Chapter 1267 - 1139: Local Customs

Chapter 1267: Chapter 1139: Local Customs

When the business trip date arrived, Zhou Jiao left without hesitation.

However, in private, there were still those keenly paying attention to her investment abroad.

The circumstances have become much more relaxed now, coupled with her solid family background, or else even a random accusation could cause her trouble.

At the same time...

Many people viewed Zhou Jiao’s action as a reflection of Zhou Xiaozheng’s political stance as a devoted father, which greatly pleased those advocating for the reforms.

What does the outside world say?

As for Zhou Xiaozheng and Zhang Guoqing, the father-in-law and son-in-law duo remained indifferent. Nowadays, their family neither sought power nor profit, focusing on doing practical work for the country, which was better than anything else.

When Mr. Cheng came to inquire, they simply smiled and said casually: their family stood with those genuinely considering the nation’s interests.

This statement was quite lofty and noble!

Leaving aside the current disputes, soon the funds Zhou Jiao invested in the gold futures market began to rise slightly, just as she had predicted.

Although the increase was small over just two or three months, they could still see a promising trend.

Zhou Xiaozheng noticed that his precious daughter had indeed predicted it correctly, reassuring him. This kind of unshowy pride was something he could only flaunt with family while Zhou Jiao was away on business, which was somewhat regrettable.

Compared to him, Zhang Guoqing was even more frustrated.

Ordinarily, he could come home and hug his wife, but now she had been away for almost three months. Was she not coming home?

"Bro, you’re still not off work?"

Zhang Guoqing was both happy and surprised to hear Zhou Jiao’s voice on the other end, "Where are you calling from now? Is anyone with you?"

"Don’t worry, several colleagues are with me at the post office making calls."

Hearing her say this, Zhang Guoqing loosened his collar and sighed in relief, "That’s good. Please be careful. Is the public security there quite chaotic now?"

Zhou Jiao blinked and denied, "Who said that? 56 ethnic groups are one family; people are enthusiastic there." It’s undeniable that there are simple folks everywhere.

Especially the place she was in had a lot of Production and Construction Corps, and their relationships with local villagers were quite good, with laughter and conversations.

"Haha..." Zhang Guoqing did not debunk her. People could talk like this again in the 21st century. He glanced at the time, "Have you called home?"

"Yes, Aunt Chen answered, are Dad and Mom very busy during this period?"

"Dad has been more relaxed since spring, but he still has little free time. Mom dislikes the house being empty, and she’s at the office even when it’s not mealtime. When are you coming back?"

"Me? Probably in half a month, unsure for now."

Zhang Guoqing heard the volume on the phone suddenly drop, and he smiled, guessing that his wife was indeed living with colleagues nearby, making it inconvenient to say much.

He then asked Zhou Jiao about her recent diet, accommodation conditions, getting a rough idea over ten minutes had passed.

"Bro, others are waiting to use the phone, I’ll hang up first."

"Okay, stay safe, come back soon."

Zhang Guoqing listened to the dial tone of "not connected", reluctantly putting down the phone. He hadn’t had a chance to talk about the children yet.

There, Zhou Jiao tied her headscarf and covered her face, standing aside waiting for everyone to finish calling.

The place she was standing now was said to be Jiang Province, but it was already Jiang Province’s certain autonomous region, certain county, and community. Finding such a small post office to make a call was quite an effort.

Jiang Province was really big.

Sometimes, you wouldn’t see people for several hundred kilometers, making food and drink a problem along the way. So, whenever they spotted a herdsman’s tent or farmhouse, everyone scrambled to stop the car and rushed inside.

As long as you handed over cigarettes to the people inside first and used a bit of clumsy Uyghur language to greet, "Hello!"

Even if they resisted outsiders, the tent or farmhouse’s hostess would serve milk tea and naan to entertain everyone.

Aren’t these the simple and enthusiastic farmers and herders?

Upon arriving in Jiang Province, listening to loudspeaker broadcasts in incomprehensible Uyghur, surrounded by minority women dressed in colorful clothes with headscarves, Zhou Jiao felt a bit hesitant to leave the group.

After probing a few times, finding not much problem, and smelling the delightful scents from melons and fruits, authentic mutton dishes everywhere, her daring grew.

Unfortunately, having stayed only a few days in the provincial city, people soon started heading for the wild mountains.

However, being in rural areas had its advantages.

Engaging with farmers working in fields, she preferred trailing behind others in the wilderness.

It was truly eye-opening!

The local farmers’ midday meal in the fields was usually mutton noodles with some onions, as it was convenient to cook noodles in the wild.

They barely ate vegetables, not even mentioning them, saying it’s grass meant for livestock. Nonetheless, fruits like local specialties, including watermelon, Hami melon, apple, and grapes, they did eat.

Each place has its customs.

When Zhou Jiao saw local farmers raising chickens but hardly eating chicken or eggs, it wasn’t surprise anymore; the staple was mutton!

Relying on her harmless smile and proficient Uyghur, Zhou Jiao took the opportunity to gather many supplies.

If not some local Han old comrades offering hints privately for everyone to be safe, Zhou Jiao would have doubted if it’s still the exaggerated legendary Jiang Province.

Yet even old comrades say the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps was dissolved into pure farms these past couple of years, its battle capability and internal quality greatly diminished, with some places starting to become chaotic...

Zhou Jiao believed this, adding more vigilance in her heart.

Growing big forests lead to diverse birds, but this vast, sparsely populated autonomous region was a whole other matter. If anything happened, truly no one could save you.

Of course, the old comrades didn’t exaggerate; although such situations nowadays are rare, as she stayed longer and traveled through more areas.

She realized truly wanting 56 ethnic groups to be one could take more time.

Local people’s resistance towards outsiders stems from not only historical reasons but also relates to their ethnic consciousness, these thoughts have seeped into their bloodstream, passed down generations.

But this doesn’t mean they are wrong.

Who doesn’t possess territorial awareness?

"Mr. Zhou, we are done, want to go to the restaurant?"

"Yes, why not!"

If you want to taste authentic local cuisine again later, it’s impossible, better eat more while you have the chance.

Sigh... stop thinking!

These social stability issues aren’t suitable for a tiny person scared of death like her to dwell on. She might as well quietly be a little woman.

"After the meal, how about going to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy something to send back?"

"Sure, I’m fine with it."

"It’s not easy to be out once; I’ll go with you guys."

Listening to male and female colleagues talking, Zhou Jiao smiled and nodded in approval.

Once the package arrives, she would be home!