Chapter 379 Opportunities and Risks

Sha Zhu's astonishment in Liujiazhuang was beyond words and was by no means false.

Looking back at the 65 years that are about to end, the transformation of Liujiazhuang is breathtaking, as if time has pressed the accelerator here, and each year brings a new look.

The development trajectory of this land is like a train speeding on a highway. It not only has an astonishing speed, but also carries an unstoppable momentum, leading Liujiazhuang towards unprecedented prosperity.

How long can this good situation last, because the new year is coming soon...

Sha Zhu and Xu Damao walked into the Liu family's old house with familiarity. What they saw along the way was eye-opening and seemed like they were in another world.

Although it is almost the end of the year, the water of Yongding River in Mentougou section is still flowing.

Some of them come from the Tianchi Lake in Guancen Mountain, some from the clear springs in Bayankala Mountain, some from NMG grassland, and some from Lingshan Mountain and Baihua Mountain.

Finally, they gathered in the hundreds of miles of mountain gorges in the Daxishan Mountains, and like warriors who "never return once they leave", they rushed out of the steep and beautiful Taihang Mountain gorges, passed through the beautiful MTG mountain city, crossed the vast and fertile North China Plain, and rushed towards the turbulent Bohai Bay, only to become a drop in the ocean.

The Yongding River in winter is beautiful yet full of vitality. When the bitter winter wind blows, the northern region enters the season of "endless falling leaves". The autumn leaves are no longer charming and enchanting, and even the most cold-resistant red leaves and cotinus have taken off their "dresses". The few surviving leaves sway alone in the wind and snow, proving their former glory.

With the arrival of winter, the Yongding River becomes colorful, like a long silver dragon circling and dancing in the crevices of the Daxishan Mountains. The rolling waves make the quiet valley in winter noisy, and the sound of ice floes colliding and ice cracking echoes in the canyon.

This long silver dragon cleverly divides the Liujiazhuang area into three major areas.

On the north bank, the industrial zone is booming, with factories scattered around and chimneys emitting white smoke, which together with the busy traffic weave a picture of industrial prosperity.

The east coast is a completely different scene, with tall buildings rising from the ground and glass curtain walls shining in the sun. The prosperity and vitality of the modern city are vividly displayed before your eyes, which is dazzling.

As for the West Bank, it seems to carry the whispers of time, and the sedimentation of history has left deep traces here.

However, this does not mean that the West Coast has stagnated. On the contrary, while retaining its traditional charm, it has also quietly incorporated modern elements, a blend of old and new that creates a unique flavor.

Walking along the West Bank, you can feel the weight of history while enjoying the convenience and comfort of modern life. You can't help but indulge in this unique charm.

Every detail of Liujiazhuang is completely different from the city alleys where they usually live. It seems like the intersection of two parallel worlds, making people sigh involuntarily that there is such a huge difference in the world.

Entering the West Bund area, the whole way is very lively, as if you have arrived at Wangfujing.

Every Sunday or market day in Liujiazhuang, the streets of the village become bustling with the bustling scene of the market.

On the street stalls, there are green onions sold in bundles, fruits sold in piles, home-grown eggs, and vegetables picked from greenhouses in the morning...

There are more things sold in the big market, including fried liver and donkey rolls, the favorites of old Beijingers, Manchu and Mongolian packed rice and fried thousand sous, as well as preserved fruits, donkey rolls, rice cakes, candied haws with strong local characteristics, as well as insoles, tiger pillows, futon cushions, etc. made by the villagers themselves... Such a return to nature is the real fun of going to the market.

There are also vendors from other places who are preparing the bean flour, spreading the meat filling, cutting it into small pieces, and putting it into the pan... The uncle selling the fried crispy boxes does it all in one go.

The freshly taken out crunchy box is still steaming and oily, very tempting.

The Liujiazhuang Market is shaped like a "田" character, with the central axis being the most lively area. It has all kinds of trading, shadow puppetry, sugar painting and other folk art performances.

Walking into the market, there were crowds of people. Shazhu Xu Damao walked around inside. There were vendors selling all kinds of vegetables and fruits, as well as grains, oils and non-staple foods. It was a dazzling array of goods.

