1968: Started from breeding

Chapter 246 Long Live the People!

When Su Wenchen and Fan Defu arrived at the cafeteria.

The cafeteria was already bustling with activity.

The tables, which were originally scattered, were pieced together to form a long table.

A temporary stage has been set up in an empty space on the side of the cafeteria.

At this moment, Zhang Zhenhua was directing workers dressed in light blue factory uniforms to set up ladders and tie red banners on them.

"Manager!"

"The manager is here!"

As soon as these words came out.

Even the people who were holding the ladder instinctively let go and looked towards the door.

The employees who felt the swaying while standing on it immediately cursed.

"You fucking catch me, don't let me fall."

Upon seeing this, Su Wenchen immediately spoke to the man.

"Quickly help me up, don't let me fall. Everyone's busy with their own things, don't worry about me."

Su Wenchen walked inside.

I spotted some little kids running around excitedly in the cafeteria.

Obviously, since the cafeteria is free today, many employees brought their families along.

Of course, there weren't many little babies.

Because there are still many young employees in their factory, there are relatively few families with children.

In another four or five years, that should be when their farm has the most children.

Even those few little kids managed to liven up the atmosphere, making the whole cafeteria much more lively.

Fan Defu, who came in with Su Wenchen, remarked with emotion.

"That's wonderful! I wish every day could be like this!"

Upon hearing this, Su Wenchen immediately smiled and shook his head.

"Old Fan, you really dare to dream! For today's celebration banquet, we slaughtered two pigs, which must weigh 500 jin in total!"

"If you eat like this every day, your pig farm will probably be wiped out."

Su Wenchen then went to the back kitchen.

At this moment, Li Xiaohe, the eldest sister-in-law, was wearing a brand-new apron and chopping vegetables with a group of kitchen helpers.

On the other side, the chefs in their workshop were also working hard, with several stoves burning simultaneously.

"Master Sun, you've had a great day!"

"But you'll have to show off your skills!"

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's voice, an older man wiped his sweat with a towel hanging around his neck.

"Director, you've arrived."

"Don't worry! I, Old Sun, will definitely show you my best skills today, otherwise I'll be letting you down for completing your foreign exchange earnings target!"

“Who said it was just us? The completion of the foreign exchange earnings task is not only due to the rabbit farm, but also to all the employees in the farm.”

"It's the same here in your cafeteria, otherwise who could keep working on an empty stomach!"

"Let me tell you, your cafeteria has made a significant contribution; you deserve at least a third of the credit for this foreign exchange earnings."

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's words, Master Sun immediately grinned.

"Haha, Director, that's why everyone says you're so capable of being a director!"

"Just a few casual words from him, and he makes you want to work hard for three days and three nights straight!"

Su Wenchen smiled upon hearing this.

"It doesn't need to be three days and three nights, but just show us what you're capable of tonight."

"Alright! Just you wait and see, Director! I guarantee you'll have a good meal tonight."

He then turned to the other side and said to those who were tending the fire in the kitchen.

"The fire can be a little bigger! Just like our venue, it needs to be booming."

The kitchen in the cafeteria was bustling with activity.

One by one, the dishes were brought out and then served separately on each long table.

Once everything is served.

Su Wenchen walked to the podium and pulled the chair next to the table aside.

"We won't go on at length today."

"And I reckon you're all too busy smelling the food on the table to listen to a lot of what I have to say."

"Ha ha!"

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's words, laughter erupted in the cafeteria.

"Then let's get straight to the point."

As he spoke, Su Wenchen pulled out a list that had been prepared in advance by the event organizers from his jacket pocket.

"Comrade Miao Zhiguo actively overcame difficulties and worked continuously for eight months in the Yuehua Rabbit Breeding Room, making outstanding contributions to the breeding of Yuehua Rabbits. After deliberation by the Party Committee of the Farm, it has been decided to award him the title of "Technical Innovation Expert" and to reward him with a 12-inch black and white TV ticket and a five-foot cloth ticket!"

As Su Wenchen's voice echoed in the cafeteria, a dark-skinned young man sitting on a bench suddenly stood up.

Because he stood up too suddenly, his knee slammed directly onto the long table, causing the enamel bowls and plates to clang loudly.

The audience erupted in cheers.

Several young workers stood on tiptoe to look at the ticket with a five-pointed star pattern in Su Wenchen's hand.

Because television sets were extremely rare items at that time.

One reason is the high price, and another important reason is the difficulty in obtaining the necessary documents.

