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Chapter 43: The Brick and Tile Factory Pays Wages
Chapter 43: The Brick and Tile Factory Pays Wages
At the brick and tile factory, Deng Shirong and Deng YunGui, the two owners, were distributing wages to the workers.
The highest wages naturally went to Deng YunTai and Deng ChangBiao, the two master craftsmen in charge of the large kilns.
Deng YunTai received 208 yuan, while Deng ChangBiao’s wage was slightly higher at 224 yuan.
Deng YunTai took the substantial sum from his father, pulled out 8 yuan, and then pushed the 200 yuan back, saying, "Dad, I don’t have many expenses right now. A few yuan is enough for me. You keep the rest for building the house."
Deng Shirong didn’t mince words with his son, simply nodding and taking the money.
The other workers didn’t find this unusual. In those days, it was common for sons to hand over their earnings to their parents. Deng YunTai’s gesture was entirely normal.
Nearby, Deng ChangBiao received his wages from Uncle YunGui. He pulled out 24 yuan and walked over to his master, handing over the remaining 200 yuan with a smile. "Master, you need the money for building the house. I have enough for household expenses. You can use the rest."
Deng YunGui, looking envious, said, "Uncle Jiu, you really have a great apprentice!"
Deng Shirong, with his past memories, knew his apprentice was a good person. He patted his apprentice on the shoulder and smiled. "Your filial piety is commendable, but I have ways to cover the building costs. Take the money and improve your quality of life. Buy more meat for your wife and kids."
Deng ChangBiao nodded. "Alright, I’ll keep the money. If you need it, just let me know. As for meat, 24 yuan a month is more than enough."
After the two master craftsmen received their wages, it was the turn of the three apprentices who made smaller goods. Their wages were similar, ranging from 110 to 140 yuan.
Next, the workers who mixed clay and fired the kilns, as well as those who carried the clay, each received several dozen yuan a month.
Deng ChangYuan, Deng YunTai’s childhood friend, was still learning the large kiln technique from Deng YunTai. Since mastering it took time, he was still paid the wage of a clay mixer, 2 yuan a day, or 60 yuan a month.
This was a wage that many rural people envied, as even those with stable jobs only earned about 20 yuan a month.
A 60 yuan monthly wage was highly sought after, and Deng ChangYuan was very content. He smiled like a fool when he received his pay.
After tallying up, the brick and tile factory distributed a total of 1183.6 yuan in wages that day.
The first batch of goods from the factory, minus transportation costs, sold for 2203.8 yuan.
Subtracting the wages, a profit of 1020.2 yuan remained, which was to be split between Deng Shirong and Deng YunGui. Each would receive 510.1 yuan.
Earning over 500 yuan in just over a month was a remarkable feat in the rural areas of that time.
After distributing the wages and seeing the workers off to their tasks, Deng YunGui said with enthusiasm, "Uncle Jiu, I’ll prepare some dishes to go with our drinks. Let’s celebrate the successful start of our brick and tile factory at my place tonight."
"Let’s do it at my place instead. We’re starting to dig the foundation for our new house today, so there will be plenty of food and drinks."
"Alright, I won’t be shy. I’ve heard your cooking rivals that of a state-owned restaurant’s chef. I’m looking forward to tasting it."
"Hehe, I won’t disappoint you. It’s getting late, so I’ll head back now. Just come over when you’re ready. I won’t send a separate notice."
"Got it, I’ll be there on time."
...
Afternoon.
Today was payday, and the brick factory let out a bit earlier than usual. Deng Changbiao, clutching a whopping 224 yuan, marched home with a swagger, his steps confident and his pockets heavy.
Deng Changbiao had separated from his parents and siblings a few years ago. He now lived in an old family house with two rooms. After the separation, he had added a kitchen to the side of the house. As he stepped in, he saw his wife, Lu Xiaolan, busy cooking in the kitchen.
Deng Changbiao patted the thick wad of bills in his pocket and called out loudly, "Xiaolan, I'm home!"
Lu Xiaolan, who was tending the fire, turned around and saw his beaming face. "Why are you back so early today? You're grinning from ear to ear. What good news do you have?"
Deng Changbiao chuckled, "It's good news indeed. The brick factory paid out today!"
Lu Xiaolan's eyes lit up. She dropped the firewood and stood up, asking, "Brother Biao, how much did you get?"
Deng Changbiao grinned, "Guess, Xiaolan."
Lu Xiaolan ventured a guess, "Did you get thirty yuan?"
It was no surprise she asked this. Deng Changbiao had never told her how much he earned at the brick factory, wanting to surprise her with a big paycheck. So, Lu Xiaolan had no idea how much he actually made.
Even though Deng Changbiao had been a master brickmaker for several years, the factory used to be owned by the village collective, and he only earned the highest possible work points. When his master and Uncle Yun Gui took over the factory, his wife didn't expect him to make much more.
For Lu Xiaolan, thirty yuan a month was already a high income.
Deng Changbiao shook his head, "That's not it. Guess again."
Lu Xiaolan tried another guess, "Twenty-eight?"
Deng Changbiao smiled, "Too low. Guess higher."
Lu Xiaolan's heart leapt. "Thirty-six?"
This was a bold guess, as even a relative who worked at the credit union didn't earn that much. If her husband's paycheck was this high, she would be more than satisfied.
Deng Changbiao grinned, "That's still too conservative. Guess higher."
Lu Xiaolan's heart raced, and her mouth went dry. "Brother Biao, just tell me. I can't take this suspense."
Deng Changbiao patted his pocket, looking proud. "I got 224 yuan."
Even with some mental preparation, Lu Xiaolan was still stunned by the number. "Brother Biao, did I hear you right? You got 224 yuan?"
Seeing his wife's amazed expression, Deng Changbiao felt a surge of satisfaction. He nodded and smiled, "Yes, I got 224 yuan. From now on, we'll have money. We won't have to pinch pennies like before. We might not eat meat every day, but we can have it a few times a week without any problem. In a few months, we'll have enough to build a new house."
Knowing that her husband could earn over two hundred yuan a month, Lu Xiaolan felt as if she were on cloud nine. The thought that their hard times were over brought tears of joy to her eyes. She repeated, "That's wonderful!"
Without another word, Lu Xiaolan slaughtered the family's old hen and made a pot of chicken soup to nourish her husband and children.
That night, Lu Xiaolan was especially passionate, giving Deng Changbiao a taste of the luxury he had only dreamed of.
No matter the era, a man who could earn a good income always enjoyed privileges that others could only envy.
(End of Chapter)
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