Reborn in 1977

Chapter 355: Taking Pictures

The next day was indeed another sunny day.

The torrential rain of the previous evening had washed the dirt road into mud, but after the sun came out, it quickly dried into a firm dirt road, though with more footprints of people and cattle.

At least there was less dust.

Overnight, the river had risen by two or three meters, reaching a point about seven meters from the top of the embankment.

How did I know so clearly?

Very simple.

Right on the outer river embankment, at regular intervals, there was a long row of "water level markers" extending down the slope into the water.

These water level markers were cement pillars extending from the riverbank, painted white with lime, with specific water levels marked in red paint and labeled with numbers.

Even an illiterate person could understand the meaning of these numbers as long as they could recognize money.

The farmers relied on daily patrols of these water level markers, reporting their recorded measurements to the team, which reported to the brigade, which reported to the water conservancy station, and so on.

Countless data from water conservancy stations were aggregated at the provincial water resources department, forming a provincial database of hydrological changes.

This data was not wasted.

The water resources department would aggregate and extract water level information from important river sections and broadcast it daily to the entire province via radio.

All water transport vessels in the Jiangnan region relied on listening to this water level information to obtain firsthand data on the water levels across the entire region.

Based on this, they could determine which rivers were navigable, which rivers had particularly turbulent currents requiring skilled helmsmen, which rivers had water levels that were too low and required detours, and which rivers had shallow water levels and potential for grounding in certain areas.

If the water level rose too quickly, the water resources department and local water conservancy bureaus would issue warnings, and real experts would conduct "consultations" to provide predictions, which would be submitted to higher authorities for decisions on whether to defend the dikes or divert floodwaters.

For example, during the major floods of 1998 in the Yangtze River, when the water level exceeded the historical high-water mark, the Ministry of Water Resources gathered dozens of water conservancy experts from across the country at the most dangerous moment.

They stayed at the Jingzhou Hotel and, through round-the-clock calculations, concluded that "flood diversion was not necessary," providing a basis for the decision-making of the Vice Premier who was also staying there.

Relying on this conclusion, the Vice Premier withstood the pressure to divert floodwaters and instructed the soldiers to guard the dikes firmly, with the motto: "The dike stands, the people stand; the dike falls, the people fall!"

In the end, except for a few towns that were flooded due to dike breaches, the entire Jingjiang area was preserved intact, especially protecting Wuhan downstream and even further downstream regions.

Therefore, these inconspicuous cement pillars are related to the safety of life and property of countless people in the Yangtze River basin.

...

Chen Fan rode his little mare, following behind Secretary Yang and the others, counting the water level markers along the way, and inspected the entire river within the scope of Lujiawan.

Over such a long distance, everyone naturally rode horses; relying solely on legs, it might not be possible to complete the journey in a day.

Countless sentry posts had been built on the embankment overnight, one every 500 meters.

Most of the sentry posts were thatched sheds, with wooden stakes as support, straw mats as walls, and straw as roofs.

Most of the space inside was filled with sacks and shovels, ready for filling with earth to block water, while only a small portion was occupied by three bamboo beds, which were the sleeping quarters for the flood control personnel.

In addition to the thatched sheds, there were also a dozen or so rain shelters made of oilcloth, but new thatched sheds were also being built next to these shelters.

For the next two or three months, this would be the home of the flood control workers.

No wonder the leaders unanimously agreed yesterday when Chen Fan proposed building permanent sentry posts and solving the problem of the height difference.

The conditions of the current sentry posts were indeed too poor.

It was secondary that people suffered, but the key was that flood control materials were easily damaged.

If there were permanent sentry posts, these flood control materials could undoubtedly be used for a longer time.

As a result, they were naturally more willing to build permanent sentry posts.

However, brick-burning took time, and reporting to the commune to obtain cement took even more time.

In the short term, the flood control sentry posts in Lujiawan could only use thatched sheds.

If everything went smoothly, it would be after the autumn harvest before construction could begin, once the cement was approved.

What if the commune didn't approve the cement?

Hmph, then we'll see what happens later!

The people of Lujiawan were willing to contribute, but they couldn't contribute purely for the sake of contribution.

Since I had already prepared red bricks at my own expense, and it was for guarding the dike, it wasn't too much to ask the water conservancy station to provide some cement support, right?

If the commune and the water conservancy station didn't even provide this small benefit, then we could also endure hardships.

Isn't it just living in thatched sheds? We've lived like this for the past twenty years, who's afraid of whom?!

