Chapter 22: Canteen Work

After Liu Lan was transferred over, He Yuzhu's work obviously became much less, and he fell into a routine of a newspaper and a cup of tea; as long as he kept control of the supply channels, this job would always be his.

"Director He, this bulk liquor is really good; where did you get it from? I want to get some for my regular drinking."

"It's an unnamed small factory; I had someone get it from Lu Province—there are several distilleries in a county town there, so it's not in short supply."

"To make his work easier, He Yuzhu put a large vat in his office and filled it with bulk liquor—this was something from his former grocery shop; although it's not top‑grade liquor, its production method is far more advanced than today's."

"Quite a few people have ideas about this liquor."

"This old thing—just looking at it you can tell it's not anything good; a few days ago he came over and warned you to store the liquor carefully, but once the work was done he started eyeing the liquor."

"That's human nature."

"While the two were chatting idly, Ma Hua rushed in, panting, and said, 'Master… master, the canteen is about to erupt.'"

"Why?"

"Today that short, fat guy was unlucky again—after great effort they managed to bring back some meat from outside, which was originally meant to calm the workers' anger, but he ended up making all of it into braised pork and sending it to the office leaders."

"He hoped to use the tasty food to shut the leaders' mouths."

"Even though it was work time, the factory was bustling with people coming and going; the news spread like that, and some young workers pulled him aside, demanding an explanation for why all the meat went to the leaders."

"'Ma Hua, this has nothing to do with you—just stay hidden here honestly, the workers won't hit you.'"

"He Yuzhu had no intention of going out; this wasn't something he could control."

"Too bad slacking off won't work."

"'Zhuzi, you really can sit still, not even going to look at the commotion.' The factory director came in from outside, 'Are you trying to avoid suspicion? Hurry up and follow me.'"

"The scene was smaller than he had expected; several veteran workers were already mediating, and the leaders had arrived, so there was basically no fighting."

"'What are you all doing? It's just a few pieces of meat. Back when we were young workers, there was no canteen at all—we brought old pickles and steamed buns from home every day, and we worked with fiery enthusiasm.'"

"'Exactly, how can you only see a few bites of food? You should diligently practice your skills and techniques; enduring hardship and labor is the true nature of us workers.' Yi Daye's voice also rose from the crowd."

"'That sounds nice, but if you're not doing it for the food, why dock someone's living expenses? A morally corrupt person doesn't deserve to represent the workers.'"

"Yi Daye's face flushed red."

"Deputy Factory Director Li also walked in; with so many people gathered, he didn't want to lose his temper, for if the situation blew up, the leaders would definitely have to take responsibility."

"Several leaders gathered together to discuss, deciding to return all the meat to the canteen and have the head chef think of a way to make sure both workers and leaders get an equal share."

"That really stumped the chef."

"'Liu San ni, you have to get it done today even if you can't.' After the crowd dispersed, Deputy Factory Director Li loudly rebuked the head chef, 'Tell me, what is this you've done? Isn't this just smearing the leaders?'"

"The short, fat Liu San ni had nothing to say in his defense; if the leaders were really that incorruptible, you shouldn't have deducted the meat just now."

"It's already made—how can we change it?"

"Under the blazing midday sun, He Yuzhu set out early with his lunchbox, wanting to see how this person had changed things—had they made soup or stewed vegetables?"

"Already a number of eager workers were queuing up ahead; they each left with their meals, smiling happily."

"When it was He Yuzhu's turn in line, he peeked inside and saw that they had made a simple braised‑pork rice."

"They simply divided all the braised pork into a few big bowls, poured rice over it, gave it a stir—and that was the simple braised‑pork rice."

"There were still plenty of meat slices in the rice; after a few bites He Yuzhu judged it to be merely average, noticeably worse than his own cooking."

"He was happily eating when he heard the sound of breaking glass; one stout figure after another was dragged out of the canteen and kicked hard by several workers."

"Leaders tasked with keeping order rushed to pull them apart, but the workers who had heard the news also refused to back down, clashing with the Security Section; order slowly deteriorated, dragging in the nearby diners as well."

"Again the factory director came over to break everyone up."

"'What are you doing? Are you trying to overturn heaven?' Deputy Factory Director Li shouted, 'How is the noon meal now? Eating meat still doesn't shut your mouths.'"

"'What meat? Those up front ate the meat, those in the middle drank the soup, we latecomers even got watered‑down soup.' A worker shouted, 'We're not having it.'"

"Deputy Factory Director Li glared angrily at Liu San ni."

"'There's only that much meat total—there's nothing we can do. When our meat arrives next month, we'll give you extra as compensation.'"

"'No way—next month's meat is already ours; giving more to a few means others get less, that's just robbing the east wall to patch the west.'"

Deputy Factory Director Li felt helpless, he asked these people what exactly they wanted—could it really be that they were causing a ruckus in the factory over a few pieces of meat? That would be losing big for small gain. (unintelligible)

"Several workers also looked at each other."

"'We don't want this cook; bring He Yuzhu back as head chef.'"

"Several leaders began exchanging glances; the workers had put forward a condition—should they agree to it?"

"Deputy Factory Director Li pulled He Yuzhu out and asked whether he was willing to return and continue as the canteen's head chef."

"'I'm quite happy working in the Supply Group; let the canteen find someone else to manage.'"

"What a joke—thinking they can just shove me aside whenever they want, now there's trouble and they want me back; I'm not dough to be kneaded at their whim."

"Besides, I'm already a leader; if they want me to go back to the canteen, they need to give me a suitable position."

"The position of canteen head chef no longer suits him."

"They parted unhappily."

"In the glow of the evening sun, He Yuzhu happily returned to the courtyard house; San Daye stopped him at the gate and asked, 'Zhuzi, the canteen job is so great—why don't you want to go back?'"

"'Exactly, now is precisely when the workers need you.' Yi Daye also came over, saying, 'You should have the spirit of voluntary dedication—don't you wait for the leaders to beg you three or four times.'"

"The neighbors of the courtyard house came over one after another to persuade him, seemingly all thinking about He Yuzhu's future days, but He Yuzhu knew exactly what they were thinking."

"They just wanted him to give a little extra when serving meals."

"'Don't worry about the Supply Group's affairs; if there really isn't anyone, I can go—after all, it's just distributing things, and I'll definitely be able to do it fairly.'"

"Yi Daye's bold words."

"'Alright, everyone stop talking; the canteen situation is complicated, and the leaders will weigh it comprehensively.' He Yuzhu shook his head, 'Yi Daye, you'd better stay honest in the workshop—you're currently on a factory‑review detention period.'"