People like Chen Ming were all city officials, they held plum positions for city dwellers, and for the Wanglou Brigade, they were people of great status and power. When they attended the wedding banquet, they were seated at the top table. Accompanying them were Wang Zhengguo and two other respected elders of the Lu Family—all were treated with the utmost respect.
The toast was first made to them.
Chen Ming chuckled heartily and said, "Ajiang, sister-in-law, now that you’re married, live well. Sister-in-law, remember these words of mine. After Ajiang recovers from his injury, he will surely return to the army. You, staying back at home managing the household, taking care of the family, shouldering the heavy responsibilities—should you encounter any difficulties in life, do not hesitate to reach out to me and your sister-in-law. As long as we can help, there won’t be a word of refusal from us!"
Feng Qingxue raised her filled wine cup with both hands, "Thank you, Brother Chen, also extend my gratitude to sister-in-law when you get back. You and Ajiang share a bond as close as life itself, if our family ever encounters a problem that we can’t solve, we won’t hold back from asking for your and sister-in-law’s help!"
Chen Ming raised his own cup of wine, finished it in one gulp, showing the bottom of the cup. Applause and cheers erupted from the crowd.
Thanks to the flour Cheng An received from Feng Qingxue last year, he had managed to make connections with several leaders, which had significantly elevated his standing in the city. He was immensely grateful to Feng Qingxue’s generosity and was aware that once Lu Jiang recovered from his injuries, he would make further progress. To maintain good relations with their family would certainly be advantageous. So, smiling at the newlyweds who had come to toast, he said, "There’s no point in speaking politely, I do have some say in the city. One day, I’ll keep an eye on the recruitment news of various factories and units and get your sister-in-law a quota to consume some state-distributed grain!"
As these words were spoken, it sent a shockwave through the room, causing everyone to view Cheng An in a new light.
Could someone who could secure job quotas be ordinary?
As the director of the Grain Bureau, Chen Ming was already powerful enough for them. But they didn’t expect Cheng An to be even more influential.
"Thank you, Brother Cheng!" Lu Jiang smiled as he poured wine for him, "Qingxue learned a lot from many doctors and nurses in the army hospital where I was recovering. She’s very talented in this field. Upon a doctor’s recommendation, she will be visiting a doctor in the mine hospital soon to start her medical training. Brother, if I may be so bold, once Qingxue has mastered her studies, you might want to see if the hospital is hiring."
Upon hearing this, Cheng An started to see Qingxue in a new light. Anyone who could study medicine in an army hospital was not ordinary! Thus, he agreed promptly, "No problem, I’ll keep an eye out!"
However, Xu Aiguo said, "Mine Hospital? I’m familiar with it! Whenever someone in my family gets sick, we go to the Mine Hospital."
Chen Ming slapped his forehead, "Oh, right! Aiguo works at the coal factory—the coal factory is quite closely tied with the mines! Ajiang, if you’re looking for a particular doctor, ask Aiguo, he must know them!"
"Doctor Wu Zheng," Lu Jiang laughed.
"Ah, Doctor Wu, well I know him well!" As soon as Doctor Wu, a renowned figure from the Mine Hospital was mentioned, Xu Aiguo became loquacious, "Doctor Wu is highly skilled. He used to work in the capital, but for some reason had to transfer to the Mine Hospital. Whether it’s internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, or pediatrics, he is an expert in all. He can be a bit serious at times, but the queue of people looking for his treatment never ceases. If sister-in-law gets the opportunity to learn under Doctor Wu, she must absorb as much as she can. If we can produce a highly skilled female doctor in our family in the future, it would be an honor for everyone!"
All the elderly, middle-aged, and young people of the Wanglou Brigade present at the event were more thrilled than anyone else upon hearing this. Why? Because who in the countryside doesn’t occasionally suffer from ailments? Because there are no doctors, they often just have to endure. If their endurance is worn out, it often means death.