As July approached, the fields had no harvest and the rice seedlings of Songjiang Commune had completely dried up. The leaders of the commune were discussing the issue of relief food, and Lin Zitao and Lu Shiyi were both called from the farm into the conference room.
The captains of the six battalions at the foot of the mountain were complaining one after another. Lu Shiyi and Lin Zitao looked at each other and thought that they were crying poor to the army.
Due to weather reasons, the farms in various military regions all suffered poor harvests. The logistics personnel have used up the stored food. Except for the war reserve food, the rest of the food will be distributed to the various military regions. The shortfall will be made up by the military regions and armed forces.
The temperature remained high for two consecutive months without a drop of rain. However, as Su Jin said, the ice stored in the ice cellar became a source of life-saving water.
"Minister Lu, Political Commissar Lin, the situation is critical now. I just hope you can help." Secretary Guo said to the two soldiers.
"Secretary, you have it tough. The food distribution from the logistics department is so limited that every area has a huge shortage. The people on the farm have only received half a month's worth of rations, and the rest have to be managed on their own." Lin Zitao sighed, "We must ensure that the patrol members are well fed, and the rest of the people must eat rations. We can't let the members go into battle hungry."
Secretary Guo's face turned grim after he finished speaking. Lin Zitao's words were too hurtful. If he dared to talk about the supplies again, this person would definitely not give him a good face. If outsiders heard it, his reputation as secretary would be ruined.
"Political Commissar Lin, how could I have thought that?" Secretary Guo waved his hands repeatedly. "I thought everyone was having a hard time, so I wanted your help in finding a solution. You must know more than us."
After hearing Lin Zitao's questioning, several team leaders began to regret their decision. Lu Bairen was sure that Secretary Guo was not as he said, and that he was only concerned about the villagers. Secretary Guo must have his own selfish motives.
Ever since Secretary Guo took office, he has been using the disguise of kindness to paralyze several team leaders. After Lu Shiyi dealt with him twice, he felt that this person was only focused on merit, and the blame was borne by the team leader instead.
The captains were once the patriarchs of their respective families and rarely had the opportunity to see the outside world. Lu Shiyi and others had been dealing with outsiders for many years and had long been accustomed to their calculations.
"Secretary, I remember that during the winter, I suggested that you arrange for people to store more ice from the lake. The two ice storages in the county don't have much ice. If you stored ice in advance, you don't have to worry about whether there will be drought." Lin Zitao said, staring at Secretary Guo.
As soon as the words came out, everyone in the brigades was stunned. Secretary Guo had never mentioned this matter before. If he reminded them, they would do it.
What Lin Zitao said was right. They had the advantage of feeling it first. The temperature in winter was very low. Even if it didn't snow, the lakes and rivers would freeze. Some old people in the village would store ice.
"Secretary, did Political Commissar Lin remind you?" After hearing Lin Zitao's words, several team leaders questioned Secretary Guo.
Secretary Guo panicked for a moment. Lin Zitao and Lu Shiyi both reminded him, but he turned a deaf ear to them and thought nothing would go wrong.
Who would have thought that a major disaster would happen here just after the beginning of spring.
"I didn't think it would be this serious at the time." Commissar Guo, aware that several team leaders were unhappy with him, bravely explained to them. "I had just arrived at Songjiang Commune and didn't know the specific situation here, so I was a little slow to react."
Several team leaders glared at Secretary Guo and turned to look at Lu Shiyi and Lin Zitao.
"Shi Yi, your grandfather came from Songjiang Commune. Now the village is in trouble. Shouldn't we find a way to help?" Several team leaders said hurriedly.
"The situation outside is even worse now. I can't do anything. Secretary Guo should help you." Lu Shiyi remembered his grandfather mentioned that since the family tree has been divided, the villagers have stopped thinking about taking over.
After hearing what Lu Shiyi said, Lu Boyuan regretted letting Lu Bairen's lineage divide the family tree. They even moved Lu Bairen's lineage's household registration out. The homestead was bought by Lu Shiyi with real money, and even the village could not take it away.
"I remember the team members got ice from the river halfway up the mountain. Is there any left in the ice bank?" One team leader recalled watching the team members carrying ice blocks during their winter hunting trip in the mountains. "It would be great if we could move some out."
"No, the farm has given the water source to you. From spring to now, for several months, the farm has relied on ice for water." Lu Shiyi flatly refused.
Lin Zitao nodded in agreement: "We are worried too. The food shipped from above is not enough to last until next month."
The two men prepared to go back and raise the height of the walls around the farm to prevent people from climbing over the walls and stealing things.
"I will apply for relief food in advance. There is a disaster in Daming now, so the amount of relief food won't be too much." Secretary Guo quickly reminded several team leaders.
Secretary Guo is the only secretary here, but he cannot shake the people in the village and make the village heads dissatisfied, so his life will not be easy.
"Secretary, as long as there is food, I think it's fine. Now is not the time to eat in the cafeteria together. Each family will have its own arrangements." After listening to Secretary Guo's words, the second team leader only wanted to send the food back as soon as possible, otherwise, the team members would have to go to his house to make trouble.
"Okay, come back for news in three days." Secretary Guo thought about the time and said, "Bu Lu, Political Commissar Lin, you stay for a while."
The crops in the fields of several brigades in Songjiang Commune died. Secretary Guo was scolded for a long time by the county party secretary. He kept thinking about how to deal with this crisis.
"Commissar Lu, Political Commissar Lin, I'm asking you to help me think of a solution, is that possible?" Secretary Guo looked at them pleadingly. "The county doesn't have much relief food. I just hope we can get through this difficult time."
Secretary Guo regretted not listening to the two's reminders, but reality slapped him in the face. He thought he could make a lot of contributions, but now he just wants to keep his official hat.
"Secretary, you should apply to the higher-ups first. The Armed Forces Department can't really help you." Lin Zitao spread his hands. "It's already difficult for the farm to be self-sufficient in food. The wild animals in the mountains will probably come down if they run out of food."
After hearing Lin Zitao's threat, Secretary Guo had no choice but to find a solution on his own.
Lu Shiyi and Lin Zitao walked out of the commune office building side by side, and seeing Yunfeng and Su Jin waiting for them not far away, they hurried over.
Su Jin was holding Hanhan in her right hand, with a large bamboo basket under her left foot, while Yunfeng was carrying the bamboo basket on her back.
They took advantage of their meeting time to go to the supply and marketing cooperative.
"Ayi, there aren't many things you can buy at the supply and marketing cooperative, so I specially bought what I needed." Su Jin opened the bamboo basket. A passing commune worker took a look and found that it was full of daily necessities.
"The situation is not good now, so it's good to have these supplies." Lu Shiyi reached out and took the bamboo basket, put it directly on his back and prepared to leave.
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