Back to 1984: I built a chicken farm on a barren mountain.

According to Chen Wenfeng's idea, all the funds for his cooperation with Zheng Erli would be provided by Zheng Erli. Although Zheng Erli admired Chen Wenfeng, he also had some concerns. He felt that he couldn't bear all the risks himself, and besides, in his opinion, Chen Wenfeng was too young.

Zheng Erli hesitated and said, "Wenfeng, let me think about the cooperation some more."

"OK."

Chen Wenfeng sipped his tea and replied very naturally, without even raising his head.

Oh? Chen Wenfeng's nonchalant attitude surprised Zheng Erli. This kid wasn't discouraged by the failure to reach a cooperation agreement; he's actually quite capable.

As Zheng Erli was thinking, he heard Chen Wenfeng say:

"Uncle Zheng, take your time to think it over. This isn't a one-off deal; we're in it for the long haul."

Chen Wenfeng's few words struck a chord with Zheng Erli. He had always adhered to a long-term perspective in doing business, which was the fundamental reason why he and Han Laosi parted ways.

The shrewd Han Laosi hadn't thought of this, but the young Chen Wenfeng was able to understand it—that's rare!

He replied with a smile:

"Wenfeng, I might think about it quickly!"

Chen Youwei was pleased to see that although the two of them did not immediately reach an agreement, they were having a very pleasant conversation.

Zheng Erli was the most capable businessman in Chenjiazhuang in Chen Youwei's mind. Now, Chen Wenfeng had emerged as well. Chen Youwei was very proud that he had brought together the two most capable businessmen.

Not long ago, he went to a meeting in town and gave a presentation on Jimingshan as a typical example of building a chicken farm on a barren mountain. He received praise from the town leaders. After the meeting, several village chiefs came to him for advice. He was so happy that he almost blew snot bubbles.

What pleased Chen Youwei even more was that although Chen Wenfeng's chicken farm was just starting out, it had a group of people like Lao Suntou, Zhou Zhiming, Niu Da, and Niu Er helping him. Once the chicken farm grew larger, it would provide more people with work and income.

Thinking of this, Chen Youwei thought of Han Laosi again. Han Laosi's soy sauce factory was about to be built, but Han Laosi's attitude of using people only when they needed them would never bring any benefits to the village.

During this period, Han Laosi was also recruiting workers, but the conditions were harsh, the wages were very low, and meals were not provided.

Many people approached Chen Youwei, asking him to mediate and persuade Han Laosi to raise his wages. Chen Youwei had no choice but to go to Han Laosi instead.

But when Han Laosi met Chen Youwei, he kept changing the subject and pretending to be stupid. Chen Youwei had no choice but to stop pressing him.

The long rainy season has passed, and the weather in September is clear and crisp. Outside Chenjiazhuang Village, the corn stalks are already taller than a person, and the continuous cornfields form the "green curtain" depicted in novels and movies.

Han Laosi's soy sauce factory is basically ready. The soy sauce factory mainly relies on manual production. Originally, Zheng Erli's idea was to install some simple mechanical equipment.

With Zheng Erli's departure, Han Laosi decisively abandoned the idea of ​​installing machinery. His plan was brilliant; in later popular parlance, he intended to exploit the workers at the soy sauce factory. In short, he wanted to make the workers do the hardest work for the lowest possible wages.

September 6, 1984 (the eleventh day of the eighth lunar month) was an auspicious day for opening a business.

Two strings of firecrackers were set up in front of the Chenjiazhuang soy sauce factory. At 11:58 a.m., Han Laosi personally lit the firecrackers, his face beaming with pride amidst the crackling sounds. Li Dahua stood beside Han Laosi, her back ramrod straight. Looking at her usual close friends, she suddenly felt a distance between them, a distance that made them no longer worthy of being her equals.

A dozen tables were set up in the courtyard of the soy sauce factory. Han Laosi invited many relatives, friends and workers from the soy sauce factory. The relatives and friends wanted to come and build relationships with Han Laosi after he became successful, while those who had already secured jobs at the soy sauce factory also wanted to flatter the boss. Han Laosi made a lot of money from this banquet alone.

Han Laosi, who was known for being stingy, would throw leftover food and bones outside the soy sauce factory, so much so that even stray dogs passing by knew that the factory was where rich people lived.

Chen Youwei and Chen Wenfeng were also among those invited by Han Laosi. Chen Youwei gave a gift of 2 yuan, and Chen Wenfeng gave a gift of 1 yuan. Both of them were seated at the main table.

Chen Youwei asked Chen Wenfeng:

"Wenfeng, you're a boss now, this gift money is a bit too little."

"Uncle Youwei, I want to call GG."

"What GG?"

"If I were to give 2, 5, or even 10 yuan, it wouldn't be a problem. But firstly, I don't want to give him more money as a gift. Secondly, it would actually be more noticeable. When people talk about Han Laosi Soy Sauce Factory's banquet, they will mention me and say that I am stingy and only gave 1 yuan as a gift."

"What's this called, GG?"

"Uncle Youwei, the villagers aren't stupid. I give less money to outsiders, but I'm not stingy with my brothers. Han Laosi may be able to make a fortune and throw big banquets, but the workers will become more and more resentful of his harsh treatment."

At this point, Chen Wenfeng lowered his voice and whispered in Chen Youwei's ear:

"I've taken a look at this soy sauce factory, and I think it's quite suitable. Maybe one day when Han Laosi can't keep it up, I can take over."

"You little rascal, they just opened and you're already cursing them to go bankrupt? Old Han, meeting you is truly... hahaha!"

At this moment, Han Laosi returned from toasting and clinked glasses with Chen Youwei and Chen Wenfeng. Seeing that Han Laosi's face was flushed and he could barely speak, Chen Wenfeng felt a sense of disdain for Han Laosi. He thought Han Laosi was smug, short-sighted, and incapable of accomplishing anything significant.

The mountain breeze at Jiming Mountain in September is already quite cool.

Niu Da and Niu Er lit a bonfire at the foot of the mountain, and then the two of them went back to the house with Zhou Zhiming and the others to eat.

Only Chen Wenfeng and Hou Laizi remained by the campfire.

"Brother Feng, please let me and Fatty go!"

Hou Laizi said earnestly that he had expressed to Chen Wenfeng more than once his desire to infiltrate Han Laosi's soy sauce factory, hoping that any important information he obtained might be of great use in the future.

Chen Wenfeng broke open a freshly picked apple, handed one half to Hou Laizi, and ate the other half himself, saying:

"If you and Fatty want to make money, even though we don't need that many people on the mountain, you can come first. Whether the pay is high or low, work with me. Han Laosi's job pays little and is very tiring. I don't want my own brothers to suffer like that."

"Brother Feng, I haven't done anything. You've already paid me several times. I think there's a future in working with you. Besides, if others can do it, why can't I? I didn't go to Han Laosi's side to make money; I just wanted to keep an eye on him for you."

Chen Wenfeng finished the apple in a few bites. It was a bit astringent and not sweet enough. He thought that apples should be left to ripen after being picked to allow their sweetness to develop. He then said:

"You two can go, but you must follow my instructions."