Ch 23: Bringing a Farming Game System to the 1970s

Yan Yuzhen had fallen in love with Yu Xiang’an’s soybean paste. While her brother-in-law didn’t care for it, her sister did, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t replicate the flavor. So, they made an arrangement: twice a month, he would bring pig blood to Yu Xiang’an, and in return, she would send back two bowls of soybean paste.

Today, he delivered the pig blood, and Yan Yuzhen handed it over to Yu Xiang’an, asking, “Do you want pig stomach? He’s got one and is looking to trade it.” Pig stomach was a valuable item.

Yu Xiang’an nodded enthusiastically. “Of course! My sister-in-law is pregnant. It took her five years after my nephew to conceive again. I’ll buy it to help her nourish her body. Thank you so much, Sister Zhen.”

Yan Yuzhen waved it off. “It’s no trouble at all.”

She was just the middleman, walking a few extra steps and saying a few more words—nothing much. Besides, Yu Xiang’an often shared new and delicious creations with her. Last time, she gave her some pickled bamboo shoots, which greatly improved her appetite. Helping out a little in return was only fair.

Then, Yu Xiang’an smiled and pulled out a jar. “Sister Zhen, try this. It’s jam I made from wild fruits picked near my grandfather’s place. It’s sweet and sour, great for mixing with water or rice. See which way you like it better.”

Yan Yuzhen tried it and found the flavor mild when mixed with water. But when she paired it with rice, she ended up eating an extra bowl and still wanted more.

This left her troubled. The jam was so good, but there wasn’t much of it. If she had too much, she worried it would deplete her rations.

The next day, Yan Yuzhen mysteriously pulled Yu Xiang’an aside. “I remember you mentioned your grandfather lives in the countryside, and your uncle’s family is there too?”

Yu Xiang’an nodded. “Yes, I went to my cousin’s wedding last time and brought you some fried peanuts and soybeans.”

Yan Yuzhen confirmed and continued, “You also said your cousin is tall and strong, right? A real powerhouse?”

Yu Xiang’an was puzzled but answered, “Yes, my uncle isn’t tall, but my aunt is. My cousin takes after her.”

Finally, Yan Yuzhen explained her purpose. “Here’s the thing. My brother-in-law has a sworn brother who works at the meat processing plant. He had an accident while slaughtering a pig—the pig broke free and kicked him, breaking his ribs. The doctor said he needs rest. You know slaughtering pigs requires strength, and he can’t work right now. They need someone to fill in temporarily—not for anything complex, just catching, tying, and handling the pigs, boiling water, and managing tools.

“The position is temporary, and the pay isn’t as much as a regular worker—18 yuan a month with some ration tickets—but it’s decent. His other brothers all have jobs, or they’re not strong enough for the work, so I thought of you. Do you know anyone suitable?”

Yu Xiang’an grabbed her hands and sincerely thanked her. “Thank you, Sister Zhen, for thinking of me. I’m sure I can find someone. If there’s one thing the countryside isn’t lacking, it’s strong men!”

Yan Yuzhen smiled. “No need to thank me. Just let me know soon; they’re in a hurry.”

“I’ll go to the post office right away to send a telegram. You’ll have a reply by tomorrow,” Yu Xiang’an assured her.

“Good.”

Telegrams were charged by the word, so Yu Xiang’an kept it brief but clear: “Temporary worker needed, Manchang bring clothes, come quickly.”

The telegram reached the commune that same day.

When Yu Manchang learned of it, he immediately packed a few sets of clothes, got an introduction letter from Yu Shunwen, and set off overnight.

His wife, Xu Xiaojun, had no complaints. Though they were newly married and he shouldn’t be away for long, this was a county job. If he managed to stay, their life would improve significantly.

Yu Manchang, tall and strong, arrived that very night and was brought to Yan Yuzhen the next day.

She was pleased with his appearance and immediately took him to the meat processing plant for a “job interview.”

Her brother-in-law’s sworn brother had suffered a workplace injury, and since the plant was short-staffed, management agreed to a temporary replacement. After confirming Yu Manchang’s strength, they allowed him to start under her brother-in-law’s guidance.

That night, Yu Manchang officially began work.

Later, back at home, Yu Xianghai, Ye Qijia, and Yu Mingjie were all gathered together.

Yu Manchang had worked hard today, his body drenched in sweat.

