Chapter 254: The Great Sensation in Thatchfield Village
As an old revolutionary, even though Zhang Guoan is now just a gatekeeper, his influence is something no one can overlook. After agreeing to help Deng Shirong secure a TV plane ticket, he handed the ticket over in just one day. His efficiency was truly remarkable.
With the TV ticket in hand, Deng Shirong went to the department store and spent 440 yuan to purchase a 12-inch black-and-white TV.
He opted for a domestic brand. While Japanese TV brands were generally of higher quality during this era, Deng Shirong chose to support domestic products. Even though the brand he supported would eventually fade into obscurity, he didn't hesitate to back it.
After all, the TV he bought was only a short-term solution. In a year or two, he planned to upgrade to a color TV.
As for this black-and-white TV, he intended to keep it as a collectible. Decades later, it would serve as a cherished memory for his family.
After buying the TV, Deng Shirong also purchased eight high-capacity batteries, electrical wires, light bulbs, antenna racks, and other necessary items.
Since Thatchfield Village wouldn't have electricity until the 1990s, he decided to stock up on batteries. These would not only power the TV but also provide lighting.
Having grown accustomed to electricity, using kerosene lamps felt incredibly inconvenient.
Once everything was purchased, Deng Shirong stored the items in his system space.
That evening, he informed his children and daughters-in-law of his plans. After breakfast the next morning, he boarded a bus back to his hometown.
...
Afternoon.
Thatchfield Village.
Deng Yunjin's Home.
A chicken castrator from a neighboring village was performing simple surgical procedures on several of Deng Yunjin's roosters.
The castrator sat on a small stool he had brought with him. He opened the cage containing the roosters, reached in, and pulled one out. With practiced ease, he twisted the rooster's head and tucked it under its wings. He then pinned the wings with his left foot and the claws with his right foot. With his left hand, he plucked the feathers from under the rooster's wings in a few swift motions.
Next, he picked up a castration knife from a basin of clean water and made a quick incision. Using a specialized tool with hooks on both ends, commonly known as an "iron bow," he widened the incision.
He then inserted a wire about a foot long, with a thin thread tied to one end, resembling a sewing needle. After twisting the thread and pulling it back and forth a few times, he used a small spoon to extract the rooster's testicles.
The entire process was executed swiftly and skillfully, a testament to the castrator's experience. It was clear he had performed this procedure countless times.
After removing the testicles, he put away the iron bow, pried open the rooster's mouth, and poured a few drops of water into it. He then gently moved the rooster's wings and legs before releasing it.
And just like that, a eunuch rooster was born.
The castrator repeated the process for the remaining roosters, finishing the job in just a few minutes.
Deng Shirong arrived just as the castrator was wrapping up.
"Uncle Jiu!" Deng Yunjin greeted him warmly before handing the castrator two cents as payment.
Though the castration process appeared simple, it was far from easy. If someone lacked the necessary skills, attempting it themselves would quickly reveal its difficulty. Hiring a professional was well worth the small fee.
Deng Shirong nodded to Deng Yunjin. Seeing the castrator packing up to leave, he quickly said, "Ah Qi, how many rooster testicles do you have? I'd like to buy them."
The castrator chuckled. "Uncle Jiu, these things aren't worth much. I've got about a pound here. If you want them, they're yours."
Deng Shirong waved his hand. "I can't take them for free. You must accept payment. In fact, I'd like to make a deal with you. Whenever you have rooster testicles, bring them to me. If I'm home, I'll buy them all at 50 cents per pound. How does that sound?"
In this era, rooster testicles were considered virtually worthless. Many people found their strong odor off-putting and avoided eating them.
However, in the future, they would become a prized delicacy, often referred to as a "holy tonic." They would sell for 120 yuan per catty and become a key ingredient in "functional porridge" in Guangdong and Guangxi. Both men and women would benefit from consuming them.
Whether now or in the future, when a castrator performed the procedure, the rooster testicles belonged to them.
This was why Deng Shirong made the offer. He planned to collect as many as possible and store them in his system space. When his daughter-in-law became pregnant and gave birth, he could use them to nourish her. The effects would be exceptional.
