Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 544 Let’s start again

After discussing work, Chen Fan treated them to lunch.

However, the people at the dinner table were not in the mood for much; they didn't drink much alcohol or eat much food.

So much so that when it came time to clear the dishes, Huang Li pouted and sullenly said, "Teacher Chen, is it because my cooking was bad? They didn't eat much, and there's still so much left."

Chen Fan sat in a chair, sipping tea, and shook his head, saying, "They all have things on their minds. Even if you put the most delicious food in front of them, it will taste like cardboard. It has nothing to do with your cooking skills."

Then he looked at Huang Li and said, "Look, there's still quite a bit left here. Why don't you take it home? They'll definitely say it's delicious."

The three girls exchanged glances, quickly grabbed large bowls to divide the food, and after clearing the table, they all carried their big bowls and walked back into the village, laughing and joking.

Chen Fan also put down his teacup, picked up his pipe and twirled it in his hand, strolling around leisurely.

Duo Duo and Qiu Qiu immediately got up and followed him, wagging their tails incessantly.

He hadn't yet seen the newly planted rice paddies behind the house, nor the two piglets in the pigsty, which Captain Yang had helped him catch when he was in Shanghai.

He didn't originally want to raise pigs, but since he had already bought them, he might as well keep them.

Anyway, it's not like he's the one serving her.

Two little spotted pigs rampaged through the pigpen, just like their predecessors who had been cured and hung in the house, completely ignoring their owner who held their fate in his hands.

Chen Fan smacked his lips, thinking to himself, "Two more good pigs for the New Year!"
He went around to the back of the pigpen, where the two horses had already caught his scent and were neighing incessantly. There were also two newly matured sheep running and jumping around in the pen, looking very happy.

Chen Fan really wanted to call the two piglets over and let them learn what pet self-discipline is all about.

If you don't want to be treated like a pig for meat, you should learn to be a pet pig. You really have no sense of propriety at all.

(The self-cultivation of Ningxiang little spotted pigs)
I fed the horses and sheep some grass, then opened the gate. "Don't run too far, just take them for a couple of laps and come back."

After the horse and sheep ran off happily, and the two dogs were herded along to run wild, he continued walking downhill and soon saw a rice paddy.

The original pond has been drained, and the uneven bottom of the pond has been leveled. Two ridges divide the paddy field into three sections, each for a different variety. The three sections are filled with sparse rice seedlings that have just been planted, each one lush and green, a sight that brings joy.

After walking around the paddy field ridge, I looked to the west, where the production team's rice paddies were growing very well. Because they were using hybrid rice seeds, the seedlings were noticeably thicker and stronger. If there were no unforeseen circumstances, this year would be another bumper harvest.

With his hands behind his back, he twirled the pipe between his fingers, and soon he was walking on the path in the village ahead.

The original mud-walled houses, many of which have been replaced by red-brick and blue-tiled buildings.

As soon as Chen Fan approached the first house, someone came out to greet him, "Teacher Chen is here! Come and have some water."

Before the other person even got close, he took out a cigarette, lit it, and offered it to him.

Chen Fan noticed that the cigarette pack in his hand was Donghai and couldn't help but laugh, "Hey, it's been two months, and you've upgraded your cigarettes."

The man approached, offered him a cigarette, and laughed, "It's all thanks to you, otherwise I wouldn't be able to afford Donghai cigarettes."

As he spoke, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes from another pocket and waved it around. "But we usually smoke economy cigarettes. Donghai cigarettes are generally used to offer as a gift."

Chen Fan took the cigarette, lit it on the match offered to him, and said with a smile, "It's all the same, one pack for myself and one pack for others."

The man looked surprised. "Oh, you too?"

Chen Fan: "Of course, actually, if you ask me, these cigarettes are all pretty much the same."

He waved the pipe in his hand, "Look at mine, I smoke it just the same."

The man nodded in agreement, "Exactly, exactly. Actually, those expensive cigarettes are just for show..."

Chen Fan chuckled and said, "Yes, yes."

Then he asked, "Are you busy right now?"

The man said, "No, no, we just finished spring plowing, so we're a bit less busy right now. Five or six hours a day is enough. It's the construction team and the pottery factory that are too busy. The pottery factory is firing those kilns every day. They not only have to supply our own brigade, but the other brigades also have to buy them. Their kilns have hardly been shut down."

Chen Fan grinned and said, "Right? That means everyone's life is better now."

