Chapter 309: The Good News Swallow - Other brother units couldn't sit still any longer. ...
The establishment of the workshop was very rapid, with a strong military style. It was completed in about two or three days. The location was chosen on the east side of the naval base's family compound, and it was converted from an idle old warehouse.
The warehouse's exterior walls were painted with blue paint, representing the sea, by several enthusiastic military spouses. Slogans such as "Labor is the most glorious" and "Skillful hands weave dreams, hard work supports the military" were also displayed nearby.
Several young soldiers helped build a ramp at the entrance to make it easier to push carts in. The front and back doors of the warehouse were wide open to allow for ventilation and dissipation of odors.
“I used to see them painting the boats every day, so today we’ll do it ourselves.”
"If you were really asked to paint the boat, you probably wouldn't be willing."
To the left of the warehouse is the back door, which has been designated as a textile area. There are more than a dozen sewing machines and two overlock machines, all of which are old machines moved from Feiyan Textile Factory.
To the right of the warehouse, near the main entrance, is a beautiful craft area. Long tables are piled high with stuffing for toy swallows and teddy bears, colored thread, and other materials.
In a corner, Qin Xiangxiang had set up a "childcare area." Considering that many military wives have many children and need to take care of them on a daily basis, this childcare area is specially staffed with two family members to help take care of the children.
The childcare area also displays some snacks produced in the food production workshop of Feiyan Textile Factory, such as seaweed and finger biscuits.
"Xiao Chen's family is relatively poor, so give her more materials and tasks..." Sister Wang was assigning tasks with a roster in her hand. She really didn't expect that this "Military Wives' Craft Workshop" would be completed in just two or three days.
Factory Director Qin acted incredibly quickly.
In fact, there have been efforts to help military spouses find employment and increase their income over the past few years, but most of these efforts have ended hastily. After a few months, the project might fall through, and people don't really take it seriously.
The most stable options are a respectable job, a stall at a night market, or a skilled cook who can open a private kitchen and occasionally provide extra meals for officers and soldiers. These are the most sustainable and stable options.
However, military spouses with good cooking skills are few and far between; many of them can't even cook as well as the food cooked in the canteen.
How many days can this craft workshop operate?
Many people have a question mark in their minds. They just want to do what they can to pass the time.
From the beginning of the establishment of the Craft Workshop, no one had high expectations, thinking it would be the same as most things before.
Ma Xiufen even mocked in public: "This 'Craftsmanship Workshop' is just for 'Director Qin' to boost his political achievements and for publicity. In the end, it will definitely be a complete mess. Just wait and see."
At this time, Qin Xiangxiang was in the Qiaoshoufang warehouse, teaching several military wives with sewing and clothing-making experience to make "naval baby clothes". These clothes were made for Baobaoyan and teddy bears, and were produced as "military camp production version".
"So it's just a miniature version of the clothes we men wear? For this 'Good News Swallow' to wear?"
Qin Xiangxiang: "Hug Yan."
"Oh, the harbinger swallow."
Qin Xiangxiang: "..."
Whatever, it doesn't matter, shout whatever you want, more than one person has already called her "Baobaoyan" (抱抱燕) "Baoxiyan" (报喜燕).
"I've made a lot of clothes for men and children, but this is the first time I've made clothes for toy dolls... I'm making little military uniforms."
"I want to make a toy sailor suit."
...
The master craftsmen in the textile factory are skilled at making cheongsams and suits, but they know nothing about making military uniforms. The military wives, on the other hand, are the opposite, especially an older military wife surnamed Liu.
"Over the past ten years or so, the military uniforms issued each year have been slightly different, but I remember them all. I don't even know how many clothes I've mended for my man..."
"I remember everything from the 1950s and 60s."
"My husband's first set of clothes when he first joined the army..."
...
As she recalled these memories, she made little military uniforms for the swallow dolls, and soon produced more than a dozen. Now Qin Xiangxiang was at a loss, "This outfit seems good, this one is also good, and this sailor uniform is also good..."
