1978: Female educated youth, don’t want an illiterate husband

"I didn't know Gong Xue was going back to Shanghai!"

Cheng Xuemin was also taken aback when he heard Ge You's words.

Ge You scratched his head and then said in a low voice, "Gong Xue... she agreed to go back to Shanghai to develop her career."

She said she was from Shanghai, and her family wanted her to go back. The Shanghai film studio offered her good terms, so she didn't feel comfortable refusing.

"Gong Xue was also poached?" Cheng Xuemin was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly.

The Shanghai Film Studio is really rich and powerful. Since they couldn't poach me and Zhu Lin, they poached Gong Xue instead.

Gong Xue is from Shanghai, so it's only natural for him to return to Shanghai to develop his career. You can't just stop him from going home.

"Also poached? Old Cheng, who else has been poached?" Ge You asked in return after hearing Cheng Xuemin's question.

"Oh! The Shanghai Film Studio also approached Zhu Lin and me before, both wanting to poach us from Shanghai!"

"But we didn't agree!"

Cheng Xuemin nodded and casually explained to Ge You.

“Of course! Going to Shanghai is so boring! Lao Cheng, you're doing so well at our Yanying Film Studio, why would you want to go to Shanghai?” Ge You nodded repeatedly, completely understanding Cheng Xuemin.

Then he grabbed Cheng Xuemin's neck again, and instantly his skinny body seemed to be hanging on Cheng Xuemin's body. He said, "Old Cheng, you made so much US dollar foreign exchange in Bolin this time, and you haven't treated us yet!"

"I rarely get a holiday and come back home, you have to treat me!"

Cheng Xuemin rolled his eyes and said, "That money was earned for the country, not a single penny went into my personal pocket!"

"There will definitely be some kind of recognition and reward, you have to treat me to this meal!" Ge You pouted and said.

"Alright, alright! Go to the cafeteria at lunchtime and call Lao Liang over. Let's have a good get-together!"

Cheng Xuemin didn't mention the Eastern Depot to Ge You, but told him to go find out from Lao Liang, and he should find out soon.

"It's settled then! I'll go home first, lunch at the cafeteria!"

After making the appointment with Ge You, Cheng Xuemin had to hurry to the old factory director's office to borrow a phone and call the main creators of Tai Chi.

Don't forget, the Eastern Depot here was only just being established, and the main creative team of Tai Chi was already poached by those film studios!
The first call was definitely from the number one villain, the Sword Saint Yu Chenghui, and it was answered by the Ningxia Wushu Team!

"The Oriental Culture and Art Film Studio? Never heard of it! Does such a unit exist in Yanjing?"

"Oh, oh, comrades, just say it's the 'Tai Chi' production team! Okay, okay, I'll pass it on to Coach Yu!"

"You recently came to Beijing to promote and distribute Tai Chi, right? So, your Tai Chi movie is about to be released!?"

"And comrades, did your Tai Chi really generate more than 20 million US dollars in foreign exchange for the country?"

"Really?! That's amazing, Comrade Cheng! Yes, yes, keep up the good work! We will definitely support your foreign exchange earnings efforts!"

"What? You're planning to transfer Coach Yu to your film studio, hoping you can support his work?"

"Well... well... my personal opinion doesn't count, we need to have a meeting to discuss it!"

……

The person who answered the phone at the Ningxia Wushu Team should be the head of their team.

After all, telephone lines were precious these days, and landline phones were usually placed in the offices of leaders. For example, in their Yanying Factory, it was in the old factory director's office.

When the call was made, Cheng Xuemin introduced himself and said that no one had ever heard of his Eastern Depot!

Ok!

The Eastern Depot was only officially approved today, but its reputation hasn't spread yet, so people definitely haven't heard of it or know anything about it!

But if you mention Tai Chi, people will immediately say they know it, after all, it was on the front page of the People's Daily, it's all about propaganda!

Next, he called the workplaces of Yu Haisun and his apprentices, Hu Jianqiang, Du Yuming, and Xiong Xinxin.

Upon hearing that it was the creators of Tai Chi calling on them to come to Beijing and rejoin the team, they all agreed without hesitation!

However, finding Ji Chunhua was quite a challenge, because Ji Chunhua had long since left their martial arts team due to his disfigurement.

The only recourse is to contact their local street office by phone to relay the message and obtain a certificate.

