Chapter 55 Three Updates in One
The office building of Haining Provincial Grain and Oil Company stands among several towering palm trees. It is just the beginning of December, and some of the leaves have turned yellow while others are still green, creating a different sight.
The provincial capital was ahead in infrastructure construction, and the blue brick buildings were tall, imposing, solid and majestic. A total of three stories were considered high-rise in that era.
This was Zhao Jianjun's first visit to the Provincial Grain and Oil Company. After all, the Second Factory did not have the qualifications or the ability to market soda throughout the province. Although he didn't say it in his heart, Zhao Jianjun was still envious.
Competition in the soda market is fierce. There are countless soda factories and workshops of all sizes across the country. Almost every province has its own representative soda flavor, some of which have become household names across the country.
That was something Zhao Jianjun didn't even dare to dream of.
The two of them registered at the gate of the Provincial Grain and Oil Company after presenting a letter of introduction and proof of identity, and were then allowed to enter.
Different from the review process of Phnom Penh Grain and Oil Company, the Provincial Grain and Oil Company is more strict and cautious. When they arrived at the department, the clerk in the uniform gray work clothes checked Lin Xiangchan's letter of introduction again, glanced at them quickly, and then quickly looked up at the two of them, and asked in surprise: "From the second factory of Phnom Penh 119 Food Factory?"
The surprise in his eyes was undisguised.
Zhao Jianjun knew why the other party was surprised, so he introduced himself seriously again: "Yes, comrade, we are from the second factory of the 119 Food Factory in Phnom Penh, and we produce soda."
The clerk nodded vaguely after confirming it.
After all, the 119 Food Factory had always sent canned seafood, and she had never heard of sending soda. Besides, the competition among local cities to sell soda across cities was very fierce, and the requirements were also very strict. According to her vague impression, the soda factory of the 119 Second Factory was not very good, and the soda tasted just average, nothing special, so it was definitely not good.
I'm afraid this trip was in vain.
The Provincial Grain and Oil Company has a lot of people and a lot of things to do. Factories in many cities across the province are looking forward to selling their products across markets, and quite a few come here. Zhao Jianjun and Lin Xiang were arranged to sit and drink tea while waiting, while the head of the verification section was receiving representatives from other factories.
"This tea is so fragrant." Zhao Jianjun sat in the waiting room outside the section chief's office and calmed down. He leaned back in his chair, holding the teacup in one hand and the lid in the other hand, half covering it, and took two sips of tea. It was the best Pu'er tea, with a refreshing fragrance! "No wonder they say the provincial grain and oil company has the best benefits. Which factory doesn't send good things here?"
Lin Xiang thought what he said was true. In just a short while, she could see all the factory workers coming and going with samples. Since they had to be checked, they naturally had to give the best and most sufficient things. Even their own factory brought a box of 12 bottles in order to promote coconut juice.
As these things increase, they will most likely be distributed to employees as welfare benefits. It feels great to think about it.
Lin Xiang lowered her eyes and took another look at the coconut juice she brought with her. This time the battle would depend entirely on them!
Just as the two were talking, there was a noise at the door of Section Chief Gu's office, and soon a man and a woman walked out.
Lin Xiang recognized the young gay man, who turned out to be He Hongyuan's half-brother Zhou Hongfei, also an employee of the Shiwei Food Factory. The young female comrade next to him was unfamiliar to her.
Zhao Jianjun was well-informed: "I heard that Shiwei Food Factory got a treasure in the past few months. There are two young talents in the factory. The man should be the son of a certain military commander. He has many connections. The woman is the niece of the director of Shiwei Food Factory. She was the one who led the improvement of canned shrimp sauce. She is quite capable."
Lin Xiang listened to Director Zhao's information, took another look at the two people over there, and whispered to him: "Then they came here this time, could it be that they want to sell Shiwei's canned shrimp sauce to cities across the province?"
"Nine out of ten times, it's true!" Even if some people in the Aihe Factory were angry, Director Zhao was united in facing the outside world at this moment. After all, 119's canned shrimp sauce was the leading product in Haining Province. If Shiwei's canned shrimp sauce really paved the way, there would definitely be another round of impact.
Zhou Hongfei and Qiu Xiuping came to the Provincial Grain and Oil Company with the instructions of Shiwei Factory Director Qiu to apply for the sale of Shiwei canned shrimp sauce throughout the province. One of them has a strong backing and good connections, while the other is a leader in improving canned shrimp sauce. They are a perfect match.
