Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 252 Quantitative Reduction, Hard Mode Activated

"Hongbing, we have a new recruit in our department, and I heard he's a college student..."

The following evening, Li Hongbing had just returned from outside when Yan Bugui told him about this.

"Oh? Uncle Yan, what's going on?"

Li Hongbing was slightly taken aback, and couldn't help but look at Yan Bugui, saying with some surprise, "I remember that our courtyard house doesn't seem to have any empty rooms, does it?"

The last time a new resident moved into the courtyard was when the deaf old lady got into trouble and was arrested. She was forced to eat peanuts, and the back main house that originally belonged to her was taken back by the street office and then redistributed and rented out as public rental housing.

Several years have passed since that incident.

Housing is in short supply in the city right now, and there are basically only enough people for one job. In the past few years, no one in the courtyard has moved out.

"Originally there wasn't, but isn't Yi Zhonghai no longer in our hospital?"

Seeing Li Hongbing's puzzled look, Yan Bugui smiled and said, "The two east wing rooms in the middle courtyard that originally belonged to Yi Zhonghai are now occupied by Wang Guihua alone. I heard that a few days ago, Wang Guihua took the initiative to contact the street office and rented out the house. Today, people came directly to the street office."

"Oh, is that so!"

Upon hearing Yan Bugui's explanation, Li Hongbing understood everything.

After a moment's thought, Li Hongbing understood the key point.

It must be said that Wang Guihua is quite shrewd.

She arranged this matter immediately upon returning to the courtyard house; it would be impossible for her not to have been prepared in advance.

If she doesn't do this, given her relationship with the Jia family, Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu will definitely try to take her house before she even passes away.

After all, Wang Guihua lives alone, yet she has two rooms by herself, making her living conditions incredibly comfortable.

The Jia family currently consists of three people, and Qin Huairu is pregnant with another child, soon making them a family of four, yet they are all crammed into one room.

Given the Jia family's past practices, it was only a matter of time before they "asked for help" from Wang Guihua, or rather, borrowed her house.

Now, Wang Guihua rents out her house directly through the neighborhood office, which not only allows her to pocket the rent but also ensures that her interests are not harmed.

This way, the Jia family can avoid having to ask, while also maintaining the relationship between the two families to the greatest extent possible.

Wang Guihua still maintains a close relationship with the Jia family, but the financial and material support she provides is nowhere near what it was when Yi Zhonghai was around.

She was just like everyone else in the courtyard.

Perhaps she still places her hopes for retirement on Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu, but it is obvious that she has no intention of completely tying herself to them.

on the one hand.

After Yi Zhonghai's incident, Jia Dongxu's behavior, especially from the perspective of elderly care, made Wang Guihua somewhat disheartened.

While his self-preservation is understandable from a rational perspective, it may not be entirely acceptable from an emotional standpoint.

on the other hand.

Although the Jia family is still a good choice for retirement, given their previous investments and foundation, it's not indispensable.

Wang Guihua now holds the house and money left by Yi Zhonghai, and has Fuqin as her support, so she has the initiative in her hands.

More importantly.

She didn't have the same strong desire for control as Yi Zhonghai.

It was precisely because of his excessive, even perverse, desire for control that Yi Zhonghai schemed and plotted, squandering a winning hand.

if not.

Given Yi Zhonghai's original abilities, status, and salary, if he had focused on cultivating a few good apprentices or even taking on many disciples, he would have had plenty of people to support him in his old age.

Even with his only apprentice, Jia Dongxu, whom he had given the most support and assistance to, Yi Zhonghai didn't reciprocate with genuine sincerity.

Regardless of whether Jia Dongxu is a good choice or not, Yi Zhonghai has already narrowed his own path.

After chatting with Yan Bugui for a while, Li Hongbing learned that the new college student resident was a technician at the steel rolling mill, but he didn't inquire further.

We now have a basic understanding of why the other party was "assigned" here.

It is now the late 1950s, and we are about to enter the 1960s. Even though the household registration system established the urban-rural dual structure and cleared out some rural residents who had stayed in the cities, the housing situation is still tight.

It's estimated that there aren't any extra factory-owned housing units available for allocation at the steel rolling mill, and since the other party is a college student, it's definitely not suitable to arrange for them to live in the collective dormitory.

Under these circumstances, a new solution emerged.

