Era: I was a farmer at the foot of Yaoling Mountain

“Secretary Fang, we educated youth have been working in the countryside here for as long as six or seven years, and as short as five or six years. We weren’t selected for jobs before, let alone recommended for university. When can we go home?”

As the educated youth aged, many practical problems became apparent.

Some couples simply married, having given up all hope of returning to the city. But others insisted on living alone, their sole purpose being to return to the city.

This year, the situation has changed drastically, and many educated youth have felt a renewed sense of hope, which is why they came to find Fang Wei.

Fang Wei simply cannot solve this problem. The main issue before was not in this area, but now he has no choice but to face it.

He pondered for a while before speaking, "I understand your demands, but I cannot answer them now. How about this, we will hold a meeting of all the educated youth in the brigade in a couple of days, and then we can discuss some issues in detail."

"Okay, Secretary Fang, we'll be going now."

The overall mood of the educated youth in the team was relatively peaceful, which was closely related to their living conditions.

Over the years, all the educated youth and commune members in the brigade have received the same treatment. They have more than enough food rations, and there is an occasional supply of meat throughout the year. They also have a relatively abundant supply of non-staple foods.

They can receive cash dividends at the end of the year, and apart from the poorer infrastructure, their standard of living is no worse than that of people in the city.

Compared to those educated youth who went to the Northeast, Northwest, or Southwest, they were practically living in a honey pot.

However, as they get older, they also face many practical problems, and their desire to go home becomes increasingly urgent, but there is no risk of things getting out of control for the time being.

After the educated youth left, Fang Wei sat in his office for a long time before figuring out how to appease them.

Two days later.

Fang Wei convened a meeting of educated youth in the open space in front of the brigade headquarters.

This meeting can be seen as a consultation conference, where he will address the various concerns of the educated youth. Since the official policies haven't been released yet, the current mainstream approach is to encourage educated youth across the country to focus on their labor and continue contributing to national development.

Therefore, how he should strike a balance has become a difficult problem.

"Fellow educated youth comrades, first of all, I would like to thank you for your hard work in building the brigade over the years. The brigade cadres and I have always been concerned about your work, study and life, and we hope that you can continue to stay in the brigade with peace of mind until the new policy is introduced."

Now, on behalf of the brigade, I will respond to your concerns. I will answer the questions I can truthfully. For those I cannot answer, I will offer suggestions from other perspectives.

Fang Wei didn't say too many platitudes. He first affirmed the achievements of the educated youth, and then said that the issue of the educated youth returning to the city was not something the brigade could solve, but the brigade would continue to care for and cherish all the educated youth.

Next came the question and answer session.

“Secretary Fang, as one of the people who were sent to work in Xiatang Brigade, I am very grateful for the care and help I have received from the brigade and its members over the years. But we are no longer young. If we continue to waste our time, I am afraid that we will ruin our youth and our future generations.”

The first person to stand up and ask a question must be very bold. The guy who was speaking was very outgoing. Before he even finished speaking, he caused a burst of laughter from the audience.

After the laughter subsided, he continued, "Excuse me, are we qualified to get married? If we do get married, can we still return to the city?"

"Your question is difficult to answer. I'm afraid I can't give a standard answer, but I can offer my personal advice for your reference. First of all, everyone has the freedom to get married and start a family when they reach a certain age."

However, considering the actual situation of educated youth, I personally suggest that educated youth should ideally marry other educated youth, unless you intend to stay in the countryside for life. This isn't meant to be offensive, but simply a practical consideration; if both spouses were educated youth, it's easier for them to return to the city together later.

Fang Wei addressed the issue directly and answered his question.

As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of enthusiastic applause erupted from below. Everyone felt that the Party Secretary's answer was sincere, without any official jargon or platitudes, and very much in line with the actual situation.

The educated youth was also very satisfied, said thank you, and sat down.

Immediately afterwards, another educated youth asked, "Secretary Fang, do you think there is still hope for everyone to return to the city? If so, how long will we have to wait?"

"This question is also difficult to answer, but in my personal understanding, the return of educated youth to the city is an inevitable trend. It's hard to say exactly when, but I estimate it won't be too soon, but it won't be too late either. It might take about two years to resolve this issue."

Fang Wei was aware of the general trend. Starting in October 1978, the process of educated youth returning to the cities in full swing began.

But he couldn't make any definitive statements; he could only offer some ambiguous guesses.

