Ren Qiying prepared to go out after getting her father's approval. At this time, Ren Qiying's younger brothers and sisters happened to come home from school. Seeing their long-lost sister, the little guys rushed up and grabbed Ren Qiying, asking this and that, calling her sister repeatedly.

Watching his daughter playing with her younger siblings, Ren Yugang felt a worry peculiar to a father: his daughter had really grown up. Ren Yugang couldn't help saying, "Eat before you go."

"Sister, let's eat together." The little guys cheered immediately.

Ren Qiying originally thought of running to the state-owned farm to ask some technical questions and get a meal at the farm by the way. Looking at her younger siblings, Ren Qiying was already very happy in her heart. Since her father also spoke, she had even less reason to refuse.

The summer harvest in Fengtai County this year was very good. The basic water conservancy projects built by the People's Party played a big role; both irrigation and drainage came in handy. The common people suffered from disaster last year. After dividing good land this year, their production enthusiasm was already high, and there were many breeding farms that could provide cheap meat. Especially after the summer harvest, the government indeed only collected 30% grain tax. A considerable number of women participated in social labor and earned a lot of money. The income of most common people was much better than in previous years. Compared with previous years, not only could they eat rice and white flour, but even meat and vegetable oil were not lacking.

Although no one in Ren Qiying's family farmed, and the land was given to her uncle's family to farm—the two families agreed to split half and half—the Ren family had two people earning money, and the children went to school and ate for free. Life was not bad. Besides rice and green vegetables on the dinner table, there were even pig head meat and fish. Ren Xu Shi looked at the children eating heartily with a beaming smile. She saw that Ren Qiying put food into the bowls of her father, mother, and younger siblings from time to time, but didn't eat much herself. She hurriedly put a piece of fish meat into her eldest daughter's bowl. "Qiying, you eat too."

"Mn." Ren Qiying ate the fish meat with rice and ate a few chopsticks of green vegetables. At this time, Ren Qiying's younger brother had almost finished eating. With rice in his mouth, the little guy asked, "Sister, what do you eat in the county government?"

"Similar to what is in your school." As the Director of the County Party Office, Ren Qiying knew the school's funding. The students' meals were actually a large expense; although they couldn't eat very full, they definitely wouldn't starve.

"Are there duck eggs to eat too?" Ren Qiying's brother continued to ask.

"Yes."

"Swallow that mouthful of rice in your mouth before talking." Ren Xu Shi saw her husband's face was not very good and hurriedly said first. Originally, no one dared to speak when the Ren family ate, but now the little guys ate at school, and teachers couldn't manage so meticulously. Ren Xu Shi was afraid her husband would lose his temper, so she had to scold them first.

The little guy was quite obedient; he immediately buried his head and stopped talking, continuing to eat.

However, the little guy's topic aroused Ren Xu Shi's curiosity. She couldn't help asking, "Qiying, what does Chairman Chen usually eat?"

Ren Qiying answered casually, "Chairman Chen eats in the canteen with us. We eat what he eats."

"Is there no cook cooking specifically for Chairman Chen? Does Chairman Chen have nothing he loves to eat?" Ren Xu Shi continued to ask.

Ren Qiying really hadn't paid attention to what Chen Ke usually loved to eat. Thinking about Chen Ke's behavior on weekdays for a while, she suddenly remembered something. "Chairman Chen often works overnight. At that time, he also eats some snacks with the comrades on the night shift."

Hearing that Chen Ke also had snacks, Ren Xu Shi said enviously, "That must be something good to eat."

Ren Yugang's face changed immediately. He slapped his chopsticks on the table with a snap. "What nonsense are you talking about? Can you make up blindly what Chairman Chen eats?"

Ren Xu Shi was startled, but she was used to being scolded by her husband, plus she felt this wasn't a big deal, so she said resentfully, "Isn't it just talking about eating? What's the big deal?"

Ren Yugang looked at his wife angrily. "What's the big deal? You are arranging him behind his back. Those in high positions hate others arranging their bad words behind their backs most. Didn't you hear what the girl said..."

Speaking of this, Ren Yugang looked at the two children staring blankly at him. He said helplessly, "Eat first."

