Chapter 63

Chapter 63

The working group from the South Province Embroidery Factory arrived a week later than the time Chen Jiahua mentioned in her letter. By the time they arrived, the ginkgo tree leaves in the courtyard of the Jiangbei County Party Committee had already turned golden.

Gu Yangbo maintained his usual neat and efficient working style. On the afternoon the embroidery factory group arrived in Jiangbei County, he made time to hold a meeting with them. Several directors from the county's streets, the secretary and director of Liuqiao Commune, and Shen Moer all attended the meeting.

The director of Liuqiao Commune was named Zhang Zhengxiang. He was a local cadre promoted by Geng Liming. Not yet forty, he was relatively young compared to the other secretaries and directors. He was usually low-key, and most of the work in Liuqiao Commune was steered and decided by Geng Liming, while Zhang pushed it forward specifically. The two cooperated quite well.

This situation, not only were they called by the county, but several directors from the city streets were also summoned. Geng Liming and Zhang Zhengxiang exchanged glances and immediately felt something was amiss.

Zhang Zhengxiang sat next to Shen Moer. As the people from the embroidery factory were still presenting their case, he lowered his voice and said, "Comrade Shen, no matter what the county says, you must take our commune's side firmly!"

Indeed, after they discussed economic indicators and tax issues, the embroidery factory put forward some requirements for construction land. County Chief Gu looked around and asked the directors of the streets and Geng Liming to share their thoughts. Geng Liming almost slammed the table right then. He had visited the county several times these past few days, pleading for help due to poverty and hardship, and finally got a promise from Chief Gu that "as long as the embroidery factory has no objections, the county will definitely have none." Now, it seemed like a clear deception.

If the various street committees were involved in site selection, why would the embroidery factory choose their small commune over the more convenient city? Moreover, Geng Liming was familiar with these directors; they were notorious for being shameless when it came to grabbing resources.

Sure enough, the directors not only proposed many convenient conditions and measures based on the characteristics of their own streets but also subtly included private interests, throwing olive branches to Shen Moer.

The Bright Light Street where the county ceramics factory was located offered to help solve the employment problems of core employees' families, like Comrade Shen's father, who was known for his artistic foundation and could be directly transferred to the ceramics factory.

The Rising Sun Street where Forward Middle School was located expressed that Forward Middle School was also in need of relevant talents. And hearing that Comrade Shen's spouse was a high school student excelling in math, physics, and chemistry, they considered absorbing him into the teaching staff.

Even the Red City Street where Dongfanghong Elementary School was located had ideas about elementary students, indicating that they could open up some spots for outstanding students from Willow Brigade to transfer to Dongfanghong Elementary School and provide certain tuition and meal subsidies.

...

Apparently, these people not only knew that the decision on where to build the workshop depended on Shen Moer, but they had also inquired about her situation, attempting to take a detour and use the people around her to influence her.

After all, anyone could see that she chose not to go to the provincial capital herself, but instead persuaded the embroidery factory to go through great lengths to build a workshop in Jiangbei County, clearly showing her reluctance to leave her hometown and part with relatives and friends.

Or, perhaps, she wanted to help her relatives and friends improve their lives.

Not just Shen Moer, even Geng Liming was tempted upon hearing this.

However, he became even angrier.

Transferring Shen Shaoyuan to the ceramics factory? If the kiln hadn't refused to release him, he would have brought him to the commune long ago, right? This wasn't about solving the employment problem of core employees' families; it was clearly an attempt to dig under his wall with a hoe!

These guys really put their heads together, knowing even that Shen Moer's spouse was a high school student with excellent math, physics, and chemistry scores. They were truly capable.

Fortunately, their Liuqiao Commune also had its advantages.

Geng Liming waited until the directors of the various streets finished speaking, cleared his throat, and said, "Our commune is in a similar situation. There will definitely be land available, and corresponding employee dormitories can also be temporarily moved out to facilitate the transition when the workshop is initially established. As for the employment and housing issues of Comrade Shen Moer's family, we have already considered them beforehand."

