Chapter 219 Coal

Chapter 219 Coal

Chapter 219 Coal

After coming out of the planting space, Li Kailang pulled out an unused cart from the patio on the side of the house, intending to bring back some coal.

Starting from December last year, the temperature suddenly dropped and the city entered winter.

The weather had become much colder, so Li Kailang also started to burn charcoal, but he had to burn more places.

The fireplace in the living room should be lit, and a large pit in the bedroom should also be lit.

Finally, the bathroom also needs to be heated. After all, there is a bathtub, and it is very comfortable to take a bath in winter.

This also leads to rapid consumption of coal.

The bathtub also aroused the envy and jealousy of everyone in the courtyard. They could only go to the big bathhouse to take a bath, and it was impossible for them to take a bath at home.

During this period, Yan Bugui and others asked Li Kailang indirectly whether they could borrow his bathroom, but Li Kailang directly refused.

Are you kidding? This is Li Kailang’s home, and it’s such a private place as the bathroom. How can it be rented out?

However, Li Kailang also used it for the third aunt, and she was giving a bath to Yan Jiedi.

The third aunt was considerate. She borrowed the bathhouse on days when the weather was bad and it was difficult to bathe Yan Jie Di. Usually, she bathed Yan Jie Di at home.

After loading the car, Li Kailang planned to haul coal.

It was not until 1960 that coal was included in the ranks of unified purchase and sale, and coal briquettes were supplied according to the practice plan. Every household needed a coal book, and the supply was fixed based on the book.

"Hey, Xiao Li, are you going to haul coal?" Yan Bugui came out from the middle courtyard holding the washed sheets.

"Yes!" Li Kailang replied.

"When you go to haul coal, please also haul it for my family. I'll go get the money for you now!" Yan Bugui hurried home.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Yan Bugui was looking for help from the coolie Li Kailang.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Li Kailang hurriedly stopped him, "Uncle, you should just pull the coal yourself."

"I'm the only one in my family, so I can't pull much. If I help you, I don't know how many trips I'll have to make. You should pull it yourself when you have time."

"Hehe!" Yan Bugui smiled sheepishly. He was not embarrassed at all when his plan was exposed.

"I'm leaving first!" Seeing Yan Bugui didn't say anything, Li Kailang pulled the cart and went out.

Li Kailang's cart has been used to carry coal and winter vegetables. It has been weathered and is a little shabby, but it does not affect its use.

Pulling a cart, Li Kailang went to the coal shop.

Along the way, Li Kailang met many passers-by pulling carts. They chatted while going to the coal shop.

Soon, everyone arrived outside the coal shop.

At this time, there was a long queue outside the coal shop. Obviously, everyone was taking advantage of the holiday to buy coal. Everyone was chatting while queuing.

"Lao Li, didn't you come here yesterday? Why are you here again today?"

Old Li replied: "The honeycomb coal I pulled yesterday was for my son's home, and today I pulled some coal briquettes for myself."

"Come and pull the coal briquettes yourself, there's no need to be so frugal, Old Li?"

Old Li glanced at him and said, "What do you know? Coal briquettes are so cheap, I can just take them home and make them myself. It won't take much time."

There are three types of coal shops: coal briquettes, honeycomb coal, and coal blocks. Most people choose to pull the coal briquettes and take them home to process them themselves.

As for coal blocks, they are used in large bathhouses. They have strong fire power, but are not cheap.

Li Kailang also came to buy coal lumps this time. Coal balls can be made by mixing coal dust with a small amount of loess.

Honeycomb briquettes can be made by crushing coal blocks and mixing them with sawdust.

When it comes to making honeycomb coal, we have to mention Yan Bugui.

Yan Bugui is an expert at making honeycomb coal in the surrounding courtyards. His processing is cheap, but he treats his customers differently based on their taste.

When I encounter one that is easy to "bully", I will intentionally add more loess, so that there will be some coal briquette powder left.

However, once too much loess is added, it is difficult to ignite, burns quickly, and emits insufficient heat.

It’s just that Yan Bugui has never done this before. Now he has a good reputation and everyone is willing to do it for him.

After waiting in line for a while, there were only four or five people left in front of Li Kailang.

At this time, a man pulling a cart cut into the queue and bumped into other people's carts on the way in.

"Hey, you're walking without paying attention! You bumped into my cart!" An grumpy old man stretched out his hand to stop him.

Ling Da turned his head, glanced at the old man, and then looked at his cart.

Seeing that no damage was caused, they decided to leave.

"You want to leave? You hit my cart and you didn't even apologize. You want to just walk away like that? No way!"

The old man held on to his cart tightly and refused to let go. No matter how hard Ling Da pulled, it didn't budge at all.

"Old man, let go!" Ling Da said bluntly.

"Oh, you have quite a bad temper!" The old man showed an expression of surprise and anger.

"You bumped into me and didn't even apologize. I'm going to make this clear today. If you don't apologize to me, you won't be able to enter the coal shop today!"

Ling Da smiled nonchalantly:

"Old man, do you know who I work for? If you delay my work, don't blame me for not reminding you!"

