"Xiao Li, there are one hundred and six rabbits." Section Chief Hu asked Li Long after listening to the logistics staff counting, "You didn't count very much at that time?"
"You did." Li Long smiled and said, "One hundred is just the agreement we signed, and six is just for you to eat. It's the Chinese New Year soon, and we don't have much there." The good thing is this rabbit and fish. The fish is also more than ten kilograms, which is a sign of appreciation for us rural people."
"Xiao Li, you are very ideological," Chief Hu. He patted Li Long on the shoulder and said, "But we are a state-owned factory after all, how can we take advantage of you personally?" < br>
"No, no, no, how can you take advantage of us? I have already pulled several carts of sugar residue from you. This sugar residue is of great help to the breeding industry in our village." Li Long sincerely He said, "Chief Hu, I am telling the truth. I am really not trying to be polite to you..."
"To be honest, I I just like to eat the truth. Okay, in that case, you can take another cart of sugar residue back from the factory. Don’t leave in a hurry at noon. The food in our sugar factory canteen is pretty good. You can get busy after eating. Yes. From now on, if you want to buy some sugar crumbs, come to me. If you don’t want anything else, this sugar crumbs will be enough!” Chief Hu assured me seriously.
Li Long didn't refuse. After weighing the rabbit and fish, signing the check and getting the money, he kept the car and followed Section Chief Hu to the canteen with a gun holster on his back.
"Xiao Li, you still have a gun. Did you get it from your village?" Section Chief Hu saw at a glance that the holster contained a rifle and asked in surprise.
“Yes, there is nothing I can do about the guns of the militia company.” Li Long smiled bitterly, “I have been to Shicheng several times before, and I encountered two gangs of robbers on the way. , maybe they were all robbed at that time.”
“Oh, these two years. It's indeed a bit of a mess." Section Chief Hu shook his head, "Our factory's security department has been very busy recently. From time to time, thieves break into the factory and steal things. It's really a bit of a mess."
Li Long. I knew about this situation, but didn't say anything. After all, my superiors would definitely pay attention to this kind of thing later.
The food for lunch at the sugar factory is indeed quite good, including steamed buns, stir-fried vegetables, and cabbage vermicelli soup. Although there is no meat in the dish, the portion is quite generous. Section Chief Hu asked someone to get a meal for Li Long so that he could eat it safely here. He also got a portion and started eating opposite Li Long. Although he is the section chief, he is still like everyone else at this time.
While eating, other people came over to get food. Section Chief Hu glanced at those people and then shouted:
"Xiao Song, Xiao Li from Ma County is here. , you take him to the scrap truck later Let him load the sugar residue directly onto a carriage, that's convenient."
"That's great." Xiao Song was Song Ming, the team leader Li Long had met before. He smiled and talked to Li. Long said hello and went to get food.
Chief Hu beat less and ate faster. After eating, Section Chief Hu left first, and Li Long waited for Song Ming.
"Comrade Li, I heard that you are here to deliver benefits to our factory?"
"Haha, it's not a gift, it's a sale to you." Li Long corrected in a low voice, "Fish and rabbit, and It's almost the same as that rabbit. There are a lot of wastelands there. There are a lot of rabbits on Hongliu Beach. "
The problem of rabbits continued until the 1990s. In those two years, some outsiders drove to the beach on the east side and used batteries to pull wires to electrocute rabbits. It was said that they would go away. Just pull away a truckload of rabbits.
Although wildlife protection was legislated in those days, not many people took care of it. In those two years, the rabbits were almost wiped out, just like the flood in Xiaohaizi that broke the dam and injured the fish. , and continued until more than ten years later, before the size of wild rabbits increased.
Of course, by the time this area was finally protected as a wetland, rabbits and pheasants had already begun to overrun it.
The kind that can be hit with a slingshot!
“Hey, Comrade Li, that rabbit is really fat!” After Song Ming had eaten, washed the lunch box, and carried it to the workshop with Li Long, he said as he walked: “I’ll take it back and give it to you. My mother stewed it. The meat was so delicious. , It’s just a bit fishy, but game, how can it be without a bit of fishy smell?”
Everything is lacking these days, and it’s impossible for ordinary people to use too many seasonings for cooking, so naturally they can’t suppress rabbits. Earthy smell. Li Long smiled and said:
“If you want it to taste good, use more chili pepper and more Sichuan peppercorns to taste better.”
“You want it to be tasty, right? Sichuan peppercorns are hard to make, but this spicy one is good. Come on!" Xiao Song was happy when he heard it, "It's a pity that the rabbit was eaten, but you sent it this time, I should be able to share one and try it during the Chinese New Year."
"You don't have to be so economical. I may have to go to the old street to sell fish and rabbits in two days. I will bring you two when I come over. I often ask you for sugar crumbs, so I have to show that I don't agree?"
“Haha, Xiao Li, to be honest, your friend is really good. ! Okay, I’ll wait for you in two days. My apprentice and I will always meet you anyway.”
The matter is settled, Xiao Song. After finishing the meal, he enthusiastically pulled Li Long to pack the sugar residue, and curiously asked Li Long why he was carrying a gun.
Li Long explained the situation, and Xiao Song also sighed, saying that this matter was really troublesome.
This time it was all packed in sacks. The sugar residue was put into sacks directly after it came out of the pot, and it was still dripping with water. But it was used as feed for livestock, and it would be okay if it froze on the road. Twelve sacks of sugar residue were loaded in the car. Li Long said goodbye to Xiao Song, wandered away from the sugar factory, and headed towards Ma County.
When passing through the poplar forest, Li Long increased his vigilance, loaded the rifle with bullets, opened the safety, and stood on the shaft of the car, standing high and looking far away. The old horse No. 76 knows the way and can keep going forward without rushing, but it just doesn't go fast.
Walking all the way, I didn’t find anyone ambushing me. Occasionally, a truck passed by and kicked up a piece of snow powder. The driver of the truck would look at Li Long with a surprised expression.
After passing the poplar forest, there is only a row of poplar trees on both sides of the road. Further ahead, there are fields to the north and Gobi to the south. You can see for several kilometers at a glance, and you can't hide people. Going further, we reached the stuck point, and Li Long breathed a sigh of relief.
It’s okay.
After crossing the Mahe Bridge, Li Long turned towards the department store.
I settled the account today, and with the previous money, my pocket is full. According to the current figure, it is equivalent to the cash income of several families for a year.
After he went to the department store, he started shopping with a gun holster on his back.
The carriage was tied to the railing of the shed outside and could be seen through the glass, so Li Long was not worried.
He first went to the women's clothing store and bought a scarf for Gu Xiaoxia and his sister-in-law. After wrapping it up, he went to the men's clothing store and bought a pair of big-toe shoes for his eldest brother.
Big-toe shoes are imitation military products and are considered labor protection products at this time. They are very practical for rural people in this era. Li Long originally planned to buy cotton leather shoes, but thought about it and decided against it. Cotton leather shoes are really of no use at this time. If you wear them, you may be called "slutty" by others.
With these things in hand, Li Long went to the wine counter and bought two bottles of Moutai.
"I will not return this wine after it is sold." The elder brother at the counter reminded Li Long after he took out the money and drink tickets.
"Is anyone returning the money?" Li Long asked in surprise.
“Return, Maotai-flavor wine. Many people here are not used to drinking it.” The elder brother kindly reminded, “If you haven’t tried it, it’s best not to try it. If you open it, you can’t return it. Seven At eight yuan a bottle, it’s not cheap!”
"Then four bottles." Li Long saw there were still some on the counter and said with a smile, "Let me look at my drink ticket... Oh, I can only buy four bottles."
Put this wine in In thirty years, can the value appreciate thousands of times?
But it doesn’t matter. He didn’t buy a few more bottles to collect and then sell them. It would be good to put some aside and take them out for later viewing.
With this condition, why not get a few bottles?
The elder brother saw that Li Long was so determined, so he took four bottles of wine. There were no paper boxes outside the wine at this time, but the elder brothers at the counter all had unique skills. They found ropes to put the four bottles of wine together. It's tied up with a live buckle on it, and it's solid when you hold it, and it won't loosen or collide at all.
"This is a good craftsmanship!" Li Long paid the bill and praised him while holding the wine and moved on.
In the food area, Li Long bought sesame cakes, river noodles, and weighed one kilogram of fruit candies. There weren't many snacks to buy at this time, so he bought six packs of chicken cakes. The ingredient list for the chicken cakes at this time was really clean, with only three or four items. Unlike later Li Long who went to the supermarket to see the chicken cake packaged in a plastic box, the first three main ingredients were not eggs! And the green ingredient was densely packed into three rows!
Okay, technology and hard work, why don’t you say anything.
I bought a small piece of champagne - the salesperson was immediately shocked. Usually, except for those who come to purchase goods from the sales department or for work activities, few people buy one directly.
The salesperson directly helped Li Long move the cardboard box containing the small champagne to the carriage!
Went to the stationery area and bought a relatively high-end hero pen for Li Juan. It came with a paper box, unlike the standard ones that come in a box of ten, and a small Rubik's cube. What I bought for Li Qiang was a plastic toy revolver and a magnetic plastic pencil case.
The only one left is yourself.
Li Long thought for a while and finally settled the bill.
Don’t buy your own stuff here.
He turned around and was about to go out, and then he saw the girl. The girl who once seemed to be interested in him turned out to have two big braids. Now her hair is tied up. She must be married?
But he looked quite serious and didn't smile much.
Li Long didn't think much about it. This thought came to him briefly, and then he went out with his things.
He also wants to buy something for himself.
Put these things on the carriage, untie the reins and pull the carriage to Xinhua Bookstore.
Li Long plans to buy a few books to read.
There were not many novels with names he was familiar with that could be bought at this time. Even the complete collection of Jin Yong's novels, which was famous in later generations, had not yet been released in mainland China. Fortunately, there was a martial arts magazine, which contained articles from 1981 to 1988. The book "Shooting the Condor" was published in the second year. It's just that Xinhua Bookstore doesn't have the complete collection of this thick magazine. They should have ordered some, sold some of them, and still have some.
Li Long browsed for a long time, then found a dozen magazines, bought a few books about Chinese medicine from XJ, paid the bill, and then with a slightly unsatisfied mind, pulled the We drove the carriage to the non-staple food company again.
This place mainly focuses on food. Many items are no longer ticketed, but the more in-demand items shipped from the mainland must still be purchased with tickets.
For example, kelp, hairtail and the like.
Li Long bought three of each, picking and choosing, and almost used up all the food stamps he had.
After buying these things, Li Long was still not satisfied and bought some more eggs, but then he had no intention of continuing to buy them. He could go to the market to buy more, but he didn't want to go. Most of the things in the market were available at home, or could be found in the team.
Li Long’s big purchase is over for today. He pulled the carriage back to the big yard.
Before Gu Xiaoxia got off work, Li Long unloaded No. 76 first and loaded the carriage with stools. Li Long took No. 76 to the back, wiped off the sweat, put out fodder, and then went to the kitchen after finishing the work.
I washed the hairtail, kelp and other things, soaked the fungus and spicy skin, took out the frozen meat and melted it, and also melted a fish.
He is preparing to cook a big meal in the evening.
The fire in the kitchen has been extinguished, and Li Long started to re-set the fire, boil water, and make preparations during the break.
While preparing, I recalled the dishes I had cooked before. Braised hairtail, salad with kelp, scrambled eggs with fungus, and two fried meat dishes. There is also wine in the big room, and I bought a small bottle of champagne. You can drink some as you like tonight.
When Gu Xiaoxia entered the yard, she smelled the strong fragrance.
I had noodles at Sister Yang’s place for lunch - Sister Yang is very capable and easy to learn. Now she has learned how to make the noodles. Although the noodles are thicker, the stir-fried noodles are good, so Gu Xiaoxia ate a lot at noon and planned not to eat in the afternoon.
When she saw the door was unlocked at the entrance of the hospital, she was overjoyed. Li Long was back!
I happily opened the door and pushed my bicycle into the yard. As soon as I smelled it, I knew that I was in for a treat again today!
"You change your clothes first and wash them. I'll be ready soon!" Li Long shouted in the kitchen, and then there was the sound of cooking.
"Okay." Gu Xiaoxia locked the car, carried her bag into the house, and started to change clothes.
After changing clothes and doing a simple wash, Gu Xiaoxia came out and entered the kitchen. Seeing Li Long cooking, she leaned against the door and watched with a smile.
"There is another dish that can be eaten after frying." Li Long said while frying, "Is my time accurate?"
"Why is it so rich today?" Gu Xiaoxia looked at the five dishes on the table. He picked up a plate and asked with some confusion, "It's not the New Year or the festival."
