And so, in the spring and summer of 1966, several buses carrying educated youth from the military compound went to the countryside.
Because of the fact that the children from the compound went to work in the Production and Construction Corps, the higher-ups found out and asked a few questions. Knowing that they had actively participated in the nation's construction, they didn't say anything more.
When I received another message from the military compound, I learned that many children in the compound had gone to the Production and Construction Corps, and coincidentally, most of them were assigned to the Northeast.
When I replied to these young comrades, I casually mentioned the production and construction corps they belonged to.
At first, I just thought that they might not adapt well to the Northeast or lack something, and I might be able to help them, so I asked for their address.
Unexpectedly, after receiving a reply shortly after sending the first letter, they became pen pals.
This was, in a sense, an accident.
"Zhou Jiujiang, Zhou Jiujiang, your letter is from Gujiawaizi Brigade, Daying Commune, Fusong County."
"Where did you say you were from?"
"Gujiawaizi Brigade, Daying Commune, Fusong County. By the way, the sender is Li Mianmian."
Don't you recognize him?
"How could it be her? Oh, it's okay, I know her."
After Zhou Jiujiang opened the letter and saw that it was on the other side, he quickly took the letter and went to find his friends who had come with him from the military compound, and showed it to them.
What's your opinion, Jiujiang?
"Of course, I'll reply!"
"What should we say if Comrade Li Mianmian asks in her letter what we need?"
"Are you stupid? Of course you can't tell her! No matter what, we're all older than her, and besides, we can write to our parents about anything! Even if she has something, we can't take it!"
"Li Qiang is right."
"Zhao Taofei, what do you suggest we do? Even if we tell her in the letter that we don't lack anything, she won't believe us!"
"Guohua is right too."
"How about this? Everyone, think about it carefully!"
"I think everyone can talk to Mianmian about the problems they encounter here. After all, she went to the countryside earlier than us, and she can definitely give everyone an answer to some of the questions."
"Jiujiang is right."
Several letters were sent to different places in a row. When everyone received the letter from Gujiawaizi Brigade of Dayingmin Commune, they were initially incredulous. But after opening the letter, they felt that they had finally found like-minded people.
After receiving their letters, it took only a few days, or at the latest half a month, for some of them to arrive. There was no other way; some had gone to the far Northwest, which was too far away.
I replied to every letter very carefully. Whether it was about problems in life or problems at work, I would answer them with what I knew and understood, while also telling them that these were just my own opinions and I didn't know if they were suitable for them.
At the same time, for those questions they couldn't answer, they were encouraged to write to their elders, since the elders were older and more knowledgeable and would certainly know more than the others.
They were also encouraged to use their expertise to develop their skills within the Corps and fully realize their value.
When the elders in the military family compound in Beijing saw the letters from their children, they felt incredibly comforted, knowing that their children had truly grown up. They also wrote letters or sent gifts to express their gratitude.
Knowing that they were new to the place and not used to it, and worried that they might not have enough to eat, I would send them some of the dried sweet potatoes I had made before.
They would also send each other some local specialties, and gradually they became pen pals, friends who supported each other through thick and thin in this era. When they met again after many years, even though they had never spent time together, they felt so familiar with each other.
Time quickly passed to the winter of 1967. Ever since the last time he called the police to deal with Comrade Bai Jiaming, everyone had been deliberately avoiding him. Seeing this situation, he also stopped moving around the brigade much.
The only advantage, however, was that neither the educated youth in the educated youth compound nor the commune members in the production team caused any trouble in front of him.
However, there was one thing that was quite surprising: the old maid in the production team finally got married, and it was none other than the brigade leader's sister, Comrade Gu Cuicui.
"But I heard he married a divorced man with a child."
"Yes, I heard that the man brought three children with him: two boys and a girl. The youngest one is still breastfeeding."
"But no matter what, the other party is an officer, and I heard he's a company commander."
"Gu Cuicui's wish has finally come true."
What does that mean?
"I heard she used to have a crush on Li Zhiqing's older brother, the college student officer."
"Yeah?"
Who knows?
On the day of the wedding, I gave 50 cents as a wedding gift. Although it was a bit unpleasant, I still gave the money because the brigade leader always stood up for me.
Even knowing that the money was gone forever, it was only 50 cents, so I let it go. Besides, the two of us didn't have a good relationship, so I didn't give any more gifts.
However, to her surprise, when she saw a brand-new radio among the dowry prepared for her by Secretary Gu and Old Madam Gu, she immediately realized that it was the radio ticket she had given away back then.
No wonder the brigade headquarters has never bought a radio all these years, even though they're not short of money. It turns out this family has been keeping it from them!
Seeing this, how could I possibly enjoy the wedding banquet? So I made up an excuse.
What I didn't expect was that I would run into my third brother at my own doorstep.
Third Brother, what brings you here?
"I had some free time, so I came to see you. Where did you come from?"
Hearing this, I told you about the radio I had just seen at the Gu family's house.
"So what do you think?"
"I don't know. Oh right, let's not talk about it now. Let's go home and cook something delicious. A good meal will cheer us up."
"good"
"How long will Third Brother be staying this time?"
"Not much, I'll be back with the team this afternoon."
"Then why are you coming over? Is there enough time?"
"It's nothing, I'm here to lead the team for more training."
"Training? You don't mean somewhere in these mountains, do you?!"
"yes!"
"No wonder. Once, when I went into the mountains, I went a little too far and found some places where people had stayed. I found it strange, so I even took leave to go to the city and ask Uncle Zhou about it. Uncle Zhou told me not to go into the deep mountains unless necessary, saying that the higher-ups would arrange for people to come and conduct training exercises."
"Yes! The last group went back, and this time they brought a team back."
How long will you be staying?
"It's unclear at the moment, but it will probably take at least six months."
"Does that mean we have to stay here until the winter?"
"yes!"
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