Li Zhen said: "Old village chief, go and have a look at Li Jiayin's home."
"Okay, I'll lead the way."
Li Mingwei looked at Li Jiayin and shouted loudly: "Li Jiayin, the president said to go take a look inside your home. Quick, open the door."
"okay."
Li Jiayin smiled and agreed, limping forward with a cane.
Li Zhen thought of what Li Mingwei said just now and asked: "Old village chief, it's the New Year today, why is Li Jiayin's house still closed? Does he still have to go out during the New Year, or is it something else."
Li Mingwei had a relaxed expression on his face, relaxed the wrinkles on his face, and said in a leisurely manner: "That's right, because Li Jiayin is lonely at home, and it's very lonely to celebrate the New Year alone, so I asked Li Jiayin to come to my house. Have a family reunion dinner. Anyway, we in Li Zhuang are all one family. In addition, the world is now peaceful and things are getting better. Anyone who can help us will do so. If we in Li Zhuang don’t help our own people, how can we expect others to do so? Are you here to help? You say so."
Li Zhen gave a thumbs up and praised: "Li Zhuang is really lucky to have an old village head like you."
Li Ming said nonchalantly: "The President is serious. I just did what I was expected to do."
A group of people came to Li Jiayin's house talking and laughing.
Looking around, Li Jiayin's home was built with earthen walls and a row of fences surrounding the house. However, it was dilapidated and had not been repaired for a long time. Li Zhen took Li Mingwei and others into the house and felt sad looking at the simple decoration. , he sat down, with a hint of apology in his eyes, and said: "Brother Li, you were injured on the battlefield, and your three sons also died fighting for the country. Both father and son are heroes, but life is tight now." , the country failed to do a good job in dealing with the aftermath, and I apologize to you."
Zeng Guofan and Shi Dakai stood aside with solemn expressions.
Both of them felt that the courage on their shoulders was getting heavier and heavier.
This is a dereliction of duty on their part.
After listening to Li Zhen's words, Li Jiayin shook his head easily and said cheerfully: "President, you don't have to blame yourself. When I retired from the army, the army gave me enough resettlement allowance. However, after I came back, I was alone at home. Whatever the cost, I donated the money to those in need. Although I am lame in one leg, I can still work and walk, but it’s just a little slow. Although my life is a little poorer, I won’t go hungry. This is much better than the past few years.”
After a pause, a look of pride appeared on Li Jiayin's face, and he said proudly: "Although my sons died in the battle, I don't regret it because they finally defeated the Manchu Tatars. If they couldn't defeat the Manchu Tatars, "Tatars, even if they don't die in battle, they will be oppressed by corrupt officials until they have no way to survive. They are all the same anyway. It would be more honorable to die in battle."
When Li Zhen heard this, he immediately understood.
This is a very strong man and a man who constantly strives to improve himself.
Li Zhen felt happy but also a little heavy.
The man in front of him made him awe-struck. Li Zhen said sincerely: "No matter what, I am grateful to Brother Li. If it were not for a family like Brother Li, the establishment of our China would have been delayed, because there are a group of lovely and respectable people like you." Only those who are strong can successfully win.”
As he spoke, Li Zhen stood up and bowed respectfully to the Li Family Bank.
Li Jiayin wanted to reach out to stop Li Zhen from saluting, but Li Zhen persisted, and he accepted with a simple smile.
Li Zhen waved his hand and asked Lu Shaochuan to deliver the grain, vegetable oil, etc. he had brought. He also gave Li Jiayin a letter of money, and then said: "Brother Li, these are some condolences for the New Year. I hope you will accept them. I also hope that Brother Li will be healthy and worry-free in the new year."
Li Jiayin wanted to refuse, but in the end he accepted and expressed his gratitude again and again.
Li Zhen changed the topic and asked: "Where are the graves of Brother Li's three sons? Can you take me to burn an incense stick?"
"well."
Li Jiayin stood up and murmured: "My youngest son just wanted to see the President, but unfortunately he was not lucky enough to die without seeing the President."
With Li Mingwei accompanying them, the group left the house and headed towards the back hill of Lizhuang.
After going up the mountain, you came to a place with three consecutive tombs.
Li Jiayin pointed to the tomb and said with a smile: "Because the bodies of the eldest, second and third eldest children were not recovered, only the news of their death was brought back, so it is a tomb." Li Jiayin stood in front of the tombstone, gently touching the tombstone. The steel man's face showed a rare trace of warmth, as if he was remembering the days when he and his three sons fought on the battlefield together.
Li Zhen looked at the tombstone. The eldest son was called Li Chengfu, the second son was called Li Chengde, and the third son was called Li Chengmin.
Three tombstones were erected one after another.
Li Zhen stood in front of the tombstone, took the paper money, incense, candles, etc. from Li Mingwei's hand, burned incense and saluted the three of them.
After a while, Li Zhencai took the people away.
Because it was close to noon, Li Zhen took a group of people to have lunch at the home of the village chief Li Mingwei. There were more than thirty people in Li Zhen’s group. Several tables were set up in Li Mingwei’s house before they all sat down. For Li Ming Speaking of which, New Year's Day was undoubtedly a day worth remembering for a lifetime. He never thought that he would have the opportunity to eat at the same table with Li Zhen.
While Li Zhen was eating, he was chatting with Li Mingwei, and the conversation was very pleasant.
At about two o'clock in the afternoon, Li Zhen led others to leave.
On the way back, Li Zhen looked at Zeng Guofan and Shi Dakai and asked, "What do you think?"
Zeng Guofan said: "We have not done enough."
Shi Dakai went on to say: "There is a long way to go and we must not slack off."
Li Zhen nodded and said: "What you said is all right. It is a very critical issue and we must work hard to do it next. However, what happened to Li Jiayin today touched me very much. I want to be in Beijing." A monument to heroes was erected in the center of the city to commemorate the countless soldiers who died in the war. Although the heroes died, the heroes are immortal. Even though they died, their souls are still there. I want to erect such a stone monument so that future generations will always remember the memory of the dead soldiers. Credit, what do you think?"
Lu Shaochuan was the first to speak: "I support it."
Zeng Guofan said: "I also support it. This proposal is good."'
Shi Dakai nodded and agreed.
Seeing that everyone supported them without hesitation, Li Zhen laughed and said, "In that case, arrange this matter immediately after you return. Don't delay and implement it as soon as possible. I believe that whether it is the common people or the soldiers in the army, , all hope to see such a stone monument."
Zeng Guofan responded and said: "I will make arrangements immediately after returning."
After the group returned to the city, they separated.
Li Zhen returned to the Presidential Palace and enjoyed the rest of the New Year with Zhilan, Li Xiaotong, Gu Lina and others. There were fireworks in the yard at night, and the New Year slipped through his fingers in the blink of an eye. On the first day of the new year, Li Zhen Before I could rest, the battle report from the south had already arrived.
Long Ao took the battle report and headed towards Li Zhen's study.
ps: Seventh update, call it a day; updated around midnight.
