Chapter 138: Major Events One After Another

Middle Court.

Everyone was very surprised when they saw Jia Zhang appear. Most of the neighbors sighed in their hearts, wondering why this troublemaker came back so soon.

Bai was very happy.

When they heard her speak so miserably, everyone instantly became interested again.

"Sister-in-law, what happened? Please tell us in detail."

When Liu Haizhong heard that she was sent back, he asked hurriedly.

The others stopped talking and looked at her curiously.

Next to her, Xu Damao swiftly took out the bench from under his butt and placed it in front of her.

Putting the package on her shoulder on the ground, Jia Zhang didn't hesitate to sit on the bench and started crying.

It turned out that she rushed all morning and finally returned to her rural hometown before lunch.

Her parents' home and her two nephews were there, and when they saw her return, they were very enthusiastic at first.

The nephew and his wife were busy serving tea and water and asking about their health.

Seeing that her family members were still so enthusiastic even after not seeing them for more than ten years, Jia Zhang put her heart at ease. As they chatted, they talked about the recent establishment of communes and canteens in rural areas.

When she heard that eating in the cafeteria was free, that you could eat as much white flour as you wanted, that there were four dishes for each meal, and that a pig or a sheep would be slaughtered every few days, Jia Zhang began to drool.

Unexpectedly, life in the countryside is much more comfortable than in the city.

In the city, especially in the past one or two years, with the implementation of the ticket policy, and the fact that there was only one person in the family who had a quota, the only time I could satisfy my cravings was during the Chinese New Year and other holidays, when I shared meals with Yi Zhonghai's family.

On weekdays, it’s good to eat meat twice a month, and even then it’s just a few small pieces.

Forget about white flour steamed buns, because Jia Dongxu was the only one in the family who had a certain quota, and most of the white flour was exchanged with other families for corn flour, so the family could only see them once every few months, and at most they could only eat one or two.

Thinking that she would be able to eat meat and white flour buns for every meal in the countryside in the future, Jia Zhang became a little restless.

He couldn't wait to express his desire to live in the countryside for a while.

After saying that, he patted the package and said that he had even brought back some spare clothes.

After hearing this, the two nieces-in-law looked at each other, then looked at each other, and then they tacitly came close to Jia Zhang and pretended to touch her package accidentally.

When I found that there was nothing inside except limp clothes.

Their expressions changed and they became less enthusiastic.

Next, he started to drive people away, using the excuse that he didn't have a stove at home and that strangers were not allowed into the cafeteria.

When Jia Zhang, carrying the small package and being dragged by her two nieces-in-law, passed by the village canteen and smelled the aroma of meat coming from inside, she felt very uncomfortable.

Walking on the country road with the scorching sun overhead, Jia Zhang almost would have suffered from heatstroke if she had not drunk a few sips of water at the beginning.

She found a shady place, endured the hunger in her stomach, and waited until the sun was not so scorching before she walked towards the city on her small feet.

After walking for several hours, I finally returned to the yard.

As for why I didn't take the bus, it would be too tearful to talk about it. When I was carried out by my two nieces-in-law at noon, I didn't know who took out the one dollar and fifty cents hidden in my waist pocket.

Upon hearing her tragic story, most people in the hospital looked happy to hear the news.

"Sister-in-law, why don't you fight with your two nieces-in-law?"

Behind the crowd, Aunt Xue said in a sarcastic tone.

"Yes, Jia Zhang, why were you so cowardly at that time? If it were me, I would never let myself be kicked out like that. I would have to make a big scene anyway."

"That's right. They don't even give us a meal. We should sit at the doorstep of their house and scold them. We can't let them off."

Aunt Li and Aunt Xu also spoke in unison.

In the courtyard, they usually had deep conflicts with Jia Zhang, so they took this opportunity to say a few bad words to vent their anger.

"Humph."

Jia Zhang snorted coldly and said nothing, but secretly made a note of this in her heart.

She didn't have the energy to argue with these people right now.

When she was in the countryside, she didn't dare to lose her temper or yell at her two nieces-in-law because they looked difficult to deal with. If she dared to show them any resistance, she would definitely be beaten up.

She also came from the countryside and knew that those women were not easy to deal with.

Unlike the women in the city, they still have some sense and dignity and have some concerns.

"Sister-in-law, you haven't eaten yet, Dongxu, help your mother go home quickly and make some food for her."

At this time, Yi Zhonghai saw everyone in the crowd bullying Jia Zhang, then he stood up and said.

