Rebirth in 1972: Redemption in Changbai Mountain

When Zhou Rui rode his bicycle back to the village, the villagers were astonished to see him carrying a military green canvas backpack with a military overcoat and several thick quilts strapped to the back. "This kid Rui has struck it rich! Where did he get all this good stuff?" they exclaimed. So everyone followed Zhou Rui's bicycle to the village chief's house.

Zhou Rui did it on purpose, wanting the villagers to know. Otherwise, wouldn't it be better to find a dark time to sneak home?

"Ruiwa, you've struck it rich! Where did you buy all these nice things?"

"I got it by trading it for a job quota," Zhou Rui said as he unloaded the things from his bicycle.

"Grandpa Zhao, I'm here to return the bicycle!" Zhou Rui shouted.

Zhao Youzhi, holding a pipe and smoking, walked out of the house: "You're back. I hope everything went well."

"Everything went smoothly, everything was at the price that Grandpa Zhao and Director Zhang agreed on. Look, I used some of it to exchange for these coats and quilts, as well as some tickets and some miscellaneous items." Zhou Rui couldn't say that the things in the backpack were bought privately from the vendors, as that would involve speculation and profiteering, and he couldn't leave any evidence, so he put all the blame on Zhang Zhenbei.

"Wow, this coat is really nice, it's even military grade, it must have cost a lot of money!" An older woman's eyes lit up as she looked at the coat.

"Of course, didn't the seventh son of the Chen family come home to visit relatives last year? He brought back an identical one, saying it was issued by the army. Old Chen was extremely fond of it, and he rarely wore it. He would take it out to air it whenever the sun came out, treating it like a precious treasure."

Another woman stroked the quilt: "This quilt is good. Look at the fabric, it's tight and sturdy, and the quilt is thick. A quilt like this will definitely keep you warm in winter."

And then there are those who are even more inconsiderate, reaching out to try and open the bag on Zhou Rui's back.

"Zhou Rui, what other good stuff did you buy in this bag? It's bulging. Let your auntie take a look." She reached out her hand as she spoke.

Zhou Rui turned away from the aunt's hand. "Auntie, there's nothing to see. It's just some matches, soap, and a knife and stuff. Don't look at it, or you'll have trouble cleaning it up later."

When Zhou Rui refused to let her see, the auntie became unhappy and spoke rudely.

"Zhou Rui, I think you're just too young and immature. How could you sell such a good job for just two or three hundred yuan? If you had worked a regular job, you could have earned that back in a year. Besides, how could you sell it to an outsider? Every family in the village could afford two or three hundred yuan. Why did it go to an outsider? I think you really are just like your uncle said, an ungrateful wretch."

Just then, an older woman standing nearby, admiring the coat, exclaimed, "What's this?"

Upon opening it, a brand-new rifle was revealed.

"Wow, such a brand new gun, it must have cost a lot of money!"

"It cost quite a bit. This gun was outdated and replaced by the security department of the forest farm. When I saw it, I begged the director of Xiangyang Forest Farm to replace it. I pleaded with the director for a long time and used all my persuasive skills before he finally agreed and even issued a certificate. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare to use it," Zhou Rui quickly explained to the old woman. But he didn't mention the exact cost or which director he had begged, leaving them to guess.

This gun is something else entirely; most hunters can't afford it. The two hunter families in the village can only afford homemade muskets and double-barreled shotguns. As for the militia, they've only been issued a few Type 38 rifles and Cadran semi-automatic rifles. These were all spoils of war from back then; as for the Type 56 semi-automatic rifle, Zhou Rui's small village wasn't qualified to be equipped with them.

The nitpicking aunt was speechless. This brand-new Mauser 98K alone was something her family couldn't afford. Exchanging work for these things made perfect sense.

"Is Ruiwazi going hunting? With such a good gun, even a bear could be taken down with one shot." This is what a man should have. A group of men surrounded the gun, stroking it as if they were stroking a woman's skin.

"I didn't plan to hunt specifically. I just wanted to go up the mountain to collect herbs for self-defense, and maybe hunt some rabbits and roe deer along the way," Zhou Rui said modestly.

