Starting as a Train Driver to Enter the Ministry
Chapter 21 - Auspicious Snow Foretells a Bountiful Year!

Chapter 21: Auspicious Snow Foretells a Bountiful Year!

Yi Zhonghai’s words reminded Chen Shi of something important.

At present, rural household registration was highly sought after, but the Four-Nine City had already begun establishing agricultural cooperatives. Once the advanced cooperatives were formed and the unified purchase and sale system was implemented, rural households would only receive grain if they earned work points. Without work points, there would be no food.

For people like Qin Huairu and Shen Youchu, whose household registrations remained in the rural areas despite living in the Four-Nine City, this would put them at a disadvantage. Without income or access to urban grain tickets, they would have to buy grain at negotiated prices.

It was late 1952 now. Chen Shi remembered that the unified purchase and sale system would begin in October 1953, and by 1955, policies restricting rural migrants from entering cities would be enforced. After that, it would be nearly impossible for rural residents to obtain urban household registration.

Chen Shi pondered—he needed to find an opportunity to inquire about transferring Shen Youchu’s household registration to the Four-Nine City.

It would be best if Shen Youchu attended a literacy class and participated in volunteer labor. If she could get her name recognized by the neighborhood committee, and if her father could pull some strings, maybe she could even secure a job?

That way, they wouldn’t have to worry about food shortages.

Though once Chen Shi started working, supporting Shen Youchu—a rural household member—would be effortless, he couldn’t forget one crucial detail: in this era, children inherited their mother’s household registration.

If they had children, those children would also be registered as rural, which would limit their future prospects—whether it was being sent to the countryside or finding jobs.

In the original story, Qin Huairu had always been a rural household member. During the famine years, her family suffered constant hunger, and Jia Dongxu died in a workplace accident in 1961—right in the middle of the famine.

When Chen Shi read that part, he speculated that Jia Dongxu’s accident was likely due to malnutrition and exhaustion.

Of course, Qin Huairu also played a role in Jia Dongxu’s death.

In those hunger-stricken years, birth rates plummeted to terrifying lows. Most ordinary families had no energy for intimacy—let alone the act itself—because everyone was too weak from starvation.

Yet, despite those conditions, Qin Huairu still managed to conceive little Huaihua. Truly, a woman like her could wear a man out.

Old Lady Deaf narrowed her eyes and said, “Yes, auspicious snow foretells a bountiful year! Both Dongxu and our Little Chen Shi here are blessed with good fortune!”

“Old Granny, these days, it’s all about collective farming. Whether the harvest is good or bad depends on the hard work of our peasant brothers!”

“Haven’t you heard on the radio? The collective farms of our Soviet big brothers can yield over a thousand jin of grain per mu! Soon, our peasant brothers will live just like them—with upstairs and downstairs, electric lights and telephones!”

Old Lady Deaf chuckled. “Good, good! The new society is wonderful. Everyone has food to eat and clothes to wear—much better than the old days!”

As they spoke, Director Wang from the Military Control Commission strode into the courtyard, draped in a military coat. “Comrades! The district office has instructed each compound to send people this afternoon to help clear snow from the streets and alleys. How many can our courtyard provide?”

Yi Zhonghai stepped forward. “I’ll go! Also, Dongxu and Chen Shi just got married and are visiting their in-laws today, so their households are exempt. The rest of you, see who can volunteer!”

Shui San spoke up. “My family will send two people to replace the Chen family!”

Shui San came from a landlord and bully background. For such obligatory labor, even if his family didn’t want to go, they’d be forced to anyway. Being sharp-witted, Shui San decided to volunteer proactively.

Director Wang nodded approvingly. “Shui San, your ideological reform is progressing well. But don’t forget—morning instructions and evening reports. Keep improving your thinking!”

“Yes!”

Silly Zhu raised his hand. “I’ll take my sister and go in place of Dongxu’s family!”

Yi Zhonghai smiled at him. “Zhuzi, I knew you had a good heart!”

Old Lady Deaf added, “Zhuzi’s mouth may be sharp, but his heart is kind. He’s a good boy!”

Xu Fugui hesitated. “Director Wang, I have to screen a movie in Qin Village today, so I can’t go. My son, Damao, is only fourteen, and my wife isn’t in good health…”

Director Wang jotted down the names in his notebook and smiled. “Very well. Old Yi and Comrade He Yuzhu are truly progressive members of the new society.”

“As for Xu Fugui, your Damao is fourteen—not too young. He should lend a hand. Young people must participate in collective labor to develop a strong work ethic!”

Liu Haizhong declared, “My family will go—all three of my sons and I!”

“Wow, Old Liu, that’s impressive!”

“I heard you were named an Advanced Producer last month?”

Liu Haizhong grinned proudly. “Yes, the factory gave me a certificate of merit and even rewarded me with a pig’s tail!”

“Congratulations! Labor is the most glorious!”

Yan Bugui couldn’t hide his envy. “Old Liu, you’re amazing. Our school is also selecting Advanced Teachers this year, but I didn’t make the cut. Next year, I’ll have to work harder!”

“Hahaha! The new society is wonderful. If you work hard, you get praised. Nothing like the old days—breaking your back just to starve and freeze!”

Director Wang added, “I received a letter from a comrade in Shenyang. Their factory launched a production increase and thrift campaign and overfulfilled their annual quota!”

“Let’s all strive for the same! Today’s newspaper encourages everyone to attend literacy classes—let’s work toward universal literacy!”

“Haha, excellent! We workers must have this fighting spirit!”

The entire courtyard buzzed with enthusiasm, as if everyone could already see next year’s bountiful harvest and the glorious success of the new nation’s socialist construction!

Chen Shi couldn’t help but take a deep breath. Under the eaves, the icicles grew longer, glistening in the faint light—pure and bright, just like the hopes of the people in this era.

What a beautiful and innocent time this was!

“Little Chen Shi, grab a pancake to eat on the way. We’re taking the bus today—not just to your in-laws’ place, but also to your grandparents’ house!”

To his grandparents’ house?

Chen Shi’s eyes lit up. As the youngest and most cherished in the Chen family, his grandparents doted on him. Every visit meant secret little treats.

He stuffed the pancake into his pocket while Shen Youchu carried a small bundle—asthma medicine from Tian Xiulan for her mother, along with a piece of fabric and some pastries.

Noticing her reddened eyes, Chen Shi tugged at her ponytail. “What’s wrong?”

Shen Youchu whispered, “Your parents treat me so well. No one has ever been this kind to me or my mother before.”

The thought of Tian Xiulan’s warmth made her eyes well up again.

Chen Shi pinched her cheek playfully. “Then, to repay them, shouldn’t you take good care of their precious treasure?”

Shen Youchu blinked. “Precious treasure?”

“Of course! Their treasure is me! Their lifelong dream is for their little Chen Shi to live happily and freely!”

Shen Youchu nodded obediently. “Then I’ll take good care of you. Here, let me carry the bundle for you.”