The old man did not give in: "I don't care who you are pulling coal for! Don't try to scare me, I am not an old man who was scared."

"If you don't apologize to me today, I won't let you in even if I don't buy coal."

Hearing this, Ling Da became very anxious. He was now in a hurry to get the coal back.

"Old man, let go, or I'll be rude to you!"

"Oh, great!" The old man suddenly showed a hint of surprise, "I want to see how you can be rude to me!"

"Come on!" the old man roared, looking fearless.

"Young man, don't be afraid, come on! We also want to see what you want to do!" The passers-by nearby started to make a noise, looking like they were enjoying a good show.

"You! You guys!" Ling Da pointed at everyone.

Everyone was like the old man. They were not angry because Ling Da hit the cart, but because he cut in line. His origin was a trouble.

"Young man, don't just stand there! Take action!" Everyone challenged Ling Da, and some blamed the coal shop.

"This coal shop is really terrible. There is only one door, but so many people come in and out. Some people even cut in line. It would be fine if it was just one or two people, but in just a short while, four or five people cut in line."

"Yes, everyone has been queuing here for such a long time. If anyone comes, they can just cut in and buy coal. So why are we queuing? Let's just rush in!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd was immediately excited and everyone shouted outside the coal shop.

This made Ling Da instantly frightened and he took a few steps back timidly.

Although I had always been successful in the past, I actually ran into a tough opponent here.

At this moment, a leader-like person came out and shouted when he heard the noise:
"What's going on? Why are you making so much noise? Do you still want to buy coal?"

"Pah!" The old man spat out water viciously.

"Why buy coal? I'm going to rob it!!!"

After saying that, he turned to look at everyone and said, "Comrades, follow me to grab it!"

"Rush!!!"

Then, everyone rushed to the coal shop carrying carts.

"Everyone, calm down, calm down!!!" Feng Zhiyu had never seen such a big scene, and was immediately frightened to the point of sweating profusely.

"Comrades, if you have something to say, please talk it over nicely. Don't act rashly!" Feng Zhiyu quickly stretched out his hand to stop them, standing in front of everyone.

The people in front of them are all workers. One or two of them can be said to be causing trouble, but if a group of them are causing trouble, then it is the coal shop that is wrong.

Seeing that the arrogance had subsided, Feng Zhiyu took advantage of the situation and said, "Everyone calm down. I am the leader of the coal shop. If you have any problems, tell me and I will solve them!"

The old man looked at the slightly younger Feng Zhiyu in front of him and said, "Are you the leader of the coal shop? You are so young, and you are the one who manages things?"

Hearing this, Feng Zhiyu didn't know how to answer, so he could only nod: "Uncle, I am the leader of the coal shop. Is there anything wrong with the coal shop?"

The old man pointed at Ling Da and said, "It's him. He just bumped into my cart and he hasn't apologized yet." Hearing this, Feng Zhiyu turned to look at Ling Da who was standing aside with fear. He looked familiar. He must be a certain leader's man who came here to haul coal.

It was just a collision with a cart, there was no need for people to get excited. Things cannot be that simple.

"Comrade, since you hit my cart, why don't you apologize?"

Hearing Feng Zhiyu's words, Ling Da hurriedly bowed and apologized.

"I'm sorry, sir!"

Seeing this, Feng Zhiyu continued, "Master, I wonder if this will work?"

The old man shook his head. "It's just a small matter. I won't be so fussy about it."

After saying that, the old man pointed at the bookkeeper sitting in the lobby of the coal shop and said, "Uncle, it's him that I'm unhappy with."

Feng Zhiyu turned his head and saw Yang Er standing up in fright, sweating profusely.

"He had a sullen face and was very unhappy. It was as if we owed him money. He was dragging his feet on the issue of buying coal and getting the ticket."

"It would be fine if he was just dragging his feet, and everyone would just put up with it, but he actually blatantly let someone cut in line, and no one said anything when they saw it."

"Look at everyone. They've lined up in such a long queue. Everyone is waiting so hard. Everyone is getting impatient."

"In just a short while, four or five people have already cut in line. If this is the case, you might as well close your coal shop! Let's help you tear it down!"

The old man pointed at Feng Zhiyu's dark face and cursed loudly, and the others joined in the curse.

After scolding for a while, the old man stopped. Feng Zhiyu wiped his face and looked at Ling Da and Yang Er with a sullen face.

Ling Da was fine, he was not from the coal shop and Feng Zhiyu had no control over him.

Yang Er was in a miserable situation. This was his leader, and being watched by his leader made Yang Er feel miserable.

During holidays, when others are resting, he still has to go to work. How can anyone be happy?

As for those who cut in line, they were all arranged by the leader and he had to let them go. As luck would have it, all these people were gathered together.

They don’t come at any other time, but just come at the same time.

Feng Zhiyu asked loudly: "Yang Er! Look at what you have done! How can you be a judge?"

"Leader, I...I." Yang Er stuttered.

"Why are you still standing there? Come out and apologize to the old man!" Feng Zhiyu pointed at the ground in front of him.
Yang Er ran out in a panic and came to the old man.

"Uncle, I'm sorry!" Yang Er quickly bowed and apologized.

