After saying that, he turned and walked out, and Su Jianjun quickly followed.

Shen Degui was clearly caught off guard by this turn of events. He was stunned for a couple of seconds before he reacted and hurriedly chased after him.

"Hey, Comrade Su, don't be in such a hurry to leave! The price is negotiable!"

Su Jianguo stopped at the door and said without turning his head.

"Village Chief Shen, I'm only giving you one chance. If you're not sincere, I can simply look for a water source elsewhere."

Shen Degui was so anxious that sweat beaded on his forehead, and he grabbed Su Jianguo's sleeve.

"Comrade Su, let's talk again, let's talk again!"

Su Jianguo then slowly turned around and looked coldly at Shen Degui.

"Village Chief Shen, my time is very valuable. If you're truly sincere, please give me a fair price."

Shen Degui gritted his teeth.

"Eighteen thousand, that's the lowest I can go!"

Su Jianguo shook his head and turned to leave.

Shen Degui quickly changed his tune.

"Fifteen thousand! Fifteen thousand is alright, isn't it?"

Su Jianguo stopped what he was doing, seemingly deep in thought.

Shen Degui seized the opportunity to add.

"Comrade Su, this price is really fair. Our village is so poor; we rely on this little bit of collective income!"

Su Jianguo looked at Shen Degui's anxious expression and then glanced at the villagers who had gathered outside the door to watch the commotion.

Most of them were pale and emaciated, and dressed in rags.

A thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

"Ten thousand."

Su Jianguo spoke up.

"In addition, we will hire twenty laborers from Shenjiabao, paying them two yuan a day, plus lunch."

Shen Degui's eyes widened like copper bells.

"This...this..."

He clearly did not expect the Soviet Union to make such a demand.

"Village Chief Shen, please think this through."

Su Jianguo explained patiently.

"The 10,000 yuan contract fee goes directly into the village's collective account, and villagers can also earn money while working. Where else can you find such a good deal?"

Shen Degui glanced at the villagers outside the door, who were looking on expectantly, and then at Su Jianguo's resolute expression. Finally, he let out a long sigh.

"Fifteen thousand, all other conditions unchanged. This is the bottom line, Comrade Su."

Su Jianguo pretended to think for a while before finally reaching out his hand.

"make a deal."

Shen Degui breathed a sigh of relief and quickly grasped Su Jianguo's hand.

"Comrade Su, you're so helpful! I'll go prepare the contract right away!"

When Su Jianguo and his brother walked out of the village committee.

The area outside was already crowded with villagers who had come after hearing the news.

They didn't know exactly what had happened.

But from the village chief's respectful attitude, one could vaguely sense that these two outsiders were not simple people.

"Brother, are you really going to hire people from Shenjiabao?"

Su Jianjun asked in a low voice.

"Can they even work? They all look malnourished."

Su Jianguo looked into those expectant eyes and said softly.

"For Jianjun, poverty is not a crime. Giving them a chance might change the fate of many."

He turned to the villagers and raised his voice.

"Folks! The reservoir construction project will start in a few days, and we need twenty laborers. The pay is two yuan per day, lunch included. Those interested, come to the village committee to sign up tomorrow!"

A gasp and a murmur of surprise erupted from the crowd.

Two yuan a day, meals included!

This was incredibly good news for Shenjiabao. Several young people had already eagerly raised their hands.

"I'll do it! I'll sign up!"

...

When Su Jianguo and Su Jianjun left Shenjiabao Village Committee, it was already dark.

The tractor bumped along the mountain road.

Su Jianguo sat in the passenger seat, his brows furrowed, his fingers unconsciously tapping his knees.

"Brother, are we really going to give Shen Degui 15,000?"

Su Jianjun gripped the steering wheel and couldn't help but ask.

"That old fox is clearly trying to rip us off."

Su Jianguo said in a deep voice.

"The price is a bit high, but the reservoir is too important to us. There's no better solution for irrigating a hundred greenhouses."

"But that reservoir has been abandoned for so many years, how much would it cost to repair it!"

Su Jianjun muttered to himself.

"Build an army."

Su Jianguo turned his head, his gaze firm.

"You have to think long-term when doing business. With this reservoir, our vegetable base will have a stable water source, so we won't be afraid to expand in the future. This investment is worthwhile."

When the tractor entered Sujiatun, a few lights had already been lit in the village.

Su Jianguo asked Su Jianjun to drive directly to his doorstep. After the two had a simple dinner, Su Jianguo took out his bankbook and calculator and began to carefully calculate the funds.

"We'll go to the bank to withdraw the money first thing tomorrow morning."

Su Jianguo wrote and talked at the same time.

"Of the 40,000 yuan, 15,000 will go to Shenjiabao, 10,000 to our village, and the remaining 15,000 will be used as preliminary construction funds."

Su Jianjun's eyes widened.

"Brother, you're withdrawing this much cash at once?"

"A deposit must be paid once the contract is signed."

Su Jianguo continued writing without looking up.

"We need to hurry and get the reservoir repaired before spring planting."

The next morning.

Su Jianguo had set off on his bicycle long ago.

He needs to go back to Beijing to get the money first, and then go to Shenjiabao to sign the contract.

Entering the capital city of Beijing.

As soon as the bank opened, Su Jianguo was the first to walk in.

The female clerk behind the counter asked Su Jianguo.

What service do you need?

Su Jianguo said calmly.

"I'd like to withdraw 50,000!"

As he spoke, Su Jianguo brought back the receipt for the 100,000 yuan loan.

"Comrade Su, are you sure you want to withdraw so much cash?"

The female employee asked nervously.

"It's not safe outside right now..."

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