Chapter 205 Dialogue between Father and Son
Ning Qi smiled and said: "Things in Guangzhou are not as simple as you think..."
Before he finished speaking, he saw that Yu Dashan's knees were beginning to bend downward. He quickly reached out and grabbed Yu Dashan's arm and said, "What are you doing? Stand up straight and talk!"
Yu Dashan couldn't kneel down, so he had to bow and reply: "Mr. Ning, my Yu family has been taken care of by the chiefs in the past few months. I thought that Xiaobao is already sixteen, so it is time for the chiefs to take care of him." It’s time to do something.”
"I can understand your thoughts, but don't kneel down all the time. You know we don't follow this rule!" Ning Qi saw Yu Dashan standing firm and then let go of his hand.
"Yes, it's my fault. Mr. Ning, look at this thing about Xiaobao..." Yu Dashan looked at Ning Qi pitifully, as long as Ning Qi said "no", his knees would immediately weaken again. .
Ning Qi was also scratching his head about this. If a second-generation naturalized citizen like Yu Xiaobao could continue to receive systematic education in Victory Port, there would definitely be no big problem in entering the bureaucracy of the new regime in the future. But now it is indeed the time for the Guangdong Office to hire people, and it needs people like Yu Xiaobao to assist Schneider and others in their work - the naturalized people selected by the base camp must be people with solid roots here, and their reliability It is much higher than Schneider and others hiring local people in Guangzhou.
"Forget it, everyone has his or her own destiny." Ning Qi thought to himself that if he didn't agree to this matter, Yu Dashan might have other ideas in mind, and it might cause trouble. He immediately said to Dashan: "Let's do this. , I agreed to the registration, but the candidates sent to Guangzhou still have to be decided after discussion by the executive committee. Do you understand what this means? ”
"Understand, understand!" Yu Dashan nodded like a chicken pecking at rice: "Only if all the heads of the executive committee agree, can this matter be considered a success."
"When the results come out, someone will notify you and your son. Also, you'd better talk to Xiaobao about this first and see if he has any ideas." Ning Qi finally warned.
"Definitely, thank you very much, Mr. Ning!" Yu Dashan bowed deeply. Haihan's rules were against kneeling, so Yu Dashan could only express his respect and gratitude in this way.
After getting Ning Qi's approval, Yu Dashan's originally anxious mood stabilized and he returned to the construction site to hand in the signed documents. When I got off work, I hummed the "Soviet March" that I heard from the loudspeaker every morning and went to the cafeteria at the gate of Base No. 1. I took out a small cloth bag from my arms and opened it slowly. It turned out that there was A small stack of circulation coupons.
Yu Dashan pulled out a two-yuan coupon from the bottom and handed it out: "One ordinary meal, one special for the chief, one with fried eggs, and two taels of fruit wine!"
"Hey, Lao Yu is so prosperous!" "Foreman Yu is going to be promoted again, right?"
Some of the workers queuing up around him were making noises. As one of the few third-level workers in Shengli Port, Yu Dashan was a star figure among the naturalized people, and there were many envious and jealous eyes around him. Nowadays, there is no extra charge for ordinary workers on dock construction sites to eat ordinary meals in the canteen. Four taels of multi-grain rice and two vegetarian dishes are required. However, if you want to eat meat dishes, you have to pay extra. Although the price is cheap, most workers are still reluctant to spend this money. They only pay for one week. Just open one or two more meat dishes.
However, the monthly income of third-level workers like Yu Dashan, including various wages and job allowances, has exceeded ten yuan, which is four to five times the income of these junior workers who have just been included in the local civil affairs system. They belong to the "high-paying class" among the people, and their spending power is naturally much stronger. A "special meal for the chief executive" with two meat and two vegetables, white rice with pickles, broth and fruit, plus an omelette costs a full one yuan. Ordinary workers definitely do not have such spending power, even if it is Mountains can only do this occasionally. Coupled with the high-priced fruit wine that costs a dime or two, this "summer" dinner can only make onlookers call him a rich man.