The old man waved his hands repeatedly: "Oh! Please don't. I can't accept your apology. If I accept your words, I will shorten my life."

After saying that, the old man pretended to be panicked and took a few steps back, away from Yang Er, as if he really couldn't stand the apology.

Seeing this, everyone burst into laughter, it was very interesting.

But Yang Er was in a panic, with a bitter face.

"What are you looking at? Why don't you apologize to everyone one by one? Why are you just standing there?" Feng Zhiyu cursed loudly.

At the same time, Feng Zhiyu bowed his hands and said, "Everyone, it's my fault. I didn't manage it properly and let the people below make mistakes. I apologize to everyone here!"

After saying this, Feng Zhiyu bowed very seriously and apologized.

Seeing Feng Zhiyu behaving like this, everyone unconsciously calmed down a little.

Feng Zhiyu continued, "I am to blame for what happened. I will be watching from here. No matter who comes, no one is allowed to cut in line!"

"Good! Responsible!" the old man couldn't help but admire.

Seeing that the old man was always praising them, no one else said anything.

"Oh, and you too! No matter which leader's family you belong to, get in line at the back right now, immediately!"

After being warned, Ling Da didn't dare to say a word. He pulled the cart and went to queue at the back.

He was immediately pointed at by everyone and he didn't want to stay here, but his leader gave the order, so he had to buy coal here.

Feng Zhiyu's actions were praised by everyone.

At this time, Yang Er also apologized and came to Feng Zhiyu.

"Go back to the court. If there were no one here today, I would have let you down. Why are you still standing there? Hurry up!"

Yang Er had no choice but to go back and sit in court obediently.

Being stared at by everyone, Yang Er wished he could find a hole to crawl into. He was too embarrassed to stay there.

Feng Zhiyu shouted, "Come on, everyone, don't just stand there. Hurry up if you want to buy coal. Don't let a little thing delay your business!"

The old man was the first one to come in front of Yang Er. He deliberately stared at him for a long time without saying anything. Feng Zhiyu, who was standing next to him, noticed that he didn't say anything either.

However, the old man had seen this kind of thing many times, so he didn't take it seriously. He paid the money, took the ticket, and pushed the cart in.

After a while, it was Li Kailang's turn. He also paid the money and took the ticket to go in.

Coal is very cheap now, 40 kilograms cost 1 cents, which means only 3 cents per pound.

There was a cart towing it, and everyone bought 700 to kilograms at a time. Li Kailang planned to buy more, so he could get kilograms.

Nowadays, it’s only 14 bags of 50 kilograms of rice, which can still be pushed.

Li Kailang paid 2 yuan and bought the best coal.

Coal blocks are also divided into 369 grades. The best ones have the least mud and sand, while the cheapest ones have some mud and sand.

Although there is not much mud and sand mixed in, it still adds up to a lot, about ten pounds in total.

The most important thing is that the coal blocks contain less mud and sand, which makes them easier to clean and easier to make into coal balls and honeycomb coal.

When we arrived at the coal warehouse, we saw coal piled up like mountains and black dust flying.

The workers were fully armed, wrapped up tightly, and shoveled coal with shovels.

"Hello, comrade, I want 700 kilograms!" Li Kailang came to the best coal field and handed over his ticket.

The registrar took the ticket, looked at it, and shouted to the worker behind him, "700 kilograms!"

Then he said to Li Kailang: "Push the cart over!"

Hearing this, Li Kailang pushed the cart inside and the workers began to shovel coal.

Suddenly, a lump of coal fell at Li Kailang's feet. Li Kailang picked it up and took a look.

"This is the best coal block, which is much better than the previous honeycomb coal. It doesn't have much sand. If you take it back and make it yourself, it will definitely be better than the one you bought in the first place."

Li Kailang plans to divide this batch of coal equally into honeycomb coal and coal balls.

Honeycomb coal is used in cooking.

The coal briquettes are used to heat the kang.

Briquettes are used to heat the bathtub.

After a while, 700 kilograms of coal were loaded onto the cart, and Li Kailang pushed the cart away from the coal shop.

When people saw the 700 kilograms of coal, they did not find it surprising. After all, many residents brought their entire families with them and would haul thousands of kilograms of coal at a time.

Just 700 kilograms of coal is really nothing to be surprised about.

It was a bit difficult to pull the coal to the courtyard.

Since the cart cannot be pushed in, it can only be moved in. This is when the "cash power" comes into play.

Li Kailang used one dollar to ask Yan Jiecheng and Yan Jiekuang for help.

The two men agreed immediately and after several trips back and forth, they put all the coal into the east ear room.

Putting it in the house can, on the one hand, prevent Jia Zhang and Bang Geng from stealing it, and on the other hand, prevent it from moisture and dry out.

After giving the money to Yan Jiecheng, Li Kailang went into the ear room and took away all the coal.

"With so many pieces of coal, it would take a lot of time to get them one by one, but it's easy in the planting space."

Looking at the pile of coal in front of him like a small mountain, Li Kailang had an idea and started to clean up 700 kilograms of coal.

(End of this chapter)