Although Chen Fan really wanted to say that building permanent sentry posts would ultimately benefit the people of Lujiawan, he also knew in his heart that things weren't done this way.

Since it was a matter of water conservancy, the water conservancy department had to share a portion of the costs; otherwise, if everything was borne by the grassroots, more and more tasks would be pushed down in the future.

Could Lujiawan bear the cost of one water conservancy project, and also bear the cost of countless other projects?

So he also supported the opinions of Secretary Yang and the others.

If the higher-ups provided support, they would build; if they didn't provide support, they would all slack off together.

However, that's what he said.

Ten years later, this might indeed be possible, but at this stage, the possibility of this situation occurring was not high.

If they knew that Lujiawan wanted to build permanent sentry posts, the commune and the water conservancy station would basically give their full support; the construction of the small water tower and tap water was an example.

As long as it was a matter for the good of the public and the people, the commune and the higher-ups were very willing to support it, within their capabilities.

After circling around the embankment and confirming that everything was normal, they finally returned to the brigade headquarters, and the leaders approved the matter of going to the county town tomorrow to "run sales."

The same people were in the office, only with the addition of An Quan.

Secretary Yang sat in his seat, filling his pipe with tobacco, and said with his head down, "This trip of yours carries the hopes of the entire brigade, you must do your best."

The ducks and geese had grown up and started laying eggs, and the chickens had also started laying eggs.

Some villagers were even preparing to hatch the next batch of chicks.

If they didn't find a sales channel and sell them, even with earthworms to feed them, they couldn't support so many chickens, ducks, and geese eating, ah.

Besides, wasn't the purpose of raising them to make money?

How could they make money if they didn't sell the goods?!

Hearing Secretary Yang's words, An Quan couldn't help but shiver, and said with a bitter face, "Secretary Yang, we're already under a lot of pressure, can you please not give us any more pressure."

He had been so worried these past few days that he had lost his appetite.

Team Leader Zhang looked at him and asked, "Has the official letter from the commune been issued?"

An Quan nodded immediately, "It's been issued.

I asked our Director Hong to go with me to find Secretary Qian, and Secretary Qian was very supportive and issued the official letter on the spot."

After a pause, he added with a wry smile, "But you also know how arrogant the people in the supply and marketing system are.

Don't even mention the commune, they might not even give face to units in the county, so whether it will work or not depends on our two 'heroes'."

As he spoke, he looked at Zhang Wenliang and Zhang Juemin.

Zhang Wenliang immediately raised his head and put up his hand, "Stop, I'm not a hero.

I'm just a guide.

The specifics of the negotiations will have to be handled by you and Uncle Ye."

As he spoke, he turned to look at Chen Fan, "Or we could ask Teacher Chen to come forward, it would be a hundred times better than my brother and me.

Last time those units originally wanted to invite him, but he hid away and didn't go, so my brother and I filled in."

Chen Fan immediately raised his hand and applauded, "Not bad, not bad, you even know how to use idioms now."

Zhang Wenliang's old face turned red, and he rolled his eyes, "Get lost."

Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Chen Fan was very calm, "Everyone relax, isn't it just over ten thousand ducks and six thousand geese? It's not difficult to sell them.

Don't say that the county commercial bureau can't refuse, even if they really disagree, I naturally have a way."

Then he coughed dryly and said nonchalantly, "Of course, it would be best if Brother An and Team Leader Ye can handle the dozen or so units in the county."

The people who had been happy after hearing Chen Fan's words earlier, upon hearing the second half of his sentence, all made a gesture in unison, "Tch!"

It was as if he hadn't said anything at all.

...

Early the next morning, Zhang Wenliang, Zhang Juemin, Ye Shubao, An Quan, and Chen Fan, who was going to the prefectural committee to register along the way, got into the car heading to the county town together.

The driver was still Master Meng.

Chen Fan still sat in the passenger seat, opened the window, looked at the rolling river water, and felt a little apprehensive, "Master Meng, is it okay to cross the river with such high water?"

Master Meng skillfully steered the steering wheel and stepped on the clutch to drive the car onto the ferry.

The ferry was swaying in the surging river water, and the car swayed along with it.

You sway, I sway, everyone sways even more.

The faces of Zhang Wenliang and the others in the back turned pale, and they were even prepared to abandon the car and jump into the river.

They were still on the shore, and it should be easier to swim back at this time!

