Reborn in 1977

Chapter 346: Delivering Grain

If it's about gathering material, then gather material.

Chen Fan spent the entire day talking with the two old masters, hearing many good stories from them.

Building reservoirs, constructing dams, building highways, building the Gu Feng County Hydropower Station…

Master Qiu and Master Ma, one on the left and one on the right, kept Chen Fan engrossed in their endless tales.

"Back then, when we were building the Gu Feng County Auditorium, it coincided with National Day. In order to build this project as a gift for the celebration, we took the advanced counterparts who built an auditorium in '10 months' as an example, and worked day and night…"

"And there was the construction of the hydropower station, which was the first hydropower station in Gu Feng County. Do you know how the name Gu Feng County came about? Within a radius of five hundred miles, there is only one solitary peak, referring to that solitary peak mountain. There is a natural reservoir on the top of Gu Feng Mountain, and we used that reservoir to build a hydropower station, but there was no road on the mountain. To build a hydropower station, the first thing to do was to open a road…"

Now, Chen Fan has an extraordinary memory. Even if he only listens, he can remember what they said, let alone use it as material for reference. However, in order to show his respect for them, he still took a notebook and recorded the various advanced deeds they told him one by one.

When building the hydropower station, the workers who tied the steel bars carried them up the mountain every day, and their shoulders and backs were worn out, and many female comrades were also doing heavy physical work, not losing to the male workers at all…

When repairing the bridge, many workers were soaked in water, and their skin was already white and swollen…

In addition to various work-related matters, there were also many stories of unity.

Once, during the construction of a water conservancy project, a worker was injured and had a major bleeding, and needed a blood transfusion urgently. Everyone rushed to donate blood, and soon gathered the required amount of blood.

One by one, everything was recorded by Chen Fan in his notebook.

He couldn't help but sigh in his heart. A few days ago, he was still thinking that the double rush (harvesting and planting) might be the most tiring job in the world, but he didn't expect that listening to the two masters now, he realized that there were not many easy jobs in this era.

In the end, the technology and equipment of this era are relatively backward. Most of the time, they can only rely on manpower to build it up. Under this circumstance, the work that was undertaken by engineering equipment in later generations was all pressed on people's shoulders.

In this case, how can the workers not be bitter and tired?!

Of course, he also did not forget the other main reason for keeping the two masters.

After telling stories for a while, he would ask the two masters to check the construction progress of the small water tower, and at the same time, he would follow them and ask questions.

If someone else asked, whether it was Master Qiu or Master Ma, they would have slapped them a long time ago.

These are all unique secrets, and even apprentices would not easily impart them. Can they be said casually?

But Chen Fan, well… Teacher Chen asked so carefully, it must be for writing a novel. If it is not rigorous, wouldn't it be making the Gu Feng County Construction Company a laughing stock for the people of the whole country?!

So, the two masters not only explained it thoroughly, but also gave examples and told Chen Fan which engineering buildings these technical points could be used on, how to construct if they encountered these buildings, and what the details were…

At the same time, they also comforted themselves in their hearts. Although the small water tower was designed by him, he doesn't understand construction. It's okay to tell him.

So Chen Fan's construction skill experience points are rising steadily, and he is about to surpass Master Wang and become the number one construction expert in Nanhu Commune!

However, at this time, he had to temporarily put aside the matter of collecting materials and farming experience points.

Because another task has come!

…

August 8th, Monday.

Yesterday, Jiang Lili did not misjudge. Early this morning, the 6th team of Lujiawan would collectively set off to pay public grain and purchase grain.

Just as the sky was getting bright, Chen Fan came out of the room yawning, looking at the four girls who were already ready to go, he couldn't help but smile bitterly, "It's just paying public grain, is it necessary for everyone to go?"

Yang Ju slipped into his room in a puff of smoke, and ran out in a puff of smoke, to fetch him water to wash his face.

Liu Dan went to help him get his toothbrush and jar.

Huang Ying was one step slower, so she stood in place and said plausibly, "Of course everyone has to go. 60,000 to 70,000 catties of grain will require many carts to pull. A cart can only pull 10 bags, and a wheelbarrow can only hold 6 bags. One bag is 200 catties, and 68,000 catties will require dozens of carts. If there are not enough carts, you can only use a carrying pole.

