Chapter 154
Outside the grain depot, Shengman was smoking a cigarette, puffing on it as he told Zhou Jiani, "Old Man Su from the Nanwang Brigade is now the head of the goods store. His master was Jia Chengshan from Xigou Village. Jia Chengshan passed away two years ago, so Old Man Su took in one of Jia's nephews as his apprentice to repay his master's kindness."
"The second-in-command isn't from our commune, but from the Tianzizhuang Brigade of the Donghe Commune. We're thriving on the weaving industry now, and all the craftsmen have jobs and are earning far more than before. They don't have time to weave bamboo baskets anymore. The first-in-command has run out of goods and has to rely on the second-in-command for supplies. So what prestige does he have left? He won't even have the confidence to speak with confidence in the trade. If the second-in-command doesn't seize this opportunity to revolt, then when will he?"
"Old Man Su must be furious. I guess he just wants to stir up trouble and make the villages he controls unable to survive so they can rely on him again. That way he can maintain his prestige and enrich himself."
As for those from other villages, they all depend on the trading company for their livelihood, so they just point fingers wherever they want and join in the trouble.
Zhou Jiani: "How can the cadres of Ernst & Young Brigade suppress this?"
"How could they be suppressed? It was that family's nephew was about to enlist, and Hou Quansheng simply declared, 'If anyone messes with the team, don't blame him for not stamping the application.' Hou Quansheng became a brigade cadre solely because of his popular support, and he has no other connections. He could have kept them in check, unless that family truly didn't want to be in the brigade anymore." He held up another rough finger. "That family wanted another job, and Hou Quansheng told them to get out. Would the other brigade cadres have dared to be so arrogant? To put it bluntly, they were taking advantage of others and were shortchanged."
He tapped his pipe, which was filled with grain, and said, "If you want to criticize me, you should just stay out of it and let the villagers fight among themselves. Force those cadres to settle this matter themselves."
"I could certainly do that, but who can guarantee those captains won't go complaining to Director Zhai?" Zhou Jiani asked. "What will Director Zhai think of me then? We now have a dedicated department for the staffing industry. If I continue to push the problem onto Director Zhai and fail to do my job well, wouldn't that be a drain on Director Zhai's strength?"
During this period of time, I became familiar with Song Chao and the others and heard that when Secretary Wu first set up this knitting group, he actually wanted to transfer his secretary to be the group leader and let Zhou Jiani be the deputy group leader.
This also confirmed what Xu Haihong said, that Secretary Wu might really be transferred and made some arrangements for his secretary before leaving.
But Director Zhai disagreed and rejected Secretary Wu's proposal despite the pressure.
At this time, she was actually kicking Director Zhai's face.
Moreover, Zhou Jiani felt that this was a battle between her and the bosses in the goods store, and whoever backed down would lose.
He put his pipe on his waist after filling up the grain, nodded and said, "I don't really understand these things, but I know how to protect my family. If you need any help from me, just ask. I won't let outsiders bully me."
Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "It is because of your support that I dare to fight them."
He puffed out his chest with a look of pride, then became a little worried. "What are you going to do? Those guys used to rely on this ability, and many in the village wanted to get close to them. If they fought fiercely, I'm afraid you'll suffer other losses when you go to their village again in the future."
Zhou Jiani smiled and waved her hands, saying, "I didn't mean to get into such a heated argument. After all, the boss of this business belongs to our commune, so we can't push him into a desperate situation. I just wanted to show him that I can not only deal with him, but also intimidate the second-in-command of Donghe Commune. Let's all be friendly. I won't compete for the market share of bamboo baskets and sieves. If they still refuse to accept it... Haha, I don't have any other skills, but I can sell goods. I can make them not even smell the fishy smell of meat."
Sheng Manliang didn't think Zhou Jiani was bragging at all. Just look at the development of the commune's staffing industry today.
In the past two days, Zhou Jiani asked the fourth uncle and others to make several sets of mini bamboo baskets and mini wicker baskets. There were few adjustments to the styles, but the overall changes were not big. When they were placed on the table, they were so exquisite and beautiful that even the aunts and sisters in the village who were used to being practical were very fond of them.
"Oh, the bamboo can be made into plates the size of a palm. When we put them on the table during the New Year, we can add a handful of peanuts and dates. Wouldn't that look nice?"
"This little basket is just so small, it can't even fit two steamed buns in it, but it's so tempting just to look at it, hahaha." An auntie couldn't let go of the mini basket and said, "I want a set too, to put on the table."
I made four mini sets, two with some added color configurations, and two with original colors.
We made several pieces of normal size and will send them off on the truck going to the provincial capital tomorrow morning.
Zhou Jiani went back to pack her clothes, and Qiu Zeming came to her and said, "The transport team can also bring goods for sale."
Zhou Jiani turned around, sighed at him, and said, "No wonder I fell in love with you in this life..."
Comrade Xiao Qiu and she seemed to share the same mind.
I didn't even ask her how she was going to deal with it, but when I saw her asking the factory to make baskets and sieves, I knew what she was planning.
Qiu Zeming smiled: "What else? Who else do you want to fall for?" He lowered his head and bit it.
After a moment, Zhou Jiani pushed him away. Her rosy lips were glistening with moisture. She glanced at him and said, "Don't make trouble. I have to pack my luggage."
Turning around to pack her things, she said, "The transport team is my last bit of stubbornness." She looked up and blinked, "I just miss home."
