Chapter 124
On the way, Su Meiqiao whispered to Zhou Jiani, "You should also make some wicker wastepaper baskets, soap boxes, small flower baskets, etc. We've had a lot of orders for those this year. Foreigners really like to buy these little things."
Zhou Jiani immediately had an idea. She thanked him, "Thank you, Aunt Su. We'll start researching it when we get back." Then she whispered, "We just developed a woven handbag after the New Year. Come to the factory and take a look."
There are also other new models such as pumpkin baskets and suitcases. For this purpose, she temporarily asked the factory to build a platform to display all the successfully developed products on it, in order to show everyone their strength.
As for why the new models weren't submitted for selection, Zhou Jiani felt that there were too many products, creating a sense of competition among the group. Secondly, it wasn't yet in full production, and the workers were new to the craft. Unlike the previous models, everyone is now familiar with them and has honed their skills to perfection.
As for other styles, they will be sent out later.
Su Meiqiao was surprised: "Carrying a basket?"
Zhou Jiani: "No, there are men's and women's versions. They can be carried by hand or on the shoulder. They are made of willow and straw weaving. I'll give one to you and my aunt later."
What came to Su Meiqiao's mind was the common plastic woven basket that women carried when buying groceries. She couldn't imagine what it looked like, and there were even different versions for men and women.
It was almost five o'clock when they arrived at the commune. They definitely couldn't start work today, so Zhai Xiangqiang and his team first took them to the guesthouse to arrange for them, and then took them to the commune canteen for dinner.
Comrade Qiu Zeming provided auxiliary work in this mission. He delivered a batch of fresh vegetables in the afternoon and also sent a batch to the state-owned restaurant. We will have breakfast at the restaurant tomorrow morning.
Generally speaking, this is the time when there is a shortage of vegetables. Spring vegetables have just started to be planted, and the radishes and cabbages stored for winter are almost eaten up. There are few vegetables and many pickles on the tables of every household, and life is very tight.
So when the comrades from the provincial capital walked into the cafeteria and saw the abundant vegetables on the table that shouldn't be there in this season, their eyes lit up.
Su Meiqiao looked at Zhou Jiani and asked with a smile, "Are these vegetables from the greenhouse in your village?"
Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "Yes, I don't have much to treat you leaders, so I can only serve some vegetables grown in my own fields."
The main person in charge from the export company was Director Wang. He pointed at the table full of fresh vegetables and said with a smile, "You think there's nothing to serve? You wouldn't be able to put together a table like this at any restaurant these days."
The others also laughed. Su Meiqiao glared at Zhou Jiani and thought to herself that her niece Zhou Peilan was really good at showing off in a low-key manner.
Before they were about to sit down, the reporter from the provincial capital said with a smile, "Leaders, can we take a picture first?"
Zhou Jiani's eyebrows jumped, and she thought to herself that it was a good thing that the reporter didn't suggest posting it on WeChat Moments again.
"Okay, okay, go ahead and take pictures." Director Wang said with a smile.
The reporter's surname was Qiu. He smiled and said, "Let's take a group photo together?" The cotton-padded jackets that everyone had still taken off were in stark contrast to the rich vegetables on the table, making them the perfect material for the photo.
Even if he couldn't use it, he wanted to record this scene.
After taking the photos, the group sat down to eat and talked while they ate. During the discussion, they started discussing some export information. Zhai Xiangqiang and the others listened with great interest. Zhou Jiani also felt that she benefited a lot and gained a lot of new insights into the export of products at this time.
Some things can only be accessed after reaching a certain level.
The meal was a great pleasure for both the host and the guests.
Finally, after sending everyone back to the guesthouse, as they said goodbye in the front hall, Zhou Jiani glanced at Zhao Hongchang several times, but the other party failed to accept her. She then looked at Zhai Xiangqiang, who was also confused. So after they left the room, Zhai Xiangqiang asked, "Comrade Xiao Zhou, do you have anything to say?"
Zhou Jiani glanced at Zhao Hongchang again, who was also a little surprised. He asked, "Comrade Zhou, do you have any instructions?"
The brigade was originally responsible for arranging accommodation for the comrades in the provincial capital, but the commune took it over automatically, and Zhou Jiani no longer took care of it. Only now did she realize that it was not thorough enough.
