Uncle Zhang saw they had finished their discussion and didn’t say much. He turned to Mr. Zhang and said, "Da You, at the end of the year, the village will elect an accountant and a women’s director. What are your thoughts? There are no outsiders here; it’s just us brothers and Brother Zhou. Does your family plan to put someone up for election?" Mr. Zhang shook his head. He knew better than anyone else that his sons had no interest in village matters. "No one in our family wants to be an accountant or a women’s director. Big Brother and Little Brother, see if anyone in your families is suitable. I can help drum up support. Isn’t Chunming’s father aiming to get his son in? Who else is competition for the accountant position?" Uncle Zhang nodded, "Chunming’s father is getting old; he’s a bit overwhelmed. He wants his eldest son to step up, but who would agree? Just his other sons would be up in arms already. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⚑𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⚑𝓷𝓮𝓽 As for the competition, there’s Liu Jiabao from the Liu Family, and Xiao Dash from the Xiao Family. One has an education, having graduated middle school, but he’s too young; it’s unlikely he’ll succeed. Then there’s Xiao Dash, smart and independent, but I doubt anyone in the Zhang Family Village would elect him. Old Third, what does your family plan to do? Think it over quickly. I’ll check with Uncle Captain. Uncle Captain also says he’s getting old and might not continue in a few years. With changes going on, who knows if problems will arise?" Uncle Zhang Youcai quickly refused, "Big Brother, neither of my sons is up for it. If it were for militia captain, maybe Qinghe could try to get elected. I think you should just have the eldest go up; he’s literate and can keep the books. No one is more suitable. As for the women’s director, let it go. It’s all trivial matters, and those old women haggle over every penny; it’s annoying." Mr. Zhang joked with Uncle Zhang, "Big Brother, you don’t need to quit as deputy captain; you can continue for another 20 years. The day after tomorrow, you capture a tiger, ride it back to the village, and no one will dare say you’re too old." Zhou Xiaozheng burst out laughing, chiming in, "Exactly, Brother Zhang, you yell loudly, ’Tigress, come home with me!’ Then we’ll see if Sister-in-law skins it for me, seeing if she’s tougher or the tigress is tougher." "Haha, be careful, or your sister-in-law will give you a thrashing first," Uncle Zhang laughed aloud. "I don’t even want to be deputy captain. Arranging production and harvest is endless, not to mention all the little issues in every household. Luckily, Uncle Captain is in charge; I just lend a hand, and he has the authority. Everyone is used to listening to him." Uncle Zhang curiously asked him, "Big Brother, who are the women running for women’s director now? Do you guys have any idea in mind?" "A women’s director needs to have a harmonious family, strong appeal, and education. Among those with education, they’re all young, and those young wives have no appeal at all. Uncle Captain said Jiao Jiao from our family is most suitable, but unfortunately, she can’t stay, so let’s not even mention it. After considering, it’s only Zhang Gouzi’s wife, Ye Zi, from the courtyard in front. She graduated from primary school, doesn’t talk much, keeps her house tidy, and treats her in-laws kindly. Zhang Gouzi is dependable and doesn’t shirk work, so she’s fitting. Uncle Captain mentioned that among the short ones, she’s the tall one; we definitely shouldn’t let Zhang Guoshu’s wife have the role, right?" Then Uncle Zhang laughed to himself. Uncle Zhang thought for a long time, recalling that a few years ago, a new wife was indeed married into the front yard. Zhang Gouzi’s wife seemed quite polite, greeting everyone she met. "Now that you mentioned it, I remember. That young wife greets all the old men respectfully, quite polite; she’s alright. Didn’t Aunt Cuihua stutter when she first came up, but didn’t she eventually adapt?" "Yes, Uncle Captain just mentioned it casually. It still depends on whom everyone chooses. Brother Zhou, now let’s have some drinks; don’t just listen to our nonsense. Now that you’re back, you’re not going on missions anymore, right?" Zhou Xiaozheng raised his bowl and clinked it with him, "No more, I’m getting older; I’ll just train the young soldiers. Unless something unexpected happens, I’ll peacefully stay with the children’s mother and the kids." "That’s good. Serving in the military is not free, but everything else is great. Our Youcai wanted to join the army back then, but my father disagreed, otherwise, he would have left long ago." Uncle Zhang, drinking his wine, listened to his big brother and set down his bowl, "Back then, I was all set to go. Before I left, father went deep into the mountains at night and didn’t return for three days and nights. Mother was so worried she cried, saying we, the three brothers, wouldn’t have a father anymore. Only then did I give up on the idea and stayed with my parents. Joining the army was always my dream, also my only regret." Uncle Zhang amusingly looked at him, "Do you know why father didn’t let you join the army? He said our three brothers weren’t material for soldiers; going would just get you killed. He said soldiers need to be sharp and have plans. He said we weren’t suitable, too stubborn. That year, ten or so people from Tiger Gully went; only two came back, all with lost limbs. Those two were the sharpest; he said if you went and just came back missing an arm or leg, it would be lucky. How could he dare let you go? Don’t believe it? Ask Brother Zhou how many of his comrades didn’t make it through service." Uncle Zhang looked expectantly at Zhou Xiaozheng. He couldn’t bear to disappoint but had to speak, "Tiger Gully was still alright. When I first joined, I didn’t have a single day off in 365 days. Lying in the snow for three days and nights without moving in winter was normal. If you got frostbite, you retired; some plain and honest ones just fell asleep never to wake up. Those who survived were the crafty soldiers. Nowadays, it’s much better; the world is at peace, and being a soldier is well-regarded." Uncle Zhang stood up and poured Zhou Xiaozheng a drink, thankfully saying to him, "Brother Zhou, for your safe return, and for coming back whole, we won’t say more; let us toast you with this bowl. Without soldiers like you, where would we civilians have our good days? Everyone, raise your bowls to toast your Uncle Zhou." Everyone stood up, toasted to Zhou Xiaozheng, and finished their drinks. Old Zhang quickly urged him to eat; tonight, he just came back from drinking, and only had a bowl of dumplings to fill his stomach. Zhou Xiaozheng ate a few bites, then put down his chopsticks. He also poured Old Zhang a bowl of wine, raised his bowl, and gratefully said, "Second Brother, since I knew my Jiao Jiao married into your family, I’ve never worried about her being wronged. I trust in you and Second Sister-in-law’s character. Thank you for looking after her. I know my daughter was often cared for by you two since she was little. I feel warm inside; I won’t say more formal words. Being one family, I’ll toast you with a bowl." He clinked bowls and downed his drink first. Old Zhang kindly drank his wine and said to him warmly, "We’re one family, let’s not be formal. I’m also grateful you have a good daughter who married our Xiao Wu. Jiao Jiao is sensible, well-behaved, and filial. These two are good kids for leading a steady life, and our in-law relationship is comfortable. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to direct Xiao Wu, treat him like your own son." Zhou Xiaozheng smiled and nodded, "Alright, I’ll make sure to give him orders, you can be assured." "Take your time drinking and eating, you all keep eating."