Chapter 1799: State Reform

Ye Yaodong glanced at his watch; there was about half an hour left until the end of the workday. He began the handover process, and seeing that they seemed to have no heart for work, he didn't force them.

After all, they were still young, with the temperament of children. Having just received 10 yuan, they were likely too excited to sit still. In any case, he wasn't counting on them to do much work.

"If you don't want to go back to work, then go to the canteen. Everyone is chatting there; you can go join the fun and wait for dinner while you're at it."

"Alright."

They had been waiting for just these words.

Ye Xiaoxi turned and ran off, full of energy, while Pei Yu still remembered to wave at him.

Ye Yaodong also prepared to finish the remaining tasks at hand; he would be off work soon too.

He had been delayed for nearly two hours; otherwise, he could have left work long ago.

However, before leaving, he made a phone call to his father-in-law's side to let them know that Lin Guangyuan and Lin Guangwen would be on the train early tomorrow morning and would likely arrive home in two or three days.

These two also looked like they had no conscience; they kept saying they would call home to tell them, but they hadn't called yet. He didn't know if they still remembered, as they had been too caught up in their chatting.

Rather than waiting for them to remember, it was better for him to make the call for them.

Lin Fu had also known half a month ago that Lin Guangyuan had finished his advanced training and returned to his unit, and the family had been waiting for his call to tell them when he would be back.

This trip also included Lin Guangwen returning with him, which counted as an unexpected surprise. Both of the old folks were very happy and instructed them to call later to say what time they would arrive at the station and which station they would arrive at.

Ye Yaodong truly couldn't answer this, as he didn't know either, so when he went to the canteen, he instructed them immediately.

It just so happened that the canteen also provided a public phone for employees to use, so Lin Guangyuan went to make the call first.

The seven of them, big and small, sat around a table, and six or seven dishes had already been placed on it. He also went to get a bowl of rice and sat down to eat.

"Are you done chatting? If you're done, you two brothers should head to Shanghai early this afternoon. I'm worried there won't be a boat if you're late, and you have to catch the train early tomorrow morning. You must get to Shanghai tonight, or you won't make it."

Lin Guangwen replied, "My brother said he already checked when he came back a while ago; it's the 2 o'clock ferry. Anyway, his luggage has already been brought over and left at the guardhouse. We'll go out for a stroll after we finish eating, buy some things, and then go catch the boat. I don't have anything to bring either; I'll just grab two pieces of clothing later."

"As long as you have a plan in mind."

"I just forgot to call your little aunt to have her tidy up the room. Anyway, you guys should head out early after you finish eating; I'll make a call later to give instructions."

"It's fine, no need to tidy up. We're only staying for one night. In such hot weather, we can just sleep on the floor or the sofa; it doesn't matter. A roll of mat, we can lie down anywhere."

"Is that how a roll of mat is used? Isn't it for burying people anywhere?"

"Little Aunt-in-law, that's a very unlucky thing to say! We're about to head out!"

"Oh, oh, oh, my mistake, my mistake." Ye Yaodong didn't have any airs with them; he laughed heartily and admitted his mistake very quickly.

"Alright! I was wondering why I woke up and the dormitory was empty, not a single person. You guys actually ran out to eat alone and didn't call me to eat. Are you trying to starve me to death?"

Ye Chengjiang walked over aggressively, nearly slamming the table.

"You heartless bunch, we agreed to take turns getting food, and you actually ran out to have a private meal. I was wondering why I woke up and suddenly there wasn't a single person."

"Don't be agitated, don't be agitated. Look at these dishes, they're just the canteen's big-pot dishes, just served on separate plates; it doesn't count as a private meal." Lin Guangming quickly laughed to appease him.

Lin Guangwen laughed, "I said it felt strange just now, I felt like something was missing. So it was a person missing."

"If I starve to death in the dormitory one day and get maggots, you guys won't even notice."

"That wouldn't happen; uncle-in-law just said, a roll of straw mat can be used to bury someone anywhere."

Just as Lin Guangwen finished speaking, he saw him raise his hand as if to hit someone, so he quickly moved his stool back, stood up, and moved away from his seat, "I'll go get you some rice."

