Returning To 1980 To Enjoy Prosperity Chapter 245: If This Match Is Made, I'll Split a Pig's Hind Leg with You - Novel Cool

Chapter 245: If This Match Is Made, I'll Split a Pig's Hind Leg with You

Chapter 245: If This Match Is Made, I’ll Split a Pig’s Hind Leg with You

The Green Brigade.

Taipingpo Village.

As Deng Shirong took out his tobacco and matches to light up, Auntie asked, "Ah Biao, where are you from?"

Deng Shirong replied, "I’m from Naye Village in Bangjie Brigade."

"Ah, so you’re from Naye Village. I’ve heard that the people from your village are quite good at making money. Especially that Uncle Nine from your village, I’ve heard he’s made at least ten thousand yuan this year. I wonder if it’s true?"

Auntie asked, then sighed with admiration, "That’s ten thousand yuan! The entire Taipingpo Village might not even make that much in a year. That Uncle Nine from your village is truly remarkable!"

Bangjie Brigade and the Green Brigade were originally adjacent, so it wasn’t surprising that Auntie had heard of Deng Shirong’s reputation in the village.

Hearing her praise, Deng Shirong wasn’t sure whether to reveal his identity or not. After a moment’s thought, he changed the subject, "Ah Biao, you’re being too modest. Your Taipingpo Village is also full of talented people. It’s only a matter of time before you all become wealthy. Speaking of which, you mentioned that the girls in your village are very beautiful. Is that true?"

Auntie chuckled, "You might be exaggerating a bit, but we do have a few good-looking girls in the village."

Deng Shirong leaned on his pipe, "Ah Biao, who is the most beautiful and has the best character in your village? I have someone in mind who might be a good match. If it works out, I’ll help them get together."

Without hesitation, Auntie blurted out, "If you’re talking about the girl with the best character, it has to be Liu Lao San’s eldest daughter. She’s not only good-looking but also very hardworking. She always has a smile on her face, and whenever the elders in the village ask her for help, she doesn’t hesitate. She’s truly a girl with an excellent character."

Deng Shirong’s interest was piqued, "How old is she?"

Auntie replied, "She should be 19 this year."

Deng Shirong added, "So, she hasn’t been promised to anyone yet, right?"

Auntie shook her head, "Of course not. If she were promised, why would I mention her?"

Deng Shirong put aside his pipe and continued, "How tall is she?"

Auntie thought for a moment, "I’m not sure exactly, but she looks quite tall, probably around 1.6 meters."

Deng Shirong asked again, "Has she had any education?"

Auntie sighed, "Not much. In this era, how many girls get to go to school? But she can recognize quite a few characters and can read newspapers or write letters."

Deng Shirong asked once more, "How many siblings does she have?"

Auntie replied, "She has five siblings. She has three older brothers and a younger sister."

Deng Shirong asked for the Nth time, "What’s the economic situation of her family?"

Auntie took the pipe and spoke frankly, "Their situation is quite difficult in the village. Her older and second brothers’ weddings left the family completely drained, and they even owe a lot of debt. Although they have plenty of labor, their house is too small, and they need to build a new one. Plus, her third brother is also of marriageable age. With all these expenses, it will take them a few years to recover."

Deng Shirong handed the tobacco and matches to Auntie and nodded, "These days, life is tough for everyone. Having many sons is good because no one dares to bully you in the village, but when it comes to marrying them off, most families are left in a dire state and need a few years to recover."

Auntie took the tobacco and matches, sighing, "You’re right. I struggled for years to marry off my three sons. We couldn’t even afford meat for months. It’s only been the last couple of years that we’ve started to recover."

Deng Shirong smiled, "It’s good that you’ve recovered. From now on, you can look forward to a better life."

Auntie stuffed the pipe with tobacco, shaking her head, "Sigh, people like us have no such luck. I’m destined to work hard all my life, probably until the day I’m laid to rest."

After a bit of idle chat, Deng Shirong asked, "Ah Biao, where does Liu Lao San live?"

Auntie pointed the way and joked, "Ah Biao, if you manage to make this match, you have to bring me a pack of sweets and cookies."

Deng Shirong stood up and laughed, "If this match is made, I’ll do more than just bring you sweets and cookies. I’ll split a pig’s hind leg with you."

Auntie didn’t take it seriously and laughed, "Alright, I’ll wait for that half pig’s hind leg."

...

Following Auntie’s directions, Deng Shirong rode his bicycle to an old mud-brick house.

In front of the house, to the left, was a large pile of chopped firewood. Next to the pile, there were numerous woven items made from bamboo and rattan. These intricately woven birds and animals were lifelike, both functional for storing items and decorative for beautifying the home.

Seeing these woven items, Deng Shirong understood that the family must use their free time to weave these items to earn extra income.

