Chapter 103: Night Conversations

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In Shanghe Village’s party branch, three tobacco pipes filled the room with thick smoke.

Village Chief Zhao said, “Our village suddenly lost so many educated youth. The higher-ups have decided to send us a few more next time. But with the autumn harvest approaching, we need to come up with some regulations. We can’t let them be too relaxed or idle, or else they’ll have the energy to cause trouble.”

Team Leader Liang took a deep puff from his pipe, exhaling white smoke as he spoke, “The incidents last time put us in a passive position. I heard the higher authorities are considering whether to continue allocating spots at the Workers’ and Peasants’ University to us. This time, we can't let them off so easily.”

Accountant Zhang then spoke up again, “I still think we should give the educated youth some incentives, so they have something to look forward to.”

Upon hearing this, Team Leader Liang immediately frowned. Why did Zhang still propose this suggestion?

Only Village Chief Zhao gave Zhang a deep look, then lowered his eyelids and asked, “Tell me, what position do you plan to offer the educated youth? And which one are you thinking of for this position?”

Hearing that Zhao was willing to discuss, Zhang quickly replied, “The educated youth generally have a high level of education. I think having an additional teacher at our village school would be good; more teachers will better educate our children.”

“Hmm, that makes sense. Do you have someone in mind?”

“Originally, either of the two educated youth team leaders would have been suitable, but after the recent incident, this teaching position is no longer appropriate for them. Among the veteran educated youth, Wei Chunlan is a good candidate. She has the required qualifications, has been here long enough, and is always earnest and diligent. So, I propose giving the position to her.”

After hearing this, Village Chief Zhao tapped his pipe on his shoe sole, stood up, and said, “I’m not young anymore. I won’t get involved in these minor affairs. You handle it yourselves.”

With that, he went straight home. Team Leader Liang shot a suspicious glance at Accountant Zhang, then quickly turned his head away.

Although Village Chief Zhao was old, he had never shirked responsibility like this before. There had to be something wrong with Zhang; otherwise, this situation wouldn’t have arisen.

Just as Liang was pondering the issue, Zhang anxiously asked beside him, “Team Leader, what do you think we should do?”

Liang replied calmly, “I don’t have much to say for now, but we should think it over. Uncle Zhao’s opinion in Shanghe Village is still very important.”

“Team Leader, other production teams are led by their leaders. Our whole AA County only has two sets of leadership, and besides, Uncle Zhao is old now. It’s time for you to take the lead.”

“Heh, let’s discuss this tomorrow. I need to go home and eat now.”

“Team Leader!”

Zhang seemed a bit agitated. It seemed this ‘good man’ wasn’t so easy to handle. But he couldn’t step down now, and he was somewhat reluctant. Because whether it was the difference in health, age, or even the cleanliness of skin and lifestyle, these were things that made him unable to give up.

After returning home, Team Leader Liang sat on the kang (heated brick bed) but couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling. So, he called his wife to bring out two bottles of white liquor and went out with the bottles behind his back.

Though he was the leader of Shanghe Village and his word carried great weight, many things were impossible to handle without Village Chief Zhao. The higher-ups had many old comrades supporting Zhao, and the villagers had more trust in him.

There were also more people surnamed Zhao than Liang in the village, and if it came to the next generation, he had no chance.

Village Chief Zhao’s two sons were both serving in the military and had already reached certain ranks. His own son had only gotten into the army by riding on their coattails and was now just a low-ranking soldier under them.

Moreover, Zhao had never shirked village matters like today. If he was vague about the details, he must be uneasy inside.

Since there was no custom of knocking on doors in the village, Liang went straight inside, only to find Zhao sipping from his wine cup.

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“Haha, Uncle Zhao, why didn’t you call me to drink with you today?”

“Because I knew you’d come anyway. Don’t dawdle—get on the kang.”

Team Leader Liang didn’t hesitate and climbed onto the kang. The two began drinking, but after a few cups, Liang couldn’t hold back and asked, “Uncle Zhao, what exactly happened today?”

“What else could it be? That brat Zhang Dagang wouldn’t listen. He’s got a girlfriend among the female educated youth.”

“You mean Wei Chunlan?”

“More or less. Zhang Daqiang has lost all reason. I noticed something was off last time, but I thought since he didn’t bring it up again recently, it had passed. Didn’t expect he’d raise it again today.”

“Uncle Zhao, you often say that if you’re neither deaf nor blind, you can’t be in charge. The village has many gossipers, yet we haven’t interfered.”

Village Chief Zhao replied, “Is it the same? Gossipers don’t cause trouble, and no one reports or accuses anyone. If we step in, we only make matters worse and embarrass everyone, turning both sides into bitter enemies—and they might even hate us. Why make it harder and get nothing out of it?”

Team Leader Liang said, “But isn’t Zhang Dagang’s affair the same? No one knows about it either.”

