Chen Lan paused for a moment, looking at Xu Mingxuan and the children like Jiahui before continuing, "Brother Mingxuan, I still plan to go back to the valley. I believe the comrades in the valley will have this awareness, and it's also for the next generation in the valley. Moreover, Teacher Zhou's research achievements over the years are also due to be revealed, aren't they?"
The two younger brothers and Jiahui's brothers nodded in agreement after hearing Chen Lan's words.
At this moment, Xu Mingxuan interjected, "Lan'er, I know your intentions are good! But I worry that the people in the valley might not accept it, because they have spent over twenty years building every blade of grass and tree in the valley with their own hands! They have deep feelings for the valley!"
Chen Lan replied very seriously, "Brother Mingxuan, I understand what you're saying. Do I not have feelings for the valley? You must know that the current state of the valley is the result of over twenty years of effort by me and everyone else, transforming it from a valley full of weeds into what it is today, with thousands of mu of fertile land and thriving livestock! I also admit that life in the valley is indeed happy and peaceful, but can we not think about the next generation in the valley! Only by letting the next generation in the valley leave can they have a broader world to develop."
Xu Mingxuan didn't know how to persuade Chen Lan, but he felt that doing so now was somewhat inappropriate and should be delayed for a while. However, he couldn't come up with any valid reasons to refute Chen Lan, so he could only remain silent.
Seeing Xu Mingxuan's silence, Chen Lan continued to explain, "Brother Mingxuan, let me tell you, my father-in-law said that those messy things of the past will soon be over! Starting from 1982, the household contract responsibility system will be implemented nationwide. I've also thought about it; if at that time some people don't want to leave the valley with us, they can completely organize several families to contract the valley for farming and animal husbandry. Don't worry, I will provide the farming production equipment free of charge, and I will even pay the contracting fees for them. This help will be a reward for their hard work over the years!"
At this moment, Xu Mingxuan finally remembered what he was worried about. He asked, "Lan'er, have you considered what will happen to Wei Dang's parents, your sister-in-law Song Wan, the old Qian couple, Doctor Zhong and her daughter, Professor Chen Shi, and Professor Qian Siyuan if the valley is exposed? Where will you hide them then?"
When Chen Lan heard Xu Mingxuan's words, she felt as if she had been struck by lightning. That's right! How could she have forgotten such an important matter? What should she do? What should she do?
Chen Lan took a deep breath and finally calmed down, trying hard to recall the memories in her mind.
Chen Lan vaguely remembered that after the Eleventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China's Third Plenary Session in December 1978, the country began to rehabilitate those who had been wrongly criticized and those who had suffered unjust verdicts and false accusations during the "Cultural Revolution."
In response to the Party's call and to implement the spirit of the policy, work groups were specifically established across the country to review and rehabilitate unjust verdicts and false accusations based on the principle of seeking truth from facts and correcting mistakes.
However, it was only July 1976 now, and there were still more than two years to go. She couldn't expose the valley rashly now, otherwise, what would happen to Tan Weidang's father, Tan Dayong, and Professor Chen Shi and the others?
Thinking of this, Chen Lan said, "Brother Mingxuan, you are right. The valley cannot be exposed yet, otherwise Wei Dang's parents and that group will be in trouble. Come on, it's getting late! Let's talk as we walk. Children, you all follow us."
Before Chen Lan could finish speaking, she grabbed Xu Mingxuan and walked out, explaining as they walked, "Brother Mingxuan, we should take advantage of the fact that it's not completely dawn yet and drive the ten Dongfeng trucks to the Flood Control Monument in Harbin. That place is large enough to store many things and is currently the safest place without people. I can also prepare more relief supplies and food there."
Xu Mingxuan immediately praised with a smile, "Lan'er, this idea of yours is excellent. Shall we donate these supplies in the name of patriotic individuals? What do you think?"
Chen Lan's major concern was resolved, and her mood improved. She nodded and said, "Let's go, children, we're leaving now. The car keys are already hanging on the car doors. We can each drive one car."
Due to the urgency, Chen Lan didn't have time to inform her mother and her tenth sister's family before getting into the car and driving off.
Chen Lan and Xu Mingxuan, along with the children, drove to the square of the Flood Control Monument. After leaving all the relief supplies and the ten Dongfeng trucks there, they left a piece of white paper with the words "Tangshan Relief Supplies" written in bold red characters, and immediately departed.
As expected, when dawn broke, various units in Harbin received news of the major earthquake in Tangshan. All units immediately began to organize personnel to go to the disaster area for relief, and neighborhood committees also organized all citizens to donate grain and materials.
Chen Lan's family naturally actively participated in donating grain and clothing.
Now, only Chen Lan, the triplets, and her mother were left at home. Everyone else had signed up to join the relief teams and rushed to Tangshan to participate in the relief efforts along with the Harbin relief workers.
Chen Lan was not too worried about the boys at home, but she was concerned about Jiahui, Chunhua, and Chunfang, the three girls.
Unexpectedly, the carefree Jiahui said, "Mom, don't worry! You shouldn't be reluctant to let us sisters go through hardship. You know, we sisters have all participated in nursing training with Doctor Zhong in the valley! It's very appropriate for us to go to the disaster area. I heard that after the Tangshan earthquake, there were many injured people, so we want to help at the disaster relief scene."
After seeing off Xu Mingxuan, her two younger brothers, and the children, Chen Lan's long-tense mood relaxed, and she fell ill! No medicine worked, and going to the hospital didn't help! She just kept a fever, her body burning hot, but Chen Lan felt much lighter in her heart, and her guilt had lessened.
However, Chen Lan's illness greatly frightened her mother and her tenth sister's family. After three days of high fever, Chen Lan finally recovered on her own.