Chapter 192

The reason for choosing today, September 1st, is to collect last month's wages and labor insurance so that we can settle the accounts.

His human resources relations and file bag will be transferred to the Beijing Pump Factory.

He reduced some positions to avoid being accused of drawing a salary without working, but he didn't need the money.

"Li Zhiguo, will you come back in the future?" Director Yang was reluctant to let him go. With this kid around, he would show up often.

"Director, this matter depends on fate." Li Zhiguo thought to himself, when you finish class, that will be the day I come back.

Suddenly he felt that it was a bit unfair, hoping that Director Yang would fall and he would take over.

Are you thinking of waiting for Director Li of the Street Office to retire and then having him take over?

It feels like someone is stepping on the old leaders to get to the top, the new generation is pushing the old generation forward!
"Director Bi has invited you to dinner. Once the time is confirmed, I'll have Master He notify you."

Director Yang didn't know what Director Bi talked about with this guy last time, but he actually agreed to release him.

"Well, I must go then."

Li Zhiguo chatted for a while and urged Director Yang to hand over the special-supply cigarettes. Only then did he take them, as he didn't want the trip to be in vain.

After leaving the office building and passing by the second workshop, he finally did not go in. He decided to talk to Liang Ladi again when he had time another day.

I got up so early today, but I was able to go to Qianmen Street for lunch. How nice.

When he arrived at the Qianmen Street Office, there were quite a lot of people there, all of them unemployed young people.

"Brother Qinian, I'm busy."

Wang Qinian is still in his old position, responsible for reception and registration, but don't underestimate it, there are many things involved.

"Are you busy, or are you free?"

There was another person standing next to Wang Qinian, who looked a bit old. These days, because life is hard, many people in their early twenties look like they are in their thirties or forties, so it is really hard to judge their age.

"Hello Hello!"

The person next to him who was nodding and bowing, although he didn't know who the person was, he knew from his appearance that he was not an ordinary person.

Wang Qinian said hurriedly: "Let me introduce you, this is Xiao Cheng from the Personnel Bureau, Cheng Deshun, he is in charge of summarizing the human resources and social security files.

There are many unemployed people now, and the streets are too busy, so let him come and help out."

After a pause, he continued, "Xiao Cheng, this is Li Zhiguo, my brother, a street cadre and corporate manager."

"Hello!" Cheng Deshun quickly stretched out his hands.

Li Zhiguo also stretched out his hand and shook it, and that was it.

Nowadays, positions are assigned to the street offices, and the Labor Bureau's seal is required before taking up the post. During the process, the Personnel Bureau is responsible for the registration and summary of the files.

In the future, the Personnel Bureau will eventually be merged with the Labor Bureau. Currently, it is a separate department that is checked and balanced by the street offices and the Labor Bureau, among which the street offices have the greatest power.

"Xiao Cheng, you look familiar."

Li Zhiguo looked at it carefully for a moment, but couldn't remember where he had seen it before.

"Manager Li, I live in Qianmen Hutong. I guess I've met you before."

Cheng Deshun was just a small clerk in the Personnel Bureau, so he didn't dare to act arrogantly in front of this person.

"I guess so!"

Li Zhiguo nodded and was about to go inside, but suddenly he stopped because he remembered who this person was.

Oh my god! Isn't this the father of Cheng Jianjun in "Under the Gate of Zhengyang"?
When watching this drama, he was wondering what position this Old Cheng held. He was so unconventional that he could get benefits from both the Street Office and the Labor Bureau. It turned out that he was an employee of the Personnel Bureau.

"Xiao Cheng, how old are you?"

"Manager Li, I was born in 1927 and I am 32 years old this year."

Cheng Deshun was quite puzzled. Why did he ask him his age?

"Oh, then I have to call you Lao Cheng, you are older than me. Do you have children?"

Li Zhiguo took out two cigarettes and handed them out. Wang Qinian hurriedly asked those who came to register or inquire about the news to wait outside and take a break.

Cheng Deshun did not dare to hide it and said quickly: "I have a child. I got married late and my only son is in elementary school."

"What's his name? My son just started elementary school today."

Although Li Zhiguo felt that it should be correct, he still wanted to confirm it.

"My son's name is Cheng Jianjun. He started attending Qianmen Primary School today. Maybe he is a classmate of your child."

Cheng Deshun looked very happy, thinking that maybe he could establish this kind of relationship.

