Siheyuan: Traveling through three years to gain the power of a palm

After the speech, someone in the hospital asked if I could tell them in detail what happened and what happened to the person who was caught in the end?

Since he had nothing to do, Captain Shi started talking to everyone. His main purpose was to use this opportunity to educate the public about the law.

Chapter 191: Poor Summer Harvest

"Silly Zhu, come and take a look at the handwriting on this certificate. Let me tell you, this is handwritten by Director Wang himself. Let me read it to you: 'Xu Damao, a resident of No. 95 Nanluoguxiang, my street, has bravely reported a case of feudal superstition and made outstanding contributions to maintaining social order. I am now awarding him this certificate of outstanding citizenship as an encouragement!'"

"Hey, Shazhu, come and take a look. Don't leave. I need you to help me put on the certificate. My back is not in good condition."

砰

Sha Zhu slammed the door shut, almost pinching Xu Damao's nose.

Xu Damao pinched his nose and said, "This idiot Zhu is so rude."

Then he looked at the certificate with joy in his eyes. This was the first one, and there would be a second one, a third one... One day he would have the certificates all over the wall.

Jiang Fan and Xu Wude felt helpless when they saw Xu Damao laughing like a child. He was already such a grown man.

The current Xu Damao is completely different from the one in the plot. Although he still has some shortcomings in some aspects, he is more inclined to be a so-called positive character.

At the beginning of the story, Xu Damao and Lou Xiao'e have been married for many years but have no children. He hopes to use his father-in-law's influence to climb the social ladder, but he fails. Xu Wude does not live in the courtyard, so he is bullied by Yi Zhonghai, Sha Zhu, and the old deaf man for a long time. Over time, Xu Damao gradually becomes the "villain" of the story.

But now everything is different.

Jiang Fan returned home and placed the certificate together with the one he had received last time. His family didn't really care about this kind of thing; their family's safety was what they valued most.

The days that followed went on normally, except for Xu Damao who would show off his certificate to Sha Zhu every day. Everyone went to work and school. However, Jiang Fan figured the school wouldn't last much longer. Without enough food, it was impossible to learn, let alone have teachers.

It is estimated that many students and teachers will not go to school in the second half of the year.

Mid-June is the time for summer harvest, and people all over the country are rushing to harvest. But as the saying goes, in the face of natural disasters, what can human beings do?

For the past month, there's been little good news. Disasters have plagued nearly every region, and the harvest has failed once again. Food prices on the black market have continued to rise. Fine grains are nearly 10 yuan, and even cornmeal is close to 3 yuan. (I can't find any specific data, so this is my guess.)

On the surface, the price of grain is not high, still a few cents per pound, but the problem is that even if you want to buy hundreds of pounds, they won’t sell it to you.

The summer harvest was already over in late July. (Back then, it was almost entirely manual labor, so the harvest was slow.)

The harvest was bad, but we had to support others and pay our debts. From top to bottom, everyone was tightening their belts.

But ordinary people didn't know about this; they only knew their rations had been reduced again. Director Wang had just come to announce that the food rations were being reduced by another 10%, now only 70% of the original amount.

Jiang Fan knew that the price could only go down to this level, and it couldn't go any lower. However, when buying rationed food, he gradually stopped being able to buy real food.

The reduction in the quantity not only made life more difficult for ordinary people, but also made life even more difficult for the elderly and the young, who were used to a good life and had only eaten refined grains and flour.

Even last year, they continued to buy rice and flour on the black market to maintain their dignity, even at a premium. Why? Because it would be too embarrassing for them to eat the same food as ordinary people!

In fact, it is only in recent years that a large number of antiques, cultural relics, gold, silver and treasures have flowed out of the hands of these people.

Jiang Fan actually thought about doing this and using the food he had stored to exchange for some antiques, but after thinking it over again and again, he decided to wait.

The change in food supply had little impact on the Jiang family, as they had already made preparations. However, it had a greater impact on the other people in the courtyard.

Jia Dongxu was particularly anxious when news of poor harvests came in from all over the country. He took out almost all of his family's savings and went to the black market, hoping to buy grain while prices were still low.

