As expected, the accountant and the director of women's affairs were both there. Qin Huai greeted them and said, "The county is sending relief grain to the village, and the commune will probably send someone soon. I have something urgent to discuss with you."
The accountant said, "Let's go over there and talk."
The three of them went outside, and Qin Huai told them about the commissioner. He also said that he had been worried about the sweet potatoes in the warehouse and must not let the commune find out.
The accountant said, "Don't be afraid. Sweet potatoes are the life-saving food of the whole village. They have been hidden away long ago and outsiders can't find them."
After hearing these words, the worry that had been hanging in my throat immediately disappeared.
Qin Huai brought up the captain again, and the accountant said, "It would be great if he could be rescued. If not, all of us villagers will erect a longevity tablet for him. He saved us all with his life, and the whole village will never forget his kindness."
The attitude towards life and death in this era is different from Qin Huai’s in his previous life. In his previous life, people would rather let the world down than let the world let them down.
It is absolutely impossible to sacrifice one person for the sake of everyone. People at this time are more willing to sacrifice for the collective.
Qin Huai said, "Since you are already prepared, I will leave. I have to find a way to save the captain when I return."
He had barely finished speaking when he saw several cars approaching. The doors opened, and Qin Huai was surprised to find that Zhao Qishan was the first to get out. Seeing him, he immediately walked over and said, "From a distance, he looks just like you. Comrade Qin Huai, why are you here?"
Qin Huai said: "I am a farmer from Qinjiazhuang. This is my home."
Zhao Qishan said, "Comrade Qin Huai, this is shocking. Fortunately, you gave me a wake-up call that day. Otherwise, I would not know how to carry out my work in Wanbei County."
"Commissioner Zhao, I heard about it too. You risked your own life to save the people of our entire county. I thank you on behalf of the farmers of Wanbei County."
"Why thank me? This is what I should have done. It's just that I came too late, causing the people of the entire county to suffer."
Qin Huai choked up and said, "It doesn't matter if you come late, as long as you don't not come, Commissioner Zhao. We ordinary people have such a hard time."
Zhao Qishan said: "I criticized the comrades in the county. How can they do their work in such a crude and rough manner? They just barged into the farmers' homes. I also heard that they went too far. They broke open many people's pits and banged and dug everywhere. This is outrageous."
After he finished speaking, Qin Huai sighed. He then said, "Don't worry. I've brought some relief food here today and will distribute it to everyone right here. You don't have to worry about going hungry or having another food raid."
This is indeed good news. If the grain-searching team had not dug deep into the ground, they would not have dug out all the grain of the farmers who were used to hiding it.
Qin Huai said with emotion: "Commissioner Zhao, you are truly the great judge of Wanbei County. If you had come to Wanbei County earlier, I don't know how many people would have been spared from starvation."
Zhao Qishan said, "It's a pity for the people who died. I can only do my best to make amends now. The mistakes the county made in the past are unforgivable."
The problem with the county's grain warehouse was equally alarming. The reported yield was 10 million jin of wheat, but the actual inventory in the warehouse was only 5 million jin, and the gap of 5 million jin was left unfilled.
If Zhao Qishan had not taken office, this gap would still have to be filled by farmers across the county next year. By then, the task would not have been reduced, and the gap would still have to be filled. I'm afraid there would be few people left in Wanbei County.
Qin Huai was relieved but also began to feel sad. Jiang Feng walked over and said, "Commissioner Zhao, do you know Teacher Qin?"
"Teacher Qin?" Zhao Qishan was surprised by the title. Qin Huai was just a young farmer. Where did the title Teacher Qin come from?
Jiang Feng said, "Commissioner Zhao, don't you know? Teacher Qin is the author of the two most famous poems, 'A Generation' and 'Facing the Sea, Spring Blossoms Bloom,' and is the most famous poet in the province."
"Those two poems were actually written by you? Oh, and the author's name is also Qin Huai. How could I be so confused? It's an uncommon name, and they're both from northern Anhui. How could I not have thought of you?"
Qin Huai said, "Commissioner Zhao, that's because you're wholeheartedly devoted to serving the people. You're a truly good official in Wanbei County. But I'll never write poetry again. What's the point of being famous? I can only watch the villagers starve to death without being able to do anything."
Jiang Feng said unhappily, "Teacher Qin, don't say negative things in front of Commissioner Zhao."
Zhao Qishan said: "There is nothing wrong with what Qin Huai said. Ensuring the survival of the people is what grassroots officials like me should focus on most."
The grain being returned to the truck today turned out to be wheat. This wasn't surprising, as the county in northern Anhui is a wheat-producing region. Grain taxes were all paid in wheat, and the county grain depot was filled exclusively with wheat.
Qin Huai said, "Commissioner Zhao, please get busy. That's great." He couldn't leave, as saving Qin Laoshuan would depend on this man.
Zhao Qishan said, "Comrade Qin Huai, I've always remembered what you said. You said you would only accept my money if I saved the people of Wanbei County. I know my work has just begun and I haven't been able to save all the people in the county yet. Today, I can only owe you the money. When I feel qualified to repay it, I will return it to you."
Qin Huai said with emotion: "Commissioner Zhao, I was talking nonsense, don't take it seriously."
Zhao Qishan said, "You are not talking nonsense. It was your words that kept spurring me on. That's why I had the courage to open the granary and felt that I had done nothing wrong."
"You're too kind."
As they were talking, the grain distribution work had already begun. Someone shouted, "Where is Comrade Qin Laoshuan, the production team leader of Qinjiazhuang? The grain distribution is about to begin."
Qin Huai saw this and thought, isn't it a perfect opportunity?
Seeing his expression, Jiang Feng guessed what he was about to say and immediately said, "The captain of Qinjiazhuang has been detained by the commune for his crimes. Let the other village cadres help distribute the grain."
Zhao Qishan said, "Oh, tell me what's going on."
"Commissioner Zhao said this: Qinjiazhuang had a mission to raise fifteen pigs, but the production team leader, Qin Laoshuan, was indifferent to the commune's property and actually killed the commune's pigs. The commune has already locked him up..."
Before he could finish, Zhao Qishan said, "Nonsense, what does the death of a pig have to do with humans?"
Qin Huai ignored Jiang Feng's hint and continued, "Commissioner Zhao, if a pig dies, should a human life be paid for it? I just visited Qin Laoshuan today. He's been imprisoned in the commune's dungeon and is nearly starving to death. Commissioner Zhao, do you think it's appropriate to ask a human life to pay for a pig's death?"
Zhao Qishan said, "The work style at the grassroots level in Wanbei County really needs to be improved. Natural disasters and man-made disasters are inevitable. Comrade Jiang Feng, I order you to immediately send someone to release the production team leader of Qinjiazhuang. We only have one life, and no one has the right to disregard it."
Jiang Feng had no choice but to go over and give orders.
Qin Huai was overjoyed and said, "Thank you, Commissioner Zhao."
Zhao Qishan said, "It seems that I still have a long way to go in my work in Wanbei County."
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