Chapter 199 Two major events occurred

The large canteens in rural areas can no longer operate.

At the end of April, that night, at the dinner table, Ran Xiaomei suddenly said:

"I took Yaya to the entrance of the alley today and heard on the "small radio" that the big canteen in the rural area where her mother's family lives has been disbanded.

The social democrats divided up their belongings and food, returned to their original solitary lives, and started cooking again.

"Little Radio" is a nickname given to people who like to gossip and spread news.

As long as this person gets the news, it's like broadcasting, and soon everyone will know it through her mouth.

Over time, some people gave her a nickname, which means that this person is like a radio.

As for her real name, even Wang Mengde couldn't remember it.

"The cafeteria is closed? I haven't heard about it. I read the newspaper every day, but I haven't seen it mentioned in the newspaper."

Wang Hao took a sip of porridge and asked in surprise.

As a member of the D department and a middle-level leader in the hospital, he is usually more concerned about politics and makes sure to read the country's largest newspaper and the Beijing Daily every day.

Such a major event should be reported in the newspapers, but he could not remember any similar news appearing in the newspapers recently.

Then he turned to look at Wang Mengde and asked in a low voice: "Mengde, did you hear about this when you went to Tiangezhuang a few days ago?"

"Dad, when I went back, I didn't hear about canceling the cafeteria. They still eat together now."

Wang Mengde replied:

"However, I also heard some rumors in my workplace that a small number of communes in other places were facing a difficult time, so they quietly closed the canteen, distributed the food and remaining grain, and asked the members to restart their own stoves."

He was not talking nonsense. As early as last year, he heard from his junior brother Li Xiang that a commune in Hebei Province, which borders the capital, did just that.

Moreover, he had learned in his previous life that not only last year, but in some areas in the south, communes and canteens were established in 1958. In 1959, the communes still existed, but the canteens were already in name only.

They treated the canteen as a public cooking factory. It didn't cook any food; members took their meals home to eat.

As a result, the food was cold when I got home, so I had to heat it up again. The firewood was scattered at both ends, so the family had to burn it and the canteen had to burn it.

Even though it is so wasteful, members are willing to cook at home.

By the 1960s, life was becoming increasingly difficult, and more places secretly cancelled their canteens. However, these areas did not disclose this to the public, and some people pretended not to know even though they knew about it.

As the capital city was the most prosperous place, political issues involved meant that every commune did not dare to cancel the canteen and they had to keep it going.

So there is a reason why Wang Hao doesn’t know about this.

However, since April, the state's policy towards large canteens has been deliberately relaxed. Coupled with continued difficulties, some communes in remote rural areas have become bolder.

They began to tentatively abolish the canteens in several villages.

"Also, I overheard a few leaders mention that the country is also investigating the situation of large canteens in various places. It is said that the higher-ups are preparing to officially issue a policy in May to cancel large canteens."

Wang Mengde continued.

As a member of the health care team, he often provides health care for leaders, and during casual chats, he hears quite a few secrets.

Generally speaking, he kept these secrets to himself and never mentioned them even to He Shengnan.

This time, he spoke out because the cafeteria was about to be cancelled.

"The cafeteria is going to be cancelled!"

After hearing what Wang Mengde said, Wang Hao's expression became complicated for a moment.

In the beginning, when the national offices and canteens were opened, he was also very excited and felt that this was a very meaningful event.

Represents progress in rural areas.

However, a few months later, when he returned to Tiangezhuang, he discovered many drawbacks of the canteen and began to worry.

The result was just as he expected. Within a year, all the drawbacks broke out.

But other people's words were minor, and Wang Mengde persuaded him, so he could only keep the matter to himself.

Now, the cafeteria is going to be cancelled, and he can't tell whether he is happy or sad.

"If you ask me, the cancellation of the cafeteria is a good thing. Now everyone can cook at home and eat like before, which is good."

Ran Xiaomei spoke up from the side.

She also knew very well the disadvantages of large cafeterias.

Her thoughts became much simpler, and now that she heard it was going to be cancelled, she immediately became happy.

"Hey~"

Wang Hao sighed deeply, then stopped talking. He first picked up a small piece of pickled vegetable, then took a small bite of the steamed bun.

