The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 17 A Firm Stance on the Separation

"No, no, I don't know either."

The village chief quickly shook his head and said that such things could not be said carelessly. If he said something carelessly and was exposed later, he would have no face to see the villagers.

“None of us in Hongqi Village are native to this area. It used to be called Sancha Village because there are three forks in the road at the entrance of the village. Hongqi Village was renamed in 1950.”

Before, Sancha Village was deserted and uninhabited. It wasn't until four or five years later that people slowly started moving here. I came here two years before your family. I only remember that you were already one year old when you came with your parents and grandparents.

After hearing the village chief's words, Zhou Zhiqiang was somewhat disappointed.

It turns out that no one in their Hongqi Village was born and raised there; the Zhou family apparently moved there from somewhere else.

However, this is normal. After many wars, most people moved to Beijing and the Yan-Zhao region after the wars subsided.

It would be better if he wasn't their biological child, but unfortunately the village chief doesn't know.

"Forget it, I'll investigate this matter further. But village chief, this family must be divided today."

After a pause, Zhou Zhiqiang continued, "If Zhou Yongliang and his men refuse to part with their property even at the cost of their lives, then it will be a matter between me and them. But I would appreciate it if you, the village chief, could come with me to be a witness."

"Alright. How did things get to this point? Zhou Yongliang and Tian Daniu are really scoundrels."

The village chief shook his head and said, then turned around and went back into the house to tell his family. Then he came out again and said to Zhou Zhiqiang, "Zhiqiang, I can't be the only one to witness the division of the family. We have to call the others."

"We also have two retired Eighth Route Army soldiers in our village, both with elderly relatives. They are usually very fair in their dealings."

"Alright, I'll do as you say, village chief."

Zhou Zhiqiang nodded in agreement. He didn't correct the village chief's address. Nowadays, most people call him the People's Liberation Army, but the older generation still prefers to call him the Eighth Route Army.

Soon, Zhou Zhiqiang and the village chief called on people in the village to witness the division of the family property, and the news quickly spread throughout the village.

In Hongqi Village, there are more than 100 households crammed together. If something happens in one household, the news will spread throughout the entire village by the afternoon.

Zhou Zhiqiang was the first college student in the village, and the news that he wanted to separate the family property was like a firecracker thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples all around.

After hearing the news, many people in the village rushed to the Zhou family's house.

Who told the Zhou family to always show off in the village, saying they could live a better life than everyone else just by farming? Ha, now they're getting their comeuppance. Are they still showing off?

Many people, with this mindset, wanted to go to the Zhou family to see what was going on.

When Zhou Yongliang's parents were strolling around, they overheard villagers discussing their family's affairs. Sensing something was amiss, they rushed home.

When Zhou Liumu got home, he saw Zhou Yongliang standing in the yard with a dark face and quickly asked, "Yongliang, I heard that Zhou Zhiqiang is back and wants to separate from us? What's going on?"

Grandma Chai Pingping also asked in a shrill voice, "Yes, is it true or false? That little bastard really wants to split the family property? Where is he? Tell him to come back immediately!"

"It's true, he went to see the village chief."

After Zhou Yongliang finished speaking with a frown, he immediately realized what was happening and asked, "Father, Mother, how did you know?"

"It's already spread throughout the village. That little bastard probably went to more than just the village chief's family; he went to other people too."

Before Zhou Liumu could finish speaking, he heard many voices outside, followed by the village chief shouting from outside the courtyard, "Zhou Liumu, Zhou Yongliang, are you home? We're coming in."

Before Zhou Liumu and Zhou Yongliang could speak, Zhou Zhiqiang pushed the door open and came in, followed by the village chief and several others. They were all older, well-regarded, and of good character in Hongqi Village; having them as witnesses meant the others had no objections.

With these witnesses, no one can deny the division of assets if it is successful.

"You little bastard, you actually dared to go looking for someone!"

Zhou Yongliang was furious and shouted in a distorted voice, "You beat your brother and your own father, and now you dare to ask the village chief to divide the family property? You've wasted all your education!"

Village chief, are you going to do anything about this? If you don't, I won't accept it.

“Yongliang, speak properly. Zhiqiang is a college student from our Hongqi Village, and the only college student in our Sanhe Township. Even the county head has praised him!”

The village chief frowned and scolded, then softened his tone and said, "I'm here today to deal with your family's affairs, Zhou Yongliang. Tell me what kind of things you usually do."

Zhiqiang used to be such a good student, but you wouldn't even let him eat his fill. Now that he's doing so well, he's really made something of himself.

"Village chief, you can't openly side with this ungrateful brat just because you accepted his gift!"

Tian Daniu immediately shrieked, "This little ingrate is beating his brother and his own father, and you're still defending him! I know, it's because you accepted his gifts! This little ingrate buys nice things but doesn't bring them home, he only brings them to your house!"
"Village chief, everyone knows what you're up to. You just want to squeeze money out of Zhou Zhiqiang!"

"You...you shrew!"

The village chief was so angry with Tian Daniu that his face turned red, but his rebuttal lacked confidence because he had indeed accepted the money, and not just once.

However, when the village chief delivered grain to Zhou Zhiqiang, he didn't think about repaying him at all. He just felt that it was a pity that Hongqi Village had such a promising student who couldn't study because he didn't have enough to eat.

So after discussing it with Wu Ming from the township middle school, the two of them took turns helping Zhou Zhiqiang.

Even now, the village chief can confidently guarantee that he has no intention of asking Zhou Zhiqiang for anything in return. Every time Zhou Zhiqiang comes to deliver something, he declines several times and tells him not to bring anything next time.
"I do it willingly to give things to the village chief. He doesn't want them several times, but I will still quietly leave them at his door and then leave. I will definitely repay those who are good to me tenfold."

"I won't go into how you treated me, but just because I kicked Zhou Wangzu, Zhou Yongliang tried to hit me on the head with a hoe, aiming to kill me. You guys are really something."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, the others also looked surprised and incredulous.

If that's really the case, then Zhou Yongliang is truly a bastard.

When brothers fight, as their father, you can yell at them and even hit them, but swinging a hoe with the intention of killing them is really going too far.
"You ungrateful little brat!"

Before Zhou Yongliang could finish speaking, Zhou Zhiqiang interrupted and continued, "I won't say anything else. I only have one purpose today: to divide the family property."

After the family splits up, I will give you five yuan every month, and I will continue to give you money when you are old and unable to move. But anything else is none of my business. That's my only request!

"You're dreaming!"

Grandma Zhou immediately shouted anxiously, "You were raised by our Zhou family. Your current job and college degree belong to our Zhou family. If you want to leave, leave all your belongings behind and go wherever you want."

Otherwise, you can forget about dividing the family property, and you'll have to give us twenty yuan every month—no, twenty-five yuan every month!

"Are you still asleep?"

Zhou Zhiqiang couldn't help but laugh and said, "You still know to let me stay and work. It seems you've asked around? Let me tell you, I'd rather lose my job than give it to you, you know?"

"We can stay together, but you won't get a single penny from now on. What can you do about it?"

(End of this chapter)