Rebirth in 1960, My Industrial Age

Chapter 428: Agreeing to Support, Both Sides Satisfied

"Dad, Grandpa's matter has been settled."

When Zhou Xianyang returned, it was just in time for dinner at home, so he plopped down at the table and asked his mother for food while reporting to her: "Mom, give me a bowl of rice."

Zhou Yan put down her chopsticks, stood up, and poked Zhou Xianyang's forehead, saying, "I really have to serve you. I didn't even know to serve myself when I passed by the kitchen earlier."

After saying that, she went to the kitchen to serve Zhou Xianyang rice.

Zhou Xianyang watched his mother leave with a grin, and then continued to say to Zhou Fengnian: "Grandpa has now bought back almost 90% of the shares, and he could have continued to buy the rest."

However, those families were relatively poor, and farming didn't earn them much money. After understanding their situation, Grandpa let them continue.

The mushroom chili sauce factory is in a bad situation. A food and non-staple food factory that had made a name for itself during the planned economy era has been ruined by those who didn't know the business.

Previously, monthly revenue was over two million yuan, but now it has become over three million yuan annually. Moreover, after deducting public funds and operating costs, the amount of money that is ultimately distributed to each village is quite small.

After the equity reform, all collective industries in the Changping area, except for Hongjia Village, were dismantled and settled in private hands.

Zhou's father never expected to be such a sucker. Those who had made a fortune by relying on the collective and were living off their own wealth had all their shares taken back by him.

Zhou Xianyang's friends still sought help from the town government. They said that if the town government didn't take back most of the shares, they wouldn't want the ones held by the town government either.

The problem can be solved by simply passing the pressure away. The price offered by Zhou's father is not low; he overvalued the mushroom chili sauce factory's assets by 20-30%. The town government can still make a profit after the sale.

If they don't sell, their current half-dead state won't provide them with much money. If it really becomes a liability in two years, then they'll have to deal with the issue of employee layoffs.

So the town government contacted most of the people, and with the government's intervention, they were quickly persuaded.

Some families were indeed unable to survive, those were families where the next generation lacked able-bodied adults. Zhou's father felt sorry for them, so he let them retain their shares, promising to give them dividends once he took over and made money.

After Zhou Xianyang took the food from Zhou Yan, he continued, "Dad, Grandpa is really motivated now. He said he'll come back to see you in a few days."

"This old man... I knew he'd come looking for me in the end."

Zhou Fengnian said helplessly, "Which of his great-grandsons doesn't have a wealthy father? How could they possibly need their great-grandfather to accumulate family wealth for them?"

When he gets back, he'll probably want me to research hot sauce for him, or some other kinds of snacks.

At that time, he'll probably be asked to develop some new and popular complementary foods. Zhou Fengnian actually had a few ideas in mind that he could use to tease him when he had the chance.
Zhou Xianyang said, "Dad, you know what, who would complain about not having enough money? When Zhou Zeqian grows up, he'll definitely ask his great-grandfather for money."

"Stop talking nonsense. You went astray in college. My grandson can't be like you. I want to train him to be a scientist."

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Fengnian said, "When he is six or seven years old, I will personally give him his first lessons."

"Huh? Why didn't I get this treatment back then?"

"Did you like staying at home when you were six years old?"

Zhou Fengnian's words silenced Zhou Xianyang. Back then, he was so energetic that he could stay up all day without any problems and wanted to spend all his time playing outside.

At that time, he and his two cousins ​​were practically the local tyrants of Nanluoguxiang; no eleven or twelve-year-old child could match the three of them.

Zhou Fengnian had told Zhou Xianyang to study hard, but the kid was too clever. He would study hard in front of him, but as soon as Zhou Fengnian left, he would go off and have fun. Unfortunately, Zhou Fengnian was too busy to stay home at that time.

Moreover, even without much study, Zhou Xianyang could still get full marks, so Zhou Fengnian neglected it.

After Zhou Xianyang had been living such a carefree life for a few years, his temperament had settled down, and it was no longer possible to get him to focus on research. Zhou Xianyang himself simply couldn't concentrate.

It's a bit of a waste of his brains; he learns everything quickly, but he just can't settle down.

"I'm doing pretty well now. I manage nearly ten thousand worker families, ensuring they have enough to eat and drink, and I can even save up some money for their education, isn't that enough?"

Zhou Xianyang casually remarked that he felt much better now than during his tedious research days; besides, there's a saying that whether you're carrying manure or a high-ranking official, you're both serving the people, so there's no difference.

