Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 301 Crossing the River
Hearing Chen Fan's words, Zhang Wenliang casually said, "Aren't big and small the same? Since you only like to eat the small ones, why not make them all small?"

Zhang Juemin took a bite of the rice ball and felt his mouth filled with the aroma of oil. "Wow, there's even cured meat?! The living conditions are pretty good."

Then, looking at Chen Fan, he continued, following Zhang Wenliang's words, "That's right, some of your rice balls are big and some are small, you probably didn't make them all by yourself, did you? If we hadn't come with you, would you have thrown away the big ones?"

Chen Fan shrugged, ignoring who made it, and slowly ate his rice ball, saying with a smile,

"It's impossible to throw them away. Captain Ye didn't say anything about having someone come with me, so I ate all these rice balls by myself, and that way it didn't matter how big or small they were. But now that you're here, I can't just eat them while you watch, so naturally I have to be picky."

Zhang Wenliang turned and glared at him. "Why do I feel like I'm eating your leftovers?"

Chen Fan grinned, "You can also think of it the other way around: you're the big ones, I'm the small ones, I'm just eating what you left over."

Zhang Juemin didn't care whose leftovers he was eating. He ate a fist-sized rice ball in a few bites, then took another one from Chen Fan and ate two rice balls before waving his hand to stop.

All three of them brought water bottles. After finishing their meal, they drank some water and then squatted down to smoke while waiting for the driver to arrive.

A moment later, a middle-aged man in a light blue work uniform swaggered over, shouting, "Who the hell allowed you to smoke here? Are you blind? Didn't you see the words on the wall? Get out of here!"

Chen Fan and his two companions were immediately stunned. Had they been insulted?
He turned around and saw a red sheet of paper the size of an A4 sheet of paper pasted on the wall, with the words "Smoking is strictly prohibited here" written on it in calligraphy!

Zhang Wenliang frowned, preparing to curse back. He had been a militia company commander since he was a teenager, and in the seven or eight years since, apart from his elders and the leaders of the brigade headquarters, he had never been cursed by anyone. How could he tolerate this person cursing him?
Before he could even speak, Zhang Juemin grabbed him.

At this moment, Chen Fan obediently threw the cigarette butt on the ground, stood up and stomped it out, and smiled at the person, "Sorry, I didn't see the words on the wall just now, we won't smoke anymore."

The man paused for a moment when he saw Chen Fan, then asked softly with a hint of hesitation, "Are you Teacher Chen from Lujiawan?"

These days, the average height of people is not very tall, especially in the south. It's common for men to be around 1.6 meters tall and women around 1.5 meters tall, and even shorter is not uncommon. Men over 1.7 meters and women over 1.6 meters are considered relatively tall, which gives them an advantage when looking for a partner.

Of course, there are taller people, but in the Nanhu Commune area, it is very rare to see someone as tall as Chen Fan, who is 1.8 meters tall. In addition, he is fair-skinned and has a face that is even more handsome than a movie actor. These characteristics combined lead to the conclusion.

Chen Fan wasn't surprised. There were many people on this street who recognized him, so he wouldn't make a difference.

He immediately smiled and nodded, "Yes, I am Chen Fan from Lujiawan."

The man chuckled apologetically, took two steps forward, and said, "Sorry, sorry, I didn't recognize you at first."

He then explained in a low voice, "I'm the driver. There's oil in the car, the seats are all cloth, and there's oil seeping out of the driver's cab at any time. If a spark were to come into contact with it, the whole car could burn to ashes immediately."

Chen Fan suddenly realized what was happening and quickly apologized, "Sorry, sorry, we didn't know."

Zhang Wenliang, who was still somewhat indignant, stared wide-eyed and dared not utter another word. He was a militia company commander, no less, but the driver was far more capable than him, claiming he wouldn't trade him for a cadre position. Moreover, the safety of a car was involved. If things really escalated, he would be in the wrong no matter who he was dealing with.

Once he calmed down, he couldn't help but glance at Chen Fan, silently muttering "little monster" to himself. It was strange that someone so young and impetuous could be scolded without showing any temper.

Little did he know that Chen Fan wasn't without temper; he planned to find a dog later, bribe it with a rice ball, and have it bite the man to pieces.

Of course, I've definitely given up on that idea now.

