Feng Si was taken aback, staring dumbly at Shen Meng.
"Really, sister-in-law, do you really think so?"
"It couldn’t be more true. Only by forming alliances with more Cooperative Societies, even those in the Provincial City and the Friendship Store, and by promoting our headwear, can we secure a steady stream of orders. I still have many designs I want to create. Of course, it’s not just headwear, but also new styles of headbands, hairpins, and hair accessories. I’ve seen a fashion magazine at Mr. Li’s home with an actress from Shangjing wearing a headband that looked stylish and pretty. Not only can we make them, but we can make them look even better. Director Feng, Zhenping has said more than once that you have great vision. Mr. Li has praised you too. As long as we work together with dedication, we will surely make the workshop thrive. Perhaps it will even perform better than a textile factory. Then we won’t need to be affiliated with any factory and can apply to have our own. Director Feng, you must have confidence in us, and in yourself!"
Feng Si was... not deceived, but encouraged by Shen Meng with such enthusiastic passion, his spirits lifted, deeply moved, his eyes reddening.
"Platoon leader, sister-in-law, after all these years, I finally feel like this thoroughbred has found its master. Rest assured, sister-in-law, I will do my best. Just let me know what tasks you have for me."
Lu Zhenping: "..."
Lord in heaven, this is unbearable to watch!!!
"Director Feng, actually, to do things well, we have to ensure we’re looking after our horses. I can help with the beginning stages, but later I will be joining the bus company, so Director Guo, as well as our village chief and Secretary will be busy. They already have their own workloads, and if they take on more, don’t you think the commune should offer some... hehehe, you know."
Zhang Hongfa and Lu Debang watched Shen Meng anxiously, not expecting her to be securing benefits for them. Although the intention was kind, they dared not accept. Director Feng had a smiling face but was rather stingy!
However, Feng Si was seriously considering Shen Meng’s words. Mentioning this was actually unreasonable; their work was for the benefit of the people. As a director, he never complained about tiredness or hardship, yet these three subordinates were receiving benefits first. Ordinarily, he would reject the idea without a second thought, but not in this case. Promotions equated to wealth, and since Shen Meng brought it up, he had to offer something, otherwise, if they were to create obstacles in the future, what then?
"Sister-in-law, you’re right. How didn’t I think of this? Look at me, losing my train of thought. How about this, let’s add ten yuan per month as a hardship subsidy for the Secretary, village chief, and Director Guo from Lu Family Village, just for two months as a trial. If things go well, we could increase it later. What do you think, sister-in-law?"
"Ten is a bit too little, how about fifteen? After all, aside from them, I am also helping out for free. Surely that’s worth something. You can consider it my share to give to them. What do you say?"
Feng Si glanced at Zhang Hongfa and Lu Debang, who had kept their heads down and remained silent. He gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, but this money will be paid at the end of the month, otherwise it wouldn’t be easy to explain."
"Understood, understood."
Zhang Hongfa and Lu Debang were so excited they could have jumped for joy, if they weren’t in the Lu Family home.
After clearing things up, Shen Meng and Feng Si sat down again. Lu Zhenping poured some more water for them. Feng Si, watching his platoon leader, couldn’t help but feel that the usually brave and powerful leader seemed just like a good spouse. The thought came unbidden, along with the memory of the platoon leader, bloody and with a steel knife in hand, personally taking down an enemy leader. Shaking his head, he looked again at Shen Meng.
"The first batch of headwear, we’re not only offering price advantages but the styles are also meticulously crafted. The public will be getting something worth far more than what they paid for."
Everyone had seen the products before, and although they didn’t quite understand, they could feel the quality—tangible and visible—so they very much agreed with what Shen Meng had said.
"For the workshop to develop better, we’ll collaborate with the textile factory and Cooperative Society via a system of procurement and distribution. Our workshop is affiliated with the textile factory, so they will offer us more favorable prices. After we receive the fabric scraps, the commune will buy some auxiliary materials. We’ll set prices by category, with the minimum being no less than six cents per piece. How the Cooperative Society sells them is their own business. Apart from this, the workers’ wages must also be priced by category. For the easy tasks, one cent per piece, more time-consuming ones two or three cents each. The team leaders can have a commission of half a cent per piece, with ten people to a team, which Director Guo can arrange. The village chief and Secretary will help supervise the family members of the workers, to ensure stability at home and prevent any sneaky or thieving behavior. Should there be any emergencies, we would also need extra attention from you two leaders."
"Zhenping’s wife, don’t you worry. We will certainly handle this matter clearly and won’t allow any disruptions," said the village chief.
"As mentioned before, if anyone causes trouble, they are no longer one of us from Lu Family Village. We of Lu Family Village do not tolerate such disloyal acts."
Director Feng nodded with satisfaction at their statements.
"Another thing is that we need a larger place where everyone can gather to work, to maintain the semblance of going to and leaving work. Otherwise, taking materials home—those with children or elderly—may risk losing them, and that would be hard to account for. This is something the village chief and Secretary need to address."
The two discussed and agreed that the old canteen, which had been used for communal meals but was now dilapidated and abandoned, could be utilized if renovated.
While they were talking about checking out the place, the door to the courtyard was pushed open and Director Guo entered in high spirits. She paused briefly upon reaching the main room, surprised to see such a bustling scene with nearly all the important figures gathered.
"Director Guo, back from the meeting, haha, you might not know yet, just now our Director Feng said—"
Before the eager Feng Si could finish, Zhang Hongfa was cut off by Director Guo gesturing with her hand.
"Let’s not talk about this first, I have important news. Today in the county, I met Comrade Li Qianqian’s husband, Comrade Hu Biao. He informed me that after seeing the samples, a Cooperative Society in the Provincial City wants to order a batch of head ornaments. Although only two Cooperative Societies are asking, the quantity is substantial. In addition to our county’s order, that’s instantly ten thousand pieces. They said if they sell well, they will order even more!"
"What? They really want that many?"
"Absolutely true, this is the order receipt. Comrade Hu Biao gave it to me, asking us to prepare as soon as possible. The comrades in the Provincial City like trendy things. The head ornaments are cheap but attractive, they’re bound to sell well."
Feng Si, unable to contain his excitement, stood up and rubbed his hands together, "Let’s go, let’s hurry and check out the old canteen. If it’s suitable, we’ll start renovating right away." After saying this, he looked at Shen Meng and Lu Zhenping, "I’m really sorry, squad leader, sister-in-law. Look, we’ve got work coming in, can’t stay for a meal at your place, truly regrettable. Next time, next time for sure!"
Shen Meng: "...."
Lu Zhenping: "...."
No one is asking you to stay, really!!!