1952: Walking through Nantongluo Alley

Zhang the Mute saw this scene, his expression hurried, and he walked forward quickly. He stretched out his slightly rough but warm hands, gently patted Blind Li's shoulders, and comforted him in a gentle but firm tone: "The past is like the water flowing eastward, gone forever! So, let's not hold on to it anymore, let those troubles go with the wind. In the future, don't make such a foolish mistake again! Life will always have ups and downs, but as long as we all think and work together, no difficulties can stop us from moving forward. I believe that no matter how big the storm is, we will be able to help each other and overcome the difficulties together!"

After saying this, Zhang Yaba slowly turned around and walked steadily to the pot. He expertly picked up a large spoon, dipped it into the steaming pot, and began to stir it carefully. As the spoon stirred, the tender and juicy chicken was evenly divided into several equal portions. Then, with a smile on his face, Zhang Yaba passed the delicious food to each person present, not forgetting to give a portion to Blind Li.

At this moment, the people around him couldn't help but stare wide-eyed, their faces filled with surprise and admiration. They had never imagined that the usually taciturn Zhang Yaba could possess such a broad mind and kindness. This tolerance and generosity deeply touched the hearts of everyone present, making them respect him spontaneously.

Time flies by, fleeting like a fleeting white horse; the years pass by like the shuttle on a loom. As time passes, the village is struck by a rare and severe famine, a devastating disaster for all the villagers. Many families face food shortages, even the prospect of going without food, and life becomes extremely difficult and difficult.

Yet, amidst this moment of crisis and suffering, surprisingly, only Zhang Yaba's family still had some precious surplus food. How could this happen? It turned out that, long before those peaceful days, Zhang Yaba had been quietly and diligently cultivating wasteland outside the village, diligently working day after day, meticulously planting a variety of crops. He feared no hardship or fatigue, watering every inch of land with his own sweat. It was precisely because of this that he was well prepared for this sudden famine, ensuring that his family survived this difficult period unscathed.

When the other villagers learned the truth of this incident, they were overwhelmed with gratitude towards Zhang Yaba. They lamented that if it weren't for Zhang Yaba's foresight and tireless hard work, the entire village would have been shrouded in hunger, with disastrous consequences. So, when it came time to elect a new village chief, everyone thought of Zhang Yaba, the kind and wise man. Working together, they unanimously voted for him, unanimously electing him to the position of village chief.

Blind Li, who had once strayed but had completely repented after that fateful incident, stepped forward and offered his full assistance to Zhang the Mute in managing village affairs. Thus, Blind Li became Zhang the Mute's most trusted, loyal, and reliable assistant. Through their close collaboration, the village began to slowly transform. Through a series of effective measures, such as continuously exploring innovative development models and actively introducing advanced agricultural technologies, the village gradually emerged from its long-standing poverty and ultimately embarked on a path of prosperity. What had once been a minor incident over a chicken has become a beloved story, passed down from generation to generation within the village and a popular topic of conversation.