Reborn in 1977

Changing the distribution method definitely wasn't a decision that could be made behind closed doors by the four leaders. They would first need to convene a meeting with all the team leaders, pass it unanimously, and then report it to the commune. Only with the commune's approval could it be implemented.

However, with the epoch-making conference having just concluded and the precedent of Huaxi Village before them, coupled with the fact that Secretary Qian, Director Jiang, and Deputy Secretary He of the commune were not ones to stick to old ways, the likelihood of this report being approved was high.

Secretary Yang smoked his cigarette, pondering when to hold this meeting—before the Spring Festival or after?

This matter wasn't urgent. It wouldn't be too late to finalize it before next year's dividend distribution, after this year's distribution was calculated.

Moreover, Chen Fan had only provided a general framework; the specifics of each item and how to formulate them needed repeated consideration.

Should he ask Chen Fan for help and advice again?

He looked up at Chen Fan, and coincidentally, Chen Fan also put down his teacup, looked up at him, and asked, "Uncle Yang, I received a telegram earlier saying there were some issues with the down jackets at the garment factory. Has that been resolved?"

Secretary Yang blinked, still not quite back to his senses. Ye Shubao, next to him, flicked off his cigarette ash, grinned, and said, "It's all resolved. It was mainly a problem with down leakage. Liu Lu said it was related to the quality of the fabric.

We contacted the Yunhu Cotton Mill, and Secretary Jiang sent some people over. After repeated experiments, we used two more layers of fabric, and the down jackets produced later hardly leaked any down anymore.

Moreover, the first batch of qualified products was bought by the cotton mill as welfare goods, and they paid a good price."

Seeing the smile on his face, Chen Fan smiled and asked, "How much did you sell them for?"

Ye Shubao gestured with his hand, his eyes narrowed into slits with laughter, "The ex-factory price is 40 yuan per piece for the medium length. If it's a long one, the kind that goes below the knees, it's 60 yuan per piece."

He smoked his cigarette, couldn't help but smack his lips twice, "No wonder you insisted on producing down jackets. These things are indeed valuable.

In the past, we only sold duck and goose down. How many bags would we have to sell to make 40 yuan? After washing the down and making it into down jackets, its value immediately increases several times. Industrial products are indeed incomparable to agricultural products."

Chen Fan smiled without saying a word. If he couldn't double the price, why would he suggest that Lujiawan develop in the direction of industry?!

Taking duck down as an example, not to mention that there are not many places currently purchasing duck down, even if there are, the price fluctuates around 3 to 5 yuan per catty. And the down content of a medium-length down jacket is about 3 to 4 taels, which is already a very thick garment.

The down content of those thin down jackets in Guangdong is even more pitiful, probably only about one tael or so.

After being made into down jackets, the selling price in department stores is at least 50 yuan per piece, and can go up to 80, 90, or even more than 100, with a profit margin far exceeding ordinary clothing.

If Lujiawan can keep this business going well, ensuring quality, this garment company alone can support Lujiawan's glory for half a century.

Not to mention the breeding farm, food factory, and other side businesses.

Just as he thought of the food factory, Ye Shubao said, "Last month, the Yunhu Machinery Factory transported all the equipment needed for the food factory, including stewing equipment and two canning lines.

We also tried to find out about the plastic bags you mentioned before, but they are too expensive, and the approval is not easy to obtain, and even the supply of raw materials cannot be guaranteed. It is really not cost-effective, so we switched to canned goods."

Chen Fan smiled and said, "Canned goods are also good. If they are made well, they might even be exported. But is there any problem with the quality?"

Ye Shubao laughed heartily and said, "We wouldn't dare to think about exporting, we would be very satisfied if they are popular. There is definitely no problem with the quality. We followed your suggestion and invited several retired master craftsmen from the Prefectural Committee Food Factory to guide us, and we also bought professional testing equipment, so there is definitely no problem."

Chen Fan nodded slowly, "That's good."

After they finished speaking, Secretary Yang said, "After rushing, the town's industrial park is almost completed. Some workshops that were completed earlier have also started production. Would you like to take a look?"

Chen Fan thought for a moment, shook his head gently, and smiled, "I won't go and see it. Anyway, as long as the quality is controlled well, it will definitely get better and better in the future."

If there were no accidents, he would gradually let go of the affairs of Lujiawan.

Under his plan, Lujiawan had already laid a solid foundation. Now, in terms of agriculture, it cooperates with the agricultural technology station, with agricultural technicians stationed in the village for guidance. There are also many retired master craftsmen in the factory, all of whom were invited back from the Prefectural Committee. With them there, the quality will not deviate.

In addition, for a long time to come, it will be a seller's market. As long as there is output, there is no fear of not being able to sell it. In this way, there is naturally no place for Chen Fan to use his talents.