Who knew Wang Qinian would interrupt and say, "Li Zhiguo's son attends Hongxing Primary School, not Qianmen Street."

"Ah!" Cheng Deshun was stunned. What was going on?
Li Zhiguo smiled and said, "I live in Dongzhimen. By the way, Old Cheng, where is your home address? I'll meet you for a drink tomorrow when I'm free. I may move here in the future, and my son will transfer to another school."

"I live in... Manager Li, you are always welcome. My wife works in the neighborhood committee, so she is not an outsider either.

There is also a couple in our courtyard. The man’s surname is Su, and both of them are teachers.”

Cheng Deshun thought that she wanted to ask him about her child's transfer to another school and choosing a good class, which was a normal behavior for parents.

"Okay! I'll go when I have time."

Li Zhiguo has confirmed it. Damn it, Qianmenlouzi is indeed related to the drama "Under the Zhengyang Gate".

After finishing his cigarette, he went inside to chat with the director.

Seeing the man walking away, Cheng Deshun dared to ask in a low voice, "Officer Wang, what does Manager Li do in the street?"

“It’s hard for me to say about this, but just remember, he’s the director’s confidant, so don’t offend him.

He seldom comes to the street, and unless he really goes to your house to look for you, you probably won't see him for a year or two."

Wang Qinian hasn't seen anyone for several months.

"Yes, yes, I understand."

Cheng Deshun thought about going back to ask his wife. The neighborhood committee should be aware of Manager Li’s connections. Could he also go back to the bureau and find a chance to check the files?

"Tuk-tuk!"

"Director, I miss you so much."

Li Zhiguo knocked on the half-open door and walked into the office.

"You kid, what you said is enough to make me feel numb. If my wife heard it, I wouldn't be able to explain it to her."

The director put down the newspaper, stood up with a smile and went to pour some water. When he saw everyone sitting down, he handed the cup over.

"Tell me, why did you have time to come here today? I've already relieved you of the burden, so there's no need to settle the score."

Li Zhiguo smiled and said, "Nothing, I just haven't seen you for a long time, so I came to see if you've lost weight. There's no change, it means you're not short of food."

"Why not? Your sister-in-law has lost weight."

The director's family is actually fine. He is the street director and has various subsidies, such as special supply of cooking oil, soybeans and so on, but staple food is still not enough. It's not that he can't get it, but he dare not accept gifts.

"Then I'll send a few dozen kilograms of flour to your house later?"

Li Zhiguo was joking, saying that it was indeed possible to give it as a gift, but it had to be communicated in advance.

"Okay, if you dare to give it to me, I will accept it."

The director was also joking. Dozens of kilograms of flour? What a joke! Who has so much surplus food?

In the black market, some people have already offered one yuan per pound to buy flour tickets. This is the purchase price, and it can also be used for speculation. There is no demand for it.

"Why would I be afraid? I'll send it over later."

Li Zhiguo's tone became serious.

The director was stunned. "Are you serious? Where did you get the flour? Don't say it's your food ration. You're not that stupid."

"It's just a big canteen. We can save up the money by selling 9 taels of flour for a pound. We can eat it ourselves. It's not speculation."

Li Zhiguo dares to say that he is not afraid of investigation. This is the industry rule.

"I didn't hear that. Your sister-in-law has been at home recently."

The director's words were considered as tacit approval. As long as the food source was no problem, they could be locked up and fed.

Otherwise, if the food coupons were really given to him, he would not dare to accept them, because he would have to go to the grain station to exchange them for grain, and someone might remember them.

"That's a good feeling!"

Li Zhiguo chatted for a few words and then left. He took a detour to the third courtyard. When he came out, there was an extra bag in the car. Then he delivered 50 kilograms of flour to the director's home.

"Sister-in-law, this is some local specialty. I've already told the director about it."

The director's wife was also an acquaintance, and she smiled and said, "Okay, say hello to Xueru for me."

"Of course I will. Leave the things here for you. I'm leaving now."

Li Zhiguo didn't go in. He put the flour at the door and left.

The director's wife quickly closed the door and tried to take the bag inside, but she found it was very heavy. Her heart started beating wildly, and her hands were covered with flour.

After untying the rope, I saw that it was indeed full of white flour. It was the best quality Fuqiang flour, also called Bayi flour, which was seven cents more expensive than ordinary white flour. In previous years, it was only supplied in limited quantities during festivals, but this year it was out of the question.

