Chapter 83: Arrangements 3.0

Having satisfactorily resolved the employment issues for his two nephews, Zhang Ping'an was preparing to head home when he ran into Lou Xiaojun at the Security Section.

"Ping'an, come, come, come, this is for you."

"What is it?" Zhang Ping'an had heard his grandfather mention last night that he had given Dazhuang a position, so he had an idea, but he still feigned ignorance.

"Ahem, open it and you'll know," Lou Xiaojun said, acting mysterious.

"Alright."

"Brother Xiaojun, this..." Zhang Ping'an opened it and saw, sure enough, two job entry forms with red stamps.

"How about it, a surprise, right? One for you and one for Dongxu."

"Thanks, Brother Xiaojun, I really needed this."

"Hey, we're brothers."

Lou Xiaojun knew that his work performance over the past two years had been propped up by Zhang Ping'an and his nephew; since they gave him face, he had to return the favor, didn't he? These second-generation types cared most about face.

"Brother Xiaojun, I won't say much in the way of thanks. I received a bottle of Tiger Bone Wine in the countryside; it can strengthen the tendons and bones. Of course, Brother Xiaojun, you might not need this for the time being."

"Ahem, right, I don't need those things, but I can't refuse your kind intentions, can I?"

"Yes, yes, yes. That's settled then, I'll bring it to you tomorrow."

"Hahaha, alright, then I'll be off. I'll wait for you here tomorrow."

Lou Xiaojun left in high spirits. He hadn't expected that returning a favor would lead to an unexpected harvest; this little brother was alright, worth befriending.

"Ahem, Ping'an, I just heard you two talking about Tiger Bone Wine? I also have a quota on hand, what do you think?" Tan Jun rubbed his hands together like a fly.

"Alright, I'll bring you a bottle tomorrow to get a taste."

"Hahaha, good. Here, take this and report for duty on the fourth day after the New Year."

"You got it."

Zhang Ping'an hadn't expected that this trip would not only resolve two quotas but also yield three extra ones; now there was definitely enough to go around.

His second uncle's son, Daniu, was steady, so he would have him work in procurement and as a Warehouse Manager. Erzhuang and Erniu could come to the factory to tighten screws. He wouldn't need to use Dongxu's quota, and his third brother-in-law, Lao Jia, might have other arrangements.

"Dongxu, this is from Lou Xiaojun, he says it's to thank us for helping him pad his records these past two years."

"Uncle, what is this?"

"An entry certificate for after the New Year."

"An entry certificate? Does that mean whoever gets it can go to work?"

"Yes."

Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu exchanged a look. The most likely candidates were Qin Huairu's brother, Qin Weiguo, and Jia Dongxu's cousin, Jia Dongfeng.

"Wait for Dad to come back and ask him who to give it to."

"Mm, okay."

When Lao Jia returned from work, his face was also beaming; clearly, something good had happened.

"Ahem, I have good news for you all. I have a job quota in my hands, but I intend to give it to my nephew Dongfeng."

"Xiaohua, you and Huairu both work at Ping'an's shop, and the workshop isn't suitable for women anyway. Of course, Huairu, we'll give your brother a chance next time." People have their closer and more distant relations; Lao Jia's consideration was understandable.

"Dad, actually I also have a job quota. It was given to me by Director Lou's son."

"Really? Then that's perfect, just give it to your brother-in-law."

"Mm, okay."

Three days passed in a flash. Both the eldest and second sisters' families arrived. Li Ze and Li Cheng handled their entry that very day, following behind their third brother-in-law, Lao Jia, to learn how to tighten screws first, while the others would start after the New Year.

Both of them were arranged to stay at the shop. The five main rooms were currently unoccupied. Since there were many people now, they changed it so Xiaomei and Xiaoqing shared one room, Xiaochen and Xiaojing shared one room, and the fourth sister had one to herself.

Considering all three were married, Li Ze and Li Cheng each had a room, and there was one room for Daniu. The two Ear Rooms remained the kitchen and dining room. The two wing rooms and their Ear Rooms on the north side were still empty.

Naturally, with both families arriving, Li Chen and Li Jing couldn't escape a round of "loving education."

The two didn't dare to resist—and couldn't, anyway. With their father and eldest brother holding them down and their mother wielding a broom, their backsides were beaten until swollen. It only stopped when the third and fourth sisters intervened.

