Chapter 211 Someone Reported
He knew that with Xu Zhili's help, not only had his daughter found a new direction in life, but the entire Xiangyang Brigade was also quietly undergoing positive changes.
All of this stemmed from that seemingly simple yet crucial decision: to follow the right path of collectivization and allow individual talents to shine within a legal framework.
The sewing group's workshop was set up in a room converted from the former brigade warehouse. Three sewing machines were placed side by side, and clothing patterns designed by Xu Zhili and Xie Xiazhu were hanging on the wall.
During this period, the two were almost inseparable, studying new designs day and night.
"Xia Zhu, look at this neckline design. Wouldn't it look more energetic if it were changed to a small stand-up collar?" Xu Zhili drew lines on the fabric with chalk.
Xie Xiazhu leaned closer to examine it carefully, her fingers gently stroking the fabric: "The stand-up collar is nice, but isn't it too formal? This batch of clothes is for the staff at the county guesthouse, so they need to be dignified but not too restrictive."
Xu Zhili nodded: "You're right. How about this: keep the collar design, but embroider simple patterns on the collar edge. It will be both beautiful and approachable."
The two exchanged a smile; this tacit cooperation greatly improved their work efficiency.
Xie Xiazhu excels at handling details and needlework, while Xu Zhili has a unique perspective on overall design and market demand.
"Chiri, if it weren't for you, I would never have dreamed that I could design clothes."
As Xie Xiazhu threaded the needle, she sighed, "Back in the day, I could only secretly take on mending jobs; I never dared to dream of these things."
Xu Zhili smiled and said, "It's because you have good skills. I just offered some suggestions."
"It's not just advice."
Xie Xiazhu said earnestly, "You showed me another possibility in life. I used to think that divorce was the end of the world for a woman, but now..."
She paused, her hands still sewing, "Now I actually think that leaving Wang Tiezhu was the best decision I ever made in my life."
Just then, Ya Ya came skipping in: "Mom, Aunt Zhi Li, Aunt Da Cui is here. She said she wants to ask if she can join the sewing group."
Xu Zhili and Xie Xiazhu exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised.
Li Dacui is a well-known lazybones in the village, but she has a strong personality and used to have a lot of complaints about Xie Xiazhu, who "returned to her parents' home after getting divorced".
"Please let her in," Xie Xiazhu said calmly, straightening her clothes.
Li Dacui walked in, her eyes slightly darting around: "Xia Zhu, Zhi Li, I heard that the sewing group recently received a big order and they're short-handed. I'd like to come and help out. Do you think I can come?"
Xie Xiazhu said gently, "Sister Da Cui is very skilled, so we certainly welcome her to come and help. However, there are rules in the group that new members must first pass an assessment and their work points will be determined according to their skill level."
Li Dacui's expression changed slightly: "An assessment? I've been doing needlework for over ten years, and I still need to be assessed?"
Xu Zhili chimed in, "This is a collective rule that applies equally to everyone. Sister Da Cui is very skilled, so there shouldn't be any problem."
Li Dacui forced a smile and took the sample for the assessment handed to her by Xie Xiazhu—a top that required meticulous hemming and embroidery.
Three days later, the assessment results came out. Li Dacui's skills were indeed good, but she was still a step behind Xie Xiazhu. She was classified as a second-level worker, with two fewer work points than Xie Xiazhu.
"Why is Xie Xiazhu a top-level worker?" Li Dacui's face was very unpleasant when she received the results.
Aunt Li, who was in charge of the assessment, explained: "Da Cui, Xia Zhu's skills are obvious to everyone. Her embroidery skills are unmatched in our village. The grading was determined by everyone, so it was fair and just."
Li Dacui didn't say anything more, but the dissatisfaction in her eyes was obvious.
In the days that followed, the sewing team's work flourished.
At Xu Zhili's suggestion, they not only took on garment processing jobs, but also began to try designing original styles, which were sold at the county supply and marketing cooperative and received a very good response.
However, just before the sewing group was preparing to participate in the county's handicraft exhibition, trouble struck.
One morning, two cadres from the commune suddenly arrived and went directly to Captain Xie.
"Captain Xie, we received a report that your brigade's sewing group is engaging in speculation and profiteering, selling clothing privately for personal gain," the leading cadre said sternly.
Captain Xie was startled, but remained calm on the surface: "Comrades, this must be a misunderstanding. Our sewing group has all the necessary permits and is operating legally."
"Whether there's a misunderstanding or not, we'll find out after an investigation."
The cadre took out his notebook and said, "Please show us the sewing group's ledgers and relevant documents for our inspection."
The news quickly spread throughout the village.
Li Dacui stood in the crowd, her eyes darting around.
Upon learning this, Xu Zhili immediately went home to retrieve a folder and hurried towards the brigade headquarters.
"Comrades, these are all the approval documents for the sewing team."
Xu Zhili spread the documents on the table. "This is the commune's approval document for the establishment of the sewing group, this is the tax registration certificate, and these are the contracts and invoices for all the orders."
The official carefully reviewed the documents, his expression gradually softening: "The paperwork is indeed complete. However, someone reported that you were taking on private jobs that weren't recorded in the accounts."
Xie Xiazhu stepped forward and said, "Comrade, every penny of our income has been recorded, and everyone involved has been paid work points according to their labor. There has never been any private transaction."
Xu Zhili added, "The sewing group's accounts are published every month, and all members can supervise them. If you two need them, I can bring you the account books for the most recent three months."
Just then, Aunt Li and several members of the sewing group arrived after hearing the news.
“Comrade, we are from the sewing team, and we can testify that Xia Zhu and Zhi Li are telling the truth.”
Aunt Li said loudly, "Every income is deposited into the collective account, and the work points are also open and transparent."
The other group members echoed this sentiment:
"Yes, we are all paid according to our work, it's very fair."
"If it weren't for the sewing team, how would we women have the opportunity to earn work points?"
"This is a case of someone making a false accusation out of jealousy."
Seeing this, the commune cadres softened their attitude: "Since the procedures are complete and the accounts are transparent, it must be a misunderstanding. However, you must remember that collective sideline businesses must strictly abide by the regulations and cannot engage in private transactions."
"Don't worry, we will definitely abide by the law," Captain Xie quickly assured him.
After seeing off the commune cadres, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Aunt Li said indignantly, "Someone must be jealous of how well our sewing group is doing, so they deliberately reported us!"
Xu Zhili pursed her lips and gently shook her head: "It's alright. The innocent will clear themselves. We have all the necessary paperwork and are confident. We're not afraid of inspections, but we still need to be wary of anyone trying to trip us up."
Xu Zhili seemed to be deep in thought.
She noticed that Li Dacui had not shown up, which was unusual.
Li Dacui usually loved to join in the sewing group's activities, but she was nowhere to be seen today, which inevitably aroused suspicion.
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