Nominal: Starting with an entrance exam for a PhD in Economics at Peking University

In the following days, Li Yiqing, along with Qi Tongwei and Jiang Fan, explored every corner of the factory more thoroughly. They not only held discussions with management but also went deep into the workshops, talking with veteran workers and ordinary employees. Qi Tongwei noticed a veteran worker named Wang Wenge, who was highly skilled and had a deep affection for the factory. His words were full of nostalgia for the past glories and concern for the present. There was also a junior union cadre named Zheng Xipo, who was somewhat educated, enjoyed writing and drawing, and had his own opinions on the factory's operation and management, but his voice carried little weight.

These vibrant faces allowed Qi Tongwei to understand the factory beyond just cold data and memories from his past life.

The research was nearing its end. In Professor Li Yiqing's guesthouse room, the three of them were doing a final review and summary of what they had seen and heard over the past few days. Thick notes, reports, and interview records covered the coffee table.

"Overall," Qi Tongwei said, organizing his thoughts, "leaving aside the debt and backlog issues, judging solely from the asset value, equipment condition, worker skill level, and market share, Handong No. 1 Textile Factory can actually be considered a high-quality state-owned asset with 'assets exceeding liabilities.' It is far from being at the point where restructuring is absolutely necessary."

He recalled the scene at the meeting and continued, "Director Cai and the others repeatedly emphasized that the workers' enthusiasm was low and there was no motivation for sales. But upon closer analysis, the core of the problem probably does not lie with the ordinary workers and salespeople, but with the enthusiasm of the management themselves. They have a serious lack of 'belonging' to the factory, and it seems that only by making the factory 'belong' to them personally can they stimulate the so-called 'enthusiasm' they talk about."

As Jiang Fan took notes and nodded, he added, "So, how should we view and handle state-owned enterprises like the First Textile Factory, which are in a middle state—those that are excellent don't need to be changed, while those that are completely rotten must be changed—that are 'optional for change'?"

After a moment's thought, Qi Tongwei gave his judgment: "My opinion is: change it."

He elaborated on his reasons: "If we maintain the status quo and don't reform, employees will have 'iron rice bowls' and lack a sense of crisis, making it difficult to eradicate laziness. More importantly, under the existing system, management is prone to developing a 'no mistakes, no merit' mentality, lacking the courage to carry out sweeping reforms and innovations. At the same time, the state-owned enterprise's structure and rigid management system also make it difficult for management to effectively manage and restrain employees. In the long run, the enterprise will continue to operate inefficiently, seemingly maintaining its current state, but in reality, it is constantly consuming and 'sucking' the country's resources."

Jiang Fan proposed an idea: "Can't we solve this by replacing the management team with a more capable and effective one?"

Qi Tongwei shook his head: "Senior, when we discuss macroeconomic policies, we cannot rely on low-probability individual cases. State-owned enterprise managers who can dance in shackles and still create outstanding results within a rigid system are extremely rare. We cannot pin our hopes on finding such capable people."

At this moment, Professor Li Yiqing, who had been listening quietly, spoke up, offering a more macro perspective: "That's right, Tongwei is right in one aspect. On the other hand, we can't limit our focus to state-owned enterprises. Look out the window, look at the whole of China—private enterprises outside are thriving, springing up like mushrooms after rain. They have flexible mechanisms, stricter cost control, faster market response, and stronger service awareness... They are constantly eroding and squeezing the market space of traditional state-owned enterprises."

He pointed out solemnly: "State-owned enterprises like the First Textile Factory may still be considered 'high-quality assets' now, but their market value is constantly depreciating. If we don't revitalize them through restructuring and introduce flexible mechanisms now, in a few years, we may find that no one wants them and they will become completely worthless. Faced with this trend, we cannot be bound by 'sunk costs' and must be decisive when it is time to make a decision."

Jiang Fan pondered for a moment: "Then... following this line of thinking, wouldn't our investigation actually support Cai Dafeng and his reform plan? Are we just going to ignore it?"

Li Yiqing smiled gently and profoundly. He looked at the two students and said earnestly, “Regarding the overall macro situation, I maintain my judgment: the benefits of this type of state-owned enterprise reform outweigh the drawbacks. However, in this specific case we are dealing with, now that we have a deep understanding of it, we certainly cannot stand idly by. We economic researchers deal with numbers and models all day long, but we must always maintain a sense of ‘warmth’ in our hearts. We cannot become cold, efficiency-maximizing ‘economic robots’.”

