Chapter 489

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds, and then the voice switched to the Shangjun dialect and asked hesitantly, "Are you really Dali?"

Hou Dali said, "It's me, Dali. Are you Third Uncle?"

Hou Guangbi on the other side of the phone said, "I am your Third Uncle!"

After saying this, Hou Guangbi burst into tears. Hou Dali on this side also burst into tears, and his wife was also wiping away tears on the side.

Seeing this scene, Liu Xiancai and Su Xinghui's eyes also moistened. The uncle and nephew had not seen each other for forty-five years, and they had no news of each other. Now that they were suddenly talking to each other, it was understandable no matter how they vented their emotions.

After crying for a minute or two, Hou Dali choked and said, "Third Uncle, are you in good health?"

Hou Guangbi said, "I am still in good health. Is your whole family well?"

Hou Dali said, "My whole family is well."

Hou Guangbi said, "Did Mayor Su tell you my contact information?"

Hou Dali said, "Yes, I am calling you from the County United Front Work Department now, and Mayor Su is right behind me."

Hou Guangbi said solemnly, "Dali, Mayor Su is a benefactor of our Hou family. Without him, I wouldn't have been able to get in touch with you. Perhaps this would have been a lifelong regret for me. You must thank Mayor Su properly."

Hou Dali said, "I will definitely thank him properly."

Hou Guangbi said, "By the way, your brother Hou my lord is also in Paris."

Hou Dali was both surprised and happy, "Really? My brother is also in Paris?"

Hou Guangbi told the twists and turns. It turned out that Hou my lord had fled to Hong Kong during the period of turmoil, tossed and turned overseas for more than ten years, and finally found the Hou family in France. He also married and had children overseas, established his family and career with the help of the Hou family, and now has several children.

This news made Hou Dali both surprised and happy. During that period of turmoil, his parents passed away one after another due to serious illness, and Hou my lord's wife drew a line with him and left with their children, with no word of where they went. Hou my lord took a great risk and smuggled himself overseas, and Hou Dali didn't know if he had succeeded or not.

After all, smuggling was a life-and-death matter. Having no news of him for so many years, Hou Dali just assumed he had died long ago. Now that he had suddenly received news of him, his heart was agitated, which was imaginable.

Hearing Hou Guangbi's words, Su Xinghui finally understood why Hou Guangbi didn't ask about the life or death of his brother Hou Guangji when he called yesterday. Of course, he had learned the news about Hou Guangji through Hou my lord.

However, Hou my lord left overseas under such circumstances, and he must have brought more negative influence to Hou Guangbi and others, which made Hou Guangbi have greater concerns.

After all, that period of turmoil was too terrible. In the case of blocking news for so many years, who knows what the situation in the country is now? Even in the era when the Internet is so developed twenty years later, don't many foreigners still have prejudices against China?

Hou Dali said, "My eldest brother is still alive and has children. That's really great! That's really great!"

Hou Guangbi sighed, "He also suffered a lot of hardships before he could get to France. It was a narrow escape! Hearing what he said, I can't imagine how he survived."

Hou Dali asked, "Third Uncle, are Second Uncle and the others all well?"

Hou Guangbi sighed, "Your Second Uncle wanted to return to Shangjun to have a look all his life, but he didn't live to see this day. He passed away the year before last. Several of your other uncles and cousins have also passed away. Now only I and your two cousins are left, but there are still quite a few people in your generation, and even more in the next generation."

After hearing this, Hou Dali felt very gratified. Although only his family was left of the Hou family in the country, the Hou family overseas could be considered to have branched out and flourished, with a prosperous population. It's just that several uncles had passed away, which also made him feel sad.

After sighing for a long time, Hou Dali said, "Third Uncle, I heard that you have the idea of returning to your roots. When do you plan to come back?"

Speaking of this, Hou Guangbi hesitated a little. Hou Dali said, "Third Uncle, the situation in the country is very stable now, and the country has always welcomed overseas Chinese to come back for a visit. Today, Mayor Su and our county United Front Work Department head have both assured me that the county will warmly welcome you, Third Uncle, to come back and have a look."

After pondering for a moment, Hou Guangbi said, "Dali, you haven't been abroad yet, right? How about this: you come to us first and have a look, okay?"

Hou Dali turned to look at Su Xinghui and Liu Xiancai. Su Xinghui could understand Hou Guangbi's meaning. He let Hou Dali go out, actually wanting to use this matter to test whether the political climate in the country was really as relaxed as Hou Dali said. If even Hou Dali could not go abroad freely, would they dare to come back?

In addition, Hou Dali made the call in front of government officials. How could Hou Guangbi be sure that what Hou Dali said was the truth? If Hou Dali went to Paris, France, and said what he said in front of him, it should be believable.

Su Xinghui's thoughts turned rapidly, but Liu Xiancai was hesitant. Hou Dali wants to go abroad? Is there any risk in this matter? Liu Xiancai didn't dare to make this decision. With his style, he must ask the county leaders for instructions.

Su Xinghui made a prompt decision and nodded to Hou Dali. Hou Dali understood and said to the microphone, "Third Uncle, okay, I also want to visit you, old man."

Hou Guangbi was very happy and said, "That's good. When can you come to France, and how many people are coming? Once you have determined, call me to inform me. We will wait for you in Paris, and all your expenses to Paris will be covered by me."

Hou Dali said, "Okay, Third Uncle, I'll go back and discuss it."

The two said a few more words before hanging up the phone reluctantly.

Su Xinghui said, "Uncle Hou, how about this: I will go with Director Liu to take you to see Secretary Ji and County Magistrate Zhang to discuss the matters of you going to France."

Hou Dali nodded and said, "Okay."

Liu Xiancai then called Ji Tao. Ji Tao told them to come over immediately. Several people went to Ji Tao's office together and saw that Ji Tao and Zhang Kaishan were both sitting in Ji Tao's office waiting for them.

Su Xinghui introduced the identities of Hou Dali and his wife to Ji Tao and Zhang Kaishan. Ji Tao walked up to Hou Dali and said to him kindly, "You are Mr. Hou Dali. Hello, the county has wronged your Hou family!"

Hou Dali only felt that his throat seemed to be blocked by something, and he couldn't speak. After so many years, which leader of such a high level had said such kind words to him? After a long while, he said with a hoarse throat, "Thank you, Secretary Ji!"

After Ji Tao shook hands with him, he shook hands with his wife, and then Zhang Kaishan also shook hands with them.

Su Xinghui poured them tea, and they sat down together.

Su Xinghui helped Hou Dali report the situation of his call with Hou Guangbi to Ji Tao and Zhang Kaishan. He said that Hou Guangbi wanted Hou Dali to go to France to meet.

After hearing this, Ji Tao pondered for a moment. Going abroad is no longer a big deal now, but he also has to make a judgment: will Hou Dali stay abroad and not come back after going abroad?