When Zhu Jiabao picked her up that evening, Liu Yumin was still a little listless. It was Lin Wu who noticed and asked, "Auntie, did something unpleasant happen at the hospital?"
Liu Yumin felt upset, but she didn't want to keep it to herself, so she told the whole story from beginning to end.
Lin Wu comforted her, saying, "Auntie, I think this is actually better. Commander Miao dedicated her life to the country, and her deeds should be known to future generations. The martyrs' cemetery will compile all the deeds of the martyrs into a book to set an example for future generations. It will also bring her a lot of good fortune, and she will be reborn into a better family in her next life."
Zhu Fanfan nodded vigorously, "That's right, that's right! Grandma Miao is a hero. She'll definitely have plenty of food and clothing and a house full of children and grandchildren in her next life. Grandma, look at your poor little granddaughter. She's the one who needs help."
Liu Yumin knew this was a good thing, but she felt aggrieved. They risked their lives to protect the country and bring stability, but they were ostracized by their own families.
Liu Yumin habitually asked Zhu Jiabao, "Old Zhu, do you think their village is going too far? They're still clinging to the old bureaucratic mentality, the idea that 'when one person attains power, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.' This is a new society where everyone is equal, and farmers are the ones who should be in charge. This kind of thinking is problematic and they need to be properly educated."
In the capital, signs of families forming cliques and factions are beginning to emerge. This is a country that has only just been founded, with its laws not yet fully developed and powerful external threats looming large. It's infuriating that they're already starting to fight amongst themselves.
Zhu Jiabao didn't say anything, which Liu Yumin felt was abnormal from the beginning. Today, Old Zhu had a stern face the whole time, and he didn't respond when she spoke. His serious appearance seemed like he was about to give her a political lecture. Now that she had said so much, he still had a stern face.
Seeing the awkward situation, Lin Wu explained, "Auntie, when it was almost time to leave work today, the old chief called Uncle Zhu. I wasn't high enough to listen in, and Uncle Zhu became like this afterward, not answering any questions. Auntie, don't worry when you get home, try to have a good talk with Uncle Zhu."
Zhu Fanfan tugged at his grandmother's sleeve at the opportune moment to attract attention. Liu Yumin sighed helplessly and could only reassure them: "Don't worry, I'm fine, and Old Zhu will be fine too. Xiao Lin, don't worry about it. Tomorrow we'll give you a normal Uncle Zhu."
Lin Wu naturally agreed. He would go home after dropping the child off. The weather wasn't warm yet, so Liu Yumin lit the stove to keep the child warm.
Zhu Jiabao walked awkwardly into the study, took out the Moutai he had treasured for three years, and shouted, "Wife, go heat up the dishes I brought back. We're happy today, let's have a drink."
When Liu Yumin saw him take out the Moutai, her eyes reddened. She didn't say anything and went to heat up the dishes. She had bought the wine to celebrate the children's victorious return and had specially collected it. Who knew the children wouldn't come back? She had forgotten about the wine.
Zhu Fanfan's eyes lit up when she saw the Moutai. Now there are no fake liquors. In her time, a bottle of 1955 Moutai would cost hundreds of thousands of yuan! That's a lot of money!
After the food and drinks were served, Zhu Jiabao poured two glasses: "I know you've eaten, have some with me."
After saying that, he downed the glass in one gulp, then poured it again and downed it in one gulp. After more than a dozen glasses, Liu Yumin stopped him: "Old Zhu, drinking too fast is bad for your health. If you have any problems, just tell me. We're husband and wife, and we'll face them together."
To everyone's surprise, Zhu Jiabao burst into tears, startling Liu Yumin and her grandson. Zhu Jiabao was mumbling something unintelligible, and his expression was very agitated. Since he could cry, it wasn't a big deal. Liu Yumin calmed down and waited for Zhu Jiabao to calm down before asking him anything.
After he had finished crying, Zhu Jiabao slowly explained what had happened that day. Just after the New Year, the Central Committee issued instructions on the evaluation of military ranks. He was fairly capable, though not outstanding. After losing his son, he had reduced his responsibilities again and again, waiting for the people below him to get used to him before retiring. Who knew that his name would be on the list of those being evaluated for ranks?
There were more than 3,000 people participating in the evaluation of military ranks this time, and I never expected that he would be evaluated as a general. In ancient times, this position would be a great general. His Zhu family went from commoners to great generals. He did not disgrace the Zhu family. He brought honor to his ancestors. His Zhu family's ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke.
Zhu Jiabao cried and said, "Wife, you have suffered with me all your life. If this were ancient times, I would be a great general and I could get you an imperial decree. You would be a glorious general's wife. I would have brought you honor."
Liu Yumin listened without refuting. At this moment, Lao Zhu was in high spirits, and she couldn't dampen his enthusiasm. She herself was a technical talent, and she didn't need him to save face for her.
If this were ancient times, she would be second only to the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, the kind of person that nobles wouldn't dare to easily depose. She would even poison the emperor if he dared to cause trouble, and she would still have a way out.
Unique technical talents are respected everywhere, and she has that confidence. Her success doesn't need anyone's embellishment; she is who she is—Liu Yumin.
Unexpectedly, Zhu Jiabao suddenly said with a wronged expression, "But I refused. Those who survived on the battlefield all have accumulated military merits. I am really not outstanding. Especially later, I only commanded and did not fight on the front lines. Our Zhu family's reputation was earned with every punch and kick. What kind of merit is it if I did not fight on the front lines? I feel ashamed to accept it. Wife, I'm sorry, I didn't get the imperial title for you."
Liu Yumin sighed. Old Zhu had drunk too much. The most important thing in a war is the commander. The commander is the soul of the team and the brain of the army. He needs to understand the enemy's strategic deployment, the strength of his own people, make decisions based on the terrain and climate, and make adjustments to remedy changes that occur during the battle. How could this not be important? Old Zhu has a knot in his heart!
Seeing her grandfather crying so sadly, Zhu Fanfan was also touched. Before, when she watched TV shows and movies, she didn't have any special feelings. She just enjoyed them as stories and only had a general concept of the people or things in them. She always felt that these things were far away from her.
"There are many people who are much more capable than me who chose to be demoted or demoted after being evaluated. What am I? I only benefited from the Zhu family's loyalty and martyrdom. My entire Zhu family sacrificed themselves on the battlefield, leaving only an old man like me and a few children. It's because the country took pity on me!"
Liu Yumin didn't respond. Although she was always rude to Lao Zhu, she admired his abilities. She had watched him rise from a new recruit to a commander, all thanks to his own hard work.
Whether it was fighting the Japanese invaders and puppet troops, or trying to persuade the capitalists, he relied on his own abilities. He was able to lead his soldiers to capture enough guns in such harsh conditions, ensure they had enough to eat and wear, and still have the capacity to support other troops. Therefore, Lao Zhu's troops were the ones with the most survivors and the fewest casualties on the battlefield.
In her heart, Lao Zhu was the most remarkable. She didn't praise him because she was afraid he would become arrogant. When he was young, Lao Zhu was quite arrogant, and she was afraid that if she praised him a few times, he would become incredibly cocky.
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