Reborn in '77, I have a job panel!

Chapter 60: Approaching the Party Secretary and Getting Backed by the Brigade (Thanks to Xuzhou Prince for the monthly pass)

[As the title says, thank you to my Prince Xuzhou for the 3 big monthly tickets! Wishing you all the best and a prosperous 2026!!]

Qian Cheng stood up: "Secretary Zheng."

Zheng Guohua waved his hand: "Sit down, sit down. I heard from Lao Li that you have an idea. Tell me about it."

""

The three of them sat down.

Qian Cheng cleared his throat and repeated what he had just said to Lao Li.

Zheng Guohua listened quietly without interrupting.

After Qian Cheng finished speaking, Zheng Guohua remained silent for a while before asking, "Are you confident about the sales channels?"

'

Qian Cheng said, "Yes, I've already made contact with the mine. The canteen director, Liu Baoshan, is a good guy. They'll definitely want wild vegetables. I also have connections in the county. I'll work on it slowly."

Zheng Guohua nodded, then asked, "How will the acquisition price be determined?"

Qian Cheng said, "It's 20% higher than the supply and marketing cooperatives."

Zheng Guohua was stunned for a moment: "That much higher? The supply and marketing cooperative only pays a few cents per pound for wild vegetables. You're paying 20% ​​more, and you can still make money?"

'

Qian Cheng smiled and said, "Secretary Zheng, to tell you the truth, I'm not just doing this business to make money for myself."

Here's what I'm thinking: our team will take the lead, and I'll be responsible for finding distribution channels, setting standards, and handling sales.

If we make money, we give 10% of the profits to the brigade.

Zheng Guohua looked at him and asked, "Ten percent?"

"Yes, this money is specifically for our brigade's affairs, such as repairing the primary school, buying broadcasting equipment, and helping impoverished households. I won't touch it; it will all go to the brigade."

Zheng Guohua didn't speak, but his eyes flickered.

Qian Cheng continued, "Also, when purchasing goods, we will give priority to purchasing goods from our own village members."

If anyone picks wild vegetables, they can bring them to the team, and I will buy them at the agreed price.

The villagers earn more money, their lives become easier, and the team also gains income—it's a win-win situation.

Old Li chimed in from the side: "And what about you? You're running around doing all this, just to make a profit from the difference?"

'

Qian Cheng said, "Uncle, I make my money from the price difference, but I don't cheat people. The price is fair, the products are good, and everyone benefits."

Besides, if this business of mine succeeds, won't I also get a share of the team's profits in the future?

Zheng Guohua smiled after hearing this.

He looked at Qian Cheng and said, "You're a smart kid, and you know how to talk."

1

Qian Cheng smiled but didn't reply.

Zheng Guohua thought for a moment and said, "I think your idea is quite good. There are a few points, let me tell you, and you can see if I agree."

Qian Cheng nodded: "Secretary Zheng, please speak."

Zheng Guohua said: "First, this matter must be handled by the brigade. If you collect it on your own, that's speculation and profiteering. If the brigade handles it, then it's a collective side business, which is compliant and legal."

Qian Cheng nodded: "Yes, that's what I think too."

Zheng Guohua said, "Secondly, the purchase price must be fair. Twenty percent higher than that of the supply and marketing cooperative is acceptable, but it cannot be too high. If it is too high, it will easily cause chaos."

Qian Cheng said, "Understood. Let's set a standard and price according to quality, then no one will lose out."

Zheng Guohua said, "Third, you have to find a market for wild vegetables. You can't let them go to waste. Once you harvest them, you have to sell them. If you can't sell them and they rot in your hands, the commune members will complain."

Qian Cheng said, "Secretary Zheng, don't worry, I will definitely find a sales channel. If I fail, I will pay the loss myself and never let the team suffer a loss."

Zheng Guohua looked at him with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

He stood up, walked over to Qian Cheng, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Okay, we'll do it your way."

Qian Cheng was secretly pleased and stood up as well: "Thank you, Secretary Zheng."

