Chapter 212: Year 212, 61st year
Zhang Chunsheng was gone for two days before he returned.
Without seeing him, the two of them couldn’t just leave. Afraid that the others might have more questions, they waited awkwardly.
"This is a commendation letter and a medal from above for both of you.
The higher-ups are very satisfied with you. If you have any requests, I assure you they will be arranged."
Tan Shaoting shook his head, "No need, doing that work is all about supporting the construction of the country. We’d rather go back to the farm and grow crops. Thank you, Mr. Zhang."
"Xiao Su feels the same way?"
Su Yuanyuan nodded as well.
"Actually, I can arrange for you to join the army. Xiao Su can go to study arts or medicine."
The two of them hesitated without nodding. They didn’t want to refuse too blatantly, as that would leave a bad impression on Zhang Chunsheng.
"Mr. Zhang, we haven’t thought about that, but we promise, no matter what happens in the future, we will be available whenever needed."
Zhang Chunsheng nodded with a smile. He was also a twenty-five-year-old young man and smiled at the two nervous teenagers.
"No worries. Maybe it’s just fine like this. You have the ability to get things done, but without training, it’s less likely to attract attention from the other side.
Alright. I understand you two. If you want to head back, go ahead."
The two left with their rewards, which would serve as future security.
After parting ways with Zhang Chunsheng, Su Yuanyuan went to deliver three pieces of jewelry for Ruan Lingyu, asking him to pass them on. Then the two of them left with their luggage.
They were lucky to buy tickets home at the train station. The train was to depart in three hours.
Sitting in the waiting hall, looking at the few people around gave them a sense of familiarity.
"Are we now carefree and unburdened?"
"Yes, carefree and unburdened."
"Heading home."
People are like this; in their hearts, there’s a place called home. For those who have never left, home is a shelter from wind and rain, but for those who have, it is a destination.
After the two left, Zhang Chunsheng went to report his work.
"Why didn’t you keep them? You know, our team has sent two groups over, and neither made contact. The fact that they completed the mission smoothly shows they have the capability."
"Leader, actually, I think it’s okay for them not to receive training. I believe our failures might be due to them being noticed over there. Being trained may make them more likely to be exposed, don’t you think?"
"Alright."
Through these three encounters, Zhang Chunsheng also knew they were definitely not the kind of people who would betray the country for profit.
That’s good enough. Besides, he could tell they were unwilling. Everyone has their own ambitions.
But these words cannot be said. It would negatively impact them.
"I’ve heard the two have especially strong learning abilities. It would be a pity to let them go."
"Before they left, they promised that they would be available whenever called upon."
Su Yuanyuan and Tan Shaoting did not know that Zhang Chunsheng had helped them a lot.
After returning from the leadership, Zhang Chunsheng directly went to Ruan Lingyu’s home.
"This is the jewelry from Su Yuanyuan, which she asked me to pass on to you."
Ruan Lingyu took the jewelry and kept flipping it in her hands.
"That girl looks down on me a bit," she said with a bitter smile.
"Don’t overthink it."
Ruan Lingyu smiled, and they parted ways. She stared absentmindedly at the jewelry in her hand.
To be honest, she envied Su Yuanyuan, such a smart and decisive girl, envied by many.
She also wanted to live so freely, but she couldn’t.
After the two of them boarded the train, they resumed their regular lifestyle.
At each stop, they would get off for a stroll. If the place seemed prosperous, they would stop to sell their cabbages.
Although the prices weren’t high, it was still better than leaving them in the space.
Along the way, they didn’t obtain much Jinyu, perhaps because they were still relatively close to the border, making it feasible for foreigners to barter.
The further north they went, the colder it got. The two of them added more layers of clothing accordingly.
"There’s no rush to go home. Even if we get there now, it’ll take time to thaw out."
Su Yuanyuan shook her head, "Let’s go home anyway. I want to spend some time there."
A month later, they finally got off at the provincial capital.
Now Su Yuanyuan thought about staying here for two days, hoping to see if they could exchange for some Jinyu.
After going out, they realized only Jinyu was the universal currency.
They wandered around the city and really found a buyer.
Now it was 1961. The political atmosphere was still quite tense. Since the rains were late last year, it was a year of disaster, making grain still very scarce.
"Comrade, we have a lot of grain, but we only trade in Jinyu, and the quality can’t be poor."
"The bank is currently buying Jinyu at eight yuan per tael."
"We also adhere to this price. Besides, the price of grain won’t be too high either."
"How much per pound for wheat? What about corn?"
"Wheat is twenty-five cents, corn is twenty cents. Pork is two yuan fifty."
"Do you have pork too?"
"Yes, I do. I can get a thousand pounds; it depends on whether you have the means to trade with me."
Although they didn’t change their appearance with spells, they were in disguise.
"Give me an hour. I’ll meet you here in an hour."
Tan Shaoting nodded, and they turned to leave.
Gao Wenjie hurried back home. There were five brothers in their business.
The five brothers finally decided on five hundred pounds of pork, five thousand pounds of wheat, and five thousand pounds of corn.
Then the brothers began to gather Jinyu.
These items required three thousand five hundred yuan, which converted to four hundred thirty-eight taels of Jinyu.
The four brothers pooled from home while Gao Wenjie went to wait for the benefactors in the previous location.
Su Yuanyuan and Tan Shaoting were five minutes late, making Gao Wenjie quite anxious.
He was really afraid they wouldn’t show up. When he finally saw their figures, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I was worried you weren’t coming. I’m all ready. You can trust the quality of the Jinyu we prepared.
Plus, we’re ready to get five thousand pounds of wheat, five thousand pounds of corn, and five hundred pounds of pork."
Tan Shaoting nodded as Su Yuanyuan listened. "That quantity is acceptable. How much Jinyu have you prepared?"
"Prepared twenty-eight pounds."
Su Yuanyuan calculated, "Then we’ll give you an additional thirty pounds of corn."
Gao Wenjie didn’t expect them to offer more and was a bit surprised.
"Comrade, our family is almost ready with the Jinyu. When can we proceed with the exchange?" he asked urgently.