Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Antai City Armed Forces Department was packed with people, almost all from various districts' armed forces department heads. They all knew that a new type of weapon had reportedly been developed by higher-ups and would eventually be issued to them; today's session was to learn how to use it.

Most local cadres in this era were demobilized and assigned as local cadres from military districts, so no one was a stranger. They chatted and discussed, one man with bronzed skin, around thirty years old, toyed with a cup of clear tea on the table, looking intrigued: "I wonder what the higher-ups have come up with this time, making such a big deal."

People around guessed all sorts of things, with most speculating it was some kind of firearm. Someone joked, "It's not just handing us old military cast-offs, is it? Then what the hell are we training for? Who here doesn't know how to use that stuff?"

At that, someone chimed in, "Hey, you city folks are well-off. We're stuck in the county—I'd even take the hand-me-downs. My team still hasn't been fully equipped with guns."

Their lively chatter continued as tea was refilled twice. Finally, a few people slowly walked in from outside.

At the front was someone everyone recognized—the mayor of Antai City, accompanied by municipal government committee members. Clearly, higher-ups took this training very seriously.

When they entered, everyone looked closely and noticed a young girl among them, looking about fourteen or fifteen, with a fresh face, fair skin, and big eyes—very pretty. She stood there in a blue sweater, graceful, not one bit afraid of the room full of veteran ruffians.

The mayor coughed twice, and everyone quieted down, straightening their backs to focus on the leaders.

"Today, you've taken time from your busy schedules for this training meeting because our technical staff has developed a new type of weapon that will be issued to the armed forces. Comrade Feng Xia beside me is the core developer of the electric shock baton. Every word she says next is important, so listen carefully. Afterward, please write a report and exchange ideas." The mayor's voice was gentle, with a warm smile, and his look at Feng Xia was full of undisguised praise.

Feng Xia didn't waste time. She took out the electric shock baton and copied the same routine as the training she had given to the Vanguard Squad the day before, though this time it took a bit longer. When she finished, the room burst into boiling excitement.

Voices buzzed in every direction.

"Damn, this is a treasure! Are they really going to issue these to all of us? When can we get them? We can't wait!"

"Comrade Feng Xia is amazing! This little gem is perfect—once we have it, we're set! We ain't scared of nothing!"

"Right, right! So easy to use. From now on, with this stun baton, catching people will be a piece of cake!"

The men looked at the girl on stage with pure delight, their gazes at the baton were more adoring than the way they looked at their own wives.

Feng Xia smiled and ended with, "Got it, everyone?"

"Yes!" The reply was resounding with heroic spirit, shaking the rafters.

Leaving the bantering to the mayor and municipal committee, Feng Xia didn't get involved. She slipped out without hesitation, saying to call her if there were technical issues. The municipal staff were polite and led her to the cafeteria. It was nearly 11 a.m., so an early lunch made sense.

They had heard from higher-ups that this young researcher had a huge appetite, so the cafeteria prepared a special meal of four dishes and a soup, all generous portions of meaty dishes, plus a big bowl of rice. Feng Xia ate her fill. Since she was in the city, she had money and ration tickets, so she decided to visit the city's supply and marketing cooperative.

She left the cafeteria, and soon after, the cafeteria staff cleared the dishes—all the food was eaten up clean. When the staff told the head chef, he was also pleased that his cooking was so well received. This girl sure had an appetite.

Feng Xia declined company; Lin Feihu was still bantering with the mayor and armed forces people. So she wandered off alone to the cooperative.

Though still called a supply and marketing cooperative, it already resembled a supermarket from later times, with a wide variety of goods. It had two floors, spacious inside. The first floor sold food and daily necessities, the second floor sold clothing. People flowed in and out.

At the entrance, a huge portrait of Chairman Mao hung on the wall, dignified and life-like. Feng Xia stared at it for a while before heading upstairs, planning to browse from top to bottom.

On the second floor, there were ready-made clothes and fabrics. Feng Xia had plenty of cloth ration tickets. Her rewards for developing the stun baton had come in—she now had five or six thousand kuai in the bank, so she was quite well-off.

The sister selling fabric was around thirty, enthusiastic and efficient. It wasn't too busy, so Feng Xia was served quickly.

Pointing to a roll of blue cotton, she asked, "Hello, I want this whole roll of cotton. How much?"

The sister was surprised, "Girlie, this roll can make several outfits. Are you sure you want it all? This color doesn't suit you. Look at this fabric—this bright green is much prettier. At your age, you should wear this. It's lovely."

Feng Xia looked at the fabric she was holding; it sold well, and there was only about enough for one person left. She nodded, "I'll take both. The blue is for my grandma. How much altogether?"

"Oh my, what a good girl, so devoted to her family! This roll of blue cotton is four yuan eighty mao plus two cloth tickets, this one is one yuan twenty mao plus one ticket, so total—"

Before she could finish, Feng Xia handed over six yuan and three cloth tickets. The sister marveled at how quick the girl was with her money and quickly wrapped the fabric into a big bulky package. Feng Xia said "thank you" and moved to the next stall.

The vendor was impressed—this girl was smart, bold, and kind-hearted, far better than her own child.

Feng Xia then bought some hair ties, women's underwear, and two pairs of shoes. It was early spring and not too hot, so she didn't buy sandals. Even so, she ended up with a big bag. Although there were no lockers, for one mao, a cooperative staff member would watch your things. Feng Xia paid a mao, left her items, and began starting a shopping spree on the first floor.

White Rabbit Creamy Candy—delicious, buy two jin. Peanut candy—good, two jin. Black sesame paste—also good, two jin. And some freshly made red bean cakes (no ration tickets needed but pricier)—definitely buy three jin. People noticed Feng Xia and were stunned by her spending. She bought something from nearly every counter she passed. The bag looked like she’d spent seventy or eighty yuan. An old woman winced in pity.

But Feng Xia thought it was cheap—all of it cost less than two hundred kuai, a drop in the bucket for a gal with five or six thousand. So is this the joy of a shopping spree?

She was totally satisfied!