The golden age began in 1977

Chapter 224 With the formalities completed, let's get down to business!

Wang Dong truly took the work arranged by Qian Jin to heart.

In just one day, he found out several suitable candidates, all of whom were retired old tailors from the No. 6 State-owned Cotton Mill.

However, these days retired workers cannot decide for themselves to find new employment; they need a certificate from their former employer.

This matter is handled by the Labor and Wages Department.

Wang Dong went to see Qian Jin and explained the situation:
"There were six experienced women in total. They were renowned needlework masters before liberation. After liberation, they came to work at our No. 6 State-owned Cotton Mill. In the past two years, they have gotten older, and the factory has arranged for them to retire."

"Among them is a master craftswoman named Zhang Hongmei. She is highly skilled and used to be the workshop director of our second workshop. She is also a municipal March 8th Red Banner Pacesetter. If we can get such a master craftswoman to come out of retirement, then our garment factory will be halfway to success."

"For them to come forward, we need a certificate from the head of our unit's personnel department. I've already made arrangements with the head of the department. Shall we go see him first thing tomorrow morning?"

Qian Jin nodded as he looked at the investigation materials Wang Dong had given him.

Wang Dong handled this matter well.

Except for Zhang Hongmei, none of the six mentors retired due to age; they retired on medical grounds. But those in the know understand that it was definitely to make way for their children to take over the positions.

The next morning, Qian Jin, carrying his bag, followed Wang Dong to the gate of the No. 6 State-owned Cotton Mill.

Again!
It was a cloudy day with a slight chill in the air, but the main gate of the No. 6 State-owned Cotton Mill was still bustling with activity. Workers were pushing their bicycles, preparing to enter the factory for work, and the scene was busy everywhere.

In this kind of factory area, all the workers are acquaintances. Many of them have been working there since the factory was built, and they have gotten along like relatives and friends over time. Any news will spread quickly throughout the factory through word of mouth.

The biggest news in the factory yesterday was naturally Wang Dong's meeting with Qiao Li.

The news has been circulating for a day and has become quite outrageous.

Upon seeing Wang Dong, someone blurted out, "Didn't you elope with the pretty nurse? Why are you back?"

Wang Dong was furious. Clenching his fists, he roared, "Slander! You gossip, slandering the factory guards! What do I have to do with Qiao Li? I was the one who went to her yesterday to help a widower friend of mine arrange a marriage!"

Everyone suddenly realized.

But their unspoken chuckles, knowing glances, and strange smiles revealed their true feelings about the matter:

I'd be a pig to believe you!
Feeling uneasy under the gaze of hundreds of eyes, Wang Dong dragged the money and ran to the third floor where the labor and personnel department was located.

Upon arriving at the office of the deputy director of the Labor and Wages Department, Qian Jin personally went up and gently knocked on the door.

"Come in!" a loud voice called out.

Qian Jin pushed open the door and saw that Sun Bingzheng, the deputy director they were looking for today, was sitting behind his desk, drinking tea and reading a newspaper.

Deputy Director Sun is 45 years old this year. He has a square face, thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a robust build.

As soon as he saw Qian Jin, he immediately stood up and greeted him warmly: "This must be Director Qian, the youngest director of our supply and marketing cooperative! What brings you here? Please sit down, have a seat!"

Qian Jin smiled and extended his hand: "Director Sun, it's been a long time. You may have forgotten, but we've met before."

Wang Dong then explained, "Director Qian's father is a veteran colleague of our unit..."

“Brother Qian Zhongguo, right?” Sun Bingzheng put down his newspaper and pulled Qian Jin to sit down. “Brother Qian and I used to be good friends. When I first came to the No. 6 State-owned Cotton Mill, Brother Qian took good care of me.”

Qian Zhongguo played a role.

The two chatted briefly about him, quickly warming up the atmosphere.

Qian Jin opened his briefcase and took out four beautifully packaged bottles of Xinghuacun Laojiu (a type of Chinese liquor).