The castrator was delighted by Uncle Jiu's proposal.
He was the only chicken castrator in the Help And Correct Brigade. All the roosters in the brigade were castrated by him. With the relaxation of policies in this era, villagers were raising more chickens than before. As long as he carried his tools with him, he could easily collect one or two kilograms of rooster testicles daily.
He couldn't eat them himself and usually gave them away. But now, Uncle Jiu was offering to buy them at a generous price of 50 cents per pound. This meant a steady additional income, which naturally pleased him.
After all, this was essentially free money, and anyone would be happy about it.
The castrator smiled and said, "Alright, thank you, Uncle Jiu. I'll bring you the rooster testicles later. This batch is on me, as a gift from your nephew."
"You're too kind. In that case, I won't stand on ceremony."
The castrator placed the rooster testicles in a cloth bag. Deng Shirong couldn't take the bag as it was, so he asked the castrator to wait while he went home to fetch a container.
Three minutes later, Deng Shirong returned with the bag and handed it back to the castrator.
"I'll be home for a while. If you have more rooster testicles, bring them to me!"
The castrator nodded in agreement, gathered his tools, and left in high spirits.
After watching him leave, Deng Shirong turned to Deng Yunjin and asked, "Yunjin, has your daughter and son-in-law visited recently?"
Deng Yunjin smiled at the mention of his daughter and son-in-law. "They came by just a few days ago."
"How is Mei doing over there?"
"She's living well. She has no worries about food or clothing, her husband is capable, and her in-laws treat her kindly. Thanks to you, Uncle Jiu, for finding her such a good family."
Deng Shirong nodded with satisfaction. "I'm glad to hear she's doing well. I'm planning to build a wooden pavilion next to the longan tree in front of my house. Do you think your son-in-law could handle the job? If so, I'd like to hire him for the project."
Deng Yunjin thought for a moment. "I'm not sure if he can build a pavilion, but his family has been carpenters for three generations. Even if he can't do it, his father or grandfather likely can. Should I ask them for you?"
"Don't bother. You wouldn't know the specifics of the pavilion I want. It's better if I go and explain it myself."
With that, Deng Shirong checked the time, stood up, and said, "It's still early. I'll head over to your son-in-law's place and discuss it with him now."
After returning home, Deng Shirong hopped on his bicycle and rode toward Long Field Village.
The idea of building a pavilion next to the longan tree had been on his mind for a while. In the future, it would be simple—just erect a shed with iron sheets. His main goal was to provide shelter from the rain, and if it could also look nice, that would be a bonus.
But in this era, iron sheet sheds weren't common, so a fully wooden pavilion was the only option. This wasn't something just anyone could do; it required the skills of an experienced carpenter. As a result, the plan had been put on hold.
However, now that Deng Shirong had purchased a black-and-white TV, the pavilion needed to be built quickly.
He didn't want to keep the TV inside his house, as he feared it would attract too many villagers and create a crowded, chaotic environment.
In his previous life, Deng Shirong had been the first in the village to own a TV. He knew what to expect. As soon as dinner was over, villagers would rush to his house with their stools, eager to secure a spot to watch TV.
Latecomers would be left standing outside, listening from a distance.
While it might sound like a glorious time, having his house packed with villagers every day was far from enjoyable. Simple tasks, like going to the bathroom, became a hassle. It was a mix of joy and frustration.
This time around, Deng Shirong wasn't about to repeat that mistake.
Placing the TV outside under the longan tree was the perfect solution. With ample space, anyone in the village could watch without crowding his home. The only downside would be the distance and potential loss of clarity, but that was a small price to pay for peace and privacy.
He wasn't worried about the TV being stolen. In this era, no one in the countryside would dare steal such a valuable item. There was no market for it, and the risk of getting caught was too high.
Besides, the dogs he raised weren't just for show.
As long as the pavilion was well-built and protected the TV from rain, there was nothing to worry about.
...
Long Field Village.
Deng Changmei was chatting with a young neighbor while carrying her son on her back.
