Chapter 35: Shopping Anecdotes

Stepping out the front door, the late autumn fields had long since been harvested, leaving the land bare. The wild grass in the valleys and gullies was yellow and dry—just a spark would set it ablaze. The distant landscape looked desolate. Far off in the fields, some villagers were still working, a few carrying shoulder poles, everyone busy with something. Even though the busy farming season was over, there was always work to be done in the countryside. Year after year, people toiled at home and in the fields, all hoping for a good harvest next year so their elders, wives, and children could be well fed and clothed.

At the village entrance, old women were twisting rope. In rural life, rope was always in demand and used everywhere. These tasks were left to the elderly and frail, who could earn some work points to help with household expenses at year’s end. Occasionally, they’d shout at the children, who played nearby, sometimes handing things over to help out.

Zhang Guoqing glanced around to make sure no one was nearby or listening. He pushed his bicycle forward a few steps to walk side by side with his father. The two of them strolled slowly, and Zhang Guoqing craned his neck, lowered his voice, and said to his father, “Dad, to be honest, I don’t want to go to the capital. It’d be like marrying into my wife’s family. I’m still hoping to get my father-in-law and mother-in-law transferred back to the Northeast.

“In the capital, throw a brick and you’ll hit an official—it's full of them. Plus, most jobs there are one spot for one person. It took my father-in-law over ten years to get back. His old comrades have either retired, been transferred, or promoted, and those bonds have faded. Even if he gets promoted again thanks to the Lin family’s connections, who knows what could happen? One day landlords are the enemy, the next it’s capitalists—who knows when the Lin family might fall out of favor?

“There must be all kinds of factions in the capital. Lots of people want to climb up, but there are only so many positions. So they fight and scheme, and when someone falls, a spot opens up. My father-in-law has been away for over a decade, his network is pretty much gone. Many people have left, and relationships have grown distant. If something happens, he’ll have to rely on the Lin family, but if trouble really comes, he’ll be the obvious target. And what about my wife’s uncle, who used to go on missions with my father-in-law? Is he back safely? If he is, and he gets transferred out of the capital, then my father-in-law will be in even more danger—unless both of them stay in the capital, which would be a bit safer.

“Otherwise, my father-in-law will be left out in the open. If something happens, who’ll help him? It’s better for him to leave the capital and return to the Northeast, where it’s easier to get promoted and no one knows his past. Who knows, a few years down the line, someone might dig up something from his years away and pin a crime on him. So it’s safer to spend a few years in the Northeast, develop a bit, and if things look up, he can transfer back to the capital with his own team. And if, heaven forbid, something happens to the Lin family, he’ll be safe in the Northeast. You can’t put all your eggs in one basket. If he’s in the provincial military district and I’m his only son-in-law, he can trust me, and I can go out and make my own way without worries. I’m just afraid he’ll be swayed by the Lin family, like if they tempt him with Jiao Jiao’s future in the capital. But if the Lin family keeps him in the capital, he’ll be their son-in-law, representing them. With one son in the Northwest and another transferred elsewhere, all the trouble in the capital will fall on him—he’ll be a target for the Lin family. Unless my wife’s uncle and my father-in-law both stay in the capital, but that depends on how the Lin family handles things. We’ll know more once we meet them.

“These people are always thinking about how to protect their positions and power. I just worry the Lin family will shamelessly use Jiao Jiao as a bargaining chip, so for the next few years, I’m determined not to go to the capital. Dad, I haven’t met the Lin family yet, but I always like to prepare for the worst. That way, if something happens, we’re ready. And if I’m wrong, no harm done—wouldn’t that be even better?

“Besides, if my father-in-law is in the Northeast military district and the Lin family wants to help me find a job, I’ll just say I’m strong and want to join the Public Security Bureau or the Armed Forces Department, and have my father-in-law pull some strings. That shouldn’t be a problem. The Public Security Bureau manages people, the Armed Forces manages soldiers. It’ll be easy to build connections. Anyone who wants to join the army can come to me, and I’ll have the authority. And in the Public Security Bureau, if a leader’s kid gets in trouble, I can help out and earn favors—no need to rely on the Lin family or my father-in-law.

