Chapter 30 The Laziest Man in the Countryside
Ji Hong knew what they were laughing at; country kids are tough: "Isn't my son your son?"
Ji Huaizhi said he wanted to open a factory, but not a factory in the real sense, but a small workshop. Through his observation, he found that every household in the village planted konjac in front of their doors, by the roadside, or behind their houses.
This can be considered a local specialty.
Ji Huaizhi used the concepts of collective development and economic development to persuade Ji Hong.
"Is this reliable? And buying and selling isn't allowed now, so who are you going to sell it to?" Ji Hong asked him.
Ji Huaizhi: "Send them to the supply and marketing cooperatives, send them to the city, the county, and the surrounding supply and marketing cooperatives. And don't forget there are towel factories and cement factories in the city, you can send them to their canteens."
"How much money will this cost?" Ji Hong looked troubled. "And how to divide the profits? These are all problems."
"The most important thing is, what if we can't sell them after we make them?"
“Dad, the main reason we opened this small workshop is for the collective benefit. Now every household grows konjac and knows how to process it. We can let them grow konjac and we will harvest it, so they will have income. After harvesting, we can hire people from the village to do the work, and they will have wages.”
"Will our village's economy improve as a result?"
"It's not just our village that's doing this. Didn't we hear there's another village that's making pickled mustard tubers and sending them to the supply and marketing cooperative?"
Ji Hong nodded, pondering as he smoked the new cigarette that Ji Huaizhi had bought for him.
Ji Huaizhi continued, "As for what you said about not being able to sell them, I don't think that's the case. The scale wasn't large at the beginning. If we succeed, our village can also become rich."
He knew the village that made pickled mustard tubers; everyone in the surrounding area knew about that prosperous village.
The other three sons listened silently.
Everyone was convinced that this was feasible and could be done.
Ji Lao Er couldn't help but look at Ji Huaizhi's head, wondering how it could be so big.
"Can it really be done? Will there be any problems?" This was Ji Hong's main concern; the older generation was used to a stable life.
“Yes, but not for private companies. It’s different for collective companies,” Ji Huaizhi said solemnly.
After taking two puffs of his cigarette, Ji Hong made a decision: "Alright! We'll do it your way."
After finishing work that day, Ji Hong stopped the villagers from leaving, saying he had something to announce. Everyone gathered on the dam, curious about what it was.
Ji Huaizhi then stepped forward and said, "Today I just want to tell you all about a way to make money and I'd like to ask if you want to do it?"
They exchanged curious glances: "What kind of money-making method?"
"Really? Are you going to introduce us to jobs? My only connection in the city is Ji Laoyao from our village."
"Wow, you're even more ruthless than me, you're even going to introduce me to a job."
Everyone started discussing it animatedly, and someone raised their hand: "Old Ji, tell me, what's your plan to make money? You're not going to ask us for money first, are you?"
"Alright, alright, everyone stop arguing and let Ji Laoyao have something to say first."
Ji Huaizhi spoke only after no one else had spoken: "We don't need everyone to invest money. I just saw that people in our village have planted a lot of konjac behind their houses and along the roadside. Many people in our area like to eat konjac, but they usually cook it for themselves or give it to relatives and friends."
“I was thinking that we could open a small workshop and supply the supply and marketing cooperative. If the reputation is good, our village can increase production and planting, and also supply the factory canteen.”
"However, in the beginning, although no investment was needed, we couldn't pay wages. We had to produce and sell the konjac before we could pay wages and settle accounts with everyone."
Everyone started talking at once, surprised that this was possible.
Liu Sufeng raised her hand: "Does that mean I should give the konjac from my home to the village now, and only after the village pays me back will I get paid for the konjac?"
“Yes!” Ji Huaizhi nodded: “At the beginning, there weren’t many, so we could only test the waters.”
"I was thinking that if it succeeded, we farmers could have an extra harvest, and even if it failed, we wouldn't suffer any losses, right?"
"At most, it was just a waste of some time and energy. Everyone can go back and think about it."
Some people have calculated that there is indeed no loss. People grow konjac mainly to have a treat and change up their diet.
But I never expected to be able to exchange it for money.
"We don't need to think about it anymore. You've thought so much about us, we'll definitely support you!"
“Yes! I think this is a good idea. It’s not considered a private enterprise since it’s being done in the village, so if it grows big, it could provide jobs for the village.” Someone realized, “Then they’d be considered workers.”
"Yes, I grow konjac at home. I was planning to grind some to give away or eat myself. I didn't expect to be able to make money from it. Even if it doesn't work out, I won't really lose anything."
"Dry!"
"Let's do it too! We should be able to dig up the konjac plants in our yard by now!"
Ji Huaizhi was surprised by the unity of the village; he didn't even need to say much.
