"Uncle, Big Aunt, Little Aunt, have you really discussed this matter with others?"
"Are you sure that besides you guys, there are more people in our area who will join in?"
That evening, the uncle quickly asked the aunt to prepare a table at home, and Chen Liming also brought out two jars of wine brewed by Chen Yang's father-in-law.
As they drank this wine, everyone opened up and talked freely.
Unexpectedly, Chen Yang learned from his uncle that people in the village were planning to contract the fish ponds that the production team had abandoned years ago.
Although coastal areas were far more open in later generations than in the central and western regions, it was still 1979. Chen Yang could hardly believe it.
Without someone like him, who had memories of later generations and knew the future direction like the back of his hand, leading the way, someone actually dared to take the initiative to do this.
Indeed, it was not just regional advantages that allowed developed areas to grow; it was also the accumulated habit of doing business since ancient times.
Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces had been important tax-generating regions throughout the dynasties. With the prominence of merchant guilds and docks, and private salt trade, the spirit of commerce was prevalent. Apart from Jin merchants and Hui merchants, few merchants from other places could claim to be comparable to those from Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
Chen Yang thought about how he, in his previous life, studied diligently only to end up in business. Now he thought it was probably the business acumen inherited in his blood.
"This matter is not just within our team; other teams, and even our neighboring county, are reportedly doing similar things."
"Look at every household, who doesn't secretly raise a few chickens and ducks in their backyard? In the past, this would have gotten you into serious trouble.
But now, people take their eggs to the city to sell, and with the money, they buy a pound or two of meat. They eat until their mouths are greasy."
"When it comes to raising fish, your Big Aunt's husband and Little Aunt's husband are experts. As long as we persist for a few years and raise the fish to a decent size, we'll be rich."
"If nothing else, our families will be able to build brick and tile houses, raise a flock of chickens and ducks, and eat meat once a month. That's definitely achievable."
The uncle, having had a bit too much to drink, was clearly feeling elated and didn't mince his words.
"Third family, fourth family, fifth family, what do you think of what is being said?"
The eldest uncle took a large gulp of wine. He found himself increasingly unable to understand his siblings.
Just earlier, his second brother told him that his nephew was doing business in rural Anhui province and had even been featured in the Anhui Provincial Daily.
He was still worried that Chen Yang might get into trouble in the future.
And now that he was home, he heard his youngest brother and two brothers-in-law were going to contract fish ponds.
These lands and production materials in the countryside were managed by the production team. What were these farmers trying to do by contracting fish ponds?
"Big Brother, we've already discussed the matter of contracting the fish ponds."
"Looking at the current situation, it's clearly going to get better and better. Besides, Li Song is a cadre in the brigade, so we'll know about any changes from above."
"We've been poor for half our lives, and we can't continue to be poor like this forever. The children are growing up day by day, and there are expenses everywhere."
"With just the work points we earn from the team, it's not even enough to buy enough cloth to make a few outfits for the children. Since that's the case, we might as well take a gamble and give it our all."
"If it really succeeds, selling fish every day will bring in a lot of money."
"If they really decide to crack down, they can arrest us old folks. Anyway, Zheng Bang and the others are grown up and can take care of themselves. If they arrest a few of us, the family will have more resources."
The two uncles-in-law spoke one after another, their words filled with enthusiasm.
It was evident that they had been dissatisfied with their current living conditions for a long time.
Now, as soon as they heard any stirring, they couldn't hold back their desires.
"Fine, I see you're all set on this, like turtles eating scales, iron-hearted."
"Since you're determined to do it, then try to bring more people in. If something really goes wrong, with more people involved, they might hesitate to make a big fuss, and the possibility of a minor punishment will be greater."
After all, they were his own younger brother and brothers-in-law. Chen Liqi couldn't stand by and do nothing. He could only offer some advice based on his years of experience.
"Big Brother, we're not fools. The communes that have ideas, along with several neighboring communes, have secretly signed agreements and made vows."
"If any one of us gets into trouble, and if someone succeeds in the future, they must take care of his wife and children."
Chen Lisong chuckled. Hearing his words, Chen Yang sighed inwardly.
Indeed, the creativity of the working people was limitless.
In pursuit of a happy and beautiful life, they could truly find any means necessary.
"Uncle, Uncle-in-law, Second Uncle-in-law, I toast you."
"I believe that reform and opening up should break old rules and allow people to create a happy life in their own way."
"Uncle and my two Uncles-in-law are the vanguards. What they are doing now is the same as your purpose of going to war for the country: all to allow us common people to live a better life."
"I don't think there's anything to be afraid of."
Chen Yue raised her bowl and drank it down.
Looking at her bold cousin, Chen Yang suddenly remembered her, the hawk-eyed woman he had seen in his previous life, in military uniform, denouncing the United States at a press conference.
This was a genuine patriot.
"Little Yue, your words are pleasing to Uncle. Uncle will join you, my niece."
Chen Lisong also drank the wine in his cup. Chen Yang looked at his family, unsure of what to say.
He used to think he was quite brave, but he was brave because he knew about the future development.
But his uncle and the others had no idea what the future would bring.
Even in this era, people were accustomed to sticking to conventions. They all knew the consequences for those who defied the rules.
Yet, in such circumstances, his uncle and two uncles-in-law dared to contract fish ponds. That was truly courageous.
"Uncle, I support you."
"The commune where I was sent to work in the countryside is also contracting fish ponds. I was the one who proposed this. Both the commune director and the county secretary are very supportive."
"As long as it's not illegal and can allow us common people to live a better life, isn't it worth trying? If it doesn't work, we can change our methods."
"It's just the beginning of reform, and someone has to take the risks. It's okay to make mistakes, as long as we can learn from them and eventually succeed."
Chen Yang was not afraid of any accidents. Even if some people still held onto old ideas and didn't change, even if his uncle and the others were arrested and re-educated, it would absolutely not last long.
The general direction would soon become clearer.
Those who, like his uncle and two uncles-in-law, seized the opportunity early to develop, would certainly fare better and better in the future.
Because of their foresight and unwavering courage, and as they gradually gained better resources than others, their businesses would undoubtedly grow larger.
In his previous life, Chen Yang had never heard his father mention his uncle contracting fish ponds. It was likely that his eldest uncle had firmly opposed it with his father.
This time, it was because of him and Chen Yue that this matter had a glimmer of hope.
Chen Yang was now somewhat curious to see what achievements his uncle and two uncles-in-law would eventually make.