Sister Yu was extremely friendly. She took her wrist and carefully led her to her own courtyard. She poured her a cup of scented tea and let her sit down and rest before she told her why she came to see her.
"Xiao Mu, what did you do last Friday afternoon? Did you buy treasury bonds?"
"Huh?" Mu Huaixi was stunned for a moment, then nodded. Last Friday was the day when the army received their salaries. She took Ying Mingcheng and her passbook to the savings bank, withdrew some living expenses, took out the matured certificates of deposit, and planned to deposit another certificate of deposit with the money she had saved recently. However, she happened to see the director of the savings bank posting a poster selling treasury bonds, so she bought a five-year treasury bond.
"It's you! I guessed it was you the moment Director Zhang mentioned it," Sister Yu clapped her hands happily. "How much did you buy? Director Zhang said their savings bank has completed its next quarterly targets ahead of schedule! We even received a letter of commendation from the county!"
"I bought it, five thousand," Mu Huaixi said quietly, glancing around as she spoke. After all, wealth is not to be revealed. If Sister Yu hadn't asked, she wouldn't have been so frank. Mu Huaixi then explained, "When we got married, Ying Mingcheng gave me all the family savings. With the subsidy from the old man, we renovated the house and bought furniture. We didn't have much to spend in the military camp, so we saved up our salaries and our savings certificates just happened to expire, so we were able to buy so much."
"I know, I know," Sister Yu patted her hands in understanding, her gaze now tinged with admiration. Five thousand yuan was a large sum of money for anyone, and even she had to discuss it with Old Wei before using it. But after hearing what Director Zhang had said, Xiao Mu had bought five thousand yuan worth of ten-year Treasury bonds without hesitation that day, which made her curious, "Xiao Mu, what are you thinking?"
Mu Huaixi didn't know how to explain it. She was reborn, and when she saw the treasury bonds, she knew that the money was prepared for the war on the southwestern border. She paid for it without thinking. She knew that the money she paid now would become weapons in the hands and equipment on the bodies of Ying Mingcheng and others. The more preparations there were, the more possibilities there would be.
But she couldn't say that in front of Sister Yu. Mu Huaixi thought for a moment and explained, "Here's what I think. This money was originally supposed to be deposited regularly, and buying treasury bonds will allow the country to use the money for construction. Only when the country is doing well can we do better. Besides, the interest rate on treasury bonds is not low. The country will definitely not let me suffer a loss."
What Mu Huaixi said was her true thoughts, but the treasury bonds were a new thing, and many people didn't know what they were. Even though the comrades from the savings bank repeatedly promoted them, most people were still waiting and watching. But she had the memory of later life and knew that treasury bonds were a good thing, so she didn't hesitate.
Therefore, she did not take credit for it, but simply concealed it from future generations. She combined her own ideas with the introduction of her comrades from the savings bank to explain her "big move."
But it was this kind of calmness that made Sister Yu like her even more. "Xiao Mu, I know you don't want to be in the spotlight, but Director Zhang was very happy to receive the letter of commendation. He even contacted the battalion headquarters and said he wanted to commend you in person."
As soon as she finished speaking, Director Zhang came with a salesperson and gifts. When he saw the two of them, he smiled so much that his eyebrows were not visible.
Director Zhang was very determined this time. He not only sent her a letter of praise from the county, but also brought her a reward for active savers - an imported washing machine.
"This is a special prize. Originally, it was only given to those with deposits of 10,000 yuan in the city. I asked for it specially for you." Director Zhang smiled happily when he saw Mu Huaixi. He never thought that someone in the savings bank in the mountains would buy 5,000 yuan of treasury bonds, completing their two-quarter task in one go.
The imported washing machine is extremely large, and two men may not be able to lift it. Director Zhang naturally cannot carry it with him, but he brought photos and award plaques with him to demonstrate the benefits of this washing machine to Mu Huaixi.
"Look, once the lid is opened, just throw the clothes and bedding in, and then add some detergent, the washing machine will start washing clothes by itself, and you don't have to take care of it! Just take it out and dry it when the time comes." Director Zhang had actually never used a washing machine. What he said was all hearsay. This imported washing machine was "snatched" back by the county bank from the city. They got this good thing because their savings bank had a "good start".
Director Zhang received a letter of commendation from the county bank. Instead of feeling proud, he was eager to make some moves. He brought various gifts to visit Captain Wei's wife, intending to hold a commendation and mobilization meeting to tap into the "gold mine" of the military camp.
"If you buy two thousand treasury bonds, you will get a sewing machine for free; if you buy one thousand, you will get an iron pot for free; if you buy five hundred, you will get scissors and kitchen knives for free; if you buy one hundred, you will get rice for free; if you buy fifty, you will get an enamel pot for free." Director Zhang had obviously invested a lot of money. He received a letter of praise on Monday, and on Wednesday he brought a truckload of gifts from the county to mobilize everyone in the military camp to buy treasury bonds. He also asked Mu Huaixi to give a speech on the stage and let her talk about the process and ideas of buying treasury bonds.
Director Zhang's words were full of nonsense, but Mu Huaixi disagreed. She pulled Sister Yu aside and whispered, "Sister Yu, most of the people in our family compound have children. You know, Ying Mingcheng and I just got married and don't have children, so we can save so much money. If Director Zhang does this, if someone buys five- or ten-year high-denomination treasury bonds just to save face, I'm afraid it won't be appropriate. Supporting the country is what we should do, but if it affects the harmony of our small family, that's not good."
Sister Yu's heart, which was moved by Director Zhang's words, instantly cooled down. Just like Xiao Mu said, this is a good thing to support the country, and it cannot become a "bad thing" because of some other factors.
Sister Yu discussed with her and agreed to let Director Zhang go to the family compound to mobilize the troops, but she did not allow him to announce the amount of treasury bonds Mu Huaixi purchased. She only said that she was the first comrade to purchase more than 500 yuan. At this time, being able to come up with 500 yuan to support treasury bonds was already a big deal, so as not to put too much pressure on other military wives and family members.
Director Zhang was reluctant at first, but Mu Huaixi said that he could introduce him to the cadres of Furongqiao Commune and let their savings bank also go to the brigade to hold a mobilization meeting, so he agreed.
And at Mu Huaixi's strong request, the washing machine given to her will become a gift to everyone in the family compound at the mobilization meeting - she is not being polite, but using a washing machine to wash clothes is too luxurious these days. Not only does it waste water and electricity to use a washing machine for ordinary clothes, but it will also be borrowed by others if left at home. It is better to take it out and let everyone wash sheets and beddings, and whoever uses it will pay for the water and electricity bills.
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