Chapter 114

Who should I sell the gold to?

"You mean, we should build a light industrial textile factory in our mining area so that we can directly process the cotton instead of selling it immediately?" said District Chief Gao.

Chen Lina came to the office, of course the plan had been written long ago, "We can sell cotton directly now, how much can we sell, but if you process it deeply and open a few garment processing factories, you can at least radiate to several surrounding provinces, Tibet, Hongyan, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Sichuan, which place doesn't have a lot of people waiting for cloth to wear clothes?

After all, people need food and clothing, and now there is very little light industry in our entire republic. If we don't seize the opportunity now and wait for the policy to come down, District Chief Gao, think about the coastal areas, and then think about Jiangsu and Zhejiang, how can we compete with them?"

Workers in state-owned factories were slacking off and failing to meet sales targets. If private individuals wanted to secretly weave some homespun cloth and sell it, they would have to pay for the capitalism to come to their doorstep to cut off its tail. The ten years of rectifying the chaos were the most difficult time to make money.

But if we can really seize the opportunity now, when reform and opening up come in the future, it will be like taking the elevator to wealth.

"If the mining area can have three to four large textile mills, District Director Gao, I believe the benefits we can create in a year will be far higher than that of a wealthy county in the mainland," said Chen Lina.

"Your idea is good. Let me think about it again. But who do you think is suitable to be the factory director?" Secretary Gao raised his head and saw Chen Lina looking at him without blinking.

Gao Feng felt that Chen Lina would eat him up if she couldn't be the factory manager.

But no matter what, from Factory Director He to Director Chen, they all admire these capable women, the March 8th Red Flag Bearers, very much.

"Needless to say, you send clothes to Xiao Bing every year, and every piece is very beautiful. It can be seen that you really know this business. You can be the factory manager, and I will help you raise funds.

As for the site selection and the machine tool connection, I will take care of it. You can take charge of the farm's production for the time being, Director Chen, is that ok?"

"Okay, I'll wait for your good news."

Chen Lina was also straightforward. Since the textile factory matter was on the agenda, she concentrated on waiting to become the factory director.

As for the bigger thing for her now, it is actually selling gold.

A large yellow croaker weighs 300 grams, which is equivalent to 6 taels. Although Nie Gong said that as long as she died after him, all the large yellow croakers would be hers, Miss Chen did not dare to use them for her own benefit. She only took five large yellow croakers and returned the rest to Nie Gong.

As for how he hid it, she had to say that with her IQ, she would probably never be able to guess where it was.

It's a problem if we have yellow croaker but have nowhere to sell it, right?

You say, right now, how much money can Secretary A, the biggest leader in the mining area, have in his family? Isn't it just that little salary that he earns from thousands of savings?

So, it’s like carrying a pig’s head but still unable to find the temple gate.

However, no matter how difficult the problem is, it is not difficult for Miss Chen.

Just then, when she came out of District Chief Gao’s office, she saw Nie Gong waiting outside in his car.

"People say you have a good relationship, but I don't believe it. Nie Gong, Director Chen has to go to the mine to do some work. Are you willing to come and report your work to Secretary Ah?"

Gao Feng shook hands with Nie Gong, pointed at his temples, and said with ulterior motives, "Look, your hair has turned white. Be careful. In a few years, you may be outshined by others. By then, I'm afraid Xiao Chen won't like you anymore."

Ye Gong is a strict worker who usually doesn't joke with his boss. Instead, he said, "I heard that an American reporter came. Director He personally received him. Xiao Chen wanted to invite him to visit the farm. But since his English is not as good as mine, he specially asked me to take him there."

The Republic's policy has always been to strictly control the entry and exit of foreigners.

However, the Republic also has policies for European and American journalists. Occasionally, some of them will be allowed in to interview, take photos and record. Of course, this is also a good opportunity to showcase the Republic to the world.

However, in the eyes of foreign journalists, the Republic is still ignorant and backward. This situation can only be reversed if the country's own national strength is strengthened.

