Chapter 27

"Uncle, wait for us."

Li Dong followed Han Guofu to harness the cart. Today, the whole team was digging sweet potatoes, and most of the labor force was busy in the sweet potato fields.

The children also headed to the sweet potato fields. It was rare for them to be allowed to eat sweet potatoes freely. The older ones couldn't, but the younger ones, if they dug up a few, the team leaders would turn a blind eye, as long as they didn't take too many home.

The adults had their plans. They wouldn't cook lunch; the children could eat sweet potatoes to fill their bellies, saving a meal. In those days, people's stomachs were quite cooperative and wouldn't bloat from eating sweet potatoes. Of course, the children had their own good ideas.

A few boys gathered some firewood and made a makeshift stove, roasting sweet potatoes that smelled delicious, truly making everyone want to taste them.

"You've been eating, haven't you? Your mouth is all black."

Li Dong tapped Han Xiaohao's head. This boy had become familiar with Li Dong and laughed. "Uncle, is Xiaojuan really going to school?"

"Yes, what about you?"

"My dad wants me to go, but I want to work and earn labor points."

Han Xiaohao scratched his head and laughed. This boy didn't want to go to school and was planning to have Li Dong talk to his father for him. He wouldn't dare to do it himself, or Han Weijun would definitely beat him.

"Going to school is a good thing; you can learn to read and gain knowledge."

If it were two years ago, few farmers would have been willing to send their children to school. There was no need to take the college entrance exam, and what was the point of going to school when earning labor points was better? With empty stomachs, and the educated youth sent to the countryside, many villagers thought that learning knowledge was useless.

Things had improved in the past two years, especially since the college entrance exam was reinstated last year. Some educated youth had returned to the city after passing the exam, and although farmers didn't understand much, they felt that going to college could lead to a better life in the city, which was useful.

"Ah, what knowledge? It's useless, Uncle..."

Before Han Xiaohao could finish, Li Dong's whip tapped his head. "What? Just because I'm in the countryside, you think knowledge is useless? I'll tell you, knowledge is very useful. If you don't go to school and can't read, you won't even be able to tell the difference between the men's and women's toilets. Imagine the embarrassment if you went into the women's toilet."

"That's true."

When Han Xiaohao saw his grandfather approaching, he shrank his head and gave Li Dong a look, signaling him not to tell his grandfather that he didn't want to go to school. "Uncle Guofu, why are you leading two donkeys?"

"They're not donkeys, they're mules."

Han Guofu glared at Han Xiaohao. "Go on, don't delay the work."

Han Xiaohao made a face at Li Dong and ran off, still afraid of him.

Li Dong led the mules and followed Han Guofu to the warehouse yard, where they harnessed the large cart. The production team only had one large cart, two flatbed carts, and several wheelbarrows, with the most being single-wheeled carts.

The village was at the foot of a mountain, and most of the small rice paddies were at the base of the slopes, while the dry fields were on the slopes. There were no big roads, only field paths. Usually, things were transported by carrying or using single-wheeled carts.

The main use of the large cart was to deliver public grain, but today, with a lot of sweet potatoes to transport, and Han Guofu planning to teach Li Dong how to drive the cart, they used the large cart.

Driving the large cart wasn't easy. Since it wasn't used often in Han Village, there was no fixed driver. Larger production teams usually had a fixed driver, a job that was envied for its high labor points and light work.

"Listen to me, don't irritate the animals when harnessing the cart."

"Don't worry, Uncle Guofu, I'll listen to you."

The three mules had different roles. Han Guofu directed Li Dong to secure the harnesses on the mules. The main mule, being stronger, was the lead animal, and its mouth was fitted with a bit to prevent it from being disobedient. "Drive the mules into the cart."

"Sure thing."

Li Dong, who had gained some control over the mules, drove them into the cart, secured the sideboards, placed the saddle and drag straps, and tightened the belly straps. The two side mules were also harnessed. The large cart was ready, and Li Dong climbed aboard.

Li Dong couldn't drive the cart; Han Guofu had to do it, shouting commands to the mules while Li Dong followed to learn.

"Go" (jia jia), "Stop" (xu xu), "Left" (da da), "Right" (o o).

In no time, the large cart reached the road at the foot of the sweet potato field. The slope was full of people digging and transporting sweet potatoes. Li Dong jumped off the cart. "Uncle Guofu, I'll help dig sweet potatoes."