The factory provides housing subsidies so that the employee can rent a place outside or coordinate with the local street office to solve the housing problem, while the factory directly pays the rent.

From the current perspective, this is not much different from directly allocating housing, because all expenses are directly covered by the factory, employees do not have to pay a penny, and can live there "permanently".

But more than 20 years later, with the reform and opening up and institutional changes, the difference became quite significant.

Because a rented house is always rented; unless you buy it yourself, it will never truly belong to you.

But the housing allocated by the factory was different.

However, this has nothing to do with Li Hongbing.

back home.

Li Hongbing had also heard Chen's mother mention the other person, and seemed to have a good impression of him, describing him as a polite and easy-going young man.

In this regard.

Li Hongbing wasn't particularly surprised.

After all, he was new to the area, and he heard that the other person had come to university from the countryside. Even though he was a college graduate and was now a technician at a steel rolling mill, he didn't have any connections in the city. He still needed to build good relationships with his neighbors in the compound.

Of course.

This also shows that the other person is not the kind of "bookworm" who only studies the classics and is oblivious to the world around them; they are quite knowledgeable about human relationships and social interactions.

In this day and age, being able to get into university requires exceptional intelligence and talent.

If you're quick-witted enough, you'll do well anywhere, unless it's due to political or class background reasons.

However, those with problems in this area basically don't even have the opportunity to go to university now.

The arrival of a college student in the courtyard has directly replaced the previous dispute between Xu Damao, Jia Dongxu, and Sha Zhu, becoming the new hot topic in the courtyard.

Just a few days later, a notice that Yan Bugui and Du Jianguo brought back from a meeting at the subdistrict office sparked a heated discussion throughout the entire courtyard.

"Reduce the dosage?"

"Oh dear, the rations were already small, just enough to eat. If they're reduced, we might go hungry!"

"Uncle Yan, why is this happening?"

"Exactly, why are they suddenly reducing our food rations?"

"Yes, has something happened recently?"

"Old Yan, Old Du, how exactly is this quota reduction going? How much will it be reduced per person?"

"..."

At the general meeting of the entire college.

As soon as Yan Bugui and Du Jianguo announced that the grain rations would be reduced starting next month, the crowd below erupted into a cacophony of voices.

"Quiet down! Everyone, please be quiet and listen to me..."

After finally calming everyone down, Yan Bugui felt immense pressure as he looked at the pairs of eyes staring at him.

He pressed his hand down again, and after everyone gradually quieted down, Yan Bugui spoke up: "This notice came very suddenly. When Lao Du and I found out, we were also shocked."

I know you all have a lot of questions and want to ask me and Lao Du, but don't worry, let's talk about the specifics first.

If you have any more questions later, you can ask them one by one. Please don't ask randomly.

We will answer the questions we can, and for the ones we cannot answer, we will compile them together and contact the subdistrict office for clarification.

However, I want to emphasize one point: this matter of reducing grain rations has nothing to do with Lao Du or me. It's a decision made by higher authorities, and Lao Du and I don't have that kind of power.

After Yan Bugui uttered these words, the crowd below completely calmed down.

“I’ve looked into the situation and heard some things. It’s mainly because several places suffered from disasters last year, resulting in reduced grain production. And this year, there’s been a persistent drought, so the first half of the year’s harvest wasn’t good. That’s why the authorities had to reduce the rations. But I believe this is only temporary. As long as we get through this difficult period, once the grain harvest comes in, this problem will be solved, and everyone’s grain rations will be restored…”

Faced with Yan Bugui's explanation and reasons, the crowd's initial dissatisfaction gradually subsided.

After all, there's nothing we can do about disasters and reduced food production.

Moreover, Yan Bugui also said that this situation is only temporary and will not last forever, so everyone is more accepting of it.

Of all those present, only Li Hongbing knew that this situation was indeed temporary, but the temporary period would be rather long, and it would take three years for things to gradually improve.

The disaster and reduced grain production mentioned by Yan Bugui are only part of the reasons. Another, more important reason is foreign debt.

I cannot go into the specifics.

Next.

When Yan Bugui and Du Jianguo announced the reduced quantitative standards, the crowd stirred again.

After reassuring everyone and answering some questions, the crowd was asked to line up, and the reduced quotas for each household were recalculated based on their individual circumstances.

After compiling and organizing these statistics, Yan Bugui and Du Jianguo submitted them to the subdistrict office. The subdistrict office then conducted further verification to ensure that everything was correct before making a final decision.

