The people in the city are satisfied, but what about the members of Zhangjia Village?

Unsatisfied...

At this moment, the canteen converted from the ancestral hall compound was in a mess, and everyone looked unhappy.

At the top table sat the old clan leader, with two clan elders beside him, as well as the old team leader, Uncle Zhang, Accountant Xiao Shitou and other male cadres of the village team.

Nowadays, people shout about equality for all and equality between men and women every day, but when you sit in the Zhangjia Village cafeteria, you can see that the clan leader has great authority.

With so many people from outside coming over, no one thought it was strange.

"...A few villages over from us, there are many canteens that offer free meals. They provide white rice, meat, and dry rice every meal. Why are we not living as well as they are?"

"In my aunt's village, people eat old hens, braised pork, and white flour buns every day. I went there to eat yesterday, but the villagers didn't even ask me to give them money or food."

"It's better for each family to eat their own food. Look at what we have here? Steamed buns with wild vegetables! We have to eat this right after the autumn harvest. What have we been busy with all year?"

"That's right! Not only did my family hand over all the surplus grain, we even handed over all the old hens and chicks. We still have to drink porridge like other families, and our children can't even eat a bite of meat."

Seeing that they were getting more and more outrageous, the old patriarch picked up the bowl and placed it heavily on the table.

With a "click", there was silence all around, as if the cassette tape had been stopped.

After a while, the old patriarch snorted and said, "You don't accept it! You don't accept it, right? Those who wanted to eat their own family just now should go to the village and tell the higher-ups directly. Don't be so blind in front of your own family.

Rice, steamed buns, braised pork, and even an old hen? Haha… who wouldn't want that? I'll give it all to you guys in a minute, and then you're going to eat dirt?

"Xiao Xiaozi, tell them what's going on. If they can't hear clearly or remember, you can list all the inventory in our village and post it on the door."

The newly appointed accountant, Xiao Shitou, quickly stood up and flipped open the book. He glanced at the crowded group of members before him, then picked up the loudspeaker and began to read the account book.

An hour later, seeing that everyone was dejected, the old patriarch was satisfied.

"Alright! Just focus on your work and stop worrying about other things. If anyone is feeling craving something, just go to those villages a few more times. They're hosting a buffet, so feel free to go and eat. But remember not to tell them you're from Zhangjia Village."

As soon as he said this, the group of people below started to laugh.

After everyone stopped laughing, the old patriarch continued, "Everyone in the village knows which families paid more or less this time, and they all remember it.

Don't feel suffocated by the many people you have close ties with. Just think of the sows and hens in the homes of Zhang Laoer's three sons.

Do you remember what Zhang Laoer said? He said we are all family, and it is not a concession for others.

That’s right, we’re all family. Remember this! All of us here, young and old, no matter if your surname is Zhang or not, we’re all family. Don’t let outsiders laugh at us.”

When the old patriarch saw everyone shouting, he said he remembered it.

He smiled happily and said to the old captain beside him, "You still have to ring the bell for these boys from time to time. If anyone disobeys, you can beat him with a stick."

The old captain smiled and nodded. "You all heard it, right? Okay, everyone, go back and explain things to your mothers and wives. If anyone is afraid of their wives, have them come to the team to check the account books."

After the old patriarch and his men watched everyone leave one after another, they began to discuss how to save resources and open up the flow.

When Accountant Zhang saw his eldest son enter his room, he didn't ask what happened.

At this moment, he was helping his wife massage M's arm. He had heard from the doctor and Zhang Guoqing that massage was useful for stroke recovery, so he decided to try it himself.

Spouse, spouse, companion in old age. Spouse is the best in old age. With spouse, one has home. Spouse cares for one's well-being and never leaves one's side. Spouse is the most caring and considerate.

During this time at their son's house, the old couple ate well and slept well, and his wife was carefully cared for by his daughter-in-law. His wife's health was getting better and better. It was a pity that the higher-ups came, otherwise he really would not have returned to the village.

"Dad, look at what those people said: After we finish eating the food, the higher-ups will give us more. Is that true?"

Accountant Zhang snorted and smiled at him with contempt.

"Dad, tell me about it. I'm so upset. If the higher-ups really give us money, then what's the point of working so hard? Don't you think so?"

Accountant Zhang frowned and raised his eyelids. "Just listen to your captain. Does it matter whether it's true or not? Are you all just sitting there doing the work and letting your superiors do it?"

Unfortunately, his eldest son didn't understand and muttered, "You always beat around the bush when you can't just speak directly."

Accountant Zhang no longer wanted to pay attention to him. He was so old and still hadn't figured it out, so no matter how much he talked, it was useless. He just lowered his head and continued massaging his wife.

This time, the county doctor said my wife would recover soon, except for difficulty speaking. He hoped she would get up soon. Sigh... lying down for too long isn't good.

Time passed as his eldest son muttered to himself.

"Dad, how is Mom? Is she feeling better? I brought the medicine. Remember to give it to Mom." Zhang Chunming came into the house from outside and said.

He glanced at his eldest brother with a strange look, "Why didn't you go to work today?"

"Hey, I just came back after everyone went to talk to the captain. I'll take a break and then leave. Youngest, is it true that your father-in-law didn't ask for a penny from the team and donated all the sows and hens at home?"

