Chapter 69: The Publicity Mission Was Very Successful
Director Li thought about it and realized her suggestion made perfect sense; spreading the displays out would actually look much better and create a more immersive experience.
He immediately took Chen Kangming and Niu Fangli over to paste the large canvases onto the factory’s five main propaganda bulletin boards. The trio worked quickly and efficiently, heading over to help Sheng Wanyan’s group the moment they finished.
When the workers began trickling into the compound for their morning shift, they instantly noticed that something was vastly different about the factory today. The moment they stepped through the main gates, their eyes fell upon the wooden easels stationed on either side, each showcasing an incredibly vibrant, engaging painting.
The workers in the first wave immediately recognized that the artwork depicted scenes from their very own workshops, and they crowded around to get a closer look.
“Hey, look, look! Isn’t this our old shift supervisor?”
“Wait, is this me? This is definitely me, right?”
“Of course it’s you! Look at that receding hairline—who else could it be?”
“Where am I? Let me see, where am I?”
“What about me? Am I in there?”
“Hey, isn’t that our workshop director?”
“Look, I’m right here! Wow, this drawing is so lifelike! Every single person has their own distinct features. Look, they even captured the big mole on my nose perfectly.”
“How do you have the nerve to brag about a hairy mole?”
“Seriously, have you no shame?”
“Hahahahahahaha!”
Loud, animated chatter erupted across the entrance courtyard as the workers gossiped and laughed, the atmosphere turning as lively as a holiday gift distribution.
“There’s more inside! The ones on the main bulletin boards look even better!” someone shouted from the back of the crowd.
In an instant, a wave of workers surged toward the nearest propaganda boards, surrounding them in thick, eager circles.
“Wow… I never realized a woman has to juggle so many things at home. Cooking, taking care of the kids, scrubbing the floors, buying groceries, mending clothes, coaxing the babies to sleep, feeding everyone…”
“Yeah, no kidding. I never really noticed it before. I always assumed my wife was just relaxing and enjoying herself at home all day.”
“To be honest… didn’t we all think that?”
Staring at the vivid illustrations, several grown men who were accustomed to lounging on stools and ordering their wives around the moment they stepped through their front doors felt a sudden prick of embarrassment. These illustrations only captured the visible, daily chores; there were likely countless other burdens their wives carried that went completely unseen.
Sheng Wanyan’s three targeted canvases chronicling a day in the life of a woman had successfully forced the factory men to subconsciously reflect on their own behavior.
She had also designed two other distinct portraits of women: one illustrating the daily life of an independent female worker in the new era, and the other capturing the grueling routine of a rural woman. From the very beginning, Wanyan had intended to use this state project to speak up for women. Women in this era endured an exceptionally harsh, exhausting existence, and they desperately needed someone to advocate for them. The historical tragedies born of gender inequality needed to stop.
Right at that moment, the factory director and deputy director walked into the courtyard, escorting the arriving municipal dignitaries. They were immediately greeted by the bustling commotion.
“My, it’s quite lively today, isn’t it?”
Several city leaders had arrived for the official inspection. They were dressed in standard state-issued suits that didn’t fit them particularly well, but the fabric had been scrubbed spotlessly clean, showing faint white lines along the seams from frequent washing. In this era, however, simply owning a tailored suit was enough to make a man the envy of his entire neighborhood.
“Today marks the start of the new month, so the workers are checking the updated bulletin boards,” Secretary Fang explained, stepping forward to assess the crowd before quickly reporting back to the factory director.
“The bulletin boards? It seems your facility’s public publicity is remarkably effective!” the chief city leader noted, nodding approvingly.
Hearing the praise, the factory director immediately offered a humble, respectful nod. “You flatter us, leader! We are merely doing our duty to serve the people and contribute to our nation’s progress.” He bowed slightly, extending a polite, sweeping gesture. “Come, let us go take a look together! After you, please!”
He carefully maintained his position half a step behind, letting the municipal leaders lead the way.
As the crowd of workers noticed the high-ranking officials approaching, they immediately parted, clearing a wide path through the corridor. For many of the laborers, this was the first time they had ever laid eyes on an official who outranked their own factory director, and they were practically vibrating with excitement. They stood rigidly to the side, suddenly self-conscious, not knowing where to look or what to do with their hands.
“These paintings are beautifully executed, and the accompanying dialogue is excellent,” the city leader remarked, adjusting his spectacles as he studied a canvas. “Your Propaganda Department houses some truly remarkable talent!”
