Chapter 107 Oil Coupons and Isatis Root
When Wang Mengde asked him if he wanted to be an advanced and model worker in the city this year.

Qian Dayong was stunned for a moment, but quickly reacted.

Then he asked excitedly: "Meng De, of course I am willing to be an advanced and model soldier. Is there any good thing that you want to take me with you?"

He knew that Wang Mengde was definitely not talking nonsense or joking, he must be sure of what he said to him.

His luck was about to change. His heart was pounding and he stared at Wang Mengde, expecting him to tell him good news.

"Brother Dayong, I have an idea now. Let's study it together. If it works, I think we will be the advanced and model workers in the city this year. If it doesn't work, don't blame me."

Wang Mengde said with a smile.

A few days ago, Wang Yuanchao contracted mumps (mumps). Then, a few days later, Wang Weiguo and He Yanan, who had contact with him, also contracted mumps.

Not only them, but many adults and children in the capital were also infected.

It's a small epidemic outbreak.

"Haha, Meng De, what are you talking about? Research work is never smooth sailing. If it doesn't work, it means we haven't done our job well. How can we blame you?"

Qian Dayong said with a smile.

"Tell me, what is the direction of our research this time? I will follow your instructions and arrangements."

He knew in his heart that if he did not have a good relationship with the other party, such a good thing would never be his. In the research institute, he didn't know how many people were willing to do research with Wang Mengde.

Just say the news he received today was that Wang Mengde had developed a prescription, and the state and the research institute would reward him. It was said that his rank would be directly promoted by three levels, and there would be some other rewards.

"Brother Dayong, isn't there a severe outbreak of mumps recently? All the major hospitals are overcrowded. I was thinking about whether we can develop a Chinese patent medicine that can be taken directly at home without going to the hospital."

Wang Mengde explained.

In his previous life, he remembered that when people got mumps, those with mild symptoms generally did not need to go to the hospital and could take Isatis root granules at home. Even if they went to the hospital, the doctor would usually prescribe some Isatis root granules, a medicine for clearing away heat and detoxifying, to take home.

According to his understanding, the Chinese patent medicine Isatis Root Granules has not been developed yet.

"Good idea, Meng De, do you have any idea in mind?"

Qian Dayong asked impatiently.

He couldn't wait to start researching with Wang Mengde right now, so as to produce results as soon as possible and be evaluated as an advanced and model worker by the end of this year.

"Well, I have preliminarily selected dozens of Chinese herbal medicines. Let's use the chicken embryo screening method to screen them and see which Chinese herbal medicine is effective against the mumps virus.

Doesn't the institute have a laboratory? I've been there a few times, but I'm not familiar with how to operate it. I need you, Brother Dayong, to do this."

Wang Mengde said.

This was also one of the reasons why he sought Qian Dayong out. In addition to the fact that Qian Dayong's teacher was Vice President Zhu and he wanted to build a relationship with him, he also needed someone who could share the pressure and reduce his experimental time.

As for the fact that he already knew that Isatis root was a good medicine for fighting the mumps virus, in order not to arouse other people's suspicion, he did not dare to say it directly and could only pretend that he did not know.

He mixed Isatis root with dozens of Chinese herbal medicines, and planned to use Qian Dayong's help to screen them out.

Once the test results come out, we can legitimately manufacture Isatis root granules.

"No problem, leave these screening experiments to me. It happens that several of my junior fellow students are now learning from me and have been staying in the laboratory all this time." Qian Dayong said happily.

"Okay, I'll write you down the Chinese herbal medicines later. Don't be in a hurry when you do the screening experiment. Just do it step by step."

"Don't worry, before I came to the institute, I often did experiments in school and I am very skilled at it." Qian Dayong assured, patting his chest.

Seeing how seriously and confidently he spoke, Wang Mengde felt relieved.

After writing down dozens of Chinese herbal medicines, Qian Dayong felt like he had found a treasure. He took the paper carefully and walked into the laboratory.

He had a strong premonition that as long as he seized this opportunity, he would surely be able to obtain the title of advanced and model.

He decided to work overtime during this period to screen all the Chinese herbal medicines on the paper as quickly as possible.

the next day.

Wang Mengde’s reward was finally officially announced.

Just as Pu Lao and Qian Dayong said, his job level was directly raised to level 16. Starting next month, his monthly salary would be 50.5 yuan.

Of course, the selection of advanced individuals will not be conducted until the end of this year, so his superiors also mentioned this to him so that he would be aware of it.

