Restarting life in Siheyuan

Chapter 433 Killing the Goose to Get the Eggs

During dinner, my younger sister kept complaining about how the two chickens she raised no longer like to lay eggs, and she looked unhappy.

"Don't look at me. I don't understand this. If it's your turn, raising a chicken without laying eggs is a waste of food. It's just right to kill it someday. You two haven't eaten chicken since the New Year. Wait until your teacher comes back and you can have an extra meal."

"No, no, don't worry about it, big brother. We can't kill this chicken. It might start laying eggs tomorrow. We can't kill it."

Zhu Xuefeng knew that his younger sister felt sorry for the two chickens, so he put down his bowl as it seemed there was no chance of eating the chickens.

"I see that the furniture next door has just started to arrive. I guess it's been quite noisy these days. Why don't you two go over there to study and be quiet? Sometimes when I'm not back, Grandpa Zhang and the others can cook for you two."

"Brother, you'd better not go. It's not noisy here. If you stay away from home every day, someone will definitely have some ideas."

"That's right, big brother. If we live over there, no one will take care of the chickens and the vegetable garden. Let's live here."

Seeing that the younger sister still cared about the two chickens, Zhu Xuefeng said with a smile.

"Little sister, let's kill one and see if there are any eggs in its belly. It's possible that this chicken can no longer lay eggs. If that's the case, just kill it and I'll find a chance to buy you two more. How do you think?"

The younger sister shook her head, "That won't do either, big brother. You're killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. The teacher said this kind of behavior is unacceptable."

Li Huaide, who is far away in Hong Kong, is now very dissatisfied. Dongsheng Company can settle 900,000 US dollars at the end of every month. It is a golden goose that lays golden eggs.

Li Huaide has already inquired about it. The selling price of motorcycles in Xiangjiang is much higher than the price paid to Dongsheng Company. It is said that the price sold to Europe and Bald Eagle is even higher. In Li Huaide's opinion, Dongsheng Company took these profits too easily.

The steel mill is responsible for the cars. Why does this trading company, which just put up a sign, take so much profit? This is pure profit, without any material cost. The capitalists are sucking the blood and sweat of the steel mill under the guise of being patriotic businessmen.

Li Huaide still had a sense of propriety. He had no intention of taking advantage of Dongsheng Company. He just wanted the company to help him open up another route so that he could lay two eggs a day. This achievement would be his. As for the future, one egg would definitely get bigger and bigger, while the other would get smaller and smaller.

Unfortunately, the little woman surnamed Wu didn't look like a patriotic businessman at all. She asked for 50% of the net profit right away, which was not something Li Huaide could decide.

How can we break this deadlock? After listening to Director Sun's introduction, Li Huaide also realized that it is not so easy to sell motorcycles in Hong Kong. It is completely different from China. What kind of advertising and marketing are needed? Li Huaide did not understand this, so he thought of letting Dongsheng Company come forward. In his opinion, it is nothing more than adding a brand on the shelf. It should not be a big problem. He did not expect Wu Qianqian to react so strongly.

As a businessman, Li Huaide really didn't take him seriously. The most important thing was to achieve results in the shortest time. Li Huaide didn't want to be away from the core of power for too long.

"Old Sun, this is my idea. I'd like to trouble you to bring it back to the factory and ask them to think about it. It is our responsibility to create more foreign exchange for the country. Since the capitalists won't talk to us, we have to find other ways. Don't you agree?"

Director Sun didn't think too much about it. He just felt that the cooperation between the two sides had been good in the past eight months, the factory's foreign exchange earning ability had greatly increased, and the road ahead was bright. He didn't expect that Li Huaide would come up with new ideas as soon as he arrived.

"Leader, this is your decision. I, a workshop director, cannot interfere. I will do whatever the organization tells me to do. This kind of thing is too brain-consuming. It's not something a simple guy like me can figure out."

Seeing that Director Sun did not agree, Li Huaide was a little dissatisfied, but he still smiled.

"Old Sun, you have to think about these things. People always have to make progress. You can't just think about it when you get to this position. It will be too late. The so-called careful consideration means considering the problem in the long term. Our core task is to earn more foreign exchange and contribute more to the development of the country. From this perspective, any method can be considered and used. Don't you think so?"

Faced with Li Huaide's careful guidance and smiling face, Director Sun could only nod.

"The leader's considerations are more thoughtful and comprehensive than those of a rough guy like me. I am only thinking about improving production efficiency and delivering more products, which is superficial."

Li Huaide was very satisfied with Director Sun's transformation and gave him earnest advice.

