Chapter 28: Negotiating Work at the Garment Factory

“There’s one more important matter that I need your help with.”

“Currently, the status of rural women is generally lower than that of urban women. The main reason for this is their lack of financial independence. I believe that the work of the Women’s Federation should not just be about handling trivial family disputes, but we can also help them find new ways to earn income through employment.”

Gao Xiuhua had an epiphany—yes, having money means having a voice. It may sound harsh, but it’s true. For instance, because she earned a high salary, her in-laws treated her with more respect.

Jiang An’an purposely blushed, scratching the back of her head, feeling a little embarrassed as she spoke. “Actually, my older sister got divorced, and now her family has lost their source of income. She is too heavy and isn’t suited for farm work, so I was thinking of finding her some lighter tasks, like sewing buttons.”

Her honesty made her even more endearing, and Gao Xiuhua couldn’t help but feel more fond of her. “Although your intention is to help your older sister, your idea of helping women in general is great. However, personal work is prohibited now.”

Jiang An’an had already thought about this. She pulled out a certificate issued by the commune. “For example, tasks like hemming edges, sewing buttons, trimming threads, etc., can be done at home with little skill required. These tasks can be contracted to the commune, which can then assign them based on actual conditions. This would reduce both the factory’s risks and costs.”

Gao Xiuhua had been worried about how to report her work at the end of the year, but Jiang An’an’s suggestion gave her a fresh idea.

The general population was struggling, many people were hungry and didn’t have enough to wear. If the Women’s Federation could organize women to do handwork to supplement their income, not only would it give her something to report at the year-end, but it would also improve the Federation’s standing among the people and make it easier to carry out work next year.

Jiang An’an seized the opportunity to propose, “How about we use Nanxi Commune as a pilot project? If things go smoothly, we could expand to other communes next year, and eventually, spread from rural areas to the cities. It doesn’t have to be just sewing buttons; making velvet flowers, or pasting matchboxes, would work too.”

She had her own agenda—if Nanxi Commune was the first to benefit, and the villagers saw the advantages, other communes would naturally be envious and grateful to her, deepening their trust.

“If you trust me, I’ll take full responsibility for this. I’ll go negotiate with the garment factory.”

If Jiang An’an wanted to prove her worth, she had to show her capabilities.

Most importantly, she wanted to lead the proposal herself so no one else could take credit for it.

The garment factory was located in the western part of the city.

Looking around, a series of gray factory buildings stood in the middle of the countryside, covering an area of around four to five hundred square meters, which looked quite impressive.

With the introduction letter from the Women’s Federation, Jiang An’an easily entered the garment factory. However, as soon as she arrived at the front desk, the secretary informed her, “The factory manager is out. Please come back in a few days.”

The secretary’s attitude was distant and formal—there was no specific time to meet, and no confirmation if she would actually meet the manager. Even though Jiang An’an had the backing of the Women’s Federation, as a mere intern, the secretary didn’t take her seriously.

Jiang An’an quickly pulled out a handful of White Rabbit milk candies from her pocket, discreetly handing them to the secretary with a smile. “When will the manager be back? I need to report to Director Gao later. This is the Women’s Federation’s first initiative with the Hongqi Commune, and it’s being given great importance.”

The secretary’s eyes immediately brightened when she saw the White Rabbit milk candies.

Seeing that Jiang An’an seemed to be very serious about the matter, she shifted her tone. “If it’s a general business matter, Manager Li can handle it herself. Please wait a few minutes, I’ll go fetch the manager.”

The candies were a gift from the saleswoman when Jiang An’an had bought some snowflower cream last time. Although giving them away stung a little, it was still better than having to make another trip.

It wasn’t long before she met the manager.

The manager was a woman in her forties or fifties, dressed in a smart black Lenin suit, with short hair neatly cut at ear length. She looked both simple and capable, with a sharp, dignified presence.

She held a notebook and a Hero brand fountain pen in her hand, clearly taking the meeting with the Women’s Federation seriously.

Jiang An’an smiled with her eyes and said, “Hello, I’m Jiang An’an. I’m here to visit your factory to discuss a potential collaboration to benefit the women in our community.”

At the same time, the manager was sizing her up.

Although she looked young, probably not yet an adult, the girl had clear features and spoke confidently, without showing any signs of nervousness.

For this alone, Li Guangrong gave her an internal point. She spoke in a formal tone, “Let’s go to my office to talk.”

There was a conference room right next to the front desk. After both of them took their seats, the secretary poured two cups of hot water and quietly exited.

Manager Li sat up straight, her hands crossed in front of her on the table.

The atmosphere became serious.

Jiang An’an had seen much larger and more intimidating situations, so she wasn’t at all fazed. She spoke first, “Manager Li, the Women’s Federation, in collaboration with the Hongqi Commune, is planning to organize women for self-reliant production. We want to start with Nanxi Commune as a pilot project, and we are here to seek cooperation with your factory.”

She first presented the Women’s Federation’s introduction letter, followed by a certificate from Nanxi Commune, stamped with a red official seal to verify its authenticity.

Li Guangrong remained expressionless, tapping her fingers lightly on the table. “What kind of cooperation are you proposing?”

Jiang An’an explained, “Many garment factories need to outsource some sewing processes. We intend to contract these tasks in the name of the commune, and distribute them to women in difficult circumstances. They can exchange their labor for work points.”

Upon hearing this, Li Guangrong seemed somewhat intrigued. While it was indeed a good thing for the women, she asked, “But why should our factory contract with Nanxi Commune? We can outsource to other communes or other production teams.”

This was a typical professional elite!

Jiang An’an felt she had found the right direction and reorganized her words, “A few days ago, I went shopping with my mother at the department store and noticed something interesting. The trendy clothes displayed in the store all came from Shanghai. Lenin suits, plaid shirts, and blouses in black, white, and gray, with modest and neutral designs.

To be honest, we can make these kinds of clothes and styles ourselves, and as a local brand, we even have the advantage. Yet, there wasn’t a single item from our brand on display. The reason is simple—it’s all about the brand.

Just like everyone knows that Shanghai goods are avant-garde and fashionable, representing wealth and status, which is why products like snowflower cream and Shanghai-brand watches are so sought after.”

Brand?

That was a term that hadn’t yet become popular in 1972.

Li Guangrong’s mind cleared like fog lifting, and she had an epiphany. The scattered thoughts in her mind seemed to have found an opening. If they could boost the local recognition of the garment factory, could it someday become like Shanghai goods?

For the first time, she really looked at the young woman across from her.

Not only was she pretty, but she was sharp too!

Jiang An’an’s smile grew wider, “If this event can be successfully launched, it will be submitted to major newspapers in the name of the Women’s Federation, to share our experience with other regions’ Women’s Federations. At the end of the year, it will also be presented as a typical example to county and even city leaders. Of course, we won’t forget that the brother factory provided the outsourcing work.”

Every word she spoke carried weight.

Do you want the Women’s Federation to advertise your factory for free?

Do you want to be praised in front of county and city leaders at the end of the year?

Do you want to improve the reputation of your garment factory in Yunzhou County and even nationwide?