Chapter 14 Liu Dong joins the army

Liu Dong was eighteen years old when he graduated from high school, his sister Liu Cao was twenty-two, and his brother Liu Shu was twenty-six. After Liu Shu's dream of joining the army was shattered, he could only work in peace of mind. Since then, he has become very sad. He always plays the flute on the soil slope in front of his house every day, and the depressing sound of the flute fills the air at dusk. Liu Cao has been farming at home for several years. The children of farmers have no way out. After graduating from high school, they can only work at home.After graduating from high school, my sister participated in the training of barefoot doctors in the county hospital. After the training, there was no job to do.In the clinic of the brigade, the number of barefoot doctors is already full.Those who can become barefoot doctors are all related to Director Hu of the Brigade Revolutionary Committee.Liu Cao couldn't get into such a relationship, so she could only go home and work in farming.But my sister is passionate about the profession of doctors. She always goes to the mountains to gather some herbs, puts them in the yard to dry, and then tastes this and smells that.She is carefully guarding these herbs, as if guarding her own ideals.

Liu Dong has graduated and has nothing to do, so he can only go to work in the fields like his brother and sister.That day, when he was looking for a hoe to go to work, Liu Shu grabbed him: Brother, you can't do this, you are going to be a soldier. Liu Dong said without confidence: What if I can't go? Liu Shu said sternly: You must go. After saying this, the elder brother turned around and left silently.After the death of his father, the big and small matters in the family were decided by the elder brother. In the evening, when his mother Wang Guixiang came home, Liu Dong learned what his brother had said.At this time, Liu Shu was squatting outside playing the flute again. He was playing "The Members of the Club Are All Sunflowers", a very cheerful piece, but he was playing it like weeping.

Wang Guixiang looked at Liu Dong: Listen to your brother, he asked you to be a soldier, so you should go to be a soldier. Liu Dong said: Can I really be a soldier? Wang Guixiang nodded: Listen to your brother. In a blink of an eye, the day of conscription came again, and the walls and trees in the village were covered with red and green slogans again.The slogan has remained unchanged for more than ten years, and it still says something like "One person serves as a soldier, and the whole family is honored". That day, Liu Shu came back from outside with two bottles of wine and two boxes of pastries.He put those things in the house, and said to Wang Guixiang, "Mom, take your younger brother to Director Hu at night."

Director Hu was in charge when my elder brother was going to be a soldier, and Director Hu is still in charge now. Director Hu was already in his fifties at this time. Wang Guixiang glanced at the things on the table, then at Liu Dong, then nodded at Liu Shu: Boss, Mom will listen to you. After dinner that night, Wang Guixiang led Liu Dong to Director Hu's house.Director Hu's house is very grand, spacious and bright, with a large yard.Director Hu's son, Hu Xiaohu, was riding a bicycle in the yard. He was riding the bicycle like an acrobat, whistling while riding.Hu Xiaohu and Liu Cao are classmates, and they have graduated for several years. He doesn't do any farm work, but spends his days riding a bicycle and wandering around the world with a cigarette in his mouth.In this village, the adults didn't pay attention to him, and the children ignored him. Everyone said he was a "loafer".

Seeing Wang Guixiang leading Liu Dong, Hu Xiaohu jumped off the bicycle and said, "What the hell, Liu Dong, you want to be a soldier too?" Wang Guixiang said: Xiao Hu, is your father at home? Hu Xiaohu said carelessly: Here you go, go in. Wang Guixiang went into the house with his things, but Liu Dong didn't go in, he stayed in the yard talking to Hu Xiaohu. Hu Xiaohu said: Liu Dong, do you want to be a soldier? Liu Dong nodded. Hu Xiaohu pursed his lips in disdain: What's the point of being a soldier? If I wanted to go, I would have left long ago.Serving as a soldier can no longer be promoted, and he will not be able to return after two years.Zhao Xiaosi from Qiancun has returned from serving as a soldier for five years, but now he can't even find a partner.

Liu Dong said softly: I want to try it. Hu Xiaohu said with the look of someone who has come here: listen to me, wait in the village to recruit workers, is it better to be a worker than to be a soldier? Liu Dong glanced at Hu Xiaohu, sighed and said: I can't compare with you. When Wang Guixiang entered the room, Director Hu was sitting at the table, taking a sip of tea and a sip of wine.He glanced drunkenly at Wang Guixiang, then at the things she was carrying in her hand, his face looked better, and he said in a dragged voice: You are here—— Wang Guixiang put the things by the table, looked at Director Hu and said: Director, my kid wants to be a soldier this year.

