Chapter 115: Grandmaster

When Le'er and Li Ying returned to Xiasha Village, Shen Dafu, the owner of Dafu Brick Factory, had already been waiting for the better part of the day, chatting and smoking with Carpenter Luo and the others. He was a sturdy, short, twenty-seven or twenty-eight-year-old country lad with a crew cut. His attire was unremarkable, but his cheerful demeanor radiated shrewdness and competence.

He made a good impression on both Li Ying and Le'er.

Le'er had already inquired about the market price, which was generally twelve cents per brick. He invited Shen Dafu into the main room, and the two chatted happily over coarse tea.

"Boss Shen, I cannot lower the price further, but since you are a major client, a discount is only fair. Others pay twelve cents at the factory gate; for you, I will deliver them to the site and count them right here in Xiasha Village for the same twelve cents. How does that sound?"

They had been negotiating for a while. Le'er insisted on a price reduction, but Boss Shen held his ground. He explained that he could not change the price; if he lowered it here, he would be in a difficult position with other clients. He prided himself on honest business and refused to undermine his own reputation.

After consulting with Li Ying, Le'er decided the terms were acceptable.

"Boss Shen, shall we sign a contract then?" Li Ying said with a smile. "To be honest, because of your integrity, we are interested in a long-term partnership."

"That would be wonderful," Boss Shen’s eyes lit up. "You are a large company investing millions; being your long-term partner is a great opportunity for my business. A contract isn't strictly necessary—I've inquired about Le'er’s character and I trust him completely. However, I do have one condition: we must settle the accounts every hundred thousand bricks. My factory is small, and I cannot afford to have too much capital tied up."

"Agreed!" Le'er replied readily. "But we must sign a contract. It’s not a matter of trust, but of following proper business procedures. Personal sentiment is one thing, but business is business, don't you agree?"

From the moment the company was founded, Boss Hong, Li Ying, and Sha Le'er had agreed that everything should be handled according to formal corporate standards. For now, Li Ying was serving as the temporary general manager and financial controller, Le'er was the chairman, and Boss Hong was a board member. However, since the office facilities were not yet ready and staff had not been hired, they were not fully operational yet.

As Li Ying drafted the contract, Le'er and Shen Dafu set aside their tea and began drinking a local distilled spirit instead.

"Boss Shen, your factory has been taking business away from the Shuangqiao Brick Factory, hasn't it? How come they haven't given you any trouble?" Le'er asked, feeling a sense of disdain whenever he thought of the Shuangqiao factory.

"They'd love to give me trouble, those bastards. They don't run a proper business; they only know how to resort to underhanded tricks. But they have a deputy county magistrate behind them, and I have my connections too. My third uncle is the president of the municipal court. Do you think they dare mess with me?"

"No wonder. Otherwise, I’m sure they would have smashed your factory long ago."

"Those pigs and dogs—they've made life miserable for so many people," Shen Dafu said, taking a sip of his drink. "But evil deeds eventually backfire. Who goes to them to buy bricks anymore?"

After they finished talking, Li Ying completed the contract. Shen Dafu read it over and pressed his thumbprint on it, as did Le'er. In the countryside, there was no need for formal notarization.

Le'er wanted to invite Shen Dafu to stay for dinner, but he shook his head, saying he had much to do and it was getting late. He had arrived by bicycle, and as he mounted it, the sound of his bell trailed off into the distance.

Work was set to begin officially tomorrow, and the various contractors had returned. Le'er had asked his uncle to inform them to gather at his house this evening for dinner to discuss the plans and sign their own contracts.

It was time to cook, but Auntie hadn't arrived; instead, Luo Yinxiang showed up.

"What are you here for?" Le'er asked, his expression darkening.

"I’m an employee of your company now, aren't I?" Luo Yinxiang replied with a grin, ignoring his look. "Sister Ying said I’m officially starting today. Auntie is busy, so I’m filling in to cook for you."

"Well, hurry up then. Make a few extra dishes; there are a lot of people coming."

***

Luo Yinxiang was quick, and before long, Uncle Shenggui and Auntie Ma arrived.

"Le'er, you little devil, I never imagined you’d pull off something this big," Auntie Ma said, laughing. She had only returned the night before. "We are blessed to be working for you; no need for us to head out to find work elsewhere."

Le'er smiled sheepishly. Seeing Luo Yinxiang cooking, Auntie Ma hurried over to help clean the vegetables. Soon after, Tao Qiang arrived. The two hadn't seen each other since they parted ways in Guangzhou. Although Tao Qiang was two years older than Le'er, they had always gotten along well.

"Le'er, you rascal!"

Tao Qiang gave Le'er a bear hug. Le'er handed him a cigarette, and as they swapped stories about their time apart, the others began to arrive one by one. Soon, the main room was filled with noise and bustle. Li Ying came out to greet everyone.

Everyone knew the relationship between Li Ying and Le'er, and they also knew she was the general manager. The older ones greeted her politely, while Tao Qiang cracked a few jokes.

Uncle and Carpenter Luo walked in together.

"Le'er, there is one major thing you haven't done yet."

"What is it?" Le'er thought he had everything arranged.

"We need to find a Master Gong to bless the mountain," Uncle and Carpenter Luo said, puffing on their pipes. "I just discussed it with the carpenter; Master Gong from the Luo family in Dashutian is the best. For a project this big, we can't skip the blessing ceremony."

