Reborn in 1966

Chapter 100 Joining the Army

Shen's father said, "Yueran, don't worry about Peihua's matter. Can the world always be like this?"

Shen's mother said, "What good will believing do? We've been here for fifteen years already. How many fifteen-year periods does a person have in their lifetime? Peihua and Peijun should be sitting in university classrooms studying now, but what about them? They've only graduated from elementary school, and their bodies haven't even fully developed yet, and they have to do such tiring work. I'm not saying that working is a bad thing, but they're still so young. This is so unfair to them. I don't want my children to continue suffering like this. They've done nothing wrong; they shouldn't be treated so unfairly."

After waiting for Shen's mother to finish speaking and calm down, Shen's father said, "Yueran, this is the current situation. Every dynasty has a period of chaos after its establishment, but you must have confidence in this new country. This situation will not last forever. Society will definitely move forward, and these things that hinder social progress will not continue like this."

Shen's mother covered her face and said, "Shengsi, our children are growing up and it's time for them to settle down and start their own families. I don't want them to find a wife or husband who is very different from them for this or that reason, otherwise they won't have any happiness in the future."

Mr. Shen said, "Yueran, don't overthink it. We still have our parents and sisters at home. They will definitely help Peihua find a suitable wife."

Shen's mother still went to school every day, did housework when she got home, and took care of the children at home. She did not stop because of her pregnancy.

Peihua's marriage became a major worry for Shen's mother. Peiyin, who slept with Shen's mother, knew that Shen's mother's sleep quality was not very good, and she sighed more and more often before going to sleep. This was not a good thing for the baby in her belly. Peiyin felt that her mother needed someone to comfort her.

Pei-yin said to her grandmother with concern, "Grandma, my mother keeps sighing at night and can't sleep well."

Grandma said, "Your mother is overthinking things. Peiyin, you're such a clever little thing. It's alright, Grandma will just talk some sense into your mother."

In the evening, Grandma came to the east wing with Shen's mother and father and talked to Shen's mother about Peihua's marriage.

Grandma asked Shen's mother about the girl from Wangjiahewa Village that Teacher Wang had mentioned. Grandma's face turned red with anger as soon as she heard it. She said, "Peihua's mother, why didn't you tell me about this sooner? If you had, I would have spat in that Wang's face at the school. What a jerk he is."

Mr. Shen said, “Mother, don’t be angry, tell me slowly, tell me slowly.”

Grandma took a few breaths and said, "I know this girl from Wangjiahewa. She's not very bright. She's Teacher Wang's niece. She's already been married once, but her husband rejected her because he thought she only knew how to eat and didn't do any work. They didn't want to support her because they thought she ate too much, so they've been asking around to find her a husband. Why doesn't that Wang guy think about the fact that this girl is several years older than Peihua? Even if Peihua stays single, he can't marry her."

Shen's mother said, "I think Teacher Wang is a very nice person."

Grandma said, "Peihua's mother, even though you've lived here for so long, there are still some things you don't know. Wangjiahewa Village is small, with only one surname. They're very united. Sometimes when I think about asking around in their village, even relatives I'm not close to won't tell me the truth. This teacher surnamed Wang is quite shrewd. He knows our family's bad class background makes it hard for our children to find wives. He thinks we can't mistreat our daughter by marrying her here. Even if she doesn't want to, given our family's way of doing things, we wouldn't send her back. He's a heartless person. Doesn't he realize that although our children are already over twenty, they're talented and good-looking? Even if they can't find wives right now, they can't find wives forever!"

Mr. Shen also said, "Yueran, don't worry. It's not good for you or the baby in your belly to keep thinking about this and that."

Shen's mother said, "It's because I see that all the families in the village who are the same age as Peihua have found a place to live, but our Peihua hasn't. That makes me anxious."

Grandma said, "Don't worry, our Peihua isn't going to be a bachelor. Just take care of yourself and the baby in your belly."

With the encouragement of her family, Shen's mother felt better, and Pei Yin was happy too. In a few more months, the year 1970 would be over, and if they persevered for a few more years, they would have a better life. Her brother was so outstanding, even if he remained a bachelor, how many more years could he remain a bachelor?

The autumn harvest has arrived, and everyone in the village is busy harvesting crops in the fields. As usual, the school has given a harvest holiday, and children of all ages are going to the fields to help with the work. Because of the increased attention paid to Li Lei, it is natural that the other educated youths are also within Pei Yin's range of attention.

The villagers were saying that Wang Si'en and Zheng Tonghui were running around getting paperwork done to return to the city, but after so much time, neither of them had finished. Meanwhile, something even more sensational happened among the educated youth: Zhou Manni was going to join the army.

