Chapter 112: Resolving Xiao Pingle’s Employment Issue

Xiao Weiguo glanced around sheepishly and said, “Leaders, the situation is this: I was born in the countryside, and now I have the honor of becoming a worker in our factory. However, my younger siblings and my father still live in the rural brigade. Therefore, I hope the organization can grant my father a formal worker position, so our entire household registration can be transferred to the city and we can live together there. Also, I come from a single-parent family, so I only need one official work quota for my father. As for the cash reward and the sewing machine ticket, I am willing to forgo them. Engineer Wang, do you think this reward is difficult to arrange?”

At this moment, Director Shi said, “He’s a good boy. Don’t bother Engineer Wang and the others about this; our factory can solve it. Weiguo, let your father start as a temporary worker. After three years, he can become a formal employee.”

Xiao Weiguo was afraid of exactly that. Starting as a temporary worker now meant even heaven and earth couldn’t guarantee formal status later. He hurriedly said, “My younger siblings are also about to start school soon, so I hope my father can be given a formal worker status directly, allowing them to move to the city immediately. Engineer Wang, is that possible?”

Xiao Weiguo looked at Wang Weihe with hopeful eyes. At that time, household registration followed the mother, but their situation was special—without a mother, it naturally followed the father’s registration. Therefore, the key was that his father, Xiao Pingle, needed an official worker quota in the city of Forty-Nine. Only then could the whole family settle there and become residents under the imperial city.

Wang Weihe adjusted his glasses, thought for a moment, and asked, “Weiguo, what skills does your father have? How old is he?”

Seeing hope, Xiao Weiguo quickly replied, “My father is 34 years old, only knows farming, has no special skills, but he’s physically strong and hardworking.”

“In that case, there’s not much work to assign. But alright, since this is a time when workers are needed, I can arrange a formal worker position for your father at a brother enterprise of First Automobile Corporation here in Forty-Nine City—the Forty-Nine Auto Repair Factory.”

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“I can assign him as a mover. The main job is to transport various goods. I must warn you in advance, it’s quite laborious. If he accepts, I’ll make the arrangements.”

Hearing this, Xiao Weiguo smiled broadly. But then he realized the job was strenuous manual labor, basically the lowest-ranking position in Forty-Nine City. He pondered for a moment. Still, even such a job was a hundred times better than farming in the countryside. More importantly, it would fulfill his goal of elevating his family’s social status.

He figured his father, Xiao Pingle, wouldn’t mind.

These thoughts passed in an instant. He quickly said to Engineer Wang, “Thank you, Engineer Wang. I believe my father will have no objections. Let’s arrange it this way.”

Wang Weihe nodded and continued, “Alright. Later we’ll privately discuss some automotive matters. When the time comes, give me your father’s information, and I’ll make the arrangements. I don’t want to waste the leaders’ time. Also, your reward will not be reduced. For comrades who contribute to the automotive cause, our rewards have always been generous.”

Seeing their discussion reach a pause, Director Shi addressed the group, “It’s because of comrades like Xiao Weiguo that our cause continues to thrive. Guang Lin, keep an eye out for any internal worker honors coming up. Remember Comrade Xiao Weiguo. Comrade Weiguo, you must strive to be a model worker and never slack off. This afternoon, put aside your tasks temporarily to accompany our esteemed guest, Engineer Wang.”

“Alright,” they both responded quickly.

The director then led everyone toward the canteen. Upon arrival, Zhou Da from the First Canteen guided them to a private room on the second floor. A table was set with dishes, rich in color and aroma, evidently from the Shandong culinary tradition.

It was Xiao Weiguo’s first time attending such a reception meal, and he enjoyed it immensely, especially the “Nine-Turn Intestines,” braised sea cucumber with scallions, and the “Four Happiness Meatballs,” his favorites.

The conversation at the table was light, not about work. Xiao Weiguo listened as these senior figures chatted about all sorts of topics, broadening his horizons.

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After the meal, Engineer Wang Weihe pulled Xiao Weiguo aside to discuss automotive matters, hoping to see if Xiao had any other good ideas.

They entered a room resembling a conference room, apparently a temporary office arranged by the organization for Engineer Wang.

Wang said, “Weiguo, to be frank, our automotive industry is just getting started, everything is in need of development. We urgently need people like you who can bring fresh ideas. It would be a great loss to the automotive industry if you don’t join First Automobile Corporation.”

Xiao Weiguo didn’t understand why Wang was bringing this up again and hastily repeated the reasons he had given earlier.

Unexpectedly, Wang waved his hand to stop him and said, “I understand your difficulties. But now, you really have to help us. Any ideas that come to mind, tell me. I’ll write them all down in detail. Please.”

Xiao Weiguo didn’t actually have automotive ideas. The only knowledge he had was common automobile facts from the future, mostly superficial without understanding the mechanics behind them.

Furthermore, automotive technology was immensely complex, and he had no idea where to begin.

So he asked, “Engineer Wang, I’m at a loss. I don’t know what to say. Why don’t you tell me some of the current problems, and I’ll see if I have any ideas?”

Wang was also at a loss. The automotive industry at that stage was riddled with issues. The Liberation-brand cars were really products of many compromises.

Seeing they were getting nowhere indoors, Wang said, “How about this? Let’s go to your textile factory’s motor pool and observe the vehicles firsthand, and we can talk to the drivers.”

They went to the motor pool, which was bustling with vehicles coming and going. The transport team leader, Ma Changxing, saw Engineer Wang arrive and promptly came out to welcome him.

After learning their intentions, he gathered the drivers who were temporarily idle and brought over an unused large truck.

Inside, Xiao Weiguo spotted Li Daniu. When no one was watching, they nodded to each other and exchanged greetings.

At that moment, Xiao noticed something puzzling: the four or five drivers were all burly men with broad shoulders and strong physiques. He found this strange because, in the future, even children can drive vehicles without needing physical strength.

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