"Still know how to be sensible!"

Ye Chengjiang dragged his stool over and sat down, then looked at the people at the table, full of confusion.

"What big day is it today? You're all sitting here, and you didn't call me! Did you exclude me? Did I do something that angered both heaven and man?"

"You really sleep like the dead; we got up and you didn't even know." Lin Guangming said with disdain.

"I was sleepy, I didn't come back to sleep until 4 o'clock. I vaguely heard some movement and thought you guys got up to pee. Who knew that the more I slept, the more I felt something was wrong. There wasn't even a single snore, the dormitory was terrifyingly quiet. Subconsciously, I felt it wasn't normal, so I woke up suddenly, and it turned out there really wasn't a single person."

Lin Dongxue explained, "That was because we were afraid of disturbing your sleep, so we called them out to talk. Oh, right, it's because Lin Guangyuan came over."

"Ah? Lin Guangyuan came over? Where? I don't see him."

Lin Dongxue pointed to the window of the small shop, "He's over there making a phone call, he'll be over in a bit."

Ye Chengjiang stretched his neck, but he didn't see the person inside the window either.

"Did he get a promotion after coming back? How many years has he been a soldier? Seven or eight years, right?"

"Yes, I heard he has the rank of second lieutenant, and he's already a squad leader on the warship."

"Squad leader? Awesome, impressive." Ye Chengjiang was a bit confused about this position and didn't really understand the navy system, but a leader was a leader, and it was better than being a small soldier.

Lin Guangyuan happened to finish his call and walked over, and the two of them greeted each other.

They often played together when they were young, so they were very familiar with each other.

"Do you know? Ah Hai is married and even has a child, and he's two years younger than you! Chenghe is also married and has a son, and he's 5 years younger than you!"

Lin Guangyuan: "..."

He didn't remember when he had made an enemy of Ye Chengjiang; they had just met and he wanted to poke two bloody holes in him.

But he wasn't someone who would just sit and wait for death; he pulled out a stool and sat down calmly to counterattack.

"I remember, you're only one year younger than Ah Hai and two years older than Chenghe. They are already fathers, you should be a father too, right?"

"Hahahaha..."

Everyone at the table suddenly burst into laughter.

Ye Chengjiang closed his mouth tightly; he shouldn't have had such a sharp tongue, he had lifted a rock only to drop it on his own feet.

"It seems you're not a father yet, then it should be soon, right? You have a wife, right?"

"Hahaha..."

Everyone laughed even louder, as loud as they could, especially Lin Guangming and Lin Guangwen, who spared no effort in mocking him.

Ye Chengjiang stared at the rice in his bowl; he just wanted to tease someone, but the boomerang had poked him instead.

"No wife? Then you should have a partner, right?"

"That's enough, I only stabbed you twice, and you want to stab me three times."

"You don't even have a partner? You're not doing well. You spoke so loudly just now, I thought you were a father and the child was yours. With two examples in front of you, you don't even know how to learn from them."

"Alright, eat, eat, stop laughing, the food is getting cold, hurry up and eat while it's hot."

Ye Chengjiang changed the subject and pretended to be calm as he invited everyone to eat.

In front of so many people, it was quite embarrassing; he had lifted a rock only to drop it on his own feet.

He had originally wanted to tease others, but ended up being countered.

Lin Dongxue was laughing to the point of tears, "No rush, it's midsummer, it's fine to eat cold food. Do you have anything else to say?"

"Say your head."

"Hahaha..."

"It's too funny, you don't have a wife or children yourself, don't you have any self-awareness? How dare you use this to attack my brother? It's hilarious." Lin Guangwen slapped the table and laughed out loud.

Ye Chengjiang glared at him sideways, "Eating can't even block your mouth."

Ye Yaodong also thought it was very funny, "Ah Yuan's leader has already introduced a partner to him, it should be a sure thing. You should worry about yourself; people might have children running around by then, and you don't even have a wife."

"Nonsense, who are you looking down on? I just don't want to get married so early. I haven't had enough fun yet, what's the rush to get married? When I've had enough fun, I'll get married."

