When Zhang Qingliang was born, besides his two elder cousins, he already had an elder brother and an elder sister from the same mother.
In an already not-so-affluent family, the resources available to Zhang Qingliang were already very limited.
What's more, there was another younger brother later.
Zhang Qingliang, who grew up in such an environment since childhood, barely managed to finish junior high school before entering society to make a living.
In Yicheng during the 80s and 90s, there weren't many ways to earn money.
Since childhood, he had followed his father and brothers to repair the Yangtze River dikes, worked as a manual laborer, and had done almost all kinds of strenuous labor.
And so it was, until 1998, Zhang Qingliang was already 29 years old, and his child was three.
That year, the Yangtze River basin experienced another major flood.
With the allocation of tasks in the production team, various taxes, and losses caused by the flood, Zhang Qingliang, like everyone else in the village, was forced to go far away to work.
Northeast China in the 1990s still held a high status in the eyes of rural people.
Working in the Northeast was a choice for many rural people, and Zhang Qingliang was no exception.
If nothing unexpected happened, this year would be Zhang Qingliang's seventh time heading to the Northeast for work.
Over the years, the couple worked in the Northeast, saving every penny, and accumulated some money.
Originally, they planned to save for another year this year, and by the end of the year, they would probably be able to build a new house.
Who would have thought that before returning home, his elder sister called to tell him that his nephew had bought a house in Yicheng and intended for him to be responsible for all renovation matters?
Zhang Qingliang was somewhat conflicted about this.
If possible, it would naturally be better to stay in his hometown, but he couldn't earn money in his hometown.
Solely relying on his nephew's house certainly wouldn't provide work for many months, and by then, he would still have to go far away.
Often, after going out in mid-month, it would be harder to find work, as everyone would already have suitable partners.
Zhang Qingliang naturally knew what Tan Jincheng meant by telling him not to get drunk, but it was also hard to directly refuse during the Chinese New Year, so he decided to listen to what he had to say first.
After the meal, after everyone else had left, Zhang Qingliang beckoned Tan Jincheng over.
"You're talking about the house renovation, right?"
"Yes, one is 133 square meters, and another is 92 square meters. I'm not in a hurry to move in. It should be enough work for you this year, Uncle?"
Tan Jincheng said with a smile.
"Why two sets? Didn't your mother say you only bought one?"
Zhang Qingliang said, a little surprised.
"I also bought a small apartment in Beicang; they don't know about it yet. Uncle, you can take other jobs at home or grow crops; just finish the renovation for me within this year. I don't have a specific deadline."
"The Beicang one can be arranged for the second half of the year. Actually, Uncle, you can really consider Beicang. The development there is very rapid now. I also know some small business owners; I can ask them to introduce some jobs to you; it shouldn't be a problem."
Following that, Tan Jincheng added,
"I won't let you help me for free, Uncle. We're relatives, but business is business. I don't know how much you and Auntie can earn in the Northeast in a year, but if you help me renovate these two houses this year, I can give you 60,000 yuan."
60,000 yuan is roughly the market price for renovation workers in Beicang.
Tan Jincheng had inquired about this beforehand.
In 2004, a renovation worker in Beicang earned about 50 yuan a day.
Tan Jincheng didn't know what the wage level was like in the Northeast, but this year, he would be in Yicheng for at least half a year.
Relatively speaking, it should be enough.
Don't think that 60,000 yuan a year for a couple is too little.
You should know that renovation workers have no security; they only get paid when there's work and have no security when there's no work.
Although Tan Jincheng would pay by contract, it could guarantee an entire year's income.
There were many relatives in the family, so Tan Jincheng could only show this much consideration in terms of wages.
Otherwise, it would easily cause conflicts, and since he was a junior, if not handled well, it would make things difficult for his parents.
The richest person in China in 2003 was Fatty Ding, known to later generations as the "Pig Farm Boss," with a net worth of 7.5 billion.
The richest person in China in 2004 was Huang Guangtou of Gome, with a net worth of 10.5 billion.
The unit is Renminbi; such was the national wealth at that time.
Zhang Qingliang looked at his nephew with some surprise,
"60,000?"
60,000 yuan wasn't a lot, but it wasn't a small amount either.