He ran up the slope and shouted. "The cart is here, everyone, send the sweet potatoes down."

"It's Uncle Guofu and Li Dong with the cart."

"Everyone, work harder, load the sweet potatoes onto the cart."

The scene was lively, as the whole team was working together, unlike the usual division into three or four groups. "Hey, Li Dong, you're from the city, why don't you sing a song for everyone?"

"Sure."

Li Dong wasn't afraid. He often went to KTV and remembered a few old songs. He sang "Wine and Song" best, and when he started, everyone was amazed by how good it sounded.

Li Dong sang with enthusiasm. "The wine is fragrant, the songs fly, friends, please raise your glasses, raise your glasses..."

"Good."

"Really good."

"This kid, singing and drinking."

"Indeed, singing well does require some alcohol."

"True, but how can he work after drinking so much?"

A few older men chuckled. This year, despite the drought, the sweet potatoes had grown well, and everyone was happy.

After finishing the song, everyone started shouting for more. "One more song."

"Ha ha ha, sing well, one more."

Li Dong quickly surrendered. He didn't know many songs from this era, and singing "Wine and Song" was quite tiring. "I'll dig sweet potatoes instead, or Uncle Guofu will say I'm being lazy."

"This kid."

Pulling sweet potato vines and digging sweet potatoes, Li Dong was surrounded by the most children. Although he had only been in Han Village for a short time, his candy and sweets had won him many friends. The children knew that Li Dong liked to buy candy for everyone, and they would get candy for running errands or delivering messages.

Who wouldn't like that? The children all gathered around Li Dong.

"Be careful not to hurt your hands."

"Ha ha ha."

Everyone laughed at Li Dong's famous digging mishap from last time, when he had damaged many sweet potatoes.

"Brother Weijiang, that was before; now I'm a sweet potato digging expert."

Li Dong was happy, but he accidentally damaged another sweet potato, making Xiaojuan almost cry. Her father was so embarrassing, boasting and then immediately failing.

In the morning, Li Dong not only dug sweet potatoes but also helped transport them, making several trips. He was quite tired, but seeing the pile of sweet potatoes like a small mountain made him happy.

At noon, no one went home. Li Dong couldn't go back either, so he had to eat sweet potatoes. Just eating sweet potatoes wasn't satisfying, and he was considering what else to eat when Han Xiaohao waved at him.

"Uncle, over here."

"What is it?"

"Smells good."

"He he."

A few children pulled out some roasted corn, soybeans, and sweet potatoes. "Uncle, this is for you."

"Good boys, I'll give you candy later."

This was much better than raw sweet potatoes, which, though tasty, could cause bloating when eaten as a meal. Eating roasted corn, tender soybeans, and a roasted sweet potato was very satisfying.

Li Dong kept a roasted corn for Xiaojuan and followed the cart to unload the sweet potatoes. The whole village was busy until it got dark, and there was no moonlight to see by.

Lanterns wouldn't work, and the village only had one kerosene lamp, but there was no kerosene, and it was too expensive to buy. They had to light a bonfire, and with so many people, they weren't afraid. They worked until around seven or eight in the evening before going home.

A group went to the stream to wash up. In those days, there was no hot water, and it would be a waste of firewood, not to mention the lack of large basins. They had a simple dinner, and Li Dong went to bed. In the middle of the night, there was a knock on the door, startling Li Dong.

What's going on? Li Dong put on his shoes and went to the door. "Who is it?"

"It's me, Zhang Lame."

Li Dong slapped his forehead, how could he forget? He took out a lighter, lit a lamp, and went to the door. "Brother Zhang, I forgot, sorry."

"It's okay."

Zhang Lame smiled and put down a bamboo basket. "There's not much, about ten pounds of radishes, a few pounds of cucumbers, and a few heads of cabbage, a total of thirty pounds. Give me four cents."

"Four cents?"

Thirty pounds for four cents was very cheap. Li Dong took out five cents and gave it to Zhang Lame. "Keep the change."

"That's not right."

He took out one cent and gave it back to Li Dong, placed the vegetables in the yard, and then fumbled in his pocket and gave Li Dong a small paper bag. "Not much, some peanuts for the kids."

He was about to leave, and Li Dong saw him off, chatting a bit until he watched Zhang Lame hobble away. "I go to the city four or five times a month, earning one or two yuan per trip."

