Halfway through the drink, Gong Weize, who was a little tipsy, began to intentionally lead the conversation.
"Bingkun, you have stayed in Yanjing, the capital, for two years. Is Yanjing much better than ours?"
"In terms of prosperity, Yanjing is indeed much more prosperous than our place, but my hometown is my hometown after all. No matter how good other cities are, they are not as good as my hometown in my heart."
"It's better for you. If you get admitted to university, you will have a bright future. But the same can't be said for the rest of us. We will be tied to a small place like Jichun for the rest of our lives."
As the capital of Jiangliao Province, Jichun City is actually not that small, but it is naturally far behind Yanjing in all aspects.
And it is undeniable that today's Jiangliao Province does have a large gap compared with other provincial capital cities.
Gong Wei sighed: "If nothing else, let's just talk about the economy of our Jichun City. There are already many state-owned factories that are in poor performance. If it were not for the support of the state, I am afraid that they would not be able to survive long ago. But even so,
There are also many workers who are idle at home now, so if they are not laid off, it is no different from being laid off."
It is still the 1980s, and the era of the working class is not over yet, but the signs of it can already be seen.
Nowadays, the efficiency of various factories has begun to decline to varying degrees. In the past, workers worked hard, but now, many people are just dawdling at work.
Although many people think it doesn't matter because they have a system, people with real foresight realize that the current situation is getting more and more wrong.
Sun Qianchao and Xiao Guoqing both agreed very much with Gong Weize's words.
"Uncle Gong is right. Take our lumber factory as an example. The work now is not half as much as before. Going to work every day is just like playing."
Sun Qianchao and Xiao Guoqing are about thirty years old, in the prime of life. Although everyone likes to rest, the problem is that they cannot always rest.
Because the price of having nothing to do is that not only does the salary not increase, but also you can't get it. When the time is good, you will get the salary once every two months, and when the time is bad, you will get the salary once every three or four months.
Everyone has to support their families in Hukou. Who can bear the salary being paid like this?
Zhou Chen didn't say anything. This is the tide of the times. It cannot be resisted by one person's strength, especially for a relatively backward place like Jichun. Most people still have hope, thinking that it is only a temporary predicament now and will get better in the future.
of.
Gong Weize blushed and said with some embarrassment: "Bingkun, I asked you to come here today. Actually, I want to ask you for help. You are a college student and you have lived in a place like Yanjing for two years.
, his vision is definitely much better than that of us country bumpkins."
"No, little Uncle Gong, you think highly of me too much."
Zhou Chen had already expected Gong Weize's request, so he was not surprised at all.
"You said, if I can help, I won't refuse."
Life is all about worldliness. For so many years in my hometown, people have come to ask for help. If they just want help and advice, it's not a big deal.
Although they had already moved out the optical tablets, Zhou Chen knew that his parents still thought about the optical tablets very much. Based on his understanding of the two elders, they would definitely want to return to the optical tablets for their retirement in the future.
In this way, it is also necessary to have good relations with neighbors.
Seeing Zhou Chen's agreement, Gong Weize said, "It's my nephew Gong Bin. You have watched him grow up, so you all know what he is like."
Gong Bin is the son of Gong Weize's eldest brother. When he was a child, he witnessed his father vomiting blood and died. He was so stimulated that he developed mental problems. He has been living with his uncle Gong Weize all these years.
"Before, he was scared by Uncle Xiong, which caused an accident in the soy sauce factory. The factory wanted to fire him. I went to Cao Debao and asked him for help, but it was of no use. In the end, Gong Bin was fired.
."
"In the past two months, Gong Bin has been staying at home. He is fussy and timid all day long. I am worried that if this continues, his condition will become more serious. I want to find him a new job, but I
Now that I can't protect myself, how can I find a job for him?"
"Bingkun, I know you have the ability. You easily got a job in the publishing house back then, and you have been working there for so many years. You must know a lot of people. I was wondering if I could ask you to help me get Gong Bin to work in the publishing house.
