The Fiery Era: Starting from Longxugou

"Aunt, Uncle, no need to go to so much trouble. We've made it through so many years, we won't miss out on this food."

We just gave the flour coupons to Uncle Zhang, so it's not appropriate to ask for them back. We still have about half a bag of flour in our cupboard. The school rations haven't been issued yet, but this is enough. Keep my ration for next month, and give yours to Uncle Zhang!

"When my royalties arrive in a few days, I'll buy a few extra pounds of meat and we'll all have a good meal! I can't be the only one eating!"

Hearing his family's arrangements, Zhao Shi'an spoke up to stop them.

The white flour ration coupons my father mentioned are officially called flour purchase certificates, and they officially came into effect last November.

As required, each resident of the city and towns is entitled to a monthly quota of eight jin of flour. They can collect the flour coupons from the 1st to the 3rd of each month. The flour coupons are valid only for the current month and expire if not used within the current month.

Flour coupons differed from the later grain ration book. The grain ration book allowed for advance payment of the next month's quota by the 25th of the current month, while flour coupons, having been in effect for less than six months, were still being optimized in various aspects.

His family are vegetable growers, making a living by growing vegetables, and they also have a quota.

At that time, the management of flour ration coupons was rather crude, with each person, whether adult or child, having a monthly quota of eight catties.

His four-year-old sister and seven-year-old brother also received an 8-jin (4 catties) ration of flour. As a middle school student, he was classified as an arts and sports student and received a 4-jin (2 catties) ration of flour from the school every month.

In this way, his family has a total of five people, and the basic quota is 40 jin of flour, plus the 4 jin given by the school, for a total quota of 44 jin.

The family mainly ate cornmeal. At the beginning of each month, after receiving flour coupons, they would give them all to Uncle Zhang, who sold sesame cakes. After the implementation of flour coupons, even though their stalls had monthly quotas from the industry and commerce authorities, it was not enough. They could only rely on familiar relatives and friends to trade among themselves or buy from each other at a higher price.

The flour quota for April was just given to Uncle Zhang a couple of days ago, so it's not appropriate to ask for it back now. Besides, he still has 4 jin of flour from the school that hasn't been distributed yet, and the small half bag of flour left at home is enough for him.

"The eldest is right! It's not good to ask for more after giving it to him. Mom, if you run into Old Zhang in a few days, tell him in advance that we're keeping this noodle for ourselves. The eldest is studying hard and has to take the college entrance exam, so his own ration isn't enough..."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Youtian felt that his eldest son made sense and decided to start saving all the white flour for his eldest son from next month onwards.

"Okay! I got it! I'll go find Big Foot tomorrow! Oh, right, boss, you can keep your student grant for yourself from now on, buy whatever you want to eat."

"You can have your royalties when they arrive. Don't worry about the eggs and meat; just focus on your studies!"

Liu Guiying agreed and then gave instructions to her eldest son. According to the postman, the royalties from the two articles, plus the scholarship, would amount to more than 200,000 yuan, which was a lot of money. She was sure her eldest son was sensible from a young age and wouldn't squander it.

"You're right, sister-in-law! Shi'an, just focus on your studies. Later, I'll have your aunt bring you some eggs. It's still a bit chilly, so the chickens aren't laying as many eggs. We have seven or eight hens in total, so you definitely won't go hungry!"

As he spoke, Zhao Youliang patted his nephew on the shoulder, encouraging him to study hard.

"Auntie, Uncle, I'll study hard!"

Zhao Shi'an was overjoyed to hear this. Putting aside the matter of eggs and meat, the fact that he didn't have to hand over the money he earned was enough to do a lot. Once the royalties and scholarships arrived, he would have at least 300,000 yuan in hand. This money would be enough for him to buy a large number of chicks and ducklings to store in his space. At that time, he would be able to have a free supply of eggs and duck eggs, and he could also pickle salted eggs and salted duck eggs, and make preserved eggs, century eggs, and the like.

If you're lucky, you might be able to buy a few piglets, but you'll have to try your luck at a specialized livestock market, since piglets are always in high demand.

"That's good! Oh, by the way, the teacher was talking at our house today, so don't go around telling everyone!"

Zhao Youtian solemnly reminded his wife and younger brother that although things had been much more peaceful in recent years, there were still many bad elements. Since their eldest son was so capable, if the family members were to boast about it, it would spread like wildfire in no time. If they were to attract the attention of bad elements, it would be too late to regret it.

