"Were you somewhat discouraged?"
"Well, maybe a little!"
After making so many efforts, I thought that even if it wasn't a big deal, it would at least make life a little better for my brothers. Now I realize that while things have improved a bit in the areas I can see, it seems to have only filled one or two holes in their already dire situation.
Honestly, I never thought that being able to eat tofu was anything special before, but I really didn't expect that there would be people who had never even eaten it. Compared to meat, this is very, very cheap.
I won't talk about those who just joined the army. They probably came from the countryside and are frugal, so they're reluctant to leave.
But these brothers are all veterans, veterans who have served in the army for many years. They receive allowances and subsidies every month. It's inconvenient here, but they have all served in the garrison for at least a year. Even if they need to support their families, it's unrealistic to say they are penniless, right?
But that's the reality. They really can't afford to spend a single penny. They're serving in the military camp, so close to the county town, yet they can't even afford to eat out once. I'd heard Brother Zheng say before that these people's lives were tough, but I never imagined it would be this bad.
There are quite a few people who have served in the military for three to five years, or even eight to ten years, and who have never eaten at a restaurant or had their allowances or subsidies spent on themselves, except for the canteen.
Tell me, who would believe something like this if I told them?
Jian Dan was used to such things; she had witnessed firsthand the lives of the lower classes during her years in Liujiatun.
"A penny can stump a hero, and a grain of rice can drive a grown man mad."
This kind of thing actually happens everywhere; it's just that you've been in the military all this time, so you probably haven't seen it.
"yes,"
Every moment Qin Qinghuai spent here seemed to be opening his eyes to new things.
"I've seen quite a lot since I came here, but when I heard them say today that tofu really tastes like this and that tofu is so delicious, I really felt quite sad."
The other day I told you that I've been eating bean sprouts lately, but today I learned that some people are so reluctant to eat bean sprouts that they take them home and gather their families around them as a delicacy.
"Honey, tell me, haven't I, as the political commissar, failed in my duty?"
He could barely hold up chopsticks; it was rare for this man to be so down.
"That's not entirely true."
In some cases, how should I put it, it's a legacy of history. It's not just you, Commander Lin. It's possible that when we first started stationing troops here, the conditions were already poor. Perhaps even now, Commander Lin, you still think things have developed quite well?
The natural conditions here are already poor, which limits our lives. If this place were fertile land, you would say that we could farm, no matter how much, wouldn't that provide an extra source of income?
But we don't have those resources here, do we? With just the fixed military supplies and rations from above, we've managed to feed these people and develop this place to this extent. I think that's already a very good example.
You only see that everything here is difficult—farming is difficult, making a living is difficult, eating is difficult—but you also need to think about why it's difficult.
Because there is no foundation, everywhere is empty, everywhere is a barren wasteland without hope, everywhere is a hole that needs to be filled, everywhere is a primitive state that needs to be developed. You can't expect to get fat in one bite, can you?
Given this foundation and these conditions, you came here with the intention of getting things done.
Let me tell you this: when I told Brother Chao I had money, his eyes lit up. You know, it's understandable that you don't know the conditions here, but he's been here for over ten years. He's practically a local, right? How could he not know? How could my uncle not know?
Look at how he put everything aside when this started, going on missions every year, but he barely went on any last year. He was focused on helping out here, running around looking for people and contacting equipment. He hardly stopped working. Do you think Uncle Lin and his family can't distinguish between what's important and what's urgent?
They all know the situation here is serious, but they can't do anything about it. But then you came, and hey? You've got a solution.
Tell me, who's in a hurry?
They're even more anxious than you are.
When they came over last year, my uncle and Uncle Lin said you did a great job, very well. They weren't just being polite; they genuinely wanted to praise you.
You've only been here a short time, and the changes here, while not earth-shattering, are certainly visible to the naked eye. They've all seen it. Being able to eat a few more bites of rice and meat, and having solved the survival and employment problems for some people, is already quite good. What more do you want?
The foundation was originally empty. What we have now is all built up little by little over the years by these people. It's just a thin layer of foundation, and the holes haven't even been filled. You can't expect to build the foundation all at once in a year or two; that's unrealistic.
You're in too much of a hurry.
"However, the development here cannot be accomplished by me alone. Ultimately, it depends on your support and confidence; otherwise, we wouldn't be able to get things done."
"NONONO!"
Simply shake your index finger.
"If that's the case, then what about Brother Chao? We've known each other for years, how come he didn't think of that?"
His idea was to develop the garrison there and then have them support this side, but he never thought about enabling this side to become self-reliant. He probably never even considered that, and he never mentioned it to me.
After you arrived, yes, you could say I was the catalyst, providing technical support, but the specific planning, schedules, site surveys, and subsequent implementation and arrangements had nothing to do with me. You have to admit that, right?
Qin Qinghuai was truly shaken, seemingly unable to process what was happening, having reached a dead end. He talked until his throat was dry, then decided not to try to persuade him further.
"Brother, how about this, we go out for a walk later and check on everyone's situation, what do you think?"
After finishing our meal, we strolled leisurely out of the residential compound.
Children ran around in the yard, opening and closing doors and windows. You could hear voices and laughter from the yards you passed by—the voices of the elderly, children, men, and women. The atmosphere was so cheerful, a stark contrast to the quiet and desolate atmosphere when we first arrived at the residential compound.
Occasionally, we'd run into a couple of family members, who would greet us warmly with smiles.
"Political Commissar Qin, sister-in-law, have you had some tofu? It's really delicious; we've never had it back in our hometown. Will you make it again?"
Qin Qinghuai nodded woodenly and replied with a simple smile.
"Sister-in-law, the tofu looks delicious. From now on, we won't just eat tofu, we'll have good things too."
The family member's smile widened.
"That's great! These past two years, life has really gotten better day by day. We can finally eat our fill. There's not only meat, but also such delicious food. Sister-in-law, isn't our military region getting better and better?"
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