Courtyard House: A Start with Black Gold Swallowing 100,000 Silver Dollars

He hoped the marriage would end soon so he could rightfully approach Shen Shanshan. He used to think Li Guozhui was the obstacle, but who knew that in the blink of an eye, he would become the one who most wanted to break off the engagement—while the one who was truly holding on tightly was Shen Shanshan.

He wanted to help Li Guozhui, but was afraid of appearing too hasty; he wanted to persuade Shen Shanshan, but was afraid of being scolded.

Ugh……

What kind of situation is this?

……

The next day at noon.

Li Guozhui entered the popsicle factory workshop as the bell rang, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and then told Ye Xiuli everything that had happened at the school gate yesterday.

"So... what do we do now?" Ye Xiuli sat on a small stool, one hand supporting her lower back, the other unconsciously rubbing her still flat stomach. "I'm already two months along, and in another eight months the baby will be born—am I really going to be a nameless, unclaimed 'burden' mom?"

Her voice was soft, but her words were like needles, piercing Li Guozhui's heart again and again.

These days, the term "unmarried mother" is even more offensive than an insult. Being associated with it is like being labeled as "improper," putting you at a disadvantage when looking for a job, getting housing, or even enrolling your child in daycare.

"I...I'll go again," Li Guozhui said, rubbing the hem of his clothes, his voice muffled.

Over the next two months, Li Guozhui visited Shen Shanshan six or seven times. But she remained resolute, determined not to agree. She couldn't swallow her anger—Ye Xiuli would never be able to marry smoothly, let alone have a decent child. She wanted Ye Xiuli to walk around in front of the neighbors with her pregnant belly, letting gossip grow like weeds and trample her reputation into the mud.

Li Guozhui felt incredibly guilty, but he was also afraid of his family interfering, and even more afraid that his father would use his old connections to put pressure on him, which would only make things worse. He gritted his teeth and bore it all himself, taking it one day at a time.

But Ye Xiuli's pregnancy couldn't wait. Her pregnancy progressed day by day, and if she delayed any longer, it would be difficult to even conceal it. She had no choice but to bite the bullet and return to the Li family's old house to ask her father-in-law, Li Wenguo, for a place to stay.

"You really don't need your father to step in and smooth things over?"

Li Wenguo was sitting in Xianglan House, holding a cup of strong tea in his hand, without even lifting his eyelids.

Hearing that his son's relationship with Shen Shanshan had fallen through, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and even the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

Years ago, Shen Shanshan beckoned Li Guozhui to abandon his family business and follow her to the countryside. Li Wenguo didn't say anything, but a fire burned in his heart. Now that fire is extinguished, not even ashes remain—he never liked her in the first place, and he was even less willing to let his son marry such a manipulative woman.

"No need, Father. I can handle it myself."

Li Guo answered decisively.

Those years spent in the countryside were not wasted: I became physically stronger, more composed, less impulsive, and more resilient in the face of adversity.

"Okay, so do you want a suite, or a small house with a yard?"

Li Wenguo nodded, his tone conveying a sense of relief.

The winter snow has melted away, and the first signs of spring are appearing.

In the blink of an eye, it was 1979.

At the end of last year—December 78—the higher authorities had already given the message: the economy should be revitalized, policies should be relaxed, and private individuals could engage in business.

This spring, the "Regulations on Individual Industrial and Commercial Households" were officially issued, which clearly states that anyone with legal capacity can apply for registration to make a living in designated markets or areas.

Li Guohang had been waiting for this day.

Early that morning, he stepped lightly into Li Wenguo's courtyard and headed straight for the embroidery room.

"Dad! The reform and opening up policy has truly taken root. Can't we roll up our sleeves and get to work now?"

His face was radiant, and his eyes shone like freshly wiped glass.

"Well, it's still early, but it's not a bad idea to test the waters first."

Li Wenguo responded and slowly put down his teacup.

Nowadays, only sole proprietorships are allowed—basically, individuals who trade goods; they can't build factories or hire hundreds of people. They can only do two things: retail or wholesale.

Retail? Small-scale operations, just pocket change, Li Wenguo didn't even blink.

Wholesale is somewhat promising, but the low barriers to entry attract a lot of people, resulting in thin profits and considerable risks. Fortunately, the Li family has a solid foundation, so even if they encounter some setbacks, their subordinates will cover for them, preventing serious damage.

"Okay, whatever you say!"

Li Guohang clenched his fist, his whole body brimming with energy.

"So, how do you plan to start?"

Li Wenguo asked the question casually, as if it were just a casual remark, but in reality, he was waiting to see what Li Wenguo was thinking.

Xiu Xiu then went behind her husband, gently supporting the back of his neck and letting his head rest on her shoulder. Her fingers, painted with vermilion nails, slowly massaged his stiff shoulders, the movements practiced and silent.

Li Guohang lowered his head and began to ponder.

All those companies, factories, and supply chains described in those books are just theoretical. In the current situation, the only practical solutions are opening stores, stockpiling goods, and wholesale trading. He scratched the back of his head, trying to apply the methods from the books, but he immediately ran into trouble—reality doesn't follow logic, it only follows connections.

Finally, he raised his head and honestly said, "I want to first rent a shop, then take on some goods and do wholesale and retail."

Upon hearing this, Li Wenguo slowly opened his eyes, his tone calm yet resolute: "Selling small items? You won't earn many copper coins, no need to bother."

He paused, then added, "Wholesale is possible, but others are doing it too. You need to move upstream."

"Upstream?"

Li Guohang frowned slightly, his mind racing.

Suddenly, a word popped into my mind—"supplier".

It's not just about selling goods to people, but about delivering goods to various wholesale outlets, vegetable markets, department stores, and even the warehouses of supply and marketing cooperatives.

