Chapter 40
When the phone rang, it was like a life-saving straw for Zhang Baosheng. He almost jumped up from his chair and rushed over.
He was not good at making reports in front of his superiors. He felt that he had already reported the whole process, but the leader still asked him to elaborate. He really didn't know how else to elaborate. As a result, Zhang Baosheng got nervous and scolded the old educated youth in the team. This was the fuse of the problem about the food.
After letting the leader hear a story about an old man bullying, he also felt that it was inappropriate. Why should he tell the leader about this accident caused by his own improper management?
I panicked and inexplicably did some self-criticism.
If Zhou Jiani hadn't called him, he would have been so self-deprecating that he almost fainted.
Therefore, his failure to be a good person is actually related to his personality.
"Hello, is this Comrade Xiao Zhou?" Zhang Baosheng held the microphone, fearing that the person on the other end of the phone was not Zhou Jiani.
"Captain, it's me." Zhou Jiani, still unaware of what was happening, announced the good news. "Captain, we've successfully reached a preliminary cooperation agreement with the provincial capital's No. 1 Department Store. They've placed an order for forty woven baskets. Also, because our Qianjin Brigade's woven baskets are so popular, we've already received forty orders from individual customers at the Second Spinning Factory. I estimate the number will increase further, so we need to produce at least a hundred."
Before signing the formal contract, she could still take some odd orders, but she didn't plan to accept them all. She reservedly offered a dozen or so vacancies and used this gimmick to spread her reputation.
"What? One hundred baskets? Our goods are really sold in the department store?" Zhang Baosheng held the microphone and shouted suddenly, scaring the director and secretary.
From their perspective, they could see Zhang Baosheng's face flushed red with joy, his lips split open and unable to close. His voice trembled with excitement, "Comrade Xiao Zhou, I need to confirm with you again, do these 100 include the ones we brought earlier?"
They took more than 60 baskets with them when they set out. Zhang Baosheng was so happy that he felt dizzy and couldn't keep up with Zhou Jiani's reporting. Or rather, he didn't expect that Comrade Xiao Zhou and his team had sold that batch of baskets in just two days, so he wanted to confirm it again.
Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "Not counting the last batch. There are only a few samples left from that batch. Captain, let me tell you the quantity of each item and write it down."
"Okay, okay." Zhang Baosheng didn't care about being nervous anymore and turned to look for Secretary Li. "Pen and paper, quickly."
There was no need to ask the leader for this request, so Secretary Li quickly handed over the pen and paper.
And the leaders themselves are also very concerned.
The Qianjin Brigade sold their self-produced products to the provincial capital department store. This is also an honor for their Xihe Commune. The leaders are of course happy to see it happen. I am afraid that some policies will be tilted towards the Qianjin Brigade in the future.
Zhang Baosheng's hands were shaking as he wrote. Only then did he finally confirm that their small workshop would produce a new batch of woven baskets according to the numbers reported to her by Comrade Xiao Zhou and send them to the provincial capital.
This achievement made him more excited than the last time he heard Comrade Xiao Zhou talk about setting up a restaurant in the state-owned area.
After making the final note, Zhou Jiani brought up another topic that worried her: "Captain, there are two department stores in Qiyang. I haven't even checked with the second department store yet. I'm worried if we take on too much, we won't be able to produce enough. There's also the issue of raw materials... Do we have enough?"
Zhang Baosheng said proudly: "It's enough. There are plenty on the mountains and in the ditches and ridges around the village." But the excitement cooled slightly when Zhou Jiani mentioned production capacity.
My mind also calmed down a little.
During the trial cooperation with the department store, they placed an order for forty baskets. If there are no problems after the formal cooperation, the order quantity will definitely not be this. Can they make it up?
As she was thinking, Zhou Jiani said, "Captain, we need to hold a meeting with the village craftsmen to discuss this. We must also increase the number of people in our workshop. The craftsmen have mastered the weaving techniques, and the factory masters still need a probation period before they can train apprentices. We don't have the time to wait. Moreover, if we want them to train more apprentices and teach more techniques, our team must show some sincerity."
Zhang Baosheng nodded. "You're right. I'll go back and have a meeting with the other team leaders."
Zhou Jiani said, "Also, once we sign the official cooperation contract with the department store, we won't be able to sell these items privately. Do you understand me?"
Zhang Baosheng also realized the possible consequences of this problem.
Everyone can make something in their spare time with the things they know how to do and sell them at the market to supplement their family income.
Needless to say, if Zhang Laosi and his friends went to the market to sell this batch of baskets themselves, they would have no trouble selling them. Who wouldn't want to take a few more home?
But now that the department store has come out with this rule, I'm afraid Zhang Laosi and others will have objections.
If this problem is not solved well...
Zhang Baosheng was just pondering this when Zhou Jiani's voice came through the microphone again. She said, "Captain, Uncle Si has two styles that are not included in this sale. We can discuss them as a bonus. In addition, I can also provide one other style that is different from the regular ones. These styles are up to us. Even if other units are interested in these products in the future and ask for them, we have the initiative in our hands. We must supply them under the premise that we are allowed to trade freely."
