"I think the 'tertiary industries' and 'leave of absence with pay' policies from before were effective, and we should continue to intensify our efforts. Resolving the difficulties faced by enterprises is urgent. Otherwise, forget about paying taxes; I doubt they'll even be able to pay salaries."
Jiang Huaian spoke first.
Some of the people present wanted to speak, but their thoughts were preempted. They hesitated and closed their mouths again.
Ever since state-owned enterprises were impacted by the market economy, their performance had been poor, and they could only try to save themselves.
'Tertiary industries' and 'leave of absence with pay' were the most effective methods to date.
This included renting out factory buildings to external parties, organizing surplus vehicles into transport teams, or engaging in trade – essentially, everyone doing their best to survive.
At present, Jiang Huaian's proposed solution seemed to be the most feasible.
Seeing the leaders nod, everyone else chimed in their agreement.
"I believe that what Deputy Director Jiang has proposed should be carefully considered," Chen Guoping said after a moment of thought.
Jiang Huaian, who had been happy that his suggestion was about to be adopted, felt his smile tighten slightly upon hearing Chen Guoping's words. "Does Director Chen have any better suggestions?"
"I wouldn't call it a suggestion, but I just feel we shouldn't actively promote it. This approach is akin to drinking poison to quench thirst; while it might solve an immediate crisis, it brings only disadvantages for future development."
Jiang Huaian: "What's wrong with enterprises helping themselves, solving the issue of surplus labor, and reducing the burden on higher authorities? Besides, the whole country is doing this, so why should our province be an exception?"
Chen Guoping frowned, "I just think enterprises should focus on developing their main businesses. Otherwise, they will lose their core competitiveness. Sacrificing long-term considerations for immediate gains is not worth it."
The leader looked at Chen Guoping, "Old Chen, if we don't solve the enterprise's efficiency problems, how do you propose we meet the tax revenue targets?"
This was an unsolvable knot. If a breakthrough couldn't be found, it would be a vicious cycle.
"Effectively improve enterprise efficiency, learn from Shougang's previous reform measures, introduce advanced production equipment, and enhance the quality and motivation of personnel."
From Chen Guoping's understanding, many enterprise employees had a lazy work attitude; they slept or chatted during working hours, and after work, they engaged in side hustles like raising chickens or setting up stalls. All their energy was channeled into these secondary occupations.
Therefore, to thoroughly solve the problem, the root cause had to be addressed.
Jiang Huaian smiled, "Director Chen, everyone understands the issues you've raised, but the current problem is how to meet the targets on time."
"That's right, Director Chen. I think Deputy Director Jiang is correct; we need to address the present first before discussing the future." Everyone present was an old hand; in such matters, there was only one word: stability.
They sought not to achieve merit, but merely to avoid blame.
Many provinces and regions across the country handled things this way. It didn't matter if a cat was black or white, as long as it could catch mice and fulfill the quota. Anything else was a problem for those below.
Finally, after unanimous agreement, it was decided to proceed as Jiang Huaian had suggested.
Chen Guoping watched as the others left one by one, his brow furrowed.
Jiang Huaian was in a good mood. For Chen Guoping to want to get things done, he also needed to consider the timing. It was a pity that he had ideas but sometimes needed to gauge the leaders' intentions. Wasn't this important task entrusted to him?
"Aunt Yuan, Uncle Lin, you only moved here not long ago. Are you settling in alright?"
Chen Lishu asked Yuan Lihua and Lin Yuliang with a smile.
Lin Qi had gone south, and coincidentally, Gu Xingdong was off duty that day. Chen Lishu came with him to see if there was anything they needed help with.
"It's much better here than in the countryside. It's so convenient to buy things," Lin Yuliang smiled. "It's just that everything is more expensive than in the countryside. Unlike at home, where we could eat vegetables from our garden for several months."
He regretted not planting the garden before leaving, but it was too late now, and the round-trip bus tickets were also expensive.
It was that brat Lin Qi who had urged them to come, even tricking him into believing the city had everything. This year had been a lesson, and next year he would definitely go back early to plant his vegetable garden and bring more potatoes and cabbage.
Otherwise, money flowed like water, which was truly heartbreaking.
Yuan Lihua smiled, "The vegetables have to be transported from the south, so they are naturally a bit more expensive."
She had always lived in town and adapted more quickly than Lin Yuliang.
"If you need any heavy lifting done, just tell us. Xingdong happens to be off duty today, so let him help you."
"The firewood that Little Gu chopped this time will probably last us for a month."
Yuan Lihua said as she got up to pour water, then went over and handed it to Gu Xingdong, who was chopping wood. "Little Gu, please sit down and rest for a while."
Gu Xingdong stopped his work, took a sip of the water she handed him, and smiled, "Thank you, Aunt Yuan."
He returned the water cup and continued his task, "Just a little bit more. Let's finish it all today."
Yuan Chunhua nodded, sat back down, and looked at Chen Lishu's bulging belly, asking, "Looking at your belly, are you close to giving birth?"
Chen Lishu smiled and explained, "It's only been over six months, and it's twins, so it looks bigger than usual."
She was wearing a homemade plain-colored baby doll dress today. Its wide hem perfectly concealed her belly when she stood, making her limbs appear slender. Paired with a bun, she looked very youthful and beautiful.
As soon as she sat down, her belly became apparent. Because they were twins, her over six-month pregnant belly looked about the same size as other women over eight months pregnant.
Moreover, her waistline had been increasing daily, and she often felt her skin itching. If Gu Xingdong hadn't frequently helped her apply olive oil, her belly would likely be covered in stretch marks by now.
"Twins?" Yuan Lihua looked at her belly with fascination. "Carrying one is already very hard. You're carrying two, so it must be even more difficult to endure, right?"
Chen Lishu touched her belly and said gently, "It is a bit, but in another two months, they'll be here."
"Did the doctor say if they were boys or girls?"
Chen Lishu shook her head, "They didn't say."
Although she was very curious, she knew they would be born soon, so she wasn't in a hurry.
Not long after, Gu Xingdong finished chopping and stacking all the firewood for them. As the weather was getting hotter, they were afraid of rain and moisture, so he and Lin Yuliang covered it with tarpaulin before the couple went home.
A few days later, Lin Qi and Liu Yang finally returned from the south. This time, they not only bought a loader but also two pieces of equipment used for construction. However, the transportation would arrive a few days later.
For these items, the two of them had to spend over a week to finally acquire the equipment.
Meanwhile, in Qingshan Village, after the first plowing of the fields, Li Xiulan began to pack her belongings and prepare to come to the provincial capital.
Seeing that Chen Lishu was due to give birth in another two months, and it was her first pregnancy, with Gu Xingdong having to work and being busy, she decided to go over earlier to help and take care of things more diligently, as she would have to go eventually anyway.