What good thing could be related to Grandpa Ruan? Jiang Yilu remembered that the older generation who were criticized during the Cultural Revolution were only gradually rehabilitated in the late 1970s. Now in 1972, it seems that the day of rehabilitation is still a long way off.
This was also related to the environment Jiang Yilu lived in in her previous life. In her previous life, Ruan Jianguo, Bai Fangqiu and others were not sent down to Qingshan Village. At that time, she paid the most attention to whether the wild boars in the team had grown fat and whether the pig grass on the mountain had been cut. The current situation and politics were too far away from her. Apart from the general trend, she did not know much about some details.
In fact, as early as 1971, after an ambitious person fled and died, the situation took a turn for the better. Some old leaders who were criticized in the 1960s began to resume their work one after another. It was they who put forward the slogan of correcting the wrongs and restoring order.
At the end of 1971 and the beginning of 1972, the capital government ordered the restoration of the policy that allowed returned overseas Chinese to come and go freely, because in the past few years, too many patriotic people who returned to China with enthusiasm to participate in the socialist construction of the motherland had suffered devastating blows. They were regarded as class enemies and enemy spies, and their children and relatives were implicated and criticized, and suffered discrimination and humiliation. Even a large number of overseas Chinese died in this catastrophe.
In order to prevent the grievances of these overseas Chinese from escalating, the department responsible for overseas Chinese affairs proposed to the superiors to restore the above decree, so that overseas Chinese who want to go abroad can apply through legal channels to ease the conflicts among overseas Chinese in China. In addition to returning overseas Chinese, those who want to go abroad to visit relatives or inherit property can also obtain approval to go abroad.
However, in the early 1970s, although many old leaders had begun to resume their work, the mainstream ideology was still extremely "leftist". Overseas relations were considered as special suspicion, and going abroad was almost equivalent to treason. Going abroad was a road of no return. Once the decision was made, there was no chance to retreat.
The letter sent by Mo Dashuan was the application form sent from Haicheng. As soon as Ruan Yuanjiang's second brother, who was far away in Hongcheng, heard that the decree was reinstated, he began to think of ways to bring his brother, who was still suffering in the country, back home. It was said that after the New Year, Ruan Yuanjiang's nephew would return to the country to handle all the procedures for taking him and Ruan Ruan away.
Huo Wu could also leave. The one who applied for him was his eldest brother, who was also an orphan. In the household registration book, it was his eldest brother who was registered, so he was naturally a relative. It was also allowed to apply to go abroad in the name of visiting relatives. However, Huo Wu was a soldier, so his application review would be more complicated. It was estimated that only by paying a sufficient price could he be taken out.
However, it was obvious that Huo Wu's application was still pending at this time. The letter that Mo Dashuan received only mentioned Ruan Yuanjiang and Ruan Ruan, but did not mention Huo Wu.
Of course, the decision-making power of this matter still lies in the hands of Ruan Yuanjiang and Huo Wu themselves. If they decide to stay, no one will refuse.
Mo Dashuan felt that this was great news for Ruan Yuanjiang and his grandson. The two were now staying in this mountain valley, and Grandpa Ruan, a cultured man, had to do the work of cleaning the livestock shed. Now that Grandpa Ruan's second brother had come to find them and wanted to take them away, of course they would go to the port city to enjoy themselves.
At noon that day, Mr. Ruan and Bai Fangqiu gathered in Old Man Jiang's room to discuss this matter.
"Puff, puff." After seven years, Jiang Cheng took out his pipe again and started smoking with a melancholy look on his face.
"Brother Ruan, I'm not saying anything bad about you, but why are you so stubborn? There is such a good opportunity in front of you. If you go to Hong Kong City, everything will be gone. With your ability, are you afraid that you won't be able to make a name for yourself in Hong Kong City?"
Ruan Yuanjiang looked at his old friend who was filled with confusion and regret, and smiled bitterly: "It's not that simple."
Ruan Yuanjiang shook his head and sighed: "When the family was divided, my eldest brother took away 30% of the treasures, and my second brother also took away 30% of the treasures. They left all the house deeds and the remaining 40% of the property to me. Why? Isn't it because I stayed here, so that I could protect the roots of our Ruan family in China?"
"Now, the Ruan family's ancestors are still here, and the Ruan family's ancestral home is also here. If I leave like this, I will be a sinner of the Ruan family."