Director Hu drooped his brows and eyes: It's great to be a soldier. There are many people who want to be a soldier this year. I can't say whether he can succeed. With a smile on Wang Guixiang's face, she said: Don't you want to ask the director to help? Director Hu took another sip of wine and said: There are many people who ask me for help, who do you think I will help or not? Director Hu sucked his teeth, and Wang Guixiang lowered his head, looked at his toes and said, "Director Hu, the child's father left early. These years, it's not easy for the three children. Just help the child once."

Director Hu said: If I can help, I will definitely help. In the yard, Hu Xiaohu took out a cigarette and handed it to Liu Dong. Liu Dong shook his head and said: I don't know. Hu Xiaohu ordered it himself, looking very skilled. After Hu Xiaohu spit out a series of smoke rings, he asked Liu Dong: What is your sister doing? Liu Dong looked away, and replied, "Go to the fields to earn work points." Your sister is so proud, we are classmates, now I talk to her, she ignores me. My sister is like that. Hu Xiaohu approached Liu Dong: I heard that your sister is dating someone?

Liu Dong shook his head: I don't know about her. I have heard that it is the big treasure of Houcun, a tractor driver, we were in the same class when we were in school. Liu Dong blushed and said anxiously: I really don't know about her. In the room, Director Hu and Wang Guixiang were talking. Wang Guixiang was still begging Director Hu in a low voice: Director Hu, it is very difficult for me to bring three children without fathers.Just help Liu Dong this time, and he will never forget you in this life. After listening to Wang Guixiang's words, Director Hu drank a few more sips of wine and said: "It's all difficult, you are difficult, and I am also difficult."Look at this family, Xiao Hu's mother has been dead for several years, and there is no one in my family who cooks. I am a father and a mother at the same time, and I can't even eat hot meals when I go home.

Wang Guixiang said seriously: Then quickly marry Xiao Hu a wife. With a daughter-in-law, someone will cook. Seeing what Wang Guixiang said, Director Hu let out another long sigh: what he likes, others look down on him;What do you think makes me fix it? Wang Guixiang could only sigh with Director Hu. When Liu Dong and his mother came back, Liu Shu was sitting in the yard playing the flute while waiting for them to come back.Liu Shu saw that his mother seemed unhappy, so he followed into the house and asked carefully: "Have you sent the things?" The mother said: Director Hu said that there are many children who want to serve in the army this year, but he dare not guarantee that Liu Dong of our family will succeed.

