Chapter 46: A Real Man
Climbing up a slope brought them to the open yard outside the brigade headquarters office.
Zhang Wenliang pointed to four men sitting in the sun by the door. "The one in the blue cotton jacket wearing a cap is Brigade Chief Zhang Changjiang – he's my uncle."
That one sentence left Chen Fan feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Zhang Wenliang continued his introduction enthusiastically. "The one in the military greatcoat is Deputy Chief Xiao Liewen. He's a veteran – came back in the fifties, and I hear he earned some merit citations, though no one knows the details because he never talks about it when asked. But no one doubts it, since the prefectural military sub-district arranged a job for him and he didn't go to report for duty – he came back home instead.
"It was only when the county military sub-district didn't see him show up and Director Cao came personally to find him that everyone found out about it, but he still refused to go. Later, when Mr. Li advocated building more militia divisions, he finally came forward to work as Deputy Chief. He mainly handles political affairs and public security, and is in charge of training the militia.
"The one in the grey cotton jacket is Deputy Chief Ye Shubao. Director Ye manages production work, though we usually make decisions together through discussion.
"Secretary Yang from the brigade's Party branch went to a meeting at the people's commune these past two days, and the women's director isn't here either. Right now, these three are in charge at the brigade headquarters.
"And the last one is the leader of our Team 5 – he's my dad."
Chen Fan was silent for a moment. So this one family alone held two official positions – not to mention anyone else?
Then he asked, "Brother Sanhu, what about you?"
Zhang Wenliang grinned broadly. "I'm the brigade's militia company commander."
Alright then – the whole family held posts of some kind.
Chen Fan suddenly became curious. "Does the militia company commander get paid?"
Zhang Wenliang was about to say how could he not know something like that, then remembered about Chen Fan's memory issues. He shook his head repeatedly and laughed heartily.
"Militia are just militia – meaning they're a people's self-organized force. Who's going to pay them? Not even company commanders get paid. When we had militia divisions over a decade ago, even the division commanders didn't get salaries. The only perks were that we could fire bullets and shells as much as we wanted during training, and sometimes we could get some military uniforms, shoes, gloves, or first-aid kits from the military sub-district. But it wasn't much – just enough to give as prizes to advanced members."
Pausing for a moment, he added, "But I'm also part of the brigade leadership team, so I'm considered a semi-full-time cadre. When organizing training, I get full work points, plus an annual supplement of 300 work points – so it's a small bit of extra support."
Chen Fan had another question – what was a semi-full-time cadre? But by then they'd already reached the captains and the others. Zhang Wenliang quickened his steps to introduce Chen Fan to Zhang Changjiang and the rest.
"This is Master Chen – he just came from Team 6 and has a letter of introduction from Captain Yang, which I've already checked."
Zhang Changjiang and the others had already stood up. Switching his pipe to his left hand, he extended his right hand with a smile. "Welcome, welcome!"
Chen Fan respectfully reached out with both hands to shake it. "Hello, Captain Zhang."
He then shook hands with each of the other leaders one by one.
Xiao Liewen in particular had an air of sternness about him. Even as he smiled, Chen Fan felt a slight tingling on the back of his neck.
This man definitely had lives on his hands!
But Chen Fan wasn't afraid. Since he was a veteran who'd earned merit citations, he must be a combat hero. The lives a combat hero takes are those of enemies – the more the better.
After exchanging pleasantries, Zhang Changjiang smiled warmly. "Master Chen, would you like to rest first, have some tea, then teach everyone?"
Chen Fan quickly replied, "No need to rest – I'm ready anytime."
Pausing for a moment, he added with a smile, "It's getting late anyway. The sooner we finish teaching everyone, the sooner I can head back and avoid walking at night."
Hearing this, Xiao Liewen's smile grew warmer still. "Straightforward and decisive – a real man."
Chen Fan grinned, not quite sure how to respond.
Over the past few days, Captain Yang and the others had treated him like a half-grown kid. This was the first time someone had praised him as a real man – it meant a lot.
Ye Shubao also smiled. "Since Master Chen wants to get this done quickly, then let's speed things up."
He then shot Zhang Guangwen a meaningful look.
Zhang Guangwen immediately turned around and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Everyone listen to Master Chen's instructions today!"
He pointed at Zhang Wenliang. "Master Chen doesn't know everyone here – you help with directing."
Zhang Wenliang nodded, then turned to Chen Fan. "Master Chen, what do we need to prepare?"
Chen Fan thought for a moment, mentally listing out what was required, then suddenly had an idea and asked tentatively, "Do you have the things you use for slaughtering pigs here?"
Zhang Wenliang was stunned for a moment. "Slaughter pigs?"
Then he nodded. "We do – we even have two pig-slaughtering knives, though we'd have to borrow the iron hooks and chopping knives."
At the same time, he was wondering to himself – did slaughtering turtles require the same setup as slaughtering pigs? That would be quite a production!
Chen Fan quickly waved his hands. "No need for pig-slaughtering knives – regular kitchen knives are fine. What we mainly need are a few large basins, a pot of boiling water, and a chopping board for cutting meat."
Zhang Wenliang suddenly understood. "Got it – we'll have everything ready within half an hour."
He then turned around to assign tasks. "You, you, and you – go build two earthen stoves and bring over both large pots. You two – prepare two chopping boards. You lot – go fetch the large basins..."
In no time at all, everything was being arranged in an orderly manner.
As the master chef, Chen Fan just needed to sit nearby and wait.
With Zhang Wenliang off coordinating and checking on things, Zhang Changjiang and the other three stayed to chat with Chen Fan.
Zhang Changjiang chuckled. "Captain Yang slaughtered the New Year pig this morning – did you go watch, Master Chen?"
Chen Fan was busy declining a cigarette that Ye Shubao was offering him. "Thank you, thank you – I don't smoke."
Ye Shubao insisted on pushing it into his hand. "If you don't know how, then learn."
Xiao Liewen also chimed in with a smile. "How can a real man not smoke or drink? Just have one to try it out."
Try it out? Could you even "try out" something like this?
Unable to refuse, Chen Fan was forced to take one. Zhang Guangwen personally lit it for him, but after just one puff, he started coughing repeatedly.
The four men beside him saw this and burst into loud laughter.
What kind of tobacco was this anyway?
Chen Fan pulled a bitter face – it was so harsh and choking, he really couldn't understand why anyone would want to smoke it.
Just then, a teenage girl brought him a cup of hot tea. After thanking her, Chen Fan looked at the cup – thankfully it was very clean, and it contained proper green tea.
Zhang Changjiang smiled. "This is green tea we grow locally – even provincial leaders say it's good after drinking it. Give it a try."
Chen Fan nodded with a smile, blew on it a few times to cool it down, then took a sip. The rich aroma instantly filled his mouth. "Mmm, mmm – it's very fragrant."
Seeing his reaction, Zhang Changjiang and the others burst into laughter again.
Xiao Liewen pointed at Chen Fan and turned to Zhang Changjiang. "Does he remind you of those Shanghai educated youth from ten years ago?"
Zhang Changjiang's expression changed slightly, and he nodded with his lips pressed together. "You're right – he really does look like them."
Chen Fan opened his mouth, confused, but since they didn't explain, he didn't feel it was appropriate to ask.
Just then, Zhang Changjiang brought up his earlier question again. "Captain Yang slaughtered the New Year pig today – were you there?"
(End of Chapter)
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