The curtain call on the stage of history cannot help but be desolate and sad. Whether you like it or not, you will be submerged one day in the long river of time. The height you can reach will leave your name in history. What cannot be surpassed is birth, old age, illness and death.

When Pei Jianjun said these words, his tone was very sad. It is too much to say that a hero is old, and it is not suitable to say that he is calm and carefree. He has a little regret in his heart. As a politician, it is a pity that he has never reached the top. The scene is:

Speaking of scenes, keeping your true thoughts at home and in your heart, how could there be a soldier who doesn’t want to be a general?

The atmosphere in the room suddenly took a turn. Even the old man gave his son the rare space to bear this moment. When he came down from the front-line leadership position, what he said was great was that he failed to make more contributions to the people and the country. What he said was narrow-minded.

There are still ambitions that have not been realized. Leaving the stage that attracts everyone's attention, no one is spared the regret.

Pei Jianjun calmed down his emotions and said with a slight smile. The free and easy feeling that coexisted with regret was not an act: "Forget it, don't think too much, don't you just retreat? It is inevitable that there will be such a day."

"But, second brother, you just this year..." Pei Huan had been mentally prepared for a long time, but he still couldn't accept it. The second brother is still far from the age of retirement, and he can even work for another five years during the change of office.

, why are you so unique?

"Don't worry, this term will still be completed. It's just that we won't arrange any substantive work after the year. We will focus on some ideological construction work and have a free year." Pei Jianjun's subconscious actions still betrayed him.

His true thoughts, touching cigarettes, were in the old man's study. He would not have done this in the past.

Cheng Xiaoyu took out a cigarette from his pocket and handed one to Mr. Pei, Pei Jianjun, Jia Ping and Jia Haiyang respectively. It was rare that the room was filled with smoke. The old man also made an exception to smoke a cigarette. He has never quit smoking.

The amount of wine should only be kept to a very small amount. If you smoke one occasionally, it will have a different taste. At least you still have some material needs in life. Only those who have needs have stronger vitality.

Pei Pei pushed open the study door to let the smoke dissipate as quickly as possible. After several men smoked a cigarette, the residual mellow smell filled the entire study. When Pei Pei closed the heavy door again, Jia Ping had already made a decision

Made a decision.

"Dad, I'm used to being in the field army. If I mention this half a meter, I think this will be it for the rest of my life. There is still hope for guarding the capital."

Pei Huan originally thought that her husband would choose to be promoted by half a rank, from a full rank to a central military organization. This was a good thing, but she didn't expect that her husband would choose to be promoted to a lower rank when he opened his mouth. She looked at her husband in confusion, not knowing that he

What do you think? His explanation is clear but I don't agree with it. Is it impossible to move from a deputy position to a full-time position? It is even more impossible to move from a field force to a large military region level.

"Have you thought about it?"

Pei Jianjun asked softly.

"Um."

Jia Ping nodded seriously, not avoiding his wife's questioning gaze. He believed that the old man would give the answer soon.

As expected, the old man who was already a little sleepy snorted softly: "The year after tomorrow is very critical. Although guarding the capital is not the top priority in the current situation, it must be the object that the prince wants to fight for. This step is more wise.

Some, but it is also difficult to grasp. Becoming a confidant is not that simple."

"Dad, I want to give it a try." Jia Ping greeted him without flinching at all.

"Then, let's give it a try." The old man propped himself up, and Jia Haiyang and Pei Pei quickly stepped forward to help him up and send him back to his room to rest.

In the study, Pei Jianjun looked at his brother-in-law and said with a smile: "I will make arrangements for you. Don't be too active in the capital. As the leader of the garrison in the capital, you should have your own magnanimity."

Jia Ping nodded and said thoughtfully: "Well, second brother, I know."

Cheng Xiaoyu scratched his head and walked out of the study.

"Hey, Dayu, what do you think of uncle's choice?" Jia Ping took the initiative to stop him, as if he had put Cheng Xiaoyu in a position where he could have an equal conversation. This made Pei Huan, who was already confused, feel slightly dissatisfied.

What happened to my husband today?

Cheng Xiaoyu was stunned for a moment, stood still, paused for a moment before turning back, still scratching his head: "What is the principal? I'm not sure what the process is like, but with one party's authority and pure cooperation, what can I do instead?"

