Reborn in 1977

After Secretary Yang finished speaking, he scanned everyone's faces and picked up his teacup, waiting for someone to speak.

Chen Fan was a little curious, preparing for the National Day program?

How are programs prepared these days, or rather, in these years?

Before he could ask, Zhang Wenliang said nonchalantly, "What's there to prepare? Our militia company will do a few drills."

As he spoke, he pointed at Yang Xingxiu, "Xingxiu, you organize a female chorus, no need to rehearse, just sing those few songs from previous years."

After a pause, he suddenly froze, his voice dropping without warning, "Let's not sing 'Wan Shou Wu Jiang' (Long Live Chairman Mao), change to another song."

As soon as he said this, the office fell silent. Yang Xingxiu, who had originally wanted to argue with Zhang Wenliang, instantly lost her interest in speaking.

Even Xiao Liewen sighed deeply, his expression full of sadness, "It's been a year."

Chen Fan pursed his lips and sat aside, feeling quite empathetic.

Only by coming to this era could one truly appreciate the deep love and respect the vast number of farmers had for the old man (Chairman Mao).

In the days leading up to the anniversary, memorial activities were held all over the country, and Chen Fan also participated.

Although it was just a simple ceremony, and no large-scale organization was involved, only a few people from the brigade participated, the sincerity was genuine. Those who were not organized also spontaneously offered sacrifices at home.

After a long while, Secretary Yang finally raised his head and said softly, "I forgot to mention just now, this year's program is different from previous years."

After everyone looked over, he continued, "When I was at the commune meeting, Secretary Qian made it clear that the higher-ups are also preparing celebration programs. Times have changed, and we're not doing the old stuff anymore. People below should also let go of their burdens and bring out the truly joyful programs, sing and dance well, and make it lively."

Chen Fan turned around and asked Zhang Wenliang in a low voice, "What was it like in previous years?"

Zhang Wenliang said, "What else could it be? Just what I said just now, singing praises and loyalty dances."

Everyone knows about praise songs, 'Sailing the Seas Depends on the Helmsman,' 'Wan Shou Wu Jiang,' 'Hearts Turn to the Sun,' and so on. The famous 'I Love BJ Tiananmen' was also born in this era.

As for the loyalty dance, the full name had to have the character 'zi' added in the middle.

If you were to count it, this dance was the first truly 'national dance' in the real sense.

In factories, on campuses, in squares, in streets, and even on train platforms, almost everyone was dancing this dance, especially during major events. It had to be included.

Moreover, regardless of their status, people would dance a few movements, regardless of whether they looked good or were standard.

In comparison, the square dances of later generations were far inferior and could not be compared at all.

Zhang Wenliang continued, "Back in 1970, the higher-ups held the last large-scale celebration in Tiananmen Square, and after that, there were no more. Celebrations were only held in a decentralized manner below, and the programs were all those I just mentioned."

Chen Fan suddenly understood, "Oh, so that's how it was."

After a two-second pause, he said softly, "This year is the first year of 'bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new.' New year, new atmosphere. The higher-ups probably want to break away from the past, which is normal."

Secretary Yang looked at him, "Xiao Chen, do you have any good ideas?"

Chen Fan's mouth twitched slightly, "Secretary, you can't just keep picking on me."

A burst of light laughter rang out in the room.

An Quan raised his head and looked at him, smiling, "Aren't you multi-talented? Perform a few programs."

Chen Fan chuckled dryly twice and glared at him, saying, "I'll go if you go."

Come on, let's hurt each other.

An Quan acted like a social butterfly, slapping his thigh, "Okay, it's settled then!"

Chen Fan's face froze, looking at him in disbelief.

Are you serious?

Secretary Yang nodded with satisfaction, "You two can both play musical instruments and sing, that's good."

After a pause, he added, "Also, the performance venue and organization of activities must be properly arranged."

His gaze swept across the faces of Chen Fan, An Quan, and Yang Xingxiu, as if searching for a suitable target.

As soon as Chen Fan saw that something was wrong, he quickly said, "Secretary, I only have one idea, and I don't understand anything else. After I say this, whether it's appropriate or not, that's it."

Secretary Yang picked up his tea mug and took a sip, saying noncommittally, "Well, tell us what it is first."

Chen Fan grinned and said, "Isn't the large wooden boat that the Water Transport Company is helping us改造 (gaizao - transform, remodel, refit) about to be…"

Before he could finish speaking, Secretary Yang, Captain Zhang, Ye Shubao, and Xiao Liewen had already raised their heads.