Yu Xiang’an said, “Go take a bath first. The water’s ready. We’ll talk after you’re done.”

Once he was clean and came out, Yu Mingjie was already asleep in Yu Xianghai’s arms.

Kids could fall asleep just like that.

Yu Qingshan asked, “How was today? Everything go smoothly?”

Yu Manchang replied, “It went well. I helped out with simple tasks today. I’ve done similar work before during pig slaughtering in the brigade.”

Yu Qingshan nodded. “Good. Stay humble, talk less, and do more. But if someone crosses the line, don’t just stay silent.”

Yu Manchang agreed. “Got it, Uncle.”

The meat processing plant didn’t provide food or lodging, but the family had a room for him. Yu Xiangyan’s room had been empty, and after some tidying, it was ready for him to stay. Meals weren’t an issue—breakfast was shared at home, and for lunch and dinner, he could eat at the factory cafeteria by providing grain or meal tickets. He’d brought some rations with him, and anything lacking, Yu Qingshan would help supply.

The first month didn’t include a paycheck, but temporary workers could still take home small perks, like bits of bones and pig blood—unexpected extras.

Yu Qingshan repeatedly reminded him, “Learn as much as you can. But if someone seems protective of their role, don’t push too hard. Slaughtering pigs is a skill. How much you learn depends on you. If they get too busy, you might even have a chance to stay on.”

Yu Manchang understood the importance.

Even if he couldn’t stay permanently, his replacement work would last three to six months while the other recovered. That would mean steady earnings for a while.

At 18 yuan a month, three months would total 54 yuan. Even after setting aside 5 yuan a month for food, it was still a substantial amount.

Last year, despite their household’s many laborers, they earned less than 30 yuan for a whole year from the fields—a relatively high sum for the village.

When their grandfather fell ill, the main house was supposed to cover the medical expenses, but their funds were tight, so most of the money came from his uncle, with the main house contributing only a token amount. His father had grumbled about it more than once.

Now, Yu Manchang finally had a chance to earn money. With even a slim possibility of staying on in the city, he poured every ounce of effort into his work.

He left early and returned late, earning praise from even the hardworking Yan Yuzhen. She said to Yu Xiang’an, “My brother-in-law told me your cousin is very diligent—quite a capable man.”

Yu Xiang’an smiled and replied, “Yes, my cousin is very hardworking.”

“I heard he even made it to middle school, right? Such a pity,” Yan Yuzhen added. If only he had a city household registration, finding a permanent job wouldn’t be this difficult.

Although his position allowed for days off, Yu Manchang didn’t take any in his first month. He waited until he received his first paycheck before deciding to return home for a visit.

When he arrived, familiar faces quickly surrounded him.

The villagers were full of curiosity. “Did you find a job in the county? That outfit looks like a factory uniform—it’s so sharp!”

“How are the benefits? Can you eat your fill?”

“What’s it like there? Does everyone in your factory live in apartment buildings?”

“You seem taller—are you eating better?”

From the moment he entered the village to when he reached home, Yu Manchang’s mouth went dry from answering questions. Even after explaining multiple times that he was only temporarily filling in for an injured worker and would have to return once they recovered, everyone still looked at him with envy.

Some even kept asking if there were similar opportunities available, insisting they had plenty of strength to offer.

Yu Manchang could only respond with a wry smile.

After a month working there, he deeply understood how hard it was to secure a position. It was, as the saying went, one pit for one radish.

Not to mention permanent positions—even temporary jobs required the right circumstances. For instance, his second uncle had been in the city for years, but his second aunt still worked on and off as a temp.

His first month’s wages amounted to 13 yuan. He told his family that he had given 5 yuan to his second uncle since he had helped cover meal tickets and facilitated the job through his cousin. It was only right to be generous.

Handing over the remaining 13 yuan to his mother, Yang Huili, he said, “I’ll need to bring back some grain and exchange it for tickets so I can eat in the cafeteria.”

“And here are some ration tickets I received this month. As a temp, I only get half of what a regular worker gets, but I was lucky enough to get three taels of sugar tickets this month. They’re hard to come by, so save them for second sister-in-law. She’s pregnant, and they’ll come in handy for her postpartum recovery.”

Holding the 13 yuan and the tickets, Yang Huili’s eyes reddened. Her son had been gone only a month and already brought back so much.

