Fortunately, after arriving in the Northeast, they successfully found Zhang Yingjie’s wife and daughter. They had hidden in the vegetable cellar with their family, enduring the long winter, and were then taken away by the soldiers from the Heilongjiang base in the spring. When Zhou Rong handed Zhang Yingjie’s urn to her, he heard the most tragic and desperate cry of his life. He could not stay in front of this grieving woman for a moment; every minute felt like countless barbed whips, lashing his soul.
Now, the circulating currency was no longer money but grain tickets.
After receiving all his overdue wages, Zhou Rong exchanged everything at the military preferential price for grain tickets and supplies, keeping nothing for himself and giving it all to the families of fallen comrades.
It was quite a large sum of money. Even when divided equally, each family would receive a considerable amount, which was barely a small consolation for families who had lost their breadwinners.
After distributing the money, Zhou Rong became completely destitute. Si Nan said he didn’t mind, as he now had a salary and could support Zhou Rong, this “burden”.
Zhou Rong later came up with another solution. He transferred all the martyrs’ families to the 118 military region, arranging idle positions for them in canteens, warehouses, logistics, and other departments, ensuring they could receive the state’s compensation and stable income. He specially secured a rare twelve-year free education quota at a key school for Zhang Yingjie’s young daughter.
It could be confirmed that Zhou Rong would never become rich in this lifetime.
“Where’s my pigeon egg?” Si Nan suddenly complained.
Zhou Rong: “Don’t worry, leave it to Brother Rong.”
Time quickly moved to New Year’s Eve 2021.
On New Year’s night, the 118 camp canteen had prepared a sumptuous reunion dinner early on, and Old General Zheng had also come.
All team members and their families gathered together.
Before the meal, as usual, a few words needed to be said. Zhou Rong and General Zheng pushed and shoved each other like they were fighting for ten minutes. Zhou Rong lost and had to stand up with his wine glass.
The canteen was decorated with lanterns and festive decorations. Red paper flowers were pasted on the foggy glass windows, and fireworks were being set off outside, illuminating the night sky with colorful brightness.
