Siheyuan: Xu Damao's New Life

Xu Damao was sorting out the projection equipment he was going to bring to the countryside while thinking about where to start to achieve some results. Looking at the projector in his hand, Xu Damao patted his head and thought to himself, "Isn't this stupid?"

I am a projectionist. In addition to the weekly regular screenings in the factory, I also need to frequently go to the countryside to show movies. There are not many entertainment activities in the city these days, let alone the more difficult conditions in the countryside. Watching movies is a rare entertainment activity in the rural commune. When people from nearby villages hear that the commune is showing movies, they will rush over. I can take the opportunity of going to the countryside to show movies to promote the steel rolling mill. Of course, it is normal to bring myself along. It is best to do some good deeds to change the bad impression I left on people before.

Xu Damao went to the third fitter workshop and found Li Dapao, a third-level fitter with whom he had a good relationship. Li Dapao was a distant relative of Deputy Factory Director Li, and they had had drinks together several times.

The two of them came to the workshop door to smoke. "Cannon, I have something to ask you. Get me some steel pipes about two meters long. It would be best if they can be disassembled. I want to make some slogans for propaganda in the countryside."

"Hey, it's just a small thing. I'll get you some from the scrap heap." Li Dapao said nonchalantly.

"No, this has to go through the formal procedures. I have to spend money to buy the materials. I have to hurry up. I need them in the countryside this afternoon. I also have to find a welder."

After a long day of hard work, the work was finally done. After Xu Damao had lunch at the factory, he took the projection equipment and film and headed straight to the destination of this time, Lantai Commune.

Xu Damao was pedaling his bicycle leisurely with his long legs. On the back seat was a red flag with the words "Red Star Steel Rolling Mill Film Propaganda Team Going to the Countryside" embroidered on it. The red flag fluttered in the wind. People who saw him on the road kept talking about Xu Damao.

Lantai Commune is not too far from the city, but the road is not easy to walk. It took Xu Damao nearly two hours to get there. The commune is located in a relatively large village. Before he entered the village, he was discovered by the militia at the entrance of the village. Xu Damao had been to this commune many times. He greeted the militia, smoked a few cigarettes, and went straight to the commune compound.

The commune secretary was named Wang, in his forties. When he saw Xu Damao, he was very enthusiastic. He asked Xu Damao to sit down and have a rest and sent someone to arrange dinner and accommodation.

"Projectionist Xu hasn't been to our commune for a while. This time he comes, he must show us one more movie." Secretary Wang said, puffing on a cigarette. Xu Damao didn't smoke much before, so Secretary Wang didn't give him any cigarettes.

Xu Damao also took out a Daqianmen and lit one. "The last time it snowed, I fell into a ditch on the way home and rested for several days. Now that the road is clear, I came out."

"Let's stick to the old rules, right?" Secretary Wang asked.

"Okay, let's eat early, and then send two young men over to me. I'll help them set up the screen, sound system, and everything. The show will start on time at 6pm."

"Okay, I'll go to the broadcasting room and inform everyone first." Secretary Wang said and went to the broadcasting room next door. Soon, Secretary Wang's voice was heard, and it was repeated three times in a row.

After carrying so much equipment, Xu Damao was exhausted, so he went to lie down and rest in the lounge prepared for him nearby.

He heard Secretary Wang calling him in a daze, so he got up, washed his face and walked out of the house. It was getting dark, and Secretary Wang was calling him to eat.

After a simple meal, Xu Damao and two young men began to set up the screen, debug equipment, prepare film, etc. in the open space in front of the commune compound. The films Xu Damao brought this time were Liu Sanjie, Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy and Five Golden Flowers. Five Golden Flowers was released last year, and the other two were new films this year.

At this time, the open space gradually became lively. The small red flag brought by Xu Damao fluttered in the wind. There were many small slogans written on the red flag. The largest one was the one of the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill Film Propaganda Team.

Many children with patches on their clothes were running around excitedly; women with towels wrapped around their heads gathered in groups of three or five to chat about family matters and scold their children from time to time; a group of old men with wrinkles on their foreheads squatted on the ground and smoked dry tobacco; and in the distance, groups of people kept gathering. This was the happiest moment for these simplest and hardest working people, apart from the New Year and the harvest.

Seeing this scene, Xu Damao couldn't help but slap himself in the face. It was too inhumane of him to take advantage of these lovely people and still ask for bribes. He couldn't do such immoral things again.

In a blink of an eye, it was seven o'clock. Xu Damao first showed Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy. The moment the screen lit up, the whole audience fell silent, and pairs of eyes stared at the big screen. Xu Damao took the microphone and began to explain: "I am the projectionist of our Sijiucheng Red Star Steel Rolling Mill. This time I came here at the invitation of our commune and the arrangement of the superiors... Now I am showing Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy. The movie tells the story of..." Xu Damao explained in a crackling manner. Although Xu Damao in the plot is unreliable, he is really good at his own profession.

After Xu Damao finished his explanation, he returned to the projector and changed the film from time to time. In a blink of an eye, it was already 8:30, and the film was about to end. At this time, Secretary Wang and several commune leaders came towards Xu Damao and whispered, "Projectionist Xu, you have come here with great difficulty, but the members haven't seen enough. Can you..."

"Okay, no problem. I have Five Golden Flowers from last year and Liu Sanjie from this year. Which one should I play?" Xu Damao said happily.

Secretary Wang was obviously stunned by Xu Damao's words. He obviously didn't expect Xu Damao to be so straightforward today. Usually, the projectionist decides how many films to show in the countryside. It would definitely take more time and energy to show one more movie. If you really want to watch it, it's not impossible. Then it's time for Xu Damao to take bribes, which is his favorite part.

"Okay, Damao, let's have a good drink after the movie. We have prepared two bottles of Lotus White." Secretary Wang said happily.

The movie didn't end until 10:30, but the villagers were still reluctant to leave and wanted to watch another one. In the end, it was only after Secretary Wang repeatedly persuaded them and Xu Damao repeatedly promised to come again next month that the crowd dispersed.

Xu Damao was directing two people to pack up the projection equipment, Secretary Wang was accompanying them, and other cadres were either evacuating people or preparing dinner. (There were no street lights in the countryside at that time)

Suddenly, there was a commotion in the alley ahead, and a beam of light from a flashlight pierced through the night sky and rushed towards this side quickly.

When they got closer, Secretary Wang took one look and asked, "Gouzi, what's the matter that makes you run so fast?"

"Secretary, Secretary, Uncle Wang suddenly fainted in front!" Gou Zi said anxiously.

Upon hearing this, Secretary Wang grabbed the dog and ran into the alley ahead. Seeing that the equipment was almost packed up, Xu Damao said, "Hey, two little brothers, just help me put the equipment back to the commune compound. There's something happening up ahead, I'll go take a look." After saying that, Xu Damao took a long step and chased after Director Wang.