Chapter 120: Backing Up

Chapter 120: Backing Up

After encouraging his eldest daughter and daughter-in-law to study, Deng Shirong sat under the longan tree in front of his house, smoking. As he relaxed, he noticed Bu Wanhui riding a bicycle across the small bridge in front of his house. Deng Shirong immediately called out to greet him.

Bu Wanhui had just ridden into Thatchfield Village and was admiring the row of majestic and beautiful blue brick and tile houses on the right. He was wondering whose homes they were when he heard a familiar voice calling him.

He turned toward the voice and saw Deng Shirong, his old acquaintance. Smiling, Bu Wanhui said, "Uncle Jiu, it's you! Is this your home?"

Deng Shirong put away his pipe, stood up, and replied with a smile, "Yes, this is my home. Where are you heading, Director Bu?"

Bu Wanhui rode his bicycle closer and said, "I need to speak with your production team leader. Uncle Jiu, your house is truly magnificent!"

Since the house was built, almost everyone who saw it for the first time had praised it. Deng Shirong was used to it by now.

After exchanging a few words about the house, Deng Shirong warmly invited him in, "Director Bu, I made some sweet potato noodle soup for lunch. Come in and have a couple of bowls."

Bu Wanhui waved his hand and declined, "No need, Uncle Jiu. I had a bowl of noodles at noon and I'm still full. Where is your captain's home? I'll go talk to him first."

"Go straight ahead about fifty or sixty meters along this road, and you'll see a threshing ground. Pass the threshing ground and take the small path on the right. About thirty or forty meters down that path, you'll see a carambola tree. That's where our captain lives," Deng Shirong explained, pointing the way.

Then, he casually asked, "Director Bu, what do you need to see our brigade leader about?"

Bu Wanhui sighed and said, "Not long ago, the country issued 4 billion yuan in treasury bonds to concentrate financial resources for construction. The leaders allocated a significant portion to our Double Prosperity Credit Union. I came to talk to your team leader and see if your production team has the capacity to subscribe to some treasury bonds."

When Deng Shirong heard the words "treasury bonds," memories from his past life surfaced.

In his previous life, Deng Shirong had lived alone in his rural hometown. After smartphones became popular, his eldest grandson bought him one and taught him how to read online novels. Later, when short videos became a trend, his grandson also taught him how to watch them.

His later years were spent immersed in endless online novels and short videos.

Because he had read so many online novels in his previous life, he wasn't surprised at all when he was reborn with the matchmaker reward system.

When he heard "treasury bonds," Deng Shirong recalled many online novels where protagonists made fortunes by trading treasury bonds after reincarnating. However, in his memory, treasury bond trading didn't become popular until the late 1980s.

At that time, the country issued a document allowing citizens to freely trade treasury bonds. A tycoon named Yang seized the opportunity and made millions in just one year by buying low and selling high across different provinces.

Deng Shirong remembered it was in 1988, though he couldn't recall the exact month.

When Deng Shirong read about this tycoon Yang's success, he was deeply impressed. At the time, many people knew about the policy, but Yang was the only one who managed to capitalize on it and make millions. Those who followed later could only scrape together small profits.

He hadn't expected the country to start issuing treasury bonds as early as 1981.

After learning that Double Prosperity Credit Union had been allocated a large number of treasury bonds, Deng Shirong understood Bu Wanhui's predicament. He smiled and asked, "Director Bu, are individuals allowed to subscribe to these treasury bonds? If so, I'd like to contribute to support national construction."

"Uncle Jiu, you're very well-informed!"

Bu Wanhui praised him first, then asked, "How much are you thinking of buying, Uncle Jiu?"

Although he asked, Bu Wanhui didn't hold out much hope. He thought it would be impressive if an individual subscribed to a few hundred yuan.

Deng Shirong didn't immediately state how much he wanted to subscribe. Instead, he smiled and asked, "Director Bu, how much of a task have your superiors assigned to your credit union?"

There was no need to hide such information, so Bu Wanhui replied openly, "The leaders assigned our credit union a task of 3,000 yuan. White Duckweed Farm has already subscribed to 1,000 yuan, so there's still 2,000 yuan left to complete."

Deng Shirong thought for a moment and said, "Director Bu, I'll be honest with you. I still have some of the money you lent me last time. You should focus on completing the task assigned by your superiors. I'll back you up. Even if you can't sell a single yuan of the remaining 2,000 yuan, I'll buy it all for you!"

Bu Wanhui was completely shocked. He widened his eyes and asked, "Uncle Jiu, are you serious?"

Deng Shirong nodded and smiled, "Of course, I'm serious."

As the director of a credit union, Bu Wanhui understood that there was no such thing as unconditional generosity. If Deng Shirong had only subscribed to a few hundred yuan worth of treasury bonds, he would have thought the man was simply supporting national construction. But now, Deng Shirong was offering to cover the entire remaining task, which clearly indicated he had ulterior motives.

Taking a deep breath, Bu Wanhui asked, "Uncle Jiu, how can I help you?"

It was easier to talk to smart people. Deng Shirong smiled and said, "Director Bu, I don't need any help from you right now."

Understanding, Bu Wanhui promised directly, "Then, if there's anything you need my help with in the future, you must tell me, Uncle Jiu. As long as I can do it, I promise I won't refuse."

With the other party's promise secured, Deng Shirong smiled.

In later generations, Deng Shirong wouldn't have bothered befriending a credit union director. But in the 1980s, credit union directors held significant power. When credit policies were relaxed, as long as the director was willing to help and you had a suitable project, securing a loan of several hundred thousand yuan wouldn't be a problem.

Such a person was certainly worth befriending. Deng Shirong didn't plan to go into business himself, but many of his children would likely venture into business. When the time came, he could ask Bu Wanhui for help with start-up capital.

After chatting for a while longer, Bu Wanhui left to find the production team leader of Thatchfield Village, feeling satisfied.

Although Deng Shirong had offered to back him up, Bu Wanhui still wanted to try his best to complete the task on his own.

(End of Chapter)