The Sweetness of the Seventies-Chapter 84 Director Chen’s Reminder_1

So when Director Chen saw the food situation in Qijia Village, he was not overly surprised to see that they were catching fish. These were ownerless goods, and weren’t considered a big deal. From the first day of dredging the river, he patrolled around the canal, and the meals in other villages consisted only of distributed items from the commune, with no sight of fish, loaches, or eels amongst the produce.

He asked the village chiefs of the other villages, who said that it was strange this year—they couldn’t catch a single fish, and wondered if there were big fish in the river eating all the small fish?

No fish were seen elsewhere, yet a large amount of wild aquatic life was found in this section of Qijia Village, which was very puzzling.

"All were scooped up while we were working. Since they were scooped up, we can’t just throw them away. With no food to fill our stomachs, if we cook the fish for everyone to eat, they will have the strength to work, won’t they? Look, Director Chen, we have already completed seven hundred meters. We should be able to finish half by tomorrow morning. It’s the sixth day, and with this year’s advanced progress, even if you don’t want to recognize our village, you still have to admit our achievements," Secretary Qi laughed and joked with Director Chen, proud that his village, though not many had come, worked quickly.

This year, Qijia Village had become quite prominent in the commune, being recognized as an advanced village at every meeting.

Secretary Chen smiled and promptly declared, "If you finish the task ahead of schedule, this year’s advanced award will go to your village. However, river work is related to next year’s irrigation and is of utmost importance. There can be no negligence, and we cannot ignore the quality of the work for the sake of being advanced."

Village Chief Qi became anxious upon hearing this and said, "Director Chen, others may not know my character, but you do! When have I ever cut corners in anything I do? You checked the work completed this morning, thoroughly inspecting it, and there was not a hint of negligence. If there were, I would dare to issue a military order and present my head to you."

"Ha-ha, don’t worry. I’m just reminding you," Director Chen said, seeing that, aside from his two confidants and Village Chief Qi, there was no one else around. He lowered his voice and continued, "I really have no other intention in saying this, just want to remind you. Last time, it was someone from your village who reported you. It shows that someone is out to get you, so you must be careful with everything!"

Village Chief Qi sighed and said, "Alas, I don’t know who reported me, claiming that I protected the elderly sent to our village. I don’t know about other villages, but in our village, out of the seven people, not one was idle. Those who could move worked in the fields, and those who couldn’t, dealt with fodder in the animal husbandry team, all very earnestly. They were diligent and have deeply realized their mistakes and corrected them—this is not me talking nonsense. This is what the whole village collectively acknowledges. Besides, I act uprightly and sit straight; I am not afraid of any schemers."

Village Chief Qi had his suspicions in his heart; it could have been those few individuals. But with no evidence, he could never be certain.

"Ha-ha, it’s good that you think this way. You must be more conscientious in your future work. Even if you are innocent, if someone reports you, an investigation will be sent from above, and you will be vindicated," Director Chen consoled. He valued Qi Dazhu highly for his reliability, as Qijia Village had always ranked highly in the county.

In the recent rush to harvest crops, not a grain was wetted or wasted, which had made Qijia Village stand out at the commune’s autumn harvest commendation meeting. The grain they contributed was full and of high quality.

Seeing that Director Chen intended to remind him, Village Chief Qi cautiously asked, "Director Chen, do you know who reported me? Although Zhou Sihai is a tough character, I, the branch secretary, have never had a grudge with him, so he wouldn’t target our village for no reason. That day I spoke a few words with Zhou Sihai, and it seemed like he knew the person who reported me, which really made me anxious."

Secretary Chen pondered for a moment and then said, "Zhou Sihai has no grudge against you, but he is in charge of this work. Without targets for re-education, he would be redundant, so wherever there is a report, he goes there. It’s not personal against you. The root lies in that report letter, so you better think about who reported you when you return. But your guess might be on point—everyone has a friend or two, maybe the person who reported you knows Zhou Sihai."

Since Village Chief Qi couldn’t get any more useful information, he stopped asking and invited Director Chen and the two other staff members from the commune to eat: "This is a bun specially made by Comrade Zhao, our village’s women’s director. Her skill is unparalleled, and her cooking tastes quite good too."

"Then I must have a good taste," responded Director Chen. He and the other two staff members were hungry. Seeing Village Chief Qi’s invitation, they started to eat heartily.

"Delicious, very good," praised Director Chen, after eating two large buns and a good amount of tofu stew with loaches. He also ate a lot of sweet and sour cabbage, which was very appetizing.

After a short while, Director Chen and the staff members finished their meal and burped contentedly, saying, "The taste is really good. If people in other villages could also have such meals, maybe they would work as quickly."

"Yes, the flavor is really good," another staff member agreed, "There are no fish in other sections of the river; it seems they all ran to your part."

Village Chief Qi modestly laughed and responded, "I don’t know about that, but we just set a few baskets and caught some fish and shrimp. When everyone eats well, they will work better and build a better life!"

"Right, Old Qi, that’s well said. You should work even harder in the future. This morning, I have already checked your village’s work, and it’s good. We will be heading to other places this afternoon. Xiao Liu, give Accountant Qi the Grain Coupons and money," Director Chen said, as he had other villages to inspect and couldn’t stay here longer. Not every village was so trouble-free—some were downright difficult to deal with, always lagging behind, but keenest when it came to asking for things.

"Director Chen, you’re too kind; there’s no need," Village Chief Qi quickly refused, feeling embarrassed to accept the Grain Coupons and money from the leader.

Director Chen, frowning, said, "Old Qi, we know you mean well, but as officials of an institution, we can’t knowingly make mistakes. If you refuse our money and Grain Coupons, you’re making us err!"

With no choice, Village Chief Qi reluctantly accepted the offerings—fifty cents and four ounces of Grain Coupons per person. The staff member named Xiao Liu gave Village Chief Qi a piece of fifty cents and one pound and two ounces of Grain Coupons.

He Tiantian, with her acute sense, overheard the conversation and couldn’t help but admire the current officials for their honesty!

If it had been those village chiefs who liked to take advantage of small gains, they would have kept it for themselves, but Village Chief Qi didn’t lack these things at home and didn’t want to give others a reason to talk, so in front of everyone, he handed these items to Accountant Qi Shuli of Qijia Village to record as communal property.