Chapter 94 Join in the fun

Li Zhiguo thought for a moment and said, "Jingru, go get my fishing rod and let's go join in the fun.

Huairu, go home and tidy up a bit, then boil the bath water and wait for me."

"Okay brother, go slowly on your way. Jingru, take care of your brother-in-law."

It was not convenient for Qin Huairu to go to the moat while she was pregnant, and it was already evening.

"I know, sister!"

Little Jingru ran to the backyard, but she didn't have the key to open the door, so she had to stand there waiting for her sister to come back.

"Little sister, why did you come back alone?"

Xu Damao was wearing an apron and washing dishes. He walked too much and his socks were worn out. He would have to mend them later. He also improved his needlework skills.

"I'm waiting for my sister to open the door and get my brother-in-law a fishing rod."

Xiao Jingru squatted at the door and thought that this uncle with a horse face was so stupid. He got married but still did laundry and cooked every day.

"What a sin! I have to order other little girls around just to take a few steps."

Xu Damao shook his head and lamented that his wife had no younger sister, and his younger sister didn't listen to him!
After a while, Qin Huairu came back and opened the door. Xiao Jingru took two shorter fishing rods, carried a roll of straw mat, and ran to the front yard quickly with her little legs.

Li Zhiguo also chatted with a few middle-aged women and ate half a handful of pumpkin seeds. If he hadn't wanted to go fishing, he wouldn't have wanted to leave.

"Aunt Wang, let's talk later. I'm going to look for Uncle Three."

He tied up the fishing rod and straw mat, carried Xiao Jingru to the front bar, and set off immediately.

After exiting Dongzhimen and riding for a while, it was almost dark, so I took out a flashlight from my space and asked little Jingru to use it to light up the road. Children are easy to fool, so they didn't pay much attention to where the flashlight came from.

Then I saw Yan Bugui and Jia Dongxu squatting side by side fishing under the big tree. Wow, they were just waiting for fish.

When he got closer, he whispered, "Uncle San, Brother Dongxu, did you catch any fish?"

It is a rule not to shout when seeing someone fishing, just like watching a game of chess without saying a word.

"Don't mention it. We were fishing well and even caught a small fish, but when Jia Dongxu came, we caught nothing."

Yan Bugui wanted to slap Jia Dongxu in the face, as this would cut off his source of income.

Jia Dongxu held up his fishing rod and said, "Can you blame me? This is the moat. Anyone can fish."

"Okay, you guys take your time fishing. I'll go over to the side and put out two rods. I'll fish for half an hour and then leave."

It’s getting late, and it’s too late to see clearly, feed the mosquitoes!

Although the fun of night fishing is different, he is unwilling to suffer this pain.

As a result, half an hour later, there was nothing. I was not lucky today.

"Third uncle, I'm leaving now. I'll come back another day. Are you guys leaving or not?"

"Li Zhiguo, you go back first. I'll keep Jia Dongxu company later!"

Yan Bugui has started a fight with someone, and if Jia Dongxu doesn't leave, he will stay here to see who can outlast the other.

He took a steamed bread with him when he went out, but Jia Dongxu hadn't eaten for a day.

"Okay, I'll leave first."

Li Zhiguo put away his fishing rod, Xiao Jingru wrapped herself up in a cool mat, and the two of them quickly left.

As a result, when he returned home, took a shower, and went out of the hospital to urinate, it was almost nine o'clock, and Yan Bugui and Jia Dongxu had not returned yet. Damn, his perseverance is extraordinary!

The next morning, when Li Zhiguo was about to go out, he learned that Yan Bugui and Jia Dongxu both came back in the middle of the night, one with nothing and the other with Xiaoyu.

I almost forgot that Yan Bugui is already very good at staying up late, Dongxu is still too young.

Li Zhiguo left breakfast for Xiao Jingru, which was enough for lunch.

He had some soy milk and fried dough sticks outside, and then went to the street to settle the bill. In no time, he settled the bill and even picked up the abacus.

"Brother Qinian, what's going on with Fan Jin recently? I haven't seen the account book."

Li Zhiguo kept trying to keep an eye on the villain to see if he could cause any trouble, but in the end he saw nothing and the man seemed to have disappeared.

"You're asking about this! The lady from the neighborhood committee came to report the situation the day before yesterday, but I don't know the details."

Wang Qinian is responsible for handling affairs in the street all year round and can be found at any time.

"Okay, I'll go report to the director."