"Stop being silly. I'll make a list for you later. Go to the market and buy it for me. If you can't find it at the market, try your uncle's."

After finishing his meal, Zhou Fengnian put down his chopsticks and continued, "Your grandfather will definitely ask me for the chili sauce recipe on Sunday. I'll research a few for him first."

Zhou Xianyang readily agreed: "Okay, Dad, once you've figured it out, prepare a few jars for me. I'm tired of that mushroom chili sauce."

The old man has experienced a career resurgence, so he'll help if he can, especially since Zhou Fengnian's culinary skills have also reached level nine.

However, his inability to cook for many years has slowed down the improvement of his culinary skills. At this rate, he probably won't reach level ten for at least twenty years.

However, level nine ability is already considered top-tier human culinary skills, enough for Zhou Fengnian to handle all kinds of seasonings and ingredients with ease.

Researching a few hot sauce-based side products is a piece of cake.

This time, he developed four or five recipes for Zhou's father, enough to make the mushroom chili sauce factory the number one non-staple food factory in the north.

However, it can no longer be called Mushroom Chili Sauce Factory. Now, nearly 90% of the shares are in the hands of Zhou's father, and the factory has been renamed Old Zhou's Chili Sauce Factory.

With a good-tasting chili sauce that suits most people's tastes, and with consistent effort, a chili sauce factory can definitely be revived.

Zhou Xianyang owns two department stores, and he plans to open two more around Beijing. He also has the Zhou brothers, Zhou Xianzhe and Zhou Xianrui. Their combined resources can help the chili sauce factory expand its sales channels.

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Sunday.

As is customary, Zhou Fengnian was either busy at the research institute or in his office.

But today is an exception. I've made an appointment to have dinner with Tang Zhiyuan. The table is already booked, and I'm just waiting to leave.

However, just as he was about to leave, Pan Heng and Wang Mingjie came looking for him.

"Old boss, it's been a long time."

Upon seeing Zhou Fengnian, Pan Heng smiled and said, gesturing to the gifts he had brought: "These are some soup seasonings I bought from the Guangdong Special Economic Zone. Boss, you can ask Chef Yang to cook something for you another day."

"This is indeed rare. I'll have to cook it myself another day."

After glancing at it, Zhou Fengnian told his wife to take it inside, then turned to him and said, "I was going to have you wait for me at the Imperial Kitchen, but it's about time now, let's go together."

Pan Heng said, "Okay, then ride in my car today?" "No need, let the driver take us, otherwise they'll have to follow us. I'm going to get some things."

After Zhou Fengnian finished speaking, he suddenly remembered the chili sauce he had made yesterday, so he turned around and went to the kitchen, bringing out a few bottles.

Upon seeing this, Wang Mingjie asked curiously, "Boss, what's this?"

"I made it myself. I'll bring it to the dinner table later and let's see if Comrade Tang Zhiyuan likes it."

Zhou Fengnian said with a smile, "If you like it, don't worry, my dad will start making the first batch in Changping in a while and send you some."

"The chili sauce factory in Changping. Is it the same as the mushroom chili sauce factory from before? Well then, I won't hold back, boss."

Pan Heng immediately smiled and said, "I really miss that mushroom chili sauce from more than ten years ago. It's a pity I can't buy it anymore after I moved to another place. I used to eat it often a few years ago."

Zhou Fengnian waved his hand and said, "Don't mention it. They ruined a perfectly good factory. Luckily, you haven't eaten here in the past few years. Many people have been criticizing the quality because of the decline. It's such a waste of all my hard work."

"But you can try it after the name change. I'm quite confident in my cooking skills."

Pan Heng laughed and said, "Then I must try it first."

He knew that his old leader was a very good cook. If he wasn't a cadre, he must be a national first-class chef. Pan Heng had the good fortune to taste Zhou Fengnian's cooking before, and it was truly unmatched.

To this day, he has never tasted a dish better than Zhou Fengnian's cooking.

The three chatted as they got into the car, and soon arrived at the Imperial Kitchen.

After discussing the private room, the three went upstairs. They had just sat down when Tang Zhiyuan arrived.

Upon entering, Tang Zhiyuan looked around and quickly walked towards Zhou Fengnian, smiling and extending his hand, saying, "Comrade Fengnian, it's been a long time."

