Go back to the prosperous days and become a layman

Chapter 502 501 Earth Refrigerator

The people that Director Ding had called tonight were all his trusted aides. Except for the tractor driver who had caught a glimpse of Tang Zhitong from afar, the others didn't even see Tang Zhitong.

Director Ding naturally knew that this matter was risky, and he also knew that Tang Zhitong did not want to show up, so he took all the risks himself. However, after so many years of working in the forest farm, he was confident that he could nip the risks in the bud.

Manager Ding would not tell anyone. While keeping Tang Zhitong's secret, he was also building up his own prestige. Who wouldn't want to supply cheap fish during a time of extreme shortage?
When Tang Gang was moving the fish, he felt somewhat dissatisfied when he heard his fellow workers praising Director Ding.

He wanted to tell the truth, but he didn't dare to, because his father had warned him righteously that he must keep the matter to himself, and said that Nian Bin had caused trouble by talking about the sleeper berth, and he would give him a good "education" later.

Tang Gang was about to become a father, and he didn't want to get beaten up for talking too much, so he had to concentrate on fishing.

This busy work lasted until the second half of the night.

Everyone was tired but happy because Manager Ding promised that anyone who participated in transporting fish tonight would get an extra quota of five kilograms of fish.

The final weight counted by Tang Wenbang was more than 17,500 kilograms. Director Ding was very satisfied with this number. In addition to distributing it to the employees, there would be some surplus for flexible use.

Although Tang Zhitong sold the fish at a low price, he did not feel that he had lost money.

This order did make a little less profit, but the risk was also much smaller, and the shipment was quick, which was better than going to the black market.

What's more, money is of little use these days, and is even less useful than tickets!
You know, these fish have no cost at all, which is fundamentally different from the fishermen who spend a lot of manpower and effort to catch them.

Besides, the forest farm is a class brother! There is an essential difference between it and the golden leeks like Tongwang!
Coming to this era, if we treat our class brothers the same as leeks, then wouldn't it be a waste of time? !
Treating your class brothers like leeks to be harvested is unworthy of the uniform you are wearing!

Tang Zhitong also thought that when the difficulties worsen in the future, the forest farm will come to him again. So he can come to him. The more the forest farm owes him, the less likely it will refuse his request.

When Tang Zhitong hitchhiked to the forest farm early in the morning on the 17th, there was no one in the guard room. When he walked in, he realized what was going on. The employees were happily pulling sleds and queuing up to get fish.

Some younger children who did not have to go to school were happily playing snowball fights nearby, occasionally earning laughs and scolding from their parents. The air was filled with a happy atmosphere.

Although it is a win-win for all parties, there is definitely someone who is unhappy, and that person is Old Park, Park Dae-sung.

Everyone was about to share the fish. Two cents per pound was not expensive, but the quantity was large, so they had less money in their hands and less food to buy.

Not only are there fewer people coming to me to buy food, but there are also people who accuse me of being so heartless!

Damn it, can I set the price for the food in the east? I did add a little price, but I also provided them with food!

Lao Pu was very angry. He was angry that they were ungrateful and that the forest farm had fish to sell.

Lao Pu didn't know that Tang Zhitong was the one who arranged this matter, so he naturally didn't dare to point the finger at Director Ding. He could still distinguish between the big and small Wang, so he could only sulk at home.

When Tang Zhitong arrived at his uncle's house, his aunt was also there.

When Tang Ting saw Tang Zhitong, she took his hand and said, "Since you came here, you are busier than those working all day long. You haven't even had a bite of food to eat at my house."

"Aunt, uncle told me last night that you prepared goose eggs for me. I must try them today." Tang Zhitong replied with a smile.

"Okay, I'll bring you a few more so you can take them back for your family to try."

"No, I'll just eat for show. The conditions in Sijiu City are better. It's cold here in the winter, so the food can be stored. You should take good care of yourself during this period."

"Your uncle told me yesterday that you came all the way here to exchange things for us. Thank you."

"Look at what you said. We are a family. As long as I have something to eat, you won't starve."

"Thank you, but you still have to take care of your family first. I'm going to pay you this time, you can't refuse it."

"Yes, yes, I definitely want it. If your family is not well off, you can give it to me slowly." Tang Zhitong nodded with a smile, and took the initiative to give some time. His purpose was not to make money, but to help his uncle and aunt get through this year's crisis.

"Okay, stop worrying about us. You're so young, but you still worry so much. Aren't you afraid of getting gray hair?" Tang Ting complained.