In addition, the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine also rewarded him with a May 1st brand hand-cranked sewing machine.

The Wuyi brand sewing machine was produced by the Tianjin Huabei Sewing Machine Factory in the 1950s. It has the advantages of advanced production technology, stable quality, and is suitable for various sewing needs.

In fact, Wang Mengde wanted a foot-operated sewing machine more, but unfortunately he was not allowed to choose it himself and there was no way to change it.

In addition to these, he will be given one and a half kilograms of oil coupons as a reward every month, hoping that he will continue to work hard and strive to research some more prescriptions and results.

One and a half pounds of oil coupons, half a pound is sesame oil, and one pound is peanut oil or soybean oil.

Don't underestimate the one and a half kilograms of oil coupons. Since July 54, the capital city has implemented a rationed supply of edible oil, one and a half kilograms per person per month. Now he has one and a half kilograms more, which is twice as much as others.

Moreover, last year, the monthly quota for each person was reduced by half a kilogram, becoming one kilogram per person per month.

It was not until November 57, 11, that the supply was restored to 17 kilograms per person per month starting in December.

For people who lack oil and water, this amount of cooking oil is not enough to supplement the nutrients needed by the body, so people at this time will consume a large amount of staple food.

When the sewing machine was carried into the courtyard, all the residents gathered in the middle courtyard to watch the curiosity.

Ran Xiaomei deliberately asked Wang Mengde to put the sewing machine at the door, and did not carry it into the house first. She looked at everyone, and without waiting for them to ask, she smiled and said:

"This is a sewing machine specially awarded to my son Mengde by the institute for his outstanding work in the institute.

This is produced by the North China Sewing Machine Factory in Tianjin. It is the Wuyi brand and is very famous. It is often out of stock in department stores in Beijing."

"Sister Xiaomei, your son Meng De is really amazing. He must have made such a great contribution to deserve such a reward from his company. I've never heard of anyone else around here getting this kind of reward.

This sewing machine is great. It will be much more convenient for you to make clothes in the future."

At one side, the second aunt of the old Yan family said with envy.

After saying that, he planned to touch the sewing machine with his hand.

"Aunt, there are needles on this sewing machine, don't prick your hand." Ran Xiaomei saw her trying to use it, and quickly pretended to block it with her arm, and then said. This sewing machine has not been touched by the family yet, and outsiders are not allowed to touch it casually.

"Haha, yes, don't prick your hands." Yang Ruihua retracted his hand awkwardly and said in a low voice.

"I saw this sewing machine exactly like this one in Wangfujing Department Store at the end of last year. There was a price tag on it at the time, and I still remember it clearly: it was 149 yuan."

In the crowd, Mrs. Wang spoke loudly.

Outside the crowd, Jia Zhang was full of jealousy. When she saw Ran Xiaomei's smug look, she felt upset and turned around and went back home.

She sat on the chair, getting angrier and angrier, so she said to Jia Dongxu, "Dongxu, Wang Mengde's family has a sewing machine, so we have to buy one too."

"Mom, our family doesn't have the money to buy a sewing machine. My monthly salary is just over 40 yuan. In addition to the living expenses for a family of five, I also have to spend money on food coupons. There is nothing left every month." Jia Dongxu said softly, holding Xiaodang in his arms.

He is the only one in the Jia family who works to earn money. Even with Yi Zhonghai's help, they still live a tight life.

"Then you go and borrow money from Yi Zhonghai, and our family will buy a sewing machine. Then let Huairu learn it. After she learns it, she will be able to help them make clothes in the future." Jia Zhang had already made up her mind, so she spoke.

"Besides, he is no longer the eldest uncle in the hospital. He will have to rely on you for his retirement. If you lend him some money to buy a sewing machine now, he will definitely lend it to you."

After hearing what his mother said, Jia Dongxu immediately felt that it made sense, but he still habitually looked at Qin Huairu who was standing aside.

Qin Huairu also felt that what her mother-in-law said made some sense. Besides, buying a sewing machine would also be good for her, so she nodded slightly.

"Mom, I'll go to the master to borrow money after dinner to buy a sewing machine for our family."

After hearing his wife's statement, Jia Dongxu was full of confidence and prepared to go across the street to find his master after dinner to talk about borrowing money.

After receiving enough envious words and jealous looks, the satisfied Ran Xiaomei finally ordered Wang Mengde to carry the sewing machine back home.