After finishing the meal and cleaning up, Ren Yugang called his wife and Ren Qiying to the main room and closed the door. Then he said, "According to Qiying, Chairman Chen is an extremely self-disciplined person. He is in a high position and has endless business every day. What if one day he is suddenly free and talks casually with the people around him? As a result, when talking, he hears someone arranging his bad words behind his back. Tell me, if Chairman Chen asks casually again, who said this? What will the people around Chairman Chen think and do?"

These words were actually said extremely implicitly. Ren Yugang didn't want to say Chen Ke was hypocritical, but since he was a person who cherished his reputation, few didn't care about reputation at all. Ren Yugang knew very well that ruining someone's business would at most mean not interacting in the future, but ruining someone's reputation, that would be endless.

But he was afraid his wife and daughter wouldn't understand where the problem lay, so he couldn't help saying, "Disaster comes from the mouth!"

Ren Xu Shi was actually just extremely proud in her heart because her daughter became a high official. Her actions inevitably had a flavor of getting carried away. Hearing her husband say this, thinking of Chen Ke's status, and thinking of the more than eight hundred people killed a few months ago, her face immediately turned somewhat pale with fright.

Ren Qiying completely didn't expect her father to be so proficient in the human heart of officialdom. She had met Chen Ke many times and knew that Chen Ke's personality was actually quite generous, and might not really take vain fame so seriously. Never engaging in special privileges was also just Chen Ke's personal integrity issue. But her father Ren Yugang's reminder of "ruining someone's reputation" gave Ren Qiying new ideas.

Chen Ke resolutely didn't allow the government to force the guidance of "production team" formation this time. I'm afraid there was the reason of worrying that the government wouldn't do the job well and would have its "reputation ruined" instead. It seems that people proficient in human hearts are all like this. Things can be left undone, but cannot be done recklessly. The matters of taking the blame and wiping the butt are actually borne most by the superiors. Even if the subordinate who made a mistake is severely punished, once this reputation is ruined, it cannot be redeemed no matter what.

Thinking of this, Ren Qiying suddenly regretted a bit. Was the risk of her striving to promote the production team model a bit too big?

Ren Yugang saw Ren Qiying's flickering eyes and knew his daughter wanted to talk to him alone. He said, "Girl, aren't you going out? I'll send you off."

The father and daughter went to Ren Qiying's room. Ren Qiying told her father about her worries. Ren Yugang laughed, "This doesn't matter. Since Chairman Chen thinks production teams will be run sooner or later, making a model is nothing. Girl, actually, I have been studying with Mr. Yan Fu these days and also read some of Chairman Chen's books. I admire the scientific attitude they both emphasize. The truths prevailing in this world are principles. This science is the principle; just do it according to this scientific principle. The only trouble is not science, but the human heart. If a person is too selfish or gets confused, that's a big trouble. I heard your meaning; the reason why Chairman Chen Ke let the common people form production teams themselves is also worrying about encountering some muddled eggs who can't be reasoned with. One rat dropping ruins a pot of soup. Sometimes it's actually a good thing not to let muddled eggs mix in."

Hearing Ren Yugang explain the reasoning clearly, Ren Qiying felt confident in her heart. She smiled, "Thank you, Dad, for your advice."

Ren Yugang nodded. He asked somewhat hesitantly, "Girl, do you think the People's Party can withstand the court's attack?"

"Eh?" Ren Qiying was very puzzled by this sudden question. The People's Party had won several big victories in a row on the battlefield; why did Ren Yugang worry instead?

Ren Yugang thought for a while before saying, "Girl, I heard that household registration (*hukou*) is going to be implemented."

Ren Qiying also knew about this matter. This was proposed by Chen Ke. In the future, it would be divided into urban *hukou* and rural *hukou*. Ren Qiying didn't know that Chen Ke was preparing to implement a strict urban-rural dual *hukou* policy. Historically, in the early days of the founding of the People's Republic, because the *hukou* problem was not solved, population flow caused many troubles. Chen Ke felt that instead of causing such problems, it was better to implement a strict *hukou* policy initially. With the improvement of education and economic development levels, plus the improvement of state management means, gradually releasing it later would not cause a great impact instead.

Although she didn't know Chen Ke's plan, Ren Qiying knew this matter. "Dad, what's wrong?"

Ren Yugang replied, "I'm thinking about simply switching our family to urban *hukou*. We can't farm well, and I don't want your younger brothers and sisters to farm in the future. You and I both work in the county; it's not a good thing for the family to be separated like this all the time. Let's just hand over the land and join the urban *hukou*."

