Chapter 20: Targeted

The current system only added two functions: one is being able to use materials plus money to turn into something else; for example, he can take out one catty of grain plus one piece of money.

It can produce two taels of liquor.

Good grief, He Yuzhu remarked that this system is kinda shady; normally, fermenting grain into liquor actually yields a bit more than this, but the key is that the liquor produced now can't even sell for one piece of money.

This function was probably prepared for after the 1980s.

The other function is more practical; his former wholesale department has become a warehouse, and whether it's system rewards or whatever he obtains now, everything can be transferred there.

It's very practical.

In the morning the sun hadn't risen yet, the sky was slightly dim; He Yuzhu grabbed a bite to eat, then went to work at the Steel Rolling Mill; now he's in the office building, and being often late doesn't look good.

The workers nowadays are all very enthusiastic; he helped Black Copper Head make a desk lamp, and today he came early to give He Yuzhu wedding candy.

Although it's not a White Rabbit candy, it's also a hard fruit candy wrapped in sugar paper.

"How's it going, is the marriage going smoothly?"

"It went very smoothly; as soon as they saw the nice desk lamp in the room, they found no fault, except that two relatives wanted to deliberately pick a fight, but my in-laws dragged them away."

"Congratulations, congratulations."

The two chatted for a few sentences, then Black Copper Head returned to the workshop.

But other workers, seeing that there was success, also flocked to this supply team to ask for help; some needed alcohol for errands, some wanted to borrow cloth coupons to make clothes for children about to be engaged.

He was busy all morning, which solidified He Yuzhu's idea to quickly find an assistant. Not long after he went out in the afternoon, the Steel Rolling Mill spread the news that he went to the Factory Director to request personnel.

In an instant, undercurrents surged.

Dragging his tired body back to the Courtyard House gate, several kids were playing there; seeing him return, they each sweetly called out Uncle Zhuzi.

He took out some candy from his pocket and gave it to them, making these kids beam with joy even more.

"My candy wrapper has an orange on it."

"Mine is a big watermelon, bigger than yours."

"If we take turns licking a bite, we can taste several kinds of candy."

The few pieces of candy in his pocket were almost all distributed, and He Yuzhu walked toward the inner courtyard with a smile; he didn't notice that two kids hadn't gotten any candy and had already run to the inner courtyard to tattle.

"He Yuzhu! Are you targeting our family? Why is there nothing left for us when you distributed here?" Jia Zhangshi, leading Xiao Dang, opened her mouth to scold He Yuzhu.

"Just a coincidence."

"What's this about, making a fuss over just one piece of candy?" Yi Daye came out of his house, "In a moment I'll have Zhuzi send you half a catty."

But Xiao Dang wouldn't have it, grabbing Jia Zhangshi and starting to throw a tantrum.

"Zhuzi, Zhuzi, look at the good deed you've done. The Jia Family is also part of our inner courtyard; if you have candy, you should first give it to our inner courtyard."

"Right, from the perspective of the whole Steel Rolling Mill, any good thing should be thought of for our Courtyard House, otherwise isn't that eating inside and stealing outside?" The Second Elder also came over from the back courtyard, still having the deputy leader of the supply team in mind.

"An eighth-level worker, a seventh-level worker, and they even forget putting others before themselves." He Yuzhu said bluntly, "Yi Daye has always claimed to be a moral role model, but that's just his level of thinking."

It was originally just a matter of one piece of candy; He Yuzhu didn't want to argue with them, and he still had more important things to do.

The Second Elder couldn't accept this result; he went to report Xu Damao himself, and was then suspended at home—wasn't it all for that deputy leader position? Now He Yuzhu outright denies putting others before himself, so isn't he just offending people for nothing?

"We need to hold a general meeting of the whole courtyard; the Courtyard House can't go without being straightened out."

"Right." Yi Daye also agreed.

Just as everyone had gathered, the Second Elder couldn't wait any longer, stood up, slammed the table, and said: "Our Courtyard House has always been a model of stability and unity, but He Yuzhu, this kid, now that he's a leader, is stirring up relations among the masses; I think we must punish him severely."

Yi Daye also added: "The Zhuzi family has always been well-off, but instead of thinking about helping the less-well-off neighbors, they just eat and drink extravagantly; I think we should punish him a bit."

He Yuzhu looked at the two furious people, finding it quite laughable; how could they have managed the Courtyard House before with such intelligence? One can only say that most people nowadays are still quite simple.

"Since you're asking sincerely, I'll graciously tell you."

He Yuzhu came up to Yi Daye's side, looking at the neighbors of the Courtyard House, his eye sockets already slightly red.

"Yi Daye, do you think what you're saying is right? How could I, being well-off, not be able to marry a wife? The Jia Family can come up with five hundred pieces of money at once, yet you say her family isn't well-off."

Yi Daye was about to speak, but He Yuzhu continued.

"I've been eating a bit better these days, but that money is my father's living expenses for us siblings; Yi Daye kept that sum in his hand, forcing me to obey—it's what I have to earn by working like an ox and a horse."

When it comes to comparing misery, He Yuzhu hasn't feared anyone.

"You've taken my money, eaten and drunk, now that I'm coming back, you retaliate; you still want to be Yi Daye, you still want to be a leader—I'll definitely sue you!"

Yi Daye quickly grabbed He Yuzhu's arm; the money has all been returned to him, so why is he still spouting off outside? Today he just wants to take the opportunity to criticize He Yuzhu and satisfy his mouth.

How come He Yuzhu's reaction is so big?

If this goes to court, I'm afraid I'll carry a stigma for life.

"Zhuzi, don't…… don't talk nonsense, I don't owe you any money."

"You may not owe me money, but you owe me a favor—look, you've starved our siblings to the point of being skin and bones." He Yuzhu feigned a choked voice, "If any of you want to live like this, you can give the money to Yi Daye for safekeeping, watch them eat well and drink heartily, while you stay at home eating bran and swallowing vegetables."

Everyone is just simple, not stupid; moreover, some elders know the siblings' situation isn't easy, and their view of Yi Daye has changed—the original respect has begun to fade slowly.

Today it's still targeted at Yi Daye.

"Besides, there are so many people in our Courtyard House; why do you ignore everyone else and only meddle in the Jia Family? They have two widows, and this is a situation of suspicion—how can you not avoid it?"

Yi Daye fled in defeat; he realized this question couldn't be answered, and no matter what he answered, it would just create a topic.

Seeing the two elders' embarrassed looks, He Yuzhu returned home. Striking at Yi Daye like this also counts as a big step; from now on he can't stand on the moral high ground.

"Ding, the host's performance this time is not bad; for those seeking fame through deceit, we must strike at their reputation. Reward: one fruit gift pack, two bass, one vat of top-quality sorghum liquor."

This reward is not bad; he knows he needs good ingredients.