The booming era begins with the director of the Propaganda Department!

Chapter 351 Another fitter? ?
Tian Xiaozao has been pregnant for some time, and now her belly is like a small watermelon.

Pregnant women need nutrition the most, but the current situation is special.

Since August 8, instructions have been issued from above requiring all localities to lower food ration standards.

"At the same time, we will vigorously promote vegetables, side dishes, substitute foods and substitute products," and formally put forward the requirement of "low standards, vegetables as substitute foods."

In November, that is, last month, an urgent instruction was issued from above, calling for an immediate launch of a large-scale mass campaign to collect and produce substitute foods in order to overcome the difficulties.

At present, food substitutes are mainly divided into four categories: the first category is crop food substitutes. It mainly refers to agricultural straw that is not eaten in good years. For example, corn cobs, rice husks, corn stalks...

The second category is wild food substitutes, such as elm leaves, bark, smilax glabra, acacia leaves, angustifolia, Commelina communis, etc. Although these cannot be eaten alone, they can be mixed with coarse grains to fill your stomach.

The third category is phytoplankton such as chlorella and Azolla.

Chlorella was originally used as feed, but later studies have shown that Chlorella is not only a good concentrated feed, but also has high edible value. It is even said that some people use Chlorella powder to feed babies, and the effect is comparable to that of milk powder.

The fourth category refers to synthetic food substitutes, such as "artificial meat essence", "artificial meat", leaf protein, etc.

Compared with the first three categories, they have higher nutritional value and certain technical content, so they are also called refined food substitutes.

Among them, artificial meat is still consumed by many people even in the 21st century.

In addition, people also use wheat straw, rape straw, rice husks, corn husks, corn cobs, sorghum stalks, etc. to make starch.

Because corn has the widest range of applications, it was once promoted from "king of feed" to "primary status of coarse grains" and finally to "staple food status."

In the southern region, the cultivation of high-yield cassava is vigorously promoted.

In the case of extreme food shortage, collecting and producing various food substitutes is a way to mobilize the masses to overcome difficulties.

In 1960, the supply of non-staple food became even tighter.

For example, in the old city, the total inventory of pork, beef and mutton by April 4 was only 15 million kilograms, which could only maintain a one-month supply.

In 7, the supply of pork decreased sharply. From July of that year, there was no fresh meat available for the residents. In that month, canned old meat was put on the market to replace the fresh meat supply. Several tickets could be collected to buy a box (tin) of canned meat.

In such a big environment,

Zhang Shenfei couldn't openly feed Tian Xiaozao with food like chicken, duck, fish and meat, so he could only bring back some food that would nourish the fetus but not the meat.

He made a plan for Tian Xiaozao, who would secretly drink a cup of malted milk and an egg every morning, and then eat Erhe flour cakes and pickled cabbage dumplings openly after dinner.

At noon, I went to Yunju Hutong to have lunch with the old lady. When I came back in the evening, I ate something similar to the neighbors in the compound.

If you feel hungry in the middle of the night, you can have calcium milk biscuits to supplement Tian Xiaozao's nutrition.

This is the case every day, and the nutritional value of Tian Xiaozao can still be met.

But on the surface, Tian Xiaozao, a pregnant woman, also has two meals a day.

Because of this, Auntie One, Auntie Chen, and Auntie Two talked to Zhang Shenfei many times and asked him to give Tian Xiaozao a special meal.

Today, Zhang Shenfei cooked a meal and put the food in the pot. As soon as he walked out of the door, he was caught by Aunt Yi and Aunt Chen again.

After a little idle chat, the two aunts got down to business.

"Director Tian is pregnant with your child, Zhang Shenfei. You can't treat your own wife and child lightly just to subsidize your brother's family!!!"

Zhang Shenfei nodded and said he would definitely consider it. He also said that the family was not short of money, but the quantity was not enough.

"The quantitative issue is a commonplace, and there is nothing I can do about it..." In the past two years, no matter what the original topic was, as long as it involves quantitative issues, the topic will definitely go off track.

Sure enough, after hearing what Zhang Shenfei said, the aunt was immediately led astray.

"Not really. Take our family for example. Old Yi has become an eighth-level worker in the summer, with a monthly salary of ninety-nine. This salary is considered a lot in our old city, right?" The aunt hugged Yi Weihong and sighed.

"How can it be considered a small amount? It's the best in the world." Aunt Chen said enviously, "Old Yi's salary is comparable to that of a high-ranking official! Who in this courtyard wouldn't be envious when talking about it???"

An old lady frowned and said, "But that's all. Our food isn't that good either..."

Their family's fixed amount is 32 kg per month for Lao Yi, 28 catties per month for her, and Yi Weihong, who is almost two years old, only 6.5 kg per month. Even so, they still have to give a 30% discount.

But whose child really only eats four and a half kilograms of food in a month?

In addition, locksmithing is also a physical job, and Lao Yi's twenty-two pounds are not enough.

