Chapter 25: The Difficulty of Creating Something from Nothing

"Have you been alright these past few days, running around so much?" Chai Jin asked with a calm smile.

"Did you set up the meeting with Director Wei?"

The restructuring of the county lighter factory had moved at remarkable speed; rumor had it that a private entrepreneur from Wencheng had taken over. Just as Chai Jin had once said, only a dozen or so people had been laid off from the county factory. The rest remained, and as for Wei Jiaochang, thanks to a flawless set of numbers presented before the restructuring, he had now been transferred to the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the county, even as deputy director.

Wang Xiaoli had helped him get in touch with Wei Jiaochang. Given they’d only met once before, she still needed to mediate. Wang Xiaoli looked a little disappointed, her thin lips pursed. "Why is it that all you ever think about is work?"

"What?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Let's go."

"Alright."

Chai Jin accepted the bicycle from Wang Xiaoli with a gentle smile. Wang Xiaoli perched sideways on the back of the bike, a trace of shyness in her manner, her hand tentatively circling Chai Jin’s waist. The trees on either side of the road stood bare, the old street lined with vendors hawking roasted sweet potatoes. The air had grown noticeably colder, and the only sounds were the occasional ringing of bicycle bells.

It was the best of times.

Wang Xiaoli, wrapped in a white scarf, sat quietly behind him. Every so often, her breath turned to plumes of pale mist that drifted in their wake, as if a fragrant orchid lingered in longing for the world. Chai Jin’s mind was wholly occupied with matters of the county distillery; he scarcely noticed anything else.

After a long stretch, Wang Xiaoli finally gathered her courage. "Chai Jin, once you’ve finished your business, will you be heading back right away?"

"Mmm," Chai Jin replied, thick as a block of wood, oblivious to a young woman’s heart.

"Oh." Wang Xiaoli sounded a little downcast, her rounded chin tucked into the white scarf, her fair face even more striking in the chill wind. She summoned her courage, her voice barely a whisper. "If... if you’re not in a hurry, could we... could we go see a movie together?"

Chai Jin glanced back at her, and Wang Xiaoli, feeling as if her thoughts were laid bare, quickly dropped her head, her heart pounding.

"It’s fine. If you’re too busy, just go about your business. I was only joking."

Chai Jin smiled. "Let’s see how it goes. After I’m done here with Director Wei, I still need to make a trip to the bank."

"I can’t give you an answer right now."

"Oh."

Wang Xiaoli fell silent on the bike behind him.

More than half an hour later, Chai Jin hosted a dinner for Wei Jiaochang at the county’s Spring Flavor Restaurant.

Wei Jiaochang was forthright. The little Li White Liquor from Daohua Village now sold throughout the county—proof enough of Chai Jin’s ability. He was equally grateful to Chai Jin. Had he not worked with Chai Jin, he might still have made it to the county’s State-owned Assets Commission, but never to so high a position as deputy. With the county distillery now shuttered, and Little Li White Liquor rising swiftly as a dark horse, no one dared take over the failing state distillery—it would be tantamount to waiting for Little Li to trample them. Even if Chai Jin hadn’t sought him out, Wei Jiaochang suspected he would have done so himself before long.

But when it came to the contract price, Chai Jin hesitated.

All his money was tied up in those rented ID cards. And with spring approaching, he would need substantial cash for his upcoming ventures in Zhonghai trading warrants. The distillery’s cash flow could not be touched.

After a moment’s silence, he said, "Uncle Wei, is it possible to let me take over the distillery on credit? I can promise to pay within a set time."

Wei Jiaochang looked troubled. "That’s against the rules."

"Isn’t your factory’s sales doing well? I’ve heard there are over a hundred tricycles lined up outside your gates every day. How could you not have the money?"

Chai Jin gave a wry smile. "We made some money, but it’s all tied up elsewhere."

Wei Jiaochang wavered. Wang Xiaoli sat quietly by, saying nothing. The clock on the wall ticked away.

After a brief silence, Wei Jiaochang gritted his teeth. "You can take the contract on credit, but the thirty-thousand guarantee deposit is non-negotiable."

"The county needs to see the money before handing over the factory. Otherwise, people would accuse me of colluding with a private entrepreneur to embezzle state assets."

"Thirty thousand?" Chai Jin was troubled. That was about as much as their factory made in a month at best. Still, he had expected as much—rules were rules, and no one would risk their future for a businessman like him.

He smiled. "Alright, I’ll find another way to come up with the thirty thousand."

"Good," Wei Jiaochang replied, breaking into a smile.

Over dinner, Chai Jin and Wei Jiaochang drank a little, but kept it moderate. After the meal, Wang Xiaoli followed closely behind Chai Jin like a little tail.

He took her back to the house they’d rented. Only then did Wang Xiaoli finally understand Chai Jin’s plan.

When Chai Jin learned that Wang Xiaoli had resigned to do cleaning work at their distillery, he looked at her helplessly. "If people at the lighter factory knew their factory beauty was mopping floors at a village distillery, I’m sure they’d curse me behind my back."

"Once our sales department officially opens, come work there," he added.

Wang Xiaoli was elated. "Really?"

"Why would I lie?"

"Have a rest here. I’m going to the bank."

"Alright."

"So—are we... still going to the movies?"

"We’ll see when I get back. The bank probably won’t be so easy."

"Okay."

After a few more words, Chai Jin washed his face, grabbed his coat, and went out.

In any era, entrepreneurship is never easy, and in those days, the environment presented countless unseen obstacles. Take bank loans, for example—it wasn’t as simple as walking in with an ID card.

At the bank, Chai Jin stated his purpose directly to the staff in the main hall. According to regulations, the staff refused him. Even though private capital was increasingly accepted in the capital, the banks would not move without explicit instructions. For a private business to get a bank loan was exceedingly difficult.

Chai Jin had steeled himself for this outcome before coming. On a wall in the bank lobby, he saw a photo of the bank’s director, Li Zheng. He hesitated, then made his way to the courtyard behind the bank. Office staff usually left work from the rear courtyard.

In the freezing cold, Chai Jin stood in the yard with unwavering determination, waiting for over three hours. At last, near six o’clock, he saw bank employees filtering out of the building. Holding his documents, he braced himself, scrutinizing each person who passed by. Only when nearly everyone had left did he finally spot Li Zheng, thick glasses perched on his nose, emerging from the building.

With confidence, he strode forward. "Hello, Director Li. I’m the contractor for Daoxiang Distillery. May I have a few minutes of your time?"