Rebirth He Yuzhu stays away from troubles

As the country was hit by the disaster, Hebei, Shandong and Shanxi were the worst hit, accounting for more than 60% of the cultivated land. Due to the Great Leap Forward and the People's Commune Movement, coupled with natural disasters, the living conditions of the majority of the people continued to decline, famine was severe, and food was in short supply.

The food rationing system classified and regulated urban residents in detail. Among the urban population, the highest monthly ration for male laborers was 3 kilograms (porters, woodcutters, and coal miners enjoyed this privilege), general workers kilograms, mental workers kilograms, housewives and middle school and high school students the same ration: kilograms, and the minimum ration for children was kilograms.

Officials above the bureau level are given "preferential coupons" every month, which can be used to buy sugar, tea, cigarettes, milk powder, etc. Ordinary people cannot see milk powder. What is supplied to babies with birth certificates is "milk substitute powder". It is a kind of infant milk product close to milk powder. The certificate must not only prove the birth of the baby, but also prove the mother's lack of milk. If the latter point is not proved, it will not be sold.

As supplies became scarce, people in the courtyards were struggling to survive.

Due to the particularity of the chef industry, as well as the constant care of Master He Yuzhu and the concern of his fellow seniors and juniors, He Yuzhu would cook for several leaders from time to time and would be given some tickets, so the He family had sufficient tickets.

During the breastfeeding period, Liang Ladi was fed by He Yuzhu and became white and tender. With abundant milk, He Daxiang grew white and plump. Whenever he was hungry or had to poop or pee, he would hear He Daxiang's loud cry "wa, wa, wa...", as if his cry would penetrate the entire courtyard.

Since returning to the courtyard, the Jia family's child rarely came to the yard. He was usually very quiet and cried like a kitten. Jia Zhang believed that her grandson was the root of the Jia family given to them by God. She also hoped that he would be healthy in his life, so she named him Jia Geng, nicknamed Bang Geng.

Originally, Jia Dongxu's ration was enough to feed three adults, and now with a sick child and having to go to the hospital from time to time, it was becoming increasingly difficult. Jia Dongxu was getting thinner and thinner, Qin Huairu was not only thinner, but also looked dull and lifeless. On the contrary, Jia Zhangshi had not changed much and was still short and fat.

Fortunately, Yi Zhonghai's family has been supporting the Jia family, and they would send some corn flour and a few eggs to the Jia family every month.

As Banggeng's 100th day was approaching, Jia Zhang broke everyone's peace.

Because Banggeng was still in the hospital when the baby was one month old, even if Jia Zhang had an idea, she couldn't do anything. Although Banggeng was sick now, he had been in the courtyard for 100 days, so she wanted to hold a grand wedding banquet.

Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu faced such a serious problem, and Jia Zhangshi still refused to pay the money, so they could only go to Yi Zhonghai's house for help.

Qin Huairu cried in Yi Zhonghai's house, talking about how pitiful Banggeng was and how helpless he was; Jia Dongxu sighed in Yi Zhonghai's house, and what he meant was that he would definitely take good care of Yi Zhonghai and his wife in the future.

Publicly: Yi Zhonghai is the eldest uncle in the courtyard; privately: Yi Zhonghai is Jia Dongxu's master. In addition, for his own selfish reasons, the Yi family has no children, and he hopes that when he and his wife are old, Jia Dongxu can take care of them and see them to the end of their lives.

Under the pleas and promises of the Jia family, and driven by Yi Zhonghai's public and private interests, Yi Jia planned to hold a courtyard meeting.

One day after dinner, “Gather in the Intermediate Court, it’s time for a meeting, it’s time for a meeting; gather in the Intermediate Court, it’s time for a meeting, it’s time for a meeting…” Jia Dongxu’s voice was heard.

Each family in the courtyard sent a representative, and some people who liked to join in the fun also came. Look at the door of the He family in the middle courtyard: three tables and three chairs are arranged in the shape of a Chinese character "品", and from left to right sit Liu Haizhong, Yi Zhonghai, and Yan Fugui.

