Arty Records

A dense light appeared in front of him, and the destination, Ligne City, had finally arrived.

Ye Ligu Nie Zuo Banner came from Sishen from the front once.When he was about ten years old, there was a sports meeting in the region, and he and He Shensi came to watch the excitement.

Looking through the car window, the city in the shadow of snow and lights is exquisite and beautiful. The tallest buildings in the city center are no more than three floors, and the shape is much more novel and unique than the capital, Tuan.Some pointed cabins are dotted among them, just like a western fairy tale world.If it weren't for the words "Yeligunie" that can be seen everywhere on the billboards, Fang Sishen would have thought he had come to the wrong place.

The temperature was even lower at night, and the road was already frozen, so I almost slipped and fell.Hurry up to stabilize your figure and stand aside.The rest of the passengers all had places to go, and quickly dispersed, leaving him wandering around the roadside in front of the station.

The city is very small, and a main street can be seen from the station.This place was originally a settlement formed by forestry development. "Yeligunie" is translated into Xia language, which means "the deepest forest".Before the Forestry Bureau moved in, there were no permanent residents at all, except for the hunters of ethnic minorities.In recent years, the forestry industry has declined, and the resident population has dropped sharply. Even the surrounding towns are only [-] to [-].

There are several small hotels next to the station, and the sign of "ten yuan a night" hangs on the door.Pick one with decent handwriting, open the door and go in.

The proprietress came out from inside: "Stay in the hotel? Do you have an ID card?"

While copying the ID number, he made a conversation: "He's from the capital? Are you here to visit relatives or to play?"

"Go to visit relatives in Ahla."

"Your relatives live in Ahla? Did they already live there or did they move to the shed here?"

Fang Sishen didn't know why she asked that question, and replied, "I used to live there." By the way, he asked, "Do you have a bus to Ahla? Where do you take it?"

"There is a car at the bus station, but it's not easy to wait. You have to collect enough people to leave, and if you don't make enough, you won't leave. You might as well find a taxi, and it will be delivered to the place for two or three hundred yuan."

After registration, follow the proprietress into the room.The room was extremely small and had no windows. Fortunately, there was sufficient heating, and the bedding looked barely clean.

Unable to take a bath, Fang Sishen made do to tidy up and was about to lie down when the proprietress knocked on the door again and came in with an ambiguous and flattering smile on her face.

Fang Sishen was a little wary: "What else do you need?"

"Well... your surname is Fang Ha, so just call him Xiao Fang. If you come from the capital, the conditions of your relatives should be good?"

Fang Sishen was puzzled: "I don't know, it's normal..."

"Ahla is almost unoccupied. Are you interested in buying a house here? Like when you come back from Beijing, it's just right to have a house to escape the summer..."

"No, thanks."

"The quality of the house renovated in the shed area is absolutely reliable, and the location is good. How about 600 yuan per flat? How cost-effective..."

Fang Sishen understood a little bit, and couldn't help being curious: "Shouldn't the residents of the shanty town live in the house converted from the shanty town?"

The proprietress scoffed: "Aren't the houses in the shed area so poor? Don't say 600 yuan, even 300 yuan he can't afford it! Besides, the heating period in our place is eight months a year, and the buildings can't afford it. How much does it cost to burn a kang, just for heating? Even if he buys it, he can’t afford to live in it! It’s better to sell it and use the money to build a bungalow in a ditch. In summer, you can grow something, it’s not much better than living in a building ?”

The proprietress is worthy of being the owner of the shop, and she is quite knowledgeable: "You come from a big city, of course you don't care about the money. If you put the money for this house, don't you just buy a half-bath toilet? Do you think so? Isn't it? How about it? Come on. One set?..."

Even if Fang Sishen wanted to ask something, he didn't dare to argue.The proprietress quarreled for a long time, but seeing that she really couldn't talk to him, she left resentfully.

Early the next morning, I went to the station for consultation.People say to come back at ten o'clock, and the train will start when there are enough people.The bus costs only 40 yuan, and the taxi costs [-] yuan.Fang Sishen was a little bit reluctant, and decided to wander the streets for two hours before going to the station to have a look.

The light is good during the day, only to find that those buildings that look exquisite and beautiful at night are mostly empty inside, some tiles are missing, some glass is broken, and it is obvious that no one takes care of them.Not far from the station is the commercial area, where there are many shops and vendors.However, after a short stroll, you can feel that there are many people selling and few buying, and there is depression hidden under the bustle.Vegetable and meat buns cost one yuan and five yuan, which is the same price as in Beijing.Fang Sishen understood very well.During the long winter in Yeligune, there are only two kinds of vegetables: cellared cabbage and potatoes.Other varieties had to be brought in with great pains from far inland, sometimes costing more than the meat.

