noon.
The sky that had been gloomy for several days finally cleared up.
The warm sun shines on the earth in winter, and the air is filled with genial warmth.
At the entrance of the hutong and on the roadside, there are many uncles and aunties squatting to keep themselves warm.
The old men clicked their pipes.
The aunt opened the hair of the little girl to catch fleas.
Catching fleas is also a technical job. It feels like holding the flea down, like twisting a rope. The fingers holding the flea must be rubbed back and forth on the skin through the cloth.
Even if you are sure that you have broken off the flea's arms and legs or even killed it, don't let go yet.
Reach out the fleas with your other hand and pinch them out with your thumb and index finger.
Once a flea is caught, the aunts will always pinch it with their nails.
There were constant "snap" sounds in the crowd.
It really relieved my hatred, and my body was no longer itchy.
The first aunt and the second aunt are workers’ families and rarely appear among this group of people.
But the two of them stood nearby today, looking into the distance.
Today Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong went to the countryside to buy chickens and ducks. For some reason, they were always on tenterhooks and felt something was wrong.
At this time, a melodious sound of bells came from the distance, and the old ox cart swayed towards this side.
The appearance of the ox cart immediately attracted the attention of those people.
After all, ox carts are as important a means of transportation as buses in these days.
“Whose family is this coming back from the countryside?”
“I haven’t heard that anyone in our compound has returned to his hometown recently.”
The aunt who had been looking for traces of the donkey riding backwards looked at the bullock cart and suddenly rubbed her eyes.
"Hai Zhong's family, look, is your Hai Zhong and my Lao Yi on the ox cart?"
The second aunt stood up and took a look. Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong were sitting separately. On both sides of the bullock cart.
But for some unknown reason, both of them put on the attire of a commune member, wearing coarse cloth clothes and a rag strip tied around their waists.
"What's wrong with them?"
The second aunt was very smart and said in a low voice: "You are stupid. They go to the countryside to collect chickens and ducks. In order to avoid being noticed, they must disguise themselves. Dress up.
Look, my Hai Zhong’s disguise is too similar, but the clothes are a little too small and the clothes are bursting with my belly.”
While the two were talking, the ox cart had already arrived at the entrance of the courtyard. .
Wang Zhuba took up the position of handlebar, pulled the reins, and the ox cart slowly stopped.
Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong got off the bullock cart and stretched out their hands to shake hands with Wang Stuttering warmly.
"Comrade members, thank you so much for sending us back."
"You're welcome, we members and you workers are one family."
Wang Jie pulled the reins , the old scalper got up with all four hooves, he shouted goodbye, and then the bullock cart ran away in a hurry.
“Goodbye.” Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong raised their hands together.
They waited until the bullock cart was no longer in sight before they put their hands down.
The smiles on their faces suddenly disappeared without a trace, replaced by bitterness.
The second aunt came up and said: "This member of the commune is so weird. He has sent you back dozens of miles away."
The first aunt also said: "Yes, look. Look at how simple that young man was."
"Yes, they are really good. It would be better if they didn't buckle our donkeys and take off our work clothes." Yi Zhonghai gritted his teeth and said.
Liu Haizhong added: "And my copper buckle belt."
Second aunt: "."
First aunt: "."
Liu Guangfu: "^_^!"
First aunt and second aunt realized that Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong A trip to the countryside may have gone awry for two.
Concerned that there were many people watching and it was inconvenient to explain, he immediately brought the two of them into the courtyard.
The third uncle was still squatting at the door collecting cardboards. Seeing the two people's embarrassed expressions, he almost laughed out loud.
"First Master, Second Master, you must have collected a lot of chickens and ducks, you even sold your clothes!"
Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong almost spat out blood.
But there is no way to explain it.
So embarrassing.
Yi Zhonghai: "Ahem, it's a long story."
"Don't worry, I don't have classes today, I have time to listen to you."
Yi Zhonghai: ". "
When the aunt saw Yi Zhonghai's face turn red, she rolled her eyes and took Yi Zhonghai away on the grounds that Yi Zhonghai had not taken medicine yet.
Liu Haizhong claimed that he wanted to eat and staggered away.
Looking at the backs of the two men, the third uncle laughed so hard that his world turned upside down.
At first, Yan Jiecheng suffered a big loss because he went to the countryside to collect chickens and ducks, which became the third uncle's heartache.
When has the Yan family ever suffered a loss?
It’s okay now, Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong are also in trouble.
