Siheyuan: I am the seventh uncle of Banggen

It was five o'clock in the afternoon and most families had started cooking. In winter, it gets dark early and everyone is used to eating early and then going to bed early.

At half past five, Zhang Dabao was having dinner when Liu Guangqi knocked on the door and came in. "Brother Dabao, there will be a meeting tonight and the director of the subdistrict office may come."

"Holding a meeting? Okay, I'll go there in a moment." Zhang Dabao was very interested in the sudden meeting of the entire institute.

"Brother, what's the matter with the street office?" Huang Xinsheng asked.

"It may be to publicize policies or something, Xinsheng. When the meeting is over, call the leaders of the street office. I want to build a bathroom across the courtyard for our own use. Not only are the public toilets outside in poor sanitary conditions, they are also far away," Zhang Dabao said to Huang Xinsheng.

"This is a good idea. It's really far away. If I have diarrhea, I won't be able to run away," Huang Xinsheng smiled.

"Are you two disgusting? We are eating right now," Zhang Lianhua said to the two after hearing their conversation.

After dinner, Zhang Dabao and Huang Xinsheng each brought a small stool and came to the central courtyard. The lights in the courtyard were on and most people had arrived. Yi Zhonghai sat behind a table, with Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui on his left and right.

"Old Yi, what kind of meeting is this?" Yan Bugui asked Yi Zhonghai who was sitting in the middle.

"I don't know. It was organized by Lao Liu. Now Lao Liu doesn't even notify us when he holds meetings. Let Lao Liu take care of it himself," Yi Zhonghai said to Yan Bugui, with a hint of jealousy in his words.

Liu Hai, who was standing by, seemed not to have heard the conversation between the two people. He closed his eyes and no one knew what he was thinking.

At six o'clock in the evening, Yi Zhonghai stood up and said, "Lao Liu, what is the meeting about? Tell us about it."

"Director Wang from the subdistrict office is coming to hold a meeting with everyone. He should be here soon. He has something important to tell you all," Liu Haizhong also stood up and said to everyone.

"No, Second Uncle, Director Wang is so busy, why does he come to hold a meeting with us so late at night? You are not going to falsely convey the emperor's order, are you?" He Yuzhu, who was sitting below, said sarcastically.

"Shazhu, stop talking nonsense." Liu Haizhong stood up again.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting. I was a few minutes late. I asked Liu Haizhong to notify everyone of the meeting," Director Wang Xiuqin walked into the central courtyard and stood in the middle of the crowd.

She looked at the people sitting there and said, "There are a few things to discuss at the meeting tonight. The first thing is that two combat heroes have come to our 95th Institute, Comrade Zhang Dabiao and Comrade Huang Xinsheng. Are they here?"

Zhang Dabao and Huang Xinsheng stood up and greeted Director Wang.

"Comrade Zhang Dabao and Comrade Huang Xinsheng have both been fighting on the front lines. They had to transfer to local areas due to injuries a few years ago. Comrade Zhang Dabao was seriously injured. His head suffered a severe impact from the explosion. The doctor recommended that he rest and not be stimulated, because some uncontrollable things may happen after being stimulated. Everyone, please be more understanding of him. Old Yi, you should also take care of the combat heroes and not stimulate them." Director Wang looked at Yi Zhonghai when he said this.

"I will take good care of you, don't worry," Yi Zhonghai said as he stood up.

"The second thing is that someone reported that there are spies in the courtyard, and they want to use Courtyard 95 as a base. When the skinheads counterattack the mainland, they will cooperate inside and outside to capture the capital in one fell swoop. The person in charge of Courtyard 95, Yi Zhonghai, is a colonel-level commander. Old Yi, do you have anything to say?" Director Wang asked.

"Director Wang, this is a huge injustice. I, Yi Zhonghai, have been working in Lou's steel plant since before the founding of the People's Republic of China, until it was changed into the state-owned Red Star Steel Rolling Mill after liberation. I was wholeheartedly working in the workshop and had no connection with that place, as can be testified by countless co-workers in the steel rolling mill. It is even more impossible for me to engage in espionage activities in the courtyard. We are all old neighbors who have lived here for decades, and we all know each other well. What's more, if I were a member of the spy courtyard, they would not listen to me. I am a man in my fifties, without any people or weapons, and I am colluding with insiders and outsiders. Isn't this a huge joke?" Yi Zhonghai quickly stood up and explained.

"Sit down. I know you are not a spy, but it reflects a problem. You are autocratic and undemocratic in No. 95, and there are problems in your work," Director Wang criticized Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai stood up again and admitted his mistake in public.

"There is one more thing," Director Wang continued, "It is about the incident in your hospital where Liu Haizhong beat the children. Liu Haizhong, I want to ask you, are Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu your sons?"

Liu Haizhong was confused. What about his own business? It must be that bastard Yi Zhonghai who reported me. "Director Wang, they are of course my sons. Beating them is for their own good. Children cannot be successful without beatings."