"But department stores are different this time. They are the key to our market expansion, so we must do our best to meet customer needs."
Zhang Baosheng felt relieved. He didn't expect that Comrade Xiao Zhou would solve the problem he raised. He said quickly, "I understand, Comrade Xiao Zhou. You and Comrade Xiao Qiu have worked hard."
Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "For our advancement, it's not hard work. Please estimate the production capacity, and I will decide whether to negotiate with the Second Department Store, or when to discuss it..."
Otherwise, it would be a problem if the order was accepted but the goods could not be supplied.
Zhang Baosheng said, "You should ask Zhang Laosi and the others about this. I'm going back to the meeting right away. Comrade Xiao Zhou, let's talk over the phone again at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning."
"Okay, let Comrade Xiao Qiu report to you first."
Qiu Zeming answered the phone and got straight to the point. "The plastics factory has agreed to dispatch a batch of goods in two days. If all goes well, I'll return with the goods. Comrade Xiao Zhou can stay here temporarily. Once the goods arrive, she'll need to handle the handover with the department store. Any issues involving payment, formal contracts, and so on will all fall under Comrade Xiao Zhou's responsibility."
Zhang Baosheng said hurriedly, "Your letter of introduction is for a two-week period. Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon. It won't be too late for Comrade Xiao Zhou to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival at home before returning. Please tell Comrade Xiao Zhou that the team will not treat you unfairly, including the issue of rations during Comrade Xiao Zhou's business trip. The team will take care of it. If there are not enough food coupons, we will provide food and send it with the goods when the time comes."
Qiu Zeming smiled and said, "I'll pass it on. I also got a lot of valuable information from Comrade Xiao Zhou's teacher, which I'll take back with me."
The package he asked someone to inquire about is already on the way, and he should receive it when he returns from the provincial capital.
Zhang Baosheng said "OK" several times, his heart filled with emotion.
After hanging up the phone, Zhang Baosheng couldn't hide his excitement and couldn't help laughing a few times.
Zhai Xiangqiang was also infected by this emotion. He had just heard that the first batch had only one hundred baskets. It seemed that the young comrade was indeed capable.
I was really curious. Woven baskets and baskets, where else could you find them? How did that young comrade manage to sell something so ubiquitous that it could be found in a department store in the provincial capital?
"Captain Zhang, sit down. Xiao Li, pour Captain Zhang another glass of water." Zhai Xiangqiang looked at Zhang Baosheng eagerly. "Not bad, not bad. You're doing a great job with the Qianjin Brigade. Come, tell us more about it."
Zhang Baosheng: …
From the conversation just now, Zhai Xiangqiang discovered that Zhang Baosheng was not good at narration. He could answer questions, but if he was allowed to express himself, his report would be meaningless.
To ease his nervousness, Zhai Xiangqiang said with a smile: "After I finish the work at hand, I will also go to your brigade to see our processing workshop."
“…”
Zhang Baosheng raised his hand to wipe the sweat off his face and looked back at the phone. It would be great if Comrade Xiao Zhou could call him again.
After returning to the brigade from the commune, Zhang Baosheng still had a smile on his face, even though his next work was very busy and he had to quickly set up a special venue because the leaders might come to visit.
When they met other members, they saw the team leader was very happy and asked, "Captain, did Xiao Zhou and the others buy plastic sheeting?"
Everyone knows that Zhou Jiani and Qiu Zeming went on a business trip to the provincial capital to buy plastic sheeting and help their fellow villagers generate income. Because it concerns the members' own income, although it is not much, it is still a share of income, so this matter is the most hotly discussed.
The second most popular type is plastic greenhouse.
The main reason is that the village has organized its members to reclaim wasteland, and then maintain the land. Then, before planting wheat, they will press a batch of mud bricks and build greenhouses.
Because of these two people, the news of weaving baskets did not spread widely, and only a few people knew about it.
So when I saw the captain's happy face, I guessed it was related to the plastic greenhouse and asked him.
Zhang Baosheng kept the topic a secret and didn't mention the basket weaving. He nodded and said, "I bought it. I bought it."
Then he called all the village cadres to a meeting. When everyone was present, Zhang Baosheng took a deep breath and announced the great news in an excited voice.
The village committee erupted in cheers.
Next we discussed the issue of production capacity and whether skilled craftsmen were willing to take on a large number of trainees, as this was related to output.
Everyone fell silent, realizing that if this matter wasn't resolved properly, the craftsmen might quit.
Although we value collective honor, who can force someone to do something when they really don't want to? If you force them to slack off, what can you do?
Therefore, we need to highlight the issue of work points and rewards.
No one has any objection to this outstanding achievement. After all, no one has the skills, so they have to rely on a few masters to guide them.
After reaching a consensus on the treatment issue, Zhang Baosheng went to Zhang Laosi's house alone and talked with him for more than an hour. That night, he called all the craftsmen to a meeting again. He first expressed the team's sincerity, and with the benefits guaranteed by Zhou Jiani, the meeting lasted until midnight. The masters basically had no problems.
The next morning, before those who were going to work early left the house, the team's loudspeaker sounded, announcing some great news.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