Sister Wang: "Oh my, I love this! My niece is wearing this navy uniform-turned-upholstery dress, it's blue and so pretty, her mom made it for her with her skillful hands."
"These clothes are all very nice, Director Qin. When I make money in the future, can I buy a Baoxiyan for myself?"
"You can buy them, these are toys produced in our factory."
“Then I’ll buy one too! When I earn my first paycheck, I’ll buy one and take it home for my child to play with… I might even buy several! I’ll make several of these little outfits myself.”
"Then I'll buy it too."
Qin Xiangxiang was speechless: "..."
The military wives in front of me were already chatting about how many they wanted to buy. One said she wanted to buy two, another said she wanted to buy three, and yet another said she wanted to buy "five".
"I almost forgot about my relatives back home. I'll send two to them to announce the good news and celebrate!"
"You're right! I almost forgot about my hometown."
"Then I'll buy at least five!"
...
Looking at the lively scene before her, Qin Xiang rested her chin on her hand and wondered if they were here to make money or spend money. They hadn't even started working yet, and Yanzi was already "self-producing and self-selling."
However, she also admitted that the military wives in front of her were right.
She, Qin, wanted to buy "ten" of them!
"Since everyone likes to call it the 'Good News Swallow,' then let's call this naval version of the swallow doll 'Good News Swallow.' It sounds auspicious and festive, and it's a good omen."
"The basic model, which is just a swallow without any clothes, is priced at 1.2 yuan for the general public and 0.8 yuan for the military personnel; while the swallow with clothes is priced at 2.5 yuan for the general public and 1.5 yuan for the military personnel."
"Currently, we have tentatively decided on three main baby dolls: one in a 'sailor uniform,' one in a 'naval training uniform,' and one in an 'August 1st Army dress uniform.'"
"Then there are replacement military uniforms, this white summer uniform and the deep blue winter uniform. These little clothes are one to two yuan each, with internal discounts."
"The warship that Grandpa Ouyang made, let's call this the 'Wusong' frigate, and this 'Charge' tank. This one is unpainted. The unpainted Wusong frigate is five yuan a ship, and the tank is four yuan a ship... Hmm, that price is indeed a bit expensive."
It's no wonder that no one was interested in Old Master Ouyang's stall. The warship was too exquisite and beautiful, requiring a lot of handcrafted materials. If the price was too low, it would be a complete loss.
And a single one costs four or five yuan... sold at a small night market next to the military camp. Haha, I'd rather go home and build one myself from a bullet.
"The internal price is three yuan per ship, and two yuan and fifty cents per tank."
Qin Xiangxiang: "Grandpa Ouyang also has a high-quality version, painted with movable turrets and hatches, as well as a display stand. This one is a bit more expensive. The high-quality version of the warship is eight yuan per ship for foreign buyers, and the tank is six yuan fifty per ship. There are additional discounts for domestic buyers..."
Once the price was initially determined, production began. This batch of "Good News Swallows" were made and dressed in their round little military uniforms, making them incredibly cute. Qin Xiangxiang couldn't resist picking one up and squeezing it tightly.
"This expression is a bit too simple. Should we design two more expressions that reflect the characteristics of the military?"
“The standard version of the 'Good News Swallow' comes in two styles: one with a 'smiling' expression and another with a 'winking' expression. We’ll also design a 'charging face' and a 'proud face' expression.”
...
The main body of the mascot swallow is made of soft, light gray cotton cloth, with a warm white belly. It feels exceptionally soft and fluffy to the touch, and it has a good elasticity. It has a round little body and an even rounder little head with bright, black bean-like eyes. The most prized craft of Feiyan Textile Factory is the "expression embroidery" of the mascot swallow.
The most basic expression is a "hee-hee smile," with the corners of the mouth turned up, making the person look adorable.
Qin Xiangxiang personally drew a "Charging Face" that was perfect for matching with military uniforms and warships. This "Charging Face" chubby swallow had slightly furrowed brows, its small mouth pursed into a resolute line, and its eyes were full of "fighting" desire. Although it was a chubby swallow, it looked "tiger-headed and chubby".
