Zheng Sanpao, upon hearing such good news, immediately pushed his way forward, shoving Zhang Dalei and Du Jiang aside. He eagerly said, "Sister-in-law, could you do me a favor and find a wife for Old Qi in the valley too? Old Qi has had a tough life! His parents died young, and he followed the troops around fighting battles when he was young, so he missed his chance at marriage. Now that he's retired and back home, he's not young anymore, and he has injuries too. Even if he went back to his hometown, it would be hard for him to find a good woman who truly cares for him.
But, Xiao Lan, Old Qi contributed half his life to the liberation of our country, didn't he? We can't just watch him live a lonely life forever! What do you say? We have to find him a good woman who won't mind his injuries and will cherish him. Sister-in-law, can you help with this?"
Chen Lan couldn't help but be moved when she heard Zheng Sanpao. The person before her was a true hero, a genuine old revolutionary; a revolutionary who had dedicated his life to the cause of national liberation, sparing no effort and serving until his dying day.
When the country became stable, he retired without seeking reward, achieving his mission and stepping back. How could she not reach out and help such a respectable and lovable person? There were many soldiers like Old Qi who silently contributed to the liberation of the country, even sacrificing everything so that ordinary people could live peaceful lives.
These soldiers shed blood and sweat for their country and its people, and then, to avoid burdening the nation, they retired silently with their injuries and illnesses. If she didn't offer a helping hand to such people, she would be less than human, and it would be disheartening to those who had risked their lives on the battlefield.
Chen Lan couldn't help but recall a memoir from the Liberation War period she had read in her previous life. A passage from this memoir remained vividly in her memory. Someone had asked the old man, "Old sir, you must have been quite young when you joined the revolution! Weren't you afraid back then?"
The old man recalled those turbulent years of war and sighed, "Back then, there was no time to think about such things! The enemy was already at our doorstep; could we just sit and wait to be beaten? That was impossible! Fear of death? Who isn't afraid of death? It's just that we didn't dare to think about it. If we did, we couldn't complete our mission."
With this thought, Chen Lan naturally wouldn't refuse the suggestion. In her previous life, she lacked the ability to help these admirable people. Now that she had encountered this opportunity and possessed the capability, she would not stand by idly. She would do her utmost to ensure they could live without worries, enjoy their later years in peace and harmony, and live a happy and fulfilling life.
So, Chen Lan silently considered and immediately nodded in agreement, "Alright! No problem. Does Comrade Old Qi have any requirements for his significant other?"
Old Qi awkwardly touched his close-cropped hair and said shyly, "No, no requirements. I'm a rough person and haven't studied much. I only learned to recognize a few characters by following my old leader in the army! I just want to find a woman who won't mind that I have nothing, that I'm injured, and who is willing to live a simple life with me."
Chen Lan nodded and, after a moment's thought, asked, "Comrade Old Qi, would you mind if the woman had been married before and had children?"
Old Qi shook his head indifferently, "It's even better if she has children! As long as she doesn't dislike me and is willing to accept me as a father, I will treat her child as my own and love him dearly."
Chen Lan nodded, her mind made up. She then said, "Alright! You three stay in the valley for now. Let Doctor Guo in the valley treat your injuries. Doctor Guo is a famous general practitioner from the capital. It would be even better if he can fully cure your injuries! Even if he can't cure them completely, it will be much better than your current condition.
As for finding people in your hometown, don't worry about it. Leave it to the valley to arrange. We will arrange for people from the valley to help you with this matter. You just need to clearly write down the specific address of your hometown, the specific name and characteristics of the person you are looking for, and most importantly, prepare your demobilization certificates and letters of introduction from the military!"
Old Qi and Du Jiang were naturally overjoyed. Old Qi's old, injured leg ached faintly whenever he walked, and he worried he might suffer an attack before even reaching his sister's house. Without further hesitation, he immediately said, "Alright! We'll trouble the comrades in the valley."
Chen Lan nodded and said, "Don't be so formal. Since you've decided to settle down in the valley, we're all one big family. Please sit and rest for a while. After everyone finishes eating, I'll have someone come to register you."
The men said nothing more, only smiling and nodding repeatedly, saying, "Good! Good!"
Chen Lan didn't delay. She quickly got some food and ate in a hurry. Then, she called out to brothers Xiang Dong and Er Hu, who were about to leave the mess hall, and also called her mother-in-law, who was preparing to go out.
Chen Lan briefly explained the whole situation. Her mother-in-law clapped her hands excitedly and said, "Xiao Lan, you've done the right thing! Let's think from their perspective. If our family encountered such a situation, and if someone had helped us in our difficult times, wouldn't our lives have been easier? Moreover, they all made great contributions to our country's liberation. We in the valley must not forget our roots! No one should be ungrateful."
Xiang Dong and Er Hu also nodded repeatedly. They too had been through the baptism of war. To have survived the battlefield was a great fortune, so they deeply understood the hardships of those who managed to escape death on the battlefield alive. They then said, "Xiao Lan, tell us what you want us to do."
Chen Lan thought for a moment and then asked, "Brothers Xiang Dong and Er Hu, how deep, wide, and long have you dug the artificial lake on the dark river behind the mountain?"
Xiang Dong thought for a moment and said, "We've only just started not long ago. We've dug about three meters deep, twenty meters long, and the width is only about fifteen meters. It's still far from your requirements."
Chen Lan lowered her head and thought, "Brothers Xiang Dong and Er Hu, temporarily halt the project there. After the spring planting is finished, I'll lead people to continue digging. Your immediate priority now is to prepare to build houses, wedding rooms for the young people in the valley. As soon as the autumn harvest is over, we'll hold a collective wedding in the valley, so housing is crucial. We have enough space on both sides of our home to build two more rooms and move out those who have already established families."
Mother-in-law immediately clapped her hands and praised, "What Xiao Lan said is right, right, it should be like this."
Chen Lan looked at Xiang Xi and Xiao Shuan with a serious expression and said, "I'm giving you two a chance to go out and gain experience. Do you want it?"
Xiang Xi immediately shouted excitedly, "Yes, Xiao Lan Zi, tell us quickly. We guarantee to complete the mission."