These bamboo and rattan woven items have a long history in Bobai, but before the liberation, they were produced in small quantities and of poor quality, barely making a mark.

However, after the liberation, the bamboo and rattan weaving industry in Bobai experienced significant growth, especially since the 1970s. The craftsmanship improved, and the products became more exquisite. Skilled farmers continuously innovated new designs, and their products were highly praised at the annual Canton Fair, leading to a surge in foreign orders and a constant demand.

This craft required minimal investment and yielded quick results, making it suitable for manual production. The farmers of Bobai County were particularly skilled in weaving, which contributed to the industry's rapid development.

By 1979, 13 of the county's communes had established 90 bamboo and rattan weaving factories, employing over 5,000 people.

In 1980, the number of factories increased to 177, with a total value of goods acquired reaching 4.986 million yuan.

By 1983, the total value of goods acquired had risen to 10.65 million yuan, accounting for 43.9% of the total value of agricultural products acquired by the supply and marketing cooperatives that year.

In 1986, the supply and marketing cooperatives acquired bamboo and rattan products worth 14.44 million yuan, which constituted 67.17% of the total value of agricultural products. The number of professional and part-time weavers in the county had grown to 130,000, demonstrating an astonishing development rate.

Bobai's bamboo and rattan products were exported to over 30 countries and regions, including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, and Canada. From 1987 to 1989, the annual export value of bamboo and rattan products exceeded 30 million yuan, placing Bobai among the top counties in the country for bamboo and rattan export revenue.

The Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade even awarded Bobai's bamboo and rattan products the "High Quality" Certificate of Honor. The Cheung Kong Holdings Limited in Hong Kong presented a gold trophy inscribed with "Superior Quality."

The China National Arts and Crafts Import and Export Corporation also sent a video team to film a documentary on Bobai's bamboo and rattan weaving, which was screened at international expos and the Canton Fair, showcasing the brilliance of Bobai's products to the world.

Therefore, when Deng Shirong saw the bamboo and rattan products stacked by the firewood pile, he was not surprised. He even held the family in slightly higher regard, as the skill required to weave such beautiful products was truly impressive.

Two long bamboo poles were set up to the right of the mud-brick house, with clothes hanging on them. Most of these clothes were patched, and some even had more patches than original fabric.

Deng Shirong was not surprised by this scene. As the saying goes, "New for three years, old for three years, patch and mend for another three." In those days, most rural people wore patched clothes in their daily lives, reserving their better clothes for festivals and important occasions.

All this took only a few seconds for Deng Shirong to observe as he rode his bike to the house and glanced around.

Someone inside heard the commotion and came out, asking, "Ah Biao, who are you looking for?"

Deng Shirong replied, "Is this Liu Laosan's place?"

Liu Laosan, surprised, said, "I am Liu Laosan. Ah Biao, who are you, and what brings you here?"

Deng Shirong smiled and said, "I'm from Bangjie Brigade, surnamed Deng. Everyone calls me Uncle Jiu. I heard your eldest daughter is not only beautiful but also has a good personality. I happen to have a young man with good prospects, and I thought I'd come to see if they might be a good match. If they are, I can help arrange the match."

Liu Laosan realized he was a matchmaker and warmly invited him in. "Uncle Jiu, it's too sunny out here. Please come in and sit down."

Deng Shirong didn't hesitate, parked his bike, and followed Liu Laosan into the house.

Liu Laosan's mud-brick house was typical of the era. From the front door, one entered the main hall, with two rooms on either side. Beyond the hall was a courtyard, flanked by the kitchen. The main house was at the back, but the number of rooms inside was unknown.

At that moment, three people were sitting in the main hall: a woman around Deng Shirong's age, a young woman in her mid-twenties, and a girl in her late teens.

Each of them had a half-finished bamboo and rattan product in front of them.

Liu Laosan invited Deng Shirong in and called to the girl in her late teens, "Sister Three, bring Uncle Jiu a pipe."

Sister Three responded, picked up the pipe, and brought it to Deng Shirong. "Uncle Jiu, have a smoke."

"Thank you!"

Deng Shirong took the pipe and guessed that this girl was likely Liu Laosan's eldest daughter. He couldn't help but look her over.

The old lady had been right; the girl was indeed tall, probably around 1.6 meters. This height would be considered standard even in modern Guangxi.

Due to the outdoor work and exposure to the elements, her skin was not fair but had a healthy tone. She had regular features and a warm smile, making her look like an ordinary rural girl.

Deng Shirong understood that her appearance was affected by her lack of makeup and the patched, ill-fitting clothes she wore. If she were to dress up and wear something that fit well, her beauty would certainly improve.

In terms of appearance alone, she would be more than a match for his nephew.

(End of Chapter)

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