Chapter 69
Zhao Mei was overjoyed. She didn't even wait for the party to end before she hurried home to share the good news with Zhang Kaishan. She whispered, "Jiani mentioned to me the day before yesterday that she wanted me to be a quality inspector, specifically checking for quality issues in woven goods. I just found out today that Jiani has been promoted to a cadre."
It should have been decided the day before yesterday when they had a meeting at the commune. Now that Jiani has become a cadre, I think of taking care of her first. I really don’t know how to thank her.
Zhang Kaishan's eyes were red with gratitude, and he suggested, "Shall we make some dumplings for Comrade Xiao Zhou tonight to celebrate?"
Zhao Mei nodded readily and said with a smile, "Forget about tonight, let's pack it for lunch. Jiani and the others are heading to the provincial capital with the transport team tonight, so they'll probably have to leave early. Let's have dumplings for lunch, which is perfect for the occasion. Dumplings on board, noodles on board. I wish the new Section Chief Zhou a safe trip."
She didn't plan to go to work and was thinking of buying some meat.
However, it is unlikely to be available at the village supply and marketing cooperative right now, so Zhao Mei plans to go to the town to have a look.
She took the money and ticket, turned around and walked out with a smile on her face, she was really happy for Zhou Jiani.
Yu Wanxia and Sun Ping were also happy. As soon as it was over, they squeezed over to find Zhou Jiani, but Zhou Jiani was surrounded by a group of aunts and sisters. Many of them felt unfair for Zhou Jiani and said that Comrade Zhou deserved a higher position.
She knew everyone was concerned about her, but some of her words would inevitably offend others if they got out. She didn't want to do that. Besides, she wasn't interested in that either. She smiled and responded to the aunties' kindness. She praised the other newly appointed cadres, especially Comrade Li Jingdang, saying, "Everyone has their own areas of expertise. Only by leveraging their strengths can we do a better job. We all have different positions and divisions of labor, but we all share the same goal: to promote and develop our village's sideline businesses..."
Not far away, Zhai Xiangqiang looked at Zhou Jiani, who was surrounded by fellow villagers, and said with a smile, "Comrade Xiao Zhou has a good mass base."
He can also talk and smiles at everyone, without any sign of impatience.
Zhang Baosheng smiled and said, "Yes, Comrade Xiao Zhou helped us sell a lot of vegetables. She really worked hard for the members. Everyone in the village remembers her kindness."
Zhai Xiangqiang nodded and said, "He is a good comrade and will also be a good cadre. We must train him well."
Zhang Baosheng responded.
After taking Director Zhai to see the factory site, Zhai Xiangqiang also spoke a few words to several cadres with new titles along the way, also on behalf of Li Jingdang. Finally, he urged Li Jingdang to work hard and serve the people well, and then left with his new secretary.
Li Jingdang stayed and communicated with Zhang Baosheng and others about the factory construction. After the factory was built and the shipment volume increased, it was also necessary to ensure the problem of external transportation. There was only a narrow path around this land connecting to the main road outside the village. The distance was not far, so it was not difficult to build.
He made suggestions in this regard, Zhang Baosheng and others came up with plans, and Li Jingdang fully cooperated, so the conversation was quite pleasant.
On the other side, Zhou Jiani finally persuaded the enthusiastic villagers to leave. Yu Wanxia and Sun Ping also squeezed next to Zhou Jiani. Yu Wanxia said happily, "Great, Jiani, you have made our female educated youth proud."
Sun Ping raised her chin proudly: "We are from the provincial capital, hum!"
Yu Wanxia went to tickle her, and the two girls started to make a fuss.
Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "Okay, okay, I'll go make the final preparations."
The quality of the batch of goods that was rushed out yesterday still needs to be checked again. This time she plans to call Zhao Mei to familiarize her with the work first.
Before Zhao Mei left the village, she was stopped by Zhou Jiani. Seeing her hurried steps, she asked with a smile, "Sister-in-law, where are you going?"
