Chapter 31: The Path to Wealth

The tile factory wasn't always like this.

When Yang Hongshan first became the factory director, there were more than eighty employees, and after accounting for inventory losses, the factory generated about 20,000 yuan in annual profit. This profit was minimal, but compared to other enterprises in the Forestry Bureau, it was still somewhat better.

The real problem arose in Yang Hongshan's second year when the State Council issued a call to transform the enterprise operating mechanism. This call led to the widespread implementation of the "Three Breaks" in local enterprises.

The "Three Breaks" referred to breaking the "iron rice bowl" (job security), the "iron chair" (positions of authority), and the "iron wages" (guaranteed wages).

This was a solution proposed by the state to address the long-standing issues of "a poorly run enterprise where the factory director keeps their job, employees continue to receive their pay even if the unit is losing money, and low production tasks with unresolved inventory." It was an experimental solution aimed at labor, personnel, and distribution systems in state-owned production units.

When this policy was introduced, Yang Hongshan saw it as a treasure and implemented reforms directly in the factory.

What was the situation with the "Three Breaks" reform?

It essentially dissolved the collective labor contracts between the enterprise and grassroots workers. Wages were no longer fixed, employment was no longer lifelong, and work was no longer guaranteed, with wages and employment fluctuating based on performance. Moreover, the factory had the authority to dismiss employees with extremely poor performance.

The tile factory's reform was carried out vigorously, and under Yang Hongshan's strict management, more than twenty people were dismissed within two months. After three months of intense reform, the factory's performance skyrocketed.

However, the downside was that while the "Three Breaks" were implemented, labor protection did not keep pace—three laid-off female workers, with no support, went to the entrance of the Commerce Bureau and drank pesticide.

The tile factory was not an isolated case; similar side effects of the "Three Breaks" reform were happening in other provinces across the country.

As a result, in a May 1991 research meeting by the State Economic System Reform Commission, it was decided to pause the economic system reform.

Due to the pesticide incident, the tile factory's reform was also urgently halted by the Commerce Bureau.

After the high-pressure reform reverted to the previous state, Yang Hongshan, the instigator, completely lost his authority. As the enforcer of the "Three Breaks," he became the target of resentment among all the factory workers.

Privately, people gave Yang Hongshan a new nickname—"Poisonous Three," referring to the incident where three female workers were forced to drink pesticide.

After that, the ambitious new director completely lost control of the factory.

The workers were convinced that their "iron rice bowls" were untouchable and that the Bureau wouldn't abandon them, so they became increasingly reckless. The scene in the sales department today had already played out countless times in various departments of the factory over the past year.

Although Yang Hongshan didn't fully trust Li Xian, he decided to give it a try, as he had completely lost control of the sales department.

At the warehouse, several warehouse keepers saw Yang Hongshan bringing a stranger and didn't even bother to stand up, continuing to eat their sunflower seeds.

Yang Hongshan was used to this. Pointing to the stacks of tile boxes, he said to Li Xian, "These are the ones. I'll draw up a contract for you in a moment. If you can sell these tiles, you can keep all the profits, and you can take the 10,000 yuan bonus immediately!"

Li Xian didn't respond and started wandering around the large warehouse, checking things out.

The tile factory's products were all common decorative tiles, with three main types in inventory:

One was a 30x30 cm non-slip floor tile, which, in Li Xian's eyes, had a very outdated color, with blurry patterns and anti-slip grooves.

Another was a 15x8 cm tile, slightly larger than an iPhone Plus, used for bathroom walls.

The third type was a small mosaic tile, similar to crispy rice, made from quartz and baked. Li Xian remembered playing with these as a child; they had small grooves on them and were great for sharpening pencil tips.

The prices of these tiles were not high. According to Yang Hongshan, the non-slip floor tiles cost 0.7 yuan each, the bathroom tiles cost 0.4 yuan each, and the small mosaic tiles, which had been stored for more than three years, were being sold for whatever price they could get.

Li Xian was satisfied with the prices.

He formally signed the contract with Yang Hongshan and, after leaving the factory's phone number, immediately called Wang Qinghe and his brothers to load half a truck with each of the three types of tiles.

Of course, this batch had to be paid for.

"Don't worry, Director Yang. I'll definitely sell these!" After loading the truck, Li Xian smiled at Yang Hongshan, who was standing by the warehouse door, watching eagerly.

Yang Hongshan waved dismissively, clearly indicating that he had no high hopes.

Li Xian chuckled, didn't explain further, and called for Wang Qinghe to drive away.

After explaining to Li You that there was nothing going on at school, he followed the convoy of fully loaded trucks back to the Bajiu Forestry Station.

…

It was only a few days after the school term began, and Li Xian felt completely at ease returning to the forestry station.

Although his family had moved to Bangye County shortly after his birth, his childhood memories were tied to the forestry station, giving him an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

Several tractors drove directly to the foundation of the new house. Although it was getting dark, everyone eagerly unloaded the materials. When they got to the tiles, Li Xian stopped them.

"Take these tiles and the cement I've set aside to my elder brother's house. Tomorrow, when the masons have some free time, they can start renovating the walls of his house."

When the others heard that Li Xian was prioritizing his elder brother's house even before his own new house was built, they were full of admiration.

"With such a brother, how could the elder brother's family not be doing well?" Reflecting on the previous conflicts between Wang Feng and the Li family, and now seeing Li Xian's actions, everyone echoed these sentiments.

Wang Qinghe and his brothers were particularly impressed, their faces glowing with respect.

Li Xian found this amusing.

Only he knew that the real reason for refurbishing his elder brother's house first was to create a market for the tiles…

When they arrived at Li Qing's house, the couple had just finished eating. Since the reconciliation between the two families, Wang Feng's temperament had changed significantly. She was no longer as lazy as before, and she had even been working in the fields with Li Qing.

Although she was still weak and couldn't do much heavy labor, the couple working together made their life seem more normal.

Upon learning that their house would be renovated the next day, Wang Feng was thrilled. She insisted on cooking for Li Xian and Wang Qinghe, even though dinner had already been prepared by Zou Ni.

However, seeing Wang Qinghe and his brothers, Li Xian suddenly remembered his earlier thoughts of helping them out, so he decided to stay.

As Wang Feng happily went to cook again, Li Xian called Wang Qinghe and his brothers together.

With pen and paper in hand, he began to sketch while explaining, "Brother Wang, when the masons are working tomorrow, make sure to observe and learn."

The brothers were puzzled. "Second Brother, why do we need to learn that?"

Li Xian chuckled and said, "I'm going to teach you a way to get rich!"