I definitely choose the former. As for the level, I don’t think the difference is that big after I have Jin Doudou on my shoulders.”

"Hahaha..." Pei Jianjun and Jia Ping laughed at the same time.

………………

At night, under the starry sky, in a warm room, Jia Ping and Pei Huan, an old couple, rarely lived in the same bed and cuddled up together across their pajamas.

Okay, this little birdie won't make people feel sick.

"I still can't figure it out." Pei Huan was still worried.

"It's very simple. It's a five-year plan. It's appropriate to go to the Military Commission. But I still have at least ten years to do more. Guard the capital. The top priority is to be able to participate in decision-making at a specific moment. The opinions put forward

It will also be taken seriously by the superiors." Jia Ping lit a cigarette and looked at the stars outside the window.

Pei Huan frowned and thought about this sentence repeatedly. This was also her habit. Jia Ping could have said it more straightforwardly, but she couldn't accept it and was used to the feeling of being in the clouds.

His eyes lit up: "You mean..." Pei Huan pointed to the sky.

"I may not be sure. The second brother means to help me arrange to enter his sight, and use more than a year to stabilize the garrison. If I do well, the other party is willing to accept me. In the next ten years, there will probably be more

A big step closer." Jia Ping's ambitions are all over the place, and the ambitions that were about to disappear with the comfortable life in the southeast have resurfaced.

Pei Huan was very happy. She suddenly realized that she didn't seem to have anything to prove, and her husband could also reach higher.

"Xiao Huan, the Yuejin matter has been decided 100%. From now on, he will be the flag of the Pei family. You are siblings, so don't make things too complicated." Jia Ping reminded his wife with both public and private considerations.

"I know, I'm just being petty here. No matter how good you are, you still have to be a few steps behind. If you work hard, we might not be able to be the leaders in the future. It's just you and Yuejin?" Pei Huan was immersed in her husband's future grandeur.

In the blueprint, this is the character of the husband who has been sharing the same bed for decades, the brothers and sisters who want to compete with each other, and are unwilling to lag behind others.

Jia Ping didn't say anything else, but just shook his head and said it didn't matter. At that level, it was no longer a simple faction. It was not bad to be like this. With his wife's personality, it was not easy for her to temporarily abandon her prejudices. At least in the

Until she succeeds, she will not target anyone in her family.

………………

Early the next morning, Cheng Xiaoyu was about to say goodbye and leave, but the old man stopped him and asked him to stay in Beijing for a few more days. He didn't understand why the old man did it. Only after dozens of hours did he find out that during this period, the old man took the initiative to beat him three times.

A phone call, the last one who is still alive, the peak of his reign, the peak of the future. No one knows what the content of these three calls is, but someone got such news. The old man announced to the public in the name of the Pei family that in the next year

Finally, the date was set and no public announcement was made for the time being. Cheng Xiaoyu and Pei Pei will officially hold a wedding ceremony.

A large RV and two military vehicles formed a special convoy, departing from the capital and heading to the hinterland of Northeast China. Snowflakes were falling in the sky, and the ground was covered with snow. The cars were traveling very slowly, as fast as on the highway.

It's not over a hundred.

"Grandpa, second uncle and the others..."

"Don't worry, I told them not to give it away, and they won't give it away." The old man was wearing an old-fashioned winter military uniform. Similar clothes can still be seen in the poorer countryside in China, but not in the city. This outfit

He had kept the clothes for more than twenty years and had not worn them since the military rank system was restored. As he embarked on a longing and fearful journey, he suddenly thought of this outfit and felt that it was the most suitable for him.

Cheng Xiaoyu scratched his head. Unexpectedly, the old man took the joke to his heart and wanted to fulfill it at this moment.

Go to the Northeast and return to the most primitive state. There are not many veterans coming from the Northeast back then. Mr. Pei must learn from Mr. Cheng to truly return to the mountains and forests, enjoy a truly quiet life, and let go of all the past. This kind of stubbornness

Only someone with his status would dare to do it, and no one would dare to stop him. As an old man, like a child, his personality will become independent and stubborn, which is unreasonable.

All the Pei family members had no choice but to make a three-part agreement with the old man. The medical team must be with him, the security force must be with him, and he must take medicine and eat as directed by the doctor.

The old man accepted the children's concern, and his stubbornness came true, but he pretended to be Cheng Xiaoyu and Pei Pei. This time, even Pei Jianjun looked at Cheng Xiaoyu with a little more blame in his eyes. The old man was over ninety.