"The foreign reporter is called Edward, he is in his fifties. He lived in Shanghai when he was a child and his mother is from Shanghai. He speaks Chinese fluently. I guess he won't need your translator." District Chief Gao said with a smile.

Foreign journalists of course stayed in the best guesthouse in the mining area, the state-owned hotel.

So, with the worker driving the car and Director Chen sitting in the car, the two of them headed to the guesthouse behind the state-owned hotel to look for foreign reporters.

As we drove along, the worker asked, "Are you sure that American reporter will buy your gold bars?"

Chen Lina stretched her back and smiled, "Nie Gong, why do those American journalists go to such great lengths to come to our country for interviews when the conditions in their own country are so good? They know we are so poor that they can't even have a good meal. What do they want?"

"Interview and show the American people that our Republic is the world's policeman and that its citizens are born with a sense of responsibility like God."

"You have a stubborn professional mind. Let me tell you, there are good reporters, but there are also a lot of mixed people among those who are allowed in by customs every year."

Well, Miss Chen has a lot of experience and knowledge, so the worker can only ask for advice. "So, why did they come?"

"Some people come here to smuggle our antiques, and some come here to fabricate stories to smear our Republic. Of course, there are serious journalists, but anyone is willing to do it to make a quick buck."

"If you really say that reporters are not doing their job and have evil intentions, then it is indeed easy to make money. The international gold price is now $200 per ounce, so a large yellow croaker costs $2,000. Am I right, Ms. Chen?"

One ounce, if calculated in grams, is 28 grams. A large yellow croaker is at least 280 grams. If it’s not two thousand US dollars, how much is it?

"The price of gold is at its highest point in history because of the Cold War. But how much is gold worth in our country? Those reporters came in. Normally, a few dozen grams of gold can be taken out of the country. Tell me, how much is a gram of gold in the country? How much profit can be made by taking it out?" Chen Lina asked in return.

The worker parked his car outside the state-owned hotel, pulled the handbrake and said, "I hope that reporter Edward is a speculator, so that my lover can get what she wants and sell all her boxes of gold."

"So, all those big yellow croakers of yours are mine?" Chen Lina also got out of the car and asked back.

The tall Nie Gong walking in front, wearing a white shirt, overalls, and a wristband with an old Zhongshan watch that he had worn for nearly ten years, suddenly turned around with narrowed eyes, "Chen Lina, the four Nie family father and son are all yours, when did those big yellow croakers stop being yours?"

Chen Lina chuckled and thought, is this his way of expressing love?

Alas, although she is not as charming as she was in her previous life, wearing a suit and gold-rimmed glasses, and saying in a soft and pleasant voice, "Miss Chen, you are the only warmth I have in this world," Chen Lina is happy enough.

However, in the lobby of the state-owned hotel guesthouse, He Lanshan was cursing, "What are you thinking? Ah, I ask you what are you thinking? He is a foreigner, do you understand? Foreign devils, the autonomous region sent you to accompany him, and you can't lose him for a moment. You actually lost him. Let me ask you, what if he wanders around outside and meets someone from the armed forces and is shot by the Tsarist Russia?"

Hey, Chen Lina thought to herself, this is strange, the officials in the mining area actually lost the American reporter?

"Director He, what's going on? Hasn't that reporter been following you?" Chen Lina asked back.

He Lanshan was in a bad mood. "I have to eat and drink water. I just rested for a while, and the foreigner slipped away quietly."

"Okay, where can such a big foreigner with blond hair and blue eyes run to? I guess someone will send him back to you soon. Okay, don't be angry, go home and take it easy, is it necessary to fight so hard?" After Chen Lina's comfort, He Lanshan was not as anxious as before.

When he came to his senses, he realized that he had scolded the people from the autonomous region. He was so busy that he took a deep breath and said, "Lina, if you don't come again, I will probably offend everyone."

