A few miles from Gongdao Village, in another brigade's territory, was a residential area for an iron mine. A zinc mine, a paper mill, and a cement factory were also located nearby. This was why the commune had decided to build the middle school there. Although the mining area had its own company store, a new retail agency had recently opened. People said it carried a wide variety of goods, almost rivaling the commune's own supply and marketing co-op, which was convenient for both the mine workers and the nearby farmers.
At ten in the morning, Uncle Jiang set off to deliver tofu and vegetables to the mining area's cafeteria. He had fitted a rack to the back of his heavy-duty Forever-brand bicycle. After strapping down the wooden box containing the tofu, he secured the vegetable basket on top and carefully rode away.
