BXBX NOVEL Chapter 229 - 229: Censuses
He poured a cup of water for the village chief using a slightly chipped porcelain cup that he had exchanged for in the county town. It was one of the only two cups they had at home.
Because they had so few cups, family members usually drank water directly from bowls.
The village chief was also very tired from walking all the way. He drank all the water in the cup in one gulp. After finishing, he licked his lips, remarking on how sweet the water tasted that day, as if sugar had been added.
The village chief didn’t dwell on the water’s taste. He pulled Jiang Chuan aside and got down to business.” The country has a new order to conduct a comprehensive national census.”
The national census aims to survey the country’s current population, as well as its regional and age distribution. It’s a nationwide survey activity that must be conducted regularly in Country C.
But what did this have to do with Jiang Chuan? There was no need for the village chief to come all the way here to tell him that someone had come to investigate. He just had to tell the truth.
The village chief gulped and continued, “Our village’s survey has been handed over to the production team’s leader, Chen Xing. Xiao Wu is familiar with him. Every time you borrow a donkey cart from the town, it’s from him.”
The village chief still hadn’t gotten to the main point, and Jiang Chuan was somewhat confused about its relevance to him.
“I know you’ve always wanted to find out where your eldest daughter, Jiang Qing, has married off to. Your mother surely won’t tell you, and I’ve always been concerned about this matter for you. But now the opportunity has come.”
Upon hearing that it concerned his daughter Jiang Qing, Jiang Chuan’s demeanor became serious.
It was commendable that the village chief had always kept this matter in mind for him. Jiang Chuan had almost given up on it. Jiang Xia even contemplated using the treasure chest she had stolen from beneath the bed of the Jiang elders to threaten them into revealing Jiang Qing’s whereabouts. They really had run out of options.
Now, with the village chief bringing up this issue again, hope ignited in Jiang Chuan’s heart. “Village Chief, what exactly is this opportunity you’re speaking of?”
“I believe that even if Old Madam Jiang married Jiang Qing off, she wouldn’t have sent her far away. It’s likely one of the nearby villages. The production team’s survey will definitely visit those villages. By then, they will surely discover your daughter’s whereabouts.”
“But won’t this trouble the others?”
Jiang Chuan was always considerate. If the task fell to the production team, it would surely be delegated. Many people would be involved in this work, and it wouldn’t be feasible for each of them to ask if there’s someone named Jiang Qing, right? The nearby villages combined have at least ten thousand residents. Finding her wouldn’t be easy.
The village chief also frowned, realizing that this was the only solution they had at the moment. But they had to at least give it a try, shouldn’t they?
Jiang Chuan had another idea. “Chen Xing is the leader of the production team after all. If he inquires at Old Jiang’s house in the name of the census, wouldn’t my mother at least give a vague location?”
“That’s a good idea. Since Jiang Qing married out of our village, they will of course ask where she went during the survey. By then, Old Madam Jiang won’t be able to keep hiding the truth.”
Jiang Chuan looked troubled again. “But I don’t even know Chen Xing. How can I ask for his help?”
“Don’t worry about that. Just invite him for a meal, and you’ll get to know him. Xiao Wu often borrows a donkey cart from the production team and knows their members. It shouldn’t be hard for him to invite Chen Xing to dinner at your place. However, you’ll need to think about what dishes to prepare. Since you’re asking for a favor, the food shouldn’t be too plain.”
Jiang Chuan agreed.” You’re right, Village Chief. How about this? It’s getting late today. 1’11 head to the county town early tomorrow to get some items. In the evening, with Xiao Wu’s help, I’ll invite Chen Xing for dinner to discuss this matter.”
“That sounds good,” replied the village chief.
As the village chief was about to leave, he turned back and said, “Prepare some wine! Chen Xing loves to drink. Pour him a few extra glasses; people are more talkative when they’ve had a drink.”
The village chief glanced at the porcelain cups in Jiang Chuan’s house and remarked, “Are you running short of cups? Come to my place and borrow a few.”
Seeing the village chief’s eagerness to help, Jiangchuan felt too embarrassed to decline. He quickly expressed his gratitude and followed the village chief to his house to fetch the cups.