The self-plot was too small to grow much, and Zhang Lame sighed. Li Dong didn't comfort him but thought that soon, Zhang Lame might have more opportunities. Back home, Li Dong divided the vegetables, keeping some for the family and planning to take the rest back to 2018. He wrapped the peanuts and put them under Xiaojuan's pillow.

The next morning, Li Dong got up early and took Xiaojuan to the commune to register her, along with Han Xiaohao and two other children.

The commune school was much better than Han Village, with brick and tile buildings, though not tall, they were a world apart from the mud houses.

"Brick and tile buildings."

"Maybe we'll build one too."

Han Weijun and the others teased Li Dong, and Xiaojuan pulled her father, thinking he was boasting again. They arrived at the school office, where there were many people, and the registration process was simple.

What surprised Li Dong was that the teacher, upon learning that Xiaojuan could write and do basic arithmetic, gave her a test and then reduced her tuition by half, including the cost of stationery and books, saving over a yuan.

Han Weijun was envious, wishing his children could be as capable. The other parents looked at Li Dong with admiration. In those days, few adults could read, and it was impressive that a child could read and write.

"Good, good, good, I'll take you to buy something nice later."

Li Dong waved his hand, and Han Weijun, who wanted to say something, didn't. If the child was capable, he would do the same. Han Xiaohao and the others were envious but couldn't do anything.

At the supply cooperative, they unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance. Gao Weimin was chatting with a female colleague. "Weimin."

"Dongzi, what a coincidence. Let me introduce you to Gao Min, my fiancée."

"Hello, Sister Gao."

"What are you buying?"

"Since my daughter did well and got a tuition reduction, I'm buying some treats as a reward." Li Dong pointed to a pound of candy, which, though not as good as milk candy, was still a treat to share with everyone later.

"Two bottles of wine."

Li Dong, in a celebratory mood, decided to buy some wine. "Xinghua Village Daqu."

This local wine cost 1.5 yuan per bottle and was considered good. Gao Weimin, seeing Li Dong's interest in wine, slapped his forehead, realizing he hadn't brought anything for his favor. "Dongzi, wait a moment, I'll get you some good wine."

He left the cooperative, and Li Dong was amused by his sudden action.

In a moment, Gao Weimin returned with two bottles of Gujing Gongjiu and a piece of pork. "I meant to give it to you but never had the chance."

"You're too kind."

Han Weijun, driving the cart, arrived and was surprised. What was going on? Wine and meat, and for Li Dong? Gao Weimin, whose father was the deputy secretary of the commune, was giving Li Dong gifts.

"The cart is here, Weimin, I'll go first. Don't worry, I'll go to the city tomorrow and take care of it for you." Li Dong waved, happy to have a few bottles of wine to take back.

Back in the village, the news of Xiaojuan's tuition reduction spread quickly.

Over a yuan, this child was indeed smart. She could write and read, and her tuition was much less than others. A yuan could buy ten pounds of rice or several dozen pounds of coarse grains.

At the field where they were distributing sweet potatoes, everyone was still talking about it. Li Dong brought a bag of candy to share, making the scene lively and joyful.

"Everyone, quiet down."

"I'll call out names to pick up the sweet potatoes."

Han Guofu shouted, calling out names to distribute the sweet potatoes. Those with more got to pick first. Li Dong and Xiaojuan received over two hundred pounds.

"Li Dong, you need to pay the team 1.2 yuan."

There was no choice; Li Dong's labor points were low, as Han Guofu had told him the day before. Li Dong took five yuan from Xiaojuan, but only needed 1.2 yuan. Seeing Xiaojuan's look, the little girl wanted to take back the extra money, but that wasn't acceptable.

Li Dong transported the two hundred pounds of sweet potatoes home in two trips. For lunch, he made sweet potato rice, pork and radish stew, and a cucumber salad, and thought about having a drink.

But then he remembered he would return to 2018 that night, and these bottles of wine would be valuable, worth hundreds or even thousands of yuan. Besides, his ex-father-in-law liked wine, so Li Dong decided to wait and buy more later. That night, he told Xiaojuan and left.

This time, he brought back four bottles of wine, ten wild soft-shelled turtles, twenty pounds of sweet potatoes, over ten pounds of vegetables, a large black fish, and a few eels.