Li He took out his phone and tried calling Pinsong. As expected, Pinsong knew about it. Ever since Old Zhu's health had deteriorated, Pinsong was in charge of moving many of the good things they received and then personally delivering them to Li He's house.
Old Zhu's family was settled in a temporary house in Mentougou. There were many shacks along the way. The demolition plan was to first demolish, then build, then move, then settle.
Those who were lucky and had connections could get temporary houses to live in. Those who couldn't live in the government's temporary houses and couldn't go to their relatives or friends could only temporarily live in shacks that didn't block the wind or rain. These shacks' bricks, tiles, dust, and door and window wipers were all taken from old houses.
However, the government issued a housing turnover fee. Usually, a city resident would be given 40 to 50 yuan, and a rural resident would be given 10 yuan. This would only last for three to five months.
Li He parked his car by the roadside and prepared to slowly search. However, he didn't need to ask around. After a few steps, he found Old Zhu under the shed.
Old Zhu was paralyzed on the reclining chair like a zombie. His cheeks were sunken and his neck couldn't help but droop. His head seemed to be hanging by a rope. Only two buttons were fastened on his jacket, leaving only his stiff and shriveled chest exposed.
"Hey, Master Zhu, do you still have a chance to live in a new house like this?" Li He forced a smile and teased. He didn't expect such a spirited old man to become like this.
"Nonsense." Old Zhu tilted his neck and his words were already unclear. Seeing Li He, he was naturally very happy. He pointed to the stool beside him with a trembling hand and said, "You sit, you sit."
He panted heavily as if he was afraid that he would forget what he wanted to do.
"Weiqi, get a cigarette." He tried to shout into the house but his voice still didn't move.
The door opened and Zhu Weiqi walked out. He was a little scared to see Li He and passed a cigarette to Li He unnaturally.
"Thank you." Li He accepted it politely. "You didn't go to work?"
Zhu Weiqi was still working in the direction of the printing factory. Things had stabilized.
Zhu Weiqi said, "I asked for leave from Manager Fang to come back and take care of my grandfather."
"Oh, that's good." Li He lit a cigarette. Although Zhu Weiqi was a bit of a hooligan, her filial piety was still commendable.
Zhu Weiqi poured a cup of tea for Li He and returned to the house. He still felt a little awkward in front of Li He.
Old Man Zhu looked at his grandson's back and said, "I'm not here anymore. Please help me take care of him. Don't look down on him just because he's in his twenties. He's still a fool. His father doesn't care about him. I can't hold on for more than a few days. It's still Zeng Guofan's words, 'In my opinion, the children of poor families in the countryside, the more they look at them, the easier it is for them to grow up. The children of rich families, the more they look at them, the harder it is for them to grow up.' I've really raised them badly. In the future, you should teach your children the same principle. "
Li He's heart ached, but he still smiled and said, "It's okay, I'm here. Did you go to the hospital? Why don't we go to the hospital? The living conditions here aren't good. "
"It's good, it's good. It's comfortable enough with lights and electricity. It's just that it's not convenient to use water. Every day, the water truck sends water over." Old Man Zhu sighed and said, "The unit wanted to send me to the hospital, but I didn't agree. I can't stand the smell. I'm satisfied. There's nothing to pity. I've lived long enough. It's useless to live for so long. I still have regrets in this life. "
"At least you've contributed to China's archaeology. That's not simple." Li He could only try his best to go along with it.
"No, I'm just a coward." Old Man Zhu wanted to shake his head, but his neck couldn't support it anymore. "The year the Japanese entered Xiangnan, I was the Director of Wugang Education. I was timid and left my students behind. Now that I think about it, I'm not human. Why was I so timid when I was young? Later, when Yang Shaohua became the Director of Education and took over my position, he looked down on me. I sent him a few letters, but he didn't care. I was so ashamed that I didn't have the face to return home. But who knows how much I missed home. I have to thank that Xue Yue. He contributed to the battle in Changsha and lessened my guilt. But I was unhappy for the rest of my life. I heard that he went to Taiwan and is still alive. A hero like him should live to a hundred years old. If there's a chance in the future, and I'm saying if, if you meet him, help me thank him. "
Xue Yue was born in 1896 in the 22nd year of the Qing Dynasty. He also graduated from the prestigious Baoding Military Academy. Later, Sun Yat-sen became the president. Xue Yue, Ye Ting and Zhang Fakui were the commanders of the first, second and third battalions. Chen Keyu was the regiment commander.