Nothing would make the third uncle happier than seeing others similarly unlucky.
Liu Haizhong did not go home directly, but came to Yi Zhonghai's house.
The aunt helped the two of them pour tea.
He asked anxiously: "Old man, what happened? Did you guys hook up with a rural girl? You were caught and even your clothes were taken away."
“What nonsense are you talking about!”
Yi Zhonghai drank the tea in one breath and finally recovered.
Without wiping off the tea on his beard, he let out a long sigh and said, "We met Li Aiguo!"
This inexplicable sentence made both the first and second aunts confused. Asked again.
It has become obvious.
The two of them must have been taken care of by Li Aiguo.
"Old Yi, our defeat to Li Aiguo is not a shame. He is now the best train driver in the country"
The second aunt also said: "Old Liu, although you are a sixth-level worker, your salary is not as high as that of Li Aiguo."
Yi Zhonghai waved his hand to interrupt the first aunt: "Old lady, you have misunderstood. This time We want to thank Li Aiguo."
Liu Haizhong nodded: "We should really thank Li Aiguo."
First aunt: "."
Second aunt: "."
Everyone knows that Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong don't deal with Li Aiguo.
How could the two of them thank Li Aiguo now?
If little animals in the New World were not allowed to become spirits, the two of them would have suspected that they were deceived by the vixen.
"Old man, what's going on?" The eldest mother also became interested.
Yi Zhonghai took another sip of tea, and then slowly told the whole story.
Originally, after the two were caught, they were sent to the town police station by the commune on the pretext of robbery.
The rope has been tied.
Wang Stuttering also brought the ox cart.
Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong were thrown onto the bullock cart by the militiamen.
Seeing that they were about to squat on a fence and be fired from the steel rolling mill, the two of them almost cried.
At this time Li Aiguo came forward to plead for the two of them.
Village Chief Wei said that as long as the two apologized and were willing to compensate the commune, the commune would not care about it.
People are Daozu (zǔ), and I am fish and meat.
The two agreed hurriedly.
It’s just that Liu Haizhong and Yi Zhonghai originally planned to take the members to the steel rolling mill to trade after negotiating the price.
What he was doing was a bare-handed business, and he had no money or food stamps at all.
At Li Aiguo's suggestion, the two of them kept the donkey and its clothes in the commune.
Li Aiguo kindly helped them find a bullock cart and sent them back for free.
"Old lady, do you think I should thank Li Aiguo this time?" Yi Zhonghai said, patting the table.
The first aunt and the second aunt both looked strange.
But seeing Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong both looking grateful, they nodded hurriedly.
After Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong agreed on the time to go to the commune to pay the fine immediately, Liu Haizhong took the second aunt and left Yi Zhonghai's house.
The house door is closed.
Blocked the sunlight outside.
Auntie quickly grabbed Yi Zhonghai's arm and said in a low voice: "Old man, you have been fooled. Li Aiguo is obviously on the side of the commune and deliberately exploiting you. Are you still grateful to him?"
< br>
"Do you think I'm a fool?" Yi Zhonghai said proudly: "There's something I didn't tell you just now. This time we were fined 70 yuan. Li Aiguo secretly told me that in fact, we only need to pay 50 yuan to the commune. That's enough.
In other words, if I hide Liu Haizhong, I only need to pay fifteen yuan."
"I know Li Aiguo has bad intentions, but if I scolded him just now. Li Aiguo’s words will be suspected by Liu Haizhong.”
Aunt’s head was buzzing, and it took her a while to figure out what was going on.
She muttered in a low voice: "This is really weird. You were clearly taken care of by Li Aiguo, and now you have to praise Li Aiguo."
The proud smile on his face solidified, and Yi Zhonghai was stunned. on the chair.
Being bullied and having to say good things about others, Yi Zhonghai felt as if he was being played.
However, he was like a little daughter-in-law, unable to resist at all when faced with a big man.
After being punished, I still have to praise him for his physical strength!
What is this?
Yi Zhonghai felt a sense of powerlessness in his heart.
The other side.
After the second aunt and Liu Haizhong returned home, they immediately closed the door and expressed their doubts.
"Old man, you were deceived by Li Aiguo. I think he is on the same side as Weicun Commune."
"Do I know?" Liu Haizhong said proudly: "Just now I There's something I didn't tell you. This time we were fined 70 yuan. Li Aiguo secretly told me that it was enough to pay 50 yuan to the commune.
