Chapter 29 of 100

Chapter 29: Following the Lead of the Youngest

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The ceremony was simple. Two elders and a young one set up a table in the center of the living room, placed a bowl of rice and lit incense, and then bowed to the sky.

They had sworn brotherhood.

This method was proposed by Li Desheng.

Zhao Zhiqiang reluctantly accepted it, because if these two old and young ones did not accept the case, they were prepared to kneel down and beg him to be their master until he agreed! Even if he left, they would chase him wherever he went.

"I, Li Desheng, was born in 1922... I hope my brothers and I will be united and never part!"

"I, Lin Shoushan, was born in 1924..."

Zhao Zhiqiang, not knowing how to do this, simply imitated them, "I, Zhao Zhiqiang, was born in 1988..."

The onlookers, including Li Yuan, Gu Meiyun, and others, exchanged glances. The age difference was a full sixty years, which was too absurd!

Afterward, the three of them took the chicken blood wine passed by Li Shangbo and drank it in one go.

The onlookers, including Li Yuan, Gu Meiyun, Pang Wenxian, and He Dacheng, quickly came forward to congratulate them. Although Li Yuan did not approve of this, thinking his father was being unreasonable, he did not dare to contradict him.

He really did not dare to go against his father's wishes. Just a moment of obstruction earned him a scolding. Sigh, old children, old children, he finally understood what this meant.

He especially looked at the young man, wondering if he had ulterior motives?

But it was this young man who cured his father's headache...

Gu Meiyun was very curious about the young boy who was even younger than herself.

He did not seem to be from the upper class, yet he had sworn brotherhood with the two famous elders of Bincheng. This was too strange. What did this young man do?

Pang Wenxian, the newly appointed district chief of Chengnan, shook his head inwardly. The world was becoming increasingly unpredictable. What was this old man up to?

He Dacheng did not have much of a reaction. His thoughts were similar to Li Shangbo's, thinking the old man was just bored and looking for entertainment. This matter had nothing to do with him, and he was more concerned about the troublesome issues outside.

Li Shangbo's thoughts were the most complicated. He was most afraid that the old man would make him call the young man "uncle."

Just as he was thinking, what he least wanted to happen did.

The ceremony was over, and Li Desheng laughed heartily!

"Ha! Come, Yuan'er, meet your second uncle and little uncle!"

The old man, over eighty, was greatly comforted. He never thought that he would have a younger brother so close to his end. After more than sixty years of revolutionary work, he had never sworn brotherhood with anyone. Today, he had the good fortune to have Lin Shoushan as both a benefactor and a brother, fulfilling his long-held wish. He also met a young martial artist who practiced the Qi-Induction Technique, which he had heard about from Lin Shoushan, whom he always trusted.

"Ah? Dad?"

Li Yuan was stunned. This was too...

The second uncle was the original Uncle Lin, which was understandable.

But, out of nowhere, he had a little uncle—

My goodness.

"Ah!"

Gu Meiyun could not believe it. These were meritorious predecessors. She knew that the old man could sometimes be unreasonable, but this was—too absurd.

"Uh—"

Pang Wenxian and He Dacheng never expected the old man to give such an order.

"What! Calling you 'uncle' is your honor! Are you unwilling?"

Li Desheng was clearly getting angry.

Zhao Zhiqiang saw this and knew it wouldn't do.

The other was at least the secretary of the regional city, and there were so many outsiders present. If he really forced him to call out, it would be a great loss of face. He immediately stopped Li Desheng from speaking, "Brother, aren't you making things difficult for him? We agreed that this matter would only be discussed within the medical and martial arts community, and not involve the family! If you consider me a brother, let's talk about it in our own way. This sworn brotherhood is just between the three of us and has nothing to do with them. Don't follow the usual formalities, or I'll back out now!"

"No, no!"

Li Desheng also hoped to see the legendary Qi-Induction Technique, which could cure his headache. This young man had been a soldier, and his temper was similar to his own, stubborn and unyielding. He wouldn't care about such trivial matters, "I'll listen to you, I'll listen to you!"

He then gave his son a cold stare.

"Hmph! You—don't know what's good for you!"

"Dad, I, I didn't mean it that way."

Li Yuan saw his father's face turn sour and felt a bit anxious.

However, Zhao Zhiqiang's intervention to resolve the awkwardness made him feel better. He really found it hard to call this young man "uncle."

