Li Changqing was so focused on claiming credit that he didn't notice the fleeting sadness on Su Changjiu's face.
"Team Leader, I only delivered five hundred chicks this time. Time was too tight, so I could only gather this many. Next week, I'll have another four hundred sent over. The week after that, another four hundred."
Li Changqing glanced at Su Xiaotian, who was looking at the chicks. This little girl, with her innocent appearance, was capable of accomplishing great things.
It was a shame that his own wife, who didn't know her place, had offended the little girl.
Su Xiaotian happened to hear Li Changqing's words, and a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. They had agreed on one thousand chicks, so why were there suddenly three hundred more?
"I previously agreed with Xiaotian to send a thousand, but I thought about it. Chicks are prone to loss, so I decided to send three hundred more."
Su Changjiu was too excited to speak.
Thirteen hundred chicks! The Red Heart Brigade was going to prosper.
But then, the excitement lasted only a moment, and apprehension became the main theme.
So many chicks represented a significant amount of money.
Five hundred might have been manageable, but thirteen hundred was truly beyond his means.
The embarrassed team leader, who was as poor as a church mouse, felt like he could dig a courtyard house out of his worn-out shoes.
Who should he turn to for help with the money problem?
"Director Li, how much are these chicks?" Su Changjiu's voice was much softer when he asked this.
Li Changqing, being a shrewd individual, could tell that the team leader was short on cash.
He laughed heartily and said, "Consider these chicks an advance loan from me. Have your accountant issue a receipt, and you can settle the payment with the egg sales later!"
He had come this time to mend relationships, not to make things difficult.
Su Changjiu was so touched he didn't know what to say. He secretly thought, people always said city folks were hard to deal with, but how could this factory director be so accommodating?
"Thank you, Director Li. You truly consider us country bumpkins!" the team leader said politely.
"Team Leader, you are too kind. If you didn't farm, what would we city dwellers eat? Even eggs depend on you!"
Li Changqing's attitude was very friendly, and he quickly became like a brother to Su Changjiu and the others. The atmosphere was incredibly harmonious.
While looking at the chicks, Su Xiaotian also paid attention to the conversation. She couldn't help but sigh, thinking that someone like Li Changqing was destined for great things.
With that thought, something flashed through Su Xiaotian's mind, but she couldn't quite grasp it, missing the opportunity.
After chatting with Su Changjiu and the others for a while, Li Changqing saw that the time was right and proposed to visit the old Su family.
He made sure to mention that he had met the elders before and would definitely visit them.
Su Changjiu had no reason to doubt him.
Su Xiaotian didn't want to interact much with Li Changqing, but considering his attitude today, she didn't object.
The team leader volunteered to accompany Li Changqing to the old Su family's home.
Li Changqing was a smart man. The gifts he had sent to Chen Zi'an's family earlier had been returned.
This time, when he went to the old Su family, he didn't dare to bring many other valuable gifts, only a few pounds of sponge cake.
"These are produced in our factory. Please have your elders try them and give us your feedback so we can improve."
A smiling face is hard to refuse. Li Changqing's attitude made it difficult for the Su family to say much.
Grandma Su eventually accepted the sponge cake from Li Changqing.
However, remembering that her son-in-law had returned Li Changqing's gifts, she decided to reciprocate.
Grandma Su prepared a gift of some homegrown vegetables, including greens, radishes, and beans.
Li Changqing knew this was the Su family's way of not accepting his gifts for free. Although disappointed, he considered it a preliminary success to achieve this much.
He happily accepted the vegetables from the Su family, constantly praising their freshness and other polite remarks.
The initial displeasure of Grandpa and Grandma Su dissipated considerably under Li Changqing's deliberate flattery.
They even invited Li Changqing to stay for dinner.
"No, no, I'll bother you both another time. It's getting late, and I need to head back!" Li Changqing repeatedly waved his hands in refusal.
This was their first interaction; there would be opportunities for meals later.
After seeing Li Changqing off, Su Changjiu immediately convened a meeting with the brigade cadres.
With the previous two hundred chicks, Wang Xianghua and Su Xiaomei could still manage. Now with an additional five hundred chicks, the two of them would not be enough.
