"Master Zhou, are you done?"

"Um."

"Master Zhou."

"Um."………

Zhou Wenzhong smiled and greeted the dozens of people in front of him warmly one by one.

"Where's the Ma Imam?"

"They've already eaten and just left the door. I'll probably be back soon. Why don't you go sit inside the store and wait."

"Okay. You can eat."

"Have you eaten, Master Zhou?"

"I'm not hungry. I just took the time to stuff a couple of steamed buns into my mouth, which was enough for two bites."

"Okay then, if someone else comes to work for you later, where will we find you?"

"Just ask Ma Erbao and ask him to inform me."

"Eh."

Zhou Wenzhong cupped his fists and cupped his hands to bid farewell to everyone, then walked into the ethnic goods store.

The entire store covers an area of ​​about 40 square meters, and there are no salespersons.

A slogan is written on the wall: Long live the great national unity.

Under the glass counter are various prayer hats of different sizes, as well as women's scarves, headscarves, and high-end products with tassels. There are also some enamel jars with Arabic characters printed on them, green blankets, and straw hats for sale.

.

Just as he was about to sit down and rest for a while, he heard footsteps coming from outside the door.

"Imam Ma is back."

"Well. You came to see me for something?"

"What's that? It's just a little thing. Sit down and talk about it first."

"No need to beat around the bush, just say it directly if you have something to say."

"Didn't Ma Erbao tell you? I'll call him over to you, Ma Erbao."

"Ah! I remembered it. I was busy and forgot about it just now. I will do it for you now."

"I'm not in a hurry here. You can do it whenever you have time. Since I don't have anything to do on weekdays, it would be nice to come and sit here every now and then and listen to your teachings."

"Okay, okay, don't point your fingers at me. Wait! What's your name?"

"Zhou Wenzhong."

"Which one is loyal?"

"The word "loyalty" with a heart underneath."

"A member of the group?"

"member."

"Where does your family live?"

"No. 95 Nanluogu Lane."

"Well, you are under the management of Jiaodaokou Sub-district Office, just wait."

Imam Ma shook his head, walked into the counter, took out a piece of paper, unscrewed the pen, and began to fill in the letter of introduction.

supreme directive

Never forget class struggle

Letter of introduction (stub)

Beijing City Introduction No. 32

I would like to introduce: Comrade Zhou Wenzhong (league member). Your predecessor is at: (Jiaodaokou Sub-district Office).

Please contact us at that time.

Sincerely

Revolutionary salute!

(Valid until March 31, 1960.)

Ma Chengyan

"Ka... Ka!" Stamped twice in place of the date and name.

"The letter of introduction is ready. Bring me your household registration book."

"Eh."

Zhou Wenzhong took the khaki-colored letter of introduction, obediently took out the household registration book from his arms, and handed it over with both hands.

After opening it, Imam Ma stamped the special seal for ethnic minorities in the column with Zhou Wenzhong's name.

"Take it and pay attention to the date on it. Don't be late."

"Thank you, Imam Ma."

"What can you do and what can't be done? Ask Ma Erbao, I won't say much. If you are free every Friday, remember to come to the temple to pray at 4:30 in the morning. You just cooked

Behind the shack, you can brew the big and small Wusi. When the time comes, you can use the iron kettle to get the water."

"Don't worry. I will keep it in mind. Come when you have time! You are busy, I will go and take a look behind you."

"Wait a moment, I have two more sentences for you."

"You say."

"I've stamped your household registration book, but I didn't fill in the ethnic group. Do you know why?"

"Well, this word has to be written by someone from the subdistrict office, and writing it on the seal and stamping it are two different concepts. From another perspective, it also prevents anyone from making fakes. What's the procedure? Whoever does the work will do it.

!”

"That's right! That's right! You should think about it carefully. Once the word in the ethnic column is changed, you won't be able to arrange distribution nearby when you go to the countryside. Don't regret it then."

"It's okay. Thank you."

Imam Ma sighed, opened the door of the counter, and took out a prayer hat and an enamel jar.

"I'll give you these two things. It can be considered as the person I'm doing something for today, and I want to apologize to you."

"Eh! That's a long way to go."

"Take it, you have to be considerate and considerate of them. There is really nothing we can do about the marriage that has been arranged a long time ago. Everyone knows that this year is a year of famine, so I have prepared so many things in a hurry, and it will be difficult for you to cook.

Come on. Don't be angry with them. You should say it or not, but the food you cook is quite delicious."

"It's all for the big guys to show their face and try to create novel styles. I can't ask for these things in vain if you give them to me. I have 5 yuan here which is donated to the temple. You must accept it for them, and the temple's finances will definitely be improved."

I’m nervous. Whenever someone encounters a problem, they have to ask the temple to come forward. Even if it means buying two wotou to eat, it’s still considered a part of my heart.”

"The temple is not at the level you said it is yet! Take the money back!"

"this……"

"How many more times do you want me to say this?"

"Do you think this is okay? The 5 yuan is what I used to buy the spoon."

"The one who cooks?"

"Um."

"Haha~ That thing is old. After the liberation, when the pawn shop threw things away, I don't know who picked it up again. It used to sell fried jelly or something for Kang Kang buns, if it hadn't been during the steel smelting two years ago.

After digging it out, I almost forgot about it. Anyway, no one has used it for so many years. If you can use it, just take it away. But! If someone needs a cook in the future, if you dare not

If you come, I will go to your house and arrest you."

"Haha~ No way!"

"Okay, okay, take your things and money back. Let's go."

"Hey, thank you. Let's go."

"let's go."

Zhou Wenzhong put the money into his cotton-padded jacket, took the things and left.

"Brother Zhong, where did you go just now?"

"I've gone through the formalities and it's all done. Aren't you full yet?"

Ma Erbao holds a round fish cake in both hands.

"Haha~ I still want to eat when I'm full. This is the roundest one I've ever made, so of course I have to enjoy it myself. I made more than 20 plates of that pot of small fish. There were only 8 tables in total, and there were only 8 tables left.
To be continued...