Chapter 76: The Commune Arrives

Yan Lao Han's house is a mud‑thatched hut with a wattle fence courtyard, and to Lu Cheng, who has lived a previous life, it has a distinct rural farmhouse charm.

In Lu Feng's eyes, it's just one word: poor.

He dreams of leading the Big Team to prosperity, but his ambitions never find a way to be realized.

Qi Baoguo, a lowly Big Team secretary, can press him down tightly; every time he tries to offer useful suggestions for the Big Team's enterprises, they are rejected.

You're an outsider; you have no right to point fingers.

Lu Cheng sits on a stone roller while Lu Qing'er crawls and plays on his back.

"Brother, I heard the members today that Commune leaders will come down for an inspection in a few days—what's happening?"

Lu Feng recalled what Lu Cheng just said about getting a job in the Commune.

"What are you trying to do? Do you really think that a single word from you would make the Commune leaders assign me a job?"

Lu Cheng smiled and said, "Of course I don't have that ability; I'm just asking casually."

Lu Feng nodded and said, "It's because of the grain accounting. Qi Baoguo allocated too little to the Youth Commune, so the Educated Youth naturally refused. A few days ago they went to the Big Team to argue, and Qi Baoguo called a few members; the two sides ended up fighting."

The Educated Youth's trouble is no small matter; I heard the Commune leaders will come the day after tomorrow to take a look.

Lu Cheng wasn't interested in the fight, but after learning the exact time the leaders would arrive, he felt reassured.

Important guests arrived at the house, and to show respect, Yan Lao Han wanted to call a few companions, but Lu Cheng stopped him.

"Sir, there's no need to call anyone else; I'm a bit shy, so it's fine for our family to sit and chat."

Yan Baoyue pursed a smile and said, "Lu Cheng, you're certainly not shy. From what your brother says, you've already taken a wife; if you hadn't, with that mouth of yours, who knows how many young girls you'd have caused trouble for."

After an afternoon together, Lu Cheng had already become close with the sister‑in‑law.

Yan Baoyue, who is naturally generous, was already joking with her little brother‑in‑law.

Lu Cheng lifted his chopsticks and replied, "Then not, sister‑in‑law; I'm the most devoted person—talking to a girl makes my face blush."

Yan Baoyue laughed and shook her head in disbelief, "Lu Cheng, eat more; these two chicken legs are for you."

The sister‑in‑law truly cares for people.

"Thank you, sister‑in‑law," Lu Cheng hurriedly passed a piece to Qing'er.

"Oh Lu Cheng, you don't need to give her so much chicken."

"It's fine, sister‑in‑law; Qing'er and I each have one, we're both kids."

Lu Qing'er nodded heavily, "Hmm, we're both kids."

Yan Baoyue tapped her daughter with her hand, "Yes, you two are kids. Look how much your little brother‑in‑law dotes on you, buying so many tasty foods."

Yan Lao Han lifted a bottle of white wine and asked, "Lu Cheng, how much can you drink?"

When it comes to drinking, you have to say less.

"Sir, my tolerance is low; two taels will do."

Yan Lao Han chuckled, "Then we won't overdo it; just half a jin. Today, Sir, I'll accompany you to drink well."

Fortunately Lu Cheng held back his words; in truth, he could drink a jin without issue—he died in his previous life from a stomach perforation caused by uncontrolled drinking.

Alcohol is a refined grain product, but one must not be greedy for it.

Lu Feng, from the side, served vegetables, "Everyone, drink less and eat more vegetables. Lu Cheng, try your sister‑in‑law's cooking."

The table was filled with common countryside fare—sweet potatoes, potatoes, and cabbage—but the added pot of stewed chicken made it very lavish; Yan Baoyue said it was like celebrating the New Year early.

Lu Cheng took a bite and said, "Sister‑in‑law, your cooking is superb, even better than that of the State‑run Hotel. Brother, you are truly fortunate to have married such a virtuous girl."