"Anzi, have you eaten breakfast? Shall I make you a bowl of noodles?" The aunt watched her sister-in-law complain about her nephew and had a different opinion in her heart. Where can you find such a good child? Giving so many things at once would not only make her family more well-off, but also help her relatives.

"Auntie, don't do it. I've eaten. Did Brother Gangzi go to work?" After Tang Zhitong entered the house, he found that only Auntie and Tang Ting were at home. Uncle and sister-in-law were at work. Tang Gang said he would take him up the mountain the day before yesterday.

Now he took some time to take off the bag that the old lady gave him yesterday. Inside it was the lunch box he brought yesterday. As for the frozen pork head inside, it was already lying in the space.

"No, the forest farm is distributing fish, and he went over to help. Do you have something to ask him? I'll go and call him back." After the lady said this, she was about to walk out.

"Don't worry, Auntie. I'm fine. I just asked casually." Tang Zhitong was not a child after all. Although he was a little bored, he didn't need anyone to accompany him. Looking at the pork head on the chopping board, he asked, "Do you want to put it out to dry?"

"It's not very good. We have to free up a pot to cook for your aunt. We don't have any suitable utensils at home and I'm wondering where to put them." The old lady said worriedly. Tang Zhitong brought so much at once. The jars in the house were used to ferment sauerkraut, pickle pickles, and hold soybean paste. Each jar had its own function and there was no left over.

"Hey, just cut it up and freeze it outside. It still has a long shelf life and you can take it out whenever you need it," Tang Zhitong suggested.

"Fish can be frozen, but this thing can't be watered if it's left outside. Even if others don't steal it, there's no guarantee that the two dogs won't steal it." The old lady took the meat very seriously and said with concern.

"Yeah...then I'll make an earthen refrigerator." Tang Zhitong stroked his chin, thinking of a unique thing in the Northeast.

"What is a dirt refrigerator?"

"Just build a box with ice, put the things inside, and cover it with a lid. It won't thaw and you don't have to worry about dogs stealing the food. If outsiders want to steal the food, they have to think twice. These two dogs are not raised for nothing." Tang Zhitong expressed his thoughts with words and gestures.

"This method is good, but it's too troublesome. Let's wait a little longer. Your brother Gangzi will be done by noon. Let him make the ice." The old lady was very tempted after hearing this.

"Well, I'm still strong enough. I can do it." Tang Zhitong was about to go out. He stopped at the door and added, "Auntie, I brought back some bones the day before yesterday. There's no meat on them. You can cook some soup in a small pot. We can drink the soup and feed the bones to the dogs. I'm letting the dogs pull the sled today. I can't let them work in vain."

"Okay! You really care about dogs, no wonder they like you so much." The old lady agreed happily.

"Aunt, I'll make one for you later." Tang Zhitong said and left the yard without waiting for Tang Ting to answer.

The two hunting dogs were tied up during the day and only untied at night after closing the door. Tang Zhitong untied the far end of the rope and tied it directly to the sled. He pretended to take an axe, called the dogs out, and sat on the sled himself, letting the dogs experience the feeling of being a beast of burden.

The river is not far from the residential area, but Tang Zhitong did not use materials nearby. Avoiding the eyes of others was only one reason. Children now like to play on the river. If a child falls into the river after he has dug the ice, it would be a big sin.

After walking north along the river for a distance, Tang Zhitong got off the sled. The two dogs were so tired that they lay on the snow, sticking out their tongues and "haha".

Looking at the two skinny dogs, Tang Zhitong felt a little bit sorry.

Given the supply situation at the forest farm, we can’t blame the uncle for not raising the fish well. He was considered ethical not to stew the two.

Tang Zhitong pulled out two steamed buns from the space, threw them to the two dogs, let them gnaw on them, and then he strolled to the river.

With the cheat in hand, Tang Zhitong just symbolically chopped the river a few times with his axe, and then opened a slide on the river...

A man stays young until he dies, and no one sees it.

Tang Zhitong stopped fighting until he was tired and his forehead was sweating. He took out a cigarette and lit it. It seemed that he came here to collect ice?

If this large natural ice rink existed during the Qing Dynasty, it would drive the people crazy with joy and they would probably harvest it every few days.

Tang Zhitong didn't pick too much, just enough for use.

As the ice blocks "flash" on the ice, the hunting dog, who had already finished eating the steamed bread and stared at Tang Zhitong, barked twice: "Did you see it? Did you see it? Last time I told you that this kid can do magic tricks, but you didn't believe it. Do you believe it this time?"
The other dog also barked twice: Maybe we were so hungry that we were dizzy and saw it wrong.

