Li Jianguo

Biodata

Background / History

Li Jianguo came to Northern Xinjiang with settlers from different parts of the country and helped establish the Production Team. Zhang Guangzu arrived in the same group, which is why Zhang’s son, Zhang Qianjin, addresses Jianguo as “Uncle” despite being close to Li Long in age 8 30.

When Li Long was twelve, their father, Li Qingxia, entrusted him to Jianguo because the family back home could no longer feed everyone. Qingxia told his eldest son that caring for Long would fulfill his filial duty, even without supporting him in old age or handling his funeral. Jianguo raised Long devotedly, sometimes securing better food for him at his own children’s expense. He and Liang Yuemei ate coarse grain while reserving the household’s refined grain for Long, Li Juan, and Li Qiang 1.

Before the winter of 1981, Jianguo paid to secure Long a position at the August First Food Factory in Wu City; the family spent fifty yuan on the arrangement. After Long was dismissed, Jianguo immediately prepared his old east room with a stove and heated brick bed, despite the extra strain on their winter fuel supply 1 8.

Fate in the Previous Timeline

In Li Long’s original life, Jianguo died young after falling, with Long’s behavior contributing to the accident. The supplied account does not specify the circumstances of the fall. Afterward, Liang Yuemei and the children treated Long as an enemy. Preventing this death becomes one of Long’s central resolutions after his rebirth 1 7.

Personality

Jianguo takes the principle that “an eldest brother is a father” seriously. He continues to see Long as a child who needs protection, initially refusing his financial help and opposing a winter mountain journey because of the cold, uncertain roads, and risk of becoming lost. Even after Long proves capable, Jianguo packs extra provisions for him and checks the road when he returns late 1 2 7 22 41.

His protectiveness gradually gives way to trust. He welcomes Long’s refusal to let Gu Ermao exploit him, allows him to arrange the horse cart himself, and tells Liang Wenyu that losing the factory job was worthwhile if it taught Long responsibility. By Chapter 45, he considers an overnight absence more likely to mean a delay than reckless behavior, though he still sleeps uneasily 2 8 15 45.

Usually mild-mannered, Jianguo becomes decisive when family interests are at stake. He has defended his in-laws against people who tried to intimidate them, angrily condemns Gu Ermao’s attempt to report Long, and firmly rejects complaints about cheaply traded wild boar meat. Long recognizes that his brother is willing to fight and take risks when necessary 34 45 50.

Abilities & Skills

Fishing

• Worked at a reservoir fishery during the slack farming season and made the family’s scoop net from discarded fishing netting 10.
• Adopts Long’s ice-hole fishing method and contributes to repeated winter catches at Little Haizi 11 12 36.
• Nets a bighead carp weighing about ten kilograms; Long helps him haul it out 36.
• Explains that open ice holes attract fish by allowing more air into the water 36.

Practical Craftsmanship

• Builds a wooden sled so Long and Tao Daqiang can transport fish when the Production Team’s horse carts are unavailable 28 31.
• The finished sled has an upward-curving front, iron wire embedded in its runners to reduce friction, and a rope attached at both front corners 31.

Butchery and Food Preparation

• Cleans fish and Gugu Chickens, skins sheep, and prepares mutton and offal 7 15 20 26.
• Saves Gugu Chicken gizzard linings to dry and grind into a traditional remedy for children’s digestive troubles 7.
• Quickly kills a netted water rat with a shovel after Long warns him, despite not yet knowing what the animal is 11.

Local Knowledge

• Knows Little Haizi’s history from the settlers’ arrival 8.
• Tells the children about the region’s former description as “Gold Board, Jade Base,” referring to gold in the Ma River and jade at its source. His story reminds Long of a potential new source of income 29.

Equipment / Items

• Type 56 semiautomatic ammunition — Keeps several dozen rounds in a paper-wrapped package and gives the entire supply to Long for a herder facing wolves 20.
• Five-drawer chest and keys — Commissioned the chest when he married; the family uses it to store valuables, including ammunition and grain coupons. He carries its keys at his waist 20 31.
• Mohé Tobacco — Regularly rolls and smokes it during household conversations and storytelling 5 15 29.

Relationships

• Li Long — Youngest brother and ward. Their relationship shifts from one-sided dependence toward cooperation as Long supplies food, fuel, and money. Long avoids taking Jianguo on selling trips partly to keep both adult men from risking arrest together 1 20 41 49.
• Liang Yuemei — Wife and partner in raising Long. Their early disagreements concern the sacrifices made for him; later, they plan family provisions and gifts for her parents together 1 34.
• Li Juan and Li Qiang — Daughter and son. Jianguo gives them chicken legs at meals, tells them local history, and helps Qiang when a struggling fish strikes his face 11 19 27 29.
• Li Qingxia — Father, whose request establishes Jianguo’s responsibility for raising Long 1.
• Liang Wenyu and the Liang family — Brother-in-law and in-laws. Jianguo frequently brings them fish, protects them during disputes, and arranges New Year gifts as his household’s circumstances improve 15 34.
• Tao Daqiang — Long’s companion and a welcome guest. Jianguo recognizes his good sense and later lends him twenty yuan toward Tao Dayong’s fine 11 12 48.
• Gu Boyuan — Former irrigation-channel coworker. Jianguo gives him two large fish and a Gugu Chicken during his illness, refusing payment in gratitude for a cornmeal bun Boyuan once shared with him 34.
• Gu Ermao — Distrusts him from the outset and becomes furious when he tries to implicate Long in black-market trading 1 45.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Winter Household Recovery

• Long’s unexpected return threatens the household’s fuel reserves. Jianguo initially promises to solve the shortage himself, then cautiously accepts Long’s plan to gather mountain timber 1 7 8.
• Joins the fishing trips that transform the family’s food supply and proudly credits Long’s new abilities when Liang Wenyu visits 11 12 15.
• Welcomes Long’s first cartload of timber and frozen sheep, checking that both travelers are unharmed before asking about their haul 19.

Supporting the Fish Trade

• Builds the transport sled, supplies grain coupons, loads fish, and continues fishing while Long handles sales 28 31 34 36.
• Accepts ten yuan as his earned share only after Long insists that brothers should keep their accounts straight 41.
• Offers to work with Long himself when Tao Daqiang’s father redirects Daqiang toward working with his older brother 41.

Arrest Rumors and Wild Boar Trading

• Handles the cart’s additional work-point fee while Long remains in the mountains and learns that Gu Ermao has tried to report him 45.
• Is frightened by false rumors of Long’s arrest, but lends Daqiang money toward Dayong’s fine. Long reimburses the household after returning safely with two wild boars 48 49.
• Consults Long about neighbors who want meat but lack cash, then supports exchanging a limited amount for ammunition at five rounds per kilogram 50.

Notable Quotes

“If losing a job teaches Long a lesson, that’s worth it.” 15

“We’ve got fish, mutton, and Gugu Chicken. I wouldn’t trade this life for an immortal’s!” 20

“Until you’re married, you’re still a child.” 22