Chapter 9: Using a wicker basket to draw water.

The old lady couldn’t even recognize a single character, otherwise, she would have pointed at Yu Xiulan’s nose and accused her of “using public office for private gain.”

A number of villagers caught wind of the commotion and ran over to watch, standing outside the team committee courtyard, whispering to each other.

Yu Xiulan couldn’t let herself be accused of such a thing in front of everyone, so she sternly countered, “Second Aunt, what do you mean by that?”

Zhao Er Nai, the oldest elder in the Zhao family, used her seniority to even call team leader Zhao Xinshan by name, and she was even less restrained with Yu Xiulan. “Then let me ask you, is the production team only yours, Yu Xiulan? Why should your family’s Zhao Ke take the job that was left behind?”

Yu Xiulan suppressed her anger and explained, “I’ve never said that the production team belongs only to me. I asked the team leader about Zhao Ke taking over as the elementary school teacher.”

Zhao Xinshan nodded, “Zhao Ke is indeed qualified and capable of taking on this important task.”

Zhao Er Nai spat, “What qualifications? What ability? You all just… just…”

She wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. She turned her head and looked behind her.

Yu Xiulan, Zhao Xinshan, and the others all followed her gaze.

At the entrance of the team committee, a young man wearing glasses adjusted his glasses, lowered his head, and looked at her in disgust for her senseless behavior.

The man was Hu Hezhi, Zhao Er Nai’s son-in-law. He had come to the countryside from Shanghai in the spring of 1970 as a sent-down youth and had married Zhao Er Nai’s granddaughter, Zhao Fangfang, that summer.

Beside him, Zhao Fangfang, heavily pregnant, was anxious and didn’t care about anything else. She stepped forward and said, “Uncle, Third Aunt, you can’t just live a good life and not even let others have a little share, can you? Isn’t the production team supposed to be communal?”

As soon as Zhao Er Nai heard this, she immediately remembered what she wanted to say, “You’re just getting special treatment. I can go to the brigade or the commune to report you!”

Zhao Xinshan’s face instantly turned dark.

Usually, when Zhao Er Nai made a fuss, it was just for show, and he had Li Hehua mention a few more things about the “vacant elementary school teacher position.” He never expected that today, for a job, Zhao Er Nai would even go so far as to say such things.

Neither she nor her granddaughter seemed to consider what benefit they would have without Zhao Xinshan. On the contrary, because of him, the rest of the Zhao family had many subtle advantages in the village.

The two of them were narrow-minded and couldn’t see these things; there had to be someone behind them leading them astray.

Zhao Xinshan coldly glared at Hu Hezhi.

Hu Hezhi instantly broke out in cold sweat. After hesitating for a moment, he still didn’t step forward.

Yu Xiulan was even more furious, “What special treatment? What kind of person do you think I am, Yu Xiulan? Everyone in the production team knows me! I never take even a needle or thread from the team members!”

Outside, the team members nodded in agreement—

“That’s right.”

“Director Yu has good character.”

“Even when things were tough a few years ago, she never took advantage of the production team.”

Zhao Er Nai and Zhao Fangfang felt a little anxious, and just as they were about to speak, they were interrupted by Yu Xiulan.

“You want to know what qualifications and abilities Zhao Ke has, right?” Yu Xiulan stood tall with her hands on her hips, “My family has been poor for eighteen generations, but Zhao Ke’s grandfather, grandmother, and great-grandparents, all of them were veterans who fought in wars. Their roots are pure, and she’s also the one with the most education in our production team.”

This point was unquestionable, and Zhao Xinshan nodded in agreement: “Zhao Ke is the only high school graduate in our village. I trust her to teach the village’s children.”

Yu Xiulan was full of confidence, “Let me make it clear, in the whole production team, no one is more qualified or capable than my Zhao Ke to be this teacher.”

Outside, the team members nodded again—

“Zhao Ke has been leading kids of all ages since she was young. No matter how unruly the kids were, they were always well-behaved around her. She’ll definitely be able to manage the students.”

“Yes, Zhao Ke is so capable. I trust her to teach our village’s kids.”

“I also trust her…”

Hu Hezhi, breathing heavily among them, couldn’t stand it any longer. He stepped forward and held the old lady’s arm, “Grandma, I know you’re doing this for me, but the team leader’s words make sense…”

He spoke nicely, but tightened his grip, his feet not moving an inch.

Zhao Er Nai seemed to have been reminded, grabbing him and pushing him to the front, shouting loudly: “Who says there’s only one? My son-in-law is also a high school graduate! He’s a progressive youth who came to support the countryside. Why does he not have qualifications or abilities?”

Zhao Xinshan patiently reminded, “Hu Hezhi hasn’t graduated.”

“Not graduated, but still a high school student! He’s educated! Wasn’t Zhao Mian just a middle school graduate?”

Zhao Er Nai directly brought out her trump card, sat down on the ground, and started to make a scene, “Appointing Zhao Ke? I won’t accept it! It’s unfair! Zhao Xinshan, if you don’t give me an explanation, I’ll go to the brigade or the commune to reason!”

Hu Hezhi and Zhao Fangfang crouched next to her to try to persuade her.

Zhao Fangfang seemed to think of something, and tearfully said, “Uncle, no matter what, I’m closer to you than Zhao Ke, right? Are you just going to watch me suffer?”

Yu Xiulan caught her words, “So now you’re trying to force the team leader to give your family special treatment? The production team gives public welfare funds every year to the Five Guarantees and the poor households. It’s not your fussing that makes your family the poorest.”

There were families in the Zhao clan who weren’t without difficulties, but Zhao Er Nai’s family was definitely not one of them.

Zhao Fangfang suddenly froze, and then began to cry pitifully, holding her stomach.

