The golden age began in 1977

Chapter 291 The Carpenter Takes His Position, From Slingshot to Cannon

Labor protection and welfare supplies have been prepared in advance.

The small truck started up, and the group returned to the school.

This time, they didn't feel cold on the road.

A belly full of mutton soup and oil, so satisfying!
Upon entering the school, Qian Jin opened a small storeroom where tools were usually stored. Inside, a row of brand-new tool bags and bedding rolls were neatly stacked against the wall.

Since it was freezing cold and they needed to keep people under control, they definitely had to prepare blankets and quilts for them. Qian Jin prepared something that was very fashionable at the time.

Cotton sleeping bag.

These cotton sleeping bags are all single-person styles, no more than 80 centimeters wide, rolled up and placed together, like a large Swiss roll.

Qian Jin took out a piece of clothing and handed it to Zhou Tiezhen: "Captain Zhou, take a look at this. This one is equivalent to two quilts and mattresses."

The sleeping bag, entirely in military green, unfolds to a length of 2.1 meters, consisting of a 1.9-meter main body plus a 20-centimeter front pillow.

It is made of polyester fiber as the outer fabric, spring spun fabric as the lining, and filled with down cotton. The overall weight is five pounds, and it is very thick when unfolded.

Zhou Tiezhen, seeing this for the first time, asked, "What is this?"

Qian Jin showed off: "This is called a sleeping bag. It's a good thing that foreign troops use in the field. They use it to sleep in freezing weather."

He unfolded the pillow around his head: "Try crawling in there."

Zhou Tiezhen crawled in happily, and Qian Jin fastened the Velcro at the end, pulled up the double-ended zipper, and added a retractable cord to the pillow's brim.

Once one set is packed, the rest is about comfort and warmth.

Zhou Tiezhen exclaimed from inside, "This thing is not heavy and it's soft. It's really a good thing."

Within a minute or two, sweat began to bead on his forehead. He exclaimed in surprise, "What kind of material is this? How much cotton was used? It doesn't feel heavy at all, but it's so warm!"

Sitting in the back of the small truck the whole way, even though my stomach was full and not so cold, my body was still chilled by the cold wind.

At this moment, the sleeping bag proved its worth, and he felt warm all over.

No one doubted Zhou Tiezhen's words; the sweat on his brow was undeniable.

The group became excited: "Is it really that warm? Let me try it."

"This thing is so fashionable, we've made a fortune this time."

"This thing alone is enough to cover our wages. Our labor costs are practically worthless."

Qian Jin gave each of them a jacket, and young people like Zhu Zi and Magan took off their shoes and immediately squeezed inside.

Old Huai and his older, experienced workers were reliable and dependable. They didn't go inside and embarrass themselves, but they held their sleeping bags tightly.

The pillar is no exaggeration.

These days, who would be willing to buy a new set of cotton bedding?
Qian Jin called them out and said, “Come on, comrades, take another look at the equipment I’ve prepared for you, one set for each of you.”

He picked up a toolbox, opened it, and, under the intense gaze of the crowd, displayed each tool one by one:
"Isn't this axe nice? It's forged from high-quality steel. You can use it; it won't have any problems even after decades."

The two axes, one large and one small, looked extremely appealing.

They gleamed coldly, their heavy wooden wedge-shaped handles were polished smooth and easy to handle, and their axe blades were incredibly sharp—clearly made of high-quality steel.

The plane has a cast iron body, feels heavy in the hand, and is painted with dark green anti-rust paint, making it look beautiful and high-end.

Si Xi went up and tried out the steel planer blade. He ran his finger over it, and the calluses on it were wiped away.

This made him gasp in shock: "It's really sharp."

The others quickly picked up the planes and tried them out, as this was the foundation of a carpenter's livelihood.

The plane that Qian Jin bought from the mall is not only beautiful but also ergonomically designed, with comfortable wooden front and back grips.

In addition, like an axe, it is not one piece but two pieces, including both long and short planes.

The chisels are a complete set of six, including flat chisels, round chisels, and wide chisels, with finely sharpened blades that can easily cut through a hair.

These chisels are all sheathed in a leather belt, and when not in use, they are hung around the waist, like a bullet belt.