He paused for a moment, then revealed his final plan: "Under the premise of adhering to market rules and the general direction of reform, we will do our best to secure a more stable and fairer future for this factory and for the workers who depend on it for their livelihood."

On the last day of the research trip, a formal meeting was held with the Economic Commission of Handong Province and the management of Dafeng Factory. Professor Li Yiqing detailed the research team's findings. He first objectively analyzed the challenges and opportunities facing the textile factory and affirmed the general direction of reform. Then, he shifted his focus and put forward a key "suggestion":

"Under the premise of ensuring that state-owned assets are not lost and that the restructuring process is standardized and transparent, in order to better mobilize the enthusiasm of the majority of employees and share the fruits of reform, and also to provide reasonable compensation and resettlement for employees affected by the restructuring, I suggest that the proportion reserved for employee stock ownership in the final restructuring plan be appropriately increased from the original plan of 30% to 49%."

This ratio is significant because it means that in the restructured company, the employees will become very important shareholders, have a significant say in major corporate decisions, and be able to effectively restrain the arbitrary actions of the major shareholders (who are likely Cai Dafeng and others) and better protect their own rights and interests.

The leaders of the Handong Provincial Economic Commission were well aware of the weight of Li Yiqing's words, and since this matter would not affect them in any way, they expressed their opinions without hesitation: "We fully respect and support Professor Li's professional advice! This adjustment is conducive to the smooth progress of the restructuring and the long-term development of the enterprise."

Cai Dafeng's facial muscles twitched slightly. This ratio clearly reduced the personal benefits and control he might gain in the future. But faced with Li Yiqing's gaze and the attitude of the Economic Commission leaders, he gritted his teeth and could only force a smile, saying with a stiff upper lip, "Our factory leadership team... also agrees with this plan, and believes it will better unite the employees."

Sitting behind Li Yiqing, Qi Tongwei felt a slight tremor in his heart when he heard the number "49%". He remembered that in his previous life, the workers' shareholding after the restructuring of Dafeng Factory was exactly 49%.

Clearly, the State Economic Commission in the previous life may have had similar considerations when approving the proposal, thus rejecting the original, lower percentage.

But at this moment, Qi Tongwei did not feel that their efforts were "unnecessary." Looking at his mentor's steady back, he felt at peace: as long as it is the right thing to do, something that benefits the country and the people, what does it matter who does it or when it is done?

The important thing is that it was done, and it was done correctly.

Chapter 30 Specialty Agriculture

The research trip concluded as the year drew to a close. A cold wind swept through Jingzhou Railway Station, and pedestrians hurried along the platform. Professor Li Yiqing and Jiang Fan were about to depart for Beijing, while Qi Tongwei planned to go directly home for the Spring Festival.

After seeing the two off to the platform, just before they boarded the train, Li Yiqing suddenly stopped and turned to Qi Tongwei, asking, "Tongwei, what are your plans for that 200,000 yuan research funding?"

“Professor, this is funding donated by the company to the research group, so it is naturally your responsibility to manage it,” Qi Tongwei replied respectfully.

Li Yiqing laughed and scolded, "Do you think I would really take your money?"

"I will follow the teacher's instructions." Qi Tongwei bowed slightly.

Li Yiqing pondered for a moment, his expression growing serious: "I know your ambitions don't lie in academia. If this were your senior brother Jiang, this corporate donation wouldn't require the same level of approval as government funds; a few accounting entries would be enough to transfer it to his personal account. But since you're going into politics, you must be extremely careful with money and not leave any potential problems for the future."

He paused, then said earnestly, "Here's what we'll do: during the winter break, think of a few topics to consider as potential directions for your doctoral dissertation. After the break, we'll select a suitable one and set up a research group specifically for you. Of this 200,000 yuan, 10% will be your labor fee, and the rest will be the research group's funding. Whether it's purchasing data, subscribing to journals, or hiring people to assist with research, everything must be used for academic purposes, and every expenditure must be clearly accounted for."

“It usually takes three years to graduate with a doctorate, but I can see that you are determined to enter politics. Don’t use this 180,000 yuan for personal enjoyment, don’t use it to buy a car or a house. Just consider it as buying a year of your time. The dissertation requirements for graduating early are even higher. You must give it your all and not slack off in the slightest.”