Ultimately, by unanimous decision of everyone in the brigade, two more people were temporarily hired: Xiao Cao, the team leader's daughter, and Chang Chunzhi, the eldest daughter of the Chang family.
When the news reached the old Chang family, Granny Chang was startled. What was happening? Were there such good opportunities for girls?
"Team Leader, are you telling the truth?" Granny Chang's mouth was almost agape with surprise.
Their old Chang family was an outsider in the Red Heart Brigade. How could the opportunity to work at the chicken farm fall upon their family?
Moreover, it was a girl who received such a good opportunity; it seemed impossible.
"Team Leader, you're not playing a trick on this old woman, are you?"
Su Changjiu smiled and said, "How could that be? It's because your Chunzhi is meticulous in her work that she was chosen."
"Really?" Granny Chang still didn't believe it!
"It's true!"
"Chunzhi, Chunzhi, did you hear that?" Granny Chang shouted for her eldest granddaughter.
Usually, she referred to her granddaughters as "dead girl" or "money-losing goods." This was the first time she had called her by name.
Chang Chunzhi almost dropped the shoe sole she was holding when she heard her grandmother call her Chunzhi.
"Grandma, what is it?" Chang Chunzhi asked hesitantly. She then saw the team leader but didn't speak, only smiled as a greeting.
"Oh, you dead… why aren't you greeting people?" Granny Chang, afraid that Chang Chunzhi's lack of speech would cause her to be disliked, nudged her.
"Team Leader, my granddaughter is shy, please don't mind!" Granny Chang said obsequiously.
"It's alright, it's alright. This child has always been honest since she was young, I know," Su Changjiu said. "Chunzhi, our brigade's chicken farm has added five hundred more chicks. Your Aunt and Xiaomei can't handle it alone. The brigade leaders discussed it and decided to have you and my Cao help out. Your work points will be the same as Xiaomei's."
Chang Chunzhi listened to this and only looked at Su Changjiu, not knowing what to say.
Everyone in the brigade wanted to work at the chicken farm. After all, a woman working a normal shift could only earn seven work points a day, but the chicken farm offered nine work points a day. Furthermore, it was rumored that if there were profits in the future, they could receive a subsidy of five yuan per month.
Such a job, even if everyone in the brigade got a turn, it wouldn't be her turn.
"You girl, are you so happy you've gone dumb? Why aren't you saying anything? The team leader said it's because you work diligently."
Granny Chang's happy face was beaming. Even her disliked granddaughter looked more pleasing to her eyes.
"Team Leader, I will work hard!" Chang Chunzhi finally managed to say.
"Then hurry up and get ready to go to the chicken farm. We might need to be there all night tonight."
Su Changjiu reminded her and turned to leave.
Chang Chunzhi watched Su Changjiu's receding back, and tears finally fell.
"You dead girl, why are you crying?" Granny Chang frowned and cursed. "Hurry up and get ready. Don't worry, we'll bring dinner to you."
At the old Su family's home, Grandma Su, with her two daughters-in-law, was busy chopping meat, cutting vegetables, and preparing to make dumplings.
Grandpa Su and his peers, Du Tonghe and Chi Ge, sat on the heated brick bed in the main hall, chatting.
Chi Yiyuan, on the other hand, sat in the old Su family's courtyard, watching Su Xiaotian chase butterflies back and forth in the yard.
Pale yellow butterflies flitted among the flowers and plants in the courtyard. Each time a butterfly landed, Su Xiaotian would tiptoe towards it.
But the butterflies seemed to sense her approach. As soon as Su Xiaotian got within half a foot, they would decisively take flight.
The little girl ran back and forth, panting from exhaustion, but the butterflies flew over the wall and away.
"So annoying!" the little girl stomped her foot with a cute pout.
"Tired, aren't you? Come and have some water!" Chi Yiyuan said with a smile.
The handsome young man's face was filled with a radiant smile. Even though Su Xiaotian was used to it, she was momentarily captivated.