Zhao Mei was planning to give Xiao Zhou a surprise, but she was caught red-handed. She simply said with a smile, "I'm going to town to buy some meat. We'll make dumplings for lunch to celebrate Xiao Zhou's appointment as Section Chief. I also want to wish you a safe journey... Since you're going on a business trip, let's get in the car and make dumplings."
Zhou Jiani was surprised for a moment, then she went over and took Zhao Mei's arm, saying with a smile, "Sister-in-law, not to mention that we're so rushed today, but our new factory director hasn't even celebrated yet, and it's inappropriate for me to celebrate."
"Oh no!" Zhao Mei said in frustration, "I forgot about that."
Zhou Jiani said with a smile, "Let's put this dumpling meal on hold for now. By the time I get back, it will probably be about time for us to move. Then, call Brother Zhang and Huihui over to my place and we'll have a good time. Forget about whether we're celebrating or not."
Zhao Mei smiled helplessly. No wonder Comrade Xiao Zhou could become a cadre. She hadn't even thought of this, but he had already figured it out.
It was originally a good thing, and if she caused any embarrassment, it would have a bad impact, so he said seriously: "Okay, I'll welcome you back and warm the pot for you!"
When Zhou Jiani said she would take her to the processing workshop to familiarize herself with the work, she hurriedly said, "I'll go back and tell your big brother Zhang. I'm afraid he's already made preparations at home."
Zhao Mei hurried back to tell Zhang Kaishan, and then hurried to the processing workshop.
Zhang Laosi and the others had known about it for a long time, so they didn't seem too confused when they saw Zhao Mei coming over.
Zhou Jiani explained the quality inspection steps to her and asked her to go through the entire process so that she could understand what she should pay most attention to at each node, which parts are prone to problems, and what to pay special attention to during the inspection.
Around 3:00 PM, Zhou Jiani was ready to leave. She left Zhao Mei ten yuan, telling her to pay for any dried cowpeas or other goods Zhao Mei brought her. She then grabbed two bottles of pickled cucumbers, along with the pickled beans Zhao Mei had given her, and packed a few steamed buns. She then gathered her luggage and headed to the processing workshop to oversee the goods being loaded onto the oxcart. She then collected the various certificates issued by the production team and headed for town.
This transport team line was contacted by Qiu Zeming. They passed through the town and they delivered the goods to the town for loading.
It was the same drivers as last time, Lao Zhang and Zhang Lihai. Their convoy was going to the provincial capital tonight, and it was considered a good idea for them to pick up the goods for the Qianjin Brigade. Since the fare was cheap, they didn't go around to the village alone, and asked them to deliver the goods to the town for loading.
We can discuss it later when the quantity is larger.
Qiu Zeming followed them to town. In addition to seeing them off, he also went to mail a letter and gave them instructions: "Tonight, they have several cars together, and each car has a driver, three of whom are retired soldiers. It's relatively safe, but you still need to be a little alert at night."
Liu Tong waved the jujube wood stick on the dance car, which was used for self-defense, and said, "Don't worry, I have thought about it. I will stay up at night and take charge of everyone."
Zhang Laosi also nodded and said, "Don't worry about it. Every year when the village is watering the fields, our team has had a few fights with the other teams. Don't look down on me, an old man. If there is really a fight, Liu Tong can't beat me."
Liu Tong laughed and said, "That's true. Those young men in Pingyu Brigade are all troubled by Uncle Si."
Qiu Zeming nodded. They were all farmers, and the thing they had the most was strength.
In addition, there are Zhang Lihai and several others who have retired from the army. They often drive sports cars and travel at night, and they carry weapons with them, so there is no problem.
When he arrived in town, Qiu Zeming went past the post office to mail a letter.
This is the content he and Comrade Xiao Zhou compiled and summarized. He hopes that the comrades in the plastic greenhouse experiment team can receive it and give some advice.
After waiting at the intersection for about twenty minutes, the transport team's car came over. Zhang Lihai got out of the car, climbed to the back and helped arrange for them to hand over the baskets.
Seeing Zhang Laosi with his pipe on his waist, he warned: "Uncle, my car is full of cotton yarn. We can't light a cigarette in the car. If you want to smoke, wait until we stop halfway."
Zhang Laosi hurriedly said, "Don't worry, comrade, I promise I won't light a fire."