So when they heard that the venue had actually produced a TV ticket, they all looked at Miao Zhiguo with envy, who had just gotten up too fast and bumped his knee.

However, Miao Zhiguo didn't have time to care much at the moment. He just casually touched it a couple of times and then ran to the front of the stage with a flushed face.

Upon seeing this, Su Wenchen laughed.

"Are you alright? The stuff's here, it's not going anywhere. You're not worried about someone stealing it!"

Hearing Su Wenchen say that, Miao Zhiguo smiled and scratched the back of his head.

"Hehe, Director, I'm fine, I'm just... just a little excited."

Su Wenchen nodded and handed over the receipts in his hand.

"Keep up the good work, and we hope you can make even greater contributions to the sport and the country!"

Su Wenchen then continued reading.

"Comrade Sun Yulan, carrying forward the spirit that women can hold up half the sky, took the initiative to take responsibility, actively guarded the night shift to take care of the baby rabbits, and set a new record of 98% single birth survival rate in the whole farm."

"After deliberation by the Party Committee of the farm, it has been decided to award the title of 'Model Animal Keeper' and to award him a Forever brand bicycle voucher and a five-foot cloth voucher."

"Comrade Zhao Chunmei practiced the principle of running the business diligently and thriftily. She used her spare time to collect 3,000 catties of leaves and straw to supplement green fodder. The rabbit shed under her jurisdiction was rated as the cleanest livestock pen for three consecutive quarters. Her five-point fixed cleaning method was included in the farm's "Feeder's Manual".

"After deliberation by the Party Committee of the Farm, it was decided to award the title of 'Model of Thrift' and give him a Forever brand bicycle voucher and a five-foot cloth voucher."

"Comrade Chen Tieniu, carrying forward the fine traditions of a veteran, used his spare time to invent the 'double-layer manure slatted board' device, which tripled the efficiency of manure removal."

"After deliberation by the Party Committee of the Farm, it has been decided to award the title of 'Inventor and Technological Expert' and a ticket for a Yongjiu brand bicycle and a five-foot cloth ticket."

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's announcement, several people below immediately walked up to the stage with their heads held high amidst envious glances from the crowd.

There was even a little baby among them, excitedly shouting from the side.

"Look, that's my dad. He's really good at shoveling manure!"

Hearing the little one's excited shouts, many people smiled knowingly.

Although they looked on with envy, no one raised any objections, because everyone usually worked together and knew who did how much.

After recognizing and commending the selected outstanding employees.

Su Wenchen continued.

"Those who weren't individually recognized this time shouldn't be sad. All employees at the rabbit farm can go to the logistics department to pick up an enamel mug with our farm's Moon Rabbit logo on it."

"However, the ministry is still ordering these enamel tea mugs in bulk. They will be distributed to everyone once they are delivered."

"Comrades, it has been two years since we dug the first shovel of earth and built the first chicken coop on this abandoned steelmaking site."

"It is because of the hard work of every employee that our Blue Water Farm has been able to grow from a scale of a few thousand laying hens to a large-scale farm with more than 70,000 laying hens today."

"It is thanks to the hard work of every employee that our Moon Rabbit has been able to gradually reach the world."

As he spoke, Su Wenchen slowly walked down from the podium.

In the bright lights of the cafeteria, Su Wenchen sat at the front table, holding a porcelain bowl. The amber-colored sweet potato sauce reflected on his young face.

"Today, this toast is to every employee of our Lanshui Farm. Without the hard work and dedication of each and every one of you, there would be no sweetness for Lanshui Farm today!"

"Finally, long live our people! Long live socialism!"

After saying that, Su Wenchen drank it down in one gulp.

moment.

"Long live the people! Long live socialism! Long live XXX!"

Hundreds of sounds exploded under the cafeteria's dome like thunderclaps in dry land, shaking the cafeteria's iron roof frame and causing dust to fall from the sudden burst of sound.

offstage.

Looking at the excited expressions of the employees around him, Zhang Zhenhua knew very clearly at that moment that Su Wenchen's image in the hearts of all the employees of Lanshui Farm was almost irreplaceable.

He had to admit that he was completely outmatched by Su Wenchen in every aspect.

He's not good at breeding and raising livestock.

In terms of building a positive image, he has always believed that leading by example is the most effective way to establish a positive image in the minds of employees.

He has always done this, often feeding chickens and cleaning manure with the staff on the front lines.

But at this moment.

He was somewhat confused; he didn't know whether he should continue as before or make a change.

After three rounds of drinking.

Someone started singing "The East Is Red" in unison in the cafeteria, the song mixed with the smell of alcohol spilling out of the cafeteria windows.