But those who sell grain are not fools. Everyone can see that the price of grain will rise sharply soon. How could there be a fool who sells the grain in his hands when the price is not completely unified?

Even though Jia Dongxu had acquaintances, he couldn't buy much food.

Especially after reducing the dosage again, Jia Dongxu was so worried that he couldn't sleep well all night and had several blisters on his mouth.

"Dongxu, drink some water. Don't worry too much. There will always be a way, right?"

Qin Huairu looked at Jia Dongxu with heartache. She knew how anxious Jia Dongxu had been during this period because of their family's identity issues, which made her secretly curse Jia Zhang every day.

Jia Dongxu drank the water in the cup and looked at Qin Huairu bitterly, "Huairu, it's all my fault that I'm incompetent. Now I can't even buy food, and I've made you suffer with me."

"Dongxu, how can I blame you for this? We can't predict things like natural disasters. We are united as husband and wife, and I believe we can overcome this difficulty." Qin Huairu held Jia Dongxu's hand to cheer him up.

"Besides, we can still seek help from Uncle Yi, right? He's your master and Banggeng's godfather. He can't just watch us die."

Jia Dongxu nodded. In fact, he didn't want to bother Yi Zhonghai. Yi Zhonghai was no longer a senior fitter and only earned a little over 30 yuan a month. Apart from the necessary living expenses, Yi Zhonghai and his wife could only save 20 yuan a month at most.

Yi Zhonghai had never given up on finding a folk remedy to treat his arm, and he was also saving money to find a good remedy. Jia Dongxu discovered this by chance, but he didn't tell anyone.

But what Qin Huairu said was right. Yi Zhonghai was Banggeng's godfather and he doted on Banggeng very much. He would not let Banggeng suffer too much.

"Huai Ru, how long will the food at home last?"

Qin Huairu thought for a moment, "If it's tighter, I can still eat it for half a month."

"Okay, then let's wait a few more days. If it doesn't work, I'll go find the master and ask him to help us think of a solution."

Another person facing the same dilemma as Jia Dongxu is Sha Zhu. Although there are two people in his family who have a fixed amount, his situation is not much better.

Yang Shufen was pregnant and needed nutrition, and Yang Ergou and He Yushui were also growing up, so they all needed food. Not to mention that Yang Shufen was also worried about her parents and sister in the countryside.

So Sha Zhu was under a lot of pressure. He hadn't slept well these days, wondering where to get some food. He even went to the black market, but the food there was too expensive. He couldn't bear to spend money to buy it.

Chapter 192: The Jia Family's Dilemma

Except for the Jiang and Xu families, most of the families in the courtyard will encounter food crises to some extent, but the problems of the Jia and Sha Zhu families are more serious.

Because there was not enough food, everyone turned their attention to Xu Damao. After all, as a projectionist at the steel mill, Xu Damao would definitely gain something when he returned from the countryside.

So when the news of the reduction in grain production spread, many people went to Xu Damao, hoping to buy some grain from him.

However, with Xu Wude around, Xu Damao didn't agree, and he rarely went to the countryside anymore. He was the one who knew the situation outside the city best.

Although it wasn't as if there were robberies everywhere, there were still reports of people going missing. He was afraid that something might happen while he was in the countryside, and the steel mill leaders wouldn't allow him to go there.

After all, the steel mill only has one projection device. If something goes wrong, they will have to borrow it from another factory if they want to show movies in the future. (It is considered a private facility)

So Xu Damao is now just like the staff of the Propaganda Department, staying in the office every day to kill time.

It's not just him, it's the same for everyone else. Now, workers in major factories are basically in a state of waiting for the deadline.

As the days passed, the food supply of the Jia family and the Sha Zhu family soon ran out.

At dinner time that day, Jia Dongxu came to Yi Zhonghai's house with an empty stomach.

Personally, Jia Dongxu wasn't very willing to seek help. Firstly, the overall environment wasn't good, and even Yi Zhonghai and his wife wouldn't have a good life. Secondly, as a man, letting his family starve was a deeply shameful thing to do, and Jia Dongxu still had some dignity to protect.

