Siheyuan: The Era of Struggle

Chapter 421 Adjustment
The sales clerk had worked at the Jiaodaokou Supply and Marketing Cooperative for six or seven years. He had come into contact with all sorts of people and had a very sharp eye. He immediately guessed what was going on based on He Yuanchao's expression and behavior.

"Comrade, did you forget your food delivery permit? If so, according to regulations, we can't sell you peach shortbread."

Seeing that the sales clerk had even mentioned the rules regarding turtles' butts, He Yuanchao was unwilling to waste his breath and turned to walk out of the supply and marketing cooperative.

The saleswoman was taken aback. She had been selling things for years and had never seen such a straightforward person before. He didn't waste any words when he said he wouldn't sell, unlike others who would dawdle for a while. She looked at He Yuanchao's back, shook her head and smiled, and without thinking any further, turned and walked towards another saleswoman.

He Yuanchao had already reached the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative and was about to step out when he heard voices behind him.

"Comrade, wait a moment."

He Yuanchao was the only customer in the supply and marketing cooperative at the moment. Hearing the commotion, he stopped and turned around. The person speaking was the male sales clerk who had just persuaded the group of teenagers to leave.

"Did you call me for something?" He Yuanchao asked the male sales clerk with surprise.

While He Yuanchao was speaking, the male sales clerk quickly walked a few steps to him.

"Comrade, are you He Yuzhu's second uncle from courtyard number 95 in Nanluoguxiang?"

He Yuanchao turned around and carefully looked at the male sales clerk in front of him. He looked somewhat familiar, but he didn't recognize him. He smiled and asked, "I am He Yuzhu's second uncle. And you are?"

Seeing that He Yuanchao didn't recognize him, the male sales clerk was a little embarrassed and quickly introduced himself:

“My name is Zhang Chong. I’m friends with Zhu Zi. He was the one who cooked at my wedding. We met at Zhu Zi’s wedding last year.”

Hearing Zhang Chong's words, He Yuanchao also remembered them, and his tone became more enthusiastic.

"Oh! It's you! I remember now, you came to help out at Zhuzi's wedding."

With this connection, the two became acquainted instantly. Zhang Chong, being quick-witted, insisted on calling He Yuanchao "Second Uncle" according to Sha Zhu's seniority.

He Yuanchao declined a few times, but seeing that Zhang Chong still called him "Second Uncle," he didn't say anything more.

The two chatted for a while at the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative before Zhang Chong suddenly remembered why he had called He Yuanchao over.

"Second Uncle, I saw you wanted to buy peach shortbread but didn't manage to. Did you forget your food ration card?"

"Yes, I didn't bring my food ration certificate."

He Yuanchao nodded, somewhat helplessly, and said, "Last year we could use grain coupons to buy peach shortbread and other non-staple foods, but who knew we couldn't this year!"

Ugh!
Zhang Chong sighed and explained, "The higher-ups said that supplies are tight this year, and the store's non-staple foods must be supplied in limited quantities with a food ration certificate. Even so, the supply of things like peach shortbread and cakes is not very sufficient now, and they have become scarce items. Our supply and marketing cooperative can only supply them once every ten days or half a month."

He Yuanchao knew all of these things, and he also knew that the supply of all materials next year would be more difficult than this year, and the situation would not improve until the second half of 1961.

The thought of having to endure for more than two more years that even money can't buy things made He Yuanchao frown.

Seeing He Yuanchao's grim expression, Zhang Chong assumed it was because of the peach cake incident. After a moment's thought, he glanced around and whispered:

"Second Uncle, you don't need to get upset about this. If you really want to buy it, I'll go ask around and see if anyone in the store is willing to exchange their quota for grain coupons." After saying that, without waiting for He Yuanchao's response, she turned around and walked towards the area where the sales clerks were gathered in the store.

Peach shortbread wasn't something that had to be sold, and He Yuanchao thought about calling out to Zhang Chong, but he didn't expect the other party to move so quickly and already be whispering with several sales clerks.

In no time, only three or four minutes later, Zhang Chong walked over with a big smile and said, "Second Uncle, someone is willing to exchange for grain coupons. Come with me to buy peach shortbread!"

Seeing that Zhang Chong had finished his business, He Yuanchao didn't say anything more. He smiled and thanked him twice before following Zhang Chong back to the food counter.

Having connections makes things easier, and that remains true in any era.

Upon seeing Zhang Chong and He Yuanchao, the sales clerk at the food counter opened the counter door without saying a word and took out all the peach shortbread inside.

After weighing it, it weighed three jin and four liang in total. He Yuanchao asked about the price, took out his money and coupons from his pocket, counted out three yuan and two jin and two liang of grain coupons, and handed them to the salesperson at the counter.

The price of peach shortbread is now 80 cents per pound plus 6 ounces of grain coupons. The salesperson first gave He Yuanchao the change, then took out kraft paper and quickly began packing the peach shortbread.

Looking at the change and two ounces of grain coupons in his hand, He Yuanchao did some calculations, then waved the grain coupons in his hand and said, "Comrade, did you miscalculate? You undercharged me for the grain coupons."

The sales clerk, who was packing the items, looked up, smiled, and didn't say anything. He glanced at Zhang Chong, who was standing next to He Yuanchao, and gestured for him to explain.

Seeing this, Zhang Chong quickly leaned close to He Yuanchao's ear and whispered, "Second Uncle and Sister Liu didn't miscalculate..."

Through Zhang Chong's explanation, He Yuanchao understood what was going on.

At that time, grain coupons were more valuable than non-staple foods in the eyes of ordinary families. Most families could not afford to eat precious things like peach crisps and cakes. In order to buy more grain, they would transfer their opportunities to buy non-staple foods to others at black market prices or exchange them for grain coupons.

After Zhang Chong finished speaking, the sales clerk packed the peach shortbread and handed it out. He Yuanchao thanked Zhang Chong and then left the supply and marketing cooperative with the peach shortbread.

He glanced at the time; it was almost Zhang Min's turn to get off work. Without further delay, He Yuanchao got on his bicycle and headed to the Chengdong Branch.

Jiaodaokou Supply and Marketing Cooperative was not far from Daxing Hutong. In just four or five minutes, He Yuanchao rode his bicycle to the branch office. This time, he rode several dozen meters further ahead and did not dare to stop at the entrance of the branch office to wait for Zhang Min.

Not long after I parked my bicycle, people started coming out of the branch office to leave.

He Yuanchao had a cigarette dangling from his mouth and his eyes fixed on the entrance of the branch office. Not long after, Zhang Min followed Sister Xie from the department out of the branch office.

Seeing that only Sister Xie and Zhang Min were there, He Yuanchao breathed a sigh of relief, quickly threw away his cigarette butt and stubbed it out, then rode his bicycle towards them.

Zhang Min knew her husband was coming to pick her up, and as soon as she stepped out the door, she looked around. Seeing this, Sister Xie, who was beside her, smiled and said:
"What are you doing? Are you looking for our Director He? Let me tell you, men's words are all lies..."

Ring ring ring~~
Before Sister Xie could finish speaking, He Yuanchao rode up to the two of them on his bicycle, ringing the bell.

When Zhang Min saw her man, she didn't bother chatting with Sister Xie anymore. She exchanged a few words and then took two steps forward to sit on the back of the bicycle. He Yuanchao didn't linger either. After saying goodbye to Sister Xie, he rode the bicycle to Sha Zhu's house.

Watching He Yuanchao and Zhang Min ride away on their bicycles, Sister Xie couldn't help but feel a little envious. Her own husband had never picked her up after all these years of marriage...

(End of this chapter)