Since the country officially classified vegetables as "national second-class commodities" last year, vegetables have also been rationed, with each person only getting two taels of vegetables per day.

Therefore, the pickles that were previously pickled casually have naturally become a luxury because of the reason that "a good cook cannot cook without rice".

Ordinary people would even save on pickles, and in a meal, at most they would just taste the saltiness.

However, Wang Mengde's family is not short of it.

As early as two years ago, he used the recipe given by Sha Zhu to make several jars of chili sauce.

I also asked Sha Zhu to help pickle a lot of other pickles.

In addition, he bought some pickles from the space every now and then, so Lao Wang’s family could never finish eating all the pickles.

"Mom, the canteen has been cancelled. This is both a good and a bad thing for farmers."

As Wang Mengde spoke, he broke open the steamed bun made of two kinds of flour, put a lot of chili sauce into it with chopsticks, spread it evenly, closed the bun, and then couldn't wait to take a big bite.

By the way, the chili sauce recipe given by Shazhu is really good.

Maybe the ingredients and seasonings are not as many as some later brands, but the taste is not bad, and even better.

"How did it become a bad thing?"

Ran Xiaomei asked curiously.

Needless to say, everyone knows the benefits of closing the canteen.

But how could there be any harm in it? This puzzled her.

At the same time, Wang Hao and He Shengnan also put down their chopsticks, wanting to hear his opinion.

The four children did not pay any attention, but ate their meals with big mouthfuls. They were in the growing period now, and even though the Wang family usually had enough oil and water, they all had big appetites.

Fortunately, Wang Mengde secretly put food into the rice jar at home, so they didn't have to go hungry for several days at the end of every month like other families.

"Mom, when the members ate in the 'collective canteen' before, they gathered all the pots and pans from home together, and then they started making steel and iron.

Except for enough left in the canteen, the extra iron pots, spatulas, kitchen knives, etc. were all smelted in the earthen blast furnace.

Now that the canteen can no longer operate, every household has to start over. The stove is easy to build, and many families still keep it, but pots, pans, and bowls are no longer available."

Wang Mengde explained in a low voice.

There are no iron pots for sale in rural areas, or even in the communes, because everyone has been eating in the canteens for the past three years and there is no demand for them.

If they go to the city to buy, almost all the goods in the city currently require "vouchers" or "tickets" to be supplied. They don't have tickets, so farmers can't buy anything at all.

Moreover, the country does not have enough supplies to meet such a huge demand at once.

"this..."

After Wang Mengde finished speaking, Ran Xiaomei, Wang Hao and He Shengnan looked at each other, not knowing what to say for a moment.

None of them considered this issue.

But this is the reality. Not to mention other things, the demand of all farmers in the suburbs surrounding the capital is an astronomical figure.

In the era of planned economy, there were no extra materials for them to buy. As for temporary production, it was not something that could be done casually.

This is a matter that affects the entire body.

"Meng De, do you have any idea to solve this problem?"

After a while, Wang Hao came back to his senses and asked with anticipation.

This son can easily solve many difficult problems.

This time, he also hopes to hear good news.

Unfortunately, this matter is too big and Wang Mengde has no good solution.

"Dad, this matter cannot be solved by one person's strength."

Given the current domestic situation, it cannot be resolved in a short period of time, let alone for individuals, even if the whole country is mobilized.

"This is how to do?"

Wang Hao put down the steamed bun in his hand. He was a little unable to eat anymore.

My mind is now filled with the horrific situations that will happen in the future. A large number of farmers will not be able to eat due to the lack of cooking utensils and other daily necessities.

The thought of this gives me a chill.

Shaking his head, Wang Mengde was powerless. Moreover, when the policy came out in May, all the communes would surely be happy to cancel the canteens.

Then, conflicts ensued.

Then, in the urban area, a large number of farmers will flock in to purchase, and even conduct private exchanges with city residents, which will definitely cause chaos for a while.

"By the way, Meng De, your grandparents will also need pots and pans when the time comes, and they definitely won't be able to buy them. When the time comes, you can send them the extra set in Yu'er Hutong."

At this time, Ran Xiaomei suddenly thought of the situation in her hometown of Tiangezhuang and hurriedly gave orders.