An Quan and Zhang Wenliang's eyes lit up, eager to try.

Yang Xingxiu stood up abruptly and said excitedly, "Use the boat as a stage, perform programs on the boat, and the commune members watch from the dam. That scene must be very lively!"

Secretary Zhang nodded in agreement, "It's a good way to showcase the great development of Lujiawan."

Secretary Yang didn't chase Chen Fan for programs anymore and immediately looked at Ye Shubao, "Lao Ye, when did the Water Transport Company say it could be delivered?"

Ye Shubao, "At the latest, September 30th."

Zhang Wenliang then said, "It's best to be two days earlier to facilitate rehearsals. After all, it's on a boat, and the space is limited, so we definitely need to familiarize ourselves first."

An Quan had already stood up and was walking outside, "I'll go take a look at the progress over there."

After taking a few steps, he was about to come over and pull Chen Fan, "You have a big reputation, come with me."

Chen Fan touched his head, "I'm not worried about the progress of the boat. At most, I'll ask them to send more people, but can the trainees we sent keep up with the progress?"

This is a 20-meter-long boat, using a formal marine propulsion system, unlike the small boats we use now, which can be driven with an outboard motor. There's also a sail on the bow, and we can find a few commune members who know how to handle the sail to dock and leave smoothly.

A big boat is different. If you don't control the direction and distance well, you might 'hit' the dock every day. Although all boats dock by hitting the dock, the force is different. An expert docks the boat and only lightly touches the anti-collision tires. A novice can smash a large piece of the dock.

If you hit it hard a few more times, both the dock and the boat will have to be reworked.

So, as soon as the wooden boat started to be改造 (gaizao - transform, remodel, refit), we sent a few people to learn driving and seaman work, a super short-term training course.

Chen Fan was pulled out by An Quan. Everyone else stood up.

Xiao Liewen walked with his hands behind his back, "Go and see, see the boat and see the people. It's best if they've learned it. If they haven't, keep practicing. At worst, ask the people from the Water Transport Company to help bring the boat back."

Captain Zhang walked alongside him, nodding, "That's right, a big boat is not like a small boat. It's very powerful. Hitting the dock is no small matter. We must wait until they have completed their training."

The eight people left the brigade office one after another, some riding bicycles and some riding horses, and headed to the Water Transport Company together.

…

On the dam, Yang Xingxiu was riding a bicycle with his old father on the back.

Secretary Yang stepped on the shelf board, grabbed the back seat board with both hands, and looked at Chen Fan, "You earned a thruster for the team and used your connections to open so many stores at the prefectural committee. We said we would give you a reward last time, but after discussing it, we don't know what to give you."

Captain Zhang was riding his bicycle next to him and naturally took over his words, "Build you a house. Your house was only built a few days ago. Reward you with a bicycle. You have the bicycle ticket but you don't go to buy one, and you ride a horse every day…"

The little mare immediately flicked her tail and raised her head proudly, neighing twice.

Captain Zhang was immediately startled and almost rushed off the river embankment. He swayed and finally managed to stabilize the bicycle handlebars. He couldn't help but laugh and scold, "This animal is almost becoming a精 (jing - spirit, demon)."

Chen Fan smiled and patted the horse's neck. The little mare instantly calmed down and ran slowly in small steps.

Xiao Liewen shook the reins and ran to Captain Zhang's side, laughing, "You have a horse but you don't ride it. Who told you to ride a bicycle?"

Captain Zhang rolled his eyes and ignored him.

Secretary Yang smiled and continued, "Now you have a new house, and you're riding a tall horse. You have electric lights and running water at home, and even the茅坑 (mao keng - outhouse) has been修 (xiu - repaired, built) into the house.

This upstairs and downstairs, electric lights and telephone, only missing a telephone to enter communist society, is very different from when you first came here.

We don't know what you're missing now. Why don't you suggest one yourself?"

Chen Fan laughed and said, "If you let me suggest it myself, aren't you afraid I'll ask for a big boat?"

An Quan snorted and pedaled his bicycle, "A big boat costs two or three thousand just for the hull, and the thruster costs another four or five thousand. Adding other odds and ends, a boat costs seven or eight thousand just in costs. You dare to ask for the sky."

Secretary Yang laughed and said, "A big boat is definitely impossible. It's more like rewarding you with a small boat."

Others were also laughing loudly, and no one took Chen Fan's words seriously.

