Era: Starting from divorce from female college student

September 30, 1984, on the eve of National Day.

Zhao Mancang took all the children back to the capital. They hadn't been back for some time, and now that they were back, everything felt a bit unfamiliar.

"Father, the capital is developing very slowly, not even as well as Beijiang City, let alone Hong Kong Island."

Little Stone pouted, expressing considerable dissatisfaction:
"When I went out today, several roads were full of potholes and very uneven. They don't even know to fix them."

"And another thing, someone tried to steal my wallet while I was shopping at the department store. It was outrageous!"

Following Xiao Shitou's words, Zhao Yuechan and the other children echoed, saying that this was indeed the case and was a real headache.

Why is this happening?

Besides the current social situation, it's also largely due to the way Zhao Yuechan and her companions dress.

Zhao Yuechan and her companions, who had just returned from out of town, each carried a cell phone on their waist, a delicate and beautiful handbag in their hand, and their clothes were completely out of place with their surroundings, very fashionable and trendy.

It would be quite eye-catching if it appeared on the street.

So if we don't target those petty thieves, who else should we target?
After all, Little Stone and his gang practically had "I'm rich, come and rob me" written all over their foreheads. It would be strange if no one took action against them.

"I told you guys to keep a low profile before I left today, but you didn't listen. Is that my fault?"

Zhao Mancang spread his hands and said:
"Although Beijing is the capital, its economic development speed cannot compare with that of Beijiang City, let alone Hong Kong Island. So when you come back to Beijing in the future, you should keep a low profile. Don't even mention wearing perfume, and you'd better not wear these clothes out."

"And these bags, watches, etc., just keep your phone in your pocket, don't clip it to your waist, it looks awful."

Zhao Jinshi has a different opinion on this:
"Dad, it's trendy and fashionable. It looks good pinned to your waist. Everyone does it this way."

"You'll behave when you get robbed!"

Seeing this, Zhao Mancang gave up trying to persuade him.

There's an old saying: "Good advice is no match for a damn fool!"
Many things, and often things, can only be truly unforgettable after the other person has experienced them.

This is the principle that one cannot gain wisdom without experience.

Xiao Shitou is already an adult and should take responsibility for his actions. Zhao Mancang will not try to persuade him anymore.

"Mancang, tomorrow is National Day. You go up to the Tiananmen Rostrum to watch the ceremony; we won't go."

Lin Wan then interjected, changing the subject.

As the children grew up and developed their own thoughts, Lin Wan and Liu Baochan became too lazy to interfere anymore.

When trouble comes, they'll naturally come crying to us.

Tomorrow is October 1st, National Day. In 1984, there was a military parade on National Day.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Mancang nodded and said:
"If you don't want to go watch it, you can watch the live broadcast at home, or go to the residential area to watch it. That's fine too."

He was invited, so he will definitely attend the ceremony.

He had told his superiors before that he wouldn't go up the city wall, but since his subordinates had all gone up, it wouldn't be appropriate for him not to.

The next morning, Zhao Mancang arrived at the compound near Wenjin Street and soon saw many familiar faces.

"Mancang, you've finally arrived! Come on, let me see you!"

When Wei Huayong saw Zhao Mancang, his face was full of surprise.

When the latter got closer, his pupils widened in shock.

"Are you really Mancang? You wouldn't happen to be Mancang's child, would you? How come you're so young?"

In recent years, Wei Huayong has gotten old and has long since retired.

However, he did not return to his hometown, but stayed in Beijing to retire.

His son, Wei Shouchang, and daughter-in-law, Tian Xiuyu, were also transferred back to the capital.

So the whole family lived together, and Wei Huayong enjoyed a good life in his later years.

In addition, many of the old employees from the original 108 departments, such as Zuo Changsheng, would visit him from time to time, so he was living a pretty good life.

But no matter how good life is, it can't stop the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death.

Wei Huayong is now over eighty years old. Looking back, he had already retired in 1961.

Twenty-three years have passed since then.

Many of his old friends, such as He Zhonglun, who used to work in Lingjing Hutong, passed away a few years ago.

Only Wei Huayong, who is over eighty years old, is still alive.