Although he said so, Ren Yugang's thoughts just now were far less simple. Really asking him to give up all his land, Ren Yugang didn't make up his mind so easily in his heart. He even worried that if the People's Party lost the battle, he wouldn't even be able to return to the countryside to farm. But on second thought, his daughter was already a high-ranking official, and he was a teacher here in the People's Party. Even if there was land in the countryside, if the People's Party perished, would he have any good fruit to eat? Since this was the case, he let it go instead.

Ren Qiying knew her father was a knowledgeable person. Changing the whole family to urban *hukou* wasn't a big deal. It was just that she wanted to promote production teams now, and originally hoped her family could participate. Not for that little income, but if her own family didn't take the lead, it wouldn't be justifiable. But thinking about it, the People's Party opposed exploitation most. Her whole family didn't farm but gave the land to her uncle's family to farm. This kind of thing wasn't very honorable to talk about. Since her father just said "don't ruin one's reputation," her practice probably could also be categorized into bad reputation.

Thinking of this, Ren Qiying nodded. "Dad, I'll go back now and handle this matter immediately."

In late August, people's elections began in all areas of the base area except Anqing. The troops took leave and returned to the local areas. Although the common people knew the troops won a big victory, the common people wanted to hear clearly from these local soldiers how exactly this battle was fought. The soldiers all accepted the task. Although they couldn't mention the names of their unit commanders, they could mention the war.

Listening to the soldiers tell how thousands of Hubei guys were beaten to pieces and not a single one escaped, the elders of Anhui were very happy. After listening to the story, everyone began to ask about the election. Soldiers had experience in Soldiers' Committee elections, and political commissars had explained the reasoning thoroughly to everyone, so they naturally talked about the significance of the election.

The people of Shouzhou were also in a relatively early liberated area. In Shijiaji, after an old man listened to the local soldier explain the election system, he couldn't help asking doubtfully, "Sanwa (Third Baby), according to what you said, after this election, isn't it your People's Party in power, but us common people?"

The soldier called Sanwa was named Shi You-san, just ranked third. His brother was called Shi You-sheng, not the Japanese style of naming by numbers. Both brothers were soldiers of the People's Party. This time not all troops were disbanded on the spot. Due to war preparations, a considerable number of backbones and recruits stayed. In the quota for visiting relatives this time, Shi You-san went home to visit relatives, while Shi You-sheng stayed in the army.

The one asking was an old man in Shijiaji, Shi Xiuyu. Shi You-san answered, "Fifth Master, this world originally belongs to us common people. Election is to elect officials we recognize ourselves. These officials naturally have to serve us common people. Otherwise, why do we elect him as an official?"

Shi Xiuyu laughed, "Where in this world is there a reason for officials to serve common people? Sanwa, were you deceived by someone?"

Hearing this, a lot of laughter also came from the surrounding folks. Shi Xiuyu's words spoke everyone's heart. In generations, where had they heard of such officials as Shi You-san described?

"Since these officials are elected by everyone, if they don't do things for everyone, we won't elect them." Shi You-san said loudly.

Seeing Shi You-san's attitude so tough, Shi Xiuyu naturally couldn't lose to the younger generation in momentum. He asked, "Then Sanwa, let me ask you, if the officials are elected, who do you soldiers listen to? Listen to the elected officials, or listen to your People's Party?"

This question could be said to be very tricky. Fortunately, the political commissars also specifically raised these questions in the meeting. If the political commissars hadn't prepared sufficiently, Shi You-san would really have been stumped. "Our Workers' and Peasants' Revolutionary Army is the Party's army. Naturally, we listen to the Party."

Shi Xiuyu felt his words had succeeded and was preparing to continue. Shi You-san continued ahead of him, "The official elected in our Shijiaji this time is elected by everyone to handle affairs for our Shijiaji. If the official elected by our Shijiaji doesn't handle affairs for our Shijiaji, but manages Yuezhangji in Fengtai County across the river instead, does everyone think this makes sense?"

The crowd surrounding Shi You-san heard this and couldn't help laughing out loud. In fact, everyone was neighbors and knew Shi Xiuyu's thoughts. Shi Xiuyu loved to camp (seek personal gain) when he was young, but as a result, he didn't even become a *Li* head (village head). Now he wanted to be an official, but hearing that officials had to serve the people, he naturally wasn't willing. That's why he talked nonsense like this.

