Chapter 197
A notice issued by the factory labor union brought some excitement to the Shuguang Factory's staff quarters.
After get off work, young people either visit each other to inquire about news, or take buses into the city in groups.
All the topics revolved around our factory's new product - the piano-key table fan.
As Director Ye's secretary, Zhou Ruyi's popularity is second only to that of the union secretary.
People come and go in her room of more than ten square meters every day.
"I've been saving up for most of the past six months and wanted to buy a bicycle this year," said workshop worker Lv Fangfang. "But with the factory's announcement, I'm in a dilemma."
"Me too. The key is that it's hard to accumulate industrial coupons," He Xu, who was standing by the counter, echoed. "This year, I can only buy one thing. If I buy an electric fan, I can't buy a watch."
Lv Fangfang asked, "Ruyi, are you planning to buy an electric fan?"
Zhou Ruyi nodded and said, "Of course I will buy it! The factory price of the electric fan is only 145 yuan. Yesterday, Guo Dong and his friends went to the department store to ask about other brands of table fans, and the retail price was over 200 yuan. Our factory's products have not yet been approved by the commercial department, but the prices are pretty much the same. The price difference for an electric fan is 60 or 70 yuan!" [1]
"I just think buying an electric fan is not as cost-effective as a bicycle or a watch. I only use an electric fan three or four months a year, so fanning myself is just as good."
Another person said: "It's just the beginning of spring, and you think electric fans are useless. When the dog days of summer arrive and it's too hot to sleep every night, you will regret not buying an electric fan."
Everyone was discussing whether to buy a three-rotor, one-sound machine or an electric fan first.
Zhou Ruyi reminded them, "This is your only chance to buy electric fans at factory prices. Our factory has just switched production and doesn't have production targets. Electric fans are currently unplanned products, so we have to find sales ourselves. That's why we can have the union represent the employees and collectively purchase the fans."
"But the factory leaders are going to attend the Canton Fair next month. If we get an export order, the workshop will have to rush production immediately. By then, it will be impossible to buy electric fans at the factory price."
Lu Fangfang murmured, "That's what I was saying. Why did the union's notice limit the purchase period to the 'trial sales phase'?"
"Yes, this opportunity is so rare. The family compound is so close to the factory, even if I bought a bicycle, it wouldn't be of much use. Anyang County is so far from the city center, it's more convenient to take the bus than to ride a bicycle into the city."
Zhou Ruyi felt that if she stopped being a secretary, she could transfer to the Supply and Marketing Department as a salesperson, and help everyone analyze things with great patience.
"Besides, bicycle prices have always been quite stable. Except for the 1962 and 1963 models, when the retail price reached over 500 yuan, it has been between 160 and 180 yuan in recent years. You can buy a bicycle at any time, but this is the only chance to buy an electric fan at factory price!"
Chen Xia poked Lv Fangfang in the waist and said jokingly, "Bicycles aren't very useful to us. If you want a bicycle, find someone who has one. Then we can provide the electric fan and the man's family can provide the bicycle. That way, we'll have two big items for the wedding!"
Nowadays, when young people in cities get married, it is popular to purchase three turns and one ring.
However, if someone can put an electric fan in their new house, it will be both grand and prestigious.
Chen Xia can already imagine the scene of her getting married with a brand new oscillating electric fan placed on the table in her new home.
…
The unmarried young people were discussing the matter heatedly.
Some married employees are also secretly considering buying electric fans.
That day, when Ye Manzhi went to the first workshop to work, some workers gave her some suggestions.
"Director Ye, why is the union only organizing the purchase of electric fans for unmarried employees? Can those of us who are married buy some?"
Ye Manzhi was holding the packaging box of a toy gun in her hand. On the front of the box were written in large bold letters: "Defend the motherland, safeguard peace."
Putting the folded box aside, she picked up another cardboard and said with a smile, "Our factory's production capacity is limited, so we'll let unmarried young people buy it first. With an electric fan, they can look more respectable when looking for a partner or getting married. Are there many married employees who want to buy electric fans?"
"Of course not. The electric fan is our own product. The quality is impeccable. If there is any problem, we can take it to the factory to repair it."
