Hundreds of thousands of foreign currency and several hundred thousand in national currency orders a month, such occurrences are considered explosively significant throughout the nation, especially in such a small village.
"Vice Factory Director Shen, time is tight and the task is heavy. Mr. Li has already transferred a batch of fabric here, and the machinery factory in the provincial city has opened a dedicated production line just for us. Please expedite the production of the materials needed for Head Flower Factory. John places great emphasis on the successful completion of the first batch of orders. We must get the factory up and running as soon as possible, ensuring the quality is assured, without any flaws that could damage our reputation."
"Secretary Guan, please convey to the Secretary that I guarantee the task will be completed."
Secretary Guan stood up and extended his hand towards Shen Meng.
"Vice Factory Director Shen, I have great trust in your capabilities, you are working hard. Also, to make the factory more formal, here is a set of salary and regulations we crafted ourselves. Take a look, and if you need to make adjustments, feel free to do so. But regarding hiring, I personally advise you to scrutinize carefully. Don’t employ someone just because they are pitiable or are having a tough time. One bad apple spoils the barrel. Think carefully, and if anyone gives you trouble, rest assured, the County Committee and the Police Station are not just for show."
When Secretary Guan said this, his gaze swept over everyone in the courtyard, appearing very stern despite his usual mild manner.
The whole provincial city now highly values the Xiangyang Head Flower Factory. The provincial newspaper has been notified and will be coming for an interview in a few days. Anyone who dares to trouble Shen Meng, such as a hero, is essentially opposing the county and the province. They still have to be polite, otherwise it wouldn’t be fair to Shen Meng!
"Thank you so much, Secretary Guan. Have lunch at my house at noon, it’s a rare visit."
Secretary Guan waved his hands repeatedly, he had other tasks, and seeing Shen Meng surrounded by many people in the courtyard, he didn’t want to add to her troubles.
When Secretary Guan was leaving, he saw a tall, stern-looking man standing at the gate of the courtyard. Guessing this to be Shen Meng’s husband, indeed, Feng Si was right.
A formidable woman like Shen Meng must have an even more formidable partner!
After a courteous handshake and greeting Lu Zhenping, he left in his car.
Lu Debang and Zhang Hongfa both felt dizzy, as if they were dreaming, that Shen Meng had achieved such a great feat unnoticed, even when everyone else was unaware and had abandoned her in the workshop. Such profound selflessness truly commanded respect!
Shen Meng glanced down at the salary and regulations document handed by Secretary Guan, noticing the salaries were fifteen yuan for a temporary worker and twenty-five yuan for a formal worker per month, also including grain and oil subsidies. Such compensation was impressive even throughout the county, and certain positions even offered higher wages.
However, the workshop was still small, and managing it like a factory would take some time.
"I’ve taken over the workshop as Secretary Guan stated, it’s now named Xiangyang Head Flower Factory. Orders from the Cooperative Society and the provincial city can wait, the most pressing are the foreign orders. This concern not only our continued income but also our national reputation. Director Guo, you should cycle around the villages to recruit a large number of workers. Jinghao, regardless of her personality or family situation, as long as she is skilled and obeys factory rules, should be hired immediately. Fifteen yuan for a temporary worker, and twenty-five for a formal worker, with an additional five yuan for group leaders. Of course, I have extra rewards for good performance. Village chief and Secretary, one of you go talk to the commune director to arrange an expansion of our cafeteria. Secretary, find some good cooks and build a few stoves in the factory, the factory will cover one meal a day. This month, rush the foreign orders out. If the foreign traders are satisfied, I’ll treat everyone in the factory to a banquet and distribute ten kilograms of fine rice to each."
Shen Meng’s words stunned everyone; they would no longer be paid per piece but would have a fixed salary. The workshop becoming a factory, directly approved by the county, meant they all could now secure stable jobs and access to commodity grains.
Unbelievably, these rural women, illiterate, never imagined that one day they would be consuming commodity grains, all thanks to Shen Meng!
"Everyone, if you’re free this afternoon, quickly clean up the factory area. I expect the materials to arrive by then. Jinghao, stay behind and discuss with me who can be promoted to a formal worker, who can be a team leader, and who remains a temporary worker. Everyone, go about your business; the orders and earning money are now top priorities."
"Alright, alright, I’m on it, I’m on it. Xiao Meng, I mean, Vice Factory Director Shen, we’ll get right on it and report back to you once things are settled."
"Let’s all hurry and get to work, and quickly come back to report to Vice Factory Director Shen."
Everyone tremblingly approached, then staggered away.
Those who had slapped themselves for doubting Shen Meng were now incredibly relieved; regardless, they had stayed on. Even as temporary workers earning fifteen yuan a month, it was straightforward for them to become formal workers later on, especially since their needlework was already good.
Several elder sisters-in-law glanced at Shen Meng and felt her powerful aura, at that moment, they couldn’t even look her in the eye, such was the bearing of someone superior. No wonder, she was now the Vice Factory Director.
Zhou Jiaojiao, Lu Jiaxuan, Aunt Hua, and Liu Sanjin were still in shock when most of the people in the courtyard had already left.
"Aren’t you leaving? Are you waiting to stay for dinner?"
Aunt Hua was trembling all over, the workshop had become a factory, Shen Meng, who had been previously driven out, was now the Vice Factory Director, and had even earned foreign currency. With such high wages being offered by the factory, and including a meal, her future was disconnected from these benefits.
"I..."
"Elder Sister-In-Law, I never imagined you would be so capable. Our Lu Family having such a talented person truly is like having our ancestral graves emit auspicious smoke!"
Shen Meng, looking at Zhou Jiaojiao suddenly saying this, coldly chuckled.
"True, our Lu Family having me is indeed like the ancestral graves emitting auspicious smoke, but only half since we’ve split from the old house. None of its glory affects them anyway. Better head back soon, I still have so much to do here. If this gets out before being officially announced, you all won’t be able to clear your names. If the County Committee and Police Station decide to intervene, even I won’t be able to protect you."
Everyone: "...."