Chapter 447: Chapter 447

Liu Zhizhong had received the message—it was a joint funeral notice from the Yangzhou Municipal Committee and the Municipal Government: Comrade Zhang Dingkang, the former Secretary of Yangzhou City Committee, suffered a sudden major myocardial infarction. Resuscitation was unsuccessful, and he passed away at 5:58 AM, at the age of 89! Of course, his real age was 88, but traditionally he was 89. That's correct. Dıscover more novels at 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝘯𝘦𝘵

Zhang Dingkang was none other than Zhang Hongyang's grandfather, who came from a humble background as a peasant. He had managed Yangzhou City for decades, serving ten years as Mayor and ten years as City Secretary, eventually retiring honorably while in office and helping his son succeed him as City Secretary. Within the province, to have a father and son serve consecutively as secretaries was indeed a legendary tale in officialdom.

Now, the legend had ended!

Shockingly, just last night Zhang Dingkang's son, Zhang Zhengchang, had celebrated his 66th birthday, and in the early hours today, Old Sir Zhang passed away. This… how would people talk about this in the streets?

That morning, the entire Yangzhou officialdom was in shock.

Procedurally, a funeral committee needed to be established, a memorial service held, and the funeral needed to be conducted with great pomp.

Upstairs, Zhao Han was initially aware of the news but, caught up in packing for a summer vacation and excited about the prospect of a thrilling affair with Liu Zhizhong in Shennong Valley, she had not thought to check her messages.

Once she had packed and was coming downstairs with her mother Lu Yumei, Liu Zhizhong finally mentioned the news.

They were somewhat dejected because their vacation had to be canceled.

It was both sensible and proper to cancel.

Putting aside their marital ties, Lu Yumei's husband had also risen under Zhang Dingkang's patronage. Marrying their eldest daughter to Zhang Dingkang's eldest grandson was both an act of gratitude and a political alliance.

With this relationship, Lu Yumei had to attend the funeral.

Zhao Han, even more so, should attend the wake, and her name was included among the funeral committee. Additionally, as a granddaughter-in-law, she would also be inscribed on Zhang Dingkang's tombstone, since her marriage to Zhang Hongyang had yet to end.

Zhao Han should not only attend the wake but also return and wear mourning attire!

By custom, for a figure like Zhang Dingkang who had served as Mayor and City Secretary, the provincial government would send a deputy governor to attend the memorial service, and the Party Committee would send either the Deputy Secretary or Organization Department Minister.

Liu Zhizhong thought Minister Luo must be feeling down, having attended a birthday feast last night, and probably had to arrange a trip back for the funeral today? Given their relationship, Luo Tianlin had to come back! After all, Zhang Dingkang was a significant benefactor in his career!

As for Liu Zhizhong himself, at this moment, he probably couldn't worry about the wounds on his face, could he? As a former Old Secretary of the City Committee, who had dedicated his life to Yangzhou, setting aside family benefits, he had made contributions to the development of Yangzhou.

Also, given his relationship with Zhang Yuxing, with her father-in-law having passed away, how could he not attend the funeral? Even more so, as Zhang Yuxing as his direct superior, he had to be busy handling various tasks for her.

Thus, the three of them decided that indeed, the vacation would have to be canceled, as the Zhang family's funeral was a more pressing affair. At least in Yangzhou, this was a major political event, a significant matter in officialdom. This displayed relational norms and ethical behavioral standards.

Lu Yumei even made the decision, saying, "Let's go, let's pack up and set off for the Zhang family. The old Zhang family's funeral will surely be held in the ancestral home. Old Sir Zhang had always said, 'Let the dead rest in peace.' His contributions to Yangzhou were significant, and he would definitely be exempted from cremation. His grave was already well-prepared, and a Yin Yang Master had even been consulted beforehand. In recent years, when various places banned paper-burning and setting off firecrackers, Yangzhou did not follow suit. Apparently, the old man himself had gone up to the province to protest, effectively preserving this tradition. From this, one can see he did contribute to preserving the traditional customs of the people. The next few days will mark the respect for the deceased, and all of you younger ones had better set aside any grievances. The Zhao family members must understand the primary and secondary importance of this matter and not be the subject of ridicule, understand?"

Well, then, the revered 'First Widow of Yangzhou' displayed a demeanor and scope that greatly impressed and moved Liu Zhizhong.

Liu Zhizhong even gave his mother-in-law a thumbs-up saying, "Alright, we'll follow Mrs. Lu's orders!"

Lu Yumei almost laughed but maintained a stern expression, "What are you praising at a time ? Once at the Zhangs', keep your flattery to yourself, understand?"

She turned to Zhao Han and said, "Whether you like it or not, mourning must be observed. According to the old Yangzhou custom, mourning lasts for forty-nine days. You must not miss a single day, not even return to your maternal home, understand?"

"Yes, Mom, I know…" Zhao Han, being younger, was reluctant, but acknowledged that respect for the deceased and traditional customs took precedence.

Some traditions, among the youth, generally pass from misunderstanding and non-cooperation, ultimately to acceptance, understanding, and support.

As a result, the first to arrive at the Zhang family's ancestral estate were Zhao family members—Lu Yumei, Zhao Han, and Liu Zhizhong.

Just this fact alone was later affirmed by the entire officialdom and public. Although Zhao Mingyuan, a former District Committee Secretary and a key figure of the Zhao family, had passed away years ago, the Zhao family members still observed proprieties!

But unexpectedly, what Zhang Hongyang and his father Zhang Zhengchang did was even more meticulous, to the point of being unthinkable…