Reborn in 1977

Chapter 544: Re-departure

After discussing work, Chen Fan treated them to lunch.

However, none of the diners were in the mood; they didn't drink much wine, nor did they eat much food.

As a result, Huang Li pouted unhappily while clearing the table, "Teacher Chen, is my cooking not good? They didn't eat much, and there's so much left over."

Chen Fan sat in his chair, drinking tea, and shook his head, saying, "They all have things on their minds. Even if delicacies were placed before them, they would taste like wax. It has nothing to do with your cooking."

Then, he looked at Huang Li, "Look, there's a lot left. Why don't you take it back home for your families? They'll definitely say it's delicious."

The three girls exchanged glances and quickly grabbed large bowls to divide the food. After clearing the table, they happily walked towards the village, carrying their large bowls.

Chen Fan also put down his teacup, twirling his pipe in his hand, and strolled leisurely.

Duo Duo and Qiu Qiu immediately got up and followed behind him, wagging their tails incessantly.

He hadn't yet visited the newly planted rice paddies behind the house, nor the two piglets in the pigsty, which Captain Yang had helped him catch while he was in Shanghai.

Originally, he didn't want to raise pigs, but since they had already been bought, he might as well keep them.

Anyway, it wasn't him who had to take care of them.

The two spotted piglets charged around the pigsty, just like their predecessors who had been made into cured meat and hung in the house, ignoring the master who controlled their life and death.

Chen Fan smacked his lips, sighing in his heart, "Another two excellent New Year pigs!"

Walking around to the back of the pigsty, the two horses had already smelled his scent, neighing incessantly. There were also two newly matured sheep, running and jumping around in the enclosure, looking very happy.

Chen Fan really wanted to call the two piglets over and have them learn a thing or two, to see what the self-cultivation of a pet should be.

If you don't want to be treated as a meat pig, you have to learn to be a pet pig. They really have no sense of awareness.

(The self-cultivation of a Ningxiang spotted pig)

He fed the horses and sheep a few handfuls of grass, then opened the gate, "Don't run too far. Take a couple of laps and come back."

After the horses and sheep happily ran out, he also chased the two dogs out to run wild. He continued walking down, and after a few steps, he saw a rice paddy.

The original pond had been drained, and the uneven bottom had been leveled. Two ridges divided the rice paddy into three sections, each occupied by a different variety. All three sections were filled with sparse seedlings that had just been planted, each one lush and green, making one feel happy just looking at them.

He walked around the ridges, then looked to the west, where the production team's rice paddies were. The seedlings were also growing well. Because they were using hybrid rice seeds, the seedlings were noticeably thicker. If there were no accidents, this would be another year of good harvest.

With his hands behind his back, twirling his pipe between his fingers, he soon walked onto the path in front of the village.

Many of the original uniform mud-walled houses had been replaced by red brick and gray tiled buildings.

As soon as Chen Fan approached the first house, someone came out to greet him, "Teacher Chen is here! Come in and have a drink of water."

Before he could even get close, the man took out a cigarette and offered it to him.

Chen Fan noticed that the cigarette pack in his hand was Donghai, and couldn't help but smile, "Wow, I haven't seen you for two months, and your cigarettes have been upgraded."

As the man approached, he handed over the cigarette, laughing, "Isn't it all thanks to you? Otherwise, how could I afford to smoke Donghai?"

Saying that, he took out another pack of cigarettes from another pocket and waved it, "But we usually smoke the economical ones. Donghai is usually used to treat people."

Chen Fan took the cigarette, leaned in to light it with the match the man offered, and smiled, "It's the same. One pack for yourself, one pack for treating others."

The man looked surprised, "Oh, you too?"

Chen Fan, "Of course. Actually, if you ask me, these cigarettes are all about the same."

He waved the pipe in his hand, "Look at this, I smoke this too."

The man deeply agreed and nodded repeatedly, "That's right, that's right. Actually, those expensive cigarettes are just for show…"

Chen Fan chuckled, "Yes, yes."

Then he asked, "Are you busy now?"

The man, "Not busy, not busy. We just finished the spring plowing. It's a bit more relaxed these days. Five or six hours of work a day is enough. But the people in the construction team and the pottery factory are too busy. The pottery factory is firing those squatting toilets every day. Not only do we have to supply our own team, but other teams also want to buy them. Their kilns haven't been extinguished much."