There is a difference of 60 to 70 yuan between the factory price and the retail price. Even if the employees do not need the products at home, they can buy them for relatives and friends, or even find an opportunity to sell them privately. It is no problem to make 30 to 40 yuan.
Ye Manzhi could guess what the employees were thinking to some extent.
However, industrial coupons are required to purchase electric fans, and some families may need half a year or a year to save enough.
If you buy this, you can't buy anything else.
This will keep most of the people out.
If someone really collects enough industrial vouchers in order to make a profit, then they can be considered to be making money based on their own ability.
"Director Ye, can we buy electric fans?" the employees continued to ask.
"Let's first check the union's statistics. If there are any trial products left, we can consider allowing other employees to purchase them."
In the past few days, employees have gone to the trade union to register.
When Ye Manzhi returned to the factory, he made a special trip to the factory union office.
"Chairman Qu, how are the registrations for the electric fans going?"
"There are more people than I expected. There are 92 of them now. These young people are quite wealthy, so it seems they don't have to worry about getting married." Qu Zhiyin handed her the registration form. "The male employees all want to buy bicycles and watches to show off. Besides, they need bicycles for the wedding, so there are fewer men than women who have signed up this time."
Ye Manzhi quickly scanned the registration form and saw many female names.
Many of them were gun barrel workers. The women who worked in the chambering, deep drilling, and grinding groups were highly skilled. Though young, some were already third-level workers, earning over 40 yuan a month.
So these young female workers spend money without hesitation.
"That's great, our young workers are quite motivated," Ye Manzhi said with a smile. "I've discussed this with Director Huang and have decided to offer 300 fans during the trial sales phase. Once the young workers have signed up, we can let other interested employees sign up."
"Okay then. We'll have to ask the Finance Department to cooperate and go to the store with the union to settle the accounts."
Shuguang Factory is not a commercial department and cannot sell goods directly to consumers.
Therefore, we have to go through the hardware store in the factory.
*
A total of 293 employees signed up for the collective purchase organized by the trade union.
Except for 53 people who chose to buy the direct-blowing desk fan for 118 yuan, the others chose the oscillating desk fan for 145 yuan.
If industrial vouchers were available, there would be even more people signing up.
The daily output of the electric fan workshop is about 30 units, so the first batch of employees who signed up received their electric fans a week later.
Zhou Ruyi's name was on the first list. When she went to pick up the goods, Ye Manzhi also went to join in the fun.
There was a long line in front of the hardware store.
The employees went in one by one to pay their money and tickets, and also to report their names and show their work badges.
In front of everyone, the salesperson in the store plugged in each electric fan and tried it out. After confirming that there was no problem with the fan, everyone could leave with the fan.
The trial product has not passed the evaluation yet and cannot use the "Shuguang" trademark for the time being, so the electric fans that everyone carries out only have a "State-owned Binjiang Shuguang Machinery Factory" sign on them and no outer packaging.
As a result, many people in the county town saw the employees of Shuguang Factory, each holding a brand new table fan in their arms, walking back to the family compound from the store in groups with smiles on their faces.
Adding a big item to your home is a joyous occasion for every family.
Some family members waited at the gate of the compound on purpose, and when they saw their family members appear holding electric fans, they set off a string of firecrackers at the gate.
Once someone takes the lead, others will follow immediately.
In the evening, the family compound was filled with crackling sounds and a lot of noise, which lasted for more than an hour!
Such a big noise attracted many passers-by to watch.
Someone stopped to ask curiously, "Does your factory also provide electric fans for employees?"
The family members replied mischievously: "Yes, it's the factory's employee benefits."
"Wow, your factory's benefits are really good."
…
By selling 293 electric fans, Shuguang Factory received more than 40,000 yuan in cash.
Because of the 40,000 yuan, the entire leadership team breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's been three months since we officially switched to production, and I'm finally seeing some return income." Tian Chunshan rubbed his hands and said, "We need to carefully plan how to spend this money."
Forty thousand yuan may not be enough to accomplish anything big, but it can still handle many small things!
Lei Wanyuan leaned against the window, smoking a cigarette, and said with a commanding air, "We've already used up all 300 motors. Let's first pay the motor factory the balance, and then discuss future terms of cooperation with them. This time, we need to negotiate a payment cycle, ideally every 4-6 months. Director Ye, are you going to talk to them?"
