Affection for Sidaogou during the Famine

There were two carts parked at the gate, loaded with all kinds of daily necessities such as pots, pans, tables, chairs, benches, water tanks, grain jars, wardrobes, etc.

Five strong men moved and lifted things. Under the command of Zheng Guoren, two full carts of things were carried into the back room and installed in less than half an hour.

Grandpa Guan stood up to help, leaving Han Zhaozhao and Xiaoliang alone to watch curiously.

"Moving to a new house! I can cook delicious food here!" Xiao Liang was very happy when he saw the big iron pot.

Han Zhaozhao didn't say anything, but he admired Xiaoliang's father's initiative. It was less than two hours, and he had basically equipped himself with all the necessary equipment for life.

This guy not only has plenty of money, but also has a wide network of contacts!

You have to know that buying these things is not easy. An iron pot requires an iron pot ticket, and furniture requires a furniture ticket. And having tickets alone is not enough. You also need to have acquaintances to buy furniture. Otherwise, even if you have money and tickets, you still have to wait in line for the goods.

"We're still short of a bed. Xiaoliang has grown up and needs to sleep in his own room."

Zheng Guoren paid the bill for the cart driver and said to Shufen, "The furniture factory doesn't have any ready-made beds. I'll go out this afternoon and think of a solution. I'll also buy a desk for his room, a cabinet, and a chair."

Xiao Liang's mother refused: "You spent a lot of money today, didn't you? You don't have to buy a bed, just settle down first. Tomorrow I will go to the scrap collection station to find some scrap wood and nail a bed myself."

That day she saw that the landlord had stored a lot of wood in this house, all of which were bought from the scrap yard. The wood was all dismantled from old furniture, and there was no need to cut or plan the wood. The thickness was similar and it could be matched together. It should be no problem to nail a bed and make a few stools.

"It's hard to do without the tools! Don't worry about it. I'll find a way."

Grandpa Guan gave some advice, "If you are in a hurry to buy, you can go to the consignment store and the second-hand market. There are still some good quality furniture there. Although they are used by others, if you don't mind, you can buy a few pieces to use."

Xiaoliang's mother showed surprise on her face, "It's not a taboo, it's not a taboo, good furniture can be used for decades without breaking, I will go and have a look this afternoon and pick out a few suitable pieces.

To be honest, we have just settled down and are short of money, so it would be best if we could have something second-hand.”

What is there for her to be taboo about? Over the years, in order to survive, she has worn the clothes and shoes of the dead and even competed with dogs for food. What else is there for her to be particular about?

Zheng Guoren frowned, said nothing more, and went out again after a while.

Grandpa Guan sighed and consoled Xiaoliang's mother: "Shufen, now that things have come to this, it's not Lao Zheng's fault. He is the father, and it's his duty to take care of Xiaoliang.

If he wants to do his best, let him do it. For the sake of the children, you have to endure it no matter how hard it is. There is no need to be too awkward with him.

It will be fine once you have a stable job and an income," Xiaoliang's mother nodded gently, "I know, Uncle Guan, I understand.

But I'm sorry that you will have to work hard in the future. Xiaoliang is in such a situation that living as your neighbor will inevitably cause you trouble."

Grandpa Guan waved his hand and said, "We are all military families, so why would we say such foreign words as a family?

Don't worry, just focus on your own business and settle your family down as soon as possible so that you can go out and look for work. I'll take care of Xiaoliang for the next few days."

Xiaoliang's mother had tears in her eyes and her heart was filled with gratitude.

It was almost noon when Zheng Guoren brought back another cart of furniture, all of which were cheap and practical furniture picked from the flea market.

Although it is old, after being wiped by Xiaoliang's mother, it looks about 70% new.

At noon, Xiaoliang's mother went to the state-owned restaurant and bought ten steamed buns. She cooked some porridge in a Xin'an iron pot, which was her lunch.

She invited Grandpa Guan and Han Zhaozhao to eat together, but they both declined.

Han Zhaozhao made hand-rolled noodles and invited Grandpa Guan to eat with her in the main room.

Xiaoliang was well educated by his mother. After seeing the meal being set in the main room, he quietly went home to find his mother.

This made Han Zhaozhao feel embarrassed, as if she was stingy. Seeing that his family had not cooked, she went to the kitchen and got a bowl of pickled radish and brought it to them.

Although she is usually not very generous and likes to eat alone behind closed doors, she still has her share of friends.

She is especially generous to her own people!

What's more, she really likes good-looking children. Xiaoliang is particularly well-behaved. When she is with him, her maternal love overflows!

Mr. Guan was in a very good mood eating the pure white noodles.

"Zhao Zhao, why did you stay in the Northeast for so long? How is your grandfather? Is life in the countryside good?"

"I only stayed at my grandpa's house for three days, and all my time was wasted on the road.

Do you know my grandpa? He is in good health, but he has one bad thing: he still eats in the canteen in the countryside!

Grandpa Guan, you haven’t seen what people eat in the countryside. Oh, I don’t know when the canteen will be closed. If it continues like this, people’s health will be ruined!”

Grandpa Guan sighed and said, "This yard was bought by your grandfather, and I am the middleman, how could I not know your grandfather?

Your grandfather is a good man, and he raised two good children, but he shouldn't have returned to Heilongjiang Province. He made the wrong choice!"

Thinking of his old friend, Mr. Guan felt regretful.

He sighed, "I've heard that if the big canteens in the countryside are not abolished, the farmers will have to eat wild vegetables and chew tree bark. Life in the countryside is much harder than in the city!"

He finished the last bite of noodles, put down the bowl, and looked at Han Zhaozhao, "Speaking of this, I remembered something.

I heard that the higher-ups issued a notice some time ago, saying that they would shut down all canteens and encourage everyone to cook their own meals.

I estimate that it won’t be long before this policy spreads to the countryside.”

Han Zhaozhao's eyes lit up, "Really? That's great! The people in the countryside have been looking forward to this day for a long time.

As long as the diligent people cook their own meals, they can at least have enough to eat.”

Grandpa Guan nodded and said, "Yes, it is better to cook at home. It is free and can prevent some people from embezzling money.

However, the canteen has been cancelled, and it is a problem for ordinary people to buy pots. "

Han Zhaozhao asked: "Now, the common people in our capital should have bought iron pots, right?"

"Humph, only two or three out of ten people will buy a pot! It's easy to smash it, but it's hard to make it!

Nowadays, iron pans are in short supply not only in the city but also in the countryside. If we want every household to use iron pans like before, we have to wait and see!"

"So how has the city's supply recovered this month?" Han Zhaozhao asked.

Grandpa Guan frowned and replied, "The situation is not very optimistic! It is far different from the past.

Not only did the supply volume decrease by 20%, but the quality of the food supplied this time was extremely poor.

Even cornmeal, which should have been considered a coarse grain, is now distributed to everyone as a fine grain.

What's more serious is that these "coarse grains" are mixed with a lot of bran and straw. Not only do they taste terrible, but eating them probably does not do any good to the body.

Alas... the situation last year, I'm afraid the country is really short of food. I'm afraid that days like this are just the beginning!"

As he spoke, he sighed helplessly, his face full of worry.