Chen Zi'an glanced at Director Wu without saying a word.
He knew this Director Wu was no good, just someone who seized opportunities during chaotic times.
Such a person wasn't even worth his time.
"Captain Su, is it your turn to hand over the public grain?" Chen Zi'an directly asked Su Changjiu.
Su Changjiu hadn't expected Chen Zi'an to speak to him first, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond.
"What, Captain Su, is it difficult to speak?" Chen Zi'an frowned.
He intended to give Su Changjiu face because his uncle was in Hongxin Brigade, but this Su Changjiu seemed a bit foolish!
Or did Su Changjiu think that his position as a county official was inferior to the commune's immediate superiors?
Perhaps his reputation wasn't sufficient yet?
Su Changjiu finally snapped out of his shock and quickly replied with a smile, "Yes, Minister Chen. We were originally second in line, but Dongfanghong, who was ahead of us, didn't have enough grain, so it became our turn."
How could he not understand Chen Zi'an's intention? Since he was going to offend Director Wu today anyway, if he could latch onto Minister Chen, Director Wu would have to reconsider.
Just as Su Changjiu guessed, Director Wu's expression indeed changed upon hearing Minister Chen speak to Su Changjiu first.
He had heard earlier that Minister Chen had visited Hongxin Brigade, but he hadn't heard that Minister Chen had any special relationship with Hongxin Brigade.
What was going on? Wasn't Minister Chen from out of town? He shouldn't have any relatives in Hongxin Brigade, right?
It didn't matter if he offended others, even Director Qi from the county, but offending Minister Chen would be disastrous.
While he was contemplating how to speak to Chen Zi'an, he heard Chen Zi'an say, "Since it's your turn, hurry up and hand over the public grain. After you're done, accompany me to your brigade to take a look."
Well, now even the opportunity to proactively curry favor was gone. Director Wu regretted it immensely.
If he had known, he should have spoken up first, which would have been a way to show his stance and please Minister Chen. Would Minister Chen be angry with him now?
While he was at a loss, he heard Chen Zi'an speak again.
"Director Wu, do you think I'm right or wrong?"
As he spoke, Chen Zi'an's right hand, whether intentionally or not, brushed past the pistol at his waist.
Director Wu saw it clearly and was terrified beyond measure, fearing that if he said anything Minister Chen disliked, Minister Chen would draw his pistol.
How could he dare to speak in opposition? He quickly bowed and approached Chen Zi'an, his attitude vastly different from when he met others.
"Yes, yes, yes, Minister Chen, what you said is very reasonable. Old Li, hurry up and weigh the public grain for Hongxin Brigade. Director Su, although your brigade is far away, you also won first place this year, which is commendable. Later, I will report to Director Qian and call for the entire commune to learn from your brigade!"
Director Wu was indeed adept at maneuvering. His words were so well-phrased that even Chen Zi'an couldn't find fault.
Su Changjiu had never seen Director Wu speak to anyone so respectfully, and for a moment, he stared at Director Wu as if he were stunned.
Was this really the same Director Wu who always looked down on people?
He truly never expected to see Director Wu speak to them, the common folk, in such a manner in his lifetime.
It wasn't just Su Changjiu who was stunned; Captain Wu of Dongfeng Commune was also dumbfounded.
Dongfeng Brigade had finally produced such a capable person in Director Wu, and they had benefited greatly from it in the past two years.
This time, they had agreed beforehand that Dongfeng Brigade would be first, and then they would proudly drive back in a tractor during the final commendation.
This was all agreed upon beforehand, so why had Director Wu suddenly changed?
Their brigade's tractor...
"Director Wu, isn't this not good? We already agreed..." Captain Wu of Dongfeng Brigade quickly interjected.
Director Wu instinctively felt that something was about to go wrong and quickly interrupted Captain Wu sternly.
Why was he so clueless? Didn't he see who was in front of him before blabbering?
"Captain Wu, your idea of being first is good, but to be first, you need the spirit of enduring hardship and striving for excellence. You must not think about unnecessary things," Director Wu said to Captain Wu in an official tone.
Su Changjiu sneered inwardly. They were clearly uncle and nephew, yet they insisted on using titles like Director and Captain. How hypocritical.
