Many villagers who loved to join in the fun followed the team that was bringing the good news.
The children were on winter vacation, and when they saw the excitement, they swarmed over to join in.
Many villagers chatted as they walked.
"Isn't the name on the banner the name of the kid from the Chen family? Didn't he become a deserter?"
"Looking at this situation, it doesn't seem like it. It looks more like a government department coming to report the good news and express condolences. What's going on?"
…
Chen Ming heard the sound of gongs and drums from a distance, and quickly shouted into the house: "Mom and Dad, come out quickly."
Hearing Chen Ming's call, Chen Gensheng and Wang Yan hurried out of the house.
As soon as they came out, they heard the sound of gongs and drums.
The two were stunned. What was going on? They had never heard of anyone in the village getting married.
Wang Yan turned to look at Chen Ming and asked, "Xiao Ming, what's going on?"
Chen Gensheng also looked at him curiously, with surprise written all over his face.
Chen Ming smiled and didn't answer. He just said, "Don't worry about it. Just stand here."
The two elders looked at each other, even more puzzled.
Chapter 177: Condolences from county leaders, rumors are self-defeating!
The good news announcing team approached with drums and gongs, followed by a large group of villagers. Chen Gensheng and his wife were stunned.
Although they were illiterate, they recognized the words "Chen Ming" on the banner.
In addition, these people were either wearing military uniforms or formal clothes, which made it obvious that they were coming for Chen Ming.
Chen Ming looked at this huge team, and then at the group of villagers who were following behind him to join in the fun, and he felt extremely satisfied.
Although the good news was delayed, it was understandable.
Moreover, Tang Xinyi asked the military to help verify with the armed forces department after she got up this morning.
It's just past eleven o'clock and they've already arrived, which means they started preparing immediately after receiving the news this morning.
This kind of execution ability still makes Chen Ming very satisfied.
Looking at the people coming towards them, all of them were smiling and announcing the good news.
Mother Wang Yan looked at Chen Ming in astonishment and asked, "Son, what's going on?"
Chen Gensheng also looked at Chen Ming, waiting for his answer.
Chen Ming turned around and said with a smile: "I'll tell you in detail later."
After saying this, Chen Ming hurried forward to greet the group of people announcing the good news that had arrived at his doorstep.
After the good news team stopped in front of Chen Ming's house, the retired veterans who were beating drums and gongs stopped what they were doing.
The villagers watching the fun behind were chattering loudly, it was quite lively.
As Chen Ming walked forward to greet them, the leading cadre in the team that was delivering the good news also hurried forward.
He was a thin man, about forty years old, wearing a neat and capable cadre uniform and with a kind smile on his face.
He looked at Chen Ming with a smile and said, "It's Comrade Chen Ming!"
When he saw the young man wearing military uniform and with the rank of major on his shoulder, he guessed that this was Chen Ming himself.
Chen Ming quickly saluted him. After the "013" salute, Chen Ming also smiled and said: "Yes, leader, the army has approved my leave. I will come back to celebrate the New Year!"
The cadre quickly extended his hand, shook hands with Chen Ming, and introduced himself with a smile: "Hello, Comrade Chen Ming, I am Ji Hua, the director of the Hongrao County Armed Forces Department."
Chen Ming shook hands with him and said with a smile, "Hello, Director Ji."
After the two exchanged a few pleasantries, Ji Hua expressed his deep apology and said, "Comrade Chen Ming, it is our fault that we missed sending you the good news. Please forgive us."
According to tradition, after receiving the news from the military district, they would contact the soldier's family to discuss the time for sending the congratulatory message, and try to deliver it within 20 days.
But during that period, because of the sudden wildfire, he was almost always paying close attention to the development of the wildfire for more than ten days, mobilizing wave after wave of people.
I was so busy that I completely forgot about this matter.
It was not until someone from the military called him this morning that he suddenly remembered that there was still a piece of good news that he had not delivered.
I hurriedly organized people to prepare the things and sent them over, and I really didn't dare to delay at all.
Chen Ming learned the whole story from Tang Xinyi, and naturally would not blame them.
