Chapter 1162 - 1035: Glad?

Chapter 1162: Chapter 1035: Glad?

The aftermath of the great earthquake was considered over.

Besides that city being rebuilt once more and welcoming new life again, many places in Beijing have sprouted numerous quirky earthquake tents...

And the fervor for orphan adoption has gradually subsided...

The remaining people, as long as they live, continue their days as they are meant to.

However, the meritorious Zhang Guoqing broke through the era of deadlocked administrative promotions, leaping three grades directly to his dream thirteenth grade.

This also indicates that he can finally enjoy special provisions. Though not as powerful as his father-in-law, at least his three sons are truly the children of high-ranking cadres, right?

Once the transfer order was issued, his position was promoted along with it.

He went from being a powerful director at the General Logistics Department to one of the Vice Ministers. Perhaps this still doesn’t count as a high promotion, maybe it’s as his father-in-law said, the art of balance.

But Zhang Guoqing expressed great satisfaction, considering this the most suitable position for himself at present. He’s only thirty-seven this year, not in a rush, and if promoted again, he’d admit to being a bit apprehensive.

In his view, it’s good to take things slowly. Anyway, there are plenty of opportunities in the future. He is not competing for a moment’s success, and with his father-in-law as a backer, he’s not worried about anyone stealing credit.

The final remaining issue was the military rank.

What can be said about this?

Starting from the year he climbed to Major, the military rank system was suddenly abolished. It was rumored that Chairman Mao considered ranks to be symbols of bourgeois armies, unsuitable for our country.

He estimated that if the rank system hadn’t been abolished, by now with a thirteenth grade high cadre treatment, he would be at least a colonel, right?

But there’s no rush; the abolition of ranks naturally has its pros and cons. What is meant for him will eventually be given to him, won’t it?

So less than half a month later, Mr. Zhang sent a letter asking how he became a director. By that time, Zhang Guoqing had already been successfully promoted to Vice Minister Zhang.

Yet this time, he still didn’t tell the truth.

It’s not that he didn’t trust his parents, but if this news spread, the hometown would inevitably be filled with troubles, so a lesser officer would be better.

Of course, he also highly praised the younger generation who supported the disaster area. Regardless of their intentions, they came and gave their fervent dedication.

Just based on that, it was enough to gratify him.

When one place is in difficulty, eight directions support.

If everyone disregards the meaning of life, then what is left for the world to save?!

Didn’t you notice even his usually cold-hearted wife endured a trek of hundreds of miles on foot to the site, staying awake for three whole days and nights?

Lately, Zhang Guoqing has been in a good mood!

Especially now that he became this so-called Vice Minister, he is very happy especially because there’s less work and more time to accompany his wife, which suits him perfectly.

He was enjoying himself, but someone else was not pleased. Busy and exhausted every day, yet this brat still had the leisure to toy with some random knick-knacks to entertain the family.

Didn’t this just make all that previous worrying for nothing?

In the study, Zhou Xiaozheng glared at him with a disapproving look, "Are you happy?"

"Hehe... Dad, I won’t lie to you, it’s really much easier. You see now during meetings, someone stands in front, I no longer need to worry about being called to speak."

Zhou Xiaozheng, speechless, gave him a side-eye, then quietly instructed, "I feel like things are about to change in this period, pay more attention to your work."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guoqing nodded thoughtfully.

Ah... It’s September 9th.

Zhang Guoqing knew this time was a delicate period.

This past year, he hadn’t relaxed for a moment. Since the fall of two giant stars on Chinese soil, the atmosphere became more and more tense.

It could be said this year was the most chaotic and darkest since the founding of the country. During this time, a slight misstep could lead straight into an irreparable hell.

Because of this, Zhang Guoqing had been very cautious before. In these two years, he often used the excuse of chatting with his sons to give targeted examples, constantly reminding the family to be careful.

Actually, many things need not be reminded by him. Not to mention others, even his most simple-minded mother-in-law could clearly feel the change in the political climate.

Fortunately, there was a saying from the elders: the army cannot be in disarray. Therefore, the army remains the only pure land now. But this is only relatively speaking.

On September 8th.

Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao had begun very carefully observing external reactions these last few days. Yesterday, she had already taken a sick leave day off citing period pains.

They understood that considering Zhou Xiaozhen’s current status and his relationship with the elders, he would probably learn about the death of the **chairman sooner than others, and, relatively speaking, might not be able to stay home.

As expected, that morning, Secretary Chen returned with an unfamiliar comrade following him.

Once inside the Zhou Family’s home, Secretary Chen quickly took out a document from the study, and when leaving, the fellow secretly threw a reassuring glance at Zhou Jiao.

That night, Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao were so tense they tossed and turned, but everything else at home remained as usual, with no one anticipating an earth-shattering event.

When Zhou Xiaozheng returned late from a meeting, he often stayed directly at the Great Palace, which wasn’t surprising. After all, a resting room was available there, but no one in the family had the mind to stay overnight.

By the next day, the Ping An Brothers did ask if grandpa had called back, which Zhou Jiao managed to deflect with an excuse.

That day, she also went to work as normal, unaware that by nearly 4 PM, an emergency notice would arrive at the Big Courtyard.

——All organizations, troops, schools, factories, and shops within the military’s purview must cease all activities to listen to the broadcast from the Central People’s Radio.

This was the first time in military history that such a fully authoritative order was issued to cease all operations nationwide and within the military to listen to the broadcast.

Although no one knew what major event had occurred, at this moment, no one dared to speculate wildly.

This situation persisted until the funeral music began playing...

Meanwhile, at the office, Zhou Jiao quickly gathered with colleagues, and together they heard the announcement from the broadcast at the first moment.

At 4 PM, the announcer from Central People’s Radio, with an immensely sorrowful voice, announced to the public that our nation’s great leader and mentor ***Chairman had passed away at 12:10 AM in Beijing that day.

This news came too suddenly, leaving many in disbelief!

Yet soon, with the broadcast’s voice saying to "inherit his unfulfilled wishes," uncontrollable cries resonated throughout the meeting room.

Even without leaving the meeting room, the sound of weeping from all levels of the office could be heard, with everyone mourning the nation’s loss of a great leader.

Of course, Zhou Jiao was not sad for this single reason. However, thinking that this elder was her father’s old superior who gave her consistent care and was a kind elder, she couldn’t help but shed tears.

This year, after the successive fall of two great stars on Chinese soil, in this sorrowful autumn wind, another great star fell.

A generation of great figures has passed away,

The entire nation mourns, the world laments!

Rivers stagnate,

Heaven and Earth sob!