1968: Started from breeding

Chapter 258 Arrangements of Huanglou Commune

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhenye felt a surge of joy welling up inside him.

Even my mind went blank for a brief moment.

next moment.

With a "thud," the flashlight slipped from Yang Zhenye's hand and rolled to the ground.

Upon hearing the sound, Su Wenchen looked directly at Yang Zhenye.

Yang Zhenye quickly bent down and picked up the flashlight from the ground.

"Director, I'm sorry, I got a little excited just now and my hand slipped. Please continue with the arrangements."

Su Wenchen smiled when he heard this.

"Secretary Yang, you'd better hold on tight this time!"

He then continued.

"In addition, their region will be supplied with 3 million catties of grain annually over the next two years."

"The grain is supplied in batches. One batch is delivered before the New Year, another batch is delivered after the summer harvest, and yet another batch is delivered after the autumn harvest. Your commune's grain depot also needs to be organized as soon as possible, lest the grain arrives and there is no room left."

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhenye immediately widened his eyes and looked at Su Wenchen in disbelief.

"Director, are you sure you didn't make a mistake? It's three million catties?"

To be honest, when did Yang Zhenye's commune ever store more than a million catties of grain?
Even when the new grain had just come down, the entire commune didn't have this much production!

Su Wenchen glanced at the other person.

"Secretary Yang, do you think I'm joking with you?"

Yang Zhenye quickly shook his head and explained.

"No, no, I just wanted to confirm."

"Because in the year with the most relief grain, the amount allocated to our brigade was only 500,000 jin."

However, at this point, Yang Zhenye did indeed directly experience the benefits of joining the farm.

The higher authorities allocated three million catties directly, ensuring that even if there is no harvest in the fields for at least the next two years, the commune members will not go hungry.

As expected, I was right. It's good to be under a big tree and enjoy the shade. Even before anything has happened, things are already a hundred times better than before.

Upon hearing Yang Zhenye's words, Su Wenchen simply waved his hand.

"There's no need to elaborate on the past; from now on, we'll follow the farm's rules."

"However, you need to prepare a complete list of the population, land, and supplies in the next two days."

"I estimate that the county and district will send people over in the next couple of days, so there won't be any mistakes during the handover."

"After I finish the handover procedures with the county and the region, I'm going to Beijing to attend an important meeting of the ministry."

"So I'll try to get it done as soon as possible. I'm thinking of going back to Lan City first!"

Since Su Wenchen was going to Beijing this time and wouldn't be able to come back for the New Year, he decided to take his wife to his father-in-law's house for the New Year!
After all, they're married now, so it's only right that he visits his father-in-law once in a while to see what he's really up to.

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhenye immediately spoke up.

"Director, the commune has already made preparations. I received the news earlier and had people compile a list, including registering every single hoe."

"It can be handed over at any time!"

Su Wenchen looked at Yang Zhenye with some surprise.

"You actually prepared everything in advance? Are you so sure your commune will be assigned to our commune?"

To be honest, Su Wenchen himself didn't know where the other party's confidence came from before the agreement was finalized.

Yang Zhenye shook his head directly.

"Director, how could I be so sure? But anyway, this thing is just a waste of time."

"Even if it doesn't work out in the end, it'll just take a little effort. But if it does, it'll save a lot of time!"

What he didn't say was that this would also leave Su Wenchen with a good impression of being proactive!

After all, it has been assigned to the farm system for management. Although the level has not changed, the specific job will depend on the farm's arrangements.

So he definitely has to try his best to perform well.

Although Su Wenchen didn't show it on his face, he was indeed very satisfied with Yang Zhenye's ability to handle things.

Because as long as everything is properly registered and recorded at the commune level, the accounts can be reconciled with those at the county level.

This will save several days of time.

He can also arrange things here as soon as possible and then go back to Lan City.

So Su Wenchen said directly.

"Now that your commune has completed the registration, I'll call the district tomorrow and ask them to send someone over."

"Old Hou, you'll represent our farm and work with Secretary Yang and the county officials to verify the inventory and confirm the handover procedures."

Since he had already discussed the major issues with the regional leaders, there was no need for him to personally handle the procedures and inventory of supplies.

These tasks can generally be completed through coordination between officials from both sides.

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's arrangement, Hou Guozhong immediately nodded in agreement, but hesitated for a moment before asking a question.

"Director, the region only provided three million catties of grain, right?"

Su Wenchen slapped his forehead and immediately replied.

"I almost forgot, there are also ten hand tractors. When it's time to hand them over, please make sure they're there. Don't let them fool us."

Ten units?

Hou Guozhong was somewhat surprised and said it instinctively.

"This region is quite generous! This will make our land reclamation much easier."

