Chapter 68 Earning Wages

Chapter 68 Earning Wages

It was indeed not easy for the leaders to visit the Forward Brigade, given the poor road conditions. They couldn't drive directly there but had to take a detour from the commune.

Moreover, the Forward Brigade lacked proper accommodation and couldn't host so many leaders, so they stayed overnight at the commune before coming to the brigade, visiting the biogas pool and the farmland, then returning to the commune for another night before heading back to the county.

Tang Yuan seized this opportunity and, while explaining the biogas pool to the leaders, pointed out, "Our Forward Brigade is in a remote location, making it very difficult for all of you esteemed leaders and comrades who came to visit. You have worked hard.

However, if the government could prioritize our road construction, it would be much more convenient.

As the saying goes, 'To get rich, build roads first.' With better roads, delivering public grain and pigs would be easier.

Our brigade plans to develop various sideline businesses around the biogas pool, such as pig farms, chicken farms, duck farms, and herb plantations.

All these products eventually need to be transported to the city. If the roads are bad, the meat will spoil on the way, right? But with good roads, we can deliver fresh meat morning to evening, ensuring a steady supply to the city."

Shen Jiaming, Guo Yan, and Xie Xingzhi nodded frequently, finding the idea of "to get rich, build roads first" quite novel.

Tang Yuan borrowed the popular phrase from the 1990s: "To get rich, build roads first; have fewer children and plant more trees."

Shen Jiaming turned to Guo Yan and asked, "Is this girl really uneducated? She has a keen eye like a cadre."

Guo Yan smiled, "She went to primary school for maybe two years, mostly self-taught. She's a quick learner, and Hongyu is also her teacher."

Beside them, Ji Hongyue remained silent.

"I can't teach her anything, whether it's science or politics. She's far more capable than me; she's my teacher."

Xie Xingzhi also nodded frequently, praising Tang Yuan and Feng Chen, "I didn't expect a small mountain village like the Forward Brigade to hide such talents. Little Tang is impressive, and her fiancé Feng Chen is also remarkable, I hear he's an excellent marksman?"

Ji Hongyue could vouch for that.

Duan Zhangang, who had approached, immediately agreed, "Indeed, he's an excellent marksman. Captain Tan from the military district praised him and wanted to recruit him, but he wouldn't leave home."

He laughed heartily.

The other commune directors and deputy directors also chimed in with laughter, "Young couples don't want to be apart; it's understandable."

Seeing Duan Zhangang approach Xie Xingzhi, Liu Guangming frowned.

They had planned to replace Tang Bingde with someone more compliant, but due to Tan Zhiyuan's presence, the plan changed.

If Tang Bingde were replaced, his father-in-law would take the credit instead of Tang Bingde!

But thinking about how his father-in-law was under pressure from the deputy minister and wanted to bring Duan Zhangang into the Military Service Department to help against the deputy minister, he didn't want to upset Duan Zhangang.

Recently, he had been under immense stress, almost overwhelmed.

At this moment, Tang Bingde approached, "Cadre Ji, Cadre Ji?"

Ji Hongyue squeezed through the crowd, which was quite dense with visitors from other communes and brigades, as well as from other counties.

"Captain, what is it?"

Tang Bingde said, "We've prepared pork stew to treat everyone. Please tell the leaders not to be shy; we've slaughtered the pigs, and the stew is almost ready."

In the past, Tang Bingde would never have slaughtered pigs to entertain guests, but today, the mayor and county officials were present, along with many visitors from other places. He couldn't let the Forward Brigade lose face.

Besides, he was genuinely happy.

The mayor and county officials had praised the Forward Brigade's progress and diligence, promising to exempt the experimental brigade from cotton quotas, no longer sell surplus grain, reduce public grain quotas, increase livestock breeding, and use herbal tasks to offset public grain quotas, fully implementing Ji Hongyue's advice to produce based on local conditions.

With such generous support from the leaders, he couldn't be stingy.

After all, the leaders only visited once every few years, and it was a great honor for the Forward Brigade. Serving the best food was only fitting.

Tang Yuan had already mentioned that with the biogas pool, the brigade would start raising earthworms next year to feed pigs, chickens, and ducks. There would be plenty of meat!

So, slaughtering pigs was necessary!

One wasn't enough, so they slaughtered two!

That's how generous they were!

Despite the presence of so many leaders, Tang Bingde didn't seek attention.