"I just realized that you are a person with a sharp tongue but a soft heart, and you tend to act impulsively." Chen Lina also shook her head.

After leaving the guesthouse, Chen Lina glanced at Nian Gong and said, "It seems that this reporter is a real reporter, not someone who is looking for big yellow croakers. I guess he went to the poorest, most run-down, and dirtiest place to look for human rights."

The international community has consistently criticized that there is no human rights in the Republic.

"Then let's go pick up the kids first. It's evening now and it's time for them to go home after school." said Nie Gong.

Chen Lina looked at the watch. It was 16:45. As expected, it was time for the children to finish class.

Several children got used to eating at Hongyan. After nearly a month back, they have no interest in eating anything. Even Erdan would say, "Hey, March and April soup, mom's lazy soup, mom, can we change it up a little?" whenever he picks up the bowl.

Every April and May, when there is a shortage of food, Chen Lina has to give him a fire stick. "Okay, at least our lazy dumpling soup is still made of white flour. Farmers now eat corn rashes every day. When they eat it, they think of the bitterness and sweetness. Is that okay?"

Nie Weimin was very obedient in this regard. "Comrade Xiao Chen, just give me some more pickled cabbage."

He ate pickled cabbage, which looked just like eating grass to Erdan, who loved meat. So, Erdan said, "Mom, my brother is a herbivore and I am a carnivore, right?"

"Yes, that's right." Chen Lina had to smile and say.

Since she had big yellow croaker, but before she sold it, Comrade Chen took it upon herself to improve her living standards. This time, she went straight to a state-owned store.

"Manager Chen, are you here to inspect our work again?" the salesperson said with a smile.

"Are there any good things?" Chen Lina asked first. After all, this is an era where even if you have money, you have to eat the tickets honestly. If you really want good things, you have to ask these salesmen.

"We have bags of Wuxi rice, ordered by Director He, but he hasn't come to pick it up yet. It's 2.8 cents per pound, which is a bit expensive. Director Chen, would you like some?" the salesperson said as he looked outside.

The worker outside put his hands in his pockets and looked up at the sky, but no one knew what he was looking at.

"Of course I want it, how can I not want it?" Chen Lina said as she took out the money and quickly called the laborers in. "Hurry up and carry the rice. If you are any later, the factory manager Renhe will come to grab the rice."

The worker thanked the salesmen with a smile and prepared to carry the rice. The salesmen all vied to shake his hand.

"When we were grabbing rice, even District Chief Gao came to line up. I've never seen a worker come here. Workers, engineers like you, don't you want to eat?" a salesperson said with a smile.

Another person said, "I also think that the worker doesn't eat. Not only does he not eat, he probably never goes out in the sun. He is the whitest man in the entire mining area." Not only is he white, he is also gentle and handsome.

"Normally when I come here, they won't give me the good stuff and will keep it secret. It seems that I will have to take you with me when I go shopping in the future, Comrade Lao Nie."

Chen Lina realized that the salespeople gave her the rice from He Lanshan just to meet Nie Gong, and she became angry.

When they heard that a foreigner was missing from the mining area, the armed forces were dispatched and patrolled the streets with live ammunition.

Let’s talk about the mining area middle school. It is still a very rustic iron bell. Just ring it and school is over.

"Tiantian, do you want to go with us? My mother is also in the mining area today." Erdan followed the teacher's footsteps and blocked Chen Tiantian.

"Nie Weiguo, Tiantian is going back with me today, so you brothers just ignore her." Liu Xiaohong said.

Nie Weimin put away the books and came to Chen Tiantian. "Sister, what's wrong with you recently? Why didn't you come with us after we came back?"

"I'm not feeling well." Tiantian had lost a lot of weight recently, and her face was pale. She took Liu Xiaohong's hand and said, "Sister Xiaohong, let's go. I'll take your tractor."

Wang Hongbing had to deliver vegetables to the mining area almost every day, so Liu Xiaohong had to pick him up every day. It was just a bit hard.

