Chapter 30: Not Bad

“As public officials, you know the law and yet you break it!”
“This is no longer a simple case of abuse of power; you, you—!”
“I’m furious! Just wait and see how I deal with you! How dare you impersonate the county government and swagger around deceiving people!”
The middle-aged man was the Chief of the Yuanli County Police Department.
He was incensed that his subordinates had committed such a brazen act.
It was one thing to do it, but they actually went so far as to attempt to shut down someone’s factory!
And if that wasn’t enough, they even locked the county magistrate inside!
And then, as if that wasn’t outrageous enough, they impersonated the county government!
It was a wonder the middle-aged man didn’t spit blood on the spot.
He tore down the official seal in one swift motion and shouted, “If you have the guts, lock me in there as well!”
Clang!
The middle-aged policeman slammed the iron gate heavily behind him as he strode inside.
Everything happened so quickly, it took only a matter of seconds.
Those outside were brought back to their senses by the sound of the slamming iron gate.
Out front, Wang Wenjun was utterly stunned.
“The county… the magistrate is really inside?”
A wave of dizziness overcame him, and he collapsed to the ground.
The two security guards also slumped to the floor beside him.
Liu Fengxian, still unclear about what was going on, approached, trembling, and asked quietly,
“Nephew, should we… still put up the seal?”
“Seal your conscience! You and your aunt have ruined me!”
With that, he lunged forward in a rage, intent on striking someone, but the other policemen accompanying the middle-aged chief quickly restrained him.
Suddenly, from among the crowd of merchants, a voice rang out.
“Well done!”
Applause broke out outside, and the workers inside the factory joined in enthusiastically.
On the other side, Chai Jin and Yao Shunnian came out of their offices.
The middle-aged policeman made his apologies to Yao Shunnian and, representing the county police department, apologized to Chai Jin.
If this matter were to escalate, it was uncertain just how much damage Wang Wenjun’s actions could do to the department’s reputation.
With the state-owned factory restructuring in full swing, the news that police and factory guards had come to shut down a factory would be a severe blow to the private business environment in Yuanli County—who would dare to invest after that?
Connections are built up through countless conflicts and encounters.
With decades of life experience, Chai Jin understood this well.
He was neither arrogant nor overbearing in his response.
Because of his measured attitude, he immediately earned the chief’s respect.
The ensuing conversation was extremely pleasant.
As they left, Wang Wenjun, Liu Fengxian, and the others were all held in the police car.
Awaiting them was the stern hand of the law.
Hearing the applause at the factory gate, Yao Shunnian thought for a moment, picked up the loudhailer from the ground, and addressed the workers and merchants who’d come to collect goods.
“This was a lapse on the part of our administrative departments. I apologize to everyone on behalf of the county government!”
“At the same time, let me assure you all that the county is currently reviewing the first batch of key restructured enterprises for support.”
“Under Little Chai’s leadership, Daoxiang Distillery has made remarkable progress—we in the government are gratified!”
“As soon as I return to the county, I’ll fast-track the review. Your Daoxiang Distillery will absolutely be among the first batch of county-supported enterprises!”
Then he turned to the merchants: “Thank you all for purchasing goods here. You’ve kept the former state-owned enterprise’s employees off the unemployment line. I promise you: with Little Chai’s abilities, he’ll surely lead you all to prosperity!”
“Bravo!”
That cry of approval came from Zhang Aiming amid the crowd—his face wet with tears.
After so many years as director of Daoxiang Distillery, this was the first time he’d witnessed the county magistrate personally commend and recognize the factory.
How could he not be moved?
The applause in the crowd grew even more enthusiastic. With the magistrate’s endorsement, these merchants were more determined than ever to walk alongside the factory.
Even Chai Jin hadn’t expected Yao Shunnian’s words; it was a pleasant surprise, and a relaxed smile appeared on his face amid the crowd.
He failed to notice that, at the back of the factory, Chai Minguo had been watching the entire scene at the gate.
Gazing at his son, not yet eighteen, this man who had toiled his whole life suddenly found his eyes brimming with tears.
He murmured softly, “My boy’s not bad. Not yet twenty, and he’s already earned the magistrate’s recognition.”
“My child is finally grown—he can spread his wings and soar on his own.”
…
The subsequent proceedings went even smoother than Chai Jin had expected.
Li Zheng had also managed to secure an ambiguous stance from above.
A bank’s income depends on loans; during the era of collective planned economy, banks only lent to state-owned enterprises.
But with so many state-owned enterprises now restructured, who would they lend to if all were changed?
This was a chain reaction, and the banks were feeling the pressure too.
So, the higher-ups’ thinking began to waver.
With additional support from Magistrate Yao, Chai Jin ultimately secured a loan exceeding eight hundred thousand yuan!
Far more than he’d expected—Li Zheng had fought hard for him.

As soon as the funds arrived, Chai Jin immediately took his team to the State Assets Commission.
The paperwork was processed swiftly, and several of Daoxiang Distillery’s core technical staff soon joined the county distillery.
On New Year’s Day, Chai Jin stood before the county distillery gates, taking a group photo with everyone.
The county distillery’s old sign was taken down, and Daoxiang Distillery’s new plaque was installed in its place.
Production resumed instantly, and thanks to the merchants’ tricycles, Little Li Liquor began dominating the markets of several surrounding cities.
Within three months, it became the top brand in the local liquor market—Chai Jin had fulfilled his promise to Zhang Aiming.
With the approach of Spring Festival, orders at the distillery exploded once more.
Chai Jin further improved the packaging and launched a line of gift products.
As Little Li Liquor’s popularity soared, more and more merchants came to stock up; new inns and restaurants sprang up around the county distillery, and the area bustled with people.
The lively scene—all supported by a single distillery—was emblematic of the era.
Three days before the Spring Festival, a legendary figure returned to Daohua Village.
He hadn’t come back in over a decade; his name was Feng Haodong.
Back in ‘75, he’d started dabbling in speculative trade, one of the first in China to awaken to the market economy.
Back then, getting caught for such activity meant prison at best, or worse—facing the firing squad.
So he fled.
Later, rumors spread that he’d made a fortune in the south. Villagers who’d met him in Shenzhen came back saying, “A ten-thousand-yuan household is nothing—Feng Haodong can spend that much in a single night at a karaoke bar in Shenzhen.”
No one really knew how much he was worth.
Naturally, Feng Haodong received a hero’s welcome upon his return—endless banquets and celebrations.
But there was one thing he found especially odd: wherever he sat down, regardless of the company,
The wealthy didn’t drink Maotai.
The poor didn’t drink Erguotou.
Everyone only asked for Little Li Liquor—one small bottle each, sipped in moderation, savoring the mood without excess.
The drinking atmosphere was wonderful.
It wasn’t until that day that someone told him, “Mr. Feng, Little Li Liquor is a product of your hometown’s Daoxiang Distillery.”