Go back to the prosperous days and become a layman

Chapter 798 797 Renting a Wife
That evening, Tang Zhitong told his family about his idea of ​​going to the countryside.

"Is there a change in your work? Why do you have to go to the countryside?" Zhang Guifang wondered, thinking that her child had made a mistake.

“Mom, Anzi still holds the position of our city representative. This time he’s going to the grassroots to conduct research, listen to the people’s demands, and speak up for them.” Zhang Guifang didn’t understand, but Xiao Wang understood. This was her husband fulfilling his duties as a representative, and as his wife, she had to support him.

“Oh, I don’t know about these things. How many days will you be gone? I’ll prepare some dry food for you.” Hearing her daughter-in-law say this, Zhang Guifang felt much more at ease. Although she didn’t know how the representatives worked, she knew that there was a food shortage in the countryside at the moment.

"Let's steam some cornbread. I'll take three or four pounds, and some grain coupons too. I can't say exactly how many days. I'll ask when I get to work tomorrow. There's a conference for outstanding educators next month, so I need to see if the city has any other arrangements." Tang Zhitong was planning to visit as many places as possible during his trip. The more detailed the data, the better, of course, but the schedule had to be in line with the conference.

"Then I'll pack you some clothes later. The weather changes so fast these days; it might get hot again in a few days." Xiao Wang also began preparing for her husband's trip.

Actually, for Tang Zhitong, whether he was prepared or not didn't matter. With his cheat code, he wouldn't go hungry or cold even if the mountains were blocked by heavy snow or an endless winter came. But he was still happy to accept his family's concern.

After dinner, back in their room, Ms. Wang didn't immediately pack her husband's bags. Instead, she went on a thrilling ride, a battle on the battlefield, and a life-or-death struggle.

After today, it will be the safe period. Xiao Wang is very uneasy. She has been trying to get pregnant for so long. If she still can't get pregnant this time, she will suspect that one of them or both of them have a problem.

"Leave a little earlier tomorrow afternoon and ask Mom for a list of trained barefoot doctors. I'll take the list and select a few to take a look." Tang Zhitong lay sprawled on the bed. Some people can persevere for two minutes, while others have the hand of God, able to pull the trigger ten times in three seconds. Compared to them, he was clearly far inferior and could only work as diligently as an ox plowing a field, working for an hour or two at a time, which was exhausting.

"Um, should we let the locals know?" Xiao Wang was also quite tired, but fortunately the weather was cool today, and he didn't feel too sticky after exercising.

"It would be laughable for someone of my rank to offer such a greeting." Tang Zhitong refused without hesitation, then added, "I originally wanted to see the real situation. If word gets out, what I see might not be what I want to see, but what they want me to see."

"Okay, then you must be careful out there. Don't travel after dark, and if anyone tries to steal your food, just give it to them." Ms. Wang was still somewhat worried about her husband's trip.

"Don't worry, I've got my weapons. My unit provided them to me to ensure my safety. With the 'Equalizer of All Beings' in hand, anyone who tries to steal from me will have to think twice," Tang Zhitong joked with Xiao Wang with a smile.

Although He Hongchuan provided him with Type 54 rifles, Tang Zhitong did not intend to use them.

Chinese soldiers cannot point their guns at their own civilians.

Although Tang Zhitong cannot be classified as a regular soldier, he still has this much awareness.

On Wednesday, May 3, the temperature remained cool.

Tang Zhitong got up early, took half a jin of grain coupons from Zhang Guifang, hurriedly ate a bite of breakfast, and rushed to the Municipal Bureau. Today was payday, and he couldn't let the employees block the entrance like last time.

As Ma Wei and Tang Zhitong worked together more and more seamlessly, and the employees' enthusiasm for receiving their wages grew even higher, the wages were already distributed before lunchtime.

Tang Zhitong tidied up, counted the withheld organization fees and union fees, and went to each office to complete the handover.

When handing over the organization fee to Fang Yuan, Fang Yuan also told Tang Zhitong some news: "You've come at the right time. The Municipal Bureau called today to inform you that the city is preparing to hold a meeting of the city's cultural and educational elites at the Municipal Government early on the 10th. Remember to attend."

"Okay. What a coincidence, I was just about to ask about this. Now that it's settled, I'm relieved. I'll go to the grassroots level to conduct my research tomorrow." Tang Zhitong mentally calculated that he would leave tomorrow and return on the 9th, which would be exactly one week. If he walked fast, he could visit at least three communes.

"Be careful, the roads aren't safe. The transfer station is now operating in pairs. Where do you want to go? Maybe I can talk to the transfer station and you can come down with the vehicle." Fang Yuan didn't stop Tang Zhitong from going down there. The higher-ups are encouraging people to go to the grassroots level, and Tang Zhitong's trip is a way to build a foundation among the people, so it deserves support.

