Chapter 102

Early in the morning on the 16th day of the first lunar month, Xu Qiushi borrowed an ox from the production team and harnessed it to a cart, intending to take Xu Wen and the others to the train station.

Lu Yuanzheng and Xu Wen didn't have much luggage, just some clothes for the three of them to change into, all for summer, and some local specialties.

My second uncle didn’t bring much as a gift, just a small snakeskin bag.

It was Xu Wen's first time going out, and he brought a lot of things with him, filling two woven bags.

There are clothes, bedding, and various foods.

Although Zhu Meizhen and Sang Xiaoqing were happy to let Xu Wen go out, when the time came for him to leave, they were not as generous and happy as Xu Qiushi. They were worried about all kinds of things and kept holding Xu Wen's hands to give him instructions over and over again.

Xu Wen guessed that if Lu Yuanzheng had not gone with his second uncle, Zhu Meizhen and Sang Xiaoqing would definitely have regretted not letting Xu Wen go.

In addition, I also brought some cooked eggs, peanuts and pickled mustard tubers for them to eat on the road.

Xu Wen knew that these eggs were originally intended to be sold in a few days, but were now used as food for them on the road, just because of the saying "A poor family becomes rich on the road".

Xu Qie took a string of whips, hung them on the treetop outside the gate, and lit them.

In Wei Zhuang Commune, the New Year period generally refers to the first month of the year.

Family members who are going away from home will set off a string of firecrackers.

I hope all the travelers will have a smooth and safe year ahead.

Xu Qiushi got tired of waiting and shouted, and only then did Zhu Meizhen and Sang Xiaoqing let Xu Wen get on the ox cart.

Xu Qiushi patted the cow's butt. The old ox pulled Lu Yuanzheng's family of three, Xu Wen and his second uncle, who were going on a long journey for the first time, and set off.

Zhu Meizhen chased after Chunsheng and Sang Xiaoqing for a long distance, repeating things like "Be careful on the road!" and "Let us know when we get there!"

It was four days and five nights later when Xu Wen and his group of five arrived at Pengcheng.

This special small city has just changed its name from a county to a city.

It's not very prosperous yet. If you look closely, you can see that there are many outsiders visiting.

After they found a guesthouse to stay in, Xu Wen couldn't wait to go around.

Dongsheng was also very excited. For a child, as long as his parents are around, going anywhere is a new experience.

Xu Wen actually doesn't know much about this period of history, but she still has a magic mirror with a golden finger, which is better than nothing.

When he was at home, Xu Wen looked up information related to reform and opening up, especially information related to the land under his feet.

This story begins last year, when there was a craze among leaders to go abroad for inspections.

The leader here refers to the one whose name starts with the word "国".

A particularly respected leader visited Japan's developed industries and tasted food that was heated in a microwave oven.

Very emotional.

Because our country is so backward, 99% of the people have never used a microwave.

In places like Wei Zhuang Commune, most production teams didn't even have electricity.

At that time, we were actually considering economic development, but where should we start?

This leader has also been to another country, a country with similar national conditions to ours and relatively backward.

However, this country has carried out investment promotion and attracted many businessmen from developed countries to build factories in its country.

Backward countries provide land as well as relevant conditions and policies suitable for their factories.

So what are the benefits for backward countries?

First of all, these factories have to pay taxes.

Thirty-five percent of their profits will go directly to the underprivileged countries.

Secondly, increase people’s income.

Once you build a factory you have to recruit workers.

With a large number of educated youth returning to the city, the already overcrowded state-owned enterprises could no longer accommodate so many unemployed young people.

If the investment promotion can be successful, then the employment problem of educated youth can be partially solved.

Secondly, it can also boost the local economy.

This is a good thing, and leaders who work for the country and the people also want to try it in their own countries.

But how and where to try is also a problem.

The national conditions of each country are different. Just like we have been following a certain big country to learn from its socialist experience, but in reality, many policies are not suitable for our own country.