"Oh, I'm really hungry now. I didn't eat anything at noon or at night. I just drank a few sips of water."

After hearing his words, Jia Zhang felt like she was about to starve to death.

After they and their family left, the neighbors all talked about the matter. Some envied the good food in the countryside, while others laughed at Jia Zhang for being a bully at home.

Wang Mengde stood at the door of his house, thinking more.

Nowadays, people in rural areas eat from a big pot. Everyone eats to their heart's content and has no idea of ​​saving.

It's okay in the short term, but if this goes on for a long time, all the food will be eaten up.

If it happens to coincide with a period of lean years, such as winter, or if natural disasters or man-made calamities occur, then it will be troublesome.

Unfortunately, even if he knew what the future would hold, he couldn't tell it.

Jia family.

As soon as she entered the house, Jia Zhang couldn't wait to look through the cupboards.

When she saw that there was only half a steamed bun in the small winnowing basket, she almost collapsed.

"Dongxu, when I left, there were still more than a dozen steamed buns at home. How come only half of it is left after two meals?"

She said with a gloomy face.

Then he ate half of the steamed bun in his hand in a few bites, and felt even hungrier after eating it.

"Mom, Bang Geng was hungry today, so he ate two extra buns. I'm going to make some steamed buns for tomorrow morning."

Qin Huairu walked out of the bedroom holding needle and thread and a piece of clothing in her hands, and explained in a low voice.

In fact, Jia Dongxu saw that his mother had gone to the countryside and saved one person's rations, so he ate two or three more steamed buns.

He didn't expect Jia Zhang to come back so early.

And I came back hungry.

He rummaged in the vegetable cabinet for a while, ate all the pickles, and drank a large pot of cold water. Only then did he feel better.

The tragic story of Mrs. Jia Zhang only made the people in the courtyard laugh for a few days after dinner.

Because then, in September, another big event happened.

On August 1958, 8, the country held a meeting and formally passed a resolution that "the whole nation should strive to produce 17 million tons of steel."

This resolution decided that steel production in 1958 would double that of 1957, reaching 1070 million tons by the end of the year.

However, in the first eight months, the country only produced 400 million tons of steel. In order to double the steel production in the remaining four months, various mobilizations were launched across the country.

In just a few months, more than 9000 million people were mobilized to go up the mountains, cut down trees, dig coal, look for mines and smelt iron, and built millions of small earthen blast furnaces and small earthen coke ovens.

In fact, the slogan of "taking steel as the key link" was put forward as early as last year.

It just wasn't so radical at the time.

That day, evening.

In the Intermediate Court, all the people in the court gathered together and held another general meeting. This time, Wang Mengde, as the third uncle, also formally sat next to the small square table.

Looking around, Liu Haizhong coughed twice with a smug look on his face, then said, "Ahem, the main reason we're holding this hospital-wide meeting today is because the street and neighborhood committee have assigned us a task."

He has been feeling rather proud of himself lately.

At the steel mill, after making inquiries, he found out that the person competing with him for the leadership position was a level six worker, far inferior to him, a level seven worker.

This made him feel that it was a sure thing for him to become a leader.

What's more, in the courtyard, his position as the eldest uncle is as stable as a rock. Except for the scoundrel Sha Zhu, everyone else shows him superficial respect.

"Second uncle, just tell me what the mission is, don't keep me in suspense. Let's finish the meeting quickly, I still have to cook for Yu Shui."

In the crowd, Sha Zhu saw him pretending and couldn't help but speak up to make fun of him.

"Silly Zhu, shut up. This is a meeting of the entire institute. Don't make trouble for me."

Liu Haizhong was so angry that he glared at Shazhu and said.

At the same time, he also hated Yi Zhonghai who was sitting next to Sha Zhu, thinking that he must be the one instigating this.

"Why don't you let the people speak?"

Shazhu retorted without hesitation.

If Aunt Yi hadn't pulled his clothes from behind, he would have said a few more words.

"Humph." Liu Haizhong snorted coldly, holding back his anger, and then continued: "In the afternoon, Sister Cao from the neighborhood committee held a meeting for us uncles in charge.

As you all know, the country has been vigorously producing steel and iron recently, and there is publicity in the newspapers. I also read the above policy content to everyone a few days ago. "

After a pause, he saw that everyone was listening attentively, and with satisfaction in his heart, he continued:

"In order to achieve the goal of doubling the steel production by the end of the year, earthen blast furnaces are being built all over the country. Our street cannot lag behind and we also plan to build a blast furnace.

