The three sides of the shed were surrounded by pre-prepared straw, and then a thick layer of bean grass and wheat straw was spread on the ground, and reed mats were placed on top, which became the ground for the villagers to rest.
They also built a few simple kitchens and put pots and pans in them, which is where they cook and boil water. Someone would cook and boil water at regular times every day to provide logistical support for the villagers who were repairing the river.
After everyone arrived, the county magistrate stood on a high place in the river and began to mobilize with a loudspeaker. As the small red flag in his hand waved, the construction of the river officially began.
After the construction started, the entire river channel was filled with red flags waving, and the sound of people, shouts and yells came one after another. The scene was lively, spectacular and shocking.
It was the end of autumn and the beginning of winter, and the weather was relatively cold in the mornings and evenings, but the villagers were all wearing thin sweat shirts, and some were even shirtless. They used milling machines to dig the soil, and after filling the flatbed trucks, they pulled them away.
Chai Jianmin was assigned by the village chief to be the cart driver. He was asked to put the trip rope on his shoulder and walk in front. There were four people on both sides of the cart, one of whom was Chen Dazhui.
Several people tied their ropes to the cart. Five of them bent over, shouted in unison, and climbed up the slope step by step with their laborious legs.
It was the most tiring for Chai Jianmin to walk in front, pulling the rope. He had to climb the slope and every step required a lot of effort. If he didn't exert force, the rope on his shoulders would definitely loosen, and the people behind him would start cursing when they saw it.
Even if you are tired and have no strength, you have to hold the rope tightly and pretend to exert force. After climbing up the slope, turn the cart around and turn the soil over. Then, jog to the bottom of the river to continue loading the cart and wait to set off. Repeat this cycle until you take a break in the middle, then you can stop to catch your breath.
After ten o'clock in the afternoon, everyone's stomach began to growl. They were looking forward to finishing work and eating early, and their work speed also slowed down significantly.
When everyone heard the whistle, they rushed back to the shed, washed their hands and faces with cold water, and went straight to the makeshift kitchen.
The canteen was not far from the work shed, and the daily meals were pretty good. Basically, it was a big piece of white flour bun, cabbage, radish, vermicelli, etc. cooked in a big pot, and we could have meat every two days.
There is no limit on the amount of white flour buns that can be eaten, but each person can only have one bowl of vegetables. Those who have a big appetite can eat several large buns, and those who have a small appetite can eat two or three buns at each meal.
Xu Laidi sat by the river eating steamed buns and the meat in the bowl, with a gleam of happiness in her eyes. Ever since she had a falling out with Cheng Qiao, she had never eaten a single bite of meat again.
I didn't expect that when I came here to dig a canal, I would have white membrane and meat as my first meal. Although the work was a bit hard, at least I could satisfy my stomach.
Chen Dazhu also came to Xu Laidie with steamed buns and vegetables, and gave the meat in his bowl to Xu Laidie. Xu Laidie was stunned for a moment, but started eating without hesitation. After all, each person only got two small pieces of meat.
"Thank you, Brother Dazhu."
"You're welcome. Just move to the side when you work so that you can't see me slacking off."
"Okay, got it."
Xu Laidi knew that repairing the river channel was hard work, but she didn't expect it to be so hard. Blisters formed on her hands in just half a day. She also didn't have rubber shoes, and her pair of cloth shoes were soaked in mud every day. They would probably be scrapped by the time she returned to the village.
"I will buy you a pair of cloth shoes when I get back. I will also give you money and food. I can't even protect you now."
Xu Laidi nodded. Everyone slept in a big shed. They were too tired during the day and would sleep soundly at night. If someone stole their money, they would not be able to find them.
After a quarter of an hour's rest after lunch, the whistle for work was blown. Xu Laidi could only support his sore legs, picked up the shovel and started digging the mud. Chen Dazhu looked at Xu Laidi affectionately, and when his eyelids drooped, a cold light was hidden in them.
After finally waiting until the evening to finish work and have dinner, the villagers, men and women, lay down on the floor of their own sheds to rest. Due to limited conditions, they could not take a shower and could only wipe their bodies with warm water.
Most of the men did not pay attention to personal hygiene and went to bed without washing. The whole shed was filled with the smell of foot odor and sweat. Chai Jianmin could not bear it any longer and moved his bunk to the outside.
Before going to sleep, everyone chatted for a while. Of course, the slut from Xiangyang Village was brought up again, and everyone decided to get up early tomorrow to see what the slut looked like.
Chai Jianmin smiled sinisterly, but he didn't notice the look Chen Dazhu gave him. It was a look as if he was looking at a dead person, without any warmth at all.
Gradually, the shed became quiet and everyone started snoring from exhaustion. After a day of hard work, the snoring sounded normal to them.
The whistle for work was blown, and Chai Jianmin felt that he had not slept for long. He really did not want to get up, especially when he put on yesterday's clothes that were soaked with sweat and had not yet dried. He felt uncomfortable all over and was almost the last one to leave the shed.
Of course, his procrastination made the village chief feel ashamed, and he scolded him without giving him any face. Chai Jianmin rolled his eyes secretly, took the breakfast and ate it anyway, then walked towards the riverbed.
Today, the villagers in each village are obviously not focusing on their work. They still remember what they said last night and are asking around which woman is the slut.
Of course Chai Jianmin would not be foolish enough to tell others that this woman is a slut. He has been targeted by the village chief and cannot continue to do stupid things. But Chen Dazhu can.
He deliberately murmured to himself with a sad face, it was obvious that the girl liked him, he just changed his partner, how come he became a slut
The man with sharp ears moved his eyes, quietly approached Chen Dazhui and asked with concern. Chen Dazhui seemed to have found someone to talk to, and told him a few words about the affairs of Chai Jianmin and Xu Laidi.
Although Chen Dazhui spoke clumsily, he managed to make Chai Jianmin's meanness and Xu Laidi's greed clear, making everyone feel very sympathetic for such an honest man who was bullied by the educated youth without knowing it.
The way they looked at Chai Jianmin and Xu Laidi changed. The relationship between the villagers and the educated youth had never been harmonious, and now this was a good opportunity for them to vent their anger.
There was no one around Chai Jianmin. The villagers were still quite tolerant towards men, but Xu Laidi was surrounded by people.
Everyone finally saw Xu Laidi's appearance clearly. Wow, he didn't look that good. No wonder the old people said that ugly people are often weird. He looks like this and yet he still wants to cheat honest people for their food.
Xu Laidi was surrounded by so many men, all of whom were from other villages. He knew something was wrong and it must be Chai Jianmin's doing.