However, since their brigade was handing over public grain, he couldn't bother with the undercurrents here and went to work.
Captain Su loudly urged the members of the brigade to load the grain, and everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion.
To prevent any accidents, Chen Zi'an did not move from his spot, standing at the entrance of the grain station and watching.
"Xiaotian, are you tired?" He still remembered to ask the little girl kindly.
"Uncle Chen, I'm not tired! I came by car, not tired at all!" The little girl's beautiful eyes sparkled with spirit.
Grandpa Su and his three sons, watching their little girl holding hands with a stranger, felt uncomfortable and kept looking at Chen Zi'an.
More precisely, they were looking at the hand Chen Zi'an was holding, Su Xiaotian's hand.
As for Su's brothers, they wished they could step forward and snatch their little sister away from Chen Zi'an's grasp.
But in the end, they were intimidated by Chen Zi'an's aura and could only watch from afar.
Director Wu wanted to invite him to the commune for a seat, but unfortunately, the person in front of him was too terrifying, and he didn't dare to make any moves.
Standing at the entrance of the grain station, playing the part of a quail, was something Director Wu had never done before.
He felt awkward, but he couldn't leave.
Finally, as the last load of grain from Hongxin Brigade was weighed, Chen Zi'an turned and said, "Let's go, Director Wu. Take me to see Director Qian!"
He hadn't planned to see Director Qian, but the matter today needed Director Qian's final decision.
This was to prevent any further complications. He, Chen Zi'an, also cared about his reputation, and this reputation could not be tarnished by others!
As he was about to walk towards the commune, holding Su Xiaotian's hand, he saw Director Qian rushing towards them.
Director Qian was a very plump man, around fifty years old. As he ran vigorously, his body trembled, and large beads of sweat dotted his forehead.
Su Xiaotian was curious. Why was this person running so fast? Was there a wolf chasing him?
"Minister Chen, why are you here? Why didn't you let us know beforehand so we could welcome you!" Director Qian said, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, panting heavily.
Chen Zi'an said with a cold face, "I was originally visiting relatives. When I arrived here, I happened to encounter some matters and decided to intervene. I hope Director Qian doesn't blame me for overstepping my bounds!"
Although his words were humble, his demeanor was enough to make Director Wu stand unsteadily.
Was Minister Chen someone who would report them? Director Qian didn't even know that this was his own unauthorized action today!
Director Qian looked at the weak-kneed Director Wu beside him and knew immediately that this brainless fellow had caused trouble.
He glared fiercely at Director Wu.
Why couldn't he cause trouble without being discerning? Didn't he know that the person in front of him was a jinx?
Director Wu felt extremely wronged. How could he have known that Hongxin Brigade had a connection with Minister Chen?
Wasn't this Minister Chen from out of town? How could he be related to the people of Hongxin Brigade?
"Minister Chen, it's our fault. Our work was not up to par, and we will definitely correct it, definitely correct it! Please be magnanimous and don't hold it against us ignorant fools!"
"I don't want to make a fuss, but..." Chen Zi'an trailed off, and his unfinished sentence made everyone's hearts pound.
"Director Qian, I won't hide it from you. Many years ago, the people of Hongxin Brigade were kind-hearted and saved someone. I was also entrusted by someone."
He only said half the story, not even mentioning who was saved, but Director Qian was almost scared to death!
They all knew who Chen Zi'an's backing was.
For the past two years, Chen Zi'an could act so imperiously in the county precisely because of whose influence?
The person saved by Hongxin Brigade, for whom Chen Zi'an would specifically say this, must be some important figure!
My goodness, was Hongxin Brigade about to soar to the heavens?
If this was true, not only would they not dare to provoke Hongxin Brigade, but they would have to prioritize Hongxin Brigade for any benefits in the future!
Although supporting Hongxin Brigade might not earn them gratitude from that person, provoking Hongxin Brigade and Chen Zi'an mentioning it in passing could lead to the downfall of the commune leaders.
At this moment, Director Qian also recalled the incident a while ago when Secretary Liu of the commune went to Hongxin Brigade and was eventually sent back by Minister Chen.
