Chapter 1185: A New Era

August 1966

The square was filled with an endless sea of people. From Qianmen in the south to the sides of Chang'an Avenue, it was a vast crowd, and the sound of their slogans was earth-shattering.

At this moment, Cao Weiguo was in a hospital room feeding porridge to Song Yulan, while Song Mu sat nearby holding a plump, fair-skinned baby.

Song Yulan said weakly, "I can't eat anymore. I want to hold Ping'an."

Ping'an was the baby in Song Mu's arms, the child of Cao Weiguo and Song Yulan.

Because it was Song Yulan's first birth, the process had been extremely difficult and dangerous. Although Cao Weiguo had taken meticulous care of her, a woman giving birth is like walking through the gates of hell...

Fortunately, Song Yulan was in good health and the medical conditions were good, so in the end, both mother and child were safe.

Cao Weiguo had his first child and named him "Ping'an," hoping the child would have a peaceful life.

Song Mu carefully handed the baby to Song Yulan; she truly feared he would break if held in her hands, or melt if kept in her mouth.

Song Yulan took the sleeping baby, a warm smile appearing on her pale face.

When she first saw the child, she felt that all the suffering she had endured was worth it.

Cao Weiguo flicked his son's little nose: "Look at how much your mother suffered because of you. Don't make your mother angry when you grow up; be filial to her."

"Master! Master!"

Just at this warm moment, Li Fei ran in hurriedly.

Cao Weiguo turned his head and said, "Keep your voice down. If you wake Ping'an, see how I deal with you."

Li Fei covered his mouth and whispered, "Master, the Deputy Factory Director wants you to return to the factory immediately."

Cao Weiguo asked, "Do you know what it's about?"

Li Fei said, "It seems a team of Red Little Soldiers has come to present you with a silk banner."

Cao Weiguo: "A silk banner? What silk banner?"

Li Fei smiled: "Didn't you lead a team to receive a group of Red Little Soldiers a few days ago and give them steamed buns? Now they've come to thank you. The Deputy Factory Director says this is an honor for our entire factory and wants you to rush back as soon as possible."

Song Yulan said, "Official business is important. My mother, the doctors, and the nurses are taking care of the baby and me. It's fine, you go back to the factory."

Cao Weiguo looked at his mother-in-law: "Mom, then I'll have to trouble you."

Song Mu smiled: "What trouble? You go to work. I'm here, it's fine."

Cao Weiguo stood up, bent over, and kissed Song Yulan's forehead before leaving the hospital room with reluctance.

Walking on the streets, one could see emotionally charged crowds everywhere. There were big-character posters and banners everywhere, along with those young, passionate, and energetic youths wearing red armbands and badges...

"When drinking water, don't forget the well-diggers! When turning over, don't forget Chairman Mao!"

"Sweep away all monsters and demons!"

"Hold high the great banner of Mao Zedong Thought and forge ahead bravely!"

"Long live the great teacher, great leader, great commander, and great helmsman Chairman Mao!"

The young people on the street held up banners and shouted slogans. Everyone was full of fanaticism, like a raging fire, quickly infecting everyone.

Cao Weiguo respected these hot-blooded youths. Such young people made him feel the vitality and spirit of youth. Although he wasn't old himself, his heart had long since lost that spirit. Therefore, seeing batches of young people coming to Jingcheng from other places, he took the initiative to lead the staff to steam buns and give them to those young people who lacked food.

"Comrade Cao Weiguo is here!"

"Thank you, Comrade Cao Weiguo!"

When Cao Weiguo returned to the steel rolling factory, countless Red Little Soldiers surged over.

The leader of the Red Little Soldiers was the head of the New North Commune, who presented a silk banner with an excited face.

The Deputy Factory Director was all smiles, and the cadres and workers present applauded enthusiastically.

Factory Director Yang hid in the corner with low spirits, while Yang Weimin's eyes were red with jealousy.

Because of the act of giving steamed buns to the Red Little Soldiers, Cao Weiguo gained respect among the youth, was regarded as a comrade by countless young people, and was even seen as a role model and leader by the youth in the factory.

The silk banner was solemnly hung on the wall by the Deputy Factory Director, and higher-level leaders also called to praise him.

Going with the flow, the trend of the times... Just because he gave away steamed buns, Cao Weiguo gained both fame and fortune. He not only gained a good reputation but was also promoted to Logistics Department Chief, becoming the youngest department-level cadre in the history of the steel rolling factory.

Seeing Cao Weiguo gain both fame and fortune, Yi Zhonghai, Shazhu, and others were green with envy.

Xu Damao, Cui Dake, Liu Haizhong, and others chased after Cao Weiguo to curry favor, hoping to get a promotion.

But Cao Weiguo's heart wasn't in it; after attending a few meetings, he left in a hurry.

The Deputy Factory Director and others also knew that Cao Weiguo's child had just been born and his wife needed care due to a difficult birth, so his distraction was understandable. Furthermore, a subordinate who wasn't obsessed with power was a good subordinate.

Cao Weiguo was now famous and had high prestige among the youth, and the Deputy Factory Director was also worried about his power being snatched away.

Seeing Cao Weiguo focused on his family, the Deputy Factory Director couldn't be happier.

After several days of meticulous care, Song Yulan's body recovered quickly, and she urged Cao Weiguo to handle her discharge, returning home with the baby.

Song Yulan held the baby and said happily, "It's better at home. It was too stifling in the hospital."

Cao Weiguo touched his son's cheek, and little Ping'an giggled. ===== CHAPTER 1187 =====