"This couple is really thoughtful. Yesterday Xueru came to deliver cloth, and today Li Zhiguo came to deliver food. They didn't even ask for help. That's a lot!"

The director's wife muttered to herself as she hid the flour. Now, with this added to their family's ration, they wouldn't have to go hungry for a long time.

...Li Zhiguo went downstairs and went straight to the silk shop, so as not to miss the meal. Unexpectedly, he met Xu Huizhen in the alley.

"Hey, sister-in-law, what are you doing here?"

Xu Huizhen turned around and called out, "Brother Li, why are you here?"

Li Zhiguo joked, "On the way. I was wondering why you looked a little lost. What happened? Did you lose Lao Cai's pocket money?"

"It's not about the money."

Xu Huizhen looked around and said, "I just met someone who looks exactly like my old Cai and Brother He, just like they were carved from the same mold, except that he looks older.

You say, could this person be my father-in-law He Daqiang? I don’t know how to tell Lao Cai about this.”

"Oh my god, they really look the same?"

Li Zhiguo guessed that the man was the Nine Gates Commander-in-Chief Guan, whose real name was Guan Shan.

Oh my god, people from the Zhengyang Sect have appeared one after another.

"It's exactly the same. They're playing chess right in front of us. If you don't believe me, go and see."

"Come on, get in the car."

"okay."

Xu Huizhen didn't have anything to hide anymore. She was already a mother of two children, so she got on the back seat and reached out to gently grab Li Ge'er's clothes.

Li Zhiguo ran for a while according to the direction pointed by his brother and sister-in-law, but still didn't arrive.

"Sister-in-law, why are you running here for no reason? This is not the same as the tavern. I'm the manager of the public office. If I catch you skipping work, I'll deduct your salary."

Xu Huizhen smiled and said, "Yes, you are the manager of Gongfang, but you are also my brother. I am here to find a partner for Shazhu. There is a young girl waiting to get married in the alley in front. I heard she is a nice person, so I want to go and take a look first, and then introduce her to Shazhu if she is suitable.

I hadn’t even arrived when I encountered the incident I just mentioned, so I came back and didn’t even get to see the girl.”

"That's fine. I'll go with you later and check for Sha Zhu. Forget it. I don't care about this matter."

Li Zhiguo has decided not to interfere with Sha Zhu's marriage and let his brother go. He is in good health and Sha Zhu cannot take over.

"what ever."

Xu Huizhen is now more concerned about whether that man is Lao Cai's father.

After a while, they finally arrived. There were a few old men playing chess on the roadside. Li Zhiguo saw them at first sight. They looked exactly the same.

"Brother Li, I didn't lie to you."

"Let's go over and ask."

Li Zhiguo parked the car and was about to go over.

"No, why are you asking this?"

Xu Huizhen felt that even if he was really Lao Cai's father, there would still be a process of acceptance.

But Li Zhiguo had already walked over and covered the middle of the chessboard with his hand.

"Young man, who are you? Why are you here to cause trouble?"

"Young man, you are bullying the old man."

Several old men started yelling, but no one did anything extreme. They were too old to fight, especially now that they didn't have enough food to eat, so they didn't dare to fight with such young people.

Guan Shan looked at the man and asked, "Young man, are you coming for me?"

"Master, what is your last name?"

Although Li Zhiguo is 29 years old, he has not worked for many years and has never been involved in housework. Not only is his physique excellent, but he is also well maintained. He looks to be in his early twenties and is still a handsome young man.

"My last name is Guan. It seems you have found the wrong person."

Luan Shan breathed a sigh of relief, but he was actually a little afraid of encountering the descendants of his old rivals. He was alone and his son had gone abroad, so he couldn't do it.

"Old man, excuse me, she is looking for you."

Li Zhiguo pointed at Xu Huizhen who was standing on the other side of the road. In fact, they were only a few meters away as the alley was not wide.

"who is she?"

Guan Yushan was stunned for a moment, but finally got up, gave up his seat, and followed him to the opposite side.

"Brother Li, did you ask?"

Xu Huizhen once again witnessed what unreasonableness meant. She looked like she was going to overturn other people's chessboard.

"Daughter-in-law, who are you?" Guan Shan tried hard to recall, but couldn't match the number.

"Let me tell you!"