This should be the secretary's job, and it is obvious that Comrade Xiao Zhao's work is not up to standard.
But it was impossible not to mention it now. Zhou Jiani said, "Comrades from the provincial capital are unfamiliar with the place. If they need help with something, they won't be able to find anyone they know. Should we arrange for someone to stay in a room with them so that they can take care of them?"
Zhao Hongchang was enlightened, his face flushed slightly in an instant, realizing that there was a loophole in his work. He hurriedly said, "Director, I'll stay here."
Despite the freezing weather, Zhai Xiangqiang broke out in a cold sweat. He slapped his forehead and said, "I'm so careless. Go in quickly, book a room, and let the comrades in the provincial capital know. Let them contact you if they need anything." He then instructed, "Please help get some hot water or something."
Zhao Hongchang quickly responded, then whispered, "Leader, this should be my job. I was negligent. I will reflect on it."
Zhai Xiangqiang: "That's fine, let's not talk about this for now, let's go."
Zhao Hongchang turned and entered the guesthouse.
Zhai Xiangqiang rode his bicycle back with them, and before he did, he told Zhang Baosheng and Li Jingdang, "Go back and sort out the preparations, and come over early tomorrow morning to treat the comrades in the provincial capital to breakfast."
"Okay, Director Zhai, don't worry."
When I returned to the brigade with Zhang Baosheng and Li Jingdang, it was already dark. Qiu Zeming was waiting at the village entrance with a flashlight.
Zhang Baosheng smiled cheerfully: "Comrade Xiao Qiu is good, a responsible comrade."
Comrade Xiao Zhou is such a good man, and he deserves to be paired with an outstanding comrade like Xiao Qiu. He thinks these two children are good no matter how he looks at them, but he regrets that he cannot hold a wedding for them.
"Captain, Deputy Director Li." Qiu Zeming greeted them and looked at Zhou Jiani who surrounded him tightly.
Zhang Baosheng said, "Call Liu Tong, Zhang Laosi and the others to come to the village for a meeting. Xiao Qiu, you should come too."
The comrades from the provincial capital are coming, and I must take them to visit their greenhouse tomorrow. Xiao Qiu is the main person in charge, so of course he has to attend this meeting.
After attending a meeting at the village committee, they took flashlights and walked around the factory. After giving some instructions to the security guard Gu Dahai, they watched the door locked before returning.
After sending Zhou Jiani to the door, Qiu Zeming said, "We still have to go to the commune to pick someone up tomorrow, so go to bed early tonight."
"Okay, you should rest early too."
Although Zhai Xiangqiang will accompany them, they still have to show some appreciation. Didn’t you see that the county officials were worried about missing things tomorrow morning and came to stay in the guesthouse here?
When she closed the door, she saw Comrade Xiao Qiu standing there looking at her with a gentle gaze. The two of them were standing one inside the door and the other outside, their eyes locked. Zhou Jiani chuckled softly and said, "Go back soon."
Qiu Zeming said softly: "Yeah!"
But he didn't move. Instead, he leaned over and gently touched Zhou Jiani's hat-covered forehead with his forehead, saying, "I'll watch you close the door before you leave."
Zhou Jiani smiled and closed the door, whispering from inside: "I've locked the door, you can go back."
"I'll wait until you enter the house before I leave..."
Yu Wanxia came out of the toilet next door and said, "You two are really slow."
Zhou Jiani tilted her head: "This is called romance. You don't know it if you don't have a partner."
Yu Wanxia: ...
Qiu Zeming's chuckle came from outside: "I'm back, go to bed early."
Zhou Jiani also returned to her room. Yu Wanxia washed her hands and face, then came to Zhou Jiani to borrow a book. She said, "Sun Ping brought her textbooks from home. I should have brought a few books too."
"If it's convenient, have your family send it to you." Zhou Jiani said, "It's always a good idea to read more books so you don't fall behind in knowledge."
If this had happened when she first arrived, Yu Wanxia would have definitely wondered why she needed to read so many books in the countryside. But now, she definitely wouldn't have that thought. Zhou Jiani has achieved such great success and is still constantly learning. When she returned after the New Year, Sun Ping even told her about Zhou Jiani's advice to stay calm while doing homework.
