Return to 1983 Hunting Xing'an Mountains

Chapter 765 Apologize to Qiangzi, even my brothers have spoken up.

Big Horn didn't sleep well last night either, but he was full of energy today. Since it was the first day of the Lunar New Year, he visited five or six villages. He heard about what happened to the Chang brothers while he was wandering around. So he knew without asking that the Chang brothers' unscrupulous deeds had spread throughout Qing'an.

Xu Ning had nothing to say about this, nor did he offer any opinion. His relationship with the Chang brothers was already bad, and sending them to the prison was a complete accident. His main target was the Zhao brothers, but he never expected them to get involved as well. He could only say that they were unlucky and deserved it.

As darkness fell, the group lit the red lanterns at the courtyard gate and also turned on the lights inside the house. The old women heated up the leftovers in the north kitchen and brought them to the table. Then everyone sat around, chatting and eating...

Because there are many people in the family, there isn't much leftover food. The main leftovers are steamed buns, twisted rolls, and dumplings. However, they don't have much of an appetite, and no one eats too much. After all, they are used to eating a lot of meat and fish, and the dishes prepared for the New Year are all similar. Yang Shuhua is in charge of all the cooking. Although the food tastes good, they can't resist such a feast.

When the loudspeaker and the others were about to leave, Liu Lizhen gave them some stir-fried pork and leftover steamed buns and twisted rolls. Since the Xu and Wang families were going to Old Du's house for dinner the next day, the others would have to make do with what they had at home.

The next day was the second day of the lunar month.

The firecrackers last night only lasted until 1 a.m., but they started going off again at 5 a.m. Luckily, Xu Ning had taken a nap yesterday afternoon, otherwise he would have been too sleepy to keep his eyes open.

Xu Laonian diligently carried a water bucket to feed the dogs and sheep, while Xu Feng assisted him, praising her father for his efficient work. Xu Laonian, who was easily flattered, laughed heartily upon hearing this and returned the five yuan that Xu Feng had bribed him with the day before.

Xu Ning rubbed his face, feeling much more refreshed. Standing under the eaves, he whispered to Xu Long, "Is our dad born in the Year of the Dog? He gets all excited when given a little sunshine."

"How dare you talk like that? You're the dog! This is called eating freshly made shit while it's hot—it smells delicious!"

"Hahaha, you're even worse, your mouth is really foul."

Old Xu strolled over with a stern face. "What are you two standing here for? Hurry up and go inside to get the bowls and chopsticks. You're all grown up, are you still waiting for your mother to serve you?"

"Oh dear, the table was already set out, just waiting for you to eat something hot."

Xu Long chuckled mischievously and nodded twice: "Yeah!"

In the morning, Yang Yusheng, Li Fuqiang, and others ate at Lao Xu's house, while Ma Liu, Lao Zhao, and Lao Yang ate at Yang Jun's house. Du Shoucai had told Yang Yusheng before the New Year that he must come to his house for a simple meal on the second day of the Lunar New Year. He also invited Ma Liu, but Ma Liu only said that he was going to go for a walk in the mountains, and that he had been drinking a lot these days and that he was getting sick from drinking, so he politely declined.

Around 9 o'clock, after everyone finished tidying up, they strolled towards Old Du's house in groups. Since only three young women in Old Du's family prepared the meal, Liu Lizhen, Han Fengjiao, Yang Shuhua, and Wu Qiuxia also lent a hand, while Meng Ziyan, Wang Shujuan, and Sun Lianfang, who were pregnant, could only sit on the side and do what they could.

Usually, not many people come to Old Du's house. People usually go to the village office to find him when they need something. Whether it's a quarrel between the couple, a fight between two families, or a lack of pickaxes or shovels for farm work, Du Shoucai will lend a hand if he can. He really does everything himself. Otherwise, he wouldn't have such a high reputation in Qing'an Village.

Du Shoucai pointed at Xu Ning and asked, "Why didn't your father-in-law come?"

Xu Ning was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Didn't he tell you? I'm hosting guests at my house tomorrow. A friend of mine is coming from the provincial capital, and they're thinking of going back to Qingli today and coming back tomorrow morning."

Du Manzhi patted his hip bone and said, "Dad, when we were drinking that day, my Uncle Meng told you something, and you were chatting with my Uncle Hu at the time, so you probably didn't hear it."

Du Shoucai frowned and thought, "Ah, I heard you! I forgot about it after a good night's sleep. It's fine to have another gathering at your house tomorrow."

"Yeah, we're just having a little drink today. Tomorrow we'll have a big drink, and everyone has to drink to their heart's content."

"What else is there to say..."

Du Shoucai laughed and said, "You're drinking again now, Qiangzi?"

"No, but I'm happy to see you guys drinking!"

