At this time, many members had gathered around the entrance of the commune. At a glance, there were thousands of people.
This was the first time Wang Dakui saw such a scene. He touched Li Aiguo's arm lightly and whispered: "Brother Aiguo, with so many people, nothing will happen, right?"
< br>He brought a lot of money with him this time, which he put in a canvas bag.
"Don't worry"
Li Aiguo nodded and walked towards Chen Rongli who came up to him with a smile.
The two held their hands tightly together, and Chen Erbao introduced them.
"Uncle Chen, on the way here, I heard Erbao say that you fought against the Japanese, and it is really worth learning from us, the younger generation."
"You're welcome, we Dashi Commune was a famous fortress village back then."
Chen Rongli looked a little excited when he mentioned the past, and took Li Aiguo's hand and entered the commune.
He pointed to a pair of plaques and said.
"Back then, the Japanese invaded the village and kidnapped Erbao's third wife. All the people in our village were named Chen, and they were the same clan before liberation.
After learning the news, we all mobilized. We rushed there overnight. In the town, the two Japs were beaten to death and the Third Grandma was snatched back.”
When mentioning this matter, Chen Rongli also said with emotion: “Sometimes I don’t understand, obviously the little Japs only have one. How can two people, who are about the same size as carrots, manage a town of tens of thousands of people?"
Li Aiguo took out a cigarette from his pocket, handed one over, and lit one himself.
Along with the thick smoke, a sentence was spat out.
"The main reason is that there was a lack of a leader at the time. The train ran fast because of the front end of the car. Before liberation, those people only wanted to escape for their own lives, and how could they care about ordinary people like us."
Chen Rongli thought about it carefully and nodded: "That's really what happened."
Seeing the two of them gossiping, Chen Dabao was afraid that something would happen, so he took the opportunity of pouring tea to remind: " Party secretary, this big worker brother is here to buy bananas in our commune. Let’s see if we can talk about business first.”
“Yes, yes, Dabao is right, it’s almost noon. After we have negotiated the deal, we can eat.”
Hearing this, Li Aiguo couldn’t laugh or cry.
In order to welcome Li Aiguo and others, Dashi Commune went to great lengths to mobilize many members, which gave them enough face.
If Li Aiguo didn't buy bananas, he might not even be able to eat anything today and would be kicked out.
This old branch secretary is truly a true member of the club, both honest and cunning.
During the subsequent negotiation process, Chen Rongli demonstrated this characteristic vividly.
“Comrade, according to regulations, we cannot sell bananas to private individuals. Of course, when we harvest bananas in our banana fields, we will put them on the ground.
Thieves They will steal all the bananas. We are all busy in the banana fields and we will definitely not be able to find them.
Sometimes, the more daring thieves will even steal the flatbed truck filled with bananas.
Tell me, why are those donkeys so stupid? Why don’t they know how to bark?”
After saying that, Chen Rongli winked at Li Aiguo.
Good guys, in order to avoid taking responsibility, this old party secretary wants us to be thieves.
"No need to go to such trouble."
Li Aiguo took out a piece of material from the canvas bag and placed it on the table.
“Zhishu Chen, we are from the Nantongluo Lane scrap shop branch in Shiqiao market. This is the branch’s industrial and commercial registration certificate, market access certificate, and tax registration certificate.
You Look, it’s stated on these certificates that our transaction is a small collective enterprise.”
“Small group?”
Chen Rongli looked a little moved. He picked up the materials and studied them for a while, then nodded and said, "Since it's a collective relationship, it's easy to handle. I can openly organize the members to use donkey carts to help you deliver bananas to the Shiqiao branch."
"Brother Ming is settling the accounts. The situation in our commune is not good now. You need to use cash and national food stamps to buy bananas."
Li Aiguo winked at Wang Dakui, and Wang Dakui opened the canvas bag. Inside were stacks of neatly wrapped banknotes.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became quiet. Several commune leaders stared directly at the canvas bag, breathing rapidly, and their Adam's apple couldn't help shaking.