Why did Minister Chen appear immediately whenever Hongxin Brigade had a problem?
Once might be a coincidence, but twice was definitely not.
Immediately, Director Qian conjured a grand scenario in his mind. He felt that Minister Chen might have been arranged to take care of Hongxin Brigade.
In this case, the high leader paid great attention to Hongxin Brigade!
The person the great leader wanted to repay was the one Minister Chen was taking care of, which meant he, Qian Yuliang, had to take care of.
"Minister Chen, please rest assured, everyone from the brigade leader to the members of Hongxin Brigade are proper people. They are actively engaged, diligent, and hardworking; they are the advanced brigade in our commune," a string of flattery poured out from Director Qian's mouth.
"It is precisely such a brigade that can perform the good deed of saving a life. I will hold a commune meeting later to call on everyone to learn from Hongxin Brigade!"
"Minister Chen, please rest assured, as long as I am in the commune, Hongxin Brigade will never suffer a loss! What is theirs, no one can take away!"
"Learning is not necessary. Just let them live their lives peacefully!" Chen Zi'an said, then saw Su Changjiu, Su Lao San, and others approaching.
"Director Qian, I'm leaving now. You can go back!" Chen Zi'an said, ignoring Director Qian.
Director Qian wanted to follow, but Chen Zi'an's sharp glance sent him back.
Director Qian flinched and watched enviously as Chen Zi'an, holding a little girl's hand, walked towards the jeep surrounded by the people of Hongxin Brigade.
After the people from Hongxin Brigade had all left, especially after Chen Zi'an had disappeared from sight, Director Qian finally had time to reprimand Director Wu.
"You almost caused a huge disaster today, do you know that? If Minister Chen had gotten angry, your life might not have been guaranteed. What can I say about you? If you're going to cause trouble, can't you cause a smaller one? You made me live in fear!"
After enduring all this fear, Director Qian felt he would suffocate if he couldn't vent his anger.
This Old Wu, after so many years as a cadre, why did he have so little awareness? What a mess he had made today!
With such shallow vision, how could he be a leader? He should just go home and hold his children!
"Director, I was wrong. I just didn't know. If I had known, I definitely wouldn't have been so short-sighted!" Director Wu was truly frightened.
"Later, you go to Hongxin Brigade and speak only of the good things," Director Qian instructed.
"Director, just speaking of the good things might not have much effect. I remember the commune still has some coupons for farm tools. How about we take care of Hongxin Brigade with them?" Director Wu said, bracing himself.
Just speaking with words wouldn't satisfy the people of Hongxin Brigade, but going with coupons would be different.
"Alright, those coupons are useless to the commune anyway. Give half of them to Hongxin Brigade!"
Director Qian did not feel reluctant about this, as they were just coupons that were of no use to him, and he wasn't paying money, so there was nothing to be stingy about.
Director Wu thought, with the coupons, perhaps he could distribute some to Dongfeng Brigade?
This time, Chen Zi'an himself had lost face in Dongfeng Brigade.
And Captain Wu of Dongfeng Brigade was also looking at Director Wu with shining eyes.
Without the tractor, it would be good to get some farm tools.
"I'm telling you, don't do anything messy behind our backs," Director Qian saw the complicity between the two. "Neither of you can afford Minister Chen's wrath."
After being reprimanded by Director Qian, both Director Wu and his nephew gave up their thoughts.
"Third Uncle, you go first. Don't just stand there!" Director Wu impatiently told Captain Wu to leave first.
Director Qian was not too angry and thought he might as well go back, but then he suddenly remembered something and turned to ask.
"Do you know who the little girl Minister Chen is holding is?"
Director Qian suddenly remembered that Minister Chen always seemed to be holding a little girl, and he became curious.
"I don't know. I'll go find out right away!"
After Director Qian left, Director Wu miserably went to inquire about the identity of the little girl who could catch Minister Chen's eye.
Su Xiaotian, however, was riding in Chen Zi'an's car, swaying towards Hongxin Brigade.
Su Xiaotian had ridden in a car in her past life, but this was her first time in this life.
Not to mention, the shock absorption of the jeep was excellent. Even on the country dirt roads, it wasn't too bumpy, much better than a hard cart.
