Reborn in 1977

Chapter 265: You Saw It?

Having successfully obtained an entire crocodile skin, Chen Fan could finally begin making his own belt.

However, making a belt from crocodile skin was much more difficult than using cowhide.

Without splitting, cowhide could be 3 or 4 millimeters thick, while crocodile skin was only about two millimeters thick. If used for a belt, it would need to be doubled.

He first used rabbit skin and fox tails for experiments, raising his tailoring skill to LV3, and after two days of effort, he finally created his first belt.

This morning, Chen Fan, wearing his brand-new belt, rode his tall horse to work.

When he arrived at the brigade headquarters, Zhang Wenliang was leading the militiamen in training. Now, because they needed to work and were worried about exhausting their strength, the daily training during winter had been changed to once a week. The only thing that remained unchanged was the attitude towards training.

Chen Fan stood on the side with his hands behind his back, his back straight. If he didn't have a big belly, he would look like a corrupt official.

Zhang Wenliang gave him a strange look, but because he was in the middle of training, it wasn't convenient to talk, so he could only wait until the training was over.

At this moment, Lin Yuanxiang and Xiao Liewen walked over one after the other. Seeing Chen Fan standing aside, Lin Yuanxiang called out to the two puppies a few times. Duoduo and Qiuqiu glanced at him, squatting and sitting motionless in place, until Chen Fan made two "tsst tsst" sounds, and they reluctantly ran over.

Lin Yuanxiang bent down and picked up the two dogs, grinning, "You two are heartless. I feed you good food every day, and you don't even respond when I call you. I should spank your butts."

Duoduo looked at Qiuqiu, "Woof woof (What is he saying?)"

Qiuqiu also barked twice, "Woof woof (Don't know.)"

Xiao Liewen walked straight to Chen Fan, laughing loudly, "Don't you usually arrive around 7 o'clock? Why are you here so early today?"

Chen Fan turned around with his hands on his hips, grinning, "Ah, I got up a little earlier today, so I arrived early."

Xiao Liewen was about to speak when he suddenly saw the shiny, golden belt buckle on his waist, "Yo, did you buy a new belt?"

Chen Fan's smile widened, "Yo, you saw it?"

Xiao Liewen's eyes twitched slightly. I'm not blind. Your copper buckle is shining golden in the sun. How could I not see it?

He didn't speak, and Chen Fan didn't mind. He smiled and said loudly, "Where did I buy it? The supply and marketing cooperative only has artificial leather and canvas belts. If I want to buy a leather belt, they said I have to go to the county town. Look at me, running around for a belt. Isn't that crazy?

I didn't plan to buy it anyway. I was just going to wrap a cloth belt around it, which is also considered thrifty.

Unfortunately, man proposes, God disposes. Guess what? Uncle of the 9th team used to work in the provincial hunting team. He has an unwanted crocodile skin in his hand.

Although crocodile skin is not as good as cowhide, it is still leather. So I bought it back, cut a section, sewed it up, and made a belt."

As he spoke, he straightened his back, "Look, this is it."

Xiao Liewen's teeth itched with hatred. It was a mistake. He shouldn't have asked him about the belt.

Lin Yuanxiang leaned forward, surprised, "Yo, it's really crocodile skin?"

Seeing that someone was willing to cooperate, Chen Fan immediately turned around and adjusted his target, "Isn't it? Don't think that crocodile skin is rare, and it's from the water, but the skin is not 'watery'. It's genuine crocodile skin, not worse than cowhide. If you save it, you can use it for ten years."

Lin Yuanxiang stood up straight and looked at him, asking, "Did you cut a strip to buy, or did you buy the whole skin?"

Chen Fan laughed, "Of course, the whole piece. People only have one piece of skin. If you pull a strip from the middle, what else can you do with it?"

Lin Yuanxiang nodded slowly and asked again, "You just said that you made this belt yourself?"

Chen Fan raised his head, his face full of pride, "That's right, I made it myself."

Unfortunately, he was happy too soon.

Lin Yuanxiang immediately put the two dogs on the ground and said to him, "Since you can sew belts yourself, making a saddle shouldn't be a big problem."

Chen Fan's face stiffened, "Ah? A saddle?"

Lin Yuanxiang nodded, "Yes, a saddle."

His face changed faster than flipping a book. One second it was sunny, and the next it was heartbreaking, "That horse of yours, I feel sorry for it. Such a good warhorse, but it doesn't even have a saddle. A few days ago, Lao Xiao told me that there is still an old military horse saddle in the brigade warehouse, but the leather is badly damaged, leaving only the frame inside.

