Before heading to Hei Province, Zheng Long had raised his savings to 300 yuan (with one hundred contributed by the Long Family). He also amassed 600 jin of grain. After reaching Level 3, he began planting corn, with each kernel yielding thirty jin, Level 4 yielding forty jin, and Level 5 yielding fifty jin, and so on.
In the sunny March, Mr. Zheng took Zheng Long, along with an introduction letter from their village, and the two set off together on a train bound for the three northeastern provinces.
Since they had to change trains in Beijing on their way to the three northeastern provinces, they visited Beijing first. Being in Beijing, Zheng Long felt they couldn’t miss out—so he took Mr. Zheng to Tiananmen to watch the flag-raising ceremony and even took photos, but they didn’t visit the Great Wall or the Imperial Palace. Mr. Zheng said, watching the flag-raising was enough.
So without even staying overnight, they boarded the train to Hei Province the very same night.
After a journey of five days and six nights, traveling by train, then by bus, and finally by ox-cart, by the time they arrived at a certain army base, they had been on the road for half a month.
Arriving dusty and travel-worn, they carried the martyr certificates of the two sons, the household registration book from Mr. Zheng’s family, the food book, and a series of well-inquired documents such as Zheng Long’s previous work connections and medical reports. They were there to seek out Mr. Geng, now the regiment leader of the army unit, who had been a comrade of Mr. Zheng’s sons.
Mr. Zheng had kept all the letters previously written by Mr. Geng, so he made a call, and Mr. Geng personally came out to greet them.
Zheng Long followed Mr. Zheng to Mr. Geng’s office but didn’t enter the inner chamber; instead, he waited outside.
Two hours later, the office door opened, and Mr. Zheng joyfully patted his shoulder, saying,
"Ah Long, you should quickly thank your regiment leader; you’ve been accepted. But since we lack experience, they’re going to start you off in the Cooking Class—feed the pigs, grow some vegetables; after that, it’s up to you." Content originally comes from NoveI-Fire.ɴet
Zheng Long immediately bowed deeply to the regiment leader, who waved his hand dismissively.
"No need, no need. You’re Da Mao and Ermao’s nephew; it’s my duty to look out for you a bit. However, while connections are connections, a master can only show you the door; it’s up to the individual to progress. After all, our way in wasn’t through the official channels, so you’ll have to earn your own respect, you understand?"
He agreed repeatedly, and then the regiment leader arranged for a warrior to take them to the army guesthouse to put away their things and then to the dining hall for a meal.
During the meal, Mr. Zheng said, "The reason your two uncles sacrificed themselves was to save him. Some years ago, he even sent me money, but I refused and sent it back. Later, he wrote to me that if I ever needed anything, I could come to him. I thought I would never have to rely on this favor in my lifetime, but now, haha, you’d better do a good job. The food you cook tastes very good, and even as a cook, you can make a name for yourself, you know?"
Zheng Long hadn’t anticipated this kind of connection nor the sacrifices made by his uncles, which translated into Mr. Geng’s words that seemed like a gentle admonishment.
He understood that Mr. Geng didn’t want him to think he had a powerful backer, hence the warning not to assume everything would be smooth sailing just because of this connection.
Zheng Long wasn’t that kind of person. Plus, he actually quite liked the Cooking Class in the army; cooking was his favorite thing to do and what he was best at. The job was almost tailor-made for him.
"Once you’re all settled, I’ll head back." Hearing this, Zheng Long became anxious, "Go back? Where are you going back to? How can I take care of you if you leave? No, you can’t go. I still have three hundred yuan; take it and buy a house in a nearby village. That way, it will be easier for me to look after you!"