With so much debt, there was no need to worry. Lu Fangfang was too lazy to think about it anymore; she could pay it off slowly later.

Unwrapping the oil paper, she examined the pork carefully and discovered a very fatty piece underneath that could be used to render lard.

Lu Fangfang was very happy. When making sugar cakes, adding a little lard made them even more fragrant, satisfying both cravings and hunger.

"Mingcheng, go to your sister-in-law's house behind the house and get a coal briquette to start the stove. I'll let you try my cooking later."

As she spoke, Lu Fangfang rolled up her sleeves and started kneading the flour.

Zhuang Mingcheng responded, picked up a newly bought coal briquette with the fire tongs, and went to Political Commissar Xiao's house in the back.

The honeycomb briquettes used in the family compound were made by the regiment using coal and yellow mud, and then molded out.

Every month, the regiment would deliver coal to the family compound; of course, buying coal briquettes also cost money.

Zhuang Mingcheng returned shortly after he left, carrying a bright red lump of coal.

He carefully placed it into the stove, then took the tongs and picked up two more new briquettes, placing them on the hole.

Open the air inlet at the bottom of the stove, and the coal briquettes inside quickly started to burn.

I glanced around the room and saw that Lu Fangfang was still kneading dough.

Zhuang Mingcheng carried two tin buckets and made two trips back and forth, filling the newly bought vat with water.

After finishing his chores and finding there was nothing else to do at home, Zhuang Mingcheng said goodbye to Lu Fangfang and headed straight for the regimental headquarters, where he was going to do something very important.

...

"Bang, bang, bang."

"Come in."

Gao Dajiang looked up and was somewhat surprised to see Zhuang Mingcheng. He immediately smiled and said, "Battalion Commander Zhuang, I heard you went to the city to buy a whole military truckload of supplies and you're planning to open a supply and marketing cooperative in the family compound?"

Zhuang Mingcheng: "..."

How did even the regimental commander find out in just one noon?

That's so... embarrassing!