Reborn in 1977

Chapter 287: Adding Some Flair

May 3rd.

Today was the day for the militia's spring training. Generally, after each training session, there would be a day of rest. Fortunately, there was a movie showing tomorrow night, which could be considered leisure.

Chen Fan didn't ride a horse today, nor did he bring his leather bag and shotgun. Instead, he was well-behaved, dressed in ordinary coarse cloth clothes like the other militiamen, with an armed belt around his waist and a Type 56 rifle on his shoulder.

If there was any difference, it was the PPK pistol on his waist.

He almost never left this thing behind, mainly for "just in case."

After all, one of the memories of this era in later generations was "poor public security." If he happened to encounter an armed bad guy, he could use his small pistol to fight back, and maybe even earn a merit.

Captain Xiao, however, sneered at his attitude. His original words were, "Gufeng County Public Security Bureau hasn't received a single case in three consecutive years. Are you carrying that little firecracker around every day, trying to break the record or something?"

When Chen Fan heard this, his eyes widened.

No cases for three consecutive years? Really?

Then Zhang Wenliang explained to him, "Generally, neighborhood disputes emphasize 'learning from the Fengqiao experience.' Small matters don't leave the village, and big matters don't leave the team. As long as there are no major cases, like capturing enemy agents or murder cases, we won't bother the police."

Chen Fan understood as soon as he heard this. For petty theft, the villagers were used to handling it internally. If a local committed the crime, it was handled in a certain way, such as fining them for compulsory labor, or letting their father take them back and whip them. If it was an outsider... actually, this outsider wasn't too "foreign" either; they were almost always from the same commune or a neighboring commune.

For these people, after catching them, they would be beaten severely, hung up to starve for two or three days, and then told to get lost.

Call the police?

No way!

At that time, Chen Fan was still unwilling to give up and kept asking Zhang Wenliang, "Isn't there any itinerant crime?"

He still remembered the look Zhang Wenliang gave him, "Itinerant? Are you talking about yourself? Do you think you could get away if you came here to commit a crime?"

Then he looked regretful, "To be honest, if Zhu Gong'an had found out that you might be an enemy agent when he investigated you, and then confirmed it, then our Lujiawan would have assisted in solving a major case. Not only would we break Gufeng County's record, but the production team might get a collective third-class merit, and Lao Yang would probably get an individual second-class merit, and might even get promoted. What a pity."

Chen Fan was speechless at the time and couldn't say anything back.

Seeing that his face was dark, Zhang Wenliang smiled and comforted him, "I'm just giving an example. You're too sensitive."

Chen Fan's face fell. Is that how you give an example? Why don't you give a pineapple instead?

Then Zhang Wenliang said again, "Do you know the rule of 'prohibiting blind migration'? If you dare to enter the city without a letter of introduction, you'll be sent back to your registered residence.

Of course, if you don't commit a crime, no one will bother you. We ordinary people are busy making a living and don't have time to stare at people all day long.

But as long as you commit a crime, all the neighborhood committees and production teams will form a vast, inescapable net that will ensure you have nowhere to escape!"

Chen Fan said with a straight face, "If you're giving an example, just give an example. Stop always saying 'you, you, you,' okay? People who don't know would think you're talking about me."

However, after hearing his explanation, Chen Fan understood.

At that time, a large number of educated youth were returning to the city. Those young people were idle all day long, and they were disliked at home. Wouldn't they just go out and cause trouble?

This phenomenon wasn't suppressed until the mid-1990s.

Here, we have to mention Hubei Province.

Their pioneering "Highway Robbery DS with Rewards" policy cleaned up the atmosphere of the entire province, almost correcting the public security of the entire province with lightning speed.

As a result, truck and bus drivers traveling north and south, east and west, would rather stay up all night to get to Hubei to rest, not daring to stop in the surrounding provinces.

Later, various parts of the country followed suit, which made this phenomenon a thing of the past.

So, the times when things get worse, worst, and even worse haven't come yet!

However, Chen Fan still decided to carry his small pistol every day.

Zhang Wenliang asked him, "Why?"

Chen Fan said, "Because it looks cool!"

