Chapter 47: with translation of chapter title

As the disaster situation grew increasingly severe, material supplies also became ever tighter; even the material supply of Yagangchang, a key enterprise, decreased significantly, especially the meat supply, which was directly cut by half and still, given that Yagangchang originally involved physical labor, a reduction in meat would surely draw complaints from workers, which also gave the various leaders of Yagangchang a headache; in that era, the social status of the working class was high. Don't look at the leaders acting high and mighty every day—they really didn't dare to mess with workers, and it was even less possible for them to arbitrarily fire workers like in later times.

"Li bro, what's wrong with you? You look worried and grim," Li Qiang met Li Huaide, who wore a worried expression, under the office building.

"Qiangzi, I'm worried, the allocated amount has decreased, especially the meat supply has been cut by more than half; workers haven't seen any meat for days, some have already started cursing; as the head of logistics, I'm under great pressure—just last night I invited Zhang, the factory director of the meat processing plant, to dinner, hoping he could give us a larger quota, but their meat processing plant also doesn't have much meat." Li Huaide said with a bitter smile.

Li Ge, I have a comrade working at the Supplies Bureau, and another comrade currently handling logistics in the troops; the troops also have their own farm. Why don't I go see if they can help us think of a solution? Li Qiang was worrying about the huge amount of supplies in his space having no outlet; originally he wanted to sell them on the black market. The black market price is high, but the danger is also high. No matter when, never underestimate the state's coercive apparatus; such a large batch of supplies, if you dare to dump them on the black market, will definitely be discovered within three days. By then he wouldn't be able to explain the origin of these supplies. Now is only the first year of the natural disaster; we can appropriately sell some meat. By next year, pure pork will be even harder to sell—who wants to feed pigs when they're not full? We can only think of hunting wild boars. Catch a few wild boars, put them in the space, crossbreed with the pigs there, then we can say it's wild boar meat, which is easier to explain.

Qiangzi, if you truly can help me solve this problem, you will be the benefactor of our entire factory; then I will personally give you credit. Li Huaide hadn't expected there would also be an unexpected gain.

Li Ge, your words are too formal; you've always looked after me. If I can help you, as a brother I certainly won't shirk my duty. Forget about asking for credit; I also hope you can keep this matter confidential for me—I don't want others to know I have connections to get supplies. If later others also come to me, tell me whether I should help or not. Li Qiang didn't want everyone to know he was doing this; making a fortune quietly is the way to go.

Brother, it's my oversight; rest assured only we two will know about this. But isn't this directly giving me credit? I feel guilty. Li Huaide originally treated Li Qiang well because Li Qiang was the Section Chief of the Security Section; he didn't expect Li Qiang to help him so much—this is blatantly giving him credit.

Li Ge, between us let's not be so polite; I'll go find them shortly. Li Qiang knew that Li Huaide's influence during the future Great Movement was significant—even Factory Director Yang was taken down by him. After the Great Movement ended, everyone else was settled, but he landed safely without incident. Such ability isn't something just anyone has; by maintaining a good relationship with him now, I can better protect my family later. As they say, sending charcoal in the snow is better than adding flowers to brocade; what he's doing now is exactly sending charcoal in the snow.

Alright, younger brother, then I'll wait for your good news. Li Huaide grasped Li Qiang's hand, speaking excitedly.

Alright.

Li Qiang left Yagangchang, suddenly thinking that Li Huaide was worried about supplies to this extent; his elder brother-in-law surely wasn't any better off. Yagangchang is a heavy-labor unit, and even its material supply is this tense—let alone the Public Security Bureau's supplies. Anyway, whether it's one sheep or two, they're both let go; I might as well go ask my elder brother-in-law if he needs anything. Actually Li Qiang was overthinking; at this time, no unit lacks supplies.

According to records, during the natural disaster even great figures voluntarily reduced their wages; later, due to malnutrition, the great figures developed edema, their swollen feet couldn't fit into shoes, let alone others. In the countryside, there were even cases of starvation deaths; people dug up tree bark and grass roots to eat, and in some places ordinary folk even ate Guanyin clay.