"Stop bragging, the girl you met at the social gathering last year and wrote several letters to, didn't she choose someone else in the end?"

"Shut up! Don't hit people in the face, don't expose people's shortcomings! It was because I didn't give her a definite answer that she was disappointed and chose someone else."

Lin Guangming and Lin Guangwen rolled their eyes together.

"Fine, I'll leave you some face."

"What I said is the truth, you xxx..." Ye Chengjiang cursed a couple of dirty words, trying to regain some face.

After a noisy meal, Lin Guangwen went back to the dormitory to pack his clothes, and Lin Guangyuan followed Ye Yaodong to the office to sit and wait.

Ye Yaodong also needed to call Lin Xiuqing to have her tidy up the room in the evening.

"... Actually, it doesn't have to be that much trouble. Little aunt has been working all day and is tired. We can just lie down for a night, no need to tidy up, it's too much trouble."

Lin Guangyuan felt that he was only staying for one night, not living there permanently, and it was quite embarrassing to cause trouble for others.

"It's not much trouble, just tell Ye Chenghu to do it."

"That works, young people should be diligent."

Ye Chengjiang asked from the side, "Where are you getting off the train?"

"I have to get off at the provincial capital, then transfer to the city train. There's no direct sleeper train that day, so I have to transfer."

"Ah Hai is in the provincial capital. When you get to the provincial capital, you can call him and go to his house to sit for a while."

"I'll see the situation when I get there. He's probably quite busy now, he shouldn't have time."

"How could he not have time? Call him now and say you're on the train tomorrow and will be in the provincial capital in two days, and have him set up a welcome banquet for you! It's rare for you to have leave, who knows when the next time will be. You didn't make it to his wedding banquet or his full-month banquet, have him make it up to you, get the welcome banquet arranged."

Ye Yaodong also nodded straight away, "If you have enough time, call him. If you say it now, he'll definitely be able to arrange the time. Have him pick you up at the station."

"That works, I haven't seen him in many years. It's rare to pass through the provincial capital, so I'll go find him to chat and reminisce."

Ye Yaodong found the number for him and let him call himself.

The phone was for the small factory Ye Chenghai had expanded. His wife, Bai Xiaoqin, answered it. Ye Chenghai was out running business, so she could only have his wife pass on the message.

Lin Guangyuan was about to head out and then go to Shanghai, so he didn't have time to wait for a return call. He had Ye Yaodong pass the message on his behalf, or leave a Shanghai phone number.

Not having a mobile phone was so inconvenient; contacting one person required going in circles, making several calls, and you might not even be able to reach them in a day.

Ye Yaodong was already prepared to buy a big brother phone. Although it couldn't be used across provinces, it would be barely acceptable to use it locally. He had many social engagements now, and sometimes when he wasn't at the factory and was out, it was inconvenient for people to contact him.

However, it was noon and the sun was strong, so he wouldn't go out now. He would let Lin Guangyuan and Lin Guangwen go out to bask in the sun.

"Is Ah Hai's business doing okay now?"

Lin Guangyuan was full of curiosity. They hadn't been in contact for a few years, and it seemed everyone had their own encounters.

"It's okay. Two years ago, in order to marry a wife, he bought a house in the provincial capital, and then tinkered with a small workshop himself. When I went to eat the full-month banquet last year, he said he wanted to expand production. Now he has a small factory? I don't know much about it, I haven't been to see it, we just chatted during the New Year."

"Impressive, he started his own business. I've also heard some friends talk about it, it seems it's very easy to make money by going to sea now."

"Yes, there is economic support now, especially this year, a series of policies have been opened up one after another. You know about the Canton Fair, right? Production enterprises weren't allowed to participate before, but this year they can. We went to participate a few months ago, and we have to apply for the second half of the year next month."

"I've heard a little bit, it's a pity the army forbids doing business. If I hadn't gone to be a soldier, I would have learned from Ah Hai and done business."

"There aren't so many 'ifs'. The path you're on now is the one you insisted on choosing back then."

"I don't regret it, I'm just a bit emotional thinking about what Ah Hai is doing now."

"No need to be emotional, everyone has their own path. Your future is also bright, and if you marry a good partner, you can also rise rapidly."