Because of the lack of raw materials, the street is preparing to ask everyone to donate the ironware that they don’t use at home.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the neighbors who had formed a large circle began to whisper and talk among themselves.

"Old Liu did tell us about this a few days ago in the newspaper. This is a political task, and our hospital cannot fall behind. I plan to donate the broken kitchen knives at home."

"Oh, what should we do with the ironware we don't have that's broken? We can't just donate the good ones."

"Go back and look carefully. Look in the corners and under the bed. Maybe some of them were forgotten there."

Yan Bugui pushed up the frame of his glasses. When he saw that Liu Haizhong had finished speaking, he continued:

“This is related to whether the country can achieve its mission goals, so everyone should donate enthusiastically.

This is a political task, which is above all else. Our institute has not been rated as an advanced institute for several years. This time, we must work hard and strive to take advantage of this opportunity to be rated as an advanced institute. "

After saying that, he turned his gaze to Wang Mengde.

As the third uncle in the courtyard, it’s time for me to say a few words to everyone.

Everyone else, including Liu Haizhong, turned to look at him.

Wang Mengde held the enamel pot in front of him and drank two sips of water. Then, under the envious eyes of everyone, he put down the enamel pot with the words "National Advanced" in his hand and said loudly:

"Our family donated an unused coal briquette stove."

This coal briquette stove was replaced after he replaced it with a flower pot stove two years ago.

It has been placed in the corner of the living room, gathering dust.

This time I'll take advantage of the opportunity to get rid of it.

When they heard that he had donated a coal stove, dozens of neighbors looked at him in surprise.

Yan Bugui also took a breath and asked in disbelief: "Meng De, you said you wanted to donate a coal stove? The one in the corner of your living room?"

Although this coal briquette stove does not contain much iron, it is not cheap.

He remembered that the discarded coal stove in Wang Mengde's house was still about 60% new. After some cleaning, it could still be used for many years.

I didn't expect that I would have to donate it. It's such a waste.

It would be great if I could give this to my family. When my eldest son Yan Jiecheng gets married and separates from the family, I won’t have to spend money to buy a stove.

"Yes, in order to complete the task on the street, we donated the coal briquette stove that we don't use at home."

Wang Mengde said affirmatively.

This coal briquette stove cannot burn honeycomb coal, and he has long wanted to get rid of it.

arrive home.

Ran Xiaomei looked at her son with some heartache as he moved the coal stove into the yard.

"Mom, there's no point in keeping this. We're all going to burn honeycomb coal in the future, so coal balls should be phased out."

Seeing her look, Wang Mengde persuaded her.

"It's a shame to donate such a good thing. We have a lot of ironware at home. How about replacing it with a worn-out kitchen knife?"

"Mom, there are other uses for this broken kitchen knife. Dad, Shengnan, and I will definitely have to donate some ironware to our workplace when the time comes."

"Ah, your company is also going to donate?"

Yes, each unit also needs to donate.

Early the next morning.

Guanganmen Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Wang Mengde came to the door of his office and was about to push it open when he heard the voices of several junior fellow students coming from inside.

It seems like they are discussing the recent steel and iron making issues.

He knocked on the door before walking into the house.

"What are you talking about? It's so lively."

"Brother, you are here. We were just talking about steelmaking and ironmaking, and Li Xiang was talking about some interesting things that happened in the countryside."

Sun Xiaoru explained with a smile.

"Oh, tell me what the interesting things are. I'm also very curious."

He remembered that Junior Brother Li Xiang's family was from a rural area in Fangshan. He stayed in Beijing after being admitted to a medical school in Beijing a few years ago.

However, this junior fellow student would choose one Sunday every month to go home.

I guess something interesting happened when I went home yesterday.

"Brother, I went back yesterday with the villagers to the mountains to chop wood to use as fuel for steelmaking, and I encountered...

Then every household sent their iron pots, kitchen knives and other ironware to be made into steel."

Seeing that his senior brother was quite interested, Li Xiang told him his experience again.

"The autumn harvest is coming soon. Aren't the villagers anxious to prepare for it?"

Wang Mengde asked hurriedly.

"Brother, steelmaking is a political task, and everything else must give way. Besides, now there are communes and large canteens, there is strength in numbers, and there is enough food."

After hearing what his junior brother said, Wang Mengde began to feel disappointed.

If we continue like this, we will hardly go hungry next year.

It seems that I need to step up my research.

(End of this chapter)