Chapter 58: Chapter 58:

In the blink of an eye, the county’s three-day military training ended.

All fifteen participating militia gathered at the training ground to listen to Brigade Leader Zhang Hanchao’s speech.

He emphasized two main points: First, take a day off at home and meet in the county the day after tomorrow for the district competition. Second, everyone should be cautious when returning home to avoid injuries or illnesses.

Finally, Zhang Hanchao energetically waved his hand and said, “Let me share some good news in advance. The county has decided that there will be a special reward for those who win the district competition. Everyone, do your best!”

Upon hearing this, everyone simultaneously turned to look at Ling Chengyan, admiration filling their eyes.

In everyone’s mind, Ling Chengyan was born to win championships. A hundred and fifty-meter target could easily score ten rings; competing at the district level for a hundred-meter target, winning was practically a given!

Unaware of the attention she was getting, Ling Chengyan went straight to Zhang Hanchao once they were dismissed.

She only had one question: would the chestnut-colored horse be sent away? During the training break, she vaguely heard that the county applied for a new vehicle, meaning there would soon be two jeeps, and so some horses would be phased out.

Battle horses are partners of the soldiers, comrades to trust wholeheartedly. Ling Chengyan couldn’t bear the thought of the horse being sent away… Many eliminated animals end up at the slaughterhouse.

Upon hearing her question, Zhang Hanchao laughed, “Yes, some horses will be phased out, but the exact ones haven’t been decided yet. But I can tell you this: military horses won’t be slaughtered. Instead, they’ll go back to the military stock farm. Those capable of battle will continue to be trained; those who aren’t will be sold to brigades for pulling carts or plowing fields, and they’ll still be useful for years.”

Ling Chengyan silently sighed and said, “If possible, please keep the horse I’ve been riding.”

Zhang Hanchao shook his head with a smile, “Had I known you love horses so much, I wouldn’t have given you a car as a prize, but a horse instead.”

After a few words, Ling Chengyan temporarily bid farewell to her fellow competitors and joined Zhang Wanxiang and Wu Qingyun on the tractor sent by the commune.

Wang Lianqi was waiting with the mule cart at the commune entrance. Once the three got into the cart and left, Wang Lianqi informed them that the few people from the Longsheng Brigade were sentenced for robbery, with two individuals carrying firearms sentenced to twenty years, and three with knives sentenced to fifteen years.

Ling Chengyan wasn’t surprised, having anticipated this. Zhang Wanxiang and Wu Qingyun went silent after hearing the news; after a long pause, Zhang Wanxiang said, “Serves them right. If it weren’t for Sister Yan’s prowess, those men with guns and knives wouldn’t have spared us… they might have meant to take our lives.”

Wu Qingyun nodded and sighed, “The sentence isn’t too harsh. I just feel that people should live honestly.”

Back home, the second sister-in-law and Little Yu had almost finished making dinner, green radishes stir-fried in lard with two dried chilies, spicy and fragrant. The aroma wafted outside the courtyard.

Ling Chengyan invited the second sister-in-law to stay for dinner, but she declined, saying the children were at home.

Not pushing further, Ling Chengyan packed a bowl of radish strips and slipped a handful of candies into the sister-in-law’s pocket.

With a day off, Ling Chengyan went to work with the team as if nothing had happened, while the sisters-in-law and aunts gathered around with questions. What is the county town like? What do they wear and eat? Is it true that they have white steamed buns and pork at every meal?

Villagers rarely leave home, and women even less so. Most of these sisters-in-law and aunts have never traveled far, with the furthest place being the commune.

Having never been to the county town themselves, they were full of curiosity and longing for it.

Ling Chengyan patiently answered all their questions: “The county town is not much different from us; families with more wage earners can afford white steamed buns and occasionally some meat. But there are also many families with only one wage earner, and some without any, who have to do odd jobs to make ends meet. There are families that can’t even fill their stomachs with cornmeal.”

“Oh, I thought city folks ate white buns and stewed meat every day. I didn’t know there were those who couldn’t get enough to eat.”

“Exactly, I used to think city folks had it good, living on rations. Listening to you, I now realize there are rich and poor everywhere.”

“If you ask me, if city folks don’t earn wages, they’re not as well off as us rural folk. At least we have private plots and vegetable gardens. With some seeds, we have veggies for the year. If we tend our crops well, we can at least fill our stomachs… City folks have to buy even a piece of onion; having no money is really tough.”

Ling Chengyan listened as the women chatted and gossiped while working, the corners of her mouth curving slightly.

Coming and going from work, she noticed the people from the second family of the Wang family, but this time they seemed to have learned their lesson, keeping their distance from her, and she acted as if she didn’t see them.

The day passed, and before dinner, her eldest aunt sent Hongling with half a basket of spinach and a small bunch of “ram’s horn” onions, the first to grow in the spring garden. Lying flat with a reddish tinge, the spinach looked ugly but was particularly tender, with a slightly sweet taste, the best time to eat spinach.

“Ram’s horn” onions, buried in the soil during winter, grow new green leaves when the earth is uncovered in spring. Each original stalk can sprout two or three new ones, tender white with bright green leaves, excellent when dipped in sauce or used in scallion soup.

Hongling put down the vegetables and said with a smile, “Grandma said I should come stay tonight, so Auntie doesn’t need to worry about the house tomorrow.”

Ling Chengyan smiled, “I’d love for you to stay and enjoy the hustle and bustle, but my kang is small, and Little Rain often gets kicked by Little Xing. You really wouldn’t fit.”

Then she laughed and added, “Having said that, I should plan to get another bed.”

After dinner, her eldest sister-in-law, along with Hongling and Hong Zhi, didn’t come over again. Ling Chengyan spent time with Little Rain and Little Xing, teaching them a few words and looking at picture books, before washing up and going to bed early.

Early the next morning, before daylight, Little Rain got up quietly to wash her hands and prepare to start a fire.

Ling Chengyan got up too, dressed herself, and said, “No need to cook. It’s too early to eat, and breakfast will be arranged once we get to the county.”

Little Rain murmured, “Sister’s amazing; the county leaders even provide meals.”

Ling Chengyan patted her slightly messy hair, gave a simple wash and brush, slung her satchel and water bottle over her shoulder, and headed out the door.

She didn’t let Little Rain see her off, waiting only to see her lock the door securely before quickly heading to the brigade headquarters.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep