Chapter 62 Collective Celebration Feast
Upon hearing the noise, Captain Xie Jianguo rushed out from the makeshift shed. Seeing the scene before him, even with his extensive experience, he gasped and his pupils constricted instantly.
"Xu...Xu, what...what's going on?"
Xie Jianguo's voice changed, and his gaze swept back and forth between the aloof Xu Zhili and the dead wild boar with suspicion.
Xu Zhili seemed oblivious to the shocked, inquisitive, and fearful gazes directed at her.
She steadily lowered the front end of the wooden bar, making a dull thud.
The heavy carcass of the wild boar crashed to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.
She then straightened up, casually patting her hands, which were covered in dust and blood, with a detached indifference.
She looked up at Xie Jianguo, her voice calm and even, as if she were talking about something trivial.
"Captain, we ran into this beast wreaking havoc in the forest behind the mountain, so we slaughtered it and brought it back to give everyone a good meal and some oil, so we'll have more energy for work this afternoon."
"Add...add more food."
Xie Jianguo almost bit his tongue.
He looked at the wild boar that resembled a small mountain on the ground, then at the glaring bloodstains on Xu Zhili's body, and his heart pounded.
This girl is incredibly brave; that was a wild boar!
She "casually" killed a thing that could kill people.
He carried it back, splattered with blood.
After the initial shock, a more pressing question immediately surfaced in Xie Jianguo's mind.
His brows furrowed, his expression turned serious, and his voice deepened.
"Xu Zhiqing! You...you're too reckless! This is too dangerous! What if something happens...sigh!"
He first expressed his lingering fear, then changed the subject and pointed out the key point, "Also, this wild boar... According to the rules, wild animals hunted on the mountain are collective property and must be handed over to the brigade for unified distribution! They can't just be divided up privately like this."
Upon hearing this, the men, who had been blinded by shock and the allure of the meat, instantly calmed down considerably.
Yes, these days, everything in the mountains belongs to the collective. Hunting and dividing the meat privately is a crime.
Many people showed expressions of regret and worry.
It feels like the aroma of meat is right next to you, yet you might not be able to taste it—what a sensation…
Before Xu Zhili could speak, Xie Yunze, who had been following behind her, couldn't help but speak up.
He slammed down the wooden bar, wiped his sweat, and retorted loudly with his neck stiff.
“Dad, what are you saying? Wild boars are a menace. They ruin the tree roots and wild fruits in the forest. Doesn’t that count as damaging collective property? Xu Zhiqing is doing this to rid the people of a scourge and protect our collective forest.”
Besides, she risked her life to fight back just to reward the uncles and brothers who built our house.
Let's treat everyone to a good meal so that the houses can be built faster and better. Isn't that contributing to the collective? This meat should be given to those who do the work!
Xie Yunze's words immediately raised the level of understanding and also enlightened everyone.
“That’s right, Yun Ce is right.”
"That beast has caused a lot of trouble for the things on our mountain."
"I never expected that wild boars would still be appearing so soon after the famine."
"Xu Zhiqing has done a great service, and almost lost his life in the process."
"That's right, it's only right that those who build our houses eat. If they eat meat, I guarantee they'll compact the foundation as solid as iron this afternoon!"
"Captain, this meat should be divided. It was brought back by Xu Zhiqing, so it should be given to the heroes and those who contributed."
The murmurs among the crowd grew louder, with those supporting the distribution of the meat gaining overwhelming dominance.
The allure of wild boar meat and Xie Yunze's seemingly sophisticated reasons completely ignited everyone's desire.
Xie Jianguo looked at the excited crowd, then at the wild boar on the ground, and then at Xu Zhili beside him, who looked calm and detached but exuded an aura of not to be trifled with.
Finally, his gaze fell on his youngest son's fiercely protective look, as if to say, "If you dare say no, I'll get angry!"
He sighed heavily and rubbed his throbbing temples.
Rules are rigid, but people are flexible.
This educated youth...
He's a walking troublemaker, and also a jinx capable of creating miracles.
She wanted to share the wild boar she hunted with the people building the house... If we followed the rules strictly, it might discourage people and offend this ancestor.
Xie Jianguo quickly made a decision in his mind.
He cleared his throat, suppressed the murmurs, and adopted the authority of a brigade leader.
"What's all this noise about!"
He first calmed the crowd down, then looked at Xu Zhili, his tone softening but still carrying an official air, "Xu Zhiqing disregarded the danger and hunted wild boars that were ravaging the collective forest. This... spirit is commendable, and it did indeed protect collective property."
He then changed the subject: "As for the ownership and distribution of these wild boars..."
Considering this was an extra gain for Xu, a educated youth, in the process of protecting collective property, and that it was explicitly stated that it was to reward the hard work of the housing construction team and improve collective productivity.
"Listen up, everyone!"
Xie Jianguo wiped his face and spoke in a loud voice, drowning out the noise in the room, “The wild boar was hunted by Xu Zhiqing. She is kind and generous, so she shared it with everyone. The rule is to calculate based on the number of people, so adults and children all get a share, two liang each. The strong laborers who helped Xu Zhiqing build the house will get an extra bowl. The more they put in, the more they eat, it’s only right.”
He looked around, his gaze sharp as lightning. "Wang Xiuying, lead the women comrades to set up pots, boil water, and cook meat. The men line up to get their meat. Anyone who feels it's unfair, stand up now and argue with me. Don't gossip or cause trouble behind my back..."
He weighed the pipe still in his hand and sneered, "The work points book says it all. Whether it's deducting points or cutting rations, you decide for yourself."
He glanced at everyone, his voice carrying a warning: "This is a one-time thing, and there will be no next time. No one is allowed to go up the mountain to hunt large wild animals on their own. It's too dangerous. You must report to the brigade. Do you understand?"
"I heard you clearly."
The crowd erupted in thunderous cheers; who cared about what would happen next?
Now that we have meat to eat, that's real.
"The captain is brilliant!"
"Xu Zhiqing is awesome!"
"Xie Yunce is right."
The construction site instantly transformed into a sea of joy.
The men marveled at the wild boar, their gazes towards Xu Zhili filled with unprecedented awe and gratitude.
Several seasoned veterans have already begun sharpening their knives.
Hearing the commotion, Wang Xiuying rushed over in a panic.
Upon seeing her son unharmed, and then noticing the blood on Xu Zhili's face and arms, she turned deathly pale and her voice trembled as she asked, "Xu Zhiqing, how are you? Are you alright?"
Xu Zhili smiled and quickly replied, "Aunt Wang, don't worry, I'm fine. This blood is all from wild boar. I'm perfectly okay."
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiuying finally relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank God, it's alright, it's alright! You really scared me!"
But when he heard the captain give the order, he breathed a sigh of relief and quickly called over several quick-handed women.
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