Stylish and imposing.

There are two saws: a brand-new double-barreled saw for cutting boards, and a single-person hand saw with gleaming steel teeth and fine, even teeth.

In addition, there are small items such as ink lines, squares, measuring tapes, and woodworking pencils.

All the tools were new, some even still smelling faintly of engine oil.

They were neatly placed in a thick canvas tool bag, which was printed with the words "Labor is Glorious".

This guy just showed it off.

Sleeping bags are no longer appealing.

In those days, this entire set of tools represented almost all of a carpenter's possessions and pride.

Having a set of these tools is something that could be passed down as a family heirloom!
Several carpenters excitedly gathered around, carefully stroking these cold, hard, yet incredibly alluring treasures.

The old man's rough, calloused fingers caressed the smooth metal surface of the plane as if touching a precious piece of jade, and he almost burst into tears: "What a wonderful thing, what a wonderful thing!"

Si Xi picked up the chisel and weighed it in his hand.

He felt the weight and exquisite craftsmanship of the product and nodded repeatedly: "It is indeed a good product, really good. Look at the steel, the weight, tsk tsk, Director Qian, where did this come from?"

Qian Jin laughed and said, "These are all high-quality goods carefully produced by domestic factories and prepared to be sold abroad. I tried every means to keep them here."

"How much does a set cost?" Old Huai asked cautiously.

Qian Jin said, "I don't know. It's going through the school's collective account. Anyway, you can rest assured and accept it. This will be your work tools from now on."

"How's it going? Do you like the tools? Can you make the tables and chairs?"

Several people chimed in, all saying at once, "Yes! Absolutely!"

"Director Qian, please take good care of it. Just for the benefits you're giving us and the good equipment, we'll risk our lives on the construction site to make sure the tables, chairs, doors, and windows are beautiful and sturdy!"

"Director Qian, how about my husband does some other work for you? The things you've given us are too good. We don't feel at ease just making tables, chairs, doors, and windows..."

Zhou Tiezhen expressed his excitement, and the other carpenters nodded vigorously, their eyes firm and eager.

Their trust in and commitment to Qian Jin have been fully unleashed!

Qian Jin laughed and said, "Okay, then you can make the tables and chairs first."

"The wood is from the trees we cut down yesterday..."

"There's still a steady stream of timber coming over!" Zhou Tiezhen interrupted him, patting his chest and promising, "Anyway, our brigade will replant fruit trees in the spring, so we don't care about this winter. Just cut down what needs to be cut down and fell what needs to be felled, and it's all yours!"

Qian Jin said, "We don't need it..."

“Why wouldn’t I need it?” Zhu Zi interrupted him. “The more wood the better. If you don’t need it, you can keep it. If you need to build a cabinet or coffee table later, just give the order and I’ll make it look beautiful for you!”

Si Xi smacked his lips and said, "Do you really need to do it yourself? Your skills can wait. Director Qian, just give the order, and my skills are top-notch. I'll do it for you."

Ma Gan hurriedly said, "My master is not exaggerating. In the whole brigade and even the whole commune, just ask around, Director Qian, no one can compare to my master's skills."

"In the surrounding villages, if someone is getting married or losing a daughter, or if they need a three-legged or four-legged animal, they all have to come to him!"

Old Nian, who was usually quiet, couldn't help but speak up: "I don't like hearing you say that, Magan. They went to find your master because I had to work for our brigade, otherwise it would have made him look bad?"

Sixi, Magan, and Sixi's other two apprentices wanted to argue with him.

Zhou Tiezhen kicked Ma Gan in anger: "Damn it, aren't you ashamed? You can really say such things in front of Director Qian. What about unity? Huh, what about unity!"

No wonder they were scrambling to do the work.

Qian Jin's treatment here is too good.

After a meal at a state-run restaurant, every meal at work would include noodles and meat. They would also provide bedding, toolboxes, and even a set of work clothes.

Besides, they earn every day white flour, rice and cured meat that rural people can't buy even with money and coupons. If they don't work for them, who else will they work for?
After Qian Jin gave the order, they all had to fight tooth and nail to get the work done.

Zhou Tiezhen cursed a couple of times, and the old masters lowered their heads and stopped arguing.

