Zhou Xiaozheng looked at a few people and asked, "Why did you co so late, did you ask for leave?"
"No need for leave, we waited until after work and then drove over. We told the boss you were coming back. The boss let us go and said you should visit him when you have ti. He wants to see you and has a few words for you," said Yang Liyang.
Zhou Xiaozheng nodded, "Is the old commander still in good health? Shouldn’t he be retiring in a few years?"
"He’s doing well, still has a loud voice, scares people to death. A few years ago, there were rumors he would be promoted, but nothing happened after," Zhao Chuan Guang said, providing Brother Zheng with so insider information.
"Aren’t you guys supposed to rush back tonight? Didn’t I say I’d co to find you?" Zhou Xiaozheng gave them a sideways glance.
Feng Wei chuckled, "Brother Zheng, Ah Guang ntioned it, but we couldn’t stay put, so we found a way out. It’s fine, it’s quite close. We’ll drive back in no ti. We’ll take leave when we return. Didn’t you say you’re going hunting in two days?"
Zhou Xiaozheng quickly stopped them, "Please, no, focus on what’s important, stay put for now. I’ll co to the provincial city in a few days. Work diligently, don’t cause any trouble. We’re all over 40 now, we can only move forward, not backward. Be cautious in everything, and discuss well among yourselves if anything cos up."
The five of them nodded seriously. Feng Wei looked at the others, "Don’t worry, Brother Zheng, with you back, we have our backbone. We’ll listen to you, if we can’t get leave, we won’t co. But don’t forget to co up to the provincial city early, stay a night if possible, we’ve got a lot to say to you."
Zhou Xiaozheng nodded, "Alright, we’ll talk in detail then, but for now, let’s drink."
Then he said to everyone, "Everyone, have so food, keep your chopsticks busy. Shanshan, take good care of sister-in-law and Hong Li. We’ll all have three drinks first, then everyone play through the night. If you’re drunk, rest in the county, return in the morning. Xiao Wu, ask the innkeeper to bring several jars of wine."
Zhao Chuan Guang laughed and shouted, "We’ll play through, even if we have to drive, we can easily step on the pedal to the provincial city. Rest assured, let’s raise our glasses, the first glass, wishing everyone a better life." After drinking, he turned his glass upside down.
He continued, "Pour yourself another, the second glass, to welco our Brother Zheng back safe and sound, no missing parts, completely back with us."
Saying this, he downed his glass in one go, smiling as he waited for Zhou Xiaozheng to finish and pour himself another before looking at Zuo Lin and Zhao Dashan, who had also finished and poured themselves more, "The third glass, drink it up, wishing everyone’s play through grows more spirited."
Everyone laughed at him, there were no conventions like this, shouldn’t he be wishing Brother Zheng a promotion, a senior position, or sothing about the play through?
After the three glasses, the drinking begun, and everyone was busy playing through, seeking out opponents to drink against one another. It quickly beca a scene of finger-guessing gas and playful banter, with the three jars of wine nearing the bottom, Zhang Guoqing brought over two more jars to fill the table.
On this side, Feng Wei clung to Zhou Xiaozheng’s hand, refusing to let go, "When we head back, Brother Zheng, you take us to the county courtyard to recognize the way. So that when you go to Beijing, we can co often to see the kid. It’s too late now, otherwise, we’d want to see the little princess."
Zhou Xiaozheng nodded repeatedly, "There’ll be plenty of chances in the future, no rush. Finish your drink first, it’ll be your turn to play through soon, don’t tell you’re holding on to on purpose?"
Over there, Zhao Chuan Guang turned to Zuo Lin, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, clinking glasses and drinking together, puzzled, "Why’re you still here? Didn’t your brother say to bring you back to Beijing?"
Zuo Lin shook his head, pointing upwards, "Even he wants to go back to Beijing, waiting for the opportunity. I’ll find a way when he returns, otherwise, even as a county director, I’d just be running errands."
Zhao Chuan Guang squinted at him, "You’re better off in Beijing. What’s he doing, isn’t the South better than Beijing? I didn’t budge, even if asked, I’d refuse. It’s a pile-up, playing human bump. Your brother’s already a brigade commander, what’s he trying to catch up for? A senior waiting in Beijing.
Zuo Lin spread his hands helplessly, "You all know him, you know his temperant. Personally, I think it’s pretty good here, except the two brothers are too far apart."
"Let’s not talk about this, let’s drink. Dashan, stop chatting with Li Yang, you two get up and play through. Can’t you see Da Wei is waiting?"
Zhao Dashan was whispering with Yang Liyang about sothing funny, laughing from ti to ti. Upon hearing this, he turned to find Feng Wei still holding onto Brother Zheng, "Da Wei, you rascal, hiding behind Brother Zheng to avoid the drink?"
Yang Liyang joined in the teasing, "That’s right, Madman and Da He grab him and pour him drinks, every play through he drinks the least, let’s knock him down first. His old face isn’t even red yet."
Cheng Dahe nodded with a smile, listening without interrupting, raised his glass and gestured before drinking it all.
anwhile, Madman was already pouring into Feng Wei’s mouth, shouting, "Calling Brother Zheng won’t help, today you drink or you drink, you rascal have been shifty about drinking since we t. Whether you play through or not, you drink until you drop."
Zhou Xiaozheng happily watched the ruckus, ignoring Feng Wei’s pleas for help while pouring into Madman’s empty glass, "Drink, you’re not escaping tonight, behave yourself."
Aunt Zuo looked at her husband who was fine, then turned to listen to Cheng Lihong gossiping, "Back then, we were young, all girls and boys. Brother Zheng was the one all the female soldiers admired. He was good-looking, capable, always winning first in competitions, with everyone present, regardless of age, cheering ’Brother Zheng.’ The atmosphere was great; he was our military district’s pride. Even the commanders called him Northeast Tiger, and he had about ten like-minded brothers with a strong bond, always seen horsing around together.
When we female soldiers needed sothing, we’d turn to Brother Zheng’s good buddy Zhao Chuan Guang, they were always willing to help. The most beautiful Yizhihua from the Art Troupe often found opportunities to get close to Brother Zheng. But he would just train, a stern face, oblivious, ignoring the teasing, so unrelenting, I thought he was destined to be a monk all his life.
Initially, we communication company female soldiers didn’t dare joke around with him. Later, my Old Zhao and I got involved, and through contacts with those guys, I realized the myth was busted, Brother Zheng was just a pretender. This group was full of antics, catching Old Zhao and others stealing lons, confiscating them for themselves, telling them they could continue as long as they weren’t caught. The cooking staff avoided them, only Old Zhao and his mates joyfully repeated the prank.
Even after Brother Zheng went to Beijing, we still often heard about his deeds; female soldiers would secretly fantasize about seeing him again. When the news of him leaving spread, no one believed it. Everyone ran to the commanders to confirm, and later all the female soldiers and the Art Troupe gathered on the training ground crying; several fainted. So dical soldiers rushed to save them, and it was only after the political commissar persuaded them that they scattered.
It’s said Zhao Chuan Guang and the others were so depressed they were severely punished by the commander to regain their spirits. Every year during Qingming, they’d go to the rear hill burning large bags of paper money while crying. As people left, retired or moved, it was still Zhao Chuan Guang leading carrying the bags of paper money. Fortunately, Brother Zheng ca back alive."
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