Chapter 376: Which Is More Important: Sacrifice or Salary?

The discussion between Yang Yu and Li Yue went extremely smoothly; they settled on a wedding date for National Day in no time, to the point where Li Ganshi, who had been dragged along as a matchmaker, said, "I didn't do a single thing and it was already over."

Indeed, how could men discuss money? Ugly truths were always spoken by women—that was the proper way to seal a marriage alliance in Dongshan, but Wu Juying had simply handled it beautifully: she provided a substantial dowry while also acknowledging that the groom's family would bear greater responsibility for the new household.

Similarly, Yang Yu was under considerable pressure: the bride's side had given him face and substance alike—now he should go home and think carefully about how he would treat Li Yue.

Since ancient times, a dowry has been a new bride's foundation of confidence; otherwise, how could Su Zhe have sold his house and land to raise a dowry for his daughter?

Though times have changed, human nature hasn't: even decades later, when women's status was soaring, those with good conditions married one way, and those with poor conditions married another.

Walking into marriage with empty hands and acting proud wasn't impossible—it just meant either the mother-in-law would break the bride, or the bride would drive the mother-in-law to death, depending on who had the greater cunning.

After seeing off Yang Yu, Li Yue and Li Zhongfa returned home beaming, but Wu Juying called her back.

"Xiao Yue, even if you don't know exactly how much our family has saved, you can guess roughly—most of your dowry came from your younger brother; you must understand that."

The highest salary in the Li family belonged to Li Zhongfa, earning over a hundred yuan a month; then came Wu Juying's pension, a few dozen yuan; Li Kaibian's few dozen; and Han Chunmei's twenty-some—totaling barely two hundred yuan.

Even so, in Qingshui County, this was already among the best-off households.

Yet after deducting food, clothing, daily expenses, and social obligations, the Li family could only save a hundred or so yuan per month—two years' savings still wouldn't buy a motorcycle, let alone a television, so they had to tap into Li Ye's money.

Li Yue blinked, then immediately said: "Nai, I won't let Xiao Ye pay for this—I'll save up and pay you back myself."

"You don't need to repay," Wu Juying said with quiet pride. "A dowry is a dowry—we'll repay it for you. Just remember your brother's kindness.

Once you're married, every penny you earn isn't yours anymore. Don't sneak things back to your natal home like a rat stealing from its nest. If people gossip and shame our Li family, I won't forgive you."

On this point, Wu Juying and Li Zhongfa held firm principles: if Li Yue had to repay the money, what kind of dowry would that be?

The speaker meant nothing by it, but the listener took it to heart. Han Chunmei, who was tidying chairs and sweeping up sunflower seed shells nearby, froze, then lowered her head in shame.

Compared to the Li family's daughter's wedding, her own marriage had been… inexpressibly miserable.

Wu Juying, sharp as ever, immediately noticed Han Chunmei's discomfort.

So she added: "Chunmei, your two daughters will be the same—when the time comes, the family will provide six dowry items, not one less."

Han Chunmei first stared blankly, then her nose twitched and tears welled up: "No, Mother, Xiao Juan and Xiao Ying are still young—I'll just add whatever I can afford then."

"How can that be?" Wu Juying said sternly. "Since these two girls carry the Li surname, we must treat them equally. We won't let outsiders mock us—do you understand?"

"I understand, Mother."

Han Chunmei began wiping her tears, nodding as she did.

"Alright, these ideas actually came from Xiao Ye. Your girls are lucky to have such a brother!"

"Yes, yes, Mother's right—they're truly blessed!"

Wu Juying looked at the weeping Han Chunmei, paused, then lowered her voice and asked softly: "I want to ask you—has anyone from that side come to see you or the children lately?"

Han Chunmei froze for five full seconds before understanding, then shook her head violently like a rattle drum.

"No, Mother, truly none—may I be struck by lightning if I lie."

"Good," Wu Juying whispered. "If anyone does come, you know what to do. Don't be blind to your blessings."

"I know, Mother. I know what to do!"

Han Chunmei answered through gritted teeth, her eyes red—this usually meek woman had suddenly found a fierce resolve.

After seeing off the Yang family, Li Zhongfa announced the family would stay in Jingcheng a few extra days, waiting for the Qingshui Instant Noodle Factory's inspection and learning group to arrive, and only return after completing their friendly exchange with Changbei Machinery Company.

This thrilled the two younger sisters to no end—they'd never visited Tiananmen, the Summer Palace, or Badaling, those scenic spots printed on their pencil cases!

"I'll call home to request leave—let your mother and sisters enjoy Jingcheng properly."

Li Kaibian also called to request leave for himself and Han Chunmei, lifting the gloom that had settled over Han Chunmei just moments before.

But Li Zhongfa quietly found Li Ye: "Where's Xiao Ruo? Wasn't she supposed to stay in Jingcheng?"

Li Ye whispered back: "She missed her mother and went back to Pengcheng for a few days. She'll return soon—her status allows her to buy plane tickets and fly, so it's convenient."

"This child is thoughtful—but also a poor child."

Li Zhongfa nodded slowly, then asked Li Ye: "So, about this upcoming inspection and exchange—will Pengcheng Red Bull be included?"

Changbei Machinery Company and Qingshui Food Company were both joint ventures with Pei Wencong's side, and Pengcheng Red Bull was the same situation.

So could Li Zhongfa visit Pengcheng Red Bull?

Li Ye paused, then shook his head: "Grandpa, I'm just a child. Don't ask me about things like this, okay?"