Ye Manzhi suggested: "Let Cheng Liangcai from the Supply and Marketing Department go."
The sales level of the Supply and Marketing Department needs to be improved, but the experience of serving as the client is very rich.
He is arrogant, arrogant, tries to retreat in order to advance, and controls people. He uses all kinds of negotiation skills easily.
Much more useful than her.
Lei Wanyuan agreed: "Okay, Cheng Liang will take Qiao."
No one is better at packing large cloves of garlic than him, so he should be able to help the factory negotiate a lower price.
"After paying the balance to the motor factory, there's still over 30,000 yuan left," Tian Chunshan asked. "Old Lei, is this enough to buy a truck for the Zhongjiang Machinery Factory?"
"It's enough," Lei Wanyuan said, "but their quote is too high. We bought those Jiefang trucks in 1958 for 20,000 yuan each, and they've run over 900,000 kilometers in eight years."
"So what's the offer for us?"
"Half price discount, ten thousand yuan."
Ye Manzhi thought that ten thousand yuan was okay, but she didn't know much about cars, so she didn't say anything careless.
Kang Jian agreed with her and said, "If the truck is well maintained, ten thousand yuan is actually acceptable. It's cheaper than buying a new car."
“It’s cheaper than a new truck, but not by much.” Lei Wanyuan said, stubbing out his cigarette. “In recent years, in order to promote industrial and agricultural development, the price of Jiefang trucks has been decreasing. In 1958, they sold for 20,000 yuan, but now they only sell for 14,500 yuan.”[2]
The truck has been driven for eight years and is about to be scrapped no matter how much maintenance it receives.
It is better to spend 4,000 yuan more and buy a new car than to spend 10,000 yuan to buy an old car that is about to be scrapped.
"I wanted them to give me a 50% discount based on this year's selling price, around 7,000 yuan per car, but they disagreed," Lei Wanyuan sighed. "It's not that they disagree, but I can't explain it to my superiors and employees."
Selling a car worth 20,000 yuan for 7,000 yuan may seem like selling the factory's assets at a low price to outsiders in the eyes of some people who don't know much about the business.
Factory leaders are likely to be criticized by workers.
After listening to his explanation, Ye Manzhi suggested, "How about we buy two new cars first? If we order Jiefang brand cars, two cars will cost 29,000 yuan. Next year, when we have more money, we can buy new cars."
No one can become rich overnight. The canning workshop of the food factory also needs to add equipment bit by bit!
Huang He agreed, "Spend a little more money on new cars. They'll last at least ten years. Let's buy two new cars first, and the remaining money should be used to purchase some general-purpose equipment for the electric fan workshop. We have a large staff but limited equipment, so our daily output of electric fans is only about 30 units. The period before summer is the peak sales season for electric fans, so we must produce at full capacity. Increasing production after September will be pointless; the products will just sit in the warehouse and wait until next year to be sold."
He is in charge of the electric fan business.
According to his original intention, it would be best to use the remaining 30,000 yuan to purchase production equipment and increase the output of electric fans.
However, the factory’s transportation capacity cannot keep up, which is also a real problem.
After weighing the pros and cons, he could only save a few thousand dollars to buy some general equipment.
*
After a team meeting, the 40,000 yuan that had just been received was divided up in a blink of an eye.
However, everyone was no longer as nervous as before.
The factory price of electric fans is high and the profit is also high. It would be great if I could get a few more purchase orders for electric fans.
That means you can make money back!
Therefore, the importance of the weekend social gathering increased again and again in Ye Manzhi's mind.
She allocated a large sum of money to the union, asking everyone to decorate the venue well and make the party as lively as possible.
Therefore, when Wu Zhengrong brought 14 unmarried young men and women from his unit to the Workers' Cultural Palace of Shuguang Factory, he was really shocked by the on-site arrangement.
The auditorium was brightly lit and decorated with colorful streamers and balloons.
It was like a party.
These are all normal.
What was abnormal was that there were more than ten electric fans placed on the left and right sides of the auditorium, blowing air in the venue.
"Director Xiaoye, isn't it too early to use the electric fan right after spring?"