But beef and mutton are as affordable as ever.Fang Sishen sat in a roadside shop and ordered two beef pies and a sauerkraut tofu casserole, which made her feel warm all over.In the end, I bought two steamed buns to take with me as dry food.

Back at the station, a few people were chatting in the lobby.After ten o'clock, there were only five or six passengers in total.The conductor yelled: "Today I will only go to the city, not to Ahla!" Two people who were going to Ahla, walked leisurely, laughing and joking, not in a hurry.

Fang Sishen couldn't help but be in a hurry, his time was too tight.Walked out of the station, blocked a taxi, negotiated the price, and went straight to the destination.

On the way, Hong Xinyao called once, saying that he was going to leave immediately, and he would arrive in Tu'an after one o'clock in the afternoon.Outside the urban area, the signal becomes very weak.When I can't get through, I always feel that I haven't said clearly and things are not settled properly. Occasionally, I get through, but I don't know which point to ask.This kind of tugging and worrying is a new experience for each other, and when they finally hang up, both ends hang their hearts, and the thoughts are mixed with worries, which is a little anxious and sweet.

The driver is a typical local, cheerful and unrestrained, talking all the way, criticizing the current disadvantages and praising his hometown.For a while, I persuaded Fang Sishen to come back to live more, and for a while, I asked him if the taxi in the capital was good.

Only then did Fang Sishen know that the beautiful buildings in the city originated from the great achievements of the former local official in tourism development.Because the supporting facilities could not keep up, it was abandoned within a few years.He listened more and spoke less, and the more he listened, the heavier his heart became.Leaving aside the changes in the overall situation, with the passage of time, not only the bustling Manggandao forest farm in the past has been almost abandoned, but even the Right Banner, which was once about the same size as Yeliguni Zuo Banner, which is now Ahla Town, has become less and less populated. , is likely to face the fate of revoking the administrative district level.

"But don't tell me, once this shanty town was remodeled, many people were forced to move to Ahla. If there are too many people living there, the government may not withdraw. Someone has to take care of such openings, right? Alas, the people on the ground haven’t figured it out yet. It is said that all the hunters on the mountain and in the forest will be moved out again. Those Mohe, Shiwei, and Jurchens, what else can they do besides hunting? Come out, what are you going to eat with your family? Do your best!..."

The number of trees on the side of the road has decreased, the field of vision has gradually expanded, and the number of houses has increased.Staggered wooden fences, low-slung mud bungalows, narrow roads that only allow one car to travel in one direction... nothing changed from a decade ago.It's just that many houses have collapsed halfway, the streets are silent and deserted, and the sight is decadent.

"Which one to go to?" the driver asked.

"Please go to the Forest Management Office." Fang Sishen pointed to the right side of the fork, "It should be this way."

"Forest management office? There are not many people left. It's only the seventh day of the lunar new year. There may not be someone on duty. You'd better go home to be more reliable."

Fang Sishen looked at his watch, it was past one o'clock in the afternoon.Thinking about it, he said to the driver: "If you rent this car today, how much will it cost?"

The driver looked at him suspiciously: "Aren't you here to visit relatives? You've come all this way, and you're not allowed to stay for a few days?"

"I haven't been back for many years. My relatives used to be from the Manggandao Forest Farm. I want to go to the forest management office first and ask, wait for me, maybe I have to trouble you to go to Manggandao."

The driver was taken aback: "Are you going to Manggan Road? Except for the forest rangers who take turns to stay there, where are people living now? They have already moved out. Hurry up to the Forest Management Office to find someone to inquire about, I'll wait for you. "

The car stopped at the door of a two-story building.This brick building is the best building in the whole town. There are more than a dozen wooden signs juxtaposed on the off-white concrete walls on both sides of the gate: "...Ahla Town Party Committee, Ahla Town People's Government, Ahla Town People's Armed Committee, Ahla Town Judicial Tribunal...", the outermost piece is "Ahla Town Forestry Management Office".

Fang Sishen stood in front of the building, looking at the thick snow on the steps, there was no footprint, and he didn't dare to hold any hope in his heart.

At this time, the mobile phone rang suddenly, and when I picked it up, the signal was much better than that on the road.

"Here I am, on my way to my sister's. How about you?"

"I am in Ahla."