“Work hard, and don’t forget how much Xiao An has done for you. Whatever you do, remember her kindness. Don’t worry about the family; everything is fine here.”

Xu Xiaojun, his wife, nodded along with a beaming smile.

She didn’t mind that the money hadn’t gone into her hands. She had just married into the family and didn’t expect to manage the finances. Besides, this was real money—no matter who held it, it was still earned by her husband.

“I’m pretty good at making shoes,” she offered. “I’ll make two pairs for Xiao An. Mom, do you know her shoe size?” It was only fair to reciprocate. She didn’t have much to offer, but her shoe-making skills were well-praised.

“I know, but I’m not sure if her feet have grown. Make them a bit bigger,” Yang Huili said, pleased with her eldest daughter-in-law’s thoughtfulness. “Xiao An takes after her mother. Her mom wasn’t great at sewing either. I’ve seen your shoes—the stitches are fine, and they’re comfortable to wear. When you have time, make her a few more pairs.”

Meanwhile, Yu Manwu and Yu Mansheng refused to let Yu Manchang go, bombarding him with questions:

“Big Brother, tell us about the factory! Is it bustling?”
“Do they give you a hard time?”
“Did you bring us any gifts?”

Yu Manchang replied, “One at a time! No gifts—I gave all my money to the family.”

He had completely forgotten to buy anything for them.

Yang Huili chimed in, “Don’t worry about buying anything. If we need something, I’ll take care of it. Don’t waste your money.”

With two younger sons still unmarried, the family had plenty of expenses ahead.

“I understand, Mom,” Yu Manchang said.

Disappointed, Yu Manwu and Yu Mansheng exchanged glances and sighed in unison.

Yu Manchang continued, “At the meat processing plant, I help with slaughtering pigs. There’s a shed about the size of our grain drying yard. A batch of pigs is being processed now, so everyone’s busy. Next to the factory is the pig farm, which has a lot of pigs. As you know, pigs squeal loudly during slaughter. The factory isn’t in a bustling area—it’s a bit remote, but not too far.”

Yang Huili asked, “Where are you staying at your second uncle’s place?”

“I’m staying in Xiangyan’s room,” he replied.

Yu Manwu pressed on, “Big Brother, you still haven’t answered—do your coworkers give you trouble?”

“No, the person training me is familiar with Xiao An. He’s been very kind and has pointed out everything I need to watch out for.”

Yu Mansheng: “Did you run into that person? I remember he works at the meat processing plant too.”

Yu Manchang immediately knew who he meant. Everyone in the family was aware that Xiao An’s former fiancé was a formal employee at the meat processing plant.

“I work in the slaughterhouse; he’s in the warehouse. We’re not in the same area. I’ve seen him twice, but he can’t do much. The person mentoring me has been looking out for me. He even mentioned Xiao An’s situation and said he despises people who don’t keep their promises. He wouldn’t associate with someone like that.”

Hearing this, Yang Huili sighed in relief. She had been worried that a formal employee might bully her son, especially given the disparity between their statuses. A formal employee could easily throw their weight around against a temporary worker. Thankfully, that hadn’t happened.

---

That day, Yu Xiang’an returned home with food she had picked up from the cafeteria. As she reached the courtyard, she saw Yu Xiangju and Yu Mingjie digging for ants under a tree. When they saw her, they ran over excitedly and pulled her into the yard, eager to share some good news.

Yu Mingjie lowered his voice and whispered, “Auntie, you’re back! Today, while Uncle and I were playing, we hit a bird with a stone. We brought it home—tonight we’re eating meat!”

Zhao Qiaoniang was currently plucking the bird’s feathers. It was a small, unidentified bird that, once defeathered, would weigh only about two or three taels, with a thin layer of meat. But meat was meat.

“You two did great today! But have you finished your homework?”

Seeing how idle they were, Yu Xiang’an assigned them tasks to practice their handwriting and numbers.

The tasks were simple—drawing with sticks in the sand to at least learn something. School generally started late, and there were no kindergartens.

Yu Qingshan planned to send Yu Xiangju to school next year when he turned seven.

The boys wouldn’t do their homework willingly, so Yu Xiang’an used food as motivation, like a carrot dangling in front of a mule, to encourage them to study.

Yu Xiangju and Yu Mingjie obediently nodded. “We finished our homework before we went out to play.”