Many people from the city also come here to visit the market because the prices here are cheaper than in the city, and the vegetables and fruits are fresher.

Going to the market is an ancient way of trading. People take out their goods to exchange for some money. It is a way of saving on a daily basis. After exchanging the money for money, it becomes a small form of self-accumulation.

Although a few cents may not seem like much, the simple exchange reflects a sense of happiness and satisfaction, and the villagers' faces are filled with peaceful happiness.

"Going to the market" is nothing new in the old capital. The large agricultural markets in the countryside are not only popular in rural areas, but have also been loved by city dwellers in recent years.

The large markets in each district have different characteristics. They are not just a place for simple buying and selling, but also a part of the life in the capital.

As the year draws to a close, the festive atmosphere becomes stronger and stronger. At this time of year, every household begins to purchase New Year’s goods in preparation for the upcoming Spring Festival.

Although everything can be bought in supply and marketing cooperatives and shopping malls nowadays, for many people, the first choice for buying New Year's goods is still to go to the big market. After all, the festive atmosphere and human touch at the big market are the familiar flavor of the New Year.

In the MtG area of ​​Beijing, the most popular market is Liujiazhuang Market.

Liujiazhuang is located in the southwest of Mentougou, with very convenient transportation. It only takes more than half an hour's drive to the city center. There are markets here on the second, fourth, seventh and ninth days of the lunar calendar.

The scale of the market here is very large. It takes at least two hours to walk around the entire market from beginning to end.

As an all-encompassing "small world", the goods in the market are very diverse: from vegetables, fruits, meat and poultry on the table to brooms and dustpans in the kitchen, as well as shoes, clothes, bedding, New Year pictures, imperial lanterns...

Cooking enthusiasts will also be pleasantly surprised as the seasonings here are rich and complete, and you can buy all the types you need for your family's dining table.

There are people watching the fun, stopping to inquire about prices, and pushing carts to load goods. The whole street is packed with people and the flow of people moves very slowly.

Because it was already noon, Xu Damao and Sha Zhu just took a quick stroll and then bought a souvenir each.

Because it's impolite to come to someone empty-handed.

Although it is almost the end of the year, Liujiazhuang is very different from other places. It is still busy and the pace of life has not slowed down at all. Instead, it has become more compact and vibrant.

In this land, most people are engaged in the tide of factories and enterprises. Their figures shuttle between the roar of machines and the bright lights, running around for life.

The few people who stick to the fields and pastures, whether they are tilling the soil or taking care of livestock and fish ponds, never have a moment of leisure even at the end of the year. Their hard work and sweat together weave the unique story of Liujiazhuang.

…………

"Hey! They say it's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early. So, did you two come at dinner time?" Liu Zhiye just finished his studies for this semester and returned home not long ago. He has a rare free day today and is leisurely enjoying the warmth of home.

Since all the visitors were young people, the Liu family let Liu Jingzhai and his son be solely responsible for entertaining the guests.

Sha Zhu and Xu Damao couldn't help but feel genuine joy at meeting Liu Zhiye by chance. After all, they hadn't seen this big brother for nearly a year.

"Tsk tsk...Brother Liu, when we meet again this time, I feel like there's an unusual aura about you..." Sha Zhu said as he scratched the back of his head unconsciously, his eyes flashing with an indescribable sense of reserve and curiosity.

"Yes, yes, I have the same feeling, a feeling... well, the kind that can't be described..." Xu Damao nodded in agreement.

"What nonsense are you talking about? I'm still me. I haven't grown any extra arms or legs. Look at me, what's the difference?" Liu Zhiye chuckled and shook his head gently, with a confident look in his eyes.

During this year, he indeed underwent a transformation, becoming a new person from the inside out.

In terms of temperament, he is more calm and introverted, and his every move reveals an extraordinary bearing; in terms of ability, he has made great progress, whether it is his wit in solving difficult problems or his composure in facing challenges, which makes people take notice.

His further studies at the military academy were by no means in vain. His military skills improved day by day, and he was able to master tactics and strategies easily. At the same time, his political awareness also improved significantly, and his insight into the current situation became more acute. So this year was an all-round growth and leap for him, and people can't help but look forward to his more glorious future.

