Chapter 345 Shoemaking Class

It was a bit late to start making cotton shoes after the New Year. Song Lubai and Wei Zhao went to find Zhao Hongying and Yang Xiue after the New Year to make cloth shoes.

On the way to Yang Xiue's house, Zhao Hongying asked as if in a dream, "You two mean that I can earn more money every month by making shoes? And that I can become a group leader and lead others?"

Zhao Hongying's heart was pounding.

She's already very happy to be able to work at the kindergarten. If she can earn money and lead others in the future, she'll be a prominent woman in the production and construction corps.

Seeing her eyes light up, Wei Zhao smiled and said, "You can do a lot of things, you're a talented person. We women should do more things and shine."

Zhao Hongying nodded vigorously, "We must shine and contribute."

Since she got along well with the regimental commander's wife, her status at home has risen even higher. Before, her husband would argue with her, but now he wouldn't dare to argue with her at all. Her family relationships couldn't be more harmonious now.

Wei Zhao said, "Work hard and strive to be recognized as a model worker and a March 8th Red Banner Pacesetter in the future."

It's hard to say who is a March 8th Red Banner Pacesetter, but everyone has to have dreams, right?

Zhao Hongying was as energetic as if she had been injected with chicken blood, her back ramrod straight.

The three of them went into Yang Xiu'e's house together.

"Sister Xiu'e, we have something good to tell you."

Feng Gang doesn't like capable and assertive women, like Wei Zhao.

He didn't like it in his heart, but he was still very polite on the surface.

"What good news? Tell me about it."

Yang Xiu'e poured water for the group and then brought over a plate of melon seeds and peanuts, inviting them to eat.

The group sat down around the stove, and Wei Zhao pointed to the cotton shoes he was wearing and said, "Comrade Zhao Hongying made these at your house. Secretary Feng, what do you think?"

Song Lubai also stretched out her foot.

Two pairs of embroidered cotton shoes appeared before Mr. and Mrs. Feng.

Before going out, they made a point of cleaning the soles of their shoes, and there was no dust on the surface. Although they looked different from new shoes, you could tell that they were shoes with very dense stitching, comparable to the cotton shoes sold in the supply and marketing cooperative.

Yang Xiu'e said, "Aren't these the few pairs of cotton shoes that Zhao Hongying made using my sewing machine? What does this good deed you're talking about have to do with shoes?"

Feng Gang sat up straight and looked at the female comrades.

Wei Zhao looked at Feng Gang and asked, "Secretary Feng, do you think the shoes Comrade Zhao made are better or worse than the shoes sold in the supply and marketing cooperative?"

Feng Gang said, "How would I know anything about women's shoes? They all look the same, don't they?"

Yang Xiue said, "Zhao Hongying has excellent craftsmanship. When these shoes were first made, I felt they were even better than those sold in the supply and marketing cooperative."

Feng Gang had a premonition that these women were up to no good.

Wei Yang is really something. The women in his family are always thinking about all sorts of trivial things, and he doesn't stop them.

Song Lubai said, "Sister Xiu'e, we came to see you today because of these shoes. The shoes made with sewing machines are no worse than those sold in the supply and marketing cooperative, and they are faster. Our group can unite the female comrades who can do handicrafts to make shoes. You can be the leader of our shoemaking team."

Feng Gang immediately retorted, "Then where does the fabric for making shoes come from?"

Wei Zhao said, "Of course the troupe will pay! The women will be paid according to the number of shoes they make, one cent per pair. Wasted materials will be compensated, and shoes that fail inspection will not be accepted. If this can be done, it will definitely increase the troupe's income, and the women will also earn some money for their work."

Feng Gang, with a stern face, spouted a bunch of nonsense, constantly bringing up ideological issues.

Wei Zhao said directly, "In big cities, factories will also hand over some easy manual labor to the neighborhood committees, who will then distribute those jobs to comrades who are struggling financially or have disabilities. This is for the benefit of the people and is humane. How come such a commendable act has been distorted by what you, Secretary Feng, have said?"

Wei Zhao felt that there were differences among the cadres. Although Wei Yang disagreed with the regiment approving the purchase of sewing machines, he supported their actions. As for Secretary Feng, he was full of grand principles, but in reality, he just didn't want his authority to be challenged.

Whether at home or at work.

Wei Zhao didn't want to break ties with Feng Gang, so he spoke as if he were joking.

“Secretary Feng, life isn’t easy for everyone in the company. If we can get some benefits for everyone, we can also increase the regiment’s income. Let Sister Xiu’e handle this matter. From any perspective, it will bring you honor.”

Secretary Feng said, "Even if what you said is true, Yang Xiu'e has never done these things before, so she may not be able to do them well."

Song Lubai laughed and said, "Secretary Feng, you're so capable, how could your wife be any less? We've known Sister Xiu'e for a long time now. Under your influence, she's become an outstanding woman with ambition and leadership skills. Why don't you let her give it a try? It could be a good thing. Who knows, she might even get the title of March 8th Red Banner Pacesetter in the future. Wouldn't that bring you honor?"

Feng Gang was still repulsed, but since they had already gone this far, he really couldn't say anything more.

Yang Xiue was delighted by the compliment. She temporarily ignored her husband's thoughts and asked with great interest, "Our troupe doesn't have many sewing machines. We only have this one at home, so it's not very fast!"

Zhao Hongying said, "It doesn't matter. Even without a sewing machine, it can be made entirely by hand. It's just a bit slower. With more people involved, we can earn quite a bit each month."

Song Lubai and her team had already figured out how the shoemaking class would operate.

With so many companies in the regiment, the women's federation officer of each company serves as the group leader. The regimental headquarters appointed Zhao Hongying as the group leader for the area. In addition to being the group leader, Zhao Hongying also serves as the quality inspector, strictly checking the quality of each pair of shoes.

As for Yang Xiue, she was in charge of raw materials and sales, and most of her work involved dealing with the regimental headquarters.

Yang Xiu'e is the secretary's wife, so it will be easier for her to move around in the government offices. The supply and marketing cooperative will also be involved in the subsequent sales to the city.

Feng Gang sat to the side and listened to the whole thing. He had to admit that these people were quite thoughtful. He also knew why Wei Zhao insisted on making Yang Xiu'e the class monitor.

The sewing machine wasn't the main reason at all; the main reason was that he was the Party Secretary.

“I see you’ve already made plans, you can do it all by yourselves, why do you have to drag my Xiu’e into it? She’s already busy with all this every day, if you add other things to her work, how tiring will that be?”

Yang Xiu'e glared at him unhappily. She knew Feng Gang didn't want her to do it, but she really wanted to do something.

She's determined to do this kind of good thing!

“I don’t mind the hard work. How much chores can there be at home? I can do this job. Just wait and see how well I do it and make you proud.”

Yang Xiue wanted to scold her husband, but she was afraid that if she angered Feng Gang, he would stop her from doing it, which would be counterproductive.

"Alright, that's settled then. Tomorrow I'll go down to the company and talk to the women's federation officers about this. We also need to get the materials ready as soon as possible, while the weather is still warm so everyone can do as much as possible."