They have never seen so much money in their lives.
This is hundreds of dollars, and people from the capital are really brave to carry it with them like this.
They are not afraid either.
Li Aiguo pretended to lift his clothes accidentally, and the black pistol came into everyone's eyes.
Everyone woke up instantly as if a basin of cold water had been poured on them.
Not long after liberation, in those barbaric places, the folk customs were fierce and the custom of shooting black guns and throwing black sticks was maintained.
How could someone travel all over the country without having anything to rely on?
"What are you looking at? There is nothing like it!"
Chen Rongli scolded them with a tigerish face, turned to look at Li Aiguo and sneered: "Patriotic comrade, people in small places are ignorant, you Be patient. It’s just that you have to be careful with so much money.”
Wang Dakui interjected: “Party secretary, you may not know this patriotic comrade, but he was sent to the fence this year. That’s enough for seven or eight people.”
Arrest people? Who is this person? Chen Rongli couldn't figure it out, but he didn't want to figure it out.
"Comrade Patriot, you have already expressed your sincerity. When doing business, you have to negotiate the price."
When the price came next, a trace of embarrassment appeared on Chen Rongli's face, and he rubbed his old hands covered with cracks.
"The current market price of bananas is one cent and a half. To be honest with you, this thing has a price but no market.
You can't sell it at this price. If you want it for fifteen cents, If it’s a ton, I’m willing to sell it to you at a penny a pound.”
Chen Rongli has already calculated it.
If you sell it for one penny per pound, the income from each acre of banana field may be 10% higher than that of growing crops such as rice, which is already very cost-effective.
Li Aiguo waved his hand: "That's not necessary, let's go with the price of one cent and five cents."
"???" Chen Rongli's eyes widened suddenly, a little unbelievable.
He has only seen others raise prices when buying things, but has never encountered anyone who raised prices in the opposite direction.
Wang Dakui did not expect that Li Aiguo would perform such a magical maneuver, so he quietly pulled Li Aiguo's arm and whispered something into his ear.
"Brother Patriot, there are fifteen tons of bananas. The price difference of 5% means we will earn a full one hundred and fifty yuan less."
Li Aiguo ignored him, looked at Chen Rongli and continued: "We are willing to buy it. Buy fifteen tons of bananas for one cent and a half."
As soon as these words came out.
Chen Rongli's expression was a little moved.
When bananas were sold in the past, those in the city only bought ten or eight pounds of bananas, and they had to grab a few bananas as extras.
Businessmen from the capital buy more than ten tons at a time but do not lower the price. This person is too open-minded in his work.
Chen Rongli hesitated for a moment, stood up and took Li Aiguo's hand and said: "Comrade Patriot, let Dabao take you to the experimental field in the west to choose bananas. Erbao will give you whichever one you like. Which one do you want to cut?”
It’s not that Li Aiguo doesn’t make money, it’s just that he can make some money and cannot.
For him, more than one hundred yuan is just a month's salary, but for these members, it may be able to support several families.
Also.
If prices are kept low, these members will not be able to make money. They may not grow bananas next year, and their banana business will be interrupted.
For the price difference of more than 100 yuan, you may have to lose thousands of yuan. That is picking up sesame seeds and losing watermelons.
Dashi Commune made a good deal and it will last at least two more months. Chen Rongli was in a very good mood and called the warehouse keeper over.
"Go to the warehouse immediately, get ten kilograms of rice, and get some shantz and yellow dog heads. By the way, remember to dig two spoons of lard, we are celebrating the New Year today."
"Party secretary, there are only more than a hundred kilograms of rice left in the warehouse. Some members can no longer bear it. Should we save some food?"
The warehouse keeper touched the brass hanging on his waist. Key, he reminded carefully.
"Go if you are told. Why are there so many problems!" Chen Rongli waved his hand: "These guests from the capital are the great saviors of our commune!"
Warehouse keeper He was a stubborn old man. Even though the party secretary explained, he still stood there without moving.
