Chapter 143: Distributing Grain

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In Forty-Nine City, the quarrel between Father Han and Mother Han continued, while Han's eldest sister, second sister, and youngest sister kept eavesdropping from other rooms.

Mother Han said, “No, I can’t put my son out of my mind. Tomorrow, I’m going to take a day off and visit Shanghe Village.”

Father Han replied, “Why stir up trouble over there? It’s true our son is still young, but some things he must experience himself. Besides, the girl he’s seeing is from Forty-Nine City. What is there to worry about?”

Mother Han insisted, “How can I not worry? When it comes to my son’s relationships, I have to personally keep a close eye on things to feel at ease.”

Father Han scoffed, “What’s the point of your unease? You’ve worked at the street office all these years. Surely you’ve seen and heard more than we have, right?”

“That’s true.”

“Well then. When those sent-down youth write home, most of them just ask for money or complain. How many send back gifts like our son does—mountain produce, dried meat, cured meats, nourishing supplies?”

Mother Han proudly said, “That’s because my precious son is capable and filial. Other kids can’t compare.”

Father Han said, “They’re just dating now. Why do you have to intervene? Are you trying to get directly engaged with that family?”

“Of course not. But I want to observe this future daughter-in-law first.”

Father Han replied, “If you don’t want to get directly engaged with the girl, it’s best as a parent not to show up at all. Still observing? Didn’t you realize from this countryside visit that our son is a man with his own ideas? So stop meddling.”

Mother Han countered, “How is this meddling? Liu Cuihua promised that in three years, she’d try to secure our son a spot at a Workers’ and Peasants’ University. What if he can’t bear to leave Yun Yingying then? Would that ruin his future?”

Father Han lit a cigarette and took a deep drag before saying, “Those sent-down kids don’t date locals because they want to return to the city later. So many date among themselves. But if one goes back and the other can’t, the relationship is basically over. Very few couples end up together. These are things the kids have to face on their own. That’s how they grow up.”

Mother Han said, “You make it sound so easy. What if our son can’t bear to leave Yun Yingying and refuses to go to school? Or even if he goes, what if he suffers inside?”

Father Han coughed, “I think you’re overthinking. Our son isn’t that fragile. Also, you haven’t noticed that although he hasn’t said it outright, Yun Yingying’s family conditions are clearly good. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have built their own house in the countryside. Maybe she’ll even return to the city before our son.”

Mother Han said, “Hmm, that makes sense. That brat hasn’t told us much about the girl’s situation. I’ll write him a letter to ask.”

At that moment, the three Han sisters in the next room finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Han Li lay by the river, completely unaware of what was happening back in Forty-Nine City.

But he didn’t lie there long before sitting up to fish seriously. The fish here weren’t large, but they’d be enough to add a dish for dinner.

He remembered the bicycle race last night. No matter what, he had blessed the new bike. Since the others were cooking today using his stove, as the bike’s test rider and landlord, wasn’t it only right for him to contribute a dish?

Though his mental strength couldn’t directly catch fish for him, it could certainly help him land two big ones.

While Han Li carefully fished, by the time he headed home, his basket already held several Northeast catfish weighing over two pounds each.

Catfish were a popular dish locally. There was a saying: “Catfish stewed with eggplant will fill up even the old master.”

At this time, the catfish from the river were unpolluted and very fresh. Stewed with eggplant and soybean paste, it was delicious.

Before Han Li reached home, he saw a crowd gathered in front of Zhang Xiangjun’s house.

In the distance, the Yun sisters stood chatting and watching. Yun Yingying saw Han Li and came forward to take the basket from his hands.

Han Li asked, “What’s going on here?”

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Yun Yingying explained, “It’s Sun Yong causing trouble again. Drunk, he started cursing Wu Lili and even fought with Xiong Xianjin and Zhou Guoqing. Zhang Xiangjun, who was drinking with him, dragged him back several times. Now Sun Yong is at Zhang’s place, crying and yelling like in an opera. No wonder people came here to watch the spectacle. Luckily, you weren’t drinking with him, or you’d be in trouble too.”

Han Li said, “Even if this is a bit of a blow, Sun Yong’s drinking habits aren’t great anyway.”

As Han Li spoke with Yun Yingying, he greeted the aunties and older sisters and approached his own home.

Yang Xiuying asked, “Han Li, did you catch anything today?”

“Caught two catfish by the river. I’ll add a dish for Captain Jiang tonight. But where is Captain Jiang?”

