我就给前进农场的书记打了电话 求他帮我弄点木头
“I called the secretary of Qianjin Farm and asked him to get some lumber.”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
“I'll tell you the truth. After I came to propose last time,”
我就给前进农场的书记打了 电话 求他帮我 弄点木头
“I called the secretary of Qianjin Farm and asked him to get some lumber.”
原本是想着 我手里这点钱 我三十六条凑不齐
“I figured with the money I had, I couldn't manage thirty-six legs.”
“Look at the lengths I went to just to make sure we could have what we need.”
In historical and planned-economy China, obtaining scarce materials like lumber for bridal furniture required leveraging personal networks (Guanxi) with local officials.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
begged him to help me
Using '求' indicates putting aside one's pride to ask for a serious personal favor.
get hold of some / procure some
A highly colloquial northern expression meaning to obtain or manage to get something difficult to find.
