Reborn in 1981, the first to get rich start with dairy cows.

"Tch, I thought it would be much higher, but it's only fourth place. We from Xikou came in second!" Wang Jianjun curled his lip, his face showing disdain. So what if it's fourth place?

However, before he could gloat for long, Yang Yujun announced, "Third place: Xikou Production Team." Wang Jianjun's smile froze. From second place last year to third this year, that was a regression!

Wang Jianjun's fingers, holding the cigarette, trembled slightly. He glanced at the gazes of those around him, his face flushing, and mumbled, "That's still third, better than fourth."

As for whether it's really better than fourth place, and what Wang Jianjun is really thinking, Li Shangen doesn't care at all. He's very happy right now and just wants to hurry back and share the news with everyone.

The first place still belongs to Gufeng Production Team, which has been in first place for four or five consecutive years.

After announcing the rankings, the grain delivery task for this year was also discussed with everyone, and it was emphasized that everyone should be informed properly to avoid any mistakes. Only then did the meeting conclude.

Li Shangen didn't approach Wang Jianjun, but Wang Jianjun, having regained his senses, remained stubborn. After waiting for Li Shangen to come out at the door, he deliberately said, "Next year we will be second again. Your Red Flag Production Team won't catch up with us."

Li Shangen thought about Shen Dong's and his own arrangements. Whether it was raising pigs or making gift boxes, it could bring extra income to the team, and things would only get better next year.

"We'll see who's in charge and who's out next year!" After saying that, he didn't even look at Wang Jianjun's expression, and got on the donkey cart and left.

It was the off-season for farming, and when Li Shangen arrived at the team, he announced through the team's loudspeaker that the first plenary meeting of 1982 would be held that evening.

It was already January, and the north wind was howling at night. The temperature was below zero. Several charcoal fires were placed in the team headquarters courtyard, and the flames licked the charcoal, crackling and popping. Everyone gathered around to warm their hands.

Some children brought potatoes and sweet potatoes, which they roasted over the fire.

Li Shangen held a notebook in his hand, recording the grain procurement tasks discussed at today's meeting. His brows were slightly furrowed, but he seemed more relaxed than in previous years.

"I've called everyone here today for one thing: to discuss our team's grain delivery plan for this year. The director assigned the task at the commune meeting today."

As soon as Li Shangen finished speaking, someone asked, "Captain, what's the evaluation like today? Are we going to be second to last again this year?"

"Of course, it's been two years in a row already, one more time won't make a difference," everyone joked with a laugh.

"Nonsense, our team is fourth this year, the highest ever!" Li Shangen put down his notebook and pretended to be angry.

"Really? Captain, we can still come in fourth?"

"We've allocated land and built vegetable greenhouses; the commune can see it all. Our ranking is bound to improve! Don't you even have that much confidence?"

Everyone laughed. Fourth place was far beyond expectations. Although the commune was poor and there were no rewards, they were spiritually satisfied.

"Alright, let's continue."

"Last year, we had some trouble delivering our grain, but thankfully we didn't fall behind in the end. This year, we've been allocated land, and everyone is sure to have a better harvest."

As soon as he finished speaking, a hushed discussion broke out below.

Old Zhang from the team tapped his pipe and asked, "What's the quota for this year? How much wheat and rice do you need?"

Li Shangen picked up the notebook, and in the firelight of the courtyard, he read it carefully.

"The annual wheat yield is 18000 jin, and the rice yield is 15000 jin. There are three parts to this, as everyone knows: agricultural tax, grain purchased under the unified purchase system, and grain purchased in excess. I won't go into the specifics of each part now; we'll handle them separately when it's time to deliver the grain."

"Why are there so many more this year?" Wang Ergeng frowned. His parents were the main farmers in his family, and he usually just lazed around. Hearing about the task, he became a little anxious.

"Didn't we only harvest 15000 jin of wheat and 12000 jin of rice last year?"

One of the women muttered, "Yes, if we pay too much, we won't have enough food for our family."

Li Shangen had anticipated that people would have objections; he himself felt it was too much, let alone what everyone else would feel. However, the county had also given the commune some subsidies, so he tapped the table and said:

"The workload is heavier, and the county knows that. This year's fertilizer demand will be much higher than in previous years. Director Yang also said that although the amount of grain purchased in excess seems to have increased, the team can actually earn more money. Take wheat for example, the price of 5000 jin of wheat purchased in excess is 0.23 yuan per jin, which is 1150 yuan. Add rice, and it's almost 2,000 yuan."

"Whether you use this money to buy fertilizer and pesticides or to distribute the profits at the end of the year, it's definitely more worthwhile than keeping it for yourself."

"Don't you think so?"

After Li Shangen's explanation, everyone understood, and the noise from below immediately subsided.

"Alright, now that we've finished discussing the grain delivery, let's talk about the laying hens."

"Laying hens?" Li Shangen had never mentioned this before, so everyone was confused about what it meant.

"This was agreed upon between Dongwa and the livestock station; it's a benefit for the team."

"Captain, why are there chicks at this time?"

Normally, spring is the peak season for hens to lay eggs. Livestock stations will start artificially incubating chicks from March to May and release them in a concentrated manner. January is not the usual time.

"They're not chicks, they're laying hens, already raised. If you buy them, they'll start laying eggs around March or April. But the price will be higher, and there won't be many available."

"Just a reminder, if you need any, you can come find me tomorrow. The laying hens will arrive the day after tomorrow, and you'll have to go to the livestock station to buy them. Once you want them, they'll be gone."

The women's group making gift boxes started chatting downstairs. They were making handicrafts before the New Year to earn a few dollars. Now that they heard about egg-laying hens for sale, they were considering whether to buy egg-laying hens directly and buy fewer New Year's goods.

"Captain, you haven't told us the price yet. How much is it?"

Li Shangen looked down and said, "Dongwa, why don't you tell us?"

Shen Dong was also very cold, so he leaned against the fire and said loudly, "I'll ask about the price tomorrow. Don't worry, everyone. I've already talked to Station Chief Wang, and he'll reserve some for our production team."

After Shen Dong finished speaking, it was getting late, and everyone was very cold, so he urged, "Okay, everyone knows now. If there's nothing else, go home. It's too cold!"

"Alright, meeting adjourned!"

The meeting had just ended when Shen Weimin came looking for him.

"Dongzi, there are only a little over ten days until Chinese New Year. I've bought some meat these past few days, but it's still not enough. Can you buy any where you are?"

"Okay, Uncle, I understand. Leave the New Year's goods to me, I'll take care of it perfectly."

"Okay, I'm relieved to hear that. Oh, and don't forget about your aunt. Your uncle has to support the family, so he's under a lot of pressure too."

"Okay."

The next morning, Shen Dong was woken up by the cold.

Shivering, I put on my cotton-padded trousers and walked to the window, only to see that everything outside was already a white expanse.

Snowing.

The first snow in 1982 years.