Siheyuan: Living in the People's Community, with a Heart for the Red Star

The next day, people started lining up outside the meat shop at daybreak. By 8 a.m., when the shop opened, there was already a long line that stretched as far as the eye could see.

As soon as the butcher shop opened, a crowd of people rushed into the store. The salesman maintained order while loudly announcing: "Today we only have sea fish. Each person with urban household registration is limited to one pound, and the price is 1.2 cents per pound. Purchase with grain book, no meat coupons are accepted, so prepare the grain book and money in advance!"

Staff had been arranged at the counter to verify the grain book, weigh the fish, collect money and provide change. A total of 9 butcher shops were selling sea fish at the same time, and the sea fish were sold out by o'clock in the morning. The people in the queue behind were notified to come back tomorrow to buy. Those who bought fish walked in front of the people in the queue with their fish in their hands, showing off before taking them home to pickle or stew them.

The sale of marine fish caused a sensation and received widespread praise from the general public. In the morning, Li Kaihui received praise from the superiors, who asked her to continue her efforts to ensure that all the people in the city could eat fish.

Li Kaihui called Li Zhenxiao to discuss and decided to eat up the 200 tons of fish in Lao Yang's hands, gradually increasing his influence in logistics. So he began to mobilize vehicles and manpower, and finally gathered 40 trucks and drivers. Li Zhenxiao called Ma Siye to send someone to inform Lao Yang of the trading volume and trading time tonight.

At dawn in the morning, Lao Yang went to Shichahai to exercise. When he passed by the butcher shop and saw the long queue, he knew that the sea fish had been delivered and were ready to be sold.

When Lao Yang came back from his exercise, the queue was already too long to be seen. Lao Yang nodded in satisfaction and returned to the compound.

Li Yuping had already driven to work. Lao Yang pulled Zhao Jingyi out of bed, and after they had breakfast together, they decided to take a camera to the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and other famous scenic spots to take pictures. Zhao Jingyi also became interested, went back to the room to change into beautiful clothes, put on makeup, and urged Lao Yang to take the camera and set off.

Old Yang rode his bicycle with Zhao Jingyi and headed towards Tiananmen Square. When they passed by a butcher shop, they saw people coming in and out and the long queue and became interested. Old Yang taught Zhao Jingyi how to use a camera and took a few photos as evidence.

After Zhao Jingyi learned how to use it, she opened a door to art and developed a strong interest in photography. Lao Yang rode a bicycle with Zhao Jingyi on his back, while Zhao Jingyi fiddled with the camera in her hand, taking pictures as she walked, and taking a picture of any new place she saw.

Soon, she finished shooting a roll of film and begged Lao Yang to take out another roll and teach her how to change the film. Lao Yang put the film into the space and went back to Hong Kong to take time to develop it.

Soon they arrived at Tiananmen Square, put their bicycles away and walked into the square. Looking at the towering Monument to the People's Heroes and the national flag fluttering in the wind, Lao Yang was filled with emotion and awe!

They faced the national flag and sang the national anthem softly. After singing the national anthem, they smiled at each other. They called a young man passing by and learned that he was a Peking University student named Xu Ran. He majored in history and was now completing his studies in the Imperial City.

Old Yang hired Xu Ran as the guide and photographer for the two of them for five yuan. The young man was dressed simply, with a few patches on his body and old canvas shoes that he had found somewhere. But he was in a very good mood, and his words were full of passion and positivity.

The weather was getting hotter, and they started to sweat after a little exercise. They took a few photos in the square and did not stay for too long. The three of them walked through Tiananmen Square and entered the Forbidden City. They visited the Temple of Confucius, Meridian Gate, Jinshui Bridge, Taihe Gate, Qianqing Palace, Yonghe Palace, Jingren Palace, Yanxi Palace, Wenhua Hall, and returned to Tiananmen Square from Meridian Gate.

It was already past 11 noon when the three returned to Tiananmen Square. Seeing that the sun was high, Lao Yang invited Xu Ran to have dinner together. Xu Ran was still a very sensible person, so he rejected Lao Yang's invitation, took the reward of five yuan and left. Lao Yang felt that today's college students are really educated, well-educated, understand human nature, and know when to advance and retreat.

Old Yang looked at Zhao Jingyi, whose legs were shaking, and wanted to carry her on his back out of concern. Zhao Jingyi put up a desperate resistance, but felt so embarrassed. Old Yang had no choice but to let her wait in the square, and he went to get a bicycle and pushed Zhao Jingyi out of the square.

Zhao Jingyi hugged Lao Yang's waist and complained that this trip was too tiring and she would never go out again! But when she talked about her own photos, she was very excited and wanted to have them developed right away.