Lin Shoushan laughed, "Brother, that's enough. Don't make it hard for them. This matter has nothing to do with them. Let's help our third brother tidy up. He insists on going back to his home in Chang'an Village in Chengnan District. I'll go with him since it's on my way."

Chengnan District!

Chang'an Village!

These two terms were very sensitive to the four officials present.

Weren't the people sitting in protest on the square from his village?

"You are from Chang'an Village?" He Dacheng was the most anxious, as he was the primary leader responsible for the demolition.

"Yes, what's the matter?" Zhao Zhiqiang was also puzzled. Was Chang'an Village so famous?

"I am the deputy district chief of Chengnan, He Dacheng. These two are the district secretary Gu Meiyun and district chief Pang Wenxian. Today, over two hundred people from your village suddenly sat in protest at the municipal government. Secretary Li is discussing countermeasures with us. Do you know anything about the situation?"

He Dacheng thought, how did I not know that Chang'an Village had such a figure...

"Oh. I haven't heard about this." Zhao Zhiqiang spoke honestly.

Li Yuan was also surprised that this person was from Chang'an Village.

Gu Meiyun's eyes lit up. Pang Wenxian showed no expression.

He Dacheng was a bit disappointed, "Then, Secretary Li, shall I go to the square to understand the situation and report back to you later?"

Li Desheng was unhappy, "Regarding the people's suffering, you, as a public servant, should take the lead. What are you waiting for! Li Yuan, you take people to go. This—He Dacheng, help pack up and take our brothers Lin and Zhao back to Chang'an Village."

After saying this, he turned to Zhao Zhiqiang with a smile, "Third brother, I'll listen to you. This sworn brotherhood is just between the three of us, not involving them. Hmph!"

Li Yuan finally understood. His father had found a new way to play. He no longer worried about it and focused on his work.

He thought, it was almost the New Year, and he should go himself.

"Let's do this. I and Pang Wenxian will go to the square to solve the problem. Little Gu, you and He Dacheng help send the young master home and conduct a surprise survey in the village to understand the situation. After all, it's not easy to organize so many people. There must be some who oppose or are just observers."

"Understood." Gu Meiyun felt relieved. Secretary Li had proposed a solution. The others also agreed. She understood that Secretary Li's intention was to take a two-pronged approach. Clearly, the over two hundred protesters could not represent the thousands of villagers. Going deeper to understand the situation would provide first-hand information, and among those who did not come, there would certainly be voices of opposition or neutrality.

Li Shangbo had not spoken until now. Seeing that the matter was settled, he stepped forward, "Grandpa, Second Uncle, Little Uncle, let me take care of sending them. It's too cold outside, and you are not in good health. I'll handle this small matter for you!"

He had analyzed the situation for a long time. His father would never call this young man "uncle."

But he thought differently. A thousand gold pieces could not buy his grandfather's happiness.

Calling him "Little Uncle" would not cost him a penny.

Face, well, if outsiders knew this young man had sworn brotherhood with his grandfather, they would be shocked!

Most importantly, it was to make his grandfather happy...

Li Yuan's face turned green when he heard his son's sudden words!

"How could I forget you? You and Secretary Gu can go together. You are young and can help the young master with errands!"

"Sure thing!" Li Shangbo was naturally optimistic. Seeing his grandfather's frown ease, he was happy. He knew that changing his address was the right move!

Ha ha, let Dad suffer...

The others wanted to laugh but dared not. Li Shangbo's call effectively included Li Yuan. Li Yuan could not contradict him on the spot. They all looked at the "young master" who had not spoken much.

This person... who's master?

Pang Wenxian's gaze swept around but found no clues.

Gu Meiyun was also curious. A young man like this had sworn brotherhood with the two elders. If this news spread, what would happen? If he were also an official, wouldn't that be...? He definitely wasn't an official! Just by his calm and indifferent demeanor in front of these city leaders, one could tell he was not an official, even if he tried to act like one.

"Alright, the two elder brothers, we must keep this matter a secret today. Otherwise, I, as a younger brother, will no longer recognize the two elder brothers!"

He was thinking of the two elders. As for himself, it didn't matter much. Although he noticed that Li Yuan seemed unhappy about his swearing brotherhood with the two elders, Zhao Zhiqiang did not take it to heart. He was just playing along with the two old men. Besides, who doesn't care about face? The other was over forty and the secretary of a prefecture-level city.

"Yes, Third Brother." Li Desheng and Lin Shoushan replied respectfully.

The four secretaries and district chiefs immediately rolled their eyes...

It seemed that the youngest—this young man—was leading the way!

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