Master Meng, however, was used to it, calmly drove the car to the middle of the ferry, then turned off the engine and pulled the handbrake, turned to look at Chen Fan and smiled, "Teacher Chen, don't worry, I've been driving this route for twenty years, I guarantee there won't be any problems."

Chen Fan muttered to himself, the key is that this isn't even a road!

Luckily, despite a bit of swaying, under Master Meng's control, the car smoothly crossed two large rivers and then sped straight towards Gufeng County.

An hour later, the car pulled into the station, and Master Meng waved goodbye to Chen Fan, "Wishing you all the best, Teacher Chen."

Chen Fan grinned, "Thanks for your kind words. Next time I take your car, I'll bring you a roast duck."

Master Meng laughed heartily, "That sounds great, I'll be waiting."

As an experienced driver, he certainly wasn't short of meat, but a gift from Teacher Chen had a different meaning, so he had to accept it.

Emerging from the station, the group stood by the roadside, looking around.

Chen Fan asked, "Where do we go now?"

Zhang Wenliang wiped his face and pulled a small notebook from his pocket, flipping it open and saying, "Let me check the address. Last time, they came to pick people up in cars, but now that we're taking the initiative to find them, I really don't know how to get there."

Anquan fanned himself with a folding fan, wiping the sweat from his brow, "Last time was an invitation, this time we're showing up unannounced, of course it's different."

Ye Shubao leaned close to Zhang Wenliang, craning his neck to look, "Did you find it?"

Zhang Wenliang held the notebook out to him, "Look at this, the County Water Transport Company. That's a big organization, with over a thousand employees, even bigger than the construction company.

They have a lot of people and they work on boats, so there are often emergency situations that require first aid. They were very enthusiastic when they invited us last time. Should we go there first?"

Ye Shubao looked around, "Whatever, how do we get there?"

Then everyone looked at each other, at a loss.

Finally, Zhang Wenliang glanced at Anquan, "Brother An, it's normal that we haven't been here before, don't tell me you haven't either."

Anquan was displeased, "What are you saying? Although I've been to the county, it was always for official business. I came, went to the office, and left after finishing. Sigh, you guys have been in the county for over half a month, how come you don't say you don't know the way?"

Zhang Juemin clicked his tongue, "During that time, we took a car every time we went out. After finishing at one place, the next would send a car to pick us up. How would we know the way?"

Anquan thought for a moment, "How about I call a friend and see if he's free to be our guide?"

At that moment, Chen Fan suddenly pointed across the street and said, "Wait, I'm going to get a photo taken first."

Everyone looked in the direction he was pointing, and saw a "New Light Photo Studio" across the road. The sign seemed new, and the storefront was quite large, occupying three rooms and a three-story building.

It seemed to be another large organization.

Anquan looked at the photo studio, slightly bewildered. He had just blinked, about to say something, when he saw Chen Fan crossing the road towards it, so he quickly followed, "Hey, what time is it, and you still want to take photos?"

Chen Fan didn't turn his head, "Taking photos is definitely useful. I plan to register for a correspondence university with the prefectural committee. Can I do that without a registration photo? Besides, the veterinarian certificate issued by the veterinary station doesn't have a photo and stamp yet, I'm too embarrassed to take it out. Hey, why doesn't our Nanhu Commune have a photo studio?"

Hearing that Chen Fan was going to register for a correspondence university, Anquan couldn't help but curl his lips, "What's the use of you studying at a correspondence university? You don't have a work unit, so you can't be assessed for professional titles. Will getting a diploma increase your salary or get you promoted? See, I didn't register. Instead of studying at a correspondence university, you might as well go to our finance and taxation school for half a year of further study. You just like making things difficult for yourself."

Chen Fan didn't stop walking, "I'm happy to."

Then he turned to look at Anquan, "Hey, don't say I didn't remind you. A university diploma is a bonus. You don't need it now, but when you want to get promoted later, don't let someone with a university diploma squeeze you out. It'll be too late to regret it then."

Anquan was stunned for a moment, thinking that it was indeed possible.

He hadn't thought about this before because he hadn't been promoted, but now that he was about to become a cadre, if there was a chance to come to the county and open up the promotion path, this academic qualification would become a very real issue.

Just as he was wondering whether to register with Chen Fan, Ye Shubao said on Chen Fan's other side, "I heard Secretary Qian say that he had previously approached the county to find a solution, hoping to open a photo studio in the commune town, but photography masters are in high demand, and they are unwilling to go to Nanhu.

Unless Nanhu sends someone to the county photo studio as an apprentice, and then returns after completing their apprenticeship. I just don't know if he has arranged anyone yet."

