Chapter 38: Five Model Youths

Chapter 38: Five Model Youths

Tang Bingde was not the type of village cadre who would explain every detail; he always gave direct orders without needing to justify them to the villagers.

And most of the villagers, since the establishment of the People's Commune and the production team in 1958, had gradually developed the habit of following the production team leader’s instructions without questioning them.

But Wang Changshun always listened to Secretary Liu. Knowing that Tang Bingde constantly opposed his father-in-law, he was also unhappy.

Plowing the land, spreading lime to control pests, and planting less cotton were fine—these were for the good of the production team, and the villagers naturally supported such measures.

But what was the point of harvesting wheat early?

Wouldn’t this reduce the yield?

If there isn’t enough grain for the state requisition, what will you use to make up the shortfall?

The villagers were counting on getting some new wheat to make offerings for ancestral worship. With reduced yields, what would they get?

If what you say is wrong, we have the right not to follow your orders.

Wang Changshun felt justified and stood his ground against Tang Bingde with his neck stiffened.

Tang Bingde coldly said, "When the commune cadres came down to inspect, they said the land should be plowed deeply, requiring at least one meter of soil to be turned over. This was clearly misguided instruction, yet why did all the teams still follow it? Because it was an order. As long as it comes from a superior, one must obey. If it seems unreasonable, one can appeal afterward, and the higher-ups will correct it."

To ensure the third team obediently harvested the wheat, he had to issue a forceful order.

Not only because of what the fish spirit said, but also based on his decades of experience.

He gave his instructions, and the squad leaders of the first and second production teams naturally followed him, immediately arranging to harvest the designated plots of wheat.

The captain of the third production team didn’t listen, but two of the squad leaders did, and they quietly went back to arrange the harvest.

They all knew that the team leader and the party secretary were always competing over everything—how much cotton to plant, how much wheat to grow, who should be the production team leader, who should be the accountant, and so on. Though they didn’t openly confront each other, there were always a few tense moments each year.

Just as Wang Changshun was about to go find Secretary Liu to complain, Secretary Liu had already rushed over with Feimao Tui (Fast Legs).

Secretary Liu wore a white sports vest with the words "Huaguo" printed on it and a dark blue jacket with four pockets, riding his bicycle hurriedly.

"Tang, my younger brother—"

Secretary Liu handed his bicycle to his nephew and strode toward Tang Bingde.

Tang Bingde had just issued his orders and was heading to the first production team to oversee the wheat harvest when he was intercepted by Secretary Liu, making his face even darker.

"Secretary Liu, what’s the matter?"

Secretary Liu: "Tang, my younger brother, this won’t work. To harvest wheat, it needs to be nine-tenths ripe."

Tang Bingde: "Some fields are already nine-tenths ripe."

He hadn’t ordered simultaneous harvesting of all the wheat but divided the fields. The green stalks were still sturdy and could withstand heavy rain, but the yellow-green fields couldn’t handle strong winds and heavy rain, which would cause them to fall over.

Secretary Liu: "I’ve checked, and it’s still two days away. Wait two more days before harvesting; if you do it now, there’ll be at least a thirty percent reduction in yield."

He was truly annoyed. He had initially supported Tang Bingde because he knew how to farm, but later, Tang Bingde often opposed him, and he wanted to replace him. However, despite Tang Bingde’s bad temper, he had considerable prestige among the villagers, who always elected him as the team leader.

He probably relied on this to repeatedly challenge him.

With such low wheat yields—only 130 to 140 jin per mu, and sometimes up to 180 jin—the public grain quota was heavy. A reduction in yield would mean having to hand over several more mu of grain.

Was that worth it?

He patiently explained to Tang Bingde, urging him not to be so stubborn.

Tang Bingde insisted, "I feel like it’s going to rain heavily."

Secretary Liu suppressed his anger, "The radio hasn’t forecast any heavy rain."

What nonsense!

Aren’t you making the villagers haul water to irrigate the fields all day?

Now you’re saying it’s going to rain. Are you crazy?

Tang Bingde didn’t care about the villagers hauling water to irrigate the fields; he only cared whether the quotas for cotton and wheat were met. Any reduction in planting or harvesting would affect the quotas.

He spoke harshly, "I heard someone spreading superstitions in the village, saying some deity predicted rain?"