So today, for the militia's spring training, Zhang Wenliang brought his precious "Hanakou Luzi," the kind of gun that Chu Yunfei gave to Lao Li, and hung it on his waist, waving it in front of Chen Fan from time to time.

Then his elder brother disliked him.

Zhang Juemin, the barefoot doctor and militia company health worker of Lujiawan, glared at Zhang Wenliang impatiently, "You're a company commander, can't you be more mindful? Go lead the team in front. What are you doing waving around here for no reason?"

Daring not to disobey his cousin, Zhang Wenliang drooped his head and ran forward without saying a word.

After driving away the annoying Zhang Wenliang, Zhang Juemin pulled Chen Fan to the back of the line and whispered, "I heard someone say that you also got a barefoot doctor certificate?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Fan couldn't help but be taken aback, "Who did you hear that from?"

Zhang Juemin, "Little Li from the health center. He's in charge of logistics, and he manages the files. I went to the health center to get supplies yesterday and heard him say it."

Hearing him say this, Chen Fan knew he couldn't deny it, so he chuckled softly, "It's just a certificate, it's not of any use."

Zhang Juemin's eyes lit up, no, they almost filled with tears, "Not of any use? How can it not be of any use? Let me tell you, it's very useful!"

He wiped his face and started complaining as if he was at a grievance meeting, "Do you know that in the entire brigade of more than 5,000 people, I'm the only barefoot doctor, and I'm still a half-baked one. I only trained for half a year at the commune health center, and it was still part-time. Although there are still two training sessions every year, each lasting a week, they only teach how to use new drugs, which is of no use for improving medical skills.

Do you know how much pressure I'm under? I'm worried every day, afraid that there will be patients in any of the teams, especially when they come knocking on the door in the middle of the night. That must be an emergency. I'm running back and forth, going around the entire brigade, just afraid of making a mistake."

After a pause, he suddenly pointed at Chen Fan, "Not to mention anything else, just take you as an example. When Lao Yang called me over to see you that time, your whole body was purple. I originally wanted to say to prepare for the funeral..."

Hearing this, Chen Fan's whole body went numb. So, I almost died?

Zhang Juemin didn't notice Chen Fan's expression and continued, "But looking at your face, so small, not much bigger than my brother's Xiao'e, I couldn't help but feel softhearted, so I prescribed a sweating medicine at the time, and it was a strong one. It was like treating a dead horse as a living one. Hey, I didn't expect it to actually save you."

Chen Fan was dripping with cold sweat beside him, but Zhang Juemin was still feeling emotional, "This is where my medical skills are lacking. If I could have seen that you could still be saved, I would definitely have given you another shot of gentamicin, just in case."

Chen Fan couldn't help but blurt out, "Don't!"

Zhang Juemin turned to look at him, "Huh?"

Chen Fan immediately came back to his senses and quickly coughed, "I mean your medical skills are superb, there's no need for injections. That medicine is so expensive, it's best to leave it for those who need it more."

Zhang Juemin first nodded approvingly, "You're a good person."

Then he shook his head with a wry smile, "It's only because you got a barefoot doctor certificate that I dare to tell you the truth. What good medical skills? That's all the villagers' flattery."

He sighed deeply and said with his head lowered, "You don't know, every year there are people I can't save. I'm watching them go with my own eyes."

Hearing this, Chen Fan stopped talking.

The contribution of barefoot doctors to rural medical work is definitely beyond doubt. Without them, the farmers of that time would have had nowhere to seek medical treatment after they got sick. They would either find some folk remedies to try their luck or endure it at home.

Surviving it was a victory, and if they couldn't survive it, they could only die.

However, it is also an indisputable fact that the level of barefoot doctors was generally low. Only a very small number of indigenous doctors who were recruited, had a master's inheritance, or had a family background in medicine possessed a higher level of medical skill. The vast majority of barefoot doctors were like Zhang Juemin, undergoing emergency training for a period of time, the longest being one year, and the shortest being only three months, and then "graduating" and taking up their posts.

Letting them see patients, the risks are naturally conceivable.

He didn't speak, so Zhang Juemin continued, "Low medical skills, high pressure, heavy tasks, these are my most direct feelings as a barefoot doctor. Many times I think, how great it would be if we could have a doctor with high medical skills and great abilities come to our Lujiawan!"