Originally, I was thinking about how to repair it and put it on your horse. Now it's great. Take out that saddle, tear off the outer skin, and then you cover it with crocodile skin. It's a brand-new saddle, how great."

Chen Fan's eyelids twitched wildly. After a few seconds, he smiled awkwardly, "No, Uncle Lin, I still have a use for this crocodile skin."

Lin Yuanxiang said unhappily, "Useful? What is it useful for? To make leather clothes or leather shoes? Not enough to make leather clothes, and for leather shoes, the supply and marketing cooperative sells leather shoes. Artificial leather only costs 5 yuan, and cowhide only costs 15 yuan. Where can't you buy them? But can you buy leather and a saddle?"

Chen Fan's face stiffened, but he felt that what he said was right, so he said with a bitter face, "Okay, then I'll make a saddle first."

He was still thinking about using that crocodile skin to make a few more things. Well, he just showed off his new belt, and then it all went down the drain.

Seeing that he could listen to advice, Lin Yuanxiang's face was full of relief, "That's right. After making the saddle, buy a few canvas straps to make a bridle, and then make a pair of stirrups. The warhorse's equipment will be complete."

Chen Fan said with a stiff face, "Isn't there still a rifle and a saber missing?"

Xiao Liewen laughed and scolded from the side, "Do you want me to get you a set of military uniforms, get a belt, and equip everything that should be equipped, and let you be a cavalryman?"

Chen Fan chuckled dryly, "No need, it's good the way it is now."

Lin Yuanxiang smacked his lips and pondered for a moment, "Don't say, without the equipment, it's really a bit lacking."

Then he looked up at Chen Fan and smiled, "Forget about the gun. I heard that you have two shotguns and a pistol yourself. As for the saber, I can get you one."

Hearing this, Chen Fan was stunned for a moment, staring at him blankly, "You have a saber?"

Then he remembered that he was Captain Xiao's old comrade-in-arms, and they had both been on the battlefield. It didn't seem strange to have a saber.

Lin Yuanxiang smiled, "Yes, I have a saber, but I can't give it to you for nothing."

Chen Fan shrugged and smiled, "What are the conditions?"

To be honest, he wasn't very interested in sabers. If he really wanted one, he could set up a stove in the backyard, find some scrap iron and coal, and make one himself.

The casting skill wasn't activated for nothing!

But seeing that Uncle Lin wanted to play a game, he would play along. Anyway, he wouldn't lose anything.

Lin Yuanxiang smiled and said, "I won't mention the conditions yet. After you finish the saddle and the time is right, I will naturally give you the saber you want."

Chen Fan naturally agreed and immediately smiled, "Alright, then I'll wait for your saber."

At this moment, the militia squad finally finished their morning exercises. Zhang Wenliang wiped his sweat and immediately ran over, bending down to look at the new belt around Chen Fan's waist. "Oh, where did you buy this belt? It's quite nice."

Chen Fan spread his hands at him, "Don't get any ideas. I need the remaining leather to make a saddle. None for you."

Zhang Wenliang straightened up and glared at him, "Stingy."

Xiao Liewen and Lin Yuanxiang burst into laughter.

Chen Fan shrugged helplessly. What was so funny about that?

Xiao Liewen waved his hand at the other militiamen, "Dismissed after training."

Then he took out his tobacco pipe from his waist, rolled some tobacco, and looked at Zhang Wenliang, saying, "We'll start transplanting rice seedlings today. During the transplanting period, we must do a good job of security. All militiamen will carry guns to the fields. I don't need to say more about the precautions. You must explain them clearly to them and ensure that there are no mistakes."

Hearing about official matters, Zhang Wenliang became serious and nodded without hesitation, "I've already made arrangements and will guarantee the completion of the task."

Xiao Liewen nodded, struck a match to light his cigarette, and continued, "After the transplanting is finished, it will be almost May. May 1st is a Sunday, there will be a market. At that time, take a look and set a time to arrange the spring training."

Hearing this, Chen Fan was immediately attracted.

Great, it was finally time for the militia's spring training, and he could play with guns openly again.

It was pitiful that he had only enjoyed shooting those three guns once since he bought them. It wasn't enough at all. This time, he had to shoot to his heart's content.

Moreover, he could use the militia company's rifles and didn't have to waste his own shotgun shells.

A shotgun shell actually cost four mao, so expensive!

Just as Xiao Liewen and Zhang Wenliang were discussing the militia's spring training, Zhang Changjiang and Secretary Yang also arrived.

