Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 173 The Era of Tickets and Coupons Arrives, the Jia Family is Stunned (1 words)

"What? A senior cook, earning ninety-one yuan a month? You must be exaggerating!"

When the news reached the Intermediate People's Court, Jia Zhangshi, who was suddenly informed of the situation, was unwilling to believe it and immediately questioned it on the spot.

In Jia Zhangshi's view, this matter was absurd. It was like telling others that her son Jia Dongxu had passed the senior fitter exam, and no one would believe it.

Moreover, given the current relationship between the two families, Jia Zhangshi couldn't bear to see Li Hongbing doing well.

Even though they dare not provoke Li Hongbing now, they still can't help but compare themselves to him, hoping to improve themselves while also wishing him bad luck.

“Mrs. Jia, believe it or not, who is Li Hongbing? He's only been at Fengzeyuan for about a year, and he's already a mid-level cook. Now, more than two years have passed, and he's become a senior cook. What's so strange about that? This is a fact, there's no need to lie about it…”

They were just gossiping and chatting amongst themselves, and didn't specifically go to Jia Zhangshi to talk about these things. However, Jia Zhangshi overheard them by chance and took the initiative to start a fight.

His criticism of Jia Zhangshi was not to protect Li Hongbing, but to protect his own sources and the authenticity of his information.

If it were someone else, they might react the same way as Jia Zhangshi, but if it were Li Hongbing, they would be more accepting.

After all, there was already a precedent for Li Hongbing's actions regarding junior and intermediate cooks.

The people in the courtyard had clearly developed a certain degree of psychological acceptance, or rather, immunity, to anything that happened to Li Hongbing.

Moreover, Shazhu has already confirmed this matter.

For Li Hongbing, telling such a lie and putting on a brave face was clearly unnecessary.

Once exposed, all that's left is embarrassment.

at the same time.

Upon hearing others' rebuttals, Jia Zhangshi unusually refrained from further arguing.

If she gets into a heated argument about this and it turns out to be true, she'll lose face big time.

"Oh, I'm so angry."

Frustrated, Jia Zhangshi returned home, plopped down in a chair, and said angrily.

"Mom, so what if Li Hongbing gets promoted to senior cook? Even if his salary is higher, it has nothing to do with us, and we won't lose anything. Why are you getting angry with Li Hongbing for no reason? Let's just live our own lives."

Looking at Jia Zhangshi, Jia Dongxu said with some helplessness.

Jia Dongxu heard what they were saying outside. Although he felt uncomfortable, this was all he could say to them.

Otherwise, what else can be done?
They are no match for Li Hongbing.

nowadays.

The title of the highest-paid employee in the entire hospital has completely changed hands and now belongs to Li Hongbing.

Even Yi Zhonghai, a senior fitter, doesn't earn as much a month as Li Hongbing.

Even if Jia Dongxu was arrogant, he couldn't bring himself to say that he wanted to surpass Li Hongbing.

If we were to do that, it would only make us a laughingstock and invite ridicule from the people in the courtyard.

"I don't want to be angry, but I just feel uncomfortable. What can I do?"

Jia Dongxu's attempt to persuade her only made Jia Zhangshi feel more aggrieved. She immediately said with a serious expression, "Dongxu, you have to make our family proud. In two years, you can take the exam and try to get a senior fitter certificate for our family."

By then, even if your monthly salary isn't as high as Li Hongbing's, it will be the same as your master's, more than everyone else in the courtyard. After that, these people won't dare look down on our family anymore.

Right now, Banggeng is still young, and Jia Dongxu is the pillar of the family. Jia Zhangshi can only place all her hopes on her son, hoping that he will become a dragon among men.

Upon hearing Jia Zhangshi's "encouragement," Jia Dongxu's face darkened, and he immediately retorted irritably, "Mom, do you think senior fitters are as common as cabbages? Not to mention our workshop, how many senior fitters are there in the entire steel rolling mill? If I can get a mid-level fitter certificate, that would be pretty good."

