Siheyuan: I Quit the Steel Mill and Started Feasting in the Famine Years

After her parents died in an accident, Shangguan Wan took over as a procurement clerk at the Third Steel Rolling Mill. As luck would have it, the factory introduced a reward program just then. She also happened to awaken a one-cent instant-purchase System that let her buy anything for a single dime. In 1958, during the three years of severe famine, supplies were scarce and procurement was extremely difficult. Under pressure, Director Li introduced a procurement reward program: whoever procured the most goods would receive a hefty bonus. Shangguan Wan easily completed the task with a few sweet potatoes she couldn’t stomach. But Director Li secretly rigged things and gave the bonus to his own nephew. Furious, Shangguan Wan transferred to the rival factory with which the mill was constantly at odds: Beijing No. 3 Cotton Textile Factory. After Shangguan Wan left, the country continued to struggle through the three years of famine. Harvests failed and supplies grew desperately scarce. City residents went hungry, while the countryside was gripped by famine. The workers at the Third Steel Rolling Mill watched as Beijing No. 3 Textile Factory, which was always competing with them for supplies, somehow had enough to eat and even had meat. When Director Li learned the truth, he was so furious he ground his teeth to the bone. The workers even went on strike in protest. Silly Zhu, the courtyard’s mighty warrior? Let’s see if you can still wield a cane when you’re skin and bones from hunger. The three old-timers love using morality to pressure people? Then don’t come begging me on your knees to spare you some food! The deaf old lady is the courtyard’s tyrant? If you really go deaf and mute, all that “wa-wa” of yours will make people think you’re a beggar.