When the leaders asked him to speak, he simply expressed the brigade's determination, "Whatever we do, it's all to produce more grain and meat, fully supporting national construction."

After a few words, he stepped down, allowing the leaders to interact with Tang Yuan, Feng Chen, and Ji Hongyue.

He knew his place; the leaders came to see the biogas pool, not him. So, he found it amusing that Secretary Liu was angry, as the leaders weren't there to see him either.

Ji Hongyue pulled him aside to discuss the pork stew with Shen Jiaming and Xie Xingzhi.

Shen Jiaming had initially planned to return to the commune after the visit, considering the large number of people and the limited resources of Tangjia Village.

Without hesitation, a strong aroma wafted over, making everyone inhale deeply.

How delicious!

Ji Hongyue seized the opportunity and said, "Leaders, the brigade has prepared pork stew. It would be a shame not to enjoy it." He took out money and food coupons, "We all have rural subsidies, so we'll pay the brigade."

Previously, it was one jin of food coupons plus forty cents per day. Giving two jin of food coupons and one yuan should be fine, ensuring the brigade doesn't lose out.

Guo Yan also added, "Yes, let's eat the pork stew today. We'll give more food coupons and money."

Shen Jiaming still had some concerns. They were eating at the Forward Brigade, but what about the other visitors who had come along?

Quite a few people had come today, probably dozens.

Xie Weiran was a journalist and wouldn't miss any news opportunities beyond just covering the biogas digesters.

He also interviewed the visiting personnel to gather more information and laughed, "Most people brought their own food. Some even came with cornmeal."

Everyone was quite conscientious and didn't want to eat for free.

As for the pork dishes, adding more water, cabbage, radishes, and potatoes meant everyone could get a spoonful, right?

The pig was slaughtered in the brigade courtyard, and the pork dishes were cooked there as well.

The dining tables were set up in the brigade's meeting room.

Leaders took their seats, while staff members and accompanying personnel ate from lunch boxes under the porch or in other rooms, each getting a spoonful of dish, a spoonful of soup, and two pieces of meat while chatting.

Shen Jiaming sat with Guo Yan, Xie Xingzhi, Ji Hongyue, and other cadres from the county, inviting Tang Bingde, Tang Yuan, and Feng Chen to join them. Gao Sheng, Duan Zhangang, Liu Guangming, and Secretary Liu naturally couldn't sit at the main table and had to go to another one.

Duan Zhangang asked Secretary Liu and Tang Bingde to prepare alcohol, as how could they not offer a toast when the leaders were present?

However, Shen Jiaming showed no intention of drinking. He picked up a mixed flour pancake and started eating.

The fine flour was ground in advance by Tang Bingde's team, available only at the leaders' table, while others ate cornmeal or coarse grain pancakes.

Of course, he also prepared rice for the leaders to try.

Everyone was truly hungry and ate quickly, so no one spoke for a while.

After eating until they were seven-tenths full, they slowed down and began chatting.

Gao Sheng and Liu Guangming also brought chairs over to listen.

Shen Jiaming smiled and asked Tang Yuan, "Little Tang mentioned earlier that biogas digesters have drawbacks but didn't elaborate due to time constraints. Could you explain further now?"

Tang Yuan stood up modestly, bowed slightly, and after receiving the leaders' nod, sat back down and confidently said, "The working principle of biogas digesters determines their disadvantages. They require raw materials to ferment and produce gas. If there aren't enough raw materials, it won't work. For example, some families don't raise livestock and have few members, making it unsuitable. Therefore, they are particularly suitable for collective units like brigades."

Furthermore, fermentation is greatly affected by temperature. There is more gas production in summer and less in winter. If the temperature is too low, the process might stop. Thus, insulation and heating measures are necessary. The brigade's biogas digester has installed heating equipment, which will allow simultaneous power generation and heating during winter, ensuring consistent gas production.

Another issue is regular cleaning of the biogas digester. Due to residual biogas, cleaning must be done professionally and reliably; otherwise, poisoning can easily occur.

She had already thought about offering free guidance on building biogas digesters to other brigades but realized that cleaning them would be challenging without professional expertise. Some farmers might be too simple-minded and unaware of the risks, leading to poisoning. Therefore, forming a professional cleaning team within her own brigade seemed reasonable.

The audience consisted of mayors, Agriculture Bureau leaders, and county chiefs, all of whom listened attentively without any airs.

Shen Jiaming then asked about the ecological farm, "You mentioned it briefly before, and I found it interesting. Could you elaborate?"