Chen Fan grinned, "Is that so? That means everyone's life is getting better."

The man smiled from ear to ear, "Isn't that right? Now we can even eat meat every few days. We wouldn't have dared to think about that before."

Saying that, he wanted to pull Chen Fan into the house, "We're making meat at home. You weren't here when the new house was completed. Come in and have a drink."

Chen Fan quickly waved his hand, "No, no, I just put down my bowl. I still have to go find the captain. Another day, another day."

The man had no choice but to regretfully let him go, "Be sure to come another day."

Chen Fan waved, "Definitely, definitely."

He walked all the way up, greeting people along the way, and finally reached the top of the slope with great difficulty.

Captain Yang's original small mud-walled house had been replaced by a two-story building, but the one guarding the house was still the big yellow dog.

Seeing Chen Fan's figure, the big yellow dog immediately wagged its tail and ran over, barking twice, "You're here!"

Chen Fan bent down and patted the dog's head, "Have you eaten?"

The big yellow dog, "I ate just now, I'm not eating now."

Chen Fan, "Then wait until you're hungry to eat again."

At this time, Captain Yang walked out holding a bowl of rice, chuckling, "As soon as I heard that barking, I knew it was you."

Then he led him into the house, "Come in and sit, have a cup of tea."

Chen Fan followed him into the house, looked up, and saw that the double-leaf log door was sturdy and strong, and said, "Find some time to paint the door red, it'll match the wall."

Captain Yang was chewing rice in his mouth, "Aren't I just learning from you? Your house has a natural-colored door."

Chen Fan, "But my wall is yellow."

Captain Yang: ???

His family was eating in the house, and in the middle of the table was the bowl of food that Yang Mei had brought back, which seemed to have been reheated.

When Chen Fan entered the door, everyone greeted him, "Teacher Chen."

Yang Mei had already moved a chair over, and then moved a square stool next to it, and then quickly went to pour tea, and whispered when she brought it over, "This is a new cup, no one has used it before."

Captain Yang sat back at the dining table, and said with a bad-tempered smile, "If Yang Mei hadn't come back and said you were clean, I would have remembered that you haven't drank a sip of water in my house. After a long time, it turns out that you dislike the cups in my house for not being clean. You should have said it earlier, and I'll change you to a new enamel mug."

Chen Fan explained seriously, "That's not it, although I haven't drank water, I've drank wine, and I've eaten food, so I definitely don't dislike it."

Captain Yang finished his meal in a few mouthfuls, wiped his mouth casually, and went to get a cigarette, "Forget it, you just dislike it."

Chen Fan took the cigarette he threw over, chuckled and said nothing. He could see that Captain Yang now just wanted to give him a "crime", and there must be something he wanted him to do in "exchange".

Captain Yang was holding his pipe and was about to fill it with tobacco, when he suddenly stared at the pipe in Chen Fan's hand, and beckoned, "Let me try your tobacco."

Chen Fan didn't hesitate and directly handed over the pipe.

Captain Yang opened the bag and smelled it, raised his head with a surprised face, "What kind of tobacco is this?"

Unlike the tobacco leaves he grew himself, this tobacco was obviously processed, and seemed to smell even better than Peony cigarettes.

Chen Fan chuckled, "I don't know what kind of tobacco it is either. I bought it casually when I was in Beijing. It feels pretty good, and it doesn't need a ticket, so I bought some."

Perhaps there are too many cigarette factories now. In recent years, many places have started to sell grade B and below cigarettes without cigarette tickets. In addition, there are also tobacco leaves sold without tickets. When he was shopping in Dashilan, he encountered a stall selling tobacco leaves, so he chose the expensive ones and bought some.

Don't underestimate this kind of loose tobacco, it costs 5 yuan a catty. And a pack of pure tobacco leaves only has half a catty, so it's almost two and a half yuan a pack, which is still the pure tobacco leaf price. With packaging, it can sell for at least 3.5 yuan, which is almost as good as Peony.

However, this tobacco is a bit stronger than Peony, and I don't know where the tobacco on that stall came from.

Anyway, he won't say if you ask.

(The stall selling tobacco leaves)

Captain Yang looked at him blankly, "Did you buy a lot? If you have a lot, give me some."

Chen Fan, "Forget about giving you some, if you like it, take this bag of tobacco, but you have to leave the bag for me."

Captain Yang didn't say anything, "Xiaomei, get a piece of paper."

Other people's homes may not have paper, but his home definitely does. When Yang Mei put a large piece of paper on the table, Chen Fan glanced at it and his eyes twitched slightly.

It was indeed a blank collective household registration page.

Captain Yang carefully poured out the tobacco while saying, "Didn't you give a lecture at the elementary school yesterday? I heard that the response was very good, and the teachers and students all said it was good. So the group of new educated youth also heard about this, and when they went to work this morning, the two captains they elected came to me, wanting me to plead for them so they could also go and listen to your lecture."

He tapped the tobacco pouch, returned the pipe, and smiled at Chen Fan, "If you agree, I won't pursue your dislike of my tea mug."

Chen Fan laughed, "I thought it was something important. This is simple. I definitely have no objections. But we still need to inform Principal Xiao."

Captain Yang pinched a wad of tobacco into the pipe, nodded and smiled, "You don't need to remind me. I'll tell Lao Xiao. He definitely won't have a problem with it."

He then lit a match and asked Chen Fan, "When will you give another lecture?"

Chen Fan thought for a moment, "Probably in a couple of days. I have some things to take care of these next few days."

Captain Yang looked at him, "You just got back. What else is going on?"

The production team's work in all aspects has entered a regular phase. Chen Fan basically doesn't need to worry about it. Even his title as the brigade veterinarian is just a formality. Any minor problems with the breeding in the various teams are solved by his disciples. He doesn't need to take action at all. What else could be going on?

Just as Chen Fan was about to speak, Zhang Wenliang's voice came from outside, "Old Chen, is Old Chen here?"

He glanced at the door and laughed, "See, the trouble has arrived."

… …

Leaving Chen Fan's house, Gaoqiao Yingfu and Zhao Junhui were all preoccupied.

Gaoqiao Yingfu was worried about whether his nephew's family would return home with him, while Zhao Junhui and the others were naturally concerned about the foreign exchange.

The Foreign Exchange Bureau would retain the US dollars, and the money would be distributed. As for who would get it, that was something to consider.

These days, all sectors were short of foreign exchange. Even a few hundred US dollars could be used to purchase some necessary books and materials, solving many problems for the unit.

Several thousand US dollars could be used to apply for small equipment.

Tens of thousands of US dollars would be even more significant. With careful planning, the money could be spent wisely, even to establish a new factory for in-demand goods.

What if there was even more…?

Ahem, so, with $230,000 US dollars right in front of them, and two people from other units present, it all depended on who could get the news back first to seize the initiative.

Even if the money hadn't arrived yet, it wouldn't prevent them from dividing it up first!

But their main job was to accompany Gaoqiao Yingfu and they couldn't leave his side. What could they do to make a phone call or send a telegram sooner?

At this moment, all three of them simultaneously thought of asking Zhu Gong'an for help!

But Zhu Gong'an wasn't stupid. He directly dropped a sentence, "You all know Lao Gao's home, and you have your own car. You can go directly. If you find it inconvenient, you can go to the brigade headquarters and ask them to send someone to accompany you. I have some work that hasn't been completed yet. I'll go back for a while and be back soon."

Before he finished speaking, he used the legwork he had developed as a communications runner on the battlefield, and disappeared in a flash.

Fortunately, Zhu Gong'an knew a principle, "A mighty dragon cannot crush a local snake."

Chen Fan was from Lujiawan, so Lujiawan couldn't be left out of this.

Moreover, Nanhugong Commune, an inland town, had nothing to offer except for exceeding its grain requisition target every year. What reason could it use to apply for foreign exchange?

On the other hand, the rapidly developing Lujiawan Production Team over the past year could make a splash.

For example, expanding the cooked food workshop, or even directly buying equipment from abroad and jointly establishing a collectively owned food company with the commune, wouldn't that be a good reason?!

So this matter definitely couldn't bypass Lujiawan.

He immediately ran into the brigade headquarters. Secretary Yang and several other leaders were there, so he explained the matter.

After listening to Zhu Gong'an's words, Secretary Yang was stunned, "What did you say? 230,000? US dollars?"

Captain Xiao and the other three looked at each other in disbelief. Could what they heard be true?

Zhu Gong'an picked up a tea mug, regardless of whose it was, took a sip, wiped his mouth, and said breathlessly, "I've told you the matter. Don't say I didn't inform you. The only obstacle now is the cultural department's approval, but no one else can handle this except Xiao Chen.

