early morning.
The rising sun rises slowly from the distant fields.
A soft golden light shone down, shrouding the entire countryside in a warm and hazy light and shadow.
Li Aiguo was awakened by a clanging sound.
Rubbed his eyes and climbed up from the straw bed.
I raised my wrist and found that it was only half past six and it was still dark outside.
He opened the door and walked out without waking up Yan Jiecheng and Zhang Tieniu.
Beside the warehouse there is a three-bay straw hut, which should be the large cooking pot in the commune.
The fire in the stove was burning brightly. Chef Cao, Village Chief Lao Wei and two female members were busy working in front of the stove.
"Hey, Lao Cao, you should put less millet and save more food."
"Village chief, what are you afraid of? We have enough food in our commune now."
"We have to make ends meet. Who knows what we will be like next year? Just listen to me."
< br>"Okay, okay, Old Wei, if you continue like this, you will become the stingy village chief near us."
"If you are stingy, just be stingy. It is better than the members of the commune going hungry."
While the two were talking, Village Chief Wei saw Li Aiguo coming out and said hello: "Comrade driver, are you up so early?"
"Our train driver is sleepy."
< br>Li Aiguo leaned over, took out a cigarette from his pocket and handed it to the two of them.
He lit a fire on the stove and secretly looked at the situation in the thatched shed.
The adobe walls were smoked black.
The slogan on the wall [Eating without spending money, working hard to produce] was newly posted, but it was already yellowing and rattling in the black smoke.
The large pot was bubbling with millet porridge.
Chef Cao is also an experienced chef. He grabbed a few handfuls of dried sweet potatoes from the sack next to him and threw them into the pot.
Sweet potatoes will make the porridge thicker and give people a "chewy" feeling.
Li Aiguo smoked a cigarette and chatted with Village Chief Wei and Chef Cao.
The commune transformation has been completed here, and the mutual aid groups and primary cooperatives of Weizhuang and several surrounding villages have formed a commune.
Except for the beds, clothes and quilts that the commune members sleep on, all other things are handed over to the commune.
The commune established a large canteen, and handed over the pots, bowls, and ladles of the family to the large canteen, and then everyone ate in the commune canteen.
The commune had just been established in this year and there was plenty of food.
Other communes only eat white steamed buns, white noodles, and good meat and vegetables.
But Village Chief Wei thought that way of eating was too sinful and something would happen sooner or later.
So every meal consists of noodle soup and vegetable soup.
When you are busy, add a few more steamed buns.
Being able to prepare for a rainy day, Li Aiguo couldn't help but look high at Village Chief Wei.
Although Village Chief Wei is uneducated, his rich life experience is unmatched by those young people.
While chatting, the sky gradually dawned.
After the big pot of rice is simmered, Chef Cao adds a drop or two of oil to it.
Lao Wei, the village chief, knocked on the plowshare on the big tree at the entrance of the village.
Men, women and children in the village came from all directions and crowded to the door of the hut with pots and jars in their hands.
Since there are not enough tables, most people just grab a bowl and eat while squatting.
The old lady with two little feet in the Huang family is quite clever.
They didn't finish a bowl at first, then finished it quickly and then went to get another bowl, so that they could eat two bowls.
Some club members filled a bowl at the beginning and then ate slowly. By the time he finished the first bowl, there was no rice left in the pot.
In these days, most of the bowls and basins of the villagers were made of earthenware. There were also some but very few foreign porcelain bowls.
It is impossible for ordinary people to have foreign porcelain bowls.
Families with foreign porcelain bowls must either have someone "working" in the city or the family is well-established. Even the supply and marketing cooperative at the entrance of the village does not sell foreign porcelain bowls.
Thinking of this, Li Aiguo also saw Old Man Liu and Aunt Liu from the supply and marketing cooperative in the crowd.
They all held foreign porcelain bowls.
Ordinary members gathered in a heap like a swarm of bees.
Holding large bowls with both hands high above their heads, they scrambled to get Chef Cao to serve them food.
The two people stood aside quietly, as if it was a routine matter.
The disgust they looked at the food in the cauldron couldn't fool Li Aiguo's eyes.
This kind of person must have been accustomed to eating big chunks of meat and drinking heavily in the past, so he looks down on the food of the members.
Looks like we need to find a way to check them out.
At this time Yan Jiecheng and Zhang Tieniu also got up, and they came to the grass shed.
Seeing the millet porridge in the pot, even Yan Jiecheng's face turned green.
