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

"Lu Jin, you three, why are you back so soon?"

"Zhanzhi, didn't I tell you to go to the kitchen of Xiangmanlou Restaurant and steal the recipe for Boiling Shrimp?"

"Gao Jie, you guys can't even handle such a small thing?"

Several employees working at the state-run restaurant frowned slightly and questioned their relatives in a cold and arrogant tone when they saw that their relatives had returned so quickly.

In their view, it was an honor for them to arrange for their relatives to learn the secrets of Xiangmanlou.

Otherwise, he wouldn't even give these poor relatives a second glance on a normal day, even though he was a state-owned restaurant worker.

It can be said that the arrogance of employees in state-run restaurants is inherited from top to bottom.

Lu Jin and his two companions were initially feeling guilty because they hadn't been able to complete the task entrusted to them by their relatives and had even been recruited by the owner of Xiangmanlou.

Hearing his relative's arrogant attitude, his face immediately darkened.

“Cousin, this recipe isn’t so easy to steal, and we’re not capable of doing such despicable things.”

Lu Jin snorted coldly and said.

When Lu Jin's cousin saw his younger cousin dare to speak to him like that, he was immediately enraged:

"Lu Jin, what's your attitude?"

If your dad hadn't begged me to find you a job, you'd still be peeing on the street right now!

Do you know how much effort I put into finding you a job?

Upon hearing this, Lu Jin sneered, "Cousin, don't flatter yourself. What kind of work do I do?"

Stealing recipes from other restaurants? Aren't you ashamed to admit it?!

"Besides, I applied for this job myself, so what did you assign me?"

When Lu Jin's cousin heard his younger cousin's words, his face turned a little red with embarrassment, but he still stubbornly said, "Fine, Lu Jin, you said it yourself."

I give you some tasks, but you can't do them well.

"Don't come to me with any problems in your family from now on. I won't find you any more work to do."

“What a coincidence, cousin! I was just about to tell you that I’ve found a job. I’m working as a security guard at Xiangmanlou Restaurant,” Lu Jin said.

Upon hearing this, Lu Jin's cousin was stunned for a moment, then sneered, "I was wondering where you got such confidence. So you've turned against us and become a watchdog for Xiangmanlou Restaurant."

Hearing his cousin's harsh words, Lu Jin's face darkened, and he said:

"Yes, I went to work as a watchdog for Xiangmanlou Restaurant, but they only paid me 60 yuan a month."

Unlike you, my cousin, who has been working at this state-run restaurant for almost ten years, I heard that your monthly salary is only 45 yuan.

I heard that my cousin's wife said behind your back that you're useless and even want to run away.

Hearing Lu Jin's words, Lu Jin's cousin was both shocked and furious.

Surprisingly, Xiangmanlou Restaurant is so wealthy that even a security guard at the gate earns 60 yuan a month.

What angered him was that Lu Jin had touched a nerve; he worked diligently and conscientiously at the state-run restaurant every day.

All the benefits went to Director Bai, while the dirty and tiring work was all done by them. In the end, they only received 45 yuan a month in wages.

"Alright, cousin, you can stay and work as a waiter in your state-run restaurant and keep your job secure. I'm going to Xiangmanlou Restaurant to make big money."

After showing off his wages, Lu Jin glanced at his cousin with disdain, then turned and left.

He had already told his relatives this, Zhan Zhi and Gao Jie, who were standing next to him.

After the three left, Lu's cousin and two other relatives had uncertain expressions.

"If we fail to steal the recipe, we're definitely going to get a scolding from Director Bai."

"What the hell is this!"

Lu Tangge snorted and said, "Being scolded by Director Bai? Heh, maybe this time we can turn the tables and scold Director Bai."

Both of them were taken aback when he said that.

"Brother Lu, what do you mean by that?"

"Didn't you hear what my cousin said? He works as a security guard at Xiangmanlou, and his monthly salary is equivalent to ours in a month and a half. Can you really tolerate this?"