Although the food standards of the Haihan leaders seemed to be much better than their own, no one thought there was anything wrong with this. This was a matter of course for the workers. In fact, in the beginning, the cafeteria treated everyone equally, and did not differentiate between the food of the time-travelers and the naturalized people. Everyone ate from the same big pot. However, as the number of naturalized people increased, this food rationing system was no longer allowed. Changes were not made under the pressure of reality, artificially distinguishing the three meals a day enjoyed by the public.
The main reason for this is that the civil affairs department has adopted a high welfare system for naturalized laborers, and three meals a day are provided free of charge. However, the output of local high-end ingredients such as meat, poultry, eggs, milk, etc. is still very limited. cannot meet the local population growth rate. After research by the civil affairs department, they had no choice but to succumb to the actual situation and formulated different meal standards based on the distinction between transnational residents and naturalized residents. In addition to continuing the free system in the past, some fees were also adopted - —Naturalized citizens who want to enjoy dishes other than ordinary meals have to pay with coupons.
As long as you are willing to spend circulation coupons, you can buy even the exclusive packages for time travellers. This also alleviates the dissatisfaction of a few people to a certain extent - they cannot afford good food because the labor level is not enough. As long as they work hard and rise to If you are a third-level worker or above, don’t you have enough circulation coupons to enjoy the meals of the chiefs?
The Executive Committee believes that appropriately widening the treatment gap will not only not cause dissatisfaction among the people, but will effectively establish the image of Chief Haihan as a high-ranking official in the minds of the people. Of course, while doing this, we must provide a path for ordinary people to rise in this social system, so that they can see the hope of obtaining a higher status and a better life through their own efforts. This kind of upward path cannot be provided by the ancient Ming Dynasty. Unless someone in the family enters the official career through the imperial examination and becomes an official, they will never be able to get rid of their "people" status. However, under the rule of Haihan, even Yu Dashan, who is illiterate, , you can also be promoted step by step from ordinary people through your outstanding performance at work.
Although there will be an invisible glass plate above the heads of naturalized people and even their descendants for a long time in the future, and they are unlikely to directly participate in the management and decision-making of this regime, it is still important for ordinary people. Generally speaking, the existence of this rising channel has prevented them from being picky.
Yu Dashan gritted his teeth and ordered the "chief's special meal", but his heart still ached a little - this meal cost him three or four days' wages. Under the envious eyes of others, Yu Dashan carefully carried two trays to the straw hut next to the canteen, found an empty table and sat down. This straw hut was also built specifically for the chiefs to dine, with about a dozen tables placed. The table is provided to facilitate travelers to put down the trays containing meals. Ordinary workers can only eat in the open space outside with large porcelain bowls for ordinary meals. Yu Dashan can enter here to eat not only because he ordered the special meal, but also because of his status as a third-level worker - Article 7 of the "Haihan Labor Management Regulations" clearly stipulates that third-level workers do not need to report in advance. Can enter general non-military places, such as the chief's canteen, non-military workshops, etc. Although it is not a big deal, for ordinary naturalized citizens, being able to sit and eat with the chiefs is undoubtedly a symbol of status and power.
After Yu Dashan sat down, he did not rush to start, but sat and waited. After a while, Yu Xiaobao appeared outside the canteen, and Yu Dashan quickly stood up and called him over.
"Dad, why did you buy the chief's special meal today?" Yu Xiaobao has sharp eyes. Before he sat down, he saw that the content on the table was different from the past - white rice covered with a browned fried egg, next to it was oil. With braised pork, white-cut chicken, and a half-foot-long banana, today's special meal for the chief minister is quite good.
"Dad bought this for you, eat it while it's hot!" Yu Dashan smiled and pushed the tray in front of Yu Xiaobao, and pulled the large bowl of ordinary meals to his side: "Are you hungry? Eat quickly if you are hungry!"
"Dad, something good has happened?" Yu Xiaobao is a smart man. He knows that his father is usually reluctant to buy a needle, and he saves almost all the circulation coupons he receives every month and is reluctant to use them. There is some internal news. In the future, the leaders will build houses for the local people in a unified way and only charge the cost. The circulation coupons should be reserved for buying houses at that time. Compared to his usual frugality, my father's nouveau riche behavior today was really unusual.