Jia Dongxu didn't want to say such discouraging things, but he had absolutely no confidence in his heart.

The key is that Jia Dongxu knows his own mother well. Once he agrees, Jia Zhangshi will really take it seriously and will spread the word everywhere. Even if he comes back with a mid-level fitter's certificate, he will still lose face.

Becoming a senior fitter isn't that easy.

Jia Dongxu didn't want to put that much pressure on himself.

"Dongxu, that's where you're wrong. How can you boost others' morale while diminishing your own?"

"Mom believes you can do it, you're definitely no worse than Li Hongbing!"

"Didn't you say before that Li Hongbing was just lucky? This time, let's not compete with his luck, let's go straight for the strength."

"You still have two years. Work hard and put in more effort. Then let everyone in the courtyard see that our Jia family is no worse than Li Hongbing."

"When that time comes, we'll eat and drink well every day, buy meat for every meal, and make everyone in the compound envious and jealous..."

"..."

Just thinking about the days when she could eat well and have meat at every meal made Jia Zhangshi extremely happy, and she couldn't help but start drooling.

Jia Dongxu was her son, and Jia Zhangshi had an unparalleled, blind confidence in him.

Even think.

There is nothing in this world that one's own son cannot accomplish.

however.

Jia Dongxu was speechless.

If it were before, when Li Hongbing was still a mid-level cook, Jia Dongxu would have been confident in catching up and surpassing him, but now, he wouldn't even dare to make such boastful claims.

Let alone twenty years, even if you give him ten years, he might still be able to spout some wild words.

But to expect him to reach the level of his master Yi Zhonghai in just two years is simply wishful thinking.

"Mom, don't put too much pressure on Dongxu. His salary has been adjusted back to normal now, and we're doing pretty well. If Dongxu can pass the intermediate fitter exam, that will be great. He'll be better than most people in the workshop."

Seeing that Jia Zhangshi was pressuring Jia Dongxu and that Jia Dongxu looked unhappy, Qin Huairu quickly spoke up for Jia Dongxu.

Although Qin Huairu came from the countryside, she has been living in the city for several years. She even signed up to attend a literacy class organized by the neighborhood committee, so her knowledge is no longer as limited as it was at the beginning.

Although Qin Huairu still doesn't understand much about professional matters, in the entire courtyard, apart from Yi Zhonghai, only Li Hongbing currently possesses a high level of professional technical qualifications.

This means that it will obviously not be easy for Jia Dongxu to become a senior fitter within two years.

Qin Huairu could tell just by looking at Jia Dongxu's troubled expression.

Even though she wanted Jia Dongxu to be like Li Hongbing, earning a monthly salary of ninety-odd yuan and eating well every day with meat at every meal, that was clearly unrealistic.

Two months ago, Jia Dongxu's reduced salary was finally overturned by the factory, and his salary was readjusted, making their lives much easier than before.

If Jia Dongxu can successfully become an intermediate fitter after the probation period ends, his salary will be enough to support his family comfortably.

"Qin Huairu, you think you're all grown up now? Don't you even respect me as your mother-in-law? Why are you interrupting when I'm talking to Dongxu?"

Already feeling unhappy, Jia Zhangshi urged her son, Jia Dongxu, to work hard, but he made excuses and seemed unenthusiastic. And then Qin Huairu actually spoke up at this moment, openly supporting Jia Dongxu and contradicting her mother-in-law.

Enraged, Madam Jia Zhang said directly to Qin Huairu, "Everyone says that a wife should be virtuous. What good is a good-looking wife? Ever since Dongxu married you, our family has been plagued by bad luck."

Now I'm educating Dongxu, hoping he can improve himself. You, as his wife and daughter-in-law, instead of helping me persuade your husband, you're holding him back.

Qin Huairu, what exactly are you thinking?
Are you trying to help Dongxu or hurt him? What kind of wife are you?

