Reborn before the famine, kicking away the scumbag's family and living a carefree life.

67. Joining the army (5)

Qi Zhengyang slunk home.

The thought that An Rong's fate would be altered if he missed this opportunity to join the army filled him with anxiety. At the same time, he also hated Su Jinru for giving such an important opportunity to her sister.

Her younger sister was just an ordinary peasant woman in her previous life, and even if she joined the army in this life, she wouldn't achieve much.

His nephew is the future deputy county head, someone who will bring glory to the Qi family.

He recalled Su Jinru's words: "Qi Zhengyang, without me, you and your family are nothing." He was filled with hatred.

Qi Zhengyang lay in bed for a day and a night, thinking it over and over. The next morning, he got out of bed, shaved, washed his hair, and changed his clothes.

Du Mei asked, puzzled, "Are you going out?"

"I'm going to the county town."

"Are you going to the market? I'm going too, I'm so bored at home."

"I have important things to do, don't mess around."

"What urgent matter do you have to discuss?"

"I'll talk to you later, I don't have time now."

Qi Zhengyang tidied himself up and hurriedly went out.

He arrived at his brother's house.

"An Rong, pack your things properly, I'll take you to the Armed Forces Department to register for military service."

"Uncle, the news that you went to Su Jinru and asked her to give me Su Jinyu's spot has been all over the village. Uncle, the deal has already been made, so it's impossible. Let's not let people laugh at us anymore."

Qi Zhenglin: "Yes! You and Su Jinru are divorced, and now you've married Du Mei. Su Jinru hates you to the core, and you still make such a request to her? Don't say it's impossible; isn't that just making yourself a laughingstock?"

“Brother, Anrong must join the army. He’s born to be a soldier. I once had a dream that Anrong joined the army, rose to the rank of regimental commander, and later returned to civilian life as a deputy county magistrate!”

Li Meili: "Really? My Anrong is so successful?"

"Of course! I believe that as long as he joins the army, he will definitely rise through the ranks just like in my dream."

Qi Zhenglin was also tempted: "But there are limited spots for soldiers, and so many people want to join. Anrong has no chance."

"Opportunities are for you to seize, An Rong. Come with me. I know the head of the Armed Forces Department. I'll take you to plead your case."

Li Meili: "A-Yang, do you really know the Minister of the Armed Forces Department?"

"Of course I know her. Why do you think Su Jinyu is so lucky? There was only one female soldier spot in the whole county, and it fell to her."

Qi Zhenglin: "So, you two both know the Minister of the Armed Forces Department?"

"Of course I know him, but don't tell anyone."

Li Meili quickly assured, "We won't tell, we won't tell. Ayang, since you know people, Anrong has a chance. You should take Anrong there quickly."

Qi Zhenglin also urged his son.

"An Rong, hurry up and pack."

Li Meili found a relatively decent set of clothes.

“This garment has no patches, Anrong, you should wear this one.”

The family surrounded An Rong, helping him wash his hair and face, change his clothes, and get him ready. Li Meili even generously gave Qi Zhengyang five yuan to take with him. The uncle and nephew, carrying the hopes of the whole family, headed to the county town.

Qi Zhengyang and his nephew rushed to the Armed Forces Department, but the guards wouldn't let them in.

Qi Zhengyang said, "I know your Minister Ye. He's the one who sent us."

They heard that Minister Ye had sent them, so the gatekeeper let them in.

New recruits are undergoing intensive training inside.

An Rong looked enviously at the new recruits in their military uniforms.

He was filled with unease. He was originally just a person who only cared about whether he could have enough to eat every day, but the dream that his uncle told the whole family about shocked and excited him.

That is to say, my second uncle, who is cultured and knowledgeable, could have such a dream, a dream that he himself would never dare to have.

But his second uncle firmly told him that he could realize that dream.

He also had some belief that he might actually realize that dream.

Joining the army was the closest he could get to that dream, but he knew how difficult it was to be a soldier.

Moreover, the number of soldiers to be recruited has probably already been decided, and pre-departure training has already begun.

Does he still have a chance?

With directions from the security guard, they found Minister Ye's office.

The office door was open, and Minister Ye was sitting at a desk inside, making a phone call.

Qi Zhengyang patiently waited for Minister Ye to finish his call before knocking on the door and bowing respectfully, saying, "Minister Ye, hello!"

"Who are you, and what do you want?"

"Minister Ye, I am Su Jinru's husband."

Qi Anrong glanced at his second uncle in surprise.

Didn't my second uncle say he was very familiar with Minister Ye? But this Minister Ye doesn't seem to know him. He and Su Jinru are divorced, and his current wife is Du Mei. How come he still tells Minister Ye that he is Su Jinru's husband?

Upon hearing this, the other party became noticeably more polite and stood up to greet him.

"Come in and sit down, come in and sit down."

Qi Zhengyang led Qi Anrong into the office and sat down in two chairs opposite the desk.

Minister Ye picked up the thermos and poured them two bowls of tea.

"You came from Mercedes, right? Have some water."

Seeing how approachable Minister Ye was, Qi Zhengyang and his nephew both relaxed.

"Minister Ye, please don't be so polite. I brought my nephew with me today because I have a favor to ask of you."

Ye Xiaolong smiled and said, "What is it? Tell me!"

“My nephew Qi Anrong is sixteen years old this year. He has a junior high school education, good physical fitness, and he also wants to join the army.”

Ye Xiaolong glanced at Qi Zhengrong.

"Your nephew?"

"Yes, it's my older brother's child."

Ye Xiaolong frowned.

"Why didn't you come sooner! You could have come before yesterday, but there are already enough spots available."

Qi Anrong clutched the hem of his clothes tightly in disappointment and lowered his head.

Qi Zhengyang was also disappointed, but a voice in his heart was shouting, "Don't give up, don't give up!"

"Minister Ye, could you add one more spot?"

"The quotas are decided by higher authorities; I can't make that decision on my own."

"We haven't even set off yet, right? Could we let Qi Zhengrong compete with them? The winner will be chosen, and Qi Anrong is quite outstanding."

"The list has already been submitted and cannot be changed arbitrarily."

Qi Zhengyang felt ice-cold all over.

Are we just going to miss out like this?

He is not reconciled!

"Minister Ye, please, for the sake of my wife Su Jinru, please think of a way to help us with this."

Why didn't Su Jinru come today?

"She's a shy person. She felt that you had already secured a spot for her sister and shouldn't trouble you further, so she didn't approve of me asking you for help. But this is a matter of great importance concerning my nephew's fate, so I shamelessly came. If she hadn't stopped me and had come a few days earlier, perhaps you wouldn't be in such a difficult position!"