Chapter 40.1: Director Zhao leads a team to the County Town

June 11th, Zhao Ke rode a bicycle to the Commune office early in the morning.

Her shoulder bag was bulging, stuffed with the plans prepared by their Brigade, the cooperative agreement, notebooks, and various materials they had dug out from the Brigade office to legitimize the cooperative.

Arriving at the Commune courtyard, Zhao Ke went directly to find Secretary Duan.

Secretary Duan took the thick stack of papers, flipping through them as he said, “Your Production Team is very well-prepared.”

Zhao Ke frowned, “After all, this is such a big matter. Our Brigade has no confidence, so we could only prepare as thoroughly as possible to make it easier for the leaders to give guidance.”

“Your documents are written very well, not much worse than Administrator Cheng’s.”

Administrator Cheng was the secretary of the Commune.

Zhao Ke was self-aware; the words she had pieced together from various newspapers and materials, combined with some colloquial language, were certainly not as smooth as professional office documents.

Secretary Duan read with increasing seriousness and occasionally asked her a few questions, which Zhao Ke answered one by one.

“There’s no major problem with most of it, but regarding the members’ shares…” Secretary Duan pointed to the amount the four team committee members planned to contribute. “You are the management of the Production Brigade and are not poor peasants.”

Zhao Ke firmly denied any commercial exploitation, “The Brigade leader and the others are setting an example, emptying their own pockets to drive the enthusiasm of the members.”

Secretary Duan added, “You cannot restrict poor peasants from joining.”

“The cooperative’s charter must be established to ensure standardization. There’s no bias against any member,” Zhao Ke explained. “The cooperative offers dividends to all members. Shareholding is because our Production Team simply doesn’t have the capacity to raise pigs on a household basis, so several families must pool resources. For those who don’t want to participate, the Brigade definitely won’t force them; that would be a mistake.”

Zhao Ke also cited examples where private shareholding was allowed in Supply and Marketing Cooperatives or livestock farms, proving that their approach was completely compliant.

Although she wasn’t particularly eloquent, her sincerity stood out. Secretary Duan listened with a slight smile, “This matter still needs approval from the Commune director; I can’t authorize it alone.”

Hearing this, Zhao Ke thought there was a good chance and smiled even brighter, trying to curry favor, “Uncle Duan, could you put in a good word for me? This cooperative is really important to our Production Team.”

Secretary Duan didn’t agree but smiled, “I have to remain objective and impartial.”

Objective was good; objective was acceptable. Since he didn’t outright reject her, Zhao Ke was satisfied.

Afterward, Secretary Duan personally led Zhao Ke to meet Director Wu of the Commune.

Although he claimed impartiality, Secretary Duan personally accompanying her and his familiar tone when introducing Zhao Ke meant that Director Wu didn’t dismiss the cooperative plan outright or start with a negative attitude.

Director Wu also asked many questions, most of which overlapped with those from Secretary Duan, differing only slightly in phrasing.

Zhao Ke answered smoothly and even added, “The fundamental solution to agriculture lies in mechanization. Our Team’s ultimate goal is to increase production and income through the cooperative and achieve agricultural mechanization as soon as possible.”

Director Wu looked at Zhao Ke and complimented, “Comrade Xiao Zhao, you have a clear mind.”

Zhao Ke smiled shyly.

This was essentially an interview, so she had prepared in advance. She even had the team leader and others simulate “difficult” scenarios for her. Having just completed the preliminary round with Secretary Duan, everything hinged on this final stage.

Feeling increasingly embarrassed, Zhao Ke slowly asked, “If this has potential, our Brigade could serve as a model for other Production Brigades under the Commune. We’re also hesitant about having members contribute shares. If the Commune could allocate funds for a trial, we wouldn’t have to worry about crossing the line.”

After she finished speaking, she looked expectantly at the two Commune leaders.

Director Wu and Secretary Duan: “…”

Allocating funds was out of the question.

Director Wu coughed lightly and said seriously, “The Commune’s finances are also tight. If your Production Team can handle this on your own, don’t trouble the Commune. I think your members’ shareholding idea is clear and doesn’t cross any lines.”

Zhao Ke held back, resisting the urge to smile, “Then, about the cooperative…”

Director Wu and Secretary Duan exchanged a glance, “We’ll discuss it further. Can you come back tomorrow?”

Zhao Ke immediately agreed, seizing the opportunity, “I was planning to visit the Women’s Federation this afternoon to meet with Director Zhang. If Secretary Duan and Director Wu have any questions, you can call me over at any time to answer.”

After she left, Director Wu said to Secretary Duan, “This Xiao Zhao is quite capable.”

Secretary Duan casually said, “She and Shu Yi are classmates. Her grades in high school were very good. She used to visit our home, and after graduating from high school, she got into the bearing factory on her own but gave up her worker status to return to the countryside for development.”