The man grinned from ear to ear, "That's right, now we can eat meat every few days, something we never dared to dream of before."

He then tried to pull Chen Fan inside, saying, "We're cooking meat at home right now. You weren't here when the new house was completed, so come in and have a drink."

Chen Fan quickly waved his hand, "No, no, I just put down my bowl and I still have to go find the team leader. Another day, another day."

The man had no choice but to let it go, saying regretfully, "I'll definitely come another day."

Chen Fan waved his hand, "Definitely, definitely."

He walked uphill, greeting people along the way, and finally reached the top of the slope with great difficulty.

The small mud-walled house of Captain Yang has been replaced by a two-story building, but the big yellow dog is still the one guarding the house.

Upon seeing Chen Fan, the big yellow dog immediately wagged its tail and ran over, barking twice, "Coming!"

Chen Fan bent down and patted the dog's head. "Have you eaten?"

The big yellow dog said, "I ate some earlier, but I haven't eaten yet."

Chen Fan: "Then we'll eat when we're hungry."

At this moment, Captain Yang came out with a bowl of rice and chuckled, "I knew it was you as soon as I heard the barking."

He then ushered the person inside, saying, "Come in, have a seat, and have some tea."

Chen Fan followed him into the house, glanced up and saw that the double wooden doors were sturdy and solid, and said, "When you have time, paint the doors red, they'll match the walls."

Captain Yang was chewing his food when he said, "I learned this from you. Your house has a natural-colored door."

Chen Fan: "But my walls are yellow."

Captain Yang: ? ? ?

Inside the house, the family was eating. On the table in the middle was the bowl of food that Yangmei had brought back, which looked like it had been reheated.

When Chen Fan entered, everyone greeted him, "Teacher Chen."

Yang Mei had already moved a chair over and placed a stool next to it. Then she quickly went to pour tea and whispered as she brought it over, "This is a new cup; no one has used it before."

Captain Yang sat back down at the table and said with a smile, "If Yang Mei hadn't come back and said you're a clean freak, I would have remembered that you haven't drunk a drop of water from my room. Turns out you just think my cups aren't clean. You should have said so earlier, and I would have gotten you a new enamel mug."

Chen Fan explained seriously, "No, although I haven't drunk any water, I have drunk alcohol and eaten food, so I certainly didn't mind."

Captain Yang finished his meal in a few bites, wiped his mouth casually, and reached for a cigarette. "Give me a break, you're just being picky."

Chen Fan took the cigarette thrown to him, chuckled, and remained silent. He could tell that Captain Yang was trying to frame him and definitely wanted something in return.

Captain Yang was holding his own pipe, about to add tobacco, when he suddenly noticed Chen Fan's pipe and beckoned to him, "Let me taste your tobacco."

Chen Fan didn't hesitate and handed over the pipe directly.

Captain Yang opened the bag, took a sniff, and looked up in surprise, "What kind of tobacco is this?"

Unlike the tobacco leaves I grow myself, this tobacco has clearly been processed and seems to smell even better than Peony tobacco.

Chen Fan chuckled and said, "I don't know what kind of tobacco it is. I just bought it casually in Beijing. It tasted pretty good, and it didn't require a ration coupon, so I bought some."

Perhaps because there are too many cigarette factories now, in recent years many places have started to sell grade B and lower cigarettes without cigarette coupons, and there are also tobacco leaves sold without coupons. When he was strolling around Dashilan, he came across a small stall selling tobacco leaves, so he picked out the more expensive ones and bought some.

Don't be fooled by the fact that this is loose tobacco; it still costs 5 yuan per jin (500g). A carton of pure tobacco only contains about half a jin, so it's roughly 2.5 yuan per carton, and that's the price for pure tobacco. With packaging, it can sell for at least 3.5 yuan, almost as much as Peony cigarettes.

However, this tobacco is even better than the peony tobacco. I wonder where the tobacco at that stall comes from.

Anyway, they won't tell me even if I ask.

(A stall selling tobacco)
Captain Yang stared straight at him. "How much did you buy? If you have a lot, give me some."

Chen Fan said, "Forget about sharing. If you like, you can take this bag of tobacco, but you have to keep the bag for me." Without saying a word, Captain Yang said, "Xiao Mei, get me a piece of paper."

Other families might not have paper, but his family definitely did. When Yang Mei placed a large sheet of paper on the table, Chen Fan glanced at it and his eye twitched slightly.

