Siheyuan: The Era of Struggle

Chapter 387 Revealing the Truth

In short, I can't do anything about the food, but as Zhang Zhao's father-in-law, you have to step in.

Apart from Lü Wenliang, the Lü family members were all shrewd and understood the meaning behind Zhang Lide's words.

Despite Zhang Zhao's mother-in-law's aggressive demeanor, when faced with a major issue, she was at a loss for what to do and her gaze involuntarily turned to Lü Zhenbang.

Lu Wenli looked anxious and wanted to speak, but seeing Zhang Lide's serious expression, she was a little scared and closed her mouth again. She turned her head and kept winking at Zhang Zhao, signaling him to take over what her father-in-law had said.

Zhang Zhao understood what his wife meant, but he ignored it.

Zhang Zhao was aware that supplies were scarce across the country, and he thought Zhang Lide's words made no mistake. After all, this wasn't the capital, and it was normal that family connections weren't useful here.

He was thinking of seeing what Zhang Lide would do next. If he ignored him, he would just pretend he didn't have a father. Anyway, he had lived like this all these years, so it was no big deal.

Lu Zhenbang saw everything his family was doing and was extremely anxious.

No matter how much I planned, I never expected Zhang Lide's style of doing things to be so direct this time, unlike his previous tactful approach. It's now difficult to pretend I don't understand.

But Lu Zhenbang had spent many years working at the grassroots level, and he had encountered many people who were unruly, unreasonable, and prone to tantrums. He had become an expert through experience and quickly came up with a solution.

“Brother Lide, I should be the one to step forward in this matter, but given the current situation where food is scarce across the country, my monthly food ration has been reduced from 18 kilograms to 12 kilograms.”

Even if our whole family didn't eat or drink, and saved all our food, it still wouldn't be enough to cover the army's deficit!

Seeing that Lü Zhenbang was claiming poverty, Zhang Lide didn't want to give him any more chances to make excuses, and simply told him the solution he had discussed with He Yuanchao.

“Brother Zhenbang, you’re right. The little bit of food we have at home is just a drop in the bucket and can’t possibly fill the gap in the army’s coffers.”

"How about this? You've been in Yangqu for so many years, you must know all sorts of people in society. Could you buy some grain from the black market? That way, not only will the army have enough food, but your family won't have to suffer either."

These days, buying grain and meat on the black market is no secret; most families have done it. Even Zhang Zhao's mother-in-law has bought meat for Lü Wenliang many times to satisfy his cravings.

But when Zhang Lide said these words, everyone in the Lü family except He Yuanchao and Zhang Zhao showed a look of shock.

Especially Lü Zhenbang, who jumped up from his chair with a 'whoosh,' waving his hands frantically with a look of terror on his face:

“Brother Lide, this is absolutely unacceptable. Buying and selling things on the black market is illegal. If you get caught, you'll go to jail. This is unacceptable, absolutely unacceptable.”

As soon as Lü Zhenbang finished speaking, Zhang Lide picked up the conversation, his tone becoming somewhat impolite.

“If going to the black market won’t work, then tell me where we’re going to get over a thousand catties of grain. Are we just going to watch Zhang Zhao go to jail?”

"I didn't mean that."

Seeing Zhang Lide's anxiety, Lü Zhenbang, thinking that he would need the Zhang family's help in the future and not wanting to strain the relationship, quickly explained:

"Brother Lide, don't worry, the army gave us twenty days, right? If it doesn't work out, I'll go out and borrow from friends and colleagues..."

“At this time, every family is short of food. Who are you going to borrow from?” Before Lü Zhenbang could finish speaking, Zhang Zhao, who had been sitting silently by the door, suddenly spoke up, his tone devoid of its usual respect.

The words sounded nice and made sense. If they had been said 58 years ago, Zhang Zhao would have believed them because of his father-in-law's connections.

But right now, every family is barely making ends meet, and some families with many members are even struggling to find food. They're so hungry that their eyes are practically glowing blue. Where would they get the extra food to lend out? No one would believe that if I told them this.

Zhang Zhao had been living in anxiety lately. Every time he closed his eyes, he would think about being sent to prison. He only breathed a sigh of relief yesterday when he learned of the official disciplinary action taken by the military.

Although more than a thousand catties of grain is not a small amount, he believed that his father, Zhang Lide, would definitely find a way to get enough grain.

As expected, although his father couldn't get any food, he was reliable and came up with a feasible solution.

Although there may be some risks, it's like a drowning person grabbing a lifeline; they don't care about anything else.

Just when we saw a glimmer of hope, my father-in-law poured cold water on us, leaving us feeling utterly disappointed. It's fine if you don't want to help, we won't blame you, but don't keep blocking our way and saying no!

And they say it's illegal? How many times has his mother-in-law gone to see him so he could eat meat? But when it comes to me, she's a law-abiding citizen! Bullshit! They're just trying to fool me!
Lu Zhenbang's mind was entirely on Zhang Lide, and he didn't notice Zhang Zhao's expression as he spoke. He casually replied, "Let's go door to door and borrow about 70-80 yuan. If that's not enough, we'll figure something out."

Zhang Zhao was usually quiet and reserved in the Lü family, and he always obeyed their every word. He would do whatever they asked, and he would never do what they were told, even if it meant beating a dog.

He acted this way because he felt valued in the Lü family, a feeling he never experienced with his own father, Zhang Lide, who only treated him with insults, ridicule, lectures, and contempt.

As Zhang Lide said, Zhang Zhao is now very extreme.

The more you care, the less you can tolerate being looked down upon or deceived, especially at crucial moments concerning your future and destiny.

Nobody's a fool. Zhang Zhao saw his father-in-law Lü Zhenbang's evasive and evasive remarks, and his anger was rising.

"What will you do if you don't have enough? Steal or rob? Or will you just watch me go to jail?"

Zhang Zhao still valued their past relationship. Seeing that Lü Zhenbang's expression was not good, he stopped speaking with veiled barbs, but his tone remained firm.

“I think buying grain on the black market is the only way out right now. If you’re afraid, I’ll go by myself.”

After saying that, without waiting for Zhang Lide and Lü Zhenbang to respond, he turned to Lü Wenli and said, "Give me five hundred yuan, and I'll go to the black market right now."

The people in the room looked at Zhang Zhao with some surprise. No one expected that the usually indecisive person would be so decisive.

Lu Wenli's face was filled with disbelief, but her eyes also revealed a look of panic.

She and Zhang Zhao's money were all in their mother's hands, and she was too embarrassed to say this in front of Zhang Lide.

Seeing that Lü Wenli hadn't moved, Zhang Zhao felt he had lost face in front of Zhang Lide and He Yuanchao, and unusually assertive said:

"Didn't you hear me?! Go get me the money right now."

(End of this chapter)