When the couple had a good year, they could indeed earn more than 60,000 yuan a year, but if they worked in a year with less work or if the employer defaulted on payments, their income would be reduced by at least 30% or more, plus the cost of round-trip travel expenses.
"Yes, 60,000. If you agree, Uncle, I can pay you half now, which is 30,000 yuan, and the other 30,000 will be given to you when the Yicheng house is renovated."
"Also, when you go to work in Beicang, I will help you with housing. Of course, this is only during the period you're helping me renovate the houses. If you later find Beicang good and decide to stay there to develop, then you'll have to rent your own place."
When discussing matters with immediate family, no special skills are needed.
All you can do is state the conditions and requirements you can offer; the rest depends on whether he can accept them.
Tan Jincheng paid according to market rates and, at the same time, provided some consideration.
This not only ensured his uncle's income but also prevented him from feeling that his nephew was deliberately taking care of him, making it psychologically easier to accept.
The fourth uncle had a meticulous personality and was relatively more sensitive than his other uncles.
If Tan Jincheng had directly offered 100,000 yuan a year for the couple, Zhang Qingliang would have refused without hesitation.
Zhang Qingliang was silent for a while.
The price his nephew offered was indeed tempting.
Even if he didn't take any other jobs this year, it could guarantee a year's income, and he could also take care of his son at home nearby.
Calculating based on Yicheng construction sites, he could handle it entirely by himself.
Then he could let his wife grow a season of rice at home and also look after the child, and when she was too busy, she could go to the city to help.
However, the price his nephew offered and helping him rent a house in Beicang, this was clearly showing him special consideration, and it would be a bit embarrassing to agree directly.
Tan Jincheng could clearly see Zhang Qingliang's concerns.
He handed him a cigarette and smiled,
"Uncle, don't feel embarrassed. If I were to find someone else to renovate, it would be roughly this price. My mother usually has to take care of Xiao Jinyue, and my father has to go to work, so it's perfect for you to be in charge of the construction site."
"Besides, you're my maternal uncle, so I'd also feel more at ease with you working for me. This house is for a lifetime, and there are many tricks in renovation, and I don't want to be scammed."
"You even know about the tricks in renovation?"
Zhang Qingliang took the cigarette and smiled.
"I'm in business after all; I interact with all sorts of people. I still know about things like you taking kickbacks from shops when painting walls."
Zhang Qingliang smiled wryly,
"You rascal, it seems you really do know a bit. Alright, in principle, I have no objection, but I need to discuss it with your aunt."
His elder sister had already mentioned it beforehand, and the price his nephew offered was also very considerate of him.
It would be somewhat unreasonable not to agree, but directly agreeing would feel a bit undignified.
"That's natural, Auntie must agree. If there are no problems, Uncle, you can contact my mother then. I'm leaving on the eighth day of the first lunar month. As for when you start work, it's up to you."
"You're not going to supervise the renovation style?"
"The Yicheng one will be done according to my parents' requirements, and I'll tell you about the Beicang one later."
"Alright, after your aunt finishes cleaning up the kitchen, I'll discuss it with her."
Zhang Qingliang actually wanted to agree right then.
Tan Jincheng could also tell this but didn't say much.
After a moment of silence, Tan Jincheng looked at his fourth uncle's gaunt face and said seriously,
"Uncle, I have no other requests, just one thing: your work also carries a certain degree of danger. I hope you must pay attention to safety."
He remembered that in his previous life, after his fourth uncle had an accident, for a long time, his mother and grandmother would often stare at him blankly.
And his fourth aunt was exceptionally good to him ever since, the reason being that he resembled his fourth uncle the most.
Looking now, there was indeed a resemblance; it was just that his fourth uncle looked a bit thinner.
After persuading his fourth uncle, Tan Jincheng let out a long breath.
He had already done what he could.
His uncle was a living person, and he couldn't possibly tie him up at home to prevent him from going out.
The only way was to use familial affection and money to keep him closer in the future.
He also hoped that for the sake of family ties, he would pay more attention to safety, lest a good thing turn into a bad one.
As for the outcome, whether it would remain unchangeable like in his previous life or if the accident could be avoided, could only be left to fate.
(End of chapter)
---------------------
Support me on P@treon
[email protected]/charaz
$3 -> 15 chapters in advance
$5 -> 30 chapters in advance
$10 -> 60 chapters in advance
Check my pinned post on P@treon