Zhou Manni has not interacted much with the villagers in the two years since she came to Shenjia Village. She is a very quiet woman. I heard that her family's class background is not good. However, this time, she was someone who was directly requested by the higher authorities. From the district to the commune, she received a series of green lights and was told to wait for the arrival of the recruits in a few days so that she could leave immediately.

It's not easy for rural children to join the army, and it's even harder for girls. The fact that the quiet and gentle Zhou Manni joined the army surprised everyone. So, to satisfy their curiosity, everyone went to ask people about the gossip behind it.

Although Qi Xiangnan and Zhou Manni were not from the same region, Qi Xiangnan knew the whole story. During a dinner at the Shen family's house, Qi Xiangnan chatted with Pei Hua and a few others about the matter.

Zhou Manni's father was a major capitalist in the province before liberation. After liberation, he handed over his family property. Later, when the political movement came, he was labeled a capitalist roader, and his children were also labeled as "black children" (a derogatory term for children born under criminal law).

Zhou's father was a very shrewd man. Before the liberation, he did a lot of underground work, whether it was contributing money or effort. He would always have someone leave a note for him, which he saw as a way to save his life in the future.

Because of their family background, none of the children continued their studies. The youngest daughter, Zhou Manni, whom they loved the most, came to Shenjia Village. Although Shenjia Village was the best place for educated youth to settle down, Zhou's father did not want his daughter to go to the countryside, especially not to settle down there.

Zhou's father found the old notes, which showed that he had been writing to his superiors since Zhou Manni went to the countryside, and he had not stopped writing them for the past few years. That's how Zhou Manni joined the army.

Peijun said longingly, "I wish I could join the army."

Peihua looked at his younger brother. This was just wishful thinking on his part. Because of their father's status as a rightist, the children in the family could only finish primary school and then had to return home to work in the production team. As it seemed, working in the production team was the only path the children in the family could take.

Qi Xiangnan understood that because of their family background, the Shen family's children could neither continue their education nor join the army. He didn't know where to begin to comfort them, and remained silent for a moment.

Seeing that her eldest and second eldest brothers were in low spirits, Pei Yin, who was sitting next to her, said to Pei Jun, who was sitting next to her, "Third brother, did you remember the classical Chinese texts that our father taught us to memorize last time?"

Peitian said, "Are you referring to the passage in Mencius's 'Mencius, Gaozi II' that says, 'Shun rose from the fields, Fu Yue was raised from among the builders, Jiao Ge was raised from among the fish and salt merchants, Guan Zhong was raised from among the scholars, Sun Shu'ao was raised from the sea, and Baili Xi was raised from the marketplace. Therefore, when Heaven is about to entrust a great task to someone, it will first afflict his mind, exhaust his muscles and bones, starve his body, leave him destitute, and thwart his actions, so as to strengthen his resolve and increase his abilities.'"

Pei-Yin said, "Yes, Daddy said that when we feel that life is difficult, we should read more."

Peitian said, "Yes, I can recite it now. If you can't, your third brother will teach you properly."

Pei-Yin said, "Okay, once we can all recite it, we'll recite it to Dad."

The crisp, melodious sound resonated deeply with Pei Hua and Pei Jun. Life is full of disappointments, but we must not let them overwhelm us. As long as our spines are not bent, there is nothing to fear.

Zhou Manni was picked up in a military jeep. Many villagers came to see her off. Before getting into the car, this quiet woman bowed three times to the villagers.

For educated youth who wanted to return to the city, seeing their companions leave made their hearts yearn for it. Just like Wang Si and Zheng Tonghui, they had been looking forward to returning to the city since the day they arrived, and it had been almost three years, but they still hadn't received any notice to return.

Wang Si wrote several more letters to his father, who repeatedly urged him to behave well and promised to help him find a way to bring Wang Si back to the city.

Zheng Tonghui's father was a leader of a powerful unit in their region. He actively responded to the call of his superiors at the beginning of the movement and made a name for himself in various movements. He originally thought that his son should respond to Chairman Mao's call and go to the countryside to get good experience. With such experience, he could find a good job in the city when he returned.

The two of them had been busy from spring to autumn, and with the harvest fast approaching, there was still no news from home. Zhou Manni, who was usually quiet, had also joined the army. The two of them couldn't control their hearts anymore.

After a period of agonizing waiting, they finally received a notice from the county's educated youth office, instructing them to prepare to return to the city.

Zheng Tonghui was overjoyed, finally able to leave this place. Looking at his companions who were going to work in the fields, especially Li Lei, he couldn't contain his excitement.

Li Lei was taciturn, but he never slacked off when he worked. Zhou Manni was quiet and gentle, and Li Lei would lend a hand when she couldn't do some of the work. Over time, Zhou Manni developed feelings for Li Lei. The two young people had more spiritual exchanges because of their inner distress, and gradually developed a resonance of their thoughts.