“Once I’ve built up enough connections, it’ll be easy to arrange jobs for my brothers or nephews. If I can get into the Armed Forces Department, I’ll spend two years learning how the cadres manage things, how to handle policies, and how to deal with superiors and colleagues. These are all things I want to learn. After two years, once I’ve helped my brothers settle down, Jiao Jiao and I can still take the college entrance exams. Only with a degree and a couple years of grassroots experience will I be more than just a grunt. By then, our Zhang family will have a foothold in the county, no matter how things change. Keep a low profile, do things well, have connections and a background. Unless the sky falls, what do we have to be afraid of, right?

“If I go to the capital now, who would care about me? I’d just be the Lin family’s son-in-law’s son-in-law—pretty distant. For the two or three years it takes to get into college, I’d have to rely on them for everything. Even if I succeed, people will say I only got ahead through connections, not ability, and I’d owe a ton of favors. If I wanted to help my brothers or nephews, I’d have to beg others. Isn’t that right? What’s so great about the capital? I can buy a big house in the county, and if Jiao Jiao has a courtyard in the capital, I can still get good stuff—I’m not short of money. Why go there so early?”

Zhang’s father’s eyes grew brighter and his wrinkled face broke into a wide smile. He rubbed his hands together, glancing around to make sure no one was listening.

After a while, he calmed down and said quietly, “Xiao Wu, I think you’re absolutely right. It’s a good plan. If you both get into college, it’ll be a blessing for our ancestors. When your father-in-law comes back, I’ll talk to him about what I can. He’s a smart guy—you haven’t met him, but around here, I really admire him. He’s bold and clever. Maybe he’s already thought of all this. If he’s thinking along the same lines, things will be easy. As for being made a scapegoat, do you think he’d fall for that? No way.”

Zhang Guoqing felt relieved. “That’s good, Dad. This is just my initial idea. The Lin family will be coming soon. We need to have our plan so we don’t get caught off guard. When it comes to talking about jobs in front of the Lin family, I’ll rely on you. We haven’t met them yet, and you never really know someone until you do. In front of them, I’ll just play the role of a clueless farm boy. When they arrive, we’ll see what their attitude is and how they plan to arrange things for my father-in-law. Only after meeting them will we know their intentions. We’ll have to wait for my father-in-law to come back and see what he decides.”

Zhang Guoqing tugged at his father’s sleeve, trying to please him. He wasn’t surprised his father said his father-in-law was no pushover. Anyone who could strike out on his own at sixteen and make a name for himself in the army had to be smart. He actually liked dealing with clever people, especially a clever father-in-law—it made things easier.

Zhang’s father gave the bicycle seat a firm pat. “How sure are you that your father-in-law is still alive?”

Zhang Guoqing replied confidently, “Absolutely sure. I asked Jiao Jiao some questions today, and with my own guesses, I’m certain. Don’t worry.”

“Alright, let’s see what the Lin family is up to when they arrive. We’re just preparing for the worst. Who knows when your father-in-law will come? And what the Zhou and Lin families’ attitudes will be?”

“My father-in-law calls his daughter Jiao Jiao—just look at the name. When he leaves the army, he’ll definitely look for her. The Lin family will do everything they can to let him know how she’s doing. Tonight, I’ll have Jiao Jiao give the Zhou and Lin families some hints. Heh heh.” Zhang Guoqing grinned mischievously.

Zhang’s father lifted his foot to kick him, but Zhang Guoqing jumped away. His father looked at him and burst out laughing. “You rascal!”

He looked at the sky and waved his hand. “You brat, don’t go too far. Hurry up and visit your sister, and remember to give your brother-in-law the money. Next time you want to lend money to your siblings, just discuss it with them in private—don’t set Jiao Jiao up. If they ever ignore you, see if you still have the nerve to show off. Go early and come back early. I need to find someone too.”

Zhang Guoqing hopped on his bike, pushed off with his long legs, and was off in no time. “Dad, I’ll go take care of things. Be careful. I’ll bring you some wine when I get back.” As his words faded, he was already far away. It felt great to be young—he seemed to have endless energy, truly blessed with strength and vigor."