Chapter Twelve: Potential

Aunt Liu said, “This child blurts out whatever comes to mind. I’ll just accept what your mother sent.”
“When you go home, Aunt Liu will bring your mother some specialties from Heilongjiang.”
“I’ve already spoken to the Red Flag Commune and the Shanghe Village Production Brigade; they’ll look out for you to some extent.”
“But the situation is what it is now—no one can completely avoid labor.”
“So earning work points is a must. For now, take it easy, do a little less, but you can’t do nothing.”
“Your mother insisted you shouldn’t wear yourself out, so it’s fine if you earn fewer points.”
“Don’t say your family will take care of you—even if they didn’t, Aunt Liu wouldn’t let you go hungry.”
“When there’s a suitable opening in the Shanghe Village Production Brigade, Aunt Liu will help you switch to a lighter job.”
Aunt Liu then briefly explained the situation in the Shanghe Village Production Brigade and the general web of relationships.
The village was mainly composed of three big families: Zhao, Zhang, and Liang, maintaining a delicate balance.
The current village head was Zhao Shengli, a veteran with a quick temper but fair-minded.
The brigade leader was Liang Ziqiang, serious and meticulous, usually favoring those sharing his surname.
He preferred to settle matters within the village, avoiding any bad reputation so the young men could find wives more easily.
The bookkeeper was Zhang Dagang from the Zhang family, specially promoted by the commune to balance the village’s relations.
Unfortunately, Zhang Dagang was slick—he liked to smooth things over in minor matters and avoided taking a stand on bigger ones whenever possible.
After Han Li learned about the Shanghe Village Production Brigade from Aunt Liu, he took his leave, refusing to let her see him out. Some matters were better handled discreetly, so no one would have anything to say when trouble came.
“You’re quite the cautious one. All right, I won’t see you out, but if anything happens, you must let Aunt Liu know, understand?”
“We don’t go looking for trouble, but when it comes, we’re not afraid. Remember that.”
Han Li replied, “Don’t worry, Aunt Liu. Who else can I rely on here if not you? I’ll definitely need your help in the future.”
Han Li rejoined the team of educated youth, where several horse-drawn and ox-drawn carts had gathered in the courtyard.
These were sent by various villages to fetch their assigned educated youth. The drivers all wore dour expressions.

Hao Hongmin and Yang Xiuying looked at Han Li in confusion, wondering why he’d been gone so long. Yang Xiuying couldn’t help but ask,
“Han Li, do you have acquaintances here? You were gone for ages.”
“Cough, cough. I haven’t been drinking enough water these days, so I was a bit constipated and spent longer in the latrine.”
“Disgusting. Why would you tell us that?”
“You asked, didn’t you?”
Just then, the staff from the Youth Office called everyone to assemble, launching into a rousing, passionate speech.
Just moments ago, the educated youth looked exhausted; now, they were brimming with energy, eager to throw themselves into work.
Next, everyone went to report to the village heads who had come to fetch them. Zhao Shengli stood expressionless off to the side.
He was in his fifties, with a long scar across his face, giving him a fierce appearance.
“The leaders have said everything that needs saying. When I call your name, stand to my right.”
“Han Li, Pei Guoqing, Li Qiangjun, Guo Yingyong, Hao Hongmin, Yang Xiuying…”
Han Li hadn’t expected nine people to be assigned to Shanghe Village—five men and four women, though he had no idea how the ratio was decided.
He didn’t know how many educated youth were at the settlement, but just these could stage a whole opera.
Zhao Shengli said, “You can carry your luggage yourselves or load it onto the ox cart.”
“But whichever you choose, you’re not allowed to ride. Everyone must walk back to the village with me.”
Though many were reluctant, no one protested.
Shanghe Village’s conditions were already good—at least they had an ox cart sent to fetch them.
Two other villages had arrived with hand-pulled carts, and their educated youth had to help push them on the way back.
With that comparison, these young people behaved themselves.
All along the way, they peppered Village Head Zhao with questions about the village and their future as educated youth.
Though Zhao’s patience wore thin, he answered each question and firmly warned them not to cause trouble.
Yet, as time passed, they overestimated their stamina and underestimated the effects of their recent hardships.

After nearly an hour of walking, some began to falter.
“Village Head Zhao, could we rest for a bit?”
“I haven’t slept properly in two days. I really can’t go on—if I keep walking, I feel like I’ll die.”
A flicker of disdain crossed Zhao’s face, but he soon relented and nodded.
Most of the educated youth he’d received over the years were like this—unable to lift or carry, unfit for rural labor.
If it weren’t for the orders from above, he wouldn’t want any of them. The strong-willed ones took at least two years to train,
while the weak ones only dragged the village down. Still, seeing Han Li unfazed, his expression softened.
“It’s not that I despise you, but how can you help build the countryside with bodies like yours?”
“If you don’t drag us down, that’s already good enough. I understand you city kids aren’t up to it.”
“But you’re lucky—there isn’t much fieldwork right now.”
“And harvest is two months away. This gives you plenty of time to adjust.”
“But if I catch you stealing or harming the village, don’t blame me for being tough.”
“Don’t think you’re superior just because you’re from the city. That won’t fly here.”
“Once you’ve rested, get up and keep moving; otherwise, you won’t reach the village before dark. And let me tell you, there are wolves out here at night.”
However long they rested, Village Head Zhao scolded them for just as long.
After hearing about wolves prowling at night, everyone suddenly felt less tired.
They scrambled to their feet and insisted on moving on, showing no trace of their earlier exhaustion.
Clearly, human potential is vast—when life is threatened, it always sparks a surge of energy.

PS: Heilongjiang’s growing season for plants is short; major crops are planted only once per year. Typically, sowing occurs in spring—March or April—and the harvest comes in July or August. At this time, main crops are corn, sweet potatoes, soybeans, and sorghum, with a small amount of wheat and rice as supplements. After the harvest, families can grow vegetables like cabbage and radish on their private plots, which are saved for winter consumption.