Li Zhiguo always finds some mistakes in the account book, which shows that he works hard.

"Tuk-tuk!"

"Come in, I'm waiting for you."

The director cheerfully opened the drawer and took out two agreements and an envelope.

"This is the fee for your song. We negotiated it down to 150 dollars. Please sign the agreement and keep a copy. It has been stamped."

"It's a good feeling!"

Li Zhiguo took the envelope, opened it and took a look at it immediately. He didn't know the amount. He thought the director would not cheat him out of such a small amount of money.

I also looked at the agreement, which is equivalent to giving the song to Beihai Park for use, and the park will spread it free of charge.

This is not a big deal. He has the awareness that everything is based on the collective.

After signing my name, I handed over the bill for this week.

After reading it, the director scolded others as usual. Fortunately, the number of mistakes was decreasing and the difference was not large, which was progress.

"Li Zhiguo, the situation of subsequent grain reserves is not optimistic. Compared with 1950, this year's grain sales have more than doubled.

Our collection of public grain only accounts for 50% to 60%, which still leaves us with a shortfall of more than 40% that needs to be purchased from rural areas. The gap is too big.

Eight options were proposed above, and the final choice was to collect and distribute grain. While increasing the collection, our city's grain will be rationed, and soon it will not be freely traded.

You have to take it to heart and take good care of yourself. You will be busy for a while. If you have a channel, prepare more food. The above is designing the pattern. "

The director only mentioned it briefly, but did not explicitly say that they were designing the food coupons, but said they would be issued no later than the end of the year.

Li Zhiguo understood it immediately. The earliest set of three flour tickets in Beijing, commonly known as opening tickets in the collecting world, were worth more than 10,000 yuan each when he traveled back in time.

The other type of flour tickets, which came in sets of four, were extremely valuable because only three sets were left and no one was willing to sell them.

This is as cost-effective as collecting stamps. He can just collect some as a mark of the times. Because no matter how valuable they are, he won't have to rely on selling flour tickets to make a living decades later. That would be too miserable.

"Thank you, Director. I will prepare the food. If nothing else, I will leave now."

No matter how hard it is, you can go home after finishing the work. This is a part-time job paid by piece.

"Go!"

The director was happy and took good care of his general.

Li Zhiguo went to the silk shop in a blink of an eye and did not mention the issue of food. His concubine would not be short of food. Having money but not being able to buy food was targeting honest people. Merchants could take advantage of it.

Even Cai Quanwu, the poor old man, could make several hundred kilograms of food coupons by selling them outside. He was very courageous for the widow.

This is better than Silly Pillar. He would be scared silly by ten kilograms of corn flour, which is only the amount of ten large corn cobs.

"Li Zhiguo, Fan Jinyou hasn't been here recently.

But some people asked me if I wanted to remarry. You men really don’t mind raising a son for someone else?”

Chen Xueru, on the other hand, was a little confused. When she was a grown-up girl, not many people pursued her. But now that she was pregnant, she became very popular.

"You used to be a goddess, but now you're remarried. If you don't have a child, they feel like they don't deserve you."

Li Zhiguo smiled. The marriage market has always been irrational. Some people like to have second, third, or eighth marriages...

"Then you deserve it."

Chen Xueru happily poured the coffee and wondered what was going on.

Li Zhiguo drank coffee and settled the bills in the store. Those who are capable should do more work.

"Xue Ru, are there any other merchants coming to inquire about our business? Our store is making so much money, isn't there anyone who is jealous?"

"Of course there are not many shops on Qianmen Street. This is the street you arrive at when you get out of the train station.

Rich people from other places are also willing to come here to do business and settle down, and there are also many landlords who come from the countryside..."

What Chen Xueru said was true. Many former landlords really fled to the city. They lost their land but their money remained.

"Well, let's open a franchise store to make money, which is almost the same as making money."

Li Zhiguo felt it necessary to train his concubine into a business genius so that she could make more money. Then his family would have a better life.

With a man like him behind her, she will never be able to defeat the young widow in the tavern.

"What franchise store?"

Chen Xueru was puzzled and couldn't think of that. "It's simple! Help others open a silk shop like ours, we provide decoration and after-sales service.

The other party just needs to find a good location and you can open the store just by paying the money.

We charge a franchise fee, decoration fee, employee training fee, etc., and then charge a supply fee and provide goods to the store over there.

The main profit here is the franchise fee. We're going to charge 5,000 per store for the time being. If we charge more, we're afraid no one will take the bait. No, we're afraid people can't afford it."