Yu Wanxia was a little touched at the time. Now that the village is building a primary school and recruiting teachers, she suddenly regrets not learning from Jiani earlier and reviewing the textbooks.
She was quite nervous about the exam in twenty days, but if she studied regularly like Jiani, she would not be nervous by now.
"Well, no matter whether I can pass the exam this time, I will persist in studying like you, otherwise I will not be able to seize such a good opportunity next time." Yu Wanxia nodded.
After Zhou Jiani finished washing up, she sat down on a chair across from Yu Wanxia and took out her notebook to start writing and drawing. Aunt Su specifically told her about wastepaper baskets, soap boxes, and small flower baskets, which must be popular items abroad.
Draw a few designs, and then make the samples and send them to the provincial capital for Aunt Su to see.
By the way, Zhou Jiani feels that she is not professional after writing and drawing like this all day long, and her drawings are becoming more and more professional.
During this time, Yu Wanxia curiously took a look and said admiringly: "Jia Ni, what is this? Haven't we developed several new products? Do we still need to continue researching and developing?"
What she admired more was why Zhou Jiani had so many good ideas.
Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "Who complains about having too many new products?"
After the export project is finalized and the village primary school is built, the issue of diversion must be put on the agenda. The Qianjin Brigade alone cannot eat up this piece of cake.
But as long as they control research and development, they don't have to worry about being overtaken by other teams.
Yu Wanxia lowered her head and continued reading.
At six o'clock the next morning, Zhou Jiani got up, washed up, took out her thermos and drank half a cup of warm water. When she put it away and was about to go out, the door of the west room opened and Yu Wanxia came out with sleepy eyes: "Jiani, do you need to go to work early today?"
Zhou Jiani: "No, after having dinner with the comrades from the provincial capital, I might go to the commune for a while, and then come back to the village and go to work as usual."
Li Jingdang did not go there. He kept an eye on the factory and prepared for the reception.
After rushing to the commune with Zhang Baosheng and reuniting with Zhai Xiangqiang, they went to the guesthouse together. After waiting for a while, Su Meiqiao came down first. Zhou Jiani greeted her with a smile: "Auntie Su, did you have a good rest last night?"
Su Mei smiled and said, "That's good. I don't recognize the bed."
Zhou Jiani: "Then I'm relieved. You've come here with great difficulty. If I don't treat you well, my aunt will scold me later."
Su Mei smiled and said, "Haha, your aunt will criticize me for my many faults but won't criticize you for your poor hospitality." She spoke to Zhou Jiani in a particularly intimate manner, and then greeted Zhai Xiangqiang and others who were also waiting there.
Su Meiqiao had observed since last night that her niece, Peilan, was doing a better job in the local area than she had imagined. This could be seen from the attitude of the commune and brigade cadres towards her.
She was also happy to make friends. In case her daughter couldn't find a job and had to go to the countryside, she would find a way to arrange for her daughter to come here so that Zhou Jiani could take care of her.
So she was very willing to help Zhou Jiani carry the sedan chair in front of the local cadres and find an opportunity to hint to the commune leaders about the importance of Zhou Jiani in this export business.
Zhao Hongchang came down with other leaders and reporters from the provincial capital. When he saw Zhou Jiani, he gave her a grateful glance.
Although there was nothing else to do last night, after learning that he had returned, the county leaders contacted him to inquire about his work and gave him some encouragement.
The group shook hands and exchanged greetings before going to a nearby state-owned restaurant for breakfast.
Having informed them in advance, everything was well prepared. When they saw Zhou Jiani and her group coming in, the people from the state-owned restaurant hurriedly brought over the prepared steamed kidney bean buns and tomato and egg soup.
It’s such a blessing to eat a steamed bun with kidney beans and meat in this season.
Master Zou’s skill in preparing the filling is really not exaggerated. Even Zhou Jiani couldn’t help but squint her eyes.
The reporter from the provincial newspaper also sighed, who would have thought that this was a reception from a lower-level unit?
After breakfast, Zhai Xiangqiang led everyone to visit the commune, and then went to the Qianjin Brigade together.
