Colorful years

However, good times are always short-lived. The gourd business had only been going on for a few years when the government began to implement the policy of closing mountains for afforestation.

All brigades actively responded to the call, vigorously developed forest farms, and strengthened the work of closing mountains for afforestation.

From then on, digging gourds was no longer as free as before. It required approval from the production team, brigade, and commune. Only after obtaining approval could this special production activity be carried out in designated forest areas.

As time went on, control measures became increasingly stringent, leading to increased pressure.

Accustomed to independence, Zhang Zhong keenly sensed the changing situation and resolutely gave up his gourd business.

For the Zhang family, who had just started to enjoy a better life, losing the gourd business meant that they were back to the predicament of lacking food and clothing overnight.

In 1967, Zhang Zhong and his wife had seven children. Their eldest son, Zhang Ming, was still a minor and studying at Dayong No. 7 Middle School, while their youngest daughter was less than a year old. The family burden was undoubtedly heavy.

A strong sense of family responsibility made Zhang Zhong anxious, and he kept thinking about finding new ways to start a side business.

At that moment, the pine resin oil and thinned timber produced by the Zhangjiajie State-owned Forest Farm needed to be transported to Baiheping.

Seeing this opportunity, Zhang Zhong immediately applied to the production team and became a porter transporting pine resin and timber.

The distance for transporting goods varies from 20 to 30 kilometers, and the round trip is 40 kilometers and 60 kilometers.

They leave early and return late, and can only choose once a day.

This kind of income earned through hard work is not high; after deducting taxes, one can earn about 5 cents a day.

Today, that's far too little. But back then, 50 cents a day could buy 3 jin of salt, 1 jin of sugar, and 2 bowls of noodles—quite a good amount. It was much better than participating in collective production in the production team.

Zhang Zhong's life has changed ever since he started working as a porter.

Every morning, as the first rays of sunlight pierce through the thin mist and shine into Zhang's courtyard, he has already hurriedly eaten the breakfast prepared by his wife, with a towel draped over his shoulder and a carrying pole and rope in his hand, and sets off on his way to the forest farm.

On the way, he would always run into several fellow workers who were also carrying supplies.

They nodded to each other, needing no further words; their tacit understanding and resilience had already taken root and sprouted in their daily work.

In the forest, the pine trees are lush and green, and the pine resin shines with a golden light under the sun.

Zhang Zhong and his fellow workers quickly got to work, filling specially made wooden buckets with pine resin and carefully tying them to both ends of the carrying pole.

The timber should be distributed reasonably according to its size and weight to ensure that it will not slip or be damaged during long journeys.

Before each transport, Zhang Zhong would carefully check the ropes and carrying pole to see if they were sturdy and to ensure safety.

He knew that this was not only about his own safety, but also about the livelihood of his entire family.

With a deep "Up!", Zhang Zhong hoisted the heavy load onto his shoulders, making the mountain path beneath his feet extremely difficult.

The mountain road was rugged, sometimes steep, sometimes muddy, and every step required him to put in a great deal of effort.

Sweat poured down his face, soaking his clothes and dripping onto the soil beneath his feet, as if paying the deepest respect to this land.

He gritted his teeth and persevered, with only one thought in his mind: for his family and for his life, he had to keep going no matter how hard or tiring it was.

Along the way, Zhang Zhong needs to traverse the treacherous Pipa Realm, the mysterious Longfeng Temple, and the steep Huanshan Slope.

He will also pass through places such as Yejipu, Xiangzhixi, and Daijiawan, including some little-known villages.

These villages are hidden in the mountains, blending into nature, like secluded paradises.

Whenever I passed through these villages, the village children would always gather around curiously, their eyes sparkling with wonder as they stared at this unfamiliar traveler.

Some children would even excitedly run alongside him for a while, curiously asking him where he came from and where he was going.

Faced with the innocent gazes of the children, Zhang Zhong couldn't help but stop, smile and greet them, and take out a few candies from his pocket to give to them.

After receiving the candy, the children's faces beamed with happiness as they ran off joyfully.

Their laughter echoed through the mountains, bringing life and vitality to this quiet forest.

The children's innocence warmed Zhang Zhong's heart, adding a touch of warmth and color to what was originally a long and arduous journey.

As the sun gradually set, Zhang Zhong finally arrived at his destination—Baiheping.

At this moment, the setting sun, like blood, dyed the entire sky red.

He was panting heavily, his back already soaked with sweat. But his eyes revealed determination and satisfaction.

Upon arriving at Baiheping, Zhang Zhong unloaded the goods, handed them over to the site manager for inspection and weighing, and then settled the wages.

Although it was only a few thin banknotes, it was a heavy reward for Zhang Zhong.

He carefully tucked the money into his inner pocket, as if it were the most precious treasure.

Every step was taken with extra caution, for fear of accidentally losing this hard-won wealth.

Then, he hurriedly embarked on his journey home, because there were people waiting for him at home.

As night fell, Zhang Zhong finally returned home.