"Oh, I did donate. The villagers didn't even charge for it this time, so how could my father-in-law have the nerve to ask for it? Back in the early days when we were building a small community, weren't the only items charged for, like cows and donkeys, those things were free? Why are you asking? Did my father-in-law do something wrong?"

After saying that, Zhang Chunming looked at him suspiciously.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm just asking. I'll go to work first, and you can have a good chat with Mom and Dad."

After watching him leave, Zhang Chunming asked, "Dad, what happened to my brother?"

"Ignore him. Why did you come back today?"

Zhang Chunming smiled and touched his head. "I was about to come back, but something delayed me. How's Mom these days? Is she feeling better?"

After saying that, he took out six packets of Chinese medicine from the cloth bag and placed them on the cabinet. Then he took out two packets of cakes and placed them in the drawer. He found that there were still some uneaten cakes inside. "Dad, don't be reluctant to eat them. They will go bad if you keep them for too long."

Accountant Zhang smiled and nodded. "Did your brother-in-law give it to you again? Don't bring it here in the future. Save it for the children. Nowadays, everyone in the cafeteria is well fed, so there's no need to eat these snacks."

Zhang Chunming laughed heartily. "I know Dad isn't a greedy person, but this can help fill your stomach when you're hungry at night. This is from Xiaowu for you two. Besides, are you worried that the children at home won't have anything to eat? Ever since Xiaowu moved to the county town, Xiaowen and the others have been eating non-stop. I feel embarrassed seeing them."

"Get along well with them. I've lived in your house for so long, and I can see that Xiaowu and his wife respect your wife very much. His five brothers and sisters are all equally close on the surface, but Xiaowu is closest to your wife."

"Yeah, I know."

Accountant Zhang laughed and said, "My dear, look at this silly son who says he knows. What a bullshit!" After saying that, he saw his old son chuckling and did not refute.

He continued, "Now Xiaowu doesn't interfere in his two brothers' family affairs, do you know that?"

Zhang Chunming nodded. "I heard it from my wife, and I know a thing or two. It was my father-in-law who told Xiaowu to just take care of his own family."

Accountant Zhang waved at him and whispered, "Your father-in-law is a small part of the reason. The biggest reason is that the eldest son's wife offended Xiaowu, and he was angry that his sister-in-law didn't take his parents seriously.

What can I say about Xiaowu? He doesn't mind whoever offends him, as long as they don't provoke him. But there are three, no, four people now—his parents, his wife, and his son. These four people are his bottom line.

I think he's come to terms with it now, feeling that since the family has split up and each has their own household, it's not time for him to interfere. Look, your father-in-law and his wife are both registered at the second son's house. Without his involvement, his second brother definitely wouldn't be able to handle the household registration transfer. So, do you know why they only moved to the second son's house?"

"Isn't the second brother in the household registration department? It's a handy thing."

"Silly son! If it were that simple, they would have moved our household registration to your house long ago. Don't tell anyone what your father said to you.

I guess Xiaowu and his family are going back to Beijing soon. He's worried that his parents won't go with them, and that if they stay with the eldest brother, they'll be bullied by his eldest sister-in-law. So he made a decisive move and moved his parents' household registration and food rations to the second brother's home.

The second son has the final say in the family - no one dares to deduct food rations from his parents.

In this way, who will dare to annoy your father-in-law in the future? Even if Xiaowu leaves the county, he still has a yard for his parents to live in. The old couple has food, money, and a yard, so they can live a very comfortable life.

Zhang Chunming looked at his father with his mouth open in disbelief. Is it really that weird?

"Look, your mother has already nodded. Think about it, your wife, your sister-in-law, and the second son all live together. His yard is right in the middle, and his parents live there. What could be a better arrangement than this?"

Zhang Chunming frowned after hearing this. "Is it really necessary to go through so much trouble? My father-in-law can just go back with them. If you're worried, just let him stay with me."

Accountant Zhang rolled his eyes at him. "Don't your father-in-law and his family miss their son and grandson? What a great arrangement! They can go to Beijing whenever they want, and come back whenever they want. He's truly filial, and he's done everything he can for his parents. Second Brother Zhang is truly blessed."

When Zhang Chunming saw his father swearing, he burst into laughter, but then he felt sad because he had made his parents suffer.

"Why are you looking so sad? Daddy envies him, but he doesn't think he's that bad. Your mom and I are lucky to have a son like you. We won't compare ourselves to him. We're still a hundred times better than others. The old house is mine. Who dares to make me angry? Go back and take good care of yourself. Don't worry about Mom and Daddy."

The father and son chatted for a while, and Zhang Chunming talked about what Zhang Guoqing reminded him of in the cafeteria that day.

Accountant Zhang smiled and shook his head. His son had become stupid from studying, but luckily he didn't become an official.

He meticulously analyzed the situation for his son, admonishing him to speak less and observe more. The ancients often said that a single misstep can lead to eternal regret, but a single slip of the tongue can also lead to eternal regret.

Afterward, Accountant Zhang watched his son leave, feeling a pang of unease. He was truly worried that his son was too honest and upright. If he didn't have to eat in the cafeteria and had his own rations, he wouldn't want to return to the village. Now, he really didn't want to see his daughters-in-law's fake smiles.

Accountant Zhang would never have expected that he would soon be faced with a choice: return to the county town or stay in the village? If he went back to the county town, he would feel at ease but would be a burden to his children. If he didn't go back to the county town, he would feel bad and might not be able to fill his stomach.

The choice is difficult, but even more difficult is...