Let's give Factory Director Qin a surprise with Chapter 217's appearance. ...

"Factory manager, it's a call from the local commerce department! They say they want to buy patchwork embroidered shirts..."

"The island's supply and marketing cooperative has a phone number; a purchasing agent will be there immediately..."

"The public is strongly demanding that stores supply patchwork embroidered shirts."

After Master Zhu's article went viral across the country, the number of people coming to Feiyan Textile Factory to purchase embroidered shirts also inexplicably surged! People from all over the country went to the store to inquire and strongly requested the supply of embroidered patchwork shirts.

Thanks to Master Zhu, their Feiyan Textile Factory became famous throughout the country!

...Although it's a "blacklist".

Assistant He: "I think many people are just looking for something new... and some also think that embroidered patchwork shirts look nice."

"Factory manager, we've become famous now."

“In the past, the clothes from our factory were only shown at the Canton Fair, but now most Chinese people know our name.”

Qin Xiangxiang was speechless: "This is what they call 'good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast'."

"These orders of ours... are all prepared for the Canton Fair."

Qin Xiangxiang: "Of course we'll accept it. Stores all over the country are supplying our Feiyan Textile Factory's patchwork embroidered shirts. Now the production team in the alley won't have to worry about unsold embroidered pieces. The country is so big, even if it's just the provincial capital, it can consume a lot of embroidered pieces."

Yang Zhixia: "Factory manager, we're short-handed again."

Qin Xiangxiang's eyes lit up: "Yang Zhixia, you assist Master Lu Suxin in establishing the embroidery production team of our Feiyan Textile Factory, and we can train our own team in a standardized way as soon as possible."

Yang Zhixia: "Great! With the factory director and such a master craftsman at our disposal, our factory will definitely be able to produce more textiles that are popular both at home and abroad."

Yang Zhixia: "By the way, factory manager, Master Lu said that an embroidery production team needs to be established. He said that you must personally serve as the team leader."

Qin Xiangxiang: "..."

Ugh, I'm totally captivated by this tech-savvy female worker!!

"Okay, I'll be the team leader."

Qin Xiangxiang secretly planned to get herself a treat by having Master Lu make her a silk scarf using the kesi (silk tapestry) technique.

Master Zhu's articles became known throughout the world, like a bucket of cold water poured over the production team in the alley, leaving them feeling utterly chilled. Zhou Meilan, the production team leader, who used to be all smiles and looking forward to taking in more young educated youth, now felt nauseous and vomiting as she read Master Zhu's articles.

Zhou Meilan: "The factory has so many embroidery pieces piling up. We finally found a way to sell them, and this so-called master comes out and acts crazy. These are everyone's livelihood!"

"This person is truly 'a well-fed man who doesn't know the hunger of a starving man'."

"What is tradition? Only things that can feed people are tradition! Everyone is starving and waiting to collect their wages."

Zhou Meilan forced herself not to read those articles, but she was still resentful and so anxious that blisters appeared on her lips. She was afraid that the embroidery pieces would continue to be unsold and that everyone would not receive their wages.

"Team leader, quickly drink some cooling tea, don't rush! Feiyan Textile Factory just called, saying hurry up and continue making embroidered patches. Commercial departments all over the country are ordering embroidered patch shirts from Feiyan Textile Factory!"

"Master Zhu's articles have become known all over the country. You should go to the store and see, lots of people are asking the clerks to buy patchwork embroidered shirts!!"

Zhou Meilan was dumbfounded: "This Master Zhu, he has written more than ten articles criticizing... How come, no, how come someone is going to a store to ask to buy a patchwork embroidered shirt?"

Sun Mei beamed with joy: "Masters are masters, and the masses are the masses. Many young people say, 'Things criticized by old-fashioned people must be good things,' so they all want to see what embroidered patchwork shirts look like. Many people are rushing to buy them!"

"There were criticisms, but also praises. People said that our patchwork embroidered shirts perfectly blend traditional elements with modern aesthetics, representing a modern advancement in arts and crafts!"

Sun Mei: "Speaking of which, we have to thank this Master Zhu. If it weren't for him writing so many articles, no one would know about this. Now the whole country knows! People all over the country want to buy it!"

"We're in for a lot of work now! I reckon if things keep going like this, our neighborhood production team will be able to earn thirty yuan a month!"

"If we can't finish, we'll have to work overtime."

Zhou Meilan beamed with joy: "My goodness! So we have to thank this Master Zhu!"

Sun Mei: "Thank him my ass! We have to thank Qin Xiangxiang for coming up with this idea. My old classmate is really amazing."

Beware of the vulgarization of folk crafts—A critique of the chaotic "innovation" phenomenon in a small island factory.

...

An elderly gentleman, around sixty years old and dressed in a well-pressed Zhongshan suit, sat on the sofa, holding a copy of the "Arts and Crafts" journal, which was paused on the critical article he had written.

He adjusted his glasses, read through his article from beginning to end, and felt extremely satisfied. He firmly believed that everyone would stand by his side and criticize Feiyan Textile Factory for being "deviant" and "attention-seeking."

The stone stirred up a thousand waves. "My purpose in writing these articles is to garner support from my colleagues in the industry, and to make sure that this unhealthy trend is suppressed!"

"Sir! Sir! Something strange has happened!"