Liu Tong, Qiu Zeming and others were waiting at the village entrance. When they saw everyone coming, they hurried over to shake hands and greet them.
The main goal this time was the knitting factory, so naturally they went there first. On the way, Zhou Jiani quietly introduced to Aunt Su: "The best-looking guy here is my boyfriend."
Su Meiqiao immediately turned around and aimed at Qiu Zeming, took a look, then turned back and smiled, "No wonder your aunt said her niece-in-law is good-looking, he is quite handsome and tall."
Zhou Jiani smiled with pursed lips.
When they arrived at the factory, Director Wang and his team were a little surprised.
In fact, although I knew it was a factory before coming here, I subconsciously imagined it to be a small rural workshop. I didn’t expect it to be such a spacious and bright factory. The material workshop and weaving workshop had clear division of labor, every corner was clean and tidy, and there were fire prevention and no-smoking slogans on the walls.
This formal appearance is better than many small county and city-level units.
I couldn't help but praise repeatedly: "Not bad, not bad."
Su Meiqiao also said, "Your factory is really well-maintained. It's clean and bright."
Zhang Baosheng said modestly: "Maybe it's because it's a new factory."
Su Meiqiao shook her head and said, "No, no, no, it has nothing to do with the age of the wall. It's the overall layout and details..." She pointed to the slogan on the wall, "This, many units will only add it if they are specifically reminded."
Zhang Baosheng grinned and said, "Deputy Director Li was primarily responsible for building the factory, and all the other details were Comrade Xiao Zhou's ideas."
Su Meiqiao turned around and gave Zhou Jiani a thumbs up.
In short, the first impression of people who come from the provincial capital is: you really can’t tell that this is just a rural enterprise.
The reporter from the provincial newspaper had been holding up his camera since he entered the factory. Now that he had entered the workshop, he started taking pictures of everyone, causing everyone to lower their heads while working, and even distract themselves by wondering if their clothes were tidy, if their hats were tilted, and whether they had closed their eyes just now.
Li Jingdang took on the task of introducing the visitors and led them on a tour, starting with the "Wall of Honor". When explaining the Wall of Honor, he had to talk about Comrade Xiao Zhou's great achievements.
Everyone inevitably asked a few questions out of curiosity and gave a few compliments. Zhou Jiani listened shamelessly and politely, as if she was very familiar with the job.
After taking the photo, the reporter lowered his head to record the material and found an opportunity to take a solo photo of Zhou Jiani. Behind her was the wall of honor she had achieved along the way.
Qiu Zeming found an opportunity, went over to establish a relationship, and in a few words got the other party to agree to send him a copy after the photo was developed.
When they reached the exhibition stand, Su Meiqiao, Director Wang and the others' eyes lit up and they walked over quickly without waiting for Li Jingdang's introduction.
The accompanying personnel from the county who were in charge of this project all looked at Li Jingdang in surprise and whispered in agreement, "Are these all new products? Have they been submitted to the export company?"
Li Jingdang chuckled softly and said, "Not yet. I'll report the details later."
The other party nodded and looked at the exhibition stand with a fiery gaze. He dared to say that as long as these things were submitted, at least more than half of them would pass the review, if not all of them.
The Qianjin Brigade Weaving Factory has a promising future!
Here, Zhou Jiani began to introduce to everyone that, in addition to the models that were directly applied for and the storage stools and chairs series displayed in the Friendship Store, several other new products include a round pumpkin basket with partitions and lids, a swan-shaped fruit basket, a set of large and small storage baskets with handles on both sides, a boat-shaped basket, two sizes of suitcases, and backpacks for men and women.
Director Wang exclaimed softly, then turned to Zhou Jiani and asked, "Comrade Zhou, why haven't you submitted applications for these products?"
Director Wang looked at the things on the exhibition stand and felt like he had found a treasure.
This Qianjin Brigade weaving factory is a treasure!
Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "Currently, the models submitted are the most mature in craftsmanship, followed by this series..." She stepped forward and gestured for everyone to look at the storage stools and chairs, and continued, "These are the models that have been exported overseas through the Friendship Store."