Private ownership of small boats, or slightly larger single-masted sailboats, is still possible, but a big boat, whether it's 20 meters or 10 meters, is absolutely impossible!

Chen Fan himself didn't take it seriously either.

However, Secretary Yang's words gave him a flash of inspiration. He rode his horse up to him, smiling and whispering, "You'll really give me a small boat?"

Secretary Yang was slightly taken aback. He looked up at Chen Fan, who was sitting on horseback, his eyes full of surprise. "You really want a small boat?"

Chen Fan chuckled, "If you're serious, then I'm serious. However, the small boat I want is a bit special and needs to be custom-made."

Secretary Yang blinked. "What do you mean by custom-made?"

Chen Fan laughed. "It means I'll design it myself. It'll be a bit bigger than a regular small boat, but no one will think it's a big ship."

After a pause, he added, "It's hard to explain now. When we get to the repair shop later, they have blueprints there. I'll draw it for you to see and you'll understand."

After saying that, he laughed again, "Even if it exceeds the standard, it doesn't matter. As long as the team helps me prepare the wood, I can pay for it myself."

As the production team's breeding farm gradually got on the right track, he transferred all the wild rabbits he had raised in the backyard to the breeding farm, even dismantling the cages and moving them over.

Since it wasn't the end of the year yet, many of the rabbits in the cages were small, so the income was less than expected.

Now that Ye Shubao was rich and generous, he rounded it up to a full 1000 yuan. Adding that to what he had saved up, Chen Fan had more than 1600 yuan in cash in his box.

He hadn't counted it exactly, but it was definitely more than enough to buy some wood, and maybe even a used marine engine.

Outboard motors and marine engines can both be considered small propulsion devices for boats.

However, outboard motors can only be controlled at the stern of the boat, while marine engines have an additional transmission system, allowing the steering wheel to be installed at the bow, just like on a large ship.

The assault boats commonly seen in later generations, where the person in front controls the steering wheel, are equipped with marine engines.

(Marine engine speedboat. In 1974, Liuzhou Machine Factory and a factory in Shanghai held a self-made marine engine competition in Taihu Lake, which Liuzhou Machine Factory won completely.)

Hearing Chen Fan's words, Secretary Yang chuckled, "Since you say it's a small boat, how much wood could it possibly use, even if it's a bit bigger? Alright, I agree to this."

He really didn't care about a small boat. Including the wood and labor costs, would it even cost 200 yuan? Even if Chen Fan said it was a bit bigger, it would be at most 300 yuan.

Who wouldn't be happy to exchange 300 yuan for a set of large ship propulsion equipment?

And for Chen Fan, it wasn't a loss either.

It was just like doing business. If it weren't for Lujiawan, Secretary Tian would never have agreed that the reward for repairing it would be a set of propulsion equipment. At most, he would have applied for tens of yuan in labor costs for him, which would have been considered very good.

Propulsion equipment? What would you, an individual, want this kind of machinery for?

Only collective-to-collective can maximize benefits, and it's good for Chen Fan, as an intermediary, to be able to eat meat. Don't think too much about anything else.

So, don't think that the small boat and the propulsion equipment are seriously disproportionate, but that's the biggest piece of meat that Chen Fan can eat.

After Secretary Yang finished speaking, Ye Shubao smiled from the side, "When we go to the repair shop later, why not see if they have time? If they do, we can just ask them to build it. The labor costs will also be paid by the team. This small boat will be the team's reward to you."

The four leaders were all here, and they finalized it in a few words.

The group sped along and quickly arrived at the repair shop.

Seeing so many people coming, Cui Baozhang, the director of the repair shop, was very surprised. After asking about the reason, he silently calculated for a while in his heart, and then patted his chest and said, "No problem, I'll arrange a few more workers here, and we can guarantee completion in another week."

Secretary Yang counted on his fingers, "So that's September 27th?"

Cui Baozhang smiled awkwardly, "Not including today."

Secretary Yang grinned, "The 28th is fine too. Two or three days of preparation is enough."

Cui Baozhang laughed, "Don't worry, the hull has actually been completed long ago. Now we're just waiting for the paint to dry before launching it, and the cabins on the deck need to be installed. If we can complete it ahead of schedule, we'll deliver it to you in advance."

At this time, Chen Fan took two steps forward and asked softly, "Director Cui, the cabins are two-story, right?"

Cui Baozhang looked back at him and said with a smile, "You said you wanted two stories, so we definitely made it two stories. The bottom floor is the engine room, or you could say it's half a floor. The top floor is the driver's room and the rest room, all built according to the modifications you proposed at the time, which cost a lot more wood."

