The verdict for the Zhao family came swiftly. Zhao Tielin was found guilty of embezzling a huge sum of collective property and met his end with a bullet, much to Xie Sui's surprise.
Zhao Youfang was implicated in selling stolen goods and sentenced to ten years of labor reform. Zhao Youliang and his wife, deemed less significant, were released.
Zhao Tielin's wife, though aware of the situation, had not participated. Given her age, she received a five-year labor reform sentence.
Zhao Xuefei, without substantial fault and unaware of the full extent of the crimes, was educated and released. However, she was too ashamed to return to the village and disappeared without a trace.
Zhao Youliang's family, on the other hand, had to continue living in the village. Xie Sui was not one to push them to the brink; as long as they caused no trouble, he wouldn't go out of his way to finish them off.
From then on, Zhao Youliang's family lived a low-profile life, actively avoiding Xie Sui whenever they saw him. The village returned to its peaceful state.
Xie Sui spent several days away from the county town factory, working on large fermentation vats at home. Having promised to make pickled vegetables, he was determined to get started.
He spent his evenings writing business plans and his days preparing pickles. This season was a peak time for harvesting long beans, and pickled long beans were an excellent appetizer that stimulated the appetite and complemented meals.
In seven days, the pickled long beans were ready. Xie Sui portioned them into canning jars, creating pickled long bean preserves. He then took them to Secretary Tang.
Secretary Tang was surprised by Xie Sui's prompt action. Initially dismissive, he became increasingly astonished as he reviewed Xie Sui's business plan, which clearly outlined everything from raw material procurement to equipment, recipe development, sales, and promotional strategies.
"You wrote this?"
The handwriting was smooth and mature, very pleasing to the eye. Xie Sui had only graduated from junior high, never attending high school.
Xie Sui took offense. "Secretary Tang, what kind of look is that? Of course, I wrote it. Just tell me if it's feasible. We'll start with pickled long beans. When the cabbage is harvested in the fall, we'll have cabbage, radishes, Jerusalem artichokes, and shepherd's purse. These are enough to keep us busy all winter.
What you need to handle is the equipment. Also, my capital isn't enough, so I need you to help me secure a loan."
Secretary Tang knew Xie Sui's funds were insufficient. He had been about to suggest a loan, but Xie Sui brought it up himself, saving Secretary Tang the trouble. He simply asked, "Certainly. The country is currently encouraging personal loans for developing side businesses and getting rich. How much are you planning to borrow?"
"One million."
Secretary Tang: "..."
He asked expressionlessly, "How much? Did I hear that correctly? One million for pickles? You're incredibly audacious!"
Xie Sui explained, "This is just the business plan for one factory. Do you think the few people in our county town can consume all the vegetables produced in the entire county?
My pickles will be sold to the city, then to the whole country. We might even open branch factories nationwide. One million is just startup capital, just the beginning."
Secretary Tang shrugged. "What does that have to do with me?"
Xie Sui sighed and reluctantly gave him an economics lesson. He wondered why a secretary's vision was so narrow. He spoke for two hours, and Secretary Tang felt as though he were in a university lecture, marveling at the profound insights of someone who hadn't finished high school.
"I'm parched. I'll give you the written materials later. I guarantee you, the county's economy will triple next year. There won't be enough vegetables planted to satisfy me, and tax revenue will be at least fifty million. I'd dare to take out loans, so why are you scared?
If you hesitate, I'll go have tea with the leaders of the rural cooperative. They have quotas to meet and are eager to lend me money."
Xie Sui was not exaggerating. At this time, people were eager to lend money to individuals, not the other way around. The development of the times often brought about strange phenomena.
"You have ambition. I'll discuss it with the Secretary."
"Alright. I'll await your good news. Try some of these pickled long beans. Once you get used to them, the dining car won't be able to do without them."
"That's thoughtful of you."
Accepting some pickled vegetables was not against regulations, so Secretary Tang took them.
Secretary Tang immediately went to see Secretary Liu, feeling somewhat excited by Xie Sui's proposal. If this succeeded, it would be a significant achievement.
Secretary Liu's eyes were fixed on the pickles in Secretary Tang's hand. "Did Xie Sui not bring any pickles?"
The Secretary was the one who truly couldn't do without pickles every meal. Secretary Tang put down the business plan. "Secretary, don't worry. You'll have plenty of pickles in the future. Take a look at this first. This kid has given us another big surprise!"
Secretary Liu, like Secretary Tang, had eyes that brightened as he read. "It's entirely feasible. It's a great thing to help farmers. We can do it."
"However, that kid has presented us with a major challenge: he wants a loan of one million."
Secretary Liu pondered for a moment. After all, he was the leader. He quickly made a decision. "Loans are not our responsibility. Professional matters are for professionals. Why are you worried?"
Secretary Tang suddenly realized. Indeed, why should he be worried?
He stood up. "Alright, I'll make the arrangements. Does the leader have any further instructions?"
"No instructions, but that kid is a talent. Although a bit slippery, he has a sense of justice and is sharp-minded. He needs our support. As long as it doesn't violate principles, help him."