Although Tang Bingde believed the fish spirit, he denied it outright, "For years, I’ve never been wrong. My back starts hurting before it rains or snows."

Villagers could privately talk about which temples were effective or which deities were powerful, but village cadres couldn’t.

Secretary Liu couldn’t help but sneer, "Tang, my younger brother, who hasn’t been injured and doesn’t have arthritis? Everyone else doesn’t feel it’s going to rain soon, so why do you?"

Do you think your lame leg can predict the weather?

Tang Bingde held his ground, "I am the team leader."

According to government regulations, the team leader is responsible for production, while the party secretary handles party affairs. They don’t interfere with each other. As the party secretary, you shouldn’t meddle in production matters.

Secretary Liu’s face turned black.

So, Tang Bingde, you want to have a showdown, huh?

"What if it doesn’t rain, and the premature harvest leads to reduced yields?"

Tang Bingde gritted his teeth, "I’ll take full responsibility. Remove me as the team leader, deduct my work points, or send me to labor reform."

This risk he took.

But Secretary Liu still wouldn’t budge. "Can you? Can you turn back time to prevent the wheat from reducing yield or make up for the lost yield?"

Grain is the lifeline of the cooperative members!

Just as the two were at a stalemate, a clear voice came from not far away, "Secretary Liu, Captain, the County Agricultural Bureau has sent an expert. Cadre Ji said there will be heavy rain soon and instructed us to harvest the wheat in batches quickly. We should also remind the neighboring brigades!"

Ji Hongyue, who had come with Tang Yuan to find Tang Bingde for support: "…………???"

When did I say there would be heavy rain?

It’s been over a month of drought without any sign of rain, right?

Is this Tang girl trying to set him up?

He suddenly feared encountering another mishap in Tangjia Village.

Tang Bingde and Secretary Liu, interrupted by them, turned their heads and saw Tang Yuan and a young man with an extraordinary demeanor, clearly someone from the city, approaching.

Although Secretary Liu had been to the county before, he didn’t know Ji Hongyue. Hearing that he was a cadre from the Agricultural Bureau made him doubtful.

In the past, whenever cadres from the County Agriculture Group came down to the village for fieldwork, it was always his son who came, even if it was originally someone else’s job.

Why did a new cadre suddenly appear today?

Tang Yuan already introduced Ji Hongyue to everyone with a smile, even asking him to show his work ID.

Though some words on the ID were blurred, it was generally recognizable.

Secretary Liu took it and examined it carefully, looking suspiciously at Ji Hongyue. "Are you from the Agricultural Bureau?"

Ji Hongyue seemed like a different person, no longer casual and playful as he was with Tang Yuan and Feng Chen, but now composed and reserved.

He nodded slightly. "I am Ji Hongyue, the acting head of the County Agriculture Group, here to supervise the wheat harvest in the brigades."

Secretary Liu’s face changed instantly. Where’s Guangming? Why isn’t he here for fieldwork? Why didn’t he send word about the new group leader?

He didn’t know what happened to Ji Hongyue, but seeing that the work ID was genuine, he naturally respected the county cadre.

He immediately put on a respectful and welcoming smile, shook hands warmly with Ji Hongyue, and reintroduced himself, "Group Leader Ji, why did you come down here alone? Liu Guangming from the Agriculture Group is my eldest son. Why didn’t he accompany Group Leader Ji during the wheat harvest?"

During the wheat and autumn harvests, the county commune always sends cadres to the villages to supervise the crop collection.

However, some cadres take their responsibilities seriously while others just go through the motions.

The number of county cadres is limited; they can’t really stay in the brigades. They usually just visit the commune and then return.

Previously, commune cadres used to stay in the brigades according to the agricultural calendar, but after the movement, the system became chaotic, and the commune cadres grew impatient with helping with farm work.

They preferred to stay in the county instead.

So no cadres had come down this year yet.

He wanted to call the county immediately to ask his son what was going on.

Ji Hongyue had heard Tang Yuan’s introduction on the way. Tang Bingde was a good cadre who worked hard for the cooperative members’ well-being, while Secretary Liu focused more on meeting the requirements of his superiors.

What else could he not understand?