Qiu Zeming came over to entrust them, and when introducing them to each other, he smiled and said, "You are all from the Zhang family. Brother Zhang, please take good care of them on the way."
Zhang Lihai patted his shoulder and said, "Don't worry, I promise to bring it to you safely!"
The man who replaced Zhang Lihai was a comrade named Shi Da'an. He came over to say hello to them and they got to know each other.
It is indeed more convenient to have acquaintances around. Zhang Lihai took good care of them and arranged a place for them to rest. They could lean on the soft cotton yarn with a tattered mattress underneath, which made it quite comfortable for them to sit on.
After watching the convoy leave, Qiu Zeming rode his bike back after he could no longer see them. After returning to the village, he did not go to the experimental fields, but went to the two rented houses to see the progress of the renovations.
Liu Tong had prepared for his night shift, so he closed his eyes for a moment as soon as he got on the bus. He opened his eyes when he heard the driver honking his horn, only to find it was just getting dark. He instinctively reached for his stick and asked, alertly, "What's going on?"
Zhang Laosi also looked nervous.
It's no wonder he was nervous. Zhou Jiani discovered that the drivers honked their horns in a pattern. The first car honked twice, and the cars behind it responded one after another, then collectively slowed down and slowly stopped.
Zhang Lihai opened the car door and leaned over to tell Zhang Laosi and the others, "Don't be nervous. They stopped here for a restroom. If you need to relieve yourself, go there quickly. There's a toilet over there."
After he finished speaking, he remembered that there was a lesbian in the car and scratched his head uncomfortably.
She's a lesbian, and she has no one to accompany her. How can he have the nerve to ask her if she wants to go to the bathroom?
Zhou Jiani pretended not to notice their embarrassment and changed the subject, saying, "Brother Zhang, I brought two jars of pickled vegetables I made myself. Can you help me share them with everyone?"
She had already thought about the problem of inconvenience in going to the toilet, so she didn't even drink a sip of water before leaving.
"Oh, okay, thank you, Comrade Zhou." Zhang Lihai jumped down, went around to the back and got two bottles of pickles. After thinking for a moment, he said meaningfully, "Comrade Zhou, if you have any questions, just tell me. There are many inconveniences when you're away from home. Don't be embarrassed."
"Thank you, Brother Zhang. If I have anything to say, I'll just ask you. I won't be polite with you."
Zhang Lihai knew she understood, so he took the pickles and went to the car behind him. When he came back, only half a bottle was left. He split the half bottle in half with the people in the car in front. Then he returned the empty bottle to Zhou Jiani and said, "Everyone, let me thank Comrade Zhou on their behalf."
“You’re welcome!”
They ate a little in the car, not daring to eat too much, and only drank a few sips of water to moisten their throats.
It was completely dark. Zhou Jiani put on a thick coat and leaned against the cotton bag to prepare for sleep. Before going to bed, she used the coat as a cover to take out the small spray bottle of pepper spray and the electric arc baton and put them in the pocket on one side.
It was dark, so it was not easy for the Fourth Uncle and the others to discover us.
When she decided to go with the truck, Qiu Zeming told her that there was a chance of being robbed in a sports car. However, Zhang Lihai and his men had been driving sports cars for many years and had experience. There were guns in the car, and they were from the army, so there shouldn't be any big problems. But she still had to take precautions.
She hoped for a safe journey, but if she really encountered a robbery, she couldn't just go out and get her equipment.
Zhang Laosi was also ready to take a nap. He and Liu Tong had agreed that they would take turns, with him resting in the first half of the night and Liu Tong resting in the second half.
Liu Tong replied, "No need, I can handle the night by myself."
Zhang Laosi said, "Don't force yourself. I'm old and I don't sleep much, so half a night's sleep is enough. If you don't sleep all night, what if you get confused and make a mistake when we settle accounts tomorrow?"
Liu Tong smiled: "Okay, okay, I'll call you in the middle of the night."
Zhang Laosi closed his eyes and went to sleep.
Zhou Jiani didn't know when she fell asleep, but she was awakened by a gunshot.
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