Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

Starting from the end of July, Xu Damao was busy going to the countryside to promote movies, and also to promote new policies and regulations.

This time the mission was a bit far away, located in some villages under the jurisdiction of Changping County, 40 kilometers away from Kyoto City. There was actually Qinjia Village.

Xu Damao made a special trip to the Jia family in the central courtyard that night.

"Brother Dongxu, are you home?" The Jia family was having dinner. The dinner was simple, with two vegetables, shredded pickles, steamed bread, and porridge.

"Brother Dongxu, I'm eating."

Jia Zhang said angrily, "Xu Damao, my family doesn't have any extra food, don't even think about eating for free."

"Aunt Zhang, what are you talking about? I, Xu Damao, earn money and support myself, so I don't need this. It's like this. Brother Dongxu, I accepted a mission to go to the countryside today. Tomorrow I will go to several villages under Changping County. It just happens to be Qinjia Village, where my sister-in-law's family lives. I thought if you have any questions or if my sister-in-law has any questions, I can forward them on your behalf. Or do you want to bring something to your father-in-law's house?"

Just as Jia Dongxu was about to respond, Jia Zhangshi immediately said, "My family is in financial difficulty right now, so I don't have much to bring. Just go about your business."

Jia Dongxu was very embarrassed, and Qin Huairu was hesitant to speak. Xu Damao originally thought that Qin Huairu might go home, so he came here with this idea in mind. As for whether it would succeed, how could he know. He had been with Qin Huairu some time ago, and he felt itchy, so he took the initiative this time. When Lou Xiaoe married into the compound in a while, she probably wouldn't have this opportunity.

Alas, Xu Damao's old illness came back, and there was no cure. He himself was worried that it would get out of control. But he was never satisfied.

Xu Damao returned in dismay, but he was not discouraged. He returned to the backyard and continued his own activities.

But after he passed on the message, the Jia family became active.

Jia Dongxu wanted to ask Qin Huairu to go back and take a look, mainly so that Qin Huairu could at least bring back some food to make up for the shortage of rations. So, after dinner, when Qin Huairu was washing the dishes and clearing the table, Jia Dongxu discussed it with his mother.

"Mom, you see, Huairu and I didn't go back to my father-in-law's house during the Spring Festival. This time, Xu Damao is going to Qinjia Village. Why don't we let Huairu go with us to her hometown and ask her if she can spare some food to bring back. This will save me from going with her and not being able to visit without gifts. This is great. I can save on gifts and maybe bring back some food. What a good thing."

Jia Zhang's eyes rolled and said, "Yes, this is a good thing."

"Dongxu, what you said makes sense. Then, go ask that bastard from the Xu family what time to leave tomorrow, and let Huairu take the bus. When we get to the county town, let the kid from the Xu family accompany your wife home. This way, the kid from the Xu family won't take advantage of your wife on the way. But let me be clear, Huairu must bring back more food. Otherwise, why bother?"

Jia Dongxu went to the back to talk to Qin Huairu again, confirmed that Qin Huairu wanted to go home, and said that he would bring some food back. Qin Huairu retreated a little.

"Dongxu, food is in short supply in the city, and even more so in the countryside. I can't guarantee that I can bring back food. If I have to bring food, I don't dare go back home."

Jia Dongxu also knew the truth. "Huairu, even if you don't bring food, you haven't been back for more than a year. After all, you have land in Qinjia Village. If you can bring as much as possible, then just think of it as going home to visit your parents. Is that okay?"

Qin Huairu was still somewhat unwilling. She felt it was embarrassing to go back to her parents' home empty-handed. The villagers always thought that she was living in the city now, leading a life like a lady or a wife. She knew that in fact it was not much better than in the countryside. "Dongxu, I can't guarantee that I can bring back anything. If you let me go, I will give it a try, just as if I am going to visit my parents. I will definitely bring anything if I can, after all, my family needs food. But you have to pay for the round-trip fare, I don't want others to gossip."