When Yi Zhonghai saw Jia Dongxu coming over with the stick, he immediately knew what they were here for.

Banggeng devoured his meal ravenously, calling out "Grandpa and Grandma" in a very obedient manner, which made Yi Zhonghai and his wife very happy.

At the door, Yi Zhonghai took the initiative to open the topic and went straight to the point, "Dongxu, there is not enough food at home."

"Master, it's not that I have no other choice but to come to you. You know, I'm a person who values ​​my reputation, and my family is really struggling. It's okay for Huairu and I to eat less, but it's unfair for Banggeng. I had planned to send him to school in the second half of the year. He could get into a technical secondary school and sit in an office like Jiang Fan, without having to do the hard work I do."

Jia Dongxu's tone was somewhat complicated. He knew very well that Yi Zhonghai and Jiang Fan did not get along well. As Yi Zhonghai's apprentice, he should not use Jiang Fan as an example. But for Jia Dongxu, Jiang Fan was the only outstanding person around him who could be used as a role model.

Hearing Jia Dongxu's words, Yi Zhonghai's eyes flickered. "Dongxu, I still have some food at home. You can take some back later. Tonight, let's go to the black market and have a look. No matter what the price is, we can buy some first. Don't worry about the money. I have saved some money over the years."

"Dongxu, you have to believe that these hard times will eventually pass, just like when we fought the war, we will be the victors in the end."

Hearing Yi Zhonghai's words of comfort, Jia Dongxu nodded firmly. Difficulties are only temporary, and good days will eventually come.

Jia Dongxu and Banggeng went back with the 15 kilograms of food that Yi Zhonghai had prepared long ago.

"Old Yi, I'm afraid this little bit of food won't last long. We need to find a way to help Dongxu," Aunt Wu said worriedly. Fifteen kilograms of food isn't a small amount, but for the Jia family, it's not much.

"I know, but what can I do? Can we change Qin Huairu and the others' household registration to the city?" Yi Zhonghai was also very annoyed. There were ways to alleviate the Jia family's problems. If Qin Huairu's household registration was changed to a city household registration, then Banggeng's household registration would also be changed to a city household registration.

But to do this, one must either have someone in the relevant department or find a job for Qin Huairu. There are only these two ways, but neither of them is realistic for the Jia family.

Aunt Wu was also very angry when she heard this and scolded Jia Zhang a few times, "It's all Jia Zhang's fault. She coveted the little grain in the village. It would have been fine if she didn't transfer her household registration, but she also didn't allow Huai Ru to transfer. How hateful."

Aunt Wu's words reminded Yi Zhonghai of the time when Jia Zhangshi would always get some grain from the few acres of land allocated to her by the village during the summer harvest. At that time, Jia Zhangshi was arrogant and proud, just like a landlord's wife.

Later, when the household registration was carried out, Jia Zhang refused to change to an urban household registration, and Qin Huairu was also unwilling to do so. After the land was changed, Jia Zhang completely lost her land. During that period, she often cursed in the yard.

"This Jia Zhang is really nothing!"

Jia Dongxu returned home and gave the food to Qin Huairu.

"Mom and Dad, can I still go to Grandpa Yi's house for dinner tomorrow? I'm so full today."

Banggeng burped as he spoke. It was the first time in these days that he had eaten so much.

"No, your grandfather Yi's family doesn't have much food. You can't run there every few days. That's not good." Jia Dongxu said sternly.

"Okay." Banggeng nodded disappointedly, looking very aggrieved.

"Dongxu, I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Yi Zhonghai has adopted Banggeng as his godson, so it's only natural that he should give Banggeng some food."

At this time, Jia Zhang, who had been immersed in silence for an unknown period of time, began to speak. For some reason, her voice sounded like nails scratching on a blackboard, sharp and piercing, giving people a very uncomfortable feeling.

Jia Dongxu looked at Jia Zhang coldly. Although she was his mother, he was growing increasingly impatient with her. Previously, Jia Zhang had used Old Jia's influence to suppress him and act tyrannically at home, challenging Jia Dongxu's limits. Then, Jia Zhang's pregnancy brought their relationship to a freezing point.

