Chapter 132 Reporting to the County Public Security Bureau's Logistics Department
After settling in, Xu Zhili wondered if she could use the reward she received for her previous meritorious service to exchange for some money so she could buy a bicycle. This way, she would have a source of funding for the bicycle.
Fortunately, she still had a bicycle ticket; otherwise, even if she had money, without a ticket, she wouldn't be able to buy a bicycle.
Besides Xu Zhili and her siblings, the oxcart also carried several elderly women who were going to the county town's supply and marketing cooperative to exchange goods, as well as two educated youths who were going to the county town on business.
An elderly woman surnamed Wang, seeing Xu Zhian nestled beside his sister, couldn't help but ask, "Young Xu, why are you bringing your younger brother along to work in the county? Is it allowed at your workplace?"
Xu Zhili hugged her younger brother and explained frankly, "Aunt Wang, my parents are gone, and it's just me and An'an who depend on each other. I really can't bear to leave him alone in the village. Fortunately, when I found this job, I explained the situation to my supervisor, and he was understanding and allowed me to bring him with me, so I can take care of him nearby."
Aunt Wang sighed, "Oh, poor child. It's really not easy for you as the older sister. You have to take care of your work and your younger brother. The burden on your shoulders is heavy."
Aunt Li, who was standing nearby, also sighed, "That's right. If it were anyone else, they would have been worried sick. Little Xu, the educated youth, is a responsible and good girl."
The other educated youths on the same bus also looked at him with admiration: "Comrade Xu, you're really something. If you need any help in the future, just let us know."
Xu Zhili smiled modestly: "Thank you for your concern. Life is like that, you always have to find a way to move forward. If you were in my shoes, you could definitely handle it too."
After a bumpy ride, the oxcart finally arrived in the county town when the sun was high in the sky.
Xu Zhili thanked the old driver, took Xu Zhian's hand, and followed the address given by Team Leader Ye to the Logistics Department of the County Public Security Bureau.
She was greeted by Team Leader Ye.
Team Leader Ye noticed the little boy timidly clutching his sister's clothes beside Xu Zhili and asked with a questioning look, "Comrade Xu Zhili, who is this little boy...?"
Xu Zhili took her younger brother a step forward, her expression calm but with a hint of barely perceptible earnestness.
"Team Leader Ye, this is my younger brother, Xu Zhian. There have been some changes in our family... all our elders have passed away, leaving only my brother and me."
"I had no choice but to bring him with me to Xiangyang Brigade when I came to work in the county. I was really worried about leaving him alone in the brigade, so I brought him along. I'm sorry to have troubled you."
Team Leader Ye looked at the sensible child and the determined older sister in front of him, a hint of understanding and sympathy flashing in his eyes. He nodded and his tone softened considerably.
"I see. Sigh, you two siblings have really had a tough time. Now that you're here, just focus on your work. The organization will try its best to make it easier for you to take care of your brother."
“Our bureau also has a daycare center, although it’s mainly for the younger children of our employees. But for someone An’an’s age, it should be fine to look after her for an afternoon or just for a short while. I’ll ask around for you later.”
He crouched down, took a piece of fruit candy from his pocket, and handed it to Xu Zhian with a smile: "Little friend, take this to sweeten your mouth. Be a good girl and listen to your big sister in the county, okay?"
Xu Zhian was a little shy and looked up at her sister.
Xu Zhili smiled and nodded.
Xu Zhian then reached out her little hand to take the candy and said softly but clearly, "Thank you, Uncle Ye."
"Good girl." Team Leader Ye stood up and said to Xu Zhili, "Come on, let me show you around the environment and the work."
Team Leader Ye led Xu Zhili on a tour of the logistics department, explaining as they walked: "Our logistics department has a heavy responsibility. We are in charge of everything, from office paper, pens, and ink, to the uniforms and equipment of the police officers, to the food, oil, and vegetables for everyone's meals, to the fuel, maintenance, and repair of the bureau's vehicles, and the accounts for the inflow and outflow of goods in the warehouse."
"Now, you'll be in charge of 'everyone's meals,' which means purchasing living supplies for the canteen and dormitories."
Xu Zhili listened attentively, nodding occasionally.
Team Leader Ye continued, "Supplies are scarce right now, and procurement is not easy. Staple foods like rice, flour, and oil mainly rely on supply quotas issued by the county grain bureau on a quarterly basis. We have to take the approval slips and collect them on time and in the required quantities."
"For non-staple foods like vegetables and meat, the quotas are insufficient or there are no quotas at all. The famine hasn't been over for long, and it's not easy to purchase supplies, so we have to find our own way."
"First, take the letter of introduction to the county supply and marketing cooperative to see if they have any surplus, and buy them at the negotiated price."
"Secondly, the bureau will issue a letter of introduction and arrange for us to directly contact production teams in the suburbs or nearby areas, such as your Xiangyang Brigade, to see if they can provide some eggs, vegetables, or pork that is not part of the plan."
"When dealing with production teams, you have to be tactful. You have to ensure that the quality of the goods is reliable and the price is reasonable. You can't let the villagers suffer losses, nor can you let the government suffer losses."
Upon hearing "Xiangyang Brigade," Xu Zhili's eyes subtly lit up. This job... definitely has some tricks up its sleeve.
If a stable procurement relationship could be established between the Public Security Bureau's logistics department and the Xiangyang Brigade, it would not only bring the brigade an extra, relatively stable source of cash income, improving the lives of the commune members, but also make procurement more convenient and reassuring for me, and perhaps even... indirectly help improve the meals of my relatives in the cowshed?
The thought flashed through her mind quickly.
Team Leader Ye didn't notice the subtle change in Xu Zhili's expression. He stopped and looked at Xu Zhili, saying seriously, "Comrade Xu Zhili, procurement work may seem like just buying things, but it carries great responsibility. It's related to whether our comrades can eat well and have the energy to work."
"First, we must be clean and honest; second, we must be thrifty and make good use of every penny; third, we must be quick-witted and efficient in getting supplies back."
"Start by familiarizing yourself with these procurement channels and processes. I'll prepare a letter of introduction for you later. Try visiting the supply and marketing cooperative and a few nearby production teams to get a feel for the situation and practice your skills. How about it, are you confident?"
Xu Zhili straightened her back and said with a firm look in her eyes, "Team Leader Ye, I understand. Please rest assured that I will abide by the rules, study hard, familiarize myself with the work as soon as possible, and strive to complete the task. I will never let down the leader's trust."
Team Leader Ye nodded in satisfaction: "Good! That's the spirit we're looking for. Come on, I'll take you to get your work permit and meal tickets first, and then find you a temporary place to put your things. If An'an has nowhere to go this afternoon, she can stay in the empty room next to the duty room for a while. I'll have someone look after her."
Xu Zhili felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders and said gratefully, "Thank you so much, Team Leader Ye. You've gone to so much trouble."
She looked down at Xu Zhian and said, "An'an, quickly thank Uncle Ye."
Xu Zhian politely thanked him again, "Thank you, Uncle Ye!"
Seeing that her older sister had found a job and a place to temporarily settle down, Xu Zhian's little face showed a relieved smile.
Xu Zhili held her younger brother's hand tightly and followed Team Leader Ye, officially beginning her new life in the logistics department of the county public security bureau.
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