Finally, there's Liu Xiaoli, the "Fairy Mom," who called the Jiangcheng Song and Dance Troupe and said that the troupe was out performing at a cultural festival and it was uncertain whether they could come over.

So, apart from Ji Chunhua and Liu Xiaoli who are not entirely sure, the other main members of the production team have been notified and will soon begin their journey to Beijing.

Moreover, this time, their various units were much more supportive and cooperative than before, showing a clear difference between pushing and pulling.

After all, the foreign exchange earnings of over 20 million US dollars were a great honor because their colleagues participated.

Moreover, Cheng Xuemin emphasized on the phone that in addition to cooperating with the publicity and distribution, the most important reason for asking them to come to Beijing was the commendation conference!
So, we have to bring back an honorary certificate for each of their units, and we definitely have to let people come to receive the award!
Finally, it's Li Lianjie's side!

Cheng Xuemin planned to leave him out of the picture for a while, and then take some time to visit their sports school after the others had returned to their posts to formally discuss poaching them.

Anyone else could be poached, but Cheng Xuemin was determined to get Li Lianjie, his cash cow.

I had lunch with Lao Ge and Lao Liang at noon, but we didn't drink any alcohol!
"What? Lao Cheng, you're a factory manager now?"

As expected, Ge You learned from Liang Xiaosheng that Cheng Xuemin had become the factory director, and she was so shocked that she almost spat out the food in her mouth.

"The Oriental Culture and Art Film Production Branch, abbreviated as Dongchang!" Liang Xiaosheng boasted from the side, "Now Xuemin is the Ninth Prince of Dongchang!"

"Stop talking nonsense! What 'Nine Thousand Years Old of the Eastern Depot'?! Do you think I've become Wei Zhongxian?" Cheng Xuemin retorted to Liang Xiaosheng in an annoyed tone. This guy is getting more and more unruly.

"Really? Old Cheng, you're a factory director now?" Ge You's eyes bulged out, and he quickly followed up with, "What level? Is it like our Yanying Factory, at the prefectural level?"

"Uh!? Yes, Xuemin, what level of unit is your Eastern Depot?" Ge You reminded Liang Xiaosheng, who now only knew that Lao Cheng was the factory director.

But not all factory managers are the same!

For example, Yanying Film Studio is at the level of a prefecture-level city, while August First Film Studio is at the level of a deputy military commander. Provincial film studios in various regions are mostly at the level of prefecture-level cities, and small regional film studios are at an even lower level.

So, what level is Cheng Xuemin, the newly established head of the Eastern Depot?

However, since it's a production branch, its level is probably only equivalent to a small regional production studio, right?
This is also why Liang Xiaosheng didn't pay much attention to it at the organizational level before.

After all, they're branch factories now, so how high can their level be?

Ge You, on the other hand, came up with the idea directly and even dared to make such a boastful guess that it was on the same level as their Yan Ying Factory. How could that be possible!

"No, no, our newly established branch factory can't compare to your long-established Yanying Film Studio, no, no!"

Ge You was indeed outspoken, which made Cheng Xuemin quickly look around and find that there were few people in the small canteen at this time, and no one was paying attention to them.

"What level is it exactly?!" Hearing Cheng Xuemin say there wasn't one, Liang Xiaosheng thought to himself that it couldn't be that exaggerated.

But what level exactly?
To know!
These days, isn't everyone comparing their workplaces, their company level, and the quality of their benefits?
It's too early to tell how the Eastern Depot is treated, but their rank is definitely not as high as that of the Yan Ying Factory!

"Just a deputy director-general level, not very high!" Cheng Xuemin said casually after eating a piece of meat.

"What?! Deputy...deputy director-general level!?" Liang Xiaosheng was stunned and speechless. He jumped up and asked incredulously, "Xuemin, your Eastern Depot is at the deputy director-general level?"

"Ah!" Cheng Xuemin looked up and nodded.

"Xuemin, are you the factory manager?!" Liang Xiaosheng asked again to confirm.

“Ah! I’m the factory director! When the old factory director announced it on behalf of Hai Zili this morning, weren’t you there too, Lao Liang?” Cheng Xuemin said again.

"Then Xuemin, aren't you now the factory director of a deputy provincial-level unit? Your current rank and benefits are level twelve?" Liang Xiaosheng asked again.

"Ah! Yes! The appointment letter today seems to say level twelve!"

