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Chapter 717: Chapter 707 Asking for Your Help
After they had about finished eating and connecting with their feelings, Commander Wang wiped his hands and looked at Li Hongjun, saying, "Hongjun, I heard your wife’s farm is doing pretty well." I heard that it made quite a bit of money in its first year.
Li Hongjun looked up at him and suddenly had a realization. That explained why these comrades, who usually didn’t pay him much attention, had come at his call this time.
"It’s okay, I guess. It’s still in the construction phase, so it’s too early to tell how it will turn out," Li Hongjun put down the big bone he was holding and picked up a towel nearby to wipe his greasy hands.
"Hongjun, you’re not being completely honest now, looking at the way your wife has been going at it this year, it’s bound to be good in the future," Commander Ren took over the conversation.
"Heh, she learned a bit about agriculture and got all excited. She was dead set on doing it, and I couldn’t stop her even if I tried. So I let her be. All I can do is follow along. When we profit, I eat meat, and when we’re tight, I tighten my belt," Li Hongjun joked.
"I heard your sister-in-law employs veterans at the farm?"
"Not all of them. Among them are a few old comrades of mine who were discharged in the past few years. As you know, not every veteran gets a good job. My buddies weren’t doing so well back home, and they wanted to go out and look for job opportunities, so it just happened that my wife wanted to start something. I then called them over to help," Li Hongjun briefly explained the situation.
At this point, the other commanders had put down their chopsticks and were quietly listening to him speak.
After a while, Commander Wang spoke again, "Hongjun, although you are new to our military district, everyone knows about you and respects you." After saying this, Commander Wang, feeling somewhat embarrassed, picked up a glass of liquor and downed it to hide his blushing face. Damn it, when had I become so hypocritical, bootlicking for some purpose?
Li Hongjun, who had been complimented, managed to stay composed and also drank a glass. "Commander Wang, there’s no point talking about this. Now that we are together as comrades, as brothers, that’s fate. Let’s not dwell on the past, we should look to the future."
"Heh, I see you’re a straightforward man, brother," Commander Wang wiped his face, "then I’ll just speak frankly. I came over today because I want to ask you for a favor."
Li Hongjun raised an eyebrow, a look of surprise on his face, "Go ahead, as long as it’s within my brother’s power, there’s no question about it." He spoke grandly.
"Heh, mainly, I wanted to ask if your sister-in-law’s farm is still hiring," Commander Wang stated his purpose, "Here’s the thing, I also have a few comrades who aren’t doing so well, who fought alongside me in the past."
No more needed to be said; Li Hongjun understood his meaning.
The others sitting at the table said nothing, waiting for Li Hongjun’s response.
"I know this puts you in a difficult position, but brother, I have no choice. To see my own men wearing tattered clothes and struggling over the years, some not even having enough to pay their children’s school fees, and some who can’t even afford to marry a wife. It just doesn’t sit right with me."
Everyone sighed upon hearing this, after serving as soldiers for so many years, and as platoon leaders, company commanders, and battalion commanders, who didn’t have a few subordinates whose lives hadn’t turned out well?
"When I heard that your sister-in-law got the farm going and that all her employees were your former soldiers, it got me thinking. I thought I’d swallow my pride and ask you if she’s still looking for workers. If she is, maybe you could let a few of my men have a try. Don’t worry, if they don’t work out, your sister-in-law can send them away anytime," Commander Wang had heard from his own wife about Li Hongjun’s wife’s farm making money and that they needed more workers. He’d always wanted to talk to Li Hongjun about it, but their relationship wasn’t good. It was hard for him to ask a favor, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
But this year, he received a few letters that made him decide it was worth it. What’s the big deal about lowering his head a bit? Face wasn’t worth much compared to the well-being of his men. To his surprise, just as he was considering this, Li Hongjun invited him over for a meal, and without much thought, he had agreed to come.
Li Hongjun seemed to consider it for a moment before speaking with a troubled face, "It’s not that I don’t want to help, but the farm is managed by my wife alone. How exactly it operates and whether or not they are short-staffed, I really have no idea."
Of course, this was absolutely a lie. His wife nagged him about it every night, so even though he seldom visited the farm, he was well aware of what was going on there.
"How about this, I’ll ask when I get a chance, and if they are short of hands, I’ll talk to Commander Wang, how does that sound?"
"Oh come on, what’s with asking when there’s a chance? Aren’t we free today? Your sister-in-law is also at home, let’s just ask her now. I’m not going to lie to you, brother, I have a few good-for-nothings too. If your sister-in-law needs more people, I’d like to send some over." Commander He was forthright about poaching someone else’s workers without the slightest hesitation. "Hehehe, I won’t lie to you, brother, if I don’t get an answer today, I won’t even enjoy my meal." 𝑛𝘰𝑣𝘱𝑢𝑏.𝘤𝑜𝘮
"Old He, that’s not very fair of you." Commander Wang was displeased.
"What’s fair or not fair, I don’t understand any of that talk," Commander He shook his big head and started playing dumb. If he played fair, that would be unfair to his own men. Commander He clearly knew where to draw the line.
Li Hongjun ignored the bickering duo and turned to the other five people, who all looked at him with hopeful eyes. He forced a smile and asked, "Do you all have people to recommend too?"
They all nodded vigorously, embarrassed to speak first, waiting for someone else to start so they could piggyback off of it.
Li Hongjun frowned, "That many, huh? Might be a bit difficult to manage."
"Hey now, why are you all joining in on this?" Commander Wang was already cursing these people in his mind. What a mess this was – while he was paving the way, these shameless ones were waiting to take advantage. Couldn’t they see that Li Hongjun was already frowning? Damn it, with so many people involved, this might just fall through.
"See, Commander Wang, you’re out of line saying that. You have your men; why can’t we have ours? That’s not how it works," Commander Ren spoke leisurely.
"Exactly, if it weren’t for your quick mouth, I would’ve already discussed this matter with Hongjun," Commander Zhao shamelessly added his piece.
"Guys, do you have no shame?"
"Why do we need shame when there’s profit to be had?"
Li Hongjun, with a headache watching them about to argue again, quickly said, "Everyone calm down a minute. Like I said, I can’t promise you anything, but here’s what we’ll do – I’ll get my wife to come over, and you can talk to her directly."
"Ah, that’s exactly what I’ve been waiting to hear, brother," Commander Ren chuckled.
"But let’s get this straight first, if it doesn’t work out, don’t get any ideas. The last thing I need is to bring trouble to my family."
"Are you talking down to us? Are we those kinds of people?" someone muttered, seemingly dissatisfied.
Whether you are those kinds of people or not, I really don’t know, Li Hongjun thought to himself.
