After the most tiring part of autumn harvesting is done—half of it—the remaining task of bundling corn stalks is relatively easy; it's just a mechanical process. For the villagers, it's an ordinary job, nothing out of the ordinary.
The corn stalks cut during the autumn harvest are laid out horizontally on the ridges to dry, and with the current dry weather, they are almost dry by now.
The adult man squats down, stretches out his arms to gather everything within reach, places the pre-twisted straw rope around his waist, pulls it in, twists it, and tucks it in—that's how he finishes tying it up.
A designated person would carry these bundles to the edge of the field, leaving enough food for the old ox to last through the winter. The rest, like grain, would also be used as firewood by the villagers.
However, the village chief still habitually gave the instructions.
"Don't put corn stalks next to woodpile stacks or things that are easy to catch fire."
"Understood, Village Chief."
"I know, I know, put it outside the door."
Chen Jianguo worked diligently for two days without thinking, but finally couldn't help asking,
"Why can't it be next to the woodshed? Aren't they both for burning firewood? Does it have some other purpose?"
Li Yan and Lin Zhaodi also only had a vague understanding, but they were too embarrassed to ask and both looked at Jian Dan.
I only recently learned why it's simple.
"Which one is more likely to catch fire: the corn stalks or the twigs we collected?"
"Corn stalks."
"Then tell me, what if, just what if, a tiny spark, the corn stalks pile, 'bang,' and it catches fire, what would happen?"
A few people,
"The corn stalks would connect to the woodshed, and the woodsheds were usually next to each other, the rooms..."
A simple shrug.
"Moreover, many houses are covered with thatch, which makes them more flammable."
The three of them exchanged a glance and immediately felt a chill run down their spines.
The weather was too dry, and all the plants were not growing well. The only good thing was that there was much less work to be done afterward. Apart from corn stalks, there was no other major task.
After that was done, Liu Weimin organized people to deliver the public grain.
Watching them work hard all summer, carrying water from two kilometers away to water and nurture the sweet potatoes and potatoes bit by bit, only to have them loaded onto oxcarts or carrying poles, everyone fell silent.
Liu Weimin was also not having a good time.
"Fellow villagers, I believe that God will not let a blind sparrow starve. Go back and tidy up your homes, and we will go into the mountains tomorrow."
There was only one cart with wheels in the village, the oxcart that Uncle Liu usually drove. It was loaded with a full load of grain. The old man's pained expression was too obvious, but with the carrying poles on the shoulders of the villagers weighing on him, he couldn't say anything more.
Jian Dan had originally planned to go to the commune in the past few days, estimating that Zhu Yan's things should have arrived by now. Since she couldn't take the car, and the return trip would likely be empty, she decided to set off with the rest of the group.
The oxcart in front and the long procession of porters behind them clearly indicated that they were on their way to deliver grain to the state. Along the way, many people cast envious glances at them, noting that those bags were full of grain.
There were quite a few people here at the commune, but it wasn't noisy. They all looked like they were there to pay their grain tax, and they all looked thin and worried.
Normally, people might compare and contrast things, but in this year's economic climate, it's a good thing.
The grain was handed over quickly, and the villagers who left felt lighter on their shoulders, but their steps were still just as heavy. The grain had been handed over, and now it was time to find a way to save their lives again.
Seeing that Uncle Liu had unloaded the cart, Jian Da quickly called him over, and they went to the post office together.
Sure enough, after hearing the name and seeing the identification, a package had indeed arrived.
However, his gaze was strange.
The next second, seeing the several large bags the other person was pointing to, Jian Dan was also momentarily stunned.
"Sister, is all of this mine?"
Although that's what she meant, isn't Sister Yan's efficiency a bit too high?
She was thinking of saving them for her whenever she saw them, and said the more the better, but she didn't expect that Zhu Yan would bring over so many at once. Moreover, she didn't expect that Zhu Yan could get so many scraps of cloth so quickly. Zhu Yan is quite capable.
Okay, she underestimated me. I should apologize to Sister Yan.
Thinking this, he took out another bag of mountain produce from his basket and mailed it to the address he had given last time.
Then, after receiving the letter, he moved his several huge packages outside into a dead corner of the hall, and immediately put the extras into the base, leaving only one outside.
Liu Sanye, who was feeding the cattle, was startled. Before he could limp around it, he saw Xiao Jian, the educated youth, gently lift and put down the huge package onto the oxcart.
Okay, he forgot, the kid is strong.
Only after heading to the commune's grain station to pick up those people did Uncle Liu speak.
"What, did you get a quilt again?"
Otherwise, who could make such a large package? It looks soft too.
Jian Dan never expected to become so famous because of this. She should have chosen another day to come, but it's too late now.
He sighed first.
"Third Master, didn't I say I wanted to ask your Third Madam to make me some cotton shoes?"
I mentioned it to my older sister and asked her to keep an eye out for any scraps of cloth or anything like that. It would be great to use it to glue backing, wouldn't it? It wouldn't be a waste.
I never expected her to send so much stuff. I wonder how many scraps of fabric are in there. Did she really send me a quilt?
The old man's eyes lit up.
"You even know someone from a fabric factory?"
I quickly opened Zhu Yan's letter and scanned it.
"Where? Given my family situation, it's pointless to get to know me. This was changed for me by my older sister."
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