Liu Shu said angrily: It's not just a matter of his words. Liu Dong said without confidence: Mom, brother, why don't I join the labor of the production team. No, you must leave this year.I have to send you away no matter what I say, our family will rely on you to succeed in the future, you can't retreat at this time.Liu Shu patted Liu Dong on the shoulder and said firmly. Liu Dong replied to his brother very confidently: Whether I can go or not is not up to you. Liu Shu gritted his teeth, and said decisively: Leave the rest alone, I have my own way. Liu Shu walked into Director Hu's house at noon the next day.On the way here, he saw a slogan on the tree blown up by the wind.He went up and glued the slogan "One man serves as a soldier, the whole family is glorious" with his saliva, and stared at it for a long time before walking forward. Director Hu has already eaten and is about to sleep for a while.When he saw Liu Shu walking in, he said gossipingly, "Hey, the high school students are here. The sun came out from the west today."Why are you free to visit me? Since Liu Shu graduated from high school, people called him a high school student.Liu Shu is usually very lonely. He just sits there reading a book and plays the flute when he has nothing to do, and he doesn't want to say a word.He was twenty-six years old and still unmarried, and there were many people who introduced him, but he didn't give a nod. His mother, Wang Guixiang, was also very anxious, but he only had one sentence: my younger brother left as a soldier, and I will think about my own affairs.At this time, Liu Shu came to Director Hu with a desperate mood. He stood in front of Director Hu: Director Hu, my younger brother is going to be a soldier. Director Hu grinned: I know that, your mother has been here. Liu Shu said again: If you send my brother away this year, I will give you all my work points for this year. Director Hu smiled: High school student, what are you talking about?what am iIt's the brigade director, how can I ask for your work points? Liu Shu asked seriously: Then what do you want? Director Hu said slowly: I don't want anything. I don't stop him from being a soldier. It's his luck that he can leave. Liu Shu stood there, staring blankly at Director Hu's face. He didn't know what to say for a moment. Suddenly, he knelt down to Director Hu, and tears flowed out. He said with a choked voice: Director, only you can help My younger brother is dead, you can help him just once.Your kindness will never be forgotten in my life. Director Hu waved his hand and said: Well, don't do this, you are the one who wants to kneel, and I didn't make you kneel.You go, I know about your brother, I will think about it then, I'm going to sleep. Liu Shu knelt there motionless... Director Hu appeared one evening, with his hands behind his back, looking very leisurely, as if he walked to Liu Shu's house inadvertently while walking.Liu Shu was squatting in front of the door playing the flute. When he saw Director Hu, he was startled for a moment, stood up and said: Director, please sit inside. Director Hu looked back and forth at Liu Shu's small courtyard, and said as he walked in, "It's not bad." Liu Cao was squatting in the yard drying those herbs, and she didn't even lift her head when she saw Director Hu come in.Director Hu came over, squatted beside Liu Cao, grabbed a handful of herbal medicine and put it under his nose, smelled it and said: The medicine you picked is good, much better than the barefoot doctors in the brigade health center.Well, if you have the opportunity to work in a health center.I dare say, you must be better than those two barefoot doctors. Seeing Director Hu coming, Wang Guixiang rushed out to welcome him: The director is here, hurry up and sit in the room. Director Hu smiled at Liu Cao, patted the medicine residue on his hands, and walked into the house, and Liu Shu also entered the house.Liu Dong was reading a book in the room, when Director Hu came in and stood up hurriedly, Director Hu patted Liu Dong with his hands: This child has grown into a young man in no time, and he looks like a soldier. Wang Guixiang poured tea and water to settle Director Hu down. Director Hu looked here and there, took a sip of water and said, "Well, I'm here today, so I can say whatever I want."Didn't Liu Dong want to be a soldier?I thought about it, and it's not a big deal, but it has to be like this, my kid Hu Xiaohu, you all know that when others introduce him to someone, he doesn't like anyone, so he just likes your Liu Cao.If so, Liu Dong was a soldier, and Cao'er went to the brigade to be a barefoot doctor, I will leave it to me. Wang Guixiang and Liu Shu had smiles on their faces at first, but when they heard the words behind them, there was no smile on their faces. Director Hu found a way for himself: Why don't you think about it and tell me when the time comes.You are for the sake of the children, and I am for the sake of the children. It is not easy to be a parent. I'm leaving now. Liu Shu took a step forward and grabbed Director Hu: Director, we promise you. Director Hu waved his hand: I'm not busy, you guys discuss it, I'm leaving. Director Hu left. The whole family was stunned there, and the mother sighed and said sadly: "Can it be done, can Cao'er be willing?" Liu Shu bit his cheekbone and said: If she agrees, she must agree, and if she disagrees, she must agree. Wang Guixiang sat there wiping tears, Liu Dong came over and pulled La Ge's sleeve: "Brother, I am wronged as a soldier, and my sister will not be willing. She looks down on Hu Xiaohu the most, and besides, she is dating Dabao from Houcun." It's on. Liu Shu pulled Liu Dong's hand away, and said vehemently: "It's none of your business here, just wait to be a soldier!" After Liu Shu finished speaking and walked out, he called Liu Cao into the room and closed the door again. Liu Cao who entered the room asked strangely: Brother, what