Chapter 58: A Stunning Revelation
Chapter 58: A Stunning Revelation
August 16th, lunar calendar.
Xinghua Brigade, Longtan Commune, Poxin Village.
After breakfast, Zhang Zhenfa sat at his front door, smoking a few pipes. He then put on a straw hat and set off for Naye Village in Bangjie Brigade, Songshan Commune.
This time, Zhang Zhenfa was determined to personally gather information about his prospective in-laws, the Deng family.
Ever since his wife told him last month that the matchmaker, Deng Shirong, had come to propose a marriage for his son, Zhang Zhenfa had been itching to fly to Naye Village and verify if what his wife had said was true.
That night, the entire family gathered to discuss who would be the most reliable person to gather information.
No matter who they considered, they all felt some unease. Finally, Zhang Zhenfa volunteered to go to Naye Village himself. His family unanimously agreed, as it made the most sense for the head of the household to handle this important task.
Once the decision was made, the next question was when to go. Despite their eagerness to confirm the marriage, they couldn't rush over right after the matchmaker left, as that would seem too hasty. As the prospective in-laws, they needed to maintain a bit of dignity.
After some discussion, they decided to set the date for after the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Leaving Poxin Village, it took about three and a half hours to reach Naye Village. By the time Zhang Zhenfa reached Shuangwang Market, it was almost noon. After walking such a long distance, he was both hungry and thirsty. He stopped at a noodle stall and ordered a bowl of noodles for eight cents, eating it all, including the broth.
After resting for a few minutes, Zhang Zhenfa continued his journey to Naye Village.
Zhang Zhenfa was no stranger to Naye Village in Bangjie Brigade. He had visited this place several times during his younger years.
The first time, which he remembered clearly, was in October 1958.
At that time, the county committee and the county people's committee mobilized 23,600 civilian workers from nine districts—Longtan, Songshan, Nabei, Fengshan, Yingqiao, Wendi, Ningtan, Shuhe, and Langping—to form the Tiger Head Reservoir Construction Militia Division. They began the construction of the only large reservoir in Bobai County.
Zhang Zhenfa was one of those 23,600 workers.
Although the Tiger Head Reservoir was under the jurisdiction of the Nashin Brigade in Shabu Commune, it was located at the boundary between Nashin Brigade and Bangjie Brigade. Therefore, Zhang Zhenfa and his colleagues had to pass through Bangjie Brigade to reach the construction site.
The construction of the Tiger Head Reservoir began in October 1958 and was completed in April 1960, taking a total of one and a half years.
Among the many workers, there were also people from Bangjie Brigade, so Zhang Zhenfa was quite familiar with the area.
In less than half an hour, Zhang Zhenfa arrived at Naye Village.
He didn't need to ask for directions. As he entered the village, crossed a rice field, and reached a small river, he saw the magnificent "L"-shaped building. Although it wasn't yet complete, the uniform blue brick walls left Zhang Zhenfa in awe!
In this era, such a large-scale blue brick building was unheard of, even in the bustling Longtan Market.
At that moment, Zhang Zhenfa made a silent decision: as long as his prospective son-in-law wasn't a crippled or mentally challenged individual, he would agree to the marriage.
Of course, he had these thoughts, but after walking for three or four hours, Zhang Zhenfa couldn’t just take one look at the impressive house and turn back. He had to find out more, so he could report back to his wife and children.
Just then, a middle-aged man about his age, carrying a machete, was heading towards the bamboo grove by the river. Zhang Zhenfa hurriedly approached and asked, "Relative, who built those houses up ahead? They’re so grand!"
The man with the machete stopped, his face beaming with pride. "That was built by my ninth uncle."
Zhang Zhenfa inquired, "What does your ninth uncle do to be able to build such a beautiful house?"
People have a natural tendency to show off, and you don’t have to be the one doing the impressive things to do it. If your relatives, friends, or even your hometown is doing well, you can still boast about it.
The man with the machete couldn’t resist bragging. "My ninth uncle is a remarkable figure in our village. He’s the best big jar maker in our Bangjie Brigade, and his family’s economic condition has always been one of the best in the village.
A couple of months ago, he partnered with others to take over the brigade’s kiln. I don’t know exactly how much he earns now, but I’ve heard that the big jar makers at the kiln earn over two hundred a month. As one of the owners of the kiln, my uncle must be making a lot more!
His eldest son is also quite successful, taking over his father’s position as a big jar maker at the kiln. Together, they earn a substantial amount every month, probably close to a thousand. They’re considered one of the most successful families in our village!"
Zhang Zhenfa had known that his future in-law was one of the owners of the kiln and that his future son-in-law was a big jar maker. He had assumed their income was good, but he never expected it to be this high.
Big jar makers earning over two hundred a month?
This income truly stunned Zhang Zhenfa! After all, even a high-ranking official in the county only made 159 a month, let alone lower-ranking officials.
If you consider the income from the kiln, their family’s earnings are indeed as impressive as the man said, probably close to a thousand a month. No wonder they could build such a beautiful brick and tile house, and no wonder they didn’t bat an eye at the thousand dowry for their daughter, even adding an extra 380 as a dowry gift.
At this moment, Zhang Zhenfa was not only stunned but also filled with joy.
After all, if everything went as planned, these would be his future in-laws. To have such a powerful in-law family was truly a stroke of good fortune for the Zhang family!
Zhang Zhenfa then tried to suppress his excitement and asked a few more probing questions. The man’s answers were largely consistent with what his future in-laws had told him, with perhaps a bit more modesty about their economic condition.
After a few minutes of chatting by the river, Zhang Zhenfa thanked the man and excused himself.
On his way back home, his steps were lighter and his mood brighter than ever.
After all, in no time, he would have a future son-in-law who earns more than a county official. Who wouldn’t be happy about that?
(End of Chapter)
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