Finally, Chen Dabao said with a smile: "Third uncle, don't worry, after selling the bananas, we can buy several thousand kilograms of rice from the city!"
The stubborn old man was silent now He turned his head and left the house.
Chen Rongli seemed to remember something, and told Chen Erbao: "The guys in the commune around here are very smart. You should immediately bring a few militiamen to guard the road."
"Yes!" Chen Erbao hurriedly received the order. left.
A few people chatted for a while, and people from the commune came to inform them about dinner.
“Comrade Patriot, the conditions in our commune are simple. You will have a simple meal here. In the afternoon, I will ask Dabao to take you to the banana field to select bananas.”
“Then I’m sorry. "
Following Party Secretary Chen out of the house, Li Aiguo discovered that there are two canteens in Dashi Commune, the south canteen and the north canteen, separated by a yard and a small shed in the yard.
The South Canteen is a small stove, and the North Canteen is where members eat.
At this time, the members were already holding bowls and gathered under the small shed.
Li Aiguo couldn't figure out what was in the bowl. It was probably some kind of gruel mixed with grains, a clear soup with little water, and a few vegetable leaves floating on it, which could be used as a mirror.
“Comrade patriots, come and eat.”
Secretary Chen brought several bowls of dry rice and handed them to Li Aiguo and others. Each of them also received a golden pancake.
Dry rice is salty dry rice with added lard.
When the commune members smelled the aroma wafting over, they said: "The dry rice smells so good, it smells so good."
"The lard smells so good, it smells so good."
"The butter pancakes are so fragrant, so fragrant."
The commune chef's skills are good, the dry rice is salty and light, and coupled with the crisp wild vegetables, it tastes very refreshing.
The butter pancakes are soft and hard, and taste delicious.
Li Aiguo found it a bit hard to swallow. But he still managed to swallow all the food in his stomach.
After eating, he had to transport the bananas away and exchange them for rice, so that these commune members could also eat rice.
At this moment, four or five members in coats suddenly jumped in from outside.
They all held enamel bowls in their hands, their clothes were in tatters, and their hair was messy. If they were in a martial arts novel, Li Aiguo would definitely think that they were descendants of the beggar gang.
These people were overjoyed when they saw Li Aiguo and others eating rice.
One of the chubby guys seemed to be taking the lead.
He handed the enamel bowl to Chen Rongli and laughed loudly: "Zhishu Chen, isn't this just a coincidence? Your commune eats rice. Hurry up and serve us rice. Don't want those thin soups with little water. ."
Chen Rongli's expression suddenly turned cold: "Fat boy, there's only so much rice. I've finished all of it, and only the Xicai porridge is left. If you want to eat it, I'll ask the cook to serve it to you. ."
"Xicai porridge? You sent the beggar away! We traveled four or five miles to your commune just to drink Xicai porridge?"
The fat boy said As he spoke, a hint of cunning appeared on his face.
While Chen Rongli was not paying attention, he bypassed him and strode into the cafeteria.
“What a bad luck, I ate them all.”
Seeing that there wasn't even a grain of rice in the big black pot, Fatty walked out angrily carrying an enamel bowl.
The few members he brought with him gathered around and asked, "Fat boy, what should we do now? Do you want to drink Xicai porridge?"
"Drink, drink, look. Am I the one who drinks that stuff?”
The fat guy’s face trembled, he glared at them fiercely, turned around and was about to leave.
When he passed by the small courtyard, he rolled his eyes, stopped and looked at the members of Dashi Commune.
"Let me tell you, some people eat white rice, but you drink watery soup and water. We are all from the same commune. This is inequality. Can you bear it?"
This It's just sowing discord.
The members stood up holding on to the table and said with a smile: "Fat boy, we are willing to drink thin soup, do you care?
If you have time, I'd better think of you. The members of the commune can’t even afford Xicai porridge.
Yesterday I met Pomegranate from your commune. He seemed to have been hungry for two days. Your father must have gone too far.”
