Male Lead's Canon Fodder Wife - Chapter 1462

Chapter 1462: Surprise After Surprise ( 4 )
Zhang Guo thought for a moment, then took one sack of rice and one of flour. These, he planned to send to his elderly mother back home.

“I’d like to send these to my family. Can you help me send them?” he asked.

The staff sighed when he heard his words. When he saw Zhang Guo taking things, he had assumed they were for himself. He never expected they were meant for his mother.

He nodded and said, “Okay.”

In the end, Zhang Guo left the administrative building with only the cotton, fabric, and one jar of ointment.

Because he had donated so much, the staff helped him send his packages and informed the leadership.

That evening, the soldiers noticed something unusual during dinner. The thin porridge had more grains than usual. Each soldier also received two flower-shaped steamed buns and stir-fried vegetables with pork slices.

Assuming a delivery had come from the capital, everyone rejoiced. But during dinner, an announcement came over the loudspeakers.

“Good evening, Comrades. Today, we received a big surprise from our comrade, Captain Li Chenmo. He sent us 5,000 kilograms of rice and 2,500 kilograms of flour.”

“Besides that, he also sent 400 kilograms of cured meat, 400 kilograms of sausages, 500 kilograms of dried vegetables, 40 kilograms of dried mushrooms, and 100 jars of wound ointment.”

“Even after retiring from the military, Captain Li continues to work hard and contribute to our country. Let us all follow his example and work harder so as not to let him down.”

Applause broke out immediately, and thunderous cheers echoed through the barracks as soon as the announcement was made.

The leadership had decided to make the contribution public so that Li Chenmo’s efforts wouldn’t go unnoticed. As for the small portion Zhang Guo kept, it was what he deserved. Without his help during Li Chenmo’s toughest times, this aid wouldn’t have arrived today.

Everything has causes and effects. Today’s help was the effect of Zhang Guo’s loyalty toward his Captain and his good personality to never abandon his comrade during hard times.

While the barracks were shrouded in a happy atmosphere, Pan Chiyan was currently sitting in Li Chenmo’s living room.

Sitting across from him were Li Chenmo and Lu Jueyu, while Pan Meijia, Houzi, and Li Lingyun sat to the side.

After pouring a cup of warm milk for each of them and placing a plate of mixed biscuits and a plate of fruit chips on the table, Lu Jueyu said, “Brother-in-law, we didn’t know you were visiting. We apologize for the lack of hospitality.”

Pan Chiyan took a sip of the milk and was surprised that it didn’t have a fishy smell. It tasted good and had a hint of sweetness, perhaps from honey.

He took two more sips before placing the cup on the table and said, “Sister-in-law, now that our families are connected by marriage, you don’t have to be so polite.”

Hearing this, Li Lingyun glanced at his eldest brother-in-law, then at his third brother. Catching his Second brother’s glances, Li Chenmo raised his eyebrows but said nothing.

Lu Jueyu smiled and asked, “Brother-in-law, I wonder what brings you to our village? Are you visiting my second sister-in-law alone?”

Pan Chiyan had been waiting for this question. He let out a long sigh and said with a frown, “Actually, I came to town on official business and only stopped by along the way.”

Curious, Lu Jueyu asked again, “Brother-in-law, I heard from your wife that you just visited the nearby city recently. Is something going on that makes you travel so often?”

This time, Pan Chiyan nodded and replied, “I came last time to buy grains from a black-market middleman. We managed to secure 100 tons, but it’s only enough for the Capital’s consumption.”

“The grain reserves in other cities and towns have been used up, and they have requested help from the Capital. With the food shortage worsening everywhere, we couldn’t find new supply channels.”

“So, I was sent by the leadership to try and buy more from the black market. Unfortunately, I only know my cousin and don’t have other connections.”

Lu Jueyu was surprised by this news. She had heard about the situation in the Capital from Bai Xue’er’s letters but hadn’t realized it was this dire. She thought the 100 tons of grain would be enough to supply the surrounding cities and towns.

After a long silence, Li Chenmo finally asked, “Brother Chiyan, do you have a plan?”

Pan Chiyan nodded and replied, “At first, I planned to buy from the previous supplier, but my cousin told me their stock is limited. So now I’m thinking of buying grains from villagers who might have some surplus.”

Hearing his plan, Li Chenmo fell silent. He tapped his fingers on the table, considering the pros and cons.

A few minutes later, he looked at Pan Chiyan and said, “Brother Chiyan, I actually have some friends who found open fields deep in the mountains. They have been cultivating the land for years and have stockpiled quite a bit of grain.”

Pan Chiyan was both surprised and delighted. He hadn’t expected the villagers to be so bold.

Entering the deep mountains was dangerous enough, but to farm there without government permission was illegal. It could land them in jail or worse.

Still, the news offered hope. Maybe these people could help ease the national crisis.

“Brother Chenmo, can you help me buy their grains?” Pan Chiyan asked.

Li Chenmo hesitated before replying, “I can visit them and ask, but I can’t guarantee anything. What they did is considered a crime, and selling the grain might only worsen their offense. It will be hard to persuade them.”

As soon as he heard this, Pan Chiyan said quickly, “Brother Chenmo, you can tell your friends that as long as they are willing to sell, the government won’t pursue their crimes. I will keep their identities secret.”

“Give me one or two days,” Li Chenmo replied. “I will talk to them and let you know the outcome.”