I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

Zhao Weiguo immediately found the return-sale grain coupon and handed it to Zhao Wendong. It was just a slip of paper going out, but it would bring back essential supplies.

And Zhao Wendong was willing to trade two thousand *jin* of grain for those supplies. With that much grain, the production team wouldn’t have to worry about anyone starving to death. Zhao Weiguo could finally sleep soundly at night.

"Anything else? If not, I’m heading to the county seat!"

"Nothing else. You should get going. Special Commissioner Wei from the prefecture is waiting for you!"

"Mm."

Zhao Wendong glanced back at the four large characters one last time, then hopped off the *kang*, put on his shoes, and led his men away in a flurry of activity. The way he handled everything made it seem like he was the real production team leader, with everyone revolving around him. Yet, neither Zhao Weiguo nor anyone else present found anything wrong with it.

As soon as he stepped outside, he saw Zhao Lao Nian squatting there. Seeing Zhao Wendong emerge, Zhao Lao Nian hastily stood up and walked over, his face flushed red, unable to speak. Zhao Wendong stopped and offered a smile of encouragement.

"What is it, Old Uncle Nian? Something on your mind?"

"Dong... Dongzi, I want to be in the militia."

The words seemed to take all his strength. Zhao Wendong considered it. ’Zhao Lao Nian is probably only about thirty-five. His family is definitely struggling, and most importantly, he’s sure to be loyal.’ So, he agreed on the spot.

"Alright, Old Uncle Nian. You’re in."

"Alright!"

A delighted smile instantly spread across Zhao Lao Nian’s dark, weathered face.

He had just reached his front door and was about to get in the truck to head to the county seat when he saw Uncle Wang at the edge of the crowd, waving at him with Wang Dali, Erli, and Sanli in tow.

"What’s up, Uncle Wang?"

Zhao Wendong changed direction and walked over to Uncle Wang, who leaned in and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"Dongzi, for the sake of how well I’ve treated you, do Uncle Wang a favor. Let these three brothers of mine join your militia and work under you, what do you say?"

’Did they plan this?’ Zhao Wendong wondered. ’Why is everyone coming at once?’ His gaze swept over the three Wang brothers. They were all brawny and well-built, and they had reputations for being honest and hardworking. He remembered that in his past life, they had eventually all gotten married, but their wives weren’t ideal. They lived frustrating lives, completely dominated by their in-laws. Thinking about the favor he still owed for his sister-in-law’s bracelet, Zhao Wendong agreed.

"Uncle Wang, you’ve helped me out a lot recently. I still haven’t properly thanked you for the matter with my sister-in-law’s bracelet. If they want to join, let them. But I’ll lay down the rules first: I’ll be evaluating the militia members’ daily performance. Anyone who doesn’t perform well will be cut."

"Yes, yes, don’t worry! They’ll definitely do their best."

Uncle Wang was overjoyed. He barked at his three sons, who were standing stiffly to the side.

"What are you waiting for? Thank your captain!"

"Thank you, Captain!"

Zhao Wendong nodded. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted his cousin Zhao Pandi in the crowd and beckoned her over.

"What is it, Pandi?"

"Brother, it’s... it’s nothing."

"Are you sure? Are Grandpa and Grandma doing well?"

"Yes, they’re doing great."

Zhao Pandi clearly had something on her mind, but she wasn’t saying. Zhao Wendong didn’t have time to press her, as the county leaders were waiting. ’Whatever it is, it can wait until I get back tonight,’ he thought. ’I’ll drop by Grandpa and Grandma’s then. As long as they’re okay, everything else is a minor issue.’

Zhao Wendong climbed directly into the truck bed. Xiaojin and Gouzi’s pack had been sent back inside, and Xiaobai was also left at home. Only Little Xiaobai was nestled motionlessly in Lin Zhiyin’s arms, so she had no choice but to bring him along. When Little Tuanzi saw the little white weasel, she immediately latched onto Lin Zhiyin.

Zhao Wenjun had Song Xiaoyu, Lin Zhiyin, and the other women and children squeeze into the cab to shield them from the wind. He and the other men climbed back into the truck bed. They had left enough of the previously hunted wolves, rabbits, and pheasants at home to eat. Zhao Wenjun and the others had moved the rest into the truck bed, planning to take care of it all on this trip—either by selling it for money or trading it for grain.

The truck had just left the village entrance when a massive, dense flock of sparrows flew overhead, blanketing the sky. Liangzi saw them and became indignant.

