Chen Lan saw that Commander Zheng and his comrades had finished their reunion, so she stepped forward and called out, "Commander Zheng, welcome home!"
Commander Zheng turned his head upon hearing the voice and saw Chen Lan. He immediately smiled and said, "It's sister-in-law! I'm back, and I won't be leaving again. I'll be causing you trouble again."
Chen Lan smiled and said, "That's great! It's good you're not leaving! What trouble? We're too happy to welcome you! Now that the country is liberated, you great heroes should go home and enjoy your family happiness. By the way, Commander Zheng, why didn't Xu Mingxuan come back with you this time?"
Commander Zheng waved his hand and said, "Xu Mingxuan and Er Zhuang have other missions to attend to and will be back in a while! Sister-in-law, you don't need to call me Commander Zheng anymore. I've applied for retirement, so you can call me Brother Zheng or Old Zheng."
After speaking, he looked at Qi Shengli, Zhang Dalei, and Du Jiang standing behind him and quickly introduced them, "Come, sister-in-law, let me introduce you. These three are my comrades from the same trench. This one, about my age, is Qi Shengli. This younger one is Zhang Dalei, and this one is Du Jiang."
He then said to Qi Shengli and the other two, "Shengli, Lei Zi, Little Du, this is the head of the valley I told you about, Xu Mingxuan's wife, Chen Lan."
Chen Lan quickly explained, "Hello to all three comrades! Welcome back victoriously! Brother Zheng, the valley is managed by everyone, I just offer some suggestions."
Commander Zheng realized he had said the wrong thing and quickly corrected himself, "Yes, yes, sister-in-law, please don't mind. I misspoke! I had a bit to drink just now. I haven't had a drink in a long time, and my mouth has been craving it. I drank a bit too much this time."
Chen Lan didn't mind and asked, "Brother Zheng and the comrades, what are your plans for the future? Please don't mind my directness! I'm just asking directly."
Commander Zheng took the lead and shook his head, "We don't mind. It's good to be direct! I was just about to discuss this with you. I've submitted my retirement application and want to live in the valley. I hope you can take us in."
Chen Lan quickly replied, "It's not about taking you in. Didn't your family move to the valley long ago, Brother Zheng?"
Zheng Sanpao touched his big head and said, "Yes, yes, my home is in the valley, and I am a part of the valley. Sister-in-law, what I mean is, can our valley take in a few more people?"
Chen Lan smiled and said, "Brother Zheng, since you are a part of the valley, you should know the rules of the valley. You have the right to decide. Besides, these comrades are great heroes returning from the battlefield, so I naturally welcome them warmly!"
Zheng Sanpao breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Chen Lan's words.
Chen Lan continued, "Do the three comrades have any family members left, and do they want to move to the valley with you?"
She then looked at the three men. Zheng Sanpao also looked at them and said, "I know Lei Zi is a bachelor. What about you, Old Qi? And you, Little Du? Who do you have in your families? How do you plan to arrange things? Speak up quickly so we can make unified arrangements."
Old Qi quickly said, "I've been fighting for over ten years. I only went back once more than five years ago when our hometown was liberated. I don't have many people left at home. The only one I worry about is my ill-fated sister. Her husband died early, and she's raising two children alone, which is not easy. I want to ask, can I bring my sister to live in the valley?"
He then looked at Chen Lan with anticipation.
Chen Lan nodded and said, "Comrade Qi, bringing your sister's family to the valley is not a problem. However, I have to be upfront. The valley has its rules. Everyone in our valley is equal, except for the children in kindergarten. Everyone in the valley has to work! And the most important point is that once you enter the valley, you cannot leave without a very good reason. If you want to leave, it will be at least twenty-three or twenty-four years later. I don't know if you can do that."
Old Qi lowered his head and said he would consider it.
Chen Lan then looked at Du Jiang and asked, "Comrade Du Jiang, what have you decided?"
Du Jiang touched his big head and asked, "Comrade Chen Lan, can I ask you a question?"
Chen Lan nodded and said, "Comrade Du Jiang, feel free to ask anything you don't understand."
Du Jiang continued to ask, "I heard that people who settle in the valley are helped by the valley to build houses? Is this true?"
Chen Lan nodded without speaking, indicating for Du Jiang to continue.
Du Jiang sheepishly touched his nose and continued, "Comrade Chen Lan, can I go home first to get married, and then bring my parents and sister to the valley?"
Chen Lan couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Yes, why not! Actually, you can find a wife right here in our valley. The girls in our valley are not only educated but also skilled in a trade. They are all capable. They all know how to drive tractors and are skilled farmers. You wouldn't find such good girls anywhere else, even with a lantern!"
As she spoke, Chen Lan felt she had the potential to be a matchmaker. It couldn't be helped. The young men and women in the valley were all getting older and were not in a hurry to get married and have children. Her mother-in-law and Mama Liu had mentioned it to her several times. She really needed to arrange a matchmaking event in the valley to help the older boys and girls find partners, so they could get married. Alas! She had so many worries!
Du Jiang again touched his big head sheepishly and said, "It's precisely because they are all so outstanding that I'm afraid I'm not good enough for them. And I'm injured, so I'm even more hesitant."
Chen Lan clapped her hands and said, "It's settled then. You'll find a wife in the valley. Winter comes early in the valley, so hurry home and bring your parents to the valley first. Later, we'll have a collective matchmaking event in the valley, and we'll hold a collective wedding. The valley will cover all the wedding expenses. How about that?"
Before Du Jiang could answer, Zhang Dalei quickly replied, "I agree. As long as the girl doesn't mind my injuries and that I'm a rough person, I'm willing."
Chen Lan couldn't help but smile and said, "Great! I'll inform the engineering team to build a wedding house for you later. How about it? Comrade Zhang Dalei, do you have any other requests? You can bring them up now."
Zhang Dalei happily showed his big white teeth and shook his head, "No, I have no requests. Thank you so much, oh! No, thank you to everyone in the valley. I'm causing trouble..."
Du Jiang reached out and covered Zhang Dalei's mouth to stop him from continuing, and quickly said, "Leizi, you kid, I haven't finished speaking yet, why are you interrupting?"
He then looked at Chen Lan and said urgently, "Comrade Chen Lan, I have no requests either. As long as the girl doesn't mind that I'm a rough person and have injuries, and isn't afraid of me burdening her, I'm willing."
Chen Lan smiled, imitating her mother-in-law, and clapped her hands, "No problem, you must get along well during the matchmaking and perform well. And ask Doctor Guo in the valley to help you recuperate properly. You'll be getting married after the autumn harvest!"