"Old Wei, it really is me. My son and the others are much younger than me."

Zhao Mancang said with a smile.

But at that moment, several other leaders spoke up.

Zhou Liangshun, an office director on Wenjin Street, also exclaimed in surprise:
"I almost didn't recognize you! It really is you, Comrade Zhao Mancang. Long time no see! You really haven't changed at all!"

"Oh my, it seems like it's been more than ten years since we last met, right? No, you still look so young! Are you even fifty years old this year?"

After Zhou Liangshun spoke, Shen Moqun, Meng Zhichang, and others nodded in agreement.

Shen Moqun and the others were people Zhao Mancang frequently dealt with back then, but later, the Jiaolong Department that Zhao Mancang was in charge of grew larger and larger.

Even after 1974, Zhao Mancang went directly to Beijiang City in the south to promote its development, so there was even less contact with him.

Why did Zhao Mancang always go directly to Lingjing Hutong to coordinate work?
Furthermore, Zhao Mancang rarely returns to the capital. Whenever he does, it's usually for family reunions, and he rarely interacts with Shen Moqun and his group.

Over time, these already weak relationships naturally became even more distant.

But today is different. Today is National Day, and since everyone has finally gotten together, we naturally have to chat for a bit.

"Yeah, Comrade Mancang, how do you maintain your youthful appearance? You look so young, you seem to get younger with age!"

It turns out that Jiang Kebo, a leader at the headquarters of China Resources Company, also chimed in at this time:
"Old Wei just said you look like your son, and I think he's right. Even though you're over forty, you look like you're only twenty."

Jiang Kebo, Shen Moqun, Zhou Liangshun, Meng Zhichang and other elderly people, all with full heads of white hair, looked at Zhao Mancang with great energy.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Mancang smiled and shook his head:

"Distinguished leaders, I was born in 1934, and I'm exactly fifty years old this year. Please don't get me wrong."

hiss!
Upon hearing his words, the old men present all gasped in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief.

Fifty years old?
Zhao Mancang looks like he's only in his twenties, how can he be fifty?

"As for how I maintain my appearance," Zhao Mancang continued:

"In my opinion, it's important to maintain a cheerful mood every day, engage in moderate exercise, and have regular eating and sleeping habits."

"As everyone knows, I used to be a doctor and also served in the army for several years, so I have some experience and insights to share."

Is it really that easy to downplay?
Zhao Mancang was not just a soldier back then.

Moreover, the doctor in question wasn't just any ordinary doctor; he was a miracle worker. Reflecting on these past events, Wei Huayong and the others seemed to understand why Zhao Mancang looked so young.

However, it is still somewhat unreasonable for someone to look like a twenty-something at fifty.

After all, Zhao Mancang seems to be getting younger as he gets older, which is truly unbelievable.

After catching up for a while, someone came to make arrangements.

When the staff saw Zhao Mancang, they thought he was the descendant of some leader, and then arranged for him to take the bus to the family quarters, which made everyone burst out laughing.

After the explanation, the staff member was immediately embarrassed, like a boiled shrimp.

After the staff apologized, Zhao Mancang smiled helplessly and stopped, saying it was okay.

This situation made Shen Moqun and the others even more aware that Zhao Mancang must have a big secret.

Getting younger as you get older is too incredible and unbelievable.

But the staff member who mistook Zhao Mancang was only in his early twenties and had excellent eyesight.

Unlike the old men like Wei Huayong, Shen Moqun, and Zhou Liangshun, whose eyes were cloudy and could not see clearly.

So, after everyone got on the bus, they continued to discuss Zhao Mancang.

Soon the car arrived near Tiananmen Gate, and Zhao Mancang and his group got out and walked there.

Zhao Mancang and the others walked up the stairs behind the city gate, while Wei Huayong and some of the other elderly men with mobility issues took the elevator.

Once you're on the city wall, you can see much more clearly.

Zuo Changsheng, Yuan Zuliang, Li Zhenzu and others surrounded Zhao Mancang, asking him about his situation.

As former members of the Jiaolong Army, it is truly remarkable that Zuo Changsheng and his group have survived to this day.

A considerable number of them died on the battlefield, and a few others, like Li Zhenzu and his men, were either disabled or bedridden.

