Compared to Zhang Family Village and the county town, the atmosphere in Beijing is much more tense. There are a lot more comrades with red armbands wandering around the streets and alleys. The railway station square is especially crowded.
The county town back home has some similar personnel, but being familiar faces, which of those with red armbands don't know them? Either they've had a drink with them, or they've shared a meal.
Not even when Zhang Guoqing is driving a bullock cart back and forth does anyone senselessly go rummaging through the baskets; often, it's Zhang Guoqing himself who opens them up, grabbing a handful of wild vegetables to offer.
The feeling is as if all the county's residents are his relatives! He's so darn impressive!
