Seeing that Director Liu remained silent, Xu Zifan continued, "Director Liu, the first to take a risk always leads the way. Besides, they don't have their own ideas and are rashly imitating our factory. In the end, we can't say whether they will succeed or fail. If they suffer losses, wouldn't that be a loss for the entire commune? We are about to report our grain production. At this time, it's good to have one test product from our factory. If we have too many, it will inevitably give people the impression that we are acting impulsively without understanding the experience, which is too disregarding the interests of our fellow villagers."
President Liu understood; he wanted the food factory to be theirs alone. President Liu glanced at him, pondered silently, and slowly sipped his tea.
Xu Zifan laughed again, "Director Liu, the food factory is still small-scale right now, but if we keep at it, it will definitely grow into a large-scale factory, just like the other factories in the county. Integrating resources to build a good factory can make it known throughout the country, but if resources are scattered and many small factories are formed, none of them will amount to anything, and our original plan to become famous throughout the country will be in vain. Besides, the higher-ups won't agree to our commune having several food factories. If they are allowed to not run factories under the name of the brigade, that would be against regulations."
After a moment's thought, President Liu had to admit that Xu Zifan was right. He also realized that Xu Zifan had considerable ambition, unlike the impetuous young man he had initially assumed. Furthermore, if Xu Zifan truly wanted the factory to become nationally famous, would he really let it fend for itself? All that talk about not needing government funding? It was all empty talk, not even written into the original contract. In the future, the factory's profits would definitely be the same as other factories. He had been fooled by this kid.
President Liu was somewhat displeased. Seeing this, Xu Zifan began to talk about how to develop the factory in the future, to bring honor to the commune and to the president, and that they would never lose to the other communes. In the end, President Liu agreed to let their factory purchase materials from other communes and integrate these resources into their factory.
This was to be expected, but initially it was too informal, which is why every production team wanted to set one up. Now, with Xu Zifan's suggestion, how can a factory be set up so easily? If Xu Zifan hadn't refused to accept a permanent employee position, Director Liu would be considering the factory's future.
Since the commune was determined to develop the factory, it naturally wanted to provide Xu Zifan with some support. As a result, Xu Zifan's negotiations with the three factories in the county to exchange goods went very smoothly. Of course, he couldn't exchange goods every time, so he also agreed that there would be funds exchanged between the factories in the future.
Xu Zifan received three more orders and even went to a more distant city to sell a batch of dried goods. The factory suddenly became very busy and began purchasing food from other production brigades. Naturally, they needed to recruit workers. Every household in the village lined up, and even the men clamored that they could do any kind of work, including processing food, just to become workers.
Xu Zifan plans to hire a group of male workers, some to fish and others to search for supplies in the mountains. He will also hire some female workers to speed up food processing. Other production teams will bring their own supplies to the factory, either in exchange for goods or for money.
The Su family also came to the recruitment drive. They hadn't come during the last confession because of their previous conflict with the Yang family, and they also felt that Xu Zifan was capable of causing trouble. Naturally, they were more inclined to believe Su Qing and hoped Xu Zifan would fail, lest it damage their family's reputation.
But when they saw what Xu Zifan had brought back, they regretted it. Su Qing's sister-in-law had complained a lot at home, so she came as soon as she had the chance. Su Qing definitely didn't want to come, but how could her family let her slack off on something that could earn work points? Not only did they drag her along, but they also wanted her to mend her relationship with Xu Zifan, who was now the deputy factory director.
When Xu Zifan saw that the Su family had rejected him outright, he didn't even bother with polite words and said directly, "The factory doesn't just look at diligence when hiring, but also at character. You're not suitable, please leave."
The eldest sister-in-law of the Su family immediately said, "Deputy Factory Director Xu, what do you mean by this? Are you saying we have bad character?"
Xu Zifan glanced at them and said, "I remember I stayed in the village and didn't take the college entrance exam so that everyone could see clearly who lied between me and Su Qing. Is there a problem with me not hiring Su Qing? Su Qing's mother also insisted that I had ulterior motives. I'm sorry, the factory has just opened, and we can't afford any mistakes. I have no interest in causing trouble for myself. No one from the Su family will be hired to avoid causing any more trouble."
Before the Su family could speak, he asked the others, "Does everyone agree?"
"agree!"
There are only so many positions available, it's better to have fewer competitors! Besides, Xu Zifan is so capable, why would he need to slander Su Qing in the first place? Su Qing was definitely lying. A young girl, sowing discord and denying everything, even making a solemn oath—it's terrifying to think about. If someone doesn't even care about making a solemn oath, what else can they care about? If things don't go well for her in the future, she's capable of anything. People like that are not welcome.
Su Qing said angrily, "Xu Zifan, don't go too far! You're blurring the lines between public and private matters and bullying others by abusing your power!"
Xu Zifan flipped through the employee registration form and called out, "We've already filled all the positions. Is anyone willing to give up their spot to a member of the Su family?"
Everyone immediately answered no, and some even told the Su family to leave quickly. Which factory isn't everyone scrambling to get into? Isn't it normal not to get in? What do you mean by blurring the lines between public and private?
