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

"As everyone has seen, the factory has developed rapidly in just a few months, but the production lines and equipment in the factory can't keep up, and some have even become outdated."

"Take the milk storage tanks outside, for example. They are covered in rust and are products from the 60s. They should have been replaced long ago."

"And those separators are all quite old."

"So, in a few days, there will be an electromechanical ordering fair in Shanghai. I will take people there to participate and buy new equipment to upgrade the entire production line."

"Whoosh!" The crowd below erupted in chaos.

Shanghai, trade fair, production line upgrades—these novel terms stirred everyone's nerves and got everyone excited.

Nowadays, the small factories in the commune generally have outdated equipment, mostly from ten or twenty years ago, and everyone is used to it.

Upon hearing that their factory was going to be upgraded, everyone was filled with anticipation.

"Factory manager, does that mean we can use the new equipment from now on?"

"Yes, not only is the equipment newer, but everyone's efficiency will also improve, and the yogurt we make will taste better."

"Great! That's wonderful! Factory manager, when will the new production line be fully upgraded?"

Shen Dong thought for a moment and replied, "I estimate it will be around March. By then, once the production line upgrade is complete, the output will also increase."

"Our goal this year is to make our Baotashan Dairy Factory's dairy products available throughout Changlin County!"

"Great!" Li Hu was a perfect straight man. As soon as he finished speaking, he clapped enthusiastically, and his excited mood immediately inspired everyone.

Qiu Xiaoqin sat below, listening to the cheers around her. Everyone was talking about the bright future of the factory, and she was also excited.

Looking at my boyfriend standing on the platform, tall and upright, calm and collected, with a clear goal, I felt really happy for him.

Shen Dong pressed his hand down, and after everyone calmed down a bit, he slowly spoke.

"It was foreseeable that the factory would do well this year. I originally planned to increase the bonus at the end of the year, but after thinking about it, I realized that the plan was too conventional and lacked originality."

"I've always said that this factory doesn't belong to me, Shen Dong, but to everyone. Without everyone's hard work, the factory wouldn't have been able to get on track so quickly, and I, Shen Dong, wouldn't have made any money."

"So it's only right to give some money to everyone, but it's too little!"

The people below listened quietly, knowing that what Shen Dong was about to say was the key point, and they all held their breath.

Shen Dong originally wanted to explain what he was going to do using "employee stock ownership," but at this point, he didn't even have the concept of a company, let alone shares, so he had to find another way to put it.

"I have devised an 'employee-led' plan, which aims to allow employees to enjoy additional benefits from the factory's development in addition to their salaries."

"What do you mean?"

"Simply put, it means that employees sign a cooperation agreement with the factory, invest a sum of money, and truly become one of the owners of the factory. At the end of the year, in addition to the normal bonus, they can also receive a sum of money based on the factory's annual profit. This is true ownership."

This was the first time anyone had heard this kind of thing, and they were all trying to recall the meaning of what had just been said.

Shen Dong only called on Li Hu after Li Hu raised his hand.

"I don't understand any grand principles, but everyone has seen what the factory manager has done these days. Whether it's opening a canteen, distributing bonuses, or giving out New Year's red envelopes, it's something that other factories can't compare to."

"Who would have thought that in just a few months, our dairy factory would become the best-paid factory in the commune, even better than the state-owned factories in the county. It's all thanks to the factory director."

"So, even though I don't understand what this plan means, I'm going to invest. I want to be the first one, just because I believe the factory manager must have good intentions."

Li Hu's words awakened the people below.

Yeah, what does it matter if you understand or not? Would the factory manager lie to anyone?

If they really wanted to cheat people, they could have simply not paid out the bonuses. There's a lot of money involved, and they still paid it out anyway.

"Me too! I want some!"

"Factory manager, look at me, I want to bet 100!"

"It's only 100, I'm going to invest 200, then I'll get even more money!"

"I have 500..."

"500? You little monkey, do you have that kind of money? You're just trying to launch a satellite."

The people below started laughing and joking, each one showing off their wealth and offering higher and higher prices than the last.

Shen Dong was both amused and exasperated. He quickly tried to calm them down and said, "The relevant information will be posted on the bulletin board afterward, so everyone can take a look."

"Now is the time to collect opinions. The deadline is tomorrow after get off work. Everyone should tell Aunt Li how much money they want to donate, and she will tally it up. Do what you can afford, any amount is fine, and it's okay if you don't donate at all."

"I will make further adjustments based on the final data the day after tomorrow, and then sign an agreement with everyone."

After Shen Dong announced the meeting was over, everyone gathered around Li Meiyu in twos and threes, eager to know what the plan meant.

If I invest 100 yuan, how much money will I receive at the end of the year?

These are the things they care about most.

In other words, they don't yet have the concept of fundraising or the awareness of financial risks. Otherwise, they would immediately understand that this is fundraising.

Whether it's illegal or not is not a question we need to consider.

Soon, the bulletin board was posted, detailing the investment returns.

Currently, bank loan interest rates are between 6 and 7 percent. Shen Dong plans to give 15 percent of the profits to the factory's employees. Since the amount of funds raised is not large, the pressure is minimal.

Based on a 15% margin, the announcement listed that a 100 yuan investment would yield approximately 15 yuan by the end of the year, as well as the dividend amounts for various other amounts.

It was also specifically noted that this amount is the minimum, and if this year's profits exceed expectations, it will be even more.

Suddenly, the finance office became the liveliest place in the entire factory.

When she tallied it up, she found that the total amount everyone had requested was over six thousand.

Before leaving get off work, she reported the matter to Shen Dong.

Shen Dong thought for a moment and set the amount at six thousand.

Once the factory was secured, and with the deposit he had previously paid, Shen Dong had raised about 30,000 yuan, so he went to Yang Yujun to discuss the loan.

"Director, I've already resolved the shortfall issue. As for the 5,000 yuan deposit..." Shen Dong rubbed his hands together, speaking somewhat apologetically.

"We can give you the deposit first, but we need to make it clear beforehand that there will be interest, since this money belongs to the commune."

Yang Yujun breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that Shen Dong had resolved the funding gap, but he still kept a straight face and said...

"Of course, the interest rate is definitely not going to be lowered. We can't put you in a difficult position, Director."

As he spoke, Shen Dong handed back the previous deposit receipt.

"Keep it. It's too much trouble to reissue the receipt." Yang Yujun glanced at the receipt and told Shen Dong to take it back. Then he made a phone call, and the credit union delivered the money.

"Here, come with me to the Agricultural Bank."

Shen Dong smiled and took the money, putting it in his bag. Then he and Yang Yujun went to a table for drinks.

Several people were already seated at the table. Shen Dong didn't recognize them, so Yang Yujun introduced them to him. They were all people from the banking system.

Looks like I'll be staying here today.