"I'm so glad everyone trusts me so much. I'll go to the city tomorrow to ask what materials are needed to open a konjac factory in the village. Everyone, wait for my good news!"
"good!"
"This kid is so smart. He used to be confused because he slept too much, but now he's awake and his mind is clear."
"Yes, he can lead our whole village to prosperity."
After Ji Huaizhi finished speaking, Ji Hong stepped forward and said a few inspiring words. Everyone was thrilled. If the village became rich in the future, it would be much easier for the young men in the village to find wives.
(I've been busy all day with family matters and I'm very tired now. I'll see if I have time to finish this tomorrow.)
Ji Huaizhi had to go to work, so the task of harvesting konjac was left to Ji Laoda and the others, while the task of processing konjac was left to his sister-in-law, his third sister-in-law, and Pearl. With Wang Xiuju watching and directing from the side, Ji Huaizhi was quite at ease.
This konjac is very likely to cause allergies; it will cause burning and itching when it comes into contact with the skin. Ji Huaizhi also prepared several pairs of rubber gloves for them.
“Our hands, which are used to farming, are not so precious. They’re rough from the start. But you’ll have to take one with you, little sister-in-law.” Sister-in-law Ji’s last sentence was directed at Li Zhenzhu.
Li Zhenzhu didn't mince words and put on her gloves.
She knew that the konjac was poisonous.
“Yes, Pearl, your hands are so fair and delicate. We have calluses on our hands, but it doesn’t matter,” said Sister-in-law Ji.
"First, peel these twenty catties of konjac clean." Wang Xiuju assigned tasks: "Third brother, you go find wood ash and alkali."
Wang Xiuju then began washing the large pot and starting the fire.
Several women were busy in the yard. Sometimes one or two people would come to check on them, but everyone had to work and could only watch and couldn't help. After all, they knew that the first twenty pounds were just a trial run.
If these twenty kilograms can be sold, it means this business can be done.
Cut the konjac into chunks and put them into a large pot. Add water to cover the konjac chunks, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and continue cooking for more than an hour.
Li Zhenzhu saw Wang Xiuju insert chopsticks into the konjac block, and after seeing that it was cooked through, she took it out and let it cool.
Sister-in-law Ji used a rolling pin to grind the konjac, while Sister-in-law Ji used a kitchen knife to press the konjac blocks into a paste.
Seeing that this was too slow, Wang Xiuju told Li Zhenzhu, "Put on your gloves and rub it with your hands. Rub it until it's as smooth and tender as possible."
The group chatted and worked together, and time passed quickly.
This job is easier than working in the fields.
The ground konjac was poured back into the pot, and Wang Xiuju mixed some wood ash water herself. Actually, alkaline water would also work, but she was used to using wood ash water. She added it while stirring.
"You can't add too much water, otherwise it will be too thin and the konjac won't hold its shape, and if it's too thick, it will be a bit hard and the texture won't be good."
Li Zhenzhu wasn't used to the smell, so she twitched her nose.
Sister-in-law Ji laughed when she saw this: "You don't like the taste? You'd definitely dislike it even more if you added alkaline water, and you certainly wouldn't like that alkaline water cake either."
Li Zhenzhu had eaten konjac before, at her grandmother's house, but she had never eaten alkaline rice cakes.
"Alkaline rice cake?"
Sister-in-law Ji thought of something and said, "Mom! We can make konjac or alkaline rice cakes."
Wang Xiuju kept stirring in the pot, feeling her hands getting a little sore: "Let's sell these first, we haven't seen any return on investment yet."
The taro paste is simmered in a pot over low heat, constantly stirred with an iron spoon. The taro paste is truly stirred, and it cannot be stopped to prevent it from burning.
The color in the pot deepened, and the taro paste became increasingly thick and viscous, gradually gaining elasticity.
Wang Xiuju sighed, "Let's make some tonight, it's been so long since we've had this."
Sister-in-law Ji stood up: "Okay, I'll go pick some pickled vegetables from the jar."
Sister-in-law Ji took a bucket and scooped out all the konjac inside: "This is a 'heaty' food, and the second son's wife can't eat it since she just gave birth."
Sister-in-law Ji came out with her child to watch the commotion: "It's nothing, I'll just eat something else."
Wang Xiuju used a scraper to smooth the konjac: "Put it in a cool place, and it will be ready to eat after a while."
Li Zhenzhu: "That's it?"
"It's done. Just soak it in water a few more times to let it set, so it doesn't spoil." Wang Xiuju hadn't made it in a long time, and she even worked up a sweat.
"If you think the smell is too strong, you can boil it in water before stir-frying to remove the smell."
Li Zhenzhu nodded: "These twenty catties were still quite a lot made."
Sister-in-law Ji: "Twenty catties should be enough to make sixteen or seventeen catties."
After the konjac was shaped, Sister-in-law Ji cut it into pieces with a knife. It looked black and very bouncy.
