Reborn in a small village in the 1990s

Chapter 201

It's best to do things yourself. It might be hard work, but there's no such thing as an easy job. Zhao Da'e had been thinking about building a shredder yard to add some side business to his work.

Otherwise, relying on the unstable income from selling water is not a good approach.

If you put all the eggs in one basket, and one of them breaks, you'll have nothing to eat.

Moreover, this side hustle has another advantage: it solves the major problem of his father, Zhao Tiesheng.

Zhao Tiesheng is quite intelligent and capable, but he's also somewhat timid and not very good at communicating with others. Although Zhao Da'e dislikes him, she can't deny that Zhao Tiesheng is her father.

Besides, seeing his father's constant state of demeanor while still working at the old house, Zhao Da'e wasn't very comfortable either.

It would be better to find him some work to do and collect the money. This would both solve Zhao Tiesheng's desire to continue working for Wang Guixiang and provide him with additional income, killing two birds with one stone.

Then, the night before, Zhao Dage told Xiangzi that he would be going to the city the next day.

The main reason for going to the city was to find out how much a crusher costs.

The next day, Zhao Dage wandered around the county town for a long time, visiting many hardware stores, before he finally figured it out completely.

At that time, a slightly larger shredder only cost a few hundred yuan. The expensive part was the motor.

Motors are relatively expensive, while a crusher is just a metal shell and not very valuable. Motors also come in many models; according to Zhao Da'e's understanding, the minimum requirement is 3000W, and larger motors would require three-phase power.

However, 3000W isn't quite enough. A power rating of 4500 to 6500W would be barely sufficient.

Of course, this still requires three-phase electricity. But the lack of three-phase electricity in the village is a major problem.

Zhao Da'e inquired at many places and found that a complete set of 6500W motor shredders would cost at least 1600 yuan. If it were three sets, the price could be negotiated down to 4500 yuan.

This is the cost of the machinery. It also requires some cables, a new electricity meter, and doesn't include electricity costs or labor.

4500 yuan, how long will it take to earn it back?

Zhao Da'e did a simple calculation: generally, grinding a bag of grain takes about two to three minutes with the first coarse sieve, followed by a five-minute fine sieve. He can grind about seven or eight bags of grain per hour. Electricity costs a lot for industrial use, but only two cents per kilowatt-hour for residential use. That's about one dollar and fifty cents per hour.

At worst, I can earn a little over five yuan an hour. If I use all three machines interchangeably, it's barely enough to function as two sets. That way, I can make about a hundred or eighty yuan a day.

Of course, this is all in theory. In reality, this job is very seasonal. In the dead of winter or during the off-season for farming, there will be more people needed. In busy seasons, there may not be a single job for a whole day.

Zhao Da'e knew that no one in the vicinity had a mechanized shredder yet, so there was definitely a market for it. Dongtaizi Village, with its several groups, had about a thousand households; other villages didn't have one either. It was indeed feasible.

Of course, making money isn't that easy. Right now, Zhao Da'e is looking for stability and will wait until everything is mostly settled after the New Year.

There's a huge mess at home that needs to be cleaned up.

After reading this, Zhao Da'e treated Xiangzi to a meal. They didn't eat anything fancy, but instead ordered two bowls of hand-pulled noodles at a nearby Four Seasons Noodle Shop.

It has to be said that prices in the county town are still quite high. A bowl of hand-pulled noodles costs three yuan.

"Xiangzi, how's your relationship with Xiao Cai going?" Zhao Da'e asked while eating noodles.

Xiangzi blushed: "It's...it's just like that. Not good, not bad."

“Neither good nor bad won’t do. You’re a man, you need to be more proactive,” Zhao Da’e said.

"My family...my family and her family are both against it." Xiangzi felt a little disappointed when he said this.

His family objected because Cai Xiaofeng was a divorcee; naturally, a young man marrying a divorcee would be met with opposition from his family. Besides, Xiangzi wasn't disabled; he was physically and mentally healthy.

Therefore, the family was not satisfied with Cai Xiaofeng's second marriage. Besides, Xiangzi was quite capable, could earn money, and was young. Why would he choose a divorced woman?

Cai Xiaofeng's mother, who was bedridden, also didn't quite agree with the relationship. Her main concern was that Xiangzi might take advantage of her and then abandon her.

Zhao Da'e simply advised that things should be taken slowly and that it depended on Xiangzi's true feelings. If he genuinely liked it, then he liked it.

"In our rural area, it's hard enough to find a wife who's educated and literate. Girls who do go to school usually settle down in the city. Cai Xiaofeng is capable and quite well-mannered; you can decide for yourself. Don't make things difficult for anyone. True love will always be together."

By the way, how's business lately? I've been busy and haven't been keeping an eye on it. You've been doing all the work yourself.

