In the evening, Jiang Shushu went to bed early because tomorrow and the day after tomorrow were the annual days for the Huaxing, Hualing and Huahe brigades to go into the mountains, so they had to conserve their energy.
The brigade near Q City has two traditional festivals, one is the day for releasing birds and the other is the day for entering the mountains.
The day for releasing birds is the 16th day of the first lunar month every year. Each household pays money according to the number of people entering the mountain (two cents per person, with a maximum of two people per household). The team uses the money to buy various small animals and release them into Wanfeng Mountain, allowing them to live freely, grow healthily, and reproduce happily.
Entering the mountains on the sixth and seventh days of the twelfth lunar month each year, they capture the animals released earlier. The number of people from each family is determined by the number of people who contributed to the release, either one or two. Once in the mountains, everyone relies on their own skill; whoever catches the first animal gets it. With luck, they can expect a prosperous new year.
If we were to say what the most favorite day for each brigade is, apart from the Spring Festival, it would be the day to go into the mountains, because during these two days, as long as you are lucky enough and capable enough, eating meat until you vomit is not a dream, and becoming rich overnight is not a dream.
Early the next morning, after Jiang He and his daughter had breakfast, they each put a snakeskin bag, and put food, drinks, etc. into the backpack they were carrying. Finally, Jiang He took a sickle and Jiang Shushu took a small hoe.
After Xu Hehua gave some careful instructions and received repeated assurances from Jiang He and his daughter, she waved her hand and let them go out together.
Jiang Shushu: "..." I'm afraid of Xu Hehua. She's asked the same question eight times and she still wants to ask it again, as if they are not going out for two days and one night, but for ten days or half a month.
Xu Hehua's voice was faintly heard from behind them. Jiang He and his daughter were alerted. They looked at each other and immediately turned away with a smile, pretending not to hear the voice behind them. Instead, they quickened their pace.
The threshing ground was bustling with people coming in an endless stream. Everyone was holding a bag in their hands or carrying a basket on their back. Almost everyone was carrying a tool, and everyone had a smile on their face.
Children were running around in the crowd and cheering, while adults were boasting and chatting. The scene was extremely lively.
Jiang Shushu's target this time was Zhang Meihua, so as soon as the group of educated youth from the Youth Academy appeared, Jiang Shushu immediately noticed them.
Jiang Shushu had learned from Jiang He a few days ago that, on this year's annual mountain-going day, everyone at the educated youth camp, except Li Chunyan and Shen Yajun, had paid an additional two-cent fee to join the villagers in the mountains. That was why Jiang Shushu had taken two days off and asked for one of the two spots at home.
Jiang Mingli arrived late with a loudspeaker, followed by all the cadres of the Hualing Brigade. Every cadre was smiling, and it was obvious that they were also looking forward to this day.
Everyone cheered, "The captain is here, the captain is here."
As soon as Jiang Mingwen walked onto the stage, the audience fell silent. Everyone was waiting for Jiang Mingwen to explain the rules so that they could set off. After all, every minute counted.
Jiang Mingwen nodded in satisfaction, thinking that he was perceptive and that was the right thing to do. Last year, we had a lot of noise and things that delayed us for half an hour. It would only take two days and one night to get into the mountains, so every minute and every second was important.
Jiang Mingwen laughed heartily, his laughter resonating with everyone. "This year's discipline is excellent and deserves praise. I hope it will be maintained next year. These two days are the days to enter the mountains this year. I know you are excited and anxious, as I am too, so I will keep it short and focus on three points."
"First, regarding the educated youth going into the mountains with us. Logically, they shouldn't have gone with us, since they didn't participate in last year's bird release. But they came all the way to our brigade, so they're part of our team, and we should treat them all equally. Each of the educated youth also paid an additional two cents for the bird release. For six of us, that's a total of 1.2 yuan. We'll combine that 1.2 yuan with this year's bird release fee and release two more chickens this year."
Second, the rules: Our range is limited to six hills. Remember, you can only move within these six hills. When it comes to supplies, you must follow the first-come, first-served principle. No looting, no stealing. No making trouble out of nothing... If you don't follow the rules, not only will you be punished when you return, you won't be allowed into the mountains again next year.
"Don't harm young animals. Pheasants, rabbits, and ducks weighing less than one pound, fish weighing less than half a pound, and piglets weighing less than 40 pounds...all must be released. They need to be kept for reproduction and a better harvest next year. Do you understand?"
The audience said in unison: "Understood."
"Okay, lastly, safety. Although there aren't many large animals in Wanfeng Mountain, and the weather is cold, and there aren't any venomous snakes, it's always best to be prepared for the unexpected, like falling. So everyone, please be careful and try to travel with others so you can look after each other. Try not to be alone."
"Okay, I've said everything I wanted to say. Now it's time to call the roll and get ready to go. Each team should find their team leader."
Ten minutes later, the five team leaders reported to Jiang Mingwen that everyone had arrived.
Jiang Mingwen waved his hand and shouted loudly: "Let's go!" Then he took the lead.
Everyone followed Jiang Mingwen, and the shouts of children could be heard from behind.
"Dad, I want to eat chicken legs. Bring me a chicken."
"Uncle, I want chicken legs too."
…
Behind it is a string of chicken legs.
Shi Tou looked at this group of useless friends with anger in his eyes at their lack of fighting spirit.
Humph, your mind is full of chicken legs, chicken legs. Can’t your goal be a little greater?
Shitou put his hands to his mouth, forming a trumpet shape, then he gathered his energy and shouted, "Dad, I've got ideas for roast chicken, roast duck, roast rabbit, roast fish, and roast pig. You have to keep working on it! Catch them all. I believe in you. You're the best. Yo yo yo, Jiang Yimu, you're the best, the best kid in Jiang Village."
When Jiang Yimu heard the shouting, he almost couldn't walk.
Oh my God! I don't want to acknowledge this son for the time being, is that okay?
Others started laughing, and those who knew Jiang Yimu came up to tease him.
"Yimu, you have ambition. You are definitely the dark horse this year."
"Yi Mu, alright, the goal is not small."
"Yimu, come on, you must satisfy your son's request."
…
Jiang Yimu could only smile awkwardly.
Brat! You can't be too low-key when you brag. You could just say it at home, but why do you have to shout it out loud? Do you think your father is as thick-skinned as you? You still want to eat meat? When I come back, I will treat you to fried meat with bamboo sticks. Let's see if you dare to think about meat all the time.
Alas, my image of being honest and kind has been completely ruined by my own son today.
As soon as Shitou said this, the other children seemed to have opened the door to the world. They all told their fathers or elders at home everything they knew, including those that fly in the sky, swim in the water, run on the ground, and grow on the land.
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