1994: Starting with unpaid leave

Life should be colorful and diverse.

Dong Jianguo's elders had limited resources, and many of them worked in factories their entire lives. Even now, there are still many who don't know what they are suited to do.

What's the point of such a life?

Dong Jianguo believes that for most people, the wave of layoffs is not something that is difficult to accept—suddenly returning home to be unemployed.

He's just stuck in the mindset of the factory's promise to take care of his life, made years ago.

For most ordinary people, the greatest fear is taking responsibility for themselves.

Of course, the fact that Director Gao, without any sense of ethics, launched a sneak attack and suddenly dismissed half of the workers after holding a meeting was unethical and naturally exacerbated the workers' resentment.

If there are grievances, then we should tolerate the workers venting their anger, instead of spouting nonsense like "workers should think about the country."

But Dong Jianguo didn't want to be part of everyone's unwarranted complaints.

That would not only fail to change reality, but would also only leave you surrounded by negative emotions, which would be of no use.

Putting down his glass, Dong Jianguo cleared his throat:

"If this had been done in a textile factory before, I certainly wouldn't have dared to imagine that I could have built this business in just two months. Although the factory isn't big, it's still a good start."

"And speaking of Erzhuzi and Sister Hongmei, your income is definitely higher now than it was at the textile factory, right? Back then, if you'd been stuck in the factory every day, could you have imagined such a high income?"

The same thing, viewed from a different angle, can be a blessing or a curse, who can say for sure?

Erzhuzi nodded:

"That's right, I still can't forget the first day I helped Brother Jianguo sell eggs. The money I made in that one day was more than half a year's salary!"

"Also, this is the first time I've ever been to Harbin city in my life... I've been to Harbin before, either to deliver goods to factories or to haul raw materials. On the first morning, Brother Jianguo let me explore on my own, and to be honest, at first I didn't even know which leg to step on..."

Erzhuzi raised his glass to Dong Jianguo, his tone full of respect.

Zhao Hongmei nodded as well:

"It used to be alright; at least the knitting factory paid wages on time. But in the last six months, the factory's been acting strangely, with wages becoming unpredictable... Now that I think about it, this place is still the best. Although it's tiring, at least it's reliable!"

The group was all around the same age and young people, so even if they had any emotions, they were the kind that came and went quickly. After a few sips of beer, Dong Jianguo brought up the topic, and the atmosphere gradually became lively again.

Dong Jianguo nodded:

"Sister Hongmei is right, but not entirely right either."

"I think the closure of state-owned factories is an inevitable trend. But for ordinary people like us, it may also be an opportunity."

"Now that we're no longer bound by the old rules and regulations, we can fully leverage our strengths and carve out our own path!"

Erzhuzi was taken aback, and asked with a simple-minded look, "Advantages? What advantages does our poor place have?"

Dong Jianguo smiled and tapped the table:

"Don't underestimate Qiqihar just because its agriculture and animal husbandry are relatively developed. The relatively low purchase prices of agricultural and sideline products are a natural advantage for us, aren't they?"

"For food processing companies, this is simply the land of their dreams!"

"Think about it, everyone. Here, eggs only cost 2.3 yuan per jin. In Harbin, they cost 3 yuan per jin, and in the even bigger capital, they might cost 4 yuan per jin. Isn't that price difference our advantage?"

Dong Jianguo's voice wasn't loud, but everyone at the table listened intently.

Even though most of their current work experience is in factories, they don't really have much of a concept of running a factory.

Everyone only knows how to produce and sell; if there's a profit, you make money; if there's no profit, you lose money.

No one had ever thought about what their own advantages were like Dong Jianguo.

Dong Jianguo was also fully aware of everyone's mindset.

We're all just ordinary people; all we want is a job, money to earn, and to solve our basic needs for food and clothing.

But this is far from enough.

To win people's hearts and minds, it's not enough to just make sure everyone is well-fed and watered.

More importantly, we need to plant a seed of hope in their hearts.

His gaze swept over the people at the dining table, his handsome face appearing particularly striking under the courtyard lights.

"Don't underestimate the advantage of this piece of meat. If used properly, combined with the already well-developed railway transportation in the north, Crane Flavor will definitely be able to make a name for itself!"

"When the time comes, I'll label the produce from this land with the Tsuru no Mi (韻之味) brand and ship it all over the country, truckload by truckload!"

"I want the whole country to know that Heilongjiang Province in the north is not only home to Harbin, the 'Little Paris of the East,' and Qingcheng, a city rich in oil fields, but also Heilongjiang, a city abundant in grain and skilled in food processing!"

"Yesterday we could make delicious braised eggs, today we can make tasty pickled chicken feet, and tomorrow we can make canned goods, instant noodles, and cookies..."

"One factory isn't enough, so I'll open two, three! If Hecheng can't accommodate so many factories, I'll open factories in other cities!"

"By then, who will dare call us a burden?!"

After Dong Jianguo finished speaking, he didn't look at anyone, tilted his head back and gulped down a mouthful of beer.

He had experienced living at the mercy of others, only to be discarded and kicked away like trash.

It took him six years in his previous life to climb out of the shadows again.

This time, he said he never wanted to go through it again!

"If you're going to live, live it to the fullest!"

The early autumn wind blew through the courtyard.

It seemed as if an electric current was winding its way up from beneath their feet, climbing all the way up to the back of each person's spine.

Whether it was Erzhuzi, Zhao Hongmei, or Zhong Zhengtao who had only come to help, all three of them felt their scalps tingle from Dong Jianguo's words!

At that moment, the expressions in all three of their eyes changed.

Who wants to be thrown away like trash?

Who wants to be seen as a burden?!

Who would willingly wait for the ship's sinking horn in a crumbling factory?

Going out to work might actually be a good choice.

Especially... working with someone as principled as Dong Jianguo makes you feel at ease!

Dong Jianguo seized the opportunity to add fuel to the fire:

"Erzhuzi, didn't you say you liked Harbin when we went there last time? When the branch factory opens in Harbin, you'll be the factory manager!"

"Sister Hongmei, you..."

Zhao Hongmei waved her hands repeatedly: "I wouldn't dare to think about it. It's good enough to stay in Hecheng..."

"That's no problem! As long as you work diligently and accumulate management experience, you're guaranteed to achieve great things even if you stay in Hecheng!"

"As for Zhong Gong, to be honest, you are a rare talent. Unfortunately, I can't offer you much security right now."

"But don't worry, once Hezhiwei's products gain some recognition, I'll definitely be the first to poach you with a high salary!"

"Godfather, what about me? What about me?!"

Yueyue reluctantly raised the drink in her hand and waved it in front of Dong Jianguo's sight.

"Yueyue, when you get into university, study hard, and come back to be your godfather's manager!"

Dong Jianguo pinched the little girl's cheek with a smile on his face.