Chapter 26: Su He’s Grand Plan
Su He was indeed in a very good mood. She had just been worrying about how to get closer to the commune leaders when Zhang Zhanfa practically delivered them to her doorstep.
She could guess with her toes what Zhang Zhanfa had told the leaders—nothing more than accusing her of embarrassing them, making them look incompetent by pulling off what they couldn’t.
Su He warmly poured some sugar water for the leaders and asked Su Yongguo to light their cigarettes. On the tray were milk candies and sunflower seeds.
The leaders exchanged looks—this Su family was no ordinary household.
Most families would be lucky to bring out a little white sugar. This one had cigarettes and milk candy?
And thinking about how Su He managed to borrow a tractor—they clearly had connections!
Their expressions visibly softened. The women’s director of the commune, Sister Wu, said,
“Xiao Su, you’re quite the celebrity in our commune now!
Didn’t expect someone so young to be this capable. Tell us in detail how you managed to borrow the tractor—maybe we can learn from your experience.”
Su He heard the subtle barbs in the words and blushed.
“Please don’t tease me like that! I only managed to borrow the tractor thanks to our Huaihua Commune’s leadership.”
Sister Wu was surprised. “What do you mean by that?”
“I pulled some strings with the machinery factory to get in touch with the Agricultural Machinery Bureau. At first, they didn’t want to lend it out, especially with Qiping Commune and Xiangyang Commune breathing down their necks.
But later, they considered that our Huaihua Commune had been applying for years and decided to give us some preferential treatment.
The Bureau’s leadership even said that if our commune’s economy improves, they’ll definitely allocate us a tractor next year!”
Sister Wu lit up. “Really? The Agricultural Machinery Bureau actually said that?”
Su He lied with a straight face. “Really—absolutely true!”
The leaders’ faces instantly brightened.
But soon, gloom returned.
“Improving the economy?” Easier said than done!
Out of all the communes in the county, Huaihua Commune was the poorest.
And with the least farmland per capita, and no profitable collective industries—where would the money come from?
Su He looked conflicted for a moment, then suddenly spoke up like she’d made up her mind:
“Leaders, I have an immature idea. I’m not sure if I should say it…”
Director Luo looked at her. “Go ahead.”
“Our commune’s limited farmland is a disadvantage, yes—but that can actually be turned into an advantage.”
All the leaders were stunned. An advantage?
These days, land is everything. How could less farmland be an advantage?
Su He continued:
“Exactly because we have less farmland, we have more idle hands—which gives us the capacity to launch some collective income-generating projects.”
Director Luo frowned.
“Income-generating projects? You mean starting a factory? But we’ve got no money, no technology, and no projects. How could we possibly do that?”
Su He smiled.
“True, we don’t have the capacity to build a factory—but the major county-run factories do!
We can have one of them—like the machinery or textile factories—set up a branch plant here in our commune!
Once a branch is established, not only will it generate income for the commune, but it will also turn a large number of our people into workers who earn public rations. It’s a win-win!
At that point, forget borrowing a tractor from the Agricultural Bureau—we’ll be able to afford our own!”
Director Luo had been sitting on the edge of the kang bed. He suddenly stood up and started pacing, clearly excited.
The other leaders looked like they’d just been injected with adrenaline.
Even if just one of the big factories agreed to build a branch in Huaihua Commune, it would completely change their fortunes!
Then Qiping and Xiangyang Communes would have to step aside!
Su He was right—at that point, they wouldn’t even care about borrowing a tractor. They’d have the funds to buy one outright.
But reality quickly tempered their excitement.
The idea was good—but why would any major factory want to build a branch in Huaihua?
And none of those factories had even shown signs of planning any expansions!
Wasn’t this just pie in the sky?
Director Luo coughed.
“Xiao Su, your idea is great in theory—but we have to consider practical realities.
As far as I know, none of the major factories are planning branch offices, let alone in our commune.”
Su He nodded.
“You’re right. None of them are planning branches yet.
But things are always changing. Maybe I can persuade one or two of them to consider Huaihua.”
Before Director Luo could respond, Zhang Zhanfa burst out laughing.
“Su girl, you dreaming in broad daylight now?
I’ll admit you’ve got some skill if you managed to borrow a tractor.
But getting a major factory to build a branch here? That’s just ridiculous!
Even the county leaders wouldn’t dare make that promise!”
What he said echoed what Director Luo and the others were thinking.
Factories like the textile or machinery ones held great influence. Even county officials would need widespread consultation before suggesting branches.
And this was just a rural girl?
Su He straightened her back.
“Yes, I admit what I said sounds far-fetched—but how do we know it’s impossible unless we try?
When I said I’d borrow a tractor, everyone—including my grandfather—thought I was dreaming. But didn’t I make it happen?
Director Luo, I’m not like other girls who are thin-skinned. I’m thick-skinned by nature.
Even if people mock me or shoot me down, I don’t care.
If I can help our commune in any way, I’m willing to go through fire and water!”
Her words were so sincere that the leaders were visibly moved.
They’d heard Su He had grown up in the provincial capital—but they didn’t expect her to have such deep loyalty to Huaihua. What a good comrade!
Su He continued:
“Director Luo, if you trust me, issue me an official letter of introduction so I can go to the county and handle this matter.
Of course, establishing a branch plant is a big deal, and it can’t happen overnight.
But I can help our commune find some income-generating opportunities.”
Director Luo thought about it—there was nothing to lose.
If Su He could really secure something, it would be a pleasant surprise.
The others agreed. So when Director Luo consulted them, they all gave their approval.
“Xiao Su, it’s settled then. Come by the commune in the next couple of days—I’ll have someone prepare the letter for you.”
Su He rubbed her hands together.
“Director Luo, the people in big factories are used to looking down their noses at others.
If I go in looking like a clueless peasant girl, I’ll be dismissed. Could you give me an official-sounding title?
It doesn’t need to be formal or come with a salary—just something that makes me look like I’m representing the commune.
For example, Huaihua Commune Liaison Officer. What do you think?”
Director Luo: “…”
Everyone else: “……”