Having been married into Long Field Village for nearly two years, Deng Changmei had quickly become one of the most popular young wives in the village. Her high school education, easy-going personality, and her husband's family background—three generations of carpenters—earned her respect and admiration.
As Deng Changmei chatted happily with her neighbor, she spotted Uncle Jiu riding his bicycle toward them. Surprised, she called out, "Uncle Jiu, what brings you here?"
"Amei, we're just chatting here!"
Deng Shirong stopped his bicycle, handed the bag of candy biscuits hanging from the handlebar to Amei, and asked, "Is your husband home?"
Deng Changmei politely accepted the candy biscuits and replied, "He's at home. He's been busy lately, working on a wardrobe for someone."
After excusing herself from her neighbor, Deng Changmei led Uncle Jiu to her home.
When they reached the door, she called out, "Liberation, Uncle Jiu is here!"
Soon, Zhang Jiefang emerged from the house, sawdust clinging to his clothes. He greeted Deng Shirong with a smile, "Uncle Jiu!"
Deng Shirong parked his bicycle and asked, "Are you working on something?"
Zhang Jiefang nodded. "Yes, I'm making a wardrobe."
Deng Changmei chimed in, "Uncle Jiu, come inside and have a smoke."
Deng Shirong followed them in, accepted the pipe Amei handed him, and sat down on a small stool. He pulled out some tobacco and matches from his pocket and glanced at the nearly finished wardrobe in the room.
After a few puffs and some small talk, Deng Shirong asked, "Jiefang, can you build a fully wooden pavilion?"
"If I work alone, my skills might not be up to par. But with my dad and grandpa helping, it's definitely doable."
Zhang Jiefang then asked, "Uncle Jiu, are you planning to build a pavilion at your doorstep?"
Deng Shirong nodded. "Yes, I want to build a pavilion next to the longan tree in front of my house. But it's not just any ordinary pavilion. I want it to be both beautiful and functional, providing shelter from the rain. Do you think your father and grandfather can handle it?"
Zhang Jiefang was confident in his family's craftsmanship. "Uncle Jiu, my father and grandpa are skilled carpenters. As long as you explain your requirements clearly, I'm sure they can deliver."
Deng Shirong asked, "Is your father home?"
"I'm not sure where my dad is, but my grandpa should be around."
Zhang Jiefang turned to his wife. "Amei, stay and chat with Uncle Jiu. I'll go get Grandpa."
Deng Changmei asked, "Uncle Jiu, how many teeth does your granddaughter have now?"
Deng Shirong smiled. "She has four teeth, and the fifth and sixth are halfway grown. What about your son?"
Deng Changmei replied, "My son also has four..."
As they chatted about their children, Zhang Jiefang returned with Grandpa Zhang.
The Zhang family and Deng Shirong were old acquaintances. Most of the furniture in Deng Shirong's home had been crafted by the three generations of the Zhang family. After exchanging greetings, they got down to discussing the pavilion.
Deng Shirong explained his vision in detail, concluding, "Brother Zhang, what I'm envisioning is more of a wooden shed than a traditional pavilion. It needs to be both aesthetically pleasing and functional, providing shelter from the rain."
Grandpa Zhang smiled. "Uncle Jiu, that's not too difficult. We can handle it."
Deng Shirong added, "I'd like the shed to cover a larger area, at least 60 to 70 square meters. How long do you think it will take to complete?"
Grandpa Zhang thought for a moment. "If we have the wood ready, we should be able to finish it within a month."
"Then I'll leave it to you, Brother Zhang. I'll arrange for the wood to be prepared. If you're available, could you start in three days?"
"Of course, Uncle Jiu. We'll be there in three days to start the project."
"Great. It's getting late, so I'll head back now."
"Uncle Jiu, why not stay for dinner before you go?"
"No, thank you. It's best I leave now. If I wait any longer, I'll be traveling in the dark."
"Alright, take care, Uncle Jiu!"
"Goodbye!"