“No, it’s different. Even if villagers make a fuss, you and I can suppress it. It just becomes a matter of money or red tape from above. But if the educated youth make a fuss, can we control it? Those job recruitments, school quotas, and village affairs—all gone. If the good things no longer come to our village, do you think the villagers won’t curse us?”

Liang said, “That brat Zhang actually fooled the educated youth. Can’t even keep a woman in line?”

“He can’t keep a thing in line. What does Wei Chunlan see in him? His age? The fact he has many children? We don’t know when they started seeing each other, but Zhang proposed this twice now. It must be Wei Chunlan pushing hard. If she can’t get an easier job, I bet she’ll cause trouble. Do you think Zhang’s family has money to compensate, or connections to smooth this over?”

Liang asked, “So what do we do? Agree with Zhang Dagang?”

“Agree? This time it’s Wei Chunlan. Next time, what if there’s a Zhang Chunlan or Liu Chunlan? Are we supposed to clean up their mess forever?”

“Too bad Zhang Dagang was directly appointed as accountant by the higher-ups. Otherwise, we two would have dealt with him ourselves.”

“Then let him quit on his own.”

“You mean?”

“We don’t usually interfere with gossip, but if there are complaints, we have to check it out.”

“I’ll arrange someone to bait then.”

“No need to bait the educated youth directly; that would be too obvious. Liang Wu’s wife does nothing all day. She’d be perfect to handle this.”

Team Leader Liang was also annoyed by someone with the same surname, but even a useless person has their uses. This was just proving it.

After clarifying matters, the two continued their drinking. When Liang was about to leave, Zhao said, “If you do catch anything, go with fewer people at first. Don’t make things bigger, and don’t bring anyone named Zhang.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle Zhao. I’ll make sure it’s handled properly.”

Meanwhile, Han Li’s dinner party had dispersed. Hao Hongmin’s scallion pancakes were surprisingly tasty, just a bit bland.

The soup made with thigh mushrooms and pork cracklings was topped with a little wild vegetable leaf, making it refreshingly delicious.

The only pity was that they all left together, so Han Li didn’t have time to talk with He Mi.

After they left, Han Li closed the door and approached the young wolf dogs he had brought back.

Since bringing them home, they had either been in the mountains or working, and hadn’t yet familiarized themselves with their new surroundings.

Han Li untied their ropes. The pups took a few steps, then squatted in front of him, wagging their tails.

Han Li was very pleased with their behavior, but now was the time for them to get familiar with the environment.

“Follow me for a walk. This will be your home from now on.”

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He walked ahead, with the pups following, sniffing around and marking territory.

This was how animals mark their domains; otherwise, the pups wouldn’t feel a sense of belonging here.

Han Li didn’t stop them this time, but in the future, he would need to take them out regularly to relieve themselves; otherwise, the yard would become unbearable.

He led them through the front yard, back yard, and inside the house, then let them stay in the yard.

Returning inside, Han Li cut the cornbread into pieces and poured the leftover thigh mushroom and pork crackling soup over it.

Carrying the bowl outside, he restrained himself to eat a few bites before allowing the pups to eat.

Given the controlled portions, the pups clearly weren’t full.

They sat, wagging their tails, looking at him expectantly.

Han Li then took out some wild boar hair for them to sniff, followed by pig ears.

He also divided boar’s penis and testicles, and sow’s reproductive parts evenly for them to swallow.

After setting down their water bowls, Han Li returned inside to the kang.

He took out two letters with new addresses, all from classmates.

The letters were similar—they had heard from others that he was sent down to the countryside and had obtained his address.

One classmate had been assigned to northern Shaanxi, where conditions were harsh.

More than a dozen people lived in a cave dwelling, and the water source was far away.

The spring winds in Sijiucheng were mild compared to northern Shaanxi, where it was windy for over half the year, with yellow dust filling the air, making it easy to swallow dirt.

After spending some time getting to know the situation, they realized the inconvenience of water was nothing. The worst was the food shortage. Even the hardworking veteran educated youth didn’t get enough grain each year.

Wild vegetables, wheat bran, husks, and crushed elm bark were all considered part of their diet.

The hardest part was the labor. She had never imagined such exhaustion, even in dreams.

Once, she was sent to irrigate fields. The locals had to carry water buckets down to the small river at the mountain foot and haul water back little by little.

Just one trip caused her shoulders to bleed, and she felt as if her waist no longer belonged to her.

After reading, Han Li marked the letter. He planned to comfort her more in his reply. Then he opened another letter.

This classmate’s assigned place seemed better—a city famous for idioms and historical allusions over 3,000 years old.

However, she was placed in a small village in a subordinate county, which had just been relocated a couple of years ago.

Acknowledgments: Zhang Zeweitong tipped 500 points.
Acknowledgments: afrashui tipped 500 points.
Acknowledgments: Nanjing Overlord tipped 100 points.
Acknowledgments: Probably Sick tipped 100 points.
Acknowledgments: mfrashui tipped 100 points.
Acknowledgments: Reader20171201212055977 tipped 100 points.

(The chapter ends)