Doing this is not only to protect the eldest son, but also to avoid too much embarrassment if the eldest son doesn't get into Tsinghua or Peking University. If the teacher's words were to be spread, wouldn't it be a huge loss of face if he didn't get in?

"Big brother, why?"

Zhao Youliang asked, puzzled.

"Why do you think that is? We've caught so many bad guys over the years. Our eldest son is so successful; if we show off, what if someone targets us..."

Zhao Youtian was furious and patted his younger brother on the head.

"Hey! Big brother, I definitely won't make a fuss!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Youliang was startled and immediately made a promise.

"Is his dad really that scary?"

Liu Guiying was still immersed in excitement when her husband's words sent a chill down her spine!

"Mother, what you're talking about is the worst-case scenario. The regulations here are the strictest."

Besides, even if someone did find out, they would definitely try to win me over first. I'm just a student now, so I'm not of much use. I might be useful after I go to university...

Seeing his mother's anxious expression, Zhao Shi'an immediately tried to comfort her.

Longxugou was the first large-scale public welfare renovation project in Beijing, and even the first such project in the People's Republic of China!

Spies, hooligans and other bad elements dare to cause trouble and sabotage here, which is tantamount to slapping them in the face!

As a key project, the renovated Longxugou has excellent public security, to the point that doors can be left unlocked at night. This achievement is naturally due to the round-the-clock monitoring by various departments such as the police station, street office, security committee, and militia, which is much stricter than the hutongs in the inner city.

Even if bad elements do manage to break through these defenses, they will likely play the long game. Right now, he's just an ordinary high school student, far less useful than when he goes to university and takes on a key position. They can't just assassinate him without even trying to win him over!

Zhao Shi'an didn't believe he had that much value before the bad guys had a full grasp of the situation. Even if he encountered real danger, he could use the space to protect himself.

Of course, the most important thing is that a wise person does not stand under a dangerous wall!

My father's reminder was very necessary. Over the years, a lot of saboteurs have been arrested, especially before the end of the war to establish the nation, when bad elements were extremely rampant.

"The eldest is right! Let's not scare ourselves unnecessarily. When it's time to eat, let's make sure the kids are taken care of! Second brother, call all the kids over, let's eat together!"

Zhao Youtian agreed with his eldest son's words.

"Why!"

Zhao Youliang agreed and ran home.

Before long, the whole family sat down to eat, and a bowl of scrambled eggs was placed in front of Zhao Shi'an.

While eating, the four little ones, Zhao Xiaoyue, Zhao Xiaole, Zhao Shijie, and Zhao Shixiong, stared intently at the golden, fragrant scrambled eggs on the table.

They were all instructed that this was specifically for the eldest brother.

Looking at the fragrant eggs, Zhao Xiaoyue felt utterly wronged! She was the one who started the fire today! And she didn't get to eat a single egg!

"Come on! Eat up, I can't finish it all by myself!"

Seeing his younger siblings' reactions, Zhao Shi'an took a bite of an egg, then picked up a bowl and stuffed eggs into the holes of each little one's cornbread.

Seeing the eggs inside the cornbread, Zhao Xiaoyue burst into laughter through her tears, and the little ones were overjoyed.

"Boss, you eat yours! We'll give them some tomorrow!"

"Yes, Shi'an, studying uses your brain a lot, so eat more eggs!"

"Mom, Auntie, there are so many eggs, I can't possibly eat them all! You should eat some too!"

As Zhao Shi'an spoke, he picked up the eggs from the bowl and gave them to his mother and aunt.

"Boss, you eat it, I don't like eggs!"

"Yes, Shi'an! You eat! Don't worry about me!"

Upon seeing this, Liu Guiying and Sun Cuilan both turned around.

"Boss, you can eat as much as you want! There's still plenty of food on the table!"

Zhao Youtian waved his hand in refusal upon hearing this.

The same applies to Zhao Youliang.

Seeing this, Zhao Shi'an didn't force him. He ate most of the eggs, leaving some in the bowl for his younger siblings. The little ones ate very cleanly, wiping the bowl of scrambled eggs several times with cornbread.

After wiping, Zhao Xiaoyue still wouldn't stop, and even poured the mushy soup from her bowl into the bowl of scrambled eggs.

The little girl sipped her soup, making smacking sounds as she drank, looking very content!

Zhao Shi'an felt terrible seeing this scene and made up his mind to buy more meat to nourish his family when he received his royalties or scholarship!