The enemy forces set up dozens of invasion bases on our national territory, continuing the ill-relationships between the two countries.
Despite no official declaration of war, concurrent with the enemy’s incessant encroachments and the failure of peace talks after several dislodgings of their armed factions, the nation, following instructions from above, moved towards war readiness. Heightening vigilance and fortifying border defenses, Lu Jiang then joined the border patrol. Under the commands of Commander Ye, they drew up troops and engaged in intense pre-war preparations.
These national affairs hardly trickled down to the common folks, who were lost in daily oblivion, hustling and bustling for their subsistence.
In their eyes, having enough to eat and wear was of utmost importance.
Feng Qingxue was still having her confinement period. The Wanglou Brigade started their rush harvest.
This year’s crops looked promising. The heavy spikes of wheat bowed the stalks down. Under the calls of the production team leaders, one man to a row, those with sickles were cutting the wheat while those without resorted to their bare hands to pull out the wheat from the roots.
Amid the bustling, faces beamed with smile.
According to Wang Zhengguo’s estimate, this season’s grain harvest could greatly alleviate the country’s grain shortage.
During the summer harvest, everyone, adults, and children alike, joined the fray. Schools scheduled a fortnight farm-holiday for it.
Their slogan was to get all the wheat harvested before the looming rain. The wheat was already fully ripened. If left in the rain, it would sprout. Nobody wanted to taste flour made from sprouted wheat, which was even worse than that from sweet potato.
When it came to food supplies, many women, who had just given birth a month or just a few days earlier, were down in the fields.
Some were carrying their infants, whose faces turned red from the sun, while others left their infants at home under the elder children’s care.
Feng Qingxue didn’t leave home. She would stay peacefully indoors.
The son was born on April the 8th, or May 11th on the solar calendar. He’s already twenty days old.
Looking at her son, now free of the crumpled redness, Feng Qingxue was filled with tenderness and affection, her eyes almost weeping with tenderness.
The baby grew exceptionally well. In the heat, his fair and tender arms and legs peeked out, like lotus roots, chubby and plump. His complexion was particularly fair, perhaps due to her covert consumption of bird’s nest and fruits during pregnancy. His skin was as white as snow. His double-lidded eyes were wide and watery, slightly baby-blue. His nose was high and his lips beautifully shaped. He was truly a handsome boy in the making!
"Auntie, what’s the little brother’s name?" Song Gang was watching the baby intently by the bed.
After the baby was born, the younger Feng Qingyun and Gangzi immediately assumed the status as the aunt and elder brother. At the age of seven, Feng Qingyun was already following the elder children down the field to pull out wheat and pick up wheat ears. Gangzi stayed at home, keeping company with Feng Qingxue and the baby.
Feng Qingxue was not so spoiled that she’d lie in bed motionlessly. She often got off the bed to do whatever she could. She would hold the baby and bask in the sun. Due to weather conditions, she’d avoid cold wind and cold water. Luckily, Granny Zhao and her younger aunt were taking turns to look after her, everything was moving along quite smoothly.
Hearing Song Gang’s question, Feng Qingxue replied, "I haven’t chosen a formal name yet. I’ll call him Xibao for now!"
She may not wait for Lu Jiang to name the baby, so she asked her father-in-law to give the baby a formal name while she chose a nickname herself.
After much consideration for over a half-month, she finally made the decision today.
Lu Tianjun came home and heard the name. He clapped his hands, laughing, "Xibao? Good name! Our little brother is as white and perfect as jade, lovely in every way. Is he not the treasure of our family? Xibao, yes, Xibao it is!"