Su Wenchen walked out of the cafeteria.

I saw Zhang Zhenhua sitting alone, looking somewhat lost, on the steps at the entrance of the cafeteria.

Su Wenchen was puzzled. Why did this person suddenly become so discouraged? He was supposed to keep working, so how could this person be allowed to just give up like this?

In addition, he will definitely be developing the Yellow River floodplain area later, and the other party will also be in charge of the work here.

How could such a useful tool suddenly quit?

So Su Wenchen sat down next to the other person.

"Comrade Zhenhua?"

"Why are you sitting here all alone? Are you admiring the moon?"

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's voice, Zhang Zhenhua turned his head, looked at the figure of the other person sitting down, and nodded.

"Yes, the moon is indeed bright tonight."

As he spoke, Zhang Zhenhua looked up at the pitch-black sky, but couldn't find the moon at all.

This made him very embarrassed.

Su Wenchen smiled as he watched the other person stop speaking halfway through their sentence.

"You can't find the moon, huh! You said you were moon-gazing!"

"Is something bothering you? Let's talk, and I'll see if I can offer some advice."

Seeing Su Wenchen's serious expression, Zhang Zhenhua decided to speak up, taking advantage of his drunken state.

"Director, do you really think leading by example is useless?"

"Why is it that just a few words from you can outweigh the hard work I put in at the chicken farm for a whole year?"

"Whenever I have free time, I'm on the front line with the staff, feeding chickens, mixing feed, and delivering manure. I'm always leading by example with them."

“I even do more than them. I just want to set an example for them and be a role model. But some employees even feel that I am looking down on them for not being able to do the job, while others feel that I am taking their work away from them.”

As he spoke, Zhang Zhenhua covered his head.

"I don't understand why you, who didn't put in much effort, were able to gain the support of all the employees."

“I admit that I am not as good as you in breeding and raising, so I have been working hard in other areas. But I have found that sometimes the more I do, the less effective it is.”

Upon hearing Zhang Zhenhua's words, Su Wenchen turned his head and gestured towards the cafeteria.

Do you think all the employees there are the same kind of people?

Zhang Zhenhua turned his head and looked into the cafeteria through the lamplight.

Everyone's expression was indeed different. Some stood on stools and sang passionately, while others whispered and clapped along below.

So he spoke directly to Su Wenchen.

"How could they all be the same kind of people!"

Su Wenchen nodded.

"Yes, everyone is different, but you want to conquer everyone with one method."

"And if you were the leader of a feeding group in the chicken coop, and you took the lead, I would definitely approve, and might even commend you!"

“But you’re not; you’re the manager of the chicken farm.”

"Your job is not to be a feeder who goes into the chicken coop to feed the chickens, nor is it to be a cleaner who pushes a cart to collect manure every day."

"You are in charge of the chicken farm. You need to formulate the development strategy for the chicken farm. You are the leader of the chicken farm!"

"To be honest, if you want the support of the chicken farm workers, what have you done this year?"

"A year ago, we had more than 70,000 laying hens, and we still have the same number. The laying hen farming techniques are still the same as what I set out before."

"You say your breeding techniques are inferior to mine, but what about other aspects?"

"At the rabbit shed, this year alone, some employees have developed a series of improved technologies such as the five-point positioning cleaning method and double-layer manure slats."

"What about the chicken farm?"

"Not a single new technology."

"Even though feed limitations prevent the chicken farm from expanding, there has been almost no new progress in other aspects as well."

"And as the person in charge, how do you expect your employees to support you?"

Hearing Su Wenchen's sharp words that went straight to the heart, Zhang Zhenhua's throat bobbed a few times, but he couldn't say a word.

"Director, I..."

Su Wenchen reached out to stop him.

"You don't need to tell me, the chicken farm needs a leader who can guide it step by step."

“Just because the feed supply in Lanshui County has reached its limit does not mean that other places cannot supply it. You need to go to the province or the city to negotiate and exchange benefits.”

"Eggs are easily broken during long-distance transportation, so we need to find a solution. If there is a feasible plan, our farm can even develop egg-based by-products."

“Comrade Zhenhua, the workers don’t need you to do their work.”

"But you need to provide them with corresponding benefits and future security. You are the deputy director of the farm committee and the person in charge of the chicken farm. Your responsibility is to plan the next development strategy of the chicken farm."

"You're not just an ordinary handyman at the chicken farm!"

“I’m not against you occasionally going to the front lines and working alongside ordinary employees, but you need to know what your purpose is.”

