Chapter 7: Director Gong Shajun

  On September 9, 1976, the great leader, great teacher, great helmsman and eternal red sun in the hearts of the people of the whole country passed away after leading the people for twenty-seven years.

  On the 960 million square kilometers of land, everywhere is filled with slow and mournful music, countless simple workers and peasants are crying like rain.

  I was then following Mr. Zhou to learn English seriously, rolling my tongue and reciting words in my mouth, when the loudspeaker of the team suddenly broadcast a mournful music, Mr. Zhou was immediately stunned, followed by stamping his feet and beating his chest, and he was so sad that he could not help it.

  Mr. Zao knew was a sentimental person, but I didn't expect his reaction to be so intense. I couldn't help but sigh with emotion, people of their generation had truly deep feelings for their leaders.

  But the teacher's mother's reaction was even more unexpected.

  The old man completely disregarded his dignity, sat down on the ground with a thud, clapped his hands on the yellow earth, and wailed while muttering to himself.

  "What's going on here? The Chairman has passed away, what are we going to do now? Old fellow, who is going to remove your rightist hat?"

  So that's how it is.

  Mr. Zhou was taken aback and immediately shouted: "Shut up! How dare you speak nonsense?"

  "How can I dare say it? Such days, I don't want to live even one more day, it's better to be dead..."

  His mother-in-law was also a native of Matangwan, and she had never received any formal education. Mr. Zhou's mother had arranged for him to marry her daughter. He was a man of his word, and he insisted on not divorcing his wife despite their poverty-stricken life.

  I couldn't help but shake my head secretly. It's said that when people reach middle age, they become calm and composed in all matters. But in fact, when faced with major events, there are not many who can remain as calm as a scale. Mr. Zhou, who has seen the world and is knowledgeable, was also somewhat at a loss for a moment.

  The mistress didn't care and just complained, Mr. Zhou was both angry and anxious, but couldn't stop, nervously looking around, fortunately no one was nearby.

  I suddenly said: "Uncle, is there a radio?"

  I don't doubt the authenticity of this news. Such a thing, no one in the country dares to make fun of it. But I know that I am insignificant and powerless, and direct persuasion is not feasible. Who would listen to me, a young whippersnapper? The only way is to use a diversionary tactic to shift their attention.

  "There is, there is...a radio..."

  Mr. Zhou was suddenly awakened from his dream, nodded repeatedly and rushed into the earthen house to fetch the radio.

  It is said that "a scholar knows the affairs of the world without leaving his door", and for intellectuals like him, even if they don't have rice to cook for dinner, they would never pawn their radio.

  It was also a rush, Mr. Zhou forgot that his beloved radio had been broken for many days, no matter how he tinkered with it, it wouldn't make a sound.

  Mr. Zhou was so furious that he almost smashed his precious porcelain vase.

  I was anxious and hastily called out: "Uncle, don't be in a hurry, let me take a look."

  "Who?"

  Mr. Zhou's eyes widened suddenly.

  "Uh-huh, I've learned from my dad. I understand some of the principles."

  I nodded firmly.

  Mr. Zhou handed me the radio with a skeptical attitude, as if testing whether I would really receive it.

  "Teacher's wife, is there a pair of scissors?"

  It's estimated that tools like screwdrivers and pliers won't be available at Mr.'s home, so they can only make do with scissors.

  Mr. Zhou's radio is a "57 brand" five-tube semiconductor radio produced by Qingdao Wireless Factory No. 2, which can be considered an antique in the 21st century. The advantage is that the structure is simple, and the disadvantage is that it is prone to malfunctioning.

  In my previous life, due to family influence, I chose to study engineering (heh heh, with a bit of self-flattery, actually just a repairman). After working outside for many years, I've repaired countless large and small electrical appliances, my hands are extremely dexterous. I'm also the director of the city's amateur radio enthusiast association, and fixing broken semiconductors is child's play.

  I used scissors to cut open the radio casing with ease, a seasoned veteran's move. A simple check, but without a multimeter, it was impossible to determine if any components were damaged. I just tidied up the circuitry, connected two broken leads, and voilà! It worked, what luck! Fortunately, the owner knew nothing about radios and hadn't randomly tampered with this poor antique radio. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been so easy to fix.

  The master and mistress saw me fix the radio in just a few minutes, they were all wide-eyed and amazed, even momentarily forgetting their sorrow. Although Liu Jin was the technician at the broadcasting station, Xiao Jun could be considered to have learned from his family's expertise, but this repairman was still a bit too young. Other seven-year-old children might only know how to herd cattle, cut grass, and make mud pies, and probably hadn't even seen a radio before.