Being the mayor, Shen Jiaming oversaw the city's economy and was well-versed in agriculture. He remembered the terms "ecological agriculture" and "ecological farm" when Tang Yuan mentioned them.

He was very interested. What exactly was ecological agriculture?

When Shen Jiaming finished speaking, Xie Xingzhi and others also perked up their ears to listen.

The term "ecological" was novel to them, something they hadn't heard before.

Tang Yuan didn't recite the concept of ecological agriculture but instead explained it in context, emphasizing adapting modern technology to local conditions while reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers to maintain the natural state of crops.

Currently, brigades lacked fertilizers and pesticides, resulting in low yields. However, by 2000, society began to value pesticide-free and non-fertilizer-grown fruits and vegetables.

Given the current limited technology, using livestock manure and crop stalks as raw materials for biogas digesters could generate gas for lighting, cooking, and power generation. The leftover sludge could be used to breed earthworms and fish, and earthworms could feed pigs, chickens, ducks, and geese.

Finally, the sludge could serve as fertilizer for fields, and the liquid from the biogas digester could act as an eco-friendly pesticide, especially for medicinal herbs. Chemical pesticides could leave residues, potentially harming rather than healing, and the same applies to fruits and vegetables.

She concluded with a smile, "Due to time constraints today, I'll give a brief overview. Later, I'll write a detailed report with Team Leader Ji for your review."

Everyone listened intently and nodded in agreement.

Shen Jiaming said to Xie Xingzhi and Guo Yan, "It seems that these small biogas digesters have significant potential and should indeed be prioritized."

Everyone nodded in agreement and shared their thoughts, asking questions for Tang Yuan to clarify.

Cadres from other communes also decided to start preparations upon returning, even though digging could not be done in winter, they could gather other materials.

By then, obtaining various components might be difficult, so they needed to build relationships early.

Guo Yan then mentioned the Biogas Development Office.

Guo Yan smiled, "Mayor, County Chief Xie, our city's Biogas Office has already approved hiring Little Tang and Feng Chen as technical advisors."

This was actually discussed with Ji Hongyue.

Ji Hongyue wanted to give Tang Yuan and Feng Chen opportunities to expand their reach but feared opposition from some county officials. He didn't want to involve Shen Jiaming to avoid accusations of overreach.

So he approached Guo Yan.

Guo Yan agreed immediately. If the city's Biogas Office hired Tang Yuan and Feng Chen, it would be natural for Binxian County's Biogas Office to do the same, with no objections.

This matter didn't require Municipal Committee approval; the Biogas Office could decide independently.

Shen Jiaming smiled, "What benefits will you provide?"

Guo Yan and Ji Hongyue had discussed this.

Ji Hongyue had previously gauged Tang Yuan and Feng Chen's interests. Both wanted to focus on farming. Feng Chen had no interest in moving to the city, preferring rural life, while Tang Yuan had a more profound and noble goal—poverty alleviation. She aimed to transform the Forward Brigade and surrounding areas into beautiful new rural communities.

These new rural communities would have beautiful houses and pleasant environments, mechanized farming, and supporting grain and meat processing plants. Members wouldn't envy urban residents, as they could earn wages close to home.

So he didn't need to provide them with official positions or urban household registration; he only needed to give them salaries and certain necessary tickets.

For example, giving cloth tickets, sugar tickets, soap tickets, and so on every month, as well as radio tickets, bicycle tickets, and watch tickets.

In short, no official positions but good benefits.

The starting salary was 35, and it would increase in the future.

Shen Jiaming nodded slightly, "It's only right."

These two had tremendous potential. Not to mention anything else, just the successful development of the biogas pool could bring enormous benefits.

Upon hearing this, Feng Chen merely nodded slightly, saying thanks and that he would do his best.

There was no extra show, no excitement or flattery like others might have shown.

He just... gave off an air of being more dignified than the top leaders themselves.

Seeing his cool demeanor, Shen Jiaming and Xie Xingzhi, among others, didn't find it strange. They were all experienced and had seen many types of people. This young man clearly belonged to the type who was strong because he had nothing to gain.

Or rather, he had no desires from us, so he remained calm and composed, not needing to please or flatter anyone.

Just look at how clingy he is with Tang Yuan; you can tell where his desires lie.

Gao Sheng and Liu Guangming exchanged glances. It wasn't jealousy over Tang Yuan and Feng Chen's 35-yuan salary, but rather that these two had managed to get into the Biogas Office.

