Chapter 79 Falling into the Fecal Pit

Chapter 79 Falling into the Fecal Pit

After the recruitment was completed, Tang Yuan and Secretary Liu were free to do as they pleased.

Secretary Liu went to stay with his eldest son for two days, while Tang Yuan and Feng Chen went to find Ji Hongyue.

Ji Hongyue was very busy these days, managing affairs at the Agriculture Bureau and handling some issues at the Biogas Office.

Although Tang Yuan had taught in the training class without holding back, the participants' levels varied greatly. Some could grasp the essentials after one course and would almost fully understand after participating in the construction of a biogas digester on-site.

However, most people did not have this ability; they needed to participate in the construction of at least three biogas digesters to grasp it.

Even so, some participants returned to their brigades unable to independently lead the construction of biogas digesters. There were issues with dimensions, structural errors, leaks, or no gas production.

In short, the problems were diverse, and in the end, Tang Yuan and Ji Hongyue had to diagnose them.

Ji Hongyue complained to Tang Yuan and Feng Chen, "I'm really frustrated. Feng Chen, you can understand everything I say. Even if your brigade leader builds one, he gets it. But how come some people are just so...?"

Stupid!

So stupid!

Like wooden heads!

He hadn't even boasted about himself. He hadn't followed the entire construction process of a biogas digester, yet he could still grasp its structure and principles and help them identify potential issues.

So why were they still confused despite theoretical lessons and on-site training?

Tang Yuan smiled, "You have to admit that people have different levels of intelligence and different strengths and weaknesses. Some brigades didn't send their best learners for training."

This was understandable.

When brigade officials selected barefoot doctors, primary school teachers, and biogas technicians, they had their own interests in mind. They might recommend relatives or supporters, rather than the smartest and most capable individuals.

Whether brigade officials could balance their personal interests with the interests of the brigade determined whether the lives of the brigade members would improve.

From this matter onwards, the brigades began to diverge. After the implementation of the Household Responsibility System, the gap would inevitably widen.

Some would live comfortably, while others would become increasingly impoverished, eventually becoming targets for poverty alleviation.

Years of poverty alleviation work had made Tang Yuan accept reality, helping those who deserved it.

Some people were naturally lazy, greedy, and insatiable. Your help would only make them lower their standards to exploit you.

Tang Yuan shared her philosophy with Ji Hongyue. As an official, you should focus on doing your job well and cannot pull every brigade up.

This applied to brigades and families alike.

Some people only change when reality hits them hard.

Even in 2024, there were still news stories about grape growers having dozens of vines cut overnight or someone poisoning fish out of jealousy.

Not progressing but unable to tolerate others' success.

Ji Hongyue looked at Tang Yuan and sighed, "It sounds like you have more experience being an official than I do. I've learned something today."

Tang Yuan: "This is basic human nature. In the future, other brigades will definitely be jealous of us and report us. You need to be prepared."

There would definitely be people, whether Ji Hongyue's opponents or those who couldn't stand seeing Forward Brigade improve.

Ji Hongyue nodded, "I understand. I'll regularly report to the Municipal Committee and have journalists publish articles to inform the public about your hardships and dedication."

Xie Weiran did this well.

He never wrote about Forward Brigade improving their lives and eating meat. Instead, he focused on the harsh environment, the members' determination, and the loans they carried.

The next day, Tang Yuan met Duan Zhangang at the County Party Committee.

He was wearing his military uniform again, his face tanned darker, looking stern and resolute.

He greeted Tang Yuan, "Hey, the girl from Tangjia Village, go back and tell the village to prepare seventeen-year-old boys for military enlistment."

Tang Yuan: "..."

She smiled, "Sure."

Duan Zhangang: "By the way, if Captain Tan, no, Staff Officer Tan asks, explain to him that we now notify all brigades, villages, and households about conscription in Binxian County."

