With the full implementation of the "planned economy," everything from bicycles to needles, even a pile of excrement, required ration coupons, and people gradually adapted to it.
The people in the courtyard then remembered that Sun Dajiang's family had just managed to buy another bicycle before the ration coupon era arrived; their luck was truly unparalleled.
The people in the compound were envious again. They were not worried about scarcity but about inequality. They hated those who had and laughed at those who didn't. This was reflected in the behavior of these people.
Some even suggested that Sun Dajiang treat them to a meal, and Yan Bugui, one of the most outstanding among them, even consulted with Yi Zhonghai about the matter.
But Yi Zhonghai had no interest in getting involved in these messy affairs. He couldn't control Sun Dajiang's family, and he was already preoccupied with his own problems. He had no time to deal with these matters.
Yi Zhonghai has been in trouble ever since the implementation of the rationing system.
First, an elderly deaf woman came to visit, saying that she was old and didn't have many days left to live, and she was craving some meat. She asked Yi Zhonghai to help her find some meat coupons so she could buy some meat to satisfy her craving.
Listen to this! He's old and doesn't have many days left to live. What's wrong with wanting to eat some meat? If even this request can't be met, won't Yi Zhonghai's image of respecting the elderly and caring for the young collapse? What will others think of him?
But don't you think about it? Each family only gets a few ounces of meat per month. It's barely enough to fill a family's stomach. Who would have extra meat coupons? Go find me some meat coupons.
Later, Yi Zhonghai had no choice but to go to the black market and buy two tickets to the deaf old man, which was the only way he could fool him.
Just as the deaf old lady calmed down, her beloved apprentice Jia Dongxu came knocking on the door again, saying that he didn't have enough food at home and asking his master to help him adjust the situation.
Good heavens! They've come to beg for alms from their master, but Yi Zhonghai can't just ignore it; he's counting on Jia Dongxu to support him in his old age.
To avoid disappointing his apprentice, he could only take 10 jin of cornmeal from his own food rations and give it to his apprentice to help him through the difficult time.
The key problem is that 10 jin of cornmeal is not enough! According to Jia Dongxu's description, they are short at least 80 jin of grain every month.
Damn it, how could you, Jia Dongxu, ask for 80 jin of grain a month? You're not going to buy a single jin and are looking for someone to feed your whole family.
After helping a few times, Yi Zhonghai became so annoyed that he thought of finding someone to share the burden.
Originally, the best helper in this courtyard was Sha Zhu, but in Sha Zhu's current situation, everyone is avoiding him like the plague, so how could they possibly approach him willingly?
Besides, even if they really found Sha Zhu, his meager salary wouldn't be enough to support him and his sister.
Yi Zhonghai racked his brains and checked everyone in the compound, but found no one available. In the end, Yi Zhonghai decided to hold a large meeting to donate grain, thus binding everyone in the compound to his cause.
In the evening, after school, Sun Zhengguo ran into Yan Bugui at the gate. He hurriedly greeted him and was about to leave when Yan Bugui stopped him.
"Wait a minute, Zhengguo, I have something to inform you, so I don't have to make another trip."
"What is it, Third Uncle? Tell me."
Sun Zhengguo had homework to do when he got home and didn't want to argue with Yan Bugui, so he just said it directly.
"The meeting starts at 7 p.m. tonight. Just tell your parents when they get back."
"I understand, Uncle. I need to go back and do my homework. I'll be going now."
After Sun Zhengguo finished speaking, he pushed the cart away without waiting for Yan Bugui's reply.
When Mr. and Mrs. Sun arrived home, Sun Zhengguo brought up the matter. Sun Dajiang said he knew about it and that Yan Bugui had been waiting at the door when he left work and had notified them again.
Sun Zhengguo was curious and asked.
"Dad, do you know what's going on in the meeting tonight?"
"I don't know, Yan Bugui doesn't know either. He said it was Yi Zhonghai who requested the meeting."
After Sun Dajiang finished speaking, he went to get busy. Lin Wencui then added a sentence.
"Meetings, meetings, this tiny courtyard, where do all these meetings come from? More than the meetings of national leaders."
"Hahaha……."
Lin Wencui's words made the children burst into laughter.
In the evening, the courtyard meeting was held on time, and Liu Haizhong, who was sitting at the front, spoke first.
"Everyone's here, so let's begin. Today's meeting was organized at the request of an elder. As for the specifics, let our respected elder tell you all about it."
After Liu Haizhong finished speaking, he picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then waited quietly for the old man to speak.
Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, Yi Zhonghai coughed lightly and then spoke.
"Everyone knows that our courtyard is a civilized courtyard. We usually emphasize respecting the elderly and caring for the young, unity and friendship, mutual help, and mutual support when one is in trouble. Our people do these things very well."
Yi Zhonghai paused here. As a master of controlling the situation, Yi Zhonghai knew how to manage the situation.
First, they praise everyone and use moral blackmail to their advantage. Then they make demands. If you agree, everyone benefits. If you disagree, then you are immoral.
Seeing that the scene was quiet and no one showed any emotional fluctuations, Yi Zhonghai realized that his goal had been achieved and began to continue his speech.
“Right now, some people in our courtyard are facing difficulties. There are several family members, but only one person has a quota. I hope that everyone can help them. If you help me today, I will help you tomorrow. Let’s work together to build a harmonious and beautiful courtyard.”
As soon as Yi Zhonghai finished speaking, a "boom" erupted from the crowd, and everyone began to murmur amongst themselves.
Everyone knows that besides the Jia family, who else could fit this standard for their compound? So, you were praising us so highly just now, only to pull this stunt on us.
But while everyone understands this, no one wants to be the one to stick their neck out.
Yi Zhonghai, a seasoned veteran, saw that the situation couldn't be allowed to spiral out of control, so he spoke up.
"That's right, as you all guessed, I'm talking about the Jia family. Everyone knows about the Jia family's situation. Our compound is supposed to be a civilized compound, so we can't let anyone starve to death!"
When Yi Zhonghai said this, the audience quieted down considerably. Why did they quiet down?
That's because Yi Zhonghai has put a huge accusation on you. If you don't help, what will happen if people starve to death? People will gossip about you behind your back.
Sun Zhengguo, listening from below, felt a bit contemptuous of Yi Zhonghai. He thought, "Yi Zhonghai, you've been spouting nonsense all this time. If the Jia family has no grain, can't they just buy some?"
But what did you, Yi Zhonghai, do? You're morally blackmailing everyone in the compound to help the Jia family. If all else fails, can't you, as their mentor, at least give them some money to help them out?
That's what they say, and everyone understands the logic, but nobody's willing to take the lead. Perhaps that's where Yi Zhonghai's brilliance lies.
Then, the entire conference fell silent.
Will anyone be the first to take the lead?
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