Chapter 1127

Thousands of employees sat in the conference hall, and Deputy Factory Director Li spoke passionately about the years of hard work and struggle.

"During the three years of natural disasters, there was less food, not enough to eat. What to do? There's a way!"

"No matter what hardships and difficulties there are, they can't defeat our hardworking and enduring Chinese sons and daughters!"

"Planned grain usage, low standards, eat more during busy times, eat less during slack times, eat dry food during busy times, eat thin porridge during slack times..."

"And things like sweet potato vines and wild vegetables are much better than the Red Army climbing snow-capped mountains and crossing grasslands, eating roots and chewing tree bark!"

"What to do if there aren't enough melons and vegetables? Everyone eats peanut skins and corn cobs, soak and grind them and they can be eaten. And those corn roots and wheat roots, wash them clean and grind them up; not only do they taste fragrant, but they are also nutritious... It was by relying on the leadership of the organization and the unity of the people across the country that we overcame the natural disasters..."

"The disaster is over, and living conditions have improved. We should even more not forget our original intention, maintain and carry forward the spirit of hard work and struggle, and contribute wholeheartedly to the construction of the motherland. As for those who turn back the clock of history, covet enjoyment, and are ideologically corrupt, we must resolutely strike and clear them out! Not one can be left!"

"Clap clap clap!"

Deputy Factory Director Li finished his speech, and everyone applauded with high spirits.

After the meeting, Shazhu complained to Yi Zhonghai: "None of these leaders have any shame. They eat and drink all day, yet they have the nerve to talk about hard work and struggle. Bullshit. Where did those chickens, ducks, fish, and meat go? Weren't they all eaten by them?"

Yi Zhonghai glared at Shazhu: "Stop talking nonsense. This is the rolling mill, not your own home. Watch your stinky mouth. If someone hears you, you'll have a hard time."

Shazhu said indifferently: "I'm telling the truth, what am I afraid of? They did it, but I can't say it? First Uncle, when did you become so timid and afraid of trouble!"

"You reckless brat! Just keep being reckless! I can't be bothered to care about you!"

Yi Zhonghai glared at Shazhu and walked away quickly, avoiding him like a snake or scorpion, for fear of being implicated by Shazhu.

The New Year had just passed, and the workers were full of joy, but this old fox felt that the trees wanted to be still, but the wind wouldn't stop.

Especially that old thing Liu Haizhong, always talking about this struggle and that struggle...

And Cao Weiguo, who was having meetings all day long, day and night, almost living in the factory.

All signs indicated that there must be something going on behind this!

In the office, Cao Weiguo was reading the newspaper leisurely, drinking tea from time to time.

There were many meetings, but he rarely spoke, always acting as an enthusiastic audience member.

He had self-knowledge and wouldn't fight to be a vanguard or a pioneer.

In the torrent of the era, he was just an insignificant small character.

Whether the tide rose or fell, he just wanted to protect himself and live his own life in peace.

Cooking and giving gifts to Deputy Factory Director Li was fine, but as for the struggle between Deputy Factory Director Li and other factory leaders, he would avoid it if he could.

So as not to accidentally step into a pit and become tragic cannon fodder.

Unlike the "passive" Cao Weiguo, Xu Damao was very "active."

Hard work pays off; whenever Deputy Factory Director Li entertained guests, Xu Damao could sit at the table and drink with them.

This made Xu Damao exceptionally proud, walking with his nostrils pointed to the sky.

It was dark, and Shazhu was kept by Factory Director Yang to cook a small meal, and after finishing, he carried his net bag and lunch box and walked back.

Returning to the Sihe Academy, he ran into the Second Uncle Liu Haizhong and was scolded for taking advantage of the public.

Shazhu retorted to Liu Haizhong twice and returned home proudly carrying his lunch box.

Seeing Shazhu carrying the net bag and lunch box, Jia Zhangshi went up and grabbed it: "Zhuzi, you're a famous chef, you don't lack food. Let Banggeng eat these leftovers."

Looking at the lunch box snatched away by Jia Zhangshi, Shazhu looked helpless: "Auntie Zhang, your hands are too fast. I haven't even eaten dinner yet. You can't take it all away; leave me a few bites at least."

Jia Zhangshi smiled and said: "You haven't eaten dinner? That's perfect, my daughter-in-law made noodles. I'll have her bring you a big bowl in a while. The noodles my daughter-in-law makes are delicious, with meat bits, I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Hearing that he could eat the noodles Qin Huairu made, Shazhu said happily: "That's great. With the noodles Qin Jie made, I don't have to heat up the food."

Jia Zhangshi carried the lunch box home happily, opened it, and drooled: "Huo! Shazhu really didn't take back a small amount! He's worthy of being the famous three-handed thief! Look at this moo shu pork! Pork stewed with vermicelli! Stew it with some cabbage and radishes, it's enough for our family to eat for a day."

Qin Huairu smiled: "You robbed Shazhu of his dinner; will he let that slide?"

