Chapter 1988 - 1988: Warning at the Banquet (Part 4)
The folks of Wanglou Brigade aren't foolish. Wang Zhenguo has their well-being in mind, so naturally, they support him. Once they do, they can voice anything they want.
Pointing to the children sitting with their parents, the children of the young intellectuals, Wang Zhenguo said, "I'm doing this for these kids. The oldest is no more than six or seven, and the youngest is still in the womb. Ask yourselves, who could bear to let them lose their father and mother at such a tender age? What did they do wrong? They didn't choose to be born, so why should they bear the consequences of being abandoned by you, their young intellectual parents? I don't want to see the day when the children of our brigade have to embark on a journey to the city to find their parents, and I don't want them to endure the strange looks from the outside world at such a young age."
Feng Qingxue had previously analyzed all potential consequences for him, and what pained Wang Zhenguo the most were these innocent children.
Regardless of whether the parents are young intellectuals or locals, whether they marry in or out, they should have been prepared for today's situation when they chose to get married.
The saying "match well" might be considered feudal nonsense, but there's still a lot of truth in it when it comes to marriage. The young men and women of Wanglou Brigade never worried about marrying; it was their choice to marry young intellectuals.
When children were mentioned, the villagers' faces turned serious.
Looking at the innocent faces and pure eyes, some well-informed and understanding elders felt a lump in their throats, not knowing what to say.
Even if the Wanglou Brigade stands by and supports them, the young intellectuals who've abandoned their spouses or children might face some repercussions, but these children could still encounter a shattered family dynamic.
"Captain, what should we do? We can't let the children suffer!"
"My grandson, oh, I used to say it was better to find a lad from the brigade. But my silly daughter insisted on marrying the young intellectual she fancied. And now, look, he's gotten into university and is about to spread his wings and fly, while she's at home turning into an old maid. I've tried to get her to study together, but she refused, saying it wasn't necessary."
"Ignoring the advice of elders brings immediate suffering!"
"Such misfortune! In my natal family's place, there was a young intellectual who never returned after going back to the city; a long while later, he sent a divorce letter, abandoning his wife and kids."
"The captain truly is a good person, we must discuss this matter properly. We can't let the children of our brigade suffer and be wronged."
"Captain, you must make a decision. Perhaps we shouldn't let the married young intellectuals leave to see how they could abandon their spouses or children."
These words immediately changed the expressions of the married young intellectuals, who looked at Wang Zhenguo in panic, fearing that he'd agree and block the transfer of their grain and household registrations.
Wang Zhenguo chuckled, "Do you really think that's just treating the symptoms and not the root cause?"
Zhou Zhou also said, "Great Uncle, please don't treat us all the same. Though I'm married, neither Guan Yu nor I intend to separate. Among us married young intellectuals, quite a few plan to settle permanently in Wanglou Brigade for their children. If you don't believe it, just ask."
Immediately, a weather-beaten female young intellectual holding a child nodded, "I don't have much talent for studying, I've long given up on going back to the city. Here, I'm living more comfortably than in the city, without worrying about food and clothing, and I plan to educate my child to get into university!"
There's also a male young intellectual who's gotten into university pledging, "Captain, please focus on those with a wandering heart. As for me, don't worry—I want to secure a good job after graduation and bring my wife and child to the city to enjoy life!"
.. I think there may be an update later today, so I'll leave it here for now. I'll get up at five to write on my phone.