Siheyuan: Starting from Building a Village

"Brother Zheng, I want to learn how to drive."

Niu Dadan sat upright, but he was not sitting on the sofa, but on a chair, his body was very straight and his expression was a little nervous.

In the 60s and 70s, being a driver was extremely popular. There was an exaggerated saying: "Once you can turn the steering wheel, you won't change it even if you are given a county magistrate." At that time, it was not ordinary people who could control the steering wheel, and it was very difficult to drive a car.

At that time, it was very difficult to obtain a driver's license. Most drivers in units were transferred from the army. For ordinary people, becoming a driver was as difficult as taking the civil service exam.

It is understood that since there are no private driving schools, drivers must be selected and recommended by their employers to participate in driver training organized by the local transportation bureau. They must also undergo a qualification review, and after the training, they must take the theoretical test, road test, and pole test organized by the vehicle supervision station and pass them before they are issued a probationary driver's license.

After obtaining a driver's license, it will not be so "smooth" to drive when you return to work. You will need to "intern" with a master for a period of time. In addition to learning actual driving skills, you will also have to learn many practical skills such as repairing cars, recognizing roads, etc.

Correspondingly, drivers' salaries are also high, and it is a rare job with subsidies. There are subsidies for long-distance travel, etc. The most important thing is that they can get extra income and income from favors by giving rides, helping to transport goods, and doing private work.

"How dare you? Why did you suddenly want to learn how to drive?"

"Brother Zheng, I work in the foundry workshop of a steel mill. I am young now, so it is no problem for me to do some heavy work. But when I am older and my physical strength cannot keep up, and I can no longer do the work, what should I do?"

Liu Guozheng really didn't expect that under this rough appearance, there was a smart heart hidden. This big black guy had quite far-sighted thoughts.

"Learning to drive is easy, but the problem is that you have to go to work every day and don't have time to learn to drive. I'm sure you know that to get a driver's license, you not only need to be able to drive, but also need to understand basic maintenance. All of these take time."

There is no such thing as a double-day weekend in this era. Usually, we have one day off a week, but sometimes we can't even take that day off. We have to participate in voluntary labor from time to time. So it's good to have two days of good rest a month.

"I can use Sundays to learn how to drive, and usually learn auto repair from Brother Hao."

Niu's bold idea is indeed very bold in this era. He knows how to learn, wants to learn, and knows how to make use of the favorable resources around him.

"In that case, it's not impossible. Driving is easy as long as you pay attention. The difficulty lies in car repair. Fortunately, Xiao Hao and you are in the same factory. You can ask for advice when you are free."

"Yeah, that's what I think. I'm young now. If one year doesn't work, then I'll try two years, or even three years, until I can learn it."

"Just have confidence."

Liu Guozheng has always admired those who are ambitious and want to do their utmost to change themselves. In the 1960s and 1970s, it was very possible to change one's life through one's own efforts, or even to make a class transition. From the bottom of his heart, Liu Guozheng is willing to give such people a chance.

At this time, Liu Guohao walked in from outside and said directly: "Brother, there are also several colleagues in our auto repair class who want to learn how to drive."

"I understand that they want to learn how to drive. Xiaohao, you guys are car repairmen, and you are rare talents. You are a skilled worker, and your salary is not low. When it comes to being tired, it's not as tiring as them, right? Why do you want to learn how to drive?"

"Some want to change jobs, and some want to learn more skills."

"Good fellow, each of you is so bold in thinking."

Liu Guozheng shook his head. Isn't this a typical example of holding the bowl and looking at the pot? What's the use of learning to drive? As long as you don't plan to develop in the direction of a driver, if you want to get a car to drive, you have to wait until 20 years later. By that time, not everyone will have the money to buy a car. A small car costs hundreds of thousands, and ordinary people can only look at it.

"Well, I agree to let you learn to drive for Xiaohao and Damao's sake, but there is one thing I want to make clear in advance, driving lessons are not free."

"Brother Zheng, I understand. I can bring my own food. I'll study during the day and then take your ride back in the evening."

"Haha, you don't have to worry about food. We have a canteen in our village and the food factory has one too. They are cheap and affordable. The price is definitely cheaper than the one in your factory, and the food is better. As for you riding the office's delivery truck back, that's not possible. The office has to rest on Sundays, and they don't deliver goods on Sundays."

"Then I'll borrow a bicycle."

"At night? It's such a long way, aren't you afraid?"

"What's there to be afraid of? I'm so big that it's not easy for ordinary people to rob me."

"Those who dare to rob are not ordinary people. You don't have to worry. There are places to stay in the village for free. You can go to work on Monday with Xiaohao and the others and take the delivery truck back."

"Brother Zheng, thank you. That's great. But how much is the driving lesson?"

"Don't worry, it's definitely not high. You'll just have to pay for the gas. I guess you're not rich, so save as much as you can."

To be honest, if Liu Guozheng really asked how much it costs to learn to drive, it is hard to say. Anyone in the village or the food factory who wants to learn to drive can learn for free. This can be considered a kind of welfare.

In fact, in the 1960s and 1970s, the cost of learning to drive, from the beginning to the end, was no less than in later generations. Money was part of it, and social connections were another part.

"Brother, where are my colleagues from the auto repair class?"

"Xiao Hao, how many people are there in your auto repair class?"

"Not many, maybe five including the apprentices."

“How many people want to learn how to drive?”

“I want to learn.”

"Xiao Hao, you didn't promise them anything, did you?"

"Brother, I don't have that. If you don't give the order, I won't dare to do it."

"That's good. If you want to learn, you can study separately. No more than two people at a time. That means your colleagues will only have one place to study this time, and the rest can only study after Dadan and the others have learned. Especially, driving lessons are not free, you have to explain this clearly to them."

It’s not that Liu Guozheng doesn’t want them to learn. There are also many people learning to drive in the factory. The only ones who can teach driving and have experience are Gu Nian and Chen Huwei. People like Erlang and Lao San, who have only learned to drive for less than a year, can only do auxiliary work.

"I understand, brother. I'll go back and talk to them. Let them discuss it themselves."

Since Liu Guozheng had spoken, Liu Guohao naturally had no objection.

"Bold, when are you going to start learning?"

"Brother Zheng, I can learn anytime."

"Okay then, come to the office with Xiaohao after get off work every Saturday, and let Xiaohao take you to the village."

"I understand, brother Zheng. I'll leave first."

Niu Dadan's wish was fulfilled. He stood up and was about to leave. It was also time for dinner. Although what Liu Guozheng said was true, he was really embarrassed to eat here.

"Okay, the meal is ready. You can have a drink with Damao and the others later."

"this.."

"Don't talk about this or that, just say it like this."

"Thank you, Brother Zheng."

"Okay, stop thanking me. Wait a minute. Once Damao and the others are done, we'll have dinner."