Chapter 23: Seeds of Change

Amidst the clamor, Xu Zhiquan frowned, raising his voice:

“We have no choice but to shut it down! We must close!

I’ll be honest with you: the factory’s orders have fallen through and no new business has come in.

If we don’t close now, our debts will only keep piling up!

Then it won’t just be that we can’t pay you—everyone will be dragged into the debt!”

As soon as Xu Zhiquan finished, the room fell completely silent.

At the mention of “sharing the debt,” several families froze, hastily shutting their mouths.

Xu Chen sat quietly in the back, unable to suppress a chuckle.

You really can’t see through him…

Old Xu is quite the actor!

His pitch is perfectly timed.

Just the threat of shared debt was enough to spook everyone.

Dad is on point!

…

Xu Zhiquan added:

“If you don’t believe me, I’ll have Aunt Lan bring out the ledgers so you can run the numbers yourself.

Cash flow has been tight for months. A few payments haven’t come in, and half a year’s production costs are already overdue with the bank.”

Saying that, Xu Zhiquan glanced at Aunt Lan.

Aunt Lan froze for a moment, then stammered:

“That’s true…

We were counting on securing those orders to get the first deposit, hoping to plug the bank loan gap.

Without that order, starting next month things will get really bad…”

Hearing Aunt Lan confirm it, Eldest Uncle, Fourth Uncle, and Paternal Aunt fell even more dejected.

Paternal Aunt spoke with a mournful face:

“Second brother, what are we going to do then?!”

Fourth Uncle chimed in:

“Second brother, if the factory’s closing, what’s the plan?

We’re family—if there’s a problem, we tackle it together.”

Xu Zhiquan stayed silent, though he felt touched inside.

Fourth Uncle has always worked the hardest.

Now, instead of complaining like the rest, he’s offering to face the crisis head-on…

Xu Zhiquan said:

“Since we can’t keep the factory running, I plan to go back to what we know—farming!”

“Farming?!”

“Yes—seedling nurseries.”

Xu Zhiquan dropped it there, offering no more details about the nursery business.

He didn’t mention the latest developments or the highway timber bidding in the south.

He and his son had agreed: the goal of this meeting wasn’t to recruit everyone—it was to push the freeloaders out.

Paternal Aunt asked:

“Second brother, are you serious?

We finally stopped being farmers—why go back to the fields?”

Silent Eldest Uncle finally spoke up:

“What future is there in seedling nurseries? Those on Beishan raising saplings are already struggling.

Second brother, this won’t work.”

Xu Zhiquan sighed and said:

“We have no choice. The bank debt is due next month and factory orders are dead.

Unless we farm, our whole family will be stuck paying off the bank.”

At that, everyone’s faces fell even harder.

Xu Chen listened silently, secretly praising his father.

This strategy has basically cornered them.

Satisfied the groundwork was set, Xu Zhiquan continued:

“I called you here to explain the situation.

After all, this factory was our joint venture—you all hold shares.

When there was profit, we split it. Now if debt comes, we all owe.”

“Transitioning to the nursery also means we must all help.”

Silence fell once more.

Paternal Aunt and Uncle-in-law exchanged glances, and Paternal Aunt spoke first:

“Second brother… we didn’t really have shares, did we?

The factory belongs to you; we just helped out…”

Hearing that, Xu Chen quietly scoffed inwardly.

When profits were good, they demanded dividends.

But now that debt is looming, they claim no shares.

They really know how to calculate.

But this suits Xu Zhiquan and his plan perfectly.

Fourth Uncle spoke up:

“Sister-in-law, how can you say that?

When the factory made money, you stayed quiet. Now you want out…

Does second brother deserve this after paying us salaries every month?!”

Paternal Aunt replied:

“Fourth brother, our baby was just born and money’s tight.

My husband and I are too weak for farm work.”

Eldest Uncle cleared his throat and said:

“Second brother, I’m your older brother.

When you’re in trouble, I should support you.

But I’m old now—can’t do hard labor. I just want a peaceful retirement.

And to be honest, I disagree with going into the nursery business.”

Fourth Uncle opened his mouth but clamped it shut when Eldest Uncle spoke, sulking in place.

Xu Zhiquan remained silent, then glanced at Xu Chen.

The father and son exchanged a look; everything was understood.

It went just as planned.

Xu Zhiquan paused, then sighed deeply and said:

“That’s the situation. I’ve been clear.

The factory must close or we face debt. The nursery is our only path.

So, those willing to farm can stay—turn over a new leaf.

There’s always a way out; we can rise again!

Those unwilling, you can withdraw.

Surrender your shares now, and if debt comes, I won’t drag you in!”

At that, Paternal Aunt and Uncle-in-law exchanged relieved looks.

Eldest Uncle frowned and said:

“Second brother, that’s unfair.

You just ask us to quit…

‘Family ties, clear accounts.’

Besides, we still haven’t been paid last month’s wages!”

Xu Zhiquan was speechless, his expression helpless.

Indeed, “family ties, clear accounts.”

But it’s perfect timing—now everything can be put in writing.

He’d learned from Third Uncle’s incident back then.

Words alone aren’t enough; everything must be documented.

That includes share withdrawals.

Xu Zhiquan looked troubled and said:

“You’re right—family ties, clear accounts.

I’ll cover last month’s wages and the withdrawal compensation.

I just finalized a payment yesterday—I won’t keep a penny.”

He turned and walked to the inner room.

After a while, he returned with stacks of cash and some papers.

Xu Chen eyed it—it was the 60,000 yuan Third Uncle had left behind last night.

Well…

This time, Third Uncle is truly the biggest sucker.