"Like Comrade Xiao Fu, if he agrees, we can arrange for him in the commune-run factory or the commune middle school. However, to my knowledge, Comrade Xiao Fu is a knowledgeable youth with ideals and ambitions. He is currently dedicated to leading the Willow Brigade members in experimenting with composting to increase crop yields and does not plan to leave the vast rural areas. And Comrade Shen Shaoyuan has recently been promoted to deputy director of the propaganda department of our commune's kiln factory. I estimate he won't leave our Liuqiao Commune kiln factory for now either."

Hey, didn't expect that, did you? Their families are also very outstanding, thriving in their careers within their commune.

Geng Liming changed the subject: "Of course, another point is that after our initial investigation and visits, we have preliminarily selected thirty comrades with a certain embroidery foundation. These comrades are already striving to improve their embroidery skills and will be able to start work immediately once the workshop is established."

The directors of the streets: "..."

What else is there to compete for?

They've already found the workers.

Gu Yangbo chuckled, "It seems that Liuqiao Commune has made full preparations. What does Comrade Shen Moer think?"

Shen Moer smiled and said, "Thank you for the concern and support of the county leaders and all the directors. We are all working to improve Workshop No. 9. I believe the leaders of the Embroidery Factory have also seen our determination and sincerity here in Jiangbei County. Comrade Geng Liming has already provided a detailed introduction, so I will not repeat it."

Gu Yangbo made an executive decision: "Alright, please comrades Geng Liming and Zhang Zhengxiang, fully cooperate with the Provincial Embroidery Factory to expedite the construction of Workshop No. 9."

*

The weather suddenly turned cold, and when the sun came out, the small courtyard of the Shen family was filled with people, each bringing their own bamboo chairs, stools, needles, and embroidery frames.

As the end of the semester approached, students began to review for exams, and art classes were significantly reduced. Except for class time, Shen Moer spent the rest of her time conducting "pre-employment training" in her own yard.

The term "pre-employment training" was taught to her by Fu Mingze, who said that in the capital, large state-owned factories would provide training to workers after hiring them, while those taking over positions would first serve as apprentices for a year, learning skills from master craftsmen.

In their embroidery workshop, apart from Shen Moer, all the other embroiderers were selected from various teams in Liugqiao Commune, with varying levels of skill. Without prior training, it might be difficult for them to get started.

Let people from other teams figure it out on their own. The Yangliu team had the advantage of proximity and could invite Shen Moer to teach them nearby.

All the people from the Yangliu team were handpicked by Shen Moer herself. She planned to spend some time training these individuals first, who could then go on to teach others.

"I wonder when the factory will be built. Then we'll go to work in the commune."

Li Xinmei smiled and said, "My grandmother knew how to embroider, and all the sisters in my family learned a little. I was one of the better learners and was the first to be chosen by Shen Moer. My in-laws support me; Aunt Chen recently took on all the household chores, saying that she must not let me become a hindrance to becoming a worker."

"We can live together when that happens," Zhao Tingting said with a smile.

Although she hadn't learned embroidery before, she was familiar with needlework and was quite skillful, so Shen Moer let her come and learn together. As her cousin, in the past, people generally wouldn't teach outsiders such skills like embroidery. Everyone thought it was very generous of Shen Moer to offer to teach them, and there was no objection to her teaching her own cousin.

Zhao Tingting was still young, having just graduated from junior high school. Shen Moer actually wanted to persuade her to continue studying, but she said that it wasn't that she didn't want to take the high school entrance exam; her grades were too poor to pass. Without the desire for further education, she originally thought she would stay home and farm, and in a couple of years, she would get married. Unexpectedly, Shen Moer suddenly sent her a letter, inviting her to learn a craft and then enter the factory as an apprentice for a year, with the possibility of becoming a full-time worker if her performance was good.

Not only her, but even her two brothers, Zhao Zhengyang and Zhao Zhenghui, were immensely envious, wishing they were girls so they could handle needlework.

Actually, there was a little episode involving Zhao Zhengyang. He was twenty years old and was in a relationship. The girl introduced to him by a matchmaker from a nearby team rejected him because she found his village too remote and his family too poor. They lived in three mud-walled houses, and the matchmaking failed.

