Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 131 Master Chang's Assistance

Sister Zhang said, "Xiao Zhang, quickly ask them if they can run a gas pipe under the stove and make them modify it. Hurry up."

Xiao Wei asked, "What's up?"

Sister Zhang said, "Steaming things? They're not stir-frying here anymore, they're switching to a steamer. Go tell them quickly, it's no use me saying anything."

Xiao Wei asked, "What about in the summer? Will you still use a boiler?"

Sister Zhang said, "In the summer, we'll just get two big gasoline drums and set up a stove here. Oh, and have them build a big shed by the back door."

Xiao Wei thought for a moment and understood. He went inside to find someone; Old Liu's henchman was directing things. After saying a few words, the henchman looked around, discussed it with the workers, and nodded to Xiao Wei, saying, "It can be done, but not today. We don't have enough materials, and there's not enough time. We'll get it done for you tomorrow, okay? We'll bring the radiators over tomorrow morning; it'll be faster then."

Xiao Wei said thank you, then turned around and called out to Liu Hongliang, "Hongliang."

Liu Hongliang looked up and asked, "What are you doing? I'm busy."

Xiao Wei took out his money and said, "Go buy two cartons of cigarettes, Hongtashan." In those days, Hongtashan was definitely the most famous cigarette, and the most expensive domestic brand.

Liu Hongliang put down his axe, clapped his hands, and walked over, saying, "Do you have any for me?" His hands were stained black with coal, his face was covered in patches, and his hair was still covered in coal dust. He took the money from Xiao Wei and ran towards the grocery store, where tobacco and alcohol were mainly sold at the time.

Private shops also sold counterfeit goods, but these were mostly fake. Counterfeit cigarettes and alcohol were rampant at this time, and the most sophisticated counterfeit cigarette factories had equipment even more advanced than the original manufacturers. Most counterfeit goods in this era were produced openly by legitimate large factories, which profited from local protectionist policies, with local governments being the main beneficiaries.

The boiler was quickly secured. The workers measured the front of the boiler, drew lines on the ground, drilled holes, and dug a pit to fit a welded iron trough into. This was for removing ash from the boiler, so it wouldn't get everywhere.

Workers of this era are like this: dedicated, meticulous, and they will do their best to do their job well and handle things thoroughly without supervision. This is called professional ethics.

Then comes the threading of the coils, and some modifications to the boiler are needed to allow steam to escape from the burner opening.

While working, the foreman said to Xiaowei and Sister Zhang, "Steam is easy to produce. I'll adjust this meter for you, just to lower the water level a little. I'll install a pressure relief valve here for you. But it's best not to use hot water here. It's not enough and it's a bit of a hassle. The boiler is a bit small. If we use too much hot water, the heating won't be warm and it will waste coal. We'll have to burn several tons more this winter."

Sister Zhang said, "It's alright, there are so many burners, we can just boil a few more kettles later."

Liu Hongliang ran back with two packs of cigarettes, handed the cigarettes and change to Xiaowei, who put the change in his pocket and gave one pack of cigarettes each to Liu's henchman and master.

The assistant, Xiao Bin, took the cigarettes, opened them, and gave one pack to each of the workers present. He put the remaining five packs into his bag. The pack for the master was his own, and no one objected. Back then, the factory had an apprenticeship system, and the workers had to give each other gifts.

The foreman opened his cigarettes, took out two packs, tossed one to the driver, opened the other, lit one, and said, "Hurry up and finish the pipe installation today. Xiao Li, you and Master Sun go back and bring the radiators, a medium-sized water tank, and the boiler cover. Once we're done today, we'll go over there tomorrow."

Xiao Li's apprentice agreed, took off his gloves, and walked out. Driver Sun followed him out.

Xiao Wei turned to Liu Hongliang and said, "See what dishes are available. If not, ask Li Gengsheng to buy some. Hurry up and light the stove; everyone will be eating here tonight."

Sister Zhang said, "I'll go take a look." She turned around and went back over there.

Xiao Wei said to his master, "What's your surname, master? Let's all eat here tonight, we're making dumplings."

The cook nodded and said, "Just call me Lao Chang. Okay, we'll eat here. It'll save time. We can just wipe off the soot and we'll be done. I'll put a water tank on the stove over there for you. It's not for drinking, just for hot water. The other one won't boil."

Xiao Wei nodded and said, "Okay, thank you very much. You've gone to a lot of trouble, Master Chang. Brother Xiao, why don't you have a bite to eat here too? You can also have a drink with Master Chang. None of us can drink much."

Master Chang chuckled and said, "We're all in the know. Xiao just got married and has to go back to be with his wife. If he goes back too late, he won't be able to get into bed."

Xiao Bin was a little embarrassed, but he didn't dare to say he wouldn't go back. Xiao Wei said, "There's a phone inside. Why don't you call your wife and ask her to come over too?" Xiao Bin scratched his head and said, "Then I'll make a call." Master Chang burst into laughter.

Liu Hongliang ran out coughing, his face now completely smeared with smears. He leaned against the wall for a few breaths before feeling a bit better. Xiao Wei asked, "What happened?"

Master Chang said, "It's nothing, I got choked by the coal smoke. These kids these days, tsk, they can't even light a stove properly."

Liu Hongliang spat and said, "Master, that wood is damp, and the coal is full of stones. If you try to burn it, it will smoke."

Master Chang glanced at Liu Hongliang out of the corner of his eye and said, "You have the nerve to say that? After smashing it for so long, there are still stones mixed in with the coal. Do you think your eyes can breathe?"

Xiao Wei asked, "Has it been born yet?"

Liu Hongliang said, "Master Zhai is doing it."

Just as he finished speaking, Master Zhai came out and said, "Hey, Hongliang, bring in some coal. Hey, Master Chang, what are you doing here?"

Master Chang nodded and walked over, saying, "Zhai Yue, I'll set up a stove here. You're here to work? If you ask me, you should have left a long time ago. Why are you clinging to that meager salary when you have such a skillful craft? The commercial sector is about to collapse; how many people are still getting paid on time?"

Master Zhai smiled sheepishly and said, "I'm just worried it won't last long. After what happened last time, it was Manager Niu's kid."

Master Chang sneered, "That's a good-for-nothing. What can he do? Does he think running a business is like his government job, freeloading off others? Does he even have that kind of brain? You're too honest. In the end, he just walked away, collected his entire month's salary, and didn't even say a word to you?"

Master Chang lit a cigarette for Master Zhai and said, "Everyone's making a fuss about the Commerce Bureau and the Materials Bureau merging, but who knows what'll happen? Even the higher-ups might not care. Who's going to look after you? The Grain Bureau is gone, and the government's businesses will collapse sooner or later. What will you guys do then besides go home?"

Master Zhai nodded and silently smoked.

Xiao Wei said, "Master Zhai, we've been doing this for the past ten years or so. Back then, everything was definitely stable. You can work here with peace of mind. If things don't go well, Lao Xia and I will pull some strings for you."

Master Chang said, "Old Zhai's skills are so good he'll never have to worry about anything. He's just too honest, always worrying about this and that, but there's no need. Trust me, Old Zhai, don't worry about anything, just work here. This young man is loyal and generous; you won't lose out. Young boss, how much are you planning to pay Old Zhai?"