For example, he received a telegram before saying that there were some problems with the production of the garment factory, but he didn't care or ask, and in the end, it was still resolved.

Since Lujiawan can develop independently, he can also withdraw for a short time.

It would be enough to help Lujiawan clarify the direction of development at a critical moment in the future.

… …

In the next few days, Chen Fan became busy.

Now, like in later generations, the time before and after the Spring Festival every year is the most frequent time for rural areas to hold celebrations.

Moving to a new house is fine, but the entire production team has hundreds of households, and every household has built a new house. Who would hold a celebration for this reason?

Wouldn't that be asking for trouble?

But other things are unavoidable.

That's right, Chen Fan has to visit at least two families a day, going to congratulate the elderly in the morning, celebrating the birthdays of the little ones in the afternoon, and having to go to another family for tea in between. The next day, he has to be a witness for a certain couple, and he is very busy.

Zhou Yali followed along to see the novelty, and was very happy.

After turning around like this for two or three days, it only stopped when Zhou Zhengdong came over from Beijing.

In the blink of an eye, it was already the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, the last day of the Year of the Horse.

… …

In the dormitory building of the Yunhu Cotton Mill, in the Jiang family's small building.

In the study on the second floor, Jiang Lili held her sister's hand and said with a bitter face, "Sister, please come with me."

Jiang Tiantian glared at her unhappily and continued to look at the book in her hand, "I'm not going."

Jiang Lili shook her while tugging at her, "Please. If I go alone, aren't you worried about me?"

Jiang Tiantian snorted twice, "I would definitely be worried last year, but now, look at yourself, … …"

As she said that, she turned around and patted her sister's waist, "You even carry a pistol at home. You have also mastered the kung fu that Xiaofan taught you. Yesterday, I sparred with you and was slapped by you. My arm still hurts now,"

Hearing this, Jiang Lili immediately grabbed her arm and was about to roll up her sleeves, "Where, where, let me see. I clearly didn't use any force?"

Jiang Tiantian slapped her hand and said unhappily, "You ungrateful thing, I held back everywhere when I practiced with you, and you still dare to slap me. If your sister didn't have some skills, I would really have spent the New Year injured."

Jiang Lili immediately grinned foolishly, raised her right hand, and said, "I promise, there will definitely not be a next time. Actually, it's also because my sister is too amazing, I could only go all out, and accidentally missed, you know."

Jiang Tiantian poked her forehead, "Hmph, dare to have a next time, I won't practice with you anymore, let Xiao Fan practice with you."

Then she added, "With your current skills, and carrying a gun, what else am I worried about? You and Xiao Fan have confirmed your relationship, going to his house for a family reunion dinner is perfectly justified, what would I be doing there? No way, no way."

After speaking, she picked up her book again, pretending to be engrossed in reading.

Jiang Lili pouted and hummed twice, "Stingy."

Jiang Tiantian's lips twitched slightly, ignoring her.

After a few seconds, Jiang Lili's eyes darted around, and she pulled on her arm, whispering, "Sis, sis...?"

Jiang Tiantian sighed, "What is it now?"

Jiang Lili giggled foolishly, but her eyes showed a hint of complexity, and she whispered, "Sis, I want something from you, can you give it to me?"

Jiang Tiantian sighed helplessly and turned to look at her, "What is it you want now?"

Jiang Lili stared intently into her eyes and whispered, "I want your watch."

Jiang Tiantian's expression froze instantly, and the next second, a hint of panic appeared in her eyes. She quickly turned her head away, pretending to be nonchalant, "What, watch?"

Seeing her reaction, Jiang Lili sighed inwardly, then raised her head and smiled, saying, "It's that pair of Shanghai watches that Mom and Dad prepared for you before. You didn't use them, and later gave the men's one to Xiao Fan. He's been wearing it all the time, and I want the other one, to make a pair."

After a brief silence, Jiang Tiantian took a deep breath, turned to look at her, and smiled, "Okay, I'll go get it for you."

Then she decisively got up and walked towards her room.

She returned a moment later, holding a small box in her hands. She walked up to her, took a deep breath, and handed it to her sister with both hands, "Here."

Jiang Lili took it and opened it, and inside was the other women's Shanghai watch.

She looked at her sister, then took off her Plum Blossom watch from her wrist, the gift that Chen Fan had brought back from the provincial city the first time. The two sisters each had one, and they usually wore them on their wrists, never taking them off except when bathing or sleeping.

After changing watches, Jiang Lili stretched out her arm to look at it, then pulled Jiang Tiantian to sit down, but did not let go of her hand. Instead, she held it tightly with both hands, looked at her, and said, "Sis, thank you."

Jiang Tiantian smiled, and squeezed her sister's hand slightly, smiling, "We're sisters, what are you thanking me for?"

