Siheyuan: I have a multi-dimensional chat group!

"Xiaoshan, this was your idea, so tell me, what's the specific plan?"

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Shan said, "I think this is a good idea! Let's first count the number of people in our institute: how many are adults, how many are children, how many are working, and how many are not working."

"Then we centralize the rations and distribute the grain according to the situation, determining how many kilograms of grain each age should consume!"

"The rest is about raising money. If the family is short of more food, they will contribute more money; if they are short of less food, they will contribute less money. They will also contribute more if they earn more and less if they earn less. We need to find an average."

"It shouldn't be too difficult for the three gentlemen to help with the statistics, right?"

Xiao Shan was practically saying outright, "If you can't even do this simple thing right, what kind of boss are you?"

Why not just let someone with the ability take this position?

Yan Bugui laughed and said, "This is not difficult! Who is the fairest in our courtyard? It must be me, Uncle San! Lao Yi, Lao Liu, you two collect the information from each household, and I will find the average."

"However, we need to ask the higher-earning households in our compound how much they're willing to contribute. If they're not willing to contribute more, there's no point in collecting the money!"

After going around in circles, the issue returns to Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong.

After all, they were the two highest-paid people in the compound!

Chapter 112, Yi Zhonghai's Wallet Is Bleeding Big! (Please Subscribe!)

Seeing that the problem had returned to the two of them, Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong were also at a loss.

After all, they just donated money to the neighborhood, and now they have to spend money again.

Even if they have high salaries, they can't withstand this kind of torment!

Especially Liu Haizhong, he still has three sons to support at home!

Liu Haizhong then looked at Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai sighed inwardly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "As everyone knows, my wife and I are in a situation where our rations are basically enough! How about this, I'll take out thirty yuan first, as a way of setting an example!"

Hearing Yi Zhonghai say this, Xiao Shan smiled and said, "Uncle, you have great courage. Thirty yuan a month, according to the current price in the pigeon market, can buy more than a hundred catties of cornmeal! More than a hundred catties of grain a month is enough to make up for the rations of several families."

Xiaoshan didn't criticize Yi Zhonghai for donating money to the neighborhood before, which was considered a lenient treatment.

This time, Yi Zhonghai is trying to trip me up again, and Xiaoshan won't let him off so easily.

Yi Zhonghai opened his mouth, wanting to say that it wasn't every month, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.

Although he understands the principle of gratitude for a small favor and resentment for a large one, he cannot afford to ruin his public image and reputation.

For the sake of his public image and reputation, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and bear the pain.

Seeing that Yi Zhonghai did not deny Xiao Shan's words, Yan Bugui smiled: "With Lao Yi's thirty yuan every month, then our plan can be considered half accomplished!"

As he spoke, Yan Bugui looked at Liu Haizhong.

Now that things had come to this, Liu Haizhong naturally couldn't back down, so he gritted his teeth and said, "My salary is less than Lao Yi's, and I have three sons to support! How about this, during the days of eating from the same pot, I'll contribute an extra fifteen yuan every month!"

Seeing that Liu Haizhong had actually contributed money, everyone in the courtyard was naturally happy to give him a shout-out.

Hearing the praise from everyone, Liu Haizhong's pained expression finally eased a bit.

Yan Bugui said to everyone, "Since Lao Yi and Lao Liu have no objections to this plan, let's do as Xiaoshan said! As for the families that need to pay more money, I'll contact you after I've tallied up the numbers."

Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong set an example, so naturally the families in the courtyard with fifth- or fourth-level workers had no objections.

Although Xiaoshan's plan was helpful in building a united and friendly courtyard, Yi Zhonghai was not entirely satisfied.

After all, he has to spend a real 30 yuan every month for this plan!

This continued until the food crisis was resolved and rationing was restored.

Therefore, when Yi Zhonghai announced the adjournment of the meeting, his expression was still not very pleasant.

Xiao Shan carried a stool to the backyard, and Xu Damao followed closely behind with Lou Xiao'e.

Xu Damao whispered to Xiao Shan, "Xiao Shan, you've really made me lose a lot of money today! I donated fifty to the neighborhood committee, another thirty to the courtyard, and then there's the couple's food and drink—it's basically gone from my monthly salary. From now on, I'll have to pay thirty yuan every month, which will be a real pain for me!"

"I'm in a good mood today, so I'm going to my buddy's for a couple of drinks. It's Sunday tomorrow, so I don't have to work."