It must be transported all at once, so that it can be weighed and put into the warehouse. The grain management office will not help with two trips. People are needed to replace each other along the way, and they have to occupy a place when they arrive, so that other production teams can't grab it. It's not okay to have too few people."

Chen Fan didn't talk nonsense after hearing this. He took the toothbrush cup handed over by Liu Dan, walked to the courtyard wall, brushed his teeth and rinsed his mouth. Then he washed his face with a towel, and then took the rice bowl handed over by Jiang Lili, and finished a bowl of rice in a few mouthfuls.

The girls quickly packed up their things and waited for him to go out.

At this time, Captain Yang walked in with his coat draped over his shoulders, wearing only a vest, and swinging his arms.

Seeing Chen Fan, he said loudly, "Are you ready? If you are, let's go."

Chen Fan was stunned, "Did you come to me on purpose?"

Captain Yang smiled, "Who else would I look for if not you?"

He walked over and said to Chen Fan, "Whether the grain delivery goes smoothly today depends on you!"

Chen Fan's eyes widened, "What does it have to do with me?"

After a pause, he quickly said, "I can help deliver it, and I can pull the little mare out to help pull the cart, but you said whether the grain delivery goes smoothly, I can't do that, I don't know anyone from the grain management office."

As he spoke, his eyes suddenly lit up, "Hey, where's Brother An? He must know people from the grain management office. If you ask him to go, there will be no problem!"

Captain Yang's smile remained unchanged, "An Quan will definitely go with him. That's what he's here to do. When he gets to the grain management office, he will definitely look for someone."

As he spoke, he suddenly lowered his voice, pretending to be mysterious, and said in a low voice, "But, each production team has a cadre stationed there. If you look for someone, they are also looking for someone. In the end, can't you only go in order of arrival?

In the end, the quality is also in the hands of the inspectors. The inspectors will not look at the faces of those stationed cadres. If they poke a few more holes in the grain bags, they will lose several catties of grain. Those people are dark under their hands! And if they say the grain is unqualified, we have to pull it all back, wasting a day's work."

Chen Fan looked puzzled, "But I don't know the inspector either, what can I do?"

Although he knew that he was a bit famous in Nanhu Commune, he had not reached the point where everyone loved him. Some people just didn't like to read books, and even held the identity of workers and looked down on those who held pens, thinking that they were not real laborers.

It's just a bit of ideological residue from a few years ago.

What if the inspector is also this kind of person, wouldn't it be counterproductive?!

Unless, that inspector is still his reader or even a fan?

Just when Chen Fan was daydreaming, Captain Yang said with a smile, "Have you forgotten the two old masters from the construction team?"

Chen Fan didn't understand at first, but when he saw Captain Yang's eyes, he suddenly reacted, and his face was speechless, "You don't want me to write another novel for the people in the grain management office, do you?"

Captain Yang smiled, "Hey, if that's possible, of course it's best."

Seeing Chen Fan's black face, he quickly said, "If you are too busy and don't have time to write, just drag it out slowly. Anyway, when you deliver grain after the autumn harvest, just write an article to fool them."

Chen Fan exhaled a long breath and walked out sighing, "Writing an article requires real feelings, how can you fool people? This matter is not easy to handle!"

Captain Yang followed him, "What's so difficult about this? Just write with your true feelings."

Chen Fan was still nagging, "But this matter can't be done like this. We're taking the lead, it's not fair to other production teams, aren't we taking their place?"

"No snatching, no snatching, absolutely no snatching."

Captain Yang continued to nag, "We won't do things like jumping the queue, but just build a relationship with the inspector, get the inspection done earlier, and then don't make things difficult. We can pull it in, weigh it, and put it in the warehouse. It's that simple."

Chen Fan, "Is it really that simple?"

Captain Yang, "It's really that simple!"

Chen Fan, "What if the inspector has the temper of a donkey and doesn't like me, this kind of pen-holder?"

Captain Yang, "Then let An Quan go to the director of the grain management office. There is always someone who can cure him. That director will definitely be happy for you to write articles for them. It's definitely more useful than An Quan's words!"

Chen Fan, "What if the director also…"

Before he could finish speaking, Captain Yang lost his patience and said directly, "New rice will be distributed tomorrow, and you will be the first to receive it. If you get things done today, I will give you an extra bag of corn as a reward."

Chen Fan was immediately happy when he heard this, "There's a share of grain for me too?"

