SIAS Chapter 7.1

The next day, the whole family, except Liu Meili who was pregnant, went to see Yi Qingqing off to the countryside.

She was taking the educated youth train from Jinling to Northeast China. Her name was written on the red ticket.

There were large red letters on the green train that read Chairman Mao’s quotations: ‘Educated youths go to the countryside to receive re-education from poor and lower-middle peasants!’.

A breath of the times came to her face.

Young people in their teens and twenties, who had graduated from junior high school, graduated from high school, or just finished school, boarded the train with their large and small bags on their shoulders in the eyes of their families.

Some people cried bitterly, and some looked excited, but many people did not know that this was a train that changed their lives and would carry them to a difficult future.

Yi Qingqing did not have the enthusiasm to build the motherland, nor did she grieve for the dark days in the future. It was just like a simple trip for her. She looked at the train and at these young faces with a little expectation and even a little curiosity.

Zhao Xianglan held her daughter’s hand and wiped away her tears, “Qingqing, remember what Mom told you yesterday!”

“Don’t worry. I’ll remember it!” Yi Qingqing hugged her mother and nodded to her father and brother, “Just send me here. I’ll get on the train. You guys go back early.”

She got on the train carrying her two bundles.

[You found a limited-time sign-in place for the Jinling-Northeast Educated Youth Special Train. Do you want to spend 1 sign-in point to sign in?]

[Sign in at the limited-time sign-in location for the Jinling-Northeast Educated Youth Special Train and receive a gift package for educated youth going to the countryside.]

Yi Qingqing signed in calmly, without looking in a hurry.

Her seat was in the window seat in the middle of the carriage. There was a boy sitting by the window opposite her. He was sitting upright and looking down at a book. His appearance was unclear as if the noise around him had nothing to do with him.

Just looking at the meticulously rolled cuffs and the book that was obviously a bit old and had been read many times but the corners of the pages were still flat, one could tell that this person was probably very clean and meticulous.

As if he noticed that she was stopping at the opposite of his seat, the boy finally raised his head and took a look.

The eyes are like ink, the face is like ice, the thin lips are slightly pursed, and the bookish atmosphere is mixed with a sense of distance.

Yi Qingqing couldn’t help but take a second look.

She felt that this man did not look like an educated youth who was about to build a new countryside, but more like a dignified and solemn ancient nobleman.

It was hard to imagine him farming with his face turned to the loess and his back to the sky.

Yun Guyuan’s eyes also fell on this delicate flower-like girl. She was well-tailored. Although it was not brand new, it was made of very comfortable clothing. He was afraid that she was pampered by her family and could not withstand any storms.

The two people’s eyes met accidentally without any fluctuation. They nodded slightly and then looked away.

Yi Qingqing stuffed her larger bundle under her seat with a snap and then sat down with the smaller bundle.

The train started to move slowly.

“Qingqing, remember to write a letter back!” Zhao Xianglan ran forward with the train.

Yi Qingqing leaned out and saw the tears in her mother’s eyes. She suddenly felt a sour taste in her heart, “Mom, stop chasing, go back, don’t worry…”

She didn’t realize it before, but she didn’t expect that only a week after arriving, the original owner’s family had left a place in her heart, especially Zhao Xianglan.

She didn’t know if the original owner’s memory and emotions had an impact on her or if she actually desired such a preference too much.

Yun Guyuan’s index finger curled up slightly and didn’t move for a long time.

After Yi Qingqing calmed down, she looked expectantly at the system backpack.

*****

Translator’s Little Encyclopedia

China’s Commodity Ration Coupons (Part 1)

The grain rationing system in China was imposed by the People’s Republic of China in 1955 to control the production of food and to boost industrialization. People were given grain coupons with which they could buy a certain amount of grain at a low, state-imposed price, which varied somewhat with age, profession and location.

With this system, urban households were able to buy grain at a cheaper price, and at the same time rural areas, once they fulfilled the state-imposed quotas, were allowed to sell the excess supply at market price.

The commodity ration coupons (known as liang piao) issued in the 1950s, with specific coupons issued for foodstuffs, fuel, even bicycles. Without them, people were not permitted to purchase the goods.

The system, which was only finally abolished in 1995, ensured that under the collective system, everyone got their fair share.

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