  I couldn't help but smile slightly when I saw the gentleman's astonished expression. Originally, I didn't want to take action, but I was afraid that if Shifu's mother continued to cry and make a scene without restraint, others might hear it, which would be very inconvenient. After all, things haven't ended yet, as people say "the darkest hour before dawn", it's not worth stirring up more trouble at this time.

  Repairing a broken radio is surprising, but it shouldn't be enough to let one's imagination run wild.

  This move "draining the water from the bottom of the pot" was very effective, and the teacher's wife stopped crying and went over to listen to the news broadcast on the radio with her husband.

  The master saw me standing rigidly beside him and waved his hand: "Little Jun, you go back first. Uncle can't teach you today."

  "Oh, okay. Take care of yourself, Uncle and Auntie. I'll head back first."

  Although the teacher was in sorrow, he nodded to me and showed a hint of comfort. He didn't know as clearly as I did that from now on, things would be gloomy after the sudden death of our great leader. Having a considerate student like me was also a consolation.

  I thought for a moment, picked up Ouyang Xiu's "History of the Five Dynasties", and bid farewell.

  The chairman's passing has had a profound impact on the entire nation. However, for a remote village like Liujia Mountain Brigade, people are more likely to mourn the great leader with simple and genuine emotions, although there are also many uncertain elements.

  Dad rushed back home the next day.

  The school was closed for three days to mourn. I rarely had some free time, so I took a good look at "History of the Five Dynasties". My grandmother couldn't read and didn't know what book I was reading. But seeing me study hard made her very happy.

  As soon as Dad came in, I put away "The History of the Five Dynasties". Dad is a man who knows his stuff, and I didn't want to waste my breath explaining how I could read "The History of the Five Dynasties" after just learning a few new characters.

  In the past, as long as Dad came home, our house was filled with laughter and chatter. My siblings and I would surround him asking this and that, even Grandma and Grandpa would occasionally ask a few questions. Today is different, Grandma and Grandpa just nodded their heads and said "you're back". My second sister and third sister were very well-behaved. It turned out that the village committee had issued a notice, within seven days, no singing or laughing was allowed.

  This is also a simple peasant brother's expression of deepest condolences for the leader.

  I don't care about all these things, managing heaven and earth, can they even manage people's eating and shitting?

  "Dad, where's mom? Didn't she come back with you?"

  It's been several days since I returned from my journey, but I still haven't seen Mom and older sister. It feels strange.

  "Dad smiled and said: 'Mom is at work and hasn't come back yet.'"

  "Oh..."

  "Dad, Mom, I'm going to see Mr. Zhou."

  Dad said to grandma and grandpa.

  "Huh? Why does Dad want to go see Mr. Zhou as soon as he gets back? I guess the two of them hit it off and became friends a few days ago?"

  "Dad, I'll go with you."

  "Good."

  Unexpectedly, we were not the first guests of Mr. 's family, as there was already a guest seated before us.

  This is a middle-aged man, about forty years old, wearing a clean and tidy Zhongshan suit, with a Chinese character face, elegant and dignified, looking like a person of considerable status. However, in front of Mr. Zhou, he was sitting upright and respectfully, showing obvious respect for Mr. Zhou.

  When he saw his father, Mr. Zhou slightly revealed a smile and said: "Jincai, come on, let me introduce... This is our Hongqi Commune's Director Yan... Director Yan, this is Liu Jincai, who works at the County Film Projection Management Station..."

  "Hello hello, I am Yan Yuchen..."

  Director Yan immediately stood up and shook hands with Dad.

  In the 21st century, a rural party secretary is a big shot in the whole county. An ordinary employee of a state-owned enterprise at the county level, how can he be worthy of his attention?

  However, at that time, the difference between the county seat and the countryside was very large. The first and second in command of the commune were far from being comparable to the heads of the county bureaus and offices. This was because transportation was inconvenient and rural living conditions were too poor, so many grassroots leading cadres tried every means to get transferred back to the city. Even if they just hung an idle job in a county unit, it was worth it.

  Dad hastily shook hands with Director Yan and exchanged pleasantries with him.

  Yan Yucheng

  This name seems quite familiar.

  I hastily searched tensely in the memories of my past life.

  "Xiao Jun, come..."

  Mr. Zhou waved at me.

  I hastily walked over and bowed: "Hello, Uncle."

  "This child is really sensible... Yu Cheng, this is Jin Cai's son, one of my students..."

  I hurriedly bowed to Yan Yucheng: "Hello Uncle Yan, I'm Liu Jun."