Li Zhiguo thought he had been ruthless, but he didn't expect his concubine to react quickly. She said, "Five thousand is not enough. It should be at least twenty thousand. Scarcity makes things valuable. The gross profit of my silk shop is about this amount every month."

"Twenty thousand? No, Xueru, that's a bit high!"

Why would he start a business with this money? Well, he is too superficial. The concept of a merchant is to make money from money, which is different from that of ordinary people.

The silk shop's account book is here now. The gross profit is really around 20,000, which is three times the original amount.

"Not high, there are a lot of rich people here. Li Zhiguo, I understand what you mean.

It's about making as much money as possible before the public-private partnership, right?"

Chen Xueru had talked with Li Zhiguo many times and had a general idea of ​​what public-private partnership was. Simply put, it was about turning one's own property into collective property and accepting socialist transformation.

"Okay, then you can do it. There is no cost. Just sell one to each customer. I will settle the bill when the time comes.

If there are any details you don't understand, we can discuss it.

Wait, let me tell you another trick. You can secretly give discounts to regular customers, but keep this a secret.

You have to agree on a time period. For example, if you make an appointment with a merchant to come and discuss at 10 o'clock tomorrow, then you have to let those customers come at 10 o'clock, making our store's business super hot.

On the account book, you write the original price. It’s your own store after all. I will calculate the discount when the time comes. It’s simple and clear.

This franchise is open to not only locals, but also outsiders. A little discount is offered, and people are cheated... I mean every penny earned is a penny earned."

Well, this isn’t really asking for favors, it’s just basic practice.

This is what restaurants in later generations did. They opened a head office in the city center and secretly offered a 50% discount just to avoid losing money. They made sure to have diners queue up every day, trying to trick outsiders into joining.

"Well, I understand. Make more money now, and I will support you in the future."

Chen Xueru has a great sense of accomplishment. She not only has to support Li Zhiguo, but also his entire family.

"Don't mention whether to keep it or not. I also have shares in this store."

Li Zhiguo is putting on airs, and as a man we cannot lose face.

"Yes, yes, you own half of this store."

Chen Xueru coaxed the person and went to the small office after a while.

How can you say that you have no clothes, and you share the same robe with your son!
The king has raised an army and repaired my spear!
Time flies, and in a blink of an eye it is June 1st. Now it is Children's Day, which is an international holiday.

Today is Monday, and the primary school students are lucky. There are activities at school in the morning and they can have a day off in the afternoon!

"Next, please invite the third grade class two to bring a chorus. Let's row the oars. Please."

Hongxing Primary School is also holding activities at this moment.

Yan Bugui is teaching Chinese to second graders this year. He is not the class teacher because there is no benefit. Not only is it more work, but he also has to run a lot of detours every semester just to collect tuition fees.

At this moment, four classes have already sung this song. It's really popular. The lyrics are really well written. It's a pity that he doesn't have the talent to earn this money.

"Now, please welcome Class 1, Grade 2 to perform a song. Let's..."

The host is already numb now. He has become so tired of listening to this song after singing it for the entire audience, but the kids just love it.

Just yesterday, her little son who is in kindergarten actually sang a few lines and even clamored to go to Beihai Park to play.

Yan Bugui felt that the time was about right, so he left quickly and went back home to eat at noon, thus saving some money.

"Wife, it's time for Li Zhiguo to get up. I want to ask him to go fishing today."

Yan Bugui has been a little possessed in the last half month. Whenever he has free time, he wants to go fishing, but he has never caught any big fish.

"Boss, can you please not go fishing? Li Zhiguo doesn't go fishing every day. He took Xiao Jingru out early in the morning.

It is said that the third uncle of the Qin family went to the city today and found a job. This is incredible, as the Qin family has three people earning money in the city.

This is how you can make a fortune, you have to think it through."

The three aunts supported fishing at first, but they became unhappy when they went fishing without any results.

"Oh! I should learn from him. I won't go fishing today."

Yan Bugui thought that he would have to queue up all night to buy food tomorrow night, the 2nd, so he decided to rest and conserve his energy today so that he could go fishing when he had time later.

At this moment, a middle-aged woman suddenly came to the gate of the courtyard and said, "Uncle San is here. Can you help me call Li Zhiguo? I have something to ask him."

"Who are you? Aunt Zhou from the second courtyard in the alley in front, right? What do you want to see Li Zhiguo for?"