Even if he is a temporary worker, as long as he is not allowed to stay at home, he will really have problems if he continues to stay at home."
Facing Gong Weize's expectant eyes, Zhou Chen sighed: "Uncle Gong, it's not that I don't want to help you with this matter. You also know that I have left the publishing house for more than two years. You must be better than me when it comes to cooling tea after leaving."
Understand, the most important thing is that my former immediate boss has now taken a back seat, and the work of the publishing house is a carrot and a pit. Even if I want to help, I don’t have the ability."
"That's it."
Gong Weize suddenly looked disappointed and sighed: "Actually, I just want to find something for Gong Bin to do. It doesn't matter whether I make more or less. He is my eldest brother's only son. As an uncle, I really can't bear to see him.
Something happened."
These words are indeed sincere. No matter what he is like in other aspects, he really cares more about his only nephew than he does his own children.
If Gong Bin was a normal person with no problems, it wouldn't be so difficult to find a job;
But the problem is, Gong Bin is mentally ill, who dares to kill him? If something happens at work, who can bear the responsibility?
Zhou Chen's concern is also this. If he is really looking for a job, he can definitely help.
Apart from anything else, in the logistics business of Shui Liuliu, it is no problem to recruit people; and soon, Shao Jingwen will help the publishing house to open a restaurant, so recruiting people will not be a problem.
But one of these two people was a former partner and had a good relationship with each other, and the other was an old leader with kindness. He didn't want them to get into trouble because of Gong Bin.
"Little Uncle Gong, I actually think that Gong Bin does not have to go to work in the factory. His personality is not suitable for communicating with others. You can find some work for him and let him do it at home."
When Gong Weize heard this, he became interested: "Bingkun, what do you mean by doing things at home?"
Zhou Chen said: "I think that although Gong Bin is soft-tempered, he is still quite considerate. You can find some handicraft work for him. This way you can make money without having him go out to work hard. In a few years, when the policy is relaxed, you can still
You can open a small shop for him and sell some things."
This is not the Internet age that will be a few decades later. There are too few things that can make money at home, and manual work is relatively simple.
Gong Wei directly ignored the latter sentence. Selling things was just speculation and he didn't dare to think about it.
"Bingkun, Gong Bin, can he really do handwork? Where can we find this handwork?"
"As long as the money is not too small, anyone can do manual work. As for where this manual work can be found, I know a few places. My wife and my mother have done it before. The reputation is pretty good, but you need to talk about it yourself."
When Gong Weize heard that Zhou Chen and his family had done this before, he immediately felt relieved and asked: "Then tell me, I will go back and discuss it with Gong Bin."
For him, he didn't expect Gong Bin to make much money, as long as he wasn't left idle and thinking wildly.
He had already been mentally prepared for Gong Bin's situation. Getting married was already a delusion. As long as he could live a good life and not get into trouble.
"Okay, those places are..."
After talking about Gong Bin, Gong Wei hesitated and talked about another thing.
"Bingkun, I have told you about my affairs, catching up and National Day. Please help me analyze it. If I am suspended now, will there be a chance to resume in the future?"
Compared with Gong Bin's matter, this matter was the main reason why he came to see Zhou Chen today.
Although many people jokingly call him the little policeman, only he knows how convenient he will be in this position.
It is officially established, the salary is not low, and there are various benefits. The most important thing is that it is decent.
Since he became a police officer, many people have given him gifts during holidays, so even though he is the only one working in their family, he can still support a large family.
But it has been two months since he was reported and suspended. This period of time is really different from the past, so he really wants to resume his original position.
But he also knew that it was impossible for him to do it on his own, so he could only ask for help.
People who played well in the past were either incompetent or unwilling to help him, so he never achieved his goal.
When he was desperate, he thought of Zhou Chen. He didn't think Zhou Chen could help him, but he wanted to use Zhou Chen as a matchmaker to contact Zhou Bingyi.
