1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Was Chapter 5 filled in incorrectly?
After finishing the meal, we waited for the group of people to disperse.

Zhou Xu followed his father to the front and continued his conversation with Secretary Wang: "Isn't there some kind of demobilization registration recently? They seem to be looking for veterans. I'd like to register my demobilization certificate with them?"

"Oh! About your discharge from the army? I know. You're a glorious veteran of our commune. We're so eager to promote you! Definitely!" Wang Jianjun nodded.

It's a good thing to have volunteer soldiers and veterans. If they're reported, they'll not only receive subsidies, but it will also bring good reputation to their commune. They might even become role models for publicity!
And who knows, because of a veteran, they might get a few more spots in the army! As for Wang Jianjun, he has no grudges against anyone, so he'll definitely help if he can!
"Oh! Thank you, Secretary Wang!" Zhou Guoping awkwardly handed over the pack of cigarettes: "I went to the Armed Forces Department about my son's matter..."

Zhou Guoping was an upright man who rarely asked for favors. Now he was a little tongue-tied. He wanted to say some nice things to Zhou Xu, but he couldn't quite get the words out.

"What's this? Xiao Xu has a good background! He'll definitely be valued, Brother Guoping!" As he said this, he quickly stuffed the cigarette into his hand.

After finishing his explanation, Wang Jianjun waved and led the two men into the house.

"By the way, come inside and get the materials."

Secretary Wang led the two into the office, and Zhou Xu finally received his materials.

"These are the enlistment registration forms for conscripted citizens, political review materials, and systemic examination materials..."

Zhou Xu slowly scanned through the various materials.

When he finally saw his own documents, he was completely bewildered. Pointing to his birthdate, he asked his father, "Dad? Was I born in July 1960? Wasn't I born in April?"

"...Oh, really?" Zhou Guoping also noticed the suspicious points.

Looking at the materials, Wang Jianjun also had some questions: "Hey, isn't this what's written on your household registration?"

“I don’t even remember when my son was born. I remember it was a very cool day, and it was raining heavily. How could it be summer?” Zhou Guoping said righteously.

Wang Jianjun felt a bit of a headache and finally said, "These are the materials that were distributed today, but this kind of problem is not a big deal. Often, some people's identity information is filled in incorrectly."

Zhou Xu did know that this kind of thing was common.

Especially when using pen and paper, I might accidentally fill in the wrong information if I'm hard of hearing. Or maybe someone was drunk and wrote down the wrong number when reviewing my materials.

It is indeed possible for something to be contrary to what is correct.

Zhou Guoping was a little worried and hurriedly asked, "Won't that affect my enlistment?"

Wang Jianjun took out a cigarette and slowly puffed on it: "It won't affect anything, it won't affect anything. Some people even go to university for others these days! Nobody cares about your background, as long as your political background check and family history haven't changed! Look at your dad, is he still your dad?"

Zhou Xu immediately checked his father's materials.

Being a volunteer veteran may not guarantee you a promotion or a fortune, but it is a truly valuable piece of evidence.

To prove that one's ancestors were very distinguished! That's exactly what's needed now.

Zhou Xu breathed a sigh of relief: "My dad's materials are fine!"

"That's fine then. It's just one birthday that was filled in wrong, it's no big deal! Keep checking the other places, just make sure the important parts are correct!"

Zhou Xu took another careful look, and his father glanced at it as well: "There's nothing wrong."

"It's good that there's nothing seriously wrong, Brother Guoping. I will report your situation to you truthfully. Don't worry, the subsidy should be issued before the Chinese New Year this year."

Zhou Guoping nodded and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Secretary Wang."

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all, goodbye, goodbye!"

The family walked to the entrance of the commune and stood before their brigade secretary: "Let's go back."

I went home.

While his parents continued to arrange work for the production brigade, Zhou Xu continued writing.

The identity of a father is just a cover for himself. He writes novels about volunteer soldiers, and his father is a veteran of the volunteer soldiers. Anything can come from his father or grandfather! Anyway, it's not surprising!
Besides, the military does indeed take care of second-generation soldiers like him.

What if he runs into his father's former superior? Anyway, it won't do any harm for him to have his father register.

"..."

in the afternoon.

Zhou Xu took his father to Li Xiaopan's house.

Is Teacher Xiaopan home?

Li Xiaopan quickly went out of her house and opened the door: "I'm here, I'm here!"

Zhou Xu said, "We've come to buy grain!"

"Teacher Li!" Zhou Guoping smiled slightly at Li Xiaopan.

He really liked Li Xiaopan; she came from a good family background, and her father was a soldier.

Coupled with his hard work in teaching, he was very gratified as the brigade leader.

The only thing I want is to take her in as my daughter-in-law... that's my selfish motive.

It's not surprising, though, that male and female educated youth were often highly sought after because they were educated and came from good families, especially female educated youth!
Many people had inquired about Li Xiaopan, and Zhou Guoping had similar thoughts, but he quickly dismissed them because he anticipated that such a person could not possibly stay in the countryside for long.

"Captain Zhou, I've just picked out all the grain. I've kept fifty jin for myself to eat for the next few months. You can weigh the remaining two hundred jin and see?" Li Xiaopan gave the two men a gentle smile.

Zhou Guoping took out a large steelyard balance used in rural areas.

The father and son each carried one end of the load. Then they hung a bag of grain on it.

"It weighs fifty kilograms in total."

"Take a look at the next bag!"

"That's also fifty kilograms!"

"Two bags weigh a hundred kilograms," Zhou Xu said. "That's two hundred jin in total. I'll give you ten cents per jin of grain, that's twenty yuan in total! Here's the money!"

He took a small, soft pouch from his pocket, inside which were two black ten-yuan bills.

The largest amount we can count right now is only ten dollars!
Holding two ten-yuan bills, Li Xiaopan smiled and said, "I'm so grateful for Secretary Zhou's help these past few years. If you need anything in the future, please feel free to contact me, and I'll definitely help you."

Putting everything else aside, in this era, what kind of things couldn't a beautiful educated youth like Li Xiaopan have experienced?

For example, she wasn't robbed or bullied... This was not only because she was a respected teacher, but also because Zhou Guoping had an absolute influence in the entire brigade.

"Yes, it's nothing, it's nothing."

Li Xiaopan wrote down an address, walked towards Zhou Xu, reached out and patted Zhou Xu's head, then placed the note in his palm:

"This is my home address. If you go to the capital, you must let me know!"

"I'm serving in the army in Wuhan, how could I possibly have the chance to go to the capital!" Zhou Xu scratched his head.

"It's okay, I believe in you. You can call me if anything happens, and we must keep in touch! When you get to the unit, remember to tell me where you are! I'll send you some local specialties from the capital when I have time." Li Xiaopan was a little reluctant to part.

"I remember!" Zhou Xu said with a wide grin, his smile innocent and simple.

Zhou Guoping picked up the grain and said, "Let's go, little one!"

“Yes, old man!” He quickly picked up the grain and said, “Goodbye, Teacher Xiao Pan.”

(End of this chapter)