"Liu Haizhong, you beat children differently from others. I don't know whether they will become successful or not, but whether they can survive has become a big problem now. You didn't let the two half-grown boys eat for a whole day and a night. You are abusing them, which is illegal, don't you know? Who beats their children every day like you do? People who know you will think you are beating your children, but those who don't think you are beating your enemy. Liu Guangtian is sixteen years old and Liu Guangfu is only fourteen years old. You beat them so hard last night. Can you tell me what mistakes they made?" Director Wang continued to ask Liu Haizhong.

Liu Haizhong stammered and was unable to speak.

"Today, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu came to the neighborhood office to find me and asked to separate the family. I agreed. I'm worried that if they follow Liu Haizhong, they won't live to adulthood. On behalf of the neighborhood office, I moved Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu's household registration out of the Liu family's and established a small household. Liu Guangtian is the head of the household. There is another house in your courtyard, which will be allocated to them. Liu Haizhong, don't disturb their lives, okay?" Director Wang's voice was getting louder and louder. Liu Haizhong didn't even dare to look at her.

"I know." Liu Haizhong lowered his head and said in a low voice.

"We'll move tonight, and you can go to the street office tomorrow to handle the formalities," said Director Wang.

"Director Wang, now that they have moved out, it should be considered as a formal separation. I will no longer be responsible for their lives." Liu Haizhong thought of another idea. Cut off your source of livelihood and see if you still dare to move out.

"No problem. The subdistrict office has arranged a job for Liu Guangtian so that he can support himself and Liu Guangfu. When you and your spouse are over 60, they will also provide for your retirement. I will make it clear with them," Director Wang said to Liu Haizhong.

"I found a job, that's great..." Yan Bugui said in a low voice

There was also a lot of discussion in the crowd, with all kinds of opinions.

"Is everyone okay?" Director Wang asked.

"Leader, I have something to ask." Zhang Dabao stood up.

"Comrade Da Biao, what's the matter?" Director Wang asked.

"Director Wang, my legs haven't recovered yet. My home is in the northeast corner of the backyard, so it's very inconvenient to go to the toilet. I bought the courtyard to my east from the factory, and I want to build a bathroom in that courtyard. I wonder what the policy of the street office is?" Zhang Dabao asked.

"The street office supports it, but you have to pay for it yourself. You can install a water meter and share the cost based on actual water consumption," Director Wang agreed.

"That's okay." Zhang Dabao got a positive answer and was very happy, so he sat down directly.

"Adjourn the meeting." Director Wang looked around and saw that no one was speaking, so he ended the meeting.

After the meeting, Director Wang and a staff member carrying gifts came to the backyard.

"Old Yi, you are great," Liu Haizhong suddenly said to Yi Zhonghai as he left.

"What does he mean?" an old lady asked her husband.

"Liu Haizhong, that pig-brained guy, thought it was me and Director Wang who talked about his son. Didn't he see that Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu didn't show up tonight? What a ***!" Yi Zhonghai cursed.

Chapter 21 Recognition of Relatives

"Comrade Dabiao, Comrade Xinsheng, please wait a moment." Director Wang Xiuqin and the staff took two quick steps and called out to Zhang Dabiao and Huang Xinsheng.

"Leader, is there something you can do for me?" Zhang Dabao and the other man stopped.

"I have something to tell you. I came to see you two combat heroes on behalf of the subdistrict office. This is a small gift." Director Wang took the two gifts from the staff and gave them to Zhang Dabao and Huang Xinsheng respectively.

"Thank you so much, leader. Please come home and have a drink of water," Zhang Dabao invited.

"Okay, I want to talk to you two too." Director Wang followed Zhang Dabao and Huang Xinsheng to Zhang Dabao's living room.

Little niece Jia Jingshu and Zhang Lianhua were waiting in the house for them to return from the meeting.

"Second sister, these are two leaders from the street office. Please make a pot of tea," Zhang Dabao made a brief introduction.

Zhang Lianhua put the child on the kang and went to the inner room to get some tea. When she poured tea for Director Wang and the staff, she looked at the two of them and wanted to say something, but she didn't say it. She also didn't go out, but sat aside.

"I heard from the comrades in the Armed Forces Department that Da Biao and Xinsheng were assigned to the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill?" Director Wang asked after taking a sip of tea.

"Yes, since I was still injured, the leader assigned me to the Supply and Marketing Department in order to take care of me, and the freshmen were assigned to the Security Department," said Zhang Dabao.

"Both are good. The tasks in the Supply and Marketing Department are a little heavier, but the working hours are flexible. The work in the Security Department is highly professional, and you retired soldiers will definitely be able to do it," Director Wang said to the two.

"Director Wang, are there any water pipe repairmen in our street? We just came here and are not very familiar with the place yet," asked Zhang Dabao.

"With such a master, you can go to work tomorrow. I will ask them to come to you in the evening," Director Wang agreed immediately.

"No need to do it at night, we can do it during the day. My second sister is at home, how can they ask for more money? Just come and fix it. Make it a most advanced one. The smell is too strong and I can't stand it," said Zhang Dabao with a smile.

