Go back to the prosperous days and become a layman

Chapter 903, Part 902: Cao Pi's father-in-law falls into a coal pile.

Since there was a lot of food, Tang Zhitong took more than he needed and borrowed two soup plates from the cafeteria.

"Eat as much as you want, and I'll see you to your car after you're done." Tang Zhitong not only ordered dishes but also bought steamed buns. Although they weren't very pretty, the portions were generous and filling. After this meal, Gu Mancang probably wouldn't need to eat anything on the way home.

"Teacher Tang, I've saved up some money. I'll give you some first, and I'll pay you back the rest slowly." Tang Zhitong offered to help him. Gu Mancang was already embarrassed, and now that he was being treated to a meal, he felt even more awkward. Before picking up his chopsticks, he took out the money.

"Don't worry, you need the money more than I do right now. Like I said, give me back slowly after you graduate and start working, three to five yuan a year, and you'll pay it off in two years." Due to the common understanding of ordinary people, Tang Zhitong couldn't take on all-round assistance to Gu Mancang, and could only help her once or twice during two holidays at most.

Right now, Gu Mancang's hometown is facing widespread difficulties, and the situation is continuing to worsen. Even if the truth is revealed in the second half of the year and some relevant personnel are dealt with, the situation will not improve immediately.

Faced with this situation, Tang Zhitong would definitely not accept Gu Mancang's money, especially since money was just a small matter to him.

After finishing his meal, Tang Zhitong returned the bowls and chopsticks to the canteen, put down his own lunchbox, and took Gu Mancang to the escort department to make a name for himself.

Even though Zhang Jinbo had agreed to put the sacks in his own carriage, Gu Mancang still needed to meet the escort officer in charge of the transport; otherwise, she wouldn't be able to collect the sacks after getting off the vehicle.

The two went to the escort department office first. Zhang Jinbo had already left work, but he left a message for Tang Zhitong: go directly to the private carriage.

"Brother Yang? You switched shifts with the other comrades?" Tang Zhitong led Gu Mancang to the private car and immediately saw Wan Xiangyang loading mailbags.

"Zhang Ke has us take turns running the routes, and I just switched. That sack, right? Zhang Ke said it's already in the break room, so don't worry, there won't be any problems." Wan Xiangyang threw the mailbag on his shoulder onto the car and immediately came over to greet Tang Zhitong.

“With Brother Yang here, I feel more at ease. This is my classmate Gu Mancang. Just give him the things when we get to the station.” Tang Zhitong emphasized introducing Gu Mancang to Wan Xiangyang.

"Hello, Wan Xiangyang." Wan Xiangyang took the initiative to extend his hand to Gu Mancang.

"Hello, Brother Yang, thank you for your help this time." Gu Mancang grasped Wan Xiangyang's hands and addressed him in the same way as Tang Zhitong.

“No trouble at all, it’s just a handyman. Which stop are you getting off at?” Wan Xiangyang withdrew his hand, already planning how to hand over the sacks to Gu Mancang.

"Loyalty Station".

“Zhongyi Station? That’s a small station with a very short stop, so time is tight. Here’s what we’ll do: when we’re almost there, walk towards the back of the train. Once you get off, you’ll be in our carriage. I’ll give you your things then.” Wan Xiangyang wiped the sweat from his forehead with his arm and offered a solution.

Self-owned mail trucks function as mobile post offices. Even at the smallest stations, as long as someone mails a letter or something on the platform, the escort personnel must accept it. Opening the carriage door from the outside is normal operation.

As for the carriage door where the private mail truck connects to the train, it gets crowded before the train stops, so it's best to keep it closed if possible.

"Okay!" Gu Mancang wasn't picky at all, as long as she could get the item.

"Then it's settled. Yang-ge, open the inner carriage door, I'll take Mancang in and settle her in." Tang Zhitong looked ahead along the platform, but there wasn't a single train attendant in sight, and the carriage doors were all closed. It would be safer to board from the escort carriage.