After listening to Qiu Xiuping's introduction to the canned shrimp sauce, Chief Gu of the Product Inspection Section of the Provincial Grain and Oil Company stayed to inspect the samples and only exchanged a few words with Zhou Hongfei before leaving.
"Hongfei, my father-in-law hasn't seen your father for many years. Please give his regards to him. It would be nice to meet him sometime." Section Chief Gu and Zhou Shengqiang didn't know each other, but Zhou Hongfei used his connections to get in touch with Section Chief Gu's father-in-law. Section Chief Gu's father-in-law had some friendship with Zhou Shengqiang during the Anti-Japanese War, so they were connected in some roundabout ways.
"Chief Gu, don't worry, I will definitely mention it to my dad. I'll see if we have time to reminisce when he comes over on his next vacation."
Qiu Xiuping didn't think much of Zhou Hongfei. He was just a piece of junk, but he was useful at this time.
The two men walked out of Section Chief Gu's office. They had already sensed something was going on from what he had just said, but when they turned around, they saw Lin Xiang.
Zhou Hongfei had met his half brother's girlfriend before, and Qiu Xiuping had also secretly seen her when she followed Zhou Hongfei to the island last time. Both of them recognized Lin Xiang.
However, one of them didn't talk to He Hongyuan because he was in a bad mood, and the other didn't talk to He Hongyuan because he couldn't stop thinking about him. They just left like that.
"What are they doing here at 119?" Zhou Hongfei only found out later that Lin Xiang worked at the 119 Food Factory, and that the now popular coconut juice was also produced at her initiative.
Qiu Xiuping thought this person was out of his mind: "He must be here to negotiate the sale of coconut juice on counters across the province. Otherwise, how could he have taken a train to the Provincial Grain and Oil Company?"
In the previous life, Factory 119 No. 2 did not launch any coconut juice, nor did it become so popular in these few months. Qiu Xiuping didn't know what went wrong. It seemed that it was really this Lin Xiang who was an accident. She appeared out of nowhere and married Captain He, and she also entered Factory 119 No. 2 and produced coconut juice.
"Isn't their factory very shabby and not very good? And they still want to sell coconut juice all over the province?" Zhou Hongfeisi didn't care about coconut juice at all, and had never tasted it. She just felt that Factory 119 No. 2 was overestimating its capabilities.
"The coconut juice from their factory is really good." Qiu Xiuping can still make such an evaluation with the experience of two lifetimes. With good packaging, good taste and good texture, it will definitely become famous. "As long as the people in the provincial grain and oil company are not stupid, they will agree."
Zhou Hongfei did not comment. Whether the coconut juice at 119 sold well or not had nothing to do with him. However, something Qiu Xiuping muttered to herself beside him caught his attention.
"What did you say?" Zhou Hongfei heard vaguely.
Qiu Xiuping shook her head and said, "Nothing. Even the second factory of 119 won't be able to show off for long."
If she remembered correctly, Hai Ninh Province was hit by a severe typhoon at the end of that year, especially Phnom Penh, which was hit the hardest. A large number of coconut trees fell down, not to mention the coconuts on the trees were blown all over the ground and smashed to pieces. It took a while for the situation to recover. Without the coconuts, how could the 119 Second Factory produce coconut juice? Their newly started coconut juice business must have suffered a heavy blow!
Zhou Hongfei thought the man was just talking nonsense and didn't think much about it. He was the first to walk out of the gate of the Provincial Grain and Oil Company.
When he saw Lin Xiang just now, he thought of He Hongyuan. Zhou Hongfei was still upset. Why did his own father favor He Hongyuan now? Lin Xiang was such a beautiful girl, but she also married He Hongyuan. What was so good about him?
"Lin Xiang is also blind. She could choose anyone else but He Hongyuan." Zhou Hongfei couldn't help but speak his mind.
Qiu Xiuping didn't know where Zhou Hongfei got the confidence to criticize Captain He. Captain He was really a thousand times better than this guy. She immediately said, "Captain He has reached this position at such a young age. He must be very capable."
Zhou Hongfei hated to hear people praising Hongyuan, and immediately asked angrily: "Qiu Xiuping, are you blind too?"
"I think you are confused and can't bear to see Captain He doing well."
Zhou Hongfei was puzzled and pointed his right index finger in his direction: "I, my conditions and family background, am I not better than He Hongyuan? Could it be that I am not as good as him?"
Qiu Xiuping replied seriously: "Yes, of course you are not as good as Captain He in every way."
Zhou Hongfei: ...
My face is almost turning red with anger. Are women nowadays blind?