Tan Zhiyuan was promoted last year and became a staff officer at the regiment headquarters. It was rumored that he would soon move up to the division headquarters.

This rapid promotion made Duan Zhangang envious.

Tang Yuan knew about this too. Ji Hongyue mentioned it. He occasionally called Tan Zhiyuan when he visited the Municipal Committee to discuss changes in Tangjia Village.

After all, they knew each other, having fought together and eaten together, which was a valuable connection.

She gave him her standard fake smile used for Gao Sheng and others, "Understood, I'll explain it properly."

Duan Zhangang left, satisfied.

Tang Yuan watched him leave with a polite smile.

"Teacher Little Tang, you're here. I've been looking for you," a male cadre in his twenties ran over.

Tang Yuan was surprised, "Cadre Chen, what do you need?"

This person wasn't from the Agriculture Bureau but... probably from the Education Bureau?

Tang Yuan had visited the County Party Committee many times and met many people with Ji Hongyue. At her young age, she had a good memory and remembered everyone she had interacted with.

Clerk Chen laughed and said, "I have some serious business. I was afraid you might have already gone back to the brigade."

Tang Yuan followed him to the office.

Clerk Chen couldn't help teasing her, "Where's Comrade Feng Chen? Why isn't he with you? You two are always inseparable, like Meng and Jiao."

Tang Yuan didn't blush at all and smiled, "He went to his uncle's place to discuss something. His cousin is going to be sent down to work in the countryside, so he's giving instructions."

Clerk Chen said, "Being able to go to your brigade for re-education is a blessing indeed."

Upon arriving at the office, Clerk Chen took out a document and handed it to her, "Your brigade has two spots. You need to recommend candidates."

Tang Yuan quickly scanned the document and exclaimed, "Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University?"

Clerk Chen laughed, "Yes."

The Forward Brigade had recommended two candidates back in 1971, but there hadn't been any since then. This year, due to Ji Hongyue and Tang Yuan's achievements, they were granted two spots again.

Tang Yuan pondered for a moment, "Are there requirements regarding background and class status?"

Peasants, educated youth, poor and lower-middle peasants, and the black five categories.

Clerk Chen replied, "Peasants and educated youth are eligible. The highest class status allowed is middle peasant. Those from the black five categories are not eligible."

Tang Yuan asked again, "In the past, wasn't it always Secretary Liu who made the recommendations? Will others have objections if I do it this year?"

Wouldn't Liu Guangming cause trouble?

She wasn't afraid of Secretary Liu, but there was no need to create unnecessary conflicts over such matters, especially since someone else going to Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University didn't affect her much.

She didn't want to go herself anyway.

Previously, Ji Hongyue had asked her if she or Feng Chen wanted to go, he would recommend them, but she had declined.

Clerk Chen smiled, "This decision was made unanimously by the leaders. They believe you can select more suitable candidates for Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University."

Clerk Chen was very experienced in this matter. Many brigade officials would first recommend their own children, then their younger relatives, and then those with whom they had other dealings.

There were also those who genuinely recommended suitable candidates for university, but they were fewer.

The Forward Brigade was now a model experimental brigade registered with the Municipal Committee, so they needed to be more cautious.

Having Tang Yuan make the recommendation was more appropriate, and everyone had heard about how Tang Yuan handled the recruitment process at the pig farm, believing she could identify and utilize talent well.

Tang Yuan considered it for a moment and agreed.

Ji Hongyue had gone down for another inspection, so she didn't wait for him. After Feng Chen returned with Feng Yi and their luggage, she met up with Secretary Liu and headed back to the brigade together.

Accompanying Feng Yi was He Jianhua, who had also packed his luggage and was heading to the Forward Brigade.

He Jianhua was very polite and offered to help Feng Chen with the livestock. Because there was a lot of luggage on the vehicle, he chose to walk alongside it rather than sit inside.

Given the long distance, Tang Yuan soon insisted he get into the vehicle, telling him not to feel constrained.

