Chapter 425: Black Market Food Prices Continue to Soar

Since He Daqing was not going to help, the neighbors had nothing to say and could only sigh and go home to make lunch.

During lunch,
Seeing his mother feeding his brother milk with a spoon, He Ying kept glancing over there while chewing on a steamed bun, which made the whole family laugh.
He Yushui even smiled and touched his head and asked,
"Greedy?"

When he heard his aunt's question, He Ying nodded quickly, glanced at Lou Xiao'e first, and then swallowed the steamed bread in his mouth before saying,

"Aunt, I haven't had milk for a long time. I want to drink it, but I'm afraid my mother will beat me, so I don't dare."

Watching He Ying's series of actions, He Daqing smiled and nodded.

"That won't do. This is specially distributed by the State Council to take care of little babies like Yuejin. There is no share for you.

You used to be able to drink milk every now and then, but your aunt didn't have that privilege when she was little. She didn't even know what milk was.
Just be content!"

After hearing his grandfather say that his aunt couldn't even drink milk when she was a child, He Ying quickly turned to He Yushui to confirm.
"Aunt, did you really never drink milk when you were a child?"

"Where did my aunt get milk to drink when she was little?"

He Yushui sighed and said, then changed the subject and started to show off with a smile,

"At that time, your father carried your aunt on his back to go to work at Fengze Garden every day, and we ate Fengze Garden's vegetables every day, which tasted much better than milk."

He Ying had naturally eaten the dishes from Fengze Garden.

Although in his heart the food at Fengze Garden was not as delicious as his father's, his father didn't cook much at home and he didn't eat it often.
So, I still really like the vegetables from Fengze Garden.

"Grandpa, these are all dishes cooked by you, Grandpa Mou, and Grandpa Wang. Why are the dishes you make at home not as delicious as those made at Fengzeyuan?
If the dishes you cook at home are as delicious as those at Fengzeyuan, then I can also eat Fengzeyuan dishes every day like my aunt."

Seeing his beloved grandson looking at him, He Daqing smiled and shook his head.

"Don't you see that every household has to eat steamed bread now? Where can I find so many seasonings to make delicious food and wine?

Without enough seasoning, would you dare to eat my braised large intestine?

You little guy really don't know how to appreciate your blessings.
Look at your brother Banggeng'er's house.

Even with the help of your great-grandfather, there will always be one or two days every month when there is a gap in food.

At least we can eat steamed bread every day, so we don't let you go hungry. Be content."

As soon as He Daqing finished speaking, He Ying raised his hand holding chopsticks and shouted,
"I know, I know, Grandpa.

A few days ago, my great grandfather asked my second uncle to make steamed bread for my brother Banggeng. I saw it. "

He Daqing and He Yuzhu naturally knew about Yi Zhonghai's operation, but Bai Guafu, the mother, didn't say anything, so they couldn't interrupt.
But the He family had enough food, so they didn't mind the one or two steamed buns.

Only Li Qingshan looked at the family with some embarrassment.

"Okay Qingshan, I'll give it to you. Our family is not short of food. Just be careful with the measure."

"I understand, Uncle He."

After He Daqing finished speaking, he looked at He Yuzhu and asked,

"By the way, Zhuzi, I heard from Lao Yi and the others a while ago that the price of food coupons on the black market has increased a lot, and the price changes every day. How much is it per kilogram now?"

Hearing He Daqing asking about the price of grain on the black market,

Thinking of the news that the joint defense team had reported to the militia two days ago, I smiled and told him,

“It’s quite expensive.
The price of rice and flour in the supply and marketing cooperative was only 1 yuan per pound.
But on the black market, the local food coupons in Beijing are 1 yuan per pound, and the national food coupons are 1.5 yuan per pound, and the price changes every day, and it rises quite fast. "After hearing this, He Daqing, who had never been to the black market since liberation, was quite surprised.
“No wonder Jia Dongxu’s monthly salary of 50 yuan is not enough for him. Who can afford such a high price?

Not to mention that the average wage for workers in Beijing is only about 30 yuan.”

Having said this, he then began to warn He Yuzhu,
"Zhu Zi, you have to be careful. The black market price is now so high that most people can't afford it. The profit is too high. Sooner or later, someone will report it.

Don’t get involved then.”

He Yuzhu knew that he must have misunderstood and thought that the things he had brought back before were tampered with by those termites.
"It's okay, Dad. The things I brought back before have nothing to do with them. You don't have to worry."

"Okay, as long as you know what's going on."

Then He Daqing turned to look at He Jianguo and asked,
"Have you finished your homework? Chinese New Year is just a few days away. You don't want to be punished by your sister-in-law Qiuye again when school starts!"

Hearing what He Daqing said, He Jianguo felt like he was about to become depressed, and said with a look of despair,

"Dad, Sister Qiuye keeps staring at me while I'm studying. I'm so annoyed.

Can I not go to the steel mill's children's school and ask my elder brother to arrange for me to go to the Heizhima Hutong Primary School next door? Didn't my elder sister go to school there before?"

Looking at his youngest son's depressed look, He Daqing smiled and shook his head.

"What are you thinking about, kid?

When your brother and sister were studying, I, as their father, was worried about them.
Now I finally have Xiao Ran to help me keep an eye on you, how could I possibly transfer you to Heizhima Hutong Primary School? That would be just asking for trouble!
Eat quickly, and then do your homework."

"Oh, I know."

After lunch, He Yuzhu was about to go out with the New Year's shopping tickets in his pocket when Xu Damao came over from the backyard.

"Zhu Zi, do you want to go shopping for New Year's goods?"

"I was just about to go. Why, you want to go with me?"

"Let's go. There's only so much stuff anyway. What's wrong with me going with you? Why don't we call Yan Jiecheng and the others to come along. It will be more lively with more people.

By the way, Zhuzi, how are you going to deal with the beating that Aunt Zhang and the others received today?"

When Xu Damao asked about this, He Yuzhu said indifferently,

"It's such a chaotic scene. Don't hold out any hope. Even if you go to the police station, there's a high chance you won't find anyone.

But you always mind your own business, why are you concerned about this today?"

"What can I do? I'll ask."

After buying New Year's goods, He Yuzhu took Xu Damao and others to the police station.

As expected, it was the same as what he thought. For this kind of thing, the police station could only criticize the person and release him. It was impossible to arrest the person and let him eat for free.
Otherwise, more people who cannot afford to eat will follow their example.

After the neighbors of the courtyard knew the result, although they complained that He Yuzhu did not contribute, they did not dare to say it openly and could only mutter a few words in secret.

A few days later, it was New Year's Eve of 1960.

In view of the fact that ordinary people were living in great difficulty, various units gradually began to promote collective New Year celebrations, and the New Year began to take on a different flavor.

(End of this chapter)