A young assistant rushed into the room, panting, with a newspaper in his hand.

Master Zhu frowned and said, "What are you panicking about? Is the sky falling down? You've been by my side for the past few months, why are you still so clumsy?"

The young assistant immediately unfolded the newspaper supplement in his hand, which read: "Breaking with tradition, new clothing is enthusiastically embraced by young workers and peasants..."

The report stated that Feiyan Textile Factory's "geometric embroidered patchwork shirt" was popular among young people. Its bold use of color and seemingly random patchwork design broke away from the dullness of traditional clothing and was warmly welcomed by the public. In major cities such as Shanghai and Guangzhou, there were long queues of people eager to buy it.

The assistant pointed pitifully to the last few paragraphs: "It says that industry expert Mr. Zhu Siming previously wrote an article discussing the value of this type of innovation, which has aroused wider public attention and reflection..."

"The newspapers said it was your article that caused people to line up to buy it..."

"Nonsense! This is utter nonsense!" Master Zhu trembled with anger, his gold-rimmed glasses sliding down to the tip of his nose. "What I said was all criticism! It was a call for the entire industry to resist this unhealthy trend!"

Just then, another call came in; it was from an editor at the Arts and Crafts Publishing House.

“Mr. Zhu, please write a few more articles. The whole country is discussing this topic! The authorities say it is very valuable for discussion and even want to create a special 'debate' section. We would like to put your article together with a few opposing opinions.”

"Debate? What's there to discuss? We should resist it! Strongly resist it!"

Master Zhu slammed down the phone, furious. "I'm going into seclusion to write an article. This time I won't hold back. I'm going to angrily denounce this Feiyan Textile Factory for being shameless and bringing shame to our country and nation!"

"How could they insult Feiyan Textile Factory like that! Director Qin is a very good director who cares about the workers!"

Actress Chen Wen, who once played the female lead in the film "The Blue Sea and the Silver Shuttle," noticed Master Zhu's criticism of the Feiyan Textile Factory and felt extremely angry.

Before filming the movie, Chen Wen spent several months learning at the Feiyan Textile Factory. She deeply felt the personal charm of Director Qin and learned about the history of the Feiyan Textile Factory. Even after filming was over, she sometimes felt like she was a member of the Feiyan Textile Factory. She even dreamed about the scenes during the filming at night.

What's the situation at the textile factory's May Seventh Farm? Will these critical articles have any impact on the textile factory?

And then there's Factory Director Qin... She had so many great achievements!

Chen Wen immediately called director Xie Ankang, "Director Xie, have you seen the reports about Feiyan Textile Factory? The language used in those reports about the embroidered patchwork shirts is too much!"

"Will these critical articles have a negative impact on Feiyan Textile Factory?"

"Qin Xiangxiang is such a good factory manager!"

Chen Wen: "I don't want the public to misunderstand Factory Director Qin!"

Xie Ankang said on the phone, "Chen Wen, don't worry. I've contacted the committee members at the Canton Fair. We'll send them a copy of the film 'The Blue Sea and the Silver Shuttle.' The film will first be shown at the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, and then it will be shown in cinemas nationwide."

"The Canton Fair?"

“Every time the Canton Fair is held, cultural performances or art films are provided for foreign guests at night. Our film, ‘Blue Sea and Silver Shuttle,’ is very suitable for being showcased at the Canton Fair!”

"No matter how many times I watch the typhoon scene, I am always deeply moved. It is a battle between humanity and natural disaster, showcasing the courage and fighting spirit of our nation, and also demonstrating the spirit of our country's workers in the new era!"

Chen Wen exclaimed in surprise, "The movie is going to be released?!"

"Yes, it was originally scheduled for release in the second half of the year, but after much coordination, it was decided to make a surprise appearance at the Canton Fair. The leaders all highly praised the film's content and spirit, and unanimously agreed that it would be great to present it to foreign guests. Chen Wen, this film will definitely cause a sensation both at home and abroad!"

"Once the public has watched this movie, they will not misunderstand Director Qin's character, and the whole country will know how great this small island factory is."

Chen Wen suppressed her excitement: "Shouldn't we tell Factory Director Qin about this right away?"

"Don't rush, things aren't really settled yet, they're still coordinating..." Xie Ankang smiled slightly, "Let's give Director Qin a surprise."

The Canton Fair organizing committee has not yet decided whether or not to screen the film "The Blue Sea and the Silver Shuttle" for foreign guests during the fair.

Li Yongjian was one of the most supportive members of the organizing committee, and he was also the one who connected director Xie Ankang with the project.

Li Yongjian, whom Qin Xiangxiang secretly calls "Salted Fish Brother," started his business by signing an order for dozens of tons of salted fish at the Canton Fair more than a decade ago. He also became acquainted with Feiyan Textile Factory because of a salted fish T-shirt order.

He felt that being a "salted fish" (a metaphor for someone who is unlucky or unlucky) was his good fortune.

After learning about the content of the film "The Blue Sea and the Silver Shuttle" from director Xie Ankang, as well as the story behind the film's production, Li Yongjian overruled objections and supported the screening of the film at the Canton Fair.

Now the film copy of "The Blue Sea and the Silver Shuttle" has arrived. After all the members of the organizing committee have watched it, they will vote on whether to screen it during the Canton Fair.