Wealthy Beauty in the 60s
Chapter 66 - 65 All Citizens are Soldiers (Requesting 10,000 pink votes)

Chapter 66: Chapter 65 All Citizens are Soldiers (Requesting 10,000 pink votes)

"What did the county say? Did they send any support?" He Hongjun asked again.

"The county instructed our production team to organize a militia and to report back to them," Gao Guoqiang replied.

At these words, many were dissatisfied. "Captain, if thieves come to our production team, won’t the county come to our rescue?"

"That’s right. We should ask the county for assistance. Nowadays, everyone is struggling. Our production team only has so much grain. If it’s stolen by thieves, we’ll all go hungry."

"The production team is far from the county. Help might not arrive in time, and who knows where the thieves will come from. The county does value this greatly. Once thieves are spotted and reported, it will be meritorious. Therefore, we must organize our militia," Gao Guoqiang’s words ended, and people nodded their heads. They indeed did not know where the thieves would come from, and given the distance to the county, who knew if or when the thieves might attack their production team, so organizing a militia was most appropriate.

Li Shengmei couldn’t hold back and spoke out, "If the thieves have guns and we don’t, what will we do? Even if we form a militia in our production team, we can’t outfight the thieves."

No sooner had Li Shengmei finished speaking than many agreed, and He Hongjun responded, "Why interject? Back in my day, small rice and rifles took on enemy planes and cannons."

Li Shengmei immediately shut her mouth, but it was Zheng Xianghong who said, "Guoqiang, what about us women? Could we be of any help?"

"What help can women provide?" some men bluntly said.

"There was the Women’s Army back in the day. What’s wrong with women? At a dangerous time for the production team, can any of you guarantee you can withstand the thieves?" Zheng Xianghong retorted unhappily.

The outspoken man said nothing, as no one could ensure that.

Xia Xiao didn’t want to speak initially, but at this moment, she did, "Captain, I also think Auntie’s idea is feasible. With thieves around, that’s a major issue for the entire production team. It should be all hands on deck, and those experienced in martial arts should train us."

"You, joining the militia?" Li Shengmei immediately retorted.

"Why can’t I? If I don’t learn, how will I know if it’s possible or not? Director Li, don’t you think it’s better for us women to learn some self-defense?" Xia Xiao looked at Li Shengmei, "We women should also learn some capture techniques and self-defense. Everyone could carry a sharp weapon. Even if we can’t confront the thieves directly, at least we can protect ourselves and not drag everyone else down."

There were many men and women in the production team, and once the thieves arrived, the women would likely just scream and faint, definitely being a hindrance. Xia Xiao also hoped that everyone would learn some self-defense, beneficial in any case.

"Educated Youth Xia is right," He Hongjun looking at Xia Xiao nodded, "We should indeed have everyone fight, confronting thieves isn’t just a matter for men; women need to help too. Currently, we don’t know how many thieves there are—it could be one, a few, or a gang. If we encounter a group of thieves like the East Wind Production Team did, it would be troublesome for everyone. Thus, resisting the thieves is a matter for us all."

Gao Guoqiang also nodded, "In these difficult times, we can only rely on ourselves. That’s why we all need to be proactive, strive to strengthen ourselves, and confront the thieves together. Our grain is our own; we must protect it. Once it’s gone, we’ll all be starving."

Everyone nodded their heads as food and warmth were everyone’s pursuit at this time, a matter of life and death that no one could ignore.

"Jiazhi will be in charge of the men’s team, and Jiaxing of the women’s team. No objections, right?" Gao Guoqiang said.

"No objections." Everyone shook their heads. Gao Guoqiang’s two sons, Gao Jiazhi and Gao Jiaxing, were both grown in the village, and everyone understood their capabilities.

Suddenly Gao Jiaxing spoke up, "I have an objection."

Everyone looked toward Gao Jiaxing, who said, "I’ll take charge of the men’s team."

Gao Guoqiang looked toward Gao Jiazhi, "Then Jiazhi will take charge of the women’s team, teaching them capture techniques, how to create traps, and how to confront thieves collectively."

"Jiaxing will train the men’s team, arrange patrols, and deal with the thieves."

Gao Guoqiang added, "As for the weapons, I’ll take charge."

"Captain, will we have guns too?" some young men asked eagerly, their eyes shining.

Gao Guoqiang shook his head, "No, guns are difficult to come by. We can only make simple crossbows, and we have hoes, sickles, machetes, kitchen knives, bricks, and stones in the production team— these can all be used as weapons."

Li Shengmei watched Gao Jiazhi and Gao Jiaxing gaining prominence, and seeing Zheng Xianghong’s smiling face, she was very upset, muttering under her breath, "If Gangzi and Bingzi were here, they definitely wouldn’t let Gao Jiazhi and Gao Jiaxing steal the limelight."

Her two sons were soldiers, currently with exceptional records in the military. If her sons were here, they would surely outshine Gao Jiazhi and Gao Jiaxing.

It was almost instinctual for Li Shengmei to dislike seeing prosperity for Zheng Xianghong and her son. She couldn’t stand seeing Zheng Xianghong living better than her, and the more Gao Guoqiang favored Zheng Xianghong, the more discontent Li Shengmei felt.

Over the years, Li Shengmei had often tried to stir discord between Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong behind the scenes, but it was futile and seemed only to strengthen their couple’s bond, which frustrated and upset Li Shengmei greatly.

However, after being dealt with by He Hongjun, Li Shengmei hadn’t been as blatant as before. After all, she was mindful of He Hongjun and her sons’ reputations in the military, and she was afraid of what the reckless Gao Jiaxing might do, like writing letters to her sons’ military units, potentially ruining their careers.

Thus, Li Shengmei now appeared much more subdued on the surface. Even if dissatisfied, she would at most grumble a bit.

Hearing Li Shengmei’s words, He Hongjun glanced at her and said:

"Don’t always stir trouble. Jiazhi and Jiaxing are my nephews too, and I hope for their well-being. They have a close relationship with Gangzi and Bingzi, and that’s a good thing. Military matters aren’t that simple, and rising to prominence is not easy. Right now, Jiazhi and Jiaxing are stuck here in the production team, but who knows what the future holds? I too used to be spirited, and now all of my former subordinates have good careers, while I’m stuck here, immobilized."

He Hongjun obviously felt an injustice, thinking that if he hadn’t been injured, his future would be even brighter. But such is life; sometimes one must accept their fate.

When he was a military officer leading troops in battle, he never imagined he would end up disabled, returning to his hometown, his passion and fighting spirit not fully realized, ending up this way.

As much as He Hongjun wasn’t reconciled, what more could he do now? Although he knew many people and had helped many, if possible, He Hongjun certainly wouldn’t want to meet those who used to be inferior to him but were now more successful than him.

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