Traveling through the Great Northern Wilderness and marrying the most beautiful educated youth.

Su Qingyun felt reassured.

The door has been opened.

He took his hands off the rice bag and stood up properly.

"President Qiu, my third grandfather said that you usually take good care of our Xiangyang Village."

"I will definitely come to visit you when I get to town."

That was a statement that was neither too harsh nor too mild.

They acknowledge kinship but don't force a connection.

Qiu Tingjiang put down his pen, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.

Back then, he was a young cadre who was assigned to work in Xiangyang Village.

They ate and slept at the homes of commune members.

Back then, winters were cold and food was scarce.

Thanks to Su Xiaowen's help.

Over time, feelings developed between them.

Su Xiaowen's ability to remain firmly in the position of village party secretary over the years is largely due to his approval.

"Hehe, it's not really about taking care of them."

Qiu Tingjiang took off his glasses and wiped them.

"I have feelings for Xiangyang Village."

He pointed to the wooden sofa next to him.

"Qingyun, sit down."

"Thank you, President Qiu."

Su Qingyun sat down and casually pointed to the rice bag in the corner.

"I grew some of our own produce, here's a taste for you."

Qiu Tingjiang looked in that direction.

The bag was tied tightly, but it was quite heavy.

"What is it?"

"Rice."

"Oh?"

Qiu Tingjiang's brow twitched.

Su Xiaowen and Liu Baoguo came to the commune for a meeting a few days ago.

Xiangyang Village plans to plant corn, sorghum, and soybeans this year.

Where did the rice come from?

Su Qingyun noticed his confusion and spoke calmly.

"We've cleared a small plot of land, so let's try planting something."

"If you think it's edible, I'll send you some more next time."

This was a foreshadowing of what was to come.

The area around the reed pond is low-lying.

Others find it damp.

But he knew that if that place was set up properly, it could really be used to test the waters in paddy fields.

Qiu Tingjiang tapped his fingers on the table.

"Is that so..."

He got up, walked over, and reached out to squeeze the opening of the bag.

The rice grains felt rough on my hands through the cloth bag.

It's real rice.

These days, rice is incredibly precious.

He turned around and reached into his pocket.

"How much? I'll pay you."

Su Qingyun quickly stood up.

"President Qiu, what are you doing?"

"It's only right that I offer you some rice as a token of my respect."

"If my third grandfather found out I was taking money, wouldn't he break my legs?"

Qiu Tingjiang was taken aback.

He then burst out laughing.

"Haha, you young man."

He stuffed the money back into his hand and pointed at Su Qingyun.

"Since you acknowledge me as your elder, please call me Uncle Qiu from now on."

Su Qingyun immediately changed her tune.

"Uncle Qiu".

Qiu Tingjiang found the words agreeable and his smile deepened.

"By the way, who's your father?"

"I still remember the older generation of the Su family."

"My dad's name is Su Guishan."

Qiu Tingjiang paused.

"Hi, so you're from the Takayama family!"

He sat back down in his chair, his face full of memories.

"We even chiseled holes in the ice together and fished together in the winter."

"I almost fell that time, but your dad pulled me up."

Su Qingyun was also somewhat surprised.

Did my father have this kind of relationship with the commune leader?

No wonder Su Xiaowen sent him.

But Su Guishan is the kind of person who won't budge even if you beat him three times.

Even if they have old acquaintances, they are too embarrassed to talk about it.

"My dad is in good health, he's just not very talkative."

"An honest man." Qiu Tingjiang nodded. "That Guishan guy knows what he's doing."

He then inquired about the situation in Xiangyang Village.

Su Qingyun didn't just say nice things.

Food supplies are still tight.

"The commune members have no oil in their bellies, so they can't muster the energy to work."

Some people just drift through life, not because they don't want to do well, but because they see no hope for the future.

Qiu Tingjiang's smile slowly faded.

He picked up the enamel mug and took a sip of water.

"Yes, what you're describing is a common phenomenon."

"The country is also facing difficulties."

Su Qingyun glanced at him.

Qiu Tingjiang is not the kind of person who only knows how to speak in official jargon.

They are willing to listen to the truth.

This is enough.

He said in a deep voice, "I think there might be a solution."

Qiu Tingjiang looked up.

"Oh?"

Tell me about it.

He added, fearing that Su Qingyun might feel awkward.

"Young people shouldn't feel pressured; we're just having a casual chat."

Su Qingyun didn't beat around the bush.

"If you want to live a good life, you must first motivate everyone."

"How do I adjust it?"

"Household responsibility system for production".

pat.

The cup lid in Qiu Tingjiang's hand hit the rim of the jar.

He suddenly stood up.

I quickened my pace to the door and glanced outside.

no one.

Only then did they close the door tightly.

Push the pin.

The room fell silent.

Qiu Tingjiang sat down again, his gaze becoming very serious.

"Go on."

Su Qingyun knew that if these words had been spoken a few years ago, they would have been a real problem.

But now the wind direction is shifting.

He can't pretend to be stupid forever.

"The land is contracted out to individual households; as long as the output is delivered to the state, the rest is theirs."

"The more you work, the more you earn; who would slack off then?"

"Loosen up the restrictions on small transactions a bit more."

"Fish, eggs, and vegetables—the commune members can make a living by simply changing their salt cloths."

Qiu Tingjiang's expression changed repeatedly.

He didn't interrupt.

He simply tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

Su Qingyun continued, "It's not that people are lazy, it's that they get the same pay whether they work a lot or a little, and their ambition gets worn down."

"When everyone feels that their lives are their own, the land will grow vigorously."

That's not a fancy way of putting it.

But the puncture was accurate.

Qiu Tingjiang remained silent for a long time, then suddenly sighed softly.

"The new generation surpasses the old."

He opened the drawer and took out a document with a faded cover.

There are four characters written on it.

Internal reference.

Su Qingyun's eyes narrowed.

Qiu Tingjiang turned to a page and pushed it in front of him.

"have a look."

Su Qingyun glanced down at it.

Xiaogang Village.

A death contract.

Those words were as scorching as sparks.

Qiu Tingjiang stared at him.

"You're not stupid, kid."

"Qingyun, since you call me uncle."

"Then I'm telling you, don't tell anyone about this now."

"Go back and work hard to improve production."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and pointed upwards.

"Wait patiently for the right time."

Su Qingyun pushed the materials back and nodded solemnly.

"Thank you for your guidance, Uncle."

Qiu Tingjiang carefully put away the internal reference materials and locked them back in the drawer.

When he looked at Su Qingyun again, his eyes were different.

They are not ordinary juniors.

He is a smart and courageous young man.

"By the way, Qingyun."

"What brings you to town this time?"

This was exactly what Su Qingyun had been waiting for.

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a handful of wedding candies, and placed them on the table.

The candy wrapped in red paper stood out conspicuously in the cadre's office.

"Uncle Qiu, I'm here to register my marriage."

"Please have some wedding candy."

Qiu Tingjiang was taken aback at first, then smiled.

"Oh, that's good news."

"Which family's daughter is she?"

Su Qingyun also smiled slightly.

"Lin Wanqiu, an educated youth from Xiangyang Village."

Qiu Tingjiang paused slightly as he reached for the candy.

He had obviously heard of the name.

Su Qingyun neither dodged nor rushed to explain.

The room was quiet for a couple of breaths.

Qiu Tingjiang unwrapped a piece of candy and put it in his mouth.

"Yes, that's it..."

Su Qingyun raised her head.

"I encountered some trouble when I was registering my marriage."