Starting in 1979, during the early stages of reform and opening up, in order to stimulate the economic development of various industries, the government instructed banks to adopt a "loosening" strategy, namely, to implement a policy of indefinite and interest-free loans.

In today's view, this policy is an absolutely fantastic opportunity, like a windfall.

People would fight tooth and nail to get such a loan with no time limit and no interest!

But in this day and age, people don't think that way at all.

Having experienced the exploitation of landlords and bureaucrats who lent money at exorbitant interest rates in feudal society, and the trap of compound interest in bureaucratic capitalism during the Republic of China era, the vast majority of Chinese people firmly believe that "there is no such thing as a free lunch" and that "being debt-free is a carefree life."

Therefore, people dare not borrow money from banks to develop their businesses, and they remain poor.

However, a small number of people saw this development opportunity, boldly took out loans to start businesses, and suddenly became rich, becoming the particularly glorious "ten-thousand-yuan households" at that time.

After explaining the whole story, and to verify the truth of his words, Zhao Xiaojun simply took Zhao Suixin, Wang Zhenbo, and others directly to the Huichuan County Rural Credit Cooperative.

They left, but the others still need to discuss who will go to the provincial capital to be in charge of building the factory.

Li Tang and Zhao Sufang are the two most senior factory directors in the food factory. Since it was inconvenient for Zhao Sufang to go, Li Tang had to take charge.

Once you have someone to lead the way, you also need to find a few young and strong people to help out. This is also part of the training of future talent.

Everyone here understands this principle, so they all strongly recommend their own nephews and nieces.

The question of who to choose and who to reject has become a dilemma.

Finally, Li Jin made the final decision: the interview would be held first thing tomorrow morning.

Everyone in the village can come for an interview, regardless of age or gender. Each person will be given one question, and the best candidates will be selected.

When Li Jin broadcast the news over the village loudspeaker, the villagers were in an uproar, all eager to go for the interview the next day.

Of course, some people wanted to take a shortcut. Under the cover of darkness, they would sneak off to find Li Jin with a pack of cigarettes or two bottles of liquor.

Everyone thought they could keep it a secret, but as soon as they turned into the alley where Li Jin's house was located, they ran into several other families.

"Hey, Fourth Brother, where are you headed with those two bottles of Xifeng liquor?"

Sister-in-law Gui tucked the "Baisha" cigarettes she had been keeping in her sleeve even deeper, then greeted the man opposite her loudly.

Zhao Ruizhong's hand trembled, and he cursed his sister-in-law in his heart, but he still maintained a gentle smile. "Ah—well, my son-in-law just asked someone to bring this to me."

Sister-in-law Gui drawled, "Oh my, Fourth Brother, why is your stingy son-in-law suddenly so generous?"

As the two were chatting, two more people came from the opposite side. Judging from their furtive appearance, Sister-in-law Gui knew that they had the same purpose as her and Zhao Ruizhong!

They greeted each other with awkward smiles, then glanced at Li Jin's tightly closed door with great regret before returning home as if nothing had happened.

...

In fact, Li Jin and his group had already discussed this situation and closed their doors and windows early on, refusing to receive guests.

Similarly, the Li Tang family, the Wang Zhenbo family, and several other families who had influence at the food factory all locked their doors in advance, as if by unspoken agreement.

The next morning, Li Jin and Zhao Sufang got up early; they were both judges for the day's interviews.

Li Xiangdong was also a judge.

So, after washing up early in the morning, he went to his parents' house first, and only after meeting up with them did they go to the brigade headquarters together.

The interview was scheduled for 8 o'clock, but they entered the brigade headquarters at 7:30. By then, a long line of people was already waiting outside for their interviews.

In this line, there were men and women, old and young. Some people were squatting and smoking pipes, some were chatting and laughing, and some were holding books of unknown contents and reading them seriously.

Li Xiangdong knew that there were definitely many people here who were just there for show.

That's how villagers are; even if they don't like something, if everyone else is grabbing it, they'll feel obligated to grab it too.

This embodies the spirit of participation.

However, this sense of absurdity reached its peak when Li Xiangdong saw Li Jinshan and Guo Haiguang.

He looked at the two people in first and second place in line with a helpless expression and asked, "What are you two doing?"

Li Jinshan straightened his back and answered his grandson's question rather bluntly, "An interview! Is there something else going on today?"

Guo Haiguang patted his chest, "Me too!"

Li Jin was both amused and exasperated, but dared not offend the two men, so he quickly advised them politely, "You two should probably skip the interview!"

Li Jinshan asked with a smile, "No interview? You were hired directly?"

Guo Haiguang said smugly, "See? I knew it. Where else can they find experienced veterans like us!"

Li Jin was speechless. "You two shouldn't go to the provincial capital. It's too much of a journey, and you'll only hurt your health. Besides, we can't grow vegetables and melons without you two."

Guo Haiguang and Li Jinshan exchanged a glance, a hint of disappointment in their eyes.

The vegetable and melon growers they trained have graduated and no longer need to work in the fields as much as before.

Now they only occasionally go to the fields to offer some pointers.

Suddenly having so much free time, they felt like their bones were rusting.

As soon as he heard that a food processing plant was being built in the provincial capital, he immediately wanted to sign up to participate.

Looking at the two elderly people who were still vigorous and eager to start a new career, Li Xiangdong was moved.

It's definitely not appropriate for them to go to the food factory, but there is indeed a job here that only the two of them can do!

Li Xiangdong pulled the two old men away from the group and walked them to the big locust tree next to them. After looking around to make sure there were no other people around, he asked in a low voice, "Grandpa, Grandpa Guo, besides growing vegetables and melons, do you also grow bonsai?"

Li Jinshan leaned closer and whispered like a secret agent making contact, "I've grown bamboo, peonies, and peonies, and things like that."

Guo Haiguang leaned closer and said, "I've successfully grown bonsai trees, including golden bullet trees and plum blossom trees, but nothing else."

After listening to their conversation, Li Xiangdong's eyes practically lit up!

What makes him so special that he always manages to encounter these amazing old people!

They are practically all-rounders, having dabbled in everything.

If they say they know a little, they definitely know; if they say they know, they definitely know!

"Grandpa, Grandpa Guo, you two can't go to the food factory anymore."

Why?

"Why should I?"

"Yes, even if you're my grandson, you can't take away my right to work!"

"Yes! No matter how close you are to my grandson, you can't stop me from going for the interview!"

Seeing the two stubborn old men with stern faces, Li Xiangdong quickly explained, "I have an even more arduous task that I need you to do, and it can't be done without you!"

Hearing this, Li and Guo felt a warmth in their hearts, and their lost confidence returned!

Li Jinshan waved his hand and said, "Grandson, just tell me what difficult task requires us to personally take charge!"