Huayu: A master director who debuted as a singer

Chapter 18 Hiring Bodyguards

Less than fifteen minutes later, two men walked into the courtyard.

The two men were wearing faded old military uniforms, without shoulder straps or collar insignia, but their backs were ramrod straight, like two javelins stuck in the ground.

The one on the left has a dark face, broad shoulders, large hands, and black grime stuck in his fingernails that he can't wash off.

The one on the right is slightly fairer-skinned and not very tall, but his eyes are focused, and he stands there motionless.

Third Uncle pointed to the one on the left: "Lin Dashan, a soldier in the trucking army, drove for twelve years, and was laid off last year due to military downsizing. Now he has two kids at home, and his wife is in poor health. He's worried about where to find work."

Zheng Hui looked at Lin Dashan: "Can you fix cars?"

Lin Dashan took a step forward and said in a loud voice, "Report! I can repair any vehicle with four wheels, whether it's a Jiefang, Dongfeng, or Jeep."

"A major overhaul doesn't require going to a workshop. Just give me a set of tools, and I can disassemble and reassemble the engine right on the roadside."

Zheng Hui glanced at his hands, which were calloused from years of gripping the steering wheel and wrench.

These days, road conditions are bad, and so are the cars. It's common for cars to break down on the way to different places for business. Having a driver who can fix cars is like having an extra life.

"Is the driving safe?"

"The leader once rode in my car, and he held his water cup without spilling a drop."

Zheng Hui nodded: "Okay, count you in."

Lin Dashan was stunned for a moment, then a look of joy appeared on his face, but he quickly composed himself and returned to his standing posture.

Zheng Hui turned his head to look at the one on the right.

The third uncle introduced him: "Chen Jianguo, the head of the mess hall. He also served in the army for twelve years and just retired."

Zheng Hui raised an eyebrow.

The cooks? He needs bodyguards, people who can fight and handle things. Why would he need a cook?

Third Uncle noticed Zheng Hui's confusion and added, "Don't underestimate the cooks. There's a saying in the army: 'They take the blame, wear green hats, and watch others fire cannons.' That's nonsense."

The cooks are the best in the whole company; they even have to carry the cooking pot for five kilometers. And not only is this guy a great cook, he's also good at accounting.

Zheng Hui became interested: "Settling accounts?"

Chen Jianguo spoke, his voice not loud but steady: "I served as the head cook in the company for eight years, and also managed the quartermaster's accounts."

Zheng Hui pointed to the stone table: "Sit down and talk."

Chen Jianguo did not sit down, but remained standing.

"Tell me, how do you manage the accounts?" Zheng Hui didn't press him to sit down when he saw that he wasn't going to.

Chen Jianguo took a crumpled little notebook out of his pocket, opened it, and handed it to Zheng Hui.

"This is my old 'Daily Supplies Consumption Register'."

Zheng Hui took it; it was filled with densely packed numbers, written in neat handwriting.

"August 1st, morning: 30 catties of flour, 2 catties of oil, and 5 catties of pickled vegetables. 108 people were present."

"On August 1st, at noon, there were 45 catties of rice, 12 catties of pork (3 catties of fat), and 60 catties of cabbage. 108 people were present."

"Surplus: 3 catties of rice, 4 ounces of oil."

Every stroke is accurate to two.

Chen Jianguo pointed to the notebook: "The cookhouse is in charge of the meals, and they are very particular about the amount of food they provide. They provide only the amount of rice for each person. Any extra pound is a waste, and any less pound will leave the soldiers hungry."

This is cost control.

Chen Jianguo continued, "There's also a jin and a half plus four liang, which is the standard for the amount of staple and non-staple food. I have to fill out a purchase order every day, and I have to weigh the vegetables that the feeders buy."

If you don't remove the mud from radishes, they'll lose two ounces per pound. If you don't check if the pork has been injected with water, it'll be all water after cooking. All of this needs to be inspected, signed off on, and the invoice checked.

"Every weekend, I have to compile a menu and cost sheet. I need to make sure the soldiers eat well, with meat and eggs, but without going over budget. At the end of each month, I have to settle the profit and loss."

Military regulations stipulate that any surplus cannot exceed two and a half months' worth of food expenses, nor can there be a deficit. This requires calculation and estimation.

If meat prices go up any month, I'll have to make up for it by increasing my spending on other food items, like making more tofu and sprouting more bean sprouts, to offset the costs.

Zheng Hui closed the notebook and looked at Chen Jianguo.

This isn't just a cook, this is an accountant.

Moreover, soldiers are law-abiding and disciplined.

I trust him more than anyone else to manage the warehouse and shipping.

"Can you drive?" Zheng Hui asked.

"Yes, I have the certificate, but I can't drive as well as Da Shan."

"Can you fight?"

Chen Jianguo glanced at a red brick in the corner of the yard.

He walked over, picked up the brick, placed it on the table, and chopped it down with one hand.

