I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

Chapter 74: Chapter 74: A Broadcast for the Village

Some of the villagers who owned boats were already starting to think about heading out to sea. If Zhao Wendong could haul in four thousand pounds, even a tenth of that—four hundred pounds—would be enough for them to survive this disastrous year.

By the time everything was unloaded, the sky had grown dark. Niu Yuesheng and Liangzi’s father declined Zhao Wendong’s offer to stay for dinner and started their truck to head back. An old friend of Liangzi’s father had also spent the last while helping them unload, so Zhao Wendong took out two cod and insisted he take them. He then watched them climb into the truck and disappear at the village entrance.

”Dongzi, do you think that school of fish is still there?”

Zhao Weiguo leaned in and asked in a low voice.

He was tempted too. He knew the village’s situation better than anyone; many families were down to one meal a day. If this continued, there would be trouble sooner or later. Lately, he couldn’t eat or sleep well and had lost several pounds. If the brigade could go out and bring back some fish, perhaps everyone could make it through the winter.

”It’s a long shot, Uncle Weiguo. The schools are heading for the deep sea. We went a long way out just chasing them yesterday. After more than a day, they’ve probably long since disappeared.”

Hearing Zhao Wendong’s words, Zhao Weiguo sighed and didn’t say anything more. All he felt now was regret for reporting and handing over so much grain. But regret was useless. It had been mandatory at the time—a small arm can’t out-wrestle a thigh.

”Oh, right, Uncle Weiguo!”

”This is for you. It’s my donation to our brigade. Without the brigade’s boat, I wouldn’t have been lucky enough to run into that school of fish and have such a huge haul.”

”Hey, now, you already gave us the diesel fuel. I can’t take...”

Zhao Weiguo looked at the small box Zhao Wendong took out, and his eyes went wide. He couldn’t tear his gaze away, and the words of refusal died on his lips.

”A r-radio!”

”My God, Dongzi, this is a radio! Are you really giving it to the brigade?”

Zhao Wendong nodded and said firmly in a loud voice, ”Yes, for the brigade! This way, our village can listen to the central broadcast. We might even be able to hear the Chairman’s New Year blessings!”

’Logically speaking, Zhao Wendong had already given the brigade fuel, and no one would have said anything if he didn’t do more. But this haul was just too big. He was suddenly eating too well. If he didn’t ”bleed” a little, people might not say anything, but a thorn of resentment would be planted in their hearts. Who knew when it might prick him or his family.’

’People’s hearts are not meant to be tested. Besides, it makes no difference whether I listen to this thing at home or over the public loudspeakers!’

”Hahaha, wonderful, wonderful!”

Zhao Weiguo’s face bloomed into a smile. He had long wanted to get a radio to broadcast to the commune members every day, but it was too expensive for the brigade to afford. Zhao Wendong’s gift went straight to his heart. And since Zhao Wendong had also contributed plenty of diesel, they could get the broadcasts started tomorrow.

He clapped Zhao Wendong hard on the shoulder and shouted to the surrounding villagers.

”Everyone, listen up! From today on, our brigade will be able to listen to the broadcast every day! This is all thanks to Comrade Zhao Wendong! He is the one who donated this radio, worth at least seventy or eighty yuan, to the brigade, bringing us news from the Party and allowing us to hear the Party’s instructions at all times!”

”Come on, everyone, a round of applause for Comrade Zhao Wendong! Let’s thank him for his contribution to our brigade!”

CLAP... CLAP... CLAP...

Applause rang out. It wasn’t overly enthusiastic, but everyone was clapping. In this era, being able to listen to the radio was a rare treat, and everyone was looking forward to it.

Third Master Zhao watched from the side, a grin on his face. His eyes darted about as a good idea suddenly occurred to him.

’Hasn’t the production brigade been looking for a suitable Civilian Militia Captain? That young rascal Zhao Wendong seems like a good fit. He’s grown up now, he can handle responsibility, and he knows how to command respect. Didn’t he put that arrogant loudmouth Zhao the Sixth, who acts like he owns the world, right in his place?’

The villagers watched as Zhao Wendong and his family moved all the goods into their house bit by bit, only dispersing reluctantly when it was all done. With the cautionary tale of Zhao the Sixth and the radio Zhao Wendong had just donated, the crowd felt less jealousy and more envy for his good luck.

