Go back to the past to plant trees

After the migrant workers who planted trees returned home, the work on the dam began to slow down. The previous urgency was gone. Now, the work was simply to cover the thatched roofs of the dugouts and horse-drawn sheds with straw, and then turn over the soil in the old nurseries after the seedlings were transplanted and replant them.

These tasks can be divided into several groups and carried out simultaneously, and can basically be completed in a few days.

The next day, Zhao Jinquan returned with a cartload of thatched roofs. It took them a whole day to finish thatching the roofs of the horse-drawn carriages, and they also made two earthen houses along the way.

Looking at the spacious storage room, Feng Cheng was in a good mood. Although this was the kitchen and dining hall, it was large enough that there was still plenty of space left, enough for Feng Cheng to have a table or something, so he wouldn't have to squeeze into the dimly lit dugout to read during the day.

Zhao Tianshan strolled around the horse-drawn carriage and instructed Zhao Jinquan, "Jinquan, now that this carriage is set up, you'll have to take care of the tables, chairs, cabinets, doors, and windows inside. Resources are scarce here in Bashang, and the bureau isn't well-off either. We should try to solve as much as possible ourselves."

Zhao Jinquan said, "Then I'll take some time to work on it during this period."

This is work for the government, so money can't be discussed. After all, Zhao Jinquan receives a salary from the Forestry Bureau, and once a government matter is assigned, he has to do his best to fulfill it.

"Erqiang, if you have time, go and help out," Zhao Tianshan continued to instruct.

"it is good."

"Should we do the work over there in the dugout?" Zhao Jinquan asked.

Zhao Tianshan: "Let's do it. It can't just be empty; it won't look good either."

Feng Cheng said, "Just get a table and a few chairs. As for other things, let's not get them yet. We'll talk about it when they come up. We'll see what they like. Maybe they won't like what we make and will want to buy their own."

“That’s true,” Zhao Tianshan agreed with Feng Cheng. “Then we’ll just get a table and two chairs, and we can deal with the rest when they come up.”

"Ah."

After arranging things, Zhao Jinquan got busy. Doing these simple things was not difficult for him. With someone's help, it wouldn't take too much time; he could finish them in a few days.

After setting up the horse frame, Zhao Jinquan and Wei Fugui prepared a sumptuous meal.

“I thought life in Bashang would be tough, but after arriving, I found it wasn’t that bad. I have to thank Feng Cheng and Jin Quan for that. You two set up a vegetable garden and significantly improved our quality of life.”

Looking at the chicken, eggs, tofu, and vermicelli on the table, Zhao Tianshan said with a mix of emotion and joy.

Feng Cheng laughed and said, "We can't just sit here and starve, that wouldn't make sense! We've always advocated self-reliance, and this is a good example of putting that into practice."

"But to be honest, Jinquan has done the most work in the fields. You've all worked with me before. I'm not the kind of person who's quick and efficient at work. If this were ancient times, landlords wouldn't even bother with someone like me when hiring long-term laborers."

Zhao Jinquan quickly said, "Brother Feng is a scholar, he uses his brain. For example, he taught me how to make these vermicelli and tofu. If he hadn't taught me, I wouldn't know how. If I didn't know how, there wouldn't be these dishes on this table."

"Alright, you two are both important. Without you, we wouldn't be able to eat this. Come on, everyone, pick up your bowls and toast our two heroes."

"Come."

After taking a sip of wine, Zhao Tianshan picked up his chopsticks and said, "Eat, everyone eat, don't be shy. You've worked so hard these past few days, you should treat yourselves to something good."

They were all grown men with big appetites, and they hadn't had such good food in a long time, so after Zhao Tianshan spoke, their hands kept reaching into the basin.

Feng Cheng was also very fast. If it were just him and Zhao Jinquan, he would be slower, since Zhao Jinquan would be more careful when eating and wouldn't put everything in his mouth. But with these people, it was different; if you slowed down even a little, it would be gone.

