Chapter 161 It's really unreasonable to pick up trash without taking a single penny. ...
Qin Xiangxiang sought out Master Meng, saying he wanted to use the scraps to research and develop reinforcing fabric for the crotch of trousers suitable for steelworkers, or padding.
"This..." Meng Qiaoyun coughed and blushed after hearing this. She straightened her expression and said, "Poplin is more suitable than wavy yarn. Using poplin to make reinforcement fabric for the crotch repair of steelworkers' trousers, or as lining, or even as padding, are all very good ideas. Poplin is expensive because the material is really good. It is made of the best cotton, is light and breathable, and can greatly improve comfort."
"This thin layer is absorbent and breathable, and it won't easily harden like canvas after being baked, causing your thighs to bleed."
“The scraps of poplin from our factory used for making shirts, or the defective poplin produced, those with skipped stitches, are perfect for this place!”
"Actually, patching the crotch of a child's pants is also very effective. It's more comfortable than regular patches, at least it's thinner and more breathable."
Assistant He blushed as he contacted the provincial steel plant. He felt he wasn't thick-skinned enough to exchange supplies with them, using "cloth for patching trousers (-)".
Even if this silk is very expensive, it's still just scraps used to mend someone's trousers (crotch).
The provincial steel plant answered the phone: "You are... Feiyan Textile Factory? It's a textile factory? Don't mention it, we're all brother units, what do you need?"
The person on the other end of the phone, upon hearing that it was someone from a textile factory, probably already knew what was going on. This was because the exchange of scrap materials between factories was a normal form of coordination and mutual assistance, an unspoken rule.
When it comes to factory resources, steel mills are good, food factories are good, and textiles are also major producers of daily necessities. Who doesn't need a few pieces of cloth at home?
I heard that Feiyan Textile Factory is featured in the newspapers. They produce "provincial gifts" and have millions of foreign exchange orders. The factory has plenty of good stuff.
"Uh—that's it, our factory needs some unused medical equipment."
"Our textile factory's hospital has just been built, and we lack everything."
The person on the other side nodded repeatedly: "Yes, I understand. So... what do you want to use?"
Assistant He covered his face, finding it difficult to speak: "We... actually, no matter what kind of worker you are, you're all prone to chafing in your crotch, right? You must really need some cloth to mend your crotch, right? You can use it as a lining in your crotch, it's high-grade poplin, made from high-quality cotton."
"Using this to patch...it's absolutely comfortable! It's also a good pad...it fits perfectly, it's great stuff!"
The steel mill manager: "??????"
Patching the crotch of pants?
Is Feiyan Textile Factory trying to scam people? What kind of pants mending service is this...? These are just scraps!
You could say that if you used defective fabric to make new work clothes for the workers, that would be one thing, but now you're using only the crotch patch? How shameless can you be! Just patching the crotch of their pants!
Scam!
Assistant He quickly explained, "These are made of poplin. Do you know your steel mill? A poplin shirt from us sold for fifty yuan at the Canton Fair. This is truly made from the most expensive cotton; it's top-quality stuff."
The person on the other end blurted out, "Fifty? Most of our workers here only earn thirty or forty a month."
"This piece of clothing costs more than a month's salary? You're not kidding? I heard that a Dacron shirt in Shanghai only costs ten or twenty yuan."
Assistant He: "Then you don't know the industry. Poplin is much more expensive than Dacron! It has to be woven from very good medium-length cotton."
"Do you know silk? Although this poplin is a cotton fabric, it feels just like silk. It's light, thin, and breathable, and it's absolutely comfortable to wear!"
There was a moment of silence on the other end: "...Let's try one batch first."
Holy crap, this is scrap material from a shirt that costs fifty yuan a month?!
A few days later, a sack of poplin "crotch pads" from Feiyan Textile Factory was delivered to Huaxing Steel Plant. This was the most impressive steel plant in the province. It was built in 1957, and had stopped production for a few years in the early 1960s. It resumed operation in 1965, and by 1973, the steel plant had developed very rapidly.
It is now a large factory with 10,000 employees, and has three canteens, as well as employee hospitals, employee bathhouses, and other welfare facilities.
“These pants can stand up on their own if you take them off.”
The logistics director walked into the noisy workers' break room with a strange expression on his face. He was carrying a sack of "special supplies" and approached the resting workers.
Furnace workers typically take a break every three or four hours, making it an extremely strenuous job. The heat causes them to sweat constantly, and even when wearing heat-insulating clothing, their outer trousers are repeatedly soaked with sweat. Many people don't wear underwear, only outer trousers and heat-insulating clothing. The outer trousers, repeatedly soaked with sweat, seem almost plastic when taken off, able to stand upright on the ground.
