Chapter 183: Chapter 134: House Hunting
Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Xiaozheng arrived at the Big Courtyard in the countryside and found Secretary Zhang Zhifeng to explain their intentions. Zhang Zhifeng had already anticipated their arrival.
Zhang Zhifeng glanced at Zhou Xiaozheng and quickly came forward to shake hands, "Oh, Comrade Zhou Xiaozheng, it’s a pleasure to see you. You are the pride of our township. Congratulations on being able to come back this time. Xiao Wu, your father-in-law is here, you must treat him well."
Zhang Guoqing smiled and said, "Uncle, there’s no need for polite words, we are all family. When you have time, ask your Taozi how, on the day of the washing celebration, he left after delivering gifts without even having a bowl of noodles, and he hasn’t come to my house to play these days."
Zhang Zhifeng waved his hand, "Let’s not talk about him. If that kid were half as successful as you, I wouldn’t worry. He’s been back in the city with his grandmother these days, and will return in a few days. Comrade Zhou, what about that matter? The impact is quite significant, and it’s hard to handle it lightly."
Zhou Xiaozheng nodded, "I came this time just to give you a heads up. The kids have been relying on your care, so I must thank you in person. In the future, just call me Old Zhou when we meet, it sounds better. As for that case, handle it according to normal procedures. If it’s convenient, my older brother is getting on in years, so perhaps arrange for a nearby farm for his rehabilitation."
Zhang Zhifeng nodded and said, "Then you can call me Old Zhang, or Brother Zhang. Haha, Brother Zhou, you’ve finally spoken clearly. The higher-ups have been urging us, it’s better to close the case early. I’ll talk to some people and see which farm is closer."
"Alright, Brother Zhang, you go get busy first. When you have time, come over to Xiao Wu’s for a few drinks. I won’t hold you up, I still need to head to the county to greet the county committee secretary." With that, Zhou Xiaozheng stood up, not even having time for a cup of tea.
Zhang Zhifeng saw them out, "Alright, let’s get together when we have time. This time, you must spend some good time with your daughter. Brother Zhou, I won’t hold you up. See you."
Zhou Zhengxiao and Zhang Guoqing arrived in the county town together and exchanged pleasantries with County Committee Secretary Li Aiguo. Zhou Xiaoxheng also explained his intentions, indicating that things should be handled as usual and mentioned having just met Zhang Zhifeng.
Li Aiguo nodded, as there was nothing much to hesitate over. Since the higher-ups are already watching, no one dares to abuse power and handle things unjustly, the impact is too great, and even the provincial city has received word.
"Alright, the higher-ups have sent people urging for a case closure. The matter has spread to the provincial city, causing quite a stir. Wrapping it up won’t be easy, luckily you understand. If there was a request for release, it’d be impossible. The production team leader inside might need to be made an example of. Recently, files have come down from above to severely punish corrupt officials. It’s good for your oldest to find a closer farm for rehabilitation. To get out, he’ll need to wait two or three years for the heat to pass."
Zhou Xiaoxheng nodded in understanding, "This is necessary, if everyone twisted the law for personal gain, how can society remain stable? Follow the procedures as they are. I have matters to attend to, so I won’t hold up your work."
The two took their leave, declining Li Aiguo’s offer to personally see them off.
Once out of the county government, Zhou Xiaoxheng quietly spoke to Zhang Guoqing, "We can’t seek out a few other people today. The county town is small. If someone sees us running from office to office, when the sentencing comes down, there will be gossip accusing us of interference.
Visiting these two today is unobtrusive. Once the dust settles, you can find an opportunity to bring it up with Zhao Dashan. Then, if you have time, take a bottle of wine to Zuo Lin, no need to say much. Taking the wine over, they’ll get the idea."
Zhang Guoqing nodded, knowing it was his father-in-law teaching him about handling people and life, looked around, "Dad, where are you planning to go?"
Zhou Xiaoxheng looked around, the time had passed, and he couldn’t accurately know the current county town situation, but he vaguely recalled a small courtyard of bungalows to the east of the county town.
"Is the Military Department still in the old location? It’s to the east of the county town. I remember there’s a patch of bungalows there, with courtyards of varying sizes. The government offices are all around there, not far from here, let’s go take a look. You don’t need to buy large ones, just look for a small courtyard that’s clean, quiet, safe, and convenient."
Zhang Guoqing listened and followed him towards the east of the county town, "Dad, my eldest sister just recently completed a transaction for a big courtyard. I heard those courtyards are in short supply, as soon as they come on the market, they’re snapped up. There’s likely no good listings."
"Let’s first check the surroundings for safety, trust your father’s judgment."
After walking for half an hour, they reached the east of the county town. Zhou Xiaoxheng didn’t ask anyone but looked around at the environment. In those areas, after observing passersby, he took Zhang Guoqing directly to the street’s neighborhood committee.
In the committee office, several middle-aged women were knitting and chatting casually. Seeing soldiers enter, an elderly lady came forward smilingly and asked, "Comrade, are you looking for someone or do you have some business?"
Zhou Xiaoxheng quickly stepped forward, "Auntie, you look so robust, striding just like us soldiers. You probably came from the militia. I’m just here today to inquire about something, this is my son-in-law. We want to buy a small courtyard, just safe and quiet. It doesn’t need to be large, it’s for my daughter, son-in-law, and newborn grandson. This area looks good, would you help check if anyone’s selling?"
The old lady cheerfully gave a thumbs-up, "Good eye, I indeed came from the militia. Wait a moment, I’ll see who knows about any listings."
Zhang Guoqing also gave a thumbs-up to him, it seemed they found the right person.
Soon, the old lady returned and told Zhou Xiaoxheng, "There are indeed listings. Large courtyards are gone, sold as soon as they’re listed. But there are currently two small courtyards for sale. I’ll tell you where they are and take you to see them."
Zhou Xiaoxheng happily said to the old lady, "Auntie, you are truly well-connected. Please tell us and trouble yourself to take us there."
"There’s a small courtyard for sale just ahead. It’s divided from an original large courtyard into two small ones. The family in the small courtyard now finds it too cramped as their family grows, so they want to switch to a big one. The courtyard has just three rooms and is very small, but the price is cheap.
Another small courtyard belongs to an elderly couple. Both intellectuals who grow flowers, not vegetables. The exterior of the courtyard looks ordinary, but the inside is well-appointed. It’s not large, but has many rooms. Besides five main rooms, there are two wing rooms. They’ve moved the kitchen to the East Wing, with the original outer space converted into a living room. The courtyard is not far from the Military Department, safe for young couples, with families of means around. The county Public Security Bureau is also nearby, making it safer, but the owner is particular about whom they sell to, and the price is high."
Zhou Xiaoxheng and Zhang Guoqing exchanged delighted glances, happy that the kitchen was outside. This truly seemed like a windfall, finding what they sought without effort. The price wasn’t an issue, as ideal courtyards were rare. They had no interest in the three-room place out front.
Considering the outer space kitchen and the structure of the house with its eastern and western earthen beds, it seemed less refined than the big courtyard in the village. Grandpa Zhang had worked hard to improve living conditions in the Zhang Family’s three-room home. Zhang Guoqing as his grandson even contemplating buying a three-room place might cause his grandfather to berate him over it in a dream with a long tobacco pipe.
Zhang Guoqing quickly said, "Let’s first look at the elderly couple’s courtyard, it sounds tempting."
"I’ll take you there now, the elderly couple is pleasant. Their son is filial, it’s just their advancing age that makes them sell, fearing accidents with no children around. It’s not far through the alley. They’ve been at home since retirement, so you can find them when we get there."