So every month, half of the 99 yuan salary had to be used to buy food.

Fine grains cost three yuan per pound in the pigeon market, and coarse grains cost one and a half yuan. With fifty yuan of grains per month, their family of three could only fill their stomachs and have enough food, but they could not expect to eat well.

“Your family earns the most in the entire courtyard, and you feel that life is difficult. It’s even more difficult for us…” Aunt Chen’s complexion was gloomy, and her originally swollen face seemed to have become even paler.

The Yi family can go to the pigeon market to buy food when they are hungry, but what about them? ? They can’t afford it, so they can only starve!!!

The two aunts sighed to each other, seeing that this topic would not be concluded for a while.

Zhang Shenfei said goodbye in time: "Well, let's not talk about this anymore. I have to go pick up our Director Tian after get off work."

Jiaodaokou Sub-district Office is only a ten-minute walk from the Siheyuan.

After arriving at the street office, Zhang Shenfei found Tian Xiaozao's office with ease.

Seeing that she was busy, Zhang Shenfei found an empty chair and sat down, casually flipping through the old newspaper at hand.

After Tian Xiaozao finished his work, the two got up and left.

I met many neighbors along the way, and I just nodded and chatted with them casually.

People in Beijing have always been talkative, but nowadays few people are willing to talk. After all, talking is so tiring!
After returning home, Zhang Shenfei let Tian Xiaozao sit down and rest, while he went to the kitchen, opened the steamer, and took out the still warm food inside.

Home-cooked tofu, fried meat with salt, cabbage stewed with dried shrimp skin, and large white steamed buns as the staple food.

"Try it, they are all your favorite dishes." Zhang Shenfei set the table and handed the chopsticks to Tian Xiaozao.

Tian Xiaozao's eyes lit up, and he picked up a piece of pork belly and put it in his mouth: "You make these at home, aren't you afraid that people will smell the smell?"

Let alone other things, just this home-cooked tofu and salt-fried meat, wouldn’t the whole house be filled with fragrance when they are made???
"The mountain man has his own ingenious plan!!!" Zhang Shenfei shook his head, "Don't worry about it, just eat quickly. I made these today specifically to nourish my daughter's body."

"How do you know it's a girl?" Tian Xiaozao swallowed the pork belly and rolled her eyes at him. "Even if it's a son, it's your first child. How can you really not like it?"

Now, no matter whether it is colleagues in the street office or residents of the courtyard, their guesses about the baby in her belly are all boys, boys, and boys!!!

Only Zhang Shenfei would touch her belly and call her "daughter" every day.

She was particularly curious about what Zhang Shenfei's expression would be if the baby really was his son.

Zhang Shenfei thought to himself, who said this was my first child?

My eldest son Zhang Handong can call me mom now...

Of course, Tian Xiaozao must not know this.

He just touched Tian Xiaozao's belly and said that there were too many boys in the family, ten in total, and he would be happier if there was a girl.

"But if he's really my son, I can't throw him away, right?" he said with a smile. "Humph, you're aware of this." Tian Xiaozao snorted coldly, "I'm telling you, Zhang Shenfei, you're my relative, Tian Xiaozao's. You can't be like some of the ignorant people who favor boys over girls and girls over boys... You have to treat everyone equally."

"Okay, I've learned your lesson." Zhang Shenfei handed her a piece of tofu and said, "Eat more protein, it's nutritious."

After dinner, Zhang Shenfei stuffed a candy into Tian Xiaozao's mouth, washed the dishes, and then filled a basin with hot water for the pregnant woman to take a bath.

Although it is only the second trimester of pregnancy, Tian Xiaozao's feet are already a little swollen, and soaking her feet can relieve the symptoms.

I've been busy at school recently and haven't been home for half a month.

The couple finally had some time together. Although Xiaozao was not feeling well, she still drank milk...

At twelve o'clock at night,
After Tian Xiaozao fell asleep, Zhang Shenfei got up and went out, having to be careful to avoid the night patrols along the way.

Riding his bicycle all the way towards the Huguo Temple, after arriving at Luoquaner Hutong, Zhang Shenfei climbed up the wall and took a look around.

It was discovered that among the courtyards mentioned by the deaf old lady, one courtyard had its own entrance and courtyard, and the other three were large courtyards.

I don’t know the identity of the family with its own house and courtyard, but there is even a pond in the courtyard, which looks very grand.

When there are too many people, there will be too many eyes. The situation is not optimistic, but it is pretty much what Zhang Shenfei expected.

After all, housing is so tight in Beijing right now, it’s impossible for there to be any vacancies left.

However, there are so many residents and he doesn't know which yard the things are in, so Zhang Shenfei can only make long-term plans.

But fortunately, he has already waited for eight years and doesn't mind a few more years.

After jumping off the wall, Zhang Shenfei did not return to the courtyard, but went to Chen Xueru nearby.

The child was already asleep, so the two adults had some time to practice with each other.