Wan Xiangyang and the other guards had no objections and quickly opened the door for the two men. However, given the rules, the guards kept a close eye on them to ensure that neither of them stole anything.

As soon as the two entered the passenger compartment, the door to the private mail truck at the back was closed.

Tang Zhitong followed behind Gu Mancang and found her seat according to the number on her ticket. Just as she sat down, the train conductor heard the noise and poked his head out from the rest area, looking puzzled: "How did you get on? Who brought you up?"

"Hello comrade, I'm from the escort department. My friend is coming to see me before he leaves, and this is the train he's on. Let's get on from here to save ourselves the trouble." Tang Zhitong reached out to Gu Mancang, took the ticket, and then walked to the door of the crew rest room.

When I handed my ticket to the conductor for inspection, they smoothly handed me a box of Daqianmen cigarettes.

"Oh, sit down, and don't wander around." The flight attendant had already relaxed her guard when she heard Tang Zhitong say that she was an employee of the security department, and she even put on a smiling face when she saw the cigarette.

"Okay, please keep an eye on things on the way." Tang Zhitong took back the ticket, smiled at the conductor, and turned back to Gu Mancang.

The flight attendant turned away, leaving only the two boys in the carriage, perfect for them to have a heart-to-heart talk.

"Mancang, go home and see what's going on. If you encounter any difficulties, tell us immediately, and we'll figure out a solution together. Try not to go out too often, as it will affect you."

To escape the famine, many people chose to leave their homes, but some would use any means necessary to cover up the disaster.

Gu Mancang's hometown was not among the most severely affected by the disaster, but that did not prevent some people from trying to escape.

It's good if the whole family can flee the famine together, but the worst is if some leave and some stay, as everyone will be affected to some extent.

Many things cannot be said in detail; one can only experience them for oneself. Tang Zhitong stopped there and gave a few more instructions on how to be careful on the road.

Before she could finish speaking, the flight attendant poked her head out again: "Comrade, if you don't get off soon, the train will depart."

"Oh dear, I got carried away and forgot the time. Could you please open the car door?" Tang Zhitong slapped his forehead and quickly got up. Although he could get off at the Beijing Railway Station, his bicycle was still parked here.

After getting off the train, Tang Zhitong walked back along the platform. When she passed the private mail truck, the doors were already closed. She knocked on the window and waved to Wan Xiangyang as a farewell.

As the train whistled two short and one long "ooh~" sounds, it slowly started moving, heading towards the station in Beijing...

Tang Zhitong returned to his office and first delivered the union dues and organization fees to Sister Chen and Fang Yuan respectively. Then he went to the sorting department to mail the two letters he had written the day before returning to his office to sit down and rest.

Although he said he was taking a break, his mind was actually quite busy. Tomorrow, his classmate Xiao Wang was meeting up with her friends, and he had promised to hunt rabbits for his brother-in-law last time. But looking at the current time, it was clearly not enough to "leave the city".

Without a legitimate reason, it will be difficult to pluck the rabbit out of the space.

After thinking it over, Tang Zhitong decided to slip away. Rabbit meat was definitely in short supply. He would go back and grind some chestnuts and fry some pine nuts. Besides entertaining Xiao Wang's friends, he could also send some to Chunshu Hutong. Surely his brother-in-law would forgive him for not catching any rabbits, considering the snacks.

While Tang Zhitong was considering the rabbit in his office, Huang Liren, with his superior's permission, arrived at the Huashi Subdistrict Office with the imperial edict.

After last night's hailstorm, the leaders of the chemical raw materials company no longer have any expectations for the vegetables in Tangjia Courtyard, but that doesn't mean the courtyard has no value.

In the courtyards of Beijing, some people grow trees, some grow flowers, and some grow vegetables, but all of these are decorative plantings, not the kind of planting done by the Tang family to fill their stomachs.

Although this season's vegetables were lost, the land is fertile, so we can plant whatever we want and still get a harvest.