Qi Tongwei bowed deeply: "Thank you for your guidance, teacher."

The train slowly pulled away from the platform with a whistle. Qi Tongwei watched the train disappear into the distance, then picked up his already packed luggage and embarked on his journey home.

Returning to Qijia Village, it wasn't as lively as last time—after all, not much time had passed, and the novelty had worn off. But with the Lunar New Year approaching, young people who had gone out to work were returning home one after another, and the whole village was filled with a warm and lively atmosphere.

When Qi Tongwei got home in the evening, he had just picked up his rice bowl and taken a few bites when a group of young people came to his door.

"Tongwei is back!" "Tongwei!" "Uncle Tongwei!"

The Qi family held a high position in the village. Upon seeing the visitors, Qi Tongwei quickly finished his meal and stood up to greet them, while his parents busied themselves pouring water for them.

It was already dark, and although they were all adults, they were still a little reserved in front of their elders. Qi Tongwei put on his cotton-padded coat and led everyone into the cold night.

Cousin Qi Tonghua asked impatiently, "Brother, I heard from Uncle that you took down a drug den all by yourself? What does a drug den look like? Tell me quickly!"

Qi Xingde, Tongwei's nephew who is in high school, squeezed forward and asked, "Uncle Tongwei, did you really get into Peking University?"

Qi Tonghua rolled his eyes at his nephew: "Isn't it only natural that Tongwei got into Peking University?" He then turned and gestured, "I heard that drug dealers also have guns? How did you subdue them?"

His cousin, Qi Tongjun, also asked curiously, "Tongwei, what rank are you at now? I heard you're on par with the township head?"

Qi Tongwei smiled and answered each question one by one, then inquired about everyone's recent situation with concern. Except for Qi Xingde, who was still studying, the others were all working as plumbers and electricians on construction sites in Jingzhou. Although it was hard work, the income was much better than farming.

"Wow, that's higher than my salary!" Qi Tongwei praised at the opportune moment. Everyone waved their hands repeatedly, saying "It's incomparable," but their faces were filled with undisguised pride.

Earning money with your own hands is certainly something to be proud of.

Qi Tongjun revealed, "Tonghua is dating the daughter of the construction site canteen owner. They don't have to pay for meals, and he earns more than us."

Qi Tongwei looked at his cousin in surprise; this kid had actually managed to live off a woman.

But it's not surprising—Tong Hua is tall and handsome, possessing five parts of his dashing charm, only lacking the refined air of knowledge and experience. It wouldn't be difficult for him to captivate a young girl.

Qi Tonghua blushed immediately. Everyone chimed in, adding to the story: The canteen owner was no ordinary person; he ran canteens for over a dozen construction sites nearby. His daughter was a spirited and capable young woman who had worked as a cook at the construction sites before the family became wealthy. After meeting Tonghua, she pursued him relentlessly, and the innocent young man couldn't resist her advances, eventually giving in half-heartedly.

Qi Tongwei thought about it carefully and realized that in their previous life, the two of them seemed to have finally gotten married, had a big, healthy daughter, and lived a prosperous life.

As everyone chatted and laughed, night deepened. After agreeing to go up the mountain together the next day, they went their separate ways.

The next morning, a light snow blanketed the ground. The group chatted and laughed as they walked up the mountain behind the village. The winter mountains had a unique charm—the deciduous trees had shed their vibrant colors, revealing their strong branches; the evergreen pines and cypresses appeared even more verdant in the cold. Sunlight filtered through the sparse branches, casting dappled shadows on the leaf-covered mountain path.

"Look, a hare!" Qi Xingde suddenly pointed to the bushes. A gray shadow flashed by, eliciting gasps of surprise.

The deeper you go into the mountains, the more pristine the ecology becomes.

Reaching a sunny slope halfway up the mountain, Qi Tongwei stopped. The soil on this slope was a distinctive reddish hue, clearly different from the surrounding area. He squatted down, grabbed a handful of soil, and rubbed it between his fingers—it was loose, fertile, and rich in humus.

“What did this place grow like in previous years?” he asked.

Qi Tongjun replied, "They are all wild tea trees, and no one takes care of them. In the spring, some people come and pick some to drink themselves, and they taste pretty good."