"When you go back, the factory leaders will definitely want to hear your report. You should also report everything that happened today truthfully. Of course, you also know my thoughts. You must clearly tell everyone that the capitalists are unreliable. My future actions will require the strong support of the steel mill."

"Yes, I will report everything truthfully. If there is nothing else, I plan to return to Beijing tomorrow. I have been away from home for a long time."

"No hurry, no hurry. You can go back tomorrow. Our steel mill is participating in the Canton Fair here. You can go and have a look. We have brought a lot of new products this time. Our factory can open up more channels. There is no need to rely on Dongsheng Company alone. I think this capitalist is very unreliable."

Director Sun chose to reserve his opinion on Deputy Director Li's remarks and did not comment.

Watching Director Sun leave, Li Huaide was a little annoyed. It seemed that Director Sun was not so easy to win over, but Li Huaide was not discouraged because he still clearly remembered the encouragement from his father-in-law when he left Beijing.

"Huide, I support your idea. Capitalists are always capitalists. It is impossible for them to truly look at things from our perspective. Some comrades are satisfied with the petty gains in front of them and have lost themselves. Your idea is very good. It is better to rely on yourself than on others. Some things are better left to your own hands."

"There are many comrades who hold the same opinion as me. You can go ahead and do it boldly. There are some things that you can only know by doing them. If you don't do them, you will always be controlled by others."

The old man's words encouraged Li Huaide, so Li Huaide came with full confidence. Although he started off badly, he did not feel frustrated at all. Only by breaking the old order can a new order be established.

If nothing unexpected happens, my father-in-law's responsibilities will be adjusted after this meeting. According to my father-in-law's estimation, these will all be under his charge in the future, and he will be able to provide direct support at that time. Li Huaide is not fighting alone, he represents many people who are staying awake.

However, Wu Qianqian is really charming and attractive. I heard that she controls a large amount of assets and manages countless industries.

“Some things you can only know by doing them!”

In just three days, Li Huaide has already figured out the specific situation of the factory. After all, it is just an assembly plant with less than 300 people. Now he has a lot of ideas.

Wu Qianqian, who was being worried about, was on a plane over the ocean at this time. She seemed to be a little worried. Secretary Guan, who followed her, asked with concern.

"Ms. Wu, is it because the flight was too long that you feel a little uncomfortable? Would you like to ask the flight attendant for some medicine?"

Wu Qianqian shook her head and said, "I'm worried about Secretary Chen and the others."

"Didn't you send Secretary Chen to the capital? There's nothing to worry about. She told me last time that they were treated very warmly and well by the people there. Don't worry."

Wu Qianqian did not answer. This time, she sent Secretary Chen to Beijing as soon as possible to contact the master and report the sudden incident at the motorcycle assembly plant. Wu Qianqian felt that there would be other changes in the future. She flew to North America and could not take care of this side. Some things required the master's approval.

"Have you arranged the pick-up?"

"Everything has been arranged. The hotel has sent a car, and the sales manager Mr. Zhang is accompanying us. The legal team here is also staying in the same hotel as us, and they should arrive in the afternoon." It's very expensive. I hope we can follow the master's ideas, otherwise the cost will be too high.

"Well, that's great. Let's work hard tonight and have a meeting with the other party to exchange ideas. The rest will be up to the lawyers on both sides."

"Everything has been arranged. Manager Zhang has confirmed the meeting room for the evening. I have already informed the lawyers here. There should be no problem."

Wu Qianqian nodded. In fact, these had basically been confirmed before boarding the plane, but this was the first time such a big fuss had happened. She was still a little nervous and couldn't help but confirm it again.

We have to have a big legal battle with the other party. As the master said, the bigger the noise and the better. We have to make a big noise and use the opportunity to promote our brand.

"It will take more than two hours to arrive. You should take a rest first. There will be many things that need your decision later."

"Wake me up half an hour before arrival, and remind me of the arrangements when I arrive at the hotel. The schedule is very tight this time, and we have to go to several places."

Wu Qianqian knew that this lawsuit would not be resolved in a short time, and she could not stay here forever. She had to act according to the plan. The Bald Eagle plane was waiting for her to negotiate. This was also an important task, but she might have to go to Vancouver several times.

She had to learn how to use the power of the media, arrange press conferences based on the progress of the lawsuit, and take the initiative to appear on TV. These were all firsts for Wu Qianqian.

Zhu Xuefeng, the man behind the scenes, had no classes in the morning, so he had breakfast with his younger brother and sister and saw them off. He did not return to school immediately, and after a short rest, he caught up with the arrival of the furniture at the third uncle's house.

