Silly Zhu's Moving: The Old Neighbor's Nightmare

Chapter 196 The Disciple Ran Away

Director Wang knew absolutely nothing about timber processing; he never imagined that after listening to Sha Zhu, he would discover so many intricacies involved.

I originally thought that the tables, chairs and benches that Sha Zhu made for the small restaurant were pretty good, sturdy and durable, and that I could also make so many small toys at home, which would be very popular with the children in the neighborhood.

I was thinking of asking Sha Zhu for help to see if he could give me some guidance on opening a toy processing factory, but I didn't expect that I had oversimplified things.

However, what Sha Zhu said makes sense. Even if you make some tables and chairs, it's not something one person can do all at once. If you want to open a wood-related factory, you'll need to purchase equipment first.

Purchasing equipment? Director Wang had a headache. Where would the money come from? They didn't even have the funds to repair some of the collapsed houses in the neighborhood.

Where can I get the money to buy equipment? From state-owned machinery factories? Looks like I'll have to talk to my old boss. I also need to learn a little about the timber industry.

Sha Zhu knows more than I do.

Thinking of this, Director Wang stood up and said, "Zhu Zi, I'll try to figure out a way to get the mechanical equipment you mentioned. However, you just said you could draw some blueprints for me, so you'll have to put in a lot of effort."

Blueprints? That's easy. You can have plenty of blueprints in your head.

I can draw furniture blueprints for future generations, and I can also contribute wooden toys that are not currently available on the market.

Seeing that Director Wang was about to leave, Sha Zhu also stood up and said,

"No problem, Director Wang. I'll go out more after get off work these next few days and draw up some practical drawings for Director Wang's reference."

After seeing Director Wang and his companion off, Sha Zhu glanced at the sky. It was still early, so he lay down to rest.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, his disciple Wang Chaoyang ran over from the small restaurant.

Most workers have already finished their shifts, so the small restaurant should be very busy. Why did they come to my house?

Wang Chaoyang walked to Sha Zhu's side and said hesitantly,

"Master, this morning, the manager of our small restaurant transferred your apprentices, Zhao Xiaohu and Zhou Biao, away."

They said I was transferred to a department in the city, but they didn't even have time to tell me.

I was thinking you should be home from get off work by now, so I took the time to come over and tell you.

Now my boss has transferred two new people to assist me from somewhere, and wants me to teach them my skills.

Without your permission, I dare not teach them, and now I don't know what to do.

Zhao Xiaohu and Zhou Biao have been transferred.

Sha Zhu was in a bind. Ma Hua hadn't even returned to his position yet, and Zhao Hu was nowhere to be seen. He left without even saying goodbye.

Sigh, he's a child from a military family after all; all he knows is how to obey orders.

Seeing Sha Zhu's appearance, Wang Chaoyang quickly tried to excuse his two fellow disciples.

"Master, Zhao Xiaohu and Zhou Biao also wanted to come and see you, but since you work in the factory, our leaders didn't give them any time to think about it."

They just drove off with the two of them. They asked me to come and tell you, Master, that they'd come to visit you after they'd rested.

Sha Zhu waved his hand, "Let's go then."

With Zhang Long and Zhao Hu, the dynasty and Ma Han could not possibly take shape.

What a terrible leader! He knew I was their mentor, yet he got rid of me without even saying goodbye. I'm so angry!

"You're not allowed to teach. If your boss comes to you again, you'll just pretend to comply."

Or you could just let them handle the ingredients and practice their knife skills. After all, it's not easy to find a skilled braised meat chef after that small restaurant leaves you.

"Read the book I gave you carefully, and practice more when you get home. If your boss pressures you again, I'll try to get you transferred. Once you have a skill, you won't be afraid to go anywhere."

Wang Chaoyang scratched the back of his head, grinned foolishly, and said, "Master, what about the recipes for vegetables and such in the book?"

My family loves shredded potatoes and stir-fried cabbage, but we can't really practice making meat dishes.

Last week, after I received my wages, I bought two ounces of meat to make stir-fried shredded pork, and my family scolded me.

They took all my wages, leaving me not a single penny. I was even thinking of buying my master a gift, but…”

"Alright, just take care of your own family. There's no income for your family, it all depends on you. Is your sister in school yet?" Sha Zhu asked.

Wang Chaoyang's family has had a tough time; there are three women in the family, and his grandmother is quite old.

My mother was uneducated and could only do mending and sewing.

I'm looking for handicraft work from the neighborhood committee; my youngest daughter is seven years old but hasn't started school yet.

"No, my grandma and my mom said that my sister will go to school next year. The family is not well-off, so this year my sister will stay at home and help with some housework."

That's how society is now; the preference for sons over daughters is severe.

How many families in Nanluoguxiang have daughters who don't go to school? It's not that they can't afford the 2.5 yuan tuition fee.

I just feel that it's useless for girls to learn these things. They'll get married sooner or later anyway, so what's the point of learning them?

It would be better to do more chores for the family before getting married.

It's already good enough if the adults in the family are willing to let their daughter go to school; the government isn't currently mandating that all children in the family go to school.

She'll start first grade again next year when she's eight, and by 65 or 66 she'll have graduated early. Sha Zhu knows how difficult it is for girls to go to the countryside.

Although Sha Zhu, as the master, had some suggestions, he couldn't interfere in other people's family affairs.

"It's always good to send your sister to school early and let her learn more. What kind of housework can she do for you at such a young age?"

Having more knowledge makes finding a job much easier than being illiterate. Even with just a junior high school diploma and a little bit of connections, government departments will likely hire you.

Look at my second uncle, he's quite knowledgeable. Director Wang even wants him to be transferred directly to the street office.

What's the point of waiting another year? I think your family just doesn't want to pay that tuition fee, dragging it out year after year.

When you brought your sister here, didn't you see how envious she was of Yushui? Try your best to get your sister into school in the second half of the year.

"We can't control what others do. If your family disagrees, I'll go over and talk to them. If they're having difficulties, you still have me as their mentor."

Sha Zhu didn't even consider that he was about the same age as his disciple and that Wang Chaoyang's family would listen to what Sha Zhu said.

Wang Chaoyang was too timid to speak.

Sha Zhu realized that he had encountered only mama's boys. Jia Dongxu was like that, as was his apprentice Zhang Long at the steel rolling mill, and this Wang Chaoyang was also like that.

Aunt Hu's son, Da Niu, may be physically strong, but he's a mama's boy. He has absolutely no thoughts of his own.

If He Daqing were here, would he also suppress my own thoughts?

Marriages are arranged by parents and matchmakers. In today's society, even getting a wife doesn't allow one to have their own voice.

Moreover, he could only follow the arrangements of his elders when it came to family matters, which made his life as a son quite miserable.

Intellectuals are still the best; Li Jianguo from the neighborhood office found his wife himself.

Despite his family's objections, and even though he didn't want the allocated house, he still built his own courtyard house.

"I understand, Master. I have to go back quickly. I can't stay outside for too long. I'm afraid those two newcomers don't know anything and will mess things up," Wang Chaoyang said softly.

Sha Zhu waved his hand, telling his disciple to hurry back to his own business.