The Yan family lives a frugal life, but can still eat authentic stick noodle porridge.
"Stop watching and eat quickly. After eating, Yan Jiecheng has to go back to the capital and ask someone from the locomotive depot to repair the truck."
"Tieniu will check it again. Let’s see if we can repair the truck ourselves.”
Li Aiguo filled the bowl with rice and handed them two bowls.
Seeing that both of them had a hard time swallowing, Li Aiguo took out biscuits from his pocket and gave them a few pieces.
"Soak this thing into the porridge."
"Hey, patriotic brother, you'd better be nice to me." Yan Jiecheng was so happy that he couldn't close his mouth.
I just bought two kilograms of biscuits last night.
After giving it to Yan Jiecheng and Zhang Tiezhu, Li Aiguo still had three pieces left in his hand.
Just about to break it open and put it into a bowl.
"Uncle, what are you holding in your hand?" A little boy appeared in front of him with two little girls.
The boy's clothes were patched in patches, stained with mud and unidentifiable stains.
The hair of the two girls is messy, like a pile of weeds. Their little faces are also dirty.
The little boy's big black eyes darted around: "Uncle, are you taking tree roots? My mother said that some tree roots are poisonous and will cause stomachache after eating them. How about I help you taste them? Taste it?”
The little girl pinched the little boy’s ears and said through gritted teeth: “Dabao, mother also said that you can’t ask for food from others.”
"Sister Zhao, I have good intentions."
Zhaodi felt sorry for his younger brother and didn't exert any force, but Dabao looked like he was in great pain and pouted his mouth.
What a weird kid.
"Dabao, recruit a younger brother"
Li Aiguo pointed to the younger girl and asked: "You should be the younger brother?"
"My name is Xiangdi. "The little girl shook her head like a rattle.
Li Aiguo: "."
Lai Di, lead brother, miss brother, look forward to brother, miss brother, beg brother.
Don’t blame Li Aiguo for being uneducated, he is a member of the masses His thinking is so divergent that he has created so many names.
Seeing the children staring at the cookies eagerly, wanting but afraid to ask, Li Aiguo felt a little soft, stood up and distributed the cookies to the three of them.
"Dabao is right to remind you that the roots of this tree may be poisonous. How about you help uncle give it a try?"
The three children hesitated for a moment before reaching out to take it.
Zhaodi held the biscuit in his hand, hesitated for a moment, a trace of struggle flashed in his eyes, and handed the biscuit back.
"Uncle, my brother lied to you. These are biscuits from the supply and marketing cooperative. They are not poisonous tree roots. They are delicious. Brother Zhao has never eaten them in his life."
" How old are you, just for the rest of your life."
Li Aiguo chuckled and nodded to Zhaodi: "Take it, uncle likes to drink thin porridge."
Some people like to drink thin porridge. Porridge? Xiao Zhaodi was a little confused. Under the temptation of the biscuits, he carefully put the biscuits into his pocket.
She took her younger siblings and said 'thank you' to Li Aiguo and ran out of the commune compound.
"Dad, mother, uncle gave us delicious food, you can try it."
A trace of doubt flashed across Li Aiguo's face. Didn't the father and mother who recruited his younger brother eat in the commune canteen? ?
Zhang Tieniu looked at the cheerful children, then looked at the biscuits in the bowl, and felt that they were no longer fragrant.
After dinner.
Village chief Lao Wei found an ox cart and sent Zhang Tiehan and Yan Jiecheng back to the locomotive depot for help.
Before departure.
Li Aiguo pulled Yan Jiecheng aside and whispered: "Jie Cheng, when you go back, find Minister Niu of the locomotive depot and ask him to help investigate a person."
Li Aiguo sent a letter of introduction to Liu The old man's name and address were written on a piece of paper and handed to Yan Jiecheng.
Although he felt that there was something wrong with the two people in the supply and marketing cooperative.
But this is Wei Zhuang.
Not the locomotive depot, let alone the capital.
Without complete evidence, it would be difficult to convince Village Chief Wei.
In addition, if you make a mistake, it will also have adverse effects.
The various relationships in the village are intertwined and are far more complicated than in the city.
So, Li Aiguo chose the most cautious approach.
Although Jie Cheng didn't know the reason, he took the note and nodded seriously.
"Brother Patriot, leave this matter to me, don't worry."
Yan Jiecheng got eggs this time and got five kilograms of wolf meat, and he was very excited.
Of course he agreed.