I saw a lot of them at the market yesterday, including some that were jet black and had a strong alkaline smell, but I forgot to take a picture. I don't like them.
In the evening, Sister-in-law Ji shredded the kimchi, added some chili peppers and garlic, and stir-fried the konjac strips. The sour and spicy flavor was quite good.
At that time, supplies were scarce, so everyone enjoyed the change of flavors.
"Youngest brother, this konjac is only available this season, it doesn't seem like it will last long," Ji Lao Er said to Ji Huaizhi.
Ji Huaizhi looked up: "This is just a trial run. Didn't you used to make 'divine tofu' for us on the mountain with a certain type of tree leaf?"
Wang Xiuju: "You mean we can get that when konjac is out of season?"
Ji Huaizhi nodded: "These things can be made at home in the countryside, but they are quite rare in the city. My third sister-in-law mentioned alkaline rice cakes this afternoon, those are also good."
This is something I found online: Ghost Tofu, Divine Tofu, Guanyin Tofu, and Pigeon Tofu. I don't like them.
Wang Xiuju: "I can make this magic tofu, and some people can also make alkaline rice cakes, but alkaline rice cakes require rice and glutinous rice, which are too expensive."
Ji Hong knew that everything in the city was strange and wonderful, and he also loved to eat things like rice cakes: "We can price the ones made with rice a little higher."
After saying that, he realized his words were a bit inappropriate: "We'll discuss the pricing with the villagers when the time comes."
“Dad is right. I have a feeling that city people will definitely like these things, and I don’t think we’ll have to worry about sales.” Ji Huaizhi reassured them.
Wang Xiuju took a bite of konjac and said, "You guys have quite ambitious goals. Let's sell these seventeen catties of konjac first."
"Mom, you have to trust our youngest son. He has better judgment than us." Ji Laosan was already imagining how much better life would be for the family in the future.
This suggestion came from their own family, so their family members will definitely be able to work in the workshop in the future.
Who would want to work in the fields if there were other jobs available?
"Yes, yes, yes, now you all think his poop smells good." Wang Xiuju banged on the bowl impatiently.
Everyone stared speechlessly at the dishes on the table. Ji Lao Er said with disdain, "You're really uncivilized, always talking about poop and pee."
"You're so civilized! You've touched manure with your hands before!" No one in the family could win an argument with Wang Xiuju.
~
The next morning, Ji Huaizhi and Ji Laoda took the dozen or so kilograms of konjac to the city. This time, he switched shifts with the others.
The two of them went to the supply and marketing cooperative first, and the konjac was brought in by a handcart.
I was afraid it would spoil, so I soaked it in water.
There were too many people at the supply and marketing cooperative, so Ji Huaizhi squeezed in and said he wanted to see their leader.
It just so happens that the people here remember Ji Huaizhi. He had once come to buy fabric and caused quite a scene because the salesperson gave him less fabric than he should have, which even led to his boss being called out.
The saleswoman was startled, thinking he was going to cause trouble for her, and stammered, "Comrade, why are you looking for our manager? Is there something I did wrong?"
Ji Huaizhi: "It's fine. I just need to talk to him about something."
“Our village wants to cooperate with your supply and marketing cooperative. Could you help us ask them to do so?” Ji Huaizhi gave her two candies.
The woman then relaxed: "I can call out for you, but I don't know if our director will come out to see you."
Ji Huaizhi nodded.
At this point, you need to be bold; being daring might just change your fate.
Director Xiao found it strange when he heard that a village wanted to cooperate with the supply and marketing cooperative. What kind of cooperation could they possibly have? At most, it would be exchanging eggs or something.
"Let them come in and take a look."
Ji Huaizhi wanted to take Ji Laoda in to see how he talked to people, but since several buckets of konjac needed to be watched over, he could only leave him outside to guard them.
"Director Xiao, I am Ji Huaizhi from Huoshaofangzi Village. My father is the village party secretary. Take a look at this."
Ji Huaizhi got straight to the point and handed him a lump of konjac.
"Konjac? We can buy that. Just tell the sales representative outside what you want to exchange it for." Director Xiao was speechless. Why was she making such a fuss about seeing him over such a small matter? Did she think she had nothing better to do?
Ji Huaizhi handed him the large piece directly: "This was made by the villagers themselves. Director, you can add this to your dishes when you get home tonight."
"Director Xiao, I remember you have a purchasing agent, right? Our village is planning to set up a konjac factory to increase revenue. It's basically a small workshop. If you think it will sell well here, you can have your purchasing agent come to our village to buy it."
Director Xiao looked up: "Your village is going to set up a factory?"
Ji Huaizhi smiled sheepishly: "Calling it a factory is actually a bit funny; it's just a small workshop."
"Sure, who suggested it?"
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