Yan Baoyue laughed, "Hehe, don't flatter any more; sister‑in‑law's face is about to blush. It's just simple tea and plain meals—if you like it, eat more."

The meal passed in a warm atmosphere, and at night, Yan Baoyue had already made the bed.

"Lu Cheng, this quilt was once used when I married your brother; I never got rid of it, so don't dislike it."

"No problem, sister‑in‑law, it brings good luck; it's my honor."

Yan Baoyue shook her head; this little brother‑in‑law really has a pleasant way of speaking.

Lu Qing'er clung for a while, demanding to sleep with her little brother‑in‑law Lu Cheng; eventually she was coaxed to sleep, then Lu Feng carried her back to the room.

The countryside was silent at night, the sky full of countless bright stars—how long had it been since anyone saw so many shining stars?

Villagers go to bed early; now it's the farming lull, and the only nighttime entertainment is riding the family's big horse.

These days, Lu Cheng, besides chatting with his brother about childhood memories, spends the rest of his time wandering the mountains with Qing'er.

He also took advantage of the time to bring his brother's family of three to a studio for a Family Photo, then later showed it to his mother.

On the third day, the quiet Yushu Gou Big Team became lively due to the arrival of Commune Revolutionary Committee Deputy Director Tian Fuguang.

Knowing Tian Fuguang was coming, Big Team secretary Qi Baoguo put up a red welcome banner in advance, painted welcome slogans on the walls, and arranged a welcoming squad at the village entrance—making it more elaborate than the New Year.

Qi Baoguo treated it so solemnly partly out of insecurity, since the Commune repeatedly emphasized the need to appease the Educated Youth.

Now that the fight has broken out, even the Deputy Director of the Revolutionary Committee has been disturbed.

When Tian Fuguang's vehicle arrived, Qi Baoguo immediately waved his hand, and several members began energetically beating drums and gongs.

After Tian Fuguang got out of the car, he gave a cold glance.

Qi Baoguo hurried over, "Director Tian, welcome to guide the work of our Yushu Gou Big Team."

Tian Fuguang didn't shake his hand, pointed at the drumming members and said, "Quite strong, huh? If you have strength, cultivate more wasteland instead of putting on these superficial displays for whom?"

Qi Baoguo broke into a cold sweat; he had long heard that Director Tian never turns a blind eye, and being scolded over a welcome ceremony seemed overly harsh.

"Tell me, a few days ago, why did the Youth Commune clash with your members? How did you become the Big Team secretary?"

As expected, he was swift and direct, offering no idle talk, and laid out the issue plainly.

However, Qi Baoguo had already prepared his response.

"Director Tian, if you bring this up, I feel extremely wronged. Our Yushu Gou Big Team already has many mountains and little land; when these Educated Youth arrive, we have to share a portion of our food..."

Tian Fuguang glared, "Stop making excuses. The Educated Youth go up the mountains and down to the countryside for re‑education of poor peasants; that's state policy. You can't go against the state."

Tian Fuguang glared, "Don't make excuses. The Educated Youth go up the mountains and down to the countryside, undergo re‑education as poor and lower‑middle peasants; this is state policy, and you still want to go against the state, don't you!"

Qi Baoguo nodded, "Yes, yes, isn't this also giving the Educated Youth a share of grain? It's just that the share is a bit smaller; this year's harvest is really scarce, so I have to have the Big Team members eat first."

Qi Baoguo considered his words reasonable and well‑grounded; he was thinking from the perspective of the many members, which is why he gave the Educated Youth a smaller portion of grain.

But Tian Fuguang was clearly dissatisfied with the answer: "You're trying to fool me! Don't think I don't know, some of your Big Team members also receive little grain."

Qi Baoguo was briefly surprised; someone had secretly reported him.

And the certain members Tian Fuguang mentioned were those who usually liked to oppose him.