——
The relationship between 119 Food Factory and Shiwei Food Factory is now delicate. Shiwei has already risen to the position of the second food factory in Phnom Penh, and it seems that it is gaining momentum and wants to surpass 119 Food Factory.
However, when they met this time, neither side said anything and went about their own business.
Zhao Jianjun and Lin Xiang took a box of coconut juice and a stack of documents they had prepared and walked into Section Chief Gu's office.
Section Chief Gu was over 40 years old, wearing a Zhongshan suit and with neatly combed hair. When he heard that the two people who came to the Provincial Grain and Oil Company for the first time were from the 119 Second Factory, he couldn't help but frown and recall, carefully picking out some information related to the 119 Second Factory in his mind.
My impression of the 119 Second Factory is that it has a bad reputation and the factory is not very good. Now they are actually trying to sell the products to other cities?
Section Chief Gu lowered his eyebrows and looked at a cardboard box on the table. There were a dozen glass jars in it with milky white juice in them. It looked quite peculiar.
"Chief Gu, this is the sales situation of our 119 Second Factory's coconut juice in major department stores and supply and marketing cooperatives in Phnom Penh in the past two and a half months." Zhao Jianjun said, signaling Lin Xiang to hand the information to Chief Gu, and then continued, "According to the feedback from the Phnom Penh Grain and Oil Company, our factory's coconut juice is selling very well, almost catching up with Arctic Ocean soda. In addition, the salespeople in the department stores also said that the people love to drink it and they come here specifically for it."
Section Chief Gu received the clearly summarized sales data and letters from several major department stores in Phnom Penh, and after quickly scanning them, he listened to Zhao Jianjun continue to talk about his grand ambitions.
"Chief Gu, orange soda, pear soda, and lychee soda are all sold outside now. How long has it been since ordinary people have tasted different soda? Our coconut juice factory is willing to serve the people and enrich their soda taste." Zhao Jianjun saw that the man had finished reading the information and promptly took a bottle of coconut juice and handed it over. "Try it and see how it tastes. The people of Phnom Penh like it, and I believe that the people of Hai Ninh Province will like it too."
"Your factory used to deliver canned seafood, but I didn't expect you to deliver soda this time." Section Chief Gu took the special-looking coconut juice without much expectation. He had drunk wild coconuts, which had a light and slightly sweet taste, but were not suitable to be sold as soda. In addition, 119 has always been famous for its canned seafood, and it was unheard of for 119 to be famous for its soda.
As soon as he took a sip of the coconut juice, Section Chief Gu's eyes lit up instantly.
Different from the commonly consumed orange soda, pear soda, and lychee soda, coconut juice has a mellower and denser taste. It has a different flavor, sweet and refreshing, especially the lingering sweet fragrance that leaves a long-lasting aftertaste.
"Your coconut juice tastes pretty good." Section Chief Gu gave an honest evaluation.
However, the appearance, packaging and taste have been intuitively felt, but whether the product can be sold throughout the province depends on other performances. He carefully looked at the data in his hand and asked for specific data details one by one: "How many department stores in Phnom Penh has this coconut juice been sold in?"
"What is the shipment volume and sales speed of each department store?"
"Sales in the city are good, but how about in the county supply and marketing cooperatives? Both places seem to be able to sell soda, but there are many differences in the acceptance of products in the city and the county. What we want to sell is something that all the people like and can accept."
......
Lin Xiang felt the strictness of the Provincial Grain and Oil Company firsthand. She asked about every sales data clearly and inquired about the details of the order by various examples. Her tone was neither hurried nor slow, and her attitude was friendly and easy-going. However, there was a hidden pressure of the year-end assessment.
In particular, Chief Gu repeatedly expressed concern about the sales of coconut juice in the county supply and marketing cooperative. Lin Xiang boldly guessed that one of the important indicators in the provincial grain and oil company's investigation was whether the villagers in the county and surrounding communes liked it and accepted it.
"Chief Gu, our coconut juice is now sold in six department stores in Haining City. It is the best-selling flavor of all sodas. As for the 32 supply and marketing cooperatives in 13 counties, according to feedback from the supply and marketing cooperatives, it is also very popular among county residents and nearby villagers who come to the county to purchase. The sales speed is even not inferior to that in the city."
Section Chief Gu put down the information and looked at Lin Xiang: "Why is this?"
Lin Xiang smiled and pointed to the glass bottle of coconut juice on the table and said, "Our coconut juice has a mild taste, a sweet and rich flavor, and is different from all the sodas available today. It is new to both city dwellers and rural villagers. Even villagers find it difficult to travel to the county town, so they are more willing to spend money to try good things."
