Chapter 458: Shazhu Who Sets Conditions

Speaking frankly.

Right now truly isn't the best time to go it alone.

It's not like some people say that when opportunity comes, anything can be done, and there's no such saying as 'leaving no place for the old master, the old master goes solo'.

The overall situation has improved to a certain extent, but some aspects still follow the old ways, including people's outdated thinking, which will limit your thoughts in every respect.

Based on Shazhu's experience of living two lives, let's analyze.

In another seven or eight years.

That is, when you reach 1983 or 1984, social customs will suddenly improve greatly, and at that point going into business will be a natural fit.

Before that.

You damn well going solo.

Just wait to be dealt with; enemies both open and hidden are truly impossible to guard against.

Factory Director Yang's meaning is to have Shazhu undertake this under the banner of Yagangchang's subsidiary industry.

As the old saying goes.

It's good to lean on a big tree for shade.

With Yagangchang, employing over ten thousand people, as our backing, plus Shazhu's superb cooking skills, once this restaurant opens, business will surely not be bad.

Just wait to count the money!

It can be opened.

How to open it?

We need to discuss it clearly in advance.

Even brothers should settle accounts clearly.

Shazhu also doesn't want to end up having others reap the fruits of his labor.

He tried his best to calm his emotions, looked at Factory Director Yang, and spoke his true feelings.

"Factory Director Yang, you entrusted me with such an important matter; this shows you think highly of me, you have me in your heart, you trust me. If I don't take it on, it would show I don't know how to conduct myself."

Factory Director Yang blinked slightly.

Shazhu's reaction.

This was somewhat beyond his expectation.

In Factory Director Yang's mind, going out to open a restaurant, even under the banner of Yagangchang's subsidiary industry, ultimately means running a profit-and-loss venture, which is clearly different from staying at Yagangchang to earn a wage to death.

The former.

It could mean starving, and even more likely, bearing debt problems.

The latter.

Earning a monthly wage, without worrying about starving one's wife and children.

He didn't expect Shazhu to actually be moved.

As the leader of a factory with tens of thousands of workers, Factory Director Yang's intelligence is sufficient; he naturally sensed the hint of wavering in Shazhu's words.

"Shazhu, let me say something I'm not afraid you'll laugh at: before I brought up these matters with you, the problem I worried about most was that you wouldn't agree."

"Factory Director Yang, you wouldn't harm me, so why wouldn't I agree?" Shazhu changed his tone, "But some things, besides stating them upfront, we also need to form this written documentation."

"You consider problems more comprehensively than I, this factory director; I think your several suggestions should be fine, and I can give you a reply at the latest the day after tomorrow."

"With your words, my heart can finally settle. You just mentioned it's that two-story small building on Red Star Jiēdào, the property belongs to our Yagangchang; the lease term and fees must be arranged. Also, there's the business license—I alone can handle it, but we need Yagangchang to step in. If we lose money, I won't say a word; if we profit, how should we split it—should I hand over all of it without keeping any, or should I retain a portion?"

Shazhu, based on his experience of opening restaurants in later times,

he brought up some matters to pay attention to in advance, speaking them out first.

Although these are all old, oft-discussed topics from later times, and we're used to them, for Factory Director Yang facing the current situation,

it was nothing short of an epiphany.

Many of the suggestions Shazhu made are both feasible and innovative.

For example, in this joint venture to open a restaurant, Yagangchang can contribute land and renovation funds to partner with Shazhu; Yagangchang would hold some percentage of shares, Shazhu would hold some percentage through his cooking skills, management, and part of the funds; Yagangchang would only have dividend rights, no interference in the restaurant's operation.

"Since we're opening a restaurant, I certainly can't handle it alone; the assistant cooks, waitstaff, etc. —should I be fully responsible, or should Yagangchang be? These people should belong either to the restaurant or to Yagangchang; we must clarify this, and also whose wages are paid—by Yagangchang or by the restaurant—so we avoid future trouble."

Shazhu's these proposals.

Factory Director Yang meticulously recorded these in his little notebook, and shortly he will go to discuss with the heads of Yagangchang.

After the meeting, he will meet with the higher-ups.

Both sides will report Shazhu's constructive proposals to the higher leaders.

When leaving.

Shazhu asked Factory Director Yang for five work indicators.

Factory Director Yang readily agreed to Shazhu's request for the indicators and gave him five.

He knew Shazhu needed to raise money.