"Uncle, why are you delivering furniture so early? Are you not going to work?"

"How can I not go to work? We have already agreed on a time. I will take two hours off to check on the children. How can young people know whether the furniture is good or not? I have to check it myself to feel at ease."

"Me, too. You're busy then. I have to go back to school."

"Usually at this time, you would have left long ago. Why are you only here today? You don't have classes in the morning?"

"You're right. Our professor has a meeting this morning, so this class has been moved to the evening. I can't come back today, so I have to attend class in the evening."

The third uncle looked at Zhu Xuefeng with a smile. Their furniture was made in the furniture factory run by the street office. The third uncle knew that those designs were all drawn up with the help of Zhu Xuefeng.

"It's still early, Xuefeng. I know you designed all this furniture. Why don't you help me check if there's anything inappropriate? Only you understand this, and we're all laymen."

Thinking that it was still early, Zhu Xuefeng did not shirk his responsibility. "Looking at what you said, I just put forward an idea. However, Uncle Xue and his friends have good skills, so there shouldn't be any problem."

"Uncle, you have prepared everything now. Just wait for the date. What day do you want to set?"

The third uncle and aunt were also very happy. They touched the new furniture and kept praising it, saying that the design was very clever and it really saved space. It seemed that Yan Jiecheng had put a lot of thought into choosing the furniture, and it was just right for the layout of the ear room.

"Yes, it's really thanks to everyone's help. The date is set for May 20th, which happens to be a Sunday. We will hold it in the yard to save some trouble and thank the neighbors for their care."

Then he stroked the furniture happily, "This furniture is much better than the one I had back then. My dear, where is Jie Cheng? Why hasn't he come yet? I only asked for an hour's leave. I have to go now."

"Jie Cheng went to settle the bill with the cart driver. Yu Li went with him. It's time for him to come back."

Sure enough, Yan Jiecheng and Yu Li came back after a while. They didn't look very happy. When they entered the new house and saw the third uncle and his wife and Zhu Xuefeng, they forced a smile.

"Boss, you two are about to get things done, why are you still making a fuss? Today is a great day, don't make any trouble for me. Xiaoli, if you have any grievances, just tell us and we will take care of it for you."

After a period of contact, the old couple were really satisfied with Yu Li. She didn't compare with others, didn't spend money recklessly, didn't complain about the hardship, and was very respectful to the old couple. That was enough. What else could they ask for? Besides, the girl was pretty and there would be no problem for her to be a good match for their son.

"No, I wouldn't make her angry. When we were settling the bill just now, the driver insisted on adding 20 cents to the transportation fee for each truckload. We had agreed on the price long ago, and they said they would help unload the truck, but they added 20 cents to move it to the front yard. It's only a few steps away. I think they are crazy about money."

"Did you give it to him?" the third uncle asked with concern.

"Yes, we paid 30 cents for the two cars. We had no choice. Mr. Liu from the outer courtyard was out driving a car and he spoke up for them, saying that this was a rule. I couldn't do anything about it. In the end, we paid 30 cents more for the two cars, and Xiaoli paid for it. You didn't pay for it either."

The third uncle still wanted to save face, so he quickly told the third aunt, "How can Xiaoli pay for this money? My dear, give the money to Xiaoli."

The third aunt took out a small handkerchief from her bosom, opened it, and pointed out three Mao bills and handed them to Yu Li. Yu Li was too embarrassed to take them and kept waving her hands.

"No, no, this is what we should do."

"Brothers should settle accounts clearly. If you are asked to take it, then take it. My father said so, and we have to listen."

Yan Jiecheng took it and stuffed it into Yu Li's hand. Zhu Xuefeng, a stranger, felt uncomfortable staying here, so he said goodbye and went home.

As soon as I went out, I saw Xiao Ma from the steel rolling mill hurried into the yard and happened to see Zhu Xuefeng.

"Finally I found you. I went to school early in the morning but found nothing."

It turned out that the leader was looking for him anxiously. Xiao Ma thought it was school time, so he went straight to school. Unexpectedly, Zhu Xuefeng did not go to school because he had no classes in the morning, so he hurried to the compound.

"What happened? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Xiao Ma looked around and found that there was no one in the yard except the third uncle's family. But Xiao Ma still didn't answer. Zhu Xuefeng then realized that things might not be simple, and hurriedly followed him out of the yard. Master Liu was already waiting for the jeep.

"Xiao Ma, now you can tell me what happened in the factory."

The jeep was speeding on the street. It seemed that the leader's instructions were urgent, otherwise an experienced driver like Master Liu would not have been able to drive so fast on the street.

(End of this chapter)