Jia Zhangshi said: "You bring him a bowl of noodles, and he'll be satisfied. It's a waste to let him eat this much meat."

Banggeng reached out and took a piece of meat and threw it into his mouth: "So delicious!"

Qin Huairu covered the lunch box: "You've eaten plenty for dinner; don't touch these anymore, save them for tomorrow."

Putting the lunch box into the cupboard, Qin Huairu served a bowl of noodles from the pot.

When she served it to Shazhu, Shazhu was so happy that snot bubbles were almost coming out.

Slurp slurp... gulp gulp...

Shazhu ate the noodles wolfishly: "Qin Jie! If you ask me, even the Manchu-Han Imperial Feast isn't as delicious as your noodles! Too fragrant! This taste is really strong! These noodles are really chewy! But where's the meat Auntie Zhang mentioned? Why didn't I see a single meat bit?"

Qin Huairu rolled her eyes at Shazhu: "What are you thinking? You know my family's situation, don't you? It's good enough to eat noodles; you still want to eat meat? Does my family look like we can afford meat?"

Shazhu giggled: "This Auntie Zhang likes to tease a silly boy like me, not authentic."

Qin Huairu smiled: "Stop talking nonsense, eat slowly, remember to return the bowl to me tomorrow."

Shazhu smiled: "Won't forget! Won't forget! Qin Jie! Don't be in such a hurry to leave, let's chat for a while!"

Qin Huairu rolled her eyes at him charmingly: "Aren't you afraid my mother-in-law will smash your windows."

Shazhu was a little afraid of Jia Zhangshi: "Don't! I just replaced these windows not long ago!"

Qin Huairu twisted her fat buttocks and walked out of the He house, while Shazhu held the noodle bowl and swallowed his saliva.

Jia Zhangshi, who was peeking through the window, saw Qin Huairu come out and quickly turned around and sat back on the bed.

"Weiguo is back!"

"Hmm!"

Not long after sitting down, Jia Zhangshi stood up again.

Peeking through the window, her eyes almost popped out.

She saw Qin Huairu standing in the courtyard talking to Cao Weiguo.

When Qin Huairu returned to the room, Jia Zhangshi said with a gloomy face: "What were you saying to Cao Weiguo just now? Whispering to a man in the courtyard in the dark, aren't you afraid of being shameful?"

Qin Huairu said unhappily: "What did I say? I'm doing this to clean up your mess! The First Uncle is urging for money, and you won't take out the money, so I have to think of a way to borrow money from elsewhere!"

Jia Zhangshi pulled a long face: "Can that iron rooster Cao Weiguo lend you money?"

Qin Huairu: "I begged him for a long time, and he finally loosened his mouth, but he wants our house as collateral."

Jia Zhangshi slapped the table: "He's dreaming! Even if the Jia family's house is burned down, it won't be cheap for him!"

Qin Huairu sneered: "You're tough now, but I have to remind you, the First Uncle's debt isn't so easy to default on, and in this courtyard, besides Cao Weiguo, I'm afraid no one can lend money to our family."

Jia Zhangshi: "What about Shazhu!"

Qin Huairu: "Don't count on him. His money was all taken by Jin Lian's younger brother. Now his pockets are cleaner than his face."

Jia Zhangshi sighed with a sad face: "Then how much is our house worth to Cao Weiguo?"

Qin Huairu: "Two hundred yuan per room."

Jia Zhangshi cursed: "This black-hearted beast! Shazhu's room can be mortgaged for five hundred yuan, why is my Jia family's room only worth two hundred!"

Qin Huairu: "Shazhu's room is the main room, how can our family compare to his."

Jia Zhangshi stared: "Two hundred yuan is not enough! You tell Cao Weiguo! Four hundred yuan per room! I won't agree to a cent less!"

Qin Huairu was a little surprised: "You agree to use the house as collateral?"

Jia Zhangshi sighed: "What else can I do if I don't agree? Can I really burn the house? That old fox Yi Zhonghai is kind-faced but cruel-hearted. If we don't pay him back, who knows what bad things he'll do later."

Having lived in the Sihe Academy for so many years, the neighbors living together day and night, who doesn't know who?

Jia Zhangshi and Yi Zhonghai were old neighbors, and when Old Jia was alive, he told her not to trust Yi Zhonghai easily.

Now Old Jia has been dead for many years, and her son Jia Dongxu is also gone.

Leaving behind a family of orphans and widows, what can she use to fight Yi Zhonghai?

Don't look at her as being arrogant and domineering on weekdays, but she also has times when she is afraid.

She is afraid of the ruthless Liu Haizhong.

She is afraid of the Deaf Old Lady who relies on her old age.

She is also afraid of the two-faced Yi Zhonghai.

Liu Haizhong is ruthless in his hands, while Yi Zhonghai is ruthless in his heart.

She is also afraid of being driven out of the Sihe Academy by Yi Zhonghai! ===== CHAPTER 1129 =====