Chapter 190: Li Huaide's Request

"Is everyone here? I am now announcing a matter. Recently, there has been a lot of talk regarding the Deaf Old Lady, and I will provide a brief explanation to everyone here."

"The Deaf Old Lady is suspected of having participated in Agent activities. Now, after verification by Public Security comrades, it has been confirmed that her identity is with the Bald D side. She has now been dealt with according to the law, and the Deaf Old Lady's house and all her belongings will be confiscated."

"Regarding Yi Zhonghai being the Deaf Old Lady's godson, since he did not know the Deaf Old Lady's true identity, he will not be pursued. Additionally, everyone should be brave in reporting special circumstances around you. Once an Agent identity is verified, reporting is a merit."

"Of course, one must not report indiscriminately. Here is a list of information on suspected Agent characteristics. Teacher Yan, you are responsible for reading it to everyone; everyone, please pay attention to discerning them."

"Very well, Director Wang."

After Director Wang left, Yan Bugui read the information in his hand to everyone.

"Agent characteristics: generally, they live alone, especially those who live alone for a long time, do not associate with others, have eccentric personalities, have no children, etc..."

"Everyone needs to pay close attention to people who meet all the above information and report them in a timely manner." Following Yan Bugui's explanation, everyone realized that the Deaf Old Lady met almost all the characteristics.

Yi Zhonghai did not feel good inside either. Although he was wary of the Deaf Old Lady's methods, they had at least been mother and son for several years, and the Deaf Old Lady had always been very good to him, especially since the Deaf Old Lady never revealed their scheme against the people in the courtyard until the very end.

Tan Cuicui felt equally complicated. No matter what, the Deaf Old Lady had accompanied her through those difficult days, and now that she had ended up like this, it was hard not to sigh.

The couple tossed and turned in bed that night.

"Lao Yi, the old lady, she..."

"Don't mention it in the future. It's enough that we know it in our hearts."

"Mm, okay."

Zhang Ping'an was not surprised by the Deaf Old Lady's death. Although he felt a bit uncomfortable, he did not regret it.

This Deaf Old Lady's background was too deep; who knew who might pop up in the future to deal with him? If they only dealt with him, it would be fine—Zhang Ping'an was not afraid—but if they went after his family, it would be hard to guard against. It was better to nip her in the bud once and for all.

Life returned to calm, and the Deaf Old Lady's death did not stir up any waves. Everyone was currently unable to look after themselves, and the price of grain in the Black Market was rising day by day.

"Brother Ping'an, here is fifteen thousand yuan." The current purchase price for sweet potatoes was already two mao, in the Black Market it had risen to three mao, and cornmeal had risen to six mao, and as soon as there was stock, it was basically cleared out.

"Good, this might be the last grain transaction before the New Year. There is still a batch of wild rabbits at home; I will bring them to you next time."

"That's great, brother. Now that the end of the year is approaching, meat prices have generally risen. Even wild rabbits are now one yuan per jin. If you have pork, brother, I will give you a price of two yuan."

"Deal. If I have any, I will bring it to you together. But next time I don't want money; Yellow Fish would be best."

"Good, as long as there is meat, everything is negotiable."

The next morning, Zhang Ping'an was still slacking off in the Procurement Section when someone from the Security Section ran over.

"Section Chief Zhang, there is someone outside claiming to be your second uncle here to see you."

"Good, thank you. Take these cigarettes and share them with the brothers." Zhang Ping'an handed over more than half a pack of Qianmen.

"This... thank you, Section Chief Zhang."

"You're welcome."

Logically, the sweet potatoes at his second uncle's house were enough to eat, plus the corn and wheat Zhang Ping'an had given, which was completely enough until the summer harvest. Could it be that they had caught something big?

"Second Uncle, did something happen?"

"No, no, it's a good thing. Ping'an, come over here."

At the corner of the Rolling Mill, his third uncle and Zhang Laiyou, along with two militiamen, were guarding two donkey carts. The things on top were covered tightly with sacks and straw. Zhang Ping'an used his space to scan them—good heavens, four large Wild Boars.

