Siheyuan: Xu Damao, I want to go to the moon

"Secretary Zhang, would you like one?" As they walked, Xu Damao skillfully took out a cigarette from his pocket and handed it over, without asking the factory director why he was looking for him.

"Wow?" Secretary Zhang was stunned when he saw the cigarette Xu Damao handed over. It seemed like he had never seen it before.

(County cadres paid three cents (filter tip), commune cadres paid two cents (Daqianmen), brigade cadres paid four cents (Feima brand), and members paid 1959 cents and 9 cents (cheap cigarettes). I checked the information and found that domestic filter tip cigarettes were made in September 1958, Zhonghua filter tip cigarettes, so in 1968, domestic brands should not have filters. Due to problems with raw materials and equipment, filter tip cigarettes were not mass-produced until 59. Therefore, after September 9, smoking Zhonghua with filter tip cigarettes was a symbol of status.)

But when Xu Damao lit it for him and took a puff, he felt that the cigarette had an elegant aroma, a mellow taste and an extraordinary taste.

So I picked it up and took a look. Yunyan?

"Xu Damao, you are really good. This seems to be a high-end cigarette newly launched by Yunnan Cigarette Factory this year! You can even get this?"

(The first pack of Yunyan cigarettes was released in July 1958.)

Secretary Zhang was really surprised. These cigarettes were not particularly expensive, but they were rare in this city. Was Xu Damao's methods really unconventional?

"I got it from my dad by chance. Secretary Zhang, if you are used to the smell, you can take it and smoke it. I'm not used to the smell." After saying that, Xu Damao took the opportunity to push the newly opened Yunyan cigarette directly to Secretary Zhang.

Secretary Zhang looked at Xu Damao suspiciously, but seeing that he was still smiling, he thought for a moment and then naturally put the money into his pocket.

Xu Damao's father, Xu Fugui, was also a projectionist at the steel mill. After teaching Xu Damao for a year, he let Xu Damao take over his job. Xu Fugui went to work as a projectionist at a movie theater. With his ability, qualifications and connections, it was not difficult for him to get some cigarettes that were not available in the city from time to time.

And most importantly, the cigarettes were not expensive, so Secretary Zhang did not think much about it and just thought that Xu Damao was a capable guy.

But if you think about it, I am the factory director's secretary, and you are an apprentice who hasn't been hired yet. How can you smoke the same Daqianmen cigarettes as me?

After walking for a while, they were about to reach the office building. Xu Damao still looked calm and composed, which confused Secretary Zhang. "You are giving me cigarettes, but you don't want to ask me anything? Are you really just giving me cigarettes?"

But Xu Damao really had no other intentions. He understood after thinking about it for a while. It must be the deaf old lady who came to use her connections, so Director Yang wanted to ask him about the situation and mediate it. It was just that he came back yesterday to get things done, so the time was different.

Passing a cigarette to Secretary Zhang was a completely instinctive habit of Xu Damao. In Xu Damao's opinion, the factory director's secretary and driver were people he had to befriend. If he didn't ask others to do things for him, at least he would have made a profit if he didn't have a negative impression of them.

This kind of person will stab you at the critical moment and you will have no place to cry.

Besides, asking for favors for a pack of cigarettes? That's too shabby, and Xu Damao isn't such a snobbish person.

But Secretary Zhang felt a little uncomfortable. I took your cigarette, and you didn't have any problem with it? How could you not have any problem with it? How could I feel so embarrassed?

Isn't this a violation of my principles?

Even if you don’t have a question, I have to find one for you!

"Da Mao - I don't take your cigarette for nothing. I have something to tell you." After exhaling a puff of smoke, Secretary Zhang moved a little closer to Xu Damao and said mysteriously.

"Ah?" Xu Damao pretended to be confused. "What's the matter?"

"The day before yesterday, Yi Zhonghai from your hospital and an old lady with a cane came to see Director Yang."

"I guess that Director Yang is looking for you today because of this matter. Be careful when you go in, understand?"

Xu Damao immediately replied: "Oh! I understand, Secretary Zhang, thank you so much!"

"If it's really related to this matter, I'll treat you to a meal next time to thank you. You must do me the honor!"

Xu Damao pretended to be shocked, understood, and then delighted. The three expressions quickly switched on his face in an instant, and it didn't seem fake at all.

Secretary Zhang waved his hand in disdain: "Alright, alright, just be careful later, don't tell them I reminded you."

It's just a pack of cigarettes. If Xu Damao asked about it, I would tell him that it's not a big deal.

Since you didn't ask, I took the initiative to remind you because you are capable of handling things, and the matter ends here.

What level are you? You still want to treat me to a meal?

But he didn't understand Xu Damao's thoughts. It was just a pack of cigarettes and a few words, but he owed Secretary Zhang a meal. He didn't have to eat it now and could pay it back when he had the chance.

You can choose not to eat, but I cannot avoid owing you this meal. After all this, we have become good friends, right?

----------------

After going upstairs and arriving at the factory director's office, Secretary Zhang knocked twice on the door until he heard a voice saying "Come in."

Then he took Xu Damao in.

"Director Yang, Comrade Xu Damao has been brought here."

"Hello, Director Yang." Xu Damao nodded slightly and said hello, then stood aside honestly. Director Yang also nodded to him and said to Secretary Zhang, "Xiao Zhang, you continue to work on your things. Please sort out the documents and give them to me before leaving get off work."