He turned to look at Chen Fan, his face full of joy, and smiled, "I asked Xiao Li about you, and almost all the nurses in the health center praised your medical skills as being skillful…"

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Fan quickly interrupted him, smiling wryly, "Brother Juemin, I only stayed in the health center for a week. Before that, I only memorized a few medical books. You think my medical skills are skillful? Do you believe that yourself?"

Hearing this, Zhang Juemin couldn't help but hesitate, "But, Xiao Li said that you are following Doctor Lu and are already qualified to write prescriptions?"

Chen Fan rubbed his face, not knowing whether to cry or laugh, "Then did he say that before writing a prescription, I discussed it with Doctor Lu first?"

After a pause, he added, "Speaking of discussion, it's actually me asking Doctor Lu for advice. I only dare to write a prescription after getting his approval!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Juemin immediately fell silent.

The group continued to move forward. Chen Fan and Zhang Juemin trailed behind. Xiao Liewen in front looked back twice, beckoned Zhang Wenliang over, pointed back, "What does Dahu Zi want from Xiao Chen?"

Zhang Wenliang looked, pursed his lips, and shook his head slightly, "I don't know, he didn't tell me."

Xiao Liewen put his hands behind his back, his eyes full of strange expressions, "What could he want from Xiao Chen?"

After walking for a while, Zhang Juemin suddenly said, "If you don't have the ability, would Doctor Lu be able to get you a certificate?"

Hearing him mention this, Chen Fan felt greatly wronged, "Oh my, you don't know…"

As he spoke, he explained the situation, and finally clapped his hands, his face full of grievance, "You tell me, I was learning my skills so well, but they messed it up for me. Where can I go to reason this out?!"

Hearing this, Zhang Juemin's face was also speechless.

Could things really be like this?

However, looking at Chen Fan's face, and thinking about the attitudes of the young and old women in Lujiawan towards Chen Fan, he actually felt that it was very normal again.

It was just too outrageous!

But no matter what, his initial full confidence in Chen Fan had now leaked out.

Xiao Li said that Chen Fan had been learning medicine from Doctor Lu since December, but he himself knew clearly that Chen Fan had not been to the town in December, and was studying veterinary medicine in January. His every move was under the eyes of the villagers of Lujiawan, so Doctor Lu's statement was clearly to facilitate Chen Fan's certification.

But Doctor Lu was already over 80 years old, and his character and medical skills were universally praised. Could such a person casually issue a doctor's certificate to someone?

Zhang Juemin only felt extremely conflicted, almost spitting out a mouthful of old blood.

After a long while, he hardened his heart and decided to trust Doctor Lu's character, and said softly to Chen Fan, "No matter what, you are also someone who has obtained a barefoot doctor's certificate. If you are willing, when we return to the brigade headquarters, I will go to Secretary Yang. The position of village doctor will be yours."

Chen Fan quickly refused, "Don't."

He looked at Zhang Juemin and said sternly, "You have at least studied for half a year, I at most can be considered to have studied for three months. Even if I can get a doctor's certificate, it's mostly because I memorized the books well. Are you really daring to let me treat people? Aren't you afraid of making them worse? This is treating people, not livestock!"

Hearing him say this, Zhang Juemin hesitated again.

After a moment, he finally changed his mind, "Then if I encounter something I'm not sure about in the future, I'll ask you to discuss it with me, is that okay?"

Chen Fan immediately breathed a sigh of relief, nodding and smiling repeatedly, "Okay, okay, I couldn't wish for more."

He was unwilling to be a barefoot doctor, partly because he would be busy, and on the other hand, he really didn't have much confidence in his current medical skills.

Anyway, he had already mastered pulse diagnosis, acupuncture, massage, and bone setting. Rather than listening to Doctor Lu and Doctor Dong, and improving his experience through clinical practice, it would be better to buy a few more medical books and improve his experience by reading books.

At least there was zero risk!

Otherwise, if the situation Zhang Juemin faced were to occur, and someone was made worse by his treatment, not to mention anything else, he himself would not be able to get over it.

However, when Zhang Juemin encountered a problem, he could happily accept giving advice and offering suggestions from the sidelines.

