Chapter 127: Glad Tidings

When Uncle brought the proposal Hong Tao had written to Director Zhou, the director flipped through it repeatedly, his eyes nearly welling up with tears. The plan was brilliant; not only would it revitalize this row of street-front properties, but it would simultaneously solve the issue of a large number of unemployed youths in the neighborhood.

"It’s not as miraculous as you make it sound, Director. What 'getting rich'? It was the Party and the people who nurtured me; I cannot forget such kindness. Now is the time for me to give back to them. Seeing them idling away their days and getting into trouble breaks anyone’s heart! I just want to find them something to do so they can support themselves. Once a person has a proper job, they won't have the time to cause trouble, right?" Uncle, having learned from Hong Tao, lied as naturally as breathing. He had picked up these lines from his nephew just yesterday, and now, as he spoke, he was not only smooth but also brimming with emotion, making his words seem like heartfelt sentiments.

"Giving back!? That’s it! That’s a wonderful choice of words! Exactly, giving back! If there were just a few more people like you and your family in this neighborhood, I could retire as director. No, this matter shouldn't just stay within our street; I must report this material upward! Such a good method shouldn't be limited to just us; this is a major undertaking that benefits society! Old Jin, you’ve performed a great service! By the way, why don't you just leave the Housing Management Office? I’ll pull some strings and have you transferred to our neighborhood office as an official! How about helping me out? Before I transfer, I’ll at least promote you to deputy director; you have the level and capability for it!" Director Zhou’s brain was operating at near-overload; he had been hit with too many fresh ideas at once. He couldn't quite digest them, but this new term was exactly what he needed—adding it to his report to the district would certainly make it shine.

"Let’s leave it at that. No matter how capable I am, I need a talent scout to recognize it. Without me, someone else in the neighborhood could think of these things, but without you, someone else might just treat my words like hot air. So, I don't fear a lack of talent; I only fear a lack of good leadership. I know my own limits; I’m okay at doing practical work—I have strength—but if you ask me to be a leader, wouldn't that just be an insult?" Uncle intended to butter up Director Zhou enough to keep him satisfied for at least a week, sparing himself from having to endure any more of the director's usual scoldings.

"Fine, fine. Let’s discuss that another time. I won't keep you any longer; I need to rush back, organize the materials, and head to the district office this afternoon!" Director Zhou, clutching the papers, could hardly wait. He had already mentally drafted a magnificent report; compared to the building project last time, this one would surely be even more spectacular!

"Wait, Director. You haven't said whether or not I can post the public notice yet? Should I wait until you get back from the district, or should I start with some small actions here? I can put the notice up now; it’ll still be over half a month before the renovations are finished anyway." Uncle hurriedly stopped him; he hadn't received the answer he wanted yet.

"Post it! Post it immediately! No need to wait for me!" Director Zhou answered decisively, without a second thought.

"Then, Director, you have to help me with one more thing. Look, we have good intentions, but our space is limited and we can't accommodate everyone. Those educated youths are hot-blooded young men, and besides young women, I only have old ladies here. If they start an argument over the limited slots, I won't be able to handle it! I’m afraid that even though we mean well, it might end in disaster!" Uncle didn't let go, posing yet another problem.

"Ah! Look at my brain; I didn't think as comprehensively as you. You're right, that’s a big problem. But don't worry, give me ten minutes. I’ll go back to my office and immediately call the police station to have them send officers to keep an eye on things here! I absolutely won't allow anyone to take the opportunity to cause trouble!" After hearing this, Director Zhou nearly slapped his own forehead. He was right! If a good deed turned into a disaster, wouldn't that be a joke?

"Uncle, how did it go? No problems, right?" Watching the back of Director Zhou as he hurried away, Hong Tao stepped out of the shop. He had been inside the door the whole time, paying close attention to their conversation.

"Little Tao, do you think it’s appropriate for us to do this? Isn't this just a roundabout way of cheating people? And cheating the government at that! If this gets found out, won't we end up in jail?" The compassionate look on Uncle's face vanished, and he finally revealed his true thoughts.

"Come on, did all our talk last night go to waste? How is this cheating? Solving the employment problem for educated youths and letting them support themselves—is that true? Helping the neighborhood solve the issue of unemployed youth—is that true? Lending them seed money to be repaid in installments—is that true? Waiving their rent and utility fees—is that true? Which part of this is cheating?" Hong Tao sternly criticized Uncle’s wavering attitude.

