After determining the salt and sugar ratio and the production cycle, the team leader saw that both Party Secretary Liu and Accountant Li nodded, and then began to arrange the work.
“I’ll handle things at the brigade level. We’ll hold a general meeting tomorrow to encourage everyone to work together. As for the commune, you two, Secretary Liu and Honghui, can handle that.”
Party Secretary Liu and Zhao Honghui nodded in agreement: "No problem."
The brigade leader began to ponder: he was confident about Qingshan Village. As for the commune, Secretary Liu was an official sent by the commune and had many connections there. Zhao Honghui's connections were even higher; although he didn't hold an official position, there were few things he couldn't handle. If the two of them went together to persuade the commune leaders, it shouldn't be a problem.
Accountant Li turned to look at the dried fruit hanging under the eaves. "These hanging ones look different from the ones in the plate."
Li Weidong explained, "We didn't have enough winnowing baskets, so we made large ones. These weren't peeled or pitted, so the texture might be a bit worse, but they're chewier and have a different flavor."
“I see you have made quite a lot of dried fruit. You can give some to the commune leaders and villagers to try tomorrow.”
"Those won't be ready to be harvested for a few more days. We only harvested a few pounds today. We can take them to the commune leaders tomorrow."
After speaking, Li Weidong looked at Xie Yuyao, who was standing on the outside. Xie Yuyao, who had received the signal, turned around and went back into the house. Looking at the few remaining dried fruits, she estimated that she had packed about a pound of them and asked Yang Shumei to take them to the brigade leader.
Party Secretary Liu: "Once these procedures are completed, we will send people to other units to solicit orders. Our target for now is the units in the nearby communes."
Accountant Li nodded and looked at Li Weidong: "In the early stages, we need to send some dried fruit to the supervisors of various units for them to try. We'll use the dried fruit from the educated youth team for this part first."
Li Weidong perked up and said, "No problem. Our original intention was to use it for emergency purposes. After the matter is settled, just pay us the price based on the future transaction price."
"What? We need to calculate the cost? We gave away these dried fruits for free, where would we get the money to calculate the cost for you?" Accountant Li shouted anxiously. "Don't forget, these wild pears belong to the brigade collectively. As a member of the brigade, you should contribute to the brigade."
Wu Lihong stood her ground, saying, "Accountant Li, you mustn't forget that the recipe for the candied fruit was given to Xie Zhiqing, and she's now donating it to the brigade for free. Besides, a lot of salt and sugar were used in the production process, and we're just getting what we deserve."
Secretary Liu was very unhappy to hear this. "Wu, you're not right. Without our brigade's collective intervention, how would you sell your dried fruit? As for the salt and sugar, we can compensate you."
"But what about manpower? You can't expect us to have worked so hard for nothing!"
Having navigated the officialdom for many years, Secretary Liu knew very well how to obtain the greatest benefits with the least cost. "We won't let you work for nothing. We'll hold an awards ceremony and give you the honors you deserve."
The educated youth present were indignant. Could honors put food on the table?
Li Weidong didn't want to argue with him, so he went straight to the captain who could make the decision: "Captain, is that what you think too?"
"Let's discuss this further and freely express our opinions." The captain chuckled and spread his hands, waiting for both sides to back down.
As for Xie Wazi, if she loses too much, he will secretly compensate her.
There was no other way; Qingshantun was too poor. It wouldn't matter if the educated youth team earned a little less, but the villagers with their families could eat a few more bites of food.
Jiang Yan, who had been listening in, couldn't hold back any longer. As soon as she heard this, she immediately said, "These candied fruits are the result of our hard work after finishing our shift. We absolutely cannot let all that work go to waste."
Since we don't have the money to convert it into cash, let's not give our dried fruit away as gifts. We can sell it later when we get orders, and we'll sell whatever we can get.
As soon as these words were spoken, almost all eyes turned to Jiang Yan.
Xie Yuyao tilted her head away and pursed her lips.
Li, the accountant, sneered in her ear, "You really are shrewd! You give away things for free using the labor of the community workers, and only use yours when you can sell them for money. You're really dreaming!"
Then Li Weidong's words rang out again, both tactful and firm: "Accountant Li, please calm down. Things will naturally not be handled that way. But our Youth Institute's position is consistent. We ask the brigade headquarters to treat this fairly and justly."
Accountant Li retorted arrogantly, "I have no money, what do you want!"
"Then let's keep our paths separate!" Xie Yuyao's clear, cool voice pierced everyone's ears as she stepped out of the crowd.
She walked gracefully, and the aura she exuded made one think of a queen's arrival.
Sitting down next to Wu Lihong, Xie Yuyao asked the decision-maker directly opposite her, "Captain, you only need to help us sell this small amount of dried fruit to increase Qingshan Village's annual income. Is this a bad deal?"
The brigade leader chuckled again, but before he could speak, Accountant Li interrupted, "How can you calculate it like that? Educated youth going to the countryside are supposed to support rural development; it's what you should do!"
Xie Yuyao ignored him, stretched out her fair and delicate hand, picked up the teapot and poured herself a cup of tea, picked up the cup and gently blew on it with her red lips, then looked directly at the captain.
Accountant Li was about to explode in anger when a stern voice rang out, "Uncle Li, Uncle Liu, the method for making candied fruit was brought by Xie Zhiqing, and the educated youth team also made a lot of contributions. Their demands are reasonable and justified, and no one can infringe upon the interests of the masses under any pretext."
Zhao Honghui had remained aloof until now only because Xie Yuyao had been hiding behind him. Now that she had stepped forward, he would no longer conceal his intentions.
Accountant Li and Party Secretary Liu's expressions changed drastically; this accusation was far too serious.
Party Secretary Liu hurriedly explained to him, "I didn't mean to not pay at all. Getting orders requires investment of manpower and resources, so I wanted them to share some of the costs."
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