"Can I borrow it? I'd like to go up the mountain and hunt a wild boar or something." A few hot-blooded men couldn't resist the temptation of the gun and asked.

"I can't lend it to them. The director said that each gun has a separate certificate, and each certificate belongs to one person. If someone takes this gun and something happens, I will be held responsible. Moreover, the director who issued the certificate to me will be jointly liable. I dare not disobey the director; wouldn't that be asking for trouble?" Zhou Rui quickly advised, using the tone of the forestry director to dissuade the group from their idea.

"If you really want to fire, just load up a few bullets during militia training. They're all rifles, there's not much difference."

Seeing that more and more of the village chief's family members were gathering, Zhou Rui decided not to stay. Anyway, the news had already spread; by evening, everyone who needed to know would know, and no one in the village would covet his job anymore. Zhou Rui, looking relaxed, pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and handed it to the village chief.

"Here, Grandpa Zhao, this is from the director. I don't smoke either, so it's all for you. I'm going to pick up An'an and Pingwa now." Without giving him a chance to reply, he put the gun back into his coat, picked up his coat and quilt, and turned to leave.

"Hey, it's Daqianmen cigarettes. These are the cigarettes that the commune leaders smoke. Village chief, can you have one to try?" A group of old smokers couldn't resist the sight of cigarettes.

"Get out of here, I wouldn't even want to use it myself. It's only for when the boss comes down to inspect."

With Zhou Rui, the central figure, gone, the crowd gradually dispersed. Some went home to tell their families, while others went to the big tree at the village entrance, intending to boast to others who didn't know them.

Zhou Rui carried his things into Zhao Dazhu's house. Zhao Dazhu wasn't there. Sister Xinghua was playing with An'an and the others in the yard. Xiao Niangao and Xiao Yan'er were on a bamboo bed, letting them play.

"Second Brother, you're back." An'an was always the first to spot Zhou Rui.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ping turned around and saw that Zhou Rui was covered in clothes, so he quickly came over to help him up.

"Yes, I'm back." Zhou Rui responded to An'an first, then spoke to Wang Xinghua. "Sister-in-law, thank you for your hard work. Where's Brother Dazhu?"

Zhou Rui handed the cotton-padded clothes and quilt to Zhou Ping.

"He's just staying home to look after the kids, what's so hard about that? Dazhu went to weed the plot of land." Wang Xinghua was a little surprised to see Zhou Rui bring back so many things, but she didn't ask any questions.

Zhou Rui took off his backpack, opened the bag that no one had touched, took out a can of malted milk powder, and grabbed a handful of White Rabbit milk candies, placing them on the bamboo bed.

"Oh dear, what are you doing? This malted milk powder is so expensive. And these White Rabbit candies, just save a few for me, the rest you can give to Pingwa and An'an." Wang Xinghua quickly stopped her.

"No, sister-in-law, I have more. See, I didn't lie to you. You often take care of An'an and Pingwa, so I don't have much to offer, just something to sweeten your mouth." She said, gesturing towards An'an with her lips.

An'an was perceptive; seeing Zhou Rui's hint, she immediately went up and hugged Wang Xinghua's leg, preventing her from leaving: "Sister-in-law Xinghua, please keep it. My brother went to great lengths to bring it. Besides, I often come to your room, so shouldn't I get some? Please keep it, please keep it."

Wang Xinghua could barely walk, afraid of tripping An'an.

"Okay, okay, stop shaking me. You have such a big mouth."

"Ruiwa, you haven't eaten yet, have you? There are two leftover steamed buns from lunch in the house. Have a couple of bites to tide you over."

Zhou Rui picked up the little rice cake and tied it to his chest. "No need, sister-in-law, I've already eaten in town. I'll go home now; there's still a lot of stuff to pack."

"Alright then, take your time." Seeing that Zhou Rui really had something to do, Wang Xinghua didn't stop him.

And so, with the little rice cake hanging around his neck, Zhou Rui held An'an's hand in one hand and carried his coat in the other, and left. As for the blanket, he left it to Zhou Ping; boys should do their chores, after all.