, is it possible to go to live in a small mountain town where the conditions in all aspects are very poor?

Cheng Xiaoyu had nothing but depression. He sat on a chair in the car and looked out the window depressedly. Mr. Pei, who was still traveling lightly, was in a good mood. From time to time, he would explain a few words to Cheng Xiaoyu. It seemed that the new trip made him feel happy.

Feeling refreshed.

The old man doesn't fly. If it weren't for the fact that taking a train would cost people and money by opening separate carriages, he wouldn't choose a car. Before they arrived at Xinglong Village, the people who were waiting for the front station had already arrived. After Heimu took the old man's security to Xinglong Village, he secretly arranged

Not to disturb the tranquility of the entire village, but to let everyone know that a wealthy relative of the Cheng family came with a lot of service staff. Cheng Laoshi and Wang Xiumei gave up their houses and moved into Cheng Xiaojuan's home in the backyard.

"Everyone get lost!"

Mr. Cheng roared, and all those who wanted to set up camp and prepare for the camp were driven away by Heimu. They had no choice but to buy homesteads nearby and build houses.

Money can make all the difference. During the winter snow season, a row of houses can be built in just three days. The efficiency is staggering.

Before the house was built, the group of people took turns to have security and medical forces nearby so that the old man could call upon them at any time.

"Old Peitou, you are so arrogant. Look at the restlessness you are causing. I will tell all your people to get out. You can leave at most two cars and six people, and the rest will get out!"

The first thing he said when he saw his old acquaintance was that Mr. Cheng scolded him angrily. Mr. Pei was not angry and entered the warm room with a smile. Except for Mr. and Mrs. Cheng Laoshi and Mr. and Mrs. Cheng Xiaojuan, no one else knew that this was Pei Pei.

My grandfather, otherwise everyone would know that the Pei family is a big shot in the capital. The whole Xinglong Village has not turned upside down. I just said that he was an old friend of Mr. Cheng, a businessman. Now that he is older, he can find an old friend who has the same mind to settle down together.

In his later years, those who accompanied him were doctors and bodyguards hired by the younger generations.

Youdao misses his old friends in his seventies. All the old friends around him have passed away one by one, and the two have become much closer when they meet. He is chained by cannons but cannot let go of the shackles on his body. For the sake of the family and the interests of the alliance in the same circle, he must

Sitting in the capital, one must become an activist and must speak out a word or two from time to time. The political philosophy is different. The military faction mainly sticks to the hills in a small area, acquiescing to their existence and controlling a few small areas.

After the change of leadership, it depends on whether Mr. Suo can live that long. Recently, he has been chained to the hospital bed for a long time. Some wartime injuries have become the basis of tormenting him. He has to rely on it every day.

Countless drugs and treatments are used to stay alive.

Mr. Cheng and Pei Taihang were sitting at the Kang table. The first topic they talked about was about chains. Mr. Pei disapproved of his method of doing things. This was also the reason why the two families were not in contact with each other even though they were related by marriage.

"A bunch of unfilial sons." Mr. Cheng didn't talk about politics, he only talked about the small life of loyalty, filial piety, benevolence and righteousness that a poor family should have. The old man was lying on the hospital bed so uncomfortable that he didn't perform surgery with full operation. With conservative treatment, his life could be maintained, but

His body, mind, and body were undergoing endless pain and torture every day. Mr. Cheng leaned on the soft cushion and cursed.

"You, you, you..." Mr. Pei smiled and pointed at Mr. Cheng, who reminded him once he came up. If you want to let go, then let it go completely. Some concepts and thinking must be changed.

Next at noon, there was goose stewed with pickled vegetables, rural bean paste, and a pot of shochu, one tael per person. The meal whetted Mr. Pei's appetite, and he ate two taels more than usual.

After the meal, the two old men lay on the hot Kang, leaning on the quilt, chatting about their children's marriage. As they chatted, they both saw the sad look in each other's eyes, and they knew each other very well.

My body is running out of time, and I feel sleepy after just a few words. After a while, I start snoring, and the two old men are fast asleep. Maybe they don't remember what they talked about a minute or two before falling asleep. They only remember.

There is a hint of nostalgia in each other's eyes and a sense of freedom and destiny.
To be continued...