Lu Zhaodi, who had been mocked and oppressed in her hometown for only giving birth to a daughter, felt better after joining the military. Although she initially quarrelled with Feng Qingxue due to differing ideologies and was chastised by her husband, she took delight in the camaraderie shared among the other military spouses. She relished in their respect for her as a leading figure.
Hearing the indignant criticisms of Lu Jiang and Feng Qingxue from the others, Lu Zhaodi was delighted—finding it even sweeter than having candy.
"Why would a poor peasant’s daughter marry the son of a landlord if not for money and power?" Lu Zhaodi argued vehemently. "It’s completely unfair. We laboring people work hard, but can’t earn as much in a month as they do. And it infuriates me when she flaunts her son daily, isn’t it just to mock me for giving birth to a worthless girl?"
At these words, she touched her belly fiercely and said, "I’m pregnant. I’ll give birth to a son to show her, to make her understand that she’s not the only woman in the world who can bear a son."
"Giving birth to a son is a minor matter, our leader said that women hold up half the sky. Let’s discuss other matters!" said Jin Feng.
"What matters?" Lu Zhaodi was a bit puzzled.
"The things about the landlords!" Jin Feng urged, looking especially excited. "Landlords are the meanest and cruelest. They often seize the hard-earned goods and money of the working people, living lavishly on their exploitation. I bet Colonel Lu’s family is the same, right? Making peasants pay rent in times of bad weather, torturing them if they failed. While the people starve, they feast daily. Saying their son and daughter-in-law have learned their capitalist ways."
Lu Zhaodi hesitated for a moment, "I don’t know about that, I’ve never met these rich landlords. I only know that their family was confiscated a long time ago, Lu Jiang’s father now lives in a cowshed!"
Jin Feng was immediately regretful after hearing this.
"It would have been great if you knew all about it and could tell us." She was really curious.
"I only know things about military life, not their personal affairs. If you want to know more, ask others...Niu Yibao, isn’t he under your husband? He seems to have visited the Lu family and attended Colonel Lu and Feng Qingxue’s wedding," said Lu Zhaodi.
Suddenly someone asked, "Considering Colonel Lu’s background is far from ideal, why hasn’t anyone reported him yet?"
Lu Zhaodi startled, looking at the one who asked, Cao Hongzhu.
Cao Hongzhu’s husband is Li Shuitian, the director of the Political Department and has good relations with her own husband, Jiu Hong. So, she has a better relationship with Cao Hongzhu than with Jin Feng, even though Cao Hongzhu is less talkative.
"Report? Report what?"
Cao Hongzhu answered confidently, "Report them for joining the military despite their dubious backgrounds! Report them for showing favoritism! Report them for restoring capitalism! The state stipulates that the children of the ’black five’ can’t go to university, can’t join the army, can’t be employed by government institutions or factories. Colonel Lu and his wife should be investigated for taking bribes. Clean up their thoughts and finances! When I came here, the education movement in our hometown was in full swing. The cadres eliminated many corrupt and nepotistic officials, a truly satisfying sight!"
As Cao Hongzhu got more and more excited, she seemed to exude a sense of justice for the common people.
...What if we get censored? It’s subtle enough, please give us votes.