"Xiao Chen, you've given me a huge surprise!"
"A thousand catties a day, that's thirty thousand catties a month. Our Liuhe County Aquatic Products Station can rank quite high among the city's aquatic product companies." Wang Jianguo was all smiles upon seeing the large quantity of fish Chen Yang had transported over.
The counties downstream from Qinghe City in terms of aquatic product output usually submitted only ten to twenty thousand catties per month. If Liuhe County could achieve thirty thousand catties, it would definitely not be at the bottom.
"Recently, the brigade has also been organizing villagers to work after the busy farming season. I said that the county Aquatic Products Station needs to complete the task assigned by the higher-ups, and the comrades are very enthusiastic. Many of them haven't slept all night catching fish."
Chen Yang chuckled. In those days, invoking policies and shouting slogans was quite effective.
"It's been tough on you. The village just suffered a disaster, and you're still so supportive of the county Aquatic Products Station's work."
"Don't worry, the county Aquatic Products Station will definitely guarantee the payment. Just wait here, I'll call Accountant Hu along, and we'll go to the finance department to get the money."
Even though he knew the villagers stayed up all night catching fish just for the money, Wang Jianguo was pleased by Chen Yang's framing of their efforts as fulfilling the county Aquatic Products Station's mission.
At the food factory, his position as the head of the Aquatic Products Station was far below that of the Pork Station or other department heads. His words were only heard by a handful of people in his own station. Now, an entire brigade of villagers were following his orders to catch fish, filling him with pride.
Before long, Wang Jianguo returned with Accountant Hu.
"Large fish: 970 catties, 582 yuan. Small fish: 290 catties, 116 yuan. A total of 698 yuan."
Accountant Hu's abacus clattered rapidly, and then, under the watchful eyes of Chen Yang and Shen Xue, he counted out the 698 yuan bill by bill.
Shen Xue was completely dazed. Looking at the thick stack of "Da Tuan Jie" bills, she felt as if she were dreaming.
She only earned twenty to thirty yuan a year, and the amount of money before her was something she couldn't earn in a lifetime!
Yet, this was from the fish caught by only a few dozen villagers in the village in one night!
Let alone Shen Xue, the economic development speed in the coming decades would overwhelm countless ordinary people.
Some people, in a year, or even just a few months, would earn more wealth than they could in several lifetimes!
This was the opportunity of the era!
Chen Yang remembered a great figure who led him to wealth in his previous life once said, "Standing at the cusp of the era, even a pig can fly."
And now, Chen Yang was that pig, no, he was a golden pig who knew the direction of future development!
"Station Chief Wang, Accountant Hu, after returning, I will definitely mobilize the villagers of our brigade again. While ensuring the task of handing over national planned grain is completed, we will help the Aquatic Products Station increase its aquatic product output. This will be the most important task for our brigade."
"The county and the Aquatic Products Station helped our village overcome difficulties, and our village will fully support the work of the Aquatic Products Station."
Chen Yang, holding the money, made a solemn declaration.
"Xiao Chen, with your words, I am reassured. In a few days, I will arrange for a large truck to deliver the aquatic products to the city. Try to bring more goods in these few days; it would be great if we could have five to ten thousand catties."
Wang Jianguo was in high spirits. This time, when he went to the city, he would finally not be met with a cold shoulder.
"Don't worry, Station Chief Wang, I guarantee I will complete the task assigned by the Aquatic Products Station!"
Chen Yang thumped his chest, and subtly slipped two packs of "Da Qian Men" cigarettes into Wang Jianguo's pocket.
He said nothing, and Wang Jianguo was momentarily stunned but did not refuse. Arranging for a vehicle and meeting with city leaders all involved dealing with people, so offering cigarettes was necessary.
Although his status meant he could still afford to buy a few packs of cigarettes, who would refuse free money? Since someone had bought them for him, it naturally saved him money.
"Accountant Hu, in the future, when Station Chief Wang is not here, I'll trouble you to come with me to the finance department every day."
After Wang Jianguo finished speaking, Chen Yang gave another pack of "Da Qian Men" to Accountant Hu. Since he was giving gifts, he wouldn't forget this "God of Wealth."
Accountant Hu, a seasoned veteran, just smiled faintly and said nothing. Chen Yang was happy to deal with intelligent people; he was sure this accountant would not hinder him when he came to collect money in the future.
"Chen Yang, am I dreaming?"
Even after leaving the Aquatic Products Station, Shen Xue couldn't believe it. She held Chen Yang's hand, feeling lightheaded.
"Silly girl, the money is all in your bag. Touch it and see if it's real or fake."
Chen Yang looked at the woman holding his hand, feeling a surge of pride. It had to be him. This foolish woman was so flustered by just a little money that she didn't know which way was north.
"Will we be arrested as capitalist roaders?"
"Back then, my grandfather donated the winery, and my father and I weren't labeled as capitalists. Should we return this money?"
Shen Xue felt as if the money in her bag wasn't money, but a bomb that could explode at any moment.
It wasn't just her; many people in that era held this kind of idea. Even those who smelled opportunities for wealth were afraid to spend money for a long time.
Unlike in later generations, where newly rich individuals flaunted their wealth as if they wanted the whole world to know how rich they were.
"Silly girl, we're not stealing or robbing. It's money we earned through our hard work, so what is there to be afraid of?"
"The country is not like before. In the future, the country will increasingly encourage individual businesses. While the public sector economy will be the mainstay, various private economic sectors can better mobilize market competitiveness."
"Everyone works hard to live a better life, which is what the country hopes to see. We work hard to make our lives better, so what is there to fear?"
Chen Yang comforted Shen Xue, and she finally felt less panicked. However, she still let Chen Yang carry the bag; she was genuinely afraid of so much money.
Chen Yang couldn't help but laugh and cry. Women in his previous life would have wanted to control all the household finances, and men would have to beg them for every penny.
His foolish wife, however, found the money too hot to handle.
"Let's go to the big store and buy some things. We'll go see Erni later."
"Yesterday, Mom and Dad said Erni got second place in her class! As her older sister, since you're finally in the city, you should go see her at school."
Chen Yang guided the donkey cart towards the department store; he was very familiar with this route. Shen Xue's heart stirred upon hearing his words.
She hadn't seen her younger sister in almost half a year. It would be a lie to say she didn't miss her.
The sisters were close in age, Shen Xue was 21 this year, and Shen Rong was 17. They had grown up together, and before Shen Xue married Chen Yang, Shen Xue always slept with Shen Rong.
"We should buy her some pens and notebooks. I remember Erni saying she ran out of notebooks last time. Dad gave us money then, but Erni had to borrow from others."
Shen Xue's eyes reddened slightly. Her parents had helped her too much over the years, and even her sister had suffered some grievances because of it.
Girls of this age valued their pride. Borrowing things from others would naturally make them feel inferior.
"As you command, my lady wife."
"Do you know the benefits of money now? Buy whatever you want later; I'm paying today!"
Chen Yang patted the cloth bag on his back. Inside lay a huge sum of nearly seven hundred yuan, giving him the confidence to say this.