This time, five rolls of film and 180 photos were used during the visit to the Forbidden City. Every famous scenic spot and building was photographed. These photos will become historical relics and memories of Zhao Jingyi in the future!

The two rushed home, Lao Yang carried Zhao Jingyi back to the house and sat her next to the table, then brought the washbasin for her to wash her hands.

Taking out the food from the space, the two of them ate lunch together. Lao Yang carried Zhao Jingyi to the bed and began to relax her muscles and joints to relieve her leg pain...

Just as Old Yang was sitting comfortably in the living room listening to crosstalk, Ma Siye came in with a young man. He bowed to Old Yang and said, "Good luck, Master Yang!"

Old Yang pointed to the seat next to him and asked, "Why did the Fourth Master come here in person today? Did something happen?"

Fourth Master Ma came over and sat down, answering, "There is no change in Master Yang's affairs! After two days of on-site inspection, Master Qi has made detailed measurements of No. 8 Courtyard in Guaijia Hutong, the west wing of No. 95 Courtyard in Nanluoguxiang, and the east wing of No. 97 Courtyard, and has given a design plan. Please take a look."

Ma Siye took the bag from the young man and opened it. He took out a few papers from it and opened them on the table. These were two design drawings and the "Housing Renovation Consent" issued by the Street Office, as well as the land contract for the east cross yard of No. 97 Courtyard.

Lao Yang picked up the design and started to look at it. This was the design of No. 8 Courtyard in Guaijia Hutong. The plan did not suit Lao Yang's idea, so Lao Yang took out a pen, drew on the drawing and began to express his ideas:

"The design of this yard is too conservative. I want to flatten it and build a 4-story villa, with one underground floor and three above-ground floors. The style should be European. The main building will be built in this location, and a small garden will be built behind the building. In front of the building is a courtyard with some fruit trees and flower stands. There is an entrance to an underground garage. There should be a water outlet in the front yard and another in the back yard. The villa also needs to be connected to running water, and there should be toilets and bathrooms on each floor. Install an elevator at the staircase. Tell Mr. Qi that this design must draw on advanced Western experience, put modern elements in it, and the water and electricity inside must be laid out concealed!"

Fourth Master Ma hesitated to speak, but finally couldn't help but bring it up: "Master Yang, the situation in China is rather special. Will your doing this cause unnecessary trouble?"

Old Yang said indifferently: "Don't worry about it! Apply according to the requirements. At most we will spend more money. Tell Mr. Qi that it must be earthquake-proof and fire-proof, and must be cast with reinforced concrete. Real materials, don't be afraid to spend money! Use his imagination and all his skills!"

Seeing that Old Yang was so confident, Master Ma Si stopped trying to persuade him and listened carefully. He took notes on the parts he didn't understand and prepared to relay them to Master Qi.

Old Yang took out another drawing and looked at it. He said, "The east wing of No. 97 courtyard can be renovated in the style of No. 95 courtyard. The buildings in the east wing should be demolished and rebuilt into a two-story brick, stone and wood structure. Modern elements must be added during the renovation, and the water and electricity inside need to be concealed. The toilets and bathrooms in the courtyard should also be reasonably planned, and a large kitchen should be built separately, and flowers, plants and fruit trees should be planted in the courtyard."

Old Yang picked up the house deed and land deed that was placed aside, looked at it and put it away. He thanked Fourth Master Ma and said, "Thank you for your trouble! I will give you the project payment later. There must be enough people, and the three sides will work at the same time. Those that need to be demolished can start demolition first, and materials that need to be used can be applied for. If you encounter any problems that cannot be solved, you can come to me!"

Ma Siye nodded and said, "Okay, Master Yang, I'll make a note of it."

Fourth Master Ma stood up and pulled the young man over to introduce him, "Master Yang, this is my nephew, Ma Yu. He is a down-to-earth person and works hard. From now on, he will be your messenger and will contact you specifically. Yu'er, kowtow to Master Yang, remember this courtyard and Master Yang, and come here to report to Master Yang if you have any news. If you can't see him, just wait here. Do you understand?"

Ma Yu immediately stepped forward and knelt on both knees, shouting, "Ma Yu greets Master Yang, please give me your orders!" After that he kowtowed three times.

Old Yang nodded and said, "Get up!"

Then he said to Master Ma Si, "That's right. Let this kid run errands back and forth in the future! I won't treat him unfairly in the future."

After saying that, he took out a watch from his pocket and threw it over.

Ma Yu quickly reached out to take it, and when he saw that it was a brand new watch, his face was full of surprise, and his hands were shaking slightly. Although he was very eager in his heart, he couldn't help but look up at Ma Siye.