When they stayed overnight at the Red Flag Brigade Elementary School, Secretary Liu slowly asked Tang Yuan, "Tang Yuan, I heard that our brigade has two spots for Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University this year?"

It was naturally Liu Guangming who had said this.

Liu Guangming was furious that the recommendation rights were given to Tang Yuan instead of his father, and he had complained to Secretary Liu for half the night.

Tang Yuan smiled officially, "Yes."

Secretary Liu glanced at Feng Yi and He Jianhua, "Do you have any candidates in mind?"

Sure enough, Feng Yi immediately turned around, her eyes filled with hope, as if saying: Sister-in-law, with such a good opportunity, choose me, choose me!

But Tang Yuan smiled, "Not yet. I need to think carefully about it."

Hearing that she still needed to consider, Feng Yi immediately looked dejected.

A hint of disappointment flashed across He Jianhua's face, but he quickly reassured Feng Yi, "Usually, these recommendation spots require a certain period of service, at least two to three years in the brigade, and one must have received commendations."

This was why many people competed for commendations, as it increased their chances for future opportunities.

"Ah?" Feng Yi's hopes were instantly dashed, "I still need to work for a few years?"

If it took two to three years, her parents could arrange a job for her.

Forget it then.

Seeing how easily she gave up without even throwing a tantrum, He Jianhua felt a bit disappointed but quickly adjusted his mindset.

If he performed well in the brigade, maybe in two to three years, he might have a chance to attend Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University?

He stole a glance at Tang Yuan and Feng Chen, feeling that Tang Yuan seemed approachable yet principled, while Feng Chen, aside from being gentle with Tang Yuan, was quite cold towards others, exuding an air of "keep your distance," making it hard for people to get close to him casually.

Should he try to curry favor with Tang Yuan after arriving at the brigade, or maintain normal interactions?

If he performed well daily, she would surely notice.

With Feng Yi as a bridge, he should have more opportunities to show his capabilities.

Secretary Liu continued discussing the selection process with Tang Yuan, "I'll nominate a few people for you to consider and see which one is suitable."

He mentioned five names.

Tang Yuan listened with a smile. Among them were Tang Zhonghe's brother Tang Zhongping, the accountant Liu's son Liu Jinhui, and three others from the third production team, likely a relative of Captain Wang Changshun, and two others she wasn't familiar with.

She didn't outright refuse, "Sure, I'll investigate and take a look when we get back."

Since the county asked her to make recommendations, there was no need for her to be modest. She just needed to conduct thorough investigations and recommend suitable students.

In her understanding, with the college entrance examination set to resume in 1977, those who excelled academically wouldn’t need to attend the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University now. This school generally had a lower standard, with students of varying abilities, and it was often looked down upon by genuine college entrance examinees and even vocational school graduates.

After all, those vocational school graduates were top students back then, admitted based on their merit. Some of those recommended to attend the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University had only completed primary education or had poor middle school grades, getting in purely through connections. It was natural that they would be looked down upon.

Of course, one shouldn’t generalize. The teachers at the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University were legitimate educators. As long as the students were capable and willing to learn, they could still gain knowledge.

These students, once assigned jobs, could pursue further degrees in the 1980s and perform well academically.

She knew Secretary Liu was trying to trip her up, both inciting discord between her and others and pressuring her to choose from his list of recommendations.

Ha, am I that obedient?

Back in Tangjia Village, Tang Yuan directly assigned Feng Yi and He Jianhua to the pig farm.

Feng Yi would assist Daya and be responsible for teaching cultural classes to the pig farm workers, primarily Daya.

He Jianhua would first assist Cao Yanni.

The first batch of five pig farmers performed excellently, so Tang Yuan didn’t replace them but instead had them mentor new pig farmers.

Passing on skills from experienced to new workers was a tradition, aiming to train all village members and rotate them as pig farmers.