This process is basically the same as the issuance of flour purchase certificates and the implementation of the grain coupon system in the past, and everyone is familiar with it.

however.

During this process, when it was Qin Huairu's turn, she was completely unsettled when she saw the grain ration calculated by Du Jianguo for the Jia family.

"Uncle Du, are you sure you haven't miscalculated? Our ration has been reduced way too much, hasn't it?"

As soon as Qin Huairu voiced her question, everyone around looked over.

“I’ve calculated it again, and this is the amount your family uses. I didn’t make a mistake.”

Feeling the gazes of the crowd, Du Jianguo frowned, but had no choice but to explain: "Qin Huairu, the reason your family's ration is so low is because Jia Dongxu is no longer a fitter at the steel rolling mill, but an ordinary handyman in the workshop. The ration standards for handymen and fitters are different. Fitters are heavy manual laborers, how can ordinary handymen compare?"

Hearing Du Jianguo's explanation, everyone remembered the incident and felt relieved.

The grain rations for manual laborers were already high, even higher than those for most cadres, which was incomparable to those for other positions.

Of course.

Because the standards were already high, the number of positions that were subject to a quantitative reduction this time was greater than that of other job categories.

However, the Jia family's situation was different from others.

Jia Dongxu is still being held at the police station and will not be able to return for several days. However, the steel rolling mill has already announced the arrangements and notices regarding his job reassignment.

As a fitter turned general laborer, Jia Dongxu could no longer receive the same quota for heavy manual labor as before.

With this adjustment, their quota has been reduced significantly, so it's no wonder Qin Huairu reacted this way.

This time, the Jia family is truly facing a double whammy.

"Can……"

Reminded by Du Jianguo, even Qin Huairu herself remembered this matter. She was immediately filled with sorrow and pleaded with Du Jianguo with a look of grief and helplessness: "Uncle Du, look at my family's situation, especially since I am pregnant now. Could you please reduce the dosage a little?"

Upon hearing this, Du Jianguo's expression immediately changed, and he quickly declared, "Qin Huairu, you need to understand that there are standards for the quotas, and they are stipulated by higher authorities. I am only helping the street office to bind the quotas in advance. This is not something that a mere senior official like me can decide."

"Uncle Du, I know!"

Seeing that Du Jianguo had misunderstood her meaning, Qin Huairu quickly explained, "What I meant was, could you please talk to the neighborhood committee and ask them to take care of our family? You see, I'm heavily pregnant, and it wouldn't be good if we didn't have enough to eat..."

"Qin Huairu, I can't help you with this. If you're really in trouble, you can go to the neighborhood office yourself. I believe the people there won't ignore you."

Du Jianguo refused this thankless task, which would likely earn him a scolding, without even thinking about it.

He is indeed the caretaker of the compound, but he is not the nanny of the Jia family and Qin Huairu, so there is no need for him to do anything to make her feel special.

"Qin Huairu, I just asked around, and this pregnant woman is treated the same as everyone else, with no special treatment in terms of quotas. So don't go and cause trouble for the neighborhood office this time."

Hearing Qin Huairu and Du Jianguo's conversation, Yan Bugui, who was registering someone else's information, said, "It's better to wait until your baby is born. Then your family will have an extra child's food ration. When that time comes, we can explain the situation to the neighborhood office and add the child's ration. But it's not possible now."

The above does provide some nutritional support for pregnant women and newborns, especially postpartum women, but in terms of food rations, they are no different from ordinary people.

Qin Huairu, who had originally wanted to get special treatment for her family because she was pregnant, was extremely disappointed and worried after hearing Yan Bugui's words.

Now that Jia Dongxu is no longer a fitter, the wages and food rations for odd jobs have been reduced significantly, and there is simply not enough food for his family of several people, not to mention Jia Zhangshi who lives in the countryside.

this moment.

Having just experienced a major upheaval in the Jia family, Qin Huairu's mental state was completely shattered.

Seeing this, no one said anything. Even if they felt sympathy, it was only for Qin Huairu to have married a husband like Jia Dongxu.

All of this was Jia Dongxu's own fault.

If Jia Dongxu hadn't only extorted 1.5 yuan from Xu Damao before, but had extorted 10 or 20 yuan, even if Director Wang had considered Qin Huairu's pregnancy, it wouldn't have been as simple as just spending a few days in the police station; it would have been at least a year.

