CHAPTER 313: CHAPTER 240: (PART 2)

The Zhang Family Village had turned in its public grain, and now they were bracing for winter. Uncle Captain was racking his brains to come up with more money so everyone could have a good New Year, just waiting for the market to open.

Listening to their conversation, he sat there quietly, knowing what was going on but still checking to see if there was anything he had missed.

After a while, everyone stopped talking and looked at him. He finally made his decision, "We won’t sell any grain for food. Let’s sell all the mountain goods harvested in the autumn, and the less important things like ropes and straw sandals that the team has accumulated over time.

Winter is long; come spring next year, we’ll not miss these things. Let’s dole out all the food grain to fill stomachs first. There are still several households in the village who have borrowed grain; if they don’t get it, they won’t make it through to next summer."

Uncle Zhang originally wanted to suggest his own brother—the second family—purchase the mountain goods, to save the trouble of back and forth. But after thinking about it, he decided against it. It was too obvious. He knew his second brother’s temperament; he likes to handle things quietly to avoid drawing attention.

After Uncle Captain finished speaking, seeing they had no objections, he continued, "Once we sell and get the money today, we’ll start slaughtering pigs and distributing food tomorrow morning as usual. The accountant should first calculate the accounts, and then the rest of you should double-check them. Remember to deduct the expenses the team will need for the spring next year, and distribute the rest."

Uncle Zhang immediately asked, "Uncle Third, what’s the arrangement for the hunt? What did the other two villages say? It’s almost New Year, don’t you think we should arrange it early?"

Uncle Captain was contemplating that his own village couldn’t do without Xiao Wu leading the younger generation. In just less than two months, it would be the New Year, and nothing should go wrong. Given the crowd staying at Xiao Wu’s house, giving him three days to entertain them should roughly suffice.

"When is Xiao Wu from Zhang the Second’s family free? Those guests from Beijing don’t intend to stay for ten days or half a month, do they? I plan to let Xiao Wu take the youngsters to practice. You older folks can watch from the sidelines. After this year, it won’t be easy to find him to lead a team up the mountain anymore."

Uncle Zhang caught the hint and quickly said, "No way. As long as you call, that kid will help. This time it’s really not his fault. It was too sudden. Today, all those relatives went back, even his father-in-law left with them. Xiao Wu should be quite free next."

Uncle Captain looked at him, smiled, and shook his head.

Once those people from Beijing arrived, folks around the county were busy trying to make connections with him. Free? That kid is quite sly; he’d likely use this chance to get his big brother into the city. Saying his second brother was introduced by his father-in-law? No one would believe it. Watching him constantly taking leave to run to the county, you could easily tell he was using connections.

He could guess that the eldest son of Zhang the Second had probably secured another cushy job, not even needing to wait for the New Year; Xiao Wu would soon follow to seal the deal. So many people break their necks trying to get into the city, spending piles of money without success. Zhang the Second is really blessed; a single younger son has set up the whole family comfortably. Their family has truly escaped the mud and dirt.

Accountant Zhang smiled knowingly and shifted the topic, "Well, if nothing else, I’ll go settle the accounts. The sooner we calculate, the sooner everyone can enjoy themselves."

After everyone dispersed, Uncle Captain looked at Uncle Zhang still following him and said, "If you see Xiao Wu, tell him not to run around for the next few days, even if there’s something urgent."

Uncle Zhang agreed and headed towards Mr. Zhang’s house.

In the main room, Mr. Zhang, listening to the phonograph, cheerfully directed his two sons to pack local products. Seeing his elder brother enter, he hurriedly invited him to sit.

"Elder brother, are you here to give instructions?"

"Nothing much. Xiao Wu is in the city, right? If you see him, tell him Uncle Captain wants him to lead a team up the mountain these two days." Uncle Zhang said, leaning against the wall.

Mr. Zhang was stunned and worried. He knew Xiao Wu was busy in the county these days with his big brother’s job, and also dealing with the household registration for his family of three. Where would he find the time to go up the mountain, not to mention staying there for possibly two nights?

Uncle Zhang saw his troubled expression and frowned, "What? You’re not happy about letting him lead the team? Second Brother, don’t forget Uncle Captain said it himself, anything else has to wait."

Zhang Guoqiang saw the worried look on his father’s face and felt sympathetic for him. He quickly said with a smile, "Uncle, don’t be anxious. How could my father be unwilling? He’s just worried that today Xiao Wu went to the provincial city and might not return for several days.

Jiao Jiao’s godfather insisted on taking the couple to stay in the provincial city for a few days. Look, now their family of three is in the city, who knows what plans they have afterward. My father is worried about delaying village matters, so it’s hard to agree. Rest assured, someone from our family will go to the city, and the moment they see Xiao Wu, they’ll inform him."

"When did Jiao Jiao get another godfather? How come I didn’t know?"

Zhang Guoqiang secretly grumbled, a lot of things you didn’t know. Seeing his uncle staring at him, he had no choice but to explain the relationship between Zhao Chuan Guang and Zhou Xiaozheng.

Upon hearing, Uncle Zhang decisively concluded to let Zhang Guoqing handle his own business. He even found an excuse to comfort himself, thinking, without Xiao Wu, does the village have no one else to go up the mountain?

Mr. Zhang and his two sons burst into laughter.

Mr. Zhang talked about his second son Guoqiang starting work in a few days, and before Uncle Zhang could react, he switched the topic to ask about Zhang Dan Ni.

Mr. Zhang and his two brothers, Zhang Dan Ni was closest with Uncle Zhang, and often sought his opinion on matters. Uncle Zhang was a deputy team leader and often interacted with team leaders from various villages, and if he met someone with relatives over there, he would visit to gather some information. So sometimes he already knew a bit about Zhang Dan Ni’s situation.

Uncle Zhang shook his head, "Last month, I heard that they were still the same as in previous years. Both are in good health. Hearing this, I didn’t ask further. As long as Dan Ni and her husband are fine, we from the Zhang Family can’t meddle in their affairs. Those nephews of hers have hearts eaten by dogs, claiming they can’t control their own wives. I think they’re just unfilial.

If a woman is disobedient, you beat her until she submits, and if she’s still not compliant, divorce her, let’s see if she learns filial piety. Initially, I wanted to go over, but your sister-in-law said those children bear grudges against us. As long as Dan Ni is okay, better not to get involved to avoid being resented. Thinking it through, that makes sense. Why, are you thinking of going over?"

Mr. Zhang handed him a tobacco pipe, "I am considering it. Dan Ni’s early savings are probably gone, want to go give some money. If we, as brothers, don’t go, she might be bullied for lack of support.

These two years, except when Xiao Wu got married, she hasn’t come back. Even for Ping’an’s naming ceremony, she sent someone instead of coming herself. This time I can use the return gift as an excuse to visit."

"Every family faces its own difficulties. I thought because she married into a small family, there’d be less trouble, but who knew it’d end up being her own kids causing problems. Having just this one sister, I feel like dragging her back home so she doesn’t have to slave away for the Liu Family."

Uncle Zhang thought the Zhou Family’s matter was such a big fuss that Dan Ni would have rushed over upon hearing about it. But for some reason, she still hadn’t come. He and Mr. Zhang planned to assess the situation after the child’s first month, and if she hadn’t come by then, they’d go visit her.