"You couldn't stand how chaotic the family compound was getting, so you took over this mess?"
A simple smile.
"It's not a matter of whether I like it or not. Everyone is just trying to make a living. I know that most people are good people, but they may all have their own little thoughts. As long as their hearts are upright, it doesn't affect the discipline and reputation of the army, it doesn't harm the safety and interests of the soldiers, it doesn't affect the harmony of the family compound, and it doesn't set a bad example for the children, I don't want to get involved."
Whether they stayed in their hometown or came to join the army, ultimately, it all came down to filling their stomachs, I understand.
However, the military is the military, and the iron discipline of soldiers is not meant to be broken. These children are all descendants of soldiers, and to put it bluntly, they are all our own children. I don't think I can teach them very well. What they learn and how well they learn depends on the school.
But, as you said, sister-in-law, you become like the people you associate with, and that's absolutely true.
They're all family members; we can't replace them, so we can only keep an eye on them and make sure they keep quiet.
Sister-in-law Wang pouted.
Do you think these people can control their mouths?
Over the years, they've gotten used to it, gossiping about this family and that family. Sometimes, if they see something, they'll start making up stories. They're used to it, they just talk but don't actually do anything, and they don't think there's anything wrong with it.
"They're probably just scared right now. This will only help for a few days, but what if it goes on for too long?"
Sister Wang pursed her lips and shook her head. Compared to Jian Dan, she was a native of the countryside and, while she didn't know the villagers' nature perfectly, they were all pretty much the same.
"Girl, I'm not trying to discourage you, nor am I talking badly about people behind their backs. These people have been like this for years, and it's hard for them to change."
In the past few years in Liujiatun, Jian Dan has seen a lot of the habits of rural people. Perhaps Liujiatun is relatively more simple and honest, or perhaps Jian Dan's appearance under the tree is really not to be trifled with. What kind of good temper can someone who can kill a wild boar with one blow?
So even if there really were such scoundrels, they wouldn't dare to come waving their arms around in front of her. But even if they did come, she wouldn't be afraid.
"Don't worry, sister-in-law. I didn't mean to knock them down with one blow today. I just wanted them to know that they got to be here because of their men or sons and enjoyed this honor. But at the same time, if they cause trouble or mess things up, it's the men in their families who will cover for them."
"Oh! You mean, if they cause trouble, the men will be punished?"
"Here's what I'm thinking. I'll have to talk to the regimental commander about it later to see if it's feasible. But to be honest, the man also bears some responsibility for the family members' issues. What can we punish them for? Clean the family compound? Deduct work points?"
Deducting work points feels a bit far-fetched. Since they don't seem to care just by talking, I'd like to think of another way to make them feel the pain.
After pausing for two seconds, Sister Wang burst out laughing.
"You really hit a nerve with them. Putting aside everything else, let's not even talk about whether they feel sorry for him or not. Anyway, the man got scolded and punished. When he finds out what happened, he'll definitely settle scores when he gets back. This means some people will have to fight, some people will get beaten up, and the man will also get demoted or given a demerit, and he'll have to pay for medical expenses. Tsk tsk!"
Girl, you're really ruthless for not saying what you should.
"Sister-in-law, this sounds like a routine you're very familiar with?"
You figured it out?
Sister-in-law Wang chuckled.
"We're not exactly close, but now that you mention it, I remember that when we first arrived, something similar happened."
That was more than ten years ago. There weren't many families back then, but there were two families where the men weren't from the same battalion, but the two families just couldn't stand each other. They were like oil and water, constantly having minor conflicts, but they were just small squabbles.
One time, a commotion broke out, and the whole camp knew about it. At that time, Regiment Commander Lin had just returned from the battlefield, so he was naturally angry. His brothers were fighting bloody battles on the front lines, their lives hanging in the balance, while these women were causing trouble in the rear. It was just bad timing; they ran into trouble. He immediately demoted the family members of both of them by one rank. One of the family members still wanted to make a fuss, but Regiment Commander Lin simply said, "If you make another fuss, you'll be sent back."
That incident served as a deterrent for a while and established our authority.
Didn't you see that the people causing trouble this time are all family members who moved in later?
In our area, it was just my family, Sister Li's family, Aunt Chen next door, and a few other families. They didn't dare get involved, knowing that if things really escalated, the military region wouldn't show any mercy.
He simply let out a "whoosh."
"Didn't notice? The commander has quite the guts!"
"That's right, my husband said the same thing."
However, it was only on that one occasion that the regimental commander, who was completely devoted to the army and wholeheartedly hoped that everyone could live a better life, would fulfill any small request as long as it didn't cross his bottom line.
Back then, he would send part of his allowance home, and it seemed that he would also occasionally help out his comrades who were having a bad time. Then, the meager amount he had left was completely taken away by the families of his comrades every month. I heard from Old Wang that Commander Lin's underwear and socks were all patched up three times on the left and three times on the right.
In our military region, the regimental commander is the highest-ranking leader, and theoretically, his allowance should be the highest as well. You tell me, hey!
Now that the residential compound is bigger and there are more and more people, let me tell you, girl, only someone like you can handle it.
Look at you, I can see your personality now. You can tell right from wrong and you won't be fooled.
They are highly skilled in combat, so they'd better think twice before causing trouble or resorting to violence.
Besides, with your position as the political commissar, no one in this military region dares to mess with you.
Jian Dan was fully aware of this situation; otherwise, she wouldn't have asked for the title of deputy director back then.
Moreover, after returning from her trip to the capital, Jian Dan felt a greater sense of belonging to this place. Even watching them bickering now seemed much more agreeable than before.
"Sister-in-law, I know everything. Don't worry. Since I dared to take over this business, I have nothing to be afraid of."
Moreover, I know that everyone's goal now is to live a good life. I've seen it too; the workers over there are full of energy and focused on earning work points. I guess they're all thinking about having enough to eat, making more money, and buying new clothes for their children, meat, and dumplings for the New Year. Actually, I'm not worried about anything. Even if there are a few with ulterior motives, they're not really vicious.
Let's wait and see. This time, they're probably just worried. If they listen to someone's instigation, they'll lose their rationality. My scare should calm them down for a few days.
"Wait two days, until everyone returns safely and the curfew is lifted, then normal life should return to normal in the family compound."
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