The specific amount involved is very important, as it is directly linked to the severity of the offense.

Of course.

It was also because Xu Damao, as the "victim," was not without fault. In addition, Xu Fugui and Shazhu worked together to force-feed Jia Dongxu the golden juice, which nearly killed him and made him lose face. Therefore, Director Wang did not pursue their responsibility in this regard, but only gave them a reprimand.

If you take it seriously, they'll be in deep trouble.

Even if they are trying to obtain evidence, there are some things that the police station and the neighborhood office can do, but they cannot.

Otherwise, if everyone followed suit, society would descend into chaos.

This involves the issue of private justice versus public law.

After multiple parties intervened, the matter was ultimately resolved through a semi-mediation process.

Jia Dongxu was detained by the police station. Although the steel rolling mill retained his job, he was reassigned. Xu Damao and Shazhu also received compensation from the Jia family.

As for Jia Dongxu getting beaten up by Sha Zhu, it was obviously for nothing.

Right now, we're in the midst of three difficult years and quota reductions. Even if Jia Dongxu is released, the Jia family is destined to have a tough time, much worse off than the other residents in the compound.

It's not that we can't make ends meet; at most, we'll just go hungry.

During these difficult years, people with urban household registration can be considered extremely fortunate. Even with the reduction in rations, cities across the country have done their utmost to ensure the supply of basic food and other necessities for their residents.

In comparison, it's much harder for the farmers in the countryside. With the completion of the new quota calculations and statistics for each household, tonight's hospital-wide meeting has come to a complete close.

Although everyone dispersed, the discussion about the reduction of food rations had only just begun.

back home.

Chen's mother, who had just attended the hospital-wide meeting, first went to the kitchen to check the remaining food in the house, and then approached Li Hongbing with a slightly worried expression, asking, "Hongbing, starting tomorrow, should we also reduce the amount of food we use for each meal, just like everyone else?"

While she was in the courtyard, Chen's mother overheard many people discussing the issue of food supplies, which is why she asked that question.

Reductions in food rations are inevitable.

Each household has a fixed monthly food ration. With the total ration reduced, the amount of food used at each meal naturally decreases as well. They can no longer eat as much as they want as before.

Although the amount of food was fixed before, as long as it was planned normally, it was still possible to ensure that everyone ate their fill, or even ate well, at every meal.

Unless people overeat and mismanage food supplies, food shortages will not occur at the end of the month.

"Mom, you don't need to worry about the food. We'll eat the same way we always have."

It's normal for Chen's mother to have such concerns, but Li Hongbing said with a smile, "I have ways to get grain. Even if the government reduces the grain ration, it won't affect our family's food and drink."

Besides, you've probably forgotten what I do for a living. No one in this world will go hungry, not even the cook.

Li Hongbing dared to say this because he had the confidence to do so.

In addition to the supplies he had previously stockpiled, there were also various system rewards for skill upgrades and unlocks, including some food and household items, and especially a container of rice.

It's impossible to say that this is enough for their whole family to eat and drink for a lifetime, but getting through the next three years, or even having a good time, is not a problem at all.

Hearing Li Hongbing say this, Chen's mother felt relieved.

Chen's mother would never doubt anything Li Hongbing said.

Chen's mother was well aware that her son-in-law was capable and resourceful, not only having connections to obtain grain but also various supplies and valuable items.

In the past few years, their family has not been affected at all by grain rationing and various coupons.

The reason I asked that question earlier was because the food ration has been reduced for everyone, the situation has changed, and Chen's mother was worried that Li Hongbing's connections would also be affected.

The older generation tends to be more conservative in both their ideas and actions, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, mainly because Chen's mother doesn't know how strong Li Hongbing's backing is.

Hearing their conversation, Chen Xueru couldn't help but laugh and tease, "Mom, you can rest assured!"

"Don't you know whose man you are? If your son-in-law is hungry, he'll never let you go hungry. I never worry about those things."

"You girl..."

Seeing Chen Xueru's unserious and vain behavior, Chen's mother was speechless and almost laughed out of anger.

She wasn't just worried about herself; she was thinking about the whole family and didn't want to put pressure on her good son-in-law, Li Hongbing.

Seeing this, Chen Xueru leaned against Li Hongbing and stuck out her cute tongue at her mother.