Just at this time, the application of a cadre from Pengcheng was passed up the chain of command.

Long before Pengcheng became a special zone, there was a little-known event like the butterfly flapping its wings in South America.

This butterfly is a harbor.

In the proposal of this cadre, the seaport is mainly for import and export trade services, especially the neighboring Hong Kong.

Hong Kong was relatively developed at that time, and the cost of hiring workers was very high. Just as Haigang was attracted by Hong Kong's resources, Hong Kong was also attracted by Haigang's cheap labor and other policies.

The national leader thought that this could be tried, but the name should not be so capitalist. It could be called a free trade zone instead. He also allocated half of the island to this cadre for him to try.

But according to this cadre, he was not so open-minded and courageous at the time, so he did not dare to take half of the island, but only a small piece of land.

Looking back on it later, I still feel a little bit sad and regretful.

But, just because this port butterfly flapped its wings, it fanned the spring breeze of economic reform.

When Xu Wen told Xu Wen and the others all this, they were having breakfast at a tea restaurant.

Second Uncle and Xu Wen both knew that Xu Wen was a college student and had no doubts about her erudition.

Lu Yuanzheng knew everything about the situation and just listened quietly, looking out the window from time to time, as if looking for the future that Xu Wen had once described to him.

But it is visible to the naked eye that this place is still desolate.

The town is still dominated by fishermen, and there is only one main road in the town or county, with no cars to be seen.

But there are more and more foreigners and out-of-towners.

Just like the tea restaurant they were in, which was opened by a Hong Konger. You don’t need a ticket to dine there and it’s not expensive.

There are several hotels like this, all of which were attracted through investment promotion.

Dongsheng’s favorites are custard buns and rice noodles.

I kept shouting “It’s so delicious!”

Xu Wen looked at Dongsheng, then at the cute custard buns on the plate, and a hint of sadness flashed across his eyes.

Xu Wen knew that he was thinking of Chunsheng and Sang Xiaoqing.

After a while, Xu Wen raised his head, his face full of determination: "I will definitely make a name for myself here!"

Xu Wen nodded: "Brother, I believe you can do it too. But in the process of reform, there are always many imperfect policies. These policies can help people like us start from scratch, but they also make it easier for many criminals to find loopholes. We are still young and have plenty of time to take it slow. Don't do anything desperate just for the sake of money."

"I know." Xu Wen nodded. "Don't worry. I won't do anything rash for Xiaoqing and Chunsheng."

After breakfast, the group walked around the small city.

In particular, I looked around several factories that were recruiting workers.

In the evening, you can still see some vendors setting up stalls.

They all rode tricycles with their goods placed on them. Once they saw something was wrong, they would run away on their tricycles.

However, the management here is much looser than that of Wei Zhuang, and it can almost be said to be a semi-public existence.

Xu Wen glanced at the stall a few more times, probably wondering if he could do it.

The next day, Xu Wen helped him rent a room in the most prosperous area.

The second uncle smacked his lips, "This is too expensive!"

"It's a little expensive, but the transportation here is convenient. There are many large factories nearby, and it's close to the pier, so it's convenient for you to find a job and go to work."

When the second uncle thought this was the truth, he stopped talking.

After signing the contract with the landlord, Xu Wen asked them to check out and helped Xu Wen and his second uncle move their luggage.

Xu Wen called Xu Wen aside, took out one thousand yuan from his bag and handed it to him.

The one thousand yuan included the money they saved on the island and the five hundred yuan that Sang Xiaoqing returned to them.

Xu Wen waved his hands and said, "I can't take this money! Mom gave me a lot, it's enough for me to spend."

"This isn't for you," Xu asked. "This is a business partnership between you and me."

"ah?"

"I know you don't want to work because you think working is just like farming and you only make a lot of money. But running a business requires capital. I'll pay and you'll do the work, and we can start a business together as a brother and sister."

Xu Wen thought about it and shook his head again, "I just want to set up a stall like them, I don't need so much."