“Our company can help them arrange three rooms, and we’ll also provide some compensation based on the size of the house.” Huang Liren explained the chemical raw materials company’s terms to the clerk at the street office who was in charge of processing applications. The clerk’s face immediately fell. “Comrade Huang, can’t we choose another company?” The clerk frowned upon hearing the terms; they sounded ridiculous. Such a large yard, and you’re only offering this little?
The clerk knew Tang Zhitong; last year, the commendation letter was delivered directly to his door, and this year, during the Spring Festival gathering, the director led a group to visit him. It was hard not to know him.

Given Tang Zhitong's status, even if he were more aware of the situation, people would definitely not be willing to change.

"It's not easy to change it. His house is in a good location, and the leaders have already figured out how to arrange the house." Huang Liren didn't budge. In that area, only the Tang family's courtyard was fertile land. If it were changed to another one, it would take three years just to cultivate the land. Why would he bother with that?

"I can't make this decision myself; I need to consult with the director. However, from my personal perspective, I still suggest you try another agency." The clerk not only didn't want to be the bad guy, but also kindly advised Huang Liren.

"This is not something I can change on my own; it's a decision made by our chemical raw materials company." Huang Liren was very displeased. It was Huashi Street that submitted the report requesting the opening of the store, but in the end, it was also Huashi Street that was not cooperating with the chemical raw materials company. Did they get to play the good guy all the time?

Since the clerks on the street office were not cooperating, Huang Liren didn't waste any more words and left the street office with a dark face.

Huang Liren was not giving up. He had made a solemn pledge when he left the chemical raw materials company. How could he just go back like this?

So he went to the Tang family again.

The Tang family's gate was ajar. When he pushed it open, he was stunned to see the thriving vegetable garden in the yard, where everything was growing vigorously. It didn't look like it had been ravaged by hail at all. Could it be that there was no hail here?

"Why are you here again?" Zhang Guifang's heart pounded with alarm when she saw Huang Liren, but since Tang Zhitong had already said so, she didn't directly say she wouldn't change houses this time.

"Big sister, last time I went back, I went to great lengths with the leaders to get you some very generous terms. Besides getting you three new rooms, they can also give you an extra bicycle." Since the food was still in good condition, Huang Liren directly offered the best terms.

"I can't make that decision. Let's wait until my child comes back." Zhang Guifang was extremely unwilling. If it were up to her, she wouldn't trade it even for three more bicycles.

Huang Liren noticed that Zhang Guifang's attitude was better than last time, and thought there was hope. He walked around the yard happily, first looking at the vegetables to see what kinds they were, how they were growing, and how much fruit they were bearing. Then he carefully examined the facilities in the yard. In addition to the stone mill and stone roller, there was even a toilet and a bathroom!
He even planned how to connect the tap water to his colleagues so they could take turns showering.

After Huang Liren left the street office, the clerk, though unsure whether he went back to the company or to the Tang family, decided to report the matter to Xu Hui after much deliberation.

Upon hearing Huang Liren's offer, Xu Hui immediately frowned. Putting aside whether Ye Zhijuan would mind or whether Tang Zhitong could agree, she herself disagreed. Tang Zhitong was a role model in Huashi Street; could she really let him move away so easily?
Moreover, the conditions offered by the chemical raw material company were clearly bullying.

"I understand." Xu Hui nodded, and picked up the phone after the clerk left.

"Hello, Manager Meng, this is Xu Hui from Huashi Subdistrict Office."

"Your colleague Xiao Huang is here... Yes, about the store location selection."

“Our neighborhood committee definitely supports your decision to come here, but could you please choose a different location?”

"The place Xiao Huang chose is a bit special; Comrade Tang Zhitong is..."

As the head of the subdistrict office, Xu Hui hoped that the chemical raw material company would be located on Huashi Street, but there was a balance to be struck. After the call was connected, Xu Hui explained the situation to the other party.

After Tang Zhitong's grades were presented, the person opposite asked, "Director Xu, how old is this Comrade Tang Zhitong?"

"Twenty-one this year." Xu Hui smiled and told you Tang Zhitong's age, "You'll be shocked."