"It's going very well. We've visited several factories and residential areas recently. We've done some promotion, and our Kangxi Spring water is quite popular. We can now sell fifty or sixty barrels a day." Xiangzi said excitedly.

"Little Aunt, I have something to discuss with you. Xiao Feng said, how about we rent a shop here? That would be more convenient. Or maybe we could open a supermarket or something."

Zhao Da'e frowned slightly: "It's too early to talk about this. We've only been working here a short time and haven't earned that much money yet. Just put the water at Cai Xiaofeng's house. How about this, it's almost the New Year. Xiangzi, you manage things for me, and I'll give you and Cai Xiaofeng a bonus of two hundred yuan each this year."

Cai Xiaofeng's idea was good, but renting a place would inevitably cost a lot of money. It would be better to just leave it at her place as a transit point, so she could earn a little more that way.

It's simply that business has improved and they want to make more money.

Zhao Dage knew perfectly well that he could give her some. But not too much, because what if Cai Xiaofeng got arrogant if he gave her too much?

Xiangzi didn't think too much about it and said with a smile, "Little aunt, whatever you say is fine."

In the afternoon, Zhao Da'e bought some food and returned.

After leaving the things at his aunt's house, Zhao Da'e went home to look for his father, Zhao Tiesheng.

As expected, Zhao Tiesheng started a fire and cooked in the warehouse, and didn't go out to do anything.

Although the father and daughter did not meet like enemies, there was still a considerable distance between them.

"I'm thinking of building a makeshift shed in front of the old house, one that won't leak or let in strong winds. Like a courtyard shed. What do you think?"

Zhao Tiesheng was stunned for a moment, then asked with some doubt, "Why are you covering this with this? It's freezing cold."

“That’s why I’m asking you. I’ll pay for it, and you and my third uncle can get a grain grinder together. That way, you’ll have something to do. It’ll be like having extra work. We can set up a place to grind grain for everyone and earn some money,” Zhao Da’e said.

“Your third uncle has nothing better to do. I don’t have much to do either, so I can manage. I can get some bricks, lay them on the ground, put a few wooden strips around the perimeter, and then put some old cotton quilts on top. We can rebuild the walls in the spring. But the roof is hard to fix; it will be difficult if there’s a heavy snowfall.”

Zhao Da'e thought for a moment and said, "Okay. Ask my third uncle if this is alright. You two haven't separated your households, so this courtyard isn't yours. My grandfather can't give it to you either, but if my third uncle says he wants to use it, my grandfather definitely won't say anything. The sooner the better, I'll go and look into the electricity issue."

Zhao Tiesheng wanted to say something more, but Zhao Dage had already left.

Today, while I was out, Zhao Da'e also collected some accounts, bringing in about four thousand yuan. If we want to buy three machines and get three-phase electricity, it will probably be quite a shortfall. Although building a simple shed in the yard won't cost much, it still will take some money.

worry.

But even though I'm worried, I still need to eat.

There's no one in the family who can cook, so I can't just cook for myself.

Zhao Da'e walked to Zhao Tiegang's window and knocked: "Third Uncle, it's already three o'clock in the afternoon, it's time to sober up."

Zhao Tiegang was half asleep when he got up, glanced at Zhao Da'e, and then lay back down to continue sleeping.

Zhao Da'e opened the door and went inside, the room filled with a pungent smell.

hiss……

Even a pigsty doesn't smell this bad.

"Get up, I'll go make you some food."

Zhao Tiegang then got up. Zhao Yongbo, who was next to him, was playing with a few marbles on the ground. Zhao Da'e patted his little head and said, "Not bad, you haven't been wearing open-crotch pants these past few days. Come on, let's go to my room and start a fire for me."

Zhao Da'e didn't have much to eat, so he bought a few pounds of mutton and some flatbreads—the kind of sesame flatbreads without filling.

Zhao Da'e cut some mutton, threw it into the pot, added some water and salt, and started stewing it.

Afterwards, Zhao Tiesheng and Zhao Tiegang stayed in the small warehouse and watched over Zhao Da'e.

"You two get to work tomorrow. You can't just eat meat for free. There are still two pounds of the liquor we bought last time. Uncle San is saving it for you."

Zhao Tiegang was delighted when he heard there was wine: "Hahaha, my niece really cares about her third uncle."

Zhao Tiesheng, however, did not like to drink.

Zhao Da'e took two bottles of Zhenzhen Lychee, which is a small canned beverage that is very cheap, but it is also a rare item in this era.

She opened it and handed it to Zhao Yongbo, who took it and started drinking it, not caring whether it was cold or not.

Anyway, Zhao Da'e thought that kids are tough and won't get sick from drinking.

Before long, a pot of mutton soup was ready.