"Take it first. You can make a lot of money from trading, but the risk is also great. If it's your first time trading, there's no guarantee that the goods you buy will be popular with buyers. There's also no guarantee that you can sell them all without losing money. Trial and error requires capital."

Xu Wen still didn't answer. "Does Lu Yuanzheng know about this? You can't always bring money home. It's not good for a couple to live together if you bring money home again and again and cause conflicts."

"Why are you so pedantic?" Xu Wen rolled his eyes. "First, Lu Yuanzheng knew that I didn't hide it from him. He agreed. Second, I didn't take money home again and again. I just helped you when you built the house. This time doesn't count. This is a partnership between our two companies. It doesn't count as free money."

Xu Wen then reached out and took the money, "If you lose, it's mine, if you win, we'll split it in half."

"We're talking about doing business together. How can you only make money and not lose money? If you make 70% of the profit, I'll take 30%. After all, I only put in the money and didn't work. If there's a loss, we'll split it in half."

Xu Wen did not argue with Xu Wen. Just then his second uncle came back, so Xu Wen put the money away first.

Uncle and nephew, you were not very close before because of the matter with your aunt. You should not have the intention to harm others, but you must be on guard against others.

Besides, wealth should not be shown openly.

Xu Wen secretly made up his mind that once he made some money, he would split it in half with Xu Wen.

After settling his second uncle and Xu Wen, Lu Yuanzheng and Xu Wen set off back to Rainbow Island.

Lu Yuanzheng's vacation is coming to an end and he has to report back to the island on time.

Before leaving, Xu Wen repeatedly told Xu Wen, "Second brother, even if you want to do business, don't be in a hurry. Find a job first, even if it's just carrying heavy bags at the dock. At night when you're not working, go to the stalls to see what's popular with the people and what's easy to sell? What's the time for law enforcement to patrol every day? What are the consequences of being caught? It won't be too late to do business after you figure these out."

Xu Wen rubbed Xu Wen's head and said, "I know! You were still a little girl last year, but now you are acting like your mother, nagging me and worrying about me."

"Of course, I brought you here. Whether I make money or not is a small matter. I have to bring you back safely."

Xu Wen and his second uncle, two strangers who had just arrived in Pengcheng, acted as hosts and sent Xu Wen and his friends to the train station.

Before leaving, Lu Yuanzheng wrote a phone number to Xu Wen, "If you encounter a life-threatening situation, call this number and say you are my brother, and someone will keep you safe."

Xu Wen held the note and nodded, "Brother-in-law, thank you!"

When I was in Wei Zhuang Commune, snowflakes would occasionally fall from the sky.

As we headed south, the amount of clothes on our body gradually decreased, and by the time we reached Pengcheng, we were only wearing a single layer of clothing.

When we arrived at Rainbow Island, the sun was scorching and everyone changed into short-sleeved shirts.

There were a few missing sisters-in-law on the island. Most of them, like her, had gone back to their hometowns with their husbands for vacation and had not returned yet.

There are also a few new sisters-in-law who have come from thousands of miles away to visit relatives.

Lu Yuanzheng and Xu Wen did not go to the island empty-handed. They bought a lot of snacks such as melon seeds and peanuts, some of which Lu Yuanzheng took to the camp to distribute.

Xu Wen kept the remaining part to entertain guests.

Lu Yuanzheng said that during the Spring Festival, it is also popular in the family building to "visit relatives", which is actually just visiting neighbors.

I'll treat you today and you'll treat me tomorrow.

"But the New Year is over now, do we still need to invite them?" Xu asked wonderingly.

"I skipped the Chinese New Year. But you and I just came back from our hometown, so we still have to treat everyone and be invited to one of our parties."

Xu asked: "..."

She shook her head: "Interpersonal relationships are everywhere!"

When Xu Wen and his family of three first arrived on the island, the first thing they did was definitely not to treat guests.

The journey was long and Zheng had to report to the camp headquarters.

