Chapter 256 Showdown
Treasure Mountain Village.
Seeing the entire village surrounded by the large truck bought by their second son, Bu Erzhu and Deng Shilan couldn't help but smile as the villagers asked questions and looked on with envy.
Although they were still a little worried about their second son and didn't want him to take such a dangerous path, they knew that if he was determined to stand out and insisted on this road, they could only support him.
After all, his uncle had said that in case of any accidents, the priority was to save one's life, which would significantly reduce the danger. The main goal of the car bandits was to make money, not to take lives. As long as one cooperated during a robbery and didn't resist, their life would likely be spared.
As Bu Erzhu and Deng Shilan stood by and watched with smiles, the elderly villagers approached them with compliments after admiring the large truck. Meanwhile, the younger villagers gathered around Bu Zhongshi, each expressing their desire to follow his lead.
This wasn't surprising. Bu Zhongshi and his childhood friend Bu Dajun had always been leaders among their peers, commanding great respect from the younger generation. Now that they had achieved such a significant feat, it was natural for the young people in the village to be impressed.
Bu Dajun was also in the crowd, visibly excited to see that his childhood friend had indeed bought the large truck. From now on, he too would be a driver, controlling the steering wheel. With this new identity, finding a wife would be a hundred times easier for his parents.
After addressing the young villagers, Bu Zhongshi turned to Bu Dajun and said, "Dajun, I'll go to my uncle's house tomorrow to inform him about the truck. I'll ask him to let me handle all the goods from the tile factory. You should also prepare at home. We can set off at any time when there's business."
Bu Dajun replied excitedly, "I'm ready and can set off anytime."
The other young villagers, knowing the close relationship between Bu Zhongshi and Bu Dajun, weren't surprised when they heard Bu Zhongshi would take Bu Dajun along. They all chimed in, asking Bu Zhongshi to take them too when he went out to transport goods, so they could see the world.
Bu Zhongshi readily agreed. After all, the roads were not safe, and the more people they had, the safer they would be. He was eager to have more companions.
However, his truck only had three seats. Besides the two drivers—himself and Bu Dajun—he could only take one more person each time they went out to transport goods. Naturally, he would choose those who were brave and had been in fights since childhood. Those who were timid wouldn't be considered.
Of course, he would make sure to inform them about the dangers on the road before setting off. They were all brothers from the same village, and he wouldn't deceive them.
The next day, Bu Zhongshi drove his large freight truck majestically to his uncle's house. Upon arrival, he immediately noticed the changes there. A beautiful wooden shed had been built under the longan tree, and inside it was a cabinet with a rather peculiar shape. On top of the cabinet sat a black-and-white TV.
Seeing the TV, Bu Zhongshi was slightly surprised, though it wasn't entirely unexpected. Given his uncle's wealth, buying a TV was a trivial matter. In fact, he thought his uncle was being quite modest by only buying it now.
"Uncle!" Bu Zhongshi greeted him after glancing at the TV.
Deng Shirong smiled when he saw the brand-new truck parked in front of his house and asked, "When did you buy the truck?"
"I bought it yesterday and came to report to you today, uncle," Bu Zhongshi replied as he sat down on a bench. "Uncle, when did you buy the TV? And you've installed lights too. Does your village have electricity now?"
Deng Shirong pointed to the battery under the TV and said, "Our village probably won't have electricity for the next few years. I'm using a battery for now."
Bu Zhongshi nodded in understanding. After discussing the battery, he couldn't help but say, "Uncle, now that I've bought the truck, you have to let me transport the goods from your tile factory so I can get off to a good start."
Deng Shirong smiled and said, "Of course, it's no problem for you to transport the goods from the tile factory. It just so happens that the factory has started firing the kiln. In a few days, a batch of goods will be ready to be transported to Lianjiang for sale. I'll assign this batch to you!"
Bu Zhongshi said excitedly, "Thank you, uncle!"
Deng Shirong picked up the pipe beside him, took out some tobacco and matches from his pocket, and asked, "When you went to learn how to drive, did you also learn some car repair skills?"
Bu Zhongshi replied, "Yes, I learned a little, but only the basics—like changing tires, spark plugs, and fixing some simple faults. I can't handle anything more complicated."
