Seeing that she agreed, Zhou Bin was very happy.
In fact, besides having no one on hand, he also wanted to find someone to share the risk. After all, it was thousands of yuan, and he was a little hesitant.
Now that Chen Lishu agreed, they decided not to reply to his friend for now and to make a decision after understanding the general situation at the purchasing station the next morning.
After breakfast the next day, Gu Xingping went to school, and Chen Lishu went to the purchasing station north of the town with Zhou Bin.
The purchasing station was not large, covering an area of about four to five thousand square meters, divided into two courtyards, front and back. The front was for purchasing, and the back was for slaughtering.
When they arrived, they specifically reported the name of the Municipal Second Construction Company. As expected, the leadership of the purchasing station attached great importance to it and even sent someone to take them to the back to check the situation.
In the past two years, since the downfall of the "Four Disaster Stars," farmers' lives have improved, and most families have some surplus grain, raising one or two pigs. Due to the unified purchase and sale system, the various communes below could hand over dozens of pigs every day. A large portion of these were supplied to the meat processing plants of higher authorities, while the rest were barely enough for the daily distribution to the town's population.
With the increase in purchasing volume, the original five factory buildings of the slaughterhouse were no longer sufficient. According to the young man who led them, they planned to build five more factory buildings next to the existing ones.
"Are there any special requirements for the newly expanded factory buildings?" Chen Lishu asked after she and Zhou Bin had walked around the site.
"Just the same as the original ones. After all, they are used for slaughtering. I heard that technicians will be sent from above, and they will bring some machines. We need more space, and it will save us a lot of effort in the future," the young man said excitedly.
Chen Lishu and Zhou Bin looked at each other and nodded. They had a general understanding of the situation and left after saying goodbye.
"I think we can take this job," Zhou Bin said after they exited the purchasing station.
"Five factory buildings are not very large. Fifty thousand bricks should be enough. At three cents per brick, it's about 1,500 yuan. Sand and cement are relatively more expensive, but we have connections. It will be a little over a thousand yuan. After deducting labor and transportation costs, this job can earn about two thousand yuan."
Chen Lishu also felt that the job was feasible, but no matter what they did, they had to make things clear first. So, she asked, "Brother Zhou, what are your thoughts on the profit sharing?"
Hearing her question, Zhou Bin smiled, "How about six for me and four for you, sister?"
Chen Lishu frowned, "Although you initiated this matter, Brother Zhou, I am investing the same amount of money and taking the same risks as you."
Her words implied that she wanted a fifty-fifty split, and Zhou Bin was a bit unwilling. "After all, I'm the one running for the raw materials."
Chen Lishu smiled, "I also have to put in the effort for labor."
Zhou Bin was still hesitant, and Chen Lishu did not rush him. Business was like this; relationships were one aspect, but when it came to profits, one had to argue for their rights.
"Alright, we'll do as you say, sister," Zhou Bin compromised after a moment's thought, as he couldn't accomplish anything without help.
After they reached an agreement, they first went to the Municipal Second Construction Company to sign an outsourcing contract. Then, Zhou Bin went to secure the raw materials, and Chen Lishu returned to the village to organize manpower.
"Dad, eldest brother, I know a friend from the Municipal Second Construction Company. They urgently need to find some temporary workers for a job. Because the job is urgent, they say they can pay thirty yuan for half a month's work. It's at the purchasing station north of the town. Do you want to do it?"
On the way back, Chen Lishu had already thought of a plausible explanation. It was impossible to hide the matter of finding workers from the villagers. It was better to omit the fact that she and Zhou Bin were cooperating and only say that the Municipal Second Construction Company was looking for temporary workers. This way, the nature of the job would be entirely different. Just like before, when Gu Xingye worked as a temporary worker at the materials bureau, the villagers not only didn't think otherwise but were also very envious.
"What? Half a month for thirty yuan? Do we have to do heavy labor?" Gu Xingmin, hearing the high price, was interested but also a bit timid.
"It's just building five factory buildings. We'll have to exert some effort for carrying bricks and mixing mud."
Hearing that it was this kind of work, Gu Xingmin felt much relieved. Every year, people in the team built houses, and they were used to this kind of work.
"I heard that they have people who make adobe bricks and carry bricks at the brickyard. That's really tiring, and the fire from the kiln bakes you, and they only give one and a half work points a day," Li Xiulan interjected.
"Is the payment reliable? Will they not pay us after we finish?" Liu Yuemin muttered to herself, worried that she might take leave from the production team, delay earning work points, and then work hard for half a month only to not get paid.
"If the third sister dares to recommend the job, she must be sure of it. Otherwise, she wouldn't mention it. Remember when I went to the materials bureau? Didn't I still get paid?"
"The money is definitely not a problem. I've asked clearly. Besides, they are such a big company. If they try to cheat us out of money, they'll be afraid if we just stand at their door."
Everyone thought about it and realized it made sense, so they were somewhat tempted.
"Didn't you say they needed ten people? What about the others?" Li Xiulan asked, looking at Chen Lishu.
Even if they included their in-laws, there were only five people in total.
Chen Lishu smiled, "I've already thought about this. I'll have my fourth brother accompany me to Uncle Zhang's house later. I'll ask Uncle Zhang's opinion, and he can recommend a few more people if he sees anyone suitable."
Gu Shoufuo was full of admiration for his daughter-in-law upon hearing Chen Lishu's words.
If so many people were needed, the team wouldn't grant leave, which would be useless. However, by asking Zhang, Chen Lishu was giving the credit and prestige of doing a good deed to Zhang Changhe, and taking the fourth brother along was also to help him gain some face in front of his future father-in-law. Their sister-in-law was truly thoughtful.
The matter proceeded very smoothly. When Zhang Changhe heard that the municipality was recruiting temporary workers and the pay was so high, his mind began to stir. When Chen Lishu said she would give him the right to choose the workers, Zhang Changhe's good impression of her increased even more.
"Don't worry, niece. Uncle will definitely take this to heart and get it done for you later."
After sending off the uncle and nephew, Zhang Changhe looked at his daughter with a face full of smiles, "Before, I thought Gu's fourth son was marrying up to my daughter. Now it seems that the Gu family won't do badly in the future."
After talking to his daughter, Zhang Changhe turned and walked to the brigade headquarters with his hands behind his back, calling a few village cadres to a meeting to discuss who should go to work in the town.
Before long, the villagers all knew about this matter privately. Thirty yuan for half a month was a windfall, and anyone who got it would surely be unwilling to let others have it.
Zhang Changhe, as an experienced old branch secretary, quickly came up with a fair and just method that would satisfy everyone.
"We'll draw lots. If you have bad luck, don't blame others. After all, you drew it yourself."