"Of course, of course." Regardless of the conditions and whether he could do it, Li He could only agree. This could be considered as fulfilling this old man's wish. As for the past merits and demerits, who could say for sure?
Old Man Zhu continued, "I like you. You're rooted. I'm ashamed to say that you're like me when I was young, but you're really like me. In my opinion, with your current status, you should be surrounded by followers. But there's none. You're still the same. There's a famous saying in my hometown. Of course, it was said by Zeng Shaotou. 'If you're broad-minded, you must work hard from the word' plain '. You're good, very good. "
Li He laughed and said, "If I don't have a gun, I can at least deal with two people. Besides, only those at the provincial level or above are assigned a guard. What am I? With just two stinky bucks, I don't deserve to be surrounded by guards."
Old Man Zhu rubbed his head and nodded reluctantly. "It's always right to look down on others in the world. The insufferably arrogant Nian Gengyao ended up in such a pitiful state because of his ignorance. That's why he's arrogant but not arrogant. That's the foundation of being a person. "
"I've learned a lot." Li He nodded in agreement.
"Help me call Weiqi over."
Li He got up and called Zhu Weiqi over.
Zhu Weiqi squatted in front of Old Man Zhu. For some reason, her heart ached. "Grandpa, tell me. I'll listen to you from now on."
Old Man Zhu said, "Tell your father that if I go, burn my body and keep the ashes. Bury me in my hometown."
Zhu Weiqi buried her head in Old Man Zhu's body and cried. "Got it, Grandpa."
"Untie the key on my waist and move the box at my bedside."
Zhu Weiqi untied the key on Old Man Zhu's waist, then went back to the house and moved a heavy wooden box over.
"Grandpa, it's here."
"Open it." Old Man Zhu had already closed his eyes, but he seemed to speak with more strength.
Zhu Weiqi opened the wooden box with trembling hands. There were only two porcelain jars, a jade disc, and three books in the wooden box.
Old Man Zhu said to his grandson, "I can't leave this for you. You can't take care of it, and you don't have the ability to take care of it. I'll leave it to your Brother Li. He can take care of you. Do you understand?"
Zhu Weiqi nodded while crying.
"It's too expensive. I'm afraid I can't afford it. But don't worry, I'll take care of Weiqi. "Li He suddenly remembered what Shou Shan said before. He hesitated whether to take these things or not.
Old Man Zhu trembled all over and was a little anxious. He said with a pleading tone, "You can. I believe you."
Li He wanted to say something but Old Man Zhu continued, "I've never begged anyone in my life. I'm begging you."
Li He took a deep breath. Looking at Old Man Zhu with a dark yellow face, he couldn't bear it but he still agreed, "Really, I'll take care of him. I promise he can't bear any grievance …"
"Then I'm relieved." Old Man Zhu smiled, "Dongting is eight hundred miles away. It's nothing! It's delicious! "
He wished he could be one with the mountains and rivers of his hometown.
He said to himself, "Shake, shake, shake, shake, pick up firewood. Pick up a handful a day, pick up a piece of charred wood every ten days. Send it to grandma's house to burn. Grandma will send three feet of cloth …"
Before he finished this sentence, he suddenly twisted his head. Tears were still hanging in his eyes.
"Grandpa, grandpa, grandpa!" Zhu Weiqi saw Old Man Zhu was silent and shouting. He seemed to understand something. "Grandpa!"
Li He felt Old Man Zhu's breath with tears. He was at a loss and didn't know what to do. Finally, he said to Zhu Weiqi, "No more. Call your parents. "
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