Ruan Yuanjiang understood that it was easy to leave but difficult to come back. As long as he stayed in China, there was hope that the things that were taken away would be returned. But once he left, the Ruan family would really be gone.
Perhaps his eldest and second brothers would not blame him, but he himself could not get over the hurdle in his heart.
Both of them understood Ruan Yuanjiang's thoughts. What distressed him was not the wealth that was taken away, but his country and his mother who was now ill and he could do nothing about it.
Fallen leaves return to their roots, but without roots, where should they go in the future as fallen leaves?
"Don't be so pessimistic. The old chief has sent news. Many old leaders who were demoted like us have returned. I think it won't be long before order is restored to normal."
Bai Fangqiu said optimistically that Qingshan Village was actually quite good, far away from politics, and he could immerse himself in medical research. It was just that there were too few instruments, so he couldn't put his skills into practice, which made the old man a little depressed.
Bai Fangqiu's words were also what Ruan Yuanjiang was thinking in his heart. Everything was moving in a good direction, and perhaps he would see the light of day soon.
However, they were full of hope at that moment and did not expect that that glimmer of hope would make them wait for another five years.
"Brother Ruan, have you ever thought about what to do with Ruan Ruan's child?"
Seeing that Ruan Yuanjiang had already made the decision, Bai Fangqiu didn't plan to persuade him anymore. However, he couldn't let Ruan Ruan stay here with them and suffer.
"I decided to let Yuan Qing take Ruan Ruan back to Hong Kong City."
Yuan Qing is the eldest son of Ruan Yuanjiang's second brother and also Ruan Yuanjiang's favorite nephew. It was Ruan Yuanqing who came to China to pick him up. Calculating his age, Ruan Yuanqing is almost fifty this year and is already a grandfather.
Because of the war, Ruan Yuanjiang had no interest in his lifelong affairs until he was 40 years old, when he was introduced by the organization and married a clerk in the organization. The two had only political friendship but no personal feelings. Because of the situation, Ruan Yuanjiang and his wife were rarely together. Except for the eldest son who needed to set up a household and was brought up by Ruan Yuanjiang when he was a little older, the other children were left to his wife to take care of. This is also something that Ruan Yuanjiang regrets and blames himself for.
He is responsible for the fact that those children have become what they are now.
"This..." Bai Fangqiu hesitated, "Brother Ruan, I'm not questioning it, but Ruan Ruan is only a seven-year-old child. She has never met your second brother's family. You let her leave her only relative and go to a completely unfamiliar place. For Ruan Ruan, this may not be a good thing."
Ruan Yuanjiang gave a bitter smile. He knew what Bai Fangqiu said.
"We two old men can still endure, but Ruan Ruan is still so young, how can I let her suffer with me? Now the decree has just been restored, and no one knows when it will be revoked again. Ruan Ruan has a grandfather like me. Even if she is a child of a martyr, she will probably have to suffer a lot in the future when she goes to school and works. I can't gamble with Ruan Ruan's happiness."
"If she wants to blame someone, she should blame me as her grandfather."
Ruan Yuanjiang, who had never shed a tear when his sons and children accused him of betrayal, now had tears in his eyes. His Ruan Ruan had been so well-behaved and lovely since she was born. How could he bear to let her suffer any hardship?
When she first leaves, Ruan Ruan may feel sad and make a fuss, but as time goes by, Ruan Ruan will get used to it. She will make new friends and have a new life. As time goes by, she may even forget that there is a grandfather like him on the other side of the bay.
Ruan Yuanjiang covered his chest with his hands, tears streaming down his face.
"Brother Xiaobao, where is Grandpa going to send Ruanruan? Ruanruan, don't leave Grandpa, don't leave Brother Xiaobao."
Ruan Ruan was confused and listened to the conversation coming from the room. Her little heart seemed to be tightened. What did Ruan Ruan do wrong? Mom and Dad didn't want Ruan Ruan anymore. Now even Grandpa didn't want Ruan Ruan anymore.
Jiang Yilu felt a little regretful. He should have pulled Ruan Ruan away when he first saw her eavesdropping outside the door, instead of staying and eavesdropping out of curiosity.
Looking at the panicked Ruan Ruan, Jiang Yilu pulled her into the yard, stroked her back, and helped her relax her rapid breathing.
