If you don't consummate the marriage for three years and then marry a successful educated youth

Wang Hansheng smiled warmly: "Captain Jiang, I don't think you're much older than me, so I'll call you Brother Jiang. Let me read this purchasing list to you."

The captain reached out and took it, his expression calm: "It's alright, I can read a little, it's not difficult for me to look at a purchasing list."

I took them over and examined them closely. They were mostly dried mountain products, and the prices were higher than those sold directly in town. I also bought wild chicken eggs and duck eggs.

"Okay, I've looked through the list. It's mainly about buying wild, sun-dried mountain products, right? That's fine, but the amount of dried products is limited. You'd like much more fresh ones."

Wang Hansheng nodded with a smile: "Of course I'll take it. The price will be lower than that of dried goods, which I believe you understand, since fresh goods have moisture that adds to the weight."

"Other mountain products you have are also acceptable, such as walnuts, wild dates, and wild fruits."

"City people love novelty. How about this price? If it's acceptable, we can deliver within seven days."

The captain pondered for a while, then carefully examined the stamp on the purchase list. It looked genuine, but he didn't know anyone in Ancheng. He figured there shouldn't be any problem buying mountain products.

Well, I still need to confirm with the Party Secretary. If everything is fine, that's a good thing; it can bring some revenue to the brigade.

He stared at them for a few more seconds and said, "Here's what we'll do. I need to talk to the brigade about the procurement and see what they think. If they agree, I can organize people to go into the mountains to dig."

"After all, there is still a lot of work to be done in the fields, and there are few laborers who can go into the mountains. We can only draw on some women and children. It will be quite difficult to supply a thousand catties of goods within seven days."

Upon hearing this, Wang Hansheng slapped his thigh and said, "Brother Jiang, I see you're a straightforward person, and I don't like haggling. I'll raise the price by another ten cents per pound."

"Go ask the others, if they're willing, it would be better to recruit more laborers to go up the mountain and gather the mountain produce as soon as possible. We still need to get a truck to come and pick it up."

"Running back and forth would cost a fortune in fuel, so it's better to haul it all at once. A truck carrying over a thousand kilograms can do it all in one trip."

Ding Rui chimed in, "Perfect timing! We need to ask around at other brigades to see if we can buy some other local specialties to take back. That way, we can gather them all within seven days and haul them away at the same time."

They did need time to transport the guns and ammunition out of the cave, but they couldn't tell which way was which during the day, so they had to have their men carry them out at night.

It will take at least a day or two to get through. It would be best to set aside seven days to use the mountain produce as cover. A shorter time might not be enough.

The captain nodded and said, "Okay, I'll go ask. You guys sit here and have some tea."

"Okay, thank you."

He quickly left with the purchase list and went to find the Party Secretary. He briefly explained the situation and saw the Party Secretary smiling, saying, "Oh, Dashan, isn't this a good thing?"

"Why are you hesitating? There are people who buy mountain products, but they rarely come down. The price you're offering is pretty good. I see you don't seem very happy."

The team leader shook his head: "No, it's just that people are willing to come to our countryside to buy mountain products, which means everyone can earn more money, so I'm naturally happy, but..."

"Secretary, I can't really explain it. When I saw those two people, my heart started pounding. I had a bad feeling, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was."

"Haha, it's okay. The purchasing power of state-run hotels in big cities is different from what we see in small towns. As long as the price is right, the money is enough."

"Yeah, maybe I'm overthinking it."

The secretary patted him on the shoulder: "Then go back and sign the contract as soon as possible. Come here and get it stamped so you can arrange for people to go up the mountain to dig for mushrooms as soon as possible."

"They've ordered quite a lot of mountain produce, over a thousand catties. If they sell it, they'll make several hundred yuan. In seven days, each family can get a few dozen yuan, which is pretty good."

The captain nodded and said, "Okay, I'll go back and tell them right away."

Back in the courtyard, the team leader looked at the two men and said, "We'll accept the purchase order. I need to arrange some personnel. Also, please pay the two hundred yuan deposit."

"Once all the mountain goods are collected, you can pay the remaining balance of over five hundred yuan."

Wang Hansheng readily agreed, "No problem, I'll give it to you now. Let's sign the contract as soon as possible."

The captain sat at the table, looking at the contracts on it. His heart pounded even harder. He held the pen absentmindedly, lost in thought.

"Brother Jiang, what are you thinking about? Are you not satisfied with the price? It's okay. If your mountain products are good, we'll come back to buy more at the end of the year for the Chinese New Year."

"Purchasing two or three thousand catties a year won't be a problem, especially during the Spring Festival, when our leaders also need to give gifts, and these mountain products taste really good."

"Oh, it's okay, I just spaced out for a moment, sorry."

Wang Hansheng stared at the pen in his hand: "It's alright. You're the team leader and you have to manage so many people, it's normal to be busy. It's okay. If you're still worried, take another look at the purchase list."

The captain smiled and nodded, looking at each word carefully. He didn't find any problems, and the money was paid readily without any haggling over the deposit.

It's going so smoothly, but why does he still feel so uneasy?

Never mind, I'm probably just too tired lately. My heart is pounding. Just as I picked up my pen to sign, the door was pushed open, and I instinctively looked up.

The captain asked in surprise, "Boss, why are you back at this time?"

Jiang Lie saw the stranger in the courtyard and glanced over. He naturally didn't miss the urgency in the man's eyes. He narrowed his eyes slightly, wondering what the man was so anxious about.

I casually asked, "Dad, who are these two?"

"Oh, they are purchasing agents from Ancheng Xingfu State-owned Hotel. They came to buy mountain products to give to their employees as holiday benefits. They've placed an order for over a thousand kilograms."

"Really? What are you going to do now, Dad?"

"Sign the purchase list. Once this order is signed, the brigade will make some money, and everyone's life will be a little easier."

The captain smiled and said, "Boss, wait for me a moment. I'll sign it and take it to the secretary for stamping. We'll talk about it later. You wait for me at home."

Jiang Lie asked his wife to take a look and make sure the purchase list was indeed in order before watching his father sign it and get it stamped, keeping a copy for each of them as a backup.

After paying a deposit of 200 yuan, the two quickly drove away.

Seeing his son still staring at the departing car, the captain asked, puzzled, "Boss, what are you looking at? Did you see something?"

"Oh, it's nothing, I just felt those two were a bit strange. Anyway, now's not the time to talk about this. Dad, come inside with me, I have something very important to tell you."

The father and son entered the house, and Jiang Lie locked the door with a somewhat solemn expression: "Dad, do you know that there was once a battalion of Japanese soldiers transporting weapons on Niujiao Mountain?"

The battalion commander was drinking water when he almost spat it out. He looked at him in astonishment and said, "Hey, boss, what are you talking about in broad daylight? It's been so many years since liberation. Where did these Japanese devils come from?"