Zhou Bingyi's father-in-law is now the number one man. Not to mention reinstating him as a police officer, he feels there is hope even if he is raised a few levels.
Who was Zhou Chen? As soon as Gong Weize opened his mouth, he knew his purpose.
"Uncle Gong, I really don't understand this matter. As you know, I studied medicine in college. I really don't understand the situation within this system."
Gong Wei winked at Sun Qianchao and Xiao Guoqing, wanting them to help intercede.
But Sun Qianchao just pretended not to understand, and Xiao Guoqing even scratched his head. Although he was stupid, he was not very stupid. Gong Wei had a good relationship with them, but they obviously had a better relationship with Zhou Chen.
Gong Wei saw that Sun Qianchao and Xiao Guoqing were not doing enough, so he had no choice but to go into battle himself and clarify the topic.
"Bingkun, could you please find your eldest brother? Your eldest brother is Hao Gaoguan's son-in-law. A small matter like this for me can only be done with one sentence."
Zhou Chen wondered: "Uncle Gong, if it were something else, I would definitely help you find a solution, but I really can't do anything about this matter. I am me, and my eldest brother is my eldest brother. You really have nothing to do with me."
use."
Gong Weize said anxiously: "Bingkun, you are brothers. If you ask him for help, isn't it just a matter of words?"
Zhou Chen sighed: "Little Uncle Gong, I'm not afraid of embarrassment. To tell you the truth, my relationship with my eldest brother is not good. I can't say why, but if I ask him to do something, I can tell you with certainty.
, the possibility is extremely low.”
"No way, you are brothers. Bingyi won't even help your brothers, right?"
Gong Weize obviously didn't believe it. He felt that Zhou Chen was deliberately avoiding it and didn't want to help.
Zhou Chen also knew that his credibility was low when he said such things, but it was absolutely impossible for him to go to Zhou Bingyi or even Hao Senior Official for help.
"Uncle Gong, I know you may not believe me, so let's do this. You can go directly to my elder brother Zhou Bingyi. He lives in the provincial compound now. You can go there to find him."
It was difficult for Zhou Chen to tell him about his falling out with Zhou Bingyi, so he was ready to throw the question to Zhou Bingyi.
Gong Weize looked embarrassed: "Bingkun, you are making things difficult for me. That is the provincial compound and I cannot enter it at all."
"Whoever let you in, you can call the person out through the security guard. I'll tell you the method, but you'd better not mention me, otherwise he may not help you."
Gong Wei looked suspicious, always feeling that there was something in Zhou Chen's words.
Zhou Chen did not explain more, but Gong Wei had no choice but to accompany Zhou Chen to drink and eat.
After parting ways with Gong Weize, Zhou Chen and the other two pushed their bicycles on the road.
Xiao Guoqing asked doubtfully: "Kun'er, Uncle Gong is a very nice person, why don't you help him?"
Seeing Sun Qianchao staring at him with a puzzled expression, Zhou Chen knew that they had misunderstood.
"You think I don't want to help? We are so familiar with each other, and there is no need for me to lie to you. I just had a quarrel with my elder brother yesterday, and the quarrel was quite fierce. What else do you think I can do?"
Xiao Guoqing and Sun Qianchao were both very surprised: "Did you quarrel with Brother Bingyi? Why?"
"I won't go into the specific details, it's too disturbing."
Zhou Chen waved his hands and changed the subject: "On the other hand, you two, from what you said, the lumber factory is getting worse and worse now. Haven't you considered a way out?"
Sun Qianchao and Xiao Guoqing both looked at each other: "Kun'er, why did you think of asking us this?"
"Didn't you yourselves realize that the lumber mill was getting worse and worse? Didn't you ever think that it would one day close down?"
"It's impossible. The lumber factory is also a state-owned factory after all. Even if the efficiency is not good, the country will definitely find a way to change it later. This is a formal establishment."
After all, Sun Qianchao and Xiao Guoqing were limited to the age of making money and could not see the future at all, so although they complained, they never thought of leaving.
