Chapter Eighteen: The Unexpected Rival

Older brothers settle accounts clearly. Liu Weidong could lead the villagers toward a moderately prosperous life, but continuously using his own money to provide relief was unsustainable.

The power of example, combined with tangible benefits for the members, was what truly motivated them to strive for wealth.

Before leaving, Liu Weidong made a special trip home to see his father.

Lou Yanru had prepared medicine with ginseng, and his father’s condition had clearly improved—he was already able to take care of the garden on his own.

Liu Weidong left a few dozen yuan for his father, then boarded the big Liberation truck back to the city. He planned to use the next couple of days, when things were less busy, to establish a connection with the food factory.

The city’s food factory was a long-established brand in Binjiang, famous especially for its ginseng candy, mung bean soup, and red bean soup. Many of their snacks used mung beans and small red beans.

Liu Weidong deliberately brought along a large ginseng cigarette as a token of goodwill.

In those days, there was a term called the “Eight Major Roles,” standout positions among many trades.

First was the driver—cars were still scarce in the late ’70s, so moving house or getting married always meant begging for a vehicle, with plenty of perks to go around.

There were also sales clerks, especially those selling meat, who truly wielded power—whether fat or lean cuts depended on their word alone, and even having meat coupons didn’t guarantee you could buy the fatter portions.

The most powerful of all were the supply and marketing personnel. They enjoyed travel allowances on business trips, could procure scarce goods across regions, and everyone understood the ins and outs of supply and sales. Their lives were certainly more comfortable than ordinary workers’.

Today, Liu Weidong was seeking out the supply and marketing department of the food factory.

After speaking with the gatekeeper, Liu learned that the department head was named Xing Jin.

The supply and marketing office was on the second floor. Liu knocked and entered, seeing a plump middle-aged man sitting by the window, reading a newspaper behind his desk.

“Who are you looking for? What do you do?” The man, clearly startled by the stranger, leaned back in his chair, speaking sharply in a lofty tone. This had to be Director Xing.

Liu Weidong bowed respectfully, placing the large ginseng cigarette on the desk before saying a word.

Immediately, Xing’s attitude softened.

“What’s this for? We’re all here to serve the people. If you have business, just say it—no room for improper conduct.”

Liu wiped his brow. “Sorry to trouble you, sir. I’m a member of Struggle Team Two. This year, our village planted over 160 acres of mung beans, and the harvest is approaching. But us old farmers don’t know whom to sell to. After much searching and beseeching, we finally found you. I was referred by Stationmaster Li, who said that if you want to sell grains, you have to come to you—no one else in Binjiang is as reliable.”

Director Xing laughed heartily. “Old Li sure knows how to flatter me. I’m not that capable, but our factory does consume a large amount of miscellaneous grains. Since you’re a friend of Stationmaster Li, just speak your mind. But I’m only the head of supply and marketing—big decisions are up to the factory leaders.”

Xing spoke carefully, clearly an old hand at this.

Liu respectfully asked, “Director Xing, I’m just a simple rural man with little knowledge. I don’t know what procedures or requirements the factory has for purchasing miscellaneous grains. Since you’re a state-owned factory, you wouldn’t let us farmers be cheated, right?”

As he spoke, Liu pulled out a box of Da Shengchan cigarettes and lit one for Xing.

Offering a nationally recognized cigarette to a leader is the simplest way to handle things.

Xing pondered for a moment. “Our standards for miscellaneous grains are about the same as grain reserves: moisture content can’t be too high, impurities have limits, and accounting requires proper receipts. But our department often accepts grains from farmers with IOUs. As long as the price isn’t outrageous, the payment process isn’t a big deal. But you’re talking about a large quantity…”

Liu hurriedly leaned forward.

“Brother Xing, if you can approve this, you’ll be feeding every man, woman, and child in our village. You decide the selling price—I won’t argue.”

Xing sighed. “When one place is in trouble, support comes from all sides. If it weren’t for you being from Struggle Team Two, I wouldn’t bother with this. I’ll discuss it with the leaders first. Just wait for my news. There’s still time—you’ll have to come by a few times.”

Liu rose hastily, full of gratitude, and left the food factory.

It seemed a single cigarette wouldn’t be enough to handle such a big matter. They had already told him to come multiple times, which was essentially a subtle hint. But at least there was hope.

After leaving the factory, Liu immediately called Wang Jianguo, intending to share the good news. Unexpectedly, Wang’s first words were, “Weidong, come back quickly. Yanru’s position as a private teacher might be in jeopardy.”

Liu was stunned. “What did you say, Uncle Jianguo? Didn’t Director Ma already promise? Didn’t he say all the forms were filled out? What went wrong?”

Wang sighed. “I asked Director Ma. He said the problem wasn’t on his end but at the Youth Office. Suddenly, a teacher named Li Hong appeared at the central school, also applying to become a private teacher. There’s only one official position this year, and Director Ma doesn’t want to take sides.”

Liu immediately understood the situation: this was a deliberate obstruction by Li Baotian again.

“Alright, Uncle Jianguo, I understand. I’ll handle this.”

After hanging up, Liu recalled that Li Hong was apparently a classmate of Lou Yanru’s. Due to issues with her conduct, she had divorced her rural husband and returned to the city with the educated youth group at the end of 1978.

Director Ma accepted bribes but still refused to act—could it be that Li Baotian held some leverage over him?

It looked like they were really planning to play dirty tricks.

With this in mind, Liu called the oil and fat factory.

When he left the factory, his artificial leather bag held a new 135 camera.

Before his rebirth, Li Baotian’s lifestyle was already questionable. Now that he had returned to the Youth Office and rarely went home, Liu didn’t believe he wasn’t involved in some shady dealings. Since he was so protective of Li Hong, maybe they were already entangled.

If Liu could catch proof of Li Baotian’s illicit affairs, well...

Liu left a note for Lou Yanru to keep an eye on the farming at Team Two, then took a bus back to the Forward Commune.

The Forward Commune was small; even watermen would run into acquaintances. Liu didn’t dare wander the streets aimlessly after getting off the bus but headed straight toward the central school.

He had heard that Li Hong, after her divorce, lived near the school.

Under the scorching sun with no shade, Liu was soon drenched in sweat.

By chance, near the school was an ice pop vendor. Liu bought a three-cent ice pop and squatted beside the cart, looking toward the central school.

The old lady running the stall was talkative. Seeing Liu frequently glance that way, she smiled and asked, “Young man, are you heading to the central school? Here to pick up a student or find a teacher?”

Liu smiled awkwardly. “My family introduced me to someone—a teacher at the central school.”

The lady’s interest was piqued. “What’s the name? I know all the female teachers there.”

Liu smiled shyly. “Her name’s Li Hong. She’s divorced but hasn’t had children.”

“Li Hong, huh...” The old lady sized Liu up, her expression suddenly shifting.

“Son, you seem like an honest man. Auntie advises you to forget it. Li Hong was an educated youth who went to the countryside. She’s beautiful and sets her sights high. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have divorced her husband. A man like you wouldn’t catch her eye.”

Liu immediately perked up and bought another ice pop.

“Auntie, from what you say, Li Hong’s conduct isn’t so proper. If that’s the case, I’d better not pursue this, to avoid wasting money and effort...”