“Good. Come, I’ll make you some honey water.”

Since they completed their tasks, she kept her promise. Yu Xiang’an took some honey from the kitchen, scooped a small spoonful for each of them, and mixed it with cool boiled water, handing them their cups.

The boys sipped their honey water slowly, savoring each drop of the sweet drink. The honey was so delicious, sweeter than anything they had ever tasted. If only they could drink it every day, that would be a dream come true.

When Yu Qingshan returned, the boys ran to him, proudly showing off their catch of the day.

Yu Qingshan chuckled. “This type of bird has a cooling nature. Pregnant women shouldn’t eat it. Tonight, we’ll handle it ourselves.”

The little bird was stewed with some leafy greens to make soup. Everyone shared the soup, with the bird’s drumsticks given to the two boys, the breast meat to Yu Xiang’an, and the scraps to Yu Qingshan and Zhao Qiaoniang.

Yu Xiang’an: “…”
The weight of fatherly love truly was heavy.

After everyone had bathed and Yu Mingjie had gone back with Yu Xianghai, Yu Manchang returned, carrying a strong smell of blood and holding a gourd ladle filled halfway with pig blood.

Yu Xiang’an took it and said, “Let’s have pig blood with sweet potato noodles for breakfast tomorrow.”

The sweet potato noodles were made from sweet potatoes grown at her grandfather’s place. Though the yield reduced after processing, the texture was excellent. Whenever there was a good harvest, they would send some her way.

“We’ll add pickled long beans, peanuts, and a bit of chili.”

Hearing this, Yu Xiangju’s face lit up with anticipation. It sounded so delicious!

Yu Manchang grinned. The dishes at his wedding banquet had already proven Xiao An’s excellent cooking skills, and since arriving here, every meal she cooked had been a feast.

---

The next morning, Yu Qingshan and Zhao Qiaoniang left for work. With the day off, Yu Xiang’an took Yu Xiangju and Yu Mingjie out, each wearing straw hats and carrying baskets and ropes.

Seeing the three of them, the neighbors knew they were heading out to forage for wild greens.

Although the county was near some hills, the terrain here was mostly flat. When this area was first developed, the flat land and ample water resources were why people settled here. Over time, it grew into a county.

The county was surrounded by low hills. During famines, groups of people had come from the county to dig up wild greens, leaving the nearest hills stripped of older trees—the bark peeled off, causing them to wither and die.

The area still had wild greens, fruits, and small game, but no large animals. Back in Yu Qingshan’s hometown, they occasionally spotted wild boars, but none had been seen near the county for years.

These hills had their advantages. Foraging for wild greens or taking a leisure trip was convenient and relatively safe, with little risk of encountering danger.

Though young, Yu Xiangju and Yu Mingjie were already skilled foragers. They knew many types of wild greens, and Yu Xiangju had a special task—he was responsible for collecting greens for the family’s only laying hen. Tender greens were for their own meals, while tougher ones fed the hen, ensuring it laid plenty of eggs.

The two boys kept their ears sharp for any signs of birds, hoping to catch one. Even a small one would make a delicious roast.

It was autumn, and as Yu Xiang’an dug for wild greens, she came across a patch of chrysanthemums. She didn’t plan to miss the opportunity—they could be used for tea, pillow stuffing, or sachets, offering numerous uses.

Seeing her pick chrysanthemums, Yu Xiangju called out, “Fifth Sister, you’re picking flowers again!”

“These are chrysanthemums,” she explained. “I told you about them before. You can dry them to make tea—it’s good for clearing the liver and improving eyesight.”

As she reached for the last flowers among the bushes, she spotted a nest with three wild eggs inside.

Yu Mingjie and Yu Xiangju rushed over, amazed. “Fifth Sister, you’re so lucky!”

“Auntie, how did you find it?”

“By chance. I really do feel lucky.” Yu Xiang’an was pleasantly surprised by the unexpected find. She placed the three small eggs at the bottom of her basket and covered them with greens to keep them hidden unless someone deliberately looked.

Yu Xiangju and Yu Mingjie exchanged glances. “Let’s keep looking. Maybe there’s more!”

“If we can catch the wild hen too, that’d be even better!”

Not far away, they found another nest with two eggs but no more after that.

Still, the boys were satisfied. They didn’t catch a bird today, but they found wild eggs!