Jia Zhangshi has always been very superstitious. Although she was sent to study and learn about superstition, old habits die hard. She just doesn't show it in front of outsiders, but her feudal ideas remain unchanged.

Over the past few years, Jia Zhangshi secretly attributed all the misfortunes and bad things that had happened to her family to Qin Huairu.

Madam Jia believed that Qin Huairu was unvirtuous and that her birth chart was incompatible with her family's, bringing misfortune to the Jia family and to her son, Jia Dongxu.

If Qin Huairu hadn't given birth to a son, Banggeng, for their family, Jia Zhangshi might not have been able to tolerate her.

As a result, Qin Huairu's words directly displeased Jia Zhangshi, even touching her red line, and she vented her resentment on the spot.

"Mom, I'm doing this for Dongxu's own good. I'm worried he'll be working too hard out there. Besides, everything takes time; you can't get fat overnight..."

Qin Huairu knew that her mother-in-law, Jia Zhangshi, had never been very satisfied with her from the beginning, but she had been married into the family for three years and had even given birth to a son for the Jia family.

During those three years, even when I was pregnant, I never stopped doing chores like laundry, cooking, and cleaning.

For a long time, Jia Dongxu's salary was consistently reduced, and his family only had eighteen yuan a month for expenses. Although his mentor, Yi Zhonghai, helped them out, they still struggled to make ends meet.

In her spare time, Qin Huairu would take on small sewing and mending jobs with her sewing machine to earn a little money to supplement her family's income.

Whether it was when Jia Dongxu was beaten and had two ribs broken for spreading rumors, or when Jia Zhangshi was arrested for reselling grain and her family's stockpiled grain was confiscated, no matter how difficult it was, she never abandoned him and never complained.

Even so, Madam Jia still couldn't fully accept her as her daughter-in-law. Although Qin Huairu didn't say anything, she cared a lot.

Jia Zhangshi's blunt words just now must have hurt her deeply.

"Mom, don't be angry. Huai Ru said those things just now because she wanted what was best for me."

Seeing that Jia Zhangshi was venting her anger on Qin Huairu, and seeing Qin Huairu's aggrieved look, Jia Dongxu felt a little sorry for her. This time, he didn't play the coward and spoke up for Qin Huairu directly.

"Do you think I can't tell whether it's for your own good or to harm you?"

Glancing at Jia Dongxu, Madam Jia immediately straightened her face and said seriously, "Dongxu, you're not a child anymore. You should be more sensible and focus more on your work. Stop thinking about women's pregnancies all the time."

Look at you, every morning when you wake up you always look listless, as if your yang energy has been sucked dry by a demon. How can you work properly and concentrate on learning your skills from your master?

Starting tonight, you and Banggeng will stay in the inner room, and Huairu will sleep with me in the outer room. Don't think about those other things all day long. Focus your mind on the right path and try to bring me back a senior fitter job.

"Dongxu, whether our family can make something of itself and live a good life depends entirely on you. Don't let your mother and your deceased father down!"

In front of the whole family, including Bang Geng, Jia Zhangshi set a big goal for Jia Dongxu.

Regarding the fact that Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu were "making a ruckus" almost every night, Jia Zhangshi, as the mother and mother-in-law, originally didn't want to talk about it and was not comfortable to bring it up, but this time she was obviously provoked and no longer had any reservations.

Even if that wasn't true, Jia Dongxu was always burrowing into Qin Huairu's belly and making a ruckus every night, keeping this old widow awake.

It is said that there are no fields that are over-cultivated, only oxen that are worked to death.

Qin Huairu, on the other hand, received some nourishment.

But every time he woke up the next day, Jia Dongxu would yawn incessantly and be listless. Jia Zhangshi worried that if this continued, her son's health would not be able to hold up and he would be killed by Qin Huairu sooner or later.