Deng Shirong stuffed the tobacco into the pipe, lit it, and said, "With only that level of skill, you definitely can't drive long distances. If the car breaks down halfway and you can't repair it yourself, and you're in the middle of nowhere, you'll be in trouble."
Bu Zhongshi frowned, realizing the seriousness of the situation. "Uncle, what should I do now? I've already bought the truck. If I can't drive long distances, how can I make money?"
Deng Shirong smiled and said, "Don't worry. A living person won't be suffocated to death. The best way to learn car repair is through a combination of theory and practice. I'll help you find a skilled car repairman, pay him a high salary, and have him accompany you for half a year.
During this time, you can learn the theoretical knowledge of car repair from him in your free time. If the car breaks down on the road, he can teach you on the spot. Besides, you're still a novice driver, and having an experienced master with you will give me peace of mind.
After half a year, I believe you'll grow into a qualified driver!"
Bu Zhongshi breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Uncle, you're very thoughtful. Please help me find a skilled car repairman. I'll pay his salary. I still have a lot of money left after buying the truck with a loan, so hiring a master to teach me for half a year won't be a problem."
Deng Shirong lit the tobacco, took a few puffs, and warned, "Zhongshi, you must take learning car repair seriously. A car is a machine, and you never know when or where it might break down. If it really breaks down in a deserted place and you can't fix it yourself, it'll be a disaster."
Bu Zhongshi also realized the importance of knowing how to repair a car and nodded repeatedly. "I understand, uncle. I will definitely learn it seriously. This is my livelihood, and I must master it. Otherwise, my dream of getting ahead will be shattered."
"It's good that you know!" Deng Shirong replied.
After smoking a few puffs, Deng Shirong set the pipe aside and said, "You bought this truck at the right time. Your elder brother is getting married on the 21st of this month. You can use this truck to pick up the bride and send off the guests. It will definitely make your elder brother proud."
Bu Zhongshi imagined his elder brother's glorious moment and couldn't help but smile. "My brother is getting a bargain!"
While the uncle and nephew were chatting under the wooden shed, Bu Dafang returned from working on Lychee Mountain. Because her uncle had predicted that this winter would be colder and longer than previous years based on ancestral proverbs, she and her husband had been taking antifreeze measures for the lychee trees during this period. These measures were, of course, taught to them by their uncle.
When Bu Dafang saw the brand-new truck parked in front of her uncle's house, she was initially surprised. But upon noticing her younger brother chatting with her uncle, she immediately understood and asked, "Zhongshi, did you buy this truck?"
"Sister!" Bu Zhongshi greeted her first, then replied with a smile, "Yes, I bought it. How about it? Isn't it beautiful?"
"Very beautiful," Bu Dafang admitted truthfully. She walked around the truck and praised, "This truck is really impressive. If you drive it back to Treasure Mountain, I bet the whole village will come to see it."
Bu Zhongshi smiled smugly. "Sister, you're right. Yesterday, when I drove it home, everyone in the village, young and old, came to watch. You should have seen the scene. Even my parents were so happy they couldn't stop smiling."
Deng Shirong could imagine the joy of his sister and brother-in-law. As parents, who wouldn't want their son to succeed? In an era when buying a bicycle would draw a crowd, his nephew had brought home a truck. It was no wonder the entire village was abuzz with excitement.
Of course, while they were happy, there were still worries. Deng Shirong could only remind his nephew to remain cautious. As long as he navigated the 1980s and 1990s carefully, public security would gradually improve by the new century.
Since it was rare for his nephew to visit, Deng Shirong prepared a few good dishes for lunch.
During the meal, Deng Shirong poured himself a bowl of wine and then filled bowls for his nephew and son-in-law. He said to Bu Zhongshi, "If you're not going back today, let's have a good drink. But if you plan to drive back, you can't drink. Remember, never drink and drive. That's a rule you must follow."
Bu Zhongshi laughed. "Uncle, knowing there's good food here, I've already prepared to stay overnight. I even brought clothes and left them in the truck!"
Deng Shirong couldn't help but smile and poured him a bowl of wine.
