Chapter 97: When Soldiers and Bandits Meet with Delight

In the past couple of days, the lively scene around Wei Dong’s new vehicle had naturally drawn crowds from the neighboring villages and towns. After acquiring the truck, Wei Dong, following the local custom, had the nearby factory paint the words "Xishan Optics Factory" on the door in a semi-circular arrangement, encircling a central five-pointed star. The previous truck had the label "Hongguang Nonferrous Metals Factory," which made Wei Dong seem as if he were officially employed by a state enterprise. But this time, with a genuine imported double-row seat truck, it further highlighted his extensive connections and rich network.

From this small detail, one could discern Wei Dong’s temperament: he preferred to use the name of a military-industrial factory rather than his own Dongsheng Trading. What mattered to him was maintaining the status quo.

For example, after watching television, Wei Dong unexpectedly instructed that they should all move back to Erfeng’s home together, no longer needing to haul things so far back to the Lang family. The Li family’s status in the village was considerable. Erfeng merely smiled faintly, while many villagers remarked that following Dong was bringing her both fortune and prestige.

Yet Erfeng truly took good care of the elderly grandparents left behind in the Lang family household and had been using the hillside behind the Lang house as a curing and smoking site for preserved meats. So, even though the family of three never lived there, the Lang family’s yard, house, and fields appeared thriving. Anyone with rural experience knows that no matter how good the house or land, if left unattended, nature would soon reclaim it.

Now, every day there were people busy coming and going, curing and smoking preserved meats, with someone always using the Lang family kitchen to cook and rest, casually helping the grandparents with boiling water and meals, ensuring their safety. Erfeng’s approach was indeed quite commendable.

Before Wei Dong got in the truck to return to Shangzhou, he first thanked Erfeng. The Isuzu double-row seat light truck’s appearance still looked modern even thirty years later, with its large front windows and elevated seats making it very imposing as one closed the door and got in, half the body still visible through the window. Li Erfeng directed a group of excited young men and women to load the cargo area, then nimbly climbed into the passenger seat, smiling and waving goodbye to those outside.

She then patted the wide seat that could accommodate two: "This is all just what I should do." Wei Dong glanced at her, then caught sight of a young woman behind, holding a child and giggling quietly, while the driver peeked from behind his seat, seemingly trying to observe the brothers of the rural girl.

He reminded them: "Fasten your seatbelt. Remember, whenever there’s a seatbelt, wear it. Only with life can you enjoy the blessings of this lifetime." The Dongfeng trucks didn’t have such a thing.

Li Erfeng looked on as he demonstrated, then copied him, quietly fastening hers. Usually vivacious and spirited, she was now as gentle and composed as a kitten.

Wei Dong also waved to those outside, started the engine, and drove off amid a chorus of admiration and awe. The Dongfeng truck roared with more force but lacked the high-end feel of an imported vehicle. The villagers couldn’t quite describe it but all knew Dong’s prospects were growing ever brighter.

The families who had sent their children along smiled happily as they dispersed. Only after turning onto the main road did Wei Dong explain: "Did Sister Dong tell you about the food factory business in the city? If this venture takes off, you might become the richest woman in the county. Keep a low profile so no one can overshadow you. Otherwise, this fortune I’m giving you might end up harming you."

Erfeng whispered, "I know you wouldn’t harm me."

Wei Dong laughed, "Good intentions can cause harm too. Like leaving a color TV for the elders back home. It’s just the two of them. If one of them gets obsessed watching TV, or if someone sees we’re wealthy and decides to come asking for luck, they might take the TV or some money. If they happen to hurt the elders in the process, would that not be our fault?"

Erfeng looked up into his eyes immediately.

The driver glanced sideways: "Moving into your place isn’t an issue. Will your father be at a disadvantage? Anyway, I can fully entrust the cured meat business to you, but please, no matter if you marry and start your own family, help look after my family elders when you have time. The food factory has reached a whole new level now—your entire wealth and fortune in life lie in it."

Erfeng turned to look out at the rapidly passing scenery, silent.

Wei Dong painted a broad vision: "In the past, city folks looked down on us rural people and even forbade us from entering the city. These past few years are the best chance to turn things around. In a couple of years, once policies relax, you’ll be able to buy a house in the county or city, becoming a true city dweller. No one will have grounds to gossip about who you marry."

The three city-born passengers behind never experienced such oppression—the millennia-old suppression of rural identity that lasted well into the 1990s. The Shi family looked down on Wei Dong’s rural status the most; Erfeng turned to look at Wei Dong again, perhaps still upset that he had shattered her chastity myth.

The driver talked at length: "This year we’ll definitely shift all operations to Jiangzhou or even higher places. The business in Shangzhou needs partners to stabilize it. We’re not aiming to make money here; this is a city government project. So the factory shareholders are you, Sister Dong, my grandmother, and a friend’s spouse from the city. My grandmother just holds shares without taking dividends—the main profits are yours."

Erfeng suddenly asked, "What if I come with you to Jiangzhou?"

Wei Dong was taken aback: "Why would you go? From the countryside to the county, then the city—you can recruit workers. If you’re willing to learn, managing a factory is likely within your reach. But in Jiangzhou, we deal with all directions in business. Would you be running a restaurant like Gou Dan and the others? That’s fundamentally different from selling cured meats."

