Chapter 118: A Fortune Can

The frameworks of the three factories have already been erected; the food factory is turning a profit first, and the construction of the medicinal herb factory and the beverage factory is also in its final stage, with equipment being installed one after another.

That evening, Lu Qingshan and Lin Yue'e were taking inventory of the factory affairs.

"Qing Shan, the factories are about to get up and running, but we have too few people who understand the technology and can manage."

Lin Yue'e is now paying increasing attention to the factory matters; she meticulously flips through the personnel roster and production plans, her slender brows slightly furrowed, "Relying only on this handful of villagers, we're likely to be overwhelmed and prone to mistakes."

Lu Qingshan nodded; this has also been a problem he's been pondering lately. Whether it's the deep processing of medicinal herbs, the blending and bottling of beverages, or the food quality control and new product development, professional talent is needed.

"You're right."

Lu Qingshan mused, "We have to recruit talent. I've decided to go to Baishan City to hire—technicians, managers—anyone with real skill we'll employ with high salaries!"

"High salary? How high?" Lin Yue'e asked, curious.

Lu Qingshan extended one finger, then added two more: "For experienced technical backbones, the monthly salary starts at 120 yuan! No ceiling!"

"120 yuan?!"

Lin Yue'e inhaled a breath of cold air.

It should be noted that ordinary workers now earn only twenty to thirty yuan a month, and a skilled master can get fifty to sixty yuan, which is already top‑tier.

120 yuan—that's an astronomical price!

"You can't catch a wolf without letting go of the child."

Lu Qingshan's gaze was firm, "For Shanwan Village to develop, we must show sincerity to attract talent. I believe that generous rewards will bring brave men."

However, after Lu Qingshan spread the recruitment notice through some county and city channels, the first few days saw only a handful of respondents.

The technical talents and managers in Baishan City mostly hold iron rice bowls at state‑owned big factories; although the pay may not be as high, the stability is guaranteed.

The obscure little Shanwan Village suddenly offering such high salaries made many adopt a wait‑and‑see attitude, suspecting there's something fishy or just bragging.

A new dilemma now faced Lu Qingshan: how to break this hesitation and truly recruit talent for his use?

In the annex, the oil lamp before Lu Qingshan flickered uneasily, stretching his weary shadow long across the wall behind him, which was covered with drawings and plans.

On the table lay a few scattered application letters: some from Lion demanding a huge salary and to be the factory manager's deputy, others barely legible, hoping to earn a high salary for retirement—none were usable.

The high salary he offered was like a stone tossed into a lake, creating ripples but failing to attract the fish he truly wanted.

The starting monthly salary of 120 yuan, with an uncapped promise, in the early 1980s Baishan region was enough to make any worker with an iron rice bowl envious.

But when the moment of decision arrived, those city technicians and managers all hesitated.

Shanwan Village—too remote, too poor, too unknown.

In their eyes, it might just be a big pie drawn by a desperate mountain village—looks good but unusable.

Who would give up the stability of a city state‑owned factory to gamble on an uncertain future in this mountain ditch?

Lu Qingshan rubbed his swollen temples, feeling a slight pressure in his chest.

He understood their concerns; if he were in their shoes, he might also think twice.

But the factory can't wait, and the villagers can't wait.

Although the food factory made an early profit thanks to procurement orders from city units, solving an urgent need, the medicinal herb factory and the beverage factory are the main acts of his plan.

Especially the Astragalus herbal drink that Elder Sun the traditional Chinese doctor placed high hopes on—that's the golden nugget that can truly make Shanwan Village proud.

And these all require people with genuine talent and solid learning to support them.

"Talent, talent…"

He murmured softly, his knuckles unconsciously tapping the tabletop.

Money alone isn't enough; there must also be something convincing.

But where does this credibility come from?

The moonlight outside filtered through the crude window lattice, casting a cool pale glow.

He stood up, extinguished the lamp, and opened the door.

The night wind, carrying the mountain's characteristic cool dampness, brushed his face, clearing his muddled mind a bit.

These days, he was almost nonstop; not only were all household matters handled solely by Yue E, but she also had to find time to oversee product quality at the food factory.

Thinking of his wife's gentle gaze and his daughter's innocent smile, the irritation that had arisen from recruitment setbacks quietly lessened, replaced by a heavy sense of responsibility.

A few steps into the main room, the dim yellow light seeped through the door crack and papered windows, warm, like an invisible hand soothing his weary heart.

He pushed open the half‑closed courtyard gate; the main house door creaked open, and a tiny figure swooped in like a swift swallow, clinging tightly to his leg.

"Dad! Dad, it's time to sleep!"

It was Xiao Xue, her voice soft and sticky from just waking.

Lu Qingshan's heart was instantly filled; he bent down, scooping his daughter into his arms, the little girl exuding a pleasant milky scent and the warmth of the bedding.

"Xiao Xue, why aren't you asleep yet?"

He kissed his daughter's forehead, his voice involuntarily softening.

"Wait."

Xiao Xue nudged against him, then, like presenting a treasure, fumbled out an object from behind, carefully raised it before him, her eyes sparkling as if holding two tiny stars.

"Dad, here's a Handcrafted Flower for you! You've worked hard!"

Lu Qingshan stared, his breath suddenly catching.

It was a bunch of… "Handcrafted Flower".

On a few slender twigs, colorful candy wrappers, torn old plastic bags, and several pieces of colored paper cut from an unknown book were haphazardly tied together, forming oddly shaped "flowers".

The craftsmanship was rough, even a bit laughable, yet in Lu Qingshan's eyes this bunch of "flowers" was worth millions of times more than any prized bloom in the world.

He felt his nose tingle with sourness, and his eyes instantly grew hot.

An indescribable warm current surged from the softest part of his heart, instantly dispersing all his fatigue and anxiety accumulated over days.

He extended his slightly trembling hand, took the bunch of "flowers", his voice hoarse and unrecognizable.

"Xiao Xue… these flowers are truly beautiful. Dad… Dad loves them so much."

Xiao Xue sees her father pleased, giggles loudly, her little face flushed red: "The candy wrapper Mom helped me find! I made it myself!"

"Our Xiao Xue is truly capable!"

Lu Qingshan holds his daughter tightly in his arms, his cheek pressed against her soft hair, and his heart stirs with waves.

He was reborn, gave his all, endured cold stares—wasn't it all to protect this innocence and warmth?

To let his wife and daughter have good lives, to keep such radiant smiles forever on their faces.

Lin Yue'e stepped out of the house, draped in an outer coat; in the light, her brows and eyes were gentle as water.