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

After dinner, it was completely dark.

Liang Ming drew water from the well in the courtyard, washed up, lit a kerosene lamp, and went back inside.

In those days, the village already had power lines. Families like Liang Ming's, where both parents worked, naturally had electricity.

But the elderly couple had been frugal their whole lives, and they still used kerosene lamps on ordinary days.

To make the room brighter, Liang Ming twisted the ring on the side of the kerosene lamp, lengthening the lamp cord, and the flame immediately became much brighter.

Liang Ming took out paper and a pen, bent over a wooden table, and began to write down his plan:

"1. Now is the seventh year of reform and opening up, and the first wave of people going into business. We must seize the opportunity, make money, build factories, and take the lead in occupying the market."

"2. My parents are getting old and their health is declining. The state-owned sugar factory will be dissolved in a few years, so we should build a small villa for them to retire and enjoy their retirement."

"3. My younger sister has good grades and has always wanted to serve the people. In this life, I must help her get into Handong University of Political Science and Law!"

"4. The price of Moutai on the market has already started to rise. The market price is 8 yuan, and the black market price is 20 yuan. In another two years, it can be speculated to 80 yuan a bottle. Save money, hoard Moutai, and make a fortune!"

"5,..."

Liang Ming wrote down a lot of money-making plans in one go, becoming more and more excited as he wrote.

It was already the mid-80s, and his money-making ideas were not only quick to generate income, but also extremely profitable.

Most importantly, there's no need to worry about being labeled as a speculator.

If it were a few years earlier, any one of these plans would have been enough to make him eat peanuts several times over.

……

The next morning, after getting up, Liang Ming took his enamel mug, toothbrush, and towel to the well in the yard, ready to brush his teeth and wash his face.

"Brother, you're awake? Perfect timing to help me pump the well water out, I'm not strong enough."

Liang Jing, the younger sister who was worrying by the well, saw Liang Ming as if she had seen a savior.

In those days, many rural areas still did not have running water.

If villagers want water, they can only dig a well in their yard and install a hand-cranked water pump.

This type of hand-cranked water pump well requires two people to work together when using water.

One person scoops water with a ladle and pours it into the pump, while another person presses the lever to pump the water out.

"Crash!"

Soon, Liang Ming pumped out clear, cool well water.

Liang Jing, the younger sister, was standing nearby and quickly filled an aluminum bucket with water.

Liang Ming first filled an enamel cup with well water, took a few sips, and sighed, "This well water is still so sweet."

The groundwater at that time was not yet polluted, and the heavy metal content was not excessive, so it was safe to drink directly.

After washing up, Liang Ming went into the kitchen, took out the leftovers from last night, stir-fried and heated them up, and cooked a pot of sweet potato and coarse grain porridge. Breakfast was ready.

"Son, you're going to set up a stall to sell braised duck today, you'll need to buy a lot of fresh duck meat, right? Where are you planning to buy it?"

Father Liang Min asked his son while eating breakfast.

"I'll buy it at the market in town later," Liang Ming replied.

In the early 80s, people who wanted to buy meat had to go to the supply and marketing cooperatives. Because of the shortage of meat resources, the meat at the supply and marketing cooperatives was not only expensive, but also required meat coupons to buy.

However, with reform and opening up, economic development, and increased pork production, the government changed the purchase of pork from unified purchase to contract purchase.

In addition, the government has relaxed restrictions on farmers raising chickens and ducks, and farmers who raise more than three chickens and ducks are no longer considered to be a capitalist vestige.

So by the mid-80s, ordinary people could buy meat at markets and farmers' markets without needing grain coupons, although the price of meat was a bit higher than at supply and marketing cooperatives.

After having breakfast, Liang Ming went to the town market and found a butcher shop selling chickens and ducks.

"Young boss, what would you like to order?"

The butcher walked over and asked.

Because many ordinary people went into business after the reform and opening up, the way they were addressed also changed.

They address everyone as "little boss," just like in the 1970s when people called someone "master."

"How much for your slaughtered duck?" Liang Ming asked.

"If you have a meat coupon, it's 7 cents a pound; if you don't, it's 9 cents a pound," the butcher said.

Upon hearing this, Liang Ming thought the price was fair. He calculated that a pound of meat coupons would cost about 15 cents on the black market.

"Give me 10 ducks. I don't have any meat coupons. Weigh them and see how much it costs," Liang Ming said.

Upon hearing this, the butcher's eyes widened; this was a big sale.

The young man in front of me looked simply dressed, but I didn't expect him to buy ten ducks right away.

"Ten ducks, weighing a total of 30.3 jin, at 9 mao per jin, that's 27 yuan and 27 mao in total. I'll round it down to 27 yuan for you!"

After weighing the meat, the butcher said in a deliberately generous manner.

In reality, he was still a little heartbroken.

After all, 27 cents could buy two pounds of refined grain.

However, this young man in front of me is clearly a big customer. If I can build a good relationship with him, I might be able to earn even more money in the future.

"Boss, no need to round it down, just make it 27.27 yuan!"

Liang Ming naturally knew what the butcher was thinking, but he came to the market to buy duck meat to make braised duck just for convenience.

If the braised duck business goes well, he will definitely look for a larger meat supplier, so he doesn't want to owe them this favor.

After saying that, Liang Ming took out a wad of money tied with a rubber band from his pocket. It contained 2 cents, 1 mao, 5 mao, 1 yuan, and 2 yuan.

He took out 27.27 yuan and gave it to the butcher, who then put all the ducks into a net bag and gave him a receipt.

After strolling around the market and buying some things he needed to set up his stall, Liang Ming returned to Liangjia Village and began preparations for selling braised duck.

Having already made braised duck once, Liang Ming found it much easier to do it again.

Heat a pot over a fire, blanch the duck, add the braising spices, and simmer.

To make the braised duck more flavorful, Liang Ming specially simmered it for two hours this time.

Finally, take the cooked braised duck out, and after preparing the braising liquid, put it in a yellow enamel jar for later use.

After preparing the braised duck, Liang Ming fed the mule in the yard a full load of hay and then harnessed it to a cart.

These days, the main means of transportation for ordinary people are still bicycles and mule carts.

Since Liang Ming wanted to set up a stall, he naturally couldn't use a bicycle. If he used a mule cart, he could simply park it on the roadside, and the handcart could be used as a stall, which would be more convenient.

After harnessing the mule cart, Liang Ming loaded 30 jin of braised duck, a yellow enamel jar containing the braising liquid, a cutting board for slicing the duck, a cleaver, a steelyard, and a basket for collecting money onto the cart.

In addition, there is oil paper used to wrap braised duck.

"Everything is ready. Let's start this 'ten-thousand-yuan household' business by setting up a stall to sell braised duck!"

Liang Ming wiped the sweat from his forehead, a confident smile playing on his lips as he murmured to himself.