Chapter 182 Red Star Shines on China
Director Guo’s original name was Guo Yazi, and he changed his name to Guo Zicheng after joining the revolution.

He was from southern Jiangxi and joined the revolutionary ranks at the age of eleven or twelve. He was a Red Devil.

Guo Yazi used to herd cattle for a landlord. He experienced cruel exploitation and oppression in the old society and almost died under the whip of the bully landlord.

Fortunately, his hometown was in turmoil at that time, and those landlords and bullies were dealt with, so he and some suffering people were saved.

From then on, he devoted himself to the revolutionary path.

Now, after hearing what Liu Zhiye said about writing a song based on Director Guo’s experience, everyone was quite looking forward to it.

Liu Zhiye said with deep emotion: "The name of this song is "Red Star Shines on Me to Fight." His tone was vivid and emotional, making people immersed in this moving melody.

"A small bamboo raft floats in the middle of the river, and towering green mountains run along both sides.

The eagle spreads its wings and flies, even if there is a sudden storm.

We shoulder the heavy burden of revolution and keep the Party’s teachings in mind.

Keep the Party’s teachings in mind. Keep the Party’s teachings in mind.

A small bamboo raft floats in the middle of the river, and the surging river flows eastward.

The red star shines brightly, guiding me to fight

The revolution surges from generation to generation, and people continue to follow the party.

Follow the Party one after another and smash the evil old world.

The vast land is covered with splendid beauty, smashing the evil old world.

The vast country is covered with splendid scenery. The vast country is covered with splendid scenery. "

When a song is over, most people fall into fond memories.

This is not only Director Guo's feeling, but also the common voice of everyone. Most people here have struggled out of that miserable old society. Without the guidance and leadership of the Party, how could we have today's happy life?
This is a common personal experience for everyone and also their unshakable belief.

Director Guo's eyes were filled with tears, and his heart flew back to the Ten Thousand Mountains, to the Xiangjiang River flowing with bright red water. He saw the majestic snow-capped mountains and thought of the swamp where life and death were at stake.

The old squad leader's voice rang in my ears again:

"Guo Yazi, listen to me. After you finish eating this rice cake, will you come with us?"

"Comrade Guo Yazi, from now on you are a member of our revolutionary team. Let's go together to help the poor people..."

"Guo Yazi, don't be discouraged by temporary failure. As long as you firmly follow the Party, we will eventually usher in the day of victory."

"Guo Yazi, I can't do it anymore. You have to keep following the team and don't fall behind..."

"Guo Yazi, I really want to see what our new China will look like..."

Director Guo whispered silently in his heart: "Old squad leader, this is our common New China. We defeated the Japanese, drove out Chiang Kai-shek's bandit army, and defeated American imperialism. Six hundred million compatriots have finally stood up completely..." There was a firm light flashing in his eyes, as if he saw those arduous years and the comrades who fought side by side and fought bloody battles.

……

"Comrade Zhiye, I want to thank you." Director Guo said with great emotion. Then, he suddenly shouted.

"All rise!"

"Salute Comrade Liu Zhiye!"

"Wow!" All of a sudden, everyone stood up in unison and saluted Liu Zhiye with a firm military salute.

Seeing this, Liu Zhiye quickly saluted everyone.

At this moment, the atmosphere became solemn and dignified.

"The ceremony is over!"

"sit down!"

Director Guo was filled with emotion and said, "Comrade Zhiye wrote a really good song. This is the best gift for our party's birthday this year." Political Commissar Nie nodded in approval and said, "Comrade Zhiye has a high level of consciousness and profound thoughts. I think his level is no worse than his military quality. If he came to work in our political department, he would be qualified, both civil and military."

Deputy Director Yu hurriedly said: "Leader, there are so many talented people in the Political Department, and we don't need Comrade Zhiye. Let him use his expertise in the Public Security Brigade!"

"You're so good, Old Yu. I haven't even said anything yet, but you're already giving me a heads-up!" Political Commissar Nie scolded with a smile.

"Hehe, the main thing is that I really can't do without his help..." Deputy Director Yu said hesitantly.

"Hahaha……"

After the song ended and the crowd dispersed, Director Guo looked at his watch and said, "I have something else to do, so I have to leave first.

Finally, he exhorted: "Comrades, in your future work, you must strengthen your political awareness and firm your ideals and beliefs; improve your party consciousness and resolutely implement the decisions of your superiors; firmly establish the viewpoint of the masses and maintain close contact with the masses..."

Before leaving, Liu Zhiye winked at Li Ming. Li Ming understood, and soon he and several team members brought baskets of round green-skinned black landmine melons. Liu Zhiye told them to give a few to each leader who was leaving.

