After dinner, Chen Lan pulled Xiang Xi into the small study. As soon as they sat down, Chen Lan told him that she was going back to the Imperial Capital and asked if Xiang Xi wanted to accompany her. Xiang Xi didn't agree immediately after hearing this; he was still hesitant, which was something that had never happened before.
This truly confirmed that old saying! Love for women shortens the ambition of heroes!
Chen Lan decided to use a provocation tactic and teased him, "What's wrong? Little Watermelon, are you unwilling to leave your wife, children, and warm stove? Can't you leave your Yulia? Look at you, we're not not coming back."
Xiang Xi awkwardly touched his nose and replied, "How could that be! Little Basket, don't talk nonsense."
Chen Lan continued to smile and said, "Little Watermelon, I just want you to get out of the valley and see the country's industrial level. Haven't you always wanted to do real industry? Now you finally have a chance! What? You don't want to do it now? Have you become cowardly after decades in the valley?"
Xiang Xi immediately retorted, "How is that possible? I've been ready for a long time! I've just been waiting for the opportunity you mentioned. What? Little Basket, is the country starting to allow private businesses now?"
Chen Lan recalled her memories from her previous life and said, "My father-in-law said that a meeting would be held at the end of this year to discuss and establish a path to building a strong socialist country suitable for our nation's conditions. In 1981, the country began to recognize the existence of individual businesses. At that time, street vendors, night market stalls, clothing sellers, and snack vendors were everywhere. By the end of 1981, the number of registered individual businesses nationwide exceeded one million. I imagine there were even more unregistered ones!"
Xiang Xi asked with some disbelief, "Little Basket, are you not tricking me? Did father-in-law really say that? How can we suddenly do business?"
Chen Lan retorted impatiently, "Little Watermelon, believe it or not. Father-in-law said that the country has also proposed the initiative to let some people get rich first."
Xiang Xi became even more disbelieving upon hearing this and asked, "Is it true? Little Basket, tell me the truth, is it true?"
Chen Lan rolled her eyes at him and continued, "Little Watermelon, it's such a serious matter, how could I lie to you? Father-in-law said that to encourage unemployed youth to engage in individual businesses, the state also systematically contracted some service and commercial industries to individuals."
After speaking, Chen Lan looked at Xiang Xi. Seeing that he was listening, she continued, "Father-in-law said that the easiest time to make money is at the very beginning. There are very few people doing it then, and many people are too proud to do it, thinking it's embarrassing to be an individual business owner. In fact, at this time, you can get rich no matter what you do. What do you say, Little Watermelon? Should we take a gamble?"
As soon as Chen Lan finished speaking, Xiang Xi immediately replied, "Gamble? Of course! That's a must! I've been preparing for decades! Little Basket, let's come out of seclusion and make our first pot of gold. When we can rent land and build factories, we'll have the money. At that time, we'll stop and focus on real industry. Do you think my plan is acceptable?"
Chen Lan replied with great exaggeration, "Yes, it's more than acceptable! Little Watermelon, you've never been this reliable in your life. It truly is a case of 'three days without seeing each other, and one should look at each other with new eyes.' Becoming the father of five children makes a difference! You know how to consider the future of your wife and children!"
Xiang Xi snorted at Chen Lan and said, "Little Basket, spare me. I'm a man, of course I have to consider my wife and children. Yulia came to the valley from her hometown with me from afar, not to mention my mother-in-law helped me raise five children. I have a responsibility to ensure that she, my daughters, and my children live good lives."
Chen Lan gave Xiang Xi a thumbs-up and praised him endlessly, "Impressive! Impressive! You're a man! A good son-in-law, a good husband, and a good father."
Xiang Xi then asked, "Little Basket, about what you said about 1981, we can't do anything now. Why are we two going to the Imperial Capital so early?"
Chen Lan smiled mysteriously and said, "Little Watermelon, have you been in the valley for too long and become silly? If we don't go out now and just stay in the valley, are you waiting for pie to fall from the sky? Don't we need startup capital to do business? Where will we get the startup capital then?"
Xiang Xi asked excitedly, "Little Basket, hearing you say this, I know you must have a way. Tell me quickly, what specific way can we make money?"
So Chen Lan whispered to Xiang Xi mysteriously. After Chen Lan finished speaking, Xiang Xi became eager to try.
He thought for a moment and said, "Little Basket, the risk of what you're talking about is a bit too great. I think it's too few people if just the two of us do it. If we hire others to help later, the risk factor will be even greater. I think it's better to have my brother, Brother Er Hu, Lin Mao, Xiao Shuan, and Xiao Shan participate. Anyway, we don't need to build houses in the valley now, and they don't need to help with planting crops. They're just bored now!"
Chen Lan felt Xiang Xi's suggestion made sense. Xiang Dong and Brother Er Hu would be in the construction engineering business in the future, and Xiao Shuan and the others would be in the transportation business. They all needed startup capital.
Thinking of this, Chen Lan nodded and said, "Little Watermelon, you've considered it more thoroughly. Come, let's go find them now to discuss this matter."
With that, Chen Lan got up and left the small study. After the two found a group of people and brought them to the small study, they directly stated the matter without beating around the bush.
As expected, just as Xiang Xi said, the group was bored and looking for something to do. Now, not only could they leave the valley to do what Chen Lan said, but they could also return to the Imperial Capital. Besides, they had been away from the Imperial Capital for decades, so how could they not miss it? In fact, they had wanted to go back to the Imperial Capital for a long time. This was such a good opportunity to work there again! Moreover, they could also make money. It was a win-win situation, so they all readily agreed.
However, seeing their excited expressions, Chen Lan decided to pour a bucket of cold water on them to cool them down.
So Chen Lan began to speak, "Brother Xiang Dong, Brother Er Hu, I have to remind you, don't be too happy too soon. The country has not yet begun its reform and opening up, and doing this now is still very dangerous. If you are caught by the Revolutionary Committee, you will be sentenced, and even imprisoned. You need to carefully consider whether you want to participate?"