Reborn in 1981, the first to get rich start with dairy cows.

Shen Dong had only been gone for about 20 minutes, so Li Shangen, not wanting to stay in the office, started wandering around the factory.

Old Huang remembered Li Shangen's identity, so he called him to the guard room, and the two old brothers chatted while smoking.

"How many people are there in the factory now?" Li Shangen couldn't see clearly, but he saw that there were quite a few people in the workshop. He also saw Tang Yue busy and greeted her.

"I'm in my twenties, and since we resumed work in November, we've added ten more people."

"So many people? That kid must be under a lot of pressure. He's on a contract, and he has to pay the commune every month." Li Shangen thought there were only twelve or thirteen people, but he didn't expect so many. In that case, he'll have to have a serious talk with the team.

Previously, when everyone saw that Hu Aiping and Tao Guiping had started working at the factory, they were already thinking of asking Shen Dong to arrange jobs for them. Now that they heard there were more than twenty mouths to feed, and the monthly salary alone would be eight or nine hundred, they couldn't put pressure on Shen Dong.

"Yes, it's only because our factory manager is capable and smart that most people would dare to cooperate with the previous factory. Besides, I've heard that our factory manager has a very powerful background."

After Lao Huang finished speaking, he looked at Li Shangen meaningfully.

"A powerful background? I've never heard of that." Li Shangen was stunned. He had watched Dongwa grow up and had never heard of him having any connections. Could it be...someone from Shi Xiaohai's side?

Old Huang smiled mysteriously, his voice unconsciously rising a little: "A few days ago, our factory accountant and the factory director went to the county agricultural machinery station together. The station director was very happy to see the factory director and gave him a warm welcome. Moreover, the factory director even brought out the blueprints for the refrigeration machine, which shocked all the technicians at the agricultural machinery station."

"You say it's not an ordinary background, who could produce something like this? This is a rare item. The entire commune only has one refrigeration machine in the machine factory, and our factory director managed to get the blueprints. Think about it carefully..."

As Lao Huang spoke, he raised his head. A 45-degree angle is the most suitable angle for smoking, and also the best angle for the smoke to rise.

Li Shangen was increasingly shocked as he listened. The last time the agricultural machinery station came to present a banner, it was already beyond the comprehension of rural people. How could it be related to such a high-end product as a refrigeration machine this time?

Could there really be a connection? It hasn't shown up for over a decade; isn't it a bit too well hidden?

Li Shangen also began to question the meaning of life!

The two chatted for a few more minutes before they heard a cough coming from outside the door.

"Oh, Grandpa, you're here. I've already made the deal, 12 donkeys. Where's Second Grandpa? Shall we go and bring the donkey cart over?"

In fact, Shen Dong had arrived long ago, but the two of them were having a great conversation, and it would have been awkward for everyone if he suddenly appeared, so he simply waited.

He never imagined that a simple blueprint would somehow become a story about him having powerful connections.

Does he, as the person involved, not know whether he has connections or not? If he really did, why would he start a business or lease a factory? He could just lie down and relax.

"Okay, he's waiting around the corner. Let's go find him together."

Li Shangen called Li Shankui, and the three of them went to the livestock station to buy chickens. Li Shangen had left in a hurry and hadn't expected to be able to buy them today. He didn't have any money on him, so Shen Dong went to the credit union to withdraw some money and borrowed it temporarily.

There were twelve chickens in total. Li Shangen and Li Shankui carried them onto the car and wrapped strips of cloth around their feet to prevent them from jumping.

"Grandpa, please save two for me, and the rest ten. If there are any left over, you can leave them for me too."

"Okay, come to the team headquarters early tonight. I'll take your two to Weiguo first."

After Li Shangen finished speaking, he took the chickens back to the team.

"Attention everyone, the laying hens that Dongwa asked the commune for have arrived at the team. Those who said they wanted to buy them can come now. Remember to bring your money, 20 yuan. I'll repeat that again..."

As soon as Li Shangen announced it over the loudspeaker, those who wanted to buy it arrived at the team headquarters.

Even those who didn't intend to buy came over to join the fun, commenting on the laying hens that were surrounded in the yard.

"Wow, this chicken is quite big!"

"This one looks like it's been raised for more than half a year. I reckon it'll be able to lay eggs in two months at most."

"I wonder if there will be any left. I'm thinking of buying one too..."

Shen Dong specifically stated that the price of 18 yuan was due to his connections, making it cheaper than what other production teams could buy, so the true price could not be disclosed.

Li Shangen called the group into the house, told them about the matter, and emphasized its importance.

In the end, a total of 8 people, including Li Shangen, bought 8 chickens.

As soon as the group came out, others gathered around them.

"Captain, are there any chickens left? I'd like to buy one too. Just tell me how much it costs, and I'll go home and get the money right now."

"Me too, Captain, I want one too!"

Surrounded by them, Li Shangen's ears were ringing, giving him a headache. He raised his hand and pressed it down to signal everyone to be quiet.

"There are two chickens left, anyone want them?"

"I," "I," and suddenly six or seven arms were raised.

Having no other choice, Li Shangen could only take a piece of paper and crumple it into several balls.

"Fair and just, two spots available, you can choose for yourselves!"

The group looked at each other and each took a crumpled piece of paper.

Soon, the two made a decision. After they handed over the money, Li Shangen gave it to Tao Aihui, telling him to return it to Shen Dong when Shen Dong arrived.

Shen Dong went to Shen Weiguo's place that evening and saw that the two chickens were already in the chicken coop. A fence and door made of branches and planks were used to keep them inside.

Liu Xiuying caught chicks last March, and now she has four at home, which are quite big now.

"Dongzi, how much is a chicken?"

"Grandma, it's cheap, so you can raise it. It will start laying eggs after the New Year. But you can't save all the eggs to sell for money; you have to feed Xiaohong and Xiaohui too."

Liu Xiuying laughed and scolded, "You eat so much, even your younger siblings don't eat as much as you."

Shen Dong chuckled, "I just bought two chickens, so everyone can eat eggs every day from now on. You and Grandpa should eat some too, so you can live to be a hundred. You'd better eat more and take care of your health."

Shen Changping grinned and chuckled, then cursed.

Shen Dong knew the two old people's habits well. In their previous life, they would save the eggs, sell them, and then save the money. They didn't spend it on ordinary days, but waited until the New Year to buy food for the children.

Fortunately, apart from Shen Fang's early death, nothing else major happened in the family, and the two elderly people lived long lives.

"How could that be? There are so many kids in the family. Xiaonan hasn't found a husband yet, so we have to prepare a set. You rascal, you're 18 now, so you have to prepare a set too. And in a few years, when Xiaomin grows up, even the grandmother will have to prepare one."

Liu Xiuying kept talking, while Shen Dong stood aside listening.

After the old woman finished speaking, he said mysteriously, "Grandma, I've remembered everything, so don't worry!"

"I'll give you a surprise tomorrow!"

"What's the surprise, Dong-ge? Is it food?" Shen Xing asked curiously, looking up as he listened to the commotion while doing his homework. Shen Hong, having finished her homework, also looked over curiously.

"Haha, it's a secret, you'll find out tomorrow!"