She wasn’t worried about complaints from the villagers. Once the collective took steps forward, it became a machine in motion, with everyone functioning as parts of this machine, where laziness was not tolerated and work was always available.

Given He Jianhua’s educational background and his eagerness to contribute, Tang Yuan wouldn’t disappoint him. Besides helping with feeding the pigs, she gave him an additional task.

He was to publicize the recruitment for military service and handle the preliminary screening of candidates for the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University.

First, he was to have eligible villagers and educated youth register, then screen and select four candidates, leaving the final two selections to Tang Yuan.

Tang Yuan had become more astute. If she made direct selections, people would surely come to her with connections, which would be bothersome.

By having He Jianhua handle the registrations, since he was new and unfamiliar to everyone, others couldn’t approach him for favors.

This move left Secretary Liu somewhat bewildered. This girl is really something!

He Jianhua never expected that upon arriving in the countryside, Tang Yuan would entrust him with such an important task. He was both excited and a bit proud.

Did he get noticed because of his good relationship with Feng Yi? Of course, it was also due to his own excellence that Tang Yuan took notice of him.

He must perform well, handling everything beautifully to satisfy Tang Yuan, thus securing better opportunities in the future.

Indeed, once the news of military recruitment and enrollment in the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University spread, the educated young people in the collective became excited.

Some registered themselves, some had their families seek connections, and others personally approached Secretary Liu, Tang Bingde, and Tang Yuan.

If they wanted to go, they naturally had to use every means possible to secure their spots.

Tang Bingde outright said he had nothing to do with it.

Secretary Liu also expressed regret, saying that this year it wasn’t his responsibility; the county had tasked Tang Yuan with it.

Some claimed to have a good relationship with Tang Yuan, noting that she always smiled warmly when they spoke. Perhaps they could ask her to let their children attend the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University?

Tang Yuan continued to smile warmly, maintaining a friendly demeanor. "Ah, this matter is handled by the new educated youth, He Jianhua. He’s a high school graduate from the county and will carefully select the candidates."

Some were unhappy that educated youth could also register, believing it should be a benefit exclusive to the collective members. Why allow educated youth to register?

He Jianhua responded directly: "As long as one’s household registration is in the collective, has worked for two years, and hasn’t been sent for labor reform, both educated youth and collective members can register."

Tang Yuan had changed the criteria for previous commendations from being controlled by Secretary Liu to not having been sent for labor reform within the collective.

Once this news was released, Tang Yuan left it alone and continued working with Feng Chen on the development plan for the collective.

They needed to design mushroom greenhouses, determine the structure and types of mushrooms to grow, and plan for gradual expansion.

At the educated youth dormitory, the older educated youth were buzzing with excitement.

"Can we also register?"

"Yes, that new guy, He Jianhua, said so."

"This Little Tang is truly remarkable. She’s different from Secretary Liu."

Under Secretary Liu, these educated youth never benefited. They weren’t even considered for commendations.

Well, one male educated youth was chosen by his youngest daughter, got married, attended the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University, and was directly assigned a job after graduation, with his wife moving to the city.

But it never happened to them.

Qin Xuan gently bit her lip and whispered to Song Huazhang, "Brother Song, I..."

Song Huazhang: "Don’t think about it. You’ve just arrived; you don’t have enough work experience."

Besides, the college entrance examination resumes in 1977. Why waste time attending the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University?

Qin Xuan slightly lowered her head, her eyelashes fluttering as she sighed. "I’m not good at work; I can’t earn many work points and just drag you down."

Song Huazhang: "Don’t worry about that. You’re my sister; if I don’t take care of you, who will? Besides, you’re working in the medicinal field now, which is less strenuous than farming. It requires attention to detail, and the work points are decent. You can manage it."

Qin Xuan nodded and smiled at him. "Okay, I’ll listen to you."

