CHAPTER 120: CHAPTER 98: MOTHER ZHANG PREPARES GIFTS

East Wing, Mother Zhang opened the small storeroom, filled with things, everything was there. Zhang Guoqing immediately knew that during his absence these days, his mother must have prepared a lot again.

Mother Zhang directed him: "Xiao Wu, pack all these mountain goods together, I’ve sorted them out. Compress them into two big packages. As for the game and preserved meat, compress them tightly; don’t worry about crushing them, make them into a single package. We’ll send these three parcels to the train tomorrow, you send a telegram to your grandfather, let them go to pick up."

Zhang Guoqing looked at these things and felt overwhelmed, "Mother, if we give all, what do we eat ourselves? You just sort out a few, make them into a small, easy-to-carry package. The day after tomorrow, I’ll run to other villages, buy some and mail them over. Keep these at home to eat, otherwise we’ll be stuck eating pickles with cornbread."

Mother Zhang covered her mouth, couldn’t help laughing, then peeked outside, whispered: "You’re thinking of buying from other villages, the village at the north foot of Daqing Mountain has been completely cleared by your mother-in-law. We cleared our village, where can you buy? Even if there are any, people keep them for their own eating, you can’t buy it. So listen to me, hurry and pack. Send her back to Beijing, otherwise, by the time her previous parcels arrive in Beijing, you mail these over, they won’t be special."

Zhang Guoqing heard this, and was speechless, "How much did you all buy? Not causing a stir? And how does my mother-in-law know where to get it? Those villages at the foot are unable to be reached by cars."

Mother Zhang proudly put her hands on her hips, squinted at him, "Nothing, all secretly bought. Your mother-in-law and Xi Zi specifically sought those hunting households; one family introduced another, she followed this line, full cars of goods for four days straight. Jiao Jiao’s second uncle in Northwest sent parcels twice. Said in that place, even if you want to eat, you can’t buy. Can eat or give away, these things are cheap here, expensive in big cities, can’t even buy them. Afterwards, it was for Jiao Jiao’s grandfather, uncle, and aunt, parcels were all sent over. Xi Zi said there were too many things, she first mailed twice from the county, then drove to several nearby townships, mailing separately. She was careful, otherwise, what if the whole township hears."

Mother Zhang watched him pack, occasionally giving advice, "Don’t worry, she’s mainly shipping game and preserved meat, mountain goods are available in every village, we’re not afraid of not buying. Besides, there are so many big markets at the end of the year, can buy again. There are some in the kitchen cellar, keep those for home."

Zhang Guoqing vigorously compressed the game and preserved meat, making square packages. Lifted them, okay, weigh 70-80 pounds, guess his mother bought quite a lot in the village, later he would secretly stuff some money to her.

"Mother, I know. At home, there are only about ten pounds. From whom did you buy? Nobody in the village hunts, at most I see pheasants, and these preserved meats are also this year’s, whose are they?"

Mother Zhang went over to lift, satisfied, moved to the corner.

"Your uncle’s and little uncle’s houses were all cleared by me; the village will hunt before the year ends, they are not afraid of lacking game. That preserved meat is from your little aunt’s family, secretly raised a pig less than a year, just slaughtered to make preserved meat, planning to secretly sell, I took it all. I did not buy preserved meat in the village, too many eyes. As for mountain goods, bought from your big brother’s tight-lipped friends, plus our own. Rest assured, your father instructed."

Zhang Guoqing felt at ease upon hearing his father’s instructions, "Mother, is there anyone slaughtering pigs selling meat, no matter how much, get it all, also if there’s lamb in the village, buy it, doesn’t matter the amount, buy more."

Mother Zhang curiously looked at him: "Something happened, why are you buying so much?"

Zhang Guoqing lifted and looked, placed the two packed bags of mountain goods in the corner, now looking, three weren’t that big either, tomorrow directly send to the carriage, have someone help unload in Beijing, send a telegram first to let someone pick them up, should be fine.

