Courtyard houses: Those who are capable are rewarded, and many children bring many blessings.

While Niu Dazhuang and his friends were making lighthearted jokes, the team leader, Niu Youcao, had already stepped onto the millstone. He cleared his throat and announced, "Today, the urgent farm work is basically finished. Everyone, take a couple of days off. After two days, households with male laborers can send one person. If you want to send more, I have no objection."

We'll be heading into the mountains in two days. Let me reiterate the rules: whatever grudges or grievances you have in the village, keep them in check once we're in the mountains. If you dare to sabotage or plot against someone behind their back, don't blame me for being ruthless!

Since the beginning of winter this year, there hasn't been any decent snowfall. It might snow after we go into the mountains, so we should prepare several days' worth of food and extra fire starters...

For the elderly who had been to the mountains a few times, what the team leader said was like taking off their pants to fart, but they couldn't ignore it.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the team leader began his final summary: "In short, make sure your man eats and drinks well these next two days..."

After the meeting, Niu Dazhuang was about to head home when a man his age called out to him, "Uncle Dazhuang, come over and grab a bag. Why are you in such a hurry to go home?"

"Deshui, your Uncle Dazhuang isn't the same Uncle Dazhuang he used to be. He's a married man now, so of course he's in a hurry to go home and sleep with his wife," Niu Dachuan said sarcastically.

"Big ant, haven't you learned your lesson yet? I think you're just jealous that I married a beautiful wife!" With that, Niu Dazhuang turned around and came back.

Niu Dachuan didn't hide his thoughts: "We grew up together, how come you're so desperate for women now? I can't even find a wife!"

Niu Dazhuang patted him on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Brother, I'm not trying to criticize you, but you've been lazy since you were a child and a picky eater. How can you be strong? If you want to get married, it's simple. Just change these two bad habits, and I guarantee you'll be able to find a wife."

Niu Dachuan wrapped his sheepskin coat tighter around himself and sniffled, "I want to change, but—it's all become a habit."

"It's good that you have this idea. If you want to make things simpler, you'll come with me this time when we go into the mountains."

"No way! If I follow you into the mountains, I'll just be holding you back. You should change your ways!"

"Look at you, you coward! How many greenhorns did Deshui bring into the mountains this year?"

"There aren't many, just in Sanhe. In another ten years or so, there will be many more."

"Yes, after liberation, these little guys will grow up, and the population of our Niujiazhuang will more than double..." Niu Dazhuang said in a smug tone.

Just then, the squad leader, Niu Youcao, arrived. "Dazhuang, you're here just in time. Take a few men and go to the brigade headquarters to pick up ten Type 53 rifles, along with fifty rounds of ammunition for each rifle. Put it on our school team's ledger. And that Garand rifle, it would be best if you could lend it out!"

"(ノ⊙ω⊙)ノ Wow, our team is finally being generous this year! I'm off now, Deshui, Dachuan, Erhe, Sanhe... let's go."

The group consisted of more than ten young people, ranging in age from sixteen or seventeen to twenty-one or twenty-two. For them, crossing mountains and valleys was as easy as eating, and they chatted and joked around.

"Uncle Dazhuang, who are you planning to take with you this year when we go into the mountains? Can you take me with you?" Niu Deshui pleaded.

"Deshui, I'd like to take you with me, but this is a team operation. We'll have to listen to Brother Dashan about how to divide us up. We can't form cliques on our own."

"In Deshui, most people share the same ancestor, so Dazhuang shouldn't show favoritism." Although Niu Dachuan envied Niu Dazhuang, he was sometimes quite insightful.

"Dazhuang, I see you have so many sisters-in-law, introduce me to one!" Niu Dachuan asked cheekily.

"So that's why you were speaking up for me today! You were waiting for this!"

Niu Dachuan quickened his pace, walking alongside Niu Dazhuang: "Just tell me if you agree or not!"

"Big Ant, it's not that I don't want to introduce you to someone, but Xue Ru only has one younger sister and quite a few cousins, but I'm not that familiar with them! Besides, looking like this, even if I acted as a matchmaker for you, they wouldn't be interested in you!"

Dazhuang called him by his nickname, so Dachuan stopped calling him by his real name.

"Wild donkey, you should introduce yourself first before you decide whether it'll work out or not. Maybe they'll actually like someone like me!"

"You're really narcissistic." Niu Dazhuang was a little worried. If he didn't say anything, his cousin would ask; if he acted as matchmaker, he would feel bad for his wife's cousin.

"If you don't agree, I'll go to your house and talk to your sister-in-law!" Niu Dachuan started acting like a rogue.

"You should just go talk to my wife!"

Upon hearing this, Niu Deshui, who was walking behind, became anxious: "I'll go talk to my aunt too."

"Xiao Dezi, what the hell are you meddling in? Don't you know your own generation? If this really happens, will you call Da Zhuang 'Uncle' or 'Brother-in-law'?"

Niu Deshui, sticking his neck out, said, "We're almost past the fifth degree of mourning, so everyone can call each other their own names then, it won't matter!"

"I told you not to get in my way!" Niu Dachuan turned around and grabbed Niu Deshui by the back of the neck. The two of them started arguing...

We chatted and joked around until we arrived at Niujiazhuang.

These days, most of the brigade cadres are the ones who lead by example and work themselves to the bone. Niu Dazhuang found the brigade leader in the group of people carrying loads.

"Uncle Qin!" Niu Dazhuang called out.

Qin Youde put down the load of stones he was carrying: "Dazhuang, what's the matter?"

Niu Dazhuang explained his purpose.

"Oh, I see. Go and call the custodian over. I've agreed to this. Have him take you back to the brigade headquarters to collect your gun." With that, he picked up his load and left.

They successfully borrowed ten Type 54 rifles and one M1 semi-automatic rifle.

Returning to Niujiazhuang, it was almost lunchtime. They left all the guns at the squad leader's house.

These guns must be managed in a unified manner; otherwise, if something goes wrong, it will be a serious matter.

Niu Dazhuang and his men put the guns away and started walking home. They were halfway there when he turned around and saw Niu Dachuan and Niu Deshui still following behind.

What are you two doing?

"You promised, of course we're going to find your sister-in-law," Niu Dachuan said shamelessly.

"Yes, yes, Uncle Dazhuang, you can't go back on your word."

Niu Dazhuang shook his head helplessly: "Let me make this clear first, I won't say anything nice to you. As for whether my wife agrees or not, that's entirely up to her."

"Hehe, of course, of course..."

The three of them arrived home together. As soon as they entered the gate, Niu Dazhuang shouted, "Xueru, someone's here!"

Qin Xueru was making lunch while wearing an apron when she heard someone calling from outside. She stood up and went outside. Perhaps she got up too quickly, or perhaps she had just done her morning exercise, because she felt dizzy and her pain returned. She leaned against the door and looked outside.

Niu Dazhuang introduced them: "This skinny guy is my generation, his name is Dachuan, and this dark-skinned boy is a generation younger than me, his name is Deshui."

"Hello, sister-in-law!"

"Hello, Auntie!"

Qin Xueru turned her questioning gaze to her man.