"Isn't this a way to make money?" The spatula in Li Long's hand After a pause, he then said with a smile while frying, "I have earned several hundred during these trips to the Shicheng Sugar Factory to deliver things to people, and my eldest brother, eldest brother, and Yongqiang have also earned some. This was about the same amount of money a year ago. Well, a big thing has been solved, how about celebrating?”
Although Li Long gave the reason, Gu Xiaoxia always felt that the reason was a bit far-fetched.
"Of course, the most important reason," Li Long used a spatula to scoop out a piece of meat to taste the saltiness. It felt good, so he took a plate to serve the dish and said while serving it:
"This time last year, I was fired from the factory, and then I felt that I couldn't survive like this. Then I started going to the mountains to pull wood, and step by step I got to where I am now."
Li Long put the dishes on the table Put it on the table, and looked at Gu Xiaoxia with a bright smile: "No, it's been a year."
"Yes, it's been a year." Gu Xiaoxia repeated with emotion, she felt that this That's the main reason.
Because Li Long gave people a completely different feeling from this time last year to before. Before, I felt like an immature child, vain, proud, a little exaggerated, and a little inferior.
What happens next? Practical, confident, capable, brave, have ideas, and the ability to execute.
This was not available before.
The two took bowls and chopsticks, and Li Long finally made porridge - originally he was going to make a salty soup, but with current eating habits, it is not considered a meal without staple food or grain. So I just made porridge and pancakes.
“Eat it,” Li Long greeted, “Come and taste it.”
Gu Xiaoxia smiled and said:
“It must be better than mine anyway. Eat. To be honest, this fish—" she ordered the hairtail and said, "I don't know how to cook it at all."
Not to mention doing it, I rarely eat it. After all, this thing is a sea fish. When supplies are scarce and transportation is inconvenient, sea fish are still very expensive items, even Shopee.
Of course, kelp is slightly more common. After all, it is equivalent to seaweed, so it is easy to catch.
Gu Xiaoxia would praise every bite she took, which made Li Long a little embarrassed. He smiled and said:
"Eat more if you like it. In winter, just stock up." Eat some fat to stay warm and survive the winter."
Gu Xiaoxia smiled sheepishly. But to be honest, the dishes Li Long cooked were really delicious. He didn't finish half of the pancake in his hand until he was full, so he basically just ate the vegetables.
"What's left is enough for me to eat several meals." Gu Xiaoxia burped a little and changed the subject a little embarrassed:
"Everything looks good. It's cold outside now anyway. , you can save it, but you can’t waste it.”
“Don’t waste it, waste it. "What?" Li Long smiled, "It's nothing. I will kill another wild boar and make a pig dish. Then I will let my sister-in-law stew more pickled cabbage meat and cut it into pieces. Bring it over and heat it up and eat it together every few days, it will be delicious.”
This Li Long is really experienced. In later generations, even in villages, there were not many people who fed pigs purely with grain. Li Long raises one every year in order to have a pig-killing dish at the end of the year. Pickling the sauerkraut yourself is not as delicious as the one made by my sister-in-law, but it's not much different. The main reason is that the pigs are slaughtered freshly, so the meat from the necks of the pigs is stewed with sour cabbage, which is delicious.
Every year he stews more, and the helper comes over to finish it. He will soak the rest in the pot, cut it into pieces, pack it in food bags and freeze it outside. Eat a piece of Tianhua hot, especially with hot steamed buns dipped in the oil, it's so delicious.
Many people in the village have started feeding pigs with half feed and half grain. The taste of the pork is not as good as that of feeding the pigs directly with grain. Although many people want to buy meat from Li Long, Li Long just doesn't sell it.
In this life, he hopes to avoid those disasters, and then he will leave this matter to his elder brother!
Hey!
"What do you think makes you so happy?" Gu Xiaoxia asked curiously as she watched Li Long's expression change and a smile appeared on his face.
“I was just thinking, since my eldest brother is a professional pig farmer, he will keep raising pigs from now on. From now on, he will kill pigs and eat pig-killing vegetables every year, so I will go to his house...”
"What's his house? Isn't that your house too?" Gu Xiaoxia asked.
"The problem is, we will build a new house in the spring, and we will be a family soon." After Li Long finished speaking, he remembered that he originally planned to drink today!
What a pig-brained person you are! (End of this chapter)