At this moment, Chen Fan also remembered that he had heard the company's driver say that when his master drove long-distance trucks in the army in the 6s and 70s, the first ironclad rule was that smoking was not allowed in the truck. This was because the trucks at that time were basically "big and clumsy" and could not be moved without a lot of oil. After putting so much oil on them, as soon as the truck started running, no matter how clean it was, the oil would keep gushing out, and the whole cab would look like an oil drum.

The engine oil used back then may have had a different formula than later engine oils. When exposed to an open flame, especially if a spark lands on the seat and there is an accelerant, it can easily ignite. In those days, there were almost annual incidents of vehicles being ignited by smoking. It was only after stricter preventative measures were implemented that these incidents gradually decreased.

Smoking is not allowed while driving, but there are no restrictions on drinking; as long as you don't get drunk, you can do whatever you want.

Some experienced drivers even had the habit of "three sips of wine before getting in the car," because back then, steering wheels didn't have power steering, and a little alcohol helped increase strength, making it easier to hold the steering wheel. In addition, cars didn't travel very fast back then, and there weren't many people on the roads, so as long as you weren't drunk, it had almost no impact.

This can be considered one of the differences between eras.

Upon hearing Chen Fan's words, the driver waved his hands repeatedly and laughed, "It's alright, it's alright, it's all settled now."

He then looked at the three of them and asked, "Are you heading to the county town?"

Zhang Wenliang finally seized a chance to speak, and immediately pointed at Chen Fan, saying, "Our teacher Chen compiled a 'first aid manual' a few days ago, specifically about how to save lives in an emergency, blah blah blah..."

Chen Fan tried to stop him, but he couldn't.

Being praised like that to your face is indeed a little embarrassing.

The driver's mouth dropped open in astonishment. After Zhang Wenliang finished speaking, he immediately grabbed Chen Fan's hand and held it tightly. "Oh my, Teacher Chen, you've done a great service! You've brought honor to our Nanhu Commune!"

After two exclamations, before Chen Fan could speak, she immediately took out her keys to open the car door, saying, "Come on, get in and sit down. I'll leave right away."

Chen Fan didn't hesitate and immediately got into the car, sitting in the back seat behind the passenger seat. He said, "Thanks, but it's not two o'clock yet, is it?"

Zhang Juemin and Zhang Wenliang followed and found seats.

The driver had already climbed into the driver's seat, but instead of sitting down, he pulled out a Z-shaped iron rod from under the seat, pushed open the driver's door, went down, inserted the iron rod into the front of the car, and shook it vigorously.

Soon the engine was roaring to life.

Chen Fan was a little confused.

No, he had only heard of tractors and trucks being started with a crank handle. He didn't know that buses were also started with a crank handle.

The engine started up, and the driver quickly pulled out the crank handle, turned around and threw it under the seat, then got back in and closed the door. He glanced at Chen Fan and, seeing his strange expression, guessed what he was thinking. He smiled and said, "The engine in this kind of station wagon is the same as the one in a truck, so the starting method is the same; you have to use a crank handle."

station wagon?
Chen Fan's eyes darted around as he surveyed the interior of the minivan. "Is this a station wagon?"

The driver nodded, rolled down the window, and smiled, "Yes, the bus is a very long one, a bit like a city bus. These short-distance buses are called tour buses."

The best touring buses right now are the ones from the Shanghai Bus Factory and the Tianjin Bus Factory's "Tianjin" brand 620 model. I heard that some of their models don't require a crank handle, but unfortunately ours isn't; it's just an old bus produced by the Jiangnan Bus Factory.

Chen Fan chuckled dryly twice. Well, another piece of useless knowledge has been added to his knowledge.

Just then, the ticket seller who was sitting at the intersection rushed over, leaned against the driver's side window, and shouted at the driver, "Brother Meng, there are still several minutes left, why did you start so quickly?"

We had to shout; the engine was too loud, and if we spoke softly, no one could hear us.

Driver Meng pointed to Chen Fan behind him, "Teacher Chen is going to the prefectural committee for an important mission. I'll take him to the county to catch the bus first. It's just a few minutes' difference. Those who are in a hurry have already arrived, and those who aren't can take tomorrow's bus."

"Teacher Chen?"

The ticket seller turned her head and looked inside. Her eyes lit up immediately. "Oh, it's Teacher Chen! I didn't see you earlier. Forgive my poor eyesight. I'll treat you to dinner when you come back."

