Reborn at 80: From Village Scoundrel to Billionaire

Is Xiao Bei home?

Just as Liu Bei was reminiscing about his past marriage to Su Yuehe, someone outside called his name.

"Are you home? Who is it?"

After responding, the mother, Zhao Da'e, went out.

Soon, Zhao Da'e's voice also came over.

"Xiao Bei, come out here right now!"

"Okay!" his mother called to Liu Bei, and he quickly ran out.

As soon as I arrived at the entrance, I found that there were more than twenty people gathered there.

Among them are older generation figures he is familiar with, such as Fan Dahai and Fan Libo, as well as younger generation figures such as Fan Mao'er and Fan Shitou.

"Xiao Bei!" Seeing Liu Bei come out, Fan Dahai quickly greeted him warmly, "You're back!"

"Hmm. Just got home. Uncle Dahai, Uncle Libo, what brings so many of you to my house?"

Liu Bei asked casually.

"Xiao Bei, I heard you delivered fish to the county town yesterday and this afternoon?"

"Yes, that's true! What's wrong?"

"Xiao Bei, it's like this. You and Ha'er have to deliver goods and go fishing. It's too hard. In addition, you often have to go hunting in the mountains. There's too much work, and we're worried that you're overworking yourself and ruining your health. So—"

Fan Dahai glanced at the others and said with a smile, "We've discussed it and want to share some of the burden with you!"

"Share the burden?" Liu Bei was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"You and Ha'er don't need to go fishing in Zhangjia Lake every day. We can help you catch them. After you catch them, we'll give them to you. After you sell them, just give us a share. Xiao Bei, is that alright?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei understood.

Fan Dahai and his ilk have their eyes on the fish-selling business.

However, upon closer examination, what Fan Dahai and the others said does make some sense.

Now I have more and more business to handle.

I'm already busy enough.

We plan to expand our business in the future, which will make us even busier.

It's impossible for the three of them—himself, Ha'er, and Wanqiu—to last long.

To sustain this, we must increase our workforce.

Since Fan Dahai and his ilk have taken the initiative to come to us and are speaking very politely, we might as well go along with it, make it a mutually beneficial arrangement, and let each of us get what we need.

"Of course! But I've only agreed with the boss in the county town on a quantity of 100 jin per day. Any more, I won't take it. I don't object if you want to take the job. But if it exceeds the agreed quantity, I won't be able to sell it, and you won't get paid. Don't blame me then!"

"That's for sure. We absolutely won't exceed the limit!"

"Alright. You can go and catch them tonight. After you're done, hand them over to me, and I'll buy them at market price. Of course, if the business grows and you need more in the future, I'll let you increase your catch quota!"

"Great, that's wonderful. Okay, let's go fishing!"

Fan Dahai and the others were surprised by Liu Bei's quick agreement. After thanking him a few times, they happily went home to get their tools and prepared to go fishing at Zhangjia Lake.

After their figures disappeared from sight, Zhao Da'e frowned and complained, "Xiao Bei, are you stupid? It would be so much better if you and Ha'er caught the fish, took them to the county town to sell, and then split the profits equally. Now you've let Da Hai and the others join in. With more people sharing, you and Ha'er will earn less!"

Liu Bei smiled after hearing his mother's words.

"You can still laugh?" Zhao Da'e was almost frantic with worry.

"Mom, you're overthinking it!" Liu Bei explained with a smile. "First, I only said I'd buy at the market price, but I didn't specify whether it was the town's or the county's market price. I'll buy at the town's market price and then sell it to the restaurants at the county's price. There'll still be a profit!"

"Even if there's a profit, it's much less!"

"Mom, that's not how you calculate it," Liu Bei shook his head. "If they don't join, I'll have to go fishing with Ha'er every day. If they join, Ha'er and I can free up our hands to do other work. It's like earning extra money. Isn't that better?"

"Now that you mention it, it's true!" Zhao Da'e exclaimed in realization.

"That's right!" Liu Bei pulled his mother's wrist and led her inside. "Besides, if business at the restaurant is good, I can expand it!"

"How do we expand it?"

"There's plenty of space here, and it's not like Red Star Restaurant is the only one, is it?"

"Oh, I see. So you've had this in mind all along. Good. As long as you keep it in mind."

Zhao Da'e finally understood everything and breathed a sigh of relief.

"But Mother, your words have reminded me!" Liu Bei said, then changed the subject.

"What did I remind you of?" Zhao Da'e didn't quite understand.

"Recently, Ha'er and I went fishing at Zhangjia Lake and found that the area with the most fish is near Zhangjiawan Village. But the people from Zhangjiawan Village often patrol that area. If Uncle Dahai and his group all go there to fish without asking, the people from Zhangjiawan Village will definitely be unhappy. There will definitely be friction between the two sides. No, I have to go to Zhangjiawan Village right away and talk to Secretary Zhang in advance to avoid trouble later!"

"Hmm. That makes sense. Then hurry back!"

"Okay! If I come back late, don't leave me any food!"

"Okay. Go on!"

……

After saying goodbye to his mother Zhao Da'e, Liu Bei picked up the two bottles of liquor he had bought for his father-in-law and hurried off towards Zhangjiahu.

In order to get there as soon as possible, he went directly to his second uncle Li Dazhuang's house to borrow a tractor, drove along the shore of Zhangjia Lake towards Zhangjiawan Village, and headed straight for the village secretary Zhang Weixing's house.

When the tractor entered Zhangjiawan Village, it immediately attracted the attention of the villagers.

"Hey, it's Liu Bei. What are you doing in our village driving your tractor?"

"Did that brat Zhang Hu provoke you again? If so, let us know, and we'll see how we deal with him!"

"Yes, Liu Bei, if you need help, just let us know. Don't be shy!"

……

Ever since Liu Bei helped Zhangjiawan Village kill Hong Gouzi, the villagers of Zhangjiawan Village have been very grateful to him and have a very good impression of him.

Upon seeing Liu Bei appear, they all volunteered to help him deal with Zhang Hu.

"Thank you for your kindness, fellow villagers. My visit today has nothing to do with Zhang Hu. I've come specifically to see Secretary Zhang!"

"Oh, you're not here to see that bastard Zhang Hu."

"I heard that Secretary Zhang is going to a meeting in town soon. If you go now, you should still make it in time!"

"Oh, really? Thank you, folks. I'll be going now. You're all welcome to visit our Fanjia Village sometime!"

"Definitely! Definitely!"

……

After waving goodbye to the villagers, Liu Bei eagerly drove towards the home of Party Secretary Zhang Weixing.

The car was driving very fast.

The sound was also very loud.

The sound was so loud that everyone in the village heard it.

It also woke up many villagers who were taking a midday nap.

However, when they saw that it was Liu Bei driving the tractor, they not only didn't blame him, but instead welcomed him to come and bother them.

Liu Bei smiled and brushed them off.

Soon, he drove to the home of Zhang Weixing, the village party secretary.

Zhang Weixing had just finished eating, picked up a briefcase, and was about to leave.

They were somewhat surprised to see Liu Bei arrive in a tractor.

Liu Bei jumped off the tractor and took out the two bottles of liquor he had originally bought for his father-in-law.

"Xiao Bei, what are you doing? You're here, why did you bring alcohol?"

"Of course, of course." Liu Bei smiled. "I heard you're going to town on business, Secretary?"