Siheyuan: Living in the People's Community, with a Heart for the Red Star

Lao Yang first went to the parking lot to put the bicycle into the space, then found a place to park a car, drove to the mall to pick up Zhao Jingyi, and left in style.

Since they were already in the car, they decided not to go home in the afternoon and go to Shichahai Park to kill time. They drove north along the imperial city wall and soon arrived at Shichahai Park.

We found a parking spot in the east scenic area and parked the car. The two of them started strolling in the park with food baskets and umbrellas. Many people wearing straw hats were fishing, staring at the floats intently, as if they could catch a big fish at any time. The southeast corner of Nanhai, Shichahai, is full of retired cadres. Some of them gathered in groups of three or four to play chess, while others listened to the radio while fishing. The main purpose was to relax.

Old Yang and Zhao Jingyi came over, wanting to join in the fun, but before they could get close, they were stopped by the guards on alert. It seemed that he was not qualified enough to contact these people. He didn't know how those who could easily meet leaders while fishing did it! The two turned back and began to walk north along the embankment, and soon they were far away from the fishing area of ​​the group of old cadres.

The two walked and stopped until they came to a backwater bay, which was a good fishing spot with more than a dozen anglers fishing. Old Yang also found the third uncle Yan Bugui at one place and led Zhao Jingyi over. He looked at Yan Bugui's bucket and saw only two small fish the size of a palm in it.

Yan Bugui heard the footsteps and quickly warned in a low voice: "Don't get too close, be careful not to fall into the water. Don't speak too loudly, be careful not to scare the fish!"

Seeing the seriousness of the Third Uncle, Old Yang laughed and said hello, "Third Uncle, your luck is not so good! These two small fish are not enough to fill your teeth!"

When Yan Bugui heard someone calling him "Uncle", he turned around in a hurry. Seeing that it was Yang Shangjin, he stood up and said, "I just arrived too. The fish haven't been stocked yet! Are Xiao Yang and his wife taking a walk? We don't have classes this afternoon, so we came here to fish and have dinner in the evening!"

"My husband and I came to the park in the afternoon, and we didn't expect to see Uncle San fishing! Isn't it said that Uncle San often goes fishing in Yongding River? It is said that the fish there are bigger and the rate of catching is higher!"

It was also the first time that Lao Yang saw Yan Bugui fishing, so he chatted with him for a while.

Yan Bugui replied, "I don't have classes this afternoon, and it's too late to go to Yongding River, so I just went to Shichahai to kill time. Although there are fewer big fish here, the number of fish caught is still good."

Old Yang saw that Yan Bugui was a little embarrassed, so he said goodbye in a hurry: "Uncle, you go fishing, my wife and I will go to the square in front for a walk. When my house is renovated, we will find time to go fishing together!"

Yan Bugui also said quickly: "Okay, you two can go for a walk. Fishing is too boring, you will definitely not be able to stand it for a long time! We can go fishing together when we have a chance in the future."

"Then we'll see you later, Uncle Three!" Old Yang pulled Zhao Jingyi away.

Yan Bugui also said, "See you later!"

Watching the two people going away, Yan Bugui was very envious. They really had time to visit the park, while he really came here to fish to supplement his family income. The difference between the two sides was obvious after the comparison. After being envious, he sat back on his own stool and began to stare at the float carefully, waiting for the fish to bite.

Zhao Jingyi walked forward with Old Yang on her arm and asked, "This is Uncle Three! He looks like a smart guy."

As they walked, Old Yang introduced: "Uncle San is a good person, but he is a little stingy, but he is forced by life. It is not easy for an ordinary teacher to support a family of six with his salary. When a person's living habits are repeated over the years, they will form a stingy character, and it will be difficult to change. This is why people who have been with him for a long time don't like him. The character of parents affects the character of their children. When the children grow up, Uncle San will definitely have a hard time when he is old!"

Zhao Jingyi pointed at the group of people gathered in front and said curiously: "Honey, look what happened in front, so many people are watching, let's go over and take a look!"

As he spoke, he pulled Lao Yang and ran towards the crowd. The Chinese love to join in the fun, regardless of gender, age or status. Zhao Jingyi, who usually behaves maturely and steadily, couldn't help but want to join in the fun.

As they approached, they heard shouting from inside, as if someone was fighting. They quickly went around to the side where there were fewer people, and saw six or seven people fighting in the middle of the field, trying their best to greet each other. It was really fate, the people fighting inside were Zhong Yuemin and Zhang Haiyang.

The two sides were evenly matched, and the fight was so intense that they rolled on the ground covered in dirt. However, this time Zhang Haiyang seemed to be very brave and had the upper hand, while Zhong Yuemin seemed to be a little out of shape and had a hard time fighting.