"Haha, Qiangzi can chat now, unlike before when he chatted so dryly and stiffly."

"Absolutely. I'm over thirty years old. Who wouldn't have made some progress by now?"

Around 12 noon, three tables were set up in the east room, just enough for everyone to have a meal together.

The food bowls were placed on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), and the men and women sat on the kang and on the ground respectively. The children only occupied half of the table and sat with Meng Ziyan and other pregnant women.

Du Shoucai raised his glass and said a few words, and then everyone started to eat. The Du family had prepared 10 dishes for lunch today. Du Manzhi specially bought two geese from the street, and after adding dried potatoes and vermicelli, he simmered them in a large iron pot until the soup was almost gone, then sprinkled some minced ginger, minced garlic and garlic sprouts on top. The taste was extremely delicious.

After a few rounds of drinks, the children and the older women who hadn't been drinking all left the table. The children went out to play in groups, while Meng Ziyan and the others sat on the edge or inside the kang (a heated brick bed) chatting with Liu Lizhen, Zhao Yue'e, and others.

"I'm thinking of renovating the house this year. Erning, if you know anyone who sells red bricks and kang stone slabs, could you help me get in touch with them?"

Xu Ning nodded: "Okay, let's get started in the spring? I'll have my older brother help you out then."

"Yeah, the main problem is that this house has been lived in for many years, and the kang (heated brick bed) gets increasingly clogged with each use, and the windows are a bit drafty. Qiangzi, aren't you busy after the New Year?"

Li Fuqiang laughed and said, "What can I be busy with? My brother doesn't go hiking in the mountains much anymore. He'll be busy with other things after the New Year. Hu Zi and Lei Zi also have their own things to do. I'm just sitting at home doing nothing..."

"Alright, I won't stand on ceremony. Qiangzi, there's something I need to talk to you about, so don't hold it in..."

Li Fuqiang was taken aback when he heard this, then nodded: "Ah, what is it?"

Du Manzhi put down his wine glass, rubbed his thighs with both hands, and said hesitantly, "It's like this, before, we were so close, like we were inseparable, like they say..."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yue'e, who was sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed), hurriedly got up, put on her shoes, and stepped forward to say, "Brother Qiang, this is my fault, not Manzhi's. You two were close before, and Manzhi and I had only been married for two years. I couldn't just watch him drink all the time, so I hid his salary, which caused you to suffer injustice. Brother Qiang, please don't be like your wife, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Yusheng frowned and looked at Yang Shuhua, but Yang Shuhua remained silent, presumably because she already knew that Li Fuqiang was innocent.

Old Xu scratched his head and said, "Did you two have this story before? How come I didn't know?"

Xu Ning knew perfectly well what was going on. He had heard Li Fuqiang say that before, but he had no reason to believe Li Fuqiang. After all, given Li Fuqiang's personality, even if he starved to death, he would not do anything like stealing chickens or dogs.

"So many years have passed. My uncle's precious grandson was just one year old back then."

Yang Yusheng suddenly realized, and then he heard Li Fuqiang say with a smile, "My brother said it's been quite a few years, and if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten about it. Oh dear, it wasn't a big deal, there's no need to make such a fuss. Manzhi, sister-in-law, please sit down. We're all family, why would anyone take anything they say to heart?"

Old Xu glanced at Yang Yusheng, after all, he was Li Fuqiang's true elder. Yang Yusheng raised his glass and laughed, "Qiangzi, your third uncle is on your side today. You drink half a glass, and let Manzhi and his wife drink one, then this matter will be over." "That's right, Qiangzi, come on, take your uncle's glass..."

"Hey, Dalin, you're still trying to steal wine, aren't you? That won't do."

Old Xu grinned and said, "Oh dear, Third Brother has revealed all my thoughts. Hahaha, it's alright, I'll fill it up again later."

Xu Ning handed over his glass and said, "Brother, take my glass. Once we finish this, we'll be friends again."

“My brother has already spoken, so what else can I say? Manzhi, sister-in-law, I’m breaking my vows for you today. Isn’t that enough sincerity?”

"Zu! Brother Qiang, in the end, I'm the one who's sorry to you. I should thank you for not holding it against me."

"Hey, why are you saying that? Even though we had a falling out back then, my Uncle Du still took good care of my family afterward..."

Yang Shuhua said, "Yes, Uncle Du helped me get a lot of work. Before, not many people knew that I hosted big banquets; it was all thanks to Uncle Du's help in spreading the word."

Du Shoucai smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Stop chatting and finish your drink. Third Brother, let's have a drink too. It's my fault for not taking good care of the child who's being mistreated here."

Yang Yusheng chuckled, “Why are you saying that? He really was a disappointment before, it made me so angry I wanted to beat him up! Come on, let’s have a bite too.”

