RIRW – Chapter 104

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After the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Zuo Village began to bustle with activity. Zuo Dacheng led everyone in the busy task of repairing the school.

Since laborers from other villages were also coming to help, meals became an issue. After some discussion among the team leaders of several production teams, they decided to hand over their food rations to Zuo Village and cook communal meals in a big pot for everyone to share.

Li Hui and a few elderly women were relieved from fieldwork to help cook the large pot meals. Knowing that Li Hui was also preparing for the elementary school teacher selection exam, they encouraged her to bring her books along to study. None of the elderly women objected—after all, Zuo Dacheng and his group had made major contributions to the construction of the school. They had to look after his wife somehow.

So both husband and wife got busy, while Zuo Dan busied herself running to the commune to discuss matters related to the exam.

Secretary Zhang’s situation hadn’t been very good. The incident involving Zhang Baoshu had spread, and the entire commune knew about it, which had impacted Secretary Zhang’s reputation. If it hadn’t been for the higher-ups deciding not to pursue the matter further, Secretary Zhang would have been at risk of losing his position.

Perhaps in an effort to redeem himself and make up for past mistakes, Secretary Zhang gave significant support to the school initiative. As long as the suggestions from Zuo Dan’s side seemed reasonable, he approved them directly.

With the commune’s support in terms of manpower and resources, the exam was soon put on the agenda.

The exam papers were written by high school teachers from the county. Subjects included Chinese, mathematics, politics, chemistry, geography, history, and biology.

Seeing the list of subjects, Zuo Dan thought to herself that this was essentially modeled after the college entrance exam. You really couldn’t underestimate the intellectuals of this era—they took things very seriously and had high standards. It made her take the college entrance exam even more seriously and plan to dedicate more time to studying, so she wouldn’t embarrass herself if she failed.

Due to the Zhang Baoshu incident, Secretary Zhang had also become much stricter with his subordinates. After the exam papers arrived from the county, they were locked in his office, and no one was allowed to enter or leave the room. If anyone was caught trying to access the papers, they’d be sent directly to the Revolutionary Committee.

So no one dared to even think about tampering with the exam papers.

On March 8th, the exam officially began. The testing site was set at the commune’s middle school.

Early that morning, Li Hui got up to freshen up and dress neatly. She put on newly made clothes, tied up her hair, and had a radiant glow on her face, looking as if she were ten years younger—one could still see traces of her former charm.

“Mom, don’t feel pressured. Just the fact that you raised me and Xiao Cong—two smart kids—proves you’re more capable than the others. Just relax and take the exam.”

Li Hui nervously said, “Do you think I can make it? I haven’t looked at textbooks in years. I’ve only reviewed for a little while recently.”

Zuo Dacheng replied, “Hui, I think you’ll definitely make it. You were a top student. We all support you, and I know you can do it.”

“Dad’s right, Mom. Don’t worry.”

With both her husband and daughter cheering her on, Li Hui gradually calmed down and smiled. “Alright, I’ll give it a shot. Worst case, if I don’t make it, I’ll just go back to farming.”

The family of three headed out, and Zuo Dacheng drove the educated youths from their village to take the exam together.

On the way, everyone was both nervous and excited, but all were full of anticipation. Whether or not they passed, just being able to take the exam was a meaningful experience for them. It didn’t feel like an elementary teacher exam—it felt like the college entrance exam. If they passed, a new world awaited.

Educated youths from other villages felt the same. So by the time they arrived at the commune middle school, the place was packed.

Zuo Dacheng gaped. “Dandan, how many teachers do we need again?”

“For our five grade levels and all the subjects, we’re planning to choose thirteen teachers. Six from local residents and seven from the educated youths. Later, we’ll make further adjustments based on performance.” This was Zuo Dan’s suggestion. Originally, people thought they should select more educated youths because they were more cultured. But Dandan knew that starting next year, the educated youths would begin returning to the cities. She worried that once they left, the students would be left without teachers. So she insisted on selecting some locals, even if their academic level was slightly lower—it was the safer option.

“That’s a lot of people,” Zuo Dacheng said in awe. It really didn’t feel like they were just choosing a few elementary school teachers.

“Dad, this is normal. Every exam is like crossing a narrow bridge.”