Hong Xinyao only knew that he was looking for a relative.It seemed strange that the bookworm had been away from his hometown for so many years, and suddenly ran back to find someone to do things without telling his father without saying a word.It's always inconvenient to ask in detail, so I just don't ask him for now, and try to find him as soon as possible, and we can talk about it after meeting.

"when are you coming over?"

Fang Sishen pondered: "I'm not sure yet... I haven't been back for a long time, everything has changed, it's hard to find someone, maybe it will be the afternoon of the tenth day..."

The long-distance journey from Yeligune to Tuan departs at eight o'clock at the earliest and arrives at two o'clock in the afternoon.The return plane from Tuan to Beijing took off at 05:30, just in time to connect.It's just that in this way, there is no time left for the two of them to walk around alone, Fang Sishen couldn't help but feel apologetic, "You've been playing at your sister's house for two days, and I'll let you know as soon as I'm done."

"Then you stayed in Ahla before the tenth day?"

"No. Go back to Yeligune on the ninth day of the lunar new year. Ahla doesn't have a car to go to Tu'an."

"In case...you can't find your relative..."

Fang Sishen didn't hesitate: "Whether I can find it or not, I have to go back on the tenth day."

"Then pay attention to yourself. I'm going to get off the car, so I won't talk about it." Young Master Hong sighed over there, "Damn, why is it so cold!" Knowing that this is his hometown, no matter how familiar he is, he is more familiar than himself, a foreigner. , still couldn't help but say, "Have you worn enough clothes?"

"That's enough. I'm not afraid of the cold, I'm used to it." Fang Sishen thought that he had his sister and brother-in-law to take care of him, so he didn't have to worry, and still told him, "Be careful too."

Going up the steps, there is a lock on the door, and the small door opens as soon as you push it.It was old and dark inside, and it was quiet everywhere.

"Is there anyone there?" The voice echoed in the building, buzzing and vibrating for a long time.

Go through the hall, open the back door, and there is a yard behind.Fang Sishen tried to yell again, and an old man in a faded military overcoat ran out of the boiler room in the corner.

"Here, here! Who is it?"

"Uncle, is there no one on duty in the forest management office today?"

The old man bared his teeth and laughed: "All the units of the party, government and army will be taken care of by me during the Spring Festival. What's the matter?"

"I came back from another place and wanted to find someone who was a worker from the Manggandao Forest Farm."

"Who are you looking for? There is no one in the Manggandao Forest Farm that I, Old Yutou, don't know."

"Lian Fuhai, was originally the deputy captain of the third squadron."

The expression on the old man's face changed: "Who? Who are you looking for?"

Fang Sishen was full of anticipation: "Lian Fuhai, deputy captain of the third squadron of the logging brigade, do you know him?"

The old man stared at him for a moment, then suddenly became cold, with a look of wariness: "Where did you come from? Why are you here?"

Fang Sishen thought that he doubted himself, and explained earnestly: "I came from the capital. I grew up in a forest farm when I was a child. I haven't come back for many years. This time I came back specially. I heard that there is no one on Manggan Road. Where does Uncle Lian live now?"

The old man suddenly became impatient: "I don't know! I haven't heard of Lian Fuhai. You go back, there is no such person here."

"You really haven't heard of it? I left in the 49th year of the Republic, and he was in the logging team before that. Have you been here in recent years?"

The old man kept waving his hands: "My old man, Yutou, has been in the forest management office all his life. Who doesn't know him? If you say no, you don't have it!"

Fang Sishen was not reconciled, so he was interrupted by the other party when he opened his mouth: "There is no such person at all, do you understand? Why are you so confused when you are young? Let's go, let's go, don't waste time here!" The old man finished.After a few steps into the boiler room, the door was closed with a "bang".

If it's really an old worker of the forest management office, how could he not know Lian Fuhai?Fang Sishen guessed that it might have been transferred from another district.Don't dare to offend the grumpy old man anymore, and slowly back out.

A taxi is waiting outside the door as scheduled.Seeing that he looked disappointed, the driver comforted him: "Tomorrow, I will go to work on the eighth day of the lunar new year. No matter what, someone should be there. Let the person in charge check it out for you. Who doesn't know who in this big place? Someone will know." He looked it up and down, "You have to come back tomorrow to buy a pack of cigarettes and two bottles of wine. It doesn't have to be too expensive, just one or two hundred yuan is enough. It's the New Year's Eve, and it's easy to do things if people have fun."

"That's what you said, thank you."

"Are you still going to Manggan Road?"

Fang Sishen looked at the sky, and then looked around: "Do you know where Ahela can stay?"

The driver shook his head: "There used to be a guest house, but it's already sold out."

