Vice Director Ren readily accepted the invitation to dine at Xie Sui's factory. However, he brought along an uninvited guest: Director Hu of the pickle factory, a man in his forties, exuding an air of authority. Stern and rigid, he appeared difficult to get along with.
Xie Sui personally took to the kitchen, preparing a spread of dishes made with pickled vegetables. Sour fish was a must, accompanied by stir-fried pickled cabbage, pickled cabbage soup, and a few seasonal greens, creating a lavish table. Chilled beer was also prepared, all looking quite appealing.
Vice Director Ren, in his early thirties, was at an age where he was eager to achieve great things. Approachable, he extended his hand to Xie Sui. "Director Xie, I've heard much about you. Meeting you for the first time, I truly didn't expect Director Xie to be so young. Talented at a young age, truly impressive."
Xie Sui responded with equal warmth, modestly saying, "Just fumbling around. You've seen my amateur efforts. Today, I'm cooking myself, so please taste my skills. We won't leave until we're drunk."
Vice Director Ren was surprised. "All made by Director Xie himself? Remarkable, truly remarkable. Then I'm in for a treat today."
Director Hu, with his first words, was already irksome. "What kind of a man hangs around the stove? What kind of ambition is that?"
Xie Sui looked at Vice Director Ren. "And this gentleman is..."
Vice Director Ren, somewhat embarrassed, replied, "Director Hu from the pickle factory. I thought Director Hu, being an expert, could come along for some exchange." He shot Director Hu a glare, thinking, *Are you here to disrupt things?*
Xie Sui let it slide this time. "Welcome, welcome. You are a senior. I truly have no great ambition; I just think of my wife, children, and a warm hearth. Not like you seniors with your grand aspirations."
Vice Director Ren developed a more favorable impression of him, finding him humble and considerate of the situation – a fine young man.
As they spoke, Secretary Tang arrived. Xie Sui rushed to greet him. Director Hu's demeanor immediately changed, and he respectfully shook Secretary Tang's hand. Xie Sui inwardly scoffed, *An old man who bullies the weak and fears the strong. I'll deal with you later.*
After some pleasantries and as they took their seats, Secretary Tang picked up his chopsticks. "No need to rush the drinks. You must taste Director Xie's cooking! Our书记 (shūjì - Party Secretary) speaks highly of it. It's a pity this kid is so lazy; making him cook is difficult!"
Everyone followed suit and began eating. The food was tangy and delicious, instantly whetting their appetites. Unknowingly, they ate quite a bit.
Xie Sui chuckled. "How is it? Are my pickled vegetables satisfying? You'll want more after one taste, and you won't tire of eating them every day. If everyone gets used to them, think about the production volume. Let alone a million, ten million or a hundred million would be a small sum."
Getting to the main point, Vice Director Ren asked, "But pickled vegetables are just pickles, aren't they? Can they earn that much?" At present, pickles were only two mao (a unit of currency) per jin, and that was during summer when they were almost unsellable. People only bought them in winter when there were no vegetables. Two mao? How many jin would one need to sell to earn a million?
Xie Sui took out his proposal. His pickled vegetables wouldn't be sold at such a low price, but not excessively high either, at two mao and five fen per jin. After all, production costs were low in summer, and a jin of beans cost only a few fen.
"Everything is difficult at the beginning, but the profit is still very substantial. Each jin of pickled vegetables can yield a net profit of one mao. Once the sales channels are opened, production volume will be calculated in tons per day. If all goes well, I'll definitely be able to repay this money within a year at the latest. Even if I fail and the pickle factory loses money, I still have this factory. This is this month's financial report, Vice Director Ren, please take a look."
Vice Director Ren opened it to read. Director Hu, not considering himself an outsider, also wanted to see. Xie Sui stopped him. "I apologize, this is a business secret. Senior Hu is not suitable to view this."
"You..." Director Hu wanted to lash out, but after glancing at Secretary Tang, he ultimately restrained himself.
Vice Director Ren finished reading and nodded. "It's indeed good, but with such a large loan, it's difficult. How about this: I'll try my best to secure it for you. You'll receive half upfront, and the rest will be released in installments. What do you think?"
Xie Sui found it acceptable. "Alright, I won't make it difficult for you. Five hundred thousand is enough. However, my plan isn't just for our county. I'll be opening branch factories later. Of course, once it's established, if Vice Director Ren sees my potential, he might increase the loan further."
Secretary Tang was engrossed in eating. He had only come to observe and did not intend to voice an opinion. Xie Sui raised his glass to him. "Secretary Tang, a toast! Don't just focus on eating!"
Secretary Tang drank a glass of beer. "I have to work this afternoon, so I can't drink more. I wish both of you a pleasant cooperation. By the way, Xiao Sui, where do you plan to build the factory?"
Xie Sui replied, "If I want to produce quickly, it's best to have a ready-made factory. Building a new one takes too long. This is where I'll need Secretary Tang's help. The pickle factory doesn't require much machinery yet; it can be done purely by hand. However, later on, a packaging line will be needed. I plan to use a canning production line. It can't be like those ridiculously salty pickles that taste of nothing but salt."
Director Hu's eyes widened. He suspected Xie Sui was subtly mocking him, but he had no proof.
Secretary Tang's eyes twinkled. "How about this, Director Hu is also here. What do you think of our county's pickle factory? It has existing workers, saving you the trouble of hiring. You just need to pay them their wages on time."
Xie Sui looked confused. *Is there such a good thing?*
Director Hu was bewildered. "Secretary Tang, what about me, the director? If he comes to my pickle factory, what will I do?"
Secretary Tang replied, "You'll still be the director. Let Xie Sui hold a deputy position. The tasks will be handled by him, and you can attend meetings and drink tea. What a good life." Director Hu's face flushed red. *This is sidelining me.*
Xie Sui ignored him and asked, "If I'm a deputy director, I'm sorry, Secretary Tang, how will the accounts be managed? Am I considered an employee, or am I building my own factory?"
Secretary Tang also felt a bit awkward. Xie Sui wanted to pursue his own venture, but he had ulterior motives. He wanted Xie Sui to take over the pickle factory workers, thus easing the government's burden. As for how the accounts would be managed, he hadn't figured it out yet. "This... for the people's service, don't worry about it so much."
Xie Sui muttered a profanity under his breath. *These officials, always using moral blackmail.* "Is that so? Then I won't worry about it. I think my current factory is enough for me to live comfortably. It's almost the end of September, and my son will be starting school. My wife can't manage him alone, so I need to help with the child. I won't proceed with the pickle factory for now!"
Secretary Tang was speechless. *This kid just throws a tantrum if something isn't to his liking!* "Don't, let's discuss how you want to do it. You should also consider the Secretary's difficulties."
Xie Sui pondered for a moment. "I can take over the pickle factory, but I'll provide all the capital. The pickle factory will provide the land, which I'll consider rent. I'll give the pickle factory twenty percent of the profits, and I'll take eighty percent. If you think that's acceptable, we'll proceed this way." This was essentially a public-private partnership. Later, when policies changed, Xie Sui would spend money to transfer it to his name.
"You want eighty percent? That's too greedy. Secretary Tang, I do not agree to this. At least fifty-fifty. He's already getting a great deal." Before Secretary Tang could speak, Director Hu objected, feeling Xie Sui was asking for too much.