Seeing Yan Jiecheng about to get on the bullock cart, Li Aiguo reminded again: "Only you know about this. Minister Niu knows, don't tell others."
"Understood!"
Yan Jiecheng agreed quickly and hurriedly climbed onto the bullock cart.
None of them noticed that a pair of sinister eyes flashed across the crowd.
Ox carts are a valuable transportation resource in rural areas. Even though Yan Jiecheng has ridden a bicycle, he has never ridden an ox cart.
The driver of the bullock cart was Wei Cun's handlebar style, raising his whip high and cracking it in the air.
The old scalper kicked the ground with all four hooves, and the ox cart moved forward slowly.
Yan Jiecheng was lying on the bullock cart, looking at the blue sky, feeling a little sad.
The oxcart is similar to the jeep in the city. When we return to the locomotive depot, we have something to show off.
Suddenly.
A figure emerged from the ravine and blocked the way of the bullock cart.
The handlebar pulled the reins, looked at the old woman and said, "Aunt Liu, I can't take you to buy goods today. I have to send someone to the capital."
It was the one who blocked the way. Aunt Liu from the supply and marketing cooperative.
In the past, materials in supply and marketing cooperatives were transported by bullock carts.
She is very familiar with the handlebar style.
"It's a coincidence, isn't it? I have to go to Beijing too and want to pull two feet of floral cloth to make new clothes."
As she spoke, Aunt Liu took something out of her pocket Two candy bars stuffed into the handlebar pocket.
"Old horse, take it back and give it to the children to sweeten their mouths."
"Ouch, old sister-in-law, you can't do this." The handlebar type mouthed modestly, but did not take it out. meaning.
Save these two pieces of candy for the Chinese New Year, so there is no need to buy gifts for the children this year.
He helped Aunt Liu get on the bullock cart with the handlebar style, shouted "Sit tight", and continued to drive the bullock cart.
There is one more person on the oxcart.
Yan Jiecheng could no longer stretch his legs and could only lean on the side of the car.
Aunt Liu looked around the oxcart, and her eyes suddenly froze when she saw Zhang Tiehan's bulging waist.
The train driver was so cautious that he sent a man with a gun to follow him.
She could only give up her original idea.
He rubbed his butt on the car and moved closer to Yan Jiecheng, smiling with his eyes narrowed.
“Are you a comrade from Beijing?”
“Yes, aunt, I am a worker at the Beijing Locomotive Depot.”
“Worker, oh, That's someone who has a grain background and can eat public food." Aunt Liu gave a thumbs up: "Young man has become a big worker at a young age. It's amazing."
"I think you are full of heaven. , Dige Fangyuan, this is a noble look, he will definitely be a leader in the future."
No one has ever paid such compliments to Yan Jiecheng in his life, and he was so happy that he couldn't close his mouth. "Auntie, you are really good at judging people."
Yan Jiecheng felt that this old lady was more sensible than ordinary rural old ladies.
After the two got closer,
Aunt Liu took Yan Jiecheng's arm and asked affectionately: "Is the young man married?"
"That's not true. Yan Jiecheng regained his energy, sat up and asked, "Do you have a suitable partner?"
"Isn't this a coincidence?"
Aunt Liu patted her thigh and said, "My eldest sister." The aunt of the cousin of the second aunt and the third girl is an official female worker in the textile factory in Beijing. She is as beautiful as a flower and about the same age as you. "
The aunt of the cousin of the second aunt and the third girl. Yan Jiecheng. I feel like I don’t have enough brain power.
He shook his head and asked, "How much is her salary per month?"
There seems to be something wrong with this young man's brain circuit. It was made up anyway, and it doesn't matter if it is made bigger.
Aunt Liu said: "It seems to be more than fifty yuan."
"More than fifty yuan." Yan Jiecheng swallowed. It was higher than his salary, which fully met the Yan family's requirements for a wife.
He licked his face and smiled: "Auntie, can you introduce to me the aunt of your eldest sister's second aunt's second girl's cousin?"
"It's the eldest sister's second aunt's aunt. The third girl’s cousin’s aunt!”
Aunt Liu corrected him.
Looking Yan Jiecheng up and down: "There are many people pursuing that girl, ordinary people can't get into her eyes.
You have a good appearance, and your work is so-so, but in total, you are still wrong. It's something."
"."
Seeing Aunt Liu's disgusted look, Yan Jiecheng murmured in his heart.
Didn’t you just go up the pole to introduce the target? Why did it turn into so-so in the blink of an eye?