Qian Jin clapped his hands vigorously: "Okay, it's settled then. We'll pick up the work clothes and protective equipment in a bit."

"Let's be honest, comrades, haven't I been good to you?"

Zhu Zi squeezed out and puffed out his chest, saying, "That's perfect! Director Qian, even if you asked me to charge into battle right now, I, Zhou Tiezhu, would have no objections. I'd be the first one there!"

"You've really shown off." Zhou Tiezhen was speechless, pulling him back with a tug. "You think you're the first one? I'm the first one, Captain!"

Qian Jin smiled and said, "I'm not kidding anymore, I'm serious."

"Since the comrades think I have nothing to say about you, then you have to have nothing to say about your work either."

"We must do a good job, quickly, and efficiently, using materials sparingly. We don't need to be stingy with wood, nails, or paint, but we can't waste them..."

Zhou Tiezhen said, "Director Qian, I'm telling you right now, anyone who wastes food, I'll skin them alive!"

This is said with absolute certainty.

Without the slightest hesitation, the old carpenters responded loudly, "Yes, whoever did this to skin him alive!"

"I don't need Captain Zhou to do this; I'll do it myself!"

“We can’t do that. Director Qian treats us with his whole heart. Anyone who tries to play tricks on him will never be able to hold their head up high in the brigade again…”

Qian Jin nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this.

He then distributed work safety supplies to everyone.

The group lined up as if it were New Year's Day, receiving brand-new dark blue work clothes, thick canvas work gloves, and sturdy suede work shoes, laughing happily the whole time.

A lot of timber has been piled up on the empty playground, including wood that was just unloaded last night and planks that were prepared beforehand.

Zhou Tiezhen went to look at the wood and immediately showed his organizational skills as a brigade leader: "Come on, everyone, get moving!"

"Zhuzi, Magan'er, you two lend a hand and clear out some space in this warehouse to set up the planks."

"Uncle Lao Nian, Sixi, you two come with Uncle Lao Huai to take a look at the materials, check their thickness and color, and measure the dimensions of the doors and windows. We need to get the tools and equipment out and start using them quickly."

He can't work today; he has to go to give a statement this afternoon.

Qian Jin taught him a set of words, and then had Chen Shoujiang take him to the Taishan Road Police Station.

He stayed here to help the carpenters familiarize themselves with the environment.

Once the task was assigned, the carpenters immediately got to work with great enthusiasm.

Setting up the bed, tidying up the tools, counting the timber, measuring the dimensions of the door and window openings...

Qian Jin stood on the chilly playground, watching their nimble figures and Zhou Tiezhen's well-organized command, and nodded to himself.

With nothing else to do, he went to the fireplace, took out his notebook, and continued writing down his rules and regulations.

When he finished writing a set of rules and regulations and went out to check, the scene at the school had changed:

The largest classroom was used as a temporary work shed, from which came the sounds of sawing wood, axeing, and the fragrance of wood shavings.

The brand-new saw whirred lightly across the wood, precisely separating the boards.

The old man, his body hunched over, moved the brand-new plane steadily in his calloused hands, pushing it back and forth across the square piece of wood, each movement producing a pleasant rustling sound.

The long, white shavings curled up like ice cream flowers, continuously flowing from the shavings, swirling and falling to the ground, releasing a rich pine scent.

The ground was covered with a thick layer of it, like a soft white blanket.

Si Xi was holding a brand-new chisel, carefully comparing the chiseled mortise and tenon to ensure a perfect fit.

The young men, including Zhuzi and Magan'er, vigorously wielded axes and large saws, splitting the thick wooden planks in half.

They worked with incredible effort, leaving bright, deep marks on the wood with their brand-new axe blades.

Seeing the money coming in, the young people sped up their work even more.

They were all dressed in brand-new blue canvas work clothes, wearing cotton gloves and suede work shoes. Although they were covered in dust and sawdust while working, their spirit and energy were commendable.

They all felt incredibly handsome at that moment.

But the experienced craftsmen are different.

The experienced workers were still wearing their old, tattered clothes; they were saving their new work uniforms and cotton shoes for the New Year.

For a moment, the classroom was filled with the fresh scent of pine.