Chen Fan smiled and waved, then handed over a cigarette, saying, "Thank you for your help."

The ticket seller tucked a cigarette behind his ear, his grin stretching to his ears. "What's the trouble?"

He then took two steps back and waved his hand, saying, "Since Teacher Chen has an important task, then I'll go first."

Chen Fan quickly said, "No need, no need, just drive on time." Driver Meng, however, pressed the clutch and shifted gears, saying as he drove, "It's fine, he'll just set the alarm five minutes ahead, then it'll be on time."

The car slowly drove toward the intersection, then turned east, emitting a long horn. Pedestrians on the road quickly moved aside, and the driver, Brother Meng, slammed on the gas pedal, roaring forward.

Chen Fan looked back and saw the ticket seller fiddling with an alarm clock. He was dumbfounded. "Is this even possible?"
There were only three passengers on the bus now. Chen Fan watched as one after another, the supply and marketing cooperative, Xinhua Bookstore, state-run restaurant, health center, veterinary station, repair shop, stone workshop and other units were left behind. Before long, they drove out of the town and onto a road lined with vegetable gardens on both sides.

Driver Meng glanced at the rearview mirror and, seeing Chen Fan's curious expression, chuckled, "Teacher Chen, you've never been out before?"

Chen Fan snapped out of his daze, smiled, and shook his head. "No."

Zhang Wenliang and Zhang Juemin exchanged a glance, both able to understand the meaning in each other's eyes.

Fortunately, Teacher Chen only forgot where he came from and how to get there; he remembered all his various skills. If it were the other way around, he would be basically useless.

Brother Meng glanced at the rearview mirror again and said, "This place is Nanhu Vegetable Farm. Don't be fooled by the fact that they all grow vegetables; they are all full-time employees with better benefits than many factories and other organizations."

Chen Fan rubbed his face, finding it inexplicably funny.

Even though there are so many rural areas to the north and south of the town, where you can easily buy enough vegetables, they still insist on building a vegetable market. He doesn't know what's wrong with the commune leaders' thought process.

After passing through the vegetable fields and scattered miniature chicken and duck farms, a long slope suddenly appears ahead.

Seeing the long embankment stretching across the end of the slope, Chen Fan couldn't help but say, "Is this a river embankment?"

Before Zhang Wenliang could speak, Brother Meng interjected, "Yes, it's the embankment of the river that encloses your Lujiawan area. There's a dock in front of it. From that dock, you can take a waterway directly to the county seat and the prefectural committee. In fact, the prefectural committee is even closer than the county seat because the river has a bend..."

As Meng Ge continued rambling on, the car suddenly began to climb the hill, and Chen Fan vaguely heard Zhang Wenliang and Zhang Juemin both grunt.

He looked back and saw that both of them were pale-faced and clenched their teeth, as if they were facing some dangerous situation.

Chen Fan was a little confused. "What's wrong with you guys?"

Hearing his words, Brother Meng looked up and smiled, "It's nothing, I might just be a little carsick."

He then called out, "Young man by the window, open the window, it will be more comfortable."

Well, he still doesn't know the last two people's surnames.

Zhang Wenliang immediately grabbed the window and pushed it back. A gust of wind blew in, and he finally caught his breath.

Chen Fan then took the opportunity to introduce them, "The man by the window is our militia company commander. He became a company commander when he was just over ten years old, and he's very capable. This man who is a little older is our production team's barefoot doctor, and he's also Company Commander Zhang's older brother. They're all accompanying me to the prefectural committee."

Brother Meng nodded and smiled, "They are all important figures from Lujiawan."

After making a polite remark, he added, "We're going downhill now, both of you Mr. Zhangs, please be careful."

Just as Zhang Wenliang and Zhang Jumin were about to ask how to be careful, the car suddenly plunged downwards. The discomfort they had been suppressing suddenly surged up like a raging storm, becoming unbearable. Zhang Wenliang abruptly turned around and stuck his head out of the window, bringing the two rice balls he had just eaten back out the same way they had gone in.

Zhang Juemin initially thought he could still hold it in, but when the person next to him vomited, he couldn't hold it in any longer. He immediately ran to the other side, pried open the window, and stuck his head out, letting out a torrent of vomiting.

