Su Qiaoqiao handed a ten-yuan note to Song Donghua: "Aunt Donghua, you're so kind! I'll give you ten yuan. Could you also provide me with food? I haven't received my grain rations yet. They said I can only receive them after the acting brigade leader is chosen. Can I just bring the grain rations over then?"
Upon hearing this, Song Donghua smiled mysteriously: "I reckon this acting captain is my husband!"
Su Qiaoqiao exclaimed in surprise, "Huh?"
Song Donghua leaned close to Su Qiaoqiao's ear with a hint of smugness: "My husband was called to a meeting at the Sanhe County Commune this afternoon! It was to decide who would be the brigade leader! The whole Dingjiatun was called to my husband! If not him, who else could they decide?"
Song Donghua's estimate was correct.
Her second son, Ding Chunyu, works as a clerk in the county commune.
The successor to the battalion commander of Dingjiatun was never selected, mainly because General Shen interfered in the matter.
He must choose a trusted confidant to take care of his Doctor Su.
Several people were nominated to him, but were rejected because they were related to Ding Daguo.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ding Chunyu recommended his father, Ding Changsheng.
Ding Changsheng had worked as a scorekeeper for many years and was very familiar with the situation of the Qingshan team.
After Ding Daguo came to power, Ding Changsheng was dismissed from his post because he was at odds with him.
He certainly had the ability. During his years as a scorekeeper, he also managed half of the brigade's accounts, keeping them crystal clear and without a single mistake.
When Ding Changsheng was called before Shen Guoliang, Shen Guoliang chatted with him for a few minutes. Seeing that he was clear-headed and spoke fluently, Shen Guoliang quickly made a decision: "This is the one!"
For no other reason than that he and Ding Daguo didn't get along, which pleased Shen Guoliang.
"Old Ding, I believe in you! Keep up the good work!"
As Shen Guoliang spoke, he beckoned Ding Changsheng to come closer, then lowered his voice, "Old Ding, I want to especially remind you of something: you must remember our policy on educated youth, and we must treat them with preferential treatment. This is especially important in Dingjiatun!"
Ding Changsheng nodded vigorously: "I understand, sir!"
Shen Guoliang then vaguely added, "There are many capable people among the educated youth. The reason my illness improved so quickly this time is largely thanks to a young educated youth surnamed Su from Dingjiatun! He comes from a family with a long history of traditional Chinese medicine in Haicheng! Don't underestimate him because of his young age; his skills are by no means lacking!"
In fact, Shen Guoliang did not know whether Su Ruyi came from a family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, but he deliberately mentioned it to save face for her.
Ding Changsheng nodded frantically and silently wrote it down—surname Su, from Haicheng, from a family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.
When Ding Changsheng returned home, his face beaming with joy, he shouted before even entering the door, "Wife, I was elected! I'm the captain of our Qingshan Team One now!"
Song Donghua also came out to greet them, clapping her hands and laughing until tears streamed down her face: "Honey, you're really something!"
The two were overjoyed and danced with glee. When they returned to the main room, they found a little girl sitting on a stool in the corner, crying and sobbing.
Ding Changsheng was stunned: "Who...who is this?...What's going on?"
Song Donghua hurriedly said, "Honey, this is Su, an educated youth from Haicheng. He was bullied by the people in the educated youth compound and said he wanted to give us ten yuan to stay at our house for a few days. I thought that the second son's room was empty, so I didn't discuss it with you and agreed on my own..."
Ding Changsheng's head exploded as he watched his wife's lips move.
Is it really that much of a coincidence?
A sent-down youth! Surname Su! From Haicheng!
Ding Changsheng's lower lip trembled as he slowly turned to Su Qiaoqiao: "Little Su, what...what does your family do?"
Upon hearing this question, Su Qiaoqiao immediately perked up: "Captain! My family has been practicing traditional Chinese medicine for five generations! My grandfather was the most famous traditional Chinese medicine doctor in Haicheng!"
The title of "Captain" made Ding Changsheng feel incredibly proud.
He frowned and pondered for a moment.
This Su Qiaoqiao is clearly the person General Shen entrusted to his care.
No wonder General Shen specifically reminded him; it turns out that Su Qiaoqiao had been bullied to the point of being kicked out of the educated youth compound!
Ding Changsheng broke out in a cold sweat: "Little Su, tell me in detail, who bullied you?"
Su Qiaoqiao's eyes filled with tears, feeling as if she had met a savior: "Captain! It's someone named Su Ruyi..."
She went on and on, adding fuel to the fire, describing Su Ruyi as an utterly wicked villain.
Ding Changsheng stroked his chin: "Is this Su Ruyi Old Jin's new apprentice? She's just a village doctor's apprentice, and she dares to challenge you?"
Su Qiaoqiao wiped away her tears: "That's right, someone like her isn't even worthy of carrying my grandfather's shoes!"
"This is what they call a tiger fallen into the plains being bullied by dogs!" Song Donghua used an idiom haphazardly. "Qiaoqiao, don't worry, your Uncle Changsheng will stand up for you!"
Ding Changsheng hesitated for a moment, then said, "How about this, you come with me to the brigade headquarters first!"
A dozen minutes later, Su Qiaoqiao's shrill voice blared from three loudspeakers across the entire Qingshan Village: "Attention, villagers of Qingshan Village! Attention, villagers of Qingshan Village!"
It's almost nine o'clock. Many people went to bed early to prepare for tomorrow's harvest, and now they've all been woken up.
Su Qiaoqiao, holding the note written by Ding Changsheng, continued broadcasting:
"The Sanhe County Commune has appointed Comrade Ding Changsheng as the new brigade leader of Qingshan Team 1!"
The commune has appointed Comrade Ding Changsheng as the new brigade leader of Qingshan Team One!
Fellow villagers and fellow educated youth!
Everyone, please assemble at the threshing ground immediately for a meeting!
If you fail to respond within ten minutes, you will be responsible for the consequences!
After the broadcast, she asked, "Uncle Changsheng, was it appropriate to broadcast it like this?"
She then turned off the microphone and looked at Ding Changsheng.
Ding Changsheng gave her a thumbs up: "Little Su, well done! Don't worry, your uncle will definitely stand up for you!"
The villagers were woken up and started getting dressed, grumbling and cursing.
All the male and female educated youth in the educated youth compound heard the news, and they all noticed that the voice on the broadcast was Su Qiaoqiao.
Furthermore, she was clearly familiar with this new battalion commander.
Everyone dressed and went out, puzzled.
Su Tong squeezed next to Su Ruyi: "Ruyi, don't be afraid!"
Su Ruyi looked at her fourth brother and smiled: "Fourth brother, it's alright!"
The villagers cursed and left in twos and threes, heading to the threshing ground.
Ding Changsheng had already installed the searchlight from the brigade headquarters on the flagpole and hoisted it up.
The high-beam lighting, shining from afar, creates a somewhat solemn atmosphere.
He stood on the platform, legs apart, hands behind his back.
Su Qiaoqiao stood next to Ding Changsheng, looking down at everyone with a smug expression.
Once everyone had arrived, Ding Changsheng loudly read through the entire county's appointment document, not even missing the serial numbers.
The crowd fell silent.
No one could have imagined that a scorekeeper who had been defeated by Ding Daguo several years ago would suddenly become the captain!
The world is about to change for Team Aoyama!
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