After shaking hands, Zhou Fengnian smiled and said, "Comrade Zhiyuan, we'll have many opportunities to work together in the future. I brought some homemade chili sauce with me today. Try it and see if it suits your taste."

Tang Zhiyuan said, "Then I must have a good taste later."

Zhou Fengnian turned around and introduced, "By the way, Comrade Zhiyuan, let me introduce you. Pan Heng and Wang Mingjie were my secretaries before, and now they are the director and deputy director of the communications business department."

They're quite capable. One will be in charge of business in South China and Southeast Asia, and the other will be in charge of communications in East China and East Asia. From now on, they'll be under your command, squad leader.

Upon hearing this, Tang Zhiyuan smiled and said, "We're all serving the people, there's no such thing as a team. Comrade Fengnian, Comrade Pan, and Mingjie, let's sit down and chat."

Seeing Tang Zhiyuan's tone and expression, Pan Heng and Wang Mingjie felt a little relieved. Their future boss was quite easy to talk to; their old boss really had a lot of influence.

The two men were unaware of the inside story. The deputy leader personally called Tang Zhiyuan and asked him to learn from Zhou Fengnian's experience. Tang Zhiyuan naturally had to take the initiative.

Moreover, Zhou Fengnian was at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, so there was no way he could be transferred to the Ministry of Information Industry. Therefore, Tang Zhiyuan was not worried at all.

After sitting down and ordering their food, Tang Zhiyuan and Zhou Fengnian started chatting.

The main topic of discussion was the new Ministry of Information Industry. Tang Zhiyuan was very sincere and directly stated that he did not know much about it. Although he had done a lot of research beforehand, he was still afraid that it might go astray in terms of development direction.

So he came to consult with Zhou Fengnian, at least to discuss the future development of the information industry.

However, if Zhou Fengnian were to be honest, he couldn't offer any detailed suggestions for the future development of the Ministry of Information Industry.

He could only offer his meager suggestions and approach the issue from a technical perspective.

However, no matter how things develop, technology is fundamental, and Zhou Fengnian has already said enough about this aspect.

What they need to do now is to build up their technological reserves, with digital transmission technology being particularly important. Zhou Fengnian had emphasized this matter before leaving the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building.

No country abroad has yet developed digital communication technology, and their communication technology still has an advantage.

For now, all they need to do is continue to consolidate their market share. Even if they have to give up some profits, as long as they can capture the market, they'll make a profit.

Once other countries develop digital communication technologies, we'll have to work hard to compete with them, which feels like a losing proposition.

Zhou Fengnian also mentioned the development of domestic communications, saying that it can be done step by step and that it can't be rushed.

With per capita income as it is, no matter how well their technology develops, it's all just castles in the air without support.

Tang Zhiyuan had learned a lot from the conversation and planned to summarize it when he got back, so that he could refine it and share it with everyone when the new department held a meeting.

If Zhou Fengnian had been nominated back then, he wouldn't have had any chance of competing at all.

"Fengnian, if I didn't have something else to do later, I would love to chat with you until tonight."

Tang Zhiyuan said with a smile that they chatted while eating, which made them even more affectionate with each other.

Zhou Fengnian smiled and said, "If there is an opportunity in the future, communication technology is one of the key industries for future development. I will definitely not sit idly by if there is any need for help."

We talked for over an hour, and finally reached a consensus in just a few words.

Zhou Fengnian helped the Ministry of Information Industry complete the next-generation communication technology and provided technical guidance afterwards. However, this was simply what he was supposed to do, and it was part of his job.

After they finished talking, they were all quite full and satisfied.

"The food at the Imperial Kitchen is a bit pricey, but the taste is undeniable, no wonder so many people come here specifically for it."

Tang Zhiyuan patted his stomach and said with a smile that he had never been to such an expensive place before. He had spent a lot of money to come here just to invite Zhou Fengnian.

"Fengnian, did you make this chili sauce yourself? This is the best thing to eat with rice today. It would be great to have a bottle of this while I'm working."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Fengnian immediately laughed and said, "That's hard to say. These bottles are for you. Besides, the chili sauce factory in Changping will open soon, and the Dongcheng District Department Store will definitely sell it then."

"Really? Then I'll definitely support it. I feel like I don't even need any other dishes with this."

After chatting for a while, the group decided to leave; they had said what they needed to say and gotten what they wanted, and Tang Zhiyuan also had to go back to his work.

When the Ministry of Information Industry was established, he was the busiest person there.

(End of this chapter)