The applause from below was even more enthusiastic. People were willing to believe what he said. They had already made it through so many years, so what did it matter if they waited a couple more years?

Who is Fang Wei? He's not just the village party secretary; he's also a national representative, someone who can attend meetings in the highest halls of society. Therefore, no one would think he's deceiving everyone.

"Secretary Fang, is it okay if I want to settle down in the countryside?"

At this moment, a male educated youth stood up and continued to ask questions.

"Settle down in the countryside? Of course, we welcome that. But I suggest you hurry up and find a girl from the village to marry. You've been planning this for a while, so what are you dawdling about? Tell me, and I'll find someone to introduce you to someone."

Fang Wei felt that the other party didn't seem to be joking, so she replied with a smile.

Another burst of laughter erupted from below. Although this guy was eccentric, he did a good job of easing everyone's emotions.

As the questions continued, Fang Wei generally adhered to several principles. One was the marriage issue of the educated youth, which he explained in great detail, mainly to prevent everyone from making the same mistakes.

One vague timeline for the large-scale return of educated youth to the cities was basically set for two years later.

What people fear most is an indefinite wait. Having a general timetable gives people something to look forward to, and at least for the next two years, it prevents major emotional problems.

Of course, if Fang Wei is talking nonsense and there is still no hope after two years, then there will probably be a huge backlash.

But he understood the overall situation, so he wouldn't capsize.

After the meeting ended, the educated youth were visibly relieved and returned to their dormitories chatting and laughing.

It seems that Fang Wei's guidance was very successful, successfully calming the emotions of the educated youth and giving them hope.

"Third Brother, it has to be you! I was wondering why these kids had been so listless lately, turns out they were homesick. Sigh, I'm really going to miss them, but I can't hold them back for the rest of their lives."

Zheng Hu greatly admired Fang Wei's ability to do ideological work; he himself would never have said those things.

However, he also had some doubts in his heart: would it really be as his third brother predicted, that all the educated youth could return to the city two years later?
He thought this might be a way for his third brother to appease people.

Fang Wei didn't think too much about it. He later mentioned the issue of educated youth at the coordination group meeting, which attracted the attention of the leaders of each brigade. So someone suggested that the 17 brigades should hold a "social event for educated youth" together, which would also help solve the lifelong marriage problem of older educated youth.

This was a good idea, and everyone agreed.

The specific execution of this matter was handed over to the [Coordination Group]. Fang Wei rarely manages specific tasks now; he only cares about the overall situation and direction, and everyone is used to this approach.

this day.

His fifth uncle came to him and said that he could consider selling improved breed pigs.

All the pigs at the farm have reached market weight, and the pregnant sows will soon be giving birth, making it the perfect time to sell the high-quality pigs. "Okay, Fifth Uncle, go find the team leader and ask him to make the arrangements."

Fang Wei nodded and agreed to his fifth uncle's request.

Subsequently, the brigade announced the sale of high-quality pigs, and wow, a huge number of customers came in immediately.

Now, the pigs produced by Xiatang Brigade are called "Yaoling Flower Pigs" by outsiders. The market price is rising, and even the purchase price is higher than that of other pigs.

Therefore, the high-quality pigs in the team are in short supply, and they are always snapped up as soon as they are put on sale.

The team sold 3000 high-quality pigs at a price of 1000 yuan per pig, for a total of 300 million yuan.

[A pig was born, earning +849000 points, for a total of 118600740 points.]

The pig farm has 1570 pigs left, including 300 pregnant sows and 1270 adult pigs.

This year, the brigade distributed pork less frequently, but now you can buy fresh pork at the market or the commune, although the price is a bit higher.

Because the improved breed of pigs was valuable, the villagers were reluctant to slaughter them for meat, and hoped that the team would distribute more cash at the end of the year.

To meet everyone's demands, Fang Wei plans to distribute dividends at an average rate of 1000 yuan per person, regardless of this year's settlement data.

The new residential buildings project has long been completed, and other infrastructure construction has also come to an end. The brigade has the strength and funds to do this.

Not only Xiatang Brigade, but the other 16 brigades are also envious of the new houses and plan to follow suit. This year, the income of each brigade has soared, giving them the confidence to do so.

"Tiger, let's go to the commune for a meeting."

That morning, Fang Wei received a call from the commune in his office, asking the branch secretaries and brigade leaders of each brigade to attend the year-end summary meeting at the commune.

