Chen Lishu thought for a moment and said, "What do you think about outsourcing the demolition work?"
"Outsourcing?" Chen Guoping straightened up considerably.
Chen Lishu: "General construction is divided into several stages. Demolition is definitely the first step, followed by foundation, main structure, and then later stages like roofing, waterproofing, and decoration. All of these can be contracted to bidding companies in separate blocks."
Upon hearing Chen Lishu's words, Chen Guoping's eyes lit up. Precisely because many things were inconvenient for them to do, entrusting others to solve them was absolutely the most hassle-free and effective method.
"Little Chen, you've solved a big problem for me. I absolutely must eat two more bowls of rice today."
Seeing that he finally showed a rare moment of relief and a happy smile, Chen Yinchu also felt pleased.
Soon, Han Xiuyun's hand-pulled noodles were ready. Everyone helped set up the table and get chopsticks. With two more people at the table, it was no longer just the old couple, making the meal exceptionally lively. Han Xiuyun and Chen Yinchu both ate half a bowl more than usual.
"Bring the children over whenever you have time in the future. I'm telling you, your师母 (shīmǔ -师母 is wife of one's teacher or master), I don't have many other skills, but I'm good at looking after children," Han Xiuyun said somewhat reluctantly as Chen Lishu and Chen Guoping were leaving.
Chen Yinchu also chimed in to help, "When you went to the countryside before, your师母 worked as an elementary school teacher, managing dozens of children from several grades all by herself."
Chen Lishu smiled, "I'm just worried that rascal Rui Rui will disturb you."
After saying goodbye to the couple, they went downstairs. Chen Lishu and Chen Guoping walked towards the school gate together.
"I heard from your Uncle Han that you opened a clothing store at the commercial street?"
Hearing Chen Guoping's words, Chen Lishu's heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked up to gauge his expression, but Chen Guoping, having been in politics for a long time, was adept at masking his emotions.
"Uncle Chen, I am also responding to the nation's call for the wave of educated youth returning to the city, wanting to help leaders solve the problem of surplus labor and contribute more tax revenue to the province..."
"Haha." Seeing her cautious demeanor, Chen Guoping couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Seeing him smile, Chen Lishu finally let out a silent sigh of relief. Although the number of individual households nationwide had more than quadrupled from around 100,000 last year to this year, the policy was still unclear, which was why Chen Lishu felt a bit flustered when Chen Guoping suddenly asked.
"I said you little girl is not an ordinary person. No wonder you have so many unique insights. It turns out you've been doing quite a bit behind the scenes. From the looks of it, if I hadn't asked, you wouldn't have said anything."
Chen Lishu felt a bit embarrassed by his words. After all, she was taking advantage of her previous life's knowledge to know more and be more forward-thinking than others.
"Uncle Chen, regarding the construction of the vegetable market this time, will the city allow other companies to bid?"
Chen Guoping raised an eyebrow, "What, you want to get involved in this too?"
Chen Lishu smiled a bit sheepishly, "I do have that intention."
Since Chen Guoping already knew about her shop, and her desire to establish a construction company had been on her mind for some time, Chen Lishu decided to go all out. Chen Guoping, as a provincial party leader in charge of economic development, would inevitably be involved with her later. So, Chen Lishu laid out her thoughts.
"In the past, any project had to be handed over to state-owned construction companies. I think this isn't ideal. Competition drives progress. Take the vegetable market construction, for instance. Uncle Chen, how long do you expect it to take to complete?"
"This will depend on the feedback from the construction companies. I estimate it will take at least a year?" The planned vegetable market this time would have four floors. Due to the climate in the north, construction was impossible for several months during winter, but a one-year construction period should be more than sufficient.
"If you adopt a segmented bidding approach, I guarantee the construction period will be shortened by at least two months."
"I've considered what you've said. The south is currently undergoing major construction with good results." However, he would need to research this matter further in a meeting.
Since she had received definite news, Chen Lishu began to prepare for the establishment of the construction company.
Currently, individuals were not permitted to establish companies unless it was in the name of a foreign-funded enterprise or a rural township factory.
Last year, the state had issued two documents in July and October encouraging communes and brigades to start enterprises. Furthermore, rural migrant workers had to obtain proof from their village to work in the city. Only by establishing a company could they bid. With the company's name, everything would be much easier.
With the holiday approaching in a month, she could return to the village and discuss specific matters with the Party Branch Secretary Zhang Changhe.
As June arrived, the weather gradually became hotter. The store should have stocked summer clothing earlier, but due to production not keeping up, the jackets and wool coats had sold out. The store could only temporarily sell wide-leg pants.
Therefore, Chen Lishu decided to visit the provincial clothing factory to check the situation.
For the entire month of May, the pure profit from selling fabric alone reached ten thousand yuan. This was the profit margin achieved even with the textile factory limiting the supply. If a portion of the shirts already made into finished products were included, the conservative estimate would be fifteen thousand.
With fewer classes in her third year of university, Chen Lishu had no classes after the first one that day. She took a bus directly to the municipal clothing factory.
She was received by Section Chief Wang from the sales department.
"You want to order custom-made ready-to-wear?" Section Chief Wang was a plump middle-aged man who had a faint smile on his face even when he wasn't speaking.
"Many clothing factories in the south can process samples or process with provided materials. So, I wanted to ask if your factory can accept such orders?"
Section Chief Wang shook his head, "I've heard about what you're saying, but this is not like the south. Many things are not instructed from above, and we don't have precedents. So, I'm very sorry."
Hearing that she couldn't place an order, Chen Lishu felt a slight disappointment. However, she had already considered this possibility before coming, so she wasn't too disheartened.
"Can I buy negotiable priced clothing?"
Clothing factories generally produced according to sales orders. Various sales units would place orders, and then materials would be cut and produced. Chen Lishu only asked with a hopeful mindset, but to her surprise, Section Chief Wang actually nodded when he heard her question.
"We do have a batch of goods in our warehouse. If you're interested, I can take you to see them."
Chen Lishu nodded, "Then I'll trouble Section Chief Wang."
Soon, the two left the office building and went to the warehouse together.
Chen Lishu discreetly surveyed the warehouse. It was spacious, with several rows of shelves filled with many finished garments right at the entrance.
Following Section Chief Wang further inside, they finally stopped at a corner in the back.
"These are the new short-sleeved shirts our factory made this year. The quality and workmanship are completely fine. If you think they're acceptable, I'll sell them to you at twelve yuan per piece."
Seeing the layer of dust rise as the tarpaulin was lifted, Chen Lishu's mouth twitched slightly.
These new short-sleeved shirts had been stored for quite a long time.