  "Hehe, Uncle is too kind. I'm also a student of Teacher Zhou."

  Yan Yucheng smiled and said.

  Mr. Zhou's student? Ah... it really is him, the county party secretary of Xiangyang County a few years later! Later, he even became the commissioner of the Baozhou Regional Administrative Office and retired as the deputy director of the N Provincial People's Congress. He is also a big shot from our Xiangyang County. I never thought I'd run into him here.

  "Xiao Jun, you read your book, we'll talk."

  "Oh. Okay."

  I sat properly on one side and opened "The History of Five Dynasties". Fortunately, none of them noticed what book I was reading.

  "Alas... now that the chairman is gone, I wonder what will happen to the central policy?"

  As they talked about this topic, the faces of the three people all turned solemn. In their words, there was occasionally a glimpse of confusion about the future political situation and worry that the next generation would not be able to bear such a heavy burden.

  Mr. Zhou wore a big hat on his head, and was even more worried and anxious, occasionally sighing several times. The teacher's mother also wiped away tears. Like a child who suddenly lost their father, they were at a loss for a while.

  "Uncle, how is this character pronounced?"

  I suddenly sat up and pointed at a word in the book, asking.

  "Xu. Li Cunxu was the founding emperor of the Later Tang Dynasty in the Five Dynasties period, Zhuangzong of Later Tang..."

  I'm familiar with the character "勖" in Li Cunxu's name. Before crossing over, I happened to be interested in the Five Dynasties and read some related materials. This Emperor Li was indeed an extraordinary figure in the history of the Five Dynasties.

  "Huh, Xiao Jun, why are you reading 'History of the Five Dynasties'?"

  Mr. Zhou is very strange.

  "It looks like fun." I chuckled and hurriedly said: "Uncle, will you tell Xiaojun the story of Zhuang Zong Li Cunxu?"

  "Xiao Jun, stop making noise, the grown-ups are talking."

  Dad scolded loudly, but despite the scolding tone, his words couldn't hide his affection.

  Director Yan's face moved slightly, and he said: "Teacher, you seem to have told us the story of Li Cunxu before. It's very interesting."

  Mr. Zhou nodded: "Throughout the Five Dynasties, heroes emerged one after another, and it was a very chaotic world. At that time, Li Cunxu, the only son of Li Keyong, who occupied Hedong, succeeded to the throne of Jin Wang after his father's death. Just as Later Liang was established, Liang was strong and Jin was weak, and Li Cunxu had never fought a battle before, so everyone was worried that he would not be able to contend with Zhu Wen, the old cunning villain, and Hedong would surely perish. Who knew that Li Cunxu was well-versed in military strategy, brave and skilled in battle, and successively defeated the Later Liang army and the Khitan army? More than ten years later, he captured Kaifeng, destroyed Later Liang, and established Later Tang."

  It's not time for storytelling now, so Mr. Zhou simply said a few words, which seemed to introduce Li Cunxu's advanced deeds.

  "Dad thought for a moment: 'In that case, this Li Cunxu is quite a good fellow?'"

  When it comes to historical allusions, Mr. Zhou's spirit was immediately lifted: "Yes, at that time, no one expected Li Cunxu to be so powerful, even Zhu Wen, the Taizu of Later Liang, praised him highly, saying that having a son like Li Yazi, Li Kuaiyue would not perish."

  Mission accomplished, I smiled and said: "Uncle's story is really nice to listen to." Then sat back on my own small stool, focusing on reading. So they wouldn't surround me asking endless questions.

  The old man said: "Talents emerge in every generation, each dominating for hundreds of years. Mr. Zhou, don't worry, your problem will be solved sooner or later."

  Mr. Zhou was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly came to his senses and nodded repeatedly.

  Yan Yucheng saw Old Man Liu speaking fluently and couldn't help but praise him, laughing as he said: "Old Liu, it's true that a tiger father has no ordinary sons - you guys are all quite impressive!"

  "It's nothing, Director Yan is being polite."

  "Since you are a friend of Teacher Zhou, that is, a friend of mine, Yan Yucheng. In the future, when you have time, come to our commune and sit with me for a while."

  "Definitely."

  It can be seen that my father also has a good impression of Yan Yucheng, and it doesn't seem like he's just being polite. At that time, commune cadres were not in high demand. Above the commune was the district, and above the district was the county. The director of the commune revolutionary committee was generally at the deputy department level, and only a few older ones were at the full department level. Although my father was a technical personnel and had been working for some time, his administrative rank was also at the section level. Compared with Yan Yucheng, there was no suspicion of being overly ambitious.