"Just send the two large iron pots with eight seals and ten seals. The smaller one is because the stove in my hometown is too big and it will leak if you put it in."

Wang Hao also said.

Yin is the unit of measurement for folk iron pots. One Yin is the width of an adult's palm, equivalent to about 8-12 cm, and varies slightly from place to place.

Therefore, some places call the size of the iron pot "X palm pot".

A few years ago, Wang Mengde bought two such big pots. He was very angry at the time and thought his son was being naughty. No ordinary family in the city could afford such a big pot.

But I couldn't return it, so I had to leave it in Yuer Hutong to collect dust.

Unexpectedly, it has come in handy now.

Fortunately, he did not lose money when he transferred it to other people, otherwise, he would be scratching his head now, trying to figure out where to get these big iron pots.

“Mom and Dad, I get it.

When the policy is announced, I will send the iron pot and other bowls, chopsticks, spoons, and other utensils to my grandparents."

Wang Mengde nodded and agreed.

He had separated from his parents when he got married, and at his strong request, they bought a new house.

Later, in order to take care of the children, the parents moved back.

That set of things was left in Yuer Hutong.

the next day.

Sunday.

At noon, as the weather had warmed up, the neighbors in the courtyard resumed their habit of gathering in the central courtyard with their bowls in hand, eating and chatting.

At times like this, bangs are naturally indispensable.

I saw him holding a large bowl in one hand and two steamed buns made of two kinds of flour in the other.

There were some dishes in the big bowl, and from the smell, you could tell that his family had cooked meat today.

"Hey, uncle, you're eating meat today."

Beside him, Yan Bugui shrugged his nose, sniffed hard several times, and then said with envy.

His family had a large population, and the meat coupons he was given each month were rationed. All he could buy was a can of chicken or duck meat, which was shared among the six of them. Each person could only taste a little bit of the meat at most.

But Liu Haizhong is different. His eldest son is not in the capital, so there is still a quota for four people left.

The meat that was bought was eaten by Old Liu alone first. As for the other two sons, let alone eating it, sometimes they were not even allowed to smell it.

"Well, Old Yan, I didn't buy any fresh pork this month. I only bought canned pork."

Liu Haizhong pretended to shake his head and sigh, but he was actually speaking very proudly.

He is Versailles.

Since April this year, fresh pork, even canned pork and offal (offal) are basically unavailable on the market.

For ordinary families, the most they would buy is some canned chicken, duck or fish that has been stored for a long time.

Even these canned foods are not available for purchase easily, and one needs to queue up to buy them.

This is a hot commodity that will be sold out if you wait.

Sometimes, it happens that you have meat coupons but cannot buy meat.

"Canned pork is not bad either. There are more than 20 households in our yard, but they can only buy canned duck or chicken this month."

Aunt Xue next to her also said enviously.

She selectively ignored Wang Mengde's family and Xu Damao's family.

"It's good to have canned duck or chicken, but by June, there are no meat coupons left."

Liu Haizhong ate canned pork, took a bite of a steamed bun made from two kinds of flour, and then spoke slowly.

"what?"

Everyone couldn't believe their ears. What he just said was that all the meat tickets would be cancelled?
"Uncle, you just said that there are no more meat coupons? What do you mean?"

One of the neighbors quickly asked.

"Well, even if I don't tell you today, you will know it in two days.

Due to some reasons, our Beijing city stopped supplying pork to residents in June until the end of the year. "

Liu Haizhong explained to everyone.

In fact, stopping the supply of pork to residents is not an isolated case. Before this, many cities have already implemented this policy.

It’s just that the capital is the last one.

"Oh my goodness, if I can't buy pork anymore, what will happen to my daughter-in-law?"

In the crowd, Aunt Li said with a sad face.

Her daughter-in-law is due to give birth in June.

Since last year, one can only buy one pound of brown sugar and two pounds of pork ribs with a baby’s birth certificate.

How can this little bit of stuff help produce milk during the confinement period?

Without nutritional supplements, both the mother and the baby will suffer.

No wonder she reacted so strongly.

Wang Mengde saw this scene from the side and could only sigh in his heart.

(End of this chapter)