Her nonchalant attitude stemmed from two factors: firstly, her unconditional trust in and recognition of Li Hongbing's abilities; and secondly, her sense of responsibility to support her family.

Neither Li Hongbing nor Chen Xueru are short of money. Even if their families were to run out of food, as long as they had money, they could basically solve the problem.

If even those with enough money can't buy food, then those with even less money will likely have no way to survive.

Even before the founding of the People's Republic of China, during times of war and chaos, such a situation was rare, let alone in the peaceful environment we have now.

"Mom, there's something I need to tell you."

Seeing Chen Xueru's mischievous expression, Li Hongbing couldn't help but smile. He quickly regained his composure and reminded Chen's mother, "While our family will not lack food in the future, there are still some things we need to be careful about, just like before."

"I know what I'm doing, don't worry!"

Li Hongbing's words just now seemed a bit rambling, but Chen's mother understood instantly. She nodded solemnly and made a promise on the spot.

Actually, what Li Hongbing was talking about wasn't a big deal; it mainly concerned his daily food, drink, and other necessities.

It's not directed at themselves, but at others.

The courtyard house is neither small nor large; it's just a small space. Everyone in the courtyard knows everything that happens to each family.

Even some secrets are hard to keep hidden.

In the days when grain was rationed and meat required coupons, few people might have paid attention to how much grain each family consumed, but many people would remember how many meat meals each family ate per month.

Unless it's prepared in advance and eaten cold, the meaty smell is hard to mask.

Fortunately, Li Hongbing learned from Sha Zhu and brought lunchboxes back directly from Fengzeyuan Restaurant, so there were leftovers or soup every day.

Even if it's just soup, the oil and fat in it are something everyone envies.

However, most of the time, they ate food made with fresh ingredients that Li Hongbing "secretly" brought back.

As for the so-called leftovers or soup brought back, it was just to make it "legitimate" to eat meat and to cover up what was going on.

Over time, the people in the courtyard got used to the smell of meat often emanating from Li Hongbing's house.

Those who don't know the truth might think that what they were eating was just leftovers brought back from Fengzeyuan, or vegetable soup used to mix with rice.

Li Hongbing wasn't afraid of being reported because what he brought back from Fengzeyuan was usually genuine leftovers and soup, unlike Sha Zhu who was audacious enough to directly withhold ingredients or portions of food from the steel mill leaders' private kitchens.

in turn.

Even if someone who is jealous reports him, once the matter is investigated and clarified, it will only prove that Li Hongbing is diligent and thrifty, and he should be praised for his excellent conduct.

Regarding staple foods, Li Hongbing's family doesn't lack grain, especially refined grains, but they also eat coarse grains as well.

Eating only refined grains and eating too well isn't always a good thing.

Whole grains also have their benefits, especially in that they are rich in dietary fiber.

In those days, food was not plentiful and resources were relatively scarce, which is why refined grains were considered precious and coarse grains were relatively less popular.

However, the coarse grains they eat are all second-selected by Chen's mother, and even ground again with the family's small stone mill, so there is absolutely no risk of them hurting their throats.

The reason why coarse grains are generally like this at this time is mainly due to the limitations of current hulling and milling production technology. In addition, in order to increase the grain yield, the final grain will not be so refined.

Just like cornmeal, sometimes during the grinding process, corn kernels and the cob are ground together and ground into flour. The cornmeal ground in this way is not exactly the same as the fine cornmeal of later generations.

Given the previous rationing of food and limited meat, their actions, while envied by the other residents, were still within an "acceptable" range.

Or rather, even if one is envious, there's nowhere to attack or report them.

Li Hongbing's job as a chef and his position at Fengzeyuan Restaurant provided his family with a great deal of convenience in terms of food and drink.

Moreover, in places like the Pigeon Market, people can't all live on rations and meat coupons. As long as they have some spare money or something good happens at home, who wouldn't go to the Pigeon Market to buy some good food to improve their meals?

Blocking others is tantamount to blocking your own path, and even everyone else's path.

Unless there is some deep-seated hatred, no one would do something that would incite hatred and anger the public.

only.

With the reduction of food rations and the further scarcity of supplies, there will definitely be a widespread food shortage. At that time, the issue will not be about eating and drinking well, but about whether we can have enough to eat.

If they had continued as before, it definitely wouldn't have worked.