It’s just that Yan Jiecheng has fallen in love with that girl.
At this time, Yan Jiecheng was worried that he would become Xu Damao and Nan Yi, and would only be able to marry a young widow in the future, so he kept thinking about the right partner.
As a gold medal matchmaker, Yan Bugui cannot do it himself, so he can only entrust the matchmaking work to his counterpart next door.
For nearly two months, the matchmaker introduced seven or eight people, but none of them was suitable.
Those girls are either ugly or have no formal jobs.
It can be said that Yan is anxious.
Yan Jiecheng has been in the locomotive depot for so long and is considered an old man, so he is not discouraged.
"Madam, don't worry, as long as the marriage is done, I will be indispensable with your matchmaking gift."
"Young man, judging from what you said, that girl is..."
< br>She also felt that the girl's full name was a bit suspicious.
Paused for a moment, pursed his lips and said: "That's my closest relative, and I don't need any matchmaking gifts. I just want to find an honest husband for that girl. In the future, please honor me." That sister.”
Is this relationship between old sisters?
It’s too much to worry about at this time. As long as I can go on a blind date with the girl, I might be able to get married next month.
Yan Jiecheng instantly felt that he was a bit over the top.
He quickly pretended to be honest and honest: "Auntie, I am the most honest. In the quadrangle and in the locomotive depot, people call me Yan Da Laoshi."
Handle-style sniffing He said, burst out laughing.
He only met Yan Jiecheng once, but he felt that this guy was much more cunning than the two workers.
The two comrades only kicked the front door in their pockets.
This guy has a big front door in his jacket pocket and a big China in his pants pocket.
Can he be an honest person?
Aunt Liu didn't seem to notice, she narrowed her eyes and said, "Since you are very honest, I will ask you about your situation first so that I can check for that girl."
There was a hint of sinisterness in the corners of her chapped lips, but Yan Jiecheng was so excited that he didn't notice it at all.
"It should be." Yan Jiecheng smiled happily and nodded quickly.
"What's your name? Where do you live? How many people are in your family."
"My name is Yan Jiecheng. I live in the courtyard of South Tongluo Lane. There are five people in my family."
"What do you do and how much is your salary?"
Yan Jiecheng hesitated for a moment and whispered: "I am the leader of the handling team of the locomotive depot. I earn 43 yuan and 50 cents per month."
>
Aunt Liu saw that he was lying, her eyes narrowed, but she did not ask further questions, and then asked: "What are you going to the capital for this time?"
"Go to the locomotive depot to repair the workshop "Is that all there is to do?"
Did this old woman hear what he and Li Aiguo said?
Impossible, there was no one else around at the time.
We Yan Jiecheng promised Li Aiguo not to tell anyone else about this.
Aunt Liu kept her eyes fixed on Yan Jiecheng, as if she noticed something, her face darkened, and her voice became colder.
"You kid is dishonest. Forget it, I think this marriage is over."
"Don't." Yan Jiecheng was anxious.
At this moment, the beautiful girl was like a piece of meat hanging on his lips.
How can I be content with eating it right away and running away?
In desperation, Yan Jiecheng said: "Driver Li also asked me to tell Minister Niu.
Ask him to investigate a man named Liu Desheng, whose original address in the capital was Maoer Hutong. Courtyard No. 15.
This matter has nothing to do with me, so I didn't say it.
Auntie, please don’t get me wrong. "
After saying the words, Yan Jiecheng regretted it a little.
But he didn't care. This is just an old lady, not a bad person. So what if she knew? !
Li Aiguo, on the other hand, likes to do those silly things all day long. Isn’t it just checking the address? There is no need to keep it secret!
Yan Jiecheng only focused on explaining and didn’t pay attention at all! Aunt Liu's hands clenched tightly.
She subconsciously gritted her teeth.
Damn it, why did the driver's eyes leak? It’s awesome!
We are hiding in such a remote place to eat glutinous rice.
Aren't you going to let us go? !
Yan Jiecheng saw Aunt Liu's angry face, and her expression was terrifyingly gloomy.
He was startled and asked in a low voice: "Auntie, auntie, what's wrong with you?"
Aunt Liu woke up with a start, and the anger on her face suddenly disappeared without a trace. .
The speed was so fast that Yan Jiecheng thought he was dazzled.
"That's it. As long as you are honest, I will help you introduce someone to you when we get to the capital."
"Really? That's great."
Yan Jiecheng was so happy that he couldn't close his mouth from ear to ear.