Secretary Yang walked in, supporting his bicycle, "Why aren't you all going in?"

Xiao Liewen turned around and smiled, "We just arrived not long ago. The militiamen just finished training, so I was discussing the spring training with Sanhuzi."

After Zhang Changjiang approached, he laughed loudly, "Then you should go inside to talk! Are you drinking the northwest wind outside?"

Xiao Liewen raised his foot and walked inside, smiling at the same time, "The east wind is blowing now. The northwest wind blows during autumn training."

Several people walked inside and sat down in the reception room in front instead of going to the office.

As usual, they passed around cigarettes. Secretary Yang leaned back in his chair and didn't treat Lin Yuanxiang as an outsider, saying directly, "Anyway, it's the same arrangement every year. Today, Lao Zhang, Lao Ye, and I will go to each team to inspect, so it will be easier to deal with any problems.

Yesterday, Lao Ye greeted me, he will not come over this morning, but go directly to the back several teams to see the rice transplanting situation there. Lao Xiao will stay behind to coordinate. Sanhuzi will lead the militia squad of the brigade headquarters to patrol each team. My daughter will also go down to mobilize the women comrades to do a good job in logistics. No one can be careless."

As he spoke, he turned to look at Chen Fan, took a puff of cigarette, and said, "Xiao Chen, you have to keep an eye on the broadcasting station these few days. Although Xiao'e can already use the broadcasting machine proficiently, she has too little experience and doesn't know how to repair it. I'm afraid something unexpected will happen that she can't handle. It's more reassuring to have you guarding here."

Chen Fan nodded immediately, "Okay, I'll be here these few days."

At this time, Zhang Wenliang turned to look at him and asked, "Can't your No. 6 team's 'toilet construction team' build toilets independently yet?"

Chen Fan smiled and said, "I only guided them to build the first few toilets. Since yesterday, they have been able to build independently. Later, I went to check, and they were built almost the same as when I was there. They can be considered masters now."

After a pause, he smiled again, "Besides, everyone has to work these days for transplanting. Men pick seedlings, and women transplant rice. Where would they have time to build toilets? Even the biggest thing has to wait until the transplanting is finished."

Hearing this, everyone in the room nodded in unison.

Xiao Liewen chuckled, "I was worried that you would only focus on building toilets and delay the transplanting. Now it seems that you are still clear-headed."

He was one of the first people in Lujiawan to rebuild his toilet. A few days ago, Chen Fan led the toilet construction team to build the first one for Captain Yang's family, and the second one was for Xiao Liewen and Zhang Changjiang's families.

With these two examples, more than half of the people in Team 5 also ordered squatting pans from Chen Fan.

It's just that now Chen Fan doesn't sell squatting pans directly, but supplies them to the construction team for 10 yuan each. The construction team doesn't increase the price and gives them to the users as part of the cost. Building a new toilet, excluding material costs, requires three labor days, 3 yuan per labor day, plus a few packs of cigarettes, which is about 20 yuan, completely within the acceptable range for most members.

Hearing Xiao Liewen's words, Chen Fan chuckled, "That's impossible. Even if the people in the construction team want to make money and don't want to transplant rice, Captain Yang won't let them do that. They are all people from the Yang, Liu, and Huang families. No one dares not listen to Captain Yang's words."

Secretary Yang nodded slowly, smoking his cigarette and smiling without saying a word.

Although he and Yang Chuanfu were not in the same team, they were distant relatives. If the Yang family dared to mess around, he would definitely lose face. Otherwise, he would gain face.

"There's one more thing,"

Zhang Changjiang said to Chen Fan, "You are good at writing articles. This transplanting is also a top priority for our production team. Later, take a look at how to write two good articles, preferably to be published in the Yunhu Daily. I will give you credit at that time."

Hearing this, Chen Fan, who was already prepared, of course, agreed readily.

Wasn't it just writing articles? After reading so many newspapers in the data room, he had already figured out the routine of articles in this era.

Not to mention two articles, he could write ten, and from different perspectives.

One article could be written from the perspective of the leaders of the brigade headquarters, one from the perspective of ordinary members, one from the perspective of militiamen working day and night to prevent sabotage, and one from the perspective of the elderly who had experienced the old era…

There were too many. For Chen Fan, he didn't even need to use his brain, he just needed to use his hands.

Several leaders of the brigade headquarters sat here smoking and soon arranged this year's spring planting and transplanting work, and then each took action.

After they all left, Xiao Liewen stood up and said, "You guys wait here for a while. I'll go find the custodian, Lao Luo, and bring over that broken saddle."