Taking this opportunity, Jia Zhangshi also wanted her son to "rest and recuperate" for a while, so as not to ruin his health.

It's been almost two years since the pheasant was born.

During this period, however, there was still no sign of pregnancy in Qin Huairu's womb.

Jia Zhangshi strongly suspects that their frequent encounters might have weakened Jia Dongxu's body, which is why he hasn't been able to conceive a second child.

"Mom, isn't this request... a bit too much?"

While Qin Huairu felt extremely embarrassed, Jia Dongxu began to complain directly.

According to Jia Zhangshi, it would be at least the year after next before he could retake the assessment, which meant that he would have to avoid Qin Huairu for almost two years.

Who can bear this?

Moreover.

Jia Zhangshi's requirement was that he pass the senior fitter exam and become a senior fitter like Yi Zhonghai.

It's not that easy.
"I don't care, if you don't agree to this, I'll go to your master."

Madam Jia was clearly determined, but seeing Jia Dongxu's utter reluctance, she didn't want to push him too hard, so she said, "In short, for the time being, you need to behave yourself. If you perform well, then I might consider it..."

Fearing she couldn't control her son Jia Dongxu, Jia Zhangshi had no choice but to bring up her mentor, Yi Zhonghai.

"Mom, there's no need to spread our family matters outside, is there? It would be so embarrassing if other people found out."

Hearing from Jia Zhangshi that she was going to tell Yi Zhonghai about these things, especially since it involved his intimate moments with Qin Huairu, Jia Dongxu felt a little embarrassed.

"If you know how shameful it is, then work hard and learn your skills from your master as soon as possible."

……

forecourt.

Li Hongbing, who had already returned home, was unaware that his passing the senior cook assessment had resulted in Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu being forced to live in separate rooms.

If they knew, they'd probably be gloating and laughing their heads off.

the next day.

Li Hongbing went directly to work at Fengzeyuan.

Having become a senior cook and qualified to cook, Li Hongbing had nothing to do until noon when the restaurant received its first customers.

In terms of working hours, Li Hongbing has much more freedom than before.

Li Hongbing spent most of the morning drinking tea and reading newspapers.

laid back!

As mealtime approached, Li Hongbing returned to the kitchen and went to his assigned stove.

[Cooking Skill +10]

[Cooking Skill +9]

[Cooking Skill +11]

[Cooking Skill +7]

……

As dish after dish was cooked and plated, Li Hongbing continuously gained culinary experience points, depending on the difficulty and time required for each dish.

The speed at which he gained cooking experience points was several times faster than when Li Hongbing used the spoon to cheat on others and when he was cutting and preparing food before.

Li Hongbing was actually prepared for this situation, since the work he was responsible for before was different, and there was a strong correlation between the speed at which his cooking skills were improved and the speed at which he gained cooking experience points.

For example, when Li Hongbing was learning by observing others' cooking skills during work breaks, he could only do so through observation. Apart from his own home, he didn't have any opportunities to actually practice, so he didn't gain cooking experience points very quickly.

Later, I was in charge of the kitchen's food preparation work. Although I had the opportunity to get hands-on experience, I mainly honed my knife skills.

Over the course of more than two years, Li Hongbing's knife skills improved by leaps and bounds, but knife skills are only one part of cooking skills, and the speed at which he gains cooking experience points is also average.

The cooking process is different; it takes into account many aspects such as skill with the spoon, control of the heat, and seasoning.

The entire process of cooking and preparing dishes is a comprehensive exercise and improvement of culinary skills, and the culinary experience gained from it is naturally incomparable to what one might expect.

Throughout the day, Li Hongbing can gain several hundred, or even thousands, of cooking experience points.

It took Li Hongbing nearly two and a half years to advance his cooking skills from level 4 to level 5. Now, the experience points required to advance from level 5 to level 6 have increased several times over, reaching a staggering 200,000.

