Chapter 64: Life Is Full of Hope
Chapter 64: Life Is Full of Hope
In Naye Village, during this era, almost every household head knew how to weave bamboo items. Things like grain baskets, sieves, chicken coops, pot lids, baskets, manure sieves, screens, mats, pillows, and fans could all be crafted from bamboo by most of the villagers.
Deng Changping was sitting at his front door, weaving a grain basket. Despite the hardships he faced, he was brimming with energy and hope for the future.
This hope had been instilled in him by Elder Jiu.
After the land was divided and each household began farming independently, Deng Changping had been confident that he could improve his family's life. But Elder Jiu had gone even further, lending him all the family's land to cultivate. Now, both Deng Changping and his wife were planting rice on their combined fields.
This morning, he had checked the fields and found the rice seedlings growing well. If there were no natural disasters or other misfortunes, a bountiful harvest in the fall was almost certain.
With time to spare, Deng Changping decided to weave more grain baskets. He didn't want to be short of them when the harvest came.
Just as he was engrossed in his work, a voice called out from the roadside, "Changping, my father wants you to come over. He has something to discuss with you."
Deng Changping looked up and saw it was Auntie Aizhu. He nodded quickly, "Sure, I'll be right over."
Putting down his basket, he got up and walked toward Elder Jiu's house. His home and Elder Jiu's were separated only by a small river. Deng Changping hopped across and saw Elder Jiu sitting under a longan tree, smoking a pipe. He greeted him with a smile, "Elder Jiu."
Deng Shirong nodded at him and asked, "Are you managing well with the fields?"
Deng Changping replied, "Yes, the busiest times are plowing, harrowing, transplanting, and harvesting. The rest of the time isn't too demanding."
Deng Shirong, who had also been a farmer, understood this well. He got straight to the point, "Here's the thing. I need to hire a few workers. Each worker will earn 36 yuan per month. If you can spare the time, I'd like to offer you this job."
Deng Changping was pleasantly surprised, "Elder Jiu, is it for work at the pottery factory? I can definitely make time for it."
Ever since the word spread about the wages at the pottery factory, everyone in the Bangjie Brigade envied those who worked there. Even the hardest jobs, like carrying mud, paid 45 yuan a month, which was better than many government jobs.
Now, even though the pay had been reduced to 36 yuan a month, Deng Changping believed that if Elder Jiu announced he was hiring, there would be dozens, if not a hundred, people vying for the job.
Deng Shirong shook his head, "No, it's not for the pottery factory. I plan to transform our hills into an orchard and plant fruit trees. Your job will be to cut down all the trees on the hill, clear the weeds, and turn the hill into terraced fields. Then, you'll dig planting holes at the intervals I specify."
Deng Changping was surprised, "Elder Jiu, you're going to turn the hill into an orchard?"
Deng Shirong, stuffing tobacco into his pipe, smiled, "Yes, I think orchards have potential. Once the trees are thriving, you can follow suit and start your own. It should be profitable."
In the future, everyone would understand the value of orchards, but in this era, apart from the Bai Ping Farm, no other brigade in Shuangwang had dedicated orchards. Existing fruit trees were either wild or casually planted by villagers, and there weren't many of them.
Thus, Deng Changping had no concept of fruit tree cultivation.
However, Ninth Uncle had always been a capable man in Deng Changping’s eyes. If Ninth Uncle said planting fruit trees would be profitable, it definitely wouldn’t go wrong. He decided to first see how Ninth Uncle handled it, and then discuss it with his parents and wife to follow suit.
With that thought, Deng Changping smiled and said, "Alright, with Ninth Uncle as an example, I’ll follow your lead."
Deng Shirong struck a match and lit the tobacco in his pipe, taking a few puffs before flicking away the ash. He then said, "That’s settled, then. I’ve also hired a few more people, so you’ll all head up the mountain to work tomorrow!"
"Got it."
Deng Changping nodded and said, "Ninth Uncle, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back now!"
"Sure!"
As Deng Changping was about to leave, Deng Yunzhu returned with four people.
The oldest of the four was Deng Yunkun, who was already 48 years old. The other three were strong young men, two of whom were Deng Yunkun’s sons, Deng Changdong and Deng Changliang. The last young man was named Deng Sihua.
Deng Shirong had chosen these four specifically because they were known throughout the village for their good character.
In later years, Deng Changdong, Deng Changliang, Deng Changping, and Deng Sihua were recognized as the most honest and trustworthy men in Naye Village. If Deng Yunkun were still alive, he would have been included as well.
Gaining recognition from the entire village, and even the neighboring villages, was no easy feat in any era, but these four men had managed to do it.
"Ninth Uncle."
"Ninth Uncle."
"Ninth Granduncle."
The four greeted Deng Shirong one by one.
Deng Shirong nodded and, once they were seated, got straight to the point. "I called you here because I have a job for you. Each of you will earn 36 yuan a month. Are you interested?"
The four men’s eyes lit up at the offer.
In this era, there were hardly any opportunities to earn money in the countryside. Even jobs that paid just a dozen or so yuan a month were highly sought after, let alone 36 yuan, which was a dream income.
So, without any hesitation, they all agreed to take the job.
Deng Shirong then repeated what he had told Deng Changping, concluding with, "If there are no issues, you’ll start working on the mountain tomorrow."
Deng Yunkun nodded eagerly. "Sure, Ninth Uncle, we’ll head up the mountain first thing tomorrow morning."
Deng Shirong stood up. "That’s settled, then. I need to go talk to Carpenter Changcai in Bada, so I won’t keep you any longer!"
"Ninth Uncle/Ninth Uncle/Ninth Granduncle, we’ll be on our way then."
With that, the four men bid their farewells and left, their hearts filled with excitement.
Especially Deng Yunkun and his sons, their steps felt light as they walked back home. Clearing the mountain for farming was no big deal for them; they were used to such work.
And for doing this, each of them would earn 36 yuan a month, making their combined monthly income over a hundred yuan. It was like manna from heaven!
They hurried back to share this great news with their families.
(End of Chapter)
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