Section Chief Gu nodded his chin thoughtfully and said, "That makes sense."
Lin Xiang felt relieved after hearing this. She exchanged a glance with Director Zhao, and they both saw a sense of relaxation in each other's eyes.
"However, we have a lot of products that we want to sell throughout the province recently. We need to hold a meeting to discuss this batch of products and will give you an answer tomorrow."
Zhao Jianjun naturally expressed his understanding and immediately left the box of coconut juice for the people from the Provincial Grain and Oil Company to taste. Before leaving, he did not forget to sell it to Wang Po again: "Chief Gu, our coconut juice is made of pure coconut without any additives. It tastes good and looks good. It is very suitable for sale on counters across the province. You and the employees can taste it. This box is freshly produced this morning and it tastes very good."
Section Chief Gu had never seen such a boastful person before. He smiled and said as he saw them off: "Director Zhao, with your eloquence, it would be a waste of your talent if you didn't work as a salesperson. Okay, I won't see you off. You'll know the result tomorrow."
As they had to wait for the results, Zhao Jianjun and Lin Xiang returned to a nearby guesthouse after leaving the Provincial Grain and Oil Company. They had a simple meal in the guesthouse restaurant. They were both looking forward to and worried about tomorrow's results.
"The quota for this provincial grain and oil company is limited. I heard that not many new products can be put on sale in a month. I don't know if we can get a quota." Just as he was waiting, Zhao Jianjun saw representatives of several workers coming to submit products for review. After all, the order volume for sales in his local city and sales throughout the province is not at all a heavyweight.
Lin Xiang was very confident: "Director, there is no problem with our coconut juice! Even if everyone else's products are good, we are still unique and different from other sodas."
"That's true. I think it can work." Director Zhao thought of the two arrogant people from the Shiwei Food Factory he ran into earlier. "I wonder if Shiwei's canned shrimp sauce can work. If they can sell it to the whole province, I guess Qin Yangbo will have trouble sleeping again."
As the two were talking, a receptionist suddenly walked up to Lin Xiang and whispered, "Comrade Lin Xiang, there's a call coming to the guesthouse looking for you."
Lin Xiang was stunned. She was in the provincial capital where she was unfamiliar with the place and was staying in a temporary guesthouse. How could someone call her?
After just a moment, a name popped into her mind.
"Director, I'm going to answer a call!" Lin Xiang hurried to the front desk, picked up the receiver and put it to her ear, and heard a familiar voice.
"Hongyuan, how did you know I was here?" Lin Xiang was surprised and happy, but it was also within her expectations.
Who else but He Hongyuan could have called here to look for me?
"Why are you on a business trip again? I heard that you went to the provincial grain and oil company, so I asked someone to find the nearest guesthouse to the company. I thought you would stay nearby, so I called to try my luck." After get off work, He Hongyuan returned home to find that the house was empty. There was only a note left on the dining table. It was written by his wife, which simply said that she was going on a business trip.
Such a simple note naturally could not make He Hongyuan feel at ease. Just as he was about to go out to take a look, he ran into his next-door neighbor Jiang Wenfang. Only then did he learn that Lin Xiang had indeed asked Jiang's wife to help convey the message personally.
Lin Xiang praised the man generously on the phone: "You are really smart, you can estimate everything... Yes, I have had dinner with Director Zhao... I can't come back today, I will know the result tomorrow. If everything goes well, I can come back tomorrow afternoon... Well, I brought my luggage, money and tickets, don't worry..."
Director Zhao came over to see the situation and listened to the phone call between Xiaolin and her husband. Oh, my god, my tooth hurts.
This newly married young man is different, he is so greasy!
The next morning, Lin Xiang and Director Zhao went straight to the department store in the provincial capital after a rest. They were not there to go shopping, but mainly to investigate the enemy.
They had to wait until the afternoon to get the result from the grain and oil company. In the morning, they wanted to check out the new coconut juice from the Hongguang Soda Factory in the provincial capital. They paid one yuan to buy two bottles. The juice in the glass bottles was also milky white, but the color was not as pure as the 119 coconut juice. It was a little thinner. The same was true for the coconut juice after drinking it. The taste was okay, but not fresh, sweet and rich enough.
Lin Xiang drank it three times in a row, savoring it carefully, and finally came to the conclusion: "The production method should be similar to ours, but the mixing ratio is a bit off, and the raw materials should not be very good. I guess they choose coconuts very casually, using all kinds of coconuts."