Even if you're just pretending, you have to put on an act.

In this regard, Chen's mother had obviously gained some experience over the past few years, so she understood what her son-in-law wanted to express without Li Hongbing needing to give her much advice or explanation.

Chen's mother understood the principles of keeping wealth hidden and blending in with the world.

After all, Mr. Chen had been a merchant all his life, and Ms. Chen had run a silk shop for quite some time. As a wife and mother, Ms. Chen, even though she didn't interfere much in the silk shop's affairs, was naturally far more capable than ordinary housewives due to her upbringing.

Moreover, having lived for so many years and experienced many things, including the special era of war, Chen's mother's life experience was clearly not so shallow.

Some things need no further explanation.

……

Several days passed, and the following month arrived in the blink of an eye.

A new month has begun, which means that this month's food coupons have been "refreshed".

Due to the reduction in grain rations, long queues formed at grain stores everywhere on the first day, just like the scene when flour purchase certificates were issued and the grain coupon system was implemented.

Even though previous experiences and lessons had proven that their worries about not being able to buy food were unnecessary, when the food rations were reduced this time, everyone seemed to have forgotten, fearing that there would be a food shortage. So, what had happened before was repeated.

this day.

When many people in the courtyard heard about this situation, they all grabbed their bags of grain and rushed to the grain store, as if if they were a step too slow, their grain coupons would become worthless.

"Li sister, everyone is lining up to buy food, why don't you seem worried at all? If you go too late, you won't be able to buy any food today."

Seeing everyone rushing to catch up, afraid of falling behind, Chen's mother remained calm and unhurried, sitting there basking in the sun while watching Li Jianwu and his younger brother Chen Jiwen watch the ants. She didn't seem to be in any hurry at all, which made Aunt Yan anxious for her.

Upon hearing this, Chen's mother smiled and said without any pressure, "We still have some surplus food at home, enough to last us for a few days."

Although they say there's some, there's actually a whole bag left. Even if they don't buy any more food this month, it'll be enough for their family to eat.

Except for mornings, or days when Li Hongbing and Chen Xueru are on holiday, Chen Xueru usually eats lunch and dinner at her workplace or in a canteen, mostly with her mother and her two grandsons, Jianwu and Jiwen.

As a result, their family consumed less food at home each day than the others in the yard.

"It's only been a few days? That's not safe. What if we don't manage to grab any grain this time, and the grain stores run out of grain, just like those people outside are saying? Then there will be a famine."

Out of consideration for Li Hongbing, and because of Yan Bugui's usual reminders, Aunt Yan couldn't help but say a few more words, advising Chen's mother: "If you're worried about Jianwu and Jiwen, why not bring them along? Jianwu is not young anymore, and he's sensible and doesn't cause much trouble. You only need to take care of Jiwen."

We've already discussed it with the people in the next courtyard. We've specially arranged a handcart. When we buy grain, we'll put it on the handcart and transport it back together. You won't have to do much work; it'll count as your share.

"Thank you, Sister Yang, but it's alright."

Chen's mother knew that Aunt Yan meant well, but she shook her head and politely declined, saying, "I usually don't have to worry about buying grain. It's always the Red Soldiers who go to the grain store to buy it when they're resting."

This time was no different. Hongbing specifically instructed me that there would be a lot of people buying grain at the grain store these days, and he was afraid I would get hurt, so he didn't let me go.

He'll have a holiday in a few days, and then he'll make arrangements. I'll listen to my son-in-law so he won't worry.

"Besides, there are so many people queuing up to buy grain at the grain store today, it's not safe for Jianwu and Jiwen, the two kids, to go there..."

"Well, since that's how it is, I won't try to persuade you anymore. But if you don't come with me now, and we can't buy any grain at the grain store, don't blame me for not warning you."

Despite knowing and acknowledging Li Hongbing's insight, and hearing Chen's mother's apparent certainty that the grain store would not run out of food, Aunt Yan still insisted on her own ideas.

After all, it's better to believe something is true than not; she wouldn't dare gamble with her family's food supply for the next month.

They don't have Li Hongbing's abilities and skills. Even if the grain store really runs out of food, Li Hongbing can probably get food from other places. Otherwise, Chen's mother wouldn't be so calm.

more critical.

It was Li Jianwen and Chen Jiwen, whom Chen's mother had mentioned. If something really happened to them while they were queuing up to grab food, she couldn't bear the responsibility.