"Third Uncle, Uncle Laiyou." Zhang Ping'an nodded to the two militiamen as well.

"Ping'an, there are four large Wild Boars here. Do you think you can exchange them for some cornmeal? Everyone eats sweet potatoes every day; not only do they fart, but it also causes heartburn and discomfort."

"Fine, wait for me a moment. I'll go ask our Section Chief. Second Uncle, you come with me."

"Good."

"Second Uncle, what's the situation? These Wild Boars are...?"

According to Zhang Ping'an's intention, the two of them were supposed to go up the mountain to dig pits to catch Wild Boars. Even catching one would be enough for both families to eat for the New Year. How did they get so many all at once?

"Your third uncle and I were afraid the Wild Boars wouldn't pass by, so we simply dug three pits in different places. Who knew all three would hit, and each pit had two in it."

"We handed over four to the brigade, and the other two half-grown Huangmao, your third uncle and I each took one for our families. Since everyone couldn't bear to eat them and wanted to exchange them for some cornmeal, we came over."

"I see. Okay, come in with me."

"Secretary Liu, is the Section Chief in the office?"

"He is, Section Chief Zhang. You can just knock and go in."

"Good."

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Come in. Ping'an, come sit. Who is this?"

"Section Chief, this is my second uncle. He caught four Wild Boars back home and wants to exchange them for some cornmeal."

"Good, Wild Boars are good. Go, go, go, hurry and weigh them. That Liu, have the cafeteria prepare to slaughter the pigs."

"You got it, Section Chief."

The group of three soon arrived outside the factory. Li Huaide was very satisfied looking at the four massive Wild Boars and hurriedly called for people to send the Wild Boars to the cafeteria to be weighed.

"I'll give you one yuan and two mao per jin, and the cornmeal will be four mao per jin. How about that?"

"Good, good, good. We'll listen to the leader."

"Hahaha, good. In the future, if you catch Wild Boars, just bring them over."

"Section Chief, the four Wild Boars total nine hundred and thirty jin."

"Mm, exchange them for an equivalent amount of cornmeal."

"Very well, Section Chief."

"Ping'an, wait until you're done here, then come to my office."

"Very well, Section Chief."

Soon, two thousand eight hundred jin of cornmeal was loaded onto the two donkey carts. Li Huaide left amidst the thousand thanks of the group.

"Ping'an, this time it's all thanks to you. Otherwise, the Wild Boars wouldn't have sold for this price, and the cornmeal is also two mao cheaper than the Black Market. This way, every household can get about twenty jin of cornmeal."

You have to know that one yuan and two mao per jin for live pigs was already a sky-high price; it was only that price in the Black Market.

"Uncle Laiyou, I am also from Zhang Family Village, so please don't be so formal."

"That works, we'll be heading off now."

"Alright, take it slow on the road."

Zhang Ping'an returned to Li Huaide's office.

"Director."

"Ping'an, you people in the village are all skilled hunters; these four Wild Boar have really solved my urgent problem."

"You wouldn't know, but the Meat Processing Plant doesn't have any fresh meat left now; you have to wait in line until after the New Year. Most of our Workers at the Rolling Mill are doing heavy manual labor; without fat and protein, where would they get the strength to work? It's been worrying me to death."

"Ping'an, see if you can get more Wild Boar over here before the New Year. Of course, other meat is fine too, but pork is best."

"Director, I can guarantee wild rabbits, but Wild Boar is hard to say. If luck is good, we might hunt two or three a day; if luck is bad, we might not even run into one."

"Fine, just try to get as many as you can. A hundred isn't too many, and fifty isn't too few."

"..."

"Hahaha, don't feel pressured. I know your Third Section has quite a few hunters. Try your best to mobilize them, give them maximum flexibility with their time, and you can tell them the prices too."

"Very well, Director."

At dawn, Zhang Ping'an arrived outside the Black Market with two hundred wild rabbits and four processed Wild Boar. After saying a word to the lackey guarding the gate, it wasn't long before Daoba arrived with his men.