Go back to the past to plant trees

"Jin Quan, you know how to do carpentry?"

That evening, Zhao Jinquan took out his woodworking tools, preparing to make wardrobes for his parents. Zhao Tianshan was quite surprised when he saw this.

"Yes, I learned it slowly on my own these past two years because I was bored in Bashang, but it doesn't look very good."

"Look, I made all these tables, chairs, cabinets, pen holders, and bookshelves."

Zhao Jinquan pointed to the items on display and introduced them to Zhao Tianshan, explaining which ones were his works. Although they weren't very aesthetically pleasing, he was still very proud because he could already make many things.

Feng Cheng also said, "Not only is Jin Quan a carpenter, but he can also make stone mills, assemble transistor radios, bake bread, make cakes, and make tofu."

"So amazing..." Zhao Tianshan was genuinely surprised. He never expected that this seemingly honest young man would know so much.

"Hehe, Brother Feng taught me all of these. I was so bored in Bashang these past two years, so I learned to make them myself."

"Feng Cheng, you can do that too?"

Zhao Tianshan looked at Feng Cheng and asked.

Feng Cheng shook his head. "I've read a lot of books, so I know how to do it, but I can't do it myself. So I just give the method to Jin Quan. If he can do it, that's his skill."

"Just like when you're in the army, everyone knows the methods and there are people to teach you, but some people learn them and some people just can't learn them."

"Does that mean Jin Quan is talented?"

"Correct."

"Jin Quan, if you have time in the future, could you get me a wardrobe or a box or something? That way, I won't have to go out of my way to buy one."

“Okay,” Zhao Jinquan readily agreed.

"Old Zhao, you have to tell me this in advance. You have to provide the materials yourself and also get paid. We can't let people work for free."

Feng Cheng half-jokingly and half-seriously told Zhao Tianshan that he didn't pay Zhao Jinquan for making things because he had taught Zhao Jinquan a lot, and Zhao Jinquan got the job because of him. It was just a few wooden parts, and even if Feng Cheng wanted to pay, Zhao Jinquan would never accept it.

But Zhao Tianshan is different. He has no relation to Zhao Jinquan, and the two have not known each other for long. Although he is the captain, he cannot say that he can use Zhao Jinquan for free. Besides, once this happens, it will happen again and again. If things are not handled properly the first time, it will be difficult to handle them again later.

With that group of college students arriving soon, just like Feng Cheng did, they'll come with only a suitcase and some clothes. Once they arrive, will we need to furnish the place? Wardrobes, bookshelves, desks—will we need to make those? What if they ask Zhao Jinquan to make them? Will he charge them? Zhao Tianshan doesn't charge, so why would they? Even if they do, how much? Just a pittance?

It's not just the advance team. After the mechanized forest farm is officially established next year, at least three or four hundred students, workers, and cadres from all over the country will be transferred here. With so many people settling down in the dam, they will also need to furnish their homes. If we don't establish rules now, it will be difficult to talk things out later.

"Brother Feng, you don't need to pay me. I'll just do it when I have time in the evening. It won't take much time. Captain, you just need to prepare the wood."

Upon hearing Feng Cheng's words, Zhao Jinquan quickly waved his hand in refusal.

“Jin Quan, listen to your brother Feng on this matter. The wages that are due should still be paid. I am a soldier, and the rule of the People's Liberation Army is not to take a single needle or thread from the masses. If you don't take the money, then I won't let you do it.”

Zhao Tianshan is a man of strong principles. Even if Feng Cheng hadn't said anything, he wouldn't have let Zhao Jinquan work for nothing. Now that Feng Cheng has spoken, he's even less likely to let Zhao Jinquan refuse.

"Well... okay, but I've only just learned this, so my work isn't very good. As for wages, you can give me whatever you think is appropriate, team leader."

Zhao Tianshan shook his head: "No, it has to be the same amount. I'll ask the carpenter about the processing fee when I'm getting the materials, and you'll take whatever amount he charges."

Zhao Jinquan glanced at Feng Cheng, unsure of what to say. Zhao Tianshan's words were blunt and left no room for negotiation.

Feng Cheng laughed and said, "Jin Quan, just take it from Lao Zhao. If you think it's too much, you can treat us all to a meal when you get your wages. I believe Lao Zhao won't refuse that."

Zhao Jinquan thought about it and agreed that Feng Cheng's suggestion was quite good. Instead of pocketing the wages, he would use the money to treat everyone to a meal, thus doing a good deed without making Zhao Tianshan feel uncomfortable.

"Jin Quan, your carpentry skills are passable. You'll definitely get people asking you to make things in the future. If you don't know the market price then, how will you quote them? You can't just not charge them or charge less!"

"So Lao Zhao's deal is your first step outward. They're all family, so any problems are easy to discuss and resolve, unlike outsiders who are difficult to deal with."

“Feng Cheng is right. You’ve learned this skill, and you’ll eventually have to use it to make money. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be a waste to have learned it?” Zhao Tianshan echoed Feng Cheng’s statement.