"Today I went with the commune members to dig a drainage ditch. The soil was carried out by people in baskets, which was such a waste of manpower."

Upon hearing this, Su Wenchen immediately spoke up.

"This stuff can improve work efficiency, but it also needs oil."

"Even if an ordinary commune could get ten tractors, it still wouldn't be able to afford to maintain them!"

"My trip to Beijing this time is also to see if I can get more diesel quotas."

"Otherwise, with our farm's current annual diesel quota of 20 tons, it's estimated that it can only power these ten tractors at medium load for six or seven months at most."

"It won't even take that long, because the market in Lan City has a lot of transport to do every year, at least ten or eight tons!"

"Once this branch venue opens, it feels like everything is missing! Even time seems to be scarce."

As he spoke, Su Wenchen walked to the stove, scooped out a bowl of sweet potato porridge, and placed it on the octagonal table.

"Please sit down. Since you're all here, let's discuss the arrangements for the branch farm during the period before the New Year!"

"Secretary Yang, do you still remember how many people and how much land your commune has?"

Yang Zhenye was taken aback when he heard this.

Clearly, although Su Wenchen's words were simply a discussion, to him it meant that he had already been approved by the decision-making body of the branch, so he immediately responded.

"I remember, our commune, no, our branch farm now has a total of eleven production brigades."

"A total of 8741 people, with a total land area of ​​78261 mu."

Su Wenchen glanced at Yang Zhenye with surprise, but didn't say anything more about the change in the other's words.

Although the commune here has assigned farm management to them, local leaders are still needed to act as a unifying force in the short term.

Of course, this was also because, in Su Wenchen's view, Yang Zhenye was capable of getting things done.

Otherwise, he wasn't the only leader in the commune.

Moreover, the other party actually remembered the commune's detailed population and land figures, let alone whether it was prepared in advance.

At least in Su Wenchen's view, this attitude first and foremost shows a desire to improve.

Otherwise, if someone were to rely on their age and seniority and treat a young leader like Su Wenchen as if they had too much experience and seniority and that Su Wenchen had to listen to them.

He certainly wouldn't tolerate it. Although he can't fire them now, he can still send them to a corner to guard the documents.

Even if the transfer documents haven't been signed yet, it's still possible to have the region transfer the personnel directly.

However, in Su Wenchen's eyes, Yang Zhenye is still the kind of person who really wants to improve.

So I said it directly.

"I didn't expect Secretary Yang to remember so clearly. But have all 78,000 mu of land been treated?"

Yang Zhenye quickly shook his head.

"No, that's just what was included when the commune was established. Of those, 40,000 to 50,000 mu were mainly severely saline-alkali land that didn't have irrigation canals or alkali-removing canals."

"If we're talking about the land that has been well-managed and able to grow grain over the years, our commune only has about 26,000 mu of land."

"Of these, 20,000 mu were gradually transformed by various production brigades over the years through digging canals and renovations."

"There are still more than 6,000 mu, which our commune organizes a small amount of labor every year to cultivate little by little during the off-season."

"To my shame, after all these years, our commune has only just begun to manage this little bit."

"The main problem is that our commune is poor. Even during the off-season, we can't mobilize many people to come and dig the canal together."

"It's not that we don't have enough people, it's that we can't afford to support them!"

"Because even if these areas are managed well, there will still be anti-salt protests every year, and we still have to send people to maintain and suppress these protests."

"So even in these well-treated fields, the yield is only about 100 jin per mu. If we want the yield to be similar to the normal yield, we have to raise the soil level, just like in the surrounding areas of the county, so that the salinity and alkalinity won't rise and the harvest won't be affected."

Su Wenchen took a sip of porridge and pondered for a moment.

He didn't expect that the amount of grain harvested here would be so substantial, more than 20,000 mu. If the yield is 100 jin per mu per year, that's 2 million jin of grain, which is quite a lot.

However, Su Wenchen calculated that the commune had a population of nearly nine thousand people and found that it didn't seem like much. On average, each person only received two hundred catties of food per year.

On average, it's about five or six ounces a day.

Uh!
Even without any oil or fat intake, this is indeed not much.

Moreover, during the planting and harvesting stages, it's impossible to eat only this much each day, and you also need to reserve grain for next year's planting.

Thinking about this, Su Wenchen understood why this place felt so desolate in winter.

Because they're all staying home and saving food!
This way, if we don't move around much in winter, we can eat less, and the saved food rations can be used to eat more when we're working, so we don't collapse from exhaustion.

With the occasional relief food provided from above, they were able to manage to survive, albeit with difficulty.

It is thought that most of the current members are reducing their physical activity and food intake.

Su Wenchen spoke directly to Yang Zhenye.