After more than half an hour of marching, the militia company finally arrived at the designated training base.

It was still the small hillock from the last winter training.

It's just that when they came last time, it was withered branches and fallen leaves, a scene of desolation, but now, the entire hilltop is lush and green, and various branches and leaves cover the entire mountain and several surrounding flat areas.

With such environmental conditions, how can they train?

Soon Chen Fan knew the training methods of the militiamen.

Under the command of Zhang Wenliang, the militia company was divided into three platoons and directly deployed formations and tactical training on the levee and the levee slopes on both sides.

Chen Fan stared wide-eyed at the side, so they weren't going into the forest today?

Then he saw Zhang Wenliang walk over, point to the small hillock with lush trees and deep grass beside him, and smile at him, "What do you think, dare to compete?"

Chen Fan widened his eyes, "Compete? Didn't you say last time that you would teach me tactical movements during the spring training?"

Zhang Wenliang chuckled and said, "Tactical movements and such, I already taught you during the last winter training. As for team combination tactics, you are not a member of the militia company, so it's useless to teach you."

Saying that, he pointed to the mountain forest again, "Don't need any team cooperation, just the two of us, a decisive victory."

Chen Fan's eyes flickered slightly, and he looked at him with some hesitation, "What's your conspiracy?"

Hearing this, Zhang Wenliang's face stiffened slightly, and then he coughed dryly, "What conspiracy, don't say it so harshly, it's just our two brothers exchanging training experiences, what conspiracy could there be?"

Chen Fan looked at him with a suspicious expression, "Really? I don't believe it!"

Zhang Wenliang coughed dryly again, "Of course, if we could add a prize, it would definitely be more interesting."

Prize?

Chen Fan snorted softly, still dare to say there's no conspiracy?

He glanced at Zhang Wenliang, "Speak, what have you taken a fancy to on me?"

Zhang Wenliang grinned, "Easy to say, easy to say, I think your leather backpack is pretty good, if I win…"

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Fan proudly raised his head, "If you win, the backpack is yours."

After a pause, he smiled again, "Then, what if you lose?"

Zhang Wenliang patted his waist, "See, Hualiuzi pistol, isn't it much stronger than your little firecracker? If you win, this Hualiuzi pistol is yours."

Chen Fan glanced at the pistol on his waist, but his eyes were full of suspicion, "Isn't this gun your prize? Can you make the decision to give it away?"

Hearing this, Zhang Wenliang was unhappy, "What are you talking about? Since it's my prize, of course I can make the decision."

Seeing Chen Fan's questioning gaze, he muttered again, "At worst, when I leave the militia company, I'll pay a few yuan for the gun."

Chen Fan didn't care whether he could really make the decision or not. Since he had said such words, he was not ambiguous. He immediately rolled up his sleeves and smiled, "Okay, then I'll bet with you."

At this time, Xiao Liewen walked over, looked at the two, "Betting? What are you betting on?"

Zhang Wenliang immediately smiled and said, "Using my Hualiuzi pistol to bet on his leather backpack."

If it was a martial arts sparring, he wouldn't dare to bet too much, but in terms of solo combat, he didn't believe it. Could his ten years of experience be inferior to his few days?!

Xiao Liewen glanced at Zhang Wenliang obscurely, and smiled softly, "I mean what are you competing on?"

Zhang Wenliang came back to his senses and quickly said, "Competing on solo combat."

He pointed to the small hillock, "Just in this mountain forest, see who wins and who loses."

Xiao Liewen glanced at the mountain forest, and nodded, "Alright."

Then, with his hands behind his back, smoking a dry cigarette, "Go, I'll be the referee for you."

With their arrival, Chen Fan was a little hesitant, holding up the rifle in his hand and said, "Just use live ammunition?"

Xiao Liewen frowned slightly, "But the militia company doesn't have blank ammunition either."

Chen Fan looked at Zhang Wenliang, thought for a moment, and said, "Why don't we not use guns?"

Zhang Wenliang also felt that using real guns was unsafe, so he nodded, "Okay, then we won't use guns."

The two handed over the guns on their bodies at the same time, then smiled at each other and each went into the forest.