Chapter 86

"Uncle Guofu, when was the tractor team formed, and how did I become the team leader?"

Li Dong was puzzled when Han Guofu mentioned that he had become the team leader, wondering when this had happened and why he didn't know about it.

"This was decided by Guobing and a few of us."

Well, you guys decided it, and I, the party involved, didn't even know. Forget it, Li Dong thought he couldn't argue with Han Guofu and the others.

"Who are the team members?"

"You."

"Just me?"

"Right now, you are both the team member and the team leader. If you want to develop more members, you'll have to teach them well." Han Guofu said matter-of-factly. Li Dong was frustrated; how could he teach them when the tractor hadn't been used much except for a few times?

Forget it, forget it. If he said more, he might get angry and cause trouble. He decided to go home. "Come over for dinner tonight. Your Uncle Guobing and Uncle Guohong will be here to discuss the vegetable planting you mentioned."

"Okay, I'll come over later."

Back home, Li Dong told Xiao Juan about being elected as the tractor team leader, and the little girl was quite happy.

"Da Da, it's great that you're now a team leader."

"It's okay."

Li Dong didn't mention that the tractor team currently had only him, and he was both the leader and the member, leading himself.

"By the way, I'll go to Uncle Guofu's house to discuss things, so I won't eat dinner at home. What do you want to eat? I can make it for you now." There were a few pieces of braised pork left from lunch; maybe he could soak them in rice.

"I want noodles."

Xiao Juan's voice was soft, but Li Dong heard it clearly. This was the first time she had clearly expressed what she wanted to eat, which surprised and delighted him.

"Okay, we'll have noodles."

"We still have some instant noodles."

"Forget it, instant noodles aren't good. Dad will make you some handmade noodles."

Li Dong started kneading the dough, rolling it out, cutting the noodles, and boiling water. Soon, a bowl of handmade noodles was ready, topped with the leftover braised pork.

"Smells good, eat quickly. Dad is going to Uncle Guofu's house."

Li Dong took out a bottle of wine, cut a piece of beef, and wrapped some peanuts, then headed to Han Guofu's house.

"Auntie, are you at home?"

"Li Dong is here."

"Come in quickly. Your Uncle Guobing and Uncle Guohong just arrived."

"Okay, Auntie, I brought some cooked beef and peanuts. Can you cut the beef and put the peanuts in a dish?"

Li Dong handed the beef and peanuts wrapped in brown paper to Li Chunhua.

"This child, why did you bring things again?"

Li Chunhua took the beef and peanuts. The beef was quite a piece, about a pound, and the peanuts were covered in salt.

"Qiujun, bring a lotus leaf bowl, I'll cut the beef for you to enjoy with the wine."

"Thanks, Auntie."

Li Dong entered the room, where Old Six, Han Guofu, Han Guobing, and Han Weijun were already there. Han Guofu was discussing the idea of planting vegetables on the family plots.

"Perfect, Li Dong is here. Tell everyone about it."

"Tell what?"

"About planting vegetables."

This matter, Li Dong sat down and passed around cigarettes. Han Weijun took one, while the others smoked tobacco. The cigarettes weren't as satisfying.

"The six measures proposed by Secretary Wan in the province are expected to be implemented in our city this month. These measures encourage farmers to develop sideline businesses. We have a geographical advantage, being close to the Jinling Military District. With the southern region developing, there will be a high demand for supplies, including vegetables. I think we should take advantage of this and plant more vegetables to sell to the procurement station. Even if each family sells three to five hundred pounds, it could provide enough food for a month or two."

Li Dong's information came from future data, which the others were not yet aware of.

"Is this true?"

"The commune is discussing the construction of a farmers' market, so there won't be a problem selling vegetables."

Li Dong said, "If all else fails, we can take the tractor to the city to sell them."

"Selling in the city, wouldn't that be considered speculation?"

"Uncle Guohong, if we have extra vegetables from our collective production and sell them to support the city, how can that be considered speculation? The province has issued documents to encourage rural sideline businesses, and the family plots are for this very reason."

"Li Dong makes a good point."

Han Guobing took a puff of his cigarette. "The situation this year is well understood. The family plots are meant to help us solve our food problems. Whether we plant vegetables or other crops, the ultimate goal is to ensure our food supply."

Compared to Han Guohong's conservatism and Han Guobing's caution, Han Weijun was full of enthusiasm. "Forget about it, planting more vegetables is always good. If we can't sell them, we can still eat them. Eating more vegetables means eating less grain, which everyone understands."

"Uncle Weijun is right. Let's plant more drought-resistant and cold-resistant vegetables. If we can't sell them, we can store them for winter, saving a lot of grain." Li Dong first thought of Chinese cabbage, which grows well and can be cooked in various ways during winter.

"Where can we get seeds for drought-resistant and cold-resistant vegetables?"

Han Guofu hesitated and looked at Li Dong, who was puzzled by their stares.

"Can you get the seeds?"

"Ah, seeds, no problem."

On Taobao, you can find any kind of seeds, but relying solely on himself wouldn't work. "I'll try my best to get some drought-resistant and cold-resistant vegetable seeds and distribute them among the families."

With Li Dong's assurance, Han Guofu and the others nodded. "Okay, I'll discuss this with everyone tomorrow when we go to work and ask for their opinions."

"What are you talking about? It's time to eat." Li Chunhua brought in the dishes.

"What's this?"

"The beef Li Dong brought, and these peanuts?"

"Auntie, these are spicy peanuts, perfect for drinking."