Zheng Guohua waved his hand: "Don't thank me, it was your own idea."

During my years as Party Secretary, I've met many young people.

There are many ideas, but few can be put into practice.

You're different. You've made something of yourself, and you've also gotten through to the mines. You're capable.

He paused for a moment, then said, "If you encounter any difficulties in the future, just come to the brigade."

If you're short-staffed, the team will provide you with replacements.

If you're short of money, the team will cover it for you.

"If you can do it, the team will fully support you."

Qian Cheng nodded: "Secretary Zheng, I'm relieved to hear you say that."

After leaving the brigade headquarters, Qian Cheng felt much more at ease.

With the backing of a large group, the deal is practically done.

He walked back while making plans.

Wild vegetables can be picked around March or April.

Aralia elata shoots, dandelion, bracken fern, and wild garlic are the best-selling items.

Set a standard: tender and fresh, not old or rotten.

Once collected, the items must be sent out on the same day; they cannot be kept overnight.

As for sales channels, the mine will definitely want them.

We also need to try our luck in the county to see if there are any other connections.

There are also eggs.

Qian Cheng remembered this.

The supply and marketing cooperative buys eggs at a very low price, only a few cents per pound.

But in the county and at the mine, eggs were rationed; without a ration coupon, you couldn't buy them.

It's a rare treat for the workers to get an egg.

If we could also collect the eggs and sell them to the mine, that would be another way.

However, eggs are more troublesome than wild vegetables.

Moreover, eggs are fragile and must be transported carefully.

No rush, let's take it one step at a time.

Let's set up the wild vegetable stall first, then we'll talk about eggs.

When she got home, Hou Yufen was busy in the outer room. When she saw Qian Cheng return, she asked, "Where did you go?"

""

"I went to the brigade." Qian Cheng sat down. "I talked to the captain and the secretary about something."

Hou Yufen asked, "What's wrong?"

Qian Cheng told me about the wild vegetables.

After listening, Hou Yufen was a little worried: "Will this work? What if it causes more trouble?"

Qian Cheng said, "It's alright. Being affiliated with the brigade doesn't count as speculation. The Party Secretary himself said he fully supports it."

Hou Yufen felt a little relieved after hearing him say that.

After lunch, Qian Cheng went to the Zhang family's house again.

Zhang Changtian was working in the carpentry shed when he saw him come in. He raised his eyelids slightly and said, "You've arrived?"

"I'm here." Qian Cheng walked to the worktable. "Master, what are we learning today?"

Zhang Changtian said, "Keep practicing the horse stool. Yesterday you did the leg exercises, today you'll do the horizontal support exercises."

""

He handed several pieces of wood to Qian Cheng: "Draw lines according to the dimensions, then chisel mortises."

Qian Cheng took the timber, sat down at the worktable, and began to draw lines.

Zhang Mingxi slipped in again and stood to the side watching.

Draw the lines, pick up the chisel, and start chiseling the mortises.

With each chisel stroke, wood chips fell out little by little.

The shape of the mortise gradually emerged, becoming square and neat.

Zhang Changtian watched from the side without saying a word.

After finishing one, Qian Cheng picked it up, looked at it, measured it with a ruler, nodded, put it aside, and began to carve the second one.

Zhang Mingxi whispered from the side, "You chiseled it so neatly."

Qian Cheng looked up at her and smiled.

Zhang Changtian coughed.

Zhang Mingxi stuck out his tongue and stopped talking.

After chiseling four mortises, Qian Cheng put down the chisel and stretched his fingers.

Zhang Changtian walked over, picked up the parts, looked at them, and nodded: "Okay, better than yesterday."

He put the parts down and said, "Assemble it tomorrow. When you get back, think about how to cross the legs of the stool and how to fix them in place."

""

Qian Cheng nodded: "Okay, I'll go back and think about it."

""

It was getting dark when we left the Zhang family's house.

When Qian Cheng returned home, Qian Lu was already waiting for him inside.