Zuo Dacheng nodded, though he felt uneasy inside. His wife hadn’t studied in years—he wasn’t sure if she could make it.

Of course, on the outside, he kept encouraging her. “Hui, even though there are lots of people, I think most are at a similar level. In my eyes, you’re still the best.”

Blushing, Li Hui said, “Alright, take it easy. The child is right here.”

Zuo Dan looked aside and said, “I didn’t hear anything.” After all, she’d heard far cheesier things from Shen Yiming—her dad’s words were nothing in comparison.

The bell signaling the start of the exam rang. Li Hui followed the educated youths into the classroom.

Zuo Dacheng waited outside, ready to comfort her when she came out. Zuo Dan headed to the commune to call Shen Yiming.

But when she called, it wasn’t Shen Yiming who answered. Sister Chu heard it was Zuo Dan and laughed. “Yiming’s on leave. He didn’t take time off during the New Year and was busy at the base. His vacation started yesterday. Hasn’t he gone to see you yet? He’s probably planning to surprise you.”

Zuo Dan wasn’t surprised—she was shocked. Shen Yiming had disappeared without even a word.

Why did it feel like he was up to something again?

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Sister Chu and hanging up, Zuo Dan stepped out of the office, already deep in thought.

She knew what Shen Yiming wanted most after the New Year was to get their marriage certificate. He wouldn’t be preparing something for that, would he?

At the provincial capital’s power plant, Shen Yiming was leaning against a factory wall smoking with Xu Dapeng.

Xu Dapeng said, “Bro, I checked it out. It’s not easy to get electricity connected to local production teams. If it’s close to the commune, maybe. But if it’s far, no one wants to bother. Without support from the county, the commune can’t get a transformer. And without one, there’s no way to power the production team. They just can’t cover all those areas right now.”

Shen Yiming exhaled a puff of smoke and laughed. “It’s not that they can’t—it’s that they don’t want to. They think I don’t know, but some production teams got electricity back in the ’60s. It’s really not that complicated. One power line to the village and you’re done. You just need a transformer. And even a small one is enough to power a single production team.”

“That still requires special treatment,” Xu Dapeng said. “Brother, I think you shouldn’t push too hard on this. After all, sister-in-law married you, and she won’t be staying in that place much longer. Whether there’s electricity or not, it won’t make much difference. In a few years, she’ll be able to move back and take care of things here.”

“This isn’t just about me and your sister-in-law. You don’t understand—people over there are really kind. I know a lot of production teams are a mess, and the educated youths don’t have a good life when they get sent down. But your sister-in-law’s hometown is different—the locals spoil the young folks so much that they go looking for things to do when they’re bored.”

Xu Dapeng knew Shen Yiming was someone who cared deeply about others, and that he wouldn’t be doing this without a lot of thought, so he said, “Okay, bro. So what’s your plan? I can’t really speak for this kind of thing.”

Shen Yiming took the last drag of his cigarette and stubbed it out. “I remember Old Guo is with the provincial drilling team now—specializes in well-drilling.”

“You mean Guo Datou? Yeah, that’s what he’s doing now. Heh, and let me tell you, he’s doing terribly. Been drilling all over the place all year long, and not a drop of oil to show for it. I really don’t think there’s a future for him in that. His mom even asked me last time if the power plant needed any extra help.”

“Set up a lunch with him. I want to send him to your sister-in-law’s hometown to drill a well. Food and lodging covered, plus extra pay.”

Cough cough… Xu Dapeng choked on his cigarette. “Bro, why are you getting him to drill a well?”

“His drilling equipment needs electricity. When the engineering team gets to the county, they’ll have to apply to the local power bureau. Since it’s a provincial project, the county has to support it. As long as we run a line to your sister-in-law’s production team, I’ll get the commune to handle the rest of the wiring.”

“…Bro, hiring an engineering team costs money. Even if Guo Datou is an old buddy, he’s not going to do it for free.”

“It’s fine. Coincidentally, your sister-in-law’s side needs a well anyway. Let Guo Datou bring his well-drilling equipment over. If they don’t hit oil, at least they’ll get water.”

Xu Dapeng: “…”

Guo Datou’s real name was Guo Baogang. He had a big head from childhood malnutrition, hence the nickname “Big Head Guo.” He wasn’t especially bright, but he had immense strength. He’d taken over his father’s job and gone into oil drilling. Of course, to him, actually striking oil was more of a dream than a real possibility.