Probably the extra cotton planted and the surplus wheat grain in Tangjia Village ended up in those people’s pockets.

In this era, speculation was prohibited, but the real speculators hid within the system, profiting immensely with access to goods and markets, all legally.

Ji Hongyue was furious but concealed it with a laugh. "Secretary Liu, with so many communes and brigades in the county, everyone has their own responsibilities."

With Ji Hongyue’s support, Tang Bingde arranged the wheat harvest very smoothly.

He gave Tang Yuan a deep look. This girl is not simple.

When did she get to know a cadre from the County Agricultural Bureau? Could this be her fish deity?

He apologized to Ji Hongyue, saying he needed to oversee the wheat harvest and couldn’t entertain the cadre, adding that Secretary Liu would surely provide a warm welcome. Then he left.

Before leaving, he gave Tang Yuan a meaningful glance, signaling her to follow.

On the way, Tang Bingde asked Tang Yuan, "Where have you been recently? How did you come with Cadre Ji?"

Tang Yuan couldn’t admit that she and Feng Chen had been secretly cultivating land in the mountains. She only said that she met Cadre Ji when she went to the county with Feng Chen.

Tang Bingde looked at her, his eyes conveying disbelief.

Tang Yuan immediately said, "Seventh Granduncle, I’m telling the truth. The fish deity told me to do this, probably to invite Cadre Ji here."

Tang Bingde: "Didn’t you know Cadre Ji already?"

Tang Yuan immediately sensed Tang Bingde’s imagination running wild and evaded the question. She wasn’t going to clarify; she’d let him imagine whatever he wanted.

As long as their logic made sense, they wouldn’t press her further.

She couldn’t resist teasing Tang Bingde. Although he was serious, thinking of such a stern and upright captain believing in the fish deity made her chuckle.

"Seventh Granduncle, do you really believe it will rain heavily? If it doesn’t, won’t you be in trouble?"

Tang Bingde replied firmly, "There will definitely be heavy rain. I can feel it."

In his youth, he had suffered gunshot and knife wounds, with two particularly deep ones that affected his bones. Whenever the weather changed, they would ache.

The greater the change, the more severe the pain.

These past few nights, he has been in so much pain that he could barely sleep.

Even without the help of the fish immortal, he had made this decision, but unfortunately, Secretary Liu's influence was too strong and he was overpowered.

However, after this incident, his prestige in Tangjia Village grew even higher. The villagers had unwavering faith in him and would believe whatever he said from now on.

Secretary Liu tried several times to replace him but failed each time.

Tang Yuan clenched her fists. This time, everyone had worked together to save the wheat, which would make Seventh Grandpa’s prestige soar unprecedentedly. Naturally, they would follow his every word.

She paused and smiled at Tang Bingde's back. "Seventh Grandpa, Cadre Ji seems to have something to say to you. You should find him later for a private chat."

Tang Bingde responded, "Sure."

Tang Yuan added, "I'll persuade Feng Chen to help with the wheat harvest!"

Tang Bingde wanted to tell her that no one could convince that stubborn boy to work for the production team, but she had already run off.

Tang Yuan heard that the squad leader and the secretary had gotten into a fight, so she specifically brought Ji Hongyue along to check it out, sending Feng Chen home with their things first.

She hadn’t seen her parents or Grandma Feng in over ten days and planned to cook them a good meal when she got home, as they had been working hard harvesting wheat.

Feng Chen delivered the items home first and was immediately bombarded with questions by Grandma Feng.

"Chenchen, how were you and Yuanyuan in the mountains? Is Yuanyuan getting used to it?"

"Have you been taking good care of Yuanyuan?"

"Does Yuanyuan have feelings for you now?"

"Your aunt and I discussed setting up an engagement for you two once you returned."

Feng Chen: "..."

He refused to answer.

But Grandma Feng saw signs and laughed happily, teasing her grandson, "Oh, is it that Yuanyuan doesn’t have feelings for you yet, but you have feelings for her?"

The brat used to get annoyed whenever she mentioned matchmaking. He would always clarify that there was nothing between him and Yuanyuan, saying it wasn’t appropriate to spread rumors.

Today, he didn’t deny it?

That means he has feelings for her.

Feng Chen thought, of course, she does.

In the past, he preferred being alone, finding it easier than being with others.