"How tall?" the person on the other end continued to ask.

"About 1.8 meters tall. Does Manager Meng know him?" Upon hearing this question, Xu Huihua immediately understood that the other party was not surprised by Tang Zhitong's youth, but rather that they might know him.

"I think we've met before." The person on the other end paused, then continued to inquire, "Did Comrade Tang do odd jobs before?"

"Yes, he worked as a temporary worker the year before last."

"That makes sense then. I'll head over there now."

Xu Hui was stunned when she heard the busy tone on the other end of the phone, but judging from her expression, she didn't seem to be there to interrogate her, but rather to express the excitement of a long-awaited reunion.

At this moment, Tang Zhitong had already arrived at the Tielugu Information Center.

Old Zhu perked up immediately when he saw Tang Zhitong, his eyes shining with excitement: "Anzi, your family is doing well now, the vegetable garden wasn't damaged by the hail."

"It was smashed, but not that badly." Tang Zhitong thought to himself, "How could I not know it wasn't smashed? Do you need to tell me?"

"Oh dear, you won't be short of vegetables this summer." Old Zhu didn't believe what Tang Zhitong said. He had seen it all when he came to collect the water bill this morning.

"Everyone has plenty of vegetables to eat. Look how plentiful the vegetable shops are today; their baskets are all full." Tang Zhitong looked at the neighbors returning from shopping. The vegetables in their baskets were missing parts, but the quantity was huge, just like the canteen at the transport station.

"That's not the same. Who knows what will happen after a hailstorm?" Old Zhu shook his head regretfully, very worried about the future.

"There's always a way. The vegetable company can't just ignore us, can they? You go ahead and do your work, I'll go back and take a look." Tang Zhitong was also a little worried. If Old Zhu found out, it meant that everyone in the neighborhood knew, and their vegetable garden would become the center of attention. Who knows, someone might get jealous.

As soon as Tang Zhitong arrived home, he saw Huang Liren lounging around in the yard.

"You must be Xiao Tang? I'm Huang Liren from the Chemical Raw Materials Company." Huang Liren greeted Tang Zhitong immediately upon seeing him, as if he were the owner of the house.

"Hello." Tang Zhitong nodded politely and extended his hand. He still had some expectations for the house exchange. If it was successful, his vegetable garden would become public property, and no matter how envious others were, it would be none of his business.

"Oh my, I've been waiting for you to come back. I pleaded with my older sister for ages, but she wouldn't budge, saying she'd wait for you to come back before deciding." Huang Liren warmly took Tang Zhitong's hand, as if he had met a long-lost relative.

"I heard from my mom what conditions you're offering in exchange?" Tang Zhitong was still thinking about the roasted chestnuts and pine nuts, so she didn't mince words and went straight to the point. After waiting for several days and looking forward to it for so long, there had to be something exciting, right?

"Here's the thing, our leader said he can coordinate three rooms for you and also give you a bicycle. No tickets needed, no money required, just a free bicycle," Huang Liren emphasized, as if he thought bicycles were something special.

"..." Upon hearing these conditions, Tang Zhitong silently withdrew his hand. It was one thing for the man surnamed Huang to take advantage of me by elevating his seniority, but to offer such conditions was another. Who did he think he was?
With such a big yard and such good food, all they get in return is a bicycle? It's a good thing Xiao Wang and Fengzhen aren't back, otherwise I'd definitely show them whether they need a bicycle or not!

Is there no sincerity at all? What's the difference between this and giving money away to a beggar?
"Little Tang, think about it carefully. This is a bicycle, and it's in high demand. Even if you can't ride it, you can still make several hundred yuan by reselling it." Seeing that Tang Zhitong was unmoved, Huang Liren continued to persuade him earnestly.

“Master Huang, go back and tell your boss that if this is all there is, I can’t accept it.” Tang Zhitong remained unmoved. If he had to summarize the chemical raw material company’s conditions in one sentence, it would be like Cao Pi’s father-in-law falling into a coal pile—Zhen Ji’s father is black!
(End of this chapter)