He Shengnan chose a corner in the bedroom and placed it there. She also found a piece of cloth to cover it with later to prevent dust.

"Shengnan, you have to learn how to use the sewing machine as soon as possible, and then teach me. With a sewing machine, it will be much more convenient for our family to make clothes in the future."

Looking at this sewing machine, Ran Xiaomei said happily.

"Mom, I work in a woolen factory. There is a sewing machine in our company. I learned how to sew a long time ago." He Shengnan also said happily.

"Oh, look at me, I was so happy that I forgot you work in a woolen factory. If you have time, teach me. I will have nothing to do in the future, so I can use it to sew and mend things." Ran Xiaomei said with a smile, patting her forehead.

"Well, Mom, this is very simple. You will definitely be able to learn it once you learn it." He Shengnan said.

The dinner table.

When dinner was almost over, Wang Mengde put down his chopsticks and told others that he had an extra pound and a half of cooking oil ration every month.

"Hey, kid, why didn't you say it all at once?"

After hearing this, Ran Xiaomei said with a look of complaint.

If her son had told this outside, she would have had more face in front of the neighbors.

"Okay, okay, don't talk about this matter anymore. It's better to keep a low profile." Wang Hao couldn't stand it anymore, so he spoke to dissuade them.

"Hmph, why can't you say something that's honest and aboveboard?" Ran Xiaomei rolled her eyes at him and retorted.

But although she said this, she was mentally prepared not to mention this matter in front of her neighbors.

"With this pound and a half of oil, our family will have a more comfortable life. So, every month, I will give half a pound of peanut oil to your grandparents, and half a pound of sesame oil to Shengnan and the other children."

Ran Xiaomei calculated.

She glanced at her daughter-in-law, then at her two grandsons, and finally gritted her teeth and said, "Give the last half pound of ration to the in-laws. When the time comes, Meng De, go and ask them whether they want peanut oil or soybean oil."

He Shengnan didn't care at first. Many things at home were taken care of by her mother-in-law, so she generally didn't care too much. In the end, she wouldn't treat herself unfairly anyway.

But she didn't expect her mother-in-law to give half a pound of oil to her own family. She was shocked and said quickly, "Mom, keep this half a pound of oil for our family. You don't have to give it to them. They don't need it."

Although she was tempted, she still knew what attitude she should have.

"Shengnan, in your mother's family, only your father-in-law earns money, and there are three half-grown boys in the family. How can they not be short of money? The last time Yanan came, she was one year older than Yuanchao and Weiguo. Now that they stand together, they look like younger sisters."

Ran Xiaomei was very satisfied with her daughter-in-law's attitude, she said with a smile.

Since the birth of her two grandsons, Zhou Xiaoyan has come over every now and then to help take care of the children, and sometimes she brings He Yanan along.

When I first came here, I had to give three or two taels of food coupons every time I ate here, but Ran Xiaomei never accepted them.

Before leaving, I will bring some snacks and delicious food back for the children.

She was more or less trying to subsidize her in-laws.

"Half a pound per month is too much, Mom. How about giving me four ounces? We can save the rest for future emergencies." He Shengnan hesitated for a moment, then said.

At that time, one catty was still sixteen taels, and four taels was equivalent to two and a half taels in later generations.

"No need to keep any, send all half a pound to your in-laws." Ran Xiaomei insisted.

"Yes, our family is not short of oil for the time being. When the rationed oil is distributed in a few days, I will buy half a pound and give it to them directly." Wang Mengde saw two people pushing and shoving each other and spoke up.

He has space in his hands, so even in difficult times, the family will not lack nutrition.

But it’s different at my father-in-law’s house. The way my sister-in-law ate at home last time is still imprinted in his mind.

The little girl, who is only six or seven years old, eats half as much as him. If her stomach wasn't really full, she would still want to put some food into her mouth.

Now that I have a legitimate source of edible oil, I naturally don’t mind helping others.

Seeing that both her husband and mother-in-law said so, He Shengnan stopped refusing. She was very happy in her heart. She was so valued in her husband's family. She really found the right person in the first place.

half a month later.

At noon that day, Wang Mengde was about to go out to the canteen to get food with an aluminum lunch box when he saw Qian Dayong, with a messy hair and red eyes, walking in.

He entered the room, ignoring the presence of Pu Lao, and shouted excitedly:

"Meng De, Meng De, good news, great news."

(End of this chapter)