Zhao Weiguo was also about to head home when Third Master Zhao grabbed his arm.

”What’s the rush? It’s just gotten dark, it’s too early to sleep. Come over to my place for a bit.”

Knowing Third Master Zhao had something to discuss, Zhao Weiguo nodded and followed the old man to his house.

After the crowd had dispersed, Zhao Wendong and his family went back inside. The outer and inner rooms of the house were piled so high with goods that there was barely any room to stand.

”Eagle, Big Eagle!”

Little Tuanzi, hugging a sly little fox, bounced happily on the kang bed. Shitou’s eyes shone as he stared at the Golden Roc, his gaze filled with excitement. Zhao Dashan, lying on the kang, also saw the Golden Roc immediately and was so surprised he almost sat up. Zhao Wendong quickly pushed him back down.

”Don’t move around! Don’t you know it takes a hundred days to heal from broken bones and torn ligaments? You just focus on resting. You can get back on your feet after you’ve recovered properly.”

Zhao Dashan obediently lay back down, but his eyes were full of questions as he looked at his third son.

”Hey, son, where did you get this Golden Roc? And it’s not a chick, it’s a full-grown adult! What did you bring it back for? Don’t tell me you’re planning to tame it!”

”Yeah. Why not?”

”Of course not! Don’t you know you can’t tame an adult eagle? It’s a rule passed down for generations on this mountain: adult Golden Rocs are the soldiers of the mountain god. You can’t keep them. If you try to force it, it will either starve itself to death or fly away and never return.”

’Zhao Wendong nodded noncommittally. Of course he knew. In his past life, he had raised one himself—a Hai Dongqing, not a Golden Roc. Eagles are incredibly proud animals; most would rather die than submit. You had to tame them when they were young to have any chance. But now, Zhao Wendong had a golden finger.’

’He could hear the Golden Roc’s thoughts, which would drastically reduce the difficulty of taming it. Since he’d stumbled upon it, he wanted to see if he could succeed.’

”I happened to run into a Hunter from Dahei Mountain today and got it from him. I felt it was fate. I want to give it a try. If it really can’t be tamed, well, I’ll just treat it as if I bought some meat to eat.”

Zhao Dashan fell silent. He could clearly feel that his words carried less and less weight in this family now. The mixed feelings of a father who is no longer relied upon—both happy and lost—were truly conflicting.

”Perfect. Since you’re just lying there with nothing to do, Dad, you can start ’weathering’ it!”

”Huh?”

’Holy crap,’ Zhao Dashan thought, stunned. ’The world’s turned upside down. He’s actually giving *me* a job.’

”Third Brother, can the Big Eagle carry me up into the sky?”

Little Tuanzi asked, her little face tilted up in anticipation. Zhao Wendong smiled and patted her head.

”The Big Eagle can’t, but a big airplane can. In the future, Little Tuanzi can ride in an airplane and fly in the sky!”

”Yay, yay! Little Tuanzi would love to ride in an airplane!”

”Me too! Third Brother, you have to take me on an airplane too!”

Zhao Wenwu raised his hand and shouted. In the summer, they would lie in the grass, and if they were lucky, they’d sometimes see an airplane fly overhead. It was something that flew even higher than an eagle. Every time a plane appeared, everyone would excitedly crane their necks to watch until it completely disappeared from view.

”Alright, I’ll take Second Brother on a plane!”

Zhao Wendong nodded with a smile. Zhao Wenwu immediately broke into a happy grin, his eyes full of anticipation. ’If Third Brother promised something, he would definitely do it. He was going to ride in an airplane!’

”Did you spend all the money from the sale?! Buying grain is one thing, but why buy all this other stuff? As soon as you get money in your hands, you just spend it recklessly!”

Chen Yanmei looked at all the things covering the floor, feeling both happy and pained by the expense. She couldn’t help but start scolding Zhao Wendong.

Zhao Wendong chuckled. ”Isn’t money for spending? If you keep scolding me, I might not give you what’s left!”

”What? There’s some left? How much is left?”

When Chen Yanmei heard there was still money left, she rushed forward in a happy surprise to search him. Zhao Wendong quickly threw up his hands and yelled for her to stop.

”Wait, hold on! I’m not done handing things out yet.”