"Hehe, I hope so."

Just as they were talking, Lin Guangwen came over with a backpack, "Let's go, brother, I've packed."

"Just one schoolbag, that works, simple, easy, and convenient. Otherwise, it's not easy to squeeze onto the train."

Lin Guangwen patted his schoolbag, "It was issued by uncle-in-law, custom-made during the Canton Fair. There happened to be extras, so they issued us one. In summer, there are only a few pieces of clothing, stuffing them in is enough."

"Let's go, we'll head out first, little uncle-in-law, we'll come over again when we have time."

"Go ahead."

The two waved at everyone in the office and walked away under the big sun.

Lin Guangming and Ye Chengjiang were still sitting in the office with their legs crossed, blowing the fan, watching them with envy.

"I want to go home too."

"Me too."

"Stop thinking about it, I'm going to lock the door and take a nap, you two go do whatever you need to do."

The two went out lingeringly.

Ye Yaodong looked at the lazy Ye Chengjiang, "You've already woken up and finished lunch, why aren't you going out to drive the big truck? You still owe loans at the bank, and you can still sleep?"

Ye Chengjiang immediately had a constipated look, "Third uncle, I think you just can't stand seeing people idle. Didn't I just finish eating? You won't even let me rest."

"And the sun is so poisonous, there are fewer goods and more trucks during the fishing ban period, no need to work so hard. Yesterday I went out from the morning and worked until the early hours, it nearly cost me my life. Otherwise, could I have slept so soundly this morning?"

Ye Yaodong patted him on the shoulder, "While you're young, if you can't work yourself to death, then work yourself to death."

"Damn, look at what you're saying."

"Work hard now, and later you'll know how worth it your current efforts are."

"I'll take your word for it!"

Ye Chengjiang put his arm around Lin Guangming's shoulder, "Let's go, brother will take you to make money."

Lin Guangming wanted to break free but couldn't, and was forced to be dragged along, "Hey, hey, who wants to go make money with you? It's noon and it's scorching, I'm going to get heatstroke."

"Third uncle said, if you can't work yourself to death, then work yourself to death. Let's go, you're idle anyway, and you're the only one in the dormitory, it's boring, let's go."

"I'm not bored, who's bored? You guys aren't there, I don't know how quiet it is, I can take a nap when I go back, no one is bothering me."

"You're young, can you even sleep?"

"Why wouldn't I be able to sleep?"

"You haven't even married a wife, you still need to strive, what are you sleeping for? Let's go, let's go together, it'll be company, otherwise it's easy to become lazy and develop inertia, and become a lazybones later."

"Crazy... it's not like it's a good thing, you have to drag me out to bask in the sun..."

Lin Guangming was dragged along, cursing as he walked, but he was also half-pushed and half-willing.

Ye Yaodong complained in the back, "Playing hard to get, saying no with your mouth but your body is very honest."

Fortunately, the two in front didn't hear it, otherwise Lin Guangming would have jumped up.

In this hot weather, he was sweating profusely just walking to the dormitory, it was really diligent of them to be able to persist in running out to take private jobs.

In the dormitory, Ye Chengyang, Ye Xiaoxi, and Pei Yu were playing.

The two siblings were now sleeping in the same room as him. Ye Xiaoxi was a year older than last year, and it was even less appropriate for her to go sleep in their boys' room.

He simply had Ye Chengyang move over too. If he came back too late at night, at least the two siblings would have company.

"You guys go play in another room, don't be noisy here, I'm going to sleep."

"Dad, has the big cousin left?"

"He left."

"Then when will he be back?"

"In half a month, probably."

Ye Chengyang also asked, "Then are we not going back to our hometown this summer vacation?"

"Probably not, I don't have time to send you back. Your grandfather already went back in advance during the fishing ban period. I'll send you back when the winter vacation starts."

"Alright."

"Then let's go play in Ah Jiang's room."

"Hmm, they just happened to go out, there's no one in the room, you go play there, remember to do your homework."

"Got it."

The three ran off with their toys, they didn't really "get it" at all.

Spring sleepiness, autumn fatigue, winter weakness, summer heat is just right for sleeping.