Qian Jin walked over, picked up a smooth piece of planed wood, and carefully rubbed it with his hands.

It has a smooth and delicate feel, and the texture is clear and smooth.

The mortise and tenon joints were ingeniously designed with precise angles. In his opinion, the craftsmanship of these carpenters was absolutely solid and excellent.

Whether it's the selection of materials, the precision of processing, or the mastery of mortise and tenon joints, it all reveals the time-honored skills passed down through generations, in no way inferior to those of the workers in state-owned furniture factories in the city.

As for the carpenters in the labor shock brigade?
Their skills are far inferior to theirs.

Qian Jin was thinking that he might as well separate the construction team from the labor shock brigade and simply hire some carpenters, bricklayers and other craftsmen to find work in the community.

Anyway, the labor shock brigade can afford to support them.

This matter required careful consideration, but he included it in his planning process.

While busy at work, Si Xi asked him, "Director Qian, how's it going? Are we old guys doing a decent job?"

"No, it's excellent, truly excellent!" Qian Jin exclaimed without reservation. "To be honest, this work is done flawlessly!"

Having received affirmation from the senior official, Lao Nian grinned silently, revealing his missing tooth, and began to dig even more steadily.

Zhao Sixi quickly replied, "It's only right. We've been given such good furniture; it would be a shame not to put in the effort!"

Looking at the bustling and incredibly efficient scene, Qian Jin finally felt a weight lifted off his shoulders regarding the school facilities.

Basically, there shouldn't be any problems.

After Zhou Tiezhen returned, Qian Jin inquired about the situation. Finding nothing unexpected, Zhou Tiezhen led the team to oversee the carpentry work.

More timber will be delivered later, so there's no need for trucks anymore. The brigade has tractors, and the tractors are powerful enough to haul timber without any problem.

Qian Jin immediately reimbursed him for the diesel fuel.

Zhou Tiezhen took off his coat and started chopping wood. He took a moment to say, "Hey, Director Qian, you don't need to be so nice to us. Or rather, the conditions are already too good. You don't need to put in any more effort."

Qian Jin said, "The diesel fuel belongs to the collective, but the wages you receive are your own. Let's keep things separate."

Also.

He made too much money from the Xiping Production Brigade this time, and he has to repay them no matter what.

They couldn't go out for dinner again, but Qian Jin still treated them to a feast.

Seafood is plentiful in winter, but the Xiping Production Brigade is far from the sea, so they don't usually get to eat seafood.

At this time, migrating mullet began to appear on the market. They were cheap, so Qian Jin bought a lot of them.

He instructed the carpenters to clean up the place, and that evening, they would stew twenty pieces of meat, and hang the rest under the eaves to freeze.

The other dish was a bowl of fish ball soup, which he had plenty of, all produced by the Liu family production team in Hongxing, and it was cheap.

Braised mullet with fish ball soup, a pot of cooked rice, and a bucket of loose liquor—this was a meal that would satisfy the carpenters.

The next day, Qian Jin was able to go to work with peace of mind.

It's almost the end of the year, and he's very busy with work.

Of course, the construction site was even busier. A dozen or so carpenters were simply not enough, because the school not only needed to replace doors and windows, but also desks and chairs for teachers and beds for the dormitories.

So Zhou Tiezhen went back and found more than ten carpenters, all of them experienced carpenters with capable apprentices, all with excellent skills.

In addition, the bricklayers and plasterers in the brigade were also called over, and they worked with the assault team's bricklayers to continue repairing all the walls.

Painting the exterior walls with lime and applying putty to the interior walls are both major projects.

February 12th, the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month.

Qian Jin got off work early, and when he got home, he found that Wei Xiongtu had also gotten off work early today, so he called his brother-in-law and his wife, who was off the day shift:
"Come on, let me take you to see our own school."

These words were too tempting for the two teachers, so without saying a word, they quickly put on their cotton-padded coats, wrapped their scarves around their necks, and went out.

The city was crisp and dry at this time, yet it already hinted at the restlessness of early spring.

Compared to last year, there was less snow this year, and it wasn't as cold.

This year, it is the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month. As the Lunar New Year approaches, pedestrians on the street carry New Year's goods purchased with coupons, their faces showing busy joy.