This matter had been settled for over a month when, recently, the other party somehow heard that his cousin was going to be the deputy manager of a commune-run factory and had managed to get Zhao Tingting a job there. So, they asked the matchmaker to intervene again, suggesting that if the Zhao family could solve their employment problems, they would agree to the marriage.

Rural people didn't understand what workshops were; they only knew that Liugqiao Commune was going to set up an embroidery factory and that Zhao Zhengyang's cousin was one of the leaders, getting the youngest daughter of the Zhao family a job there.

The Zhao family was utterly baffled and immediately told the matchmaker to reply that not only did they have no ability to solve their employment issues, but even if they did, they wouldn't want to marry into such an arrogant family!

To ask for jobs, and not just one, but also for her brother—didn't they think about it? If someone really had that capability, why would they bother dating them?

Did they think they were celestial beings or something?

There were always such unreasonable people. Actually, it wasn't just on the Zhao family side; the same happened with the Yangliu team. Some families showed no sense of propriety, acting as if it was their due right, like a few daughters and wives from other branches of the Shen family, Zhou Zhaodi's stepmother Yang Daniu, and some villagers... They caused a lot of trouble, insisting that they must be included despite their lack of knowledge.

However, these people couldn't stir up trouble in front of Shen Moer. Zhou ManCang was not someone to be trifled with. He knew that only thirty people had been pre-selected from the entire commune, with ten coming from their team. Without Shen Moer, how could they have benefited like this?

Ten workers from the village could lead to ten families improving their lives. Moreover, Shen Moer had already informed him that once the workshop was constructed and production began, more workers would definitely be recruited.

And not just embroiderers, but also logistics personnel.

This was a crucial matter concerning the future of the commune members, so regardless of how much those people complained, Zhou ManCang had only one rule: anyone who caused trouble would have their work points deducted.

They were quickly "suppressed."

Regardless of what people outside said, those currently studying in the Shen family's small courtyard were all studying earnestly, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

When Zhou ManCang asked the village carpenter to make embroidery hoops for everyone, Shen Moer took the opportunity to have him make her a reclining chair. It was made from old wood and bamboo stored at the old carpenter's house, without spending any money, just exchanged for eggs and cookies.

Now that the weather had turned cold, the use of the reclining chair became apparent. Often, after explaining a type of embroidery technique and letting everyone practice on their own, Shen Moer would lean back on the reclining chair, basking in the sun while reading a book, feeling very comfortable.

As noon approached, Shen Moer glanced at her watch and reminded everyone that it was time to go home and cook. Several girls and wives stood up, but a few stayed behind.

Li Xinmei: "My mother-in-law said I don’t have to cook, let me spend more time studying and try to improve my skills."

Cheng Tao's wife, Xing Fangjie, also smiled and said, "Cheng Tao said he could cook, so we can go home late and eat directly."

She and Cheng Tao were among the educated youths who went to the countryside together. They had been married for several years and had a three-year-old daughter named Yun Duo'er. The little girl was very obedient; give her a sandbag to play with and she would play happily all day long.

Hearing Xing Fangjie speaking, the little girl sitting on a small stool looked up shyly, and smiled, "Dad is good."

Wang Qiutong couldn't help but pinch her cheeks, "Our little Yun Duo'er is really well-behaved."

But Wang Qiutong wasn't there to learn embroidery; she was there to learn painting.

Shen Moer wouldn't be teaching in the village school next semester anymore. The team leader was looking for someone to take Shen Moer's place to continue teaching art, but unfortunately, no one in the village knew how to paint. There were a few educated youths who could, but they had only taken a few art classes in school, which wasn't enough to teach students.

After hearing this, Wang Qiutong came to ask Shen Moer to teach her. She was also one of those who had taken a few art classes, with a negligible foundation, but Wang Qiutong believed that as long as she put in half the effort she did with farm work, she could definitely learn to paint well.

It was truly exhausting.

Zhao Tingting put down the embroidery frame and stood up, "I'll go cook."