"There will be a day when the formal establishment will become cheaper. We in Jichun can't see anything yet, but Yanjing has begun to allow private business. I think this will be the mainstream in the future; just by going to work, if it is a good factory
, that’s okay, but can a backward enterprise like a lumber factory really afford to support a family with that little salary a month?”
Zhou Chen really thought about these two people, because he knew that the lumber factory would soon be out of business. If he took the initiative to lay off his workers at this time, he could still get a good compensation, but if he waited until the day of closure, it would be really difficult.
It's like a chicken and a dozen eggs.
He knew that these two friends stayed in the plot until the end, so that both of them had a very difficult life in the end. Sun Qunchao worked even harder. He got cancer when he was about forty years old. In the end, in order not to drag down his family, he just
Can commit suicide by lying on the rails.
With so many years of friendship, he certainly didn't want the two to make the same mistakes again.
But his idea was destined to be redundant. Sun Qianchao and Xiao Guoqing still had confidence in the lumber factory and rejected Zhou Chen's proposal.
"Okay, you decide for yourself. If the lumber factory really collapses, remember to find me. Between us brothers, I will definitely help."
Sun Ganchao smiled and said: "Of course, you are the most promising among all my friends. When the time comes that I can no longer survive, I will definitely look for you. You have to find a good job for me."
Xiao Guoqing also nodded in agreement.
Zhou Chen naturally patted his chest and agreed.
In the next few days, neither Zhou Bingyi nor Hao Dongmei came back, and the entire Zhou family had a tacit understanding not to mention them.
Until the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, Zhou Zhigang was about to leave for the mountain city.
On the train station platform, Zhou Chen, Zhou Rong, Li Suhua and Feng Huacheng bid farewell to Zhou Zhigang together.
Zhou Zhigang looked around thoughtfully, but unfortunately, he didn't see the person he wanted to see.
Seeing that the time was coming, Zhou Zhi just sighed quietly, and then said to Li Suhua: "My dear, Bingyi probably won't come. When you arrive in Yanjing, you have to enlighten him properly. We are all a family, let's
He shouldn’t hold grudges against Kuner so much.”
Li Suhua said with red eyes: "I understand, don't worry about Bingyi. But you, after going to the mountain city, you must take care of yourself. You are no longer what you used to be. Stop working so hard and pay attention to your health."
, after you retire, you will also take care of your grandchildren and great-grandchildren with me."
Zhou Zhigang laughed loudly: "I have been working there for more than ten years, so don't worry about me. I know my own body best."
He is a workaholic and often forgets other things while working, but he thinks this is a good thing. If he were to be idle every day, he would not be able to bear it.
"Bingkun, Ronger."
Zhou Zhigang looked at his children again and said slowly: "You have all grown up. Don't take good care of your mother and children like you did before. If your mother is wronged in any way, I will not take care of you."
you."
Zhou Rong was already crying and hugged Zhou Zhigang hard: "Dad."
Zhou Zhigang also patted her with red eyes and said softly: "You are such an adult, but you still act like a child."
"Oh, I will always be a child in front of you." Zhou Rong choked with sobs.
Zhou Chen didn't say anything, but nodded vigorously to Zhou Zhigang: "Dad, don't worry, I will take good care of mom."
"That's good, that's good."
Zhou Zhigang picked up the bag on the ground, looked at several people reluctantly, turned around and left, boarding the train.
It wasn't until the train carrying Zhou Zhigang left in the distance that Zhou Chen and the others prepared to leave the train station.
But before they walked out of the train station, they saw a familiar figure running towards them quickly, it was Zhou Bingyi.
As soon as she saw Zhou Bingyi, Zhou Rong couldn't help complaining: "Brother, why did you come here? Dad has already left."
When Zhou Bingyi heard that Zhou Zhigang had left, he suddenly became disappointed.
"Are you leaving? Why don't you wait for me..."
Seeing his dejected look, Zhou Chen snorted coldly. Zhou Bingyi knew exactly when Zhou Zhigang was leaving today.
