After finally being free of debt, Lianshan, who already had a special enthusiasm for the New Year, was even more eager to throw himself into the New Year preparations with Lian En, Chenchen, and Xinzhi.
However, just as they were getting started, the sudden tragic news left them stunned.
Listening to the announcer’s pained and choked voice on the TV, Lianshan almost suspected his ears were hallucinating, hearing fake news.
The beloved Prime Minister of the people actually... passed away?
Even though he desperately didn’t want to believe it, the clear images of the ten-mile farewell procession for the Prime Minister on the TV constantly reminded him of the undeniable truth.
The massive earthquake in late July in Jizhou claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of compatriots.
Upon hearing the tragic news, Liu Shouren, as the team leader, actively organized the members, who were still recovering from the tragic news of the leadership’s death, to to the Jizhou disaster victims.
With the slogan "If one is in trouble, others help," he himself and Lianshan each gave five hundred, Liu Shouyi, Lian Hai, and Ning Jianshe each gave three hundred, leading by example. The wealthy and kind-hearted villagers of the Liu family village collectively d twenty thousand yuan, along with countless clothes and bedding.
With an average salary level of just over thirty yuan, one can imagine the sensation that the Liu family village’s production team’s donation of over twenty thousand yuan worth of goods caused.
Local and provincial newspapers raced to report on it, and provincial television stations dispatched reporters to interview them.
Liu Shouren simply smiled and said: "If one is in trouble, others help; it’s the responsibility of Chinese descendants. As the ancient sages said, when poor, one should only care for oneself; when successful, help the world. I and the Liu family village’s production team members have just done what we can within our capabilities, helping as much as possible. I believe that under the wise leadership of our great leaders, the compatriots in Jizhou will surely emerge from the shadow of disaster and rebuild their home soon..."
His powerful words were published verbatim in the city newspapers, provincial newspapers, on provincial television, and even in national newspapers.
Not only did it spark a wave of nationwide activity in which people eagerly d love to the disaster victims, but it also made the Liu family village’s production team known and remembered by the entire nation. This affluent, uplifting, and kind village and their high-caliber team leader who could say "if one is in trouble, others help."
Although they only wished to do what they could for the pitiful disaster victims, without the least thought of seeking any benefits or interests from it.
But when the red and gold banner of the advanced collective of earthquake relief and rescue was ceremoniously brought into the village, Liu Shouren still raised a heartfelt smile seeing the villagers hold their heads high with pride.
Knowing that disaster would strike, yet concerned about her ant-like status, she chose to remain silent.
Afraid that speaking out would be futile, and she might even be labeled a rumor-monger.
Even though Shuzhen knew she was not wrong, looking at the city turned to ruins on TV, her heart was filled with sorrow. There was a pressing urge to do something for the disaster victims, like sending them a batch of food or something.
After all, with powers in hand, wasn’t it easier and more convenient for her?
After discussing with Lianshan, the couple found a suitable spot in the nearby mountains. They spent two full days urging out around 600,000 jins of wheat.
Then she changed her handwriting and anonymously sent a note to Liu Shouren, saying she was a well-meaning person, who, due to various private reasons, couldn’t reveal herself. She knew about Liu Shouren from recent newspapers and trusted his character. Hence, she entrusted him with the task, hoping he could on her behalf, to fulfill her love and care for the disaster victims.
Upon first receiving the note, Liu Shouren thought it was a brother joking with him.
But when he went to look at the address on the note: Oh my, he was utterly shocked!
Without daring to delay, Team Leader Liu quickly called people to the mountain to carefully guard the grain and reported this magical event layer by layer.
The authorities conducted a special investigation into the matter, which, of course, yielded no results.
However, this batch of grains was entirely sent to the disaster area, d by a well-meaning person from the Black Province XX City area.
After receiving the latest news from her elder brother, Shuzhen raised her eyebrows and couldn’t help but greatly praise the purity and kindness of people at this time.
Such a large, ownerless batch of grain didn’t encounter a single person with greedy intentions; it was entirely transported to the disaster area – truly admirable! She thought, at least some would be withheld.
Those who briefly entertained greed before retreating upon seeing the scene didn’t know her thoughts. Otherwise, they would certainly have scoffed at her.
Who hasn’t entertained such thoughts?
But on the bare mountain, such a huge pile of grain appeared out of nowhere, without a single track mark of wheels in front of it. Just scattered here and there, like a hill of wheat.
With such mystical methods, surely it wasn’t something ordinary people could achieve?
And daring to lay hands without even understanding the details means pure recklessness!
Grain is undoubtedly precious, but life is even more valuable. Compared to greed, clearly staying alive is more important.
Anyway, after feeling they’ve done their part for the disaster victims, Shuzhen put her worries and concerns behind her and returned to assisting her sister-in-law about to give birth.
On August 15, the twentieth day of the seventh lunar month, Wu Yinghong finally gave birth to her and Liu Shouren’s third son at noon after a night and half a day of painful struggle.
Yes, the third son, not the dearly longed-for little daughter!
After ten months of longing, and finally giving birth only to be disappointed, Wu Yinghong finally understood the disappointment of her sister-in-law Su Hongying.
Seeing her sister-in-law’s sweat still unwiped, Shuzhen quickly praised, fearing her nephew’s road to neglected from birth: "Oh my, look at my big nephew’s auspicious timing. Noon on the fifteenth day of August, the lunar calendar’s twentieth day of the seventh month. He founded a day when the male occupies two-five-eight, and the female occupies three-six-nine, fully occupying the two-five-eight great day!
By the old generation’s sayings, this child either has great good fortune or great luck!
Big nephew, you grow up quickly, and let your aunt borrow some of your luck when you succeed in the future."
Knowing her sister-in-law was comforting her sister-in-law, Su Hongying too quickly chimed in, jesting: "Yes, yes, also the second aunt! Big nephew, work hard to succeed, and tomorrow be filial to your parents, aunt and uncle, and uncle and aunt, and don’t forget to support your brother, sister, younger brother, and younger sister, okay!"
And with a bit of melancholy, Wu Yinghong laughed: "Come on, you two, stop fooling around! No matter how disappointed, this child was born through all my efforts. It’s my own son; as a mother, how could I mistreat him? The disappointment is fleeting, just like how Hong Ying treats Jianjun well now!"