This wine is packaged in a ceramic jar, which looks high-end and classy. In addition, it is a good wine; a single bottle can sell for two hundred yuan in the mall. An old wine connoisseur like Sun Bingzheng will definitely be able to taste its good flavor.

Qian Jin's choice to give liquor as a gift was prompted by Wang Dong.

Sun Bingzheng had no other hobbies but enjoyed having a drink or two.

You can't fool a middle-level manager in a state-owned enterprise with cheap liquor, so Qian Jin chose Xinghuacun.

Sun Bingzheng was indeed very satisfied with the packaging: "May I ask where the tavern is? A shepherd boy points to Xinghua Village in the distance!"

Since Wang Dong had already informed him yesterday, he didn't stand on ceremony: "Director Qian, you said you were coming, so you came. It's already a favor that you came to see me. Why did you bring a gift?"

"Don't do this again next time, otherwise you'll be treating me like an outsider. Tell me, what brings you here this time?"

Qian Jin explained the whole story: "Our labor commando team on Taishan Road is preparing to set up a garment factory. The site and equipment are almost ready, and all we need are manpower."

"The No. 6 State-owned Cotton Mill was my father's old workplace where he dedicated his life. It was like his maternal home and my maternal home. So I wanted to invite a few retired comrades from the No. 6 State-owned Cotton Mill to come out of retirement and serve as instructors in our garment factory."

"To be honest, Director Sun, we need to produce clothes and pants that are still rare on the market, so we need skilled master craftsmen, especially Teacher Sun Hongmei."

"So, I'd like to ask you if you could help persuade her to come out of retirement? Don't worry about the compensation; she will definitely be treated well."

Sun Bingzheng pretended to consider for a few seconds, then slammed his hand on the table and said, "Then you've come to the right person. Few people in our factory know that Zhang Hongmei, the former director of the second workshop, is my aunt!"

"I was able to get into the No. 6 State-owned Cotton Mill because my aunt recommended me. You can't go wrong by asking her; she was a key technical worker in our factory before she retired, and her sewing skills were top-notch. However, she's getting old now, and I don't know if she's still willing to work."

"Whether it works or not, ask her for me first," Qian Jin said. "We'll offer her a high salary to be our mentor and teach the workers their skills. It would be a good opportunity for her to contribute her remaining energy."

He was very surprised.

Sun Bingzheng and Zhang Hongmei actually have this kind of relationship?

However, the two are probably not very closely related by blood, otherwise, if Sun Bingzheng and Zhang Hongmei were aunt and niece, they would have to share the same surname.

Sun Bingzheng nodded: "Okay, I'll go talk to my aunt today and see what she thinks."

"Then you can go find the other veteran workers. Don't worry, as long as they are willing to come out of the mountains, I can help them get the return-to-work certificates!"

Qian Jin extended his hand to Sun Bingzheng: "Then I'll leave it to you, Director Sun. I'll invite you to have a drink at the State-run No. 2 Restaurant when you're free in a couple of days."

Upon hearing that they were going to drink at a state-run hotel, Sun Bingzheng's mouth immediately broke into a wide grin.

The two chatted for a while longer. Qian Jin checked the time and realized it was getting late, guessing that the other deputy directors would be coming to work soon.

This office is not for Sun Bingzheng's personal use; it is where the three deputy directors work.

However, Sun Bingzheng arrived early today specifically to receive gifts.

So Qian Jin got up and took his leave.

As he reached the door, Wang Dong was still shaking hands with Sun Bingzheng, shaking his hand with his right hand and patting his arm with his left: "Director Sun, remember to tell your aunt that our unit will give her preferential treatment!"

Sun Bingzheng readily agreed, but secretly grimaced.

What level are you to dare talk to me directly?

Qian Jin is the head of a department in the Municipal Supply and Marketing Cooperative; I feel inferior to him.

Where are you, kid?

A security guard who's having an affair, does he even deserve to pat me on the shoulder?

The work was carried out separately for the next two days.