It was near dusk in the afternoon when Ye Yaodong received Ye Chenghai's call, which showed how busy he was, only coming home at mealtime.

He informed Ye Chenghai of the train number and arrival time left by Lin Guangyuan, and told him that he could also call the number at the Pudong home in the evening to contact Lin Guangyuan directly.

He also took the opportunity to ask a few questions about the situation of Ye Chenghai's small factory, and was told that they had already secured several big orders this year.

It had only been about half a year so far this year, and his small factory's output value was nearly 500,000, which was quite good, and he was very satisfied.

And Ye Chenghai also told Ye Yaodong that the shipyard had also received a notice of reform for state-owned enterprises, and they had already reached a further agreement.

But it was different from the expected spending a sum of money or taking out a loan to contract it. After all, an individual couldn't come up with that much money to contract such a large shipyard.

Small units might be able to be contracted by individuals, but for such a large unit, an individual couldn't do it.

"... It's adopting a profit-sharing increase contract, profit-sharing for excess profits, etc. It's roughly determining the base, increasing year by year, and keeping the excess profits for sharing... There are other things I can't remember, anyway, there are very detailed rules and regulations, and outsiders can't get involved."

"And I have to pay a risk deposit. My father-in-law's side can't come up with it, and he can't take out a loan for a mortgage. An individual doesn't have much assets for a mortgage, so he can't borrow much."

"So I invested 200,000 for him as a risk deposit, and we agreed on a share of about 20%. The management rights and operation rights were all given to him, and he found others to come up with 300,000."

(Clarification: This 500,000 is a risk deposit, not the contract amount. You didn't look carefully. The local area is also worried that the individual will go bankrupt after taking over. And a portion of the profits will have to be handed over next year. I also checked, in those days, an individual taking out millions, they wouldn't just take it over casually.)

"My father-in-law is the factory director himself, familiar with operations and worker management, as well as dealing with the government. It's most appropriate to hand it over to him for management. This is also why he can prioritize contracting it. Now he has already signed a contract with the government, and has legal autonomous management rights."

"The shipbuilding industry has also been developing rapidly in the past two years. Those instruments are becoming more and more advanced. Looking at it, it's much stronger than in previous years. Ships are being built better and better, and more and more. Even the supply of accessories here has increased."

"I don't have time to manage it. Anyway, I've got a foot in the door and signed the contract, that's enough. As for the rest, how my brother-in-law and my father-in-law share the profits, and how my father-in-law gives them shares, that's their own business, they can figure it out themselves."

"I put up my money, I only take my own share. I don't have extra energy to put into the shipyard, as long as I can supply the accessories for the factory 100%, that's enough. My energy now is also on my own small factory."

Ye Yaodong listened to his long string of talk, and understood it half-heartedly, but he understood that they had negotiated and divided it internally.

His father-in-law took the big share, after all, it was his father-in-law who had been operating it all along, and the government also recognized his father-in-law's face. Other people's faces weren't useful, and they wouldn't dare to take it over casually.

Just based on this, his father-in-law had to take the big share. This was no longer a matter of money, but the use of interpersonal relationships.

"So you probably took advantage?"

"Pretty much. The shipyard can be considered my biggest and most stable manufacturer. Of course, I have to fully support my father-in-law, but the share that belongs to me must also be given to me."

"You've made something of yourself, next time I have to call you Boss Ye."

Ye Chenghai grinned, "Don't tease me, how would I dare to show off in front of Guan Gong? Compared to you, third uncle, I'm far behind."

"This matter was also implemented last month. I wanted to tell you, but my small factory here is also busy expanding, and I'm out running business all day, busy all day and not home."

"After calling you twice and no one answered, I was interrupted by other things, so I put it aside first. Anyway, it wasn't anything urgent, and I was busy, so I thought I'd just say it when I called and got through."

"It just happened today, so I'll let you know."

Ye Yaodong responded indifferently. He had long since thrown this matter to the back of his mind and hadn't paid attention to it.

He himself had been very busy these past few months, and hadn't been idle since the beginning of the year, busy like a spinning top, running here and there, where would he have time to think about others. ===== CHAPTER 1800 =====