The wine they drank was locally brewed rice wine. There was a stark difference between good wine and inferior wine. In later years, due to the prevalence of counterfeit alcohol, people would often suffer from headaches and discomfort after drinking. But the locally brewed rice wine of this era was of good quality. While it could get you drunk if you drank too much, it wouldn't leave you feeling unwell afterward. As a result, everyone had a high tolerance for alcohol and could drink freely without worry.
The wine-filled lunch didn't end until around two in the afternoon.
As Bu Dafang was cleaning up the dishes, Deng Shirong suddenly remembered someone. He quickly said to his nephew, "I just thought of an old master who's skilled in car repair. I'll ask him to teach you and accompany you for half a year. It might not cost much. I'll go and inquire for you now."
Without waiting for his nephew's response, Deng Shirong walked out, got on his bicycle, and left.
Bu Zhongshi: "..."
...
Feather Ridge Village
Deng Changrui sat at the entrance of his house, leisurely smoking a hookah.
At 43 years old, he was in the prime of his life, but his face was already lined with wrinkles, and his hairline had receded significantly. More importantly, he no longer had the vigor and vitality he had a few years ago. He looked depressed and listless.
Those who knew Deng Changrui's story understood why he had become this way.
In the 1960s, Deng Changrui had been one of the eight major drivers in the village, a respected and enviable figure.
Back then, he was only in his twenties. While most villagers were lucky to eat meat once a month, his family could enjoy it every few days. He lived a comfortable life and was respected wherever he went. It was a glorious time.
However, as the saying goes, "Life is full of unexpected twists, and fortune can change in an instant." One day in May 1973, while driving, he accidentally hit and killed two people riding bicycles. He was held criminally responsible and sentenced to eight years in prison.
This accident plunged Deng Changrui from the heights of admiration to the depths of disgrace. He went from being an envied driver to a convicted criminal. The contrast was staggering.
He spent eight difficult years in prison.
When Deng Changrui was released last year, he found that there was no place for him in society anymore.
Needless to say, his job as a driver was gone, and his driver's license had been revoked long ago. More importantly, the villagers no longer looked at him with envy and respect but with a strange, discriminatory gaze.
Although no one said anything to his face, Deng Changrui knew that the villagers must have talked about him behind his back, perhaps even taking pleasure in his downfall.
While everyone in the village shared the same ancestor and was related to some degree, blood ties weakened beyond the fifth generation. Deng Changrui had once been very popular in the village, and many had envied him. Now that he had fallen from grace, it was only natural for some to mock him behind his back.
The only consolation was that his wife treated him the same as before and didn't look down on him despite his misfortune.
After being released from prison, Deng Changrui had wanted to work hard and rebuild his life. But with the path of being a driver closed to him, he had no choice but to return to farming.
Of course, he had also considered going into business, but that required capital. In the past, this wouldn't have been a problem, but now things were different. He had spent eight years in prison, and his family had lost its main breadwinner. Over the years, it had been a struggle just to put food on the table. Where could they find the money for him to start a business?
As he smoked, Deng Changrui lowered his head, pondering what path he should take in the future.
Just then, he heard the sound of a bicycle and looked up. Although it had been eight or nine years since they last met, Deng Changrui recognized the man immediately and greeted him, "Uncle Jiu!"
Deng Shirong stopped his bicycle and returned the greeting, "Changrui, have you eaten?"
"Yes, I have!" Deng Changrui nodded, handing over his pipe. "Uncle Jiu, where are you headed? Have a smoke first."
Deng Shirong took the pipe and said, "I came here specifically to see you."
Deng Changrui was surprised. "Uncle Jiu, what do you want to talk to me about?"
Deng Shirong sat down on a bench casually. He held the pipe but didn't light it immediately. Instead, he got straight to the point: "It's like this. My nephew just bought a truck and is planning to go into transportation. But he's still a novice—he just got his driver's license and only knows some basic car repair skills. It's too risky for him to drive like this. If the truck breaks down in a remote area, it'll be a big problem.
So, I'd like to ask you, as an experienced master, to help out. For the next six months, I'd like you to accompany my nephew, teach him how to drive, and repair the truck. I'll pay you fifty yuan a month. What do you think?"
Deng Changrui's eyes lit up. "Uncle Jiu, of course, I'm willing to take on such a good opportunity!"
Fifty yuan a month was a significant income in this era. Even when he had been a well-known driver, his salary hadn't exceeded that amount.