In other words, if I kept it secret. As for Yi Zhonghai.
Yi Zhonghai needs to pay 35 yuan, I only need to pay 15 yuan.
I am willing to be a fool. "
The second aunt’s head was buzzing.
I thought about it for a while but couldn’t figure it out.
But since Liu Haizhong thinks it’s a good deal, he definitely won’t suffer.
"Hai Zhong, you are so good at scheming."
"That's right, don't think that we are the only three masters in our compound who can do scheming. I am actually very good at it too!"
< br>Liu Haizhong saved twenty yuan and was in a good mood. He drank two glasses of wine in a row.
At this time, the door opened.
I saw Liu Guangfu standing at the door, hesitating for a moment, then jumping in with his feet together.
"Good boy, how dare you enter the house with both feet at the same time, look at me I won't clean up today." Liu Haizhong wanted to pull out the copper buckle belt, but found that the belt had also been buckled, and could only pull out a piece of cloth. .
Liu Guangfu: "^_^!"
Liu Haizhong picked up the fire tongs.
Liu Guangfu: "(灁灁)!"
Yi Zhonghai felt that he had saved twenty yuan, and Liu Haizhong also felt that he had saved twenty yuan. In order to avoid being discovered by the other party, the two rested at home for a while, and rushed towards Wei Zhuang with the money.
At this time, Li Aiguo was chatting with village chief Wei, the militia captain and Zhang Stammer in the commune.
Although the commune had a big meal this year, the work point system from superiors was strictly implemented, so the motivation of the members was not affected.
Zhou Ke asked curiously: "Village chief, why did I hear that after the commune, everyone can eat from the same big pot? Who will work hard if they don't work?" Ah?”
Li Aiguo was also curious: “Uncle Wei, what’s going on with your so-called work point system?” Village Chief Wei clicked on the pot and pointed at Accountant Zhang and said, “Old Zhang , you tell them.”
Accountant Zhang is calculating work points for a employee at this time.
On the table were a kerosene lamp with blackened glass, an old abacus with broken beams and beads, a stack of account books and a pen.
He was an old accountant. He looked at the account books and moved the abacus pillars loudly without delaying in talking.
“It’s all a misunderstanding of outsiders.
In accordance with the policy of our superiors, we implement a work-point system.
Each work point is equal to money or food.
The basic rations for eating in a big pot are evenly distributed according to a person’s gender and age.
However, basic rations cannot be given for free.
It must be calculated according to the benchmark price, and the difference between the basic food given to your family and your family's work points must be calculated.
If your work points are too few at the end of the year, you will owe the commune money.
So, there is a saying circulating in the commune: [A big pot of rice is not a big pot, work points, work points, are the lifeblood of commune members]"
Accountant Zhang Luo Li explained a lot of things, Li Aiguo also understood.
The commune members owed the commune rations for eating.
Only by working in the commune and receiving work points could they repay the rations.
The work in the commune was divided into serious and heavy tasks, and the work points for each work were also different.
Heavy work such as plowing and plowing has a high work score.
Light jobs such as collecting firewood and herding sheep have low work points.
Even for the sake of diligence and frugality, in the commune, in addition to the individual labor share, each household also has a fertilizer share share.
A basket of grass ash can be counted as one work point, and a hundred pounds of manure can be counted as ten work points.
Picking up excrement has become a hot topic.
It’s just that there are only so many big animals in the village. If you get up late, you won’t even be able to pick up the dung.
Zhou Ke raised a question: "Since work points are so important, if someone is seeking favoritism, what should we do if we record a few more work points?"
The member who had just calculated the work points heard this and said, "Pfft!" Laughing out loud: "Comrade workers, do you really think that our commune members are fools?
Everyone works together. Whoever works actively and who likes to be lazy, everyone will do it." It's clear. How dare the scorekeeper keep the records randomly?
At the end of the year, these accounts will be announced at the general meeting. If the members find out, they will have to pull off his pants and hang him to a big tree outside. "
Zhou Kedao: "Has anyone really been hanged? "
The member said: "Accountant Chen from the commune next door gave his brother-in-law a few extra points. He was picked out two days ago and hung on a tree. He hasn't put it down yet. Woolen cloth. "
Hiss. Li Aiguo took a breath.
These commune members are very brave.
But when I think about it, I feel relieved. This year has just been liberated. The members finally stood up and became the masters, how could they be oppressed by those monsters again?