Seeing Su Xiaotian not move, Chi Yiyuan's smile deepened. He reached out and ruffled Su Xiaotian's hair, his attitude extremely doting!
Su Xiaotian, who was usually unrestrained, suddenly blushed.
Chi Yiyuan saw it but didn't think the little girl was shy, assuming she was just hot from running.
"Sit down and rest!" Chi Yiyuan's attitude was as gentle as ever.
"Thank you, Brother Yiyuan!" Su Xiaotian hurriedly took the bamboo cup from Chi Yiyuan's hand.
This was a bamboo cup that Chi Yiyuan had made himself. Although not exquisite, its edges and corners were finely polished and very smooth.
Just then, Su Ciliang ran in from outside, panting. Seeing Su Xiaotian holding a cup of water, he unceremoniously took it and drank it all.
Su Xiaotian, caught off guard, found her hand empty. She then looked at Su Ciliang holding the empty cup.
...
Chi Yiyuan also looked at Su Ciliang in astonishment.
A subtle smile flickered across Su Ciliang's lips.
In the blink of an eye, more than half a month had passed.
Li Changqing delivered a total of thirteen hundred chicks as agreed.
Including the original two hundred, the Red Heart Brigade's chicken farm now had fifteen hundred chicks.
Because Wang Xianghua took meticulous care of them, only about thirty of the fifteen hundred chicks were lost.
This made Su Changjiu, the team leader, overjoyed.
This was a good omen, a strong start. Their Red Heart Brigade's chicken farm was sure to succeed.
This news soon reached the commune.
Director Wu set his sights on these chicks.
After much deliberation, Director Wu decided to find Director Qian to discuss it.
"Director, the Red Heart Brigade's thinking has been increasingly problematic lately!" Director Wu said with a righteous demeanor, sitting opposite Director Qian.
"Oh? How so?"
The Red Heart Brigade was currently a rising star in the commune. How could there be problems?
"Setting up a chicken farm is one thing, but now they're scaling it up so much. Isn't that engaging in capitalism?" Director Wu voiced the argument he had prepared.
The smile on Director Qian's face vanished instantly.
"What are you talking about? That chicken farm is collective property!"
Director Wu then remembered that the chicken farm was not privately owned but collective, and it had been registered with the commune.
"Director, I misspoke. I'm worried that after the chicken farm is established, someone might try to exploit it."
"You can rest assured about that. We cannot speculate about things that haven't happened!"
Director Qian supported the Red Heart Brigade in doing something, so his words were all in their defense.
This Director Wu was like a troublemaker. As soon as someone had something, he would try his best to mess with it.
When would this person be transferred away to cause trouble elsewhere?
"Director, I still feel the Red Heart Brigade is too rash. How many people are in their brigade? How can they raise so many chicks?"
Director Qian glanced at him and said, "Then tell me, what should be done?"
"Captain Wu from the East Wind Brigade has approached me. He is willing to share the burden and difficulties of the Red Heart Brigade by helping to raise some chicks!"
Director Qian let out a cold snort. This Director Wu was indeed after the Red Heart Brigade's chicks.
"Those chicks were not provided by our commune. If you want them, go to the Red Heart Brigade."
Director Qian gave Director Wu a deep look and pushed back his request.
He didn't know how these chicks came about, but they were definitely related to Minister Chen Zi'an.
The Red Heart Brigade now had powerful backing. Not to mention him, even county leaders would have to weigh their options before causing trouble.
He must be out of his mind to stir up this matter!
Director Wu, however, didn't think that far. He only knew that the Red Heart Brigade had fifteen hundred chicks, and by next year, they would be producing eggs.
If he could get half the chicks, the future benefits would be immense. Not to mention a steady stream of eggs and money!
But for him to approach the Red Heart Brigade himself...
"Director, the East Wind Brigade is also thinking of the Red Heart Brigade. How much grain can the Red Heart Brigade produce in a year? Are they going to feed it all to chickens?" Director Wu said earnestly.
Director Qian lowered his head and continued writing in his notebook, saying as he wrote, "As long as the Red Heart Brigade pays its public grain quota, I don't care if they eat the remaining grain or feed it to chickens."