Now, he found it more interesting to clear land and farm with Tang Yuan.

He had never met anyone like her—full of vitality without being annoying, knowledgeable without being stingy, kind without being a pushover, brave and resilient, sincere without scheming...

Stop, if he kept going, he could list many more virtues.

In short, she made him feel that the new world was not only rich but also very interesting.

Grandma Feng was still questioning him when she heard Tang Yuan return and immediately stopped, transforming from a nosy old lady into a kind, easygoing grandmother.

"Yuanyuan, you’re back. I’ve missed you so much these few days." She walked quickly without her cane, took Tang Yuan’s hand, and affectionately touched her hair, shoulders, and back, saying, "Oh, you’ve lost weight. You must have suffered in the mountains. Was it because Chenchen didn’t take good care of you?"

Tang Yuan enjoyed Grandma Feng’s touch, feeling just like her own grandmother in her previous life. She smiled and said, "Grandma Feng, I’m fine. I ate meat every day in the mountains and brought back some smoked meat and white flour. Later, I’ll cook smoked meat and chestnuts for you."

Grandma Feng: "Why bring it back? Leave it in the mountains for your next visit; it’s troublesome to carry it around."

Tang Yuan gave Grandma Feng some malt sugar to suck on and quietly told her about the things happening in Shiban Village, causing Grandma Feng to exclaim in surprise.

Feng Chen watched them silently, as if they were the real grandmother and granddaughter.

Looking at Tang Yuan’s sweet smile, he felt a sweetness in his heart.

Tang Yuan started cooking the smoked meat and chestnuts. With plenty of seasonings at home, it naturally turned out more fragrant.

It was hotter down the mountain than up, especially at noon, with the sun blazing hot, making people’s scalps ache.

Tang Yuan let Feng Chen eat first, then they went together to deliver food to her parents.

During the wheat harvest, families had the elderly and children prepare meals, which were then delivered to the fields where the laborers ate and continued working after a brief rest.

Tang Yuan handed Feng Chen a scythe. "Let’s help the team with the wheat harvest. You’re strong and can do the work of three men."

If it were before, Feng Chen would never have helped, as he didn’t want to earn those work points.

Now, since Tang Yuan suggested helping, he agreed, but he had a condition—

"I’ll help with the wheat harvest, but you don’t go."

Strangely, although they had met in the mountains and he had invited her to farm there, he didn’t want her to work and tire herself.

Tang Yuan smiled. "Okay. Let me tell you a secret—I’m actually quite lazy and don’t want to work under the scorching sun at all."

Feng Chen’s eyes curved into a smile. "Then, after Uncle and Aunt finish eating, take the basket back home and take a nap. Then cook dinner for us."

Tang Yuan agreed readily.

In the wheat fields, everyone was enthusiastically harvesting.

Men cut the wheat at the front, placing it on the ground, while women followed behind to tie it up.

If not tied, it couldn’t be loaded onto the carts and would scatter everywhere.

Behind them, some people were driving ox carts and loading wheat onto them to take back to the threshing ground to dry and thresh.

If the fields were too far from the threshing ground, they would also harvest the wheat on-site, plow the land, pour water, and level it like a mirror before bringing the wheat over to dry and thresh.

The wheat harvest was even busier and more urgent than the autumn harvest, so all the men, women, and children in the village joined in.

Even the old ladies who usually didn't work, like Old Lady Feng, would help out at the threshing ground after cooking meals.

They might not be able to handle heavy labor, but they could still turn and dry the wheat ears and grains.

Even little kids like Huzi followed behind to pick up fallen wheat ears, let alone young girls like Tang Xiang and Tong Xue.

Tang Xiang was crying and feeling miserable. She didn't want to work in the fields; she was afraid of the sun, the labor, and the irritation from the wheat awns. Just a short while had made her feel burning discomfort.

The wheat awns scratched her arms, neck, and face. When mixed with sweat and exposed to the sun, it felt as if countless scorching ants were biting her.

When will 1977 come?

How tragic.

In the past, when they hadn't separated households, there were Uncle and Aunt Two, two strong workers, so the family didn't need her to do heavy fieldwork during the wheat harvest.