Her gentle and pure smile was incredibly obedient, filled with admiration and submission towards him, making Song Huazhang pause for a moment.

He quickly looked away. "Remember what I told you before. Don’t worry about the current turmoil. Our good days are ahead."

Qin Xuan: "Alright, I'll listen to you."

She glanced at Song Huazhang and whispered, "Big Brother Song, don't be angry. Those people are just snobbish; they always flatter the powerful and belittle the weak. One day, you will shine brightly."

Song Huazhang forced a smile, pretending not to care. "It's fine; I'm quite broad-minded."

Those who looked down on him today would one day find themselves unable to reach him.

Last winter, he visited several uncles and grandfathers at the farm, bringing them warmth and also bringing Qin Xuan over to take care of her.

During the New Year, he took Qin Xuan back to the capital, mainly to visit those influential uncles, hoping to remind them about the long-term situation and gain their trust so they could help bring him back to the city.

However, things did not go as planned. Most of them avoided meeting him, claiming they were busy or not at home, seemingly afraid he would ask for help to return to the city.

Even those who agreed to meet him skirted around the topic, unwilling to help him return to the city, hinting that it was his father and stepmother’s wishes.

When he tried to warn them about the situation, using information from a high-ranking official as an excuse, they became arrogant and proud, refusing to accept his warnings and even becoming angry at his pessimism, treating him coldly.

That trip to the capital yielded no results.

It made him realize that those in power, basking in their success, had no sense of crisis and did not allow others to remind them of potential risks. They only believed in their own continued prosperity.

But according to Xiang'er, that was impossible.

From 1976 to 1979, they would all face backlash, without exception, since they were not reinstated but had risen through opportunistic means during the movement.

Ha, we’ll see. Let them cry when the time comes.

After dinner, Qin Xuan offered to wash his clothes while he sat beside her, deep in thought.

At this moment, Tang Xiang came to find him.

Song Huazhang got up and walked with her.

Seeing Tang Xiang's displeased expression, he asked, "What’s wrong?"

Tang Xiang frowned, fuming. "It’s all because of Tong Xue! She heard about the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University and is insisting on applying. She’s even forcing my parents to ask Tang Yuan to pull strings for her. How shortsighted!"

Song Huazhang: "How does Tang Yuan have such power now?"

Tang Xiang: "Ji Hongyue gave it to her. I don’t know how she managed to get close to Ji Hongyue."

Song Huazhang: "Could she also..." He paused, looking at Tang Xiang, wondering if Tang Yuan might be like Tang Xiang, otherwise why would she suddenly change so much and become such a capable person? Even learning from Ji Hongyue wouldn’t make her this competent.

Tang Xiang scoffed, "Impossible, she’s not like that."

She instinctively denied the possibility of Tang Yuan being special, believing it was impossible, only she could be!

From her perspective, changing their current situation through knowledge alone was too difficult.

She read online novels and knew that making glass, soap, growing rice, fish ponds, papermaking, handmade perfumes, extracting essential oils, making salted eggs, century eggs, and clothing could lead to wealth, but in reality, it wasn’t that easy!

Technology, materials, labor—each was a problem.

For example, she couldn’t make century eggs.

She had studied biogas technology but couldn’t build a biogas digester.

So she didn’t believe Tang Yuan could be a time traveler, relying on future knowledge to grow rice and build biogas digesters.

She preferred to believe Tang Yuan learned from Ji Hongyue, who already knew these skills, as some provinces had developed biogas earlier.

Ji Hongyue coming from Jiangnan, knowing these skills was normal.

As Tang Xiang said, the Tang family was indeed arguing over the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University.

Tong Xue asked Tang Wu to talk to his in-laws, but Tang Wu felt his parents lacked the influence since Tang Yuan ignored them.

He went directly to his eldest brother and sister-in-law, saying, "Brother, Sister-in-law, Xue is educated; she should go to that university."