"Click."

The red brick broke in two.

"Grappling and fighting are basic skills. If anyone dares to touch the company's supply vehicle, I can smash their skull with a big ladle."

Zheng Hui stood up: "Okay, it's the two of you."

These days, finding an accountant is easy, but finding one who can fight and cook is like finding a treasure.

"Come with me to the county town."

……

In the county town, at a Bank of China branch, Zheng Hui led the two into the lobby.

The current public security situation is not very good, especially on the roads in towns and villages, where there are many highway robbers. Zheng Hui always brings his bankbook with him when he comes back, and then withdraws money when he returns to the county town.

He went to the counter and handed over the passbook: "Withdraw 23,000."

After counting the banknotes, the teller handed over a stack of 100-yuan notes.

Zheng Hui counted out 20,000 yuan and put it into his pocket, keeping 3,000 yuan in his hand.

He turned around and handed the money to the two people behind him.

"1,500 yuan per person, this is the first month's salary."

Lin Jianjun and Lin Weiguo's hands trembled as they looked at the money in their hands.

One thousand and five.

These days, civil servants in county towns only earn a few hundred yuan a month. They toil in the fields, and after deducting food and drink, it's hard to say whether they can even save 1,500 yuan a year.

"Boss... this is too much," Chen Jianguo stammered.

Zheng Hui waved his hand: "It's not much. If you work with me, you'll be away from home most of the year and won't be able to take care of your families. This money is for you to settle down."

The two men exchanged a glance, then clutched the money tightly: "Don't worry, boss! From now on, our lives are yours!"

……

By the time they returned to the ancestral hall, it was already dusk. Zheng Hui took out the 20,000 yuan and placed it on the octagonal table.

Uncle San was making tea when he saw the money and frowned: "Ahui, what are you doing?"

Zheng Hui pulled up a chair and sat down: "Third Uncle, please accept these two thousand yuan. The first part is for the children in the clan to help with their education, and this part is for other families in the village and town. School starts in September soon, and the tuition, book fees, and living expenses for boarding school will all be covered by this."

Third Uncle put down his pen, took out a blue ledger from the drawer, opened it, and handed it to Zheng Hui.

"The eight thousand dollars you left last time, you haven't spent much of it yet."

Third Uncle pointed to the entries in the ledger: "Look, we paid the tuition owed to A-Qiang from the second branch of the family, 120 yuan. We bought a new schoolbag and stationery for Xiao-Hong from the fifth branch of the family, 35 yuan. We repaired the desks and chairs for the village primary school, 210 yuan..."

Even including other races, they won't run out of money in a year or two.

Zheng Hui looked down.

The accounts were meticulously recorded, with each expenditure bearing the signature of the person in charge and the red handprint of the recipient.

Uncle San sighed, "The clan is very careful with this money. Everyone knows it didn't come easily; it was earned by your parents with their lives. Whenever a child receives the money, the adults have to pull the child and kowtow towards your ancestral home."

Zheng Hui closed the ledger and pushed the 20,000 yuan in front of his third uncle.

"Third Uncle, don't be stingy. The child is growing rapidly. Paying tuition alone isn't enough; he needs to eat meat."

Look at the children in the village, they're all pale and thin. Studying takes a toll on their brains, and without proper nutrition, they can't concentrate on their studies. If we don't supplement their nutrition now, no amount of eating will make up for it when they grow up.

"Use this 20,000 yuan to buy meat, eggs, and milk, and give your school-aged children an extra meal every day."

Don't worry about spending money; I'll come back when I'm done. As long as I, Zheng Hui, have food to eat, I won't let the children back home go hungry while they go to school.

Third Uncle looked at Zheng Hui. He had lived for over seventy years and had seen many people who made a fortune and returned to their hometowns to build tombs and houses, but that was to show off and save face.

But there aren't many people like Zheng Hui who stuff money into their children's mouths.

Third Uncle nodded: "Alright! I'll do as you say! Tomorrow I'll have someone go to town and bring back half a pig!"

Uncle San put away the money, stood up, and was about to leave.

"Where are you going?" Zheng Hui asked.

"Go and inform all the heads of the households that those who took the money or received favors must come over and have their children kowtow to you!"

Zheng Hui grabbed his third uncle's arm: "Third Uncle, please don't!"

Zheng Hui pressed the old man back into the chair: "We're all family, why are you kowtowing?"

Just let the children know that the money is for buying meat, and don't let them feel like they owe me a huge favor or that they're carrying a burden while they study.

"I'm capable now, so it's only right that I lend a hand. If you really want to thank me, when they become successful in the future, they should come back and do good for the village, like fixing roads. That will be enough to thank me."

Third Uncle stared at Zheng Hui for a long time, then sighed and patted the back of Zheng Hui's hand.

"The Zheng family... has produced a fine young man."

(I'll start writing about the album release tomorrow.)