After all, if you look closely at the two bottles of coconut juice they just bought, you can find a slight difference in color.
Director Zhao took two sips and nodded: "The coconut meat is beaten into juice at 30%-35%, which is 5%-10% worse than ours, so the taste is a bit worse. The white sugar is not enough. I estimate that 100 ml of coconut juice only contains 30-40g of sugar."
Lin Xiang looked at Director Zhao in surprise: "Director, you can drink this much?"
Lin Xiang could probably taste the flavor, but she didn't have the ability to guess the production ratio just by tasting it.
Director Zhao raised his hand and touched his shiny forehead. The bald forehead seemed to glow in the sunlight. In Lin Xiang's eyes, Director Zhao suddenly became much more majestic than before.
She heard Director Zhao say, "Hey, I was just guessing. I was just talking nonsense."
Lin Xiang: "..."
Of course she knew that Director Zhao was not talking nonsense, but he was also a naughty old man. When he really wanted to show his skills, he failed first. Lin Xiang couldn't help but think of the rumors she had heard before, that Director Zhao had a good tongue.
Now it seems that it is really unusual.
At lunch time, the two of them ordered a bowl of baoluo noodles each at a state-owned hotel in the provincial capital. Director Zhao, who was usually very stingy, still took good care of his subordinates. He let Lin Xiang order whatever she wanted and eat whatever she wanted. He also paid for the food coupons and money to buy the noodles.
Lin Xiang had just thanked the director when she heard Director Zhao boast, "I'll get it reimbursed when I get back!"
Lin Xiang: "..."
Director Zhao is truly a destroyer of the warm atmosphere, and some people also praise him as a self-destroyer.
Baoluo noodles are soft and delicate, and the soup base is even better. The soup made with beef bones is delicious, slightly sour and spicy, and extremely refreshing. It is perfect for Haining people after the temperature drops slightly in December.
Lin Xiang ate up all the noodles and soup, not wasting any food. She then drank some coconut juice from the Hongguang Soda Factory to moisten her mouth. She couldn't help but say with regret, "It's a pity that I can't buy coconut juice from Hedong City and Xiang'an City. Otherwise, I could have compared them."
The Five Star Soda Factory in Hedong City and the Jinbu Soda Factory in Xiang'an City have also developed new coconut juice products for sale, but they are all sold in their own cities. You can't take a train to buy a bottle of coconut juice, which is really a bit of a luxury.
Director Zhao stroked his chin and seemed to be thinking seriously: "Go back and ask if there are any acquaintances there."
I can't take care of my fellow researchers at the moment, as they have to go to the provincial grain and oil company to see what the results are.
But this time, he unexpectedly ran into the two people with a smell of food at the door, Zhou Hongfei and Qiu Xiuping.
Director Zhao and Qiu Xiuping were called into Section Chief Gu's office one after another as representatives of their respective factories. Lin Xiang was waiting outside, while Zhou Hongfei, who was standing by, kept looking at her with his fixed eyes, which made Lin Xiang feel uncomfortable.
She picked up the teacup and changed her seat, not wanting to pay any attention to this dude.
"Hey." However, Zhou Hongfei was always tactless. Seeing that Lin Xiang was avoiding him even more, he also moved a few places to go over. "Comrade Lin Xiang, you don't forget me, do you?"
"Who are you? I really don't know you." Lin Xiangsi said mercilessly.
Zhou Hongfei gritted his teeth and said with a depressed look: "Back in my uncle's house, you even splashed water on me!"
"Really?" Lin Xiang hesitated for a moment, as if trying to recall, "I think I only splashed water on a particularly annoying big yellow dog. I don't remember splashing water on you."
Zhou Hongfei was stunned for two seconds before he realized that this person actually called him a big yellow dog!
"Who are you calling a dog?" Zhou Hongfei was furious. Now he understood. Birds of a feather flock together. No wonder Lin Xiang fell in love with He Hongyuan. It turned out that neither of them was a good person.
Lin Xiang smiled and said, "Whoever is a dog, I will scold him."
Zhou Hongfei never got physical with women, and he was so angry that he wanted to curse at her, but he had to hold back his anger as he was at the Provincial Grain and Oil Company to discuss the application.
Suddenly, I remembered what Qiu Xiuping said yesterday. My face suddenly brightened up and I said as if I was watching a good show: "Lin Xiang, I don't want to argue with you. After all, your factory is going to fail. I have nothing to say to someone who is going to fail."
Lin Xiang looked at Zhou Hongfei suspiciously, thinking that this man was really mentally ill. The future of her factory was bright, so what could go wrong? "If cursing our factory can make you happy, then it's up to you."