"Are there two siblings in your family?" Director Wang asked with a smile.

"No, I am the only one in my family. This is my second uncle's elder sister. My mother passed away early, and my father also died when he was fifteen. I lived in my second uncle's house for a period of time, and it was my second sister who took care of me. She is closer to me than my own sister," said Zhang Dabao.

"Ah, you are also a miserable person," Director Wang said with a sigh.

"Director Wang, do you know someone named Wang Xiulan?" Zhang Lianhua spoke.

"Who are you talking about?" Director Wang stood up a little excitedly.

"Wang Xiulan? Her hometown is Wangjiazhuang, Luliang, Shanxi," said Zhang Lianhua.

"Good boy, where is she?" Director Wang grabbed Zhang Lianhua's hand and asked.

"She is dead. I feel that you look a lot like her. She is Da Biao's mother, my third aunt," said Zhang Lianhua.

"When did she die? My name is Wang Xiuqin, Xiulan is my sister, and she is five years younger than me." Wang Xiuqin's tears flowed down.

"I can't remember which year it was. My third aunt was a guerrilla. During a battle, she seemed to be injured by the Japanese explosion and died before she could be treated. Da Biao was only two years old at that time," said Zhang Lianhua.

"Dabia, Dabia..." Wang Xiuqin hugged Zhang Dabia and started crying.

It turned out that there was a disaster in their hometown in Shanxi at that time and people could not survive, so the two sisters went out to escape the famine. By chance, they joined the revolution. In Langfang, Hebei, Wang Xiu Lan fell ill and lived with the local villagers, while Wang Xiuqin followed the team. Since then, the two never met again.

After Wang Xiuqin and the others left, Wang Xiulan also left to find the team. She fainted at the entrance of Zhangjia Village and was rescued by Zhang Dabao's father. The two were of similar age, so they walked together and organized a guerrilla force in the mountains of Zhangjia Village until Wang Xiulan died.

"Xiu Lan...Da Biao" Wang Xiuqin was grief-stricken.

"Lotus, who is crying here? Didn't they say that the leader of the street office is here?" Zhang Cuihua pushed the door open and walked in with a stick.

"Sister, look who she is?" Zhang Lianhua pointed at Director Wang and asked Zhang Cuihua.

"Isn't this Director Wang from the Street Office? I know him. What's wrong with you, Director Wang?" Zhang Cuihua smiled awkwardly. She had been criticized by Director Wang many times, and she didn't even dare to look up at him when talking to him.

"Who do you think she looks like?" Zhang Lianhua continued to ask Zhang Cuihua.

"Who could she look like?" Zhang Cuihua raised her head and looked. "Hey, Lianhua, Director Wang and Third Aunt look a bit alike. Why didn't I notice it before?" Zhang Cuihua discovered the problem.

Director Wang wiped the tears from his eyes without saying anything and looked at Zhang Cuihua.

"My third aunt is Da Biao's mother, but she is an orphan," Zhang Cuihua quickly explained.

"She is not an orphan, she just hasn't found her family," Director Wang said in a hoarse voice.

"That's impossible. I've never seen Aunt San's family come to see her." Zhang Cuihua didn't quite believe what Director Wang said.

"Sister, this is Dabiao's aunt, her name is Wang Xiuqin." Zhang Lianhua pulled Zhang Cuihua.

"Really? My third aunt is Wang Xiulan, from Shanxi. I heard that there is no one left in her hometown, so my third uncle asked someone to go and see her," Zhang Lianhua continued.

"There is no one at home. I have never been back. I was the one who brought my younger sister out. When my mother left, she asked me to take good care of her. But who would have thought that the news I just got was that she was gone. If I go to the underworld in the future, how will I explain to the old people?" Wang Xiuqin's tears fell again.

"Aunt, my mother also sacrificed her life for the revolution. It was a glorious sacrifice. You don't have to be sad." Zhang Dabao did not expect this situation to happen. What was originally planned to be a visit of condolences turned out to be a scene of family reunion.

"By the way, Xiulan also left a big sign. I will definitely take good care of you," said Wang Xiuqin.

"Aunt, I don't need anyone to take care of me now. I'm already 21 years old. I'm very happy to hear the news about you. I'll go to see you on the weekend," said Zhang Dabao.

"Let's go tomorrow," said Wang Xiuqin.

"Tomorrow is my first day at work. It would not be good if I didn't go. I will live here from now on and we can meet often, don't you think?" Zhang Dabao said.

"Okay, I'll

"No need, I can go by myself," Zhang Dabao said with a smile.

They chatted for a while, and Zhang Dabao sent Wang Xiuqin out of the courtyard. He said, "Come early on Sunday," and got on his bicycle. Wang Xiuqin did not forget to remind him again.

"Okay, take care." Zhang Dabao didn't walk home until Wang Xiuqin and the other girl's bicycles were out of sight.

When I walked to the middle courtyard, I heard Jia Dongxu talking to Zhang Cuihua at his door in a quite loud voice.