Chapter 362 Pulling Back the Bricks
Director Liu looked at the energetic but slightly anxious young man in front of him and said gently:
"Xiao Zhang, you don't have to load all of them. Just load one truckload. You will be responsible for delivering this truckload of bricks to the Jianye Village Supply and Marketing Cooperative later. Oh, by the way, these two are comrades from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative."
As he spoke, Director Liu turned sideways and pointed at Wang Jianguo and Zhao Shuzhuo.
"They are using a bullock cart to transport the bricks this time. The speed is relatively slow. You should just follow behind their bullock cart."
"This way we can have someone to look after us on the way and ensure that the bricks are delivered to the destination safely."
After hearing what Director Liu said, Xiao Zhang nodded vigorously and said:
"Okay, Director, I understand."
At this time, Zhao Shuzhuo, who had been sitting next to him, stood up and said to Director Liu with a smile:
"Director Liu, your arrangement is very thoughtful, but we also have to consider the issue of efficiency."
"You see, our ox cart is really too slow. If Comrade Xiao Zhang follows us all the time, it will waste a lot of his time."
"Besides, there is a lot of work in this brick factory, and everyone is very busy. Let Comrade Jianguo take the truck and show Comrade Xiao Zhang the way."
"After all, he is familiar with the road to the supply and marketing cooperative. I can just drive the ox cart and walk slowly behind, so that neither of us will be delayed."
"It can also save a lot of time. What do you think?"
After listening to Zhao Shuzhuo's suggestion, Director Liu frowned slightly and thought for a while, then nodded and said:
"Well, your idea is good, let's do as you say."
At this time, Xiao Zhang looked at Wang Jianguo and Zhao Shuzhuo and said enthusiastically:
"Comrades, let's not waste time. Follow me now. The sooner we go, the sooner we can return. There is still a lot of work to do in the factory."
Wang Jianguo and Zhao Shuzhuo smiled at each other and walked towards Director Liu. They shook Director Liu's hand tightly, their eyes full of gratitude.
Wang Jianguo said sincerely:
"Director Liu, thank you so much for taking everything into consideration for us. If it weren't for you, this brick issue would have been much more troublesome."
Zhao Shuzhuo also nodded in agreement. Director Liu smiled and patted the two on the shoulders, saying:
"Don't be so polite. We are all working for the collective, so it's only natural for us to help each other. Be careful on the road!"
After saying goodbye to Director Liu, Wang Jianguo and Zhao Shuzhuo followed Xiao Zhang and walked towards where the truck was parked.
Along the way, the workers in the brick factory were busy working, and the noisy sounds intertwined.
There was the clang of bricks colliding, and the voices of workers shouting to each other. Soon, they came to the truck that was already loaded with bricks.
The truck looked a bit old, and its body was covered with dust and mud, but inside the sturdy cabin, the bricks were neatly stacked and firmly fixed with ropes.
Zhao Shuzhuo looked at Wang Jianguo and said with a smile:
"Jianguo, you guys go first. I'll slowly drive back from behind. This old ox may be slow, but it's steady. I can also enjoy the scenery along the way."
Wang Jianguo nodded and said to Zhao Shuzhuo with concern:
"Okay, Brother Zhao, you have to be careful and don't worry. Although we are familiar with this road, we still have to be careful."
"We still have to move bricks for a while after we arrive. By the time we finish, you will probably be almost there. If you get tired on the way, find a place to rest."
Zhao Shuzhuo laughed and joked:
"Then I'll slowly make my way back. Maybe you'll have finished moving by the time I get there, so I won't have to do the hard work of moving bricks."
Wang Jianguo and driver Xiao Zhang laughed at the same time because of what Zhao Shuzhuo said.
Afterwards, Wang Jianguo and Xiao Zhang got on the truck. The truck's engine roared as if cheering for the journey.
The truck was like an old ox carrying a load, with the bed full of bricks that pressed the body of the truck down.
The truck's tires were deeply sunken in the bumpy dirt road in the countryside, and every meter forward seemed difficult.
Due to long-term lack of maintenance, this dirt road is covered with large and small stones and ruts of varying depths, like the vicissitudes of time engraved on the earth.
In addition, it had just rained a little, and the road was a little muddy, making it more difficult for the truck to drive, and naturally the speed could not be fast.
The truck was swaying along the dirt road, and the engine was making a dull roar, as if telling of the hardships of the journey.
Outside the car window, the countryside scenery slowly unfolds like a picture scroll. The green wheat seedlings in the fields sway gently in the breeze, and the mountains in the distance are looming in the mist.
As time passed, the sun rose higher and the sunlight shone on the truck, giving the body of the truck a golden halo.
When the truck finally arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative, it was almost noon.
Wang Jianguo sat in the passenger seat, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, and occasionally gave directions to driver Xiao Zhang.
Seeing the outline of the supply and marketing cooperative appear in front of him, he hurriedly directed driver Xiao Zhang to drive the truck to the back door of the supply and marketing cooperative.
After the truck slowly stopped, Wang Jianguo found that the back door of the supply and marketing cooperative was ajar. His heart tightened slightly, and an inexplicable uneasiness surged in his heart.
Without thinking too much, he quickly jumped out of the truck and tiptoed over to check the situation.
When he carefully opened the door, he was relieved by the sight before him.
In the yard, Cheng Hai was leading a group of house builders digging the foundation busily.
They were all sweating profusely, their clothes were soaked with sweat and stuck tightly to their backs.
Some masters took shovels, shoveled up soil vigorously, and then threw it aside; some masters used hoes to hit the ground to compact the foundation.
Everyone had a clear division of labor and everything was in order; the whole yard was filled with dust.
Cheng Hai looked up and saw Wang Jianguo coming back. He was stunned at first, then a look of surprise appeared on his face.
He threw away the tools in his hand and walked towards Wang Jianguo quickly in two steps, his eyes full of concern and joy.
He held Wang Jianguo's hand tightly and said in an excited voice:
"Jianguo, you're finally back! You and the captain didn't come back last night, and we were so worried."
"We are so anxious here, afraid that something might happen to you. It's dark outside at night."
"We were worried that you might not be able to find the brick kiln and get lost on the way. You don't know, we didn't sleep well last night, and we kept thinking about you."
Wang Jianguo looked at Cheng Hai's face, which was relieved after his anxiety, and couldn't help but smiled and said to him: