Reborn in 1977

Chapter 70: A Win-Win Situation

Wait a minute.

Chen Fan suddenly looked at the radio. Could this also be broken?

Zhang Wenliang coughed dryly and said with a smile,

“Here’s the thing. Today, didn't you help repair the broadcasting machine? After research, our brigade headquarters felt that merit should be rewarded. But, our brigade headquarters is poor and can’t offer anything good. Then, we remembered that you know how to repair electrical appliances. Coincidentally, we have two treasures in our warehouse.”

As he spoke, he pointed to the two items on the table, “This clock and radio. However, they are both broken and need to be repaired before they can be used.”

Suddenly, he slapped his thigh, “Isn’t this a coincidence? You happen to know how to fix them. So, Secretary Yang said to reward you with these two items. You can fix them yourself and then use them.”

He also knew that this matter was a bit unreliable, so he smiled ingratiatingly, “Don’t underestimate these two items just because they are broken. If they are repaired, they won’t be cheap. Let’s not mention the clock. This radio alone, you can’t buy it for less than ten yuan at a second-hand store.

Hey, don’t you believe it.

Although a brand-new Plum Blossom brand vacuum tube radio only costs 37.5 yuan, you can’t buy it, and you also need industrial coupons. Therefore, it has also driven up the price of second-hand goods. Some second-hand radios in good condition can even sell for more than 30 yuan, almost as much as new ones.

This one is a bit old, but it's a German product, imported. Once it's fixed, it's still a treasure, isn't it!”

Chen Fan looked at the label on the back, not recognizing the brand. Looking at the voltage instructions, 110/220volt, it should be able to use domestic voltage as long as the power switch is set to the 220V position.

He couldn't help but be curious and turned to look at Zhang Wenliang, “Where did this come from?”

This kind of vacuum tube radio needs to be plugged in. He didn't believe that the original Lu family would buy this kind of radio. If they were to buy one, they would buy a crystal radio that doesn't need electricity. Buy this? Just to put it at home for show?

Zhang Wenliang smiled, “The Japanese brought it, but it was already broken when we captured it, otherwise it wouldn’t have been left in the warehouse.”

Chen Fan was immediately speechless. Even if calculated according to the latest year of 1945, to be broken, it must have been at least 5 years before that, and then to now, 37 years? Or even longer?

Alright, he used to hear the company boss brag about his grandfather's refrigerator lasting 60 years. Compared to that, this radio is just a little brother, nothing to complain about.

The radio is broken, and the clock is also broken. Chen Fan chuckled twice, returned to the chair, and said with a wry smile,

“You really think highly of me. Even if I know how to fix these things, a clever woman can’t cook without rice. I don't have any tools, and I can't even open the cover. How can I fix it?

Moreover, if any spare parts inside are broken, where can I find replacements for this German product?

Furthermore, the clock is a mechanical product, which is different from electronic products. I understand even less about that.”

If it were before repairing the broadcasting machine, he might have dragged Zhang Wenliang back to the brigade headquarters to borrow tools to open the cover.

But now, he has to be low-key!

Regardless of whether he can fix it or not, he must first put on a show. Even if he can fix it, he has to wait a while before saying so.

He doesn't want to be a scapegoat again for no reason. This is called learning from a fall. I am really so smart!

Zhang Wenliang also knew that this matter was not very ethical, and laughed awkwardly twice, “Try it first. If you can’t fix it, it’ll look good if you put it in the house.”

Chen Fan nodded, “Alright, let’s just treat it as decoration for now, and we’ll talk about it later.”

Then he smiled at Zhang Wenliang, “It’s rare for Brother Sanhu to come. We must have dinner here tonight.”

He pointed to the cured meat and fish, “I’ve been busy outside these past two days. The team sent so many good things, but I haven’t even started eating them yet.”

Zhang Wenliang didn't decline. Firstly, it was indeed the custom for the host to provide a meal when guests came to the house. Secondly, the news he was about to share was worth a good meal. He nodded with a smile, “Then this elder brother will bother you today.”

Then, leaning against the table, he smiled at Chen Fan, “But I won’t eat your meal for nothing. Besides these two items, I also brought you good news.”

Chen Fan’s eyes darted slightly, and he asked curiously, “What good news?”

Zhang Wenliang told him about the suggestion made by Secretary Yang, and then said, “Given your current situation, the brigade headquarters really doesn’t dare to take responsibility. To put it bluntly, if, and I mean if, there really is a problem with your background, and the brigade headquarters issues a political review certificate for you, then none of us in the entire brigade leadership team, from top to bottom, will be able to escape responsibility!”

Chen Fan nodded lightly, “Understood, completely understood.”

But he sighed slightly in his heart. He didn't care about dividing the land, but without a political review certificate, he really shouldn't think about flying out of this small village in the short term.

Although there are rarely situations involving political review in daily life, in this era, as long as it is related to “future,” this certificate is required.

Going to secondary vocational school or university, after graduation you are a cadre, so it is required directly at the time of enrollment. Needless to say, joining the army, can the People's Liberation Army allow someone with an unknown background? Entering government units is also out of the question. Now, even factories recruiting formal workers must have this piece of paper.

In addition to the certificate, a “public appraisal” is also required. Those with poor reputations cannot pass.

The brigade headquarters promised to provide a household registration, but not a political review certificate, which basically cuts off his path to advancement.

However, other aspects are not affected. Once he has a household registration, he can ask the brigade headquarters for a letter of introduction, and he can travel all over the country. As long as he doesn't stay in one place for a long time, there are basically no problems.

If he doesn't want to continue living in this small village in the future, when Shenzhen issues the first temporary residence permit in 1984, he can run over there, first obtain a temporary residence permit to get a foothold, and then find a way to dredge up some relationships and transfer his household registration over.

From then on, he will no longer be a person with an “unknown background,” and then he will be able to obtain any certificate.

But calculating the time, there are still 8 years?

Seeing that he was in low spirits, Zhang Wenliang also sighed along with him and said softly, “Brother Chen, the situation is like this now. Don’t be too discouraged. When good news comes from Public Security Officer Zhu, won’t it be great if you cancel your household registration here?

If no news ever comes, at least you have a place to stay. You can live in this educated youth house, and you don’t have to work in the fields. You can be a broadcaster at the brigade headquarters, earning ten work points a day, but only working three hours. What a great thing.

It's just that you have this ability, being able to speak Mandarin and repair broadcasting machines. We are even envious to death, but we can't be envious. You don’t even know, our 5th team, after hearing that you can become a broadcaster, the sourness, oh, hey, can you smell it? It’s all wafted over here!

But what can we do? They don't have this ability, only you do.

So, you temporarily settle down here and do the work of a broadcaster, easily earning work points. Our brigade, having a talent like you, also has face and feels confident. A win-win situation, how great!”