Fang Wei took Zheng Hu with her, and the two went to the commune together.

A work summary is a review of rural work over the past year, serving as a bridge between the past and the future. After reading his speech, Zheng Xianfa praised the breeding work of each brigade.

Finally, he added a digression: "Secretary Fang, other brigades are very interested in your new housing project. Could you help them out through the coordination group? Meeting adjourned!"

Zheng Xianfa has a good attitude. Even though his deputy has gone to the county, he is still happy in his current position.

At the same time, he was willing to delegate authority, and basically handed over all production matters to the [coordination group], so he was happy to have some free time.

However, matters like new residential construction projects were outside the coordination group's jurisdiction; he needed to grant authorization for them. He was too lazy to get involved in such things anyway; Fang Wei had experience, and letting him plan would benefit everyone.

Fang Wei did not refuse, and Zheng Xianfa left first after announcing the adjournment of the meeting.

The leaders of each brigade did not leave, and they continued to sit and discuss some ideas about the new houses.

"If everyone is interested, I can help connect them with design institutes and construction companies. They already have experience, and I believe they will do an even better job on the next project."

"Alright, then I'll have to trouble Secretary Fang!"

After discussing it, everyone decided to find a design firm to come up with a plan first.

Fang Wei and Zheng Hu then returned to the team, planning to go to the provincial capital soon.

"Third brother, when are you leaving? Your sister-in-law and I are preparing some things, could you please give them to Tao Tao for me?"

night.

After the meal, Fang Wei went to his older brother's place.

Hearing that their third brother was going to the provincial capital, Fang Ping and Tian Guihua thought of bringing some local specialties for their son's family. Life in the city wasn't easy either; everything required ration coupons and was subject to quotas.

"Okay, I think you don't need to prepare anything else. Just bring them some cured meat and tea oil."

The problem in our lives now is the lack of meat and oil. Fresh meat is hard to carry, so we carry cured meat and add some tea oil, which is just right.

This year, the team did not conduct a collective harvest, but the Fang brothers each went to the mountains to pick a lot of wild camellia seeds, and the camellia oil stored at home is measured in hundreds of kilograms.

Fang Ping agreed wholeheartedly and prepared these items the next day.

Two days later.

Fang Wei took Pan Lianhua with her to the provincial capital.

Pan Lianhua's trip to the provincial capital wasn't just for sightseeing. The Xiangyang Furniture Factory in the provincial capital proposed a collaboration with a bamboo ware factory, and the factory asked her to go and investigate before discussing anything else.

The two walked out of the train station carrying large bags and small packages, where Fang Tao and Wen Xiaoya were waiting for them.

Upon seeing the two, Fang Tao quickly stepped forward to take the things from his aunt's hands, and Xiao Ya also came over to greet them.

Pan Lianhua noticed that Xiaoya's belly was slightly protruding, so she winked at Fang Wei, implying that her niece-in-law seemed to be pregnant.

"Manman, let's go home first, and then we'll go out to eat."

Fang Wei was very happy to see her uncle. He had been close to Fang Wei since childhood, and they still were.

"Okay! Let's go home first. But your aunt and I are here on a business trip, so we'll stay at the guesthouse tonight. We can get reimbursed for it when we get back."

Fang Wei helped bring a lot of things, so it would be better to go to Fang Tao's house for a while first.

However, he also stated in advance that he would not be staying at his nephew's house, as their tiny pigeon coop simply couldn't accommodate so many people.

Fang Tao didn't say anything. His own home was just that small, not big enough for everyone. He couldn't very well make them sleep on the floor, could he? It was just one room, which was really inconvenient.

Afterwards, everyone went to Fang Tao's house and asked him to take out the things that his elder brother and sister-in-law had asked him to bring.

Pan Lianhua also took out some dried goods from her bag, including dried bamboo fungus, bamboo shoots, and dried mushrooms. These were the kinds of high-quality items that she and Fang Wei were bringing for their nephew's family, items that were hard to buy even with money.

"Thank you, Manman! Thank you, Auntie."

Xiaoya has a sweet tongue. After her uncle and the others came into the house, she kept busy running around, not at all like a pregnant woman.

Pan Lianhua pulled the other person aside and asked in a low voice, "How many months pregnant?"

"It's been almost three months, and I haven't felt much of a difference myself." (End of Chapter)