Over the next few days, Deng Shirong kept himself busy with several tasks:
1. Securing the Wood for the Shed: This wasn't difficult given Deng Shirong's standing in the village. Once he spread the word, many villagers were willing to help.
2. Installing Electrical Wires and Lights: Though not a professional electrician, Deng Shirong was capable of handling simple wiring. In this era, wires weren't concealed like in modern times, so he focused on running them neatly.
3. Preparing the Antenna Stand: Deng Shirong selected the longest and straightest bamboo poles to construct the antenna stand. Having done this in his previous life, he was well-prepared.
While Deng Shirong worked on the wiring, the three generations of the Zhang family arrived with their tools. After a brief discussion with Deng Shirong, they began working according to the plan.
The commotion naturally drew the attention of the entire village.
"Uncle Jiu, are those wires and lights?"
"Yes, they are."
"Uncle Jiu, is our village getting electricity?"
"Not yet. Given our current situation, it might be a few more years before we have electricity."
"Then why are you installing wires and lights now?"
"I bought a battery. It's much more convenient than using kerosene lamps."
"Uncle Jiu, what's a battery?"
"It's like the battery in a flashlight, but much larger. It stores electrical energy."
"Wow, that's impressive! No wonder it can power lights."
"Uncle Jiu, you already have all the furniture you need. What are you building now?"
"I'm not making furniture this time. I'm building a wooden shed next to the longan tree."
"Ah, Uncle Jiu, you really know how to enjoy life. A wooden shed will be perfect for relaxing in the summer!"
"Uncle Jiu, what's that thing you're hanging on the bamboo pole?"
"That's an antenna stand. It's for receiving TV signals."
"Wait, a TV? Uncle Jiu, did you buy a TV?"
"Yes, I did. Once everything's set up, everyone can come over and watch TV!"
Boom!!!
The news that Deng Shirong had bought a TV caused a massive sensation in Thatchfield Village.
It was October 1982. While TVs were no longer rare in big cities, they were still a luxury in rural areas, especially in Guangxi, a region focused on national defense rather than economic development.
In the entire county of Bobai, with nearly a million people spread across 7,972 villages, the total number of TVs didn't exceed a thousand. Most of these were owned by city dwellers or residents of major communes. For a rural village like Thatchfield, owning a TV was almost unheard of.
Deng Shirong's TV wasn't just the first in Thatchfield Village—it was the first in the entire Help And Correct Brigade. Even in the broader Double Prosperity area, it was likely among the top three. The villagers were understandably excited.
Word spread quickly, and soon, everyone in the village had gathered to see the TV.
Deng Yungui, the second-richest man in the village, also came to see the spectacle. "Uncle Jiu, where's the TV you bought?"
Deng Shirong, having just finished setting up the antenna stand, knew the villagers wouldn't rest until they saw the TV. "It's in my room. I'll bring it out."
He went inside, retrieved the black-and-white TV from his system space, and carried it out for everyone to see.
Even the Zhang family, who had been working on the shed, put down their tools to join the crowd.
A TV was a rare sight. Even if some villagers could afford one, obtaining a TV ticket was nearly impossible. And even if they could, without electricity in the village, it would be pointless.
Deng Yungui examined the TV and asked, "Uncle Jiu, since the village doesn't have electricity, what's the point of buying a TV?"
Deng Shirong smiled. "I bought a battery. It can power the TV when I want to watch it."
Deng Yungui was surprised. "A battery can power a TV?"
"Of course. If it can power a light, it can power a TV."
"How long can the battery last?"
"It depends on how much you watch. If you only watch at night, it should last about a week."
"And when the battery runs out, is it useless?"
Deng Shirong chuckled. "No, the battery can be recharged. When it's empty, you just recharge it and use it again."
Deng Yungui nodded. "I see. But without electricity in the village, how do you recharge it?"
Deng Shirong sighed. "We'll have to take it to Double Prosperity to recharge. It's a bit of a hassle and costs money, but it's worth it to have electricity."
The villagers listened in awe, marveling at Uncle Jiu's ingenuity and resourcefulness.
It truly had to be Uncle Jiu—he was in a league of his own!
(End of this chapter)