Of course, as a driver who often traveled long distances, he had enjoyed many hidden benefits, and his overall income had been higher. But times had changed. To be able to earn such a high income in his old line of work, even if only for six months, was more than he could have hoped for.
With this money, he could even start a small business, which was why he was so excited.
"Then, for the next six months, my nephew will be in your care. He's still a rookie and lacks social experience. Please teach him well."
"No problem. Thank you for your trust and for giving me this opportunity. I'll teach your nephew everything I know and hold nothing back."
"It just so happens that my nephew is at my house right now. If you're free, why don't you come over and we can discuss this further?"
"Okay, no problem!"
Five days later.
Bu Zhongshi drove a fully loaded truck of tiles, accompanied by Deng Changrui, the master his uncle had found for him, and Deng Yungui, one of the owners of the tile factory, to Lianjiang, Guangdong, to sell the goods. This was his first freight transportation job, so he naturally took it very seriously.
Originally, he had planned to bring his childhood friend Bu Dajun along, but plans changed. With Deng Changrui, the master, accompanying him, and Deng Yungui, the boss, necessary for selling the goods, he had to postpone bringing Bu Dajun until later.
Deng Changrui was indeed a skilled driver from the 1960s and 1970s. Not only was he an excellent driver, but his car repair skills were also on par with professionals. His social experience far surpassed that of Bu Zhongshi, a young man. With Deng Changrui guiding him, Bu Zhongshi was sure to grow quickly.
After resolving the issue with his second nephew, Deng Shirong turned his attention to the upcoming wedding of his eldest nephew.
Although both the groom and bride were satisfied with the marriage and had set a wedding date, there were still many details that needed to be handled by Deng Shirong, the matchmaker.
Fortunately, the bride's family understood that Bu Dashi was currently working in the county town and that traveling back and forth wasn't easy, so they didn't make excessive demands.
In the blink of an eye, it was the day before Bu Dashi's wedding.
In the afternoon, Deng Shirong rode his bicycle to the bride's house. As the matchmaker, he would stay there overnight and accompany the wedding guests to escort the bride to her new home the next day.
By this time, the bride's relatives and friends had mostly arrived, along with aunts, uncles, and other relatives from the village. The scene was lively, with temporary earthen stoves smoking and the chef hired by the bride's family busy at work.
Although the wedding was the next day, due to the customs of Double Prosperity Territory, the bride had to leave early in the morning, so the morning banquet would be rushed. In comparison, the afternoon meal was more relaxed.
"Uncle Jiu!"
"Uncle Jiu, please have a seat."
"Uncle Jiu, have a smoke first."
"..."
When matchmaker Deng Shirong arrived at the bride's house, he was warmly welcomed by her family. After lighting a few cigarettes, he began chatting with the bride's relatives and friends.
Deng Shirong had introduced such a well-suited match for Liu Aihong, and his matchmaking skills were highly regarded by the bride's relatives and friends. Those with children of marriageable age approached him, hoping he might have a suitable match for their own children.
Deng Shirong was cautious in matchmaking. He didn't pair people randomly for the sake of the matchmaking fee. After all, he couldn't see the compatibility between couples and relied only on the experience he had accumulated over decades in his previous life.
He couldn't guarantee whether the marriages he arranged were the most suitable.
Therefore, Deng Shirong no longer wanted to matchmake for outsiders. He focused only on his own children and the children of relatives and friends. Unless he encountered a truly compatible pair, he wouldn't intervene.
Seeing the bride's relatives and friends eager for him to help with matchmaking, Deng Shirong, who found it hard to refuse, simply said: "Dear relatives, I understand your desire to find matches for your children, but I'm not a professional matchmaker. The person I introduced to Liu Mei is actually my own nephew."
Liu's father, who was sitting nearby to accompany Deng Shirong, widened his eyes in surprise. "Uncle Jiu, are you Bu Dashi's uncle?"
The bride's relatives and friends were equally stunned. They hadn't expected that Deng Shirong, the matchmaker, had such a connection.
Deng Shirong spoke sincerely: "Dear relatives, I must apologize for keeping this from you. I was worried that if you knew my identity, you might hesitate during discussions about the marriage. I felt it was better to conceal my identity. I hope you understand!"
(End of this chapter)