After a few minutes, Zhong Yuemin was finally defeated and curled up on the ground with his head in his hands, allowing Zhang Haiyang to punch and kick him several times. He admitted defeat and shouted, "Zhang Haiyang, you win this time, stop it! Tell me, what do you want to do this time?"

After Zhong Yuemin admitted defeat, everyone stopped fighting and separated into two groups. Zhong Yuemin was also helped up and waited for Zhang Haiyang to make his demands.

Zhang Haiyang proudly led this group of brothers and said arrogantly: "Zhong Yuemin, last time you and brother Ning Wei stole my things. I won't cheat you, you just need to pay half!"

When Zhong Yuemin heard that he was asked to compensate for the things he had lost last time, he immediately refused and shouted, "Zhang Haiyang, don't go too far. Where can I find those things for you? Change the conditions!"

Zhang Haiyang also knew that Zhong Yuemin and his men would definitely not be able to find it, so he changed the conditions and said, "Okay, Zhong Yuemin, I'll give you this face. If you can't return the things, then pay for it! I won't ask for much from you, just pay 15 yuan!"

Zhong Yuemin thought about it and felt that it made sense, so he dug out 9 yuan from his pocket, turned around and said to the brothers behind him: "Take out all the money you have, and let's pool it together!"

Several of the younger brothers also took out their money and finally gathered 15 yuan. Zhong Yuemin handed the money to Zhang Haiyang and said, "Here, we are even! We will definitely seek revenge for this beating, let's see what happens!"

Zhang Haiyang took the 15 yuan and put it in his pocket, then announced to his brothers behind him: "Let's go out for a meal to celebrate. We finally let out some steam!"

Several younger brothers also shouted happily, oh hoo hoo…

The crowd dispersed when they saw that the fight was over, and soon only Lao Yang and Zhao Jingyi were left. Zhang Haiyang and Zhong Yuemin both noticed Lao Yang and Zhao Jingyi and immediately felt embarrassed. One felt ashamed for losing the fight, and the other felt that it was a bit unkind to use other people's things to exchange for money.

When Zhong Yuemin saw that the situation was not good, he immediately turned around and left with his younger brothers. Zhang Haiyang approached Lao Yang and Zhao Jingyi awkwardly, preparing to say hello first and then deal with it.

Old Yang called out to Zhong Yuemin who was leaving: "Zhong Yuemin, don't leave either, come here!"

Zhong Yuemin and others were also suppressed by Lao Yang's aura and followed him unconsciously.

Zhang Haiyang came forward and greeted them, "Hey, Brother Yang, it's fate that Sister Zhao meets you again!"

Old Yang said unhappily, "Are you blocking us here again?"

Zhao Haiyang quickly denied it and said, "Brother Yang, that's not true! I just had some conflicts with Zhong Yuemin, and this time I happened to block him here. No matter what, I can't think about you all day long!"

Zhong Yuemin looked at Zhang Haiyang with disdain, looking down on him for being so cowardly.

A group of people followed Lao Yang to a large lawn facing the lake. There were no trees on the shore and it was very wide, with a good view. He led everyone to the lawn, took out a huge tablecloth and threw it to Zhang Haiyang, instructing Zhang Haiyang and others to spread the tablecloth on the grass next to the lake.

Zhang Haiyang's face was red and he and his brothers were very excited. This was the rhythm of getting something good again. Zhong Yuemin also directed his brothers to help spread the tablecloth.

Lao Yang and Zhao Jingyi took off their shoes, stepped on the tablecloth and sat down, calling out to everyone, "Come up, all of you!"

Everyone looked at each other and took off their shoes shyly. Some guys were wearing socks with holes on their feet. The good ones had a few patches on them, the bad ones had only a tube left with the soles of their feet exposed, and some had no socks at all. Only Zhang Haiyang's shoes were relatively new.

Lao Yang and Zhao Jingyi looked at them with a smile and said, "Don't be embarrassed, sit down!"

After they sat down, Lao Yang took out a lot of goodies from the basket, a large area filled with various snacks, cakes and sodas. Zhang Haiyang and several brothers thanked Lao Yang and Zhao Jingyi one after another, and ate whatever they liked. Zhong Yuemin and several brothers encountered this situation for the first time, and they looked at the food basket in Lao Yang's hand in shock, not knowing what to do.

Zhao Jingyi said, "Zhong Yuemin, right? My father and your father have a good relationship. I have heard of you, but I have never met you. I heard that your father is going to be transferred to the General Political Department, so he is not an outsider. You can eat too. Don't be polite!"

Zhong Yuemin also reacted and said gratefully: "Thank you, Sister Zhao!"

He looked at Old Yang sheepishly and said, "Thank you, Brother Yang!"

Several younger brothers also shouted: "Thank you Sister Zhao, thank you Brother Yang!"

After shouting, they took their favorite cakes and stuffed them into their mouths just like Zhang Haiyang and the others did. Lao Yang took out the lid opener and opened several bottles of soda, giving each of them a bottle, and they ate and drank.

Lao Yang picked up a twisted dough and handed Zhao Jingyi a sweet-scented osmanthus cake. After taking a bite, he said to the others, "Are you guys going to keep doing this? When will it end?"

Zhang Haiyang replied while drinking soda: "We don't want to either, but there's nothing to do. There's nothing to learn in school, so we can only muddle through for now. We're definitely not qualified to work!"

Old Yang looked at Zhong Yuemin and said, "You guys all have good physical fitness, and you all come from military compounds. Have you ever thought about developing in the army? The army is very training and with the relationship of your fathers, you should be able to be promoted soon, which can also be regarded as earning a future for yourself. After demobilization, you will definitely be either a cadre or a unit leader. It's better than wasting your time playing around!"

While eating, Zhong Yuemin replied to Old Yang, "To be honest with you, Brother Yang, Yuan Jun and the others have already told their families that they will be sent to the army when the conscription is ready. We are used to being lazy, and we still have some concerns about going to the army, so we haven't decided yet!"

Zhang Haiyang interrupted as soon as he heard what Zhong Yuemin said: "What! Zhong Yuemin, you guys are actually going to the army, how come I haven't heard about it! No, I have to tell my family too, and all of you listen, let's go to the army too! We can't let these bastards take all the good things!"

Several of Zhang Haiyang's younger brothers nodded and agreed while eating: "Okay, Brother Zhang, we'll ask about it when we get back!"

Zhang Haiyang said to Lao Yang in a tangled manner: "Brother Yang, we are all going to serve in the army, what should we do with the land in the west of the city?"

Old Yang picked up a cake and threw it at Zhang Haiyang in annoyance. Zhang Haiyang quickly caught it, blew on it with heartache, put it in his mouth and started eating.

"You are such a heartless guy. What territory? What does the west city territory have to do with you? Didn't this territory exist before you came? There are so many troublemakers and hooligans here. Now you are suppressing them by relying on the status of your compound. After you leave, they will jump out to take over. It's none of your business to worry about! If you send all these bad apples into the army, the security of this city will be greatly improved. Don't you think about the fact that you fight and slap women all day long? If it weren't for your fathers suppressing you, how many of you can sit here and eat and drink with me!"

Zhang Haiyang just chuckled foolishly and didn't respond to Lao Yang's words.

"Besides, there are more than just a few of you in the compound. There is another group of younger brothers from the compound who are not accepted by you. After you are all gone, they will take your place and act lawless. Sooner or later, we will ask the higher-ups to clean you up and let you know the iron fist of the country and the majesty of the law! I won't talk nonsense with you. Hurry up and eat, and get out of here! Don't come out to fight for no reason. Think about your future!"

Lao Yang couldn't scare them, so he quickly stopped and changed the subject.

"Let me tell you something. I have set up a mercenary company in Nanyang. If you are not doing well in the army, you can sign up to gain experience in my mercenary company. I can provide you with high benefits and excellent living conditions."

Zhong Yuemin, Zhang Haiyang and a group of friends all looked up at Lao Yang with expressions of disbelief.

Zhong Yuemin asked anxiously: "Brother Yang has also established a mercenary company. Is this true? Is this allowed? Can we also go to a mercenary company? How could this country allow it?"

Old Yang smiled mysteriously and said, "Nothing is impossible! As long as the interests allow, it will benefit the country and the people, so why not do it? The mercenary company I set up is not a small-scale mercenary organization in the general sense. I applied to the country for thousands of people to be instructors to train my mercenaries. After the formation is completed, there should be several divisions of mercenaries, and my mercenary company will become the largest mercenary group in the world! How about it? Just think about it and it's exciting! You don't have to worry about not being able to go. As long as you perform well, you can basically go to my mercenary company to train for a few years when you apply. Individuals can also apply to be transferred back to China, which will not affect their future prospects at all. During the period in the mercenary group, it will be counted as overseas training and recorded in the file. Of course, if you don't want to come back, you can stay in the mercenary company. If your family applies, you can also settle in Nanyang. The company provides accommodation and jobs. Consider going abroad for development, and I won't treat you unfairly at that time! The most exciting thing is that my mercenary team has a war to fight. The country has been cleared and the surrounding environment has become peaceful. Basically, there will be no war, which will block the rapid promotion channel for our soldiers!"

After Lao Yang finished fooling people, he continued to play the emotional card.

"You can consider my advice after you become soldiers, but that's all for the future. Everyone, eat and drink well today. If you don't have enough, there's more! You'll be full!"

Seeing Old Yang smiling kindly but bringing heavy pressure to everyone, everyone was silent for a while before reacting and continuing to eat and drink. A small seed was planted in their hearts by Old Yang, which would sprout, take root, and grow vigorously sooner or later.