She only needed to follow behind Tang Yuan to pick up wheat ears, cut grass, and dry the threshing ground. Why did she have to go into the fields to cut and bundle wheat now?

Why weren't Tang Yuan and Feng Chen here cutting wheat!

She felt very unbalanced.

She glanced at Tong Xue beside her and whispered, "Tong Zhiqing, can you hold on?"

Tong Zhiqing looked like she was about to collapse. Originally, she worked with the other Zhiqing group, but Tang Wu asked Uncle Tang to transfer her to the third team so he could look after her closely.

He cut the wheat, leaving Tong Xue and Tang Xiang to bundle it.

Tang Wu was very strong, unafraid of cold or heat, just afraid of being without a wife. Now that he had one, he was full of energy, cutting wheat swiftly without any fatigue.

Tang Xiang and Tong Xue couldn't keep up.

"Dad, why isn't Tang Yuan cutting wheat?" Tang Xiang complained to Uncle Tang, who came over to check the thoroughness of their work.

Uncle Tang replied, "Your Uncle Two said she hasn't fully recovered from her illness and is afraid she might relapse."

Auntie was delighted by Tang Yuan's illness, enjoying the misfortune more than being upset about her absence from work.

Not working means no work points. What's there to be angry about?

She whispered to Tang Xiang, "Has Zhiqing Song mentioned anything about getting transferred back? I heard a Zhiqing from the Leap Forward Brigade got transferred back to the city through his family's connections."

Although Tang Xiang hoped he could return to the city, she knew his stepmother was sweet-faced but cruel-hearted, and would use every trick to persuade his father to keep him in the countryside.

Four years left, how hard it would be to endure!

Mother and daughter murmured quietly, with Auntie reminding her daughter not to get too sunburned and to let Tong Xue do more bundling.

On the other side, Tong Xue said she felt dizzy, and Tang Wu immediately helped her sit down, fanned her with a straw hat, and gave her water from the soup jar.

Seeing this, Auntie was displeased. She pitied her daughter and wanted Tong Xue to do more work. Her daughter-in-law was someone else's daughter, and she wished to make her work more.

"Xue, since you're working with our family, why don't you get married soon?" Auntie thought with disdain and anger towards Tong Xue.

Clearly, she had been dating Wu earlier but then pretended to be chaste, saying it wouldn't look good to visit frequently and even quarreled with Wu for a few days.

Recently, to get Wu to work for her, she had shamelessly approached him again.

Auntie wanted them to get married quickly, without any engagement ceremony.

Tong Xue was angry but didn't know at whom.

She had previously returned to the city to build connections and relied on a man who promised to arrange a job for her. After sleeping with her, he said it was difficult and tried to string her along. She refused to give up and caused a scene, but the man's wife beat her up, calling her a loose woman and threatening to send her to re-education.

Unable to fight back, she returned to the countryside.

Though she relied on Tang Wu, she didn't want to marry him; she only wanted him to help with the work.

Once a Zhiqing marries a local farmer, they are rooted in the countryside forever, unable to return to the city.

The household registration system was an insurmountable barrier between rural and urban areas.

She truly felt unwilling. So many others had returned to the city, why not her?

She kept an eye on which Zhiqing might have a chance to return and tried to connect with them, hoping they could take her with them.

Even the male Zhiqing from the Leap Forward Brigade, whom Auntie mentioned, had been approached by her, but he ignored her.

Feeling both angry and embarrassed, with no hope of returning to the city, she faced another round of intense physical labor.

She couldn't bear it anymore.

She compromised with Tang Wu, giving him a bit of affection to make him serve her diligently.

She truly felt unwilling.

If she didn't care about the household registration and wasn't determined to return to the city, once she said she would marry, these country bumpkins would line up to please her.

So it wasn't that she wasn't good enough or pretty enough; it was because she lacked connections.

If only she had an urban household registration, she could marry into a city family with a salary and be taken care of.

If only that were the case, she wouldn't have to suffer like this.

The more Tang Wu treated her kindly, the more she resented him and hated him.

Tang Wu, however, showed no awareness of this. He would find any excuse to help her, touch her hand, or pinch her waist. If it weren't for the crowd, he would have dragged Tong Xue to the back mountain to do something.

"Xue, that... that why don't you stay at my place tonight?" he whispered pleadingly.

