Chapter 323 - 226: Wendong Brand 3
"Hahaha, of course! No problem at all."
Jiang Weimin readily agreed, his smile growing even warmer. ’Zhao Wendong is truly worthy of my trust. He directly asked for my help, which shows his respect for me!’
He extended a hand to Former Secretary Tao. "Old Secretary, let’s go together."
"Alright, let’s go."
The old secretary chuckled and agreed. He was already on good terms with Jiang Weimin and didn’t mind letting him take the spotlight to show some support.
"Uncle Weiguo, why don’t you take the leaders to rest for a bit?"
Zhao Wendong pulled Zhao Weiguo over. Zhao Weiguo led the way, a little stiffly. He hadn’t expected two generations of secretaries to show up and was feeling the pressure. The other production team leaders watched with longing eyes but didn’t dare to approach. They only swarmed over after the main leaders had left, as Commune Secretary Yang Wenxue was still there.
Yang Wenxue, Li Dawei, Wang Defa, Old Zheng, and the others had all arrived with the leaders. Even Director Zhang from the county’s supply and marketing cooperative, whom he didn’t know well, was there, along with Farm Director Qian from the Youth Farm and more. After seeing Zhao Wendong chatting and laughing with Jiang Weimin and Former Secretary Tao, they greeted him with even brighter smiles.
Yang Wenxue knew Zhao Wendong was busy, so after a few words of congratulations, he led his group of production team leaders to wait as well. Before leaving, Li Dawei grinned and said, "Brother Dong, how about I stand guard and keep things in order for you today?"
"Hahaha, no need for that! I’ve got plenty of people here. Your job today is to be a guest. Just eat and drink your fill."
"Alright, I guarantee I’ll complete that mission."
Things were less formal with Wang Defa and Old Zheng. After some boisterous greetings, they let Zhao Wendong get back to his duties. Wang Defa’s whole family had come. His wife wanted to see the brides, so Zhao Wendong had Pandi take them over to the seaside. Guan Yongguang tagged along excitedly. The task Zhao Wendong had given him was to protect Zhao Pandi.
Liu Haisheng from the Labor Reform Farm couldn’t make it, but he sent Chen Baoguo to represent them.
"Congratulations, Comrade Zhao Wendong! We wish you a long and happy marriage. Here are some of your father-in-law and mother-in-law’s belongings. Farm Director Liu found them in the storage room."
Zhao Wendong quickly accepted the items and had someone lead them to rest. Big Wang had also arrived; the large truck behind him was the one he had arranged.
"Dongzi Brothers, I finished delivering that grain to Secretary Jiang. There are still over six hundred jin left. I brought it all over for you. Where do you want me to put it?"
"No rush, Brother Wang. We can unload it after the meal. For now, you should take your wife and the others to rest."
"Alright."
Big Wang didn’t stand on ceremony with Zhao Wendong. He chuckled and followed the guide with his wife and brother-in-law. Before the ceremony, the guests were all seated in the cafeteria. Now that most people had arrived, including Jiang Weimin and his group, it wouldn’t be right to delay any longer. Zhao Wendong ruffled Zhao Laidi’s hair and glanced at his pocket watch.
"Laidi, in fifteen minutes, at eleven-thirty sharp, the wedding will begin. Go and tell Third Master."
"You got it, Brother San!"
Zhao Laidi took off running, thrilled to have been given a task. Her long braids flew behind her. Seeing so many people, so many cars, and so many leaders today, she suddenly realized just how big and exciting the outside world was.
Soon, the large speakers at the team headquarters crackled to life. The power supply was very stable, no longer threatening to cut out after just a few words like before. This was because Zhao Wendong had Zhao Wenjun and the others bring back a small generator from the mountains last time. The team headquarters had grown accustomed to Zhao Wendong’s incredible resourcefulness. When Zhao Wendong said he’d lend it to them, they simply used it without even asking where the generator came from.