"You!" Zhou Hongfei got angry when he heard Lin Xiang's words. He didn't know why this person was targeting him. Although he didn't believe Qiu Xiuping's words, he had to pretend to be sincere at this moment. "Just wait and see, your factory will be in trouble before the New Year!"
Lin Xiang saw that Zhou Hongfei's words were very clear and he looked serious, which didn't seem like he was lying. She began to feel suspicious.
Just as Lin Xiang was lost in thought, there was movement in Section Chief Gu's office. The door opened and Director Zhao, with a flushed face, strode out and shouted, "Xiao Lin, it's done!"
Zhao Jianjun held a document tightly in his hand, which stated in black and white that it agreed that the second factory of Phnom Penh 119 Food Factory would supply coconut juice to department stores and supply and marketing cooperatives in eight cities, 36 counties and 150 communes across the province!
At the same time, Qiu Xiuping, who came out with him, was also overjoyed and said to Zhou Hongfei, who was traveling with him, "Hurry back to the factory. Our canned shrimp sauce will be supplied to the whole province."
——
Lin Xiang and Zhao Jianjun took the train and then the ferry back to the island. When they returned to the 119 Food Factory, everyone had already heard the news.
Some are happy and some are worried.
The coconut juice produced by the 119 Food Factory No. 2 has passed the inspection and can be supplied to the whole province. This is the sixth product of the 119 factory after the five kinds of canned seafood that can be sold on the counters throughout the province! It is also a historic breakthrough for the second factory!
Factory 2 was in a frenzy, while Factory 1 was in shock.
Director Zhao and Lin Xiang were greeted with thunderous applause after entering the room. Everyone prepared a lot of food and drinks to celebrate this historic moment for the Second Factory, celebrating that the Second Factory finally had a product that could be sold throughout the province!
Qiu Hongxia burst into tears: "I will accept it even if I have to work overtime today! Oh my god, I never thought that one day the things I made could be sold somewhere else!"
"Then if we go out of town in the future, we can go to the department store and see the coconut juice we make ourselves!" Many workers were excited. What a great feat! They were all so proud!
In a factory separated by a wall, workers can hear loud noises and laughter from next door while they are working.
Some people were shocked: "Is the second factory crazy? They won't go to work?"
Some people can understand that feeling: "If the things I made by myself can be sold in the department stores in the provincial capital, I will be happy too. I won't just celebrate without working!"
How impressive it was! You could point to a can of food in a department store in the provincial capital and tell your children, "Look, this is made by your mother."
He Fen was stirring fermented black beans, and her body seemed to have been marinated in the flavor. She heard the thunderous cheers from the second factory next door and the whispers of her co-workers around her. She could not help but stare at a bucket of black fermented black beans that seemed to have no bottom. Her heart ached, as if she was immersed in bitter water.
How could a waste factory like Factory 2, which was despised by everyone, sell its products throughout the province?
Her limbs became weak and she was unable to stand steadily for a moment.
In the past, whenever the five kinds of canned seafood produced by a factory that could be sold throughout the province received provincial indicators from the provincial grain and oil company, the factory would report and praise them, and this time was no exception.
Factory Director Huang stood up straight in front of Secretary Tang and asked, seemingly negotiating, "Old Tang, are you going to be in charge of reporting the commendation or am I?"
Secretary Tang's face froze. He never thought that a place like the Second Factory would actually be able to make coconut juice a success. Not only was it selling well in Phnom Penh, but now it was even sold throughout the province!
Last time I took the lead in opposing the sale of coconut juice, now it's really...
"You go ahead. I have too much to do. Besides, the companies in other cities may not necessarily buy the products. It is said that neither victory nor defeat makes one proud. But these two factories are already proud in advance." Secretary Tang had a calm expression. After all, he was an old hand and could always act calmly as if nothing had happened.
But someone wouldn't let him go.
Zhao Jianjun's voice came from outside the secretary's office: "Secretary Tang, Secretary Tang! We from Factory 2 have sent you some coconut juice. Thank you for your guidance!"
Tang Shuji: ...
This son of a bitch Zhao Jianjun!
It really never ends, doesn't it?
Director Huang could hardly hold back his laughter. This Zhao Jianjun was such a jerk. He was such a jerk! I've never seen anyone chase after a leader and ridicule him like this!
......