Zhang Ping'an took out the Ointment he had prepared and handed it to their eldest brother.

"Apply this to them; the swelling should be gone by tomorrow."

"Alright, Uncle."

"Thank you, Uncle." Seeing that Zhang Ping'an was no longer stern, the two breathed a sigh of relief.

"Mm, go on."

That evening, in the Siheyuan, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and even Lao Wu from the Back Courtyard each had an Apprentice Worker quota. None of the three families had suitable people to send to work, so the three of them decided to handle it internally.

And so, at six o'clock that evening, the first general meeting of the Siheyuan was held.

"Everyone knows what this gathering is for. Our three families each have a job quota, and we don't have any relatives or friends in Sijiucheng, so we thought we'd handle it internally."

"Right, the ones who meet the requirements are the families of Brother Zhao, Uncle Zhou, and Brother Han."

Brother Zhao was Zhao Jiaguo from the west thoroughfare room, forty-five years old, a family of four, with a twenty-five-year-old son.

Uncle Zhou was Zhou Anguo, fifty-five years old, living next to the Deaf Old Lady, raising his fifteen-year-old grandson, Zhou Ming, and thirteen-year-old granddaughter.

Brother Han was Han Qianjin from the east thoroughfare room, forty years old, a family of four, with a nineteen-year-old son.

"This, how are you, er, how much money?"

"Our three families have discussed it. Outside, it would cost at least 170,000 to 180,000, but for our own people in the courtyard, let's say 150,000."

This price was about what Zhang Ping'an had guessed. There was no such thing as an Iron Rice Bowl yet, but the concept was vaguely taking shape. If it were two years later, the price would likely more than double.

As for whether he collected money or not, it didn't matter; he hadn't spent a cent himself—it was all free. As for his cousins, he would let his father notify them, and they could haggle it out themselves.

"Hiss~"

"Alright, I'll take one."

"I'll take one too."

"Sigh, thank you all for your kind intentions, but my family really can't afford it."

Zhou Anguo usually did odd jobs and collected trash; it was already difficult enough for him to raise his two grandsons, and he had absolutely no extra savings.

"Uncle Zhou, an Apprentice Worker position is 180,000; have Xiaoming give me 50,000 every month until the amount is met, how does that sound to you?"

Whether it was for the sake of his image or because he had softened after having a child, Yi Zhonghai's maneuver could be called a ray of hope for Zhou Anguo and his grandson.

"This... Lao Yi is generous."

"Indeed, although Lao Yi isn't short of that bit of money, he is someone who can get things done."

"Who's to say otherwise?"

"Xiaoming, kowtow to your Uncle Yi."

"Mm, Uncle Yi, thank you."

"Good child, no need to kowtow."

Zhou Anguo had Yan Bugui draw up a simple document, both sides signed it, each kept a copy, and the matter was settled just like that.

Lao Wu and Lao Liu were also bewildered by Yi Zhonghai's flashy maneuver; although they weren't short of that bit of money either, they didn't have the boldness to wait three years to get it back, and while they felt secretly relieved, they also felt a bit ashamed.

With this, the first general meeting of the Siheyuan concluded successfully; Zhang Ping'an carried his Tea Mug home, and honestly, it was quite novel, much more intuitive than a TV show, only it was damn cold.

The next morning at eight o'clock, Daniu from his second uncle's house came looking for him; Zhang Daniu was just like his name, tall and sturdy, with the strength of an ox.

"Ping'an, look at where I'm working?"

"Brother Daniu, you came so early, sit down and have some porridge first."

"No need, Ping'an, I've already eaten at home; you go ahead and eat, I'll wait for you outside."

"Alright then, Brother Daniu, drink some water to warm up first." Zhang Ping'an poured a cup of hot water for Zhang Daniu in the main room.

"Good."

Zhang Ping'an finished his breakfast in a few quick bites and took Zhang Daniu to the Clothing Shop.

"Brother Daniu, this is it; this is the warehouse, you are mainly responsible for moving and lifting, as well as purchasing fabric; I'll take you to get familiar with the routes this afternoon, but for now, let's go see where you'll be staying."

"Alright, I'll listen to whatever you say."