Siheyuan: Shazhu's Brother Shadan

One morning, Zhang Guilan got up and started working as usual.

She opened the door and prepared to fetch water.

However, when she walked out the door, she found a package outside.

She opened the package curiously and found a letter and some clothes inside.

The letter was from Shadan, who told his family that he was doing well at the front, but could not go home for the time being. He also enclosed some clothes to keep his family warm in the cold winter.

Just because a fool can't go home doesn't mean he can't write a letter to his family to let them know he's safe, especially the news that he's become the brigade commander.

At the same time, it also makes my parents happy, which is great news.

For this reason, Shadan lay on the roof for a whole night, for fear that someone would find the letter and arrest his parents. After all, this was the craziest time to catch communists.

When Zhang Guilan saw Shadan’s letter and clothes, she was so excited that tears welled up in her eyes.

She hugged Xin tightly, as if she could feel the warmth and breath of Shadan.

She knew that Shadan was still alive and was still fighting for his country and his people.

After reading the letter, she found it even more incredible that her son had become the commander of an independent brigade.

Last year, when their son's subordinates gave them money, they wondered how such a young child could have subordinates.

Now, his son has become the brigade commander.

Although it's a bit far-fetched, but being able to see the news about my son, it all filtered out.

From that day on, Zhang Guilan's mood improved significantly.

She was no longer gloomy as before, but began to face life positively.

At the same time, she and He Daqing worked hard to maintain the family. After all, this time Shadan did not give them a lot of money, but gave them some trade currency from the Japanese devils.

After all, they wiped out a bunch of agents and found the secrets on them.

On the other hand, in order to better support Shadan's fighting on the front line, he secretly formed a vanguard group to support the army and began to recruit members in his own courtyard.

For He Daqing and his family, this New Year is a year full of hope and expectation.

They know that as long as the family unites and works together, they will be able to overcome the difficulties and usher in a better tomorrow.

And Shadan's shadow will always be with them, becoming the eternal source of pride and strength in their hearts.

As time went by, He Daqing's family gradually returned to normal life. They began to re-plan their future, looking forward to Shadan's early return.

Although it was already the coldest time of winter in the city of Beiping in early 1944, the courtyards were still filled with a festive atmosphere.

He Daqing and Zhang Guilan were busy preparing New Year's goods, while their son He Yuzhu was curiously looking at the ingredients that would become part of the New Year's Eve dinner.

He Yushui, my newly born daughter, was lying in the cradle, occasionally making a faint cry, as if to add a bit of vitality to the upcoming New Year.

In the main house in the middle of the quadrangle, a simple stove has been set up, on which a pot of steaming braised pork is stewed. The aroma permeates the entire yard, making people salivate.

Zhang Guilan stirred the food in the pot with a spoon from time to time to ensure that every piece of meat was cooked evenly.

He Daqing was busy preparing other New Year's goods.

He took out a bag of flour and began to knead the dough. His hands moved skillfully through the flour, and soon, white and plump dumplings took shape.

He carefully placed the dumplings on the chopping board and waited for Zhang Guilan to cook them.

He Yuzhu watched his parents busy and couldn't help but want to help. He picked up a dumpling and tried to imitate his father's kneading, but accidentally flattened the dumpling. He looked at his parents awkwardly, and Zhang Guilan smiled and touched his head and said, "It's okay, Yuzhu, you are still young, and you will learn better and better in the future."

Mr. and Mrs. Yi Zhonghai, who had just moved in next door, smelled the fragrance at the door of their house, silently felt the busy and warm appearance of this family, and an inexplicable envy surged in their hearts.

His own days of hard work in the factory, those cold machines and noisy sounds seemed out of tune with everything before him.

He couldn't help but sigh that life could be so beautiful and warm.

As time went by, the sky gradually darkened.

He Daqing lit the oil lamp, and the dim light filled the entire courtyard.

Zhang Guilan started to cook dumplings. The water in the pot was boiling and the dumplings were rolling in the water, giving off an enticing aroma.

The family sat around the dining table, enjoying delicious dumplings and braised pork.

Their faces were filled with satisfied and happy smiles. Yi Zhonghai and his wife also made dumplings. He was eating them. Although there was no meat but only cabbage, he felt the long-lost warmth and felt very happy.

Their courtyard was recently raided by the Japanese.

I heard that several families ahead were injured, and the family in the house in the middle courtyard where he lived was killed by the Japanese.

It’s scary to think about it.

After dinner, they began to prepare for the New Year.