"Okay, Director." After receiving the task, Secretary Zhang walked straight out and closed the door gently without even looking at Xu Damao the whole time.

There's no way around it. There's only so much I can do for a pack of cigarettes.

"Comrade Xu Damao, please sit down." Director Yang pointed to the sofa opposite his desk.

Xu Damao naturally had no objection and sat on it directly. Looking at his very natural attitude and behavior, Director Yang twitched his eyebrows slightly.

When he talked to the workers before, most of them were trembling with fear, especially when sitting on high-end sofas. Some of them were so restrained that they only half-leaned their buttocks on the sofas so that they could answer his questions at any time, especially the blacksmith master from the workshop called "Sea Master".

As for Xu Damao? He simply sat on it, neither panicked nor surprised, with a very calm attitude. As for the touch of this sofa——

He didn't seem surprised at all, but rather seemed accustomed to it.

This comrade is quite interesting!

As for Xu Damao, he didn't care about the sofa at all. He even felt it was a bit uncomfortable and was disgusted by it.

Because the sofas of this era do not have high-resilience sponges, nor latex pads, nor fabrics, and they also have springs inside...

It squeaks when you sit on it, which is really useless! I wonder if this artificial leather will be very cold in winter? Will it crack over time? The spring will be very dirty inside after rusting!

That is, he didn't dare to act rashly in front of Director Yang, otherwise he would have taken a bench and sat on it.

He was just very confused. Director, if you want to talk to me, just say it. What do you mean by staring at me from head to toe?

However, Director Yang only took a few glances and asked directly: "Comrade Xu Damao, is your work in the Propaganda Department going well? What is your rank? Is your salary enough to live on?"

There is something fishy - as soon as they come in they are concerned about the living wage level of their employees - there is definitely something fishy!

Besides, as a factory manager, don’t you know what my salary is based on my level?

Since you asked me to come here, it means you have definitely investigated everything clearly. If you don't even know this, you can just replace your secretary.

However, since he asked, we have to answer accordingly.

"Thanks...my colleagues have taken good care of me, and my work has been going smoothly. I'm an apprentice now, and with subsidies and allowances, I get 20 yuan a month, which is enough for me." He almost said "thanks to you", but Xu Damao quickly pulled himself back. This kind of talk is not popular in state-owned enterprises these days.

Xu Damao has now been employed for one year and seven months. In February 1, the "Interim Provisions on Apprenticeship Duration and Living Allowance" were issued. In principle, the apprenticeship period is three years and not less than two years. This means that even if everything goes well for him, he will have to work for at least another five months before he can be transferred to a Grade 7 worker.

The propaganda department has its own set of rating standards, but they are basically the same as the company’s eight-level wage system.

An apprentice gets 14 yuan, but the projectionist has to go to the countryside, where he gets a subsidy of 8 cents a day. Add that to the apprentice's subsidy, and all added up, Xu Damao gets about 20 yuan a month, which is more than enough for him to spend on his own.

The poverty line for urban residents these days is less than 5 yuan. Xu Damao earns 20 yuan, and with occasional support from his parents, he lives a comfortable life.

Then Director Yang "cared" and "encouraged" Xu Damao in various aspects, but he did not mention the main business.

Until Xu Damao himself gradually lost his patience.

He is not a worker in his 20s who has been working in society for several years. Xu Damao from the future is just a young man who has just started his internship in his senior year. He dares to quit his job or educate his boss if he is unhappy. He is not very cunning. It is just that after integrating Xu Damao's body and living in this era, he has restrained himself a little.

"Director Yang, if you have anything to say, just tell me. As long as it's something I can do, just give me instructions."

Director Yang paused, then asked, "I heard that a few days ago, Comrade He Yuzhu had some disputes with you, and then you called the police and asked them to arrest him?"

Look at what you said. If there was a dispute, I would call the police and let the police arrest him?

Xu Damao was almost laughing out of anger. This was most likely what the old deaf man had said. However, it was also possible that Director Yang had deliberately made it sound so light in order to downplay the impact.

But it doesn’t matter - you just want me to let Shazhu go.

"Director Yang, I signed a letter of apology yesterday. Sha Zhu and I have reconciled our grievances. He can be released after being detained for a few more days."

"..."

This time it was Director Yang's turn to be confused.

what's going on?

I was just about to ask you two what the grudge is, and then I will come to mediate and appease you, Xu Damao. If you sign a letter of understanding, I will repay the deaf old lady's favor. It's good for you, me, and everyone, isn't this a happy ending?

But before I even asked, you told me that the letter of understanding had been signed yesterday?

Why didn't anyone tell me this this morning?

I haven't even started to exert any effort yet, but you've already made me achieve my wish? This makes me feel like I have no involvement at all, do you know that?

Am I repaying the deaf old lady's favor or not?

I paid it back? But I didn't do anything.

Not yet? The letter of understanding has already been signed?

Director Yang was in deep trouble.

Xu Damao, who was sitting opposite, was also a little puzzled when he saw Director Yang's constipated face.

[What do you mean? You just want me to sign a letter of understanding? I signed it yesterday, didn’t I?]

【Why are you still not happy? 】

The two of them just stared at each other, and fell into silence for a moment.

Isn't the rhythm of talking about things wrong?

Everyone is so embarrassed now!

How to break it? !