Courtyard House: After disbanding the Elderly Care Gang, I went to the countryside to cultivate immo

"Since no one has any objections, let's begin!" Seeing that no one asked any questions, Hu Guangming nodded to Hu Laogen. "Laogen, read out the names! When you call out a name, the person in charge of that household comes up to check the work points and population, sign and put their fingerprints, and then go to the warehouse entrance to collect the grain according to the list!"

"Good!" Hu Laogen adjusted his glasses, opened the thick, worn work point ledger, picked up a pre-prepared grain distribution list, glanced at it closely, then cleared his throat and, in his heavily accented yet remarkably clear tone, called out the first name:

"Hu Dashan's house!"

"Here we are!" Hu Dashan, who had previously injured his leg but has now recovered, quickly responded from the front of the crowd. He pushed through the crowd and walked to the octagonal table, followed by his wife. Both of them had nervousness and anticipation on their faces.

The grand spectacle of distributing grain has officially begun!

Hu Laogen first checked the number of people registered in Hu Dashan's household, then opened the work points book, found his family's page, and pointed to each line: "For your family this year, Hu Dashan worked XXX days and earned XXX work points; your wife worked XXX days and earned XXX work points; your mother, a semi-laborer, worked XXX days and earned XXX work points... Totaling XXXX work points. Is that correct?"

Hu Dashan stared wide-eyed at the densely packed numbers. He wasn't very literate, but he had a rough idea of ​​his family's work points. He mentally counted them on his fingers before nodding emphatically, "Yes! Uncle Laogen, that's right!"

"Hmm." Hu Laogen found the corresponding item on the grain distribution list, dipped his brush in ink, wrote down the total amount of grain to be distributed, and noted the approximate proportion and type of refined grain and coarse grain.

Then he pointed to a spot: "Here, put your handprint."

Hu Dashan extended his thick, dark thumb, dipped it in ink, and pressed a bright red fingerprint firmly next to his name. At that moment, it was as if some sacred covenant had been made.

"Take this form and go to the warehouse entrance to collect your grain from the custodian!" Hu Laogen tore off a copy of the completed form and handed it to Hu Dashan.

"Hey! Thank you, Uncle Lao Gen!" Hu Dashan took the light yet heavy piece of paper with both hands, his face beaming with joy. He and his wife hurriedly ran towards the warehouse gate.

There, the custodian and several strong laborers were already in place.

There was another flurry of activity at the warehouse entrance. The warehouse keeper took the order and loudly read out the varieties and quantities: "Hu Dashan's family! 120 jin of corn grits! 80 jin of sorghum! 30 jin of soybeans! 20 jin of millet! 50 jin of potatoes (converted to the equivalent)!"

The people inside then followed the calls and used winnowing baskets, measuring cups, or weighing to put the grain into the bags and baskets that Hu Dashan's family had brought.

When weighing, the scale should be tilted high to show that the weight is accurate, and someone should be present to supervise.

After each type of bag was filled, Hu Dashan or his wife would quickly tie it up and move it to the open space next to them.

The whole family pitched in, some carrying, some lifting, some hoisting, their faces beaming with busy but fulfilling smiles as they transported the grain home amidst the envious gazes of others.

"Wang Laogeda's house!"

"Old Hu's house!"

"The Zhang Widow's house!"...

The names were read out one after another.

Some families had more laborers and higher work points, so they received significantly more grain rations, which drew admiration from many.

Some families have many children but few able-bodied workers, relying mainly on per capita rations and meager work-point rations. Naturally, they receive less grain, which inevitably makes the head of the household look somewhat gloomy. However, touching the tangible grain bag gives them a sense of security.

Some families had minor disputes over work points for various reasons, so they would linger at the table for a while, arguing it over, and eventually reach an agreement under the mediation of Hu Guangming or Hu Laogen.

The atmosphere was extremely lively. The abacus beads clicked and clattered, and the shouts, the counting, the rustling of grain being poured into containers, the calls between family members, and the laughter of children... all intertwined to create a simple yet vivid scene.

The air was filled with the fragrance of new grain and the smell of sweat from the crowd. Everyone's face was filled with focus, anticipation, and a sense of security from the grain that was about to be in their hands.

The procession moved forward slowly and orderly. Lin Shengli, Li Kuiyong, and other educated youths stood in the crowd, observing everything with curiosity and seriousness. This was a completely unfamiliar lesson in social life for them.

Finally, Hu Laogen turned the page, adjusted his glasses, and read aloud, "Lin Shengli!"

Lin Shengli stepped out of the crowd and came to the octagonal table.

Hu Laogen looked up at him and said in a kind tone, "Lin, you educated youth, your situation is a bit special. You came late and worked for a short time, so your work points are definitely not as many as the older members. However, according to the policy, your basic food rations are paid in full, calculated according to the adult standard."

He turned to the ledger specifically for educated youth: "You, Lin Shengli, your work records from when you came to the countryside until now are all here. You've earned a total of 645 work points. According to the standard of 'two liang of grain per work point,' your work point grain is..." He fiddled with the abacus a few times, "...129 jin, plus your basic ration of 360 jin, for a total of 489 jin, a mix of refined and coarse grains, just like the other commune members."

As Hu Laogen spoke, he wrote on the grain distribution slip. Some people nearby overheard and whispered among themselves, "Each educated youth gets almost 500 jin? That's enough for several people's basic grain needs." "Those city kids, each one has their own household registration." "The work points are a bit low, but the grain per person is plentiful."

Lin Shengli wasn't too concerned about the specific numbers; he was more interested in the process and the underlying distribution logic.

He checked his work points, confirmed they were correct, and then signed his name in the designated spot. His handwriting stood out neatly and elegantly among the fingerprints and crooked characters.

"Take this form and go collect your grain. Can you carry it yourself? If not, ask Kui Yong and the others for help." Hu Laogen handed him the form.

"Thank you, Uncle Lao Gen, I can manage on my own." Lin Shengli took the order and walked towards the warehouse door.

The storekeeper called out according to the list: "Lin Shengli! 150 jin of corn kernels! 100 jin of sorghum! 60 jin of millet! 40 jin of soybeans! The rest will be converted into miscellaneous grains and a little dried sweet potato!"

Lin Shengli used the sacks he brought and the baskets he borrowed from Grandma Hu Liu's house to collect the grain in several trips.

Golden corn, reddish-brown sorghum, golden millet, and round soybeans... piled up at his feet, exuding the real scent of harvest.

He couldn't carry it all by himself, so Li Kuiyong and Jiang Yuanchao came to help. Together, they slowly moved the grain to the educated youth compound and Lin Shengli's small courtyard.

Looking at the grain, Lin Shengli felt a strange sense of satisfaction. It was the most direct proof that he had integrated into this world and earned it through his own labor.

The distribution of grain continued until sunset, when the light in front of the warehouse became dim.

After the last few households took their grain, the open space, which had been bustling all afternoon, gradually quieted down, leaving only tire tracks and footprints, scattered grains, and grain dust still lingering in the air.

Hu Guangming and Hu Laogen were tidying up their account books and tools, but their faces showed the relief of having accomplished something big.

The warehouse door was closed and locked again, with the key jointly held by the custodian and Hu Guangming.

Smoke began to rise from the chimneys of every household, and many families could finally use the newly distributed grain to cook a relatively hearty dinner tonight.

The children gathered around the grain bins and bags, curiously touching and looking at each one.

The adults began to carefully consider how to distribute the food to get through the winter and perhaps even have dumplings for the New Year.