The official document above today also included an appointment letter, which clearly stated Cheng Xuemin's rank and benefits!
"Holy crap! Xuemin, you're amazing! How old are you? You're already at level twelve!" Liang Xiaosheng broke down on the spot, then said miserably, "Xuemin, do you even know how old I am?"

"I'm thirty!"

"Even now, I'm still receiving level 18 salary!"

Liang Xiaosheng is truly miserable. How can the difference between people be so great?
Level 18...

Cheng Xuemin nodded in agreement. He did know Lao Liang's salary level, because he was the same as his brother-in-law Feng Jiazhao, both being young reserve cadres at Yan Film Studio and receiving the salary level of 18.

"They're all better than me! I'm only level 20, did I tell anyone?"

At this moment, Ge You also snapped out of her daze and joined in the misery contest! "Can you compare yourself to me? You just returned to the city and were just assigned a job, okay?! But I've been working at Yanying Factory for almost ten years, okay?!"

Liang Xiaosheng was instantly devastated. He hadn't paid any attention to Cheng Xuemin's rank and treatment before, since he was just a temporary transfer from their Yan Film Studio. What rank could he possibly have?!

But to my utter surprise, Ge You's mention of it today instantly broke my defenses.

This is worse than not knowing at all!
"Then...then Old Cheng, can you transfer me to your Eastern Depot? I'll follow you from now on, okay!?"

"Uh!"

Ge You's self-proclaimed initiative to seduce Liang Xiaosheng instantly impressed him!

Yup!

Now is the perfect time for Xuemin's Eastern Depot to be established, officially recruiting soldiers and making a big splash!

Moreover, the unit's level is quite good, it's all at the deputy director-general level!

Thinking about how he had toiled at Yan Film Studio for almost ten years and only reached the level of 18, he realized that he was still only receiving the treatment of a low-ranking employee.

If one could actively join the Eastern Depot while it was still in its infancy, wouldn't that be considered a meritorious act of following the emperor?

and!

This morning, Xuemin joked with himself that the first thing the Eastern Depot would do when it started work was to recruit someone and castrate him!
At the time, I thought it was a joke and didn't take it to heart!

But with Ge You's encouragement, Liang Xiaosheng's mind was in turmoil, and he was actually starting to have some interest!

same!

Ge You's words forced Cheng Xuemin to take them seriously!
Nowadays, most units are already filled with one person per position, making it difficult to place new people, especially given the recent return of millions of educated youth to the cities.

There are currently hundreds of thousands of educated youth returning to the city and waiting for employment in the entire Yanjing city.

Therefore, Cheng Xuemin's newly established unit will inevitably have a large number of people who will try every means to squeeze people into his unit.

This is also the main reason why the old factory director decided not to publicly announce the establishment of the Eastern Depot for the time being.

This is giving Cheng Xuemin time to quickly assemble his team.

and!

It seems the old factory director also tried to find someone for Cheng Xuemin. Didn't he say this morning that he had introduced two old accountants and let Cheng Xuemin choose one?

So, would you say these two old accountants were the people the old factory director wanted to cut in line for?

“Old Ge, I would definitely welcome you with open arms if you thought of coming to the Eastern Depot to help me!” Cheng Xuemin hesitated for a moment before saying, “But you’ve only just joined the General Political Department’s Cultural Troupe, it’s not a good idea for you to switch jobs so easily!”

"Moreover, now that Gong Xue is heading south to Shanghai, I need Lao Ge to keep an eye on the General Political Department's Cultural Troupe!"

"Anyway, if you really want to come here, I'll definitely welcome you anytime!"

“Old Liang, you’re the same!” Cheng Xuemin said solemnly to Ge You, then turned to Liang Xiaosheng and said, “I hope you can think this through carefully!”

"After all, what I call the Eastern Depot sounds nice, but as you all know, it's actually just an experimental field!"

"Let's experiment! If it succeeds, everyone will be happy!"

“But what if it fails?” Cheng Xuemin looked at the two of them and said, “If it fails, they might just shut down this experimental field!”

"Then I can just pack up and go back to my old job at Peking University as a teacher and a student!"

"But if we recruit you, and the experimental field fails, will you be sent back to your original units?"

That's obviously unrealistic!
Although Cheng Xuemin was extremely confident in his experimental field, he hoped that Lao Ge would not make any moves for the time being!

Let him hone his artistic talent at the General Political Department's Art Troupe for a couple more years, and then Cheng Xuemin can take advantage of that.