As soon as these words came out, Fatty's face suddenly darkened.
He did not expect that these members would defend Chen Rongli so much.
“Let’s go!”
Fat boy stomped his feet and left with a few members.
Chen Rongli watched his back disappear at the entrance of the commune and smiled awkwardly: "Comrade Patriot, I made you laugh."
This group of people seemed to have come specifically to beg for food. But his attitude is very tough. Have all those who beg for food become uncles now?
Li Aiguo asked doubtfully: "Zhishu Chen, it seems that the fat guy is not a member of your commune. How can he bring people to the commune to eat?"
The momentum the fat guy showed just now seemed like It was like Dashi Commune should treat him to a meal.
Zhou Ke and Wang Dakui were also full at this time. They put down their bowls and chopsticks and looked at Chen Rongli.
When mentioning this matter, Chen Rongli showed a hint of helplessness on his face, sighed and said: "
You guessed it right. The man just now was nicknamed Fat Boy, and he was the eldest son of the Zhou branch secretary of Liema Commune next door.
You are from the north and may not understand the rules here.
Since we were promoted from a mutual aid group to a high-level commune, the commune has uniformly issued meal tickets, and members can use their meal tickets to eat in various canteens.
When commune members go out, they can also take the meal tickets issued by the commune to eat in the canteens of other communes. They can eat wherever they go, wipe their mouths after eating and leave.
In order to facilitate commune members' dining, some places even opened "flowing seats" to entertain members of other communes. "
The communes in the south are more advanced than the communes in the north!
Li Aiguo nodded: "It's almost the same as the Five Pecks of Rice Road and the Zhiyishe. It's just that there is so much food in the commune. "
Chen Rongli looked up at Li Aiguo and nodded: "Comrade, you are right, our commune's grain reserves are actually quite large.
But we couldn’t afford to eat like this, so four or five commune members came to eat with meal tickets.
Within a few months, the dilemma of eating rice in the last month and grain in the Mao year soon appeared.
Later, I had to change "three meals a day of dry rice" to "mixed gruel and grains".
Fat Boy and the others no longer come to our commune for meals. "
He paused for a moment, and then said: "Today I had a meal. In order to prevent people from other communes from knowing, I specially sent Erbao to guard the road. Unexpectedly, the fat boy slipped in." "
Being able to bypass the militiamen guarding the road, this fat boy is a talented person to be a Dieter.
Li Aiguo was a little surprised at first, but soon understood.
There are constant intermarriages between communes and villages. Although there are two communes, the members are actually related. It is normal for Fatty to know the news and sneak in.
A rush of footsteps came from outside. Come.
Chen Erbao ran in with a few members.
“Secretary, is that guy Fatty here? Sorry, I didn't keep the road. "
"It's not your fault. Erbao, eat some food quickly, and then take the patriotic comrades and others to the banana field to pick bananas. ”
Chen Erbao and several members remembered to sell bananas. After drinking a bowl of Xicai porridge, they took Li Aiguo and others out of the village and went straight to the experimental banana field.
At this time, Fatty took several members of Liema Commune and rushed to Liema Commune under the bright sun.
He held dogtail grass in his mouth, opened his coat, and fanned himself from time to time. Feng was in a very depressed mood.
I ran four or five miles today and was almost caught by Chen Erbao. In the end, I didn't even get a mouthful of rice. It was really a big loss.
A commune member said angrily: "Old Chen is too stingy. These people are from the capital, and he only makes one bowl of rice for each of them."
"Old man Chen Tou is a stingy guy. When we first visited the commune, the food in Dashi commune was the worst." Another commune member agreed.
Hearing what the two of them said, Fatty suddenly stopped and asked a question.
"Since Old Chen is so stingy, why do he make rice for the merchants in the capital?"
As soon as these words came out, the members were stunned.
Seeing the cute look on his little brother's face, Fatty turned his head and looked at the banana field next to him.