“In the past, you listened to the opinions of frontline workers, collected information, and helped them solve the problems they encountered, not helped them push carts and carry heavy bags!”

Listening to the deafening words around him, Zhang Zhenhua recalled what he had done at the venue over the past year.

It seems that there has been no progress in developing new breeds of laying hens since then.

I'm starting to get a little stuck on things.

He was determined to surpass his opponent, but eventually realized there was no hope in breeding and raising livestock.

Like a drowning person grasping at a last straw, he kept working on the front lines to prove himself.

To prove that I am better than him in this aspect, and that I can endure more hardship than him.

Looking back now, even if it had been proven, what would have been the point?

He completely neglected his duties.

That year, the chicken farm made no profit at all. After the feed supply in Lanshui County reached its limit, he did not think of any other solutions.

He didn't even care about improving the technology of the chicken coop. While watching the good news coming from the rabbit coop, he kept immersing himself in self-hypnosis.

Think of this.

Zhang Zhenhua let out a long sigh.

"Director, looking at it this way, I really have failed in my duty this year!"

"No! How come you've lost your fighting spirit?"

Seeing Zhang Zhenhua looking even more dejected, Su Wenchen rubbed his forehead helplessly.

It seems he chose the wrong strategy.

I was hoping to provoke them, but it seems that instead of igniting their fighting spirit, I've just demoralized them.
Su Wenchen looked somewhat speechless.

Zhang Zhenhua took a deep breath, and his eyes hardened again.

"Director, don't worry, I'm fine. It's just that this past year, apart from constantly being entangled with Zheng Xianghong, seems to have been quite a failure."

"However, what you just said, Director, has given me a wake-up call."

"I may not be as good as you in breeding and raising, but I can catch up with you in other areas."

"Director, don't worry, I, Zhang Zhenhua, am not so easily discouraged."

Su Wenchen blinked.

"No, why are you doing it in bursts!"

"It caught me off guard."

Zhang Zhenhua looked up at the pitch-black sky in front of him. He didn't know when the dark clouds had dispersed, revealing a few stars and a crescent moon that was half-hidden.

"I was just venting a little while I was drunk, please don't take it to heart, Director!"

"I have never disrespected you."

Su Wenchen also looked up at the starry sky.

Whether I take it to heart or not depends on your actual performance. If the chicken farm is still just resting on its laurels next year, then I will definitely have to consider replacing you.

Zhang Zhenhua gave Su Wenchen a serious look.

"Director, if the chicken farm still stagnates next year, I will resign on my own initiative."

Su Wenchen nodded.

"That's settled then. I want to see your actual performance, and be flexible, not too rigid."

"Eggs are such a scarce commodity right now, they're in high demand both in the province and other cities. As long as we find the right people, we don't have to worry about development."

After saying that, Su Wenchen stretched and walked down the steps of the cafeteria.

"By the way, after the commendation meeting today, I'm going to take a few days off. Unless it's something important, don't bother me."

"Until now, I haven't even had a full honeymoon. I just hope you can let me have these three days in peace this time. Is that okay?"

Hearing Su Wenchen's listless words, Zhang Zhenhua was both amused and exasperated.

"Director, don't worry. Unless it's a matter of life and death for the team, I definitely won't bother you this time."

Su Wenchen nodded with great satisfaction.

"Alright, I'll leave this to you. Once everyone's eaten, let them leave. I'll head back now."

As he spoke, he couldn't wait to head home.

Zhang Zhenhua looked at the carefree Su Wenchen with envy.

"Youth is so carefree!"

"No, I'm only 32 this year, I'm still a young person!"

"Shouldn't I find someone to date?"

After saying that, he turned around to open the door and go back to the cafeteria. But as soon as he grabbed the doorknob, he looked at his hand, which seemed as rough as tree bark, in the light coming through the window.

He just muttered to himself.

"As long as the face is young, it doesn't matter if the hands are a little old. That way, girls will think that he is capable of doing housework."

I went into the cafeteria, washed my hands at the sink, and saw blurry figures reflected in the water.

"Uh... he can't end up single forever!"

　Today is the author's birthday. I wasted a lot of time during the day, so I only have 5,000 words left.

　　Also, although I updated once a week before, I actually wrote two or three chapters in total. I just combined them into one chapter to increase the average number of subscriptions and get the featured badge.

　　Finally, happy birthday to myself! It's almost the end of the month, so if you have any tickets left, you can throw them away!
　　I've updated about 200,000 words this month, and my goal for next month is 250,000!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)