"Secretary Yang, after you and Lao Hou complete the handover procedures, the first batch of grain from the region should be delivered."

"When the time comes, you should organize all the brigades to come and collect the grain."

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhenye immediately agreed.

"Yes, Director. I'll organize them to collect their rations once the supplies arrive." "By the way, Director, when would you like to call a meeting with the cadres from each production team so you can get to know them?"

"And how will their production team arrange for workers to participate in the work then?"

"Since there are basically no large-scale industries in our area, the brigade cadres mainly act as mediators for conflicts between the various production teams below."

"Therefore, the specific work arrangements are generally decided by the production teams themselves."

"Will it be the same as before? Or what?"

Since he didn't know what Su Wenchen thought about the production teams below, Yang Zhenye didn't know whether to maintain the status quo or what to do next.

After all, at that time, the communes basically all implemented similar policies.

But farms are different. Some farms pay fixed wages, some use a work point system similar to the commune policy, and some distribute grain and non-staple foods directly according to unified standards.

Therefore, Yang Zhenye did not know what Su Wenchen planned to do. What he hoped for most was definitely a salary system, but he also knew that this was the most difficult thing.

Because this is a lot of money.

Upon hearing this, Su Wenchen thought for a moment before making his decision.

"In the next couple of days, I will devise a unified plan for attendance and compensation."

"From now on, we'll try out this plan at the branch site first."

"In principle, starting next year, all members who are transferred to farm workers should be allocated a minimum of 300 jin of basic grain per person per year."

"As for salary, let me think about it before deciding on a specific plan!"

"By the way, after the handover procedures are completed, convene a mobilization meeting for all the production team managers."

"It's getting late, let's make arrangements in a meeting later!"

Su Wenchen was on his way back to the guesthouse.

After careful consideration, I realized that it was still impossible for the branch office to directly receive wages.

Even if the basic monthly allowance of 15 yuan is distributed, the annual expenditure for these nearly 9,000 people would be 1.6 million yuan.

This was an absolute fortune at that point.

Given their farm's current income, they'd probably have to sell their pants to pay the wages, since Moonflower Rabbit settles accounts in foreign currency, which doesn't reach their accounts.

This is why the ministry does not require them to hand over profits and the prescribed material supplies every year.

Because they've already paid the largest share.

The remaining chicken farms, while profitable, don't actually have much left to cover farm wages and welfare benefits like housing and healthcare.

This is why many state-owned factories went out of business after the reform and opening up, because the burdens on both sides were completely different.

Therefore, under these circumstances, Blue Water Farm has no way to directly pay these farm workers their wages.

If we don't pay salaries directly, we need to find other ways to motivate these people.

Because at this time, there are many honest and hardworking people, but there are also quite a few lazy people who try to take advantage of the situation.

Otherwise, grain production wouldn't have increased so rapidly after the contract system was implemented to individual households.

Ultimately, it comes down to a matter of initiative. When everyone gets the same pay for slacking off, many capable people will be dragged down by those who are just going through the motions.

Anyway, no matter how much effort I put in, what I get is the same, so why should I put in more effort?

Su Wenchen absolutely must avoid such a situation, because in the early stages of building the site, it is essential to maximize the mobilization of all available resources.

So after thinking for a while, Su Wenchen...

I think we should still follow the principle of "more work, more pay; less work, less pay." Anyone who tries to take advantage of the situation should be told to stay away.

three days later.

After three days of verifying and confirming the population, land, and materials, Huanglou Commune was officially handed over to Lanshui Farm for management.

Moreover, since there was no prior secrecy, the matter caused quite a stir over the past three days.

While Su Wenchen didn't reveal other policies, he did let Yang Zhenye inform the commune members in advance about the fixed annual grain ration of 300 jin.

He wanted to reassure the members in advance that, regardless of their wages, at least they wouldn't have to hibernate every winter like before.

Moreover, because Su Wenchen was in a hurry, the handover ceremony and their branch mobilization meeting were held together.

January 19, 1971, Huanglou Commune Auditorium.

It was early morning, before the twilight had faded.

The auditorium of Huanglou Commune was already crowded with people.

At that time, the commune's auditorium was basically converted from the houses of wealthy families.

Two huge lanterns hung high above the door, making the vermilion lacquer on the lintel shine brightly.

Several young commune members climbed a ladder and unfurled a brand-new red silk banner on the eaves. The banner, printed in black on a white background, read, "Warmly celebrate the successful establishment of the First Branch of Lanshui Farm!"

Inside the auditorium.

Yang Zhenye rolled up his sleeves and worked with the commune members to neatly arrange the faded old tables and chairs.

"One of you go up and check if it's neat and tidy. We don't want the director to look down from up there and see that it's all crooked and messy."

