Zhang Liunian overheard the conversation and understood why everyone had gathered. They had seen someone helping him install a telephone, so he spoke up, "If anyone needs to use the phone urgently in the future, you're welcome to come and use it."
Zhang Liunian's words were instantly met with widespread approval.
A telephone could connect them with friends and family thousands of miles away, something they might genuinely need in the future.
This was why they had come, driven by curiosity and novelty, but also harboring this thought, which they, being honest and not particularly expressive, hadn't voiced.
Now that Zhang Liunian had brought it up, it provided them with a perfect opening to respond.
"If we have any needs in the future, we might indeed trouble you, Liunian."
"Yes, it's wonderful that your household now has a telephone. From now on, some of us married women won't have to travel all the way to Wangjia Village just to make a call. It's much more convenient."
"Exactly."
"..."
Zhang Laoshi, listening to everyone's words from within the crowd, couldn't help but speak up, "Making calls costs money. Don't use it for too long, and you can't just use it for free!"
His words silenced the entire gathering.
They were aware that phone calls cost money, but since they had never made a phone call before, they weren't sure how it was charged, and for a moment, they didn't know how to respond.
Zhang Liunian heard Uncle Laoshi speaking up for him, and knowing he was considering his well-being, he smiled and said, "No need."
Zhang Laoshi, seeing that Zhang Liunian didn't mind, knew he was being considerate and didn't want to profit from the villagers. He felt even more admiration for Zhang Liunian's noble character.
However, it wasn't the right principle. If some shameless individuals were to come over to borrow the phone every other day and refuse to pay, it would not only disrupt Liunian's work but also potentially drain Zhang Liunian's finances.
"Liunian, I know you mean well, but what if some shameless people in our village run to your house to borrow the phone every day and talk for a long time? What will you do if you need to use the phone then?" Zhang Laoshi's words were meant as a reminder to the villagers and a subtle warning to those who might be less considerate.
Zhang Liunian maintained his smile upon hearing this, mentally giving Zhang Laoshi a thumbs-up. "Uncle, what you say is indeed reasonable. The purpose of installing this phone is to receive orders and communicate with business partners. If it's constantly occupied by others, it won't be good. So, how about this: when you need to borrow the phone, please try not to talk for too long. What do you all think? If it's agreeable, we can then discuss my plan to recruit more help."
Zhang Liunian had secured ten distribution points that day, and the other party indicated they would start with thirty bottles each tomorrow, which would immediately increase production by three hundred bottles. The current ten people were far from enough.
Conveniently, many villagers were present at that moment, so there was no need for a separate notification.
Zhang Liunian's words instantly shifted everyone's attention.
When they heard he was recruiting again, they became instantly excited. After all, not the entire village was present, but fewer than fifty people.
To be chosen from this group meant a greater hope.
"Sure, why not? We are honest people, we won't disrupt your work."
"That's right, we wouldn't do anything shameless. Village head, you worry too much."
"Yes, we won't delay Liunian's important business. Let's talk about recruiting people!"
"Yes, let's recruit!"
"Start recruiting!"
Everyone was eager to know if they would be lucky enough to be selected.
Seeing everyone's eagerness, Zhang Liunian decided to stick to the old method: drawing lots from a bamboo barrel to select ten people.
After the selection, Zhang Liunian saw everyone out.
Zhang Laoshi was the last to leave. He looked at Zhang Liunian and encouraged him, "Work hard."
"Yes, I will," Zhang Liunian replied, seeing him off before turning to greet the men who were installing the telephone.
"This is the payment. You may go slowly," Jiang Qingqing said, holding her stomach as she saw them off.
Zhang Liunian walked forward, put his arm around her, and asked with concern, "Are you tired?"
Jiang Qingqing shook her head and instead inquired about his recruitment, "You hired ten more people?"
As far as she knew, the current workforce was sufficient, and there was no need to add more.
But she had heard Zhang Liunian recruiting again while she was inside, and she was puzzled.
Seeing his wife's confusion, Zhang Liunian smiled and explained, "I found ten distribution points today, and each of them wants thirty bottles. With our current staff, it's definitely not enough."
He also needed to acquire another dryer, and he would discuss it with Uncle Zhao when he went to the county town tomorrow.
"So that's how it is," Jiang Qingqing realized, suddenly understanding.
Zhang Liunian reached out and gently took her hand, then began to talk about the opening of the shop in the county town the next day.
"Do you want to come and see?" Zhang Liunian helped his wife to a chair before sitting beside her.
Jiang Qingqing smiled brightly upon hearing this, "Okay!" She had never witnessed a shop opening before and was curious about what it would be like.
Zhang Liunian sensed her anticipation and didn't want to disappoint her, so he preemptively stated that there wouldn't be a grand celebration, just a string of firecrackers.
"It's fine, you handle it as you see fit," Jiang Qingqing was momentarily taken aback but quickly recovered, indicating she was content with whatever her husband decided.
Seeing that she didn't question why it would be so simple, Zhang Liunian's smile deepened. "Tomorrow, you'll go with Huabao."
"I'll listen to you," Jiang Qingqing felt this was acceptable.
The matter was settled, and they had a good night's sleep.
The next morning, Zhang Liunian woke up early and went to the county town with Zhang Qian to deliver live shrimp. He then brought back a dryer from the machinery factory.
Upon returning home, the ten people he had recruited the previous day were already in the educated youth dormitory, peeling crayfish with Ya Ba and the others.
Seeing this, Zhang Liunian arranged work for them and then carried the shop sign from his uncle's house in the village.
"Brother Liunian, is this okay?"
In the morning, Zhang Liunian took his wife and daughter to deliver goods, and then had Zhang Qian and Du Ziteng install the shop sign.
Standing on a ladder, Zhang Qian and Du Ziteng, each carrying one end, asked Zhang Liunian below.
Zhang Liunian, holding Huabao, looked at the sign. "A little to the left, yes, yes, don't move anymore, just like that."
Huabao, hugging her father's neck, blinked her big eyes, looking around. Her gaze finally settled on the large iron basins and buckets inside the shop.
Zhang Liunian looked down and happened to notice his daughter's small movement. He smiled and said, "Huabao, do you want to go in and play?"
The internal partitions had already been made. In the front were the iron basins and buckets, and in the back was a small room for people to rest.
"Daddy, I want to sit in the basin," Huabao had never seen such large basins before and was extremely curious.
Zhang Liunian didn't stop her. Since the iron basins weren't holding anything yet and were very clean, he let his daughter play. He bent down and placed her down, reminding her, "Go ahead, but don't climb into the iron buckets, okay? Those iron buckets are full of live shrimp, they can pinch you."