Beautiful beauties in the 80s courtyard

Chapter 769 The valve core was pulled out
Lu Qiaoge glanced at everyone's expressions and steered the conversation back to reality: "Let's go back to the pickle factory. It still has more than 500 workers. What will happen to these people if the factory really goes bankrupt? With so many young people returning to the city these days, employment is arguably the most troublesome issue for the leaders."

She paused, then softened her voice: "Let me tell you about something that happened to me a few days ago... I parked my bicycle across from the department store and went in to buy some things. When I came out, I found that someone had pulled out the valve core."

This was the first time Lu Qiaoge had encountered something like this. She didn't even need Xiao Cangcang to check. She knew very well that it was either a prank by some street thugs, or... there must be a car repair stall nearby.

She pushed her bike forward, and sure enough, there was a bike repair stall set up on the street corner not far away.

The stall owner was a man in his early thirties, who looked like a young man who had returned to the city.

While private business is still officially prohibited, the policy string has been quietly loosening under the pressure of reality.

This person probably got in through the neighborhood committee's connections, got a letter of introduction, set up a stall, and at least managed to earn some income.

The neighborhood committee couldn't accommodate so many people, so they could only turn a blind eye.

Lu Qiaoge recounted the scene to everyone: "I told him directly that relying on attracting customers to build a business is not a long-term solution and will damage your reputation. You need to get a formal permit from the street office, whether it's a service station or a convenience station, and then hone your skills and stabilize your stall. That's what you should be doing."

She knew perfectly well that, not only for the present, but also for the next ten years or so, her bicycle repair skills would provide her with a secure livelihood.

Upon hearing this, Secretary Shi smiled approvingly, appreciating Lu Qiaoge's pragmatic and insightful way of speaking.

Director Lü asked worriedly, "Didn't he get angry with you for exposing him so directly?"

Lu Qiaoge laughed: "No, he was really embarrassed at first. Although he didn't admit it, he didn't deny it either. After he fixed the car, he refused to take my money. When I left, he even whispered a thank you to me."

Even Director Lin, who was standing to the side, looked at Lu Qiaoge with a smile in his eyes.

Lu Qiaoge smoothly steered the conversation back on track: "So I think, if we can produce qualified pickled radishes and transport them to the port city, it will not only save Shigang Commune from its predicament, but also give the pickle factory a boost. If the factory is stabilized, we can gradually develop more products and create more jobs. This should be a win-win situation."

Director Bai didn't take the export of pickled vegetables too seriously at first.

A small factory on the verge of bankruptcy, with Lu Qiaoge on one side and Feng Zihan, the eldest daughter of the Feng family, who has nothing to do with the family business on the other.

He trusts Lu Qiaoge, but how many orders can Feng Zihan get?
What if they don't sell?
There are quite a few troubles involved here.

But at this moment, looking at Lu Qiaoge with her bright eyes, he changed his mind and his expression became serious: "Then just tell me, what do you need us to do now?"

Lu Qiaoge sighed inwardly, realizing the old saying, "It's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings." Those handling the actual tasks often face numerous obstacles, but when it comes to the leader who can make the final decision, the reasoning is much easier to explain.

She already had a plan in mind, and said calmly, "Most of the key workers at the current Xiangyang branch factory were transferred from the First Food Factory, and it's still under the management of the Foreign Trade Bureau. Since the pickle factory belongs to the First Food Factory, why don't you leaders first get to know the comrades at the food factory better and find out exactly where this small factory is stuck? Is it because the pickles don't taste good, the cost is too high, or they simply can't sell them?"

"No matter which one it is, or even all three, we can find a way. Take taste, for example. Why doesn't it taste good? Is it the ingredients, the recipe, or the process? Find an experienced chef to taste it, and they can figure it out pretty accurately. I think that's the root of the problem. As long as we can make the taste good, we'll have a foundation to solve the cost and sales issues."

"That makes sense." Director Bai nodded repeatedly.

Everyone here is a pragmatic and hard-working person. Since Feng Zihan is waiting for samples to place an order, let's get started.

At this moment, Director Lü spoke up: "Perfect timing, I have something to discuss with Comrade Xiao Lu. Leader, how about we have Xiao Lu assist with this trip? It's Saturday today, she has time. I'll drive her to Xiangyang Food Factory, firstly to check on the branch factory's situation, and secondly to get a clear understanding of the pickle factory's operations."

Director Bai and Secretary Shi exchanged a glance, knowing that Director Lü was going to convey the agreement they had just made to Lu Qiaoge, and nodded in agreement. Lu Qiaoge was somewhat surprised; she hadn't been paying much attention to what the General Administration was up to lately, and wondered what Director Lü wanted to say.

On the way to the food factory, Director Lü, unable to contain his joy, said to Lu Qiaoge, "Actually, we came to see you today mainly for another matter. We got quite excited talking about pickles earlier, so let me give you a heads-up. The leaders of the General Administration have held several meetings and decided to formally establish a new department. It's not a temporary agency, but a long-term one, directly under the General Administration, and will be directly managed by Director Bai and Secretary Shi."

He paused, then said with slight excitement, "The tentative name is the Ministry of Foreign Trade Development."

Ministry of Foreign Trade Development?
Lu Qiaoge silently repeated the name in her heart.

No name is chosen casually; each one has its own special meaning.

After a moment's thought, Lu Qiaoge understood.

The name itself contains the word "development," which signifies a silent yet profound shift in the country's foreign trade strategy.

This represents a crucial step from passively executing plans to proactively analyzing and expanding into the market.

And this newly established department is the vanguard that carries this expectation.

The car was quiet for a moment, with only the low hum of the engine.

Lu Qiaoge looked at the street scene rushing past the window, the shadows of the sycamore trees flickering on her face.

Lu Qiaoge praised with a smile, "Director Lü, this name is really well-chosen."

Director Lü smiled and said, "No document has been issued yet, but you are definitely a member of this department."

Lu Qiaoge blinked: "Am I going to have to change shifts again?"

Director Lü laughed heartily: "Then you're like a brick, ready to be moved wherever needed."

The car stopped in front of the factory building that bore the sign "Xiangyang Food Factory".

The factory area was quieter than I expected. Only the side gate was open on Saturday. The old man guarding the gate recognized Director Lü's car and waved him through.

They didn't call in advance.

However, the old man who guarded the gate quickly called Old Min's office.

When he heard that it was Director Lü's car that had arrived, Lao Min thought it was just an inspection. But when Lu Qiaoge got out of the car, Lao Min's face immediately lit up with a smile.

Although this branch factory has now been separated from Xiangyang Food Factory.

But the root cause is still the same.

The technology is shared, the management methods are the same, and they will learn from each other.

(End of this chapter)