Chapter 87

"Uncle Lou, your worries are not without reason. In recent years, both domestically and internationally, many things have happened. Some people, in order to shift blame, will definitely cause some things to happen in the future," Li Qiang said solemnly.

"Qiangzi, tell me in detail," Lou Banche also became solemn.

"Uncle Lou, first let me talk about the domestic situation. In recent years, the Great Leap Forward and many other movements have had policy mistakes, plus three years of natural disasters; many people couldn't eat enough, and in many rural areas there were even cases of starvation deaths. Meanwhile, the wealthy live in a way you already know without me saying. We are a new country, a new regime, very different from the old society, and most of those in power came from poor families. Now life has improved—do you think some people can forget this? If some people have selfish motives, do you think they won't seize the opportunity to settle old scores?" Li Qiang said solemnly.

"Qiangzi, please continue," Lou Banche listened very attentively; he couldn't help but listen seriously. This is a matter of his family's livelihood and life—how could he not be serious?

"Internationally, Khrushchev went back on his word, tore up the contract, withdrew the experts, and even forced us to repay debts, causing serious problems in the national economy. All these problems added together—do you think the higher-ups won't correct them?" Li Qiang continued.

"Definitely will," Lou Banche said without hesitation.

"That's right, actually those friends of yours who left are still very wise."

"You mean I should also leave?" Lou Banche asked.

"Being able to leave is the best option, as the saying goes: 'As long as the green hills remain, there's no fear of running out of firewood.'"

"Then what do you think—if something were to happen, roughly when would it be?" Lou Banche continued asking Li Qiang, after all he has many businesses; it's not something you can just walk away from.

"If it's long, three or four years; if short, just one or two years," Li Qiang said, not daring to be too certain, after all he has transmigrated, and he truly dares not be certain whether history's course will be the same as before.

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Starting now, handle your assets—sell what you can, and donate what you can't sell."

"Then what?"

"Find an opportunity to leave the mainland."

"Qiangzi, saying it is easy, but I'm at this age—leaving my homeland and living under others' roofs is not that easy. Besides, I've heard that some people who went abroad are not welcomed there; those foreign devils have great prejudice against us Chinese, even looking down on us," Lou Banche said with a bitter smile.

"Uncle Lou, leaving the mainland doesn't necessarily mean going abroad," Li Qiang said with a smile.

"If not going abroad, then where should we go?" Lou Banche was a bit confused.

"Hong Kong Island—although it's under British administration, most of its residents are Chinese, and it's just across the river from us; any news here can be known immediately, and even if one day we want to come back, it would be convenient."

"I have some understanding of the situation there; I have some business cooperation with them, though it's not overt," Lou Banche said frankly. In that era, doing business with capitalist countries was not something honorable.

"That's even better; you already have a certain foundation there."

"Us?" Lou Banche didn't quite understand Li Qiang's words.

"Yes, not only should you and your wife leave, but it's best to bring Damao and Xiao'e as well."

"How serious could it be? Xiao'e marrying Damao would practically mean she's no longer closely tied to our family." Lou Banche's reason for finding a good-background family for Lou Xiao'e to marry was also this idea: if something happened one day, at least Lou Xiao'e's spouse having a good background would prevent her from being too implicated.

"Uncle Lou, you're thinking too simply. If nothing happens, fine; but if something does happen, no matter what background Damao has, Xiao'e's identity as a capitalist big miss cannot be changed. Do you think there will ever be a time when anyone still cares about Damao's background? Their goal is your property and to ruin you or your relatives' achievements," Li Qiang said bluntly.

"That serious?" Lou Banche still felt Li Qiang was being a bit overly serious.

"Uncle Lou, you also came from the old society; struggle is just that cruel—either you die or I live. I know that during the Anti-Japanese War you donated many supplies to our Party, but don't forget the saying: 'When the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat suffer.'" Li Qiang's words shattered the last glimmer of hope in Lou Banche's heart.

"Qiangzi, I understand. I hope today's conversation stays between us and isn't known by a third party, including Damao and Xiao'e," Lou Banche said cautiously.

"Uncle Lou, rest assured, once out of this room I haven't said anything today; even if you come ask me tomorrow, I won't admit it." Li Qiang said bluntly; if these remarks were leaked and used by ill-intentioned people, he wouldn't just escape unscathed—he'd at least lose a layer of skin. He wouldn't be that foolish, especially now that he has a wife and children; even if not for himself, he must think of his family.

"Qiangzi, thank you, Uncle. I know what to do; I'll start preparing when I get back," Lou Banche said earnestly.

"Alright, timing-wise we should be able to make it," Li Qiang said with a smile.

The two chatted a bit more in the house, and then Lou Banche left Li Qiang's home.

"Damao, from now on, for any matters you should consult Qiangzi more and listen to his opinions more." The two arrived at Xu Damao's home, and Lou Banche earnestly said to Xu Damao, today Li Qiang's words had a great impact on him, and also unconsciously raised Li Qiang's status considerably—after all, at Li Qiang's age here, it's truly rare to find a young person who can see the situation so clearly and analyze problems so thoroughly; unfortunately Li Qiang is married, and his age gap with Lou Xiao'e is quite large; if they had met a few years earlier, he might even have wanted to marry Lou Xiao'e to Li Qiang.

"Dad, I understand; I've always listened to Elder Brother Qiang's words," Xu Damao said in a fawning manner.

"Xiao'e, live well with Damao; now that you're married, you're practically an adult, but you can't be as willful as before," Lou Banche's words were full of affection.

"I know, Dad," Lou Xiao'e said shyly.

"Alright, parents-in-law, it's getting late; we should head back too," Lou Banche said to Xu Fugui.

"Fine, then I won't keep you longer. When we have the chance, let's drink again, mother-in-law—please come visit Xiao'e and them often. We live a bit far from here, so it's not convenient to come over; from now on I'll trouble you," Xu Fugui said politely.

"Don't worry," Tan Yali said with a smile; she understood Xu Fugui's meaning—that even though Lou Xiao'e is now married to Xu Damao, we won't treat her like other parents-in-law, or in other words, we won't interfere in the young couple's life.