While chatting, there was a shout from outside
"Village Chief, Driver Li, those two. A worker from the capital came to redeem his clothes and ride a donkey upside down. "
I heard that Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong obediently handed over the money to the commune.
Zhou Ke couldn't help but give a thumbs up to Li Aiguo in his heart.
He knew very well how difficult workers like Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong were in Beijing.
In order to prevent the two of them from going to the town or even the capital to complain, Zhou Ke suggested that they be let go.
As a result, he was stopped by Li Aiguo.
Then Li Aiguo came up with a little idea.
Zhou Ke still didn’t believe it. Just because they spent twenty yuan less, they were willing to pay the fine?
Looking at Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong looking sneaky but urgent, Zhou Ke felt that he had underestimated the ugliness of human nature.
In order to take advantage of each other, these two people are willing to sacrifice their own interests
As expected, as long as they are not the most unlucky, they can accept it.
"Old Yi, I think we should give the money to the village chief privately. Maybe others will try to steal the money!"
"Oh, Master, you should consider it Be thoughtful.”
Yi Zhonghai originally thought about how to avoid Liu Haizhong and hand over the money, but who knew that Liu Haizhong had the same idea.
Both of them felt that they had deceived each other, and when they paid the money, they no longer felt any pain in their bodies.
The two handed the money to Village Chief Lao Wei respectively, saying that they would definitely change their ways in the future and never "rob" members again.
"If you know your mistakes, correct them. You are still a good comrade. You are welcome to come to our commune as guests in the future."
After collecting the money, Village Chief Wei called Wang Stuttering and brought Yi Zhonghai and The bangs and clothes were returned.
“Comrade members, thank you so much. When you visit the capital in the future, remember to visit your home.”
The two parties are very harmonious. Anyone who sees it will feel that it is a collaboration between workers and members. model.
Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong changed their clothes, got on the donkeys and left the commune.
Wang Stuttered and offered to send the two of them out of the village. The two turned pale with fright and quickly refused.
The sun was shining brightly. Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong left the village and said something in unison.
"Oh, we lost a lot this time, we lost thirty-five yuan!"
Seeing the other person's sad look, both of them felt happy in their hearts.
In the commune, Village Chief Wei was very happy when he got the money.
With this money, the commune can pay the substitute teachers.
Those kids can also read and write, so they won’t be blind in the future.
Li Aiguo is also in a good mood.
Everyone is happy, that is really happy!
At this time, the members of Weizhuang Commune had learned that Li Aiguo had come to purchase supplies in person, and they brought out all the chickens and ducks they had secretly raised.
The members lined up in the mill, and Village Chief Wei asked the accountant to help with the accounting.
Li Aiguo, the buyer, was free for a while.
He saw Dabao's children playing nearby and waved to them: "Dabao, come here!"
"It's the driver uncle." Dabao, Zhaodi and Niandi ran with a dozen children come over.
Li Aiguo took out a few tomatoes from his pocket and handed them over.
“Uncle driver, are there tomatoes in winter?” Dabao’s eyes widened in shock.
Li Aiguo squatted down, rubbed his head and said, "This was grown in a greenhouse."
"Greenhouse. Uncle, when I grow up, study hard and become a doctor." If you have a scientist, you have to build a lot of greenhouses." Dabao took the tomato, sipped it carefully, and then handed it to Zhaodi.
It was the first time for those children to eat tomatoes in winter, and they were all so excited that they almost jumped.
"Patriot, you are too spoiled to them." Village Chief Wei saw this scene and walked over and said.
Although he has never seen tomatoes in winter, he also knows that they must be valuable.
"Uncle, you farm the land and build canals. Isn't it for these children that we, the train drivers, drive the trains.
Maybe when they grow up, they can eat winter tomatoes at any time. "
"This is too sinful, I can't even think about it." Village Chief Wei denied it, but his eyes were full of hope.
Every time this driver from the city came to the commune, The two of them always chat for a while.
The train driver is a nice guy, but he likes to daydream.
In the future, people will like to eat lean meat and fat meat.
Is this possible? What a sin.
Everyone can take a car or a big iron bird when they go out.
It’s just a dream. Dreaming.
Village Chief Wei’s dream in this life is just to be able to eat white flour steamed buns every day.
Because the members were very active, Li Aiguo completed it in less than an hour. Acquisition tasks.
Zhou Ke's Gas Jeep turned into a small truck, with all the chickens and ducks loaded in the back.