As long as they had the ability, he wouldn't care if they raised fifteen hundred chickens or fifteen thousand.
He guessed that the Red Heart Brigade dared to be so bold because they likely had a backup plan and wouldn't use all their grain to feed chickens.
It was just that this fool, Director Wu, couldn't see clearly and was only thinking of his own petty desires.
Director Wu didn't get a definitive answer from Director Qian but didn't give up. He then shifted his focus to Su Changjiu.
Su Changjiu was also an old hand. As soon as Director Wu spoke, he understood.
This was a scheme against him. He had worked hard to establish this factory, and it wasn't meant to enrich others.
"Director Wu, I thank you on behalf of the members of our brigade for thinking of the Red Heart Brigade!" Su Changjiu smiled like the Maitreya Buddha.
For a moment, Director Wu thought the matter was settled, but then Su Changjiu's words made his heart turn cold.
"It's just that, Director Wu, you may not know, but these chicks were entrusted to us by the county's cake factory. I can't make the decision."
"Over a thousand chicks, and you can't make any decision?" Director Wu asked persistently.
"Actually, it's not impossible. How about we give the commune's two hundred to the East Wind Brigade?" Su Changjiu replied with a smile.
Director Wu wanted seven or eight hundred chicks. What was the point of just two hundred?
Even if he wanted to improve their diet with chicken meat, it wouldn't be enough.
"Captain Su, you are a party member, you must have awareness! You can't just think of yourself; you should learn from the East Wind Brigade!"
"Director Wu, I think I have quite a bit of awareness. Haven't I agreed to give two hundred to the East Wind Brigade?" Su Changjiu said softly. "As for the rest, I can't do anything about it, as it's not our own property!"
These words were truly infuriating, but Director Wu had no comeback.
He thought about it and felt that he hadn't gotten much, but getting two hundred back for now was acceptable!
"Since that's the case, I'll inform the East Wind Brigade to come and transport the chicks away."
"Alright, Director Wu. I'll go to the commune right away to report this matter to Director Qian."
"Why do you still need to report to Director Qian?" Director Wu looked at Su Changjiu in surprise.
"Oh, Director Wu, when I received these chickens, I promised Director Qian that I would hand over eggs to the commune."
"It's just such a small matter. What's the big deal? Don't you still have so many chicks? What difficulty is there in handing over a few eggs?"
Director Wu was unconcerned about this. He only intended to take a small portion and didn't plan to hand over eggs to the commune in the future.
After all, the Red Heart Brigade still had over a thousand chicks. The eggs to be handed over to the commune would be from the Red Heart Brigade.
"Director Wu, you don't know the cost of living when you don't manage a household, and you don't know how few eggs there are when you don't raise chickens!"
Director Wu immediately put on a stern face and said, "Old Su, I must criticize you! As a party member and cadre, how can you be so petty with a fraternal brigade?"
"Director Wu, you can't say that. As a party member and cadre, you must speak the truth and not lie! The leaders have all said to seek truth from facts!"
When he brought up the leaders, what else could Director Wu say? He was infuriated.
"If these chickens are given to the East Wind Brigade, the eggs will also come from the East Wind Brigade in the future. How can I not report to Director Qian? If Director Qian asks me, whom will I ask?"
Su Changjiu sneered inwardly, but his face was as pleasant as a spring breeze.
The East Wind Brigade, the beam above is crooked, and the beams below are crooked.
They all just want to take advantage. Is it that easy to take advantage of Su Changjiu?
If they reach out again, their hands will be chopped off!
"To put it bluntly, the chick mortality rate is high, and the East Wind Brigade doesn't know how to raise chickens. If they all die and don't admit it, I won't have eggs to deliver to Director Qian either?"
This was a very infuriating statement, but Director Wu had no way to retort.
The chickens hadn't even been taken yet, and Su Changjiu was already cursing them for dying. This was too malicious.
Yet, Su Changjiu still respectfully asked, "Director Wu, do you think I'm right?"
Director Wu: ...
Right about what!
Director Wu left in a huff.
Su Changjiu hummed an off-key tune and went to look at the adorable chicks.