“Very impressive.” And with a correct mindset too.

Secretary Duan nodded and sighed, “At least our Commune has the bearing factory to drive things forward. When I attended a meeting in the city earlier, I heard that some Production Teams under other Communes are breaking their clocks, and even members are refusing to work, with serious slack-off attitudes.”

While Shuangshan Commune hadn’t reached that point, there was indeed some degree of slackness.

In such cases, the Commune leadership certainly bears significant responsibility.

Director Wu’s expression turned slightly heavy. “The documents that were sent down also mention the need to find ways to motivate farmers’ production enthusiasm.”

Secretary Duan said, “It’s rare to have someone like Xiao Zhao, who is ideologically sound, with roots in the countryside, and capable, actively responding to policy calls and committing to rural development. And for Zhao Village’s team committee to give her such a platform to display her talents, our Commune should try to provide support as much as possible.”

The more rural the area, the more it operated on interpersonal relationships. For an outsider educated youth to participate in the management of the Production Team was certainly not as convenient or effective as a local knowledgeable youth like Zhao Ke.

Director Wu noticed Secretary Duan’s clear admiration for Zhao Ke and naturally agreed, “Then let’s arrange a meeting this afternoon to discuss it. If there’s anything unsuitable, Zhao Village’s Production Team can make timely adjustments. What do you think, Secretary Duan?”

Secretary Duan had no objections.

As Director Wu closed his notebook, he suddenly thought of something. “This year, Shuangshan Commune has two recommended spots for the Worker-Peasant-Soldier University^[1]Worker-Peasant-Soldier students (Chinese: 工农兵学员; pinyin: Gōngnóngbīng xuéyuán) were Chinese students who entered colleges between 1970 and 1976, during the later part of the Cultural … Continue reading. Xiao Zhao fits the criteria very well.”

In terms of background, family, abilities, and other standards, Zhao Ke indeed matched.

But with the cooperative plan from Zhao Village’s Production Team in hand, Secretary Duan had his own thoughts. As the Commune leader, he hoped someone like Zhao Ke, with both ability and motivation, could stay in the countryside and bring fresh energy to Shuangshan Commune.

However, they couldn’t block someone’s future.

Secretary Duan said, “Let’s observe a bit more and see how Zhao Village’s cooperative turns out.”

———-

That morning, Zhao Ke had gone to the Commune as soon as it got light. She only bought two steamed buns for breakfast and, after spending the whole morning talking, finally had a chance to relax. She then waited outside the bearing factory’s gate for her Jiejie, Zhao Mian.

The gatekeeper was quite familiar with Zhao Ke.

Knowing he was a retired soldier, Zhao Ke proactively asked if he knew anyone at the County pig farm. Upon receiving a positive answer, she inquired about their name and position.

The gatekeeper, aware she wanted to buy piglets, patted his chest and said, “Come to the guardroom later, and I’ll call him for you. When are you planning to go?”

Zhao Ke said firmly, “The day after tomorrow.”

The piglets had to be bought. Tomorrow, she would return to the village. The day after, she would head to the County, and the morning after that, she would go to the pig farm.

The gatekeeper nodded, “Alright, I’ll tell him.”

The bearing factory’s guardroom phone was available for use by factory workers and their families, but there was a charge. Since the gatekeeper helped Zhao Ke make the call, she naturally wouldn’t let him pay and handed over the money directly.

The call wasn’t cheap, and the gatekeeper accepted it happily.

After a while, Zhao Ke met Zhao Mian and Xiao Wen, and the three went to the factory canteen to eat.

Many people in the factory who knew Zhao Ke were aware she was now the Women’s Director of a Production Team. As they passed by, they stopped to chat briefly with her.

Her popularity was as high as ever.

One coworker even secretly sat beside Zhao Ke and quietly asked, “My parents are going to the city in a few days and want to bring two live hens as gifts. Can you get me two big ones?”

As she spoke, she slipped five yuan to Zhao Ke as a deposit.

After confirming the timing and realizing she could bring them next time, Zhao Ke agreed.

The coworker left satisfied.

Not long after, Master Yu came over. Hearing that Zhao Ke was going to the County pig farm to buy piglets, she said she would help ask if there were any materials on pig farming in the city.

Zhao Ke thanked her profusely.

Master Yu waved it off and left, not sitting with the young women to eat.

After lunch, Zhao Ke parted ways with Zhao Mian and Xiao Wen, then cycled to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

The Commune’s Supply and Marketing Cooperative wasn’t large. The 30-plus square meter space had a long glass counter at the entrance, with several rows of shelves inside, where goods were neatly arranged by category.

Duan Shuyi was sitting behind the counter. Hearing movement at the door, she raised her eyes indifferently. Upon seeing Zhao Ke, her expression changed, and she teased, “Oh~ Infrequent visitor ah.”