Wang Qiutong immediately stood up as well, "I'll help."

Zhao Tingting was currently staying at her mother's best friend's house. Officially, it was borrowing a room, but in reality, she paid a bit of rent. However, all her meals were at Shen Moer's place, brought by her parents along with some grain.

Wang Qiutong simply brought food coupons to join in the meals. She ate two meals at the Shen family, allowing her to study more during lunch and at night.

Especially after Wang Qiutong discovered that Shen Moer wasn’t being modest about her father being better than her. Wang Qiutong often sought advice from Shen Shaoyuan after dinner, almost becoming his apprentice.

Since they were essentially freeloading, Zhao Tingting and Wang Qiutong were very proactive, practically taking on all the cooking and washing tasks, so even though Shen Moer was both teaching classes and instructing everyone on embroidery and painting, she wasn’t actually very busy.

There were fewer chores.

When the aroma of food wafted out from the kitchen, Li Xinmei and Xing Fangjie also put down their things and left. If they didn't leave right away, the others would start eating.

When Fu Mingze walked in, the yard was already empty except for Shen Moer reclining in the lounge chair, a second-year high school math book covering her face. Fu Mingze walked over and gently took away the book. Shen Moer's eyelashes flickered, but she didn't open her eyes. Fu Mingze couldn't resist leaning down and giving her a quick peck.

"Ah!"

Zhao Tingting came out to call people for dinner, saw this scene, and quickly covered her eyes and ran back, shouting while running, "Sister, brother-in-law, it's time to eat!"

Shen Moer glared at Fu Mingze, "There are people at home, did you forget?"

Fu Mingze remained expressionless and justified himself, "I'm kissing my own wife at home."

As he spoke, he pulled Shen Moer up. After Shen Moer stood up, she suddenly remembered, "You haven't washed your hands since you came back, right?"

Fu Mingze looked down at his hands and chuckled lowly, "Indeed, I forgot."

The two of them carried the bucket together to the neighboring team department yard to fetch water and wash their hands.

Inside the kitchen, Zhao Tingting muttered while serving rice, "My sister and brother-in-law are really affectionate, even going to wash hands together."

Wang Qiutong laughed and asked, "What was all the fuss about earlier? What did you see?"

Zhao Tingting instantly blushed again. Wang Qiutong thought the little girl might be too embarrassed to say it, but unexpectedly, Zhao Tingting glanced outside the window, lowered her voice like a thief, and said, "My sister was lying there, and my brother-in-law secretly kissed her."

Wang Qiutong burst out laughing, "Oh, they're really spoiling the children."

Actually, Wang Qiutong had seen it too. Once, when Shen Moer was hanging clothes, Fu Mingze went over to help and secretly kissed her. Wang Qiutong was in the kitchen pouring water and happened to catch sight of it through the half-open window.

Tsk, tsk.

For lunch, we had coarse grain rice with three dishes: cured meat stir-fried with winter bamboo shoots, braised radish slices, and stir-fried mustard greens.

This time, the cured meat wasn’t taken from Shen Moer’s treasure trove. After all, the cured meat from her family couldn’t keep forever either. It was brought by Shen Yinyin and her husband when they brought Zhao Tingting over.

"I feel like I've gained a little weight after freeloading at your place for so long," Wang Qiutong said, pinching her face and laughing happily. "My family sent me some meat vouchers a few days ago. In a few days, let's go to Sparrow Market and visit the commune, buy some meat, and get a few other things."

It’s not easy to get meat in the city, so it was quite rare for her family to send her meat vouchers. Wang Qiutong was very happy and planned to buy some pork offal that didn’t require vouchers, returning the favor by treating Zhao Tingting and the Shen family to a good meal.

Fu Mingze said, "You’re thinking the same as Zheng Jiamin. He also said his family sent him some meat vouchers and he wants to buy them in a few days and bring them over to cook."

Wang Qiutong’s expression darkened. "Who wants to think the same as him?"

Shen Moer raised an eyebrow and looked at Fu Mingze.