He Daqing took out some red paper and a pair of scissors and started cutting paper-cuts.

His technique was skillful and elegant, and in a short while, he had cut out many exquisite window paper-cuts.

Zhang Guilan helped on the side. She pasted the cut paper-cuts on the windows, filling the entire courtyard with a festive atmosphere.

He Yuzhu was not to be outdone. He picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and began to write Spring Festival couplets on red paper. Although his handwriting was not mature enough, it was full of childish innocence and enthusiasm. Zhang Guilan looked at his serious look and couldn't help laughing out loud.

Yi Zhonghai quietly watched their family busy at work, and an inexplicable warmth surged in his heart.

Looking at his wife, he and He Daqing's family also started decorating for the New Year.

Whether you have money or not, you can celebrate the New Year together. This is the common idea of ​​ordinary people.

On this special night, they not only enjoyed delicious food and pre-New Year fun, but more importantly, they felt the warmth of home and the power of family affection.

This strength makes them more determined and brave in the face of difficulties and challenges.

They know that as long as the family sticks together, no difficulty is insurmountable.

As the New Year approaches, the streets and alleys of Peking become bustling with activity.

People came out of their homes to greet and wish each other well. Yi Zhonghai also joined in the joyful celebration, walking among the crowd, feeling the New Year atmosphere of the city and the joy of the people.

On the first day of the New Year, the whole family gets up early and starts the new year's life. They congratulate each other, exchange gifts, and express their love and blessings to each other.

Yi Zhonghai also received New Year greetings from the children next door, and he felt extremely happy and satisfied.

This New Year is a year full of joy and hope for He Daqing's family.

They know that no matter what challenges and difficulties they will face in the future, as long as their family unites as one and supports each other, they will be able to overcome the difficulties and embrace a better tomorrow.

Yi Zhonghai's family also found true belonging and happiness in the new courtyard.

He understood that only with the company and support of his family, he would have a future no matter how hard or tiring the life was.

As time went by, the situation in Beiping gradually darkened. The Japanese army's rule became increasingly cruel and harsh, and people's living standards plummeted. They began to loot and rob people.

Fortunately, He Daqing's family had almost spent all their silver dollars, otherwise they would have all gone to these devils.

As the war escalated, the situation in Beiping became very tense. The Japanese army strengthened its control over the city, and life became increasingly difficult. Shortages of supplies and rising prices put many families in a difficult situation.

He Daqing's family is no exception.

Their lives have been severely affected and they are unable to make ends meet.

They had to start living frugally and reducing their expenses as much as possible.

Yi Zhonghai's family and Jia Zhang's family were even more desperate.

The pioneer groups of supporting the army and safeguarding the country joined the courtyard and started mutual assistance and mutual benefit to help everyone overcome the difficulties. As the team leader, Comrade He Daqing bought some cheap supplies and food for the families in the compound.

Try to make it through this year.

This is the sadness of being a poor common person.

So they were eager to drive away the Japanese devils.

However, fate once again played a trick on He Daqing's family. On a sunny afternoon, an unexpected piece of news arrived at their home.

"A warehouse in the suburbs of Peking was blown up. I heard it was done by the Eighth Route Army. It seems many people died. It seems the Eighth Route Army soldiers who attacked all of this did not escape. I heard there was an official among them, a child-like person."

Upon hearing the news, Zhang Guilan sat in her chair in a daze, tears silently streaming down her face.

Her world seemed to collapse. She could no longer see that familiar figure or hear that warm voice.

She felt a strong sense of dizziness, her body shook involuntarily a few times, and then she fell heavily to the ground.

He Daqing was stunned when he heard the news. He couldn't believe his ears. This cruel news made him feel dizzy. His body shook a few times involuntarily, and then he fell heavily to the ground.

He struggled to stand up, rushed to Zhang Guilan, and supported her shaky body. His eyes were full of grief and despair, and he knew that this family would never be full of laughter and joy as before.

He Yuzhu also heard the bad news. Ever since he knew that his elder brother had become a brigade commander, he could laugh even in his dreams. He did not expect to suddenly receive such shocking news. His face turned pale instantly and his body seemed to have been drained of all its strength.

He couldn't believe his ears. The cruel news made him feel dizzy. His body shook involuntarily for a few times, and then he fell heavily to the ground.

He struggled to stand up, rushed to Zhang Guilan, and supported her shaky body.

His eyes were filled with grief and despair, but more so, deep disbelief.

In their opinion, Shadan's sacrifice plunged the family into deep grief.