Siheyuan: Revenge of the Stupid Pillar

Early the next morning, He Yuzhu boarded a train bound for the capital of Anhui Province, carrying a schoolbag on his back.

April is not the peak season for students to start and end school holidays, so there weren't too many passengers on the train. However, He Yuzhu was still on high alert, because pickpockets were rampant in this era, and one could easily be robbed of everything if one wasn't careful.

In those days, trains traveled at a speed of about 54 kilometers per hour, and the distance from the capital to Luzhou was about 1109 kilometers, so the whole journey would take about 20 hours.

He Yuzhu arrived in Luzhou at 3 a.m. He was unfamiliar with the place and did not leave the station immediately, but waited in the waiting room until dawn before going out.

After leaving the train station, He Yuzhu ate some breakfast, found a decent hotel to sleep in, and then officially started working.

After making inquiries, He Yuzhu was able to reach the textile factory residential area in the county below.

He Yuzhu saw two women in their forties chatting with worried expressions, and walked over with a forced smile.

"Hey girl, I heard that our textile factory pays wages entirely with treasury bonds?"

"Yes! This is really worrying. The treasury bonds haven't matured yet and can't be used as cash. My whole family is almost starving."

He Yuzhu said with a sympathetic look, "This really can't go on!"

Seeing He Yuzhu dressed in a well-fitting Zhongshan suit with his hair neatly combed back, Aunt Wu asked curiously:

"Comrade, what do you do?"

He Yuzhu said in a friendly tone, "Sister, I'm a junior manager at a company in the city. I'm here to buy some treasury bonds to meet the factory's sales targets!"

Aunt Wu was overjoyed upon hearing this: "Brother, what is your surname?"

He Yuzhu smiled and said, "My surname is Cao!"

Another woman, Aunt Gu, spoke up first: "Brother Cao, are you really willing to buy treasury bonds?"

Aunt Gu was so excited that her voice cracked.

He Yuzhu nodded and said, "I do need to purchase some treasury bonds to meet the factory's sales targets, but I can only offer half the face value."

Aunt Wu frowned and said, "Why is it only 50% off? That's too low. Can't you offer a higher discount?"

He Yuzhu shook his head and smiled wryly, "Sister, our company has no use for these treasury bonds. We only acquired them out of necessity to complete the tasks assigned by our superiors, so we can only offer half price!"

Aunt Gu pleaded, "Brother Cao, it's not easy for us to save these treasury bonds. Our whole family depends on them to make a living. Could you please raise the price a little higher?"

He Yuzhu looked troubled and said, "Sister, I know you have it tough, and I want to help you, but I'm just a junior manager, and I really can't do anything to help you!"

"Brother Cao, you're a leader in the company. If you really want to help us, you must be able to find a way!"

"I'm just a junior supervisor, what kind of leader am I? Besides, the price was set by the factory manager, I really can't do anything about it!"

“Brother He, if you’re willing to raise the price a bit, I can mobilize everyone in the compound, and you can complete the task quickly.”

"Auntie, please don't make things difficult for me. There are countless people who want to exchange for treasury bonds right now. I'm not afraid of not completing the task at all."

"Brother He, please give us some face..."

Half an hour later, He Yuzhu, annoyed to no end, shouted, "One price is 50% off. Change it if you want, or I'm leaving right now."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Wu and Aunt Gu both revealed smug smiles.

"Brother Cao, wait here for a moment, I'll go home right away to get the treasury bonds."

A moment later, Aunt Wu and Aunt Gu came out with a group of older women.

Aunt Gu said impatiently, "Brother Cao, here are a thousand treasury bonds, take a look?"

He Yuzhu did not immediately accept the treasury bonds, but whispered:

“Aunt Gu, why did you bring so many people? Let’s make the transaction in your yard. The company only gave me a share of 20,000 yuan. If we make the transaction here and someone finds out, I might not be able to leave.”

Aunt Gu nodded vigorously, "Understood, let's go directly to my house to make the transaction!"

The other older women immediately became anxious upon hearing this.

“Brother Cao, my family also has treasury bonds.”

"Yes, my family also has treasury bonds, and we'd like to exchange them for cash."

He Yuzhu quickly reassured them, "Don't worry, ladies, let's go to Aunt Gu to make the deal. I'll exchange everything for you!"

"Very good!

Led by Aunt Gu, He Yuzhu entered the Textile City residential compound and arrived at Aunt Gu's home.

Without wasting any words, He Yuzhu took out 550 yuan and bought 1,000 yuan worth of treasury bonds from Aunt Gu.

When the others saw the cash, their eyes lit up, and they rushed to take out their treasury bonds to exchange for money with He Yuzhu, afraid that if they were too slow, they would miss out on the money.

In about ten minutes, He Yuzhu completed the acquisition, patted his briefcase, and prepared to leave.

Seeing that He Yuzhu was about to leave, Aunt Wu hurriedly said, "Brother Cao, could you wait a moment? My younger brother and sister's family also have a lot of treasury bonds, and they definitely want to exchange them for cash."

Aunt Gu immediately chimed in, "Yes, Brother Cao, my older brother and sister also have quite a few treasury bonds. Please wait a little longer!"

He Yuzhu was silent for a moment, then said with a forced expression, "Then hurry up, I have something to do later."

Aunt Gu was overjoyed and said, "Brother He, don't worry, my brother and sister also live in this courtyard, it'll only take less than ten minutes to get there."

In less than five minutes, people kept pouring into Aunt Gu's house from the courtyard.

He Yuzhu accepted all comers and kept exchanging them for treasury bonds.

As time went on, not only people from Aunt Gu's neighborhood came to exchange for the items, but people from nearby neighborhoods also came to exchange them.

Two hours later, the more than 200,000 yuan in cash that He Yuzhu brought had been exchanged, but there was still a long queue outside.

He Yuzhu stood up and said loudly, "Ladies and aunties, I'm sorry, I've run out of cash. Please go home!"

Those who hadn't been able to exchange their money for cash immediately erupted in anger, clamoring and refusing to let He Yuzhu leave.

He Yuzhu had no choice but to promise, "Everyone, please don't rush. Once I get back to the factory, I'll try to get more money to exchange, and then I'll come back and exchange it with you all."

"Are you telling the truth? You must be lying to me."

Before He Yuzhu could answer, Aunt Wu said discontentedly, "Zhao Chunhua, what are you saying? Brother Cao is a big leader in the factory, how could he lie to us?"

Zhao Chunhua chuckled awkwardly, "Sister Wu, don't blame me. After all, you all got cash while I didn't. That's why I was anxious."

Aunt Wu said sternly, "Even if you're anxious, you can't question Brother Cao. Quickly apologize to Brother Cao."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chunhua hurriedly bowed to He Yuzhu and apologized: "Brother Cao, I'm sorry, please don't take offense at an ignorant woman like me. It's just that my family is too poor, and everyone is waiting for rice to cook. I was so anxious that I had no other choice."

He Yuzhu said calmly, "It's alright, I understand how you feel. I'll apply for a quota as soon as I get back to the factory, and if things go smoothly, I can come back here again tomorrow afternoon."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chunhua exclaimed excitedly, "That's wonderful! Brother Cao, you are a benefactor to our whole family!"