Tong Xue felt utterly disgusted. How could this man be so stupid, always thinking with his lower half, as if he wanted to devour her.

It was truly nauseating.

She really felt like vomiting.

Just then, the commune postman rode up on his bicycle from a distance, passing by the wheat field and shouting, "Is this Tangjia Village's land?"

Someone responded, "Yes, it is."

The postman immediately pulled out a letter and shouted, "Perfect timing, here's Wu Jin's order to return to the city. You can take it to the brigade office for me."

What?

The villagers and educated youths who heard this were stunned.

Wu Jin could actually return to the city?

Didn't he get sent to the brick factory for re-education?

The postman laughed and said, "So what? Like father, like son. His father has the means, so he can get his son transferred back. Now he doesn't even need re-education."

With that, he pedaled away on his bicycle to deliver mail to the next village.

Hearing about Wu Jin's order to return to the city, the villagers mostly just chatted about it without much feeling, since it didn't affect them.

But Tong Xue was different; she was shaken to the core.

Could Wu Jin really return to the city? Was it not just a joke?

Then... did his promise to take her back to the city still hold?

In another wheat field, the arrival of Tang Yuan and Feng Chen almost made the villagers' jaws drop.

"Look, who's that? I can't believe those idle rascals are working in the fields now."

"Tsk tsk, the sun must be rising in the west."

More people speculated whether Tang Yuan and Feng Chen had gotten together. They lived in the same house and often appeared together, so it seemed natural they would become a couple.

"I wonder who's taking advantage of whom."

"One is crazy, the other is a rascal; they're a perfect match."

Tang Yuan paid no attention to these whispers. When playing a game, would you care what the NPCs say behind your back?

She held a sickle while Feng Chen carried a basket of food and a soup jar. They headed straight for Mother Tang and Dad Tang's group.

Everyone usually earned fixed work points, with full laborers getting ten points a day. But during the urgent wheat harvest, Tang Bingde offered extra points.

Those who cut wheat quickly and well got twelve points, normal workers got ten, and those responsible for tying the wheat into bundles got eight points. A pair tying together could earn five points each, but if one tied less than the other, they got four points each.

Mother Tang didn't tie wheat; she also cut wheat and earned ten points.

Dad Tang, Tang Wu, and the others, who cut wheat quickly, earned twelve points. Dad Tang also got three extra points for taking care of the animals.

They worked hard and earned many points, so they didn't want Tang Yuan to work in the fields.

Seeing their daughter carrying a sickle, Dad Tang immediately said, "Daughter, after you deliver the food, go home and rest. Cooking is tiring too."

Feng Chen volunteered, "Uncle Tang, while you and Auntie eat, I'll help you cut wheat."

Mother Tang quickly pulled him aside and whispered, "Work points are counted daily; cutting more won't give you extra points. Go tell the captain to give you extra points."

During the wheat harvest, Tang Bingde was more generous with points to speed up the process.

Feng Chen replied, "Then I'll count my work under Yuan Yuan's name."

While Dad Tang and Mother Tang ate, he and Tang Yuan went to talk to Tang Bingde about helping with the wheat cutting.

Tang Bingde was the captain of the first production team and also worked with a sickle after making arrangements.

He was working in the nearby wheat field and was currently eating.

Tang Yuan gave him some smoked meat and chestnuts.

Tang Bingde said, "Your family's food isn't plentiful; take it back."

Tang Yuan quickly poured the food into his bowl.

Tang Bingde: "..."

He couldn't chase her to pour it back, so he accepted it and shared the meat with his sons.

Tang Yuan then told him about Feng Chen helping with the wheat cutting. "Grandpa Qi, Feng Chen cuts wheat faster and better than those earning twelve points. Count his work under my name, and you need to be generous."

Tang Bingde was amused by her. This girl...

It seemed the two families were close to a good match.

Tang Bingde's three sons kept praising the smoked meat and chestnuts Tang Yuan gave them and asked how they were made.

Tang Bingde glared at them, telling them not to be so greedy, and they immediately quieted down to eat.

Tang Bingde pondered for a moment and said to Tang Yuan, "Then let's give him thirteen work points? But we'll need the team leader and the scorekeeper to be there to witness it and confirm his capability."