Xu Wen and Dongsheng washed and dried the bedding and clothes at home.

In the north, people build houses facing south in order to receive the greatest possible amount of sunlight.

In the south and on Rainbow Island, there is no such demand. The sunlight is too abundant, so people often build houses in a way that avoids the sun.

Sufficient sun exposure does not mean no moisture.

They had only been away for over a month, and the quilts at home were extremely damp. A moldy smell hit their noses as soon as they opened the closet.

The sheets, which had not been slept on for over a month, would produce water if squeezed hard.

Dongsheng took the clothes and Xu Wen took the bedding, and they took them to the yard to dry in the sun.

Then I cleaned the house thoroughly and threw away all the withered flowers on the fence.

Sweeping and mopping the floor, busy all the time.

At noon, Xu Wen was too busy to cook, so he asked Dongsheng to go to the cafeteria to get some food.

The long journey probably resulted in a lot of official business, so I didn't even come back for lunch.

In the afternoon, Xu Wen took the dried bedding back to the bedroom and hung the freshly washed clothes out to dry again.

The house cleaning is finally over.

When Dongsheng heard Xu Wen say that the bathroom had been cleaned, he ran out with the gift he had prepared for Doudou.

Xu asked: "..."

She smiled and shook her head, went back to the house, took out the freshly made ice cubes and replaced them with new water, made a new small refrigerator with the fresh ice, and then carried the basket to walk around in her private plot.

Xiaobai is well taken care of by everyone and is fat and strong.

Xu Wen squeezed the milk and put it into the basket.

The vegetables in the field were also cleaned up neatly, without any bugs or weeds.

It seems there is no job for her to do.

Before leaving, she looked at the lush durian tree and swallowed.

I left the private plot and picked some wild fruits and walked home.

On the way, he met a sister-in-law who was wearing glasses and had a low ponytail. She was about 30 or 40 years old. She must have just come from the beach. When she saw Xu Wen, she took the initiative to greet him: "You are Xu Wen's sister-in-law, right?"

Xu asked, "May I ask who you are?"

"My name is Song Baoying, and I'm Shi Lei's lover."

Xu Wen hurriedly wiped his hands on the hem of his clothes and extended his hand, "Hello, sister-in-law! I heard from Instructor Shi that you would come before the New Year. I couldn't wait for you because I had to take an exam."

"I know. Our Lao Shi always praises you. After I came to the island, I heard your name wherever I went. The soldiers praised you, the sisters-in-law praised you, and even the children praised you." Song Baoying said softly.

Her voice is as gentle as she is.

Xu Wen was a little embarrassed, "Thank you for your love. Sister-in-law, how did you recognize me?"

"They all say that you are the most recognizable one on this island. You are the most beautiful one. Lao Shi said that you were returning to the island today. I saw you from a distance just now and I guessed it was you. They are not exaggerating. You are really the most beautiful one on the entire island." Song Baoying said with a smile.

In fact, not only in the whole island, but probably among all the sisters-in-law in the whole army, Xu Wen's appearance was one of the best.

Xu asked: "..."

She didn't expect Song Baoying to recognize her so well, and said hurriedly, "How could it be? I felt that my sister-in-law was special when I saw her just now. There are few educated people here, and it is rare to find someone as kind and well-educated as my sister-in-law."

Xu Wen was telling the truth, Song Baoying was also very pretty, but she couldn't compliment Song Baoying on her beauty when Song Baoying praised her as the most beautiful on the island, otherwise it would be a bit like insulting her.

Moreover, Song Baoying is not tall and has a small frame, a very typical southerner appearance.

It does have a scholarly air.

"Sister-in-law is not only beautiful, but also very good at speaking." Song Baoying covered her mouth and chuckled, and said the purpose of her visit, "Let's stop complimenting each other. I guess you want to invite you to our house tonight. Our old Mr. Shi always says that he feels embarrassed to eat and drink at your house. He always asks me to bring some special products from our hometown when I come so that you and Lu Ying can taste them."