Wei Xiangmi, as the director of the neighborhood committee, had to help with this matter. Since she was a woman, she took the lead in visiting retired female workers and asking them to come out of retirement again.

Qian Jin took the lead in cleaning up the warehouse he had just leased.

The labor commando team already has experience in this area.

The warehouse now used as the Taishan Road Study Room also belongs to the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives. At least the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives leased it for many years and used it as a warehouse for the Taishan Road Department Store.

Now the warehouses they leased belong entirely to the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives, and there are some similarities between the two warehouses.

Early in the morning, the main members of the labor commando team gathered at the entrance of the new warehouse.

The warehouse doors were wide open.

It wasn't Qian Jin who opened the door; the door was stolen, so it's wide open now.

Standing at the front of the line, Qian Jin said loudly, "Comrades, our commando team has received another mission. As you all know, our commando team is going to establish a new department."

"That's right, comrades! If this new department does well, we'll get even more bonuses and holiday perks in the future!"

A round of enthusiastic applause immediately followed.

The crowd looked on with eager eyes and high spirits.

The labor commando team on Taishan Road actually earned wages and received welfare benefits. Their treatment was even better than that of the employees of the supply and marketing cooperative, which made them extra motivated to work hard.

"This dilapidated warehouse looks terrible, but it's about to become our gold mine, a place where gold will be produced. So we need to start repairing it right away and fix it up properly!"

Qian Jin raised his voice and glanced at the group of team members standing in front of him.

The team was led very well.

Whether they were young people in their twenties or middle-aged people in their thirties or forties, the team members' eyes shone with eager anticipation.

They believed in Qian Jin.

This dilapidated house will become the company's treasury in the future!
"Chief Qian, there won't be any problems this time. We have experience!" Su Changshun responded first.

Others joined in the shouting:

"Brother Qian, when are we starting? I can't wait!"

"I learned carpentry from my second uncle this year. Chief Qian, please let me join the carpentry team..."

"Use me in the first battle, and you will win if you use me!"

"Don't rush, let's divide the tasks first. This task is no easy one, everyone will have to give it their all," Qian Jin said with a smile.

He's starting to feel the thrill of leading troops.

The Labor Commando Team was a cohesive and highly effective force, and he had personally built it up.

How could Qian Jin, as the leader, not be happy to face them like this?
The team members' reactions did not disappoint him.

The sound was deafening:

"Yes!"

Qian Jin took out his notebook and began dividing the team.

Today is Sunday, and Qiu Dayong brought some movers to help, so Qian Jin assigned him to a team.

The movers were strong, and Qiu Dayong and his men were responsible for cleaning up the clutter in the warehouse.

Su Changshun was taciturn and meticulous in his work, so Qian Jin asked him to lead a few people to inspect the warehouse structure and prepare to repair the parts that were already on the verge of collapse.

Shi Zhentao led the bricklayers to repair the roof, while Wang Dong led the carpenters to repair the doors and windows of the warehouse. Because of his affair, Wang Dong was now behaving himself in the labor shock brigade, unlike his usual loud and boastful self.

Originally, Qian Jin hadn't planned to ask him to work, but Wang Dong knew that the warehouse was being cleaned up today, so he insisted on coming to work and show his enthusiasm for labor.

With the tasks assigned, the team leaders began to coordinate manpower, allocate tools, and make specific work arrangements.

Qian Jin stood in front of the warehouse, gazing at the building.

An older young man handed him a cup of hot tea: "Chief Qian, have a sip of something hot."

"Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner, and it's getting cold. This morning I went out to wash up wearing only a T-shirt, and the cold wind made me shiver."

"You're newly married, your health is still weak," Qian Jin teased the young man.

The young man chuckled.

He admired Qian Jin immensely.

As a former educated youth sent to the countryside, he is almost thirty years old this year and has been back in the city for almost three years, but he can't find a partner at all.

When he went on a blind date, the woman immediately said goodbye as soon as she heard that he worked in a labor shock brigade.