He turned to look at Secretary Yang, "We didn't charge extra, though."

Secretary Yang smiled from ear to ear, "Thank you, thank you."

After a pause, he extended an invitation to Cui Baozhang, "On National Day, come to our Lujiawan pier, that's near Team 6. We'll treat you to drinks then."

Cui Baozhang said, "I appreciate the kind intentions, but unfortunately, our water transport company also has a celebration event that day, so I can't get away."

Zhang, the team leader, immediately said, "Then come along when you deliver the boat."

He pointed to Chen Fan and said, "Teacher Chen has come up with a new cooked food dish. Come and try it."

Cui Baozhang's expression changed slightly, and he immediately nodded and smiled, "I have to go, I must try Teacher Chen's cooking."

Taking advantage of the pleasant conversation, Secretary Yang gestured to Chen Fan, "Teacher Chen, you said you wanted to draw a picture, draw it out and show Director Cui."

Cui Baozhang was a little curious, "What picture?"

Chen Fan smiled and said, "I want to build a small boat myself, but it's different from ordinary small boats, and I want to add a marine engine to it."

Cui Baozhang's eyes flickered, "You want to build a speedboat?"

Speedboat?

Secretary Yang and the others looked at each other. Zhang Wenliang looked at Chen Fan in surprise, "What do you want a speedboat for?"

Chen Fan glanced at him, "It's convenient for fishing in the river."

The others were speechless. At least it would be more sincere if you said it was convenient for going to the prefectural committee and the county seat. Fishing in the river? How could you say that?

Chen Fan then looked at Cui Baozhang, "Director Cui, can the repair shop build this speedboat?"

Cui Baozhang shook his head repeatedly and said, "This is very difficult. It's not that building the boat is difficult, but the main problem is that marine engines are hard to buy.

You may not be very clear, but the marine engines used in our country are basically dependent on imports. Imports have strict quotas. The purchase quantity is determined based on the demand plan of various units across the country in the previous year. It's almost impossible to apply for a purchase temporarily.

As for domestic ones, although multiple units, including Liuzhou Machine Factory and Shanghai Machine Factory, have been assigned the task of independent research and development since the 1960s, so far only Liuzhou Machine Factory has made a little progress.

However, the 'Seagull' brand HO-16 marine engine of Liuzhou Machine Factory is all made for military products, and civilian units can hardly buy it. If you want to buy it, you can only try to buy the 127 marine engine.

And this marine engine is still in the acceptance stage, with only a small batch of trial production. The industry is rumored that this machine has been booked for next year's major science and technology award. I don't know how many units want it. It's almost impossible for you to buy it.

At the end, he spread his hands, "So, it's basically impossible for you to build an assault boat yourself. Not to mention you, even the two assault boats of our water transport company are equipped with an outboard motor at the rear. As for marine engines with the driving position in the front, you have to see if the water police unit of the prefectural committee has any. Anyway, I haven't heard of anyone having one."

After he finished speaking, Chen Fan blinked, "So troublesome?"

Cui Baozhang curled his lips and nodded, "Uh-huh."

Chen Fan pondered for two seconds and asked, "What about old machines? Can you buy them?"

Cui Baozhang stroked his chin, "That's hard to say, just like diesel engines, it depends on luck."

Chen Fan couldn't help but feel a little helpless. He saw the operation and use of marine engines in the shipbuilding professional materials and thought that this thing had already been popularized.

But it seems right, the common speedboats these days are all equipped with outboard motors, and it is indeed rare to install marine engines.

Well, to put it bluntly, he hasn't seen it.

Cui Baozhang looked at him and asked, "Do you still want your small boat?"

Chen Fan turned to look at him, smiled and said, "Yes, at worst, I'll put an outboard motor on the back first, and then replace it with a marine engine when I have the opportunity in the future."

But in his heart, he was muttering, one day he would go to the mechanical warehouse of the prefectural committee's waste product company to see if there were any suitable spare parts. As long as the material was suitable, he could borrow the precious machine tools of the repair shop and modify a set of marine engines himself.

Liuzhou Machine Factory wants to use our country's own materials to independently produce marine engines. The biggest difficulty is how the materials meet the requirements of the engine. The doorway here is similar to the later independent research and development of automobile engines.

Chen Fan just wants it to be usable. In this comparison, the difficulty immediately drops from the sky to the ground, and the operability is much higher.