After weighing the pros and cons, Jia Dongxu decided to give Jia Zhangshi the cold shoulder, treating her as a freeloader in his family.

Under Banggeng's expectant gaze, Jia Dongxu suddenly changed his attitude and said, "Mom, you're right. My master is Banggeng's godfather, so he should provide food to support Banggeng."

Banggeng's eyes brightened even more. Jia Zhang was also a little surprised, but after she realized what was happening, she said happily, "Dongxu, you're right to think so. Banggeng is a child of our Jia family. Being Yi Zhonghai's grandson is a blessing he has earned in eight lifetimes. If you ask me, he should not only provide food, but also pay for Banggeng's education and his job..."

Jia Zhangshi was like a woman with diarrhea who had been holding it in for a long time before finally finding a toilet. When she saw Jia Dongxu open his mouth, he burst out. From food to salary and savings, to job positions, and finally housing, everything was arranged in a clear manner.

Jia Zhang said happily, not noticing Jia Dongxu's increasingly unfriendly look.

Chapter 193: Age Has Arrived

After saying this, Jia Zhang looked at Bang Geng with a smug look on her face, as if to say, "See, your dear grandmother is still the best to you."

"Mom, since you said that, I feel embarrassed to refuse. Take it."

Jia Dongxu extended his hand and looked at Jia Zhang with a smile. This was the first time he had smiled so happily at Jia Zhang since her miscarriage.

Jia Zhang looked at Jia Dongxu with a puzzled look on her face, "What do you want?"

"Take the money. My master, the grandfather, has to take food and money to raise the stick stalks. So shouldn't you, the grandmother, take more?"

Jia Dongxu said as a matter of course, he knew that Jia Zhang was rich, and quite a lot.

"No money! I have no money!"

Jia Zhang's voice shrieked, shaking her head frantically. She wanted Jia Dongxu to take money from Yi Zhonghai to support his grandson, so that she could also eat a little, but she had never thought of using her own pension money to support her grandson.

"No money?" Jia Dongxu's tone turned cold, his smile vanished, and his eyes grew even colder. "If you don't have money, then don't talk nonsense. Banggeng is your grandson, so it's only natural that you should pay for his support."

"No, no, I have no money." Jia Zhang shook her head like a rattle, and in one word, she had no money.

Seeing this, Jia Dongxu said no more, but just warned Jia Zhangshi again, telling her to just stay at home and mend shoe soles, not to try to get Yi Zhonghai, and not to talk in front of them.

However, when Banggeng saw Jia Zhang's performance, his clever little head turned and he showed a cunning smile.

……

Shichahai.

Jiang Fan came here again. He hadn't come here to fish for a long time since he started working.

Coming back today, he was genuinely surprised. The area around Shichahai was packed with anglers, many of whom were just fishing with a broken bamboo pole, a string tied to it, and reeds or chicken feathers as floats.

Jiang Fan knew it was all due to a food shortage, and everyone was thinking of getting some fish back home to provide more food for their families. Although cooking fish was a labor-intensive and oily process, there was no other way.

"Uncle Wang, how much have you caught?"

"Where are the fish? Look at the people sitting next to each other. There are more people than fish." Old man Wang pulled the fish basket to show Jiang Fan. There were only three small crucian carps about three inches long in it.

Jiang Fan asked the people around him again, and they were basically all air force guys.

Jiang Fan didn't stay long, just watched for a while before heading home. He didn't think of casting twice. His current baits were all system rewards, and they were as effective as a succubus among fish. Once he cast, he couldn't stop.

After returning home, Jiang Fan found that his family of more than a dozen people were gathered together again.

"What's the matter? Why are you waiting for me to come back?" Jiang Fan pulled a bench and sat down.

"Big news, matchmaker Li just came and wants to arrange a marriage between you and Da Lei." Shen Yue said.

Jiang Fan immediately refused, "Mom, I've already told you that I won't go on blind dates, at least not now. Don't worry about me."

He doesn't want to get married so early. Although people generally get married at a younger age nowadays, he still doesn't want to go on a blind date at the age of 20 and get married a few months later.