"It's inconvenient to hitch a ride, isn't it? I have to bring my bicycle." Tang Zhitong hesitated. The vehicles at the transfer station were definitely faster than bicycles and more convenient than buses. However, if he hitched a ride, he wouldn't be able to hide his bicycle in his storage space. He would have to put it in the truck bed.

"It's not inconvenient at all, the car isn't even full anyway." Fang Yuan immediately picked up the phone to dial, but stopped after dialing one number and asked again, "Where are you planning to go?"

"Let's head west first, and I'll visit some relatives along the way." Zhang Chengping had been back home for over a month. His eldest uncle had visited once during that time and seemed alright, but this time, given the opportunity, he could go back and check on the situation, which would also ease his mother's worries.

Fang Yuan nodded, redialed, and quickly settled the matter in a few words after the call connected. Hanging up, he smiled and said to Tang Zhitong, "What a coincidence! Tian Genfu is going to the west tomorrow morning. I remember he's the husband of your old colleague at the Hujialou Post Office, right? We're acquaintances, but can you manage the schedule?"

"Yes, I can! Thank you, Brother Yuan!" Tang Zhitong hadn't expected to get a ride with Tian Genfu this time while going to the grassroots level, and he solemnly thanked Fang Yuan.

Since joining the escort team, things have gone smoothly and to my liking. This is largely due to Fang Yuan's indulgence and tolerance towards himself. In other organizations, he would probably have been fired several times over.

"Don't be so polite. Just take care of your own business. If you're free this afternoon, go back early to prepare. Don't rush to leave work right on time." Fang Yuan waved him away.

After handing over the work to Sister Chen from the labor union, Tang Zhitong went to the canteen and handed over the meal tickets owed to Gao Lide for the meal he had treated Ding Jianhui to the previous day.

Although the two had met when they received their salaries, Tang Zhitong still chose to meet privately to settle the accounts.

If yesterday's food coupons are given out in front of other employees, and someone tries to copy them, Gao Lide will be the one who suffers the consequences.

After lunch, Tang Zhitong told Ma Wei what was going on and then slipped away again.

On his way home, Tang Zhitong realized that it had been a month or so since he had brought home any lard. He had originally planned to grab another piece, but then he remembered that he hadn't finished his high-calcium gluten, so he pulled his outstretched hand back.

Let's wait until I get back to talk about it. Eating too much oil can easily make you fat, and it's an eyesore.

When they got home, Zhang Guifang was kneading dough—one bowl of cornmeal and one bowl of wheat flour.

As soon as her son returned, Zhang Guifang said, "I'll steam some buns for you to take with you. You can't go hungry when you're traveling. It's better to eat well than to live in poverty."

"Mom, I'm not bringing steamed buns this time, only cornbread. You know what the situation is like in the countryside these days; even bringing cornbread would be too conspicuous. We can't be too detached from the masses." Tang Zhitong was both amused and exasperated. The reason she emphasized bringing cornbread yesterday was precisely because of this. As the saying goes, it's not poverty that's the problem, but inequality. Right now, people in the countryside are even eating wild vegetables to fill their stomachs. If she were to go to the grassroots with white flour buns and claim to be getting to know the people, who would believe her?
This is like taking a Vacheron Constantin bag to the grassroots level; it not only alienates you from the masses but also inevitably stirs up hatred. This is something that should never be done.

"Well... okay then." Zhang Guifang nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

"Mom, I'm leaving early tomorrow morning. I'll probably be gone for about a week. Please prepare some food for me. I'll take it with me to visit my uncle." After saying this, Tang Zhitong put down her schoolbag and was about to pick up a bucket to fetch water.

The vegetables in the yard are gradually growing and need water. If I water them thoroughly today, I can save my mother or Xiao Wang the effort.

"How much is appropriate?" Zhang Guifang not only did not object, but also sought her son's opinion.

"Twenty catties, please. If we have cornmeal at home, then take cornmeal, so that Uncle won't have to process it when we bring it over." Tang Zhitong had overheard Zhang Yongxiang's conversation when he came last time. He was still eating at the canteen, so it would be difficult to process the corn if he brought it over, since he would have to consider how to keep it a secret.

That afternoon, Tang Zhitong not only watered all the vegetables in the yard, but also overheard some gossip about the Liu family.

Liu Chengzhi was cornered at home by loan sharks, and it's said that Chu Chunxue's hysterical roars could be heard even through the window.

"Is your family starving?" Tang Zhitong wasn't heartless; he genuinely felt sorry for Chu Chunxue. However, with the Liu Zhang family, a family of three generations, acting like scoundrels, between them, he could only offer cheap sympathy.

"I heard that Liu Zhangshi had saved up for her retirement, but the young couple couldn't find where they put it. It's not that they're starving, it's just that Liu Chengzhi has been gambling outside, and he's been bringing a lot of things home recently. He's been acting up these past few days, always looking downcast. I reckon someone's set him up," said the one-eyed old man Zhu, squinting his remaining eye mysteriously.

