Chapter 82 Shen Xue's Greed for Money Trait

"Chen Yang, Director Liu and I weren't mistaken about you. You're not only making money for yourself but also leading our fellow villagers to prosperity."

"With you handling this business, we can both rest assured."

Listening to Chen Yang's words, Wang Jianguo was greatly shaken.

Even though it was a small matter of processing fish, Chen Yang was still thinking of the villagers. This proved that his business wasn't solely for profit.

Wang Jianguo felt much more at ease. Although the Guangming Daily in his hand gave him the courage to persevere, he also feared taking the wrong path.

But seeing Chen Yang like this, Wang Jianguo felt that even if he did go down the wrong path.

It would be worth it if, because of him, the villagers of Shenjiaba Village and the four brigades of Wanli Commune could earn money, have enough to eat, and live good lives.

He felt that even if he was later deemed to have made a mistake or even disciplined, it would be worth it!

"Director Wang, our country and our people need to change their thinking. Not only must we not fear hardship or fatigue, but we must also choose the right path."

"As long as it doesn't violate national laws and allows the common people to have enough to eat and live good lives, then it is a broad and smooth road!"

Chen Yang looked at Wang Jianguo. Since Wang Jianguo needed courage, he would point the way a little clearer for him.

"I think you, kid, should just stop doing business. If national cadres had your insight, I believe our country would surely prosper."

"One day, our people will have enough to eat and wear warm clothes. Our army will no longer have to economize, and our soldiers can walk with their heads held high wherever they go."

"No country will be able to bully us, and no one will be able to control us!"

Wang Jianguo hadn't felt such a surge of passion in a long time. He had once crossed the 38th parallel and represented the country in fights against eighteen factions.

He was only fifteen or sixteen then. It had been twenty or thirty years since then, and he had been weathered by society. But Chen Yang had reignited his youthful ardor.

"Director Wang, it will happen. That day will surely come."

"I believe in our country, and I believe in our people."

At this moment, Chen Yang felt that Wang Jianguo was different from the middle-aged man he used to know.

There was a light in his eyes!

"If you weren't so young, and if we were on the battlefield now, I would definitely make you my sworn brother."

Wang Jianguo patted Chen Yang's shoulder fiercely. Even he hadn't noticed that he had unconsciously begun to treat the young man before him as an equal.

"Haha, wouldn't that be lowering your status for nothing? Uncle Jianguo, if you don't mind, I'll call you uncle from now on, and you can treat me as your nephew."

Chen Yang knew that at this moment, his relationship with Wang Jianguo had deepened, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them confidants.

"You, kid, always know how to take advantage. But I'm a whole generation older than you. It's not like you're losing out by calling me uncle."

Wang Jianguo waved his hand and walked back to the office with the newspaper tucked behind his back.

Chen Yang ignored Zhao Wukang's astonished look, which was so wide that an egg could fit in his mouth, and went to collect money with Accountant Hu.

"Large fish, 12,000 catties, at 6 cents 2 per catty, 7,440 yuan. Small fish, 2,800 catties, at 2 cents 2 per catty, 616 yuan. A total of 8,056 yuan."

Accountant Hu's hands trembled as he worked the abacus. Over eight thousand yuan was an unimaginable sum for an ordinary person in an era when the average monthly wage for a town worker was only around twenty yuan.

As the money was counted out, Hu Defu, an accountant with over twenty years of experience, was afraid he had made a mistake and couldn't help but want to count it again.

"Accountant Hu, your abacus is about to wear out. It's correct."

Chen Yang was impatient. He wanted to get his hands on such a large sum of money quickly.

At Chen Yang's urging, Accountant Hu reluctantly counted out the money to Chen Yang.

Eight stacks of "Da Tuanjie" bills. Chen Yang's hands felt hot as he held the money.

In this era, this amount of money was no less impactful than being presented with a hundred million yuan in cash in later times.

Chen Yang, carrying the money and riding his donkey cart on the road, felt a chill down his spine even in broad daylight.

He had to ask Zheng Weiguo and the others to stay with him tomorrow. Otherwise, he wouldn't dare to carry so much money.

In this day and age, people would risk their lives for a hundred yuan. If anyone knew he had so much money, who knew what might happen.

Amidst Chen Yang's anxious journey, they finally returned to Shenjiaba.

Before even entering the village, he saw a line of village women by the river, cleaning fish. They didn't waste the scales, gills, or innards. Many families were secretly raising chickens and ducks, which were valuable for laying eggs.

"Our village's money bag is back."

"Sister Xue'er, quickly come and greet your man. He's so bundled up on this hot summer day. He must have been so exhausted by you last night that he's feeling weak."

"I heard Old Man Tu went into the mountains to gather some ephedra. Perhaps you can ask him for some. You're still young, and you still need to have a few more babies."

Shen Xue was also by the river, helping to clean fish. The women, seeing Chen Yang wearing long sleeves and carrying money, immediately started teasing Shen Xue.

Chen Yang's face darkened when he heard this.

How could a man be said to be "not capable"!

He was very capable!

If not for the sheer amount of money, which he couldn't carry in just his clothes, he would have argued with these old ladies.

"My man is very capable."

"If I get any more supplements, I won't be able to handle it. I might even get pregnant with a big boy soon."

Having experienced this a few times, Shen Xue had become bolder. She also understood these women. The more shy you were, the more they would tease.

If you joined them with a few "spicy" jokes, they would stop.

As expected, after the leading women said a few more words upon hearing her response, they fell silent.

Shen Xue quickly followed Chen Yang home. Her boldness just now was because she knew Chen Yang was carrying a lot of money.

With over ten thousand catties of fish, the money couldn't possibly be small!

"Close the door and lock it securely."

Even though the courtyard gate of her parents' home was already closed, Chen Yang immediately asked Shen Xue to close the door as soon as he entered the house.

There was no other way. Over eight thousand yuan was simply too much money in this era, so he had to be careful!

"This, this, so much money?"

The moment Shen Xue locked the door, Chen Yang quickly took off his long sleeves.

In the scorching heat of July, with temperatures reaching thirty-five or thirty-six degrees Celsius outside, wearing long sleeves had made him incredibly hot.

As he took off his clothes, the eight stacks of "Da Tuanjie" bills he had been carrying were spread out on the table. Shen Xue was stunned.

"You look dumbfounded."

"This is nothing. There will be even more later."

Chen Yang waved his hand in front of Shen Xue's face. Seeing her shocked expression, the old man felt a single word: satisfying!

What man wouldn't feel proud when he could show off in front of his own woman?

"Chen Yang, you, you... this money, this..."

Shen Xue, clutching a stack of "Da Tuanjie" bills, couldn't even speak properly.

Let alone her, anyone in this era who saw so much money would be stunned.

However, not long after, Shen Xue started counting the money bill by bill, completely ignoring Chen Yang.

Watching Shen Xue engrossed in counting money and completely lost in her own world, Chen Yang was taken aback. Had he awakened his wife's inner money-grubber?