"Let me list some major projects our village will undertake this year. First, we will pave roads and drill wells. Second, we will build a standardized pig breeding base, which will include breeding, pig production, and pig farming. Third, we will establish the Shanquanyong Pickles Garden."

After just a few words, the group of people led by Li Jin felt their minds go blank, as if they had crashed.

It took them a long time to realize how much money this would cost!

Although we made one or two million last year, after distributing the money to everyone and leaving miscellaneous expenses, we only had a few hundred thousand left in cash.

Judging from Li Xiangdong's words, the project is so large that even if hundreds of thousands of yuan are thrown in, it might not even make a ripple.

Guo Daming suggested, "Can we take it one step at a time? Taking too big a step might cause problems!"

"So, what do you suggest we do first?"

Guo Daming stroked his chin, "I think we should focus on setting up the aquaculture base first..."

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Yuliang became displeased, "Then I think it's more important to set up the pig breeding base first!"

All the livestock were under Liu Yuliang's control.

Li Qing was also unhappy. "Our cannery is already profitable. I think it's more important to expand the cannery and increase production."

Some suggested investing the funds in the pickle plantation first, while others thought it would be better to drill a well first, since everyone is drinking river water now, and the river water isn't clean, so everyone's stomachs are full of worms...

Li Xiangdong quietly observed everyone; this situation was bound to happen.

Everyone was arguing and discussing amongst themselves, but after a while, seeing that Li Xiangdong and Li Jin were not saying anything, they gradually quieted down.

Guo Daming said embarrassedly, "I didn't mean anything by it, I just think that aquaculture is more profitable..."

His voice grew softer and softer.

Li Jin tapped his pipe on the table and said in a deep voice, "Now that you're each in charge of a business, do you think you're going to become kings?"

That's a pretty harsh statement.

Guo Daming and Liu Yuliang's faces turned bright red, and Li Qing and the others also turned their heads away uncomfortably.

For a moment, the room was so quiet it was as if no one was there.

After a while, Li Xiangdong spoke up, “Uncles and elders are just being overly concerned. Father, everyone is in charge of their own affairs and puts all their energy into them, so it’s inevitable that they will have biases.”

Li Kang also said, "Yeah, yeah, Sixth Brother, don't be angry. We're just like that, all the time. Concern leads to confusion."

With these two people coming to the rescue, Guo Daming, Liu Yuliang, and the others readily apologized to Li Jin.

The atmosphere in the room eased a bit, and Li Xiangdong asked, "If in the future we are no longer a collective economy, and instead we adopt the household responsibility system and individual farming, do you all feel that these industries in our village should belong to you?"

These words resonated with almost everyone.

After all, in the previous life, many team-run and commune-run enterprises were handed over to the managers at the time after the household responsibility system was implemented, just like the reform of state-owned enterprises.

Human nature cannot withstand such great temptation.

Everyone wanted to say that they didn't mean it that way, but when they put themselves in this situation, a thought would arise: were they really going to hand over the empire they had worked so hard to build?

Li Qing replied dryly, "I have no such intention. Besides, how could we allow someone to work alone?"

"Why not? Collective enterprises have only existed for a few decades. You have to understand that throughout history, everyone has been working independently."

Li Xiangdong retorted.

"Even if we were allowed to operate independently, these industries shouldn't belong to us."

Liu Changhai, unusually serious, said, “The ideas, funding, and connections for these industries were all brought in by you, Xiang Dong. We are at most managers. Even without us, there would definitely be Zhang Changhai and Wang Changhai who could help you manage them.”

Everyone felt as if they had been struck by lightning, especially Guo Daming, whose mind went blank for a moment.

yes!

Without Li Xiangdong, would they be able to manage the platform?

If Li Xiangdong were to start his own business, he could easily build an even bigger and better company. What would be left for me then?

Li Xiangdong waved his hand, "Uncle Changhai, you're right. I can only take half. If it weren't for our brigade's land and everyone's hard work, our village wouldn't have been able to earn so much money."

"What I want to say is that everyone in our village has contributed to this, including you and me, as well as my great-grandfather, Grandpa Guo, Yuxi, Brother Xiangchao, Sister Lanhua, my mother, and my Aunt Yulan. Who didn't make a contribution?"

"Therefore, the brigade's assets will always belong to the brigade, and the money earned can only be used to develop our Lijiapo and to distribute dividends to every member! This is the most important and fundamental idea. We must adhere to this idea and not waver in the slightest!"

Liu Changhai nodded first, "Agreed! Xiang Dong is right! The industry doesn't belong to any individual; it belongs to all the members!"

The rest of the people nodded in agreement.

Li Xiangdong carefully observed the expressions on everyone's faces; no one seemed to object or be unwilling.

That's good!

"We can't rely solely on conscience to restrain ourselves when it comes to money. We also need to formulate a policy to regulate the hiring and management of managers in various industries. No one can stay in one position for too long. We will set a five-year term, and the top manager can only serve one term."

"Of course, you can also hire managers from other industries."

"Finally, I have something to say upfront. In the future, if college students, master's students, or even doctoral students apply for professional manager positions, we must not have any xenophobic thoughts or behaviors."

Everyone was stunned. We know what college students are, but what are master's students and doctoral students?

Whether people understand it or not, the xenophobia is clear.

Li Kang was the first to express his opinion: "I wholeheartedly support anything that is good for the collective good of Lijiapo!"

"Agreed!"

I agree!

"I agree!"

Amidst a chorus of approval, Li Xiangdong accomplished the first unification of thought in Lijiapo.

Later, the village history named this meeting, which took place on the eleventh day of the fourth lunar month, the "April 11th Meeting," marking an important milestone in the development history of the Lijiapo Group.

Next, Wang Zhenbo drafted the management regulations for managers, and Li Xiangdong put forward the main ideas and then left it to others.

Anyway, after the regulations are released, they will have to go through several rounds of discussion, and the draft will be publicized and taken effect after soliciting opinions. This will take a long time!

Let Wang Zhenbo work it out on his own for now!

A few days after the April 11th meeting, Liu Donglai had his secretary, Xiao Liu, deliver some good news to Li Xiangdong!

Secretary Liu made a special trip to arrive at lunchtime, because he really enjoys Zhao Sufang's cooking!

At this moment, he was holding a steamed bun in his hand, his lips glistening with oil as he ate, and said, "Secretary Liu said that Yanling City has specially approved twenty tons of cement for you."

The message was made very clear: it's for you, not for your village.