Winter is typically a slow season for farmers, but this year in Wangmiao Village, things were different. The most noticeable change was the fewer number of people sitting in the sun against the walls.
Driving into the village, the car entered a courtyard that, despite some repairs, still appeared run-down. A BMW was parked at the entrance of the woodworking workshop. Nearby, in front of the church, a crowd of people and many bicycles were gathered. The sounds of collective prayers drifted from the church, indicating a religious gathering with attendees from nearby villages.
The employees of the company had an unspoken rule: whoever arrived at Wangmiao Village first had to check in at the woodworking shop. Despite still being called the woodworking shop, it no longer served its original purpose. Since the company's collaboration with the village, the shop had been dismantled. Wu Zhiming specialized in painting, Zhou Guozheng in casting, and Li Tiejun in cutting. The simple woodworking machines had long been removed, and the building was leased by Graceland Poetry Company for use as an office. One room was used for testing speakers, another had three small beds for resting, and a third was for meetings and office work.
Seeing the woodworking shop locked, Ouyang Xue turned the car towards Zhou Guozheng's house, where smoke and flames indicated that the furnace was active.
In Zhou Guozheng's courtyard, the tree and bird nests were gone. A large shed covered a quarter of the yard, with a thick layer of sand beneath it. Rows of sand molds were prepared, some with pouring holes covered and some already cast. Cracks in some molds revealed flickers of blue flames due to the high temperature of the molten iron.
The furnace was outside, its fire roaring with the aid of a blower. Piled with raw iron and coke on top, the furnace glowed white-hot at the bottom. Feng Shijie and Liu Bing measured and added the raw materials to the furnace as required. Zhou Guozheng, holding a steel rod, controlled the melting process and directed others. Young villagers stood by with long-handled ladles, ready to pour the molten iron into the sand molds.
Everyone working around the furnace was sweaty despite the cold, some with open coats and others down to sweaters. They greeted Ding Yuanying and Ouyang Xue while continuing their tasks. Zhou Guozheng's wife brought over two small stools and two cups of hot water.
Ding Yuanying handed a document to Zhou Guozheng's wife, saying, "Here's the casting contract template, it's ready."
She thanked him, "Thank you, Ding."
Feng Shijie, sweaty and soot-covered, sat beside them and joked, "My God, this is exhausting! Ding, what brings you here in this cold? We were planning to visit you tonight to chat."
Ding Yuanying paused, then replied pointedly, "You're exhausted, are you dead?"
Feng Shijie was taken aback, then sheepishly smiled, "No, not really."
Ding Yuanying said, "Never say 'I'm exhausted' unless you're actually on your last breath. And if you say it, you must die immediately."
Everyone was stunned by Ding's words. Liu Bing, after hesitating, jokingly said, "Ding, you're harsher than a capitalist!"
Zhou Guozheng's wife chided, "Liu, watch how you speak to Ding."
One of the young men handling the ladle laughed, "Liu is confused. What does this have to do with Ding?"
Ding Yuanying said, "To achieve something, remember two things: don't treat others as beneath you, and don't think too highly of yourself. In that sense, all crows under the sky are equally black."
Feng Shijie nodded, "I understand, Ding."
Ding Yuanying continued, "I've brought the documents the farmers needed. We'll talk at the workshop later. I have more deliveries to make."
Feng Shijie agreed, "Alright, see you at the workshop. We'll finish this batch soon, and Xiaoming should be done at Tiejun's place."
As Ding Yuanying left, Liu Bing admired Ouyang Xue's new car, "Wow, a brand-new car. The chairman really knows how to buy."
Feng Shijie added, "The chairman's car is impressive, but it's nothing compared to Liu's BMW."
Ouyang Xue smiled without responding, and they drove to Wu Zhiming's house, where a large courtyard was bustling with activity.
Wu Zhiming's courtyard, the largest among the specialists, had walls made of earthen bricks. Like others, it faced south with the main house at the north, a kitchen and new paint rooms on the west, and a shed on the east with a utility vehicle and a fierce black dog tied to a post. The place was a miniature paint factory, with every inch utilized. Boards covered in putty were everywhere, requiring careful navigation. Women gathered, sanding the boards while chatting.
Wu Zhiming's wife sat on a tree stump, meticulously sanding a speaker cabinet. Despite the cold, she worked bare-handed, her hands rough and cracked from labor. The black dog, hearing footsteps, stood and barked. Recognizing the visitors, Wu Zhiming's wife welcomed them warmly.
"No need to call him," Ding Yuanying said. "I have more documents to deliver. These four are for Wu: the partnership charter, shareholder agreement, process price list, and contract template."
Just then, Wu Zhiming came out, removing his protective gear. "I heard you talking. Ouyang, you came too? What brings you here in this cold?"
Ouyang Xue asked, "Why are you using only women for this work?"
Wu Zhiming, smiling sheepishly, explained, "Women are better at this meticulous work. They're cheaper, more precise, and easier to manage, though slower."
Ouyang Xue inquired, "Do they come here daily?"
Wu Zhiming replied, "These few come daily, others take the boards home to work. It's all piecework, so the more they do, the more they earn."
Ouyang Xue noted, "Your wife is working in this cold without gloves?"
Wu Zhiming's wife laughed, "You can't do this fine work with gloves. The paint shop won't accept it, and it'd be wasted effort."
Wu Zhiming added, "We also use piecework. As long as she cooks and watches the kids, she keeps the money she earns. Quality standards are the same for everyone."
Wu Zhiming's wife teased, "How can you say your wife is unqualified?"
Wu Zhiming laughed, "She's qualified, she's qualified."
Ding Yuanying said, "I need to deliver these to Liu and Tiejun."
At Liu's place, the workshop was in full swing with heavy machinery. Liu greeted Ding Yuanying, who delivered the documents and chatted briefly. The tasks at Liu's included turning, drilling, and welding, essential for the company's operations.
At Li Tiejun's, the noise and dust were overwhelming. Despite the conditions, the workers diligently processed the materials. Li Tiejun welcomed Ding and took the documents inside. Ye Xiaoming, covered in dust, joined them outside for a brief conversation.
They agreed to meet later at the workshop, where Ye Xiaoming, despite the challenges, appreciated the efficiency of their operations.
Ouyang Xue and Ding Yuanying then headed back to the workshop, where the bustling activity reflected the village's determination to overcome the winter's challenges and make progress.