Chapter 234: Urging even his own mother.
It was 1976, and New Year's Eve was fast approaching. This year was different from previous years, with the festive atmosphere being more lively than in the past few years.
Many people's lives have improved, and their material conditions have also improved compared to two years ago. Many families in Shanghai now have black and white televisions, and the movies in cinemas have also seen a significant increase in interesting feature films.
Li Jianzhi: "Every year is getting better! This upward trend is truly inspiring!"
Qin Xiangxiang said, "In 1976, many chemical fiber factories will be built. In the future, chemical fiber materials will become cheaper and cheaper, and the supply will increase. Dacron will also become cheaper and cheaper... Everyone will be able to wear nice clothes."
The construction of the chemical fiber plant is a good thing for the people! But it is not necessarily a good thing for textile factories. Low prices hurt farmers, and with an increased supply of raw materials, the good days for many state-owned textile factories are coming to an end.
In the past, the emperor's daughters had no trouble getting married. But as supplies increased, people learned to be picky, and the profits of state-owned textile factories became lower and lower. Many state-owned textile factories went into losses in the 1980s. The factories became less and less profitable, and the workers' welfare also deteriorated. Some factories even couldn't pay wages and had to use cotton cloth as wages for their employees. When the losses became unsustainable, a large number of them went bankrupt in the 1990s.
Although conditions were tough in the 1970s, it was actually a relatively comfortable era for state-owned factories, with workers receiving good treatment and benefits.
Li Jianzhi: "The improvement in chemical fiber raw materials is a good thing for everyone, but textile factories will face a major challenge in the future. However, I believe that with my family's wisdom, we can definitely lead Feiyan Textile Factory to create new glories!"
Qin Xiangxiang: "...Don't have too high expectations of me."
Qin Xiang thought about these things and couldn't help but feel nervous. Although she never really wanted to be the factory director, she didn't want Feiyan Textile Factory to go bankrupt and decline in the 1980s and 1990s.
Starting in 1976, things began to get tough. By 1978 and 1979, things would become even tougher, and this toughness referred to state-owned factories.
Because in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the rise of small private workshops and township enterprises would impact many state-owned factories. State-owned factories had better employee welfare and had to support a large number of retired employees, so they could not compete with small private workshops in terms of generating profits.
In addition, various foreign companies entered the market, set up shop, and dumped large quantities of goods... leading to a period of fierce competition in the market.
How to get consumers to buy is a new subject of study.
Starting in 1976, the black market... small private markets run by ordinary people were no longer strictly prohibited. Although it was not allowed on the surface, the supervision was not strict. Unless you were affiliated with a unit, you would be reported and investigated. If you were not affiliated with a unit, you would be criticized and your goods would be confiscated.
Many people have started their own businesses, especially small trades like selling sunflower seeds and peanuts, which are incredibly profitable!
If the food factory affiliated with Feiyan Textile Factory can develop, the profits from these snack foods may bring in huge revenues in the future.
"The textile factory focuses on foreign trade, while the food factory mainly focuses on the domestic market... This is a good way out."
Feiyan Textile Factory is different from other textile factories. They have a larger quota for textile foreign trade, which is the result of their efforts over the past few years. As long as they can maintain this advantage in the 1980s, they will be able to stand firm.
Of course, this is on the premise that their products can meet the needs of international customers. On the other hand, they cannot give up the domestic market and should try their best to win the domestic market and strengthen their competitiveness.
Food factories naturally choose to focus on domestic markets. There's no other reason than that China has such a large population, and my country itself is one of the largest consumer markets, especially when it comes to food.
People had a big appetite in the 1970s, they had a big appetite in the 1980s... and even in 2025, they still have a big appetite, with particular attention to vegetables, grains, and fruits.
"Think about it, you have to believe in your genius... The next few years will definitely be a great time for you, Qin Xiangxiang!"
Qin Xiangxiang: "..."
Qin Xiangxiang rolled her eyes. "I've never cared about anything! Eating well, drinking well, dressing well, and sleeping well are the things I care about most."
"Anyway, even if the sky falls, there are always tall people to hold it up. Even if our textile factory goes bankrupt, I still have you, my officer husband, and I can live off your salary! I want to stay at home and sleep!"
Li Jianzhi: "That's how Juan Wang always talks."
"Think about it, you won't be able to stop!"
Qin Xiangxiang: "Impossible!"
After worrying about the future of Feiyan Textile Factory for three seconds, Comrade Xiao Qin... gave up. Whatever.
The most important thing right now is to live each day to the fullest!
Increased production and supply of synthetic fiber raw materials is good for everyone, and even better for Qin Xiangxiang! PVC plastic will become the most common and inexpensive material in the future!
And she can make even more beautiful clothes for her daughter!