Chen Fan helplessly covered his face. Well, the two tigers of the Zhang family had failed in their mission and fainted halfway through.

Before you left, you vowed to take good care of me, but who's really taking care of whom?
But motion sickness is something you can't help; you can't control it and there's nothing you can do about it!
Brother Meng seemed used to it. He slowly drove the car downhill and said, "I see you all brought water. Rinse your mouths with water first, then check if you have anything with a strong odor on you. Use that to plug your noses; it will make you feel much better."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Once we cross the river and reach Qingshan Commune on the other side, I'll slam on the brakes at the entrance of the health center. You guys go buy some motion sickness medicine, and you'll be fine after taking it."

Chen Fan then noticed that the car was parked on a slope, with a rushing river in front of it. If he went any further, he would have to cross the river.

Meng pulled the handbrake and honked the horn a few times. A ship's horn sounded from the opposite direction.

He placed his hand on the window, turned to Chen Fan and smiled, "This ferry is managed by the ferry terminal. The ferry terminal is not the same as the water transport company; it's an independent unit. However, they only have this one boat and only seven or eight people. The boat is fixed in place, so they don't even need a helmsman. It's like a 'small government office'."

As he spoke, he turned and pointed in the direction of Lujiawan, “If there were a passenger terminal here, you could take a boat to the prefectural committee. Unfortunately, only the county seat has a passenger terminal, so if you want to go to the prefectural committee, you still have to go to the county seat first.”

Chen Fan sat in his seat, looking left and right. He saw the ship on the opposite bank slowly sailing towards him along several steel cables. Looking at the river water, which resembled the Yellow River, he couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder.

He's ridden airplanes and high-speed trains before, but crossing a river by car and boat—and it was a boat without any power! This is the first time he's ever done this in both eras combined!

The river was quite long, and it took the ship about 5 minutes to slowly approach the shore.

This is a ferry boat that looks like a moving floating island. Apart from being pulled back and forth between the two banks by steel cables, it has no other function.

(This is the kind that only has a winch and no barge.)

Once the ferry came to a complete stop, Brother Meng immediately shifted gears and drove forward, carefully maneuvering the car onto the ferry and stopping it steadily in the middle of the ferry.

Only then did he turn off the car, open the door, and turn to say, "Teacher Chen, Mr. and Mrs. Zhang, let's get out for some fresh air."

Zhang Juemin and Zhang Wenliang, like withered flowers and broken willows, helped themselves out of the car.

Chen Fan followed him down.

Once they reached the bottom, at a corner of the ferry terminal, a man in his forties or fifties was chatting with Brother Meng. "It seems a little early today?"

Meng Ge handed him a cigarette, lit it while leaning against the railing, took a puff, and then, with an air of nonchalance, pointed at Chen Fan and said, "This is Teacher Chen from Lujiawan..."

Before he could finish speaking, the man looked at Chen Fan with a surprised expression, "Oh, Teacher Chen, hello, hello, hello."

Since the other party was so hospitable, Chen Fan naturally greeted them politely and offered them a cigarette.

As for Zhang Juemin and Zhang Wenliang, they were already smoking away from the car.

Meng Ge continued, "Teacher Chen was specially invited by the Prefectural Committee's Health Department to preside over the writing of a book."

The man's eyes widened instantly. "Going to the prefectural committee's health department to write a book?"

Completely oblivious to Chen Fan's embarrassed expression, Meng Ge said with pride, "That's right, let me tell you, Teacher Chen is very capable, he even knows medicine, he compiled a 'First Aid Manual'..."

Chen Fan stood to the side, unsure whether to cry or laugh.

This ferry is practically the main transportation artery for people traveling east and west in Nanhu Commune. Its news-spreading ability is even stronger than Brother Meng's. I'm afraid that before I even arrive at the prefectural committee, the news that I'm going there to write a book will have spread throughout the entire Gufeng County!

Five minutes to cross the river wasn't enough time for Meng Ge to show off. When the ferry docked, he waved goodbye reluctantly, saying, "I'll take Teacher Chen to the county to catch the bus first. I'll talk to you when I get back."

The man nodded immediately, "Then hurry up, I'm waiting to hear the second half."

Then he waved goodbye to Chen Fan, saying, "Teacher Chen, you've worked hard."

(End of this chapter)