The Great Era of Siheyuan

Li Wenqiang followed Xu Damao and drove to an independent courtyard and parked the car in the yard.

"Let's stop here! Brother Qiang, let me tell you, when we get to the countryside, you can expect to enjoy delicious food and drinks with me! In the courtyard, I, Xu Damao, was useless and was bullied by others. But in the countryside, if you mention my name, it will work!"

As soon as he stopped the car, Xu Damao started bragging to Li Wenqiang.

"Okay, if it doesn't work, I'll beat you to death!"

Li Wenqiang was too lazy to refute him and said jokingly, while taking a look at the commune in front of him.

The spacious courtyard and several rows of bungalows form a square courtyard, with an open space in the middle and a tall poplar tree planted to provide shade. The overall building is a brick-and-wood structure, with thick wooden beams and columns supporting the green-tiled roof, giving people a sense of simplicity and stability.

The walls are relatively flat, and the arched doors, windows and columns increase stability and decorativeness. Some propaganda paintings of labor scenes, harvest scenes, heroes, etc. are painted on the exterior walls, and there is also a message: "Unity is strength"

“People’s Commune is good”

"Learn from Comrade Lei Feng"

"Hard work and self-reliance"

"Four freedoms, eight publics"

"Four modernizations, catching up with Britain and the United States"

"Oppose Communism, encourage hard work, and fight to commemorate the completion of the main indicators of the Second Five-Year Plan"

Slogans such as these have eye-catching fonts and bright colors, and are very much in keeping with the times.

The roof is usually a sloping roof covered with green tiles, and the exterior color of the building is relatively simple and single. The walls are mainly white, and the doors and window frames of the commune buildings are painted bright red, giving people a simple and solemn impression.

There are also simple drying yards, warehouses and other ancillary facilities in the yard for storing grain, farm tools and other items.

Next to it are the commune canteen, supply and marketing cooperative, school, health center and other facilities, which provide basic living security and services for members.

"Hehe, don't worry! Just watch!"

Xu Damao said with a smile, obviously full of confidence.

"Isn't this Projectionist Xu? Oh, it really is him. Everyone, come out and take a look. The projectionist is here!"

Following a loud shout from a middle-aged man who had just met across the room, many people in the room came out.

It was obvious that Xu Damao was not here for the first time. He led him into the commune with ease and was recognized as soon as he came in.

"Hey, it's Captain Zhu. Long time no see. Come on, have a cigarette. Is President Xiao here?"

Xu Damao skillfully greeted people passing by along the way. When he saw someone he knew, he would pass a cigarette and exchange a few pleasantries to communicate with them. His interpersonal communication was very smooth and mellow.

"Of course you are here. President Xiao and everyone else knew you were coming, and they have been waiting for you in the commune since early this morning! Who is the comrade next to you, the projectionist?"

Captain Xiao looked at Li Wenqiang who was standing next to Xu Damao and asked hesitantly and cautiously.

Li Wenqiang's temperament is really so special that it can attract people's attention at first sight.

When Xu Damao heard Captain Xiao's question, a smug smile appeared on his face. He put his arm around Li Wenqiang's shoulder and said, "Captain Xiao, this is my good brother, Li Wenqiang. He is a very capable man. He and our factory director are brothers in the steel mill. He came with me to Xingshou Commune this time. If you treat him well, it will benefit you."

Li Wenqiang nodded slightly, showing a gentle smile, and stretched out his hand to Captain Xiao and said, "Captain Xiao, I have heard of your name for a long time. Please take care of me in the future."

Captain Xiao was flattered and quickly shook Li Wenqiang's hand, saying with a big smile on his face: "No, no, it's our honor that Comrade Li can come to our commune. If you need anything in the future, just let us know, and we will definitely cooperate with you."

Xu Damao went on to say, "Captain Xiao, let's not just stand here. Take us to see President Xiao. I can't wait to talk to him about the screening in the countryside and the mission. I have to hand it over to him later!"

Captain Xiao nodded repeatedly and led Xu Damao and Li Wenqiang to the inside of the commune. Along the way, people kept looking at Li Wenqiang curiously, secretly wondering where this young man with extraordinary temperament came from.

After a while, Captain Xiao led Xu Damao and Li Wenqiang to a spacious office. It was called an office, but it was just a large earthen brick house, very simple.

There were several people who looked like cadres sitting inside, they must be the leaders of the commune.

"Hello, leaders! I am Xu Damao. Today I come to Xingshou Commune to show movies again. Here is my letter of introduction!"

Xu Damao smiled, took out an envelope from his pocket and handed it to the president.

"So it's Projectionist Xu who's here this time. We can show a good movie this time. Everyone knows that Projectionist Xu's projection technique is the best. You don't know that all the comrades in our Xingshou Commune have been waiting for you for a long time. Who is the comrade next to you?"

President Xiao walked over, shook Xu Damao's hand tightly, and said excitedly.

"Oh~ I forgot to introduce you to the leaders. This guy is a buyer from our steel mill. He specially came with me to the countryside today. This brother of mine has a good relationship with our factory director. You must entertain him well!"