"I heard from my aunt that Dashi Commune has not eaten rice for half a year. Even when Chen Dabao got married, he used rice porridge to deal with it."
"Old Chen was willing to spend so much rice. With such a large sum of money, these people from the capital must have extraordinary status. Maybe they are here to collect bananas?"
Thinking of this, Fatty suddenly became excited.
They, Liema Commune, also planted a lot of bananas, which were about to ripen but could not be sold.
If he really finds a sales channel, maybe he can take over from his father and serve as the next branch secretary.
At this time, several figures appeared in the distance, and they were clearly those people from the capital, accompanied by Chen Dabao and Chen Erbao.
Chen Dabao is the production captain of Dashi Commune. Because he is capable and fair, he is also Chen Rongli's nephew.
Everyone in Dashi Commune believes that once Chen Rongli quits, Chen Dabao will definitely take over.
Seeing how respectful Chen Dabao was to these people, Fatty felt a little more confident.
He quietly slipped into the banana field with a few members, following Li Aiguo and others at a distance.
A bamboo shed was built on a dam in the banana field.
The shed was built very high, one meter above the ground, and a bamboo bed was hung with hemp ropes. Member Chen Ermao was sitting on the bamboo bed.
Hearing the sound of footsteps, he picked up the shotgun and got off the bed, standing on the ground with bare feet, the black muzzle of the gun followed nervous eyes, wandering back and forth among the dense bananas.
"Are you there? It's a banana."
"It's me, uncle, I'm Dabao. Put down the gun, don't let it go and hurt someone."
Listen Hearing Dabao's voice, Chen Ermao put down his shotgun.
Li Aiguo also breathed a sigh of relief. The old shotgun looked like it was old and might have misfired.
Chen Ermao saw Li Aiguo and the others, his eyes were scrutinizing, and asked: "Who is this boy?"
Chen Erbao stepped forward and pointed at Li Aiguo and the others. He introduced: "They are merchants from the capital, and they came to us specifically to buy bananas. The branch secretary asked us to chop the bananas in this field."
"But these bananas are going to be exported to Lao Maozi." Chen Ermao Frowning, "In order to grow bananas in this field, we specially invited teachers from the agricultural technology station to teach us."
Chen Dabao lowered his voice: "Uncle, don't you know? News came from the county that Lao Maozi's order was canceled this year. In order to prevent the members from panic, the party secretary did not spread the news."
"I took it away from my mother and ate shit!" Chen Ermao was furious when he heard this.
No wonder the commune sends people out to buy bananas every day these days. It turns out that Lao Maozi regretted it.
Chen Ermao was frightened for a while.
If there were no merchants from the capital, the bananas in this banana field might rot in the ground.
Chen Ermao suddenly became enthusiastic.
Shaking Li Aiguo’s calloused hands, he said in half-baked Mandarin: “Welcome, welcome, the early bananas in our banana field are the best Gaozhou short-footed bananas in the province. Escape bananas are of very good quality and are very convenient for long-distance transportation. ”
Gaozhou Dwarf Escape Bananas? ?
Li Aiguo turned around and saw that surrounded by banana trees, banana fruits hung down like strings of green wind chimes. Their skin is smooth and plump, with a light fruity aroma.
Compared with ordinary bananas, Gaozhou dwarf bananas have more small and larger fruits, and the banana fruits look very strong. .
On the train not long ago, Li Aiguo had a chat with an old farmer expert who sent corn sticks to the Institute of Agricultural Sciences.
I learned that the improved variety of Gaozhou dwarf bananas had been sold at home and abroad.
It’s just that short-footed buds require a high level of planting technology, fertile land, and average yields, so they haven’t been vigorously promoted.
Li Aiguo had doubts at the beginning as to why his superiors would ignore the actual situation and ask the members to change their farmland into banana fields.
It seems that the real reason is for Lao Maozi's order.
Who knew that Lao Maozi’s order would be cancelled, and Dashi Commune would suffer a big loss. (End of this chapter)