"The Four Pests campaign couldn’t even get rid of all these sparrows! There are still so many. We humans can’t even get enough to eat, but look at them, every single one is fat and plump!"

A thought stirred in Zhao Wendong’s mind. ’Sparrows. They’re so fragrant when you fry them.’ It was one of the few delicacies he remembered. The last time he was at the supply and marketing cooperative in the county, he had been looking at some mist nets on the second floor. Those could be used to catch these sparrows. But then Fatty Li had shown up on the first floor, and he’d completely forgotten about it. He could take care of it on this trip to the county seat.

The big truck first stopped at the Commune. They left some meat for Liangzi’s parents and let Liangzi show his face so the old couple wouldn’t worry. Then they went to the procurement station and picked up Zheng Guangrong. The gate of the agricultural technology station next door was open, and Sun Defu was standing in the yard. As soon as he saw Zhao Wendong on the truck, he started bowing and greeting him from afar, his attitude so polite it was servile.

He had no choice but to be so polite. After being put in his place by Zhao Wendong, he had been resentful and planned to ask Fatty Li for help with revenge. But after Fatty Li and his father provoked this same Zhao Wendong, the whole county knew what had happened to them. Adding yesterday’s character-gifting incident to the mix, Sun Defu now wished he could just kowtow to Zhao Wendong a few times and beg him not to cause him any more trouble.

Zhao Wendong didn’t have time for him. The truck drove directly to the Commune headquarters. As soon as Zhao Wendong walked in, he was greeted with great enthusiasm. He could understand Yang Wenxue’s warmth, but he thought, ’Comrade Li Dawei, could you please go back to being your usual arrogant and untamable self, Mr. Public Security Special Agent?’

Seeing the documents Zhao Wendong produced, Yang Wenxue immediately took charge of everything.

"Comrade Wendong, just leave all this here. We’ll get it all taken care of for you, no problem. You’ve brought great honor to our Commune! By the way, the New Year is only half a month away, right? The Commune is planning to hold a big market in a week, on the day of the Little New Year. All the production teams will send people. Comrade Wendong, you should come and say a few words to everyone then!"

Zhao Wendong couldn’t refuse and had to nod in agreement. His mind was already churning. They had held a few free markets before, where people could buy, sell, and trade some unrestricted goods.

This time, it seemed Yang Wenxue wanted to make it a big event, giving everyone in the Commune a chance to prepare for the New Year. ’I’ll definitely have to go and join in on the fun,’ Zhao Wendong thought. ’I should get some special things and have a proper celebration for my first New Year since coming back.’

After bidding a hasty farewell to Yang Wenxue and Li Dawei, Niu Yuesheng drove the truck to Big Wang’s house. Big Wang came out to greet them, giving Zhao Wendong a thumbs-up as soon as he saw him.

"You’re a badass, brother! An old master presenting you with calligraphy... you’re really something else!"

"Haha, Brother Wang, with our relationship, there’s no need for flattery. Come on up and take a look."

Zhao Wendong pulled him straight up into the truck bed to show him the pile of game. Big Wang’s eyes went wide at the sight.

"Is... is this all a fresh hunt?"

"Not all of it. Some is from what we’ve saved up. I want you to help me trade all of it for grain. Whatever can’t be traded for grain, I’ll give to Brother Zheng to take to the procurement station for cash. You need to take this to the county seat to move it, right? Don’t go to the trouble yourself. We’ve got a truck right here, just come with us to the county!"

Big Wang glanced at Zhao Wendong and smiled.

"Alright, I’ll listen to Brother Dong!"

Zhao Wendong felt a wave of relief. He had been worried Big Wang would say he couldn’t handle it all. In this era of food shortages, trading meat for cash or other supplies instead of directly for grain always felt like a losing deal.

Big Wang waved to his wife and his younger brother-in-law.

"Have the cousins watch the house. You two come with me. Wife, grab our things."

His wife nodded and went inside, quickly re-emerging with a satchel on her back. His brother-in-law, carrying a rifle, also climbed into the truck bed.

"Brother Dong!"

Big Wang’s brother-in-law greeted Zhao Wendong warmly as soon as he saw him. Zhao Wendong clapped him on the shoulder. ’I might even be a little younger than this kid,’ he mused, ’but the title ’Brother Dong’ isn’t about age anymore. It’s about status.’

"Sister-in-law, the cab is full, so I’m afraid you’ll have to brave the wind back here with us."

Before Zhao Wendong even finished speaking, Big Wang’s wife waved her hand dismissively.

"Hah, this is nothing! I get to ride in a big truck, what more could I ask for? The last time I went to the county seat with him, we had to take a mule cart. Not only was it cold and exhausting, it was slow!"