Qi Tongwei carefully examined the wild tea trees—the leaves were thick and dark green. He plucked a tea leaf and chewed it; it was initially bitter, but then a hint of sweetness lingered in the aftertaste.

A thought flashed through his mind like lightning. He recalled a record he had seen while researching agricultural data for Handong Province: although neighboring provinces bordering Handong were not major tea-producing areas overall, their southern varieties, such as Biluochun and Yuhua tea, enjoyed a high reputation. These places had carved out a niche in the market through precise positioning and differentiated development.

The mountainous area in front of us has a similar geographical environment, soil characteristics, and climate conditions to that area over there—both are located in the golden tea-growing belt at around 30 degrees north latitude, both have acidic red soil, and both have suitable temperature and humidity.

"Perhaps, we can grow golden leaves here," Qi Tongwei murmured to himself. He suppressed his excitement and calmly inquired in detail with Tonghua about the ownership and planting history of this mountain land.

"Brother, are you interested in this?" Qi Tonghua asked, puzzled.

Qi Tongwei didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "Do you know about Biluochun tea from Jiangsu? It's produced in such a small area, yet it's become a nationally renowned brand. Perhaps our local environment can also cultivate unique teas."

He carefully observed the orientation of the hillside and the surrounding vegetation: "Look at this sunny slope, it gets plenty of sunshine; it's surrounded by pine and cypress trees, which help regulate the microclimate; and this red soil is the acidic soil that tea trees love most. If we can introduce superior varieties and manage it scientifically, we can create our own tea brand in Qijia Village..."

But all of this requires funding. Where will the start-up capital come from?

Chapter 31 Determination

Suddenly, Qi Tongwei had a flash of inspiration. He thought of the research grant—if he could use "A Study on the Development Model of Characteristic Tea Industry in the Eastern Hilly Region" as the topic of his doctoral dissertation, then the grant could be legitimately used for industry research, variety improvement, and technology introduction. This would not only comply with academic norms but also genuinely promote the development of his hometown.

Afterwards, Qi Tongwei continued talking about tea without making a sound, and specially picked some to take home.

After descending the mountain, everyone went home. Qi Xingde's grandfather, Qi Chunwang, was the village head of Qijia Village. When Xingde returned home, he excitedly told his grandfather about what had happened on the mountain, with Qi Tongwei naturally being the center of attention.

Speaking of tea, Qi Xingde mentioned a village in a neighboring province that became wealthy by relying on tea.

What was said in jest was taken seriously by the listener. Old Village Chief Qi Chunwang, who had been smoking his pipe nearby, immediately became interested.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Qi Chunwang knocked on Qi Tongwei's wooden door. Once inside, he cut to the chase, asking, "Tongwei, what's the deal with that tea you mentioned on the mountain yesterday? Tell me in detail!"

Although Qi Tongwei had this idea for a while, he deliberately looked embarrassed and declined, saying, "Uncle Chunwang, I just said it casually. I saw it in a journal, and I don't know if the news is true or false."

"Besides, the mountains and climate here may not be the same as those over there. What if the crops don't adapt to the soil and water and we can't grow them, or we can't sell them and lose money? Wouldn't the villagers criticize me behind my back?"

Qi Chunwang slammed his pipe bowl against the sole of his shoe, making a crisp sound, his tone resolute:

"Just tell me everything you know! Whether to plant or not, and how to plant, is a decision for the village. You don't need to take responsibility! If anything goes wrong, I, Qi Chunwang, will take the blame!"

Qi Tongwei shook his head again, his tone sincere: "Uncle Chunwang, that's true, but after all, I was the one who started this idea..."

At this moment, Qi's father, who had been listening quietly from the side, spoke up: "Tongwei, your Uncle Chunwang has been in charge of our village for more than 20 years. He has experienced many ups and downs. When has he ever let the villagers suffer a great loss? Since you know some tricks of the trade, why don't you tell us so that everyone can discuss it? Whether it works or not is another matter, but at least it is a hope."

After being earnestly persuaded by his father and the old village chief, Qi Tongwei seemed to be convinced. He asked Qi Chunwang to sit down and then "reluctantly" revealed his well-thought-out plan.

