Chen Yang wrote two reply letters and took them to the county post office to mail the next day.
There was a post and telecommunications office in Wanli Commune, but Chen Yang was too lazy to wait for it to be forwarded. He went directly to the county post office to mail the letters, which would be faster.
After mailing the letters, Chen Yang was planning to go to the meat stall at the food factory to buy two catties of meat. Unexpectedly, he ran into his elder cousin at the food factory.
"Brother-in-law, I was just about to come and find you."
"Wang Zhanzhang's matter was decided today. He's promoted to deputy factory director and concurrently the director of the aquatic station. Brother-in-law, you've come at the right time. Just in time to offer congratulations to Director Wang."
Because of the good performance in purchasing fish, coupled with Zou Chenguang's promotion, and the city's affirmation of the city's aquatic company's foreign exchange earning work, Wang Jianguo was also promoted and reused.
Originally, this deputy factory director position would not have been Wang Jianguo's turn. The director of the pork station had more seniority and was promoted earlier than him.
But sometimes fate is so coincidental. Wang Jianguo's performance in purchasing fish this time, and his acquaintance with Zou Chenguang, brought the promotion opportunity to him.
"This is good news. I should congratulate Director Wang."
Chen Yang had no choice but to turn around and go to the state-run department store to buy some gifts. It was customary to bring a gift when offering congratulations.
It was Wang Jianguo's support that allowed him to successfully purchase fish and earn his first pot of gold. Chen Yang kept it all in mind.
When he returned, Wang Jianguo was already waiting for him at the factory gate. He must have been informed by his elder cousin.
"Director Wang, congratulations, congratulations."
Chen Yang carried a pack of Da Qianmen cigarettes and two bottles of Xuan wine as congratulations.
"Chen Yang, we're not so formal. Why are you still calling me director? You're embarrassing me. Call me Uncle."
Wang Jianguo took the cigarettes and wine from Chen Yang. He had a good relationship with Chen Yang, otherwise, he wouldn't have waited for him at the factory gate.
His promotion was inseparable from Chen Yang. Whether it was purchasing fish or meeting Zou Chenguang, it was all Chen Yang's credit. They could be said to have achieved each other.
"Uncle, I remember. First, congratulations on your promotion, Uncle. May you go even further."
"Shall we find a place to celebrate?"
Chen Yang tentatively asked. Wang Jianguo glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, and whispered in his ear.
"Not today. We just finished the meeting, and the leaders of the City Aquatic Company are still here. I sneaked out to say hello to you."
"After a few days, I'll treat you and a few old folks from the aquatic station to a meal at the state-run hotel."
After Wang Jianguo finished speaking, Chen Yang exchanged pleasantries and didn't delay him further. Wang Jianguo, with his leaders present, specially came to the gate to wait for him, which showed that he valued him. Chen Yang naturally wouldn't cause trouble.
"Wu Kang, work hard with Director Wang."
"Director Wang is still young. The deputy factory director position will certainly not be his last. Learn from the older comrades in how you conduct yourself and do your work."
In this era, people who slacked off were not as prevalent as in later generations. The older comrades were not the type to waste time with a cup of tea, a pack of cigarettes, and a newspaper all day long. Some even cried for days when they retired.
They still had the soul of the working class in their bones, loving labor and their work.
"Brother-in-law, my father also told me, I will work hard and not let down the hard work of my father and brother-in-law."
Zhao Wu Kang was very mature and worked diligently but was not rigid. This type of person was more suitable for working within the system.
Coupled with Wang Jianguo's support, unlike his cousin Shugen from his aunt's family who could only farm at home, Chen Yang had never considered pulling him to help with his business.
"You go to work first, I'm leaving."
"Brother-in-law, my mother also asked me to pass on a message. She said yesterday she went to Qinghe to get goods, and Boss Zhang said to call you to come over when you have time."
Zhao Wu Kang scratched the back of his head, almost forgetting what his mother had asked him to do.
"Okay, tell Big Aunt that I'll go to Qinghe in a couple of days when I have time."
It was estimated that the market in Anhui Province was almost covered. After returning from Feishi last time, Zhang Weiyang, along with Lei Baoguo, started covering the surrounding areas and counties.
Chen Yang had already made the overall plan and had even operated it practically with him in Feishi. For the subsequent regions, he had handed over the work to Zhang Weiyang. Their goal was to complete the channel layout in Anhui Province this year.
Chen Yang carried two catties of pork belly and bought a large carp. His father-in-law had gone fishing all day yesterday and got up early this morning to go to the river. He didn't know if his father-in-law had caught anything.
As his son-in-law, he was very concerned and tried his best to ensure his father-in-law wouldn't return empty-handed.
Riding his bicycle, Chen Yang turned to the riverbank. When he looked ahead, his father-in-law's basket was indeed empty.
Chen Yang didn't say anything. He silently untied the straw rope of the fish he was carrying and put it into his father-in-law's basket. Without another word, he carried the meat home.
The father-in-law and son-in-law understood each other without a word.
Not long after Chen Yang returned, his father-in-law came back with his basket.
"My good grandson, look, Grandpa caught a big carp today."
Watching his father-in-law happily showing off to his own granddaughter, Chen Yang suppressed his laughter.
To be honest, the old man was quite cute.
"Grandpa is amazing."
"Yanyan can have braised fish."
The little child opened her arms and spun around him like an airplane. Receiving recognition from her beloved granddaughter made his father-in-law extremely happy.
"Did Dad really catch this fish?"
Shen Xue looked at Chen Yang, who was trying to hide his smile. She felt something was wrong.
"Why are you asking me? You should ask Dad about this. I don't know, I wasn't there fishing with him."
Chen Yang naturally couldn't reveal the fact that his father-in-law had gone fishing and returned empty-handed in front of his wife. Shen Xue wouldn't dare to directly question her own father.
She just took the large carp with a suspicious look and prepared to clean it to make braised fish for her daughter.
"I've already mailed the letters. If you have time tomorrow or the day after, let's go to Qinghe."
Chen Yang spoke to his wife, planning to go to Qinghe to see how the business was progressing.
At this stage, with the sales channels all set up, building a factory was imperative to ensure production capacity. However, the current situation was not completely clear, and he dared not take this step easily.
Zou Chenguang had been promoted for some time, and he was likely in more contact with higher-level leaders. It was a good opportunity to sound him out and get his opinion.
"Okay, it's a good chance to take the two little ones to buy some winter clothes."
Shen Xue didn't have any objections. The work on the canal in the village wasn't mandatory every day; each work point was counted for work credits. It wouldn't be a problem for Chen Yang to be away for a day or two.
"I've noticed you've been sleeping less and eating less lately. Are you feeling unwell? Should we go to the hospital?"
Chen Yang glanced at his wife. Shen Xue's appetite hadn't been good lately. She couldn't even finish a bowl of rice per meal, whereas she used to eat two bowls.
"I don't feel unwell. We'll see later."
Due to the previous childbirth experience, Shen Xue was a little afraid of going to the hospital.
On the other hand, the little child and Chen Hao were excited to hear about new clothes and jumped around happily.
The new clothes she would wear this year were more than what she had worn in the previous two years combined.