Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 51 Take it slow

In a whirlwind, most of the dishes on the table were gone.

Only then did everyone realize what was happening. Zhang Changjiang pointed to the wine bowl, and before he could even speak, he burst into laughter.

His smile caused a burst of laughter throughout the room, and everyone was overjoyed.

Xiao Liewen laughed and said, "Look at you guys, so pathetic, acting like you've never been to a banquet before."

Master Zhu grinned widely, pointed at Chen Fan, and said, "You can't blame us for this. It's because Master Chen's skills are too good, and we couldn't resist."

This remark was met with another burst of laughter.

However, after eating so much, everyone's stomachs were about half full, so they started drinking slowly and leisurely.

Just then, Chen Fan's wine warmed up and his stomach was full, so he wasn't afraid of feeling unwell from drinking too much. He picked up his small wine cup and clinked glasses with everyone.

After drinking for a while, everyone started chatting.

Xiao Liewen looked at Secretary Yang and asked, "Old Yang, what did the higher-ups say about the meeting at the commune this time?"

Secretary Yang wiped his mouth, habitually took out his pipe and lit it. Zhang Wenliang immediately took out a pack of Peony cigarettes and handed one to each of Master Zhu and Chen Fan.

This cigarette isn't cheap. Compared to the economical 8 cents a pack, Peony costs 49 cents a pack.

As we all know, cigarettes are graded. At this time, cigarettes were divided into three grades: Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C.

The cheapest Class C cigarettes don't even require cigarette coupons; you can just buy them with money. The standard is that they cost no more than 2 cents. For example, Badaling, Donghai, and Golden Leaf are all Class C cigarettes. Of course, there are also the cheapest economy cigarettes.

而乙级烟就是在2毛到5毛之间的。3毛6分钱的墨菊、3毛5的大前门、3毛2的飞鹰、镜湖，还有2毛9的朝阳桥都是乙级烟，其中最贵的就是4毛9的牡丹。

"Pegasus," which once made outstanding contributions to the War of Resistance against Japan and was on par with China, has now dropped in price to 29 cents a pack, falling to the second-tier category and almost becoming a third-tier cigarette.

Cigarettes of this grade required cigarette coupons, so cadres generally smoked Grade B cigarettes because these were not easy to buy, in order to show that they were different from others.

Fortunately, it's just different from others, not that it makes one superior.

Because those who are superior to others at least smoke top-grade cigarettes.

甲级烟自然是5毛钱以上的烟。小中华6毛2，大中华7毛2，都是甲级烟。

If someone pulled out a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes, the county leaders would think twice about them. It wasn't because the pack cost 72 cents, but because these coupons were so rare. Anyone who could get these coupons, even if they weren't particularly powerful, at least knew a few influential people.

This isn't even the most expensive item. The most expensive is imported cigarettes, priced in US dollars, but that's beyond the reach of ordinary people and isn't included in this calculation.

Judging from the cigarettes they smoke, Zhang Wenliang, the militia company commander, was living a much better life than Captain Yang of the 6th team.

Of course, the possibility of him pretending to be rich when he's not cannot be ruled out.

Regardless, Master Zhu was very satisfied with the Peony cigarettes he had acquired. The way he lit them was completely different from when he was at Captain Yang's house. He raised his chin high, placed his right hand on the table, and held the cigarette up high, as if smoking it made him some kind of big shot.

Even Chen Fan, who doesn't smoke, held Xiao Liewen's hand and lit a cigarette, then held it in his hand and let it burn—what a waste!

Then he was surprised to find that Ms. Yang Xingxiu was also smoking a pipe.

Alright, there are 9 people in this room, and I'm the only one who doesn't smoke.

Secretary Yang took a couple of puffs before saying smugly, "Tomorrow we'll send someone to the post office to install the utility poles, and next Wednesday someone will come to install the wires."

Ye Shubao calculated the date. "Today is Saturday, January 22nd. Next Wednesday is January 26th. It's almost here!" Zhang Wenliang suddenly said excitedly, "It's just in time for Laba Festival."

Xiao Liewen smirked, "What a coincidence."

Everyone was incredibly excited and raised their wine bowls for another toast.

After putting down his wine bowl, Secretary Yang coughed lightly, looked at everyone, and said seriously, "Now that the broadcast cable is laid, we also need to build the broadcast station. And for the broadcast station, we need to run electrical wires."

The commune said that this time, all five brigades of Nanhu Commune must have complete broadcast coverage. The power lines will follow the broadcast lines, and installation will begin once the power poles are erected. The goal is to complete the installation before the Spring Festival.

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Changjiang immediately said, "Sure, we've already prepared the broadcasting station. We've cleared out a room on the second floor, and the equipment can be installed anytime."

Ye Shubao frowned again and said, "It's just that it's hard to find a good announcer."

Xiao Liewen also said, "Right now, our brigade only has a medic and a messenger. The agricultural technician is still a staff member from the commune's agricultural technology station. We can't possibly hire an outsider for the last one, the broadcaster."

Secretary Yang frowned. "The problem is that none of the people in our brigade can speak Mandarin."

After these words were spoken, everyone fell silent.

Chen Fan looked around cautiously and asked, "Aren't there any primary school teachers in the team?"

Secretary Yang turned to look at him and gave him a smile. "Our production team does have a primary school, located in Team 10. It teaches first and second grade. From third grade onwards, students have to go to Nanhu Primary School. Moreover, they only accept students from the first few teams. Children from other teams go directly to the commune to study."

The teachers at Nanhu Elementary School aren't from our team. The teachers in our own team only speak our "Yunhu dialect," the kind you hear on the radio. They can't speak that!

Chen Fan chuckled and said, "Alright, never mind."

He did want to be a broadcaster, but such a good opportunity was unlikely to come his way, so he obediently kept his mouth shut.

After discussing it for a long time, Secretary Yang and the others still couldn't come up with a solution, so they had to put it on hold until the radio station was built.

If all else fails, we can find someone who has only graduated from elementary school to fill in. Anyway, there are no outsiders here, so it's fine for them to speak "Yunhu Mandarin," it's just a bit embarrassing.

The meal ended as dusk approached, with both Master Zhu and Chen Fan needing to return to their respective communes.

As they left the brigade headquarters, Xiao Liewen grabbed Chen Fan's hand and exclaimed, "Master Chen, you're amazing! You've fulfilled one of my wishes. I never thought I'd get to eat blood sausage in my lifetime. Come back in a couple of days and teach my kids how to make sauerkraut. I'll treat you to drinks then. After the sauerkraut is ready, I'll slaughter a pig for the New Year. You'll have to come again, and I'll treat you to a pig-slaughtering feast!"

Chen Fan grinned and said, "Sure, I'll definitely come over after I'm done with these next couple of days."

Zhang Changjiang stood aside and waved to the distance. Zhang Wenliang then led two horses over.

Secretary Yang smiled at Chen Fan and said, "Master Zhu has a bicycle, so we won't join in the fun. It will take you almost an hour to walk back from here, so let Sanhu give you a ride."

Chen Fan repeatedly refused, "No need, no need, it's just a few steps away."

Then he clapped his hands and laughed, "Besides, I can't ride a horse either."

Zhang Wenliang walked over and said with a smile, "Master Chen, don't worry, this mare is very docile. People in our team use this horse to pick up their brides at weddings. I guarantee you'll be safe and sound."

Unable to refuse, Chen Fan had no choice but to mount the horse with Zhang Wenliang's help. He carefully lay down on the horse and spoke into its ear, "We're not in a hurry, let's go slowly."

The mare snorted and gave a soft whinny before steadily trotting forward with tiny steps.

(End of this chapter)