What's more, today is the Little New Year. Chen Ming is already very satisfied that they can still care about him so much on this day.
He looked at Ji Hua with a smile on his face and said, "Director Ji, you are too polite. Disaster relief is more important. Sending the good news or not is a small matter."
Although he was misunderstood by the villagers and felt a little aggrieved, compared with the wildfire, what was this aggrieved feeling
After a pause, he added, "Besides, today is the Little New Year, and I have to trouble you to come all the way here. It really troubles you all."
After saying that, Chen Ming turned aside, made a gesture of invitation, and said, "Dear leaders, please come in and sit down."
Seeing this, the parents who were standing at the door rushed into the house to prepare chairs.
At this time, Chen Gensheng couldn't help but blame Chen Ming in his heart.
This kid, he didn’t even tell them earlier that so many leaders were coming to visit.
They might as well clean the house in advance and borrow some comfortable chairs from his aunt.
How can I let my leader sit on this chair in my house
Chen Gensheng felt a little embarrassed at this time.
A lot of the furniture in their house was made by him himself during his slack season on the farm. For example, the chairs, although they can be sat on, their appearance and comfort level are really not good.
How can we let these big leaders in the county sit on these chairs
Wang Yan had the same thought at this time.
This child, really, doesn't say a word. If she had told him earlier, she could have gone to buy some chicken, duck, fish, meat, etc. and made a big table of delicious food.
These leaders came here in the middle of the day. Do we have to treat them with our own pickles
How disgraceful!
At this time, the two old men were a little worried and were thinking about how to entertain these leaders.
Facing Chen Ming's invitation, Ji Hua quickly waved his hand and said, "Forget about going in. It's almost time for lunch, and I don't want to disturb you."
In the past, when they sent good news, they would inform the hero’s family in advance and discuss a good day before coming. At the same time, they would also let the other party know so that they could make some preparations.
But today was so rushed that we didn’t have time to contact them, and Chen Ming’s family might not have had time to prepare anything.
If so many of us go in, there may not even be enough space to sit, and several comrades will even have to stand.
Wouldn't it be embarrassing for Chen Ming and the others if they met
What’s more, it’s lunch time now, and it would be even worse to disturb them while they are having lunch.
After thinking all this through, Ji Hua quickly rejected Chen Ming's kindness.
After hearing this, Chen Gensheng and Chen Ming behind him stopped what they were doing and looked at each other, feeling a little conflicted.
It's really not good that people come here from far away and can't even drink a sip of water.
However, if we really have to invite them in, we really don’t know what to offer them.
Just as they were struggling, Ji Hua took action again. He took the good news from a cadre next to him and handed it to Chen Ming with both hands.
Looking at Chen Ming, he said with a smile on his face: "Comrade Chen Ming, on behalf of all the staff of the county armed forces, I congratulate you on winning the third-class merit and becoming a role model for soldiers!"
He seemed to do it on purpose, raising his voice as he spoke these words, as if he wanted all the villagers watching the fun behind him to hear them.
After he finished speaking, all the accompanying personnel quickly applauded, and the enthusiastic applause instantly resounded throughout the courtyard.
After listening to the incident, the villagers who were watching the fun began to discuss in a low voice:
"Has this kid from the Chen family made military achievements?"
"Who said he was a deserter before? Isn't this just throwing dirty water on him and wrongly accusing a good person?"
"Tsk tsk tsk, it's only been a short time since you joined the army, you're amazing!"
…
The villagers were discussing in low voices.
Chen Ming felt relieved when he heard what the villagers said.
The dirty water on me was finally washed away by this good news.
Thinking of this, Chen Ming was delighted.
At the same time, he couldn't help but squint his eyes and looked at Ji Hua meaningfully.
This leader is sensible!
Just now when he announced that Chen Ming had won military honors, he deliberately said it very loudly.
Isn't this just to let the villagers hear it, let them know about it, and give Chen Ming face
When Ji Hua saw Chen Ming's eyes, he couldn't help but narrow his eyes and smiled slightly without leaving a trace.