The festive atmosphere in the city is already quite strong.

Many houses had cured fish and meat hanging outside their windows, and the aroma of rendered pork fat wafted through the alleyways. Every now and then, children would throw firecrackers, making a crackling sound.

The two bicycles were moving forward side by side.

Qian Jin was driving Wei Qinghuan around, and every now and then he would turn around and see his wife's beautiful smile behind him.

Ms. Wei is dressing more and more fashionably these days. The brightly colored wool scarf around her neck matches her perfectly, making her already charming face appear even more fair and delicate.

It wasn't cold today, so she wore a navy blue woolen short coat, which successfully accentuated her slender figure.

She wore bell-bottoms, which were still fashionable in the city at the time, and black leather shoes with mid-heel.

Her outfit stood out strikingly on this drab little street, like a splash of bright color in a traditional Chinese ink painting.

They had all been to the training school before, but back then the school was dilapidated. Now, after a period of renovation, it would be an exaggeration to say it has been completely transformed, but it is definitely a completely different story.

New red bricks were added to the originally pitted and dilapidated old brick wall, and a thick layer of fresh quicklime was applied to the outside.

A faint, alkaline smell filled the air; the lime was not yet completely dry, and it appeared damp and bright white in the winter light.

Some withered weed roots still remain on the top of the wall, like stubborn historical marks that refuse to leave, setting off this new white expanse and making the transformation even more powerful.

The gate to the courtyard has been renovated; the original iron gate has been freshly painted, and with a simple tidying up, it looks brand new.

At this moment, a young man was nailing wooden boards to the spot where the sign was to be hung. Qian Jin shouted to the young man, "Xiao Liao, tell your Captain Su that the wall needs to be plastered with cement and a row of broken wine bottles should be planted on it."

The young man turned around and smiled: "Okay, Chief Qian, I'll get it done tomorrow."

Qian Jin nodded.

Wei Xiongtu looked at the scene before him with appreciation and smiled: "Not bad, this school is quite presentable."

Qian Jin said, "It looks even better inside. By the way, you should get ready, and you can write the signboard later."

Wei Xiongtu was somewhat flattered: "Ah? I'll write it? Shouldn't we find a calligraphy master to do it?"

Qian Jin said, "You are the calligraphy master of our school."

He emphasized the words "our school" in particular.

"Let's go in and take a look."

The door hinges creaked open, revealing an extremely spacious courtyard.

The previously uneven ground has been smoothed out with new cement, and now the ground stretches out smoothly forward. It is clear that it has only recently hardened and still retains the cleanliness characteristic of post-construction.

In the courtyard, against the wall, there were piles of sawn timber, shavings, and sawdust. Several classrooms had become temporary carpentry sheds, and rhythmic hammering could be heard from inside.

Wei Xiongtu's gaze first fell on these classrooms.

It is also an old red brick structure, but all the doors and windows have been replaced.

No longer are they dilapidated wooden lattice windows or holes covered with plastic sheeting, but rather brand-new pine window frames painted light green, with large panes of glass inlaid on them.

Completely clean!

The sun is shining brightly now, and the glass sparkles with dazzling bright spots, like large diamonds set on the wall.

The walls were also carefully scraped and coated with a layer of clean white putty, making them look exceptionally fresh and bright.

All the classrooms and buildings exude a simple, practical, and hopeful atmosphere, a stark contrast to their previous state of being idle and dilapidated.

"Wow!" Wei Xiongtu's eyes behind his glasses lit up noticeably.

He stopped and took a deep breath. In addition to the smells of lime and varnish, there was also a faint fragrance of fresh pine wood in the air.

This was a mental shock to him, who was used to the fishy smell of seafood and the sweat of the porters in the warehouse.

He pushed up his glasses and then habitually touched the worn-out cuffs, as if trying to adjust to the contrast between himself and the new environment before him.

Wei Qinghuan's face lit up with a bright smile: "It's changed so much now. Last time I came, it was a run-down night school."

She quickened her pace, gracefully approaching the factory's outer wall, and curiously reached out to touch the smooth, snow-white surface: "This putty is applied so smoothly, it's so clean and white!"