At this moment, Director Guo saw this scene, his face darkened, and he asked in a serious tone: "Liu Zhiye, what are you doing?"

Xu Shifang at the side smiled and quickly explained: "Director Guo, this is not a bribe. The villagers of Liujiazhuang sent us the melons to express their gratitude for the team's help. We also want the leaders to taste this delicacy."

Director Guo frowned and said seriously, "That won't do! We can't take the people's watermelons for free. This is a rule in the Three Major Disciplines and Eight Points of Attention. We are not allowed to take even a single needle or thread from the people. How could you all forget it?"

Liu Zhiye responded with a smile: "Don't worry, leader. We didn't take it for free. We exchanged it with some unused materials in the camp."

"These watermelons are grown by the Liujiazhuang Brigade themselves. They taste just as good as the watermelons from Daxing. You can take some home and try them!"

"Oh! Is that so! I believe you dare not make any mistakes. Okay! Then we will accept it without hesitation." Director Guo agreed upon hearing this.

Political Commissar Nie, Deputy Director Yu and others gladly accepted it. When they heard that the watermelon tasted as good as Daxing watermelon, they all became interested.

Speaking of which, people in Beijing who are particular about food know that chestnuts have to be eaten from Huairou, peaches from Pinggu, and watermelons only from Panggezhuang in DX District. In the early years, the watermelons from Panggezhuang were offered to the royal family.

So the question is, why are the watermelons here the most delicious?

For example, the old witch Empress Dowager Cixi, who is well known to everyone, has "spoken for" many snacks in Beijing, such as pea yellow, kidney bean rolls, and sugar-coated steamed buns. The watermelon from Panggezhuang in District DX also had a subtle relationship with her.

Empress Dowager Cixi was definitely a typical foodie. It is said that in the past, every summer, among the many watermelons that were tributed to the imperial palace, she could recognize the Daxing watermelon at a glance.

In fact, the watermelons from Panggezhuang were famous much earlier than Cixi. They have been a special tribute to the imperial court since the Yuan Dynasty. The local gazetteer of the capital at that time, Xijinzhi, recorded that the watermelons presented every year were very large. To put it bluntly, the watermelons from Panggezhuang had an advantage in size, being larger than those from other places.

Watermelons were often used in palace banquets throughout the dynasties, and they had to be from Panggezhuang in Daxing, given as after-meal fruits to reward ministers. Therefore, the older people in the capital called the watermelons from Panggezhuang "tribute melons."

This place is also known as the "Hometown of Chinese Watermelons", and watermelons are famous for being "sandy, crisp and sweet".

Since the watermelons from Daxing Panggezhuang are so famous, how could Liu Zhiye let it go? In terms of location, water and soil conditions, Liujiazhuang has a watermelon growing environment that is not inferior to Panggezhuang.

Therefore, as early as the beginning of spring, Liu Zhiye actively mobilized Liujiazhuang to introduce this variety and planted it on the sandy land by the river. After careful care, the land is now full of large black and green watermelons.

These are the first batch of watermelons produced in the village. They are delicious, juicy, sweet and crisp. They taste exactly like the watermelons in Pangge Village, which shows that the planting was successful.

After careful consideration, he decided to expand the planting area in the village next year. Considering that the sandy land by the river was not suitable for growing food, he thought it would be a waste to leave it idle. Therefore, he decided to try to use the entire sandy land for growing watermelons.

Many years later, "Liujiazhuang watermelon" may also become famous. This will not only bring a stable source of income to the village, but may also become a unique industry.

As for the moment, there is no worry about selling, as the supply is in short supply; because disasters in many places have caused melon farmers to have no harvest, the price of watermelon has increased significantly this year; a few years ago, a pound of watermelon only cost two cents, but now it has risen to five cents a pound.

Liujiazhuang planted about 30 mu of melon fields this time, and each mu of land can produce kilograms of melons and fruits. A rough estimate shows that the total output is as high as more than kilograms, and the income is definitely over yuan.

As a result, the villagers of Liujiazhuang are expected to earn an extra 20 yuan per household this year; this income alone is enough for them to have a prosperous new year.

And this is only the price of selling to public institutions. If Liu Zhiye chooses to trade privately, I believe the profit will be higher. But he did not do so this time, but used it to thank people.

This made the leaders of the purchasing departments of the Red Star Factory, the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, the Agricultural Machinery Company, the Cotton Mill and some other enterprises and schools very happy, and they all said that Comrade Liu Zhiye was very considerate.

Liu Zhiye's reputation in the village is now at its peak, even surpassing his grandfather's prestige, and no one can match him. His every move is watched and praised by the villagers.

Therefore, everyone will support and endorse the decisions he makes.

(End of this chapter)