Early the next morning, Zhang Shenfei returned to the courtyard. When he reached the entrance of the alley, he did not forget to bring soy milk and fried dough sticks to Tian Xiaozao.

Auntie Chen was very pleased to see this.

……

Another week has passed.
Due to the increasing number of people suffering from hepatitis, Beijing has stipulated that after being diagnosed with hepatitis by the hospital, the patient can receive a "recovery ticket".

With a ticket, you can go to the designated location to buy a portion of "recovery powder". "Recovery powder" is made of wheat bran, bean powder and sugar, and should be taken with boiling water several times a day.

Zhang Shenfei asked the deaf old lady, and the old lady said that the effect after taking the medicine was quite good, and the hepatitis seemed to have improved significantly.

When the winter vacation came, Zhang Shenfei went to visit Chen Xueru and her son and brought them food coupons and nutritional supplements.

I report to Yunju Hutong every day.

Before the Chinese New Year, he and Zhang Shenliang spread the word in the courtyard that they were going outside the Great Wall to celebrate the New Year with their aunt and the old lady.

On the 23rd day of the lunar year, the day when the Kitchen God ascends to heaven, the family hid in Yunju Hutong.

While they were here, their family stayed at home and rarely went out. Although they did not dare to show up in public much, they still had a much richer New Year than others.

It was not until the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, a few days before school started, that they returned to the courtyard.

Time passed, and with the sound of Yan Bugui sweeping the courtyard, 1960 faded away.

One hundred and ninety-six, here it comes.

In 1961, the stocks of meat, poultry, and eggs dropped sharply, and the tension reached its peak.

The supply of meat could only be maintained at a special level, and the meat coupons issued to residents could not be redeemed for the meat.

Starting from April, the maximum amount of meat supplied will be made up of raw and cooked meat, chicken, duck, fish and their canned products.

As there was no hope of subsequent supply, from June to February 6, the government had to stop issuing meat coupons to residents on weekdays, and the supply of pork to residents was completely stopped.

Apart from supplying some special needs people, patients, pregnant women, nurseries, etc., the daily ration of eggs for residents could not be maintained and the supply was basically stopped.

一斤地方粮票鸽子市价格3元，1斤全国通用粮票黑市价格4元，1市斤四九城细粮票黑市价格5元。

According to statistics: in 1961, the per capita meat consumption in urban areas was 8 taels (for the whole year), which was the year with the lowest consumption level of residents in urban areas in history.

But it is still far higher than other provinces and cities.

In 69, kinds of goods were supplied with tickets, not including those with vouchers.

But fortunately, these are just the most difficult days before dawn.

After spring,
Zhang Shenfei returned to Nanluoguxiang on Saturday, March 11th.

As soon as I entered the door, I bumped into Banggeng.

The boy was wearing corduroy five-hole cotton shoes, a green military uniform, a corduroy military cap, and a white mask hanging on his chest. He was not wearing it, but instead it was stuck on the second and third buttons.

Zhang Shenfei remembers that it seemed that it was since last year that mask straps became the most fashionable embellishment.

Young men and women on the street would feel embarrassed to say hello to others without wearing a mask.

But Zhang Shenfei was surprised that Banggeng could get a mask when he was less than ten years old.

"Uncle Zhang." After Banggeng stood firm, he called for help in a hurry.

Perhaps because of Qin Aimin's existence, Banggeng did not receive preferential treatment from his grandmother Jia Zhang, and was not as domineering as in the original drama.

But the bad habit of stealing still exists and I haven't changed it.

"Hey, boy! You're quite stylish!" He said, looking the stick up and down.

"Of course!" Bang Geng pulled at his mask, "My dad bought this for me! My dad works as a temporary worker in a steel mill, earning 16.5 yuan a month!
He said that when he becomes an official, he will buy me more good things!!!"

Compared to his grandmother who only loves his second uncle, his biological father Jia Dongxu treats Banggeng better. Plus, he was raised by a househusband, so Banggeng loves his father the most in the whole family.

Banggeng is already in the second grade and is not old enough to be ignorant of anything.

He knew that his father was the only househusband in the entire Nanluoguxiang and even in the entire Red Star Primary School. This was not glorious... He was also ridiculed because of this.

So at this moment, he was the happiest one that his father had a job, and he was also the one most eager to show off.

"Your father works in a steel rolling mill? What does he do?" Zhang Shenfei was very surprised.

Bang Geng raised his chin with great pride and said: "I'd rather be a fitter because I have previous work experience and I can be hired as a regular employee in a year and a half.

Uncle Zhang, by then we will have three, no, three and a half people earning a salary!!!"

That fucking collectively owned processing factory sometimes has work and sometimes doesn't, so I can only get half the salary.

Even so, it's still a good joke to show off.

Ah, is he still a fitter in the steel mill? Is it such a coincidence? He worked in the same job twice?
Zhang Shenfei always felt as if he had forgotten something, but what had he forgotten? He couldn't remember.

(End of this chapter)