Feeling dejected about his career, when he got Xu Dapeng’s call, he jumped at the chance to go out for a meal.

When he saw Shen Yiming, he got so excited he gave him a bear hug. “Shen Yiming! Damn, you’ve really made it, huh? Back when you were sent down, my mom told me, ‘Baogang, you should count your blessings. Even Shen Yiming got sent to be a farmer. You should be glad you’re just drilling wells.’ Every time I came up empty, I thought of you working the fields and felt at peace. And now look at you—not only did you come back, you’re working in an office!”

Shen Yiming gave him a few playful punches. “Alright, I’m here to talk business, cut the nonsense.”

Guo Datou said, “I’m not joking, I’m speaking from the heart! Ever since my mom heard you were back, she’s been telling me to work harder. ‘Baogang,’ she says, ‘Yiming’s already made it back from the countryside. Why haven’t you struck oil yet?’ Hahaha!”

Xu Dapeng couldn’t take his silliness anymore and pulled him over. “Alright, the food’s getting cold. Let’s eat.”

“Sure thing! Let’s drink too—we have to drink!”

The three of them ordered some meat dishes and started eating and drinking. Shen Yiming asked him about his current work.

“Just got back. None of those survey teams are worth a damn. They drag us all over the place every day. Keep bragging that if we strike oil, we’ll be the next ‘Iron Man’ and famous nationwide—maybe even get to meet the Chairman.”

Shen Yiming laughed. “That’s perfect. I’ve actually got a job for you.”

He then explained the well-drilling task in Zuo Village. “Ten bucks per well. If you move fast, the more you dig, the more you earn.”

Guo Datou was hesitant at first, but when he heard “ten bucks per well,” his mind immediately started calculating. He realized drilling for water might actually be more profitable than drilling for oil.

“Bro, I’m in! But will the production team agree to this?”

“The team leader’s his father-in-law,” Xu Dapeng said.

As soon as Guo Datou heard that, he burst out laughing. “Bro, are you like those stories people tell, where the brigade leader’s daughter took a liking to you and forced you into marriage? Hahaha!”

Shen Yiming sighed, “I wish it were that simple.”

The deal was sealed then and there. When they returned, Shen Yiming called Zuo Dacheng to let him know they were coming to drill wells and told him to get ready.

Zuo Dacheng had been worried about Li Hui’s exam results, so he was overjoyed when he got the call. Shen Yiming had mentioned it before, and he’d been hoping it would happen, but since Shen hadn’t brought it up again, he hadn’t dared to ask—didn’t want to put pressure on him.

Now everything was finally coming together. And when he heard that it would cost ten yuan per well, he thought it was more than reasonable. The soil in their area made it hard to dig manually, and a well could last for generations. Ten bucks was a bargain.

After they finished the call, Zuo Dan picked up the phone. “Shen Yiming, you used your vacation just for this? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I called you so many times and couldn’t reach you!”

Shen Yiming laughed, “I couldn’t bring myself to call until everything was in place.” Then, more seriously, he said, “Comrade Zuo Dan, I am officially notifying you: this time when I return, I intend to form a legally recognized revolutionary partnership with you. Please be prepared.”

Zuo Dan: “…” Prepared for what, exactly?

Guo Datou contacted a junior surveyor on the team, and the two of them decided to use their holiday to make some extra cash. They prepared to set out again—not to dig water, no no, to drill oil. Once they submitted the request, it was approved quickly. After all, they had nothing to do sitting at home, so they might as well get busy.

Once the application was approved, the surveyor and the well-drilling squad hopped on a vehicle and set out. Shen Yiming, as their guide, went with them to the countryside. When they got to the county, they brought their application to the power bureau. The bureau saw it was for oil exploration in the county and approved it quickly. Since surveying would take time and their generators weren’t enough, they needed electricity.

The power bureau leadership figured—what if they really did strike oil? It was worth supporting. It wasn’t a huge ask—just setting up a transformer and running a power line—so they waved it through with full approval.

And so, the well-drilling team, in high spirits, drove straight toward Zuo Village.

_{How much planning it takes to get the electricity to the village, you can see in this chapter. Yiming planned everything perfectly.}