3rd Military Sub-district

  The air in Rongzhou is relatively humid, with occasional gusts of cool wind that make people feel a chill. Han Dong was not dressed warmly, but he had been practicing martial arts since childhood and his physical fitness was much better than average, so he wasn't afraid of the cold.

  After parting with Zhou Zheng, Han Dong came out of the station and saw a row of pedicabs parked on the road outside. He hailed one and asked the driver, "How much to the military district?"

  The driver heard that he was a non-local accent, originally wanted to charge him more, but when he heard that he was going to the military district, he gave up this idea and only asked for one yuan as usual.

  Han Dong sat on the tricycle, looking around all the way. He found that the streets and houses here were relatively old, and the pedestrians on the street were crowded, mostly wearing simple clothes. He realized that this city in the west must have a poor economic situation.

  The Rongzhou Military Sub-district is located in Shallow Water Bay, relatively quiet. At the gate of the military compound, two soldiers stood upright, with a sentry box on the left side, where a soldier sat inside. When he saw Han Dong approaching, he stood up and asked seriously: "What's your business?"

  "My name is Han Dong, I have an appointment with Commander Li."

  The soldier's attitude changed a lot as soon as he heard that, and he smiled and said: "Then you wait for a moment."

  He picked up the phone and asked for instructions, after which his attitude towards Han Dong became even more respectful. "Please wait a moment, the commander will send an orderly to pick you up."

  Han Dong nodded, and in his heart he couldn't help but sigh. Reality was just like this - only because he had a relationship with Li Dayong, the commander of the military district, did the soldier's attitude change again and again.

  A young lieutenant rushed over hastily and gave a crisp salute: "Comrade Handong, is it? The commander wants me to invite you over."

  Seeing this scene, the soldier in the sentry box looked at Han Dong with an increasingly solemn expression.

  Not far away, at the entrance of a small independent courtyard in front, Li Dayong, dressed in military uniform, stood at the door with two four-star epaulets shining on his shoulders. From afar, he laughed loudly: "Haha, you're Han Dong! It's been years since we last met, and now you've become a handsome young man."

  Han Dong took a few steps forward and said: "Hello Uncle Li."

  Li Dayong used to be the captain of Mr. Han's bodyguards, when Han Dong was still young and would often ride on his shoulders at play. Now after not seeing each other for over a decade, he felt somewhat estranged from him.

  Li Dàyǒng reached out and grabbed his arm, smiling: "You young fellow, you've grown up but become more reserved. Come on, once we arrive in Róngzhōu, this will be your home. Your Aunt Mei has been thinking about you all afternoon."

  The Mei girl in his mouth was once a special nurse for Old Man Han, and it was the old man who brought them together.

  "Is this that hot-tempered and inconsiderate commander?"

  Listening to Li Dayong's hearty laughter, the young lieutenant was filled with disbelief and his heart was full of doubts. At the same time, he was also full of suspicion about Han Dong's identity, what was the background of this young man?

  In the house, the round table in the living room was already filled with dishes.

  As soon as Han Dong entered the door, he smelled a pungent fragrance and couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva.

  Mei Gu was carrying a basin of water and smiling as she said: "Xiao Dong, hurry up and wash your face for dinner, you must be starving!"

  Han Dong felt a warmth in his heart, and at the same time, he also felt some melancholy. They were so enthusiastic about him because of Old Man's sake, and he was enjoying the residual influence of Old Man. What truly belonged to him was nothing.

  While having dinner, Li Dayong opened a bottle of Maotai. Han Dong drank two cups with him and his face turned bright red, saying: "Uncle Li, I don't have a good capacity for liquor, can't drink anymore."

  Mei Guo also said: "Yes, what's good about drinking wine? Let Xiao Dong eat more dishes."

  Li Dàyǒng burst out laughing, "This is only two cups, Xiao Dong your capacity for liquor is too small, the people of Rongzhou are all good drinkers, in the future you will have a hard time keeping up." As he spoke, he poured himself another cup.

  Mei Gu got up and took away the wine bottle without saying a word, "You stop drinking too, let's keep Xiaodong company and have something to eat."

  Li Dayong smiled wryly and said helplessly to Han Dong, "What can I do? At home, Mei is the commander-in-chief, and I have to listen to her."

  Han Dong smiled and said: "Mei is thinking of your body."

  Mei Gu listened with a smile on her face, full of praise for Han Dong's understanding and reason. Her kind face reminded Han Dong of his mother far away in Yanjing.

  Li Dayong slammed down his cup and said, "Xiao Dong, since you've come to Rongzhou, why don't you take a few days' rest at my place before reporting for duty? I've already had someone inform Old Wu, who will arrange for you to be sent to a township under Fuyi County. You can be the head of the township or something like that, and it'll be good for you to get some work done. In a couple of days, just go directly to the Organization Department of Fuyi County to report. The conditions down there are a bit tough, but since the leader has arranged for you to come here, it's to temper you, so just grit your teeth and try to make some achievements as soon as possible."

  "Uncle Li, rest assured, I came here just to work in peace, no matter how tough the conditions are."

  Han Dong had mentally prepared for this and was also very satisfied with such an arrangement.

  Although he is the secretary of the Chinese Department of Yenching University, which is equivalent to a regular department level and township level, there are big differences between the two. If there were no relationships, it would not be possible to arrange this way in general situations.

  The family arranged for Han Dong to come down, hoping that he would accumulate experience and achievements step by step from the grassroots level. It's not suitable for him to work in an official agency, otherwise, they could have directly arranged for him to go to a ministry-level agency, no need to bother with this trouble.

  After all, those who have been tempered in grassroots practical departments and those who come out of the organs are not on the same level.

  If it were the former Han Dong, he would not have understood the old man's arrangement. But now he understands his grandfather's kindness, which is not only a training for him but also shows the old man's sincere expectations for him.

  Han Dong said quietly: "Li Bo Bo, I think I'll go report tomorrow. Since I've come, I might as well start work early."

  Li Dayong was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said: "Alright, it's good to start work early. If there's anything, just give me a call."

  Plum Aunt also said: "Yes, Little Dong, when you have time, come here, Plum Aunt will make delicious food for you, and from now on, this place will be your home."

  That night, Han Dong stayed in the military district's compound and chatted with Li Dayong, gaining a deeper understanding of Rongzhou City. He learned from Li Dayong that the person who had pulled strings for him was Wu Jiequan, the deputy director of the Rongzhou City People's Congress, and was related to Li Dayong by marriage.

  Li Dàyǒng said with a serious tone: "Xiao Dong, the leader has assigned you to come down here, and has placed great hopes on you. The local area is not like school, where there is power, there is struggle. You must learn to handle relationships well, only then can you make a name for yourself among millions of people."

  "Uncle Li, rest assured, I've made all the necessary preparations." Han Dong said firmly.

  From Li Dayong's words, Han Dong knew that the situation in Fuyi County was definitely very complicated, and it would not be easy to achieve anything if he went down.