Xiao Shan glanced at Lou Xiao'e beside Xu Damao and said with a smile, "Brother Mao, let's forget about it! You should stay home and spend more time with your wife! Try to have a big, healthy baby boy soon!"

Upon hearing Xiao Shan's words, Lou Xiao'e's face flushed slightly.

After thinking for a moment, Xu Damao nodded and said, "That's fine! We'll drink again when we have time!"

The next day, after breakfast, Xiao Shan rode his bicycle around the streets and alleys.

Indeed, I saw quite a few people in tattered clothes begging on the street.

Some brought their families, while others were alone.

After walking around for more than an hour, Xiao Shan lost interest in continuing and had no desire to go to a restaurant for a meal.

People all over the country are struggling now, and if he goes to a restaurant to eat and drink extravagantly, even if he's spending his own money, he'll still feel a little guilty.

Moreover, under such circumstances, it's best to keep a low profile for safety reasons!

Back at the courtyard house, Yan Bugui was taking stock of the situation.

Seeing Xiao Shan return, Yan Bugui smiled and said to him, "Xiao Shan, we have tentatively determined that for working families, the breadwinner should have about 35 jin of grain per month."

“Alright, you old men can decide. I’ll hand over my entire ration to the yard! Just give me twenty catties of cornmeal every month, and donate the remaining fifteen catties to the street for me!” Xiao Shan said to Yan Bugui.

This is his way of contributing to the disaster relief efforts.

Fifteen catties of grain may not seem like much, but it represents a heartfelt gesture.

Besides, he didn't want to eat cornmeal every day; it really hurt his throat.

After a slight pause, Xiao Shan continued, "How about this, Third Uncle, I'll donate another five yuan to the courtyard every month!"

Upon hearing Xiao Shan's words, Yan Bugui exclaimed in admiration, "Xiao Shan, your awareness is truly remarkable! You've done a good deed, and I need you to spread the word about it around the courtyard."

Xiao Shan did not stop Yan Bugui from promoting this matter to himself.

Xiao Shan never stops anything that involves building a persona.

Having a good reputation is extremely important these days!

Over the next month, the number of times the factory provided special meals for its employees gradually decreased.

Clearly, the leaders are aware that the national situation is not optimistic and are consciously reducing things that could give others ammunition against them.

By the end of March, the factory's practice of providing special meals for its employees had completely stopped.

Xiong Dingxi also told Xiao Shan that they should stop hunting wild animals for the time being.

Xiao Shan knew it was time to return to the welding workshop.

So Xiao Shan went directly to Xiong Dingxi: "Brother Xiong, food is scarce right now, and the steel mill's kitchen has stopped serving food. I basically have nothing to do in the external relations department. Why don't you let me go back to the welding workshop and continue to contribute my strength to the country!"

Xiong Dingxi hesitated. He was reluctant to let go of someone as talented as Xiao Shan.

Although Xiao Shan has only been in the External Relations Department for two months, his abilities have already been unanimously recognized by the department.

However, Xiong Dingxi also knew that Xiao Shan was right. With food becoming increasingly scarce, the External Liaison Department was basically at a standstill, and Xiao Shan had no use for it.

After thinking for a while, Xiong Dingxi said to Xiao Shan, "Xiao Shan, I need to ask Director Li about this first. I estimate that he is very likely to agree."

"Thank you for your help, Brother Xiong."

Xiao Shan left Xiong Dingxi's office, returned to the External Relations Department, and chatted with several colleagues.

Sitting in her chair, Sister Zhang looked at Xiao Shan and said, "Xiao Shan, life is so easy these days. I never thought our External Liaison Department would have such an easy time."

"I just don't know when this food shortage will end! The rations have been reduced, and now we don't even dare to eat our fill at home in the mornings and evenings. The only time we can have a proper meal is at the steel mill at noon."

Chapter 113, Asking Zhang Chulan to Order Takeout! (Please Subscribe!)

At this moment, Sister Zhao walked in from outside, walked to Xiao Shan's side, and said to Xiao Shan, "Xiao Shan, I have something I'd like to ask you for help with."

"Sister Zhao, just say the word, and I'll do my best to help if I can," Xiao Shan said with a smile.

Sister Zhao said to Xiao Shan, "Xiao Shan, help me catch a pheasant. My sister-in-law is in her postpartum period, and chickens are hard to find at the market. I'll buy it at the normal price, and I won't let you lose out."

"Sister Zhao, this is easy. I'll get one for you tomorrow!" Xiao Shan said with a smile.