Li Zhongfa was stunned into silence for several seconds before retorting with complex emotion: "Are you trying to fool your grandfather? If I treated you as a child, I'd be blind as a bat."

The Qingshui Food Company inspection team arrived quickly, since they were on the eve of product launch and urgently needed "mature experience."

As the pioneer that had already earned its first pot of gold, Changbei Machinery Company was a model worth learning from.

But when Li Ye saw the team's massive size—over twenty people, including several half-grown children—he felt deep resignation toward certain customs of the era.

The problem was, despite his resignation, they treated Li Ye like an old friend.

"Xiao Ye, keep an eye on your little brother—he's never traveled far, don't let us be laughed at."

"Xiao Xia, stick close to Brother Li Ye—don't get lost! If you're hungry or thirsty, tell your brother."

I fucking—

Li Ye had no choice: these people had all been close to Li Zhongfa, and greeted him as Uncle, Uncle, Auntie—he was being trusted as the de facto leader of the group; he couldn't just refuse outright.

Li Zhongfa noticed his grandson's expression and took a chance to say: "I told them—expenses for non-essential personnel must be covered by themselves; they're just tagging along for safety."

Li Ye thought for a moment and said: "Grandpa, it's fine for units to offer family group tours as benefits—but they must be clearly separated from official work. Also, active producers could receive similar rewards."

What Li Ye described were the family team-building trips common in later eras—a benefit to strengthen employee loyalty to the enterprise.

Li Zhongfa agreed: "You're right, Xiao Ye. When I return, I'll hold a meeting to address this issue—I'll try to establish some rules before I retire."

Follow the established rules: many things in units worked this way. One leader took responsibility, set a precedent, and future generations benefited—or were constrained—so long as it didn't harm the majority's interests, it could endure for years.

"Dong dong qiang dong dong qiang dong dong dong dong dong dong qiang"

As soon as the Qingshui Food Company inspection team's bus pulled up to Changbei Machinery Company's gate, they were met with a roaring welcome—drums and gongs blared, banners fluttered, and a fresh sign read: "Warmly Welcome Our Qingshui Brothers for Inspection!"

As soon as Li Zhongfa stepped off the bus, Factory Director Wang saluted him with a crisp military salute.

Li Zhongfa's expression didn't change; he returned the salute, then smiled: "We're not soldiers anymore—let's be more relaxed. You're making everyone else uncomfortable."

Factory Director Wang gripped Li Zhongfa's hand warmly and said earnestly: "If I didn't know your background, I'd understand—but now that I do, I must show my respect.

Frankly, when I first got the call, I thought it was a scam—until I called Qingshui County and learned about your legendary deeds."

"Legendary deeds? Nothing worth mentioning."

Li Zhongfa smiled on the surface, but internally he was puzzled.

This inspection was arranged by Pei Wencong's people—how could Factory Director Wang have thought it was a scam? Why call Qingshui County to verify?

Only after entering Changbei Machinery Company did Li Zhongfa begin to see the signs.

The entire company had been artificially divided into two parts.

Eighty percent of the area was occupied by the original Changbei Machinery Factory workers; the remaining small portion was used by the Hong Kong side, separated by a low fence.

Li Zhongfa asked, puzzled: "Director Wang, is your Hong Kong side so uncouth they'd use a fence to separate you? That doesn't look like one family."

Factory Director Wang's expression darkened. He shook his head: "No—I ordered the fence. I don't know how your unit operates, but here, if we don't separate them, our fine traditions will be destroyed."

Li Zhongfa asked: "What fine traditions are you referring to?"

Factory Director Wang didn't answer. He waved his hand, and someone behind him immediately blew a whistle—short, sharp bursts.

One long, five short blasts—Li Zhongfa, a veteran of many years in the military, recognized it as an emergency assembly signal.

No sooner had the whistle ended than the factory erupted like boiling water—workers surged onto the open ground like soldiers, and within minutes, over a thousand men stood in perfect formation.

"This is our fine tradition," Factory Director Wang said proudly. "Frugal and simple, obey orders without question, fearless of hardship, willing to sacrifice."

He spoke at length—everything he said were indeed the virtues of the new Chinese working class, and even Li Zhongfa had to admit it.

But after finishing, he pointed to the Hong Kong side and said: "Yet in their eyes, it's all money, money, money, money. Everything, every action, is measured in money—as if money is all they see."

Factory Director Wang looked at Li Zhongfa and said gravely: "Old comrade, tell me—if this continues, will our workers still have a spirit of sacrifice? Which is more important: sacrifice or high wages?"

Li Zhongfa sighed, unsure whether to agree or oppose, but his face grew grim.

Factory Director Wang's words were spoken openly, with no attempt to hide them from those around—clearly, he wasn't afraid the Hong Kong side would hear; the conflict had already become obvious.

In a few more days, Li Zhongfa would shift from leading the mainland side to becoming the manager of the Hong Kong investment side.

At that point, he'd face the same situation as Changbei Machinery Company does now.

Guo Tianyong, Tang Mingtai, Li Dayong, and even Li Ye—all represented the Hong Kong side, basing enterprise management on wage levels, promoting rewards and punishments, more work, more pay.

But this would create income disparities within the workforce: everyone worked in the same unit, yet some earned forty yuan a month, others three hundred—what if the workers revolted? How would you resolve it? How would you explain it to superiors?

So the conflict arising from differing values and interests might very well erupt at Qingshui Food Company too—except then, Li Zhongfa would be the one wielding the cash as the new class.

Therefore, the matters Li Zhongfa needed to observe and consider during this inspection were far from few.

(End of Chapter)

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