At the military confrontation exercise organized by the academy at the end of the year, Liu Zhiye led his team of students for the first time. With extraordinary tactical qualities and teamwork, he defeated the experienced team of instructors and won unanimous applause.

This feat not only made the audience excited, but also made Principal Liu unable to hide his joy. He highly praised Liu Zhiye's outstanding leadership and the outstanding performance of the students in public. That sincere appreciation and pride, needless to say, has been deeply imprinted in everyone's heart.

For Liu Zhiye, this year is also a glorious chapter in which academic and practical development go hand in hand.

He has been writing tirelessly, and has dropped several blockbuster bombs in the military field - the article "Measures for Comprehensively Promoting Practical Military Training" deeply analyzed the shortcomings of the current training system and put forward practical reform plans; "Inheritance and Development of Marxist-Leninist Military Thought" is a modern interpretation of classic military theory, showing his profound theoretical foundation and forward-looking vision; and papers such as "On Special Warfare" and "On Jungle Warfare" have provided valuable theoretical support for special operations and complex environment operations with their unique insights and precise analysis of actual combat simulations, and have won wide acclaim in the industry.

His works not only enriched the treasure house of military theory, but also made an indelible contribution to the modernization process of Xia's military in the future.

Liu Zhiye's academic progress was rapid, and in theory he was eligible to apply for early graduation. However, the college did not approve his application.

At the Advanced Military Command College, a fertile ground for nurturing future military elites, learning is not simply the accumulation of knowledge, but a carefully designed all-round training.

The academy adheres to a step-by-step teaching rhythm, aiming to train each student in all aspects and make them leaders who can lead the army forward.

Even though Liu Zhiye has made some achievements in professional knowledge, the college believes that the cultivation of comprehensive qualities such as leadership, strategic thinking, and teamwork is also indispensable, and one should not neglect other qualities just because of one skill. Therefore, he still needs to follow the established plan and continue his studies.

In fact, the reason why he was so anxious to graduate was that he was afraid that he would not be able to graduate. Next year was a special year, because the Advanced Military Academy would be closed in this year...

Another important reason was that, in view of his outstanding performance, Principal Liu had the idea of ​​recruiting him under his command and arranging for him to directly enter the General Staff Training Department for training after graduation.

Indeed, this move was a careful cultivation of Liu Zhiye. In the military, it is not easy to be promoted to the division level. To climb higher, one needs to cross over to a broader stage - the military region or headquarters, experience some baptism, enrich personal qualifications, and lay a solid foundation for future leaps.

It is a rare opportunity to jump from a local force to become a member of the headquarters. Even if it is a horizontal transfer, it is an honor that many soldiers dream of, which shows its extraordinary significance.

However, faced with this sudden great opportunity, Liu Zhiye's heart was filled with ripples and he seemed hesitant.

To be fair, if this were ten years later, he would definitely choose to join the headquarters without hesitation.

However, next year will be a year of great changes, and it would be unwise to choose to enter the headquarters and only take up a nominal leadership position at this moment.

So many big guys... He is just a small shrimp from the future, how can he go against the trend.

Moreover, if he returns to the Garrison Division after graduation, he will most likely be directly promoted to deputy division commander, and when the time comes, he can even serve as acting division commander.

The Capital Garrison District has only four guard divisions under its jurisdiction, but it is a solid line of defense for the peace of the capital. Its strategic position is immeasurable and its importance is self-evident.

Although Liu Zhiye is from the future, his memories of this period are vague.

But he knew that no matter how chaotic other places were in the future, the garrison area would never be affected. Because no matter which side it was, they all knew the importance of this place and would never allow any chaos to occur.

Liu Zhiye did not immediately reject the principal's kindness. He just said that he would think about it after returning.

This move made Minister Liao on the side extremely anxious. He kept casting glances at Liu Zhiye, his eyes full of urging, wishing that Liu Zhiye would agree immediately to avoid missing the opportunity.

From the moment the door of the principal's office closed gently, Minister Liao turned around abruptly and stopped Liu Zhiye who was about to escape quietly, with unquestionable majesty in his tone: "Liu Zhiye, wait a moment and come with me to my office." After that, his face was gloomy and he walked towards his office with firm steps, without giving Liu Zhiye any chance to refuse.