The factory director seized the opportunity, instantly stepping forward to praise his team while elevating the facility’s prestige. “These are all fresh, innovative concepts developed by our younger staff. As long as their ideas serve the collective good, our administration provides them with absolute, unwavering support.”
“Oh? Which young comrade designed this concept?”
“It’s a young woman from our Propaganda Department, Comrade Sheng Wanyan. In fact, the new display easels that the lumber mill recently reported to the bureau were also designed exclusively by her.” The factory director proved exactly why he held the top executive title, masterfully leveraging Wanyan’s value to maximize his own standing before the ministry.
“Is that so?” The city leader’s interest was fully piqued. “What an exceptional talent! Where is this Comrade Sheng Wanyan?”
A bead of cold sweat formed on the factory director’s brow. He quickly scanned the courtyard, his eyes darting through the crowd until he finally spotted her standing quietly near a far brick pillar.
“The young comrade standing back in the corner is Comrade Sheng Wanyan,” the director indicated, pointing her out. “She’s actually been with our facility for less than four months.”
The dignitaries shifted their gaze, discovering Sheng Wanyan standing loosely in the shadow of the corridor, calmly observing the excitement.
“She’s so young? And a female?” The city leaders looked entirely incredulous. How could a woman this young and striking possess such a rigorous, strategic mind?
“Yes, sir. Comrade Sheng Wanyan is only twenty years old this year.” Although the factory director wasn’t entirely thrilled that the spotlight had been completely stolen by a junior clerk, he was politically astute enough to realize that whether their cotton mill secured a coveted spot in the city leader’s good graces today depended entirely on her performance.
“Incredible! Truly, women hold up half the sky nowadays—a perfect example of a new era female worker!” the chief official praised warmly, turning back to the director. “This is an exemplary comrade. You must nurture and cultivate her career well!”
“Absolutely, sir! We certainly will!” the factory director chimed in fervently, nodding like a chick pecking at grain before guiding the entourage toward the main assembly platform.
“Respected worker comrades, our national and municipal leaders are deeply moved by your unyielding dedication and hard labor!” Director Li’s voice boomed through the megaphone as he took the podium. “Therefore, the administration has authorized a special welfare distribution just for you! When you receive your monthly wages, every single worker will be allocated an extra foot of premium, flawless cloth! Everyone gets a share!”
The courtyard erupted into a deafening roar of cheers and applause the moment the words left his mouth.
“Long live our wise leadership!”
“Fantastic! This is wonderful!”
“Thank you, leaders!”
Director Li raised a hand, smoothly signaling the crowd to lower their voices, before launching into a highly inspiring, theatrical speech. “Our state and municipal leaders hold our welfare in their hearts at every single moment! We must channel this gratitude into our labor, working twice as hard to exceed our production quotas for the nation! We must absolutely live up to the profound trust our country and our leaders have invested in us!”
“Well said!”
“We will absolutely give our best for the country!”
Standing near the bulletin boards, the city officials smiled broadly, their expressions radiating absolute satisfaction. The roaring adulation from the crowd beautifully stroked their vanity.
Watching the spectacle unfold from her corner, Sheng Wanyan silently marveled at the display. Director Li truly possessed a flawless instinct for exploiting a professional spotlight. With a single speech, he had successfully motivated the workforce while masterfully flattering the visiting dignitaries. It was a textbook execution of killing two birds with one stone.
She couldn’t help but give her manager a mental thumbs-up; his cognitive reflexes were incredibly sharp.
But wait… that speech manuscript in his hand…
Wanyan’s eyes narrowed slightly as she recognized the handwriting. Didn’t he corner her yesterday right before the end-of-shift whistle, claiming he wanted to “study” her notes, and beg her to hand over her draft outline?
The thoroughly hoodwinked Sheng Wanyan stood in silent exasperation. …Unbelievable.
The municipal leaders remained at the cotton mill for a full hour, thoroughly inspecting every corner of the display—a clear testament to how deeply the Propaganda Department’s campaign had impressed them. The moment the official automobiles finally rolled out of the main gates, the factory director and deputy director let out a massive, shared sigh of relief, their faces flush with excitement.
The cotton mill had officially established a prime foothold in the minds of the municipal committee. Moving forward, whenever the city rolled out lucrative resources, experimental budgets, or favorable state policies, their facility would undoubtedly be at the top of the roster.
The factory director turned to Director Li, a broad, triumphant smile breaking across his severe face. “The Propaganda Department executed a flawless mission today. Exceptional work!”