Yan Bugui pushed the frame of his glasses. Something was not right. Could it be that the bad boys had been tricked into the outer courtyard?

"This is what happened. My eldest grandson is three months old. I want to ask Li Zhiguo to be his godparent and ask if he is willing."

When Aunt Zhou said this, Aunt Three next to her was stunned.

Yan Bugui pushed up the frame of his glasses and said, "Why do we have to find Li Zhiguo to be our godparent? He is so young, his own child hasn't even been born yet."

Aunt Zhou explained: "Li Zhiguo is lucky. He doesn't have to work, but he has no worries about food and clothing. He is also smart. His inventions have been published in the People's Daily and have earned foreign exchange."

Li Zhiguo is so shameless. People like him can live well wherever they go.

Yan Bugui understood after thinking about it. This was because he saw the immorality of Li Zhiguo. The custom of worshipping a godfather or godmother has been around since ancient times. It was mainly for childcare. Worshiping a godfather or godmother could ward off disasters for the baby, but it was not classified as superstition.

But generally they don't look for young people. Li Zhiguo made an exception and can get a lot of benefits from it, and this relationship is likely to last a lifetime.

"Auntie Zhou, it's unfortunate that Li Zhiguo just went out and he probably won't be back until the evening.

How about I give him a message for you later, and you can come over tomorrow."

Yan Bugui thought, why no one comes to see him? He can handle it. He can adopt more godsons and goddaughters. He can get benefits from them during festivals and holidays!

"Okay, I'll come over tomorrow. Uncle, please tell Li Zhiguo that my family will thank him very much."

Aunt Zhou came with sincerity and already had a red envelope in her pocket.

After everyone left, Yan Bugui slapped his thigh and said, "Wife, do you think Li Zhiguo is really lucky? Before he even started planning, someone came to give him money.

Aunt Zhou touched her purse three times just now. She must have money in it, and it’s not a small amount. She’s afraid she’ll lose it.”

"Isn't it? His life is so good. He doesn't have to go to work every day. Qin Huairu takes care of him at night, and Xiao Jingru follows him during the day and can also work for him.

He had enough food and drink, and everyone in Lao Qin's family was happy to support him.

Besides, he hangs out every day, so he knows a lot of people, and they are all willing to help. He is much more calculating than you."

The third aunt was also jealous and wanted to become a godparent. As for the idea of ​​warding off disasters, it was all superstition. It was just a way to get benefits, so she didn't take it seriously.

"Wait until he comes back, I'll ask him!"

Yan Bugui was not sure whether Li Zhiguo would accept this marriage, but if it were him, he would have to nod on the spot!

……

Li Zhiguo is now in the third courtyard. Today his mother-in-law, third aunt, second uncle and second aunt are all here.

I helped clean up the yard and cooked a large table of dishes.

At noon, he went to the steel mill to pick up his wife and had a good meal with her, which was considered a housewarming party.

The bed was also made in the main room, but considering that it was new furniture after all, Qin Huairu did not live here as she was pregnant, but left little Jingru to warm the bed and would take her back to the courtyard later.

In the afternoon, with nothing to do, he took Qin Huairu back to the courtyard and made chicken soup for her in the evening.

"Li Zhiguo, you're back with a chicken again!"

Yan Bugui saw the same wooden barrel, and sure enough, there were two chickens inside. It was a free barrel, which was also a good thing.

"My third uncle sent it to me. He knows I have a bad stomach. There are dozens of eggs underneath."

Li Zhiguo continued to talk about this matter. His family basically never ran out of eggs, and they often ate chicken, which was nutritious.

"You are in such a bad situation. By the way, you were not here at noon, and there was an Aunt Zhou in the alley ahead who wanted to see you and ask you to be her godparents..."

After Yan Bugui finished his explanation, Li Zhiguo was confused.

This custom has been around for decades and it exists everywhere. It cannot be banned. Can you stop others from finding godparents?
"Uncle, how much benefit can you get from this?"

Li Zhiguo has no experience in this area. He doesn't think he will have so many children and grandchildren at such a young age.

Yan Bugui pushed up his glasses and said, "This is a lot. I'll give you a new hat, Qin Huairu will get new shoes, and there's a lot of fabric. In addition, I'll give you a piece of meat, or a chicken or something. Those who are better off will also get red envelopes.

But you also have to give something back, like bowls and chopsticks, small clothes, small shoes, etc.

(End of this chapter)