Erfeng remained silent again.

Then the eldest sister spoke warmly: "Erfeng, you’ve seen my example. Trusting heaven or earth is less reliable than trusting yourself. Wei Dong is the kind of person who wants his fellow villagers, partners, and friends to grow and prosper. His vision and ambition are high. Each of us diligently doing our part makes our acquaintance and friendship worthwhile. You’ve spent many days with me in Shangzhou—you’ve already surpassed most Shangzhou locals. At the very least, you’re a thousand times happier than I was at your age. Think it over."

It felt like two adults trying to manage immature children, yet oddly in sync.

Li Erfeng had no choice but to yield. The Shi brothers watched and learned quietly on the side.

They then enthusiastically recommended dishes from the Queen’s Restaurant, even avoiding mentioning the third sister. Apparently, they hadn’t had formal education but had channeled all their cunning into underhanded tricks.

Wei Dong thought that made sense. He vaguely recalled the dishes from that night’s meal, including a braised kidney dish.

Kidneys are a common ingredient in Sichuan cuisine, but that night’s preparation was uniquely delicious. Also, there was a garlic-infused pork trotters dish that gave a new twist to a Sichuan staple.

The Shi brother sounded like a medicine vendor: "Second uncle kept saying before he left, the Queen’s Restaurant is a gathering place of masters with decades of experience. Any ingredient they get, they can turn it into something extraordinary—definitely no mistake!"

So, after driving back to Shangzhou, Wei Dong headed straight to the dock to leave. To him, matters needing face-to-face discussion could wait until after a night’s rest—it wasn’t necessary to drive back and forth.

The two boys even said they wouldn’t follow him but would stay behind to help and wait for his return.

Wei Dong barely had time to think, simply pointed his finger at them as a warning not to cause trouble.

When boarding the ship with seven or eight helpers, several dock workers came to chat and escorted the two along.

Dong Xueying then gathered the remaining four or five and went with her and Erfeng, indicating that more manpower would soon be needed in Shangzhou.

The next day, Shen Cuiyue told Wei Dong exactly what his brother had said: "Yes, the Queen’s Restaurant used to mainly serve grand Chinese and Western banquets. During the wartime capital days, many top chefs fled to Jiangzhou and were recruited by the Fifth Master, making it renowned. But after the public-private joint ownership changes, some returned to their hometowns. So the Second Master began reshaping it into a genuine Sichuan cuisine and snack restaurant, also serving Western delicacies. Sichuan cuisine’s hallmark is that each dish has its own style and flavor—the essence lies in the ‘flavor’."

As she spoke, she pointed toward the bustling spicy hotpot shop that had reopened at noon.

Indeed, spicy hotpot now thrived on just two dominant flavors.

Wei Dong had to lead her farther away, inwardly thinking, “Damn, even if this legacy came from a bandit’s den, it’s far better than starting from scratch with clumsy efforts. It’s a huge advantage in this high-stakes, golden startup phase!”

He could only nod and listen.

Shen Cuiyue still wore the simplest old cloth shirt, loose black trousers, and black cloth shoes with buckles—the old-fashioned kind.

Wearing a mask, there was no hint of her beauty, and the bandage wrapped around her left hand further spoiled any style.

Only her previously messy hair was now tied into two strong, shiny black braids, which made her look much healthier.

But walking through the crowded food street at mealtime, she remained inconspicuous.

"Why is flavor so important?" she asked softly. "Sichuan cuisine is the only major cuisine in the country that doesn’t fuss over the quality of ingredients. Whether mountain delicacies or wild herbs, it can handle them all. Mountain delicacies have stronger flavors, so there are established methods to deal with various special ingredients. That’s also why Sichuan cuisine favors spicy and numbing flavors. Even though there are twenty-four famous Sichuan dishes, using spicy heat to mask any special ingredient’s odor is the most common method."

Suddenly, Wei Dong’s mind flashed with realization: "Right! Spicy diced rabbit, spicy beef, spicy heart and tongue! Ha, making these would surely sell nationwide!"

Shen Cuiyue occasionally glanced up at him; her half-closed eyes betrayed a sparkle. She whispered, "Why has no one ever thought before to sell these foods across the country?"

Wei Dong explained, "First, transportation was inconvenient. It was difficult to circulate goods nationwide. Second, cooked foods have very short shelf lives. But once vacuum-sealing technology was mastered, they could be preserved for many days. Grasping these two changes means we can make this kind of snack."

Shen Cuiyue connected the dots: "Isn’t that similar to beef jerky?"

Wei Dong was only half sure: "Seems different though. Beef jerky doesn’t need vacuum packaging, right? It’s best to ask an expert."

Shen Cuiyue nodded: "Okay, let’s go to the restaurant, order some dishes and tea, and wait until they’re less busy. We should be able to talk."

Wei Dong, not wanting to freeload, promised, "Alright, I’ll tell you all about this business. If you’re interested, you can join… as a technical shareholder."

But Shen Cuiyue said, "No need, what’s mine is yours…"

She spoke plainly, yet with undeniable certainty.

As Wei Dong turned to look at her expression, his gaze followed hers and saw the poised military secretary ahead.

A soldier is a soldier, a bandit is a bandit; the moment they met, the stark difference was clear.