(Translator’s Note: A "Master Gong" is a type of shaman; "Gong" refers to males, "Po" to females. In the Chu-Xiang region, the belief in shamanism is deeply rooted.)

"Uh... let me go discuss this with Li Ying."

Le'er went inside and spoke with Li Ying. People from Guangdong were very superstitious, and Li Ying had seen this many times. Which company would open without burning incense and praying for good fortune? Since this was the local custom, she certainly wouldn't object.

"Uncle, the date is already set. Will there still be enough time tomorrow?"

The start date had been chosen by a specialist, and it couldn't be changed.

"Le'er, tell you what, I’ll go back now and invite Master Gong," Carpenter Luo said, taking his pipe out of his mouth. "You prepare a few extra dishes later; we must host the Master well."

"Alright," Le'er said. He couldn't leave, otherwise he would have gone himself. "I leave it to you, Uncle Luo."

Carpenter Luo hurried off. It wasn't dark yet, so he would likely be back in two hours. The dishes were set out, along with the wine, and over a dozen people sat together, eating and talking. Li Ying sat at the table but only spoke to Luo Yinxiang and Auntie Ma. She had already agreed with Le'er that he would handle the necessary announcements.

The three women didn't drink, so they finished their meal quickly and left the table. The men continued to drink and smoke, talking fervently. Luo Yinxiang went back to the kitchen, while Auntie Ma and Li Ying went into the inner parlor.

"Auntie Ma, you're only in your twenties, yet you're already an 'aunt.' That's incredible," Li Ying teased.

"Oh... in our village, people with the same surname live together. My husband Shenggui is from the younger branch, so his seniority is higher," Auntie Ma said, looking at Li Ying’s beautiful face. "Shenggui is six years older than Le'er, and Dalong is even older than Shenggui, yet they all have to call me 'aunt'."

"How old are you, Auntie Ma?"

"I'm twenty-three."

"Oh, we're the same age."

"You don't need to call me 'aunt,' it's quite embarrassing," Auntie Ma giggled. "My name is Ma Xiang; just call me that."

"That wouldn't do. Le'er calls me 'sister,' if I call you by your name, he won't be happy."

"That's true... our Le'er is a lucky one, and he’s destined for great things," Ma Xiang said, her heart blooming with joy. "He has had a hard life since he was little, but he’s always been the most sensible."

Li Ying and Ma Xiang talked for a long time. The company would eventually need a large amount of talent, and Li Ying was keeping that in mind. Ma Xiang was a high school graduate, hardworking, and educated. She was also a relative of Le'er, and perhaps she could take on a significant role at the snake farm in the future.

Once the drinking was done and the matters were settled, the guests slowly dispersed. Luo Yinxiang finished preparing more food, and Carpenter Luo returned with Master Gong. The Master was in his fifties, with a long, greying beard hanging from his chin. He looked like an ordinary old country man, not particularly mysterious.

The food and wine were laid out again. Uncle had not been drinking with the young ones earlier, but now Le'er called him over to keep Master Gong company. The three old men talked enthusiastically, and Master Gong praised Sha Le'er repeatedly.

The mountain blessing required sacrificial animals, paper offerings, and firecrackers. Master Gong believed the ceremony should be grand; a pig was necessary as the main sacrifice, and a rooster was essential. In fact, he insisted on several roosters to cleanse the evil spirits in the southeast, west, and north of the site, as well as at the stone quarry.

"Le'er, you make the call," Uncle Shentian said while drinking.

"No problem, we'll do exactly as Master Gong says." Le'er winced at the cost, but if he was going to do it, he wanted to do it properly. "But I don't raise pigs. Where can I buy one?"

"I have two in my pen. I was keeping one for the New Year, but the other one is yours," Uncle Shentian laughed. "But you can't let this old man lose out, you little devil. I don't want a high price, just the market rate will do."

"Deal," Le'er said after thinking for a moment. "And let's hold a banquet tomorrow. I’ll invite everyone in the village to eat and drink as a way to thank them."

"Good... Le'er has spirit," Master Gong laughed, stroking his beard. "He’s a man meant for big things."

"That’s for sure. This kid does things differently than common folk," Carpenter Luo added. He had already made a good amount of money from Le'er. The house renovation was nearly complete, and he would soon be working on the Snake Mountain project. With this major job, he could earn at least ten thousand yuan—not a small sum.

"We should invite some people from Shangtao Village too. Party Secretary Tao must be invited, and that old fellow Tao Shiliang, he’s a good man."

"I'll leave the invitations to you, Uncle."

"There's still much to do. I think you should go see Shenggui again," Uncle nodded. "Tomorrow morning we need to buy incense, candles, and firecrackers. If you're hosting a big banquet, you'll need more food and more hands."

"Right," Le'er said. "Uncle, I’ll leave the trouble to you. You be the general manager of the banquet; I have too much on my plate to handle all the details."

"Don't worry, with your uncle in charge, what could go wrong?"

After talking for a while longer, Carpenter Luo and Master Gong left. Le'er walked his uncle home and then paid a visit to Uncle Shenggui’s house.

That night, he still couldn't enter Li Ying's room. When he returned home, Li Ying had already gone to bed and locked the door. Le'er sighed and headed into his own small room.