Chapter 132: Half‑Month Factory Construction? Lu Qingshan

Night fell like ink, yet Shanwan Village remained brightly lit.

Lu Qingshan paced back and forth in the courtyard, the provincial Agriculture Department document in his hand having been read countless times. Li Guoqiang's words before he left still echoed in his ears: "This task concerns the entire Northeast region's agricultural development strategy."

A million yuan of interest‑free loan, the province's all‑sided policy tilt, even higher‑level attention—behind these seemingly generous supports, Lu Qingshan smelled something unusual.

"Qing Shan, still not sleeping?" Lin Yue'e stepped out quietly, carrying a bowl of steaming millet porridge.

"Can't sleep," Lu Qingshan took the bowl, feeling his wife's palm warmth, "Yue E, why do you think the province is so kind to us?"

Lin Yue'e sat beside him; in the moonlight her profile was like jade: "Maybe it's because you're worthy."

Lu Qingshan gave a wry smile and shook his head. Memories from his past life told him there's no such thing as a free lunch. The province's strong backing of Shanwan Village must have deeper motives.

He recalled policy shifts of the 1980s in his previous life, the fates of early reform‑and‑opening pilot projects. Some succeeded and became benchmarks; some failed and became lessons.

"Whatever the case, since we've taken on this burden, we must shoulder it," Lu Qingshan set the empty bowl down, his eyes flashing with resolve, "The villagers of Shanwan trust me; I can't disappoint them."

The next morning, a rapid knocking shattered Shanwan Village's tranquility.

"Brother Qing Shan! Brother Qing Shan!" Liu Fugui's voice trembled with uncontainable excitement, "People from the county are here! They say the loan has been credited!"

Lu Qingshan rolled out of bed in a flash—what efficiency! Confirmed three days ago, and it's in today?

After a hurried wash, Lu Qingshan went to the village committee and saw Section Chief Wang of the County Agricultural Bureau waiting, a formulaic smile on his face.

"Factory Director Lu, congratulations!" Section Chief Wang pulled a document from his briefcase, "The one‑million interest‑free loan has been credited; please review it."

Lu Qingshan took the document, his heart racing. It's really in! One million—an astronomical figure in these times!

"Section Chief Wang, this money…" Lu Qingshan asked tentatively.

"Use it without worry; three years interest‑free, repay within five," Section Chief Wang's smile widened, "Higher‑ups place great importance on the Shanwan Village project; we hope you'll deliver results."

The news spread quickly through Shanwan Village. Villagers surged to the committee, their faces alight with incredulous fervor.

"Is it really one million?"

"My goodness, our village got it!"

"Qing Shan, you're going to take us soaring to prosperity!"

Lu Qingshan looked at the villagers' hopeful eyes, inhaled deeply, and stepped onto the steps before the village committee doors.

"Villagers, quiet down!" Lu Qingshan's voice cut through the clamor, "Since everyone's here, I'll explain the fund's usage plan clearly."

The scene fell silent instantly, all eyes fixed on Lu Qingshan.

"This one million, I plan to allocate: 200,000 for factory construction, 300,000 for equipment procurement, 200,000 for labor expenses distributed by work, and the remaining 300,000 as Liquid Capital." Lu Qingshan's voice was clear and strong, "Every cent spent will be visible to everyone."

Village Chief Zhao Yongnian clapped excitedly: "Good! It should be like this! Spend money clearly, act clearly!"

"Brother Qing Shan, when will the factory be completely built?" Zhao Tiezhu asked in a deep, resonant voice.

"Before the end of the month!" Lu Qingshan's reply left everyone stunned, "To start production before the autumn harvest, we must seize time!"

"Before the end of the month?" Zhao Dazhi worried, "Isn't that too rushed? Materials, workers…"

"The materials I arranged last night; they'll arrive this afternoon," Lu Qingshan had prepared, "As for workers, every able‑aged villager counts as one, plus we'll hire some masters from the town. We'll work 24‑hour shifts; the plant must be finished within half a month!"