In less than half an hour, the food on the table was almost completely gone.

"We've finished the food, but we haven't even touched the wine yet," Zhao Jinquan said to Feng Cheng after taking a sip of his drink. "Brother Feng, how about we play some games?"

During the meal, everyone was busy picking up food, afraid that if they were slow, there would be no food left. So the food was finished, but the wine hadn't been drunk much.

Feng Cheng said, "Sure, but just play a couple of rounds, there aren't any bad ones here."

"No vegetables? No problem. Ask Lao Wei to get some pickled cabbage, or some dried vegetables to stir-fry. If that doesn't work, there are some peanuts in the jar. You can stir-fry some peanuts there too."

"If you want to eat, just go and get it," Wei Fugui said quickly after hearing what the two said.

"What games do you want to play? Are they fun? Count me in."

Zhao Tianshan became somewhat interested upon hearing this.

"Okay, I'll play a couple of rounds with Brother Feng first. You can take a look first, and then we can play together after you've learned how."

Zheng Erqiang and Huang Qiang also turned around and looked over. They wanted to play too, but they were a little embarrassed to ask. Wei Fugui turned around and went to the stove to prepare to cook.

"Two twos."

"hack…"

"Brother Feng, chop both of them up too."

"I didn't, and I bet you didn't either."

"Alright, I can't fool you."

Feng Cheng and Zhao Jinquan have played this game dozens of times and are quite familiar with each other's dice-calling methods, so there is no situation where one side crushes the other when they play this game. At first, Feng Cheng could win more often, but later Zhao Jinquan gradually understood and it became more difficult for him to win. Now, even if Feng Cheng plays very seriously, it can only be said that the wins and losses are about 50/50.

However, this is also why the two of them can keep playing this game. If they were to keep losing, Zhao Jinquan would have given up long ago. Just like when he played Chinese chess with Zhao Jinshui, after losing a few rounds, he realized he couldn't win and completely lost interest.

After playing a couple of rounds, Feng Cheng started explaining the game rules to Zhao Tianshan, who was standing next to him. Not only Zhao Tianshan, but also Huang Qiang and Zheng Erqiang were listening.

"There are only three sets of these dice. Today, the three of us will play first. Tomorrow, I will make a few more sets so that everyone can play together."

"It's okay, let's take a look first, we haven't learned it yet."

After learning for a while, Zhao Tianshan couldn't wait to try it out. However, he was the kind of person who was straightforward, which was evident at the dinner table. He could tell exactly what he got from the game on his face. Then, Feng Cheng and Zhao Jinquan took turns giving him the cards.

Zhao Tianshan has a high alcohol tolerance, but even the best alcohol tolerance can't withstand drinking one cup after another, especially when it's done so quickly.

In the end, Feng Cheng couldn't stand it anymore and let him calm down a bit.

Zhao Jinquan wasn't the type to force himself to get you drunk. He sensed that Zhao Tianshan had had enough to drink, so he stopped targeting him. Today's visit was considered revenge for being forced to drink so much last time.

Feng Cheng played for a while and then quit, giving his spot to Zheng Erqiang so he could come in and play for a bit. As for Huang Qiang, Feng Cheng also put him down while Zhao Tianshan was still a little dazed.

Wei Fugui served the group of drinkers like a hardworking ox without complaint.

The drinking session lasted a long time, ending after 10 p.m. Everyone had a great time and was satisfied. The ten catties of loose liquor that Zhao Jinquan brought were all gone. It's just that the liquor ran out, otherwise the group could have continued playing. After resting for a while, Zhao Tianshan rejoined the game. His alcohol tolerance was indeed high. Even though everyone else was drunk, he was still quite energetic. Feng Cheng felt that this guy couldn't be allowed to rest. He had to be knocked out in one go. Otherwise, if he rested for a while, his alcohol tolerance would immediately recover.