Yu Dashan raised his glass and calmly took a sip of the fruit wine, and then told Yu Xiaobao the important contents of the meeting he heard at the Executive Committee in the afternoon. At the end, Yu Dashan said very proudly: "As soon as this news was announced, I don't know how many people wanted to fight for it. Last month, the shipyard Zhang Shipyard was also rated as a third-class laborer. He has five sons. If you follow him Zhang Jiazheng, our Lao Yu family is really at a disadvantage. Fortunately, your dad and I acted quickly and signed up for you first. Mr. Ning has always taken good care of you, and he must be able to speak for you. This candidate can’t escape!”
After hearing this, Yu Xiaobao couldn't laugh or cry and said: "Dad, why don't you discuss such a big matter with your child first?"
"What a waste of discussion!" Yu Dashan put down his wine glass and scolded: "By the time I come back to discuss it with you, the day lily will be cold! Mr. Shi is in a hurry to hire people in Guangzhou, and this matter will be finalized within two or three days. Just pack your things when you get back and leave as soon as possible after hearing the news from the Executive Committee!”
Yu Xiaobao put a piece of red meat into Yu Dashan's bowl and said with a wry smile: "Dad, going to Guangzhou is not just a matter of carrying your luggage. You have to take a long boat ride to get there." "I know this." Yu Dashan put the meat back into his son's bowl with his chopsticks: "I bought it for you to eat, what are you going to do with it for me... When Mr. Li came, I talked to the boatmen on his ship. They came from Guangzhou It took more than ten days to come here, and it was said that it would only take four or five days. But that’s Guangzhou! Isn’t it ten or a hundred times better than this small place in Yazhou?”
"But my child wants to sign up to join the army and work as an errand after finishing primary school courses..." Yu Xiaobao said cautiously.
"What's the benefit of being an errand!" Before he could finish his words, Yu Dashan interrupted him. Looking around, someone seemed to be paying attention. Yu Dashan realized that his voice was too loud, so he hurriedly He lowered his voice and said: "Do you think the militia that the leaders formed is a joke? They have shotguns and cannons. They practice every day. They are more powerful than the Yazhou army. Every time I hear cannons fired from the barracks, I feel like I’m so panicked, I’m afraid that one day the leaders will actually start fighting with the army!”
"Dad, do you think Yazhou's army can defeat the chief's militia?" Yu Xiaobao asked.
"Only those who have been beaten can become ghosts!" Yu Dashan is uneducated, but that does not mean that he has no knowledge at all. He actually sees this matter very clearly: "Yazhou Water Village has been beaten to the point of losing its temper. This The master of the Inspection Department is as if he is in jail now. If Yazhou really wants to start a fight, I’m afraid he won’t be able to get away with it.”
"What if the leaders want to start a fight?"
When Yu Dashan heard this, he almost jumped up and covered Yu Xiaobao's mouth: "You kid, don't talk nonsense! How can you say such things casually! The crime of treason involves the nine tribes!"
The look on Yu Xiaobao's face was very calm: "Mr. Ning said that from now on, the areas under the jurisdiction of the Executive Committee only need to abide by the system stipulated by the Executive Committee. The laws of the Ming Dynasty do not apply here."
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Yu Dashan's hand holding the chopsticks was shaking a little: "You don't have to say so much. The leaders naturally have their own considerations, but I don't agree with you joining the militia!"
Seeing that the road was blocked, Yu Xiaobao quickly changed directions and persuaded: "Dad, Brother Zhuzi from the village is now in the second company of the militia. He has become the squad leader and can command a dozen people!"
"Your father and I command two to three hundred people on the construction site every day and you don't brag about it!" Yu Dashan retorted disdainfully: "According to the establishment of the militia, I should be a... company commander, right?"
"But as a militia officer, as long as you are promoted to platoon leader, you will be directly promoted to a third-level laborer after being discharged." Yu Xiaobao refused to give up and continued.
"So the militia will produce a lot of third-level workers in the future?" Yu Dashan was stunned at first, and then relaxed: "It doesn't matter, after these people finish their job for a few years, your father and I will have been promoted to the fourth level and the fifth level." The level is gone!”