The villagers exchanged glances; the pace was indeed a bit crazy.

"Qing Shan, this…" Zhao Yongnian worried.

"Village Chief, opportunities like this won't come again," Lu Qingshan surveyed the crowd, "The province's huge support tests our initiative. If we dawdle, why would they keep supporting us?"

His words made sense; the villagers nodded one after another.

At that moment, an unexpected voice rang out:

"Qing Shan, I want to join too!"

Everyone turned; the speaker was Zhao Lao San.

"I know I wronged everyone before, but now I want to make amends!" Zhao Lao San's face flushed, "I've done masonry work; my skill isn't great, but I still have strength!"

Immediately, Zhao Lao Wu stepped forward: "Me too! I'll pitch in!"

The scene surprised everyone. Villagers debated, some skeptical, some supportive.

Lu Qingshan looked at their sincere faces, nodded, "Alright! Since we're all from Shanwan Village, let's work together!"

In the afternoon, the first truck of building materials arrived—cement, rebar, bricks, a full load.

Soon after, the newly added construction crew arrived. Leading them was the county's renowned Master Zhang, skillful and swift.

"Factory Director Lu, your schedule is indeed tight," Master Zhang frowned at the plans, "Under normal conditions, a plant like this needs at least a month."

"Master Zhang, I know it's difficult," Lu Qingshan handed over a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes, "Previously Baishan First Construction's team shared the timeline with you; we truly can't wait. Here's the deal: wages at 1.2 times the normal rate, plus daily meat and vegetable meals."

"1.2‑times wages and meat‑and‑veg!" Master Zhang's eyes lit up: "Deal! But we must agree that you can rest assured about quality."

"Of course!"

That night, the construction site buzzed with activity. Villagers split into three shifts, taking turns.

Zhao Tiezhu and Zhao Er Zhuang handled heavy loads; their combined strength equaled that of four ordinary people.

Liu Fugui, though not strong, was quick‑witted, coordinating miscellaneous tasks, running with sweat on his brow.

Even Zhao Lao San and Zhao Lao Wu worked hard, their movements clumsy but attitudes earnest.

"Hey, Zhao Lao San, your bricks aren't stacked neatly!"

"Got it, got it, I'll re‑stack!"

Seeing former rivals work so hard, the villagers' grudges gradually faded.

Late at night, the site remained brightly lit. Lu Qingshan joined the work personally, laboring alongside everyone.

"Brother Qing Shan, take a break!" Liu Fugui said with concern.

"No problem, everyone's working; how can I idle?" Lu Qingshan wiped his sweat and kept moving bricks.

Lin Yue'e and several village wives simmered porridge and cooked meals nearby, ensuring everyone had hot food.

At that moment, a line of car engines roared from afar. In the quiet night village, the sound was especially loud.

"Who's driving this late?" someone asked curiously.

Soon, a van pulled up at the edge of the construction site. The doors opened, and a few strangers stepped out, led by a man in his forties wearing gold‑rimmed glasses and a crisp suit.

"May I ask which one is Factory Director Lu Qingshan?" the middle‑aged man scanned the crowd.

"That's me," Lu Qingshan said, setting the brick in his hand down and walking over. "And you are?"

The man handed over a business card: "I am Sun Desheng, Business Manager of the Changchun Machinery Equipment Factory. I heard you're looking to purchase equipment, so I came specially to discuss."

Lu Qingshan took the card, his mind stirred. Coming all the way here so late, it seemed they were prepared.

"Manager Sun, you're being overly courteous, coming here at such a late hour."

"No, no!" Sun Desheng beamed. "For a major client like you, I'd come even at the dead of night! I heard the equipment you need is pricey, so our factory director sent me with the latest Quotation Sheet."

As he spoke, he pulled out a document and handed it to Lu Qingshan: "Take a look; this price is the most favorable in the industry!"

Lu Qingshan took the Quotation Sheet, shone his flashlight on it, and his brows immediately knit.

This price was at least thirty percent higher than the Market Price he had previously inquired about!