Chapter 2 Opportunities in Dilemma
In some mainland cities in the 21st century, rats are already rare.
But in this era, rats are a troublesome scourge everywhere, not to mention economically underdeveloped places like Hong Kong, but also in Europe, America and polar bear powers.
Yang Wendong stepped forward, took a look, and found that there were not many chicken bitten by mice, so he said, "It's okay, just cut this small area."
After that, he He took the precious half chicken and cut off the bitten parts with a kitchen knife.
Zhao Liming walked to the back of the narrow kitchen cabinet and said, "Brother Dong, there is a small hole in the cabinet behind this. It was probably bitten by a mouse and got in."
"Well, wait a minute. I'll find another wooden board to nail it up." After Yang Wendong finished speaking, he also put down the knife in his hand and had already cut it.
Su Yiyi also walked to the back, glanced at the hole, and said, "I checked a few days ago and there was no such hole."
Yang Wendong said, "They are all rotten wood. We can pick them apart with our hands, let alone the rat teeth."
"Be careful in the future, it will be spring soon, and the rats will come out again," Zhao Liming also said.
Yang Wendong nodded and said: "It's just a little difficult, wood can't prevent mice."
The fundamental reason why mice have basically disappeared in urban homes in later generations is that a large number of houses use concrete structures, and mice can no longer burrow. .
In Hong Kong today, many poor people live in wooden houses, and the better-off locals also live in houses made of earth, stone and bricks. These cannot stop rats from digging holes.
Only a few high-end commercial residences use high-hardness building materials, have better drainage systems, and may have metal on the surface of the kitchen cabinets, or use refrigerators directly, to have a high probability of Avoid this rat trouble.
"Actually, it's okay. Apart from disturbing people's sleep, there is nothing to eat at home." Su Yiyi also said.
Zhao Liming said: "Yes, but you still have to pay attention to the rice."
"Get ready to stir-fry, I'll go outside to make a fire." Yang Wendong didn't say anything more.
In this era, there are too many difficult things, and the trouble of mice is just one of them.
As long as there is no plague and the rats eat something, there is actually no big harm.
Compared with the fires that can destroy large wooden squatters, the living difficulties caused by water shortage, the economic problems caused by unemployment, the pressure of gang members and other survival problems, the existence of rats is nothing.
...
After a while, Su Yiyi fried a portion of braised chicken and cooked some rice. The smell made many neighbors come over to take a look.
Families living in dormitories may not be able to eat meat several times a year.
Many children were standing around, looking at Yang Wendong and the others with dry eyes.
"You guys go and play." After Su Yiyi prepared the meal, she turned on the herding mode.
The children dispersed in a hurry, and Su Yiyi said: "Brother Dong, Brother Liming, please eat some."
"I'll just make some chicken soup to dip the steamed buns in, and give the meat to Brother Dong." Zhao Liming said with a smile.
"No need, let's eat together and leave some for Aunt Guo." Yang Wendong shook his head and said.
Zhao Liming said: "It's really not necessary. I have been working at the dock a few days ago, and the food I ate is really not bad, with meat."
"Really?" Yang Wendong was a little unhappy. believe.
When working at the dock, sometimes some caravan owners may spend some money to buy some food for the workers.
It’s not about having a big conscience, but it’s about spending a small amount of money to make workers pay attention when they work.
Although the bulk of it was taken away by the contractors, gangs, and dock companies, sometimes the working people could also drink some soup.
It's just that this situation is not very common, it happens occasionally. Zhao Liming nodded and said with a smile: "Really, Brother Dong, you have to recover before you recover. When you are well, next time we go to the dock to work together, we will all have meat to eat."
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"Okay." Yang Wendong nodded and said to Yiyi: "Yiyi, you have to eat a little too."
"That's not okay, grandma said, it's all for you to eat. I can also dip some soup in it." "Su Yiyi shook her head and said.
Yang Wendong said directly: "Stop pushing it, you should also eat some meat. I saw a newspaper last time, and it said that one tael of meat a day is enough for a person, and eating more is also okay. It’s a waste.
Let’s all eat a little, and I’ll buy some more next time.”
Although he was very poor, he actually had some savings, about 60 yuan. It has been taken out by Yang Wendong.
However, he doesn't dare to spend it randomly now.
"Uh... Brother Dong, can you read the newspaper?" Zhao Liming asked curiously.
Yang Wendong nodded and said: "I can recognize some simple words. I took the time to learn a little bit before."
The original person basically didn't know how to read, otherwise he wouldn't be so bad at it.
The current illiteracy rate in Hong Kong is alarmingly high.
In fact, if Yang Wendong could write all commonly used traditional Chinese characters, he would not have to worry about finding a job that could support his family.
Anyway, it is easy to fabricate academic qualifications in this era, and small companies will not investigate. If there is no other way in a short time, he is going to learn traditional Chinese quickly and find an ordinary job.
Even if you are a clerk, your income is not lower than that of a dock worker. Where the illiteracy rate is higher, literati are more valuable.
"Awesome!" Zhao Liming didn't think much about it. He didn't know that it was basically impossible to learn writing by yourself.
Yang Wendong did not bring up this topic again, so he focused on Su Yiyi again and forced her to eat two pieces of chicken.
In the end, there were a few chicken nuggets left, and they were put in place. In particular, the mice needed to be picked up and left at night for Aunt Guo, who had not slept for two days in a row.
After the meal, Su Yiyi took the pots and bowls to a well in the distance to clean them, and Yang and Zhao also followed.
Because the well water is also very tight, many people are queuing and fighting for it. If there are no men, then Su Yiyi, a woman, may not be able to get water at all.
……
It took nearly an hour to wash the dishes and pots.
As a person at the bottom of society, he spends almost all his time and energy just to survive.
In the afternoon, the sun was shining brightly, and in the squatter area, everyone except at home was basically working. Many people lifted up the roof of their homes to let the sun in, otherwise they might not be able to sleep at night. .
The same is true for Yang Wendong. After doing everything, he asked Zhao Liming: "Li Ming, I remember there are a lot of bamboos in the back mountain, right?"
Zhao Liming replied: "Yes, all It's used by companies that build houses. After the bamboo has been dried for a long time, they don't want it anymore and throw it in the back mountain."
Yang Wendong said: "Then let's bring the tools and chop some back. ”
"What do you want bamboo for? There are all waste bamboos over there. They are not good and can't even be used to make stools." Zhao Liming asked in confusion.
Broken wooden boards are a good thing in squatters, and many people are rushing to get them. But for broken bamboo, only people who live by the sea seem to want a little bit.
"Go and take a look first, I can be useful." Yang Wendong said thoughtfully.
(End of this chapter)