Minister Liao said with a bit of helplessness and severity: "I say, what on earth are you thinking? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, you know?"

Liu Zhiye silently took the thermos and filled a cup of hot water for Minister Liao, then slowly said: "I understand, but..."

Minister Liao interrupted him, speaking even more harshly: "Understand? What do you understand? Who do you think Principal Liu is? Would he easily flatter anyone?"

"Such a good opportunity is in front of you, but you don't know how to cherish it! You usually seem quite smart, why do you become confused at the critical moment?"

Liu Zhiye smiled bitterly in his heart. It was true that he was being ungrateful by doing this. But he understood the general situation, but he couldn't say anything, so he could only pretend to be deaf and dumb.

Minister Liao was furious. After a scolding, he saw Liu Zhiye keeping his head down and saying nothing, with a humble attitude. He mistakenly thought that Liu Zhiye had deeply reflected on his actions, and his anger gradually subsided.

Old Liao had high hopes for Liu Zhiye and treated him like his own son or nephew. Seeing him like this, his tone softened a little: "Do you realize your mistake? In a few days, I will personally take you to apologize to the principal. You must be sincere. As for the follow-up..." He changed the subject and left room for maneuver.

"Did you hear that?" Seeing that Liu Zhiye still kept his head down and remained silent, Lao Liao couldn't suppress his anger and roared again.

Liu Zhiye had no choice but to bite the bullet and said, "I heard it, I heard it, but our division has other plans for my future. If I agree to go to the headquarters, it may disrupt the original plan of the garrison..."

When Lao Liao heard this, his brows furrowed. The Beijing Garrison District, a major military town, had an administrative level on par with the Advanced Military Command Academy, and was at the deputy military region level, with a prominent status.

Although the academy is the cradle for cultivating military elites, it is difficult to cross this boundary. It is helpless in the personnel transfer of the garrison and can only sigh in despair.

"How can a local division-level leadership position be compared with a leading cadre of an important department at the headquarters? What do you think?"

"I... Actually, I am more inclined to return to my original unit and continue my career as a military commander. I feel that I am still young, and it is the golden period for me to accumulate experience and hone my abilities. It will be safer to go to the headquarters for further studies when the time is right." Liu Zhiye's words revealed a bit of struggle and determination.

The disappointment in Lao Liao's heart surged like a tidal wave. He finally couldn't suppress his anger and suddenly burst into a deafening roar: "You ignorant fellow, get out of here right now! Go, run ten kilometers and clear your pig brain!"

…………

Until the end of the semester and the beginning of the holiday, Lao Liao's attitude towards Liu Zhiye never softened in the slightest, and his cold face never showed a trace of warmth.

He was still feeling resentful about Liu Zhiye's lack of appreciation!
Liu Zhiye just came back from school yesterday, and he hadn't been home for a long time; therefore, he did not go back to the school, but stayed at home to enjoy the family happiness first.

Seeing his father returning, Xiaoxian's joy was beyond words and he was undoubtedly the most excited one in the family.

During the time when Liu Zhiye was away from home, she lost her biggest support.

This little girl is at the age of being naughty and playful. Her mischief even exceeds Liu Zhiye's childhood memories, which makes people both headache and laugh.

The home is more lively and full of laughter because of her presence, and also adds a bit of "people hate dogs" fun.

Her two younger brothers, who were only a little over one year old, were taking their first steps, holding onto the wall with their little hands and taking a few cautious steps.

Liu Wen, the little guy, was chewing his fingers with relish, saliva slowly sliding down the corners of his mouth, and his pair of big round eyes were staring at Liu Zhiye, as if he wanted to see through him.

After a moment, a bright smile broke out on his face, his eyes full of joy, and he obviously recognized his father.

Then, he couldn't wait to get closer. Although his steps were unstable, he staggered forward firmly in the direction of his father, calling out vaguely: "Dad..." That childish voice was full of attachment to his father.

Seeing this, Liu Wu on the side was not willing to be left behind. He quickly climbed up from the kang and imitated his brother's movements. His little face was filled with the same anticipation and excitement, as if he wanted to join this heartwarming parent-child interaction.

(End of this chapter)