What did they have that qualified them? Just a couple of peasants!

They weren't even county officials!

Was this Ji Hongyue using his power for personal gain and favoritism?

But the city leaders had agreed, leaving them with nothing to say.

Zhang Zhugang and others were envious to the point of red eyes; who wouldn't want to work in the county?

Duan Zhangang, however, felt indifferent. He had no interest in such things. Now, he had even changed his attitude towards Tang Bingde, becoming very friendly and even offering to inform the grain bureau to send a truckload of grain to Tangjia Village.

Tang Bingde naturally refused, "Director Duan, everyone has given grain tickets for the meal. We can exchange them for grain at the grain bureau later."

After the meal, Shen Jiaming and Xie Xingzhi asked Tang Bingde to invite Grandma Feng, Dad Tang, Mother Tang, and others to chat for a while, praising them for their parenting.

During the meal, Shen Jiaming had invited them to join, but Grandma Feng refused, and Mother Tang and Dad Tang also declined. These two were the types who didn't know what to do when faced with leaders.

However, they were still watching the spectacle in the courtyard of the brigade headquarters. With so many leaders and outsiders present, it was a rare sight worth seeing.

Uncle Tang watched from the courtyard, feeling jealous and bitter. Why couldn't this opportunity be his?

In his eyes, there was only Dad Tang, thinking that his younger brother was distancing himself and not helping him when he had the chance.

Aunt Tang was even angrier. She didn't even have the privilege to eat at the table, and her offer to help cook the pork dishes was rejected.

Women's Committee Head Liu Hongxia led several diligent and clean women in cooking. Those who tried to slack off or steal food were not called upon, nor were those who insisted on helping.

Liu Hongxia, with her fiery and forthright personality, sent those who wanted to take advantage back and warned them not to disgrace themselves on such a joyous occasion.

You can come to watch the spectacle, but if you come to help cook, won't you try to sit at the main table by claiming to be Tang Yuan's aunt?

Leaders wouldn't have the heart to turn you away, and neither would Tang Yuan or the captain in front of the leaders. Wouldn't you then succeed?

That must not happen!

Didn't you see that Grandma Feng and Tang Yuan's parents didn't come to eat?

Aunt Tang stomped home in frustration.

Tong Xue was recuperating in the east room after giving birth to a healthy boy on October 20th. Hearing her return, she asked, "Mother, didn't you bring me a bowl of pork dishes from the brigade?"

Aunt Tang replied, "The brigade slaughtered pigs to entertain the leaders; we don't get any share."

Tang Bingde and Secretary Liu, along with other brigade officials, had to accompany the guests, so they ate with them. However, the captain's wife and the secretary's wife didn't go, which made Aunt Tang feel somewhat balanced. What threw her off balance was that Tang Yuan was at the table.

She couldn't help but enter the room where Grandma Tang was sitting on the west side of the kang bed, staring blankly, and said, "Mother, your granddaughter is flattering the big leaders from the city and county at the brigade. Grandma Feng and the second son's family were invited, and everyone praised them for their parenting."

Grandma Tang gave her a sharp glance.

Could she not see that Tang Yuan was making a name for herself today?

She had been visiting the biogas pool frequently these days. Today, with dozens of leaders coming over, she had watched the spectacle too.

Even Tang Yuan's speech standing on a small stool caught her attention, and she listened to the whole thing.

Watching Tang Yuan confidently speaking in front of the leaders, so bright and outstanding, she felt: This isn't my granddaughter, this isn't Yuan'er.

She couldn't help but recall how Tang Yuan had changed since her episode, becoming even better after going to the Feng family, more scholarly than the educated youth, more official than the cadres.

How could an argumentative girl obsessed with material things suddenly become... like a cadre?

Regardless of the fish fairy story or the claim that Ji Hongyue taught her.

How long had she known Ji Hongyue to transform from an ignorant, foolish village girl into someone more capable than the city cadres?

This was odd indeed.

Yet she couldn't say anything.

Now, she didn't blame Tang Yuan anymore. After all, the second branch still respected her. Her son brought her food every few days, and Tang Yuan greeted her with a smile when they met in the village, unlike before.

Honestly, the current Tang Yuan made her proud.

Although the two households have separated, she will always be Tang Yuan's grandmother, and her granddaughter's success brings her prestige.

The old women in the village now envy her for having such a capable granddaughter, including the wives of Secretary Liu and the squad leader, who treat her more warmly than before.