Ye Manzhi greeted the young people from the research institute, letting them have fun. She took a moment to whisper to her husband, "It's rare to have so many workers and cadres gathered here. I thought I'd advertise electric fans. Look, no one's taking off their coats. With so many people gathered here, they're bound to sweat. Electric fans can help circulate the air indoors."
Wu Zhengrong looked at the young people chatting in groups of three or four in the meeting hall and couldn't help but laugh. "If you're not awarded the title of model cadre by the end of the year, I, as a family member, will be the first to disagree."
"Haha, our factory seems to have an award for model family members. I'll help you get it when the time comes! I'll let you become a model family member!" Ye Manzhi glanced behind him, "Why did you bring Youyan and Yiyi with you?"
Wu Zhengrong said innocently, "They insisted on following me, what can I do?"
"Stop talking nonsense." Ye Manyi leaned towards his waist.
Today is the weekend and they both have to go out, so they decided to send Youyan to Zhou Suo's house next door to play for a day.
As a result, not only Youyan came, but Zhou Yi also came.
The two children had just bought popsicles at the door and were eating them while staring with curiosity.
There were actually quite a few children in the venue. They all heard the news and ran from the family compound to watch the excitement.
Wu Yuzhuo and Yi Yi are not out of place here.
Ye Manzhi let them play with the other children and stood with Wu Zhengrong again.
"Do you want to find a place to rest?"
Wu Zhengrong glanced at her and asked, "Don't you want to stand with me?"
"Oh," Ye Manzhi whispered, "When you stand next to me, my colleagues always look this way."
This was the first time Wu Zhengrong appeared in her new unit, and everyone in the institute was wearing military uniforms.
He seemed to have a halo around him when he stood beside them, and many people stole glances at them.
Ye Manzhi felt embarrassed when being stared at.
Wu Zhengrong refused to move, and she didn't want to leave him here alone, so she could only continue to stand with him tied up.
The two of them stood at the door as if they were welcoming guests at a wedding.
She was the host, and every time someone opened the door and walked into the venue, she had to nod and say hello.
If the man is an acquaintance in the unit, she has to introduce him to the other party.
When she introduced "This is my lover" to her colleagues for the tenth time, Wu Zhengrong was finally satisfied. He said, "Director Xiao Ye, go and do your work," and then he leisurely left her side and found a seat in the corner of the venue to sit down.
Ye Manzhi muttered angrily and amusedly, "You're so narrow-minded."
She casually said last night that there were many older young people at the social gathering who were about her age and still unmarried, and were quite eager to find a partner.
As a result, this person caught her by surprise.
I just stood beside her for a quarter of an hour like a peacock.
They are an unmarried man and woman looking for a partner. Although she is beautiful, she is married. Who would be so blind?
However, there are still people in this world who are blind.
She was about the same age as some of the lesbians who attended the social gathering and dressed young, so at first glance she could easily be mistaken for a social gathering partner.
Ye Manzhi sent away the two male comrades from other units who came to talk to her. She didn't dare to look in Wu Zhengrong's direction and hurried to find someone from the Supply and Marketing Department.
She worriedly told Cheng Liangcai, "Section Chief Cheng, you have to make it clear to the married comrades in the Supply and Marketing Department that work is work, and no fooling around!"
She asked the Supply and Marketing Department to attend the social gathering to take the opportunity to discuss business.
If she has a few extramarital affairs or some misconduct is reported, it will be her fault.
In addition to Shuguang Factory and 1062 Institute, unmarried employees from four other units also participated in the party.
Such large state-owned units are relatively wealthy, and some even have slush funds.
Perhaps the logistics departments or trade unions of these units can purchase a batch of electric fans to help them get through the summer.
"Director Ye, don't worry. I've emphasized the importance of discipline to everyone several times," Cheng Liangcai whispered. "I just spoke with the comrades from the enamel factory's union about the purchase of electric fans. From what they said, it sounds like they're looking for kickbacks."
Ye Manzhi didn't question his judgment. After a moment's silence, he frowned and said, "This time, we're mainly targeting office procurement for government agencies and enterprises and institutions. The union can handle workers' affairs, but they may not have a say in office procurement. You can talk to the logistics staff and the factory office."
