"Okay, you're still a man." Yan Dali stepped forward and said confidently: "Everyone, we are also Team 8 and we can't be weaker than the other teams, so next, I will teach you some tricks. If you practice for an hour every day, you will definitely be able to drive away the bandits..."
"Practice for a living, I have that kind of strength, why not use it on my own woman? What can I learn from you?"
"Yan Erlangzi, get the fuck out of here, you disrespectful thing, did you call me Lao Zhao?"
"You don't even know how to behave like a human being, and you still want to be the team leader? Don't be so shameless, get out of here!"
For a moment, everyone started cursing.
Yan Dali was stunned, "I'm doing this for everyone's good..."
"Get your mother's head off!"
Seeing that everyone was cursing more and more unpleasantly, Yan Dali's face turned the color of pig liver and his teeth were chattering.
Zhao Zheng raised his hand, and everyone fell silent. Then, with a half-smile, he said, "Da Li, it seems everyone disagrees with you. If that's the case, you should leave."
Yan Da Li clenched his fists, furious, but could only dejectedly leave.
"Enough of the fussing. Now I'll start making appointments."
Everyone stood straight.
Zhao Zheng said, "Deputy Captain, Pan Da Naotou!"
Pan Da Naotou beamed, pointing at himself. "Me as deputy captain?"
Zhao Zheng smiled and nodded. He then added, "Team leader one, Jiang Wogua. Team leader two, Big Beard!"
These two were the more honest men in the village, without any ulterior motives.
Being named, they grinned with joy, "Thank you, Captain!"
Those who weren't chosen looked disappointed.
Zhao Zheng said, "This is just a preliminary appointment. If you're not up to the task, you could be replaced at any time. Don't be discouraged, those who weren't chosen. Everyone has a chance!"
Upon hearing this, the three chosen men felt a chill in their hearts, secretly telling themselves to obey Zhao Zheng and carry out his orders.
Those who were not selected stared at the three newly appointed people with unfriendly eyes.
Zhao Zheng used a hand to transplant flowers and trees and directly became the chief referee.
After the groups were divided, Zhao Zheng said: "Let's stop here for today. Come to gather before dawn tomorrow and do what we need to do after the drill."
"Yes, captain." Everyone echoed in unison.
After everyone dispersed, seeing those villagers who were training hard, they all secretly felt lucky that the captain was Zhao Zheng. If it was anyone else, it would be miserable.
The members of the other teams saw that Group 8 was so relaxed and looked at their captain with anger.
Niu Dalei had already discussed with Zhao Zheng that they would advance and retreat together. When Team 8 disbanded, Team 6 also disbanded.
Everyone in Team 6 praised Niu Dalei.
When they returned home, the tiles from the first kiln had already been baked, but the damage rate was almost half.
Yang Zhaodi looked at herself with self-blame, and Zhang Xiaoe couldn't stop crying.
Zhao Zheng said, "Don't cry. They're just some broken tiles. We can just burn them again if they break. Maybe the fire was too strong. Let's reduce it later and learn from the experience."
"That's a shame," Zhang Xiao'e said.
"Alright, these broken tiles aren't completely useless. Pick out the larger ones and stick them on the courtyard wall to keep thieves out."
Zhao Zheng waved his hand and fired the kiln again.
This time, he used less coal, and the firing time was shorter. The success rate improved significantly after the kiln started. Out of a hundred tiles, only a dozen were damaged.
Tapping the clanging tiles, Zhao Zheng said with satisfaction, "We can fire one more kiln before nightfall. We can shovel the unburned coal residue into the earthen stove and heat the kang. Killing two birds with one stone."
They worked until nightfall. Having fired three kilns in total, they had produced nearly 240 tiles. At least 1,000 tiles would be needed to cover the entire house, which would take only two or three days.
Since they couldn't leave the village unless necessary, Zhao Zheng was preparing to improve the facilities at home.
After dinner, Zhao Zheng said, "I'm going to secretly dig a secret cave in the back mountains. If the bandits really come, you two can run to the back mountains, hide in the cave, and come down when it's safe."
"Can we outrun them?" Yang Zhaodi asked nervously.
Zhao Zheng thought about it and realized that if the village patrol discovered the bandits and got close, "then we'll dig a hole next to the dry toilet. It might be a little smelly, but it can save our lives in a critical moment!"
Having been reborn, Zhao Zheng cherished his life very much and certainly wouldn't risk his life against the bandits.
Zhao Zheng went into the kitchen and marked a spot in the corner. "Start digging tomorrow night!"
...
The weather was getting colder.
Zheng Chunmei carefully avoided the patrol and reached the intersection of the back mountains.
She was nervous, fearing the patrol would come back.
Fortunately, the patrol only patrolled the village and the surrounding areas, so there was no need to worry about them coming back.
Just then, she heard soft footsteps behind her, followed by a body leaping into the air, startling her with a cry of surprise.
Zhao Zheng quickly covered her mouth. "If you're not afraid of others finding out, just scream a little louder."
"Uh-huh!"
Zhao Zheng released his hand.
Zheng Chunmei was nearly terrified. Upon realizing it was Zhao Zheng, she angrily punched him. "Are you trying to scare me to death?"
"I thought you weren't coming tonight, Captain Zhao!"
Zhao Zheng's voice resentfully rang out, and he let go of her hand. "This isn't the place to talk. Follow me!"
In the darkness, Zheng Chunmei felt a little apprehensive, clinging tightly to Zhao Zheng's arm. Many villagers were buried in the back hills, including her father-in-law and husband.
"Are we there yet?"
"Almost."
After an indeterminate amount of time, Zhao Zheng arrived at the entrance of a cave. He hadn't dug it himself; it had already existed, and no one knew who had done it.
The cave wasn't large, with some rocks and traces of fire. Sometimes, when it rained, villagers working in the back hills would take shelter there.
Zhao Zheng took out a white candle and lit it, and the cave suddenly became bright.
He immediately asked, "Did you bring the cloth?"
Zheng Chunmei blushed, took out the cloth hidden in her clothes, and spread it on the ground. "You are really good at playing tricks on me. There are many caves here, but you chose this one!" "
What? Is there a problem?" Zhao Zheng frowned.
Zheng Chunmei said in annoyance, "My father-in-law is buried nearby, what do you think?"
Zhao Zheng finally reacted, "I didn't think of this. How about changing the cave?"
Zheng Chunmei was cold and hungry, and didn't want to move at all. She just wanted to fill her stomach as soon as possible, "Forget it, let's do it here."
Then, she added in her heart, "Father-in-law, Korean brother, I am also trying to survive and raise a child. You will forgive me, right?" I
don't know how long it took.
The shouting in the cave suddenly stopped.
Zheng Chunmei's throat hurt from shouting.
Not only that, her body also hurt.
"Just talk, why did you hit me?" Zheng Chunmei felt a little aggrieved.
"Do you remember what I told you just now?" Zhao Zheng tied his belt, "If you do it so obviously again, then this time will be the last time we meet privately!"