As expected, it was a blank collective household registration page.

As Captain Yang carefully poured the tobacco, he said, "Didn't you give a lecture at the primary school yesterday? I heard it was very well received, with both teachers and students praising it. Now, those new educated youths have heard about it too. This morning when they went to work, the two team leaders they elected came to me, hoping I could put in a good word for them so they could also come and listen to your lecture."

He shook his pipe, returned the pipe, and looked at Chen Fan with a smile, "If you agree, I won't pursue the matter of you complaining about the teacup in my room."

Chen Fan laughed and said, "I thought it was something serious. This is simple, I definitely have no objection. But I still need to let Principal Xiao know about this."

Captain Yang pinched a wad of tobacco and stuffed it into his pipe, nodding and smiling, "You don't need to remind me, I'll tell Lao Xiao, he'll definitely be fine."

He then lit a match and looked at Chen Fan, asking, "When will you give another lecture?"

Chen Fan thought for a moment, "It will probably take a couple of days. I have some things to take care of in the next couple of days."

Captain Yang looked at him. "You just got back. What's up now?"

Now that everything in the production team is on track, Chen Fan doesn't have to worry about anything. Even his title as the brigade veterinarian is just a formality. Any minor problems with the livestock in the various teams are solved by his apprentices and their descendants. There's no need for him to get involved. What else could possibly happen?

Just as Chen Fan was about to speak, Zhang Wenliang's voice came from outside, "Old Chen, is Old Chen here?"

He glanced back at the door and laughed, "Look, things have come to this."

……

When they left Chen Fan's house, Takahashi Hideo, Zhao Junhui, and the others were all preoccupied with their own thoughts.

Hideo Takahashi was worried about whether his nephew's family would come home with him, while Zhao Junhui and the others were naturally preoccupied with the foreign exchange.

The State Administration of Foreign Exchange intercepted the US dollars, and this money still needs to be distributed. As for who gets it, there are some tricks to it.

These days, every department is short of foreign exchange. Even a few hundred US dollars can buy some necessary books and materials, solving many problems for the unit.

You can apply to buy small equipment for a few thousand dollars.

If it's tens of thousands of dollars, that's even more impressive. With careful planning, you can spend that money wisely and even set up a new factory for in-demand goods.

If only there were more...?
Well, so, with $23 right in front of us and two other people from other organizations around, it all comes down to who can get the message back first and seize the initiative.

Even if the money hasn't arrived yet, it doesn't prevent us from distributing the money first!

But their main job was to stay with Hideo Takahashi and not be able to leave his side, so how could they make phone calls and send telegrams sooner?
At this moment, all three of them thought of asking Zhu Gong'an for help!
But Officer Zhu wasn't stupid. He simply said, "You all know about Lao Gao's house, right? You have your own cars, so you can go directly there. If you feel it's inconvenient, you can go to the brigade headquarters and ask them to send someone to accompany you. I have some work to finish, so I'll go back first. Don't worry, I'll be back soon."

Before he could finish speaking, he used his old battlefield communication skills to dash away and disappeared in a flash.

Fortunately, Zhu Gong'an knew a principle: "Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake."

Chen Fan is from Lujiawan, so this matter cannot be separated from Lujiawan.

Moreover, Nanhu Commune is an inland town. Apart from exceeding its annual grain collection quota, it has nothing else. What reason could it possibly have to apply for foreign exchange?

On the contrary, the Lujiawan production team, which has developed rapidly in the past year, has managed to make quite a name for itself.

For example, expanding cooked food workshops, or even directly purchasing equipment from abroad, and jointly establishing a collectively owned food company with the commune—wouldn't that be a perfect reason?
Therefore, this matter will definitely not bypass Lujiawan.

He immediately ran into the brigade headquarters, where Secretary Yang and several other leaders were present. He then explained the situation to them.

After hearing what Zhu Gong'an said, Secretary Yang was stunned. "What did you say? 23? In US dollars?"

Captain Xiao and his two companions exchanged bewildered glances, somewhat disbelieving that what they had heard was true.

Zhu Gong'an didn't care whose teacup it was, picked it up and took a sip, wiped his mouth, and said breathlessly, "I've told you what happened, so don't say I didn't inform you. The only obstacle now is the approval from the cultural department, but no one else can handle this; only Xiao Chen can."

You'd better discuss with Xiao Chen how to expedite the approval process so you can sign the contract sooner and secure your foreign exchange.