"These are relief supplies sent by Feiyan Textile Factory as a welfare benefit for you frontline workers. They say... you can go home and ask your wives to mend your pants, or use them as linings."
The workers in the break room were completely bewildered: "???"
This is the first time I've ever heard of such supplies. They're incredibly stingy!
When the logistics director took out a pile of strips of ice-patterned poplin from the sack, all the workers were stunned, because the fabric was so beautiful that using it to mend trousers would be a waste.
I could take it home and make a pretty collar for my wife.
It's great for patching the crotch of a child's pants; it's really thin and breathable.
"I want this piece!"
"How many pieces can one person get? I want this one."
"If this were used to mend the crotch of my pants, I'd need to mend at least two or three pairs. My pants usually wear out very easily in the crotch."
Before long, the sack of trousers and crotch cloths was completely divided up. Where the silk was used to mend the next day is not for outsiders to know.
Some mended the collars and cuffs, while others skillfully added decorations. Upon learning that shirts made from this material cost fifty yuan each, they rushed over to inquire.
When will the next batch of supplies for the textile factory arrive?
"My family really needs to mend the crotch of my pants."
"I need it too..."
...
So Huaxing Steel Plant called Feiyan Textile Factory, hoping to get more "support" materials.
"Your textile factory is really generous, using such good stuff to mend the crotch of your pants."
Assistant He: "???"
Overall, although the process was tortuous, Qin Xiangxiang still achieved the result she wanted.
The steel mill delivered a batch of unused materials, including basic medical equipment materials, a high-pressure steam sterilizer, and an old-fashioned X-ray machine.
There were also some steel scraps—these were unexpected surprises.
"Factory manager, these steel scraps are good; they can be used to make textile machine parts."
"This one is much stronger and more durable!"
...
Qin Xiangxiang nodded. It seemed that it was very important to maintain good relations with heavy industrial factories such as steel mills. Their scraps were highly sought-after by their factories.
If you take advantage of every opportunity, you might be able to build a steel awning; steel pipes and such are all valuable materials!
Chen Shulan, the factory manager of the silk weaving factory, called Qin Xiangxiang: "Oh my, little Qin, who earned three million US dollars in foreign exchange orders, is still picking up scraps?"
Qin Xiangxiang rested her chin on her hand, thinking to herself, "This 'big spender' is here again. It would be a shame not to take advantage of such a sucker who comes to her."
"Director Chen, I was just lucky before." In fact, Qin Xiangxiang knew that this batch of poplin had gotten a great deal from Mawangdui. In terms of value, silk products were of course better.
Qin Xiangxiang shamelessly asked, "What good stuff does your factory hospital have? For example, could you donate one of those ultrasound machines or electrocardiogram machines to us?"
"B-" Chen Shulan almost choked on her own saliva. She thought to herself, how could there be such a shameless person in this world who is also so beautiful, bright and generous.
"As mentioned before, we're exploring the possibility of collaborating on silk blends. Our factory lacks experience in applying synthetic fiber materials."
Qin Xiangxiang also wanted to try imitation silk fabric and silk blended fabric, or silk blended with linen and polyester fabric... Let "Dream Dasty" research these; she likes to think about this.
"Director Chen, does your factory have any outdated machines for processing filaments?"
Chen Shulan: "...You're a ragpicker, aren't you?"
Qin Xiang covered her forehead, feeling humiliated, but if she could wear silk clothes, that would be even better.
Their factory's current equipment can process real silk, but it's really not as good as synthetic imitation silk. If they want to process real silk, they still need a batch of machines suitable for real silk, even if they are old and broken equipment.
Otherwise, the loss rate will be too high and there will be too many defects.
Chen Shulan: "Yes, I do have some, but why should I give them to you for free?"
Qin Xiangxiang: "Should I call you my own mother?"
Chen Shulan: "..."
"Even if you had it, it wouldn't be of any use. Your factory doesn't have any specialized technicians who wouldn't know how to do it."
Qin thought for a moment: "If I don't know how, I can learn." It's always better to be prepared.
"Let's produce results first." Chen Shulan sighed, feeling like she was dancing with wolves. "I can provide you with a batch of scrap silk."
"Director Chen, thank you!"
Chen Shulan: "Our factory's technicians want to use your factory's water jet looms and chemical fiber materials to try making imitation silk."
"Come on, come on!" Qin Xiangxiang really needed their technical staff's guidance and support.
Chen Shulan: "Are you being so kind?"
Qin Xiangxiang said, "As long as the results can be worn by me, that's fine."
She was a nobody, with no other aspirations but to dress well, eat well, and drink well.
Chen Shulan: "..."
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