Although there's no need to worry about retirement, Jiaolong Comprehensive Agency will take care of everything.

After all, the Jiaolong Comprehensive Organization has three major departments: Jiaolong Army, Longxing Research Institute, and Tenglong Factory.

Later, many more units were added, such as Jiaolong School and Shaya Laboratory.

In conclusion, the Jiaolong Comprehensive Agency is an absolute behemoth, capable of handling the retirement and pension matters of people like Li Zhenzu.

Naturally, Li Zhenzu and his colleagues are not yet of retirement age, as most of them are in their fifties, not yet sixty.

Zhao Mancang had not been involved in the affairs of the Jiaolong Comprehensive Agency for many years and was not very clear about all of this.

Of course, it doesn't matter. As long as Zhao Mancang is alive, Zuo Changsheng and the others won't be bullied.

Time flies when you chat, and soon the military parade will begin.

The 1984 military parade was mythologized in Zhao Mancang's previous life.

That was the most powerful military parade ever held on Earth.

Even Zhao Mancang, a time traveler, was deeply shocked when he saw such a military parade for the first time, and his whole body was covered in goosebumps.

When he traveled through time, he also watched the military parade in 1959.

But the difference between that time and this time is still very obvious.

Of course, in terms of weaponry and equipment, this time it may not be as impressive as what Zhao Mancang saw in 2019, but there is no doubt that in terms of morale, this time in 1984 was absolutely unparalleled.

The perfectly aligned formation, the words they uttered, seemed so real, exuding a murderous aura.

Even though Zhao Mancang was standing on the city wall, he saw the sound wave coming, and his teacup was shaking.

To be honest, the sheer scale and power of that earthquake was truly awe-inspiring.

Zuo Changsheng and the others were thrilled to see this.

Although Wei Huayong and his fellow old men had failing eyesight and couldn't see clearly, they could still sense it.

Even the long military parade eventually comes to an end.

After the meeting, Zhao Mancang was called away by his superiors.

In the afternoon, Zhao Mancang had lunch at the canteen in the courtyard of Lingjing Hutong.

One of the leaders looked at Zhao Mancang and suddenly asked:

"Comrade Mancang, I remember you were born around 1933 or 1944, right?"

"Yes, I'm fifty years old this year."

"To be honest, looking at your face, I find it hard to believe that you are fifty years old. No, wait, how come you don't have a single gray hair?"

Zhao Mancang explained that it was caused by hair dye.

lead:"."

Is this treating them like fools?
Can't they tell if someone has dyed their hair?
"Comrade Mancang, don't be afraid. We didn't call you here for idle chat."

After a pause, the leader continued:

"To be honest, we are very interested in your health maintenance, but we don't know if you would be willing to chat with some colleagues from the Health Bureau?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Mancang said helplessly:

"Sir, I've already spoken with the colleagues at the Health Bureau, and many of them are old friends of mine, so we've already exchanged ideas countless times."

"Regarding how I take care of myself, I've said it before, there really aren't many tricks."

"Take you, boss, for example. To put it bluntly, you're too fat!"

"People who live long lives generally have a moderate weight—neither too thin nor too fat. Based on your height, a weight of around 135 pounds would be ideal for you."

In fact, leaders used to attach great importance to longevity.

Who gave them the opportunity to meet with Zhao Mancang from time to time?
Even though they valued it, they still believed that Zhao Mancang was hiding his true abilities.

why?
Zhao Mancang is now fifty years old, but his physical appearance is no different from that of a twenty-year-old. Even his physical condition is at its peak.

This can be seen from Zhao Mancang's own mental state.

No matter how well a person takes care of themselves, their skin will inevitably sag to some extent as they get older.

But what about Zhao Mancang?
There's absolutely no sagging; it's just like the skin of a twenty-year-old—very firm and elastic.

So everyone found it unbelievable.

Therefore, it is believed that Zhao Mancang was hiding things and not revealing the whole truth.

Of course, the leaders didn't dare to press him for answers. They were extremely cautious even when asking questions, for fear of upsetting Zhao Mancang.

After all, the leaders knew Zhao Mancang's secret. (End of Chapter)