Anyway, that's the situation. Um, can I borrow your bicycles? I'll go report to my superiors and come right back. Those officials in the provincial capital are definitely interested; we can't let them get there first.

Ultimately, it was all part of the same commune. If it were the county that made the decision, Secretary Yang and the others wouldn't bother to pay attention. But the commune was different. In the end, Nanhu Town and the five production brigades in the surrounding area were the real collective. No matter what the origin of other units was, they had to step aside.

So without saying a word, Secretary Yang tossed a key over, saying, "The first car against the wall in the yard is it."

Zhu Gong'an took the keys and ran away.

Secretary Yang then called Zhang Wenliang over and said, "Go find Xiao Chen now and tell him to come over right away."

Xiao Liewen, who was standing next to him, immediately stood up and left, saying, "Why bother having him come? Let's go find him together, wouldn't that be faster?"

The three people next to them, hearing the news, followed suit and filed out.

Only Zhang Wenliang looked completely bewildered, following behind and shouting, "What do you want with him? Tell me!"

Ten minutes later, they rode their bicycles to Chen Fan's house, only to find no dogs, just three pandas lying in front of the fence, curiously watching them.

They couldn't ask the panda, so they rushed to the sixth team ahead without stopping. Fortunately, the last villager told them that Teacher Chen had gone to Captain Yang's house, so they rushed over directly.

Therefore, what Chen Fan saw at this moment was not just Zhang Wenliang, but five of them.

As soon as Secretary Yang entered the room, he took a couple of breaths and asked Chen Fan, "So, you're going to sign a contract with the Japanese and then earn foreign exchange, is that true?"

Chen Fan nodded. "Ah, really."

Captain Yang and his family were stunned. They all turned to look at Chen Fan. Teacher Chen can earn foreign exchange?

Secretary Yang then asked, "That approval that Public Security Officer Zhu mentioned, only you can handle it, how long can it be completed at the fastest?"

Chen Fan thought for a moment, "If we send a telegram, they should receive it tomorrow. If we call, it's hard to say, since no one knows how long it will take to connect a long-distance call. But the fastest way is to drive there directly. If we leave now, we can get there before dark."

He looked up and chuckled, "I was just talking about the theoretical situation. This isn't urgent. I'll send a telegram or make a call later..."

Secretary Yang pulled him away, saying, "Don't bother hitting him. You've got nothing to do at home anyway, so why not go out for a stroll? You can take a boat to the prefectural committee now, then drive there. It won't take much trouble. You can come back afterwards."

"Once this is all settled, I'll give you a long vacation; you won't need to work this year."

Chen Fan: "I don't need to work in the first place. Look, I just got back..."

Then, seeing the several burning gazes, he sighed softly, "Fine, whatever."

Secretary Yang nodded in satisfaction. "I knew you were a good comrade who was dedicated to serving others. I won't pursue the matter of you scheming to get me to feed the pandas bamboo. Hey, do you even know how much those pandas eat? They eat hundreds of pounds of bamboo a day, even pigs can't eat as much."

Xiao Liewen beamed with joy, showing no trace of his earlier dark expression. He said with a look of relief, "Xiao Chen still keeps his principles. By the way, I have a good gun here, it's my personal one, the kind with wheels, American-made, it never jams. I'll give it to you when you get back!"

Chen Fan: "Is it true?"

Xiao Liewen: "Of course I wouldn't lie to you. I've also taken care of your gun license, so you won't have any worries."

Chen Fan: "Then I'll be waiting."

Escorted by the six elite guards, and yes, Captain Yang came along too. Chen Fan picked up his earliest self-made small leather bag, stuffed a few pieces of clothing inside, and pulled out a large gift bag from the closet.

After he finished packing, Zhang Wenliang soon brought him a letter of introduction that he had obtained by running back to the brigade headquarters. He then reluctantly boarded the small yacht with his luggage and headed towards the prefectural committee.

When he turned around and glanced at the few people waving from the dock, he couldn't stop smiling.

That's right, he deliberately waited for them to come; otherwise, would he have told them that driving to the provincial capital was the fastest way?!

Anyway, he's not in a hurry; it's the people who want foreign exchange who are in a hurry.

He also happened to be planning to visit his father-in-law today, since he hadn't been since his last business trip, so he decided to do it together.

I only wanted to get some favors, but I never expected to get a handgun. I wonder what brand it is?

(End of this chapter)