Colorful years

The practice of reclaiming land outside the production team has achieved remarkable success. For Diaolan Village, which is not yet fully self-sufficient in grain production on the team's land, this was undoubtedly a wise and forward-thinking choice.

Therefore, after careful consideration and thorough discussion, the team committee resolutely decided to continue this remarkable feat of self-rescue through production.

They firmly believe that through continuous efforts and exploration, they can effectively increase grain production, thereby gradually improving the living conditions of the villagers.

The following spring, Zhang Zhong and Erniu once again embarked on their journey to Zaoguowan. Carrying farm tools on their shoulders, they plowed the mountain land with high hopes, preparing to continue their farming tradition and camping production in this wild land.

This time, they have accumulated a wealth of experience and know how to make more efficient use of this fertile yet challenging land.

Although the work is still arduous, they are now able to cope with various difficulties and challenges more easily than when they were pioneering in the past.

However, Zhang Zhong did not become complacent or satisfied with this. He knew that only through persistent efforts could he create greater value on this land.

So he got up early every morning to work and didn't rest until nightfall. He not only carefully cultivated all kinds of crops, but also boldly tried raising livestock in order to increase his family income through multiple channels.

During his three years in Zaoguowan, Zhang Zhong poured almost all his energy into this land full of hope.

He knew every inch of this land intimately, and was even familiar with the trees, plants, and birds in the bay, able to name them all.

He has a deep affection for this land and firmly believes that his hard work will eventually yield a bountiful harvest.

That year, the corn harvest was more abundant than in previous years, and they also contributed two large, fat pigs weighing over 200 kilograms each to the country. This was undoubtedly an encouraging step forward.

However, when the spring breeze of the third year swept across the land, Zhang Zhong's heart was stirred.

While the life of eating and sleeping outdoors was certainly arduous, the more crucial point was that this mode of production was no different from participating in collective labor in a production team, and it did not significantly increase family income, nor did it provide any substantial help in improving the family's living conditions.

This is clearly not the way of production and life that Zhang Zhong desired.

In the third year of farming in Zaoguowan, Zhang Zhong's family welcomed a new member—his mother gave birth to a younger sister, Zhang Ju, for Congcong. The family's population suddenly increased to ten, making them a typical impoverished family with many members but few able-bodied workers.

As a result, food and clothing shortages became the norm for this family. Finding ways to increase their income became a pressing problem that caused Zhang Zhong, the head of the household, anxiety day and night.

Therefore, Zhang Zhong had the idea of ​​taking a different approach.

At that time, there were two main ways to utilize the labor force in the production team: one was to earn work points by participating in collective labor in the production team; the other was to engage in sideline work.

The term "side business" refers to production and business activities other than planting and animal husbandry as stipulated by the production team.

The main task of sideline workers was to generate direct cash income for the production team to cover the team's daily expenses, such as purchasing account books, kerosene for meetings, seeds, fertilizer, and pesticides.

Besides engaging in heavy physical labor such as carrying loads, sideline workers could also earn a living through their skills. Production activities were self-arranged and flexible, but they were required to pay approximately 20 yuan in cash to the production team each month.

Therefore, those with skills or great strength are willing to apply for side jobs outside the home. In addition to the relative freedom, they can also earn some extra money to supplement their household income.

In those days, farmers' daily lives were largely inseparable from wooden products, such as rice scoops, water ladles, manure ladles, and rice scoops.

These everyday utensils were meticulously crafted by gourd craftsmen.

The supply and marketing cooperatives specialize in purchasing these practical wooden products, buying them at a price ranging from 1 to 5 cents per piece depending on their size. They then resell them to urban and rural residents and farmers.

Skilled gourd craftsmen can earn more than 50 yuan a month. After paying taxes and contributing to the collective at the end of the year, they can still have a surplus of more than 200 yuan.

This was enough to cover the family's daily expenses at the time. It was far better than earning work points in the production team to support the family.

Zhang Zhongyi resolutely decided to become an apprentice of Master Wu, a gourd digger, to learn the craft of digging gourds.

Master Wu was a lonely bachelor. Because of his short stature, he had never been able to marry. He had many siblings, and his parents were unable to take care of him, so they could only let him wander around.

Fortunately, Master Wu was quick-witted and taught himself how to dig gourds. He traveled from village to village making gourd tools for people all year round, which allowed him to be self-sufficient and barely make a living.

Zhang Zhong arrived at Master Wu's dilapidated residence carrying two bottles of fragrant sorghum liquor and a bag of golden, tempting dried sweet potatoes.

It was a simple thatched hut, drafty and on the verge of collapse. But inside, it was filled with all sorts of wooden products and tools, appearing cluttered yet orderly.

Master Wu was intently planed a wooden board, his expression focused and serious.

"Master Wu, I've come to ask you to be my apprentice. Please teach me how to dig gourds," Zhang Zhong said respectfully.

Master Wu raised his head, squinted, and carefully examined Zhang Zhong. Seeing that he was tall and strong, with a ruddy complexion and eyes that shone with sincerity and eagerness, he nodded with pleasure and said, "Good! As long as you are willing to learn, I will teach you everything I know."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhong was overjoyed and quickly handed the wine and dried sweet potatoes to Master Wu.

Master Wu took the wine, took a sip, and then said earnestly, "Learning to dig gourds isn't something you can learn overnight. You need patience and perseverance!"

"Master, don't worry! I will definitely study hard and live up to your expectations," Zhang Zhong solemnly promised, patting his chest.