It was late at night, and all was quiet.

Zhao Sufang secretly told her husband what Chunhua had said.

After listening, Li Jin remained silent for a long time. He could understand his uncle and father-in-law trying to swindle money, but his mother…

Li Jin felt a mix of emotions he couldn't quite describe.

He wasn't stupid. He used to think that his mother valued him and treated him well, so he was willing to sacrifice his own and his wife's and children's interests to repay his mother.

But now, he feels like he's a complete idiot.

Of course, Li Xiangdong didn't know about this idea; if he did, he would definitely spit in his face.

If you want to repay your mother, you should sacrifice yourself. Why sacrifice your wife and children?

What do your wife and children owe you?

However, only Li Jin and Zhao Sufang knew about this, and the two of them were determined not to spend a single penny.

To prevent himself from being too soft-hearted, Li Jin handed over several hundred yuan to Zhao Sufang for safekeeping.

Li Wanshi's hundred yuan was destined to go down the drain, but she didn't know it and was still happy in her dreams!

...

"Attention, members!"

"Attention, members!"

"A grand market will be held in Huichuan County on the first day of the seventh lunar month!"

...

One stone stirs up a thousand waves!

Organizing a large market?

Are we allowed to go to the market to buy and sell things?

If we buy and sell, wouldn't that be considered speculation and profiteering?

The more than 400,000 people of Huichuan County awaited the arrival of the first day of the seventh lunar month with excitement, trepidation, doubt and anticipation.

Lijiapo Canned Food Factory, Office.

The members of the Lijiapo brigade leadership team, Zhao Sufang and Li Xiangdong, were all present.

Li Jin asked with some concern, "Xiang Dong, Secretary Liu approved our Huichuan market. Could this be a mistake?"

Li Xiangdong shook his head. "No, it's been approved by the higher-ups. This market isn't privately organized; its main purpose is disaster relief and self-help."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They didn't want Secretary Liu to make a mistake, as he was a great supporter of Lijiapo!

Now that it's been approved, let's make the most of this opportunity!

As time went by, every household was busy preparing, eager to make money at the market.

...

It was the first day of the seventh month in the Chinese calendar, at four o'clock in the morning.

A gentle breeze was blowing, and the sky was just beginning to brighten.

The Lijiapo Cannery has already started operating.

Li Tang shouted loudly, "Separate the different flavors of canned fish! Don't mix them up!"

"Yes! Rinse those large pieces of glass with water and cover them with the basin. We need to be hygienic!"

"Take those stacks of colorful octagonal glass bowls with you, put them on the mat, and be careful not to break them on the way!"

Once everyone was ready, Li Tang cracked his whip, and the old ox let out a "moo" and swayed its hooves as it headed towards Huichuan Street.

Another team, led by Liu Changhai, had a dozen or so wicker baskets on their vehicle, with white cloth lining the inside of each basket.

A basket was filled with neatly stacked layers of peanut brittle!

A basket was overflowing with sugar melons!

A basket holds straight, smooth sugar-coated scallions!

A basket is filled with layers of finely ground dragon beard candies covered in soybean powder!

A basket contains a whole block of white hard candy, ready to be made into Ding Ding candy!

The basket was full of bottled maltose, and the canning jars were specially made with the Dongfang City State-owned Glass Products Factory; they were half-pound drum-shaped glass jars with carved grape patterns.

Including the colorful octagonal glass bowl that Li Tang just brought, these beautiful glass products would have a good market even if sold individually.

Li Xiangdong borrowed promotional methods often used by supermarkets in later generations, such as bundling milk with glass cups and soy milk powder with small stainless steel basins.

People didn't originally intend to buy milk, but when they saw how pretty the glass was and that it was a free gift, they bought it!

So today, we'll use colorful octagonal glass bowls and grape-patterned drum-shaped glass jars as gimmicks to promote our products.

"Zhenbo, Daming, you two must settle the accounts today!" Li Jin instructed the two.

"Don't worry, Captain! I guarantee it will be accurate to the last penny!" Guo Daming said with a smile.

"Alright, you guys go ahead! Find a good spot with a favorable feng shui!" Li Jin waved his hand.

Li Kang shouted, "If you keep giving these instructions, the market will disperse in no time, let alone occupy any space!"

"Get out!"

Li Jin laughed and cursed, then went to the brigade headquarters warehouse to see Li Qing and Guo Jinfang.

Guo Jinfang is Guo Yuxi's father, a sturdy and honest man, who is currently moving wheatgrass seed oil.

"Brother Qing, how many pounds do you need to move?"

"The captain said to send 500 jin over!"

"Will they all sell out?"

Just then, Li Jin walked in. "If we can't sell them all, we'll bring them back. The main purpose of going today is to make our brigade famous!"

After securing the oil drums to the donkey cart, Li Qing and Guo Jinfang drove off, and Li Jin finally felt relieved enough to stroll home.

It was only five in the morning, and smoke was already rising from every household.

The rooster jumped onto the wall and crowed at the sun, its loud call, "Cluck-cluck—cluck—"

Adults shout, children call, and occasionally a dog barks; the air is filled with the smell of firewood and the aroma of food.

Li Jin pushed open the door. "Wow! My little sister's already up?"

Li Yan was dressed neatly and sat at the table, waiting for her meal.

Needless to say, none of the other children slept in late; they were all full of energy.

Looking at his tall, handsome eldest son, second son, and fourth daughter, and then at his young, lovely, and clever fifth daughter, as well as his youngest son and daughter, Li Jin felt a surge of pride and satisfaction.

"Eat your food! After you finish eating, Dad will take you to the market!"