"Ruan Ruan will not leave. Brother Xiaobao has a way and he will definitely make Ruan Ruan stay here." Jiang Yiluo held the little girl in his arms with heartache and repeatedly comforted her.
"Ruan Ruan, don't go." The little girl buried her head in Jiang Yilu's arms and spoke in a muffled voice with tears in her eyes.
"Ruan Ruan won't leave. Ruan Ruan won't leave." Jiang Yilu felt distressed and sad, but apart from comforting her, he had no other way. Even he himself had not thought clearly whether the decision made by Grandpa Ruan was a good or bad thing for such a young child like Ruan Ruan.
By the time Ruan Yuanjiang and the others came out of the room after their discussion, Ruan Ruan had already cried herself to sleep and was carried back to the room by Jiang Yilu.
"Grandpa Ruan, Ruan Ruan and I heard what you just said." Jiang Yilu followed Grandpa Ruan back to the livestock shed, followed Ruan Yuanjiang into the house, and said to him.
"What!" Ruan Yuanjiang was shocked. Ruan Ruan was sensitive. He had originally thought of taking her to Haicheng after the New Year, and letting his nephew take her away while she was asleep. When she woke up, she would be on the other side of the bay. But now Ruan Ruan was on guard, would she cry and refuse to leave with him to Haicheng.
"Grandpa Ruan, why do you have to send Ruan Ruan away? Is that Uncle Yuan Qing really trustworthy?"
Jiang Yilu didn't dare to bet on people's hearts. Twenty years had passed. Who knew what kind of feelings the younger generation of the second branch of the Ruan family had towards their relatives who were far away on the mainland? Grandpa Ruan's second brother might be thinking about him, his younger brother, but what about others? Would they have feelings for a little girl like Ruan Ruan?
"I watched Yuan Qing grow up. His character and talent are the best among the younger generation of the Ruan family. More importantly, Ruan Ruan will definitely like him."
Jiang Yilu was puzzled after hearing what Grandpa Ruan said. How could he be sure that Ruan Ruan would like that uncle?
Seeing his curiosity, Ruan Yuanjiang sighed, turned around, took out a piece of clothing from the locked cabinet, and then took out a yellowed old photo from the interlayer of the clothes.
Jiang Yiliu leaned over curiously. It was a family photo. He recognized Grandpa Ruan in the photo at a glance. He was still in his prime at that time, wearing a neat suit, sitting side by side with two other middle-aged men. Behind them stood a row of little boys about fifteen or sixteen years old, and several women holding children.
"This is..." Jiang Yilu widened his eyes and pointed at one of the boys curiously. He had seen this face countless times in Ruan Ruan's pocket watch, but one was younger and the other was more mature. Their facial contours and features were exactly the same.
But if you calculate the time, Ruan Ruan's father was not even born at that time.
Ruan Yuanjiang said with a nostalgic and sad tone: "Don't they look alike? That's Ruan Ruan's third uncle Ruan Yuanqing, who is also my second brother's eldest son. He looks 80% similar to Ruan Ruan's father. If you are not familiar with them, you probably can't tell them apart. Ruan Ruan only has the impression of her father from her childhood. She will definitely like Yuanqing."
Jiang Yilu was silent for a while. There were still five years left before the end of the catastrophe. The closer they were to extinction, the crazier things would become. No one knew what would happen in the next five years. Gangcheng was a good place. Going there might be a new life for Ruan Ruan, but a new life was often accompanied by pain.
"Grandpa Ruan, take me with you when you go to Haicheng. I have a way to make Ruan Ruan leave obediently."
Jiang Yiliu felt that he was very mean, taking advantage of the little girl's trust to do such a hurtful thing to her. Perhaps in a few years, when they can meet again, Ruan Ruan will no longer call him Xiaobao brother sweetly, but call him liar brother resentfully. Jiang Yiliu smiled bitterly.
Ruan Yuanjiang was stunned at first, then burst into laughter. He was worried about how to persuade his granddaughter, but with Xiaobao around, he didn't have to worry. This child never acted like a child.
Ruan Yuanjiang clicked his tongue in his heart, he couldn't figure out how the Jiang family could have produced such a weird gene. With Xiaobao's brain, he should be a child of their Ruan family.
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