Zhang Guoqing thought for a bit, still revealed a little, heard a bit of a rumor in the provincial city. Others didn’t believe, but he did, reckoning it was almost time to slowly collect.

"Heard some rumors. Starting next year, everything will require tickets, even matches, a needle needs tickets. Like grain vouchers a few years ago, everything will need tickets.

Items in markets, individuals can’t sell, only exchange. Public entities like supply and sales cooperatives, village brigades can buy and sell. Some say markets will close.

So having money without tickets won’t buy anything. Tomorrow after sending away my mother-in-law, we’ll drive to see what necessities are missing, buy them all. See if anything can be bought without tickets and acquire some.

If true, imagine rural life requiring to buy everything besides grain, where to get tickets, really wait for year-end settlement, get some tickets, how to get through the year? Think of cloth tickets, used to be able to buy cloth with money, now can’t buy cloth without cloth tickets. These rumors, no need to panic, keep them in mind.

I’m buying meat for gifting. County families lack nothing but meat. First plan is to get second brother into police bureau, see if sending meat helps connect with several heads, also want to gift some myself. Mother, what do you think for elder brother’s arrangement, give me some advice, elder brother and second brother can only be arranged in counties and townships, cannot arrange all at once, shouldn’t draw too much attention, avoid outside gossip."

Mother Zhang was surprised, doubting hearing incorrectly, how many want to enter cities, but going to cities is as easy? But now he tells her it’s possible, just not too open.

"Child’s mother, where are you?" Mr. Zhang’s voice sounded from outside the door.

Mother Zhang hurriedly pulled him in, such a big matter in the family, she dared not decide alone, still needed to see what their child’s father says.

Mr. Zhang glanced at Mother Zhang, glanced at the parcels on the ground, said to Zhang Guoqing: "Everything settled here, come with dad to the room and talk about how this trip went, whom you met."

Zhang Guoqing pulled his mother, followed behind Mr. Zhang, entered the adjacent bedroom. Mr. Zhang held a long pipe, lit it, took a puff of dry tobacco, just waiting for them to talk.

Mother Zhang detailed to him what Xiao Wu said earlier about possibly needing tickets for everything next year, thoroughly told him. Mr. Zhang listened but said nothing, glanced at Zhang Guoqing, saw him nod.

Mr. Zhang squinted his eyes, took another puff, comforting his wife, "If everything switches to tickets, money is worthless, especially in rural areas. Grain tickets, cloth tickets followed by meat tickets, next year if all are tickets is no surprise. His mother, just follow Xiao Wu to provincial city, don’t worry, with Xiao Wu around, we don’t fear lacking tickets, don’t fear not buying."

Mother Zhang thought for a bit after hearing, said, "Child’s father, Xiao Wu plans to let second brother into county police bureau, asking my opinion on elder brother."

Mr. Zhang shook his head, "Elder brother not urgent, let him not enter city first. Can’t have all three enter city, doesn’t look good, negative impact. Second brother goes, small children in his family, lighter burden, second brother’s family can earn some food at home. Plant some vegetables in yard, raise pigs and chickens. Wait until Xiao Wu enters city. Then arrange for second brother’s family, gradual approach doesn’t draw attention. Tomorrow after guests leave, I’ll ask their opinions. Xiao Wu, how was this trip?"

Zhang Guoqing pondered what to say, too heavy might make them worry. After a moment, first explained who he met in provincial city, which important elders he recognized, what friends he made. Then mentioned the care Mr. Lin showed him, what he explained in five days. Finished, seeing his father wasn’t questioning further, knew it’s time for summary.

"Mr. Lin showed me seventy percent sincerity, thirty percent intentions. Haven’t had time to discuss with Jiao Jiao about it due to my mother-in-law’s presence. Haven’t interacted with other Lin Family members, taking one step at a time. Some matters are hard to explain, until my father-in-law returns, will understand by then. Mainly the Lin Family truly only has my mother-in-law as connection, those good ones interact more, bad ones avoid. I need to consult you on something, what do we do with Ping’an’s residency, enter Beijing or directly in village?"