It wasn't until Qian Jin took office that he developed the Taishan Road Labor Commando Team into a star among all the labor commando teams in the city.

The team members have high income and good benefits. In addition, Qian Jin has held several internal commendation meetings, basically commending all the team members and giving them prizes.

Everyone is wearing watches on their wrists and new belts around their waists. They have money to take care of themselves now, and their image and temperament have changed dramatically.

This makes it much easier for unmarried young people to find partners, and many young people have gotten married in the past six months.

After making a few jokes, Qian Jin took a sip of tea, and the tea leaves stuck to his lips, which he then rolled into his tongue.

He continued to study the warehouse, feeling a little apprehensive.

When Wang Zhiqiang rented his warehouse, he didn't lie to him; the warehouse was indeed a dangerous building.

It was built before the liberation. In the early 1950s, it was assigned to the Commerce Bureau. When the Commerce Bureau and the Supply and Marketing Cooperative merged, it was assigned to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. Later, the two families separated, and the building was assigned to the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives.

As a result, even the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives did not know the true age of the warehouse.

Anyway, its blue brick walls were peeling off like it had a skin disease, and the roof tiles were broken and incomplete, like the scattered teeth in an old man's mouth.

Seeing this, Qian Jin took a big sip of tea and instructed everyone: "Da Yong, you take the men in first. The main task is to investigate the scene, and the most important thing is to pay attention to safety!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a gust of wind blew by and a piece of broken tile fell from the roof, landing with a thud at everyone's feet and kicking up a cloud of dust.

Qiu Dayong was the first to approach the wall. He took a trowel and tapped the wall with the handle.

The dull echo was mixed with hollow "thump-thump" sounds.

“Here, and here, the inside is all crumbling.” He pointed to several cracks and said, “I guess we’ll have to dig out the broken bricks and rebuild it.”

The other movers in his group followed suit and walked around the outer wall, knocking and kicking it.

If you can't even withstand the force of a kick, then you shouldn't go into this warehouse.

The strong men were quite powerful, and although the wall was not seriously damaged after being kicked, more tiles kept falling off the eaves.

In addition, there was a constant rustling sound inside the house, which was probably something falling from the roof or the wall.

Shi Zhentao went to check the doors and windows when a rickety wooden window suddenly fell down. Luckily, he reacted quickly and dodged it by sidestepping.

This made him shout, "Brothers, be gentle! You've knocked this window down!"

A young man who knew carpentry went over to take a look, then shook his head: "This wood is all rotten, it needs to be replaced with all new wood."

Someone brought over a ladder, and the young carpenter climbed up to look at the high window, still shaking his head: "Damn, Chief Qian, this is a huge project. The whole set of doors and windows will have to be replaced."

"Can you see if there are any wires inside?" Su Changshun asked, looking up.

He went through the doorway and peered inside, noticing something hanging down from a corner of the ceiling. He worried it might be an electrical wire.

If there was electrical wiring installed in this warehouse before, you have to turn off the power before entering.

Judging from the state of this dilapidated warehouse, the insulation of any electrical wires inside would definitely be weathered and cracked.

Qiu Dayong returned from his rounds, carrying a flashlight to check the situation. After shining the light on it carefully, he grinned and said, "Damn, Lao Su, one good news and one bad news. Which do you want to hear first?"

Su Changshun casually said, "Good news, I guess."

“There’s no electrical circuit,” Qiu Dayong said. “You don’t need to worry about getting electrocuted.”

Su Changshun asked in confusion, "I clearly saw something hanging down. What else could it be but an electrical wire?"

"That's the bad news," Qiu Dayong chuckled. "Comrades, this is a snake's molted skin!"

Qian Jin was so frightened that he frantically contracted his anus.

There are snake molts in this warehouse? What does that mean? Are there snakes molting inside?

Let's play!

Qiu Dayong, however, didn't care at all.

He used to often go with the old workers to catch snakes in the forest farm. After catching them, he would soak them in alcohol and drink it; it was a good thing.

He led the moving team to begin clearing out the clutter in the warehouse.

