The Supply and Marketing Cooperative had stoves, as well as the sheet metal they needed. Li Long went there with Li Junshan and Li Junfeng, bought everything they could get there, then headed to the Department Store.
Then they went to the market.
Coal cost five fen a kilogram, and several sellers had brought handcarts loaded with it. Li Long bought four sacks, figuring that would be enough for the winter. If it wasn't, he could haul some from the mountains later. He already regretted not bringing back some coal from that open-pit mine while he was staying in the mountains over the summer. After all, the coal there was free.
Of course, there was no undoing it. After loading the coal, Li Long bought some rice and flour, along with cabbages and potatoes that would keep well. He put them in sacks and covered them with the worn-out bedding he had brought, though he had no idea whether they would end up freezing.
Next, they returned to the Big Meat Canteen, where the three of them bought twenty steamed buns and ate as they walked. They were all family, so there was no need to stand on ceremony. Making good time mattered more. The sooner they reached the mountains, the sooner they could finish the work.
By the time they reached his wooden cabin in the mountains, all three were drenched in sweat, and Number 76's neck was sweaty too. This stretch of road hadn't been cleared. With the cart carrying their supplies, the three men had to help push and pull, which took a great deal of effort.
"It'll be much better when you head back," Li Long said with a smile. "The cart will be empty then, so it'll be a lot easier."
Time to work.
Li