Siheyuan: Walking the Path of Qin Huairu

Zhao Yali said, "Don't underestimate Cai Quanwu. If he can be a teacher in a literacy class, can we? You know, I am an accountant, and I only learned a little from my father when I was young. I don't have much knowledge. And you, you said you graduated from junior high school, but it was a chaotic time. You know what you can learn. The tavern is doing a booming business now, and the benefits are good. I am quite satisfied."

Lao Bao took a sip of wine and said, "The mother is right!"

Fan Jinyou said: "I just can't stand Xu Huizhen, she is so evil and she deliberately makes things difficult for me."

Zhao Yali snorted disdainfully and continued, "I advise you to give up those inappropriate thoughts as soon as possible. You and I together are no match for her. Believe it or not, she can break out the cricket jar as soon as you open your teeth?"

Lao Bao also said: "She is now a celebrity in the embroidery factory. Leaders at all levels admire her very much. Even the mayor praises her highly! You are nothing at all."

Fan Jinyou listened to the couple singing the same tune, and felt that no one understood his pain. He angrily picked up the wine bottle, grabbed the remaining broad beans on the table, and left without saying a word.

Lao Bao looked at his back, shook his head, and said to his wife, "Don't mess around with Fan Jinyou. Xu Hui is really good to us. Occasionally, you can bring some leftovers from the tavern. She takes care of our children a lot. You should be grateful."

Zhao Yali rolled her eyes at Lao Bao and said, "I know. No need to nag me about it every day."

After the Spring Festival, Xu Huizhen plans to expand the production scale of the embroidery factory. The New Year should bring new changes.

She set her sights on earning foreign exchange through exports, because in this era, our country's purchasing power is too poor.

She also knew that in June 1959, the Soviet Union would unilaterally tear up the China aid agreement, terminate all aid projects to China, and China would have to repay the Soviet Union's huge debt. Many of the debts were paid in grain, which was one of the reasons for the three grain difficulties.

In her previous life, she had heard more than once from her elders about the tragic times of hardship and the countless people who starved to death.

Although her ability is insignificant and a small cross-stitch can't make much money, but a little bit adds up to a lot, and even a little bit counts. Every citizen has a share of responsibility for the fate of a country. Exporting one more piece of embroidery can save food for the country, and when disaster strikes, fewer people will starve to death.

So she convened a meeting of all the managers and sales staff of the embroidery factory. At the meeting, Xu Huizhen proposed: "New Year, New Atmosphere. We should expand the scale of production. Sales staff should target foreigners and sell our embroidery products to other countries in the world to earn foreign exchange for the country."

The sales manager, Cheng Xiao, interrupted and said, "Director Xu, our embroidery products are sold at the Friendship Store. They received foreign currency, but when they settled with us, they gave us RMB. We are at a big loss."

Xu Huizhen smiled and said, "Even if the Friendship Store settles our accounts in foreign currency, the government will take it back. The state has very strict control over foreign exchange. But we can find another way. I suggest that our factory open a door to the outside of the back building facing the street and set up a sales department to sell cross-stitch ourselves. Not only can we sell it to foreigners who come to Beijing on business trips or for tourism, but our sales staff can also bring foreigners directly to the sales department for a visit. I know that many foreigners like our country's embroidery. They can buy it as gifts for friends, or we can sell our products abroad through them. Of course, they must also be profitable in this process, so that it can last for a long time."

Xu Huizhen got this idea from Ye Lina. She knew that in the original plot, Ye Lina and Chen Xueru worked together to sell the silk from Xueru Silk Shop to the Soviet Union. However, Chen Xueru tampered with the accounts for her own benefit, and was caught by Liao Yucheng.

Everyone was talking about Xu Huizhen's suggestion. Deputy Director Fan said, "This is easy to do. First, clean up the back house and decorate it. Then we can move our sample room over there and assign a salesperson to look after it."

Xu Huizhen continued, "I suggest that we recruit a few more salespeople. Only by opening up sales channels can we expand the scale of our factory's production. In order to improve the enthusiasm of the salespeople, you can give them some bonuses based on their performance. This bonus is not for you to pocket. The salespeople in major shopping malls need you to bring some gifts occasionally to bribe them, no, to encourage them to actively recommend our products. When doing business, buy them some cigarettes, some wine, smooth relations, etc."

The sales staff all grinned and said they would try their best to do a good job in sales.

Deputy Factory Manager Fan said, "Then our production capacity must also keep up. Should we recruit another batch of workers?"

Xu Huizhen: "Here's what I think. We will recruit temporary workers this time. Temporary workers don't have a fixed salary. They will be paid according to the number of embroidery products they produce. If there is no work, they will not be paid. This way, our factory will have no pressure and fewer risks. The scope of temporary workers can be relaxed a little. Anyone who is not older than 50 years old and has good conduct can sign up. When signing up, she needs a certificate from her neighborhood committee as a guarantor, and a deposit of 50 yuan, which can also be called an apprenticeship fee. What do you think?"

Cheng Xiao said: "Director Xu, you have so many ideas. This is a good idea." Everyone nodded in agreement.

Xu Huizhen's idea came from her memory in her previous life. She remembered that in the early 1980s, rural women used their spare time to make straw handicrafts and net button embroidery for foreign trade departments. They all operated in this way. After passing the inspection, they were paid according to the number of pieces. Those that failed were sent back for revision. This method has low risks and is easy to manage, which is worth learning from.

Seeing that no one had any objections, Xu Huizhen continued, "Deputy Director Fan will be responsible for recruiting workers. The production department needs to continue to develop new designs. Aunt Han, it's not enough for you to design the designs alone. We can recruit amateur designers and pay for the work. We can also recruit regular workers if there are suitable ones. You will be responsible for this. Production capacity must keep up with the pace of sales and keep pace with them. This is the only way to maximize profits."

Everyone discussed the problems in the future development of the factory and expressed their opinions, and the meeting ended. Every participant walked out of the venue with confidence and was full of confidence in the future of the embroidery factory.

After the meeting, Xu Huizhen went to the production workshop to take a look. Every female worker was concentrating on sewing, and few were slacking off. The work enthusiasm of people in this era is really not to be underestimated.