If things continue at this pace, and if the restaurant's business remains as booming as it is now, Li Hongbing could even raise his culinary skills to level 6 in less than a year.

in contrast.

If the original rate of increase in cooking experience points were to continue, it might take eight or nine years, or even ten years.

Reaching level 7 is an even more distant prospect, potentially requiring a lifetime of time and effort.

This change and discovery not only delighted Li Hongbing, but also gave him a sense of ease, as if he had already overcome numerous obstacles.

Of course.

Li Hongbing doesn't complain about the hard work of scraping spoons and preparing ingredients, or feel that the time spent on it was not worth it.

Because Li Hongbing knew in his heart that this was a process that was unavoidable and had to be experienced. Otherwise...

Li Hongbing couldn't skip these steps and directly obtain the qualification to be the head chef.

Just because you've eaten the fifth steamed bun and feel full doesn't mean the previous four were useless, and you can just eat the fifth one directly.

Every step we've taken so far has been essential.

It's almost the end of the month.

this day.

Li Hongbing was reading a newspaper in the reading room when Wu Jun suddenly ran over to him and said, "Brother Hongbing, Manager Gu has asked everyone to gather in the lobby now. He said he has something important to announce."

"whats the matter?"

Upon hearing this news, Li Hongbing put down his newspaper and asked.

"do not know."

Wu Jun shook his head and replied, "Manager Gu didn't say, he only said it was something important... Oh, right, Manager Gu also brought someone with him."

"Who?"

Li Hongbing asked.

"do not know."

Wu Jun shook his head again.

See this.

Li Hongbing didn't ask any questions for long. He got up, put the newspaper back in its original place, and followed Wu Jun to the lobby.

"Comrades, today marks my fourth year at Fengzeyuan. If you count the time, we've known each other for a full three years."

"I have had a very pleasant time with everyone over the past three years and have witnessed the growth of Fengzeyuan together. I am grateful for everyone's support of my work over the past three years."

"Due to new work arrangements, I will be leaving Fengzeyuan to take up another job. I am saying goodbye to everyone here today."

"This is Comrade Chen Limin. After I leave, he will take over all of my work. I hope everyone will continue to support Comrade Chen Limin's work, and I also hope that you can unite and cooperate to make Fengzeyuan's development go further."

"Let's all applaud and welcome Comrade Chen Limin..."

"..."

Upon hearing Gu Jianliang's opening remarks and seeing the person Gu Jianliang brought, Li Hongbing had a premonition, and what followed confirmed his guess.

Li Hongbing went from being a stranger to becoming familiar with Gu Jianliang, and he developed a very good impression of him.

It's not just because he is upright, decisive, principled, and open-minded; he can be considered a model leader.

Over the past three years, Fengzeyuan's transformation from a public-private partnership to a private enterprise has been extremely successful, serving as a classic case study of such a transformation.

The reason Gu Jianliang, who spearheaded all these changes, is leaving is most likely because he has achieved results and is about to be promoted.

Li Hongbing was happy for him, but also a little reluctant to part with him.

No one dislikes an enlightened and good leader.

Not only Li Hongbing, but many employees of Fengzeyuan also expressed their reluctance to part with Gu Jianliang and tried to persuade him to stay.

"Comrades, thank you for your kindness. Although I will no longer be at Fengzeyuan and will not be able to fight alongside you all, I will remember you all and the days we spent together. All good things must come to an end, and I believe we will have the opportunity to meet again. I will come back to visit you all when I have time."

Faced with everyone's attempts to persuade him to stay and their affection, Gu Jianliang was naturally moved and extremely gratified. However, his departure was already decided, and the higher-ups had even chosen a successor for him. Naturally, he couldn't act willfully just because he was a little reluctant to leave.

After calming everyone down, Gu Jianliang pushed Chen Limin in front of him and said, "Comrade Chen Limin is very capable, principled, and humble. I believe he will quickly get up to speed with all the work at Fengzeyuan and get along well with everyone. I hope everyone will also support him..."