The crowd was whispering, wondering what this courtyard meeting was about.

"Could it be that the street office is going to distribute some food to each household?"

"Well, I saw that the children didn't have enough cornmeal tonight, so I shared my share with the children and drank a few bowls of water."

"Yes! There is a ration. When you go to the grain store to buy grain, it is either mixed with sand or pebbles. Sometimes you can't even buy it."

"I just hope this famine year will pass quickly!"

...

Seeing that everyone was present, Yi Zhonghai cleared his throat and said loudly, "Today's meeting will focus on two topics."

"The first topic is that Jia's son Bang Geng was born weak and sickly, and he needs to go to the hospital from time to time. Our courtyard is the Red Star Courtyard, an excellent courtyard. For the sake of our reputation, we can't let this child die young, so let's see if everyone can think of a way to save this child."

"The second topic is that, taking advantage of the 100th day of Jiajiabang, we would like to have a meal together this Sunday. There is no limit on the number of people from each household, so everyone can come together. We all know each other well, and every household with money can contribute money, those with food can contribute food, and families in need can contribute labor."

"Boom, boom, boom..." Many people were so excited that they ignored the first topic. They just knew they could have a free meal on Sunday, and everyone was talking about it happily.

"Uncle has done a great thing this time. Our family hasn't had enough to eat in a long time."

"My family is in financial difficulty, and everyone knows it. My wife and I will go there early to help."

"No matter how difficult my family is, I won't eat for free. Just give me a big cabbage."

"I won't eat for free at my house. I'll take out some potatoes."

"My family won't eat for free. We'll give out 1 kilogram of corn flour."

....

Yi Zhonghai listened to everyone's discussion and smiled happily.

Seeing everyone still discussing excitedly, Yi Zhonghai said righteously: "I will set an example for everyone and donate 10 yuan and 10 kilograms of corn flour."

"Level 8 workers are really capable!"

"The uncle is kind-hearted. Good people will be rewarded!"

...

Listening to everyone's discussion, Yi Zhonghai looked at Liu Haizhong and Yan Fugui, meaning that it was their turn to prepare a sample for everyone.

Liu Haizhong blushed, and wanted to donate more, but his three children were at the age where they could eat as much as they could, and there was also Liu Guangxiu who was lazy and gluttonous. He gritted his teeth and said, "I will donate 5 yuan and 5 kilograms of corn flour."

Everyone was praising the second uncle's liu haizhong again.

Yan Fugui explained with grievance and embarrassment: "I am the only one in my family who earns 27.5 yuan a month. Now we have to replace the food with sweet potatoes. Otherwise, we can't survive. So I donate 5 cents per kilogram of sweet potatoes."

"Oh, Third Uncle's family is in such a difficult situation. If they don't exchange their food for sweet potatoes, they will starve to death."

"They only eat two meals now. They eat one sweet potato in the morning and evening."

"I was across from their house and saw it clearly."

“These days are difficult.”

...

Listening to everyone's discussion, Yi Zhonghai suggested: "Everyone go to Uncle San and register what you can provide for the Sunday dinner. It's all voluntary, and families in need can just contribute."

Some came out with a few cents or 1 cents, some came out with cabbage, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pickled mustard greens... They were registering in a noisy manner.

After everyone finished registering, Yi Zhonghai turned his attention to Xu Damao and He Yuzhu.

Xu Damao was still talking to He Yuzhu: "A few days ago, I went to the countryside to show a movie, and I came back covered in dust. The only food I ate was steamed corn bread, and when I came back, I was given a few pounds of dried sweet potatoes."

Yi Zhonghai said to Xu Damao in a negotiating tone: "Damo, everyone is looking forward to the Sunday dinner, what can you offer?"

Xu Damao's eyes rolled and he thought, "This old guy is trying to scheme against me again!"