"As for the others, they are only samples and have not yet been officially put into production. The production line technology has not yet been run-in, and the overall maturity is not yet. We will start small-scale production after completing orders and slowly polish them."
Director Wang suppressed his restless heart, nodded slowly, and said, "Get used to it as soon as possible. I'll set up a separate counter for you at this spring's exhibition."
Su Meiqiao immediately hinted to Zhou Jiani, and knew from her eyes that setting up a separate counter was very rare.
Zhang Baosheng grinned, and Zhai Xiangqiang and others also hurried to express their gratitude.
Su Meiqiao felt proud, after all, she was the matchmaker, but she didn't expect there would be so many surprises here. She liked almost every product.
Especially the handbag that Jiani told her about yesterday, it is not an ordinary basket. It is made just like a briefcase, but some details are different. It looks better than ordinary briefcases. The overall frame is made of wicker, with added straw decorations. The natural primary colors are layered and the contrast is sharp. It looks particularly beautiful without any additional coloring.
But this bag is not just for appreciation, it is also practical. A flap is added to the bag opening, and the joints are made of straw weaving, which makes the flap flexible.
Fabric lining, partitions, inner pockets, etc. are also added inside.
In addition to the hand straps, the bag also has a shoulder strap, and there are small straw pockets on the left and right sides of the bag to store some extra items.
Not only Su Meiqiao likes it, but Director Wang, a grown man, also likes it. He was looking at the men's version, which doesn't have a cross-body pocket and is nice to carry in your hand as a briefcase.
Although they liked the bag, they only had samples and no extras. This bag wasn't among the small gifts we prepared for them. However, Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "We haven't tested the practicality of this bag yet. We'll have our craftsmen make a few more and mail them to you. Please help test them and see if there are any shortcomings. Please give us feedback so that we can make adjustments and improvements."
Director Wang: "Oh, how can this be so embarrassing?"
Zhou Jiani said seriously, "A bag isn't meant to be viewed from afar, nor is it meant to be stationary like a basket when storing things. We must add this trial phase. I've mentioned this to Secretary Zhai, Director Zhang, and Deputy Director Li. Even if you don't come, once it's finished, we'll have to find people who use it frequently to test its quality and practicality..."
Li Jingdang's eyebrows moved, but he held back from making a sound.
There was some admiration in Zhao Hongchang's eyes, and he felt that he had learned a new trick.
Even Zhai Xiangqiang couldn't help laughing.
Comrade Xiao Zhou, didn't you see the county leaders were here too? However, she handled the gift-giving so openly and so elegantly that no one could find fault with it.
He smiled and said, "Yes, Director Wang, the factory has mentioned this before. I'll trouble you all. I'll leave you my address and I'll send it to you when it's finished. Please help test it."
It had come to this point, and refusing would have seemed like a sign of good relations. Director Wang and the others smiled, said a few polite words, and agreed.
There is basically no problem with the assessment of Qianjin Weaving Factory.
Originally, the main focus was on craftsmanship, and visiting the venue was just a formality. Besides, the venue was fully qualified. Once all the necessary procedures and materials were completed, the contract could be signed directly.
After touring the factory, Su Meiqiao suggested going to see the greenhouses in the village. She smiled and said, "Although we don't export vegetables, I heard about the greenhouse experiments you're doing in the provincial capital. Since I'm here, I have to go and see it."
Director Wang was also curious and said, "Let's go and take a look."
On the way, reporter Qiu conducted a brief interview with Zhou Jiani, chatting and taking notes as they walked. When they arrived at the greenhouse, reporter Qiu raised his eyebrows, took a breath, and said, "Wow, it's quite large!"
I couldn't help but raise my camera.
Director Wang also asked, "Is it so large?"
We took them on a tour inside and out and let them experience the fun of picking fruits. All in all, the reception was a complete success.
When they left, each of them was given a gold ingot basket, a hollow lace basket and a selection of fresh vegetables.
After sending the comrades from the provincial capital onto the train, they went to the county government to make a report on their work.
Upon learning that the contract had been officially finalized, the county magistrate was very happy and praised and encouraged their work.
A few days later, Zhou Jiani and Zhang Baosheng went to the provincial capital together and signed the first formal export contract at the import and export company.
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