This article is a novel story, some of the plots are fictional, if there are similarities are purely coincidental, the picture comes from the Internet, invaded and deleted.
Text | Zero Seven Story Meeting
Edit | Zero Seven Story Meeting
It was the winter of 1988, at the height of a new round of disarmament. As a company commander in a division of the Army, Instructor Zhao and I were faced with a difficult choice - to leave the barracks and embark on a new journey in life.
Instructor Zhao and I are fellow countrymen, and we are good comrades-in-arms who have fought side by side for many years. I've always admired his wit and eloquence and his ability to handle interpersonal relationships.
But I am an honest and simple guy, who only knows how to lead the soldiers out of the encirclement in countless battles with an upright style. During those days, the whole army was in fear, for fear of being cut out of the barracks, which we once regarded as our home.
Instructor Zhao seems to be very sure of the future by relying on his own connections. As usual, I decided to follow the organization's arrangement, and the quality of selfless dedication has long been internalized into the norms of life.
On that cold winter night, we sat side by side by the small stove in the barracks and chattered for a long time about where we were going. Instructor Zhao is full of confidence and says that he has a good place to go through certain relationships.
I smiled and said, "We all listen to the organization, I will go wherever we need manpower, anyway, we are all serving the people."
In the end, the arrangement of the organization was very different from Instructor Zhao's plan. With his personal connections, he successfully entered a foreign-funded enterprise to work, and his salary is much higher than that of ordinary state-owned enterprise employees.
However, I, a former army company commander, was assigned to work as a farmer on a local state-owned farm. To be honest, I was reluctant to do so at first.
Over the past few years in the military, I have become very unfamiliar with doing heavy work in dirt. But there is no way to change jobs, so you can only obey the decision of the organization.
The picture comes from the Internet
After arriving at the farm, the person in charge warmly received us demobilized soldiers. He said that what the farm lacks most at the moment is managers who know how to be disciplined, and he hopes that we can use our talents here well.
I was assigned to a production team and was responsible for leading the planting and harvesting of crops. Although my hands are thick calluses, I don't hate this hard-working and simple life.
On the contrary, I am sincerely relieved and proud to plant seeds and watch them grow into strong seedlings in the sun and rain.
In the blink of an eye, the first harvest season has arrived. All the members of the production team worked day and night, and I personally took the lead, and everyone worked very hard. By the time the last box of grain was finally loaded into the car, everyone was exhausted, but they were also very excited and proud.
In this way, the seasons changed, and over the years I became an exemplary employee on the farm. Every holiday, I take the time to go back to my hometown to reunite with my parents, wife and children.
Watching my son grow up and start a family by my side, and my daughter getting married, I feel that this is my greatest happiness. At the same time, I occasionally hear about Instructor Zhao's recent situation.
He seems to be doing well in foreign companies, and he has a good wrist, relying on power and money to climb up by unscrupulous means. At first, I was happy for him, and I felt that I finally had a good place to go.
But later I heard that he disregarded family and friendship for the sake of profit, and I couldn't help but feel sorry and disappointed in what he did. Everyone has their own aspirations, and I'm not saying there's anything wrong with his choice.
The picture comes from the Internet
But there is one thing that I understand more and more, that is, the most important thing for happiness is not money and status, but inner calmness. As long as you are willing to work hard in ordinary life, you will definitely find the meaning and joy of happiness.
And just like that, 35 years have passed in a flash. In the blink of an eye, I have changed from a poor demobilized soldier to an old man enjoying his old age. Although I have lived in poverty all these years, as long as I have my family by my side, I feel extremely happy and satisfied.
One year during the Spring Festival, Instructor Zhao took the initiative to come to our small village, saying that he wanted to see the lives of his old comrades-in-arms. We hadn't seen each other in years, and he didn't know much about where I was now.
Seeing my meager pension and the only savings I had at home, Instructor Zhao was obviously surprised. But when he looked around our simple courtyard and saw the grandchildren making noise and playing, there was a little more envy in his eyes.
"Lao Li, you live such a simple life, how calm and calm you should be in your heart." He sighed heartily.
I smiled and said, "I don't have anything, but I don't have anything more to ask for." I am satisfied to be fed, clothed, and reunited with my family. "
Instructor Zhao was silent for a moment, as if reflecting on something. After a long while, he said quietly: "Brother, after 35 years, the situation between you and me is so different."
"Although I didn't mix well with foreign companies, I also grabbed a lot of money and power. But the more power and money I have, the more I feel empty and meaningless. I don't know how many relatives and friends I hurt for those ethereal things......"
Looking at Instructor Zhao's sad appearance, I couldn't help but feel a little regretful. After all, he is my best comrade-in-arms, so why bother to embark on this road of no return?
The picture comes from the Internet
"Actually, happiness lies in the simplest of life." I reassured, "Don't be blinded by money, fame, and fortune, and turn back quickly." "
Instructor Zhao nodded, revealing a self-deprecating smile: "Yes, the choice I made 35 years ago really doomed me to today's situation." If I could have chosen an ordinary and down-to-earth path like you, my life would have been different......"
Finally, listening to Instructor Zhao's emotion, I also pondered for a moment. Yes, the choice 35 years ago made the two of us drift apart in life, but in the final analysis, the most precious thing in life is not money and status, but a calm and quiet heart and a simple and happy life.
"Brother Zhao, no matter what kind of feats we made back then, or how high our position was later, in the end, we will turn into a wisp of green smoke on the other side."
I said sincerely, "The greatest happiness in life actually lies in the calmness of the heart, and being able to be content with fate." "
"You and I are at this age, and we do have too many regrets and obsessions in the past. But as long as we start from now on, we will be able to rediscover the meaning and value of life. "
Instructor Zhao nodded, his eyes gloomy but determined. I believe that these words must have been deeply imprinted on his heart.
In this way, we said goodbye to this amiable and respectable old comrade-in-arms. Before leaving, Instructor Zhao hugged me tightly and said quite emotionally: "Lao Li, with your living life model in front of me, I will definitely make my last journey from now on."
Watching his back go away, I couldn't help but feel gratified. Yes, the last days of life should be used to reflect and atone for sins calmly. Only in this way can the soul be freed on the other side.