His eyes lit up: "Dad, you mean...becoming a top-tier supplier?"

Li Wenguo nodded: "That's right. Not just in the capital, but also in the northern provinces, we need to expand this out."

Then he changed the subject: "Your brothers all run factories in Hong Kong, producing everything from fabrics and hardware to daily necessities. You can have them ship the goods first, and then you can settle the accounts after you sell them—the payment will be deferred, so you don't have to advance the capital."

He outlined the general direction, but didn't mention a single detail. How to transport the goods? How to manage the warehouse? Who would distribute the goods? Who would sell them to? Which street and which stall would be assigned to whom? These were things Li Guohang would have to figure out, learn, and experience for himself.

Li Wenguo doesn't teach, precisely because he wants to teach.

Finally, as if remembering something, he casually added, "You can't handle it all by yourself, see which of your younger brothers is willing to lend a hand. More people means more work, and it'll save you from exhausting yourself."

—With many sons, someone has to take over, someone has to pave the way, and someone has to shoulder the responsibilities.

"Okay, Dad!"

Li Guohang had already figured out who to recruit.

"Xiuxiu, give 100,000 to Air China."

Li Wenguo turned his head and spoke to those behind him.

This money is not for purchasing goods, but specifically for renting warehouses, hiring people, bribing officials, and launching products online.

The arrangements had already been made in Hong Kong: goods shipped first, payment settled later. Once Li Guohang established the distribution channels, the accounts would be cleared naturally once the goods were sold.

Li Guohang went straight to the warehouse as soon as he left home—the location had to be decided before the goods arrived.

As for what to sell? He buys whatever his brothers produce. He takes a few truckloads to test the waters first, keeps what sells, and replaces the rest.

The Li family had deep roots in Beijing. He only asked two old acquaintances to help him rent three old factory buildings, each over 1,000 square meters, near Nanluoguxiang that very day. The buildings were made of blue bricks and gray tiles, with high gates and spacious courtyards, and were well-ventilated and bright.

We need to get the necessary manpower immediately.

As evening fell, he rode his old-fashioned bicycle, a bag of newly bought fruit candies hanging from the handlebars, and turned into No. 95 Nanluoguxiang.

Li Guoxian was holding his three-year-old daughter, sitting under the locust tree in the courtyard, enjoying the cool shade.

"Uncle Air China is here? I'll cook two more hot dishes, let's eat here tonight!"

Qin Jingru, wearing a blue apron, peeked out from the kitchen, her smile gentle, her eyes sparkling with light. In her early thirties, she was well-proportioned and plump, with jet-black hair and impeccably pressed clothes, looking even younger than her actual age.

"Sister-in-law, you're too kind. I really won't leave!"

Li Guohang smiled and handed her the candy, then helped her steady the wobbly bamboo stool by the stove.

"Just say what you have to say."

Li Guoxian lifted his daughter up a little, his gaze falling on his younger brother's face. "There are no outsiders here, brother."

Li Guohang didn't mince words and stated his plans in a few sentences: he needed to stock up on goods, make outreach, and have manpower to stabilize the market.

"It's nothing." Li Guoxian chuckled. "Tomorrow morning, I'll take you to meet Xiao Fo and the others. They're all idle and itching for something to do."

In his eyes, this matter wasn't even as serious as a cigarette butt burning his hand.

Li Guohang paused briefly, then looked up at him: "Brother Guoxian, you...why don't you want to join in?"

Originally, Li Guoxian had decided not to get involved, but then he suddenly remembered that his two older brothers, one in the United States and the other in Hong Kong, were both doing very well in their businesses. As for himself, he had little chance of making a name for himself in the government-run factory business. Since that was the case, why not lend a hand and test the waters while the enthusiasm was still there?

"Alright, I'll join in too."

"Alright, Brother Guoxian! With you in charge, this business of ours is sure to be a huge success!"

Li Guohang's eyes lit up, and his voice was full of energy.

Having grown up under Li Wenguo's tutelage, the three brothers had the concept of "unity" ingrained in their very bones. Money? Second only.

Of course, this isn't entirely unfounded in today's context—after all, we're just starting out, our pockets aren't full yet, and we don't really grasp the true weight of "money." Only when we actually accumulate a substantial sum, overwhelming us and forcing us to find ways to manage it, will our perspective gradually shift. After all, we've all heard stories of families breaking up over a few stacks of cash.

The next morning, Li Guoxian led Li Guohang to the entrance of the alley where Xiao Fo and the others often squatted.

"Air China's young master!!!"

Xiao Fo, along with several young men who were also sons of the old guards, stood up straight in unison, their voices loud and respectful.

"What 'young master'? Just call me by my name." Li Guoxian waved his hand, feigning displeasure.

The group nodded in agreement. But behind their backs, they still called him "Young Master" in private—it was how their fathers taught them back then, and it was deeply ingrained in them, something they couldn't change overnight.

The next step is to take inventory and determine the direction.

Xiao Fo and his men were seasoned street vendors, well-connected, quick-witted, and shrewd. Li Guohang and Li Guoxian initially thought it best to have Xiao Fo's men set up stalls and sell their wares directly, saving them trouble. Xiao Fo, however, smiled and shook his head:

"No need for that much trouble. People have already set up stalls on the street. We just need to supply the goods—they come to the warehouse to pick them up, we check and ship them out, it's efficient."

He tapped the ash off his cigarettes onto the pack and continued, "Let the brothers bring in a few more stall owners. If the goods move quickly and the stalls can be set up, then our 'transfer station' will be truly established."

People are saved, roads are wider, and the timing is right. Little Buddha's method may seem crude, but it's actually quite shrewd.