Now that we've recruited them, we still have to train them from scratch!

Old Ge isn't a stunning beauty like Zhu Lin or Gong Xue, so Cheng Xuemin doesn't want to waste his energy trying to train him!

As for Liang Xiaosheng, he can be used directly!
Moreover, the Eastern Depot does indeed need a steward to manage miscellaneous affairs, and Cheng Xuemin thinks Lao Liang is a very good candidate.

But Lao Liang himself said that he had been working at Yan Film Studio for almost ten years!
It looks like you're about to make it big!
If they come to their Eastern Depot now, wouldn't that be like castrating them first?
Therefore, as a good friend, Cheng Xuemin still had to advise them to think carefully.

Therefore, Cheng Xuemin's words indeed made Liang Xiaosheng fall into deep thought, clearly weighing his options.

Ge You, on the other hand, nonchalantly said, "So what?! I believe in you, Lao Cheng!"

"Besides, even if the experiment fails, Lao Cheng, are you really going to abandon me?"

This guy!
Cheng Xuemin immediately kicked him, making his point clear: "Do you really want me to spell it out? I just think your skills aren't up to par yet, and you need to practice more at the cultural troupe!"

"My goal here is to directly generate foreign exchange, and I need people who can start working right away!"

"Let me ask you a question, Lao Ge: if I let you film Tai Chi 2 and gave you a lead role, could you fight like Li Lianjie and the others?"

Do you know how to do action scenes?

"Of course I don't know! You're not cut out for action scenes at all, and I never intended for you to do action scenes!"

"Let me put it this way, Lao Ge, I have high hopes for you! You'll definitely be one of the pillars of our Eastern Depot in the future!"

"So you'd better be honest with me and get a solid foundation in the performing arts troupe!"

"Really?"

After Cheng Xuemin finished speaking, Ge You was so confused that she asked just one question.

"It must be true!"

"You'll definitely be one of the pillars of our Eastern Depot in the future, but right now you really need to solidify your foundation!"

"Of course, I'll have you come over often to play minor roles and get used to the atmosphere on set!"

Ge You was overjoyed upon hearing this: "Good, good, good! Old Cheng, it's settled then!"

"You guys are going to start filming Tai Chi 2 soon, right? You said it yourself, so you have to call me over then, I can play a role!"

"It absolutely has to be one with lines!"

"necessary!"

Cheng Xuemin immediately followed suit, giving a high five as a formal pledge, and it was settled!
Cheng Xuemin was still busy in the afternoon. The veteran comrades assigned by the higher-ups had also reported to the Yan Film Studio!

I had just been called to the old factory director's office when I saw an elderly comrade with gray hair sitting inside.

Upon seeing Cheng Xuemin enter, the old factory director quickly introduced him, saying, "Xuemin, this is Secretary Li, sent from above. He'll be working with you from now on!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xuemin quickly extended his hand and said, "Hello, Secretary Li, I am Cheng Xuemin. I hope you will give me your guidance in the future."

Secretary Li shook his hand and said with a smile, "Director Cheng, you're too kind. I'm just here to help you out and shield you from trouble."

To be honest, I'm really grateful to Director Cheng for making this move!

He then explained, "I worked at China Film Group for over ten years as a section chief without ever being promoted. Being able to come to this experimental field is a blessing from the organization; it's a small promotion, and my retirement benefits will be better."

Cheng Xuemin was taken aback, not expecting Secretary Li to be so direct.

Secretary Li continued:

"Director Cheng, don't feel guilty. You're the one who makes the decisions in the factory. I'm just here to read the newspaper, have some tea, and live out my retirement."

"If any trouble arises in the future, such as inspections from higher-ups or disputes with other factories, I'll handle it for you. As for business matters, I won't get involved at all."

Cheng Xuemin then realized that Secretary Li was just here to retire, but that was fine, as it would save the two from conflicts at work.

Cheng Xuemin quickly added, "Secretary Li, you are too modest. You are an old horse in the stable with a heart full of ambition. In the future, we will have to rely on you to oversee things in the factory."

"What's there to shut down? I'm almost retired, I don't have the energy to keep track of things."

Well, Secretary Li was so direct, which made Cheng Xuemin feel a little embarrassed, so he continued with polite compliments!
However, the fact that the higher-ups sent down such an experienced comrade has indeed saved Cheng Xuemin a lot of trouble. From now on, he can focus all his energy on the great cause of foreign exchange earnings!

……

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