Li Aiguo handed over the money and food stamps prepared in advance to the village chief Lao Wei according to the quantity.
"Uncle Wei, this time the money is less and the food stamps are relatively more. Please bear with me."
"We are a family, why are you saying this!" Old Wei The village chief put the money and food stamps into his pocket.
Li Aiguo took out another bag of "detained candies" and handed them to Village Chief Wei.
Looking at the four or five kilograms of candies, Village Chief Wei’s expression changed, and he wanted to wave his hand and refuse.
"Uncle Wei, this candy was confiscated from our railway. It does not cost me any personal money, it is considered as activity funds. The Chinese New Year is coming soon, let the children be happy."
Hearing this , Village Chief Lao Wei accepted it.
"Aiguo, don't worry. If you need anything in the future, just ask."
The members all looked at Li Aiguo gratefully.
If it had been anyone else, he would have hid the "activity funds" secretly. This bag of candies would be worth several dollars.
It was almost evening at this time, and Li Aiguo and Zhou Ke left Weicun Commune in a jeep under the eyes of the commune members.
After Village Chief Wei returned to the commune, he called a few trusted leaders and placed food stamps on the table.
Zhang Stuttered looked at those food stamps and said in surprise: "Village, village chief, are you confused that these food stamps are fake?"
"Pa" As soon as he finished speaking, he was hit. The militia captain slapped him, "How could Driver Li give us fake food stamps!"
"What's going on? I called us all here, something must be wrong." Zhang stammered, aggrieved. Covering his head, he was about to give half a piece of tomato to his wife to send home.
Village Chief Wei put down his pipe and pot, pointed at the food stamps and said: "The food stamps this time are all local food stamps."
The accountant looked at the food stamps for a moment and said : "Local food stamps have a time limit. Once they expire, they will be invalid. Is it difficult for Driver Li to ask us to exchange these food stamps for grain immediately?"
Weicun has had good weather this year, and the warehouses are stacked with Full of food, according to the commune's plan, they are going to convert the food stamps into money to buy some industrial products.
Zhang stuttered and frowned: "Village, village chief, are you too worried? Maybe it's because someone happened to have local food stamps, so they sent them to us."
The accountant said: "No. In the past, patriotic comrades knew that we were short of money, so every time we made a transaction, we would always give us more money.
Even if we give food stamps, we will also give food stamps to the whole country. If there is oil, we can take advantage.”
The leaders in the commune can’t figure out why Li Aiguo wants them to buy grain when there is obviously food in the commune. Judging from the situation this year, there may be a bumper harvest next year. Woolen cloth.
Village Chief Wei pondered for a moment and said: "No matter what, just follow the ideas of patriotic comrades."
Zhang stuttered, you and the militia captain will go to the city tomorrow to collect food stamps All replaced by grain.
I asked the production team to use the shacks on the east side as granaries.”
The commune leaders nodded.
They all came from before liberation, and they know the truth of not panicking when you have food in hand.
Messages always have a lag.
Although there will be no natural disasters next year.
But food has become scarce, and it is no longer possible for city dwellers to stock up on food.
Weicun purchased a batch of grain in advance and stored it in the warehouse. That grain may be able to save many people by then.
Although Li Aiguo cannot stop the general trend, he still has to protect his relatives and friends and do what he can.
The locomotive depot has a special status and will not be seriously affected, but life will not be easy when the time comes.
Maybe I should prepare myself early.
Do you want to dig a cellar?
Li Aiguo thought about these things and returned to the maintenance section.
Hand the purchased chickens and ducks to the logistics department, and then go to Duan Zhang Xing to hand in the task.
"Okay, it will be done in one day, Patriot, if we have a few more capable train drivers like you in our locomotive depot, I won't have to worry."
Xing Duanchang stretched out his hand He shook hands with Li Aiguo heavily.
"This is what I should do."
It was already after get off work time. Li Aiguo was about to leave when Duan Chang Xing suddenly called him.
"Patriot, there is a meeting tomorrow, you have to attend it."
"Meeting?"
"The apprentice workers in our maintenance workshop have developed a Equipment to prevent drivers from dozing off. As you know, the issue of driver slackness is taken very seriously in this section. So I thought of bringing it to the seminar for discussion, if the equipment is useful and comrades have no objections. , will be promoted throughout the entire section as soon as possible.”
Li Aiguo’s eyes widened suddenly.
Did Zhu Deqing develop the equipment so quickly?
What the hell has this guy developed?
(End of this chapter)