Team Leader Yang also chuckled, "What a novel idea! Aren't you part of our Team 6? Or else, would your food ration be less?"

Chen Fan immediately guaranteed, "Just you watch, see how I handle the inspector later!"

After saying that, he quickened his pace and rushed forward.

Jiang Lili and the other three followed behind, unable to stop themselves from grinning.

Teacher Chen is indeed Teacher Chen, never letting go until he sees the rabbit!

The Eurasian hobby circled overhead, "Chirp, chirp."

In front of the village, more than two hundred people had already gathered.

Today's grain delivery was said to be a full mobilization, but mostly adults were mobilized. Those who weren't adults were at least 16 years old; no children would follow.

Bringing children to deliver public grain was something that happened after the household responsibility system.

On the open ground were piles of rice, stacked in sacks, being loaded onto vehicles.

The vehicles were flatbed carts and wheelbarrows. Only the first few flatbed carts were pulled by livestock; the rest were all manpower. A relatively wide cloth strap was hung over the shoulder, one person pulled in front, and two people pushed from behind.

A flatbed cart could carry 10 to 12 sacks, but a wheelbarrow could only carry 6 at a time. This required more skill, and a slight imbalance could cause it to overturn, so it was usually handled by experienced people around 30 years old.

Even using all the vehicles wasn't enough, so more than a hundred people carried the rice in baskets, all the way.

Harvesting, threshing, drying, winnowing, sifting—what was ultimately selected were the best grains, full and plump.

With Team Leader Yang's command, the sound of whips cracking rang out in front. Master Liu shouted at the top of his lungs, "Delivering public grain!…"

The aged voice carried far and wide, and the procession began to move slowly, then grew longer and longer, forming a long snake, heading towards the commune.

Chen Fan followed beside Team Leader Yang, looking left and right, unable to find a place to help.

Pull a cart? They already had "drivers."

Push a cart? They were pushing just fine, looking well-coordinated. If he suddenly went over and disrupted the balance, it would be bad.

So he simply swung his arms and chatted with Anquan and Team Leader Yang.

Anquan opened his shirt and strode forward, saying to Chen Fan, "Isn't this scene spectacular today?"

Chen Fan immediately nodded, "Spectacular!"

It was indeed spectacular. Hundreds of people pulling, pushing, and carrying, sending so much grain to be handed over—something that would be rarely seen after the commune dissolved a few years later.

At that time, even if you had to deliver public grain, each household would take care of its own, naturally lacking the spectacle of this kind of collective mobilization.

(The public grain delivery team)

Anquan chuckled, "If you had brought your drawing board today, a 'Grain Delivery Picture' would definitely look good."

Chen Fan immediately put his hands behind his back, saying with a proud face, "Just a 'Grain Delivery Picture'? What's so difficult about that? I'll draw one for you when we get back."

Anquan grinned, "Oh, you have that skill too?"

Then he pointed at Team Leader Yang, "Why would you draw it for me? If you're going to give it to someone, give it to Team Leader Yang."

Team Leader Yang was already smiling from ear to ear, "Hey, let's get this straight. Drawing is drawing, but you can't draw me again. Draw more of the masses!"

Chen Fan's lips twitched slightly. I wasn't planning on drawing you anyway.

The main force moved forward, walking for more than half an hour, and finally arrived at the commune's grain depot.

The grain depot was located on the north side of Shizi Street, the closest to Lujiawan among the several production teams of the Nanhu Commune.

On the surface, it looked unremarkable, but inside, it was quite something.

Chen Fan hadn't paid much attention before, but when he came today, he discovered that after entering through a small iron gate and passing through a passage flanked by two bungalows, there was actually a concrete floor comparable to a soccer field inside.

Behind the concrete floor were several cylindrical large buildings.

No need to ask, those were definitely granaries!

Just as Chen Fan was in a daze, Team Leader Yang was standing at the entrance of the grain depot, shouting, "Hurry, hurry! There's a grain delivery team coming, don't let them get ahead."

As soon as he finished speaking, Master Liu, who was walking in the front, whipped the horse's butt twice. The packhorse neighed and ran inside with all its might.

The team behind quickly followed.

By the time it was bright, the grain delivery team of Lujiawan's Team 6 had successfully entered the grain depot's open ground and lined up in the first position!

What? The people from the grain depot?

It's already good enough that they opened the iron gate for you. You expect them to come to work for you at 6 o'clock???!