Upon hearing this, some of the quickest members of the commune immediately ran towards the stage, which was temporarily made up of several square tables.

On a table pieced together, a layer of coarse blue cloth was laid out, and stacks of ledgers and ledgers were neatly stacked on top, with a red leather notebook and an inkpad on top.

A young member walked to the middle seat and looked down.

"The second chair in the third row, Director, is a little crooked. Move it slightly to the right!"

"Yes, yes, that's enough, it's neat now!"

After tidying up the tables and chairs, Yang Zhenye looked at the corner of the wall where two teenagers were tiptoeing, patching up the mottled paint on the wall, with white paint dripping onto the floor.

He immediately grabbed a broom and went over to shout.

"You little brat, watch your step! You need to wipe this up right away!"

"Otherwise, once it dries, we'll have to use a shovel to cut it up."

Just as the two boys finished nodding, a shout came from the doorway.

"Old Yang! Old Yang! Where is he?!"

"We're here to help!"

Yang Zhenye followed the sound and walked to the door.

Then I saw oxcarts from the neighboring Lizhai Commune and Liangzhai Commune parked right in front of the auditorium.

Yang Zhenye immediately laughed.

"Haha, Secretary Li, Secretary Liang, why are you here so early!"

"Didn't I send someone to tell you that the meeting wouldn't start until 10 o'clock?"

Seeing Yang Zhenye's smug and self-satisfied expression.

The secretary of Liangzhai Commune immediately said sourly.

"Old Yang, when Huanglou was in trouble, I never said a word!"

You mustn't be ungrateful!

He then spoke to the secretary of Lizhai Commune who was standing nearby.

"Your Li Village is so far from here, why are you here so early?"

"Old Li, let me tell you, it's no use trying to curry favor. Just follow the order, and next year Liangzhai will definitely be included first!"

The Party Secretary of Lizhai Commune, standing to the side, spoke directly.
"Get out of here, everyone knows what you're up to, Lao Liang."

"We've been dealing with each other for so many years, I can tell what you're up to the moment you bend over."

"Moreover, our commune has several production brigades located near Huanglou!"

"The decision of who goes first and who goes last is up to the leadership, but I wholeheartedly support it no matter what."

Upon hearing this, Secretary Liang opened his mouth but said nothing.

He just muttered to himself.

"I knew you were good at flattery. Damn it, if I hadn't come, we probably wouldn't have been the first to be taken over by Liangzhai Commune next year."

Watching the two men outwit each other, Yang Zhenye felt a surge of relief.

All three of their communes were located on the outskirts of Feng County.

In the past, people would often use all sorts of tricks to compete for the county's relief grain.

They've done plenty of things to trip each other up.

After all, there's only so much relief grain that can be allocated. If you eat a few more bites, then other communes will have to eat a few less bites.

As leaders of the commune, they would certainly prioritize securing benefits for their own commune.

However, he was the first to reach the shore.

So naturally, we would help the two brothers who were suffering.

Directly.

"Alright, I understand what you two mean. The director should be here around seven or eight o'clock. He'll introduce you to him then."

"However, the specifics of how to receive it are beyond my control."

Hearing Yang Zhenye say this, the two of them breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, the message they received from the county was that they would first take over Huanglou Commune, and then take over their two communes in two separate years.

It's safe to say that their feelings must have been complicated after finding out.

After all, we were three brothers struggling together before, but now one of us has made it ashore.

Moreover, even if we disregard the members' interests and consider our own, the communes that were included first would definitely have an advantage.

After all, there are only so many positions with power, and getting in first means you've secured a spot.

Moreover, judging from the neighboring Peixian Huxi Farm, as commune secretaries, they are generally planned to enter the farm as either deputy heads of branch farms or department leaders.

If given a choice, a deputy position is definitely better than a department head, and even within each department, the situation varies. For a farm, can the production department and the publicity department have the same level of authority?

Upon hearing Yang Zhenye's words, the secretary of Lizhai Commune immediately shouted to the people who had come with him.

"What are you all standing there for? Come and act like royalty!"

"From now on, everyone will be farm workers, so hurry up and help the comrades in Huanglou with their work."

Seeing that he had gotten there first again, the secretary of Liangzhai Commune was annoyed and shouted at the person who had come with him.

"Go with me! Do I even need to tell you?"

"You have absolutely no sense of propriety! Even if you were eating shit, you wouldn't get a single hot bite!"

Upon hearing the secretary's profanity, the young commune member from Liangzhai rolled his eyes.

He's not a dog; he can't just snatch that thing to eat whether it's hot or not!
Besides, that stuff doesn't keep you full!
(End of this chapter)