Ma Siye laughed and scolded, "You little bastard, why don't you kowtow to Master Yang and thank him for the reward? Just use what Master Yang gave you. It just so happens that you have a watch to check the time. Don't delay things!"

Ma Yu kowtowed to Old Yang again and said, "Thank you, Master Yang, for the reward! I will do my best and will never delay Master Yang's work!"

"Okay, get up! Kneel less in the future and do your work steadily!"

After seeing him kowtow, Lao Yang let him stand up.

Fourth Master Ma sat down at the table again and said, "Master Li called me and said he needed another batch of sea fish tonight, the quantity is about 200 tons. How about 9:00 p.m.?"

Lao Yang thought about it and decided, "There is no problem with the number of fish. 9 o'clock is a bit too early. Let's set it to around 4:00 in the morning! I will let you know when the location is at 3 o'clock in the morning. You'd better find a place with a phone and pass the message on in time!"

Master Ma nodded in agreement and said, "Okay, I'll go back and report to the young master right away so that we can make adjustments!"

Master Ma Si collected the drawings on the table and put them into his briefcase. He said goodbye to Lao Yang and left with Ma Yu, hurrying to report and make adjustments.

Lao Yang put the two land deeds and the house deeds into the space, then stood up and prepared to go to the toilet outside the yard.

As soon as they reached the gate, they saw a military jeep coming from afar, and it braked suddenly and stopped at the gate. The door opened and Zhou Xiaobai and Luo Yun jumped out of the car. Seeing Lao Yang at the door, they immediately rushed over, hugged each other's arms and said coquettishly: "Husband, you are so awesome, you knew we were coming back and greeted us at the door."

At this time, Lao Yang was too embarrassed to say that he was not waiting for them, but was going to the toilet. He had no choice but to follow the two people and was pulled back to the house. Zhou Xiaobai opened the bedroom door and saw Zhao Jingyi sleeping soundly on the bed. He closed the door again, exchanged glances with Luo Yun, and pulled Lao Yang to the north room.

More than an hour later, the two girls, with rosy faces, sat in the living room and pulled Lao Yang to tell him the purpose of their return - to get fish!

Today, the news that the meat union sold fish all over the city caused a sensation, alarming the leaders above, and naturally attracted the attention of all parties. When the military district representatives rushed to the meat union, there was no fish left. After a little inquiry, they knew what was going on!

After returning to the military region and reporting to Commander Zhou Zhennan, Zhou Zhennan set his sights on his daughter. A phone call was made to the divisional headquarters of Zhou Xiaobai's unit, and the political commissar went to find Zhou Xiaobai and Luo Yun and assigned them this mission.

When the two heard that they could go out to look for Lao Yang, they immediately agreed happily. They took the car arranged by the army to the compound. As soon as they arrived, they relieved their homesickness first, and then proposed the task of buying fish.

"Is the large slaughterhouse I asked you to prepare ready? I brought back a lot of whales, each of which is over 10 meters long. It's hard to handle them in a small place. And have you prepared professional fish butchers? Whales need special people to handle them, and ordinary people really can't do it. The whale oil of a fish weighs hundreds of kilograms, and it will be wasted if it is not handled properly!"

Old Yang looked at the two young and immature girls and felt that they were unreliable, so he asked about their preparations.

The two women realized that they had come here with great enthusiasm, but there was no suitable place or person to kill fish. They could only settle for the next best thing and beg Lao Yang to give them some sardines. After they returned, they started to look for a whale slaughterhouse and a professional fish butcher.

Of course, Lao Yang would not refuse them, and told them directly: Every pound of fish is charged at 10 cents, and the money must be collected! Moreover, the fish given to the army cannot be sold to the public, otherwise he will not trade with them next time.

The two women quickly agreed.

Lao Yang asked them to go back and prepare the trucks for transporting fish. They could only carry fish once, and they could carry as many as they prepared. They set out at 3 a.m. and assembled at the gate of the military area.

Zhou Xiaobai and Luo Yun completed the task and left happily. When they left, they took a lot of food and snacks from the refrigerator.

After the two girls left, Lao Yang pushed open the door and entered the bedroom. He saw Zhao Jingyi had woken up and was squinting at him. He complained, "These two little girls left right after eating my mother's food, and didn't even come to see me. They are so heartless!"

Lao Yang sat down beside the bed and rubbed Zhao Jingyi's legs to change the subject: "Are you feeling better now? Is it still painful?"

Zhao Jingyi said helplessly: "My physical fitness is just poor. I just walked for a whole morning and my legs felt like they were broken!"

Old Yang comforted Zhao Jingyi and said, "It's okay. When we get to Hong Kong, we have a gym at home where we can improve our physical fitness. We can ask professional experts to develop an exercise plan. As long as you don't overdraw too much, there will be no problem!"