He felt that he was really lucky to go on this mission.
I got five pounds of wolf meat and had to go on a blind date with such a good girl.
Lucky as I am, Yan Jiecheng.
The sky was so blue, the clouds were so white, the water was so clear, and Yan Jiecheng was so happy
Suddenly.
“Ouch!”
Aunt Liu covered her stomach and shouted.
Her face was ashen and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
"Old horse, stop the car quickly, I have a stomachache."
The handlebars strangled the cart, and Aunt Liu turned over and jumped out of the cart.
"Lao Ma, Lao Cao's rice is probably not cooked this morning. I will have diarrhea now. I will go back and take some medicine before going to the capital."
"Okay. ”
I didn't pay attention to the handlebar type, just pulled up the reins and started to leave.
Yan Jiecheng was unwilling.
"Auntie, you are introducing someone to me."
"Oh, young man, what are you so anxious about? I remember your name. I will definitely bring it with me when I go to the capital next time. The eldest sister’s second aunt’s second girl’s cousin’s aunt is meeting you.”
“This”
Yan Jiecheng feels something is wrong.
Aunt Liu had already run away, ducking down, and disappeared into the grass beside the road in the blink of an eye.
"Jie Cheng, what are you whispering to that aunt about?" Zhang Tieniu looked at Aunt Liu's back and felt something was wrong.
"It's okay, let's go back quickly."
Yan Jiecheng scratched his head.
He felt that he had been deceived, but he did not understand why he was deceived.
Cheating money? He didn't lose any money either.
Cheating? That's not the case.
Can't figure it out, Yan Jiechengji suspended the task and urged:
"Uncle, let's get to the capital as soon as possible."
"Okay!"
The oxcart set off slowly.
Yan Jiecheng was able to lie down in the carriage again.
The sky is so blue, the clouds are so white, the water is so clear, Yan Jiecheng is so happy
The other side.
Today is the day to distribute hot water bottles and enamel jars to the villagers.
Li Aiguo saw off Yan Jiecheng and Zhang Tieniu, and came to the grinding yard.
I saw a middle-aged man standing next to the truck from a distance.
His hair was white from the frost, and the work cloth coat he was wearing was also damp. It looked like he had been staying here all night.
Hearing the footsteps, the middle-aged man suddenly woke up, picked up the shotgun, and shouted loudly: "Don't, don't, come here. This is a gift from the locomotive depot to us. If anyone dares to touch it, I will I will fight you hard.”
The black barrel of the shotgun was swinging in the air, making Zhang Tieniu turn blue with fear.
The reliability of this old shotgun is very poor, it is easy to misfire, and no one is afraid of being hit by the barrel.
Li Aiguo was about to rush forward and hand over his gun.
Old Village Chief Wei strode over.
Pop!
A big slap on the forehead.
Village Chief Wei said with a tigerish face: "Captain Wang, look clearly, this is a comrade from the maintenance department."
The middle-aged man just woke up now.
Rubbing his eyes, he saw Li Aiguo and Zhang Tieniu standing across from him. He quickly put away his shotgun and stood at attention: "I'm sorry, I was confused."
Old Wei Village The chief introduced Li Aiguo.
The middle-aged man is the village militia captain, named Wang Dahu, and is the village militia deputy captain.
He was a very energetic young man. His only problem was that he was born with a stutter.
I haven’t gotten married yet.
At the beginning of five years ago, a woman in her thirties appeared from nowhere. She had fair skin, was tall and thin, and was quite beautiful.
But he was willing to live in Lao Wang's house, and the two formed a family.
Village chief Lao Wei came forward to help the woman settle down in Wei Village.
Looking at the frightened Wang Dahu, Li Aiguo saluted him.
“Comrade, thank you for your hard work.”
This gift comes from the heart.
Winter is about to begin, and the weather is very cold at night, plus there was a strong wind last night.
Wang Dahu was able to stay here all night, it was really hard work.
“You’re welcome, this is what I should do.” Wang stuttered and said with a blushing face.
At this time, the sun has risen, and the villagers in the village have also rushed to receive the enamel jars and thermos bottles.
According to the regulations of the locomotive depot, only members who go to rescue can receive gifts.
In these days, industrial products were scarce, and thermos bottles and enamel jars were considered valuable furniture.
The villagers who received the gift were so happy that they couldn't help but praise the worker in the locomotive depot for his generosity.
Those who didn’t receive it could only watch with envy. (End of chapter)