Zhao Jinquan scratched the back of his head and said somewhat embarrassedly, "The main thing is that I've only been learning for a short time, and I'm still figuring things out on my own. There are many things I haven't learned yet, like painting. The things I'm making now are all unpainted."

"It's okay, take your time learning. This isn't a wedding, it's just for everyday use. It's been a few days already. Besides, we won't rush you. If you're not satisfied with anything, just redo it until you're happy with it."

"Erqiang, if you have time, you can also follow Jinquan and learn this skill. If Jinquan has work in the future, you can help him out and do it yourself."

Feng Cheng spoke to Zheng Erqiang, who had been silent the whole time.

"Ah."

Zheng Erqiang nodded in agreement. He really wanted to learn it. When he met Zhao Jinquan two years ago, Zhao Jinquan had just started learning it. In just over a year, he was already able to take on business, which Zheng Erqiang greatly envied.

The prospects for carpentry are very broad. Like blacksmithing, as long as you learn it, you won't have to worry about going hungry or not making money. Although the work is a bit tiring, which job that can make money isn't tiring?

After chatting for a while, Feng Cheng continued reading his book, while Zhao Tianshan wandered around the dugout, looking here and there. He had been busy working on the dam for the past few days, and he was so tired that he basically fell asleep as soon as he got into bed at night. Today he finally had a little time to take a look at his living place.

The dugout was quite large and very clean. Unlike dugouts in Northeast China, it didn't have a strong odor. Although there was some sweaty smell here, it wasn't strong.

The items were arranged neatly, one by one in an orderly fashion.

"Feng Cheng, do you have an accordion?"

Zhao Tianshan was quite surprised to see the accordion on the wooden shelf and asked a question.

"Oh, my mom bought that for me when I was in college, and I just brought it with me when I came to Saihanba."

Zhao Jinquan, who was doing carpentry at the time, immediately said upon hearing this, "Brother Feng plays the piano exceptionally well, but he doesn't play it much."

"Really?" Zhao Tianshan became interested. "Feng Cheng, play two pieces. I've only ever heard people do this in the army's cultural troupe; I've never heard anyone do it anywhere else."

Feng Cheng shook his head: "It's so late at night, let's do it another time when we have time!"

Zhao Tianshan said, "What's wrong with it being so late at night? There's no one else around here, just a few of us within a radius of more than ten kilometers. Are you worried about disturbing others? Stop dawdling, play a song. I've never heard you play the piano before."

"Ok."

Seeing that Zhao Tianshan really wanted to listen, Feng Cheng stopped refusing and got up to pick up the accordion from the shelf. The shelf was provided by Zhao Jinquan, with a curtain hanging on the outside and the accordion inside.

Feng Cheng picked up the accordion, sat back down on the kang (a heated brick bed), and asked Zhao Tianshan, "What song do you want to hear?"

"Anything is fine, play whatever you can."

Zhao Tianshan said indifferently.

"Then I'll play the national anthem first!" Feng Cheng chose a song that he knew there wouldn't be any problems with.

Fingers began to slowly pluck the accordion, and the quiet cellar was instantly filled with beautiful sounds.

Zhao Jinquan and Zheng Erqiang also stopped what they were doing and listened to Feng Cheng play the music.

Arise, ye who refuse to be slaves!

Zhao Tianshan often sings this song, so as soon as the melody starts, he can't help but start singing along, and he does so very loudly.

Let us build our new Great Wall with our flesh and blood.

The Chinese nation has reached its most dangerous moment.

After Zhao Tianshan started singing, Feng Cheng joined in, and Zhao Jinquan and Zheng Erqiang also started singing.

Although there were only four people, their presence was powerful. In the sparsely populated Saihanba, their voices were as loud and powerful as those of millions.

"it is good."

As soon as the song ended, Zhao Tianshan clapped his hands, saying it had been a long time since he had sung like that.

“Feng Cheng, I think you should play for us from time to time. This place is too quiet. I feel uncomfortable if I don’t shout a few times.”

"But you can't sing that every day!"

“What’s wrong with singing every day? We sang every day in the army. We sang when we got up in the morning to exercise, and we sang before we went to bed at night. You have to sing this song more often. Singing it twice gives you a lot more energy.”

“In that case, we should sing from time to time. Although the work is tiring, we should sing even more because it is tiring. How can we have energy if we don’t sing?”

Feng Cheng sighed helplessly, "Fine, you're the captain, you're in charge."

"Then listen to me, one more song."

"Okay, then let's play 'Socialism is Good'!"

Feng Cheng played the notes again, and once again the sound that could shake Saihanba resounded from the dugout.

With Zhao Tianshan around, life on the dam became much more lively than when Feng Cheng and Zhao Jinquan were there. Zhao Tianshan's high spirits also infected Feng Cheng.

Feng Cheng hadn't felt the difference of this era before, but after spending two days with Zhao Tianshan, a veteran, he understood why this era was called the era of burning passion.

Because everyone is full of hope and expectations for the future, and the spiritual pillar is still there, the people are very confident that he can lead the country to prosperity and truly achieve the goal of surpassing Britain and the United States.