But even though he knew the time, he still came a step late, which showed that he didn't put this matter first at all. It didn't take much to think about it, and he must be trying to burnish his image as a good son-in-law in the Hao family.
Zhou Bingyi's behavior in the past few days really made him particularly disgusted. He even ignored his biological parents and stayed at the home of his parents-in-law, a high-ranking official. He didn't know what Zhou Bingyi was thinking.
Zhou Chen left Zhou Bingyi without saying a word. Zhou Rong also complained a few words and then pulled Feng Huacheng away with her.
Only Li Suhua stayed, looking at his eldest son in confusion.
"mom."
Zhou Bingyi was flustered when his mother saw him, "I'm sorry, Mom, I really didn't mean to..."
"It's okay, Bingyi. Mom didn't blame you, and your dad didn't blame you either. It's just that he was talking about you before he left."
Zhou Bingyi's eyes turned red: "Dad, I'm sorry for you, Mom, I'm sorry for you too..."
Even though she was dissatisfied with her eldest son's actions, seeing her eldest son's sad look, Li Suhua's dissatisfaction quickly disappeared.
"Bingyi, don't be sad. Just remember that no matter what you do, your dad and I will support you. When you get to Yanjing, write to your dad again and say more nice things. You are always the most important to him.
's children."
As her pillow partner, Li Suhua knew Zhou Zhigang best. After leaving this time, Zhou Zhigang was relieved of both Zhou Chen and Zhou Rong, but he was very worried about Zhou Bingyi.
Because of what Zhou Chen did, Zhou Zhigang was worried that Zhou Bingyi would be wronged in the Hao family. How could he not feel uncomfortable when he thought of his son working as a cow and horse for someone else's family?
After returning home, Zhou Chen and others also started to pack up, because they all had to leave tomorrow, taking the afternoon train.
This time I went to Yanjing, and I didn’t know when I would be able to come back again, so I definitely had to tidy up my house.
Zhou Chen went to Shao Jingwen's house again in the afternoon, gave him a key to his house, and asked Shao Jingwen to help look after the house.
Then he went to Ma Shouchang and Qu Xiuzhen again. After going there this time, he was taught a good lesson by the two elders.
It turned out that they already knew that Hao Senior Official was made sick by Zhou Chen. The two of them were worried and angry. They felt that Zhou Chen was too lack of consideration and too impulsive in his actions.
Faced with the scoldings of these two elders, Zhou Chen could only bow his head and admit his mistake. He knew that they were doing it for his own good and because they were worried about him.
After everything was prepared, Zhou Chen and his family boarded the train to Yanjing on the afternoon of the ninth day of the lunar month.
This time, Zhou Bingyi did not go with them. Instead, Cai Xiaoguang went with them, licking his face.
Of course, Zhou Chen didn't save money on train tickets. All he bought were sleeper berths. This time, he had to ask someone for help to buy so many sleeper berths.
By the time Zhou Chen and the others arrived in Yanjing, it was already the afternoon of the next day. Fortunately, before Zhou Chen arrived, he had already spoken to Wan Shibing on the phone and asked him to arrange two cars to take them back, which saved him a lot of trouble.
.
That night, after Zhou Chen dropped his family off at home, he went out with Wan Shibing, saying that he wanted to meet people and get together, and by the way, he would help Zhou Chen make some new friends.
Zhou Chen knew that the friends Wan Shibing mentioned were probably second-generation officials like him, so he did not reject them. If he wanted to work in Yanjing in the future, there was no way that these people would be able to help him.
As for whether he will be discriminated against by these second generations, there is no need to worry. With his experience and knowledge, he has many ways to deal with these second generations, even their parents.
Although he has never had an official career, he has many connections with high-ranking officials in the past. He has even met some of the big shots in the country.
With a broader horizon and more knowledge, the experience will naturally be richer and the confidence will be sufficient. It can definitely be said that the mountain will collapse without changing the appearance.