Li Zhiguo then explained, "She is Xu Huizhen, the owner of the Qianmen Tavern. Her husband is Cai Quanwu, who looks exactly like you. However, Cai Quanwu is in his twenties, and you must be in your seventies, right?"

As soon as this was said, Guan Shan immediately shouted: "What do you mean over 70? I'm only in my early 50s, born in 2008."

Li Zhiguo smiled and said, "That's right, your whole family looks old. Old man, Cai Quanwu has an older brother named He Daqing, who was born in 1912, four years younger than you. He looks exactly like you, but he looks much younger than you."

"Wait a minute, her husband's name is Cai Quanwu, and Cai Quanwu's brother is He Daqing. Are they brothers? They both look like me?"

Regarding the mountain's eyes widened, is this reliable?

"Yes, they are brothers. He Daqing's father was called He Daqiang, and he ran away with a widow when He Daqing was eighteen years old.

Now you understand that the widow was Cai Quanwu’s mother.

"Old man, are you related to He Daqiang?"

Li Zhiguo couldn't really say for sure, but Lao Cai and He Daqing were brothers, so maybe the Nine-Gates Admiral couldn't escape either.

Guan Shan was silent for a long time before he said, "He Daqiang and my father are brothers. I didn't expect that we could still get in touch after being separated for so many years."

"What, old man, what's going on?" Li Zhiguo was confused. There really is a connection.

Xu Huizhen opened her mouth, also looking surprised. This relationship was a bit complicated.

Lu Shan recalled: "He Daqiang's mother used to be the cook in my family. My grandfather had an affair with her and they were secretly in love.

Later, He Daqiang was born. He and my father Guan Daqiang are half-brothers.

The name He Daqing was given by my grandfather, who was a tax collector at Chongwenmen during the Qing Dynasty.

"I go……"

Li Zhiguo finally understood. No wonder Old He used the name He Daqing. It was on point.

The year the Qing Dynasty fell was the year He Daqing was born. Was this a souvenir that Old Master Guan, as a tax officer, wanted to leave behind?

Regarding Shan, he said: "Later, we lost contact due to the war, but I always knew that the He family was in the Dongzhimen area.

But I didn’t dare to look for him, for fear of getting into trouble. Now it’s a new society.”

Xu Huizhen continued, "Then you are the eldest cousin of Lao Cai and my elder brother He. I should call you elder brother."

"That's the thing. You are my brother's wife."

I am a little confused about Shan. He is already in his fifties, but he still has such a young cousin's wife.

He then asked, "What's your name, young man? What's your relationship with my two cousins?"

Xu Huizhen replied, "He is Li Zhiguo, from the same courtyard as He Daqing. He is the older brother of my husband Cai Quanwu, and also my brother."

"No, he looks younger than you, so he's your brother?"

Guan Shan widened his eyes, this was clearly a young man.

Li Zhiguo laughed, "Grandpa, no, brother, you are mistaken. I was born in 1930 and I am 29 this year. I look young."

"Oh, you look like you're in your early twenties."

Everyone in Shan's family looked envious, saying that everyone in their lineage looked old.

"broken!"

Li Zhiguo suddenly looked at his watch and said hurriedly: "It's time for dinner. I have to eat on time. Brother Guan, let's go and introduce you to my relatives. I have done you such a big favor, you have to treat me to a meal.

Your ancestor was a high-ranking official, so he must be rich!"

"I'll treat you!" Guan Shan was confused again. He did have some money, but didn't this mean he should respect his brother?

"It's my treat, it's my treat!"

Xu Huizhen hurried out to smooth things over. This newly recognized big brother didn't know how powerful Li Ge'er was.

"Okay, I'll go ahead and call over any tricycles I see on the road. Sister-in-law, take my brother to the cafeteria, and I'll take Lao Cai along on the way."

Li Zhiguo got on his bicycle and hurried to the cafeteria to eat something to fill his stomach.

"Brother Li, you go first, we'll wait for the tricycle here."

After Xu Huizhen saw the man go away, she said to Guan Shan: "Brother Guan, Brother Li is a kind person, but he is a little bit ..."

"It's unreasonable, isn't it? I can see that."

As for Shan Xuehui, he answered the question quickly. He was quite good at judging people, but he made a mistake in judging their age just now.

"You're right to see it. Don't bother with him, or you'll be the one who suffers in the end."

(End of this chapter)