Reborn in 1985: From Selling Braised Duck to Becoming the World's Richest Man

"Brother Jiang, it's just a few packs of cigarettes and a few bottles of liquor, nothing valuable at all."

"Besides, this watch isn't a gift for you; it's a gift for my sister-in-law."

"You can't make decisions for your sister-in-law, can you?"

Upon hearing this, Liang Ming immediately spoke to Jiang Tao.

Jiang Meizhuang chimed in, "That's right, brother."

“We all know you are honest and upright, but Liang Ming and I are not outsiders.”

"Is it illegal for a younger sister to give her older brother and sister-in-law some gifts?"

"I've heard from my sister-in-law for a while now that she wants a watch. You don't want to disappoint her, do you?"

Hearing Liang Ming and his sister's words, Jiang Tao was speechless for a moment.

"That may be true, but this is too much of a waste of your money, with wine, cigarettes, and a watch."

Jiang Tao hesitated.

“What’s the point of spending money? If I were to find a state-owned enterprise worker who doesn’t run a business as my partner, that would be fine, but Liang Ming doesn’t work for a state-owned enterprise.”

“We business people lack everything except money.”

Jiang Meizhuang said with a smile.

"You're being too arrogant. There's always someone better than you."

"You make money doing business, and you also do business outside, making a lot of money."

You should be more discreet.

Jiang Tao said to Jiang Meizhuang in an annoyed tone.

Hearing her elder brother's words, Jiang Meizhuang smiled awkwardly and said, "Brother, I understand the reasoning. I'm just being a little arrogant because we're family."

"Yes, Brother Jiang, Jiang Meizhuang and I are usually very low-key."

Liang Ming echoed this sentiment.

At this moment, Jiang Meizhuang's sister-in-law, Li Lan, came out of the kitchen carrying a dish of stir-fried pork with chili peppers and asked with a smile:

What are you talking about?

"Li Lan, my younger sister and her boyfriend bought you an Anchor brand watch and insisted that I accept it on your behalf."

Jiang Tao turned to his wife, Li Lan, and said with an awkward smile:

"And these two packs of Peony cigarettes, and two bottles of Golden Wine."

Upon hearing this, Li Lan's face also showed a strange expression, and she said:

"These cigarettes and alcohol aren't cheap."

"And this Anchor brand watch is too valuable; how can we accept it?"

"That's what I said too, but they insisted that I take it," Jiang Tao said helplessly.

Upon hearing this, Li Lan wanted to say something more.

Jiang Meizhuang quickly interrupted, saying:

"Sister-in-law, didn't you say that it's inconvenient to go to and from get off work without a watch?"

"We've already bought them, so it's not easy to return them. You should just accept them."

Hearing Jiang Meizhuang's words, Li Lan smiled helplessly and said, "You guys really are..."

"Alright, I'll accept it. It's just a token of my sister's affection."

"I can't buy such expensive things again next time."

After seeing Li Lan nod in agreement to accept the gifts, Jiang Tao quickly put away the Peony cigarettes and Golden Wine.

He sometimes drinks baijiu (Chinese liquor) when socializing outside, but he really doesn't smoke much.

There was no way around it; Li Lan was very strict.

He doesn't smoke a single cigarette at home.

Now, Liang Ming bought him two packs of Peony cigarettes, which was a real lifesaver.

Given Li Lan's personality, he would at least let him finish these two packs of Peony cigarettes.

For the next few months, he won't have to worry about not having cigarettes.

Li Lan also noticed Jiang Tao's actions, glared at him, and said:

"From now on, you can only smoke one cigarette a day. If you smoke more than that, I'll confiscate it."

Upon hearing Li Lan's words, Jiang Tao quickly replied, "No problem, I promise I'll only smoke one a day."

Being able to smoke one cigarette a day at home is already a pretty good result.

"Go wash your hands and get ready to eat. I have one more dish to finish."

Li Lan spoke to Liang Ming and Jiang Meizhuang.

Jiang Meizhuang waved the dishes in her hand and said, "Sister-in-law, I brought some dishes from the restaurant. They are all new dishes made by Liang Ming, and the chefs at the restaurant all think they are very good."

"I brought some specially so that you could try them together."

At this point, Liang Ming added, "Our restaurant's success today is entirely thanks to the new dishes that Liang Ming helped come up with."

Hearing Jiang Meizhuang's words, Li Lan also said curiously, "Oh? A new dish that Liang Ming came up with? Then we must try it."

"I've heard your brother say more than once that your restaurant is doing better and better."

As they were talking, the two went into the kitchen, one stir-frying the dishes and the other heating them up.

Jiang Tao then pulled Liang Ming to set out the bowls and chopsticks, and then took out a half-empty bottle of Moutai from his liquor cabinet.

"Liang Ming, I can't bear to open those two bottles of gold liquor so soon. Today, I'll drink this half-open bottle of Moutai with you instead?"

Jiang Tao said to Liang Ming with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Liang Ming nodded and said, "No problem, I haven't had Moutai in a long time either."

After setting out the bowls and chopsticks and pouring the white wine, Li Lan and Jiang Meizhuang came out of the kitchen.

"All the dishes are served, everyone please take your chopsticks."

Li Lan spoke, smiling.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Tao prepared to pick up his liquor glass and clink glasses with Liang Ming.

Li Lan glared at him and said irritably, "Eat something before you drink, or you'll ruin your stomach."

Jiang Tao didn't dare to refute his wife's words and nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Immediately, he gestured for Liang Ming and Jiang Meizhuang to start eating.

After eating some food, Jiang Tao picked up his wine glass and said earnestly to Liang Ming:

"Liang Ming, I've wanted to toast you with this glass of wine for a long time."

"If it weren't for your suggestion, I would never have thought of opening a radio assembly factory in Shitou Township."

"Now, thanks to this factory, Shitou Township has provided many jobs and created a lot of economic benefits for the township."

Upon hearing this, Liang Ming also raised his glass, clinked it with Jiang Tao's, and said:

"Brother Jiang, you flatter me. I was just mentioning it casually."

"The fact that the factory was built and has reached its current scale is entirely due to your efforts, and has nothing to do with me."

“How can it not be related? The start-up capital for that factory was provided by you and Meizhuang,” Jiang Tao said.

During their conversation, the two had already downed a glass of wine.

Immediately afterwards, Jiang Tao poured himself a second glass of wine and said to Liang Ming:

"Liang Ming, this second glass of wine is to thank you for opening a liquor factory in our Shitou Township and making it a success."

"Now, your Golden Winery is a well-known private enterprise in Taoyuan County."

"I heard that your Golden Winery's projected monthly sales exceed 20 yuan?"

Upon hearing this, Liang Ming nodded and said, "If nothing unexpected happens, we will indeed achieve this sales figure."

"However, this is only the sales revenue. If all costs are taken into account, the actual profit is not as much as you might imagine."

Jiang Tao nodded and said, "Even so, it's still a very good result."

"At least in Taoyuan County, there are fewer than a handful of private enterprises that can compare with your Golden Winery."

At this point, Jiang Tao paused for a moment and asked Liang Ming, "Do you know how the county leaders are evaluating your Golden Winery now?"