He first gave a detailed account of the successful tea-growing experience of a village in a neighboring province, including the varieties they chose, the slope they planted on, and the key points of management. Then, he highlighted the "Yunwu Maojian" variety, which he initially judged to be suitable for the climate and soil of the hilly area of ​​Handong. Finally, he suggested that experts from the county agricultural bureau be invited to conduct an on-site inspection and make a scientific assessment.

But then he changed the subject, his expression turning serious as he pointed out two of the most critical and practical problems: "Uncle Chunwang, the idea is good, but there are two hurdles to overcome. The first is the initial investment. Tea seedlings, organic fertilizer, and labor for cultivating terraced fields—all of these cost money. If we're just planting a few acres on a small scale, it won't change the poor state of our Qijia Village. But if we want to scale up and develop hundreds or thousands of acres of tea plantations, where will the start-up capital come from? You know our village's situation best. There's no money in the collective account, and every household is struggling financially; we simply can't afford this money."

"Secondly, and even more critically, is the sales channel. If you plant too little, you can't form an industry. A little tea for personal consumption or as a gift is fine; but if you really plant thousands of acres of tea mountains, where will you sell all that tea when it's harvested one after another? Who will you sell it to? You can't just keep it all piling up at home for your own consumption, can you? If you can't open up sales channels, the more you plant, the more you lose."

Qi Chunwang listened intently, taking out his pipe and smoking one pouch after another, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper, the wrinkles on his face seeming to deepen as well. After a long silence, he raised his head, a barely perceptible expectation in his dim eyes, and looked at Qi Tongwei: "Tongwei, you've seen a lot of things outside, know many people, and read a lot... Do you have any ideas about these two problems?"

Qi Tongwei had already made up his mind, but he still waved his hands repeatedly, adopting a very humble attitude: "Uncle Chunwang, you think too highly of me. I'm just a student, still studying. What extraordinary abilities could I possibly have? These practical problems still need to be solved by the village and the town."

Looking at the young man before him, the most promising man in the village, who was now a doctoral student at Peking University, Qi Chunwang knew that he must have his own ideas, but was unwilling to make a promise easily. He had been the village chief of Qijia Village for more than 20 years, and had witnessed the village fall behind year by year due to its remote location and barren land. There was a saying in the surrounding villages that "good girls don't marry into Qijia Village," which made him feel a burning anger and a sense of resentment.

After seeing Qi Tongwei off, Qi Chunwang immediately convened a meeting of all members of the village committee. When he solemnly proposed the idea of ​​developing a tea industry on the barren land behind the mountain in the dimly lit village committee office, the small meeting room erupted in excitement.

“Growing tea? My old village chief, our ancestors have been growing corn and sweet potatoes for generations, relying on the weather for our livelihood. How would we know how to tend to such precious things?”

"What if we lose money? We're poor now, but at least we can barely make ends meet by growing some crops. What if we invest all our money in this nonexistent tea mountain and lose everything, leaving us all starving?"

"I've heard that tea is valuable. If this really works out, it could be a way out. But the start-up capital is a huge sum. Where will we get it? Are we going to rob a bank?"

"..."

The village officials argued heatedly, their faces flushed, each with their own concerns. Qi Chunwang listened silently, puffing on his pipe until everyone had said their piece. Then he tapped the table with his pipe and spoke slowly, his voice low but carrying undeniable weight:

“Everyone here knows what our Qijia Village is like now. All the young and strong men are trying to find ways to leave, leaving only us old folks, women, and children in the village. The land is getting less and less fertile, and the people are getting older and older. If we don’t find a new path, in another ten or eight years, Qijia Village may really disappear from the map! This tea mountain is a risk, but it is also an opportunity! It is the chance for our Qijia Village to survive and stand tall!”

In the following days, news of tea planting spread like wildfire throughout every corner of Qijia Village, becoming the hottest topic of conversation on the kang (heated brick bed) and around the dinner table in every household.

Many villagers couldn't contain their curiosity and went to Qi Tongwei's house to inquire about the details.

Qi Tongwei seized the opportunity and exaggerated the market prospects and potential profits of "Yunwu Maojian" based on the facts, painting a beautiful picture that made the villagers eager to try it, and ignited a flame of hope in their eyes.

However, when faced with the unattainable start-up capital and unknown sales channels, many people felt like they had been doused with cold water and gave up. There are still many families in the village who can't even pay their children's school fees until the end of the semester. Where would they get spare money to invest in a tea plantation with an uncertain future?