NOVPUBLu Yuanyang revealed a simple and honest smile, "At that time, the situation was urgent, and I didn’t have time to consider those factors. I only thought about rescuing the child as quickly as possible."
Old Master Yang’s gaze was profound, "Now you can think about it, what kind of changes would have occurred in Jizhou’s situation if you had failed?"
Lu Yuanyang hadn’t expected Old Master Yang to ask this question. After a pause, he said, "Old Master Yang, even if I had truly failed, I would have fought to the death to lift that child above my head."
"People leave a name behind, just as geese leave a sound when they fly past."
"For me, if sacrificing my own life to save a young child results in being remembered for a heroic sacrifice, then it wouldn’t be such a bad thing."
"As for what kind of changes would happen in Jizhou in that scenario, it’s no longer something I should be worrying about."
Old Master Yang’s voice was ice-cold, "The fact that you have such thoughts shows that you are not fit to be the secretary of the Jizhou Municipal Committee because you have utterly failed to understand what your mission is."
Lu Yuanyang took a deep breath and forced a smile, "Old Master Yang, each of us has our own position and the decisions we make from those positions."
"Yes, I admit I was negligent and failed to take care of the bigger picture."
"But this thing called ’mission’..."
"To speak an inauspicious word, even if I really died, there would certainly be others to take over the mission I carry."
"But if that child died..."
"His close relatives would definitely be devastated beyond desire to live."
"A family would also become shattered and broken."
He paused, his emotions crescendoing, "I know the life of one person is not as important as the livelihood of nearly ten million people, but those ten million people are also accumulated from each and every individual life!"
"Furthermore."
"If I couldn’t even save one life, what right would I have to bear the burden of the livelihoods of nearly ten million people in Jizhou?"
"The person was drowning right before my eyes, and I, Lu Yuanyang, would fight to the death to save him!"
"Otherwise, I would not be worthy of being the parent official of Jizhou City!"
Hearing Lu Yuanyang become so agitated, the two soldiers standing guard outside immediately entered the courtyard with their guns at the ready, even pointing their muzzles at Lu Yuanyang.
Seemingly, if he made any excessive move, they would shoot him dead on the spot.
"Get out, get out, get out!" Old Master Yang laughed and scolded, and after the two standing guards left, he looked at Lu Yuanyang with a smile and said, "Don’t be nervous. After all, it’s been decades since anyone dared to be so impassioned in front of me."
Lu Yuanyang realized his impropriety and quickly apologized, "I was presumptuous, and should not have raised my voice in front of you."
Old Master Yang was not angry, and with a smirk said, "Do you know the identity of the child you saved?"
Lu Yuanyang, "Human lives are equal, regardless of status!"
The corner of Old Master Yang’s mouth twitched involuntarily as he said with dissatisfaction, "It seems I now understand why you haven’t advanced further in recent years, your character is a bit stubborn, and somewhat impulsive!"
Lu Yuanyang chuckled along, "It’s a trait I’ve had since the womb, and probably won’t change in this lifetime."
Old Master Yang’s face revealed a thought-provoking smile, "The little fellow you saved is called Yang Hao, hao as in the bright moon. He is my grandson."
"Lucky for us, you took action in time to save that little guy’s life."
"Just like you said, not only did you save his life, but you also saved our Yang family’s heaven!"
"I can’t even begin to imagine what our home would have become if something had happened to that little guy!" Saying this, his face showed a look of hindsight fear.
Even though he had been to war a hundred times and killed countless enemies, he had never felt such fear as he did at this moment.
Especially after hearing the phone call from his daughter-in-law, he was so frightened that he nearly fainted.
Later, when he learned of Lu Yuanyang’s rescue, he immediately had someone review the surveillance footage.
As a result, he had Han Guoqing invite Lu Yuanyang here to thank him in person.
Boom! 𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝖈𝖔𝔪
A simple exchange of words.
Left both Lu Yuanyang and Li Yao beside him with a feeling like their scalps were exploding.
The two stared wide-eyed and tongue-tied at Elder Yang, as they never expected the boy to be Elder Yang’s grandson!
This news was too explosive.
It was difficult for them to accept in such a short time.
Elder Yang revealed a kindly smile, "Just now, I was testing you, and your response was beyond my expectations."
"Mm."
"Aside from being somewhat obstinate, you seem to have no other faults," he said.
"You are indeed worthy of great responsibility."
Lu Yuanyang, still in shock, came back to his senses with a bitter smile on his face, "Elder Yang, human nature is the hardest thing to test."
Elder Yang asked with a smile, "But you withstood my test, didn’t you?"
Lu Yuanyang nodded earnestly.
Elder Yang looked up at the star-studded night sky and couldn’t help saying, "We Chinese have the tradition of ’falling leaves returning to their roots.’ I am getting on in years, and it’s time for me to do the same."
"Set aside your current work for now, and accompany me back to the provincial city tomorrow. Help me move and bring back those old belongings!"
Excitement shone in Lu Yuanyang’s eyes, "Okay, I will accompany you to move to the provincial city tomorrow, Elder."
Elder Yang revealed a kind smile, "It’s getting late, go back and rest well!"
"Mm-hmm," Lu Yuanyang said excitedly, "Then you should rest early too, Elder. We’ll take our leave now."
Elder Yang nodded slightly.
Afterward, Han Guoqing drove Lu Yuanyang and Li Yao toward Jizhou.
"Secretary Lu, do you believe what I said now? Inviting you here was indeed a great fortune. Of course, it’s also the good karma you forged by stepping up at a critical moment," Han Guoqing said, driving more relaxed than before.
"Actually, Elder Yang doesn’t lack people around him."
"The reason he asked you to help move back to the provincial city is not just to have you as a helper."
Lu Yuanyang said, "I understand."
"Elder Yang is making it publicly known that he is my backer."
"He is leveraging his influence for me."
Han Guoqing teased with a smile, "Indeed, you politicians are much more politically aware! I have to admit it!"
A hint of envy appeared in Han Guoqing’s eyes, "Although Elder Yang is without power or influence, over the years, many people have sought his recognition."
"After all, he is a living Medal of Supreme Merit recipient."
"I hope you won’t disappoint Elder Yang," he said to Lu Yuanyang.
Lu Yuanyang nodded solemnly, "Minister Han, rest assured, I definitely will not let Elder Yang down!"
A moment later.
Han Guoqing drove the car to the foot of Lu Yuanyang’s building, then shot off, disappearing into the darkness.
Once Han Guoqing’s car was gone, Lu Yuanyang finally relaxed his tense nerves. He took in deep breaths of fresh air and looked over at Li Yao with a smile, "Do you now understand what Mr. Chen meant by his saying, ’The light boat has passed through ten thousand heavy mountains’?"