"Anyway, I can't stand it. Why don't we take this opportunity to gather our colleagues and ask Director Bai for a raise?"

Upon hearing Lu Tangge's words, the other two's eyes lit up.

The three of them got right to work and immediately shared the information about the wages their relatives had obtained from Xiangmanlou Restaurant with their colleagues.

When the employees of other state-owned restaurants heard that the security guards at other private restaurants were paid more than them, they immediately became unhappy.

That afternoon, a strike broke out at a state-run restaurant in the county town!

In the mid-80s, strikes by employees of state-owned restaurants were rare.

This commotion alarmed the county, which sent people to investigate.

Bai Shi, the director of the county's state-run restaurant, felt like dying when he heard that the restaurant staff were going on strike.

To appease the workers at the state-run restaurant, the county government not only increased their wages.

Bai Shi was also taken away for disciplinary action due to issues such as losing his ideals and beliefs, betraying his original aspirations and mission, withholding employees' wages, and seeking personal gain.

Of course, these are things to follow.

……

After returning to Liangjia Village, Liang Ming went to the village's cotton mill.

When the villagers in the factory saw Liang Ming arrive, they all showed a look of respect on their faces.

The job they were given was provided by Liang Ming.

If it weren't for Liang Ming leading their village's cotton mill to extract oil, all of them would have been unemployed for six months.

"Boss Liang!"

"Boss Liang!"

The villagers all spoke up to greet him.

Although Liang Ming is considered a junior in the village, the villagers are all willing to call him "boss" at the factory.

"Is the village chief here?" Liang Ming nodded to the villagers and then asked.

"Yes, the village chief is in the factory office."

After receiving the reply, Liang Ming went to the cotton mill director's office.

"Liang Ming, you've come at the right time. We've almost run out of cottonseed and it's time to reorder some."

When village chief Liang Jianguo saw Liang Ming arrive, he said with a smile.

"Ten tons of cottonseed, all used up?" Liang Ming's expression showed a slight surprise upon hearing this.

"Ten tons of cottonseed is only enough to press oil for ten days, and now there is only enough for two days."

Liang Jianguo explained.

"Okay, let's order another batch then. The cottonseed oil pressing work can't stop."

Liang Ming said.

This cottonseed oil is supplied to Cai Han's butter processing plant every day, which is also a stable business.

He was happy to be able to help the villagers make money.

"Liang Ming, should we increase the amount of cottonseed we ordered this time?" Liang Jianguo asked.

Liang Ming thought for a moment and said, "Let's order 30 tons of cottonseed this time. If it's too small, we'll have to reorder in a few days."

"Okay." Liang Jianguo nodded; in fact, that was what he was thinking too.

"30 tons, that's 6000 yuan for the goods."

"I'll return the money tomorrow."

Hearing that it would cost 6000 yuan to buy 30 tons of cottonseed, Liang Ming felt a pang of pain, but still nodded and said yes.

The profit margin on this cottonseed oil is 100%, making this a sure-fire way to make money.

After explaining the cottonseed issue, Liang Jianguo hesitated for a few seconds, as if he wanted to say something but didn't.

"Village chief, is there something you want to tell me?"

Liang Ming noticed the village chief's expression and asked.

"Liang Ming, how do you think the people in our village treat you?" Liang Jianguo thought for a moment and then asked.

"The uncles and aunts in the village are all very kind to me and take good care of my family."

Although he didn't know why the village chief asked this, Liang Ming still answered.

Finally, he got straight to the point and asked, "Village chief, I am a member of Liangjia Village. You can speak freely if you have anything to say."

"Then I'll be frank." Seeing that Liang Ming had already said so, Liang Jianguo no longer hid anything.

"I heard that you recently took Gou Dan and Ji Wa up the mountain to dig for wild produce, and they made some money."

"Many people in the village saw this and wanted to ask you through me if they could also take them to do this work?"