Comrade, I'm looking for Li Dashan. Li Qiang said to the on-duty officer at the Public Security Bureau gate; Li Dashan was exactly his elder brother-in-law's name.

Who are you? What business do you have with our Chief Li? The on-duty officer looked at Li Qiang warily.

I'm his brother-in-law, my name is Li Qiang; tell him and he'll know. Li Qiang said with a smile.

Sure, please wait a moment. Upon hearing Li Qiang say he was Li Dashan's brother-in-law, the on-duty officer's attitude immediately became friendly.

The officer picked up the telephone on the desk and began to crank it; telephones in the 1950s were hand-cranked, and at the telephone exchange there were dedicated operators; after cranking the handle, a light would illuminate on the operator's console before the operator picked up the receiver, asked which number to connect, and then connected the appropriate line by pulling out plugs or flipping switches.

The line itself of an old telephone has no electricity, so it must be hand-cranked to generate power; the telephone contains a generator and a battery, and before each call you must generate electricity to use it, so you crank it a bit—that is, to charge the battery.

With manual switching, no dialing is needed; you just tell the operator who you want to reach or which number, and the operator will naturally connect you.

After the officer connected the call, he reported Li Qiang's visit over the phone, then hung up.

Comrade, the office of Chief Li is in the rear courtyard; you can go there yourself, there's a sign on the door. The officer introduced politely.

Okay, thank you, comrade. Li Qiang expressed his thanks and walked inside. The Public Security Bureau still used the former Nationalist Public Security Bureau's office address, a large compound with three courtyards.

Knock, knock, knock. Li Qiang found Li Dashan's office and raised his hand to knock on the door.

Come in.

Brother-in-law. After entering, Li Qiang smiled and greeted Li Dashan.

You're a rare visitor; why did you think to come here to see me? Li Dashan asked with a smile. Indeed, it's true—Li Qiang and Zhou Rong have been married for many years, yet this is the first time he's come to the workplace to see Li Dashan; otherwise he wouldn't not know where his office is.

I have something I'd like to ask you. Li Qiang answered with a smile.

Is this official or personal? If it's personal, go home and talk about it. People of that era were very principled, especially those who came from the troops.

It's both official and personal. Li Qiang continued to say with a smile.

Don't give me riddles—what matter is both official and personal? Li Dashan also laughed at Li Qiang's words.

I have a channel to obtain supplies—rice, flour, and meat. Does your unit want any? Li Qiang said quietly.

You brat, don't mess around—what era is this? You can't do illegal things. Li Dashan looked at Li Qiang warily.

Knowing you stick to principles, if this were really illegal, I wouldn't dare come to you, the chief of the Public Security Bureau. Li Qiang said with a smile.

Tsk, occupational hazard kicking in—you make sense. So what's the situation? Li Dashan definitely needed to clarify the situation first.

Our factory's logistics chief brought in a batch of supplies from outside; the quantity is somewhat large, his father-in-law has some background—heard he's a leader in the Ministry of Industry—and he had our Security Section handle the transport. I was thinking your Public Security Bureau's days probably aren't easy either; isn't this meant to help you with some practical difficulties? Li Qiang could only use Li Huaide's father-in-law as the pretext.

Is that really true? Li Dashan asked excitedly. The Public Security Bureau's situation is even worse than Yagangchang's; as deputy chief, Li Dashan has also been worried about supplies for a long time.

What relation do we have that I'd still try to fool you? Li Qiang gave Li Dashan a sideways glance and said.

Not that meaning—how much can you allocate to us?

Two thousand catties of grain, five hundred catties of meat. Li Qiang didn't dare give too much.

This amount of supplies, if it's just for our sub-bureau it would definitely be enough. Li Dashan's statement made sense; the whole sub-bureau has only about two hundred people, but there are also many police stations below, so adding them up the number of people becomes quite large.