What a fantasy!

After Team 6's team lined up in front, a grain delivery team behind slowly drove in.

A middle-aged man in his forties took off his straw hat and fanned himself, walking towards Team Leader Yang, "Oh dear, oh dear, we set off half an hour earlier than last year today, just a bit short, you guys still got ahead. You doggone thing, didn't you sleep?"

He wasn't angry even after being scolded.

Team Leader Yang put his hands on his hips, his mouth stretched to the back of his ears, laughing heartily, "Oh, that's really a coincidence. We also got up half an hour earlier this year. Speaking of which, it's strange, this grain depot just happens to be built here. If it were built in the south, wouldn't you guys have gotten ahead?"

Chen Fan grimaced on the side, watching Team Leader Yang's arrogant arrogance, even he couldn't help but want to kick him.

At this moment, Anquan walked over, handed him a cigarette, lit it, took a puff, and said with a smile, "The double rush season of the five production brigades of Nanhu Commune is slightly staggered. When delivering public grain, the grain depot will also temporarily notify them of the time to deliver public grain according to the situation of each team.

But no matter how it's arranged, Lujiawan's Team 6 always runs into their Bailanghu's Team 6. They can be considered old rivals."

Chen Fan took a puff of his cigarette to refresh himself and asked curiously, "Is there a conflict?"

"No, there isn't."

Anquan immediately shook his head and chuckled, "Old Yang's third sister married into Bailanghu. The captain of Bailanghu's Team 6 is called Feng Yun,…"

Hearing this, Chen Fan was immediately surprised. Feng Yun? Such a cool name?

Anquan was already explaining, "Feng from 'harvest' and Yun from 'cloud,' actually meaning favorable weather for crops. His wife is from Lujiawan. The five production teams of Nanhu Commune have been intermarrying for two hundred years. Even the biggest conflicts are just family matters and can't cause any big trouble."

Chen Fan watched Team Leader Yang and Feng Yun throw off their clothes on their shoulders and start wrestling, and couldn't help but doubt Anquan's words.

They're already fighting, and you call that not causing trouble?

Anquan bit his cigarette and clapped desperately, "Old Yang, go, Old Yang, go…"

The people from Lujiawan's Team 6 also shouted along, "Captain, go…"

With this side so lively, the people from Bailanghu definitely wouldn't show weakness and immediately cheered for their own captain.

But Chen Fan could also see that the two were just fooling around. You pat me, I kick you, and no one was using any strength at all.

And after touching each other, they would immediately run away giggling, as if they had won a great victory.

After fooling around for a while, people from other production teams came to line up, and the two ended their fight, walking towards Chen Fan with their arms around each other's shoulders.

Needless to say, Chen Fan became Team Leader Yang's tool for showing off again. He walked to Chen Fan with Feng Yun's shoulders around his, saying with high spirits, "Teacher Chen, you know what? Looking at you, you've only heard of it but never seen it. Today, I'll let you see it properly.…"

Chen Fan had never seen Team Leader Yang like this before. He was simply garrulous, and then his face turned black.

Team Leader Yang: "When I picked him up from the river, I could tell he was extraordinary."

Chen Fan thought to himself, who called Zhu Gong'an over at that time?

Team Leader Yang: "I thought the young man was good, so I let him stay in the educated youth center and gave him 30 jin of white rice."

Chen Fan: Wasn't that borrowed at the time?

Team Leader Yang: "That day, he caught a turtle and said it was edible, so I told him to cook it on the spot."

Chen Fan: Didn't you say that even pigs wouldn't eat it?

Team Leader Yang: "Blah, blah, blah…"

Feng Yun held Chen Fan's hand tightly, "Ah, oh, uh, so that's how it is, amazing, I admire you, I admire you…"

Until the sun rose high, a melodious sound came from an unknown loudspeaker, and everyone quickly took their places.

Those who were chatting stopped chatting, and those who were eating wiped their mouths, standing in their original positions.

There were clearly four or five hundred people on the scene, but only the sound of livestock sneezing could be heard.

Chen Fan looked around, and after several minutes, he saw a person about 1.6 meters tall, fair and chubby, walking out of a small bungalow.

Anquan immediately said, "Here he comes."

Then he took out the cigarette from his pocket and walked over quickly.

Chen Fan stood there puzzled. Who is he? Why is he here?