"You can still allocate land after you finish your job. Brother Zhuzhu said that after you retire, you can rent a piece of land for farming for several decades. This saves money on buying land and only requires a very small amount of grain tax to be paid to the executive committee. That's it." Yu Xiaobao had no choice but to use his last resort. The ultimate pursuit of ordinary people in feudal society is land. From the royal family and nobles to the traffickers and pawns, very few people can resist this temptation.
"You kid don't know this!" Yu Dashan shook his head disdainfully and said, "After your father and I are promoted to the fourth level of labor, we can also allocate land for farming. The retired militia platoon leader can only provide three Ten acres, fourth-level workers can cover fifty acres, which one is more cost-effective?”
Although Yu Xiaobao has been attending primary school for several months and hangs out with the traveling crowd every day, so he has some knowledge, but when it comes to these civil affairs policies, he is not as thorough as Yu Dashan.
Yu Dashan was able to complete the triple jump in just a few months and was promoted from an ordinary civilian to a third-level worker. In addition to the intentional support of the civil affairs department, his own ability also played a certain role. After the riots in the farm commune, the Ministry of Civil Affairs opened a special class for naturalized cadres to let them learn some superficial management skills. Yu Dashan, who was a key training target, was naturally included in this class. Although he is illiterate, it does not prevent him from understanding the management skills taught by his leaders. Among them, the one that he most agrees with is "to let subordinates see the hope of life."
In addition to meeting basic survival needs such as food, clothing, housing and transportation, how to mobilize the enthusiasm of ordinary workers has always been an important part of the research of the civil affairs department. The formulation of regulations such as the "Labor Hierarchy System" and "Labor Management Regulations" are also for better achieve this purpose. Instilling the content of these laws and regulations into the minds of ordinary workers and helping them understand them is not something that the public can do step by step. It must rely on grassroots cadres like Dashan, who are naturalized citizens, to implement them.
Yu Dashan has done a very good job in this regard. He not only strives to understand the policies thoroughly, but also does not forget to preach and interpret these policies to the workers under his jurisdiction from time to time, so that they can see the possibility of gradually improving their living standards in the future. A foreman like him has to focus on both production and ideological transformation. After showing outstanding abilities, it makes sense for him to be promoted quickly.
Yu Xiaobao couldn't argue with his father, so he simply put down his chopsticks and said, "My son and Fu Li have made an appointment to join the militia together next year. Doesn't this move make my son a person who breaks his word?"
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Yu Dashan scolded: "You are really confused. If Fu Li wants to join the militia, can the leader really let him in? He is the heir of Fushandong. There are so many Li people from Fushantong in the militia now. If Fu Li goes in Officer, do you think those Li people listen to him or the chief?”
"This..." Yu Xiaobao really never thought that such a troublesome situation would arise. He and Fu Li just wanted to join the militia and serve as soldiers. For these deeper conflicts of interests and interpersonal relationships, it is obvious that at their age Haven't considered that much yet.
"Don't think that you can get ahead only by joining a militia and becoming a militiaman. If that's the case, why don't all the Haihan leaders become soldiers? Don't scholars like Mr. Shi and Mr. Ning work in the executive committee?" Yu Dashan scolded Mr. Ning, "I went to ask Mr. Ning to let you go to Guangzhou. I just want you to learn some skills from Mr. Shi in the future. You will be somewhat useful around the leaders in the future. You are not as good as the one who only shoots guns and cannons." The militia is a hundred times stronger?”
"But..."
Yu Xiaobao still wanted to argue, but the tip of Yu Dashan's chopsticks had already fallen on his forehead: "You have said so much and you still can't listen. You have to hit me to have any effect? Why are you staring at me? Hurry up and eat. Eat. Follow me to Tailor Wang's place, I I agreed with him in the afternoon that I will make two new sets of clothes for you. If you catch up on the work, you should be able to wear the new clothes to Guangzhou. I will go over and take the measurements later... You don’t have to stare at me. I have paid for the fabric. …”
(End of chapter)