Lin Xiang returned to the factory and ate melon seeds, peanuts, sorghum malt, orange candy and crispy candy. Finally, she hugged a coconut and drank fresh coconut water. The workers in front of her stopped working temporarily, and everyone was immersed in joy. They couldn't wait to visit relatives and friends to announce the historic breakthrough of the second factory.
A smile crept up to the corners of her eyes and eyebrows. Lin Xiang felt relieved and a sense of accomplishment surged instantly. She thought that this was probably the meaning of going to work, a rare moment that could make people feel united and accomplished in the boring work.
Of course, their work in Factory 2 doesn’t seem to be boring or tedious. The style of work here is really different.
It was almost time to get off work when Lin Xiang and Director Zhao came back. Since they were delayed for a while, it was almost time for them to go home after get off work.
Thinking about the call from her husband yesterday, she hurried to the family compound, but she didn't know whether He Hongyuan had finished his work in the army.
When she reached the gate of her family compound, Lin Xiang ran into Zhang Huafeng and Yan Min, who had just returned to the army after a 20-day family visit leave.
The two of them came back with lots of bags and were preparing to go to Lin Xiang's house to give gifts.
"Minmin, Political Commissar Zhang, have you just returned?" Lin Xiang looked at the two people who looked radiant and hurriedly helped to carry the luggage into the house. "Drink some water and take a rest. This trip took a long time."
"Yes, it's been almost a month." Yan Min's family lives in Shanghai, and it took her and Zhang Huafeng six days to travel by train. It was not easy. "Fortunately, the marriage was settled, which can be regarded as a major accomplishment."
Lin Xiang grabbed a handful of candies and put them on the fruit plate, then went to the living room cupboard and took out four pieces of egg cakes and handed them over: "Hurry up and eat something to fill your stomach. Is the wedding settled? When will the wedding be held? Hongyuan and I will come to help then."
Zhang Huafeng was in high spirits, and he shook off the gloom brought by the family. He grinned and said, "We are going to pick a day in the spring after the Chinese New Year. I will use Hongyuan to do his job, and I won't be polite!"
Lin Xiang laughed along, showing no pity for betraying her husband: "You can call me whatever you want, don't be polite to me."
——"Why are you being polite?" He Hongyuan's voice came from outside the door.
Before the person arrived, the voice came first. He Hongyuan strode into the house and his eyes first fell on his daughter-in-law who had just returned from a day-long business trip. He looked at her deeply for a few times before glancing at Zhang Huafeng and Yan Min: "Did you just come back today?"
Lin Xiang hurried forward to announce the good news: "Political Commissar Zhang and Minmin's wedding is set. The wedding will be held in the spring of next year. We are just discussing it and want you to help. Political Commissar Zhang is ready to use you well."
He Hongyuan smiled and said, "Okay, I'll iron your uniform for you then."
The house was bustling and hot. Lin Xiang insisted on keeping Zhang Huafeng and Yan Min at home to eat noodles. Each of them had a bowl of noodles, which was made with the shrimps she bought the day before. The soup was fresh and delicious, and the noodles were chewy, perfect for the beginning of winter.
Before leaving, Yan Min and Zhang Huafeng gave them a bag of White Rabbit candies, a box of Golden Chicken Biscuits, and a red scarf that Yan Min had carefully selected at a department store in Shanghai. They were all good things.
White Rabbit Milk Candy is hard to buy and expensive. It can be said to be a luxury item in this era. Its rich milky flavor is particularly attractive.
Lin Xiang peeled a piece and fed it to the man, then peeled another piece for herself, and spoke sweetly about her business trip over the past two days.
He Hongyuan watched his daughter-in-law pack the clothes from the suitcase and put them back into the closet after returning home, then wipe the box clean and put it in the cupboard at the bottom of the closet. Only then did he feel satisfied.
This damn suitcase should stay in that dark place.
"Then your trip went smoothly." He Hongyuan liked to listen to his wife talking about work, and his face was full of excitement.
"It went fairly smoothly, except that Chief Gu from the Provincial Grain and Oil Company acted like a teacher when he asked questions. He was quite authoritative. It's true that the provincial capital is different. It's much stricter than our city." Lin Xiangyi kept muttering to herself, talking about everything from the coconut juice she bought from the Hongguang Soda Factory for tasting to the people she met who were interested in food.
"Did you meet Zhou Hongfei?" When He Hongyuan thought of this person, he inevitably thought of Zhou Shengqiang, so his expression became serious and his brows wrinkled slightly.