Riding in the jeep with Su Xiaotian were Grandpa Su, Grandma Su, and Su Changjiu.
Su Changjiu and Grandpa Su were also riding in a jeep for the first time and found it very novel, but because Chen Zi'an was present, they were somewhat reserved.
However, Grandma Su, having ridden in a jeep to the commune before, was much calmer than the other two.
Chen Zi'an had arrived at Hongxin Brigade early that morning. When he learned they were going to hand over public grain, he was curious and asked Grandma Su to take him to see.
Naturally, Su Xiaotian, as Grandma Su's appendage, also went to the commune.
Along the way, Su Xiaotian and Chen Zi'an chatted happily. Chen Zi'an felt that Su Xiaotian was completely different from what he had imagined.
This child knew a lot of knowledge, some of which he had never heard before.
It seemed that his uncle's teachings were not in vain.
Thus, Chen Zi'an's affection for Su Xiaotian grew, and he began to treat her as his own junior.
"Xiaotian, do you like riding in the car?"
Su Xiaotian nodded solemnly and said, "I like it. It's more comfortable than a cart, and it's faster!"
"How about Uncle Chen takes you to the county town? When we get to the county town, Uncle can take you for a ride every day," Chen Zi'an teased the little girl.
Upon hearing this, Grandpa Su and Grandma Su became as if facing a great enemy.
They hugged Su Xiaotian tightly on either side, as if afraid Chen Zi'an would snatch Su Xiaotian away immediately.
Su Xiaotian chuckled. Her grandparents were too nervous. Anyone could tell that Minister Chen's words were just to coax a child.
"Uncle Chen, I have to stay home and take care of Grandpa and Grandma, so I can't go to the county town with you! However, when I grow up, I will definitely go to the county town."
"Oh, the little girl is quite ambitious. Then Uncle Chen will wait for you in the county town!" Chen Zi'an said with a smile.
"In the future, I will not only go to the county town but also to the provincial capital and the capital!" Su Xiaotian said seriously, her demeanor extremely proper.
Although it was just a casual remark from the little girl, for some reason, Chen Zi'an felt that these words were not casual, and the little girl might indeed go to the provincial capital and the capital in the future!
"You are an ambitious child. When you grow up, go to the capital and meet the great leader!" Chen Zi'an said with a hearty laugh.
Su Xiaotian paused. The great leader?
By the time she grew up, the great leader would no longer be around, and she would never see him in this lifetime!
But she couldn't say this, could she? The entire nation knew that the great leader would live for ten thousand years!
Chen Zi'an stayed at the Su family's house for the night as usual. After nightfall, he quietly went to the cowshed and spoke a few words with Chi Ge.
When he learned that the Su family had helped Chi Ge, Du Tonghe, and others so much, Chen Zi'an's gratitude towards the Su family deepened.
Chen Zi'an's trust in the Su family's character grew even stronger.
While the Su family was enjoying a harmonious time, Su Manxiu's life was in turmoil.
After dinner, washing the dishes, and serving the entire family to wash their faces and feet, Su Manxiu had just lain down on the kang to rest for a while when Wang Gouzi barged in aggressively.
"You're back?"
Su Manxiu was very surprised that her husband had returned so early.
Ever since Wang Gouzi got involved with Liu Xiaocui, he wouldn't come home this early, and he might not even come home by dawn.
However, after she said just one sentence, Wang Gouzi's hand suddenly grabbed Su Manxiu's hair.
"Ah!"
Her hair hurt from being pulled, and Su Manxiu couldn't help but cry out.
Wang Gouzi stared menacingly at Su Manxiu and unceremoniously dragged her off the kang to the ground.
Su Manxiu's hair hurt from being pulled, and she fell to the ground, still not understanding what was happening.
Wang Gouzi, with a dark expression, didn't say a word. He just rode on top of Su Manxiu, and his weak hands, which were not strong from working, slapped Su Manxiu's head, face, and body like palm fans, heavily and repeatedly.
Su Manxiu finally realized what was happening and that she was being beaten again. She couldn't help but cry out.
"What are you hitting me for?" Su Manxiu asked, enduring the pain and sobbing.