Reborn in 78, I made my fortune by working in the mountains, supporting three families on my own.

Remembering the meeting in town during the day, Zhao Lei walked over to Jiang Xinyue and helped her sort and wash the vegetables.

She asked softly, "Xinyue, what did you talk about at the meeting in town with Sister Xia today?"

Jiang Xinyue, washing tender green vegetable leaves with her hands, replied without looking up, "It's just that Sister Xia went to town to attend a group seminar, and I went along to sit in on it."

"I know it's a meeting."

Zhao Lei nodded slightly and pressed on, "I'm asking about the specific content of the meeting. What did the leaders say?"

Jiang Xinyue wiped the water droplets from her hands and said earnestly, "The core of this seminar is how to strengthen the collective economy and revitalize the rural women's labor force."

"The higher authorities are intentionally opening up avenues and encouraging villages to engage in animal husbandry and livestock farming. They are even promoting aquaculture, fish farming, and medicinal herb cultivation. In short, they are letting go of all constraints and doing whatever makes money."

Zhao Lei was slightly moved upon hearing this and nodded repeatedly.

"You've been listening to meetings all day, do you have any thoughts on that?"

Jiang Xinyue raised her head and said solemnly, "I have a feeling that our country is about to make a big move."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Lei's heart skipped a beat, and the way he looked at Jiang Xinyue instantly changed.

He is a person who has been reborn, carrying the memories of decades from the future, clearly understanding the trends of the times, and knowing that the momentous reform and opening up is about to begin.

But Jiang Xinyue is different. She is just a girl born and raised in this era, with no memories of her past life and no vision of the future. Yet she was able to accurately predict the harbingers of a major change based on just one meeting.

This insight and sensitivity were so astonishing that they sent a chill down Zhao Lei's spine.

Before Zhao Lei could think further, Jiang Xinyue continued in a deep voice, "In previous years, the higher authorities have always been very strict about the collective economy, and have been extremely strict about private individuals engaging in side businesses or doing business, not allowing any loopholes."

"But in today's meeting, the leaders implicitly approved and encouraged everyone to try various ways to increase income, instead of blindly sticking to collective work points. This is definitely not a trivial matter; it's a sign that a major change is coming."

Zhao Lei composed himself and asked softly, "So, do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing?"

"That's fantastic news!"

A glimmer of light appeared in Jiang Xinyue's eyes, hiding a long-suppressed expectation, "If the policy is really relaxed, maybe my father's old case will have a chance to be appealed again and exonerated."

Zhao Lei looked at him quietly, his heart filled with turbulent emotions.

Jiang Xinyue's judgment was absolutely accurate, precisely the most authentic signal of the times on the eve of reform and opening up.

During this period, the newspapers he subscribed to did indeed contain sporadic reports of policy easing, but the wording was obscure and incomprehensible to ordinary people. Only those with keen minds and broad vision could seize this once-in-a-lifetime business opportunity.

At that moment, a strong sense of urgency surged into Zhao Lei's heart.

He has been reborn and is now at the forefront of the times. He must not fall behind in this historic wave.

Our family's resources are too limited right now, and we lack start-up capital. If we slack off even slightly, others will seize the opportunity.

We must seize every opportunity to accumulate capital and establish a firm foothold!

Zhao Lei silently set a clear small goal in his heart: to save up a full 10,000 yuan by the end of the year.

He became the first person in the Peace Brigade to actually earn 10,000 yuan!

With sufficient start-up capital, he can seize the opportunity once the spring breeze of reform and opening up sweeps across Southwest China after the New Year.

He led his wives and family to completely escape poverty and steadily embark on the road to prosperity.

……

Meanwhile, outside the Peace Brigade Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

As darkness fell completely, the evening breeze carried the chill of late autumn through the streets and alleys.

Chen Fugui, also known as Fatty Chen, had a gloomy face.

With a frustrated expression, he locked the gate of the supply and marketing cooperative, pushed his old-fashioned bicycle, and slowly walked home along the dirt road.

He kept muttering to himself, full of resentment and confusion.

"That kid Zhao Lei is getting more and more strange..."

The more he thought about it, the more alarmed he became.

Zhao Lei's aura, vision, methods, business acumen, and accurate knowledge of mountain products and medicinal herbs are nothing like those of a country bumpkin who toils in the fields.

In the past, Zhao Lei was notorious throughout the Heping Brigade for being a hopeless scoundrel, addicted to gambling, in debt, and living a muddled life; everyone looked down on him.

But after he went away to avoid gambling debts for more than half a year and came back, he was like a completely transformed person.

He has an endless stream of ways to make money, is calm and patient, extremely meticulous, and leaves no room for error in his business dealings. Even I, a seasoned veteran who has been dealing with countless people for years, can't fully grasp his true nature.

Could it be that during his six months of wandering, he really encountered some incredible opportunity?

How could someone transform from an ignorant gambler into someone with such profound knowledge and a ruthless mind in just six months?

Could it be that Zhao Lei is a genius who was born to hide his true abilities?

The thought of the three top-quality musk sacs he had just passed by during the day filled Fatty Chen with unbearable regret and heartache.

Those three musk sacs, in excellent condition, completely dry and plump, could easily fetch at least 1,500 yuan if taken to any pharmacy in town or county.

If the quality is good and the source is right, you can easily get it for over two thousand!

The profit from this one deal is equivalent to his salary from working steadily at the supply and marketing cooperative for several years!

Because of his greed and impatience, and his exorbitant pricing, he ended up losing everything and missing out on a huge benefit!

The more Chen Pangzi thought about it, the more depressed he became. His chest felt tight, and his steps as he pushed the cart became heavier.

Just as he was filled with frustration and lost in thought, a figure suddenly darted out from the dark bushes by the roadside!

"Wow!"

Fatty Chen was startled and nearly dropped the handlebars.

The man quickly bowed and smiled obsequiously, his tone fawning, "Boss Chen, I'm so sorry, I didn't scare you, did I?"

Fatty Chen stared intently, and in the dim light of the day, he could make out the appearance of the person who had come into view. His brows furrowed instantly.

The person in front of me had a face full of pockmarks, and his uneven skin looked particularly ugly. He had a mouthful of yellowed and rotten teeth, and his eyes were shifty and darting around. He exuded a petty, mean-spirited and mean-spirited aura.

This man was none other than Lai Mazi, whom everyone in the Peace Brigade disliked and had a terrible reputation.

Fatty Chen had long since figured out Lai Mazi's background by chatting with people in the commune.

This person is idle, lazy, and good-for-nothing.

I offended Zhao Lei a while ago, so I couldn't stay in the village and went to work at the red brick kiln in Taiyang Brigade.

After working there for only a few days, he wandered off to Qingfeng Town, where he spent his days doing nothing and became a notorious hooligan and rogue in the surrounding area.

In this day and age, without cell phones and television, villagers' leisure time is nothing more than gossiping about neighbors.

Lai Mazi is the most frequently criticized and despised negative example.

"Lai Mazi? What are you doing hiding in the bushes?"