are you doing, you are mysterious. At this time, Liu Shu looked solemn, he stared at his sister and said: Liu Cao, are you my sister? Hearing what Liu Shu said, Liu Cao's eyes widened in surprise: Brother, what's wrong with you? What are you talking about? Liu Shu nodded: Our father passed away early, we have grown up so much, we have not contributed anything to this family... Before Liu Shu finished speaking, Liu Cao interrupted his brother and said: Brother, tell me, what do you want to contribute?Is it because Liu Dong served as a soldier? Liu Shu didn't answer directly, but asked Liu Cao: Did you date Dabao from Houcun? Liu Cao blushed and nodded. Liu Shu continued: For the sake of our family, can you break off with Dabao and marry someone else? Liu Cao asked in surprise: Who should I marry? Hu Xiaohu. Liu Cao took a "bah" and said: He? That bum? Seeing his sister's expression, Liu Shu lowered his voice and said, "I know you definitely don't agree, but for Liu Dong and for this family, you have to agree."Liu Dong's military service was not for him alone, but for this family, and our family has to serve everyone. When Liu Cao heard this, tears flowed out. Facing her brother and this family, her heart was about to break. In another room, Liu Dong was also begging his mother. He said to his mother, "Mom, just tell brother that I don't need him to deal with my affairs." The mother sighed and said: Since your father is gone, your brother has the final say in this family, he can do whatever he says, you can listen to your brother. Liu Dong blushed with anxiety, and said angrily: Isn't this an exchange?I'd rather not be a soldier than let my sister do this exchange, what's the deal! Mother persuaded: Your brother is looking forward to our family's success as an individual. Your brother is already twenty-six. He has never married, and he has not even made an appointment with him. He is just waiting for the day when you graduate. Hearing what his mother said, Liu Dong burst into tears. Liu Shu is still working on Liu Cao's ideological work: After all these years, I have made up my mind long ago. For the sake of our family's personal success, I will do whatever it takes to kill me.Director Hu said that as long as you agree to this marriage, he will not only let Liu Dong serve as a soldier, but also get you to work as a doctor in the brigade health center. Liu Cao lay on the cabinet next to her and wept bitterly, while Liu Shu walked around the room with her hands behind her back.Finally, he stopped, and said again: Mom gave Director Hu a gift, and I also knelt down to him. If he doesn't accept this kindness, what can I do?Today he offered to let you be his daughter-in-law, which is obviously an exchange with us. When Liu Shu said this, he paused, looked at Liu Cao, and said: Dad has been dead for so many years, and my elder brother has not done anything for the family, let alone for you. What do you want my brother to do in the future? I still say that, even if you let me die, I agree. At this time, Liu Cao stopped crying, and she asked with red eyes: Brother, is there no other way? Liu Shu shook his head. Liu Cao said with a choked voice: Brother, I agree. After hearing this, Liu Shu finally burst into tears that had been pent up for a long time.He hugged Liu Cao and said: Good sister, brother will never forget you in this life.Even if you let brother die, brother will never frown. These were Liu Shu's words from the heart, and sure enough, in the near future, he paid the price for his words. Liu Dong successfully signed up.On the day he went to check his body, Liu Cao and Hu Xiaohu held an engagement ceremony.Director Hu summoned relatives and friends from both sides to eat and drink at Director Hu's house. Brother Liu Shu drank too much that day, he held a wine bowl and respected everyone he met, and he also drank when others respected him.When he got home, he vomited profusely. His mother and younger sister took care of him. During the interval between vomits, he said to his sister, "Cao'er, you have been wronged. In my next life, I will be a cow and a horse and I will repay you." While crying, Liu Cao said: Brother, I am willing, I am happy. Mother Wang Guixiang hid aside and also wiped her tears. Liu Dong's medical examination went well, and the next step was for the head of the army to visit the homes of the young people who passed the medical examination and conduct political examinations.When the leader of the recruiter came to visit Liu Dong’s home, Director Hu personally accompanied him and was very enthusiastic. While introducing the situation to the leader of the recruiter, he patted his chest and said: Liu Dong is fine, I watched him grow up Well, if there is a spot in our brigade, it belongs to Liu Dong. I just see that this young man is promising. After everything is done, we are waiting for the admission letter.Director Hu had already discussed with Liu Shu that the day Liu Dong got the army enlistment notice and went to the army was the day when Liu Cao and Hu Xiaohu held their wedding. On the day Liu Dong put on his military uniform and left the village, there was light snow in the sky. He reported to the commune on a tractor sent by the brigade.When the tractor drove away, firecrackers, gongs, drums and suona sounded in the village.Liu Dong knew that his sister was having a wedding with Hu Xiaohu right now. On the morning of Liu Dong's departure, my brother looked at his new military uniform, squeezed it here, looked there, and said with tears in his eyes: "Brother, this time you can do it, you have finally become a soldier."Then he said sternly: Remember, you are not a soldier alone, you represent your brother.Brother has no other requirements, but I hope you will be successful, otherwise don't come back to see me. At this time, Liu Dong was sitting on the tractor, facing the falling snow, thinking of his brother's words, his tears flowed out again.