Those five work indicators are the capital Shazhu will use to raise money; as for how much they can be exchanged for, it depends on whether Shazhu can sell them at a high price.

Trading work indicators.

It's quite common.

……

Ershitang

The air was filled with voices congratulating Shazhu.

Led by Liu Lan, the Thus: Thus: Mahua congratulatory team stood on either side of Ershitang's main gate, one side clapping their hands, the other expressing their congratulations to Shazhu.

Human nature.

When one person attains the Dao, even chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.

Shazhu, Yagang Factory, Deputy Factory Manager

People need to move.

Don't move.

How can the people below get promoted and get a raise?

A more important point.

Since Shazhu became deputy factory manager, the longtime staff of the second canteen who have worked with him for over ten years can all reap the benefits of his promotion.

Everyone hopes to see Shazhu become deputy factory manager.

This news.

Liu Lan discovered this.

Since Deputy Factory Director Li wasn't present, Liu Lan wasn't sure whether the news was true, so she adopted a half-believing, half-doubting attitude and told Thus: Thus: Mahua and the others.

Afterward, things ended up this way.

You guys!

Shazhu gazed at the second canteen crowd, as lively as during New Year, feeling helpless; he understood their mood, but then a change occurred.

You're getting happy too early.

Master, Factory Director Yang is looking for you; isn't he asking you to be the deputy factory manager overseeing the canteen?

Who said Factory Director Yang is looking for me to make me deputy factory manager?

That's what Sister Lan said.

I heard Old Xu, the cleaner, say that the leaders are holding a meeting to study this.

Stop talking nonsense; it's not about me becoming deputy factory manager, and there's no such thing. Let's disperse, don't just stand there—go do what you need to do.

Shazhu waved his hand and dispersed the crowd.

Afterward, he simply sat back down on the stool he had been sitting on.

He fell into thought.

The second canteen crowd that Shazhu had dispersed didn't believe his words, thinking he was being modest, but seeing his troubled expression, they also thought he wasn't lying.

Liu Lan gave Thus: Thus: Mahua a look.

Thus: Thus: Mahua held Shazhu's special large tea jar and approached him.

Master, the water is just right; please drink.

Shazhu took the warm tea from Thus: Thus: Mahua's hand, drank it all in one gulp, and continued sitting motionless on the bench, lost in thought.

He was thinking about opening a restaurant: how to decorate, how to layout, how many staff to hire, who to appoint as manager, etc.

The matter of cooking.

Naturally, it's Shazhu's.

As for the manager's job, Shazhu realized that besides his wife Yu Li, there really was no one else he could choose.

Replace with someone else.

Shazhu also couldn't rest easy.

In the previous life.

It was Yu Li who reminded Yan Jiecheng to ask Shazhu to help as head cook.

When Shazhu deliberately made things difficult by demanding a monthly salary of 2500 yuan, Yan Jiecheng was still hesitating, but Yu Li readily agreed, and she also agreed on the side dishes; after the restaurant business boomed, Yu Li began to consider replacing Shazhu with the fat guy, and she even persuaded the fat guy, and then kicked Shazhu out.

After Shazhu left, the restaurant's business plummeted; Yu Li then thought of switching to a hot pot restaurant, completely extinguishing Shazhu's pride, and shattering his dream of earning a monthly salary of 3000 yuan.

On the way back.

Shazhu was just pondering Yu Li.

Opening a restaurant.

Moreover, Yu Li comes out of retirement.

Suddenly, a faint wicked thought crossed his mind: he would cook, Yu Li would be the manager, and the nice restaurant would end up being turned into a husband-and-wife shop by Shazhu.

Lost in thought, Shazhu completely failed to notice that several people had gathered before him.

Liu Lan, Thus: Thus: Mahua, Pangzi.

Each one craned their neck to look at Shazhu.

They sensed something was off, waved a hand in front of Shazhu's face, saw a smile appear on his face, and Liu Lan asked, "Shazhu, wake up, Shazhu, what's wrong with you?"

Hearing Liu Lan's shout and being patted on the shoulder by her, the preoccupied Shazhu gradually came to his senses, staring blankly at the concerned Liu Lan and the others.

He was startled.

What's wrong with you guys?

Shazhu, we still want to ask what's wrong with you? Sitting here speechless, sometimes laughing, sometimes not, you old folks, tell us—even if we can't help you, we can still offer some advice.

Liu Lan's words.

Very pleasant to hear.

Shazhu hesitated a moment.