Years of accumulated dust were stirred up, forming golden columns of dust under the sunlight.

They moved out moldy straw mats, rusty iron buckets, and tattered burlap sacks left over from who-knows-when.

"Be careful!" Qian Jin shouted, stopping the two young men as they tried to push a crooked shelf.

Before he could finish speaking, the shelf crashed to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

The crowd coughed, but then burst into laughter.

The young man who almost got hit scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

Qian Jin couldn't smile.

Why are you so clumsy at work!
Qiu Dayong immediately noticed his serious expression, went up to the two young men pushing the shelves, and kicked them both, making them stumble: "What did Chief Qian say? Be careful, be careful, be very careful!"

Qian Jin's expression softened, and he said, "Da Yong, you need to pay more attention. These young people are rough around the edges, so you need to steer them carefully."

The shelves were filled with items, now so decayed that their identities are impossible to determine.

Anyway, as the shelves collapsed and hit the ground, dust flew everywhere, and debris rolled around, an even more pungent smell spread throughout the warehouse.

Qian Jin had masks at home, so he quickly told someone to go and ask Wei Qinghuan for some.

These masks are all genuine N95 masks.

Qian Jin gave one to each person.

After putting on the mask, Shi Zhentao laughed: "This mask is great. It looks quite thin, but it can still prevent dust and odors quite well."

Normally, you have to hold your breath while working, but with a mask on, you can breathe freely.

This significantly increased the efficiency of the transport team.

As they began to clean up, the warehouse gradually became empty.

"Quick, move this big box out. Look at this box, it can probably hold a lot of things." Qiu Dayong called his men to help.

Three more young men quickly came over, bent down, grabbed one end of the box tightly with both hands, and lifted it up.

“There’s something inside,” Qiu Dayong said to Qian Jin.

Qian Jin was quite interested and ran over hoping to open the box and find something good.

When the wooden box was opened, it turned out to contain some really good stuff.

It's a weight!
They were all weights of different sizes.

Upon seeing the numerous pure iron weights, a group of people swarmed around them.

"No wonder they're so heavy, damn it, they must weigh at least three or four hundred pounds!"

"These are all new goods! Look, this one is even wrapped in oil paper, it's really rare."

"What should we do with Chief Qian? Should we keep it ourselves, or...?"

Qian Jin said without hesitation, "We won't take advantage of the public funds. Let's throw them outside first and then dispose of them in a unified manner. I'll collect all the usable items and return them to the logistics office."

Sending so much refined iron to the buyback station would cost a lot of money.

Or you could keep it and sell it on the black market.

As the economy begins to pick up, things like steelyard weights and counterweights become popular.

So some team members were quite reluctant to part with them.

Qian Jin must not allow them to develop the habit of taking advantage of public resources.

Today they're taking advantage of the supply and marketing cooperative, but in the future they'll be taking advantage of their own companies!

He then emphasized again: "If it's our property, I won't give it away at all. But if it's not our property, especially public property, then no one is allowed to take advantage of it."

"This is the bottom line for our labor commando team!"

Seeing his serious expression and stiff tone, everyone felt a chill and dared not make any more plans.

The team members worked together and quickly cleared out most of the clutter from the warehouse.

The warehouse gradually emptied out, revealing its original appearance.

At the same time, Su Changshun and several others began to carefully inspect the structure of the warehouse.

He circled the warehouse again and again, his eyes fixed on the walls, the floor, and the ceiling, not daring to miss any place where there might be a problem.

“Cracks have appeared in the wall here. If this goes on for too long, it may collapse,” Su Changshun said, pointing to a spot.

"And this pillar is also leaning a bit; we need to find a way to reinforce it," another team member added.

The warehouse is still in the old-fashioned architectural style, with four beams and eight pillars, and there are additional pillars inside supporting the roof beams.

Su Changshun frowned and said, "What a lousy place. Forget it, let's mark these problems first and discuss them with Chief Qian later to see how to solve them."

(End of this chapter)