Nan Sheng chimed in, playing along with Du Tang's lead. "Of course it's because the materials for making ice are precious. Don't you know? That saltpeter is used to make cannons—how could they just hand it out to us? But don't worry, the town head has been working hard to apply for more. The amount of ice will definitely increase in the future. Take today, for example—didn’t Xiaoguan Village already receive five pounds of ice to take back?"
The women from Xiaoguan Village exchanged glances. They had no idea about this.
"Wasn’t it supposed to be three pounds, and all reserved for the men working in the fields? When did it become five?"
Hearing this, Du Tang and Nan Sheng shared a look, instantly realizing the solution to their problem. Old Huang, you’re in for it when they get back!
Nan Sheng deliberately widened her eyes and raised her voice.
"Aunties, it’s because we knew Xiaoguan Village was struggling that we specially increased the amount today. You really didn’t know? Besides, in other villages, the ice is given to those who are unwell—it has nothing to do with field work. Your village head must have gotten it wrong, right?"
Now everyone understood—it was the village head who had been scheming. Not only had he withheld ice, but he’d also egged them on to cause trouble at the town government office. The man was downright rotten.
"That bastard Old Huang! He reserved all the ice for the men working in the fields—are we women, children, and elderly not supposed to live? I’ll tear him apart when I get back!"
Nan Sheng quickly stepped in to mediate. "Aunties, please don’t resort to violence. Your village head has a terrible temper. On the first day he came to collect ice, he knocked over Qianmen Village’s icebox and had to compensate them with two pounds of ice to settle the matter. We women aren’t as strong—you won’t be able to take him on."
She deliberately poured fuel on the fire, remembering how high-handed Old Huang had been when he first came for the ice. Sure enough, the villagers’ anger flared even hotter.
"I knew the leaders wouldn’t give our village just one pound of ice—he must’ve used it all to pay for his mess! Shameless! Let’s go back and settle this with him!"
Du Tang also put on a stern, righteous expression. "Everyone, please don’t fight when you go back. If anyone feels unwell, just go straight to the village committee and demand the ice. If he dares to refuse, I’ll report it to the higher-ups and have him removed from his position. We’ll replace him with a village head who actually cares about the people!"
The villagers from Xiaoguan Village were deeply moved. These government workers were truly good people—not only did they not blame them for causing trouble, but they were also willing to stand up for them.
"Thank you, comrades! We’ll head back right away. Sorry for the trouble, aunties!"
They couldn’t leave fast enough—any longer, and the officials might lose their minds!
As peace returned outside the door, Nan Sheng and Du Tang exchanged a smile. "Let’s go report to the leader."
Du Tang said, "Leader, the Xiaoguan Village head neglected his duties by allocating ice only to able-bodied laborers, ignoring the needs of the elderly, women, and children. That’s what caused the people’s dissatisfaction."
Yu Feng’s expression softened slightly. "You handled it well. Tomorrow, have all the Xiaoguan Village cadres come for a meeting. If there’s a suitable candidate, we’ll replace the village head."
As long as it wasn’t his own oversight, he didn’t have to worry about the party secretary finding fault.
Just as Nan Sheng was about to leave work, Du Tang suddenly called her over, saying the town head had a phone call for her.
A phone call?
Nan Sheng thought of Lin Han—no one else would call her.
She was right. The call was from her husband, Lin Han, who had risen to the rank of battalion commander through sheer military merit.
To save more money, he volunteered for every mission assigned. The letter had reached the military district days ago, but he’d been out pursuing enemy spies and only just received it today.
Though Nan Sheng had written that they had enough food at home, he still worried and wanted to hear it from her directly.
Nan Sheng knocked and entered the town head’s office. Yu Feng smiled. "Your husband called. When the call reached the town office, he specifically asked for Nan Sheng of Xiangyang Village."
Nan Sheng laughed. "I haven’t had the chance to tell him I’m working in town yet. He’s probably in for a shock."
Little did they know, Lin Han, far away in the military district, was utterly bewildered. Since when could someone get from the village to town in just ten minutes?
Skeptical, he had the operator redial the number. After multiple transfers, the call finally reached Huaishan Town, and the operator handed the receiver to Lin Han.
A clear, bright voice came through.
"Is this Lin Han? It’s Nan Sheng!"
Lin Han’s grip on the phone tightened nervously. Though they were married, Nan Sheng had always been hesitant about intimacy, and he’d never pushed her.
After being away for months, his wife’s voice had grown faint in his memory. For a moment, he wondered—was this really her?
"Hello? Is this Lin Han?" Nan Sheng repeated.
Lin Han hurriedly replied, "Yes, it’s me. I just got your letter about the trouble in the county and was worried. Is everything all right at home? Are you and the children well?"
Hearing the caution in his voice, Nan Sheng relaxed unconsciously.
"Everything’s fine. The elders and children are healthy, and so am I. We have enough food. Even with the drought, the leaders knew in advance and made arrangements. Don’t worry."
Lin Han asked another question. "How about Wangshan Village? If you’re short on money, use what’s there. If it’s not enough, I’ll send more."
Nan Sheng sighed inwardly. Lin Han was a good man—responsible, generous, and thoughtful enough to ask after her parents.
"I know. Phone calls are expensive—I’ll write to you with the details. If anything urgent comes up, just call the town office. Take care of yourself!"
With a click, Nan Sheng hung up. Lin Han was left dazed. That was abrupt.
What came next was even more abrupt. The operator held out a hand. "Battalion Commander Lin, that’ll be three yuan and eight mao."
Lin Han pulled out a five-yuan note, thinking his wife was right—phone calls really were expensive.
And she’d mentioned working in town now. He wondered what she was doing.
If it was too tiring, she should quit. He could take on more missions to earn extra money.