The newly appointed general manager, Chen Limin, was new to the job and did not have the same authority as Gu Jianliang. In order to facilitate a smooth handover and ensure that Fengzeyuan could maintain a stable transition and continue to develop well after his departure, Gu Jianliang naturally had to pave the way for Chen Limin and make it easier for him to carry out his work.

After announcing the personnel change, Gu Jianliang took Chen Limin and introduced him to each of the restaurant's employees, trying to help Chen Limin become familiar with the situation and get everyone to accept him as the new manager as soon as possible.

"Manager Chen, this is Comrade Li Hongbing. Let me introduce him to you. Don't underestimate Comrade Hongbing just because he's young, not even twenty yet. If you look down on him, you'd be wrong. He's the youngest head chef in our kitchen..."

"Comrade Gu, I've heard of this young Master Li before, but this is the first time I've met him. He is indeed a promising young man."

"Manager Chen, you flatter me, I..."

"Master Li, please don't be modest. Whether it's the rumors and praise about you outside, or Comrade Gu's attention and recognition of you, it all proves that I wasn't just being polite. From now on, we'll be working together at Fengzeyuan. If there's anything I haven't done well enough, please give me your feedback."

"Manager Chen, you're too kind."

"Alright, you two comrades, don't bother with these formalities in front of me. There will be plenty of opportunities to work together in the future..."

"..."

Upon first meeting, perhaps due to Gu Jianliang's influence, Li Hongbing had a good impression of the new manager, Chen Limin.

Next, Gu Jianliang introduced Chen Limin to everyone and handed over all the work. Before leaving in the afternoon, he specifically sought out Li Hongbing for a private conversation.

During his three years at Fengzeyuan, Li Hongbing, who made several remarkable achievements, left the deepest impression on Gu Jianliang and was the one he had the highest hopes for.

Before parting.

Gu Jianliang specifically sought him out again, but there was nothing else to discuss.

I simply said goodbye to him, offered him encouragement, and gave him my best wishes.

Thus, Gu Jianliang became Li Hongbing's second former leader.

As for the first one, it is naturally Luan Xuetang, the former manager.

only.

Since becoming the private manager, Luan Xuetang has basically lost control and management power over Fengzeyuan. As a result, he had become a figurehead as early as last year and rarely came here.

Gu Jianliang smiled at the nickname Li Hongbing gave him and did not refuse it.

……

A few more days.

Gu Jianliang's departure did not have any substantial impact on Fengzeyuan. Chen Limin, who took over, continued Gu Jianliang's previous management policies and did not make any arbitrary changes. Everyone gradually accepted the new manager.

The change of managers went very smoothly.

However, another big thing happened next.

At a crucial juncture marking the beginning of the rationing era, national grain coupons are about to be issued.

Simultaneously.

The era of rationed food supply for all urban residents is about to begin.

In mid-October, Li Hongbing saw several editorials in the Beijing Daily, including "Supporting the Government's Implementation of the Grain Rationing System," "We Must Do a Good Job in Grain Rationing," and "Strengthening the Leadership of Government Agencies, Factories, Mines, Enterprises, and Schools over Grain Supply Work." He also saw timely reports on the implementation of the grain rationing system.

The release of this information was clearly a prelude and publicity effort for Beijing to follow up with the grain coupon system and implement grain rationing.

In those days, most families did not have the habit of subscribing to newspapers, but most workplaces did, so the news spread quickly.

As a primary school teacher, Yan Bugui's daily routine at school includes reading newspapers and watching the news.

After all, the school newspaper is free; you don't have to pay for it yourself. Seeing it is a bonus, so why not take advantage of it?

By reading the newspapers, Yan Bugui would keep track of world events. If there was anything interesting, he would write it down and then show it off to the people in the courtyard, which would also allow him to demonstrate his status as a scholar and a cultured person.

"Hongbing, you should know that from now on, rice and other grains will be subject to rationing, just like flour."

That day, Li Hongbing had just returned from outside when Yan Bugui came looking for him.

There aren't many educated people in the institute, and even fewer who have the time and energy to read newspapers at work. Li Hongbing happens to be one of them.

Yan Bugui knew that Li Hongbing, like himself, had a habit of reading newspapers at work to keep up with current events and new policies, and must have seen the relevant reports in today's newspaper.

At this moment.

Many residents in the front yard came out of their houses.

Seeing everyone's attention on him, and Yan Bugui looking expectant, Li Hongbing said, "That's right. It shouldn't be long before the street office issues a notice."

As soon as Li Hongbing said this, everyone became agitated.

"Is that really true?"

"Hongbing, you never knew that?"

"Did you see the report in the newspaper, just like Grandpa Yan?"

"Judging from this situation, what Lao Yan said should be true."

"If it's true, what will we do if we don't have enough food in the future?"

"Oh dear, why is it that grain, like flour before, is also going to be subject to rationing?"

"Could something have happened somewhere?"

"..."

Listening to the discussions of the crowd, Yan Bugui felt both smug and depressed.

After getting off work today, Yan Bugui immediately told everyone what he had seen in the newspaper, but many people questioned him.

Many people are unwilling to believe it.

Unfortunately, he didn't bring back the school newspaper, so he couldn't prove what he said. He could only wait for Li Hongbing to come back and prove that what he said was true.

He couldn't think of a faster way to prove it than Li Hongbing.

But this makes it easy for people to feel that his words are not as effective or reliable as Li Hongbing's.

“Hongbing, tell everyone, what exactly is this grain rationing system? How exactly is the rationing done? Is it the same as the flour purchase rationing system before?”

Faced with the question posed by Aunt Yang and the gazes directed at him, Li Hongbing said somewhat helplessly, "Aunt Yang, I really can't answer your question right now."

After all, the newspaper didn't write that many details; it only said that there would be a quota system for all grain purchases, but it didn't mention the things you just asked about.

However, I guess that when food is fully rationed, it will still use the previous system of grain ration certificates and flour purchase certificates. As for how much each household will be rationed, it will most likely be related to the number of people in each household, their ages, and their occupations.

After all, some people have high-intensity jobs, while others have relatively easy jobs, so the amount of food they need to consume each day is definitely different, and adults and children also have different appetites.

The rations for each person may vary slightly, but the higher authorities will certainly take these issues into account, at least ensuring that no one goes hungry.

Upon learning that grain rationing would be fully implemented, many people felt anxious and worried, and Li Hongbing could only try his best to reassure them.

It wasn't baseless, and there was no leak of secrets.

Since flour purchase certificates and grain ration coupons had already been implemented, the information he just revealed was actually traceable.

For some people, it's not difficult to deduce or guess the answer.

However, Li Hongbing knew the basis for the specific quantitative standards, but he did not know the full details, and it was not written in the newspaper.

Even if he knew, Li Hongbing would not provide specific data at this time.

"Hongbing, let's forget about the flour purchase certificates from before, but do you know why the higher-ups suddenly implemented grain rationing this time?"

Faced with this question, Li Hongbing, who knew the answer, could only say with difficulty, "Uncle Zhang, I really don't know about this, after all, it wasn't mentioned in the newspaper."

Even if I know, I can't say anything!
Li Hongbing didn't want to be seen as a spy or a bad element who could undermine national and social stability.

If this causes further negative public opinion or even leads to other problems, it would be as if Li Hongbing ruined himself by talking too much.

What can be revealed has already been revealed.

Next.

Li Hongbing didn't say anything more, because it would be pointless to say anything now.

At this point, even if someone wanted to hoard food, it would probably be too late.

Because now you need a grain purchase certificate to buy grain, the grain store keeps a record of how much grain you buy each time. If the quantity exceeds the normal range of purchases, the grain store will simply stop selling to you.