Xu Zifan closed the registration form, stood up and said, "That's settled then, everyone go back now. We'll notify you again if needed in the future. But please remember, our factory values character highly. We won't hire anyone whose character is highly questionable. This is reasonable suspicion, and it has nothing to do with abusing power. Public matters are public matters, and private matters are private matters. I keep them very clear."
Xu Zifan left as soon as he finished speaking, without even glancing at the Su family. He had thoroughly humiliated them, leaving them utterly ashamed.
Su's father didn't even dare to raise his head and hurriedly left. Others pointed and whispered about the Su family, while some people in line behind them angrily accused them.
Xu Zifan hadn't originally said he'd filled all the positions, but their nagging led him to simply close the book and leave, refusing to hire anymore. Wasn't that just ruining their lives? They could have become workers, but the Su family had ruined all their good opportunities. Who wouldn't hate that?
The Su family suddenly became the target of everyone's anger and shame. No matter how they tried to refute, no one listened, and they could only slink away from the crowd and run home. As a result, everyone saw Xu Zifan's attitude and completely distanced themselves from the Su family; they didn't want to be implicated.
Aunt Wu frowned as she watched from the crowd, clearly seeing Su Qing's dissatisfaction and resentment, which strengthened her resolve to break off the engagement. Regardless of Su Qing's true character, Xu Zifan was certain to rise in the village, perhaps even succeeding Yang Yongqing. If Su Qing offended Xu Zifan, what good would life be for her in the village? If their Wu family married Su Qing, they might end up like the Su family today, ostracized by Xu Zifan.
Her son is in the army and doesn't know how long he'll be serving, and she has a young daughter who isn't married yet. They'll all be living in the village in the future, so how could she offend someone in power? Given Su Qing's current reputation, I doubt anyone would say anything if she proposed breaking off the engagement.
After the Su family returned home, another argument broke out. Su Qing had three older brothers, and they all insisted on dividing the family property. No matter how Su's parents tried to persuade them, they wouldn't listen. At that time, every household had limited food, farm tools, pots, and kettles. The family with more able-bodied workers would live better. If they really divided the family property and lived separately, they would be more likely to suffer. So, very few families divided their property.
Mr. and Mrs. Su felt that dividing the family property would make them a laughingstock, and they insisted on waiting until their grandchildren were teenagers before doing so. However, this time the Su brothers refused to budge, all saying they were implicated by Su Qing. They claimed that with such a troublesome troublemaker, none of them could live a good life. They insisted that if it was for their own good, then they should divide the family property!
Su Qing was furious and shouted, "Fine, let's break up! Mom and Dad, you two can come live with me. I'll give you a good life and make sure they never regret it!"
Su's mother slapped her on the back, "Shut up! Do you want people to laugh at us for living a hard life with you?" She frowned and said to her sons and daughters-in-law, "Your sister got married during the Spring Festival, it hasn't even been a few months, what's the rush?"
Just then, Aunt Wu invited the matchmaker who had arranged the engagement between their two families to come over. As soon as she entered, Aunt Wu apologized and said that Wu Zhigang was away from home most of the year and only came back for a few days. She really didn't want to hold Su Qing back, so the engagement should be called off.
Su Qing's sisters-in-law exchanged glances, all revealing expressions of "I knew it!" No one knew their sister-in-law better than them; any family that married Su Qing would be in deep trouble. The Wu family wasn't stupid; it would be strange if they didn't call off the engagement.
Su's mother hurriedly stepped forward to plead with Aunt Wu, while Su Qing was so shocked she couldn't speak. She had never wanted to break off the engagement; she only wanted to wait for Wu Zhigang to return and marry him. And now the Wu family wanted to break off the engagement? How could that be? She was still waiting to become the regimental commander's wife!
As Su's mother was speaking, Su Qing suddenly stepped forward and asked, "Aunt Wu, does Wu Zhigang know about this? He's a soldier! It's the worst thing for him to break his word or go back on his promise. Aren't soldiers supposed to be the most trustworthy? What kind of talk is this about breaking off the engagement?"
Aunt Wu's face was very unpleasant. Engagement and annulment were matters for the parents of both sides to discuss. How could a young girl like her bring these things up? Wasn't she ashamed? Besides, didn't she have any manners at all?
Su's mother quickly pulled Su Qing aside and scolded, "Go inside! This is none of your business."
Su Qing shook her off, angrily saying, "How is this none of my business? What have I done to offend Wu Zhigang? Everyone knows I'm engaged to Wu Zhigang, and now the Wu family is breaking off the engagement. What will people think of me? Isn't this forcing me to die? They'll say Wu Zhigang never comes home? I'm not afraid of being delayed, I won't break off the engagement!"
Aunt Wu was infuriated by her attitude. She snorted and said, "There are some things I didn't want to say, because it would be too ugly. But now I have to make things clear. Everyone knows Su Qing's reputation. The whole village knows that Su Qing went out of her way to work for Deputy Factory Director Xu. What was she thinking, stirring up trouble on his wedding day? Wasn't she just after Deputy Factory Director Xu and jealous of Yang Wanyun? My Wu family still has a reputation, and my son has a reputation too. We can't afford a daughter-in-law like that."
Su Qing gritted her teeth and said, "I don't believe the military would allow soldiers to break off engagements so easily. Why don't I go to their unit and ask them if soldiers become disdainful of their fiancées after fulfilling their duties!"