His sister-in-law was putting the child to bed and motioned for her husband to leave quickly, seeing Tang Wu’s unrealistic request.

There was plenty of work in the village, and they had to work even after dinner.

The mill never stopped, and the worm ponds needed constant attention, requiring regular feeding, cleaning, and harvesting worms.

Dad Tang was in charge, scheduling shifts for everyone to tend to the tasks.

The eldest brother understood and said he had to work overtime and left.

Tang Wu protested, shouting, "Brother, are you still my brother? You’re backing out when there’s trouble? Not helping your brother?"

His sister-in-law responded, "Second Brother, stop shouting. Your brother is just an ordinary villager; what can he do to get someone into university?"

Really, you think everyone will cater to you?

The eldest aunt initially sneered at Tong Xue wanting to go to university. What kind of university? You’ve already had a child; what about the child and your husband?

No way!

But hearing her daughter-in-law not supporting her own family, she became upset and shouted from the courtyard, "Eldest Daughter-in-Law, aren’t you always following Second Aunt around? Go talk to her; don’t forget your own family."

The eldest sister-in-law was angered to tears, thinking, if only you treated everyone fairly, I wouldn’t need to follow others.

Besides, I learn from Second Aunt and earn work points; all I get from you is endless frustration.

Saying things like, "Ah, Xiang'er has never suffered; I can’t bear to see her marry and serve her in-laws and husband. I can’t bear it."

Or, "Fang'er is suffering; her mother-in-law is so unfair, always making Fang'er serve her younger sister. Ah, when she returns, comfort her and make her something nice."

Sister-in-law Tang was furious at the thought of it. You complain to your daughter-in-law about how your daughter is mistreated by her mother-in-law? Do you not realize that you are even more despicable than Tang Fang's mother-in-law?

When scolded by her mother-in-law, she kept quiet.

Auntie Tang vented all her dissatisfaction with the second household, saying, "Now that their wings have grown strong, they forget their own mother and elder brother. They never think of their own family for anything good and are always cozying up to outsiders. They should look at themselves—without even a son. If it weren't for our first household supporting them, they would have been ridiculed long ago!"

The more she talked, the angrier she became, and Auntie Tang found Tang Yuan increasingly unpleasant to look at. She also grew displeased with the biogas pond and medicinal field that Tang Yuan had led the team to dig, and especially disliked the private plot of land belonging to Tang Yuan and Feng Chen.

She couldn't help but complain to Uncle Tang, thinking of ways to cause trouble for Tang Yuan, so that she could see her suffer and feel pleased.

She wanted to set fire to the biogas pond and blow it up, but she didn't know how and feared injuring herself, so she gave up on that idea.

But her anger remained unquenched, so in the dead of night, she went to Tang Yuan's private plot of land and trampled a row of vegetables, pulling out a few cucumbers and beans, then proceeded to wreak havoc on the sweet potatoes and yams.

However, due to the darkness and unfamiliar terrain, she stumbled and fell into the compost pit with a splash.

Originally, with the biogas pond in place, feces and straw were directly fed into it for fermentation to produce biogas, so the household's compost pit had been abandoned.

But both Feng Chen and Mother Tang, as well as Big Sister, were very diligent. They thought that having a compost pit where leaves, grass, and rotten vegetable scraps could be thrown in with water and soil to make compost was too simple to pass up, so they continued using it.

And that pit kept getting dug deeper.

In the middle of the night, Feng Chen was awakened by faint cries for help, hearing vaguely: "Help... me..."

He turned over and woke up fully, and the cries for help became clearer.

They seemed to be coming from the direction of the private plot?

It didn't occur to him that someone would go to damage their vegetable garden, since everyone in the village had their own private plots and vegetable gardens, and at this time of year, no one needed to steal vegetables from others.

He thought someone might have gone out at night to catch cicada nymphs and accidentally fallen into their compost pit.

He immediately got up, dressed, and went out to investigate.