Some young people couldn't help teasing, "Fifth Master, actually managing Yuezhangji in Fengtai County is wasting your talent too much. I think after our Shijiaji elects, you might as well go to the capital to be the Emperor. If you become the Emperor, you can just look after us people, and we can also benefit from your light. Don't you say that's great?"

As soon as these words came out, there was another roar of laughter. Shi Xiuyu's face flushed red. He pointed at the speaking youth and cursed a few words, then pushed aside the crowd and left angrily.

Looking at Shi Xiuyu's back, Shi You-san said, "We have been bullied by officials for so long. In our Liberated Area in the future, no one can bully us common people anymore. The officials are elected by ourselves. The People's Party and us common people are of one mind. Our army always educates us that our Workers' and Peasants' Revolutionary Army is the army of the common people's sons and brothers. So everyone has nothing to fear. Boldly elect officials that make us feel reassured ourselves. Whoever is willing to work for everyone can recommend themselves. As long as what you say can make everyone believe, and everyone is reassured by your usual handling of affairs, then everyone will elect you."

The young people listened with shining eyes one by one. Although they dared not completely believe what Shi You-san said was true, young people all hoped to establish achievements. This opportunity to elect officials seemed to be an opportunity for promotion in the short term.

A young man asked, "Brother San, how about you participate in this election? We will all elect you."

"We soldiers cannot participate in local elections. This is the rule." Shi You-san refused appropriately according to the content of the political commissar's education.

"Then Brother San, who do you think can be elected?" Learning that soldiers like Shi You-san with the big backer of the People's Party would not run for election, the young people felt a big stone lifted from their hearts. They wanted to get some words out of Shi You-san's mouth again.

Shi You-san continued, "Everyone elects; naturally, choose someone you trust. I naturally can't say anything; this is also discipline."

Still, a young man couldn't hold his breath. He asked, "Brother San, tell the truth. Is it okay if we don't elect People's Party people this time?"

This question was the thing political commissars emphasized most. Soldiers absolutely could not canvass for personnel sent by the People's Party to the grassroots. Shi You-san replied, "Election is to choose someone who can do things for everyone and make everyone reassured. What does this have to do with whether he is a People's Party member or not? We common people choose someone we can be reassured about ourselves, not choosing People's Party people. Everyone doesn't need to worry about our People's Party retaliating. We are here to let everyone live a good life and keep everyone from being bullied. We ourselves will absolutely not bully everyone."

"Brother San, does what you say count?" The young people were still worried.

"I'll sit here without moving. You can go ask the People's Party cadres in the locality now. See if the cadres say so. If they don't say so, I'll go reason with them." Shi You-san said loudly.

While Shi You-san was propagating the election system to the people of Shijiaji in Shouzhou, Wu Liao, the Party Secretary of Wuhe County, glared angrily, pointing at the clerk Zhou Fengxiang in front of him and questioning loudly, "You say, who let you tell the common people that they must elect People's Party cadres in this election?"

Zhou Fengxiang had never seen Secretary Wu Liao so angry. He lowered his head in fear and dared not make a sound.

Such a pitiful appearance couldn't calm Wu Liao's anger at all. Wu Liao never expected that he exhorted repeatedly at the Wuhe County cadre meeting that cadres were absolutely not allowed to coerce the people to elect themselves. As a result, someone like Zhou Fengxiang still appeared. And this time Zhou Fengxiang was caught because when the military cadre Zhou Yizheng, who went home to visit relatives, propagated the election system, the masses reported to Zhou Yizheng that Zhou Fengxiang asked the people to elect him. After Zhou Yizheng understood the situation, he found Wu Liao to talk about this matter.

Zhou Fengxiang was a clerk in logistics and was not a candidate recommended by the organization at all. He privately asked the people to elect him, which had greatly destroyed the discipline of the People's Party. This could be considered a major event destroying organizational discipline. Wu Liao was from an early military background; he knew what this meant in the army. Although he was now a civil affairs cadre, Wu Liao still had the habits of a soldier.

Zhou Fengxiang was scolded by Wu Liao for a good while. Wu Liao not only scolded him severely but also asked Zhou Fengxiang to tell the reason. Seeing he couldn't hide, Zhou Fengxiang simply asked back, "Secretary Wu, since the election system says that anyone over 18 can run for election. Why can't I run? I think this rule is unfair."