Xu Damao said jokingly, then turned to Li Wenqiang and introduced everyone in the office.

"Brother Qiang, this is our Xingshou Commune's Party Secretary, Secretary Zhao. Secretary Zhao is the backbone of our commune, leading everyone to work hard to build a new socialist countryside."

"Hello, Secretary Zhao!"

Li Wenqiang nodded politely to Secretary Zhao, who responded with a smile.

"This is our commune's president, President Xiao. President Xiao manages all the commune's affairs and works hard for the development of our commune."

"Hello, President Xiao!"

President Xiao stood up and shook hands with Li Wenqiang enthusiastically.

"And this is our production team leader, Captain Wang. Captain Wang is very experienced in agricultural production and has led the members to achieve good harvests every year."

"Hello, Captain Wang!"

The production team leader smiled naively and extended his hand to Li Wenqiang and shook hands with him.

"This beautiful female comrade is the women's director of our commune, Director Liu. Director Liu cares about the lives and work of women in our commune and works hard for women's rights."

"Hello, Director Liu!"

Director Liu, the women's director, smiled and nodded to Li Wenqiang, with a kind look in her eyes.

"The last one is our commune's militia company commander, Captain Zhang. Captain Zhang leads the militia to protect the safety of our commune. With him, our commune is safe."

The militia company commander, Captain Zhang, stood tall and saluted Li Wenqiang.

Li Wenqiang also quickly responded with an unstandard etiquette.

After Xu Damao's introduction, everyone seemed to be familiar with each other and the atmosphere was much more cordial than before.

"Comrade, this is the first time we meet. I wonder what you are responsible for purchasing at the steel mill? Let's see if we can help you!"

President Xiao said politely.

"President Xiao, you are so polite! Thank you for your kindness. I am mainly responsible for the procurement of some unplanned materials at the steel mill, such as grain, oil, vegetables, etc.! I came here today mainly out of curiosity, to take a look at the countryside. Leaders, please feel free to do as you please, and don't pay too much attention to my presence."

Li Wenqiang said politely.

Xu Damao was also a little surprised. He had been working in the steel mill for so long, but this was the first time he knew that Li Wenqiang was in charge of the procurement of grain and oil for the steel mill.

However, Li Wenqiang said it casually, and others didn't dare to think so.

"Well, I'm really sorry, we really can't help you with food! Right now our Xingshou Commune is also in a huge food shortage!"

President Xiao said apologetically.

"You're too polite. I just came here to take a look. We have our own stable channels for grain procurement and don't rely too much on purchasing from rural areas. President Xiao, don't be embarrassed. Just be casual!"

Li Wenqiang knew that they had misunderstood him and deliberately thought that he was taking the opportunity to withhold grain from the commune.

"Well, have you eaten yet? Director Liu! Please help arrange accommodation for these two comrades. Have a quick bite at noon, and then we can have a drink together in the evening. I will treat you well!"

After hearing what Li Wenqiang said, President Xiao didn't think much about it and spoke directly to the women's director next to him.

"You two, follow me!"

The women's director said with a smile.

Xu Damao gave Li Wenqiang a smug look and motioned him to follow!

Li Wenqiang laughed, "How childish! What's the point of showing it to yourself? Let Shazhu see how powerful you are in the countryside!"

The two followed Director Liu to the commune canteen.

"Please sit here for a while. I'll ask the chef in the cafeteria to make you something to eat! After you finish eating, I'll arrange a place for you to stay."

Director Liu said politely.

"Don't worry, don't worry. We'll set up the projector first, and then we can prepare for the screening when it gets dark. The screening location should still be in the open space outside the commune, right?"

Xu Damao asked politely.

"Yes, still in the same place!"

Director Liu nodded.

"That's good. Find a few people to prepare the movie first, and leave the rest to me!"

When it comes to showing movies, Xu Damao exudes confidence.

"Okay, then you guys sit down for a while. It's not too late to do anything after you finish eating!"

After Director Liu finished speaking, he left. Not long after, a little old man came over with a few bowls of vegetables and sorghum rice that looked like they were lacking in oil and salt and were unrecognizable.

After the others walked away, Li Wenqiang looked at Xu Damao and said.

"Xu Damao, you said you were doing very well in the countryside and everyone looked up to you. I think the situation is not quite the same as you said, right?"

"Brother Qiang, don't be anxious. It's not time yet! We may not have come at the right time. Let's deal with it first. They will definitely treat us to delicious food and drinks in the evening. If you don't believe me, just wait and see. If they dare to fool me, they won't be able to watch this movie anymore. I will just repair their machine for two days and then leave!"

When Xu Damao saw what was in front of him, he felt like there was a fire burning in his heart.

The projectionist was notified in advance when he went to the countryside. It would have been fine if he didn't wait for me to eat, but he even gave me such a shabby meal.

Xu Damao felt like he had lost face in front of Li Wenqiang, and he made up his mind that if they didn't entertain him well that night, he would not watch the movie.