"Of course. How much is the round-trip ticket?"

"It's 1.6 yuan for a round trip, so I have to bring some candy or something, right? Dongxu, can you give me two yuan? I'll bring 40 cents worth of candy home, so I don't go home empty-handed."

Jia Dongxu thought for a moment, then took out three yuan from his pocket and handed it to Qin Huairu, "Huairu, take three yuan. Forty cents is too little. Consider it as my filial piety to my parents as a son-in-law. Don't tell mom. If she knows, she'll accuse me of wasting money."

Qin Huairu looked at her man with gratitude and quickly put the three dollars into her trouser pocket.

Jia Dongxu finished his work and went to Xu Damao's house in the backyard.

"Da Mao, are you home? Open the door, I'm Brother Dong Xu."

Xu Damao was smoking and drinking tea, and the door was not locked.

But he still got up and opened the door, "Brother Dongxu, is there something? Sit down and talk." Xu Damao passed a cigarette to Jia Dongxu and lit it.

"Brother Dongxu, you are now a first-level worker in the factory. It seems that you will be taking the evaluation test soon. When you become a second-level worker, your salary will be close to 40. Good days are coming. You must treat us to drinks then."

Jia Dongxu was flattered by Xu Damao, "Uncle Yi did say he wanted to rate me, and he thinks I can pass the Level 2 exam. If I pass, I'll definitely treat you guys to a drink."

"Brother Dongxu, I'll be waiting for you. In our compound, you are the first one to get married, the first one to get a permanent job, and now you are going to be promoted to the second-level worker. You are our role model."

"No, no, you're almost there too. I'm two years older than you. This is it, Damao, you just said you wanted to go to Qinjia Village. Are you going to Qinjia Village as your first stop or..."

"My mission is to screen movies in four villages in Changping this week. The order is up to me. When I go to Changping tomorrow, I will arrange to go to Qinjia Village first. That's no problem. Why, do you want me to help bring a gift to your father-in-law? Indeed, Brother Dongxu has such a high salary and is filial. As long as you say it, I will definitely help you bring it."

"Da Mao, you don't know how hard life is until you get married. I want your sister-in-law to go there tomorrow, but I don't have the time to ask for leave to go to the countryside. It costs more than one yuan a day to ask for leave, so I don't dare to ask for it."

"Oh, it's my sister-in-law who's going, but I can't carry her on my bicycle. I have a full set of projection equipment on the back seat. You said I can carry something, but I don't have the ability to carry a person."

"Da Mao, you don't need to bring anyone. I'll let my sister-in-law take a car. When you get to Changping, just accompany my sister-in-law back to the village. Qinjia Village is only three miles away from the county town. The main thing is that I'm worried about her walking alone. If you go with me, my sister-in-law can help you find the way, and you won't have to take a detour."

Xu Damao was silent for a moment. "Brother Dongxu, I can walk back to the village with my sister-in-law when I go there. When I come back, I will be in another village. I am not responsible for going back to look for her. I have to say this first. Otherwise, if something happens when I come back, it will not be my fault. I cannot take this responsibility."

"Da Mao, don't worry. When you come back, let my brother-in-law take you to the county town and just watch you get on the bus."

"Oh, that's fine. I'll go to the factory to get the equipment tomorrow morning. I'll leave at about nine and arrive at Changping County at about 11 noon. Then I'll go to the county government to get my assignment. I can meet my sister-in-law at the station by 11: at the latest, and then we'll go back to the village together. You can ask my sister-in-law to arrange the time. I'll feel bad if I arrive too early and have her wait at the station."

"Okay, Damao, I'll leave it to you tomorrow. I'll ask Huairu to wait for you at Changping Station on your schedule. I'll be back then. Thanks, brother."

"You're welcome. It's just a side trip."

Xu Damao sent Jia Dongxu out and then closed the door. Only he knew the sly smile on his face.

The evil plan succeeded!