Thinking that this will eventually be known to them, rather than let them resent it later, it's better to tell them now; moreover, Shazhu also wanted to bring a few people from the second canteen to help him.

Need to say it.

Just now, Factory Director Yang came to me and gave me an important task! Shazhu sighed mysteriously, hinted at a little secret, and said, "The Red Star Restaurant on Red Star Street—you all know that, right? Before, we always ran a restaurant, but these past few years, due to certain things, the restaurant went out of business."

Shazhu, could it be that Factory Director Yang wants you to open a restaurant?

Liu Lan's words.

It made the atmosphere inside the room instantly tense.

They were all frightened.

Even a dull-witted person knows the importance of this matter.

Those with outdated thinking believe that Shazhu opening a restaurant is actually being kicked out of Yagangchang, turning from a steady worker with an iron rice bowl at Yagangchang into someone running a private business.

At this time.

Which decent person would run a private business?

This matter.

Liu Lan expressed that she was powerless.

After all, Deputy Factory Director Li is no longer at Yagangchang, and she is no longer a woman who had an intimate relationship with Deputy Factory Director Li, so she cannot help Shazhu.

Unlike Liu Lan.

Thus: Thus: Mahua and the fat guy's thoughts.

More realistic.

Factory Director Yang isn't being very good to Shazhu, is he?

Why send Shazhu off to open a restaurant?

That shouldn't be.

"Master, is what Sister Lan said true?"

A long silence.

Shazhu steadied his mind.

He nodded.

The atmosphere of Ershitang.

It became even more eerie.

I originally thought that Factory Director Yang looking for Shazhu meant Shazhu's promotion, a situation where everyone in Ershitang would benefit.

I didn't expect things to turn out contrary to expectations.

It was that Shazhu would be kicked out of Yagangchang.

What can be done about this?

"Master, please hurry and tell Factory Director Yang that you're not going."

"Master, what Thus: Thus: Mahua said is right; your cooking skills are Yagangchang's calling card. If you weren't there, what would those people who come to inspect Yagangchang eat?"

"Thus: Thus: Mahua, the fat guy, shut up." Liu Lan seriously analyzed, saying, "This matter, Shazhu has his own opinion; whether he goes or not depends on his wishes and also on Factory Director Yang's wishes."

If Shazhu comes back.

There was no such thoughtful expression on his face.

He probably wouldn't agree to Factory Director Yang's proposal.

The problem is that after Shazhu returned to Ershitang, he seemed lost in thought.

The well-informed Liu Lan.

How could she not understand that Shazhu has been weighing the pros and cons of this matter?

"Shazhu, just tell us what you're thinking," Liu Lan asked Shazhu, "What do we need to do? Regardless of others, I've decided to follow you; if you go out to open a restaurant, I'll go and carry trays for you."

"Master, I'll follow you too to open a restaurant; we'll definitely need a cook, and I'll continue to be your assistant."

The fat guy originally didn't want to express his stance.

Seeing Thus: Thus: Mahua speak.

Worried that if he didn't express his stance, Shazhu would hold a grudge.

After all, Shazhu still holds the title of Yagangchang cafeteria head; if he really held a grudge against the fat guy and gave him petty shoes to wear, the fat guy definitely couldn't tolerate it.

"Master, I'll follow you wherever you go."

Others also chimed in.

The atmosphere had arrived.

One had to put on a show anyway.

Looking at the crowd, each resembling a Moral Heavenly Venerable, and then at the fat guy, Shazhu spoke up.

"I've received your good intentions; this time I'm going out, I have no idea in my heart, I don't know how things will turn out specifically; you all, just stay honest in Ershitang, if you all follow me, would Ershitang be abandoned? I also need to go back and inform my wife about this."

Upon hearing Shazhu say that.

The fat guy's heart.

Finally, it could settle.

Really worried that Shazhu would follow the fat guy's lead and let the fat guy go with him.

By then, would they go or not?

Thus: Thus: Mahua and Liu Lan, however, were still insisting.

Shazhu looked at Thus: Thus: Mahua, then at Liu Lan, and made up his mind in his heart; if he really went out to work alone, he would have to bring these two no matter what.

As for the fat guy.

Considered settled.

Let him stay in Yagangchang to fend for himself.

"Don't speak anymore; at noon let's eat something good—Thus: Thus: Mahua and the fat guy will handle the main cooking, Liu Lan and the second rash guy and the others will steam buns, and I'll report your names to Factory Director Yang based on your performance."