Chapter 51: Take It Slow
Like a whirlwind sweeping through clouds and scattering mist, half the dishes on the table were gone in no time.
Only then did everyone come to their senses. Zhang Changjiang pointed at the wine bowls, but before he could speak, he burst out laughing.
His laughter set off a wave of mirth throughout the room, and everyone was in high spirits.
Xiao Liewen laughed heartily. "Look at you all – acting like you've never been to a feast before."
Master Zhu grinned widely and pointed at Chen Fan. "Don't blame us for this – blame Master Chen for being too good a cook. We just couldn't help ourselves!"
This remark set off another round of laughter.
But after that frantic round of eating, everyone's stomachs were about half full, and they now began to sip their wine slowly and leisurely.
Just as Chen Fan's wine had warmed up and his stomach was full enough that he didn't have to worry about feeling sick from drinking too much, he picked up his small wine cup and clinked glasses with everyone one by one.
After a round of toasts, the group began chatting casually.
Xiao Liewen looked at Secretary Yang. "Old Yang, what did they say at the commune meeting this time?"
Secretary Yang wiped his mouth, pulled out his pipe as was his habit, and Zhang Wenliang immediately took out a pack of Mudan cigarettes, offering one each to Master Zhu and Chen Fan.
These cigarettes weren't cheap – at 49 cents a pack, they were a far cry from the 8-cent Economy brand.
As everyone knew, cigarettes were graded into categories. At this time, they were divided into three tiers: Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C.
The cheapest Grade C cigarettes didn't even require coupons – you could just buy them with cash, as long as they cost no more than 20 cents. Brands like Badaling, Donghai, and Golden Leaf were all Grade C, not to mention the cheapest Economy brand.
Grade B cigarettes ranged from 20 cents to 50 cents. There was Mojuju at 36 cents, Great Front Door at 35 cents, Flying Eagle and Jinghu at 32 cents, and Chaoyang Bridge at 29 cents. The most expensive among them was Mudan at 49 cents.
The "Feima" brand, which had made outstanding contributions during the war against Japanese aggression and was once as famous as Zhonghua, had now dropped to 29 cents a pack, falling into the Grade B category and nearly slipping into Grade C.
Cigarettes in this tier required coupons, so cadres typically smoked Grade B – precisely because they weren't easy to buy, it set them apart from others.
Thankfully, it only made them "different," not "superior."
Because to be considered superior, you'd need to smoke at least Grade A cigarettes.
Grade A cigarettes were naturally those costing over 50 cents. Small Zhonghua was 62 cents, Great Zhonghua was 72 cents – both Grade A.
Anyone who pulled out a pack of Zhonghua would earn extra respect even from county leaders. It wasn't because of the 72-cent price tag, but because the coupons for them were incredibly hard to come by. Anyone who could get their hands on such coupons was at least acquainted with some influential people.
And that wasn't even the most expensive – imported cigarettes were priced in US dollars, but those were beyond the reach of ordinary people and not worth considering.
Judging by the cigarettes alone, Zhang Wenliang, as militia company commander, seemed to be faring better than Captain Yang from Team 6.
Of course, it was also possible he was just putting on a brave front despite his circumstances.
But regardless, Master Zhu was quite pleased with the Mudan cigarette in his hand – even his posture when lighting it was different from when he was at Captain Yang's place. He held his chin high, rested his right hand on the table, and held the cigarette up high, as if smoking it made him quite something.
Chen Fan, who didn't smoke, still held Xiao Liewen's hand to light the cigarette he'd been given, then just held it as it burned away – a complete waste.
Then he was surprised to notice that Yang Xingxiu was also smoking from a pipe.
Well then – out of the nine people in the room, he was the only one who didn't smoke.
After taking two puffs, Secretary Yang said proudly, "We'll send someone to the post office tomorrow to fetch utility poles. Next Wednesday, people will come to string the wires."
Ye Shubao calculated the dates. "Today's Saturday, January 22nd – next Wednesday will be January 26th. That's coming up fast!"