"But you didn't mention that your 'installment plan' ends up being crueler than loan sharking," Uncle whispered his concerns.

"That’s inevitable. I don't know them; I wouldn't even be happy if you borrowed money from me, so why would I lend it to them for nothing? That’s not loan sharking! It’s an installment plan for rent and utilities. I racked my brains to come up with a compromise because I understand they don't have the ability to pay in one lump sum. If anyone isn't happy with it, that’s easy to solve: they can just pay the rent and utilities monthly. But I’m not wasting time collecting money month by month—I want a year's worth at once!" Hong Tao tried desperately to brainwash his uncle.

"I can't argue with you, but I still think it’s too harsh. How about you earn a little less and lower the interest?" Uncle wasn't a fool. No matter how well Hong Tao could spin it, the profit figures they had calculated last night were there for all to see. Calling it 'loan sharking' was an understatement; it was practically an indentured servitude contract!

"It’s not interest! It’s an installment plan! If you’re worried, I’ll put up the money myself, but then don't blame me for not including you when I make money later!" Hong Tao felt like a failure; he had used the gimmick of an installment plan, yet he couldn't get Uncle on board, who kept fixating on the 'loan sharking' aspect.

"I really shouldn't get involved in this. Keep that money for the furniture factory you mentioned; I don't feel right making money this way!" This time, Uncle didn't compromise. These financial tactics from the future were too frightening for him; he couldn't convince his conscience.

In truth, what Hong Tao was doing was the same as the 'zero down payment' housing purchases of the future. To those uninitiated, it looked like they were gaining, but in reality, they were losing no matter how you calculated it—it was equivalent to trading time for money, and the efficiency was very low. You couldn't call it an indentured servitude contract, but it was close. Hong Tao wasn't a financial expert; this was the limit of his abilities. He didn't know any higher-level financial games, but this little trick was enough to handle the current situation. It bypassed the policy issues of subletting and earned him a prestigious reputation.

At noon, a large notice was posted in front of the half-completed building. The title consisted of just two words: "Good News!"

The content had one meaning: one could obtain seed money and a counter here, with no rent or utility fees to pay, and no need to handle individual business licenses. One only needed to hand over a portion of the monthly turnover. The percentage was negotiable and varied by person and industry. There was also a restriction on who could apply: it was primarily for educated youths returning to the city and unemployed youth from this neighborhood.

For the first day or so, people only stood outside and looked; not a single person came in to ask. It made Uncle, who was presiding over the desk, lose confidence, and even the Han sisters, who were acting as secretaries, lost interest. But on the third day, a young man finally came in, trembling as he asked if it was true. After he registered and left his contact information, the crowd that had been watching from outside could no longer restrain themselves. They swarmed in all at once. More and more people arrived, and if the police station hadn't sent two officers to guard the hair salon, Uncle and the Han sisters would have been torn to pieces.

"Look at this, this is the trouble you’ve caused! I haven't even had lunch, and my throat is hoarse from talking!" When Hong Tao arrived at the shop after school at noon, there was already a long line outside. It was impossible to get in through the front, so he had to enter through the back courtyard’s iron gate. The moment Han Xue saw him, she began to complain, holding out her index finger to show him how it had become misshapen from holding a pen for too long.

"Alright, alright. You go get some lunch first. Uncle, you go too. That tripe shop across the street is good, and the beef potstickers are nice, too. My treat! I’ll take over here!" Hong Tao hurried to act generous.

"Little Tao, now I know why you didn't set up this registration desk in the hair salon or the tailor shop. It’s a good thing this was an empty, unfinished room, or they would have torn it apart!" Uncle shook his hands; he was exhausted, having recorded names all morning without even a chance to lift his head.

"Let me see... are these all?" Hong Tao looked at the pile of registration forms stacked under the table. It was about a fist thick—at least a hundred forms.

"There’s more over here. See for yourself!" Han Xue pulled another stack of forms from under her desk and threw them in front of Hong Tao.

"......Everyone! I truly understand your feelings, but food is the fuel of life! Even if we aren't hungry, we can't let the police officers sit here with us on empty stomachs, can we? Everyone, please go back for now. The slots are already full. If we need to recruit more in the future, we’ll post another notice, alright? Thank you all!" Hong Tao didn't even need to count to know there were enough. Since the idea was his, he would have to be the bad guy.