Siheyuan: Xu Damao's New Life

Xu Damao left in a hurry and returned to the courtyard. Third uncle Yan Bugui's son Yan Jiecheng was waiting for him at the door. "Brother Damao, you are finally back. The meeting has started. Let's go quickly." Then he pulled Xu Damao to the middle courtyard.

It turned out that today was the day that the second uncle, the third uncle and Xu Damao had agreed to hold a meeting of the whole hospital. As for the first uncle Yi Zhonghai, he had been excluded by the three. There were two things to do today: one was to announce that the provident fund had been approved by the superiors and would be officially implemented from today, and the other was that Xu Damao was getting married on Sunday and invited the whole hospital to eat dumplings together.

When Xu Damao and Yan Jiecheng arrived at the Intermediate Court, the second uncle Liu Haizhong was holding his waist with one hand while giving a long speech, but it was basically all official jargon. It could be said that there was actual content, but it was also pitifully little.

The third uncle next to them was sharp-eyed. When he saw his son bringing Xu Damao over, he kicked Liu Haizhong under the table.

Liu Hai, who was immersed in his own inner world, was stunned for a moment. He looked up and saw Xu Damao's half-smiley eyes. So he coughed twice and said, "Everyone is here. Now let's get down to business. Let the uncle speak first."

Yi Zhonghai was a little confused. It was nothing, so let me say a few words first. However, he remained calm on the surface and talked about some things about fire prevention and theft prevention before the New Year to fool the audience.

At this time, Liu Haizhong stood up and said, "Today I have an important news to inform you all. That is the matter of establishing a provident fund that we discussed before. The street office has approved our trial implementation and has chosen our compound as a pilot. If the effect is good, it will be promoted throughout Nanluoguxiang."

There was sparse applause in the yard. Most of the people from poor families were in favor of it, but some people from well-off families were not so enthusiastic.

At this time, Yan Bugui stood up and said, "To put it bluntly, this provident fund is set up to help poor households. If a family is in trouble, everyone can help them and it will be over. Now we start donating as the operating capital of the provident fund. This donation is completely voluntary. If anyone needs help in the future, they can directly apply. We will hold a general meeting of the whole hospital to discuss and decide, and ensure openness and fairness. The money will be kept by the second uncle for the time being, and I will be responsible for the statistics of the income and expenditure accounts."

Yan Bugui had more money recently, so he took out two yuan and put it in the cardboard box on the table. Liu Haizhong also took out ten yuan, "As the second uncle in the courtyard, I'll give you ten yuan." Then he looked at Yi Zhonghai. Yi Zhonghai felt that he was being held hostage, so he had no choice but to take out ten yuan as well.

It must be said that the customs of the people at that time were still relatively simple, and most of the residents donated some money, ranging from 50 cents to 10 cents. However, the majority did not include the Jia family.

Jia Dongxu stood up and wanted to donate 50 cents, but was stopped by his mother Jia Zhang. "Dongxu, we lost a lot of money some time ago, and now we are deducting 10 yuan from your salary every month. Let's not donate."

After saying this in a low voice, Jia Zhang turned her head and glanced at Qin Huairu who was standing beside her. If Qin Huairu hadn't been unsure about Bang Geng, her family wouldn't have lost so much money.

Seeing this, Xu Damao also took out a big black ten and put it in the box. After a while, Yan Bugui saw that there was no movement, so he opened the box and counted, "The total is 38.5 yuan. Now I will give the money to the second uncle, and I will also record it in the account book. I personally guarantee fairness, justice and openness, and I will accept everyone's audit and supervision at any time."

"Old Yan is right. We have the funds now, but I still hope that everyone can abide by the law. If anyone causes trouble, fights, acts like a spoiled child, or engages in feudal superstition, they will not only be punished normally, but also fined a certain amount of money to the provident fund."

Yi Zhonghai recalled the content of the last meeting of the whole institute, and finally found an opportunity to speak. At the same time, he missed Sha Zhu. If Zhu was here, he would have suppressed the rebellion by force. Who would still be here to argue with you?

"Okay, let's put the provident fund matter to an end for now. Xu Damao in our backyard has another happy event to announce to everyone. Now let Chief Xu tell it in person." Liu Haizhong said.

Xu Damao stood up and said, "Uncle, please don't be like this. Just call me Damao in the yard. Maybe everyone knows that I plan to get married this Sunday. As everyone knows about the current situation, the country strongly advocates frugality and calls on everyone to work together to overcome difficulties. I have decided to respond to the country's call and not hold a wedding banquet." Xu Damao paused at this point.

Everyone in the yard sighed in disappointment. Xu Damao's family was well off, and they thought they could get a free seat at the banquet.

"But I plan to have all of us in the hospital make dumplings together on Sunday. Those who have money don't have to contribute, and those who are able just need to contribute a little. I will make the dumplings." Xu Damao said generously with a wave of his hand.

Everyone originally thought that there was no bargain to be had, but when they heard that they could also have a meal of dumplings, they all started to applaud, and showered Xu Damao with compliments without cost.

"I hereby entrust the second uncle to coordinate my wedding, and the third uncle will be responsible for registering each family's things so that they don't get mixed up. Okay, everyone, I have finished what I want to say." After Xu Damao finished speaking, he stepped back, lit a cigarette and started smoking.

Yi Zhonghai saw that there was nothing to do, so he announced the end of the meeting. However, he did not go home, but went to the house of the deaf old lady in the backyard. He felt that something was wrong in the compound recently. Liu Haizhong, Yan Bugui and Xu Damao had obviously joined forces to undermine him. His backup candidate for retirement and thug Sha Zhuzi had also been in trouble recently. He could not help at all and had to take care of him himself. Yi Zhonghai had no choice but to seek advice from his patron, the deaf old lady.

Xu Damao looked at Yi Zhonghai's back and spat with some disdain. He must have gone to discuss with the deaf old lady how to deal with me, just like a primary school student who lost a fight and went to his parents. Just wait, I will seize the opportunity and send you to jail, so that you will never be able to turn over.

Xu Damao stayed to help clean up the scene. After they finished, most people in the compound had basically dispersed. Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui grabbed Xu Damao who was about to go home.

"Da Mao, after the Chinese New Year, Guangtian from my family and the second son from Lao Yan's family will go for a physical examination. Before, you said that you wanted them to join the army, Lao Yan and I thought it was a good idea, so we signed them up. If there is no problem with the physical examination, they will definitely leave in the first half of next year, and they should go to the south..." said the second uncle.

"Second uncle and third uncle, don't worry. The border has been much more stable in recent years, and there have been no major wars. Safety will definitely be no problem. Even when you retire and come back, you will have a good way out." Xu Damao remembered that they fought a battle with Baixiang in 1962, and we easily crushed the opponent.

Xu Damao handed a cigarette to each of them, lit one for himself, and then said, "You two families have many children. Uncle, Liu Guangqi spent a lot of money on his wedding, right?"

Liu Haizhong nodded. His family had a lot of daily expenses for his three sons, and he spent most of his family's savings on his eldest son's wedding. In recent years, he often went to the black market to buy food, and even his salary of more than 80 yuan was not much left.

At this time, there was a creaking sound, and the three looked over and found that it was He Yushui who opened the door and splashed water. Next to the window of the Jia family, Jia Zhang's big face was also looming.

Yan Bugui said, "Come on, there are too many people here, let's go to my place and have a cup of tea." The two nodded and followed Yan Bugui to the front yard of Yan's house.