Chapter Forty-Eight: The Ambitious Squad Leader (Please Follow)

The next day, Han Li rose as usual, practicing his boxing, boiling water, and striking tree trunks with designated parts of his body. It wasn’t until the village bell rang that he began to wipe himself down and prepare porridge for three people. Rising early meant simply adding two extra bowls of water; he couldn’t very well wait for the Yun sisters to arrive before starting.

On their first day of work, all the new educated youths, including the Yun sisters, were full of spirit. Especially after Village Chief Zhao’s rousing encouragement, their shouts of slogans echoed across the fields. Whether sincere or not, the newcomers were like warriors injected with energy, eager to throw themselves into the rural construction effort.

After receiving their assignments, Han Li and his group set out with the main team. The Yun sisters, having arrived just the day before, waited to be allocated to one of three small squads. He Mi, Yun Jingjing, and Yun Yingying had already applied to the village to build a house, so the first squad excluded them directly. Left among the new educated youths were three young men and Qi Zhaodi, who unexpectedly volunteered to join the first squad.

Her initiative surprised everyone, but the squad leader refused her. The girl was so thin, a gust of wind could blow her away. Though he admired her spirit, the first squad leader didn’t dare accept her, fearing she’d exhaust herself and he’d have no way to explain if something happened.

The squad leader had a keen eye; seeing Zhang San’s shifty gaze, he immediately dismissed him from consideration. The remaining two young men were claimed by the first squad, while three members from the previous batch of educated youths were ousted by the squad leader. The leftovers, a motley crew, were split between the second and third squads, though inwardly they cursed their luck.

Every time, the first squad got first pick of the able-bodied workers. If this continued, it wouldn’t do. Though they were only squad leaders now, every soldier dreams of becoming a general. They aspired to become chief or even village head one day, and needed achievements to show for it. What if, someday, the chief or village head stepped down or passed on? When it came time for elections, they couldn’t very well claim credit for always coming last.

So their squads needed something to show, not letting the first squad monopolize all the glory.

Han Li was oblivious to these machinations. As usual, the third squad dawdled in the fields, when their leader gathered everyone together, insisting no one be absent.

Then came a barrage of words; though the squad leader spoke without much preparation and his speech was somewhat chaotic, his meaning was clear: work hard, catch up to the second squad, and surpass the first.

Everyone responded with a collective eye-roll. The squad leader’s words sounded like a joke. The third squad was a collection of the village’s old, weak, sick, disabled, and lazy. Was he really asking this group to compete with the first squad’s robust workers? Was he mad, or did he think everyone else was foolish?

It was like firing firecrackers at airplanes—utterly impossible.

The squad leader was so frustrated his fingers trembled as he spoke. “You... you’re really something. From today, I’ll keep a constant watch on you. Anyone who slacks off will get points deducted.”

“How do you plan to watch us, Squad Leader? Will you keep an eye on us even when we’re in the latrine?”

“I bet he wouldn’t dare, unless he doesn’t want to sleep on his kang tonight.”

Laughter erupted.

“You lot... come on, get to work! I refuse to believe I can’t whip you into shape. Scorekeeper, assign someone to show the new educated youths around. I’m off to consult Chief Liang about our tasks.”

Fuming, the third squad leader departed, leaving the new arrivals trembling, unnerved by the scene. Even the Yun sisters dared not show any sign of themselves; they now realized they were truly in the countryside. No longer would their parents shield them from hardship, nor could they hide in safe havens. From this day on, they would have to rely on themselves for everything.

This thought unsettled the sisters deeply; they couldn’t imagine how they’d get through the days ahead.

The third squad leader, still agitated, found Chief Liang and explained the situation. Now, it was Chief Liang’s turn to feel troubled. Everyone in the village knew what kind of people filled the third squad. Every family had someone old or weak, unable to perform heavy labor. Everyone would eventually face declining strength.

Age didn’t matter so long as you could work; even if you contributed little, the brigade would still give you points, ensuring you’d earn some grain and not become a total burden to the village or your family.

Thus, the third squad, rather than being simply the “old, weak, sick, and disabled team,” acted as a reassurance for all villagers. That was why it was formed, and since then, no one ever compared themselves to the third squad.

Everyone kept their own tally; unless someone was utterly foolish, they understood their own day of weakness would come. While many lazy workers had been sent to the third squad in recent years, that wasn’t reason enough to tamper with it. Otherwise, nearly all villagers would object; anyone who dared would be forced to step down.

It was predictable—breaking the villagers’ faith was unacceptable, even for kin. Each villager chose how much work to do, how many points to earn, and whether to live prosperously or frugally.

Chief Liang wondered if the squad leader had lost his mind, coming to him with such a matter. Did he expect him to stir up a hornet’s nest?

Chief Liang wanted nothing more than to slap him, so he said impatiently, “Just tell me what you really want to do.”

The third squad leader replied, “I... I just want the third squad to improve a little, so we stop dragging the village down every year.”

Chief Liang countered, “Your uncle, your fourth uncle, your fifth aunt—they’re all in your squad. At their age, can they do heavy labor? If you push them, won’t they chase you around the village with a shoe? Won’t the elders spit at you when they see you?”

The squad leader suddenly realized, sweat popping on his brow. “I...”

Chief Liang said, “It’s good to want improvement, but you should think things through before speaking. Now hurry up and get to work.”

Still, the squad leader lingered, pleading, “I’ve already said all that; if nothing changes, those old women will be even less willing to accept my management. Chief, you have to give me some advice.”

Advice? Advice, your grandmother’s leg! You just think I, the chief, have it too easy, don’t you?

Chief Liang ignored him entirely, turning away toward the field.

PS: Please follow, please follow, please follow.

Thanks to: Cola Chicken Wings—rewarded 500 points.