The work points were not solely determined by him; he was merely making a suggestion, which would then be supervised and evaluated by the team leader and the scorekeepers.

This was very straightforward; indeed, he was clearly more capable than the others.

Tang Yuan began to offer advice to Seventh Grandpa again, "Seventh Grandpa, the Fish Immortal said why don't you group them? Look at how much they can do in half a day with twelve work points. Then assign more plots, with higher work points, to each group. Those who want to earn more and work faster can take on more plots. This way, they earn more work points, do more work, and the team can finish harvesting the wheat faster, right?"

A strong man like him, capable of doing the work of three people, should not be limited by just twelve work points.

If he worked without restriction, he might even earn forty work points in a day!

Tang Bingde looked at Tang Yuan and then at Feng Chen. With such strength, not utilizing him would indeed be a waste.

After some thought, he pointed to another plot of wheat that had not yet been harvested and said, "There are six acres over there. All the work points from cutting that will be yours."

Wheat that grows well is easier to cut; one can grab a handful of stalks and cut them down with one swing of the scythe.

If the wheat grows poorly, with uneven heights and some fallen stalks mixed with weeds like wild barley and ash, it becomes troublesome.

Moreover, this year's wheat lacked water, so in areas where it wasn't irrigated, the wheat was shorter and required squatting to cut, making it even more tiring.

The plot that Tang Bingde pointed out had been irrigated and grew well.

In the morning, it still looked green, but after being baked by the scorching sun at noon, it had turned yellowish-green by now.

If one started cutting from the yellow parts, eventually all of it would turn yellow.

This wouldn't reduce the yield of the wheat!

Seeing Tang Bingde's instructions, Feng Chen immediately picked up the scythe and went over.

Tang Yuan quickly put a straw hat on his head, gave him the arm sleeves from Grandma Feng, and hung the towel she received from Grandma Feng around his neck.

With this outfit, he truly looked like a skilled farmer.

Tang Yuan chuckled and poked Feng Chen's arm lightly, "Go ahead, remember to rest. Don't overwork yourself; if you hurt your back, it'll hurt for a long time."

Harvesting wheat and picking cotton can be very hard on the back.

Feng Chen whispered, "My back is fine."

Tang Zhonghe's family lived close to Mother Tang's, and the two families often worked and ate together.

Zhang Guifen, Tang Zhonghe's mother, smiled at Mother Tang and said, "Those two kids really suit each other."

Ever since Tang Zhonghe got closer to Tang Yuan and went to treat Grandma Feng's foot, Zhang Guifen learned more about Feng Chen.

Mother Tang was quite pleased, especially with the fact that Feng Chen didn't let her daughter do any work.

On the other hand, Liu Laizi's mother was unhappy and spat when she saw Tang Yuan and Feng Chen.

"A madman and a hooligan, lazy as hell, what work can he do?"

Ever since Liu Laizi went to the quarry, his mother became obsessed, cursing and making voodoo dolls at home every day.

She cursed Tang Bingde, Grandma Feng, Feng Chen, Dad Tang, Mother Tang, Tang Yuan, and even the big black ox.

Unfortunately, these curses seemed to have no effect, and instead, everyone else seemed to be doing better.

Soon, everyone witnessed the terrifying speed at which Feng Chen cut wheat.

Is this humanly possible?

You're doing the work of three people alone?

Several young men felt indignant and tried to compete with Feng Chen, but almost broke their backs in the process and had to admit defeat.

Previously, they had looked down on Feng Chen, but now it seemed... he was actually more capable than they were.

Dad Tang had initially been somewhat displeased that his daughter and Feng Chen were alone in the mountains, but seeing how capable Feng Chen was, he instantly felt better.

He sincerely praised, "Feng Chen is truly both capable and kind-hearted."

Someone teased him, "We can see the capability, but how do you know he's kind-hearted?"

Dad Tang replied confidently, "If he worked like this every day and took the work points of three people, wouldn't everyone earn fewer work points? Why doesn't he come here normally? I think it's because he doesn't want to take our work points. He only comes to help during urgent times like the wheat harvest."

Everyone thought about it and realized it made sense.

Looking at Feng Chen now, they felt admiration and respect. He was clearly not a lazy hooligan but a handsome, kind-hearted, and capable young man!