Zhang Wenliang suddenly looked excited. "That's exactly Laba Festival!"
Xiao Liewen grinned. "What a coincidence, indeed."
Everyone was thrilled and raised their wine bowls for another toast.
Putting down their bowls, Secretary Yang cleared his throat, looked around at everyone, and spoke seriously. "Once the broadcast wires are strung up, we still need to build the broadcasting station itself, which will require electrical wiring.
"The commune said that this time, all five brigades in Nanhu Commune will be covered by broadcasts. The electrical wires will follow the broadcast lines – once the poles are installed, they'll come to set everything up, aiming to have it all ready before Spring Festival."
As soon as he finished, Zhang Changjiang immediately said, "We're all set for the broadcasting station – we've already cleared out a room on the second floor, ready for equipment installation anytime."
Ye Shubao frowned. "The problem is finding someone to be the broadcaster."
Xiao Liewen added, "Right now our brigade only has a medic, a correspondent, and the agricultural technician is still a part-timer from the commune's agricultural station. We can't keep bringing in outsiders for the broadcaster position, can we?"
Secretary Yang furrowed his brow deeply. "The issue is that no one in our brigade can speak Mandarin properly."
At this, everyone fell silent.
Chen Fan looked around, then asked cautiously, "Isn't there a primary school teacher in the brigade?"
Secretary Yang turned to look at him with a smile. "Our production brigade does have a small primary school over at Team 10, but it only teaches first and second grades. Starting from third grade, students have to go to Nanhu Primary School – and they only accept students from the first few teams. Kids from other teams go straight to the commune school.
"The teachers at Nanhu Primary School aren't from our brigade, and our own brigade teacher only speaks what we call 'Yunhu Mandarin' – he can't speak the proper Mandarin you hear on the radio at all!"
Chen Fan chuckled. Alright then – forget I asked.
He did have some thoughts about becoming the broadcaster, but he knew such a good opportunity would never fall to him, so he kept his mouth shut and said nothing more.
After discussing the matter for quite a while, Secretary Yang and the others still couldn't reach a decision, so they decided to put it aside for now and deal with it once the broadcasting station was built.
If all else failed, they'd find someone who'd completed junior high school to fill the position. After all, no outsiders came here anyway – speaking "Yunhu Mandarin" wouldn't be a big deal, it would just be a bit embarrassing.
The meal continued until dusk. Since Master Zhu needed to return to the commune and Chen Fan also had to head back, they decided to call it an end.
As they stepped out of the brigade headquarters, Xiao Liewen grabbed Chen Fan's hand and said loudly, "Master Chen, you're amazing – you've fulfilled one of my lifelong wishes. I never thought I'd get to eat blood sausage again in this life. Come back in a couple of days to teach my kids how to make pickled cabbage, and I'll treat you to more wine. Once the pickled cabbage is ready, I'll butcher my New Year pig, and you have to come again – I'll ask you to make the Northeast pork feast!"
Chen Fan grinned. "No problem – once I'm done with things these next two days, I'll definitely come over."
Zhang Changjiang stood nearby and waved into the distance. Zhang Wenliang soon appeared leading two horses.
Secretary Yang smiled at Chen Fan. "Master Zhu has his bicycle, so we won't bother with him. It would take you nearly an hour to walk back from here – let Sanhu take you."
Chen Fan declined repeatedly. "No need, no need – it's just a short walk."
Then he clapped his hands together and laughed. "Besides, I don't even know how to ride a horse!"
Zhang Wenliang came over and smiled. "Don't worry, Master Chen – this mare is very gentle. We use her to pick up brides when people in our brigade get married. I guarantee you'll be perfectly safe."
Unable to refuse any longer, Chen Fan let Zhang Wenliang help him mount the horse. He carefully leaned forward and spoke to the horse's ear. "We're not in a hurry – let's take it slow, okay?"
The little mare snorted, let out a soft whinny, then began trotting forward steadily at a gentle pace.
(End of Chapter)
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