This is indeed not difficult for Xiaoshan.

Now his chat group inventory contains already processed pheasants and rabbits.

These were the extra prey he caught when he went hunting outside the city.

Because live animals cannot be stored in the chat group's inventory, Xiaoshan had to process them properly before putting them in.

Seeing that Xiao Shan agreed so readily, Sister Zhao said gratefully, "Xiao Shan, thank you! I'll give you the money right now."

As she spoke, Sister Zhao took out four yuan from her pocket and handed it to Xiao Shan.

Xiao Shan only took three yuan: "Sister Zhao, you've given too much! We don't need to worry about prices elsewhere, just follow the price set by our External Liaison Department."

"Xiaoshan, if you ever need anything, just tell me, and I'll make sure it's handled perfectly for you," Sister Zhao said to Xiaoshan, putting the one yuan back into her pocket.

At this moment, Xiong Dingxi arrived at Li Huaide's office and found Li Huaide.

Seeing Xiong Dingxi suddenly appear, Li Huaide asked curiously, "Dingxi, what's the matter?"

Li Huaide has been behaving himself lately.

Previously, I would treat people to meals every few days to maintain relationships and build connections.

Now, because of the notice from above about practicing thrift and frugality, everything has come to a standstill.

Xiong Dingxi said to Li Huaide, "Director, Xiao Shan applied to me today to be transferred back to the workshop. He said he has nothing to do in the external relations department and would rather go to the workshop to continue contributing to the factory."

Li Huaide tapped his index finger on the table as he pondered.

Xiao Shan is indeed a talent when it comes to hunting, but he can't use that talent now.

Even if we manage to hunt wild game now, we can't cook for ourselves.

Li Huaide looked at Xiong Dingxi and said, "That's fine. Xiaoshan is an outstanding individual in the steel rolling mill. Now that the external relations department can't fully utilize his abilities, returning to the workshop is a good idea!"

"I'll call the factory manager in a bit and tell him about this. You can have Xiao Shan report to the workshop tomorrow."

"Okay, Director."

Just before he was about to leave work, Xiao Shan received a notification from Xiong Dingxi.

This temporary transfer also taught Xiaoshan a lesson: in this era, the workshop is considered the most stable place.

Skilled craftsmen offer greater job security.

In the factory, skilled workers always speak with authority, no matter the time.

Other administrative positions can be filled by anyone; anyone can take the job.

Technical positions, however, are filled by a single person with only one opening.

If your technical skills aren't up to par, you can't do it even if you want to.

The next morning, Xiao Shan first went to the External Liaison Department to deliver the pheasant to Sister Zhao, and then went to the welding workshop.

Seeing Xiao Shan return, Mao Dexing smiled happily: "Xiao Shan, you can work in the workshop without worry now! Is there enough food? Do you need some?"

Xiao Shan shook his head: "No need, Master. Those in our courtyard who earn more donate money to buy grain, which is then distributed to those in the courtyard who have less grain."

Mao Dexing was somewhat surprised; this was the first time he had ever heard of a courtyard house using this method.

So he looked at Xiao Shan with some doubt and asked, "Your method is not bad, but are people with high salaries willing to donate? I remember that the people in charge of your department are Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong, right? Well, it doesn't hurt to be more careful with these two."

Xiao Shan nodded in response to Mao Dexing's advice.

However, although Yi Zhonghai is hypocritical, he did indeed contribute money this time.

Whatever the reason, thanks to Yi Zhonghai, the courtyard houses now have an extra 100 jin of grain each month to distribute to residents who are short of food, which is a truly good thing.

If Xiao Shan speaks ill of Yi Zhonghai in front of others now, it will not only damage Yi Zhonghai's character, but also his own.

After get off work in the afternoon, Xiao Shan came out of the workshop and walked out of the steel rolling mill with the crowd.

Xu Damao stopped his bicycle next to Xiao Shan: "Xiao Shan, I heard you went back to the workshop?"

“Yeah, there’s nothing to do in the External Liaison Department. We just chat in the office all day. It’s better to go to the workshop and learn some skills,” Xiao Shan said to Xu Damao with a smile.

Xu Damao, however, had a different opinion: "Xiaoshan, is there anything better than getting paid without doing any work?"

"Brother Mao, that's not how it works!" Xiao Shan said to Xu Damao, "Instead of wasting your time in the external liaison department, you should go back to the workshop and learn some skills as soon as possible!"