After finishing the meal, Wang Qiutong offered to wash the dishes. Zhao Tingting felt a bit out of place being alone in the yard, so she took a bucket to help fetch water. Shen Moer asked Fu Mingze, "What’s going on between you and Wang Qiutong? Did you two have a quarrel?"

Fu Mingze shook his head. "I don’t know. Zheng Jiamin didn’t say anything."

He no longer lived at the educated youth group, so he really wasn’t familiar with the situation there anymore. Of course, even when he lived at the educated youth group, he didn’t really concern himself with other people’s business.

When it came to Sparrow Market day, the Shen family’s small classroom temporarily halted its lessons. The young women who had been attending for more than half a month went together to the commune to attend the market.

A few people from the educated youth group also went, including Zheng Jiamin, Zhang Zhiqiang, Gou Dandan, and Yang Qingqing, who had recently been released from the labor reform farm.

Shi Wei hadn’t come back; only Yang Qingqing had been released.

Originally, there wasn’t much evidence that she had incited Shi Wei to falsely accuse Fu Mingze. Theoretically, she shouldn’t have been detained for so long. However, Shi Wei had probably vented a lot of her bizarre remarks behind her back, and combined with the fact that the Revolutionary Committee didn’t really care much for solid evidence in those days, Yang Qingqing ended up being sent to the labor reform farm.

If you calculated it, Yang Qingqing had only been there for a few months, but she had completely changed, looking several years older, darker, and thinner. Her personality had also changed significantly; she hardly spoke and appeared gloomy.

Uncle Liu’s donkey cart hadn’t carried so many people for a long time. Everyone sat closely together, and many were happily discussing when the embroidery factory would open.

Yang Qingqing cast a dark look at Shen Moer and Fu Mingze, who were sitting together.

Zhang Zhiqiang glanced enviously at Shen Moer. He used to think little of this girl, but it was precisely this girl who not only led the village children to win awards in provincial competitions but also managed to convince the South Province Embroidery Factory to set up a branch in a remote place like Willow Bridge Commune, just by participating in a provincial competition.

It was called a workshop, but Zhang Zhiqiang knew that in such a remote area, it was basically no different from a branch factory.

He had come to the countryside with the ideal of making the due contributions of an educated youth, to contribute to the construction of socialism in their motherland. He had participated in the rural movement with such ideals, only to find he wasn’t even as good as an ordinary commune member.

A hint of melancholy crossed Zhang Zhiqiang’s square face.

After reaching the commune, the whole cartload of people scattered. Actually, saying “scattered” isn’t entirely accurate; most people were heading toward Sparrow Market. It’s just that instead of sitting closely together, they spread out now.

Wang Qiutong grabbed Shen Moer’s arm. "Moer, let’s go together."

Zhao Tingting was about to grab Shen Moer’s other arm but, feeling Fu Mingze’s gaze, silently stepped aside and walked to Wang Qiutong’s other side.

Zheng Jiamin walked on the other side of Fu Mingze, occasionally turning his head to look at Wang Qiutong, starting to speak but stopping.

Fu Mingze glanced at him and ignored him.

"Have you heard? Sparrow Market might be canceled too. The Revolutionary Committee has already leaked some news."

"What? Even Sparrow Market will be canceled? Where will we get agricultural by-products in the future? This is just reckless."

"Hey, are you trying to get yourself killed? How can you say that? If it's really canceled, there's nothing we can do. Anyway, while it's still available, we should buy as much as possible."

The two of them walked quickly towards Sparrow Market. The one carrying a large sack added, "We should buy as much as we can."

"In that case, we need to hurry and buy more too!" Wang Qiutong immediately said, "I was thinking of buying some local mountain products and dried goods to send home."

When they arrived, Wang Qiutong let go of Shen Moer. With a shout of "Let's divide and conquer," she quickly disappeared into the crowd. Zheng Jiamin immediately followed, saying, "I'll go buy some mountain goods too," and chased after her.

Left behind, Zhao Tingting looked at the two who had disappeared into the crowd, then at Shen Moer and Fu Mingze beside her, feeling a bit left out.