"I understand. Even if I didn't want to help, I couldn't. That kid doesn't treat us as outsiders; he's completely unapologetic."
"Haha... it seems you're suffering greatly. Those who pursue great endeavors need drive. Go on, get busy."
Secretary Tang left with a smile.
News of Xie Sui's plan to establish a pickle factory quickly spread among the county's high-ranking officials. The most excited were the pickled vegetable factory. Weren't pickles a type of pickled vegetable?
Why wasn't he focusing on his ice cream factory and now getting involved in pickled vegetables? How much profit could a single pickled vegetable yield? Their factory was already operating at a loss.
Moreover, people in the countryside pickled their own vegetables. Apart from city dwellers buying them in winter, starting a factory would surely lead to ruin.
While the pickled vegetable factory had its doubts, the news reached the leaders of the credit union, casting a shadow over Xie Sui's one-million-yuan loan application.
Completing quotas was important, but recovering funds was even more crucial, and one million yuan was no small sum.
The head of the credit union, surnamed Yang, was in his fifties and nearing retirement. He was reluctant to approve such a large loan.
However, several deputies were intrigued. With the head retiring, one of them would be chosen to succeed him. The one with the highest performance would become the new head.
With promotions at stake, they began inquiring about Xie Sui, arranging meetings and dinners to assess him.
The county town was small, with the state-run restaurant being the most upscale establishment. It would be awkward for Xie Sui to accept any single deputy's invitation.
Lin Wanwan, now proficient in managing the ice cream factory, found his predicament amusing. "Do you need me to offer some advice?"
Xie Sui naturally played along. "My Wanwan is the smartest. Tell me, how can this be handled without offending anyone and still get the loan approved?"
Lin Wanwan frowned. "Are you really going to borrow that much? If it fails, we won't be able to afford it even if we sell everything!"
Xie Sui spread his hands. "Since you say we can't afford it, we won't repay it. We'll be debt dodgers. They can't imprisoness us, right?"
"Be serious! I'm not talking to you anymore."
Lin Wanwan glared at him playfully, chiding him for getting sidetracked when people were worried sick, while he was still joking.
Xie Sui pointed at the ice cream factory. "How much can our ice cream factory earn per day now?"
Lin Wanwan blurted out, "It's stable between three and four hundred yuan, depending on the weather. It's already early autumn, so in about two months, when winter arrives, we'll have to halt production completely."
Xie Sui motioned for her to sit down. "When ice cream production stops, we can make egg yolk pies, canned goods, and other snacks. I'll think of a new product then, so no one will be idle.
This one million isn't just for the pickle factory; it's also for the equipment for our new winter products, which will require money.
Based on the current profit margin, we can earn fifteen thousand a month, which amounts to one hundred and eighty thousand a year. Combined with the factory's equipment as collateral, the loan can be repaid within five years. If I were the credit union leader, I'd be begging to lend you the money!"
It was a virtually risk-free venture, so why not proceed?
Lin Wanwan nodded. She agreed. Debt wasn't the problem; lack of income was. With the ice cream factory still generating income, it was fine. At worst, she could wholesale clothes from the city, which would also bring in a good profit.
"Okay, I support you. Tell me about handling these invitations. What are you planning to do?"
Xie Sui said, "Didn't you offer to give me advice?"
Lin Wanwan replied, "You're so full of ideas, I won't even try to make you laugh. You must have a plan. Go ahead and tell me, don't keep me in suspense."
Xie Sui grinned slyly. "I've told you. What reward will you give me?"
Lin Wanwan: "What reward do you want?"
"Tonight..."
Xie Sui whispered, and Lin Wanwan's face reddened as she chided him, "What's with your mind? I'm not talking to you anymore. I'm going out."
"Don't go! This is intimacy. You owed me so much before, and I couldn't even touch you. Don't I need to make up for it now?"
Xie Sui was savoring the sweetness and felt he could never get enough.
Lin Wanwan's face flushed. "But it can't be like that..."
Xie Sui tempted her. "These are just the most basic moves. There are more exciting things you don't know about yet. We'll explore them slowly later."
Lin Wanwan's eyes suddenly turned dangerous. "Where did you learn all this?"
Xie Sui's eyes flickered. Of course, he learned it in his past life. He had experienced all sorts of situations. In this life, he only wanted to try things with his wife. Those seductive women wouldn't dare to sway his heart.
"I learned it from videotapes. The county has video halls that show films at night. If you want to watch, I can rent a machine."
Lin Wanwan was mortified. "Who wants to watch? Oh, stop changing the subject. We're talking about the dinner invitations. I'm not talking to you anymore!"
Xie Sui regained his composure. His wife was easily embarrassed and couldn't handle teasing, unlike the alluring women of his past life who could make men blush.
He said seriously, "I've decided. I won't accept any of their invitations. I've investigated. The deputy director surnamed Ren is the youngest and a university graduate. I'll proactively invite him. Young people have courage. The other deputies are too old; they think like the director and are just waiting to retire.
Only this Deputy Director Ren is a doer. I'll personally cook and invite him and Secretary Tang. In one meal, watch your husband secure the loan for you."