Qin Xiangxiang: "The thing I care about most right now is that I want to have another daughter!"
"I want to make beautiful clothes for my little girl!"
Li Jianzhi shook his head: "You, raising a daughter is like raising a cat. Once you have one, you want a second one, and once you have a second one, you want a third one... Be mindful of the burden!"
"Thank you for making clothes for your three daughters!"
Qin Xiangxiang: "And you and Little Fatty! When you take your vacation this year, I'll teach you kesi (silk tapestry weaving)!"
Li Jianzhi: "Cough cough cough—what? Me?"
“I heard from Master Lu that in many families, the skill of kesi (silk tapestry) is passed down to men but not women! You men have a talent for this, you're strong! Don't think of embroidery as a woman's job!”
Qin Xiangxiang said, "From now on, I'll urge you to make clothes for our daughter. At the very least, as her father, you should knit her a sweater and make her a small handkerchief."
Li Jianzhi: "...I will do my best."
He's willing to do it, but he's afraid his daughter will cry.
Before New Year's Eve, my mother-in-law, Wu Xueyan, came over again, intending to stay until Qin Xiangxiang gave birth. "When I went back, many people envied me. However, I'm not used to staying in the village anymore. Having lived in the south for so long, I'm not used to the scenery in the north. In autumn and winter, there's not a single green thing to be seen!"
"The only downside to the south is the lack of heated brick beds; the wind here carries moisture! No wonder so many people suffer from rheumatism and leg pain... I even want to learn cupping therapy!"
"I heard from the hospital that an old traditional Chinese medicine doctor is really good at cupping, and it feels so good!"
...
Wu Xueyan came to the island and stayed at the Feiyan Textile Factory, where she helped take care of her daughter-in-law, Qin Xiangxiang. She also said, "After spring, Jianzhi's sister-in-law also wants to come and learn about pig farming!"
Upon hearing this, Qin Xiangxiang encouraged them, "Welcome, younger brother and sister-in-law, to come and learn!"
Wu Xueyan: "Let her come and broaden her horizons too."
Li Jianzhi: "Let the couple come together. They need to broaden their horizons together and make progress in their thinking together."
"His older brother is right!"
Li Jianzhi also wanted to let his younger brother see the world. The 1980s was an era where opportunities were everywhere. As long as you dared to take risks and work hard, you had the chance to build a career and achieve success.
After the reform and opening up, agricultural household registration was decoupled from land, and many farmers were able to go to the city to work and become free urban residents. Li Jianzhi felt that his family could seek development in Shanghai or Guangzhou.
Some people prefer to go south to Hong Kong to make money.
—May the whole family prosper together.
Li Jianzhi said to Wu Xueyan, "Mom, why don't you just stay here and study hard in the pig farming class? Maybe one day you'll have the chance to become a factory manager or something..."
Wu Xueyan was stunned: "Da Mao, what are you saying?"
Li Jianzhi: "I say you have great potential in the future."
Wu Xueyan: "...I think you've gone mad."
Li Jianzhi: "You should communicate more with Professor Shen, attend more pig farming classes, and even if you don't necessarily study pig farming, you can learn something else."
Li Jianzhi was planning to take advantage of his mother, "Comrade Wu Xueyan," because she had a knack for making money. Even though this Wu Xueyan was different from the other "Comrade Wu Xueyan," they had something in common.
In his memory, Wu Xueyan was a wealthy and particularly pretentious old lady from Shanghai.
He went into business in the 1990s and became very successful, expanding his business and buying land and properties, owning many shops...
His mother, Wu Xueyan, definitely has the potential to become a self-made millionaire!
During the meal, Li Jianzhi began to take effect, brainwashing his mother, Wu Xueyan, to study hard and create a successful career when the opportunity arose. "Age is not a problem at all; what matters is having the ability and waiting for the right opportunity! Mom, I see great opportunities in the next few years..."
“Mom, you were never an ordinary person. The fact that you raised so many children all by yourself is enough to prove your ability.”
...
Qin Xiangxiang sat at the dinner table, watching her husband brainwash his mother, and she felt as if she had been struck by lightning.
What is this man doing?
Why does he remind me a little of myself when I wanted to be a mama's girl? He's even urging his own mother to be more supportive.
This...this...
"Li Jianzhi, are you serious?" When it was time to go to bed that night, Qin Xiangxiang quietly nudged Li Jianzhi.
"You want Mom to work harder, you want my mother-in-law to work harder?"
Li Jianzhi: "Yes, everyone should strive to improve and try to be better tomorrow than they are today."
Qin Xiangxiang: "Your mother is not young anymore."
Li Jianzhi: "My mother-in-law is not young anymore, but she is still working hard."
Qin Xiangxiang: "When I get old, you won't be urging me to study too, will you...?"
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