PCJ – Chapter 287 Urging for Grain

In the blink of an eye, the busy harvest season had passed. Without even catching a breath, the township officials came to urge the farmers to deliver their grain. The ones who arrived were Deputy Township Head Wu Tong’an and the Family Planning Officer Tu Chunlin. At this time, the harvest had just ended in the countryside, and the grain was almost fully dried. Farmers would not be immediately short of grain, but some families in difficulty might sell their grain for money. To meet the grain delivery quotas effectively, it was crucial to seize this key moment.

At this time, the grain collected was naturally not the best quality. Neither Wu Tong’an nor Tu Chunlin would want to eat rice made from early-harvested rice. Early-harvested rice, with its smaller temperature difference between day and night and its inherent lower quality compared to late-harvested rice, was notably inferior. Wu Tong’an and Tu Chunlin always bought late-harvested rice from farmers, which, after cooking, was much softer, stickier, and tastier than early-harvested rice.

However, for Wu Tong’an and Tu Chunlin, completing the grain delivery task and collecting advance payments and water conservancy fees were the primary concerns. In these times, farmers not only had to deliver grain (part as agricultural tax, part as compulsory low-price purchases by the state) but also various other fees and levies like education surcharges and water conservancy fees. Despite the increased production, half of the yield had to be delivered. Sometimes, it might not even be enough.

In rural areas, the grain delivery, which was both a significant and manageable source of income, was a key point of control. Hence, township officials were mobilized to urge the collection of grain.

“Secretary Dechun, we need to trouble you again about the grain. Our Yidushui Township is always an advanced township, and your Meizi’ao Village also completes the task excellently every year. This year, we still need to strive for excellence and complete this year’s grain delivery task as soon as possible,” Wu Tong’an said as he entered Zhang Dechun’s home.

“Deputy Township Head Wu, the way you talk, it seems like our Meizi’ao people are the most foolish. Others are unwilling to deliver, but our village’s people are eager to deliver. Let someone else take the title of ‘advanced’ this year,” Zhang Dechun was not swayed by Wu Tong’an’s persuasion.

“No, no, Secretary Dechun. What I mean is that the people of Meizi’ao are highly aware. Your proactive grain delivery is noticed by the township. Any good things that happen in the township will also be inclined towards your Meizi’ao Village. You do well, and the township sees it. We won’t let your village suffer,” Wu Tong’an was getting a bit impatient. He was genuinely concerned about Zhang Dechun’s seniority. Although Meizi’ao could delay by ten days or half a month, Wu Tong’an couldn’t wait. He wanted to make the grain collection process look good and leave this impoverished area as soon as possible.

“Deputy Township Head Wu, you don’t understand the hardships of rural life or the farmers’ struggles. You receive a monthly salary and don’t have to pay taxes. We toil from dawn to dusk, barely harvesting a bit of rice, and then there are agricultural taxes, various levies, and education surcharges. By the way, you even collect inexplicable specialty taxes. I don’t know what specialties Meizi’ao has. The TV says taxes are collected from the people and used for the people. I just don’t know where you use it. We build our own reservoirs, and you come to collect water conservancy fees. We build our own roads, and you collect road maintenance fees. We build our own schools, and you collect education surcharges. I don’t understand where in the world such practices are reasonable!” Zhang Dechun complained. He didn’t care if these officials were receiving state salaries; he felt free to voice his frustrations.

Wu Tong’an looked down on these village officials, finding their speech crude. Although their words had some truth, he was still reluctant to engage with them. However, he had to endure it. “Well, our country is still not rich enough and needs support from all directions. With the ongoing reform and opening-up, the country is focusing on developing coastal cities. As the saying goes, the rise and fall of the country is the responsibility of every citizen. We, as ordinary people, can contribute to modern construction. The country will remember the contributions made by the people. I won’t elaborate on the grand principles. Meizi’ao’s cooperation with the township in grain delivery will definitely be remembered. When favorable policies are available, the township will consider Meizi’ao. I’m not just talking empty words; soon there will be a quota for fertilizers, and I will definitely allocate a portion to Meizi’ao Village.”

These days, money could buy fertilizer, but there was always a portion of low-priced fertilizer quotas available. What Wu Tong’an mentioned was precisely this portion.

Tu Chunlin quickly added, “Deputy Township Head Wu always favors Meizi’ao Village in township meetings.”

“Specialist Tu, if you would stop demolishing houses in Meizi’ao every year, I would start burning incense to thank the gods. I said you should fine them if needed, but would you really die if you didn’t demolish houses? Now, people in Meizi’ao are calling me names. It feels like I’m treated like a traitor in an anti-Japanese film,” Zhang Dechun didn’t give Tu Chunlin a good face. When Tu Chunlin spoke, Zhang Dechun retorted immediately. At this point, Zhang Dechun wasn’t afraid of offending them. After the grain collection season was over, these officials would again be arrogant.

Nevertheless, complaints aside, the work had to be done. Grain delivery was a critical task that had to be completed sooner or later. It was better to seize the opportunity now, with the granary full, and clear the grain delivery.

While Zhang Jiaohua was taking a nap at home, Zhang Dechun, along with Deputy Township Head Wu and Specialist Tu, came to urge the grain delivery.

“Jiaohua, have you had lunch?” Zhang Dechun didn’t come specifically to urge the grain but just stopped by to visit.

Zhang Jiaohua rubbed his eyes. “How could I sleep without having lunch? What, are you here to urge the grain?”

“How did you know?” Zhang Dechun was a bit surprised. He hadn’t mentioned anything.

“Isn’t it typical for township officials to come to the village to urge the grain? My mother didn’t give birth to another child,” Zhang Jiaohua replied grumpily.

Zhang Dechun chuckled, and Wu Tong’an and Tu Chunlin looked a bit embarrassed, but they didn’t mind what a child said.

“Your parents are away, but you still have more than an acre of rice to deliver. Do you know how much you need to deliver? As for the exact amount, ask your grandfather,” Zhang Dechun said.

“Got it,” Zhang Jiaohua nodded.

“So, you’re Zhang Jiaohua? I’ve heard a lot about you,” Wu Tong’an was particularly interested in Zhang Jiaohua. The Meizi’ao horticultural farm’s collaboration with the Zijiang Tea Factory was known throughout Xintian County. How could Wu Tong’an not know?

“Mm,” Zhang Jiaohua nodded.

“I heard that the bamboo tube black tea you made tastes particularly good,” Tu Chunlin’s eyes lit up.

This made Zhang Dechun unhappy. He knew the bamboo tube black tea was quite expensive. Tu Chunlin’s comment clearly indicated interest in the black tea. Before Zhang Jiaohua could respond, Zhang Dechun preemptively said, “Jiaohua, I just came to take a look and will be walking around the village. I’m anxious about the grain that hasn’t been delivered!”