"That's really brainless." Tang Zhitong shook his head. Although some people still want to pretend to be deaf and dumb, or wait for the summer grain harvest, as rumors continue to flood into the city, the people basically know what's going on.

As we all know, when the economy is booming, everything is fine, and an abundant supply of goods can mask a lot of problems. But when resources are scarce, many people try every means to make money.

Some people are forced by life to survive, so they start businesses with half-closed doors. Others don't want their standard of living to decline, but deposit interest rates are low, so they think of making money through gambling.

Of course, some people want to take a gamble and turn a bicycle into a motorcycle, while others want to reap the benefits from these "leeks" (a metaphor for exploiting others).

You're focused on the profit, but they're only after your principal.

This phenomenon is particularly pronounced when interest rates are declining, and various wealth management and insurance products will spring up like mushrooms after rain.

For the vast majority of ordinary people, their wallets are their only means of coping with future uncertainties. They should not always think about making big gains with small investments, but rather keep a close eye on their money.

"Hey, he's not brainless, he's shrewd." Hearing Tang Zhitong say this, the one-eyed old man Zhu's face showed disdain, contempt, and even a hint of envy.

Tang Zhitong, somewhat puzzled, stopped fetching water and offered Old Zhu a cigarette: "Could you explain in detail?"

"Loan sharks have their eyes on his house, but Liu Chengzhi is adamant about not giving in. I don't know what they discussed, but they eventually came up with the idea of ​​'renting a wife.' The gist of it is that they want his wife to go out and lie down to make money. Maybe in their eyes, since Xiao Chu is pregnant anyway, she won't bring back an illegitimate child. It's a sure way to make a fortune." Old Zhu said with a sneer, and then added with a sigh, "Xiao Chu is such a good child. It's just bad luck that she ended up with such a family."

"This is inhuman!" Tang Zhitong's worldview was shattered, and he was dumbfounded.

He knew that the Liu family, spanning three generations, was no good, but he never expected Liu Chengzhi to be such a scoundrel.

In the old society, there was a practice of "renting wives." Some bachelors or wealthy families whose wives had no income would want to have their own child to continue the family line, so they would often "rent" a wife to have a child, which was similar to surrogacy.

But the woman they were renting was a respectable woman who wasn't pregnant with any native inhabitants. Liu Chengzhi was clearly trying to get Chu Chunxue to do some kind of shady business to pay off his debts. That was just too inhumane. No wonder even the usually honest Chu Chunxue got angry.

However, Tang Zhitong felt there was something fishy about this. Today, all the units in Beijing were paying salaries. Even the most brainless loan sharks would have to wait for the Liu family to be completely broke before coming to them, right? Why did they choose yesterday of all days?

Besides, how much money can you make with a half-closed door? Can you even pay off the loan sharks? Who knows, they might be after Chu Chunxue.

Looking at what was happening in front of him, Tang Zhitong felt a sense of familiarity. He remembered the campus loan scam, with all sorts of tricks and schemes targeting women with good looks. People who weren't good-looking simply wouldn't lend money to them.

Some even went so far as to drag their younger siblings into prostitution because they thought their siblings were pretty, and then created a video with pictures and text and posted it online.

"Things have come to this point, the couple definitely can't go on like this anymore. Xiao Chu was so angry that she went back to her parents' home overnight. If you ask me, it's good that she can go back. With Liu Chengzhi's behavior, if Xiao Chu agrees, he'll dare to divorce her once the loan shark debt is paid off." Grandpa Zhu's words were full of sympathy for Chu Chunxue.

“You’re right. But when did loan sharks become so easy to talk to? They didn’t bring up Liu Chengzhi’s job?” Tang Zhitong recalled his experience of being pressured by Lao Wan to pay back the money. At the time, he was only thinking about following the contract, but some people didn’t even consider following the contract.

Having experienced this, Tang Zhitong now deeply abhors any form of usury. He couldn't help but recall the absurd attempts to whitewash and whitewash things on the internet, claiming that Huang Shiren was a great philanthropist, that the money he lent to Yang Bailao was an unsecured loan with low interest rates, and so on.

Hey, doesn't this sound like the exoneration of Liu Wencai?

This goes beyond the scope of textual research; the root cause lies in consciousness.

"He probably didn't say that, right? If he brought up work, would Liu Chengzhi be so assertive?" Old Zhu guessed.

"That's quite strange. It can't be that the loan sharks have taken a liking to Chu Chunxue, can it?" Tang Zhitong explained his analysis to Old Zhu.

After hearing this, Old Zhu shook his head and said, "Anzi, don't underestimate the evil of loan sharks. I reckon that having Xiao Chu do that dirty business was just a side effect, to ruin the Liu family's reputation. The real killing blow is yet to come. They never intended to leave the Liu family any way out."

(End of this chapter)