You'd better discuss it with Xiao Chen and see how you can complete the approval as soon as possible, so that you can sign the contract and secure the foreign exchange as soon as possible.

Anyway, that's the situation. Oh, yeah, let me use your bicycle. I'll report to the leaders and come back. Those cadres in the province must be tempted. We can't let them get ahead."

After all, it was a commune. If the county spoke, Secretary Yang and the others wouldn't bother to pay attention, but the commune was different. In the end, Nanhuzhen and the surrounding five production brigades were truly a large collective. Other units, no matter where they came from, had to stand aside.

So Secretary Yang didn't say anything, and directly threw a key over, "The first one against the wall in the yard is it."

Zhu Gong'an caught the key, turned around and ran.

Secretary Yang called Zhang Wenliang over, "Go find Xiao Chen now and tell him to come over quickly."

Xiao Liewen next to him stood up and left, "Why let him come? Let's go find him together, wouldn't that be faster."

The three people next to him moved at the sound and filed out together.

Only Zhang Wenliang looked confused, and called out from behind, "What are you looking for him for? You should say something!"

Ten minutes later, they rode their bicycles to Chen Fan's house, but there wasn't even a dog, only three pandas lying in front of the fence curiously looking at them.

They couldn't ask the pandas, so they immediately rushed to the 6th team ahead. Fortunately, the last villager told them that Teacher Chen had gone to Captain Yang's house, so they rushed over directly.

So at this time, Chen Fan saw not only Zhang Wenliang, but five people.

Secretary Yang had just entered the door, and after catching his breath, he asked Chen Fan, "So, you're going to sign a contract with the Japanese and earn foreign exchange, is that true?"

Chen Fan nodded, "Ah, really."

The Yang family next to him was dumbfounded, and they all turned to look at Chen Fan. Teacher Chen could earn foreign exchange?

Secretary Yang then asked, "What Zhu Gong'an said about the approval, only you can handle it, how long will it take at the fastest?"

Chen Fan thought for a moment, "If we send a telegram, they should receive it tomorrow. If we make a phone call, it's hard to say, because no one knows how long it will take to get through a long-distance call. But the fastest way is to drive over directly. If we leave now, we can get there before dark."

He raised his head and laughed, "I'm just talking about the theoretical situation. This isn't urgent. I'll send a telegram or call later…"

Secretary Yang pulled him away, "Don't call. You have nothing to do at home anyway, you might as well go out for a walk. Now, you take a boat to the prefectural committee, and then drive over, it won't take much effort, and then come back.

After this matter is completed, I will give you a long vacation, and you don't have to work this year."

Chen Fan, "I don't have to work anyway. You see, I just got back…"

Then, looking at the scorching gazes, he sighed softly, "Okay, fine."

Secretary Yang nodded in satisfaction, "I knew you were a good comrade who made contributions. I won't pursue your calculation of me feeding the pandas bamboo. Hey, do you know how much those pandas can eat? Hundreds of pounds of bamboo a day, even pigs can't eat as much."

Xiao Liewen also smiled, unable to see the blackness on his face just now, and said with a gratified expression, "Xiao Chen still follows principles. I have a good gun, it's my personal one, the kind with wheels, American made, never jams, I'll give it to you when you come back!"

Chen Fan, "Is it real?"

Xiao Liewen, "Of course I can't lie to you. I also have a gun license, I'll take care of it for you, and guarantee you have no worries."

Chen Fan, "Then I'll wait."

Under the escort of the six great protectors, yes, Captain Yang also came along. Chen Fan picked up his earliest self-made small leather bag, stuffed a few clothes into it, and found a big gift bag from the cabinet.

After he finished packing, Zhang Wenliang soon sent the letter of introduction he had run back to the brigade headquarters to get, and he sullenly got on the small yacht with his luggage and headed to the prefectural committee.

When he looked back at the few people waving at the pier, he couldn't close his mouth with laughter.

That's right, he was deliberately waiting for them to come, otherwise, would he tell them that driving to the provincial capital was the fastest?!

Anyway, he wasn't in a hurry, it was the people who wanted foreign exchange who were in a hurry.

It just so happened that he also planned to visit his father-in-law today. He hadn't been there since he came back from his last business trip, so he could take care of this matter together.

He only wanted to get some favors, but he didn't expect to get a gun, too. I wonder what brand it is?