CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 26: DISCUSSING THE FUTURE

Walking out the door, the late autumn crops have been harvested long ago, and the land is bare. The wild grass in the valleys and hills is yellow and can catch fire with a single spark, stretching far away desolately. In the fields, some villagers are working, carrying burdens, busy at various tasks. Though farming is idle now, there’s always work that cannot be finished in the countryside, year after year, busy both at home and in the fields, simply hoping for a good harvest the following year so that elders, wives, and children can eat well and dress warmly. At the village entrance, old women are twisting ropes; there’s never a shortage of ropes in rural areas as they are needed everywhere. The elderly and weak do such work to earn some work points to supplement household income at the end of the year. Occasionally, they shout at the children, and the younger ones play and often pass things to help out.

Zhang Guoqing glanced around and seeing no one nearby, discreetly pushed his bicycle forward to walk alongside his father. The two of them paced slowly as Zhang Guoqing craned his neck and whispered to his father, "Dad, being honest, I don’t want to go to Beijing. It’s like being a live-in son-in-law. I plan on getting my father-in-law and mother-in-law to transfer back to the Northeast."

In Beijing, if a brick falls, it hits an official. Beijing is a place where officials hide. Moreover, many units operate on a ’one radish, one hole’ basis. It’s been over ten years since my father-in-law returned, and many of his war buddies have either retired, been transferred, or promoted, and the camaraderie has faded. Even if he relies on the Lin family’s connections for further promotion, who knows when the Lin family might fall into bad luck amidst these shifting power dynamics of landlords today and capitalists tomorrow?

In Beijing, there should be many factions, and with many aspiring to rise, in such limited positions, struggles occur to knock each other down, freeing up spots for advancement. My father-in-law has been away for more than ten years, and his network is nearly nonexistent, with many people leaving positions, causing emotional ties to weaken. Therefore, relying on the Lin family has risks, like being a bird striking out boldly. There’s also my father’s big brother who used to accompany him on missions. Has he returned safely too? If he has returned and is leaving Beijing for another province with transfer, then my father-in-law is in greater danger. Unless they both stay in Beijing, things might still be okay.

Otherwise, my father-in-law is openly displayed as a target. When something happens, who will save him? It’s best to leave Beijing, return to the Northeast where promotions are more feasible, and no one knows his past. Who knows, after a couple of years, someone might scrutinize him, demanding an explanation for the time spent abroad, potentially pinning any charge. That’s why leaving Beijing for the Northeast could be safer, enabling better development over a few years. Being there is much steadier compared to Beijing, with the Lin family providing support if needed.

After some years, when conditions improve, wanting to transfer back to Beijing involves having one’s own base in the Northeast. Another consideration, if something bad happens to the Lin family, being in the Northeast keeps him safe, avoiding putting all eggs in one basket. I believe him in the provincial district, as I am his only son-in-law, he can trust me, thus allowing me to venture boldly. My only fear is him being swayed by Lin family members, like Jiao Jiao’s promising future in Beijing, and taking it to heart. However, if the Lin family positions him in Beijing, he becomes emblematic of the Lin family, with his two sons placed in the Northwest and elsewhere, leaving him exposed to all the Beijing commotion, serving as a target for the Lin family. Unless my father’s brother and father-in-law both stay in Beijing, it’s up to how the Lin family manages it. We’ll see once we meet.

These folks constantly think about preserving their status and power, and I’m afraid the Lin family would shamelessly use Jiao Jiao as a bargaining chip. That’s why, for the next few years, I resolutely refuse to go to Beijing. Dad, though I haven’t met any of the Lin family members yet, I tend to see things from the worst perspective to prepare for any eventualities. Even if my assumptions are wrong, it causes no harm, wouldn’t that be better?

Furthermore, suppose my father-in-law is in the Northeast Military District, and when the Lin family suggests helping me find a job, I would say I want to use my strength to join the police station or armed department, allowing my father-in-law to exert some effort, making job issues simpler. In these two units, the police oversee people, and the armed department governs troops, providing ample opportunities for developing one’s network. Anyone desiring military services seeks me out, granting me authority. Also, in the police department, for instance, dealing with children of leaders who make mistakes can range from serious to lenient. Showing leniency builds goodwill, needing no aid from the Lin family or father-in-law.

