Chapter 143: The Bank Run Crisis

“Anchor Zhao, please take a look at the news on the third page first.”

“Whether you agree or not matters, because only if you agree do we have a reason to discuss further.”

Chen Huajiang smiled, signaling him not to rush and to open the newspaper and have a look.

He was fully confident because Zhao Xueming before him had published a similar article next year on the third page of the Shen City Daily, addressing economic risks in factories in Nanming City—discussing their decay and inefficiency.

At that time, it caused a huge uproar. Later generations even regarded Zhao Xueming as a representative of the capitalist roaders.

Chen Huajiang only knew so much; he wasn’t sure whether Zhao was promoted afterward or demoted.

After all, the article stirred a brief wave of discussion when it was published next year, but nothing much followed. Most importantly, Chen Huajiang wasn’t involved in the media industry.

Zhao Xueming opened the third page and began reading. At first, he was somewhat impatient, intending to just glance over it.

But as he read on, he immersed himself completely, his index finger tapping on the table as he occasionally furrowed his brow in thought.

Chen Huajiang chuckled softly and took a sip of tea.

He clearly remembered that in the previous life, Zhao’s article about factory inefficiency and the difficulty of changing course—advocating for loosening controls and developing private enterprise—cited many reports from last year’s Shen City Daily.

If Zhao did not agree with those reports, why would he have quoted them so extensively?

“I agree with the views expressed in this report. The problems Shen City faces are also present in Nanming City’s factories: redundant staff, low efficiency, rampant corruption among management.”

“If these issues aren’t thoroughly resolved, factories will only face increasing difficulties rather than turning losses into profits. But Mr. Chen, what exactly do you mean by this?”

Zhao Xueming set down the newspaper and squinted at Chen Huajiang.

Since he was nearsighted, he had to narrow his eyes to better discern Chen’s expression.

Chen Huajiang tapped the table with his finger and spoke his thoughts: he hoped that Nanming Daily could reprint the article from Shen City Daily or at least publish a commentary based on it.

At the same time, he handed Zhao a red envelope and said, “I wholeheartedly agree with what this article says. Only by allowing public and private economies to develop side by side can we create a healthy economic environment.”

Lately, Chen Huajiang had been moving cautiously, investing little by little through various small workshops and shops run by different people. He dared not let any single workshop or store grow too big, keeping the number of employees under ten.

For now, this scattered approach was the only way to control risks and avoid attracting unwanted attention as a capitalist. One wrong step, and everything would collapse.

Chen Huajiang vividly recalled the case of “Fool’s Sunflower Seeds,” a textbook example now under scrutiny. That business had already drawn attention, and some newspapers were condemning others for employing more than ten workers—a textbook capitalist offense.

Next year, the controversy around “Fool’s Sunflower Seeds” would reach its peak, culminating in an annual conference where policies would shift to tentatively allow individual businesses and private economies to develop. Only then would the debate over whether “Fool’s Sunflower Seeds” should be confiscated finally end.

Chen Huajiang’s task was to take cautious steps until that time, carefully hiding himself. Only once the conference concluded and social attitudes unified could he boldly reveal himself, grow large, and astonish the world.

“But what benefit do you stand to gain from this?” Zhao Xueming, though agreeing with the Shen City Daily report, doubted Chen’s intentions.

“To be honest, Editor Zhao, as an individual business owner, naturally I wish to grow and strengthen my enterprise.”

“Society is unstable now, people are anxious—how could I dare to expand my business? Recently, coal stove sales have been tight with winter approaching. Many want to buy stoves but need connections or special channels.”

“For me, this is an opportunity to make money, as anything I produce will sell quickly. But making stoves requires many hands, and if I’m not careful, the number of workers I hire might exceed ten. Ah, how difficult it is to be an individual business owner.”

Chen Huajiang spoke half in earnest, half joking.

Zhao Xueming understood and nodded slightly, pocketing the red envelope.

“All right, Mr. Chen, I understand your meaning. This is a small matter for me. If nothing unexpected happens, a commentary on this Shen City Daily report should appear in Nanming Daily in a few days.”

“But I advise you not to place too much hope in our newspaper. At best, it will only slightly improve the business environment for individual enterprises like yours.”

Zhao spoke frankly, aware of Chen’s intent but knowing their influence was minimal.

Chen Huajiang expressed his gratitude and exchanged pleasantries, flattering Zhao for his patriotic dedication as a media professional.

This pleased Zhao greatly; he felt Chen understood him and almost regarded him as a confidant.

They finally exchanged contact information, promising to stay in touch.

After Chen left, Zhao cautiously took out the red envelope. Inside were five hundred yuan, causing his hand to tremble.

“Mr. Chen is truly wealthy—quite generous,” he murmured, quickly pocketing the money and deciding to maintain close contact with Chen in the future.

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Outside the Steel Wire Factory in the northern district.

“Old Zhao, have you heard? That Wei Mei Xian restaurant is in trouble—the owner’s cash flow’s broken; he’s out of money.”

“You heard too? I heard the owner’s planning to run off. I rushed here to get a refund—I still have four yuan on my membership card.”

“I knew those membership cards were unreliable. Where in the world do you get discounts just by having a card? The owner must be losing a fortune.”

A crowd gathered by the entrance, all discussing the news as they came to return their membership cards.

This rumor had spread for days—not only in the northern district but also outside the newly opened Wei Mei Xian restaurants in the eastern district, where crowds had similarly gathered.

“Refund my money!”

“I want to cancel my card—give me my refund now!”

“Where’s your owner? Bring him out here and refund me, or shut down your shop!”

As the steel wire factory’s store opened, a swarm of people pressed at the door, demanding refunds.

This wasn’t the first day—small groups had come to return cards in previous days—but today’s crowd was unprecedented.

The shop didn’t have much cash flow and soon ran out of funds after refunding a few customers.

“Sorry, the store doesn’t have enough funds.”

“Please come back tomorrow; we’ll refund your card then.”

The staff said this, but it was like stirring up a hornet’s nest, instantly enraging those who hadn’t received their money.

“What!? No money? How can there be no money?”

“I knew your shop was doomed. Refund me now, or I won’t leave!”

“Why wait until tomorrow? When I signed up for the card, it said I could use it anytime and get a refund anytime. Otherwise, why would I get the card at all?”

Angry customers blocked the doorway, their shouts rising one after another, voices filled with fury.