Li Xiangdong didn't bother with pleasantries with Liu Donglai and went straight to the point, saying, "This big one is 4,000 yuan, and the two small ones are 2,000 yuan each."

The price isn't low, but it's definitely not high either.

Liu Donglai pondered for a moment, then said, "I'll take the big one, and I'll help you find a buyer for the small one!"

He got up, went back inside, made two phone calls, and chatted for quite a while before coming out. Once outside, he smiled at Li Xiangdong and said, "I'll sell your two smaller wild ginseng roots. 3,000 yuan each. Cash on delivery tonight!"

Li Xiangdong was surprised by this unexpected windfall, as the amount was 2,000 yuan higher than he had anticipated!

These days, wild ginseng is precious, but it's not nearly as rare as it was in later generations.

3,000 yuan is more than two years' worth of salary for a provincial or ministerial-level official!

Most officials nowadays are honest and incorruptible. Liu Donglai, for example, was able to spend so much money to buy wild ginseng entirely because of his family's support.

The family property his parents had previously confiscated and returned, plus the back wages he received, added up to a considerable sum of money.

If it were based on Liu Donglai's salary, not only would Li Xiangdong not think of selling the wild ginseng to him, but even Factory Director Yan would not agree!

Isn't that forcing your good brother to embezzle and accept bribes?

And so, Li Xiangdong, unusually restrained in the face of money, asked, "Is this price appropriate?"

Liu Donglai laughed and said, "It's suitable, how could it not be suitable! After all, this is a wild ginseng that has been imbued with spiritual energy."

Sure enough, in the evening, two middle-aged men with excellent manners arrived. After examining Li Xiangdong's ginseng, they readily handed over several bundles of cash.

Liu Donglai went to the bank in the afternoon to withdraw the money. He neatly stacked four thousand yuan in a cloth bag and handed it directly to Li Xiangdong.

Li Xiangdong, like a little mouse who had stolen lamp oil, grinned from ear to ear as he looked at the pile of brand-new banknotes.

Given Liu Donglai's special status, they did not go out for dinner. Instead, Xia, the secretary, brought back four dishes and a soup from the cafeteria.

Stir-fried tomatoes and eggs, stir-fried lamb with onions, stir-fried celery and dried tofu, and a large piece of braised pork. The staple food was steamed buns and fennel-filled dumplings.

Liu Donglai took out a bottle of Lao Congtai wine from the cabinet, and Li Xiangdong filled the small wine cups in front of the three of them.

"Brother, I'm so glad you and Xiangdong came to see me this time! Come on, let's have a drink!"

"Dry!"

"Zzz—ha—"

After drinking a glass of baijiu, Li Xiangdong felt a burning sensation in his throat and mouth.

He quickly picked up a piece of celery with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth to suppress the taste of alcohol.

The three of them ate and drank, sharing interesting stories from their lives.

In particular, there was the incident where Li Xiangdong encountered a large number of red-legged shrimp while sailing out to sea from Pengcheng and the incident of carrying ginseng in Yilan.

However, what Liu Donglai cared about most was the artificial seawater that Lijiapo and Professor Liu of Pengcheng Fisheries Research Institute were collaborating on developing.

It seems that Li Xiangdong got in touch with Professor Liu Minle through Liu Donglai's introduction.

"Now, Hamaowo Village, Quanshui Village, Lanshui Village, and Dazhangzhuang are all using the artificial seawater we developed to raise baby green dragons. We are responsible for sales and providing the artificial seawater, and then the profits are split equally between the two parties."

Liu Donglai asked, "Can we sell so many baby dragons?"

Lobsters are a relatively expensive seafood product. Although people's living standards have improved significantly, they are not yet wealthy enough for every family to be able to afford lobsters.

"Demand exceeds supply! We have cooperative locations in Northeast China, Taiyuan, Xi'an, and Inner Mongolia."

"Oh? Xi'an? You're going to Xi'an and Inner Mongolia to sell seafood?"

As far as Liu Donglai knew, these places didn't really eat seafood!

That area is dominated by beef and mutton.

"We guarantee you'll learn how to cook it. We also include a recipe with every small lobster we sell."

You can only know how to eat if you know how to cook; people can quickly become addicted to delicious food.

Gradually, sales channels opened up.

In fact, many locals consider the presence of seafood on the table as a symbol of a high-level banquet.

Liu Donglai couldn't help but give him a thumbs up, "You're really quick-witted, kid. You're a real expert at managing the economy!"

It's a pity I didn't like going to school!

Li Xiangdong had no idea what Liu Donglai was thinking, but he remembered what happened at the train station that afternoon.

"Uncle Liu, when we got off the train today, there were many private hotels soliciting customers outside the train station."

"Uncle Liu, has the provincial capital's economy become this open?"

Liu Donglai nodded. "Currently, it's a pilot program. A number of slots have been opened up in various industries, allowing private enterprises to operate on a trial basis under government supervision."

"I see!"

Seeing Li Xiangdong's eyes darting around, Liu Donglai knew what he meant: "You want to expand your business to the provincial capital?"

Li Xiangdong put down his chopsticks. "I have this idea. The canned goods, beverages and instant noodles produced in our village are of very good quality, but currently they are only sold in the vicinity of Dongfang City. I want to make our products well-known in the provincial capital."

Since private enterprises are allowed to exist, it shouldn't be difficult for collective enterprises in Lijiapo to set up factories and shops in the provincial capital.

"You should have come a long time ago! We would be more than happy to welcome you!"

Liu Donglai said with a smile.

To set up a factory, you need to hire workers, absorb labor, and pay taxes. For the government, this is a good thing.

Liu Donglai immediately made the decision, "Here's what we'll do: tomorrow I'll have Old He from the Industry and Commerce Bureau talk to you personally. Just tell me what kind of support you need!"

Li Xiangdong had actually planned this matter in his mind and already had a draft. Since Liu Donglai was so supportive, he would go all out and set his conditions!

The three men drank and chatted, and before long Uncle Yan got drunk. His eyes were glazed over, and he hugged Liu Donglai and cried.

"My poor brother, he's been a bachelor all these years!"

After crying, she yelled at him, "Are you mute? How could you keep this from me until now! You mouthless idiot! Xiao Meng is so lucky, and now he's all alone in Kunming!"

After scolding Liu Donglai, he wiped away his tears, grabbed Liu Donglai's hand, and said, "Go! Go to Kunming to find Xiao Meng, get married properly, and have your own children! Otherwise, what's the point of your career success?!"

Seeing that Factory Director Yan was quite drunk, Liu Dong nodded repeatedly in agreement and then asked Li Xiangdong to help him carry Factory Director Yan into the house to sleep.

Li Xiangdong took off Director Yan's shoes and socks, and Liu Donglai covered him with a blanket. The two of them then quietly came out and closed the door.

Liu Donglai sighed with emotion, "Big brother is getting old, and his alcohol tolerance has also decreased."

Li Xiangdong didn't say anything; in his opinion, Factory Director Yan clearly wasn't drunk.

Also, despite his crying and cursing, what he says is actually quite logical!

But what does it mean to have your own child?

Could it be that Liu Donglai's previous child wasn't his?

Li Xiangdong's mind was racing, but he didn't dare ask Liu Donglai.