As I interact more, naturally, I build relationships, facilitating arrangements for my elder brothers and nephews over time. If I entered the armed department, I would spend two years learning how cadres manage, correspond to policies, and handle relationships with upper and lower-level leaders and colleagues. These are aspects I wish to learn. After a couple of years, once my brothers are settled, Jiao Jiao and I need to pursue university degrees because graduating from university leads to higher credentials, supplemented with my grassroots work experience for two to three years. Emerging with a college diploma, I wouldn’t be merely a soldier. Then, our Old Zhang family can be well-established in the county, regardless of the situation. Living low-profile yet working high-profile, we have both background and connections. Unless the sky falls, our Old Zhang family has nothing to fear, don’t you agree?

If I move to Beijing now, who would notice me? In Beijing, as a son-in-law’s son-in-law to the Lin family, connections are distant. During college preparations over these two or three years, needing their assistance for work means developing, yet others might whisper how it’s all about connections, lacking merit, an enormous favor owed, and needing others if wishing to arrange jobs for brothers and nephews. Don’t you agree? What’s so great about Beijing? In the county, a big house, I can afford, Jiao Jiao in Beijing having a big courtyard, I can procure good things, lacking nothing in money; why go there so early?"

Mr. Zhang was led by Zhang Guoqing into a bright-eyed excitement, with wrinkled smiles spreading across his face, his body even trembling slightly, rubbing his hands vigorously, quickly glancing around furtively.

After some time calming down, he spoke softly, "Xiao Wu, Dad thinks you’re absolutely right; your arrangement is good. If you pass the university entrance, then indeed ancestor blessings! I think once your father-in-law returns, I’ll pick some topics to discuss with him. He’s acquainted with us and easy to talk to. Your father-in-law is an intelligent fellow, though you haven’t met him, among these twelve villages, even I admire his daring and aspirations. He might have planned everything without your telling him. If his thoughts align with yours, matters are simple. As for causing him to stand out, who would make him a target for others? Not likely."

Hearing this, Zhang Guoqing felt further relieved. "That’s good, Dad, this is just my initial thought. The Lin family is about to send someone here, once we’ve strategized, we won’t be besieged by sugar-coated bullets. Also, in mentioning job details before the Lin family, it’s up to you; we haven’t met the Lin members yet, they’re all strangers in expression but not in heart, nobody knows how they truly are. Before the Lin family, I’m merely an inexperienced rural kid. Once their delegation arrives, observe their attitude and plan for my father-in-law’s arrangement to discern their intentions on meeting them. Waiting for my father-in-law’s return then seeing his plan would be best."

Zhang Guoqing teased pulling his father’s sleeve. As for his father’s comment on his father-in-law as a shrewd character, it wasn’t surprising; able to venture out alone at sixteen and making a name in the military camp signifies intelligence, which on such matters isn’t unforeseen. Each individual has vulnerabilities. Moreover, one making prudent decisions suits me well, I enjoy dealing with clever people, especially an intelligent father-in-law, which eases interactions.

Mr. Zhang strongly slapped the bicycle seat Zhang Guoqing was pushing. "How certain are you that your father-in-law is still alive?"

Zhang Guoqing firmly replied, "Absolutely certain. Today, having asked Jiao Jiao some questions coupled with my conjectures, gives complete confidence. Rest assured."

"Alright, let’s first observe Lin family’s intention in visiting, now assuming the worst, then assess accordingly, not knowing when your father-in-law might come or Old Zhou and Lin family’s attitude."

"My father-in-law calls his daughter Jiao Jiao, just from the name, you can tell. Upon leaving the military, he seeks out Jiao Jiao. Lin family members would find ways to inform about Jiao Jiao. At night I’ll have Jiao Jiao impress the Zhou and Lin families intensely. Hehe" Zhang Guoqing laughed mischievously.

Mr. Zhang lifted his foot to kick him, Zhang Guoqing quickly dodged away, and Mr. Zhang laughing heartily, exclaimed, this rascal!

Glancing at the time, waving his hand, "Rascal, you’re too sharp, don’t overdo it. Hurry to your sister, remember to give your brother-in-law the money. Next time borrowing money for your siblings, just the two of you sort it privately, don’t set Jiao Jiao up, when others ignore you, you’d lose face. Go early, come back early, and I’ll find someone soon."

Zhang Guoqing hopped on the bicycle, long legs pedaling swiftly, "Dad, let me finish this job first; be cautious. I’ll bring wine back for you." With his words trailing, he’d already ridden far, feeling youthful vitality, his energy seeming boundless, indeed possessing innate divine power.