The other one was not convinced and shouted even louder: Bullshit! I just ate a steamed bread, how come I’m hungry?
"Okay, stop barking." Tang Zhitong heard the dog barking and thought someone was coming. He looked around and there was not a single bird.

Tang Zhitong gathered some snow from the shore and sprinkled it on the gap in the river. Still a little worried, he gathered some stones to circle it. This time he was satisfied. As long as you were not blind, you could see it.

As long as we can hold on until dark, the river surface will freeze solid again overnight.

"Come on, let's go back." Tang Zhitong walked to the surface of the river and waved his hand. The sled was filled with whole pieces of ice. The ice was very heavy. The two dogs pulled it in front and Tang Zhitong pushed it from behind.

After walking a little further, I heard Tang Gang calling out to someone in front of me: "Wow, Anzi, you're amazing. You made so much ice in such a short time?"

"Hey, brother, are you done with your work?" Tang Zhitong didn't make an excuse and changed the subject directly.

"Well, it's a rare occasion for the forest farm to distribute things, so everyone is very active. Several groups are working at the same time, and the work is done very quickly. I just got home and was rushed out to find you." Tang Gang walked to Tang Zhitong and they bent down together to push the ice forward.

"Hey, did you get some fish at home? How did you get them back? Am I delaying your use of the sled?"

"No, I shared one with my neighbor. I pulled it and he pushed it." Tang Gang said as he walked, "Pu Dacheng delivered the barley tea yesterday. Now the price of food has risen. I can only buy 15 kilograms for 20 yuan."

"Okay, thank you, big brother." With the 3,000 yuan from the forest farm as a foundation, Tang Zhitong spoke particularly calmly.

"Why are you being so polite to me? Do you want to go up the mountain this afternoon? I'll take you there."

"Forget it, next time. I have to leave early tomorrow morning." Tang Zhitong rejected Tang Gang's kindness and decided not to cause trouble to the little squirrels on the mountain this time.

Although the squirrels are hibernating, it is a good time to gather their stocks, but I don't need them at the moment. The snow on the mountain is deep and it is inconvenient to walk, so I won't do such a thing as eating without suffering.

"Okay, whatever you want." Tang Gang looked up, called the two dogs to stop, and then said to Tang Zhitong: "Let's make one for my aunt's family first. This side is close."

"Okay." Tang Zhitong replied, looking at the open door of his aunt's house.

The two brothers carried the ice and moved slowly inside. This time no geese came out to make trouble, probably because they were all eaten. The yard was much quieter than the last time Tang Zhitong came.

"It is said that when brothers work together, they can accomplish anything. You two brothers work really efficiently." Tang Ting was freezing the freshly received fish in the yard, using the same method as Tang Gang.

"Hey, of course!" Tang Zhitong spoke in half-baked Northeastern dialect, which made Tang Ting laugh.

It is actually not difficult to make a refrigerator made of ice bricks. The main problem is that ice bricks are difficult to cut into horizontal and vertical shapes, so residents in Northeast China use plastic buckets to make this kind of thing.

Use two plastic buckets, pour half water into the big bucket, put the small bucket in, and then press a few bricks inside. Freeze it overnight. The next day, pour boiling water on the outer wall of the big bucket and the inner wall of the small bucket, and a large round natural refrigerator is made.

But there are no plastic buckets right now, so I can only use the most stupid method.

Place a larger ice brick on the ground, level the four corners, and keep the ice brick as level as possible. Then place the other ice bricks upright on the four sides.

There must be a gap in the middle connection. At this time, scoop a bucket of water and slowly pour it along the gap from top to bottom.

In less than five minutes, the water turned into ice and was frozen solid.

The next step is easy. Just put the things on it, cover it with a wooden board, and then press it down with a stone.

But you must never cover the earthen refrigerator with ice cubes. Not only is it heavy, but it is also very easy to stick to the bottom.

If it gets stuck, it will be very difficult to break it open, and you will have to use a hammer to break it open, and the refrigerator will be scrapped.

After finishing the work at Tang Ting's house, the two brothers didn't even have time to drink a sip of water and pushed the remaining food back home.

"Anzi, Director Ding just came to see you and wants to settle the balance with you." Tang Wenbang said to Tang Zhitong as soon as he got home.

"Okay, my brother and I will finish making the refrigerator first and then go over in the afternoon." Tang Zhitong replied happily. Doing handicrafts is really fun.

"Okay, these fish weigh a total of more than 17,530 kilograms. Does that match what you have?" Tang Wenbang told Tang Zhitong the results of last night's weighing.

"Yes, it matches, not a single mistake. Thank you, uncle." Tang Zhitong laughed, and he had money coming into his account again in the afternoon.

(End of this chapter)