“Fifth Sister, this way. Let’s go this way,” Yu Xiangju said excitedly. “There’s a wild fruit bush over there. Last time I was here, the fruits were still small, so I left them.”

He led Yu Xiang’an deeper into the area until they found the bush.

The fruits, known as qingguo, were about the size of a thumb, with green skins, a crunchy texture, and a faintly sweet taste.

They only managed to find four fruits; the rest had been picked. “We’re late,” Yu Xiangju said with a hint of regret. “Someone else found this place first.”

Each took one fruit, with Yu Xiangju, as the discoverer, getting an extra one.

As they were leaving, Yu Xiang’an noticed a glint below. “Let me check that out—it might be water.”

Using a long bamboo pole, she tapped at the undergrowth to scare off any snakes. Sure enough, she found a small stream. Stirring the water with her pole, she saw it was shallow and clear but empty of fish.

She felt a little disappointed.

Yu Xiangju giggled from above. “Fifth Sister, were you looking for fish? I’ve already checked before—there are no fish here. It’s too shallow!”

Yu Xiang’an: “…”

Yu Xiangju continued, “Fifth Sister, go further down. There’s a deeper pool over there. You might find fish there.”

Following his suggestion, Yu Xiang’an pushed through the dense grass and found a small pool. Sure enough, there were some small fish. She caught one about the size of her palm from the farm and declared they could have fish soup tonight.

Yu Xiangju’s eyes widened. “!!!”

He must have been careless last time. Next time, he’d search more thoroughly!

“Alright, it’s getting too hot. Let’s head back.”

Under the blazing sun, even with their hats, the heat radiated from the brims, feeling particularly “warm.”

In the afternoon, Yu Xiang’an sat at her desk with paper and pen, drafting an article.

She planned to continue submitting her work. Though her recent submissions hadn’t received replies, she wasn’t ready to give up. Besides, trips to the post office gave her a chance to pick up stamps for her collection.

Don’t get the wrong idea—she wasn’t a philatelist. Her interest in stamps stemmed entirely from a conversation in her previous life, when she’d overheard her father mention that some stamps had become incredibly valuable, worth millions per piece.

At the time, she hadn’t paid much attention and couldn’t remember the details. Now, she could only regret not listening more closely. Whenever she saw unique stamps, she collected them just in case.

Common ones were unlikely to be worth much, as rarity drove value. But stamps were inexpensive these days, so collecting them wasn’t a financial burden. Who knew? If she got lucky and stumbled upon a rare, valuable one, it would be a windfall.

Meanwhile, Yu Mingjie and Yu Xiangju were also at the table, each occupying a corner. They were solving math problems Yu Xiang’an had prepared for them, using pencils and old newspapers.

The problems were simple, but since they’d been eager to run outside under the blazing sun, seemingly unfazed by the risk of heatstroke, she decided to keep them indoors and occupied.

Yu Xiangju, restless after sitting for a while, squirmed in his seat, itching to go play. But when he glanced at Fifth Sister, diligently focused at her desk, he hesitated. Feeling embarrassed to leave, he pouted and resigned himself to finishing the worksheet, filling in the answers one by one.

Fine, fine. He’d just finish this. It wasn’t much, and once he was done, he could go play.

After writing two articles, Yu Xiang’an stretched her back. Writing wasn’t difficult, but crafting pieces that stood out while avoiding taboo topics required extra care. At first, she’d often revise and rewrite sections repeatedly, but now it felt more natural, and her pace had improved.

Once her skills reached a higher level, she believed her submissions would garner more responses.

With her writing finished, she found Yu Xiangju and Yu Mingjie whispering and playing in the courtyard, engrossed in their game.

She turned her attention to “grading their homework.”

They had both completed their work earnestly. Regardless of accuracy, their effort deserved praise. Reviewing their answers, she found their performance decent overall.

Feeling pleased, she decided to make something special for dinner as a reward for their hard work—and hers too. But what should she cook?

Should she use the fish for soup?
Or fry it?

Frying would use a lot of oil. On second thought, the oil jar at home was almost empty. Better stick to soup.

Just then, someone called from outside, “Is Yu Xiang’an home? You’ve got a package.”

A package?

Who could have sent it? Surely the newspaper office wouldn’t reply with a package, right?

🌱🌿 🫧🍃