Jiang Lili shook her head, took a deep breath, and suddenly her eyes turned red, "Sis, if it weren't for you, I definitely wouldn't have been able to survive those three years in Lujiawan.

When I first went there, I didn't know anything, and no one taught me. They wouldn't even talk to me. I could only secretly read the letters you wrote to me every day, and read those words of encouragement you wrote to me, and that's how I persevered.

At that time, every day I looked forward to the New Year, because when the New Year came, you would come to see me.

I waited and waited, and finally the New Year came, but that day when Xiao Fan carried you back, I was scared silly. Fortunately, you were okay in the end, otherwise I really don't know what I would have done."

Hearing this, Jiang Tiantian's nose also felt a little sore, and she quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe away her tears, "Alright, alright, that's all in the past, and you also met Xiao Fan. The days ahead will definitely get better and better, so don't cry."

Jiang Lili nodded, and then laughed through her tears, "Yeah."

After a few seconds, she took a deep breath and said to her sister, "Sis, please come with me."

Jiang Tiantian's eyes paused slightly, and just as she was about to speak, she heard her continue, "Sis, you also know that Xiao Fan has a few students. That Liu Lu even stayed at home for a few days last time."

Hearing this, Jiang Tiantian frowned slightly, "You're not jealous of them, are you?"

Jiang Lili quickly shook her head and said seriously, "It's not that I'm jealous, and I won't throw a tantrum to make Xiao Fan angry, but they're not as well-behaved as they seem on the surface."

Jiang Tiantian's eyes flickered slightly, "You mean...?"

Jiang Lili nodded vigorously, "Yes, they all harbor ulterior motives towards Xiao Fan."

Jiang Tiantian frowned tightly, "Really? I thought that Liu Lu was quite honest."

Jiang Lili grabbed her hand tightly, her face unusually serious, "Why not? Xiao Fan is so outstanding, if it were you, wouldn't you be tempted?"

Jiang Tiantian's expression showed a bit of hesitation, and she instinctively wanted to nod, but in the next second, she suddenly realized and glared, "What nonsense are you talking about? Xiao Fan is your future husband, why would I be tempted? Don't say such things in the future."

Jiang Lili giggled foolishly a few times, "I was just saying."

Then her face changed again, "But, sis, it's always wise to be cautious. But you also know that I don't understand anything. What if they please Xiao Fan? Just come with me."

"Xiao Fan isn't that kind of person. I think you're just worrying for nothing."

Although that's what she said, at this moment, Jiang Tiantian's expression finally softened a little. She hesitated for a while before nodding slightly, "Alright, I'll go with you."

The next second, she quickly added, "Just this once, don't ask me next time. If you ask me, you might as well just get a marriage certificate with Xiao Fan in Lujiawan. Although it's not formal, it's recognized outside, so you don't have so many messy things to worry about."

That's what she said, but she also knew that as long as Xiao Fan was still a cadre, he couldn't do that. That would be a mistake. Making a mistake unintentionally is one thing, but knowingly committing a mistake is another. She can't cause trouble for Xiao Fan.

Hearing her sister agree, Jiang Lili immediately smiled, "Thank you, sis."

Jiang Tiantian shook her head and stood up, "Since we're going, let's hurry up and change clothes."

After speaking, she walked out.

Jiang Lili held her wrist with one hand, looked down at the newly changed watch, and then looked at the empty doorway. She took a deep breath, and a strange smile suddenly appeared on her face.

The two sisters moved quickly and came out almost at the same time after changing clothes.

Downstairs, Jiang Heng was sitting on the sofa drinking tea and reading the newspaper. Seeing that both of them had changed into clothes for going out, he didn't think much about it. He pointed to the two gift boxes on the coffee table and said, "Take these with you. I heard from the person who came to deliver goods from Lujiawan that his uncle and cousin are both spending the New Year there. Be warm and polite when you meet them."

Jiang Lili hopped over, picked up the gift boxes with both hands, and smiled, "Thank you, Dad, I will pay attention."

Jiang Heng hummed twice and said to her, "I'm definitely not worried about your sister. I'm talking about you. Don't be silly when you meet people, and don't even know how to greet them."

Jiang Lili pouted, "I'm not a child anymore, I'm not that silly."

Jiang Tiantian took two steps forward, took her sister's arm, and smiled at Jiang Heng, "Don't worry, Dad, I'll watch her."

Jiang Heng nodded and pointed outside, "Xiao Fan has arranged for someone from the Lujiawan transportation team to pick you up. The car is outside. If you don't come down soon, I'll have to go up and call for you. You can go directly to Lujiawan with them later."

The two sisters nodded together, "Got it."

Then they greeted their mother, who was busy in the kitchen, and went out hand in hand.