a look?"
Father Zhang shook his head. "We can't help in the past. We don't want their family to think we're just joining in the fun. Forget it, let the eldest and his wife handle it themselves."
"Dad, I thought they would come looking for you first, but I didn't expect them to be so quick."
Father Zhang looked at her meaningfully, shook his head, stood up and went to the yard. The tactic of sacrificing the rook to save the king had been used repeatedly recently. Old Huang was no fool, and for the sake of his family, he had to cut the Gordian knot.
"The old man is being mysterious again." Zhang's mother muttered in dissatisfaction, shook her head and went to the kitchen to see if her eldest granddaughter had prepared dinner.
When Zhang Laoer came over after dinner, Zhang Dad had already taken a shower and lit the match in the yard. He was leaning back in the rocking chair to enjoy the cool air, closing his eyes and rocking comfortably.
"Dad, have you eaten yet?"
Zhang Dad knew it was his second son when he heard the footsteps. Without opening his eyes, he pointed to the bench beside him and asked, "Why are you here? Where are the children?"
Zhang Laoer looked at his father enviously and said with a smile, "Shitou and the others went to Big Sister's house. It seems that these wild boys are going to the countryside to catch loaches or something in the evening."
"These wild boys." Father Zhang smiled. "I've also thought about taking your mother back to the village to live for a few days. It's more reassuring to be with the folks in my hometown."
"What's going on? What did someone say?"
Zhang Dad rolled his eyes and rolled his eyes at him. "I have the three of you. Who wouldn't be so ignorant as to look for trouble? There are a few old women on the street who stare at their neighbors every day. What's the point of a grown man like me getting involved?"
"Women hold up half the sky. Don't say that to others." Zhang Laoer thought for a moment, "Dad, if you don't want to work anymore, just take a rest. The three of us brothers can support you and my mother."
Zhang Laoer guessed that the recent barrage of door-breaking had put his father in a bad mood. Even though he held a position in the neighborhood committee, he'd seen so much that he couldn't help but feel grief. If his father didn't want to continue wearing a red armband every day, then he should quit.
Zhang Dad couldn't help but understand his son's thoughts, so he had to do something. Just like Brother Dashan said, when there is an injustice, or when there is a favor to be done, if he is involved, he can help everyone a little.
"Let's not talk about this anymore. Did you see your brother tonight?"
Zhang Laoer smiled and said, "I just came back from his place. He has guests coming to his house, otherwise my eldest brother would also come over. He asked me to tell you that he knows what's going on so you can rest assured."
"Ah..." Father Zhang sighed, "That's good. Last time, his eldest brother-in-law did something dishonest in the countryside. If you two hadn't helped, I'm sure his whole family would have been punished with signs around their necks. Now that his eldest daughter is in trouble, we really can't help, otherwise we'll be implicated too. Your Grandpa Huang has been a strong man all his life, but it's a pity that his descendants are not up to the standard."
Zhang Laoer sneered. If it weren't for his eldest brother's intercession last time, he would have worried about the impact on his eldest brother and would not have bothered with the Huang family's trivial matters.
"How's your brother-in-law doing? Has he stopped going to the black market? When you have time, ask your wife to go back and give him some good advice. I can still help him if he runs into me once or twice, but you won't be so lucky next time. Once you're caught speculating and profiteering, no one can save you. If he's caught, don't say our family isn't loyal."
Zhang Laoer nodded. "Shitou's mother just went to her parents' home this afternoon and gave them a warning. I heard my father-in-law is terrified. There's a scoundrel in their village who was caught this spring and sentenced to twenty years in prison."
"I was thinking of taking them to the sentencing meeting in the city in a few days, but since they know the severity of the crime, forget it. Dad, five people were executed in Mucang this time."
"I heard."
"There's one more thing, do you know? The patriarch of the Zhou family wrote a letter to Uncle Zhou, and Uncle Zhou replied."
Upon hearing this, Father Zhang sat up straight and asked in surprise, "Who told you that?"
"Today, Clan Leader Zhou accompanied Zhou Lidong to see me and showed me Uncle Zhou's reply. Zhou Lidong is quite clever. He knew the old Clan Leader owed Uncle Zhou a debt of gratitude, so he went to ask the old Clan Leader's grandson for help. He said that all the elders in their lineage have passed away, and they have no relatives or friends outside. They just want to survive and ask if they can return to the village?"
Father Zhang immediately grasped the key point, "Your Uncle Zhou agreed. Are they looking for you to transfer your household registration?"
"Yes." Zhang Lao Er smiled and said, "I guess the letter mentioned something about the closest bloodline. My Uncle Zhou said in the letter that he has a daughter and a grandson. Whether or not to accept them into the clan is a matter within the Northeast Zhou Clan. As an outsider, it's not for him to interfere. He can just let the Clan Leader Zhou handle it."
Father Zhang narrowed his eyes. "Then why Clan Leader Zhou agreed is a little hard to believe. Your Uncle Zhou's meaning couldn't be clearer. They don't belong to the Northeastern branch."
Zhang Laoer smiled disapprovingly, "I guess the old fellow is thinking that as the generations pass, the grudges between the ancestors will fade, and the two blood relatives can resume their relationship.
God knows what they were thinking. But they did ask for Liuyi and Wuyi's names and birth dates. I saw that they wanted to record the twins in the Zhou family's side branch family tree, so I told them to ask Uncle Zhou in person.
If I remember correctly, Xiaowu once said that his father-in-law would not mix with the concubines in the future, right?"
Father Zhang nodded. "They don't dare ask your Uncle Zhou. They want to take a roundabout way. They want you to convey this to your Uncle Zhou. Just ignore them."
Things have come to this point, and you are still bringing this up. What were you doing before?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
