The sanatorium was extremely secluded. Those who could live there were either rich or respectable. The fact that Zhang Zhiyuan had brought him to visit at night proved this point.
After passing through a small forest and arriving at the entrance of a rather secluded villa, Zhang Zhiyuan stopped and said, "Yiwei, tonight we're visiting Tan Liangnian, the former Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Xijiang Province. Now the old man is resting at home. "Although Tan Lao is no longer in his position, his influence is still there. "When he was in office, he led the restructuring of the enterprise. I have three goals for coming tonight. First, I want to learn from him. Second, I want to get his support. Third, I want someone from him. When we go in later, we have to act according to the circumstances. Pay attention to the way you speak."
When Zhang Zhiyuan mentioned Tan Liangnian's name, Lu Yiwei was shocked. Tan Liangnian was an all-powerful figure in Xijiang Province. Since when did Zhang Zhiyuan have such a relationship? Lu Yiwei could not help but look at Zhang Zhiyuan in a different light.
From the outside, Tan Liangnian's villa looked very simple. It was not much better than the houses in the countryside. Lu Yiwei thought, 'This old man is really low-key. He did not choose the magnificent European-style villa next to it, but chose this small farmhouse in Bei Zhou City.'
A person's state of mind would gradually change as they grew older. After some people retired from important positions, they would tactfully choose to live in seclusion. They would not pay attention to the outside world, enjoying the primitive life of working at sunrise and resting at sunset. These people were commonly known as' big recluses'. Some people were different. After retirement, they still did not have enough of being an official. They were still unwilling to leave the political circle. They hid in the busy city and held a nominal position such as a research institute or a promotion committee. They continued to play their role and participate in politics. These people were commonly known as' middle recluses'. There were also people who still lived in the family quarters of ministries and departments after retirement. They remotely commanded the troops that they trained and directly or indirectly interfered with government affairs. These people were commonly known as' small recluses'. No matter what kind of "concealment" it was, it was directly related to a person's mentality.
Lu Yiwei took the things from Zhang Zhiyuan's hands. Zhang Zhiyuan looked a little nervous. He tidied up his clothes, and when everything was ready, he raised his hand and gently knocked on the door.
After a while, an old woman in plain clothes opened the door vigilantly. Seeing that it was Zhang Zhiyuan, she relaxed and said in a gentle tone, "Zhiyuan, you're here. Come in."
Zhang Zhiyuan said humbly, "Mother Luo, am I disturbing you by coming so late?"
Madam Luo's steps were steady as she steadily walked into the courtyard. She still spoke in a soft voice, "I'm just an old woman who cooks. It's not a bother. Have you eaten yet?"
"Yes, I have. Thank you for your concern, Mom Luo!" Zhang Zhiyuan lowered his head and bowed as if he had met his superior. After that, he took a gift box from Lu Yiwei and handed it over to Madam Luo. "Mother Luo, this is a piece of satin that I asked a friend to bring back from Jiangnan. I wonder if you like it?"
When Madam Luo heard that Zhang Zhiyuan had brought a gift for her, her face instantly bloomed with joy. She immediately took out the satin from the box and examined it under the light. After inspecting it, Madam Luo's face lit up with a brilliant smile. "You're really something. Every time you come, you always bring something for me. I'm already so old, so how can I wear this out? But I like it, thank you for your concern."
Zhang Zhiyuan continued to flatter, "Mother Luo, you're so young. Look at your figure, it's still as charming as when you were on the stage. If you wear it out, those old dancers will definitely take a few more glances at you. The old granny will definitely be jealous, haha."
Madam Luo turned her head and pretended to be angry. However, anyone could tell that she was feeling elated in her heart.
After dealing with Madam Luo, Zhang Zhiyuan looked inside and said, "Mother Luo, is Tan Lao resting?"
Madam Luo pointed inside and said, "Not yet, he's in the hot spring in the backyard."
Zhang Zhiyuan immediately said, "Then, is it convenient for me to go over now?"
"Go in, there's no one around. He just said that he wanted to find someone to talk to to relieve his boredom. Since you're here, accompany him to chat," Madam Luo said.
Hearing this, Zhang Zhiyuan was secretly delighted. After thanking her, he went straight to the backyard.
The front yard was very ordinary, with a two-story duplex building facing it. But after passing through the central hall, the scene before him left Lu Yiwei dumbfounded.
The backyard was brightly lit with lanterns hanging on both sides of the winding corridor. After passing through the corridor and continuing forward, there were pavilions, small bridges, and rockery. It was completely in the style of Jiangnan. Following the pavilion to the center of the yard, passing through a fan-shaped door, a huge hot spring came into view.
Due to the high temperature of the hot spring, Lu Yiwei's eyes were covered with a thin layer of mist. He couldn't see the scenery in front of him clearly, but it was indeed as warm as spring. He couldn't feel the cold of winter at all.
"Zhiyuan, you're here." Before Lu Yiwei could clean his glasses, he heard a loud voice.
Zhang Zhiyuan quickly walked over with a face full of smiles and said, "Tan Lao, it's all my fault for disturbing you so late at night. Please reprimand me."
