Xiang Xi and Xiao Shuan quickly gathered information about the exact addresses of Sister Lao Qi's family and Du Jiang's family, as well as the specific details of their family members. The remaining task was to wait for Lao Qi and Du Jiang's demobilization certificates and recommendation letters.
For this purpose, Du Jiang, along with Zheng Sanpao and Zhang Dalei, returned to the army. Lao Qi, unable to travel due to his chronic leg pain and old injuries, remained in the valley, where Dr. Guo was treating him with traditional Chinese medicine. Chen Lan also purchased a medicated plaster for frostbite from the system for Lao Qi's external application.
After obtaining the demobilization certificates and recommendation letters for both Lao Qi and Du Jiang, Chen Lan had them each write a letter to their families. She instructed them to explain the reasons why they couldn't return home and then sealed the envelopes in front of them.
Once all preparations were complete, Xiang Xi and Xiao Shuan were ready to depart. Chen Lan, being unsure of the price levels in 1954, adhered to the principle of "a rich journey for a poor household, more is always better." She gave each of them a bag of silver dollars, estimated to contain around two hundred pieces. Before they left, Chen Lan repeatedly cautioned them to be careful and prudent on their journey, advising them to avoid purchasing things outside unless absolutely necessary. If they needed to buy something, they should go directly to the People's Bank to exchange their silver dollars for the currently circulating currency. Chen Lan was aware that silver dollars would not be completely phased out of circulation in China until the 1960s, after which they would be strictly prohibited.
As soon as Xiang Xi and Xiao Shuan left, Chen Lan became busy. Her first task was to have people discreetly gauge the opinions of the single men and women in the valley regarding their ideal partners. She needed to understand their preferences first and then arrange suitable matches before sending out matchmakers.
With a plan in mind, Chen Lan found her mother-in-law, who was about to leave the house after breakfast. Chen Lan called out, "Mother-in-law, please wait a moment. I have something to discuss with you."
Her mother-in-law paused, her foot poised to step out, and asked curiously, "Xiao Lan, what do you need to talk to me about?"
Chen Lan affectionately took her mother-in-law's hand and led her to the sofa. Then, she began to flatter her, saying with a smile, "Mother-in-law, you are known as the 'Gossip Queen of the Valley' around here."
Her mother-in-law puffed up with pride, replying, "Of course. There's nothing in the valley I don't know."
Chen Lan immediately seized the opportunity and continued, "Mother-in-law, could I trouble you to help me with something?"
Her mother-in-law waved her hand generously and said, "Xiao Lan, just tell me what it is, and I will definitely help you."
Chen Lan promptly asked, "Mother-in-law, could you please help me find out what kind of marriage partners all the unmarried, older men and women in our valley are looking for?"
Her mother-in-law, who had been full of confidence, deflated immediately upon hearing Chen Lan's question.
She said somewhat sheepishly, "Xiao Lan, it's not that I don't want to help you. I also want Mingwei to get married and have children soon. Mingwei is already twenty this year, and if we wait any longer, she'll truly become an old maiden. Your mother-in-law is anxious too! But what's the use of us being anxious when they aren't? Your Mother Liu is also worried about Xiang Xi. Xiang Xi is already twenty-five or twenty-six this year, and he's still not planning to settle down. I really don't understand what these young people are thinking. They don't want to get married and start a family, saying they want to establish a career first before thinking about marriage. Can't one have a career after getting married?"
Chen Lan never expected that this was one of the reasons why the older youths in the valley were reluctant to get married.
After some thought, she looked around to ensure no one else was present. Once she confirmed they were alone, she whispered to her mother-in-law, "Mother-in-law, I have a trick up my sleeve now. I guarantee that once I use this trick, they will all obediently go for matchmaking and tell you they want to get married. However, it will require your secrecy and cooperation."
Her mother-in-law's interest was piqued, and she immediately asked, "Xiao Lan, do you really have a good plan? Tell me quickly!"
Chen Lan touched her braid somewhat awkwardly and said, "Mother-in-law, to be honest, this isn't a good idea. It's more of a mischievous trick. But if we don't do this, our valley might not be passed down to their generation. Then, what was all our hard work for?"
Her mother-in-law patted Chen Lan's hand reassuringly and said, "Xiao Lan, never mind what kind of trick it is. If it works, it's a good trick. You tell me, and I will definitely support you."
Seeing that her mother-in-law had agreed, Chen Lan said, "Mother-in-law, aren't they unwilling to settle down and start a family? Then we'll use the reason of passing down the family line for the valley. Not getting married will hinder the valley's development. We'll use this reason to arrange forced marriages."
Her mother-in-law immediately became anxious, saying, "Forced marriages? Xiao Lan, that won't do! If we do this, won't we become like the old feudalists and stubborn old fogeys who arrange marriages? No, no!"
Chen Lan quickly explained, "Mother-in-law, please calm down, calm down. Listen to me finish first, and then you can decide if this method is acceptable. First, let me explain that this method isn't real. My purpose in using it is to pressure them a bit, to make them anxious, and to make them take the matter of marriage and family seriously."
Her mother-in-law visibly relaxed and said, "Xiao Lan, continue with your idea. I'm listening."
Chen Lan continued, "Mother-in-law, we'll give all the unmarried men and women in the valley who have reached marriageable age a deadline. Within this period, they can freely date and choose their desired partners. If they still haven't found someone they want to marry after this deadline, we will have the right to choose a marriage partner for them. This is what is called arranging forced marriages, intended to scare them so they will take their lifelong commitment seriously."
After Chen Lan finished, her mother-in-law thought for a moment and said, "Xiao Lan, it's a good idea, but I'm afraid they won't take the bait. Should we think of a good way to get these young men and women to interact more? That way, feelings can develop. What do you think?"
Chen Lan considered her mother-in-law's words and found them to be quite reasonable. She lowered her head and thought for a moment before saying, "Mother-in-law, how about this? After the spring planting is finished, there will be a long period of free time. We can organize everyone to hold a spring fun sports event on the threshing ground. What do you think?"
Her mother-in-law didn't quite understand what Chen Lan was suggesting and asked, "Xiao Lan, what does a spring fun sports event have to do with matchmaking?"