Everyone tilted their heads back and drank their wine. Zhao Yue'e said shyly, "Brother Qiang, I was petty back then. Please come to my house often from now on."

Li Fuqiang nodded: "Of course you have to come often! You have to tidy up the house, Manzhi is working outside, and Uncle Du has to take care of things in the village. I, as your brother, am worried about you staying at home by yourself. Your sister-in-law and I will come, so don't worry."

Du Manzhi grinned, feeling much relieved. "Brother Qiang, thank you for your help."

"Stop being so polite, please sit down and drink. I need to rinse my mouth, otherwise I'll start craving alcohol again."

Xu Ning laughed and said, "You two have made up, and it wasn't a big deal anyway. Sit down and tell me about the bad things you two did in the past."

"Haha, we were all young back then, and Brother Qiang took good care of me..."

Yang Yusheng listened with narrowed eyes without interrupting. Actually, it was inappropriate for Du Manzhi to formally apologize today, because he needed Li Fuqiang's help to clean the house. After the cause and effect, it seemed less sincere. However, when Li Fuqiang brought Jin Yumantang over last year, Du Shoucai and Zhao Yue'e gave them New Year's money. Since then, Li Fuqiang has not cared much.

However, Yang Yusheng was an elder, so how could he feel good about it? Therefore, Xu Ning talked to him a lot, explaining that Du Shoucai had helped a lot, otherwise Yang Shuhua and her two children would not have been able to survive long ago.

Du Shoucai apologized, "This is also my fault. We didn't have much money before, and the two of them would buy alcohol whenever they had a little money. We just couldn't control them."

"That's normal. In those days, every family was struggling. Who could afford to support a drunkard?"

Upon hearing Yang Yusheng's words, Du Shoucai stopped worrying and simply raised his glass to drink with everyone.

“Grandpa, look, Stone has settled down in our village for a year now. Shouldn’t he be given a plot of land for his farmland? His house is quite far away…”

Du Shoucai pondered for a moment and asked, "Does Leizi not own any land in Wanye?"

Guan Lei replied, "Grandpa, I have land in Wanye, and my younger sister also has land in Wanye, but in total it's only a little over four mu, which is about five fen of land in the front and back yards of my house. It's not much. I'm thinking of transferring all of this land to my older sister, and then I'll move my household registration here."

Du Shoucai immediately shook his head: "No, there's no need to transfer your household registration. Didn't you come to me with a letter of introduction to sign and settle down in Qing'an? Then just wait for the next census, and we'll just register your household here. It won't be so troublesome."

Yang Yusheng nodded: "That's right. We can't rush this. The first batch of land was just distributed a few years ago."

"Yes, the next batch of land will be allocated soon, so you don't need to rush."

Xu Ning smiled and said, "No rush, no rush. I just wanted to let you know first. You're always so busy, I was afraid you'd forget."

"I can't forget this. There are still quite a few people in our village who haven't been allocated land yet. If you have time, go up the mountain to clear some land, but don't go too far into the mountains, just clear it on the edge of the mountain..."

"Understood. Once the work at the quarry is finished, I'll call people to clear the land."

"Try to open fewer accounts. If you open them all, what about the others? You have to leave some for them."

"Haha, I know, I don't do things alone."

Du Shoucai, holding his wine glass, said, "You guys are all lucky to have children this year. Who knows, maybe next year your children will also get a share of the land."

"Oh my god, that's great! My grandsons have come at just the right time."

Xu Laonian raised his glass with great enthusiasm, tilted his head back, and downed the wine in one gulp. The others echoed his sentiments.

The distribution of land to individual households was not a one-step process, because there was a flow of people between villages. For example, some people went to the city, and some went to live with relatives in other provinces. As a result, a lot of land in the villages was left vacant. After the end of the production team period, most of the land in the village collective was cultivated by the villagers. Some land was not distributed but was simply left for them to cultivate.

Because some of the reasons are quite complex, many people are taking a wait-and-see approach. Some villages are bolder and have already given the land to the villagers to cultivate, while others are still waiting for news...

What Du Shoucai referred to as the "next batch" was actually the formal signing of the contract, at which point there would be some room for maneuver.

The first land reform was from 49 to 53, the second was the household contract responsibility system, which began in 1978. The first round of contracting actually started from 84 to 98, and the second round of contracting lasted from 98 to 27...

Under the jurisdiction of the forest farm, especially in the family settlements, their main responsibility is to develop the forest area, and the staff make up 80% of the family settlements.

Employees receive wages for working, but what about those who don't? They have no choice but to farm. These people were the first to be allocated land, although the employees also received land, but in smaller amounts.

Moreover, Qing'an is a mountainous area with limited arable land, so we have to wait some time before we can sign the agreement decisively!
To put it simply, we need to be cautious.

(End of this chapter)