"Uncle, I'm going to the countryside to show a movie now. People give me steamed bread to eat. Before I leave, they give me a few pounds of dried sweet potatoes."

"Look, I went to the countryside to show movies for people a few days ago, and I got covered in dust and dirt. I haven't recovered even after coming back for a few days," Xu Damao said aggrievedly.

"Uncle, I won't make things difficult for you uncles. I will definitely support the dinner party in the courtyard. I will donate 1 cents and 2 kilograms of sweet potatoes."

Xu Damao thought to himself, "Lou Xiao'e doesn't eat dried sweet potatoes anyway, and if I eat too much, I'll have stomach acid and fart all the time, so I might as well donate them."

Yi Zhonghai looked at Xu Damao helplessly, then at He Yuzhu.

"Zhuzi, look at your sister-in-law Huairu of the Jia family. She is sick because of poor nutrition and little milk. Can you bring some leftovers from the canteen to the Jia family every day?" Yi Zhonghai looked at He Yuzhu as if it was a matter of course.

"Uncle, you are an eighth-level worker and you have face. Please ask the factory leader for permission. As long as there is an approval slip, I will help bring it back to the Jia family every day. If I take it myself, it will be considered theft. If I am caught, I will go to jail."

"I'm in jail, what will happen to my family? Is my family going to break up?"

People in the crowd were whispering, "Yes, stealing public property is a serious crime. A kid from the next street stole a piece of meat from the supply and marketing cooperative and was shot directly..."

"Zhu Zi, I was inconsiderate. I didn't mention bringing a lunch box."

"Do you think I can call your wife Grandma Bang?" Yi Zhonghai asked shamelessly.

"Uncle, my wife is about to go back to work at the kindergarten after her two-month maternity leave, and we are still thinking about how to feed our baby!"

"Everyone knows that Jia Jiabanggeng is a premature baby with low resistance. If he drinks my wife's milk and something happens, will you take the responsibility or will our family take it?" He Yuzhu looked at him seriously and said.

"Yes! The Jia family cannot be provoked. If something happens, don't let the Jia family blame you. Otherwise, the destruction of your family will be the least of your worries." Everyone was talking again.

"Hey... Zhuzi, your consideration makes sense. How about this, you cook for the compound party this weekend."

"As for you, just take out a few dollars to show your appreciation. You can also take out some extra rice, flour, meat and vegetables at home." Yi Zhonghai said in a final tone.

He Yuzhu smiled as he looked at him, thinking to himself: "This Yi Zhonghai is full of tricks, always thinking of good things. He just opens his mouth and people are willing to sacrifice themselves to fulfill his wishes."

"Uncle, the factory leader has arranged for me to go out to cook on Sunday, so I can't tell you the details. Why don't you go and discuss it with the factory leader?"

"My wife's father-in-law is in poor health and has to do odd jobs. My mother-in-law helps me take care of my baby every day. My three brothers-in-law are of an age where they can eat anything without leaving any leftovers. Do you think there would be anything left in my family?" He Yuzhu said, as if he was having a hard time too.

"My mother-in-law is helping to take care of Zhuzi's wife and baby. It's only right that I repay her family."

"It's not easy for Zhuzi either! He has no parents to take care of him, but luckily he married a good wife."

"Yes, yes! Zhuzi married a good wife. Without the help of his wife's family, Zhuzi really doesn't know what to do!"

...

People in the crowd are saying all kinds of things. It's really not easy for everyone these days.

He Yuzhu said in a tone of "I have tried my best": "Although my family will not attend the courtyard dinner on Sunday, I will give face to the courtyard people and donate 1 cents and take two cabbages."

The crowd gradually dispersed. Jia Dongxu cleaned up the tables and chairs in a depressed mood and went home with Yi Zhonghai.

The Yijia Courtyard meeting didn't plan much. In order to hold a grand banquet for Banggeng's 100th anniversary, they turned their attention to the black market...