"Since you're already here, what's the point of saying that? I'm looking for someone to talk to. Come, come over here." Then he looked up and saw Lu Yiwei. He frowned and said, "This is?"
Zhang Zhiyuan quickly explained, "Tan Lao, this is Lu Yiwei. He's my good partner and friend. He's trustworthy."
"Oh." Tan Liangnian was still a little worried and showed his cold side.
When Lu Yiwei saw this, he bowed deeply and said, "Elder Tan, this junior has long since heard of your great name. You've always been a role model and spiritual role model in this student's heart. Today, I've met you in person, it's truly a blessing of three lifetimes. It's my fault for disturbing your rest. I hope you can forgive me. "
Tan Liangnian couldn't help but turn back to take another look at Lu Yiwei when he heard that Lu Yiwei was on the right track so quickly. His face was still solemn and he didn't reply, which made Lu Yiwei feel very awkward. Obviously, he didn't welcome Lu Yiwei's appearance.
Tan Liangnian stood up from the hot spring. Zhang Zhiyuan quickly took the towel beside him and draped it over him. As Tan Liangnian walked out, he said, "You guys wait in the guest room. I'll go change."
Looking at Tan Liangnian's silhouette, Lu Yiwei couldn't help sighing. Tan Liangnian was truly someone who retired from the province. His walking posture and tone were different. His gait was steady, and his posture was elegant without losing his dignity. The Qi in one's Dantian, the sound of one's voice like a great bell, and the enunciation was clear and dignified. This was a skill that could not be trained without decades of experience in the bureaucracy.
Looking at the grassroots cadres, they walked with their big bellies swaying left and right, unable to find their center of gravity. His words were vulgar and not pleasing to the ear. Every three sentences, he would use foul language. If he took off his ill-fitting suit and put on a flowery shirt with a cigarette in his mouth, he would look like a hooligan.
Zhang Zhiyuan and Lu Yiwei moved to the guest room next door. Lu Yiwei immediately recognized the two "armchairs" in the guest room. They were given to Zhang Zhiyuan by the owner of Orchid Garden Hotel. It turned out that they had been moved here. Lu Yiwei pretended not to see and sat down to observe the decorations in the guest room.
The decorations in the guest room were exquisite. From the decorations to the decorations, the decorations, the paintings, the carvings, and the decorations, they were all antique in the style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. There were wooden carvings, paper-cut window decorations, pear wood table, candlelight, and moonlight. It had both the boorishness of the north and the elegance of Jiangnan. It seemed that this Tan Lao was someone who knew how to live.
After a while, Tan Liangnian walked out in his pajamas. Lu Yiwei finally saw his face clearly. His silver hair was neatly combed, and there weren't any wrinkles on his square face. His black-rimmed glasses were perched on the bridge of his nose. His eyes might be small, but they were focused. He had a big nose, thick lips, and especially his thick brows, they looked like two swords piercing through the clouds, giving him the demeanor of a general.
Seeing Tan Liangnian walking over, Zhang Zhiyuan and Lu Yiwei immediately stood up to welcome him. Tan Liangnian chuckled as he walked over and pressed his hands down. "Sit, sit. There's no need to be so courteous here. Treat it as your own home!"
Seeing that Zhang Zhiyuan sat down, Lu Yiwei also sat down. "Tan Lao, how have you been?" Zhang Zhiyuan turned his body and asked.
Placing his hands on his thighs, Tan Liangnian shook his head. "I've been recuperating here for a few days, and my arthritis has gotten better. But my stomach problem still hasn't improved. I've seen so many doctors, and they all said that it's fine. I've also taken so much medicine, but it's useless. Especially when it's near daybreak, the pain made me break out in cold sweat. Sigh, I'm getting old, and my body can't take it anymore. "
"Tan Lao, don't be too anxious. I'll look for some folk remedies for you, and it might be useful." Zhang Zhiyuan comforted.
Tan Liangnian sighed and said, "It's useless. We've tried everything. That doctor said that I need to recuperate slowly. I don't even eat meat now, but I still don't feel better. This means that it's not my problem, but that their doctor isn't good."
"That's right! I think so as well!" Following Tan Liangnian's words, Zhang Zhiyuan continued, "Tan Lao, if you're not feeling well, I'll bring you overseas in a few days. The medical conditions there should be better."
Hearing Zhang Zhiyuan's concern, Tan Liangnian smiled. "It's rare for you to be concerned about this old man. No need for that. I'm more confident in TCM, so let's see how it goes."
Lu Yiwei suddenly thought of North River Town's Half Immortal Xu. Although Xu Banxian had turned into a living Bodhisattva, he also knew some medical skills over the years. He was especially proficient in treating injuries and stomach problems. Previously, when Shi Xiaoman sprained her ankle, Xu Banxian had easily treated it. Lu Yiwei initially wanted to interrupt, but Tan Liangnian did not even look at him, so he swallowed his words.
"How is it? How's your work recently? "Tan Liangnian continued his conversation with Zhang Zhiyuan.
Glancing at Lu Yiwei, Zhang Zhiyuan replied, "I'm not afraid of you laughing at me, but after half a year of experience, I've finally found the feeling of working at the grassroots level. I still need your guidance and nurturing."
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