Chapter 356 Mutual Schemes
Seven cents?
Song Lubai definitely wouldn't agree.
The pleasant atmosphere of relatives catching up and fellow villagers meeting gave Song Lubai a false sense of security. She thought that Song Hai might be more accommodating because of their kinship, but she didn't expect him to push the price down so drastically.
"Dude, 70 cents is way too low, even after deducting costs..."
Song Hai interrupted her, smiling, and said, "Even after deducting costs, you'll still make a profit. Making a pair of cloth shoes doesn't cost much, and as you know, many women can make shoes. Even if we buy them, they might not sell well. The cost price is seven cents, but my selling price will definitely be higher than seven cents. If the price is too high, do you think they'll sell well?"
"Besides, it's probably not easy for your production farm to sell. Otherwise, you could just make them and sell them yourself. Why bother sending them to the city?"
Song Hai was a shrewd person. He didn't think that Director Liu knew about his kinship with Song Lubai beforehand, but the fact that Director Liu brought Song Lubai along and let her bring up the matter meant that Song Lubai was capable of making the decision on this matter.
"Girl, if you think it's too low, I'll add five more points for you, but no more than that."
Song Lubai shook her head and said, "Brother, to be honest, the price is too low, and I can't make the decision on my own. I have to go back and discuss it with the head of the shoemaking team. Our shoemaking team hasn't made many yet. Otherwise, I'll go back and discuss it with everyone, and then come to you again next time."
Song Hai hesitated for a moment, but having been in this position for so long, he always put the interests of the supply and marketing cooperative first. If he could earn more, he certainly couldn't let the profits slip away.
It's still the end of October, the time for single-layer shoes. The supply and marketing cooperatives and department stores sell canvas shoes, leather shoes, and other types of shoes with rubber soles. They're not cheap. If he gets his hands on this batch of cloth shoes, he's confident he can sell them for 1.2 yuan each.
Although it's a bit unethical to do this, Song Hai won't make too many concessions for the sake of that little bit of family ties.
Work is work, and life is life. If Song Lubai has any difficulties in life, he will lend a hand without worrying about the consequences.
As soon as Song Lubai came out, Yang Xiue's eyes immediately turned to her.
"How did it go? I heard from Director Liu that the leader is your brother from your hometown, you're related. Is he willing to give you a few cents?"
Director Liu and the other two were loading the truck over there, and the shoes wrapped in rehabilitation cloth were piled up in front of Yang Xiu'e.
Song Lubai shook her head and said, "He only gave us 75 cents. We have to think of something."
Yang Xiue exclaimed in disbelief, "Only seventy-five cents!"
It's 25 cents short of their expectations!
"No, no, we can't give it to him! Let's go somewhere else."
The two talked for a while, and then Director Liu and his two companions, who had finished loading the car, came over with the donkey.
Director Liu looked at Song Lubai with anticipation. After Song Lubai finished speaking, Director Liu said in a low voice, "He drove our price down so low. The selling price is guaranteed to be more than one yuan. We go to great lengths to make it and deliver it to him. Then they make more money than us without putting in any effort. It's really shady."
Song Lubai also felt that Song Hai had driven the price down too much.
"Director, do you think we should go to another department store or to the neighboring county? My little bit of family connections is useless. I absolutely will not agree to 75 cents."
Of these two proposals, the former is risky, and the latter is somewhat troublesome.
Department stores in the city all have to get their goods from the supply and marketing cooperative. Although department stores can get goods from other places, that is only for some of the goods. Most of the goods have to go through the hands of the higher-level supply and marketing cooperative.
They immediately sold the goods to the department store. When Song Hai finds out, it's one thing if he's unhappy, but it's another if he gets upset and refuses to sell the goods to the department store. If the department store finds out the reason, they might not want their goods anymore.
Director Liu understood this even better than Song Lubai. He scratched his head and said, "If you sell it to other department stores, aren't you afraid of offending your brother?"
Song Lubai said, "We can't just give it to him so easily, can we?"
She didn't care about offending anyone. Comrade Song Hai was acting for his supply and marketing cooperative, while she was acting for the 16th Regiment. Since they had different positions, there were bound to be disagreements.
They had never met before, and their relationship was based on a fragile sense of kinship. At this critical juncture, she was more concerned with getting a good price for the shoes and wanted to maximize her profits.
If the shoemaking class is successful, the troupe will increase its support for these commercial projects, which will also affect the food workshops that have not yet been built.
While Song Lubai was silently trying to think of a solution, Director Liu said, "How about we give him eight cents?"
Song Lubai and Yang Xiue glared at each other and said in unison, "No way!"
Song Lubai said in a low voice, "Director, you wouldn't be trying to curry favor with Song Hai by taking advantage of the shoemaking class, would you?"
Director Liu, whose thoughts had been exposed, smiled awkwardly and said, "Our regiment doesn't have much in terms of supplies to begin with. If the shoemaking team can make a contribution, wouldn't that be great? Anyway, we'll earn 80 cents."
Yang Xiu'e snorted, "Don't even think about it. We shoemakers only make a little money per pair of shoes, less than a dollar. How are we going to give them a dime?"
Song Lubai took out the small jars from the cloth bag and said to the group, "I'll go in one more time. If it doesn't work this time, we'll go to the department store to ask later. If the department store is also offering a low price, Director Liu, you go back with them to deliver the goods today, and come back early tomorrow so we can go to the neighboring county to ask."
Director Liu had brought Song Lubai along precisely because he valued her decision-making ability, so he simply nodded and said, "Alright, go ahead."
Song Lubai brought two small cans of dried radish and also packed some pickled cabbage in a lunchbox.
The jar she was holding was only half full; the radish strips coated with chili powder and Sichuan peppercorn powder looked very appetizing in the glass bottle.
When she went back, Song Hai was overjoyed, thinking that she was going to agree to the price he offered.
"Brother Hai, it's fate that we met here today. We're relatives after all. I don't have anything to give you as a gift, but I happened to bring a small jar of dried radish. Take it back and try it."
Song Hai was taken aback. When he saw the half-empty jar of dried radish in the glass bottle, he refused, saying, "What's this for? If anyone's going to give something, it should be me giving you something. There's no reason for a girl to give something to you. Take it back."
Song Lubai insisted on putting the dried radish in his hand, saying, "This is a dried radish that our group's food workshop tried to make. It will be mass-produced this fall and sold outside. This stuff can be stored for several months without spoiling, and it tastes pretty good. Two strips of dried radish are enough for one steamed bun. Take it back and try it. I think it tastes even better than meat."
The radish strips in the jar were coated with seasoning and glistened with oil, making them look delicious. Song Hai glanced at them a few more times and wanted to open the jar and try them.
"It can last for months without spoiling? And it tastes even better than meat?"
Song Hai was a little skeptical.
He had to wait patiently; once Song Lubai spoke, things would be settled.
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