Chapter 561

Speaking of this, he could not continue.

Gu Shanmin could not help but be stunned. Zhao Zhongfu whispered behind him, "My fourth uncle originally had two sons and a daughter. The eldest son died of illness when he was a few years old. The daughter fell to her death while picking firewood on the mountain when she was in her teens. My fourth aunt was heartbroken and also died of illness. After his youngest son got married, he was struck and killed by a wild boar on the mountain at the age of thirty-one. His daughter-in-law couldn't stand the poverty at home, so she abandoned the two children and ran away."

Gu Shanmin then understood how miserable this family was. He said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Brother Zhao. I didn't know the situation; I shouldn't have asked you like that."

After a sigh, Zhao Zuxin shook his head and said, "It's nothing, it's all been over ten years."

Gu Shanmin asked, "Brother Zhao, how are the two grandchildren now?"

Zhao Zuxin replied, "They are quite promising. The grandson is in high school, and the granddaughter is in junior high."

Gu Shanmin said, "Your family is in such difficulty, yet you can still let the two children attend middle school. That is truly not easy!"

Zhao Zuxin said, "Last year, my grandson didn't want to go to school anymore; he was already prepared to drop out, saying he would go out to work. I couldn't stop him. Later, Township Head Su found a way to make the village wealthy. The village had money, so they paid for him to continue his schooling. For the past year, the family's living expenses and food have also been sent by the village. If it weren't for Township Head Su, my two grandchildren might have both dropped out to go work."

Gu Shanmin asked, "So, can the family get by now?"

Zhao Zuxin nodded and said, "That's no problem at all. My legs and feet suffered from rheumatism, so I can't work anymore, but now the village gives us relief every month—rice, oil, and vegetables. At the end of the year, there are also dividends. Our family's life is getting better and better."

Gu Shanmin nodded and said, "That's good. Once your grandchildren graduate from university, Brother Zhao, you will be able to enjoy your life!"

Zhao Zuxin said, "I am satisfied with this kind of life now. To tell you the truth, Secretary Gu, more than a year ago, looking at the miserable scene at home, I almost didn't want to live anymore. If it weren't for the fact that my grandchildren were still young, I would have hanged myself from the rafters."

Gu Shanmin said, "Brother Zhao, that won't do. Haven't you waited until the good days?"

Zhao Zuxin said, "Yes, Secretary Gu. After the dividends are distributed at the end of the year, the village committee also said they would lend me some money and find people in the village to help me renovate this house. By then, our family can have a good New Year."

Gu Shanmin looked at the dilapidated Zhao house, nodded, and said, "Your house does need a renovation. Alright, Brother Zhao, I won't disturb you anymore. I'll go look around elsewhere."

Seeing Gu Shanmin stand up, Zhao Zuxin hurriedly stood up with his cane and said, "Secretary Gu, you haven't even had a sip of tea, and you're leaving already."

Gu Shanmin waved at him with a smile and said, "Brother Zhao, rest well and take care of your health. The good days are still ahead."

Gu Shanmin randomly visited a few more villagers' homes and chatted with them before arriving at the village committee, preparing to get in the car and go to other villages. However, he saw the reading room next to the village committee and walked in with great interest.

Seeing the bookshelves in the reading room and the books filling them, Gu Shanmin nodded repeatedly. He picked up a few books, flipped through them casually, and asked, "Are there many people who come to the reading room to read?"

Fang Youcai said, "Secretary Gu, not many during the day, but many at night. Everyone has to work during the day and only has time to read at night. Everyone likes to read; they learn a lot of knowledge from the books, especially agricultural techniques."

Gu Shanmin nodded and said, "Good, good, good. To build a new era of rural areas and be farmers of the new era, we must not only build material civilization but also spiritual civilization. This reading room is well-run; this is spiritual civilization!"

Gu Shanmin was indeed very happy. In fact, before coming to Meng Hu Ling, he had some doubts in his heart. Is Meng Hu Ling really developing that well? Were there any exaggerations in the newspaper reports? Before coming, he had prepared himself mentally; even if the reports were exaggerated, he wouldn't say anything.

But he didn't expect that upon arriving at Meng Hu Ling, the development was not only not exaggerated, but even better than what the reports said. This made Gu Shanmin very satisfied. It seems that his choice of Meng Hu Ling as the pilot unit for the province's agricultural reform was a very correct choice! And the Su Xinghui he chose to support was also not a wrong choice.

In Ye Zhugou Village, Gu Shanmin stayed for nearly two hours before leaving. The village cadres of Ye Zhugou Village originally wanted to keep the provincial leaders for a meal in the village, but they were politely declined. ===== CHAPTER 563 =====