Qian Jin smiled as he observed their reactions.

They were smug and triumphant, just like the soldiers who had just won the military parade!

There is a sense of satisfaction in having your carefully prepared work appreciated.

"The outside has just been tidied up, but the real work is inside. Come on, let's go in and take a look at the classrooms." He led the way to the classroom entrance in the center.

Pushing open the pine door, also painted green, a bright and spacious view unfolds before you.

A strong smell of wood mixed with paint wafted over, along with the fresh scent of dust that had been swept away.

Wei Xiongtu took a deep breath, then the scene before him made him sigh again:
Tables and chairs!

Rows and columns of brand-new pine wood tables and chairs are neatly arranged on the polished cement floor.

The chairs are all four-legged chairs with backrests, and the tables are standard rectangular school desks with wide desktops and a practical shelf underneath, suitable for storing books and tools.

All of these tables and chairs have a warm, natural pine color, but are covered with an extremely glossy and clear varnish.

"So beautiful, so impressive..." Wei Xiongtu exclaimed immediately.

This is truly a transformation from a slingshot to a cannon!
Although there were tables and chairs in the study room, they were all scraps pieced together by everyone.

And now?

All tables and chairs are made of the same material, have the same style, and are uniformly sturdy and beautiful.

Wei Qinghuan walked up to a table, touched it, and asked in surprise, "Honey, what kind of paint do you use on the tables and chairs here?"

Only after she spoke did Wei Xiongtu realize the problem with the details.

These tables and chairs are so beautiful. The natural wood grain of the pine is displayed very well. You could say that every growth ring and every graceful curve is clearly visible.

Sunlight streamed through the window, making the desktop gleam.

He couldn't help but reach out and touch it as well: "This isn't right. The craftsman you found from the countryside can also make wood lacquer?"

“This isn’t ordinary wood lacquer,” Wei Qinghuan shook her head.

She came into contact with a lot of desks and chairs at night school. Nowadays, teachers not only have to teach knowledge, but also have to do logistical work.

Sometimes when the desks and chairs in the classroom are broken, they have to repair them themselves, and touch up the paint if it's chipped.

So she could tell at a glance that the paint was unusual.

Ordinary wood varnishes often have a slightly cloudy or yellowish texture, but what about these?

They possess a purity as clear and transparent as amber crystal.

Under the sunlight, the tabletops and chair surfaces appear as smooth as a mirror, as if covered by an invisible glass cover.

“Nitrocellulose lacquer,” Qian Jin introduced with a hint of pride, “I got this imported through connections; it’s rarely seen in China now. The biggest features of this lacquer are its transparency, high hardness, wear and scratch resistance, fast drying, and less odor.”

Naturally, he purchased all of these from the online store.

However, he decides where it comes from. If he says it's imported, then it's imported. After all, he's now the boss of the import and export unit of the supply and marketing cooperative.

Wei Xiongtu nodded. He bent down and carefully examined the edge and wood grain of a table, exclaiming repeatedly, "It's so beautiful, like...like glazed porcelain, but it feels like wood to the touch, warm to the touch."

"Look back at those broken desks in our study room, compared to this, it's like heaven and earth."

As he spoke, he walked to a desk by the window, carefully pulled out a chair, and sat down like a student attending class for the first time.

He instinctively reached out to rest his elbow on the table, feeling the comfortable angle and solid support of the chair.

Suddenly, a long-lost sense of peace and security for studying arose from the bottom of his heart.

This feeling was a million times more comfortable than when he was copying reports on that worn-out desk with peeling paint in the port port moving team office.

“This is just one of the standard classrooms.” Qian Jin’s voice brought the two of them back to reality. “There are currently six such theoretical classrooms planned.”

"In addition, there are laboratories and workshops where we can take hands-on classes that require tools, such as electrician, fitter, and sewing."

"Let's go, let's keep looking around, there are more dormitories in the back."

Qian Jin was very grateful to Li Weimin.

Tomorrow is the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, and I must go to deliver the gift.

The school site he approved was excellent; it was in a superb location, very large, and had more than twenty buildings.

If he could renovate it in the future and replace all the bungalows with two- or three-story villas, it would be a killer move in the entire coastal city!

(End of this chapter)