She is just envious and jealous of Old Lady Feng.

Initially, she thought her second son's family would take advantage of the Feng family, but now it seems like the Feng family is benefiting from Tang Yuan instead.

If it weren't for that girl Tang Yuan, would the leaders even speak to Old Lady Feng or praise her for raising good children?

Even she, the legitimate grandmother, hasn't received such attention.

Feeling sulky at home, she became even more displeased when her aunt-in-law mentioned this.

She sneered, "What, you're itching because you weren't invited?"

Her aunt-in-law was instantly embarrassed. "They're having pork feast, and they didn't even offer to send you a bowl."

Grandma Tang: "In the future, the squad will have a livestock farm, and there will be plenty of meat. As long as I live a few more years, there will be times when we can eat meat."

Though Grandma Tang was angry, she refused to be provoked, so as not to make her aunt-in-law happy.

At that moment, Tang Wu ran back excitedly with a rough ceramic bowl. He had told Liu Hongxia that Tong Xue was recuperating after childbirth, so she gave him a bowl of pork feast.

Liu Hongxia, of course, didn't tell him that the squad leader had instructed that all widows, widowers, and new mothers should receive a bowl.

There were too many others, so they were left out, but the squad would also slaughter pigs and distribute meat at the end of the year.

Tang Wu couldn't help but boast to Tong Xue, bragging about his status. "The squad leader showed me respect. As soon as I mentioned that my wife was recuperating after childbirth, he had someone serve me a bowl."

Tong Xue glanced at him. He was leaning over, cooing at their son on the bed, his profile facing her. Without seeing the birthmark, he looked quite handsome.

In the main room, Grandma Tang heard this and immediately criticized her aunt-in-law. "Ah, this son has a wife and forgets his mother!"

You incite my son, but isn't your daughter-in-law doing the same to yours?

An eye for an eye; no one gets to gloat.

Her aunt-in-law was so angry that smoke seemed to come out of her ears. She was upset that her second son hadn't shown any consideration. Could she really compete with a daughter-in-law recuperating after childbirth for some meat? But shouldn't a son at least pretend to offer?

Unable to hold back, she went to the east wing.

Tong Xue greeted her coldly and continued eating without offering anything.

Her aunt-in-law nudged Tang Wu and pulled him outside to talk.

Tang Wu: "Mother, what are you doing? I'm playing with my son."

Her aunt-in-law whispered, "When you brought back the pork feast, didn't you think to offer some to your grandmother first?"

She was too embarrassed to say, "Or to me, your mother."

Tang Wu huffed, "My second uncle always brings her good food. She gives it to Houtu but never to me."

Her aunt-in-law: "And what about me? You didn't even ask me."

Tang Wu immediately smiled. "Mother, if I offered you, you wouldn't eat it anyway. Why bother asking?"

After saying this, he turned around and went back inside to play with his child, joking with Tong Xue, "Mother is funny. She clearly doesn't want to eat but still asked why I didn't ask her."

Tong Xue paused, raised an eyebrow, and continued eating without caring.

This simpleton never considers others' feelings, like a paramecium with an empty head, unable to think beyond himself.

Your mother whispered to you so that I wouldn't know and avoid embarrassment, but you came and shouted about it.

Tang Wu always speaks without thinking. If you whisper something to him, he'll immediately confront others, causing everyone embarrassment.

Tong Xue decided never to confide in him again.

Sure enough, her aunt-in-law rolled her eyes in anger.

Fuming, she walked out. In winter, there was no farming work in the squad, so those with skills made mats and baskets. She had none, so she just wandered around.

She wanted to go to the squad to see the commotion.

Living half a lifetime, today was the biggest spectacle she had ever seen.

However, things at the squad were winding down, with some people starting to leave. After all, the journey was long, taking two days.

As for how to build biogas digesters upon returning, there would be guidance from the biogas office.

They said they would prepare materials first and then, when spring thawed the ground, the biogas office staff would lead a field trip with representatives from various communes to learn while building biogas digesters.

So there was no need to worry about not learning.

Shen Jiaming and Xie Xingzhi planned to stay overnight at the commune, not in a hurry. They visited the squad's biogas digester once more.

Although there were no projects yet, they could visualize based on Tang Yuan's design and offer suggestions.

For example, Shen Jianming suggested, "Next to the squad's biogas digester, we could build a bathhouse, using biogas to heat water, allowing members to take turns bathing."