"Well, this guy is really annoying but he still insists on talking to me. I'm too lazy to pay attention to him." Seeing her man frowning, Lin Xiang raised her hand to touch him to relax his frown. "But don't worry, I've already scolded him for you. Don't be angry. You are older than me, and you frown every day. You will really become an old man in the future. What should I do if you look much older than me? When we are in our sixties or seventies and go out, people will think you are my elder..."
The more Lin Xiang talked, the funnier it became. He Hongyuan smiled helplessly, and his sword-like brows smoothed as she stroked them. It seemed that Zhou Hongfei and Zhou Shengqiang, who was related to him, were no longer important and there was no need for him to be angry.
With his own wife around, his heart can no longer accommodate those annoying people and things.
"But Zhou Hongfei said something very strange to me." When Lin Xiang mentioned Zhou Hongfei, she naturally thought of the curse-like words, "He said that our Second Factory would be in trouble before the New Year, and he sounded like it was true."
He Hongyuan angrily shouted in a low voice: "It's true that a dog can't spit out ivory."
Lin Xiangqian laughed out loud: "I also called him a dog. We are really a perfect match, worthy of being a couple!"
He Hongyuan looked at his daughter-in-law's cute and cheerful face, and his anger disappeared. He was no longer angry with anyone and raised his hands to hold her in his arms.
Lin Xiang hugged He Hongyuan back, her hands playing tricks restlessly, one hand around his thin waist, the other hand pressing and poking his abdominal muscles, it felt so good.
"But their canned shrimp paste is also going to be sold throughout the province, so it looks like our first factory is going to have a headache soon. By the way, even our second factory's coconut juice has three new competitors. A soda factory in the provincial capital has produced coconut juice, and Director Zhao and I bought some to drink. It tastes okay. The soda factories in Hedong and Xiang'an are a bit far away, so it's not very convenient to buy from them, and we don't know how they taste."
He Hongyuan saw his wife worrying about how to taste the coconut juice produced by the other two soda factories. After a little thought, he suddenly remembered something, but he didn't say much. He just went to the communication room to make a phone call the next day.
When the comrades in Hedong City and Xiang'an City received He Hongyuan's call, they immediately agreed to his request out of firm revolutionary comradeship.
That afternoon, Lin Xiang saw two bottles of coconut juice at the gate of the second factory, which were delivered by He Hongyuan through a soldier. They were newly produced coconut juices from the Hedong City and Xiang'an City soda factories.
Director Zhao was amazed: "Captain He is worthy of being Captain He, he is so quick to act, and he even asked someone to get it for him at such a high speed."
Lin Xiang was delighted and opened two bottles of coconut juice from different factories and shared them with everyone in her factory.
"The color and smell of this bottle from Hedong City are quite similar to ours." Lin Xiang felt a sense of crisis. The imitation from Hedong City was indeed amazing, but as for the one from Xiang'an, it was not a big problem and the quality was average.
"If they can sell to the whole province in the future, maybe ordinary people won't be able to tell who is who." Yang Tian couldn't help but worry.
Zhao Jianjun made the decision: "So we must control the raw materials and all the processes, and ensure the quality. We must not take it lightly, otherwise we will be eaten sooner or later by wolves in front and tigers behind!"
With He Hongyuan's help, Factory 2 was able to analyze its competitors early on. After getting off work, Lin Xiang came home and ate White Rabbit candy while cooking in the kitchen. When she heard some noise at the door, she quickly ran out with a spatula in her hand.
How could she have forgotten yesterday that her man is a well-connected person? Fortunately, this man is the type who does more than he says, and he helped a lot silently.
"I received the two bottles of coconut juice. Did you ask your comrades to help you?"
He Hongyuan was taking off his military jacket. He turned around and nodded when he heard this. "My comrades are in Hedong and Xiang'an. I asked them to buy it and have the train attendant bring it to Phnom Penh. It just so happened that our group's purchasing officer was out shopping today, so he went to the train station to pick it up."
She stood on tiptoe and kissed the man on the mouth: "It's not easy! Comrade He Hongyuan is still quite useful!"
He Hongyuan felt the sweet and soft lips approaching him, and he reached out to grab the woman's waist and pull her towards him.
Lin Xiang was about to withdraw after giving him a kiss, but was unexpectedly held by the man's large hand, and his thin lips pressed against hers again, acting recklessly.
"Why does it smell so good?" He Hongyuan only felt his mouth was filled with sweet aroma.
Lin Xiang smiled and tilted her head slightly: "I ate White Rabbit milk candy! It's fragrant and sweet, so delicious!"
The red lips were kissed until they were shiny and moist. He Hongyuan leaned over and kissed them again, saying vaguely, "Well, it tastes good."