Li Dong had already placed the Xinghuacun liquor on the table. The dishes included beef, pork stewed with sweet potato noodles, spicy peanuts, and stir-fried beans and eggplant. With the wine, Han Guobing and the others were drooling, and even the children were excited.

"Come, let's have a drink."

Just as they started eating and drinking, there was a commotion outside, with people cheering and celebrating.

"What's going on?"

"Grandpa, Sanhui said the commune is showing a movie tonight."

Han Xiaohao ran in. "Mom said San Da will take us to the commune to watch the movie."

"Why didn't the commune notify us in advance?"

In the countryside, a movie might be shown once a year, and it was a big event, more exciting than a festival.

Han Xiaohao and the other children were as happy as if they had eaten honey, running around the yard. Han Weihé pumped up the bicycle tires and replaced the battery in the headlight.

"Let's go, Xiaohei."

"Coming, San Da."

The children cheered, and Li Dong actually wanted to join in the fun. He had seen outdoor movies when he was young, but he didn't remember much. However, he had a few drinks and his stomach was empty, so he decided to skip it this time.

"Auntie, is Brother Li here?"

Li Dong was toasting Old Six when Han Weiguo's voice came from outside.

"Brother Weiguo, what's up?"

"Brother Li."

Han Weiguo was a bit embarrassed, but Li Dong laughed and said, "What's the matter? Don't beat around the bush."

"The commune is showing a movie, Brother Li, are you going?"

"I'm not going, what's the matter?"

"Not going, great! Brother Li, can I borrow your bicycle?"

Han Weiguo was excited about the movie.

"I thought it was something serious. Sure, here's the key. The bike is in the house. Tell Xiao Juan I said it's okay."

Li Dong suspected Han Weiguo wanted to take his girlfriend to the movie. He chuckled, wondering if he had used the tiger whip wine. That would be too sinful.

"Thanks, Brother Li."

Han Weiguo ran off excitedly. Soon, Han Weidong and Han Weichao came looking for the bike, but it was already borrowed by Han Weiguo. They were very disappointed, having arrived too late.

These young people, their hearts were restless, but it wasn't their fault. In those days, there were no entertainment activities. During the day, they worked, and at night, they went to bed after dinner. Young people who couldn't sleep would talk to their girlfriends and take walks in the countryside.

In the city, young people had more options, like watching movies, visiting parks, or going to department stores. If they had some money, they could even go to a restaurant.

In the countryside, there was no electricity, and there were no entertainment activities. When the commune showed a movie, everyone would rush to see it.

"These kids."

Old Six and the others understood what the children were up to.

"Young people."

It was a proud thing for a boy from one village to date a girl from another, and everyone encouraged it.

"They are of the age to settle down."

Old Six sighed, but the year's harvest was poor.

"Here, Old Six, I'll toast you."

"Cheers."

Dinner lasted for two to three hours, and by the end, they were mostly discussing plans. The gathering broke up around nine, and Li Dong hummed a tune as he walked home.

"Huh?"

"What's wrong with Xiao Juan?"

Entering the house, he found Xiao Juan crying. What happened? Who had bullied her? This was unacceptable.

"Da Da."

Seeing Li Dong, Xiao Juan quickly wiped her tears. "Da Da, I'll get you some water to wash your feet."

"Not yet, tell me why you're crying."

"I... I'm not crying, a bug got in my eye."

"Nonsense." Li Dong was puzzled. "Are you sad because you didn't see the movie? It's my fault for drinking. If you like movies, I'll take you to the city to see one."

"I'm not... I don't want to go to the city..."

Xiao Juan seemed genuinely upset, and it wasn't about the movie.

Li Dong was even more puzzled. "What's wrong? Can't you tell Dad?"

Xiao Juan finally spoke. Today was her birthday, and that was why she wanted noodles. The crying was partly related to the movie. Her mother loved movies and would take her to the commune whenever they were shown.

Xiao Juan had seen many movies with her mother, who had passed away. Her father, Li Da, had also left, drowning himself in the river.

Xiao Juan hadn't seen a movie in a long time. Hearing the excitement of the children who had just returned from the movie, she couldn't help but cry.

"Don't cry."

Li Dong patted Xiao Juan. "Do you like movies?"

Xiao Juan hesitated and nodded. Li Dong smiled. "If you like, I'll get a projector to show you movies."

Xiao Juan didn't take it seriously, but she was happy that Li Dong had said it. She brought him water to wash his feet, and Li Dong thought about earning more sun points to see if it would make a difference.

Vegetable seeds, a projector, and a set of four items—there were many things he needed.

"By the way, we should get some plastic sheets to grow winter vegetables."

"Da Da, are you asleep?"

Xiao Juan couldn't sleep. Li Dong sighed. The little girl wasn't as carefree as she seemed, with many worries and sorrows. "Not yet. Can't sleep? I'll tell you a story."

"Once upon a time, there was a little princess..."

After a while, Li Dong looked at the sleeping Xiao Juan and pulled the blanket over her. The next morning, Xiao Juan was full of energy again.

"Da Da, wake up and eat. We have to go to work today."

"Coming, coming."

Li Dong got up, washed, and ate a few bites of breakfast, then took a corn cob and headed out. He met Han Weiguo, who was returning the bike, looking very happy.

"Weiguo, how was it yesterday?"

"Great, hehe!" Han Weiguo laughed and scratched his head. "By the way, Brother Li, there are a lot of yellow essence roots behind Gaojiazhuang. I asked my girlfriend to help collect them, selling them for 15 cents a pound."