He knew that many people in the countryside did not bathe for six to seven months.

Xie Xingzhi added, "Little Tang said biogas can generate electricity, so we need generators."

The county had diesel generators, which were fuel guzzlers. If biogas could generate electricity, it would save a lot.

In the future, cities could rely on electricity, and the countryside on biogas, saving resources and benefiting the people.

Indeed, small biogas has big uses.

Hearing this, Shen Jiaming also expressed his intention to give the Provincial Agricultural Machinery Factory a call to see if they could offer a discount to Forward Brigade.

The prices of diesel engines and generators have dropped in recent years. Five years ago, a diesel engine cost around 2,400 yuan, but two years ago it was down to 720 yuan.

He hasn't looked into the prices of generators, so he'll make a call later to find out.

Although they were still eager to continue, the time was getting late, and they couldn't stay at the brigade forever. So they collectively bid farewell to Tang Bingde and Tang Yuan.

Ji Hongyue went to the commune to accompany them and, while there, tried to convince the leaders to allocate funds to Forward Brigade.

They need money for generators, piglets, chickens, ducks, geese, and eventually for a canned food production line. How else will they manage?

If not direct funding, a guaranteed loan would work too.

This time, they came by car, with trucks and jeeps.

On the way, Shen Jiaming and Xie Xingzhi chatted with Ji Hongyue again.

They talked about road construction, livestock farms, applying for slaughterhouse licenses, and setting up a meat canning factory...

Their enthusiasm grew as they discussed these plans. If successful, Forward Brigade could establish a substantial factory, providing employment not only for their own brigade members but also for the educated youth sent down from the city.

If Forward Brigade succeeds, other brigades in different counties and communes could follow suit, giving the surplus young people in the cities a place to go.

This is a great thing that benefits both the country and the people.

Of course, success must come first!

No one is allowed to sabotage it!

Thanks to Ji Hongyue's relentless lobbying, the city agreed to support the brigade with two thousand yuan, and the county provided one thousand yuan. They also agreed to guarantee a loan from the commune credit union.

Next year, the brigade needs to buy piglets, chicks, ducklings, goslings, fish fry, as well as seeds and seedlings for medicinal herbs, so the expenses will be significant.

Without the funds, they would have saved bit by bit, starting with the livestock farm and then gradually expanding the production line, which would take several more years.

Since the leaders are willing to support them, the brigade can move faster, making the results more significant.

After all, this is an experimental brigade endorsed by the Municipal Committee; it shouldn't take two or three years to show any substantial progress.

With this money, they can achieve results within three years.

Back at the Municipal Committee office, Shen Jiaming dealt with some accumulated work and called the Provincial Agricultural Machinery Factory before leaving for the day.

The Provincial Agricultural Machinery Factory specializes in producing diesel engines, self-propelled tractors, various agricultural machines, and also dabbles in generators, though not many.

Director Kong of the Provincial Agricultural Machinery Factory used to work at the same unit as Shen Jiaming, and they had a good relationship.

After hanging up, Director Kong called the director of Workshop One and the logistics director, along with several technicians, for a small meeting.

"Xiao Wei, you've been following the news about Binxian County's Forward Brigade's biogas pool, right? The mayor and county head recently visited the newly constructed biogas pool."

Wei Mingqi knew about this, as she had been following the Mechanical Engineering Gazette, which mentioned that the new large biogas pool was about to be put into use.

She didn't expect the mayor and county head to visit, though. Wow!

That's quite impressive!

She smiled and said, "Director, I wanted to take leave to go there, but you didn't approve it."

Director Kong laughed heartily. He and Wei Mingqi were related, so he usually took good care of her.

He said, "Mayor Shen called me to help them buy a generator. You assembled a new one recently, right? Just give them that one."

Wei Mingqi replied, "Director, when did I assemble a new one? That was an old machine I repaired, replacing many parts."

Director Kong said, "Well, it's almost like a new one. Give it to them for free."

Giving away a new one would mean losing over eight hundred yuan.

Wei Mingqi knew the director was stingy, but she didn't point it out. Instead, she smiled and said, "Don't worry, Director. With the main parts replaced, it's just like new and can last another thirty years without breaking."

Director Kong clapped his hands. "Great! Then you'll go with the delivery to help them install it and teach them how to use and maintain it, okay?"

Wei Mingqi's eyes lit up, and she responded enthusiastically, "Yes, Director!"