Listening to his words, Chen Fan had already stepped into the door of the photo studio.

The storefront had three rooms, the left and right rooms were display windows, with various photos of different sizes displayed inside. The middle was the door, with several door panels folded open.

Walking in, there were several props on the right, and a row of glass display cabinets on the left, with two people standing inside.

Chen Fan walked straight over and said, "Hello, comrade, I want to take some ID photos."

One of the girls, in her twenties, looked at Chen Fan with shining eyes, saying intently, "Hello, comrade, an one-inch ID photo is 3 jiao 8 fen, and can be picked up in a week."

Zhang Wenliang stood behind, bumping Zhang Juemin with his shoulder. The two brothers looked at each other, their faces full of helplessness.

Why hadn't they ever encountered such enthusiastic shop assistants?!

Chen Fan frowned slightly, "A week is so long?"

The young shop assistant smiled and patiently explained, "We don't have developing equipment here. The photos have to be sent to Yunhu for developing. They are sent twice a week, and waiting for the development to be completed will probably take two days, and then the car that sends them will bring them back, so it takes about a week."

Chen Fan said "Oh", and was about to speak when he heard the young girl say, "It's good if we can develop them in a week here. Have you been to Tiananmen Photo Studio?"

Hearing this, Chen Fan was immediately stunned. What was this, a comparison? Showing off that you've been to Tiananmen?

Seeing that Chen Fan didn't speak, the young girl smiled and continued, "I went to the capital for a study trip in April this year. I took a photo in Tiananmen Square. There are so many people taking photos there that you have to queue for more than two hundred meters. I don't know how much film they use every day.

So much film can't be developed in the store, so to save time and cost, they arrange for someone to take the film by train to Changchun to develop the photos, and then bring them back half a month later.

And almost all the people taking photos there are tourists from other places, so they also have to mail these photos back to the tourists. All in all, it's good if you can receive them in a month. Think about it, it takes a month to take a photo in Tiananmen, and we only need to wait a week, isn't that fast!"

Chen Fan pursed his lips, somewhat speechless, and then squeezed out a sentence, "The capital also has the Beijing Film Studio, why not send it to the Beijing Film Studio?"

The young girl was immediately stunned, not knowing how to answer.

Seeing that she was stumped, Chen Fan quickly took out the money and said, "Okay, a week it is. Here's four jiao, please count it."

The young girl didn't take the money, but pointed to the aunt who had been smiling and watching from the side, "Sister Mei is the cashier, give the money to her."

Chen Fan quickly changed positions again, handed over the money, received two fen in change, and a receipt.

(1-inch registration photo, 3 jiao 8 fen)

Seeing that Chen Fan had paid, the young girl leaned over again and said, "Comrade, would you like to take a photo? It only costs 9 mao 5 fen, and you can take a 6-inch photo, with two prints and a negative, so you can develop them yourself later.

And our photo studio has many backdrops, including West Lake, Huangshan, the Great Wall, the sea, and even Tiananmen Square! You can choose whatever background you want, and we guarantee that you can travel all over the country without leaving your house."

Chen Fan was also a little curious, mainly because he hadn't taken photos in a photo studio before he transmigrated, and he really didn't know what photo studios were like now, so he excitedly inquired with the young girl.

Ye Shubao and the others stood aside, pitifully ignored, and could only chat among themselves.

Ye Shubao asked softly, "Is he always so popular when he buys things outside?"

Zhang Wenliang felt cold inside, with a sour taste in his mouth, "Don't even mention it in the Nanhua Supply and Marketing Cooperative. It's only because Sister Wang got married, otherwise she might have come to Lujiawan to snatch him. Director Qian treats Chen Fan like his own son, always thinking about introducing him to someone.

The last time we went to the prefectural committee, whether it was in the Xinhua Bookstore or the department store, the second-hand store or the cotton mill's outlet, there wasn't a single salesperson with a bad attitude.

At first, the two of us thought that the salespeople in the prefectural committee just had good attitudes, but when I went to ask them about things, they just ignored me. It just goes to show that all crows under the sun are black!"

At this moment, Chen Fan walked over, grinning and laughing, "It's not that bad. People respect me one foot, I respect them ten feet. As long as you're polite, there aren't so many unwarranted difficulties."

After a pause, he added, "I'm going to take a photo, are you guys taking one?"

Ye Shubao and the four of them looked at each other, and then coughed in unison, "Take!"