Seeing the woman’s hearty and straightforward demeanor, Zhao Wendong nodded to himself. ’No wonder Big Wang becomes the richest man in the future. Their relationship as a couple stays strong. This is a true ’bringer of fortune’ wife. A bond forged by going through thick and thin together like this can withstand almost any test.’

In the truck bed, Big Wang and Zheng Guangrong sorted through Zhao Wendong’s goods. Big Wang would primarily handle the meat, while Zheng Guangrong would take the leftover pelts, deer livers, antlers, and so on to the main procurement station to be processed.

Most of it had already been sorted and processed beforehand. They continued to work on the remaining items right there in the truck bed. By the time they reached the county seat, it was about seventy or eighty percent sorted. They passed the main procurement station first, and since Zhao Wendong understood Big Wang’s concerns, they decided to drop off Zheng Guangrong first.

Niu Yuesheng drove the truck directly into the back courtyard of the main procurement station, unloading and counting the goods right at the warehouse entrance. This was a small privilege Zhao Wendong was able to enjoy. However, with the cadres of this era, you couldn’t expect them to bend the law for personal gain or let you take advantage of the state and the collective. They would turn on you in an instant.

But offering a small convenience or helping with a minor favor was a tacitly permitted part of social exchange. Even someone as principled as Liu Haisheng had ultimately compromised when faced with Zhao Wendong’s request, hadn’t he? And although Wang Defa was currently with Special Commissioner Wei, Zhao Wendong could now get by at the main procurement station on his reputation alone. Besides, he had Old Zheng with him.

As they were unloading the goods, Wei Shufen from the procurement station came running over.

"Old Zheng, you’re finally back! The New Year is just over ten days away, where’s the meat you promised me? You have no idea how much grief Station Chief Wang has been giving me these past few days! Do you think it’s been easy for me, waiting for those two *jin* of meat?"

Zheng Guangrong scratched his head awkwardly, chuckling.

"Ah, Sister Wei, I came out on business today and didn’t bring it. Don’t rush me. I’ll definitely get the meat to you before the New Year."

Zhao Wendong had been listening on the side and figured out the whole story. He found it rather amusing. ’How can I let Old Zheng pay for this?’ he thought. After all, he himself was the biggest beneficiary of that affair. Zhao Wendong directly cut off a large piece of wolf meat, probably weighing over three *jin*, and handed it to Sister Wei with a smile.

"Sister Wei, take this meat. Thank you for your help!"

"Oh, I can’t take yours. I’m asking Old Zheng."

Wei Shufen quickly refused. Zhao Wendong was the man of the hour; she didn’t dare take his things.

"Haha, just take it, Sister Wei. Brother Zheng and I will settle it between ourselves later."

When Wei Shufen looked over at him, Zheng Guangrong laughed heartily.

"My Brother Dong said to take it, so just take it! Don’t come looking for me for meat now. This is more than I promised, not less."

"Hehe, then thank you, Brother Dong! You guys are busy, I’ll get going."

After saying her thanks, Sister Wei ran off, gleefully hugging the meat. Now her children would have meat for the New Year. Zhao Wendong didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’What is all this? It’s one thing for Old Zheng to call me Brother Dong, but Sister Wei is almost my mother’s age, and she’s calling me Brother Dong too. Is that even right?’

They finished unloading everything and made a list, recording the quantity of each item. The rest was left for Old Zheng to slowly calculate. Niu Yuesheng’s truck, loaded with the remaining meat, headed straight for the textile factory on the south side of the county seat.

"Brother Wang, will it be easy to get rid of this much meat?"

There were ten wolves alone, plus two stags and four large roe deer and one small one. It was definitely more than a thousand *jin* of meat. To be honest, Zhao Wendong was worried that Big Wang wouldn’t be able to handle such a large amount.

"Heh, even if you had ten times this amount, I could move it all for you. The New Year is almost here. Which household doesn’t want to get some meat to eat? Everyone’s desperate for it. The pig farm only has a few sows and piglets left."

"I’ll give directions. Just follow my lead!"

Soon, Niu Yuesheng’s truck drove into a large factory on the outskirts of town. Zhao Wendong glanced at the sign by the gate, and a thought struck him. ’The Second Silk Factory?’

This was the leading enterprise in their county. As the "Home of Tussah Silk," the products from the various silk factories in the region practically monopolized the international tussah silk market. Their ability to earn foreign currency through exports was extremely strong. This was a true pillar industry for the county.