Zhao Da'e took out several large bowls and served one to Zhao Tiesheng and Zhao Tiegang, but most of them were soup. Instead, he served a lot of meat to Zhao Yongbo.

Then I threw some vegetables into the pot. Anyway, it's not really hot pot, it's just that kind of thing, as long as there's something to eat, that's fine.

Pickled vegetables are available.

Once it's served and placed on the table, it's time to eat.

“Big Goose, you haven’t eaten at home for two or three months,” Zhao Tiegang said.

"You cook... I just want something ready-made." Zhao Da'e pouted, "My mom's not home, there's no one to cook."

"You even managed to drive your third aunt away..."

"Stop fooling around. Third Uncle, don't wrong me..." Zhao Da'e took out a wine cup and poured Zhao Tiegang a full cup. It was a four-ounce wine cup.

Although the liquor is 72 proof, for Zhao Tiegang, who spends all his time immersed in it, the liquor is the essence of grain, and the more he drinks, the younger he feels. No matter the strength, four liang (200ml) is too little, eight liang (400ml) isn't much, and a jin (500ml) is just right…

"It's evening, have a couple of drinks. But not too much, this strong liquor is high, you'll get alcoholic liver disease if you drink too much. But I have a feeling it's unlikely, you already have alcoholic liver disease anyway." Zhao Da'e sighed.

In his previous life, Zhao Tiegang did indeed develop alcoholic liver disease, but he was quite old...

Do you think this thing makes any sense?

Anyway, Zhao Tiegang didn't die from drinking; he got alcoholic liver disease but it didn't bother him. He's lucky to be alive, so let him drink as much as he wants.

How many times in life can one get drunk? Eat and drink as you please. Sometimes Zhao Da'e even envies Zhao Tiegang. In his past life, Zhao Tiegang lived a miserable life, always drinking and caring. His son couldn't afford to get married, so Zhao Yongbo went out and tricked someone into marrying him... Later, his granddaughter couldn't afford to go to school, so the government took care of her. Eventually, he couldn't even afford to live, so he went to the village chief's house and became a recipient of the Five Guarantees (a government-provided social welfare program for the elderly, disabled, and orphans).

It must be said that the times and the country sustained Zhao Tiegang throughout his life.

But his life isn't necessarily much worse than others.

Zhao Tiegang took a bite: "Hiss... Ha... Not bad, not bad."

Zhao Tiegang picked up a piece of pickled vegetable and drank it with his wine.

Zhao Tiesheng was drinking mutton soup.

Zhao Yongbo ate meat and drank Zhenzhen wine.

Zhao Da'e also ladled out a bowl of soup, drank a few sips, and sprinkled some pepper on it.

“I want to do something. You two don’t need to offer your opinions, just give me some suggestions,” Zhao Da’e said. “I want to build a grain powder shop, right up ahead. Third Uncle, do you agree?”

“I don’t object. You’ve treated me to drinks several times already, how could I object?” Zhao Tiegang said. “But are your grandparents capable?”

“This…” Zhao Tiesheng stammered, but after being glared at by Zhao Da’e, he fell silent.

"Whether they do it or not is none of my business. Third Uncle, you go and tell them that half of this house belongs to you, and that your wife has run away..."

"You're the one who drove your third aunt away..."

"Stop joking, it's obvious Wang Guixiang made him run away..."

"No, your brother said that you were the one who came up with the idea. After you gave him the bad idea, your third aunt ran away..."

"Good thing she ran away." Zhao Da'e said with exasperation, "What are you afraid of? It's not like you don't have a wife. Even if your wife ran away, as long as you're not divorced, don't you still have a wife?"

Zhao Tiegang paused for a moment, then said, "Something seems off..."

“That means you didn’t drink enough.” Zhao Da’e refilled Zhao Tiegang’s half-empty glass: “Keep drinking.”

After a while, Zhao Tiegang had already drunk six liang (300ml) of liquor, and Zhao Da'e filled his cup again: "How are we going to talk to the old folks later?"

Zhao Tiegang's eyes were practically glazed over from drinking: "I own half of this yard. I'll build a grain mill, work there, and make money. With money, I can get a wife."

What if they object?

Zhao Tiegang immediately flew into a rage: "That won't do. What gives you the right to object? I don't have a wife now, so I have to work hard, right? My niece finally managed to get me some work to do, so I can drink every meal, and you two object? I'm not going to be able to live a good life anymore..."

“That’s right.” Zhao Da’e chuckled.

Zhao Yongbo looked at Zhao Dage and asked with some confusion, "Big sister, my dad has had too much to drink."

“He’s not drunk. He’s telling the truth now,” Zhao Da’e said with a smile. “If your dad isn’t drunk, he won’t dare to go around arguing with your grandparents. But when your dad’s drunk, he’s the boss. Anyone who gets in his way of drinking will be his enemy.”