Zhao Ke stood behind the counter, taking in the entire Supply and Marketing Cooperative at a glance.

She ignored Duan Shuyi’s sarcastic remark and knocked on the glass counter. “Give me a few pieces of mung bean cake, with packaging.”

“You’re even bossing me around.”

Duan Shuyi reluctantly got up and brought over three pieces. “Enough?”

“Enough.” Zhao Ke took them and then asked, “How much is a pack of cigarettes?”

Duan Shuyi asked curiously, “Why are you buying cigarettes?”

“I’m bringing them to the County as a gift,” Zhao Ke briefly explained.

Hearing this, Duan Shuyi said, “The cigarettes from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative don’t look good as gifts. My dad has a stash of Peony cigarettes he treasures. After work, I’ll get you two packs.”

Zhao Ke suddenly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “I didn’t even bring anything for Uncle Duan. If I take his cigarettes, that’s a bit too much.”

“What’s the big deal?”

Zhao Ke shook her head. “I really don’t need the Peony ones.”

Duan Shuyi thought for a moment and excitedly suggested, “What about Fengshou? Fengshou’s not bad. It’s cheaper, and my dad has plenty. He won’t notice if a couple of packs go missing.”

How could he not notice?

Zhao Ke stopped her. “Two packs of the two-mao-a-box cigarettes here are fine. There’s no need to take Secretary Duan’s stash.”

Duan Shuyi was disappointed. “Alright.”

She turned to the left cigarette cabinet and pulled out two packs for her.

Zhao Ke paid.

Rarely seeing her, Duan Shuyi pulled her aside for a chat and mentioned, “Recently, your Production Team got a male educated youth. He’s quite handsome. He bought the same mung bean cakes and a hair clip too.”

Zhao Ke said, “It might be the new Fu Zhiqing from our Production Team.”

Duan Shuyi was very interested, “Does he have a partner?”

Zhao Ke’s radar went up, slightly raising an eyebrow and asking her, “Why? Are you interested too?”

“Too?” Duan Shuyi’s interest deepened, “Someone else is interested in him? Could it be you?”

Another married female shop assistant in the Supply and Marketing Cooperative was watching the two of them. Zhao Ke pushed Duan Shuyi away and denied it, “It’s not me.”

Duan Shuyi pursued the matter, “But isn’t Fu Zhiqing pretty good? There should be quite a few young women in your Production Team who fancy him, right? What kind of good partner can you find in the countryside? If the conditions are right, you should seize the opportunity.”

Zhao Ke didn’t deny that Fu Zhiqing’s various conditions were quite good, but, “I don’t like him.”

“Why not? His conditions are so outstanding, and you don’t like him?” Duan Shuyi didn’t understand. “He’s tall and handsome, speaks well, and from the way he buys things, his family conditions should also be decent…”

Zhao Ke didn’t want to stay there discussing this and was about to leave.

Duan Shuyi, not getting an answer, leaned over the shelf and grabbed Zhao Ke’s arm, not letting her go, “What’s the rush? Tell me.”

Zhao Ke had no choice but to stop and explain, “Aside from these external things, I don’t see any other bright spots.”

In the novel, the female lead, Zhuang Lan, was a person of incredible tenacity, who never gave up no matter what setbacks she faced. The male lead was silent, reliable, and seemingly strong, always appearing to lend a hand when the female lead needed him.

At the end of the novel, the two naturally and methodically developed feelings, got into university, returned to the city, and started their careers…

Zhao Ke hadn’t thought too much about it before—wasn’t that just a perfect ending?

But now, Zhao Ke had a different perspective.

Returning to reality, based on her brief interactions with Fu Hang over these days, although Fu Hang wanted to build a house in Zhao Village, he was fundamentally detached from Zhao Village.

This detachment was spiritual.

Zhao Ke believed he was not someone with a clear goal. He was well-mannered but had an empty soul.

Of course, everyone has different experiences, and it’s natural for some people to have different internal structures.

Zhao Ke told Duan Shuyi, “I have my own direction; we’re just on different paths.”

Duan Shuyi was curious, “What’s your direction now?”

Zhao Ke glanced at her watch. It was almost time for the afternoon work hours at the Commune office, so she had to leave.

“You haven’t answered me yet.”

As Zhao Ke stepped out of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, she said, “Raising pigs.”

Duan Shuyi was speechless.

Another shop assistant at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative came over and asked, “Isn’t your classmate working at a bearing factory? Why is she raising pigs?”

Duan Shuyi defended Zhao Ke, “She’s ideologically advanced, contributing to rural development.”

The shop assistant clicked her tongue twice, “That’s pretty foolish.”

Duan Shuyi retorted, “She’s not foolish at all.”