But seriously.

Aunt Yan was quite envious of Chen's mother. With such a filial son-in-law as Li Hongbing, he could take care of everything the family needed without Chen's mother having to worry about anything outside.

Buying grain is traditionally a man's job, but the men in the family usually have to go to work, and the grain store's opening hours are basically the same as everyone's working hours. Although sometimes it may stay open a little longer and it is open on weekends, it is impossible for everyone to rush to buy grain during these times. Therefore, this task often falls to the women in the family.

Buying grain from a grain store, even if it's not a month's worth of food for the whole family at once, a bag is still quite heavy, and carrying it all the way back is no easy task.

Opportunities like today, where you can borrow or share a cart with someone to transport grain, are not so common.

Because of the large-scale queuing to buy grain today, the grain store stayed open for two hours longer than usual before closing, but many people still couldn't buy any grain.

Those who missed out on food on the first day got up in the middle of the night to distribute their share, arriving early at the gates of various grain stores, where long queues had already formed before dawn.

Given previous experience, the higher-ups had anticipated this situation and made ample preparations.

In addition to extending the business hours of grain stores, some grain transport teams were specially organized to set up temporary grain sales points for registration and sales, in order to alleviate the pressure on grain stores and at the same time appease the anxiety of the general public.

This situation lasted for several days. It wasn't until the fourth or fifth day that the enthusiasm and panic of people queuing up to buy grain began to subside.

When Li Hongbing was on leave, there were still quite a few people buying grain, but they no longer needed to wait in long lines for half a day like they had in the previous two days.

After buying bags of rice and flour, Li Hongbing tied them to the back of his bicycle and rode it back to transport the grain.

Although Li Hongbing's system warehouse already had sufficient grain reserves, he still needed to buy grain from grain stores as usual, otherwise problems would arise.

If Li Hongbing hasn't bought any grain from the grain store for several months in a row, or if he buys very little grain each month—so little that it's not enough for his whole family—even a fool would see something is wrong.

As for the grain that was bought, there would be no excess or waste, since there was still his sister Li Hongmei's family who needed Li Hongbing's subsidies and assistance.

Some of the food and supplies stored in the system space were originally prepared specifically for them.

Part of the funds used to stockpile the goods came from the family fortune left by Li Fushun to Li Hongmei and Li Hongbing, as well as the 500 yuan that the Lou family gave to Li Hongbing as a reward for saving Lou Xiao'e.

These all belong to the Li family, or more specifically, to Li Hongmei.

As Li Hongbing pushed the two bags of grain back to the courtyard on his bicycle, Aunt Yan and her companions, who had risked their lives to stand in long lines for half a day in the sun, or even went out in the middle of the night to wait for the grain store to open, all felt complicated and full of regret.

"Oh dear, if I had known earlier that the grain store was not short of grain at all, and that you could buy it as long as you had grain coupons, I would not have joined the queue to grab grain."

"Who can argue with that? I didn't sleep or eat well those few days, I was afraid that the grain store would run out of grain and I wouldn't be able to buy any, and that we would have no rice to cook at home."

“Hongbing, you are so farsighted, knowing to go to the grain store at this time when there are fewer people.”

"These days, you need knowledge and experience to buy grain."

"Honestly, all that worrying for nothing."

"I told you, the country is developing so well now and becoming stronger and stronger, how could there be a food shortage? When food coupons were first issued, a lot of people were scrambling for them, but it turned out the same as this time."

"..."

Listening to everyone's complaints and grumbles, Li Hongbing smiled slightly but didn't say much.

The temporary shortage of grain in grain stores will indeed occur in the future, but at least not now. After all, the three years of hardship have only just begun, and we have not yet reached the most difficult stage.

However, no matter what, they are just ordinary people living under the heavens and earth, and it's impossible for those in power to see people starving to death.

It's a difficult situation, but if you persevere, you'll get through it.

Li Hongbing wasn't worried about himself at all, but the people of Beijing, and even the people of the whole country, were not his concern.

Even if Li Hongbing wanted to intervene, he would need to have the ability to do so.

Never do anything beyond your capabilities, no matter how good your intentions are; it's completely meaningless.

As time went by, the failure to deliver the expected good news of the autumn harvest in the second half of the year undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to the entire nation and the top leadership, and the situation to be faced next became even more severe.

(End of this chapter)