When they returned to the village, the sun was already dipping toward the west, casting long shadows of the two women across the ground.
As they reached the edge of the village, they ran into Feng Yu. She stood with her arms crossed, offering a sour remark: "Well, well, if it isn't our two brave adventurers returning from the woods. What’s the matter, didn't get snatched up by wolves? And you even came back with a full haul, I see."
Wang Li’s eyes widened instantly. She retorted, refusing to be outdone, "Feng Yu, watch your tone. Stop with the snide remarks! If you’ve got this much free time, you’d be better off thinking about how to improve your own life." As she spoke, she thrust the bamboo basket forward, and the fresh scent of wild mushrooms and chestnuts wafted through the air.
Attracted by the commotion, a few other educated youths and villagers gathered around. Aunty Li stepped forward, exclaiming, "Goodness me, look at all these mushrooms and chestnuts! Jiang Rou, Wang Li, you two are truly industrious!"
Jiang Rou smiled and explained, "Aunty Li, we just got lucky. The forest is full of treasures; if you keep a sharp eye out, you’re bound to find good things."
Seeing this, Feng Yu spoke up unpleasantly: "Jiang Rou, are these mushrooms even safe? Don't go poisoning yourselves."
Jiang Rou replied patiently, "Don't worry. I’ve consulted books on the subject and identified them carefully; they are perfectly edible. Everyone can have a taste tonight."
Feng Yu curled her lip and muttered under her breath, "Always trying to show off." Yet, her eyes kept darting toward the basket.
Aunty Li patted Feng Yu on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Girl, don't be jealous. Jiang Rou and her friend had the courage to go into the woods to find treasures. If you had that same grit, you could wander around the Back Mountain yourself—you might just find a good haul, too."
Then, Aunty Li leaned in and whispered, "Girl, the day after tomorrow, a few villages around here are organizing a market gathering. If you want to improve your meals, you can go check it out, but remember: don't go spreading it around."
In the 1960s and 70s, village markets were major events, drawing people from several surrounding villages.
The market was held in an open threshing ground. At the first sign of dawn, vendors from all over would rush in to claim their spots. Before long, the narrow market was bustling, filled with a chorus of shouting vendors and the haggling of customers. Stalls selling dried goods, daily necessities, and farm tools were lined up neatly.
The fresh vegetables were crisp and tempting. From time to time, acrobats would appear, drawing a crowd of children. The snack stalls were steaming, the scent of deep-fried dough cakes filling the air and making mouths water.
Such markets were not just places of trade; they were the information hubs for the surrounding ten miles. Because these gatherings were not permitted by the authorities, they were held with great discretion, and notice was given to everyone each time.
This year, after handing in the required grain, there was plenty left over—a rare, bountiful harvest. Combined with the arrival of new educated youths in many villages, the village heads and party secretaries decided to secretly organize a market.
This style of gathering was common in many areas, and even toward the end of the 20th century, it still persisted in some remote, mountainous villages.
Before Aunty Li had even finished speaking, Feng Yu’s eyes lit up. She blurted out, "Aunty Li, what kind of good food can you buy at the market?"
Aunty Li chuckled. "At the market? Rice, flour, cooking oil, fruits, vegetables, and even rare pork. As long as you have the money and the ration coupons, you can find anything."
Jiang Rou, standing nearby, teased Feng Yu to goad her. "Feng Yu, why don't you come with us to the market the day after tomorrow? Maybe you’ll find some treasures of your own. Just don't go making snide remarks behind our backs later."
Feng Yu’s face flushed red and white in turns. She stubbornly replied, "I'll go, then! Who’s afraid of whom? Maybe the treasures I find will be much better than your wild mushrooms and chestnuts."
Wang Li took up the thread, her tone calm. "We should all go together—it'll be safer to look out for one another. Maybe we’ll even find some new business opportunities to make life in our courtyard better."
Uncle Zhang, a villager, nodded in agreement from the side. "Wang Li is right. There’s strength in numbers. There are many things at the market, and you young people have sharp eyes; you might just find something good for a bargain."
Just then, an educated youth named Zhao Gang squeezed in and asked, "Aunty Li, are there any stalls selling fabric? My clothes are in tatters, and I’m desperate for new material."
Aunty Li nodded. "There are! Plenty of fabric stalls, but good material is in high demand, so you’ll have to get there early to grab some."
Everyone chatted back and forth, full of anticipation for the market day after tomorrow. Even Feng Yu was inwardly calculating how she could make a splash at the market. But everyone tacitly agreed not to go spreading the word to avoid being reported by those with ill intent.
As dusk deepened, cooking smoke began to rise from the mud-brick buildings of the Educated Youths Courtyard. Because everyone was on break for a few days, the main canteen was closed, and everyone took their allotted cornmeal and sorghum and returned to their rooms to cook for themselves.
After dinner, the male and female educated youths sat together in the open space of the courtyard, discussing the early morning market. The older youths, experienced in these matters, shared tips.
"You have to get to the market early; the good stuff doesn't wait," said the older youth, Xue Cheng. "Last time I went late, I missed out on some fine fabric."
The female youth Huang Xiaomei chimed in, "That's right. And the fresh vegetables—if you go late, they’ve all been snatched up."
The new arrivals listened with rapt attention, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Then we should leave early tomorrow morning!" said the new youth, Zhao Xiaogang, excitedly.
"But be careful at the market," warned the older youth, Wang Yu, his tone serious. "The Market Management Office has been keeping a close watch lately. Don't let anything slip."
"Indeed," added another older youth, Zhao Bi. "Keep your goods tucked away, and don't be too conspicuous."
The new arrivals nodded repeatedly, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. Some had come to the countryside against their will, while others had responded to the national call. But regardless, after the grueling labor of the last half-month of harvesting, they had all come to realize the reality: if they wanted to live well here, they had to learn to adapt.
"Can we bring things to trade?" Sun Xiaoxiao asked.
"Yes, of course, but be careful."
Everyone expressed their agreement, and the Educated Youths Courtyard was filled with a sense of bustle and anticipation.
That night, after returning to their room, Jiang Rou sought out Wang Li. "Sister Li, should we go back to the Back Mountain tomorrow? Once the market starts, we can trade whatever we gather."
Wang Li’s eyes brightened. She slapped her thigh and said, "That’s a great idea! The outer edge of the Back Mountain is full of wild mushrooms and chestnuts. If we gather more, we might be able to trade for some real goods at the market. But we have to leave early and get back before the market starts."
Jiang Rou nodded in agreement. "Exactly. I also want to see if I can find any plants that can be used as herbs; those might be even more highly sought after."
The two decided to leave as soon as it was light, taking advantage of the heavy morning dew to try their luck in the Back Mountain, hoping to gather enough for a good haul at the market.
Standing to the side, Feng Yu heard their plans, her eyes darting around as she began to plot her own course.