“She said she went to villagers’ houses to trade for some vegetables.”

“Han Li, how can you fish without inviting us again?” Hao Hongmin tugged at Yang Xiuying and said, “It’s not Han Li’s fault today. Didn’t we all go with Captain Jiang to the commune to buy supplies?”

“You guys keep chatting. I’m going home to get some wine and get Sun Yong drunk. Who knows how long this commotion will last?”

“Don’t get yourself involved again.”

“No way. It’s easy to fool a drunk.”

When Han Li said this, Wu Lili, standing at the back, showed a trace of disdain.

Time passed. Han Li and Zhang Xiangjun sent the utterly drunk Sun Yong back to the sent-down youth dormitory and asked others to keep an eye on him.

Then they helped the staggering Zhang Xiangjun home. When Han Li returned, only Yun Yingying was waiting for him.

“Not too drunk, are you?”

“Almost not at all. You all broke up really quickly.”

“That’s because there wasn’t much food. Jiang Xiaoli bought wine today; everyone had a little and left early.”

“Let me smell what Yun Yingying smells like after drinking.”

Han Li said as he hugged Yun Yingying tightly, inhaling deeply.

“I only took a small sip. Hey, don’t move so much. I’ll get you some water to wash your face.”

……

“I always fall for your tricks.”

“How can that be a trick…”

“Hmph, you’re always right anyway.”

They lingered in affection for a while before Han Li escorted her home.

Yun Yingying said, “Oh, I forgot to tell you. Zhang Chaomei came just now to notify that grain distribution will be tomorrow morning. Everyone must gather at the grain-drying yard.”

“Grain distribution tomorrow? Leave the main grain issue to me. After you go back, discuss with your sister what grains you want to exchange for.”

The two, along with five dogs, slowly walked toward Yun Yingying’s house. Watching her secure the door, Han Li then took the dogs and headed to the fields.

The night passed quietly. The next day, Han Li got up early, finished his usual exercise in the courtyard, but did not go out.

Because the village was starting to distribute grain that morning. No matter how much grain one received, it would be a busy day.

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Not only would they have to decide what grain to exchange based on their work points, but also weigh it carefully and bring it home.

If there was enough time and the mill wasn’t crowded, some grain would also be taken there for milling.

Our country is vast, and grain production varies by region, so grain distribution also differs.

For example, income varies between counties, communes, and brigades, so does grain allocation.

Near here, Zhonghe Village and Xiaohe Village are adjacent, but Shanghe Village brigade always distributes the most grain.

Mainly because their village lacks unity, production is low, and low production means less grain.

This is the same principle as modern-day poor and prosperous counties; it’s impossible to maintain a uniform national standard forever.

(Therefore, Mao Sui won’t describe detailed quantities here to avoid disagreements from experts.)

However, higher authorities require production teams to first complete their grain tax obligations, then keep enough reserve grain and seed.

The remaining grain can be distributed according to certain ratios, sometimes 30-70, sometimes 40-60.

Take the 40-60 ratio: 60% of the leftover grain is distributed according to work points; those without work points don’t participate in this part.

So, if your family has many able workers earning many points, you get more grain.

If you have few able workers and lazy family members, you won’t get much grain.

The remaining 40% is distributed by population, shared by everyone. Families with more children benefit more.

This 40% includes the portion for sent-down youth, which is the main source of villagers’ grievances against them.

In Shanghe Village, corn is the main grain, so people often say how much corn one work point can buy.

Sorghum ranks slightly lower; potatoes and sweet potatoes have the lowest value, costing only a third of the work points needed for main grain.

After exercising, Han Li read at the table. Soon, the Yun sisters came over to prepare breakfast.

But breakfast was simple. Jiang Xiaoli had specially set aside a portion for Han Li last night, so today it only needed reheating.

While eating, the Yun sisters had already discussed which grains to exchange using their work points.

The amount they could get depended on the exchange ratio announced by the village party branch.

If possible, Han Li wanted to diversify the kinds of grain his family had, not focusing only on the main grain like others.

P.S.: Picking up the child from school today, so the next chapter will be a bit delayed.

Thanks to: Wandering Daoist You Sifang for 500 points.

Thanks to: Xiao Se Nei Wai for 100 points.

Thanks to: Young Guy 001 for 100 points.

Thanks to: Qiu Ran Ke 588 for 100 points.

(End of chapter)