Chapter 2001 - 2001: The Temptation of Wealth (Part 3)
Regarding this, Lu Jiang spread his hands, indicating that they were powerless.
Humans die for wealth just as birds die for food, something that's been common since ancient times.
The Xu Family's eldest son obviously came for the money.
For that sum of money which he saw his parents hide and of which he knew the exact amount, the Xu Family's eldest, Xu Lei, rushed with his daughter Xu Jingying through thick and thin, from Beidahuang to the Capital by car, then flew to Jinling, and finally took a train from Jinling to Huaibei City, rushing straight to Wanglou Brigade.
Unexpectedly, just as they arrived at their destination, they heard that Old Master Xu and Old Mistress Xu had already been rehabilitated, and the state had returned their old house to them along with monetary compensation.
The Xu Family was of scholar gentry background, so the confiscated belongings were not much, mainly books and calligraphy, which had unfortunately been sent to a paper mill long ago, turned into pulp for other uses, and some crafts were missing too.
"The old couple of the Xu Family returned to the city, went back yesterday to tidy up their old home. Since you say you're their son, surely you remember your own family address."
Upon hearing Wang Dachun's words, Xu Lei was filled with surprise and joy, quickly saying, "Of course I know where my family is, I just didn't expect the rehabilitation would happen so soon. I've heard that those who are already rehabilitated have some good connections."
Wang Dachun put on a stern face, "What are you saying? The state is rectifying past wrongs, how can you say it's through connections that one gets rehabilitated sooner? Don't insult the nation's officials. In our brigade, there are still quite a few old men and women, ranking in identity and past connections who were above your parents! They surely have smoother paths if it were about connections, so how come they haven't been rehabilitated, and your parents were first?"
Xu Lei was a shrewd man in the bureaucracy, able to persist safely up to now despite unfavorable circumstances, it showed his skill in understanding and manipulating human nature.
At this point, hearing Wang Dachun's words, Xu Lei quickly apologized, "It was a slip of the tongue, it was a slip of the tongue, I speculated maliciously about the policies from above. However, I must ask for your understanding, considering I traveled far and wide to find my parents, intending for their early rehabilitation, only to find they've already been rehabilitated, I got a bit carried away in my happiness."
Wang Dachun heard this, his expression eased slightly, "In that case, you better hurry home!"
Don't think he didn't notice the disdainful expression of that girl accompanying him towards the countryside, and don't think he didn't know that among the elders sent down, only the old couple of the Xu Family never had visitors, nor received parcels from the eldest son.
Even for the childless Old Man Zhou, Zhao Xiaoyun would come to visit him during her vacation!
Xu Lei, disheartened, took his daughter home.
Yes, home.
He knew the address, heading straight for the destination.
The previous grand residence of the Xu Family was ancestral, vast in area, with pavilions, terraces, and flowing water, lacking the ruggedness of the north but possessing the elegance of Jiang Nan, famous in Huaibei City.
Perhaps due to this fame, after so many years, it remained mostly intact because government cadres lived there, with only a few elegant scenes missing.
This state already greatly satisfied the old couple of the Xu Family, and they were excited that the ancestral home was not completely lost in their hands.
The old couple cleaned up hastily, slept for a night, and upon waking, as they were about to find someone to do repairs, they found their eldest son had returned.
Before they had time to be happy, they heard Xu Lei eagerly say, "Dad, Mom, the state gave our house back, how much was the compensation?"
Old Master Xu's heart sank, "Why are you asking about this?"