Fang Sishen couldn't help being troubled.If I go back to Yeligunie to stay, I am afraid that the remaining time will not be enough to take a trip to Manggan Road, let alone come to the forest management office tomorrow to inquire about news.How could it have been expected in advance that it used to be a bustling and prosperous forestry stronghold, but today there is not even a hotel to be found.

The driver looked at him again, and finally said: "I have a cousin who lives here. If you believe me, I will introduce you to his house tonight to pay for the night. The cost is just that."

A town without a hotel naturally has no outsiders, and the local residents are mainly forestry workers.Fang Sishen nodded and said with a smile, "I believe in you, thank you for believing in me."

The driver laughed, and drove him to a house, but only the old woman was there, saying that the old man dragged the child away.Make an appointment to come over for dinner that night and continue on to Manggan Road.

Not far away, the driver got out of the car and put snow chains on the wheels.The weather has been good recently, and there has been no heavy snowfall, but there are too few cars traveling to and from Manggan Road, the ice and snow are melting too slowly, and the road surface is undulating, so it is impossible not to be careful.

"Oh, the chain hurts the tire. Since we are so destined, I won't add money to you."

Along the way, I have become acquainted with the driver.Fang Sishen thanked with a smile, looked at the forest in the distance: "I feel much shorter than when I was a child."

"It was replanted later, and it only grew a few years? Not to mention, there used to be puddles everywhere, but now they are all dry leaves, and it will catch fire when there is a thunder..."

If the road conditions are bad, you must concentrate on driving, and the driver will automatically silence the sound. It took nearly an hour to drive more than 20 kilometers.At the end of the road is the forest farm.The starting point of this road built for transporting timber was the Lumber Storage Yard on Manggan Road.

Fang Sishen still remembered the scene where logs were piled up like hills, but in front of him there was only a large open space covered with dry grass and shrubs and white snow.

The driver drove in cautiously, but couldn't move anymore: "Okay, you can walk a few steps by yourself. Don't stay too long, let's try to get back as soon as possible."

What Fang Sishen wanted to see was the worker's residential area behind the lumber yard.The wood storage yard on Manggan Road is quite large, and it used to be able to accommodate more than a dozen Red Star trucks to operate at the same time.He had one deep foot and one shallow foot, and his shoes had long been soaked in snow. After more than half an hour, he finally stood in front of a dilapidated bungalow.

After suffering shocks along the way, when it was time to face it, my mood became calmer.Compared with the trend of the times, personal destiny is too small.Those experiences, feelings, desires, expectations that belong to oneself... When the world obliterates the proof of their existence, people don't know how to cherish them.

Departed yesterday, arrived today, one day and night, two thousand kilometers, buried for 15 years.

There is no sadness, only helplessness.

Everything that can be used in the residential area has been stripped away, except for scattered bricks and bricks.The first house was well maintained, and the sign of "Manggandao Forest Protection Brigade" was hung on the door.The door was unlocked and the stove was turned off, but no one was there.Fang Sishen entered the house and waited for a while, but before the forest ranger on duty came out, he walked around again, but there was still no one there.

The former home was in the most remote part of this residential area.Looking up, no courtyard can be called a "house".Count the time, too late to see today.It seems that there is no need to look at it.

On the way back, the sky was dark, the driver drove carefully, Fang Sishen was depressed and had nothing to say all the way.

Suddenly a text message came: "We are having dinner, have you eaten?"

There was a hint of warmth in my heart, but I didn't return it.

The signal was intermittent, and it took a long time for the second one to come: "A lot of game, robes, hares, venison, all delicious. The fish is also good, they said it was freshly chiseled in the ice cave..."

Fang Sishen thought to himself, there are so many typos.Still no reply.

After a while, came the third one: "Damn, that soup is really delicious! What is it called Feilong, this is the real delicacy of mountains and seas. I heard that you can't eat it at the state banquet. Have you tried it..."

Fang Sishen couldn't help but replied: "This is a protected animal, it is about to become extinct."

"Ah?! Then... I have eaten it, what should I do?"

At the same time, in the most upscale and most luxurious restaurant in Tu'an, the accompanying guests brought by Du Huanxin were enthusiastically introducing the importance of eating flying dragons to the young master of the Hong family.The so-called "dragon meat in the sky, donkey meat on the ground" refers to the flying dragon and bird. It only needs a ladle of water and a pinch of salt to be delicious in the world.In the past, only the emperor could eat it, so it is also called "year-old tribute bird"...

Hong Xinyao asked: "Is this thing protecting animals?"

Du Huanxin laughed aloud, not concealing his pride: "It used to be level two, but now it's level one."