After this "Charging Face Announcement Swallow" was made, it was well received by military wives and children.
"The one with the charging face is the best looking!"
"This chubby swallow looks so dashing in her military uniform."
...
The most surprising scene was when Qin Xiangxiang placed the "Charging Face" Good News Swallow on the deck of the frigate designed by Grandpa Ouyang, and a wonderful chemical reaction occurred.
Although the "Wusong" frigate is just a toy model, it is strictly scaled down to the size of a real frigate, with meticulous attention to detail.
When the chubby swallow in military uniform is placed next to a miniature frigate, it creates an extremely cute contrast! It makes one almost imagine that this little swallow is commanding the warship, braving the wind and waves, forging ahead without hesitation.
Although the visuals are undeniably cute, they also resonate with everyone's deep-seated desire to protect their homeland.
However, one unexpected thing was that as soon as the swallows were made, they became a hot seller not only among military wives, but even sailors rushed to buy them.
Especially for the officers and soldiers who were about to set sail for long-term missions, almost every person on the ship had one. They felt that this harbinger swallow had a wonderful meaning—"harbinger of good news" also meant a safe return and a series of victories.
They didn't just buy one; they carefully wrapped the auspicious swallows and sent them to their distant hometown, to their parents, wives, or children, saying in the letter:
"Look, this is our navy's mascot, made by the wives of our soldiers. It's meant to bring good news, that everything is going well for me out there!"
...
Inspired by these sailors, even ordinary cargo crew members came, along with coast guard and customs officers. These tidings of good news were already selling like hotcakes right outside the Qiaoshoufang store before they even left the naval base!
"The service counter sold out in less than two hours!"
"Order more! Speed up production!"
"Hurry, hurry, hurry... they're all urging us on."
...
Sister Wang was incredibly busy, coordinating with various companies urging her to place orders and arranging production tasks. Zhang Mei, standing beside her, was rapidly working on her abacus, the numbers in the ledger growing at breakneck speed, and her face beamed with joy.
Chief Quality Engineer Xie Shuzhen, however, maintained a serious expression. No matter how much pressure she was pressured to place orders, she refused to lower the quality standards and maintained strict control at all times.
Inside the workshop, production was in full swing.
Qin Xiangxiang was speechless again when faced with the scene of the sewing machine almost sparking.
"Director Qin, our Baoxi Yan is selling like hotcakes, and orders are almost booked for the next three months."
Qin Xiangxiang was stunned: "That's a good thing."
"However... Factory Director, the largest orders all come from our own naval units, as well as base union welfare purchases. The naval base alone has ordered six thousand units!"
"Supporting the military is almost at cost price, with meager profits. Our production capacity can hardly keep up."
Qin Xiangxiang discovered that their "Good News Swallow" consumed internally at an astonishing 70% rate.
"Didn't we say we were going to generate revenue? Now it's become our navy producing and selling its own products, circulating internally? It's just money going from one pocket to another."
However, seeing the children in the family compound happily playing with swallows, and the military wives in the craft workshop also joining in production and earning income, everything is quite good.
"That's fine then."
Qin thought that the matter was probably resolved.
However, with the navy making great strides, how could the news be kept secret? Soon, other units couldn't sit still any longer.
A leader from the army visited a naval base and was deeply disturbed to see the festive swallows on the desks of the officers and the hands of the military dependents and their children in the family quarters. Upon returning, he lashed out at the logistics department.
"Look at the Navy! They have new ideas for their gifts, and they're all handmade by the families... Look how resourceful they are! With just a small toy, they've brought together the morale of the troops and the families. What about us? We should find someone to design a 'Majestic Tiger' for our Army."
Meanwhile, the Air Force personnel took a more direct approach, calling the relevant departments at the naval base to jokingly protest:
"Brothers by the sea, you're really not being fair! You have such good stuff, but you don't even think of sharing it with us? Don't our air force brothers want peace and good news? We also want to bring good news—give us a 'Flying Swallow'!"
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