Hu Hezhi released the grip on her arm, not caring about the pale blue mark left behind, and raised his head, speaking with righteous indignation, “Team leader, the educated youth who came to the countryside are part of the production team, and we are here to help with production, management, and progress.”

“Yes, I’m not a high school graduate, but the newly arrived Fu Zhiqing, is. Zhao Ke can’t be the only one, can she? By continuously excluding us educated youth from the production team, you’re making us feel disheartened.”

Hu Hezhi placed himself and all the educated youth together and put pressure on Zhao Xinshan.

Outside, Fu Hang wasn’t present, but several old educated youth who were watching the drama exchanged glances.

Who really wants to do farm work? They’re nowhere near as skilled as the farmers.

If they couldn’t work well, they earned fewer work points and could barely fill their stomachs. The early enthusiasm and passion had long been worn away by the day-to-day farm work.

If they could do lighter jobs, they would be more than happy, so none of them contradicted Hu Hezhi’s words.

This was their silent support.

Zhao Xinshan’s gaze darkened, “Can I take it to mean that you actually don’t want this job, and you’re fighting for the educated youth?”

Hu Hezhi naturally wanted it. He did want to be the elementary school teacher, but now that it had come to this point, he could only say with righteous airs, “Yes.”

Zhao Er Nai was unhappy, “Why not? Since the work in the production team isn’t for just one person, why can’t we take it?”

Zhao Xinshan ignored her and instead looked toward the educated youth outside the courtyard.

He had never liked the educated youth.

These educated youths were best at causing trouble. In some places, the unrest had escalated, and educated youths even had violent clashes with the production teams. In the neighboring Li village, there had been fights that left people injured.

Zhao Xinshan managed the production team with a firm hand and didn’t intend to be overly harsh, but he had never considered allowing the educated youths to deeply integrate into the production team.

He had been able to suppress the educated youths before without anyone questioning it, and he would be able to do so in the future.

“Since that’s the case, the school’s position will be decided by a vote of all adult members of the production team.”

Zhao Xinshan’s expression was stern as he said, “Coincidentally, there will be elections for the team committee in a week, so we’ll hold the vote then. All members and educated youths can sign up. It will be fair and just.”

The team members were in an uproar, discussing among themselves.

There had been elections before, but it was just a formality. Everyone voted for the few people who were already recognized.

It was the first time that the school teacher would be part of the vote.

Zhao Er Nai was the first to oppose, “No way!”

She just wanted to stir up trouble until the team couldn’t take it and directly appoint Hu Hezhi, instead of holding a vote.

Opposition was ineffective. Zhao Xinshan directly made the decision: “If you have the ability, let the team members choose Hu Hezhi. If they don’t, I can’t do anything about it. This is how it’s decided, now disperse!”

After speaking, he turned and entered the office.

When the team committee quieted down, Zhao Xinshan spoke privately to Yu Xiulan, “I think voting won’t harm Zhao Ke. I have confidence in Zhao Ke. If she wins fairly, no one can make a fuss about it.”

Yu Xiulan had confidence in her own daughter, and she didn’t have any strong feelings about Zhao Xinshan’s decision.

·

When Zhuang Lan and another newly arrived female educated youth, Su Limei, came over, the crowd had already dispersed. They asked the old educated youth what had happened.

A male educated youth patiently recounted the events.

Su Limei thanked the male educated youth in a soft voice, then turned to Zhuang Lan and immediately returned to a normal tone, “This has nothing to do with us.”

Zhuang Lan bit her lip, looking thoughtful.

Su Limei was surprised, “Do you still want to sign up?”

Zhuang Lan replied, “Since the team leader said that educated youths can also sign up, why can’t I?”

Su Limei mocked, “Don’t even think about it. Didn’t you see how they didn’t react? The team members in Zhao Village will never choose you.”

“I’ve heard the old educated youths say that, over the years, the only educated youth who has truly gained the recognition of all the team members was the principal of the production team’s elementary school.” Su Limei was certain, “Hu Hezhi’s efforts will be in vain, and Zhao Ke will definitely be chosen again.”

Zhuang Lan was stubborn, “How would I know the result if I don’t try?”

“Do whatever you want,” Su Limei sneered. “I’ve warned you.”

It wasn’t just the two of them—everyone in Zhao Village was talking about this, and most of the villagers instinctively thought: Of course, they’ll choose Zhao Ke.

This made Zhao Er Nai, Hu Hezhi, and Zhao Fangfang extremely anxious.

Meanwhile, Zhao Ke, the person at the center of the storm, still knew nothing. At 3 PM that afternoon, she leisurely rode her bicycle to the village entrance.

Under the old locust tree, several women immediately stopped their conversation and waved at her.

The last time she returned, they hadn’t been so enthusiastic. Zhao Ke felt a little confused, squeezed the brake, and stopped under the tree.

Before she could speak, Aunt Dong anxiously said, “You’re back! Someone is trying to take your job as the elementary school teacher!”

The other women, whether stirring things up or just watching the drama, each said something—

“Not just one person.”

“You’d better be careful.”

“Go home and ask your mom what to do.”

Zhao Ke tried to make sense of what they were saying but was still unsure about what had actually happened. She just shyly smiled, “The elementary school teacher job isn’t mine. I’ll go with whatever the team arranges.”

“Er Yatou^[1]Yatou – girl. Basically referring to Zhao Ke as the second girl of her family, you’re just too honest.” Aunt Dong, addressing Zhao Ke more familiarly now, shifted from calling her “city girl” to “Er Yatou,” acting like an elder and patting her chest, “Don’t worry, we’ll definitely vote for you, not for an outsider.”

Zhao Ke smiled and thanked them, not asking any more questions. She waved them goodbye and leisurely continued riding her bicycle.