Besides, she didn't intend to offend anyone completely.
Qiu Zeming's eyes fixed on her lips, then he looked away with a lingering look and said, "I miss my uncle and aunt, too. How about I take two days off as well?"
Zhou Jiani quickly refused, not even stuttering, "No, I don't have to go on this business trip to run the transport team. I already feel a little guilty, and if you ask for leave, I'll feel even more guilty." She then pretended to sigh, "Hey, if you become a cadre, you have to pay attention to the impact of everything. What do you think I'm doing this for?"
Didn't you see she even got a miniature set to make her leave look more legitimate? She was planning to ask around at the export company and the Friendship Store.
She thinks that these little things will be popular abroad. They can be used as small ornaments such as fruit plates and flower baskets, which are very beautiful.
There are also the commonly used sizes of rakes and baskets. Qiu Zeming is following her. This guy is so considerate and will definitely stay with her all the time. How can she manage it on her mobile phone?
Meeting Qiu Zeming's resentful gaze, Zhou Jiani leaned forward and kissed him again, then smiled and said, "After this 'battle' is over, we'll get our business done. So you have to cooperate with me and run some errands for me these next two days."
Qiu Zeming's eyes lit up, and his fighting spirit was instantly high: "Team Leader Zhou, please give me your orders!"
Zhou Jiani kept it a secret again: "Wait for my call."
“…” Qiu Zeming sighed helplessly.
However, he did report another piece of news to Zhou Jiani, saying, "Let me tell you something. The country may be vigorously promoting plastic greenhouses."
Zhou Jiani looked up suddenly, her eyes gleaming with excitement: "Really?"
Qiu Zeming nodded. He had been in contact with the team all the time. During the most recent call, they told him that a research meeting had been held in North City.
At this point, it shouldn’t be too long before the document is released.
Zhou Jiani was genuinely happy, even happier than when she accidentally managed to get the weaving industry going here. Her eyes flushed with excitement as she said, "Then you better be prepared. Once the document is officially issued, our brigade may become an outstanding example in Chonghui Province. I guess we'll be busy for a while..."
Qiu Zeming lowered his eyebrows slightly: "I don't know if I can catch up."
He left in time for the autumn recruitment.
Thinking of this, Zhou Jiani felt a pang of pain in her heart. She went over and hugged his waist, resting her head on his chest, and said, "It's okay. This is all your credit. It's indispensable."
Qiu Zeming rubbed her head, his eyes smiling: "You are the one who gave me this credit. Do I count as a gigolo?"
With the achievements, he is particularly confident in his work. These achievements are given by his partner. Qiu Zeming is so happy that his lips are curled up, and he is proud of the honor.
But the person he was with was very good at pouring cold water on him. Once a bucket of cold water was poured on him, he could no longer laugh.
Zhou Jiani looked up and said, "So... I sent my partner away before our relationship even lasted a year. We won't be able to see each other for a long time."
Qiu Zeming's face suddenly turned bitter, and he didn't want to join the army anymore.
Zhou Jiani chuckled and said, "It's okay, this is all for our future."
Qiu Zeming felt even more bitter because his partner was not as dependent on him as before.
Zhou Jiani raised her hand and rubbed his face, saying, "Okay, when you go to the army and your partner is allowed to visit you, I will come to see you."
Qiu Zeming's eyes lit up again. He bent down and hugged Zhou Jiani's waist, buried his head in the crook of her neck, and said in a muffled voice: "Such a good partner, I really don't want to let her go."
The two of them stayed together for a while, and Zhou Jiani continued to pack her things. Qiu Zeming whispered to her, "Tell my uncle and aunt not to mention my departure this year in front of my family."
He didn't go directly through his own family's route, fearing that something might slip out when the two parents met and someone might try to trip him up.
Zhou Jiani said, "Don't worry." Then she added, "Your brother and sister-in-law are really..."
Qiu Zeming said lightly, "It's okay, he just took it for granted. Actually, I didn't care about those things before, but now it's mine, and I won't give up a single cent."
Qiu Zexun knew that most of his family’s resources were in the military. He had average physical fitness and failed the physical examination, so he couldn’t serve as a soldier. How much of those resources could he use?
He actually just held the attitude that he couldn't get it and didn't want the benefits to fall into Qiu Zeming's hands.
If Qiu Zexun knew that Qiu Zeming not only saw through his little plan clearly but also aroused Qiu Zeming's bloodiness, I wonder if he would regret it.
When Zhou Jiani left, she picked up a basket of vegetables and followed the truck to the provincial capital. Qiu Zeming also became busy, running around the commune, the county, and even to Qingshui County. He was very busy.
This young couple has a bright future.
But Zhou Jiani didn't expect that Liu Ailing was also running hard. Zhou Jiani had to admire her strength. No wonder she was so miserable in her previous life.
Zhou Wanli went to the transport team to pick her up and helped his daughter carry the goods home, saying, "The girl from the Liu family is back to visit her relatives."
Zhou Jiani was really stunned.
Did Liu Ailing survive just by changing her place? She even got leave to visit her family.
As for the Liu family's statement of severing ties, who was really holding on to it? Of course, the main reason was that Liu Jiefang hadn't achieved his goal, and his efforts had been unsuccessful.
Zhou Jiani admired her. She was really tenacious. If she hadn't been so crooked, she would have achieved something.
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