"Testing, testing! The wedding ceremony will begin at eleven-thirty sharp on the threshing ground. The banquet in the cafeteria will begin at twelve o’clock sharp. Gift registries are being handled at the team headquarters. If you haven’t registered your gift yet, you can do so after the meal."
Third Master Zhao repeated the announcement twice, conveniently slipping in a little advertisement for his station, before turning off the microphone.
Following the broadcast, everyone began to converge on the threshing ground. At eleven-thirty in the morning, the wedding officially began. A dense, dark sea of people packed the entire threshing ground; at least six or seven hundred people had gathered, surrounding the area. At that moment, it seemed even the heavens were showing Zhao Wendong favor. The strong north wind from the morning seemed to have tired itself out and suddenly took a midday break.
Zhao Weiguo, dressed in his cleanest clothes with neatly arranged patches, stood on the stage, his voice filled with emotion as he shouted.
"Honored guests, dear friends and family! Today is the grand wedding day for three of our comrades from Dragon King Pond Village: Zhao Wendong, Zhao Wenwu, and Zhao Ergou! Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to be here. I now declare the wedding officially underway!"
He had practiced this single line for an entire day. Thankfully, he didn’t choke at the last moment and managed to deliver it successfully.
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
Amidst the thunderous applause of the entire crowd, the three Zhao brothers walked onto the stage, each holding his wife’s hand.
Zhao Wendong was still wearing his officer’s woolen overcoat. No new suit could look as sharp, and this coat was new as well. Zhao Wenwu and Zhao Ergou wore brand-new clothes. All three men had red sashes draped over them, adorned with red flowers. The three brides were all dressed in red, looking festive and beautiful. Seeing the brides, each more beautiful than the last, many people couldn’t help but sigh in admiration at the good fortune of the three Zhao brothers.
"Next, let’s welcome our county’s Secretary, Jiang Weimin, to give a speech and officiate the marriage for our three new couples!"
Jiang Weimin walked onto the stage with a smile and gestured for the crowd to quiet down. After the applause subsided, he spoke in a loud voice.
"I am Jiang Weimin. I’m very happy to be here to attend the wedding of Comrade Zhao Wendong and our five other comrades. Now, why did I come here? I believe that when you all arrived, you saw the large snowman at the village entrance, didn’t you?"
"We saw it!"
The crowd roared in agreement from below. Jiang Weimin nodded, looking rather moved.
"That is the very reason I came. An old man gave Comrade Zhao Wendong a four-word phrase: Man Will Conquer Nature. Those four words are written on the snowman at the village entrance, but I believe they are carved even more deeply into the hearts of the people of Dragon King Pond."
"In the dead of winter, they used a snowman to declare war on the bitter cold, to declare war on hunger, and to declare war on all hardships. I have learned a great deal from Dragon King Pond, and from Comrade Zhao Wendong. That is why I am here. I hope that Comrade Zhao Wendong and Dragon King Pond Village can overcome all difficulties and soon become a model for all the people in our county!"
"Hear, hear!"
The crowd applauded and cheered enthusiastically. The villagers of Dragon King Pond were especially proud, each puffing out their chest and holding their head high, their faces beaming with pride. ’Did you hear that? The Secretary said we should be a model for others!’
"I hear Comrade Zhao Wendong has prepared a magnificent feast for everyone, so I won’t say too much more and keep you from your meal. To be honest, I’m getting hungry myself."
"Hahaha!"
Jiang Weimin’s witty and humorous speech immediately won a wave of laughter and applause from the audience. After the applause died down, he symbolically held up the marriage certificate of Zhao Wendong and Lin Zhiyin and announced loudly.
"Here, I now pronounce: Comrade Zhao Wendong and Comrade Lin Zhiyin, Comrade Zhao Wenwu and Comrade Jin Xiuying, and Comrade Zhao Ergou and Comrade Niu Guizhi, are legally wedded husband and wife!"
"Hooray!"
"Congratulations!"
"Brother Dong is the man!"
As soon as Jiang Weimin finished speaking, a chorus of various shouts erupted. He then stepped down from the stage, and Zhao Weiguo stepped forward to begin the simple ceremony.