Chapter 209 Supporting Mother Until Old Age
"Zhili, I want to open a sewing class in the brigade to teach women basic sewing skills."
Xie Xiazhu said, "If a woman learns a skill, she can support herself and her children no matter what happens."
Xu Zhili's eyes lit up: "That's a great idea, I support you."
With Xu Zhili's help, Xie Xiazhu's sewing class was quickly established.
At first, only a few women came out of curiosity to learn, but later, seeing that those who had mastered the skill could actually earn some pocket money, more and more people came to learn.
Xie Xiazhu's story spread throughout the surrounding villages and towns.
When people talk about Xiangyang Brigade, they no longer just mention Xu Zhili, the "female technician," but also Xie Xiazhu, who is self-reliant after her divorce.
When Xie Xiazhu returned to the village with her youngest daughter, the villagers always looked at her with a mixture of pity and scrutiny.
But she never complained. During the day, she worked in the fields with the production team to earn work points, and at night she did needlework by the light of an oil lamp to earn money. She managed to make ends meet.
Later, Xu Zhili helped her contact the town's sewing cooperative. With her excellent skills, she was able to establish herself, not only supporting her daughter but also saving some money.
Now, when people in the village talk about her, they all give her a thumbs up: "Xia Zhu, that girl, is really capable, stronger than many men!"
A month later, Xie Xiazhu received a letter written by someone sent by Baosheng.
The letter was short, only a few lines long, saying that he missed his mother. Although Aunt Xiujuan was good to him, she was ultimately not his biological mother.
Xie Xiazhu read the letter, tears falling onto the paper.
This time, however, she did not break down. Instead, she carefully put the letter away and continued with her work.
Xu Zhili knew that Xie Xiazhu was gradually regaining her lost dignity and strength in her own way.
She believes that this power will eventually inspire more people.
The fishponds in Xiangyang Brigade shimmered in the sunlight, the fruit saplings in the orange groves grew strong, and the women here were quietly changing their own destinies.
Xu Zhili looked at all this, her heart filled with hope.
At Xu Zhili's suggestion, Xie Xiazhu's sewing class began to take on some simple orders, processing work clothes for nearby factories.
Although the profits are meager, they are enough for the women involved to earn an independent income.
Ya Ya is increasingly showing her talent for embroidery. Her little hands can skillfully thread the needle and even complete some simple embroidery techniques independently. It is unexpected that a three-year-old girl would have such a talent for embroidery.
Whenever someone praises her skills, she proudly says, "When I grow up, I want to be like my mother, making a living with my own hands and supporting her until she gets old."
Looking at the vitality that this mother and daughter displayed in adversity, Xu Zhili couldn't help but think of the machines she had designed.
Whether it's sophisticated military equipment or simple sewing skills, they are essentially the same: people's efforts to create a better life.
One evening, Xie Xiazhu came to Xu Zhili's house with a newly made shirt in her hand: "Zhili, this is for you. Thank you for your help these past few days. Without you, I really might not have been able to make it."
Xu Zhili took the shirt and noticed that the collar and cuffs had exquisite embroidery with fine and even stitches, showing how much effort had been put into it.
"Sister Xia Zhu, you really don't need to be so polite. You were able to stand up because of your own courage and skills."
Xie Xiazhu smiled, her eyes filled with a confidence she had never shown before: "Once I've saved up more money, I'd like to open a small tailor shop in town. Could you design a few new styles for me then?"
“Of course,” Xu Zhili agreed without hesitation.
As night deepened, the two women chatted about their future plans under the kerosene lamp, the moonlight shining softly and firmly upon them.
Later, in this era of change, they are writing a new chapter for women in their own way.
Xu Zhili stood at the entrance of the brigade headquarters and took a deep breath.
She held a piece of paper covered in writing; it was a plan she had written over the past few nights.
Xie Xiazhu's sewing class is becoming more and more popular, and she is taking on more and more jobs, but the risks behind this are making Xu Zhili very worried.
"Zhili's here? Is something the matter?"
Captain Xie was sitting in his office using an abacus when he looked up and saw Xu Zhili standing at the door. He then invited her in.
Xu Zhili walked into the office and placed the plan in front of Captain Xie: "Uncle Xie, I would like to talk to you about Sister Xia Zhu's sewing class."
Captain Xie's expression darkened slightly: "Has that girl gotten into trouble again?"
“No, quite the opposite,” Xu Zhili quickly explained. “Sister Xia Zhu’s sewing class can do a lot of work now. A few days ago, they even received a batch of work clothes mending orders from the county’s textile factory. But I’m worried that something might go wrong if this continues.”
"What happened?" Captain Xie put down his abacus and became serious.
“Current policies do not allow private business. If Sister Xia Zhu takes on jobs and collects money in this way, and someone reports her, not only will she be punished, but it may also damage the reputation of the entire Xiangyang Brigade.”
Xu Zhili looked directly into Captain Xie's eyes, "Especially since you and Sister Xia Zhu are father and daughter, what will people say?"
Captain Xie frowned, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "You're right, that is indeed a problem. I'm worried that girl will cause trouble since she came back from her divorce. So what are your thoughts?"
Xu Zhili pushed the proposal forward: "I suggest that our brigade formally establish a sewing group and go through the procedures for collective production. In this way, Sister Xia Zhu's skills can legitimately generate income for the collective, and the women who participate can earn work points instead of taking money privately."
Captain Xie picked up the plan and began to read it carefully.
After a while, he nodded: "That's a good idea. But what about the paperwork? Will the commune approve it?"
“I’ve already inquired about it.”
Xu Zhili was prepared: "Now the country encourages rural areas to develop sideline businesses. As long as it is done in the name of the collective and generates income for the collective, it is allowed."
"We only need to submit a report to the commune, explaining that this is a collective sideline project of the brigade, that those who participate will be credited with work points, and that the income will belong to the collective and be distributed uniformly at the end of the year."
Captain Xie pondered for a moment: "But would Xia Zhu be willing to do that? Right now, she takes on private jobs and the money goes straight into her own pocket. If it's changed to a group project, she might earn less."
"I've thought about that too."
Xu Zhili said, "We can set up a reasonable work point system, and those who have good skills and put in more effort will naturally earn more. Moreover, after collectivization, we can take on larger orders, the overall income will increase, and everyone's income will also rise accordingly."
Just then, Xie Xiazhu was returning from working in the fields and passed by the brigade headquarters.
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