As soon as they left the Zhou family home, the villagers surrounded the father-in-law and son-in-law, asking, "What were you two doing at the Zhou family's house?"
Zhou Yue, with his good temper, laughed and said, "It's nothing. I just saw that they weren't doing well, so I wanted to introduce a few people to work in the coal mine!"
In those days, news was scarce, and even if there were accidents in coal mines, it wouldn't become common knowledge.
Moreover, coal miners are known throughout the country for their excellent treatment.
"It's not a small coal mine, it's a large coal mine, state-owned."
When Zhou Yue explained the benefits, the villagers couldn't help but be tempted: "Why, aren't they going?"
Zhou Yue looked regretful. "They think I'm heartless, like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken with ill intentions, and that I'm sending them to their deaths."
"Nonsense. If that were true, who would want to be a coal miner? It's hard work, but it's physically demanding, so it's what they deserve."
Hey Yue, they're not going, do you think we could go?
My son is strong and healthy, and he's been eating well these past few years. I figured he couldn't just stay at home farming all the time, so I wanted him to go out and broaden his horizons.
Where is the coal mine you're talking about?
The job Zhou Yue was working on wasn't something he just made up or fabricated.
That was a favor owed to him by his comrades, who wanted to repay it with money, but he felt it was immeasurable and couldn't accept it.
It just so happens that their family works in the Pingshi Coal Mine, a family-run business where many relatives work, and many of them are in important departments.
Getting a few temporary worker slots was easy, so they just asked for them.
My original intention was simply to improve the lives of the villagers and make my parents' lives easier in the future.
This wasn't because he heard that Zhao Lingli had been affected by rumors for many years that he had the idea of taking revenge on the Zhou family.
The job he offered them—even a fool would know the Zhou family wouldn't dare accept it.
So when he left the Zhou family's gate, he answered the villagers' questions without batting an eye.
Once the first person signs up, a second and a third will follow, and the five spots will soon be filled.
Zhou Yue didn't want to do something that would offend people, so he left the decision to the production team leader and the village chief.
"This job is temporary now. If I do well, no one can say for sure whether I'll have a chance to become a permanent employee."
My monthly full attendance salary is fifty yuan, and I can exchange some grain coupons at home. With the food allowance from the factory, it's enough for me.
Moreover, coal miners have excellent benefits; towels, work clothes, and gloves are distributed monthly, and each person has their own designated sleeping area.
State-owned factories and mines have a high safety factor, and not everyone working underground is a worker; whoever has the ability has the opportunity to stand out.
"There are five spots available. I suggest you choose carefully. Who knows, if there are five now, we might grow to a dozen or twenty later."
Upon hearing this, the village chief and the brigade leader knew that Zhou Yue was telling the truth. The coal mine was also a collective, and collectives are prone to division.
Wherever there are people, there will be conflict. Locals look down on outsiders, and outsiders will also form gangs.
Over time, regardless of whether you are a permanent or temporary employee, as long as you don't violate factory rules, who wouldn't want to know more people?
This is the rudimentary form of networking...
The father-in-law and son-in-law left this big problem to the village to run for election and went home.
When Tao Changyi got home, he said to him with emotion, "You never intended to give the spot to the Zhou family from the beginning, did you?"
Zhou Yue shrugged noncommittally, "Even if I wanted to give it, the other person would have to dare to accept it, right?"
Tao Changyi laughed heartily, "That's right. These bastards have the desire but not the courage. Now it's too late for them to regret it."
"Of course, if the quota is given to the village, how could it possibly be the Zhou family's turn?"
This is, after all, a state-owned factory. Even if something goes wrong later, the compensation will be handled according to the state's compensation policy.
How can illegal coal mines compare?
Tao Changyi really didn't want to mention the Zhen family, but at this moment he had no choice but to bring it up.
"You sent the Zhen family's children to the coal mines, but gave the village the opportunity to work in a state-owned factory?"
Zhou Yue snorted, "In my eyes, the Zhen family is not even as good as these people in the village. At least I helped them, and they will treat you well."
"Once Xiao Jiu returns, and our relationship becomes public, let's see who dares to gossip about you two then."
Zhao Lingli happened to be bringing in some fried sesame candy when she heard this and was immediately moved.
"My son-in-law is much more forward-thinking. Actually, I was just emotional this morning, but looking back, it was really unnecessary."
Look at the life the Zhou family is living now, and look at the life I'm living! There's no comparison. Why should I bother arguing with them?
"No, Mother, that's not how things should be judged. We can't forgive their past misdeeds just because they're not doing well now."
Making them uncomfortable at work is just the first step. I can't just sit idle while I'm in the village; I need to cause them some trouble.
After Zhou Yue finished dinner and strolled out, Zhao Lingli and Tao Changyi chatted casually.
"My daughter said that although it will be another ten years or so before grain coupons are abolished, many cities have gradually begun to abolish the use of coupons."
Furthermore, the household responsibility system was gradually promoted nationwide within seven or eight years.
I believe it won't be long before we have it here too. When that time comes, the people's enthusiasm for farming will increase.
They would also exchange the money they earned from side jobs with city dwellers, and gradually the government began to turn a blind eye to speculation and profiteering.
“We don’t own any land, and we can’t manage these things, but if the villagers are doing well, it’s a good thing for us too.”
Now it will be much easier to buy things when I go home, right? My daughter also said that many people will be going out to work in the future.
Actually, these coal miner positions are only somewhat attractive now; if you wait a few more years, nobody will care anymore.
Zhao Lingli disagreed, saying, "What my daughter is talking about—doing business—isn't considered a respectable job by many people. I think coal miners might not be very appealing, but who wouldn't be tempted by the title of a formal worker in a state-owned factory?"
The couple couldn't help but feel emotional when they thought about the changes in their country over the next ten years.
"The country is developing so fast. I wonder if we'll live to see every household have a telephone, and we can eat rice and flour as much as we want, and eat chicken, duck and fish as much as we want. My dear wife, take good care of your health. Let's try to live to the millennium, so that our lives won't have been in vain."
Fortunately, Zhou Yue had already eaten before leaving. Everyone who saw him wanted to make connections because of the quota. Several families invited him to dinner and drinks, all wanting to find out where he worked.
He gave vague answers about his work address, and if anyone tried to ask more, he would refuse, citing the confidentiality of his organization. However, he didn't disappoint them; at least he offered them some promises.
"Don't worry, these five spots are just the first time. If there are opportunities and spots in the future, I will definitely think of my fellow villagers again."
So even if you get selected this time, don't rush it; maybe the next job opportunity will be even better.
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