Cheng Liangcai covered his ears with one hand to block out the loud music, and said louder, "The environment is too chaotic today. I can only make contact with the people in these units, but it may not lead to any results."
"It's okay, just go ahead and connect with them," Ye Manzhi reassured him. "They're here for fun, and no one's going to finalize anything with you at a social gathering. Just get to know them first, and after work, have everyone find opportunities to follow up with them at these units."
"OK."
*
The social gathering lasted for most of the day. The Shuguang Factory Union organized everyone to sing, play games, and then held a small dance party.
The atmosphere is quite lively, but I don’t know how many couples will be attracted to each other.
Compared with adults, Comrade Wu Yuzhuo has made rapid progress.
At a social gathering, I met three little boys.
One of them even wanted to give his toy gun to Xiao Piaoliang.
However, Wu Yuzhuo has two wooden guns made by her father and a "national defense education model gun" produced by her mother's unit.
It's much more arrogant than his.
She let her new friend keep the gun for himself, promising, "Next time, I'll show you my guns! I have two sentry rifles and an iron pistol. It's impressive!"
The little boy also wanted to ask when the next time would be.
But when Wu Yuzhuo saw his father's gesture, he pulled Yi Yi, who was also very proud, and ran to meet his father.
Zhou Ruyi's dating progress was far slower than that of underage children. After a weekend of fun, she met two female comrades from other factories, but didn't get to talk to any of the men.
But Zhou Ruyi looked very good. That morning, she knocked on the door and asked, "Director, Director Lei's secretary said that Director Lei wants to go to the Jiangbei Automobile Factory to look at the trucks. Would you like to go with him?"
Ye Manzhi looked through the work schedule and there didn't seem to be anything particularly urgent, so she put on her coat and went to watch the fun with Director Lei.
She has never been to a car factory to buy a car.
On the way, Lei Wanyuan explained, "Jiefang cars need to be reserved several months in advance. Let's first look in Binjiang to see if there are any suitable new cars."
Ye Manzhi nodded indifferently.
To her, all brands of cars are the same.
Anyway, she just went there to join in the fun.
The two of them, along with the technical section chief and an experienced driver, arrived at the Jiangbei Automobile Factory as a group of four.
The person who came out to receive them was the head of the supply and marketing department of the automobile factory.
As per usual practice, Section Chief Liu first took the guests to the finished vehicle warehouse to view samples.
Introduce performance, parameters and so on.
Several male comrades were discussing something heatedly, but Ye Manzhi didn't care much about it. He just walked back and forth between the trucks with his hands behind his back.
The automobile factory is located in the north of the city, in the suburbs like the Shuguang factory, and covers a very large area.
Everywhere you look are the workshops of automobile factories.
When a few people were visiting, the light above the workshop suddenly flashed a few times and then went out.
No one at Shuguang Factory took this seriously. Being located in the suburbs was the norm, with electricity shortages and occasional power outages for half a day or a whole day.
In a few minutes, we will be able to use our own factory generator.
The Shuguang factory also experienced frequent power outages, so no one said anything.
However, Section Chief Liu is an old supply and marketing veteran who has received all kinds of customers, and he has also seen customers who find fault with everything.
So, he proudly explained to the guests, "The power will be back soon, but it may take a few minutes. The factory has expanded in the past two years, and the production workload has increased. The previous generators are no longer sufficient."
Lei Wanyuan smiled and said, "Expanding the scale is good! It means the factory is thriving!"
After saying this, he still felt a little uncomfortable.
Other people's factories have expanded in size, but Shuguang Factory has shrunk several times. It's really frustrating to compare yourself with others!
Section Chief Liu didn't realize that his explanation would have been worse than no explanation, as it would have upset the customer in front of him.
He continued to enthusiastically introduce the truck in front of him to the few people.
Ye Manzhi followed behind, thinking about his own things while listening to the explanation.
After Section Chief Liu, the driver, and the technical section chief gradually walked away, she took the opportunity to pull Lei Wanyuan over and whispered, "Director, the car factory has expanded and they're running out of generators, but we have more than enough! After Factory 833 left, most of the factory buildings were empty, and they don't need generators that big. What do you say about exchanging with the car factory? A generator costs tens of millions!"
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