"Tiantian, does your stomach still hurt?" Liu Xiaohong asked Chen Tiantian after leaving school.

Chen Tiantian gritted her teeth and shook her head, saying, "Sister Xiaohong, I am too embarrassed to see anyone."

"My aunt has already said that menstruation comes early or late, and you are one of those who have it early. I have sewed a menstrual belt for you, so just wear it. Can you please stop being so pessimistic? It's not a big deal."

"But you haven't come yet?" Chen Tiantian was really scared. She twisted Liu Xiaohong's wrist and said, "I hope you will never have this thing in your life. It's too scary."

Liu Xiaohong smiled bitterly, "I wish I could come too. At least I can let you see it. Even if I experienced it myself, I wouldn't be as scared as you are. No one dares to see it."

"What's coming? Who is here?" Erdan rushed over and poked his head into the back of Chen Tiantian's head, which scared Chen Tiantian.

"Erdan, can you stay away from us?" Liu Xiaohong asked back.

Erdan tilted his head and looked at the two little girls for a long time, then pointed at Liu Xiaohong and said, "Little girls are the most annoying things in the world."

They dislike him, but he doesn't want to play with them, huh.

Nie Weimin was holding a book in one hand and putting the other hand in his trouser pocket, quietly waiting for the bus at a corner.

Usually, it would be either Wang Hongbing or Chen Lina, someone would always come to pick them up.

The streets were too noisy, and Nie Weimin liked reading, so he always hid in a corner.

"Hello." The foreigner's Mandarin has the same accent as Mama Hamad.

Nie Weimin looked up and saw a man with blond hair and blue eyes. He was stunned for a moment, then saw the man extending his hand, so he reached out and shook it, and also said hello in return.

…

On this side, the couple picked up Erdan, but didn't find Nie Weimin after turning the corner. They ran back and asked Wang Hongbing again. There were two ladies sitting on Wang Hongbing's tractor, as well as the women who came to the mining area to secretly sell some woven goods. They all shook their heads. Of course, Nie Weimin was not on the car either.

"My brother must have thought that mom came too late, so he took a ride home by himself." Erdan said affirmatively.

Because of the frequent traffic between the mining area and the base, it is normal for the children to get impatient and take a ride home early. As long as they say they are children of employees at the base, the oil trucks will take them for free, so it is very convenient.

Chen Lina then picked up Erdan, and the three of them went home together.

"That's great." Erdan sat in the back, looked at his parents in front, and said, "Today, Mom and Dad belong to me."

"It seems like the teacher doesn't scold you recently. Is it because you are doing well in your studies?" Chen Lina asked Erdan.

Erdan nodded vigorously, and was extremely grateful to the new teacher. But it was understandable that the teachers in the mining area would not just scold him.

"Dandan, did you open the door by yourself?" When Chen Lina entered the room, she saw Sandan squatting by the tap, slowly washing dried beans.

This child is the most gentle, and has grown two dimples recently. He nodded while washing and said, "We have guests at home. My brother said, cook two more dishes."

Nie Gong and Xiao Chen looked at each other, wondering what kind of guests would come to their house today.

As a result, when Chen Lina entered the house, she saw a tall man with blond hair and blue eyes standing in the hallway. He was standing in a very awkward position, and because he was too tall, he shone on the light bulb on the beam of her hallway, which kept turning around.

"Hello, my name is Edward, I'm from the United States, and I'm a reporter for Contemporary Weekly." When foreigners speak Chinese, no matter how fluent they are, it still sounds strange to others.

When the man stretched out his hand, Chen Lina frowned. Well, after searching for a long time, he finally got it without any effort.

"Hello, hello, my name is Chen Lina, you can also call me Director Chen." Chen Lina said as she stretched out her hand.

Her big yellow croaker, her big reporter, was being looked for all over the world by the armed forces, but unexpectedly he would fall into the trap and come to her house.