The nationwide grain coupons and comprehensive grain rationing, although only recently introduced and implemented, previously focused on advocating for food conservation, still included some soft restrictions.

The next step is simply to further implement the hard standards of the regulations.

This policy adjustment has caused considerable anxiety among many people.

the next day.

Sure enough, many people who knew about the situation wanted to go to the grain store to buy more grain to stock up, but they were unsuccessful.

By the end of the month, the specific standards for the grain supply quotas in the four cities and towns were officially released.

In response, the various sub-district offices under each district have begun to conduct surveys, statistics, and audits on the grain rations of each household.

The courtyard house where Li Hongbing lived was naturally among them.

After the street office explained the policies and conveyed the tasks, the three elderly men, Liu Haizhong, Yan Bugui, and Du Jianguo, returned to the courtyard and quickly began the initial policy promotion and the work of collecting grain rations from each household in the courtyard.

"Everyone, please listen carefully. This time, the ration is divided according to group. The monthly ration for heavy physical laborers is 55 jin, for light physical laborers it is 44 jin, for mental laborers it is 28 jin, for ordinary residents and children over ten years old it is 25 jin per month, and for children aged six to nine..."

"For example, I am a primary school teacher, which is a mental laborer. My monthly ration is 28 jin. My wife and Jie Chengjie are 25 jin each. Jie Kuang is nine years old this year and weighs 20 jin. Jie Di is four years old and weighs 13 jin. Together, we weigh 136 jin."

"Everyone, bring your household registration booklet, and if you have a job, bring your work ID. Line up in order and go to me, Lao Liu, and Lao Du to register your information."

“We will register everyone’s situation clearly, and the street will then conduct further calculations and confirmations. If there are no problems, what is written here will be everyone’s monthly food ration.”

"Starting next month, the neighborhood committee will issue a corresponding number of grain coupons to everyone. From then on, everyone will receive their own grain coupons each month, just like the old flour purchase certificates. They can then use the coupons and money to buy the corresponding grain at designated grain stores..."

"Alright, enough talk, everyone hurry up and don't stay up too late."

"..."

After Liu Haizhong, Yan Bugui, and Du Jianguo explained the situation, they quickly began to tally the grain rations for each household.

People like Li Hongbing are obviously the easiest to register. He's all alone, so the standard can be applied directly, without even needing to do addition.

Faced with the household registration book and work permit handed over by Li Hongbing, Yan Bugui didn't even look at them, and said with a smile, "Hongbing, you are a cook, which is considered light physical labor. Your monthly grain ration is thirty-five catties. Uncle Yan is not mistaken, is he?"

"Yes."

Li Hongbing nodded.

The monthly grain ration of 35 jin was really not enough for him to eat alone, but his system space had enough grain, so he wasn't worried at all.

As Li Hongbing put away his household registration book and work permit, and saw that Yan Bugui had already completed the registration, he was about to leave when he heard Jia Zhangshi's furious shouts coming from the line at the Intermediate People's Court next door.

"Du Jianguo, do you even know how to do the math? There are four people in my family. Dongxu is a fitter, which is heavy physical labor. He gets 44 jin of grain per month. Huairu and I each get 25 jin. Banggeng is three years old this year and gets 13 jin. That's a total of 107 jin. We just calculated it. Are you deliberately trying to cut our grain ration?"

As soon as Madam Jia uttered these words, everyone's attention was drawn to her.

"Mrs. Jia, I didn't miscalculate!"

Faced with Jia Zhangshi's unreasonable demands, Du Jianguo, feeling exhausted, said with a dark face, "This time, the statistics and assessment of grain rations are still the same as the previous flour purchase certificates, only counting urban residents."

Your household registration is in the countryside, and your name isn't on the household registration book. Your family's grain ration can only be calculated for Jia Dongxu, Qin Huairu, and Banggeng, totaling eighty-two jin..."

(End of this chapter)