Qian Guotai wanted to ask Chu Xiangqian how he earned 20,000 Hong Kong dollars, but when the words came to his lips, he immediately realized why he was asking.
He even wished that Chu Xiangqiang could earn more Hong Kong dollars and exchange them with him for gold bars.
With the foreign exchange of 20,800 Hong Kong dollars, the newly established 'branch' on Hong Kong Island will be able to have much more funds.
If you can redeem 20,000 yuan every month from now on, it will definitely be considered a big achievement.
Just thinking about it, Qian Guotai knew that the attitude and attention from his superiors towards Chu Xiangqian would definitely rise to a higher level.
And for the time being, Chu Xiangqian is still a good comrade.
When Chu Qianqian saw Qian Guotai reaching out to him, he couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Uncle Qian, there is no reason to give money first? Even if you have to give it, it will be part of the advance payment."
Qian Guotai smiled and said, "If you can't trust me, how can it be that you can't trust the boss?"
Chu Xiangqian's expression froze, and he could only take out 18,800 first, "That's all for now, and the remaining 2,000 are still used for goods."
Qian Guotai felt secretly happy, put away the money, tapped it, and said with a smile, "It takes about three days to transfer the gold bars from the mainland. Don't forget to prepare the remaining 2,000, otherwise someone from above will definitely have objections."
Chu Xiangqian nodded and secretly thought that this deal should not last for a few years. In 1963, the price of international gold would rise sharply.
Although it only rose less than 4%, various countries took the initiative to intervene and drove the price of gold back.
But at that time, some people in the mainland would definitely think that holding gold is the right way to go.
This is actually true. In the mid-to-late 1960s, as the United States was mired in war in Vietnam, the deficit continued to rise.
Many countries and individuals are quietly exchanging foreign currencies for gold to seek value preservation.
To put it bluntly, the United States continues to issue more U.S. dollars due to its fiscal deficit. The market's confidence in the U.S. dollar has been greatly reduced, and it will naturally look for more value-preserving things to protect its wealth from shrinking.
Gold naturally became the first choice.
Chu Xiangqian didn't care about this. When the mainland was unwilling to exchange, he would use the money he earned to buy stores and buildings on Hong Kong Island.
If he buys all the store buildings on the dry goods store street, this alone will be enough for his family to become a famous wealthy family in Hong Kong Island in the future.
After sending away Qian Cathay, who was in a good mood, Chu Qianqian silently thought about how to earn 2,000 yuan, and then remembered that Hong Zhennan of the martial arts association had a fish market a few streets away that he managed.
Of course, Hong Zhennan just opened a fish stall in the market, and then relied on his own skills and reputation to collect fees from all the vendors in the market.
By the way, the masters who really rely on the apprenticeship fees from their apprentices are actually just low-level people. It can even be said that they are no different from those troupes.
They are all people selling crafts.
That's why so many masters want to be famous.
But after becoming famous, you still may not be able to make money.
Master Ye in the movie is pretty good, but his life is actually not that good. It can even be said that he has always been in poverty.
Because apprentices are usually from poor backgrounds, some still owe apprenticeship fees.
Moreover, if any of his apprentices left the martial arts and had no way of making a living, he would also think of opening a martial arts gym.
There was this kind of person among Master Ye's first batch of apprentices.
It was also opened not far from Master Ye's martial arts gym.
So much so that during his stay in Hong Kong Island, he moved several times and opened martial arts schools in several places.
Once you move away, you will lose the old relationship that you have maintained for many years and start working in a new place.
It is impossible to be rich.
——
Chu Qianqian told his master and mistress, got on his bicycle and went to Hong Zhennan's house.
Just on second thought, I went to the White Rose Barber Shop first and asked Sanjiang Water about the price of aquatic products.
When I arrived at the place, I bought a few pastries, a pound of tea, and two bottles of wine from the shops on the street.
When Hong Zhennan saw Chu Qianqian coming to the door with gifts in both hands, a smile suddenly appeared on his face.
"You're here now, why are you still carrying something?"
But Chu Xiangqian knew that Hong Zhennan was just talking politely, "What's it like if you don't bring something to your home for the first time? Besides, if you don't bring something to eat for your nephews and nieces, I want to come to your home for a meal next time, little guy They will dislike me."
Hong Zhennan laughed, he only had a son, and seeing that the little boy was only four or five years old, he knew that he was a son of old age, so naturally he would be a treasure.
He hurriedly borrowed the things from Chu Xiangqian's hand and handed them to his wife and daughter. Then he invited Chu Xiangqian to sit down in the living room.
After drinking a few sips of tea, smoking a cigarette, and chatting some gossip, Hong Zhennan asked, "Master Chu, do you want to see me for something?"
Chu nodded forward and did not hide it, "I just came from the north. Although my family has some savings, I can't just sit back and have nothing."
Hong Zhennan nodded, feeling relieved.
From what I hear, I'm not here to borrow money.
But if you want to do business, it means giving yourself money. Hong Zhennan's attitude became more and more polite and kind.
"Master Chu, if you have anything to say, just say it. Unless there is nothing you can do, I will definitely help you."
Chu Xiangqian also felt relieved, but he was afraid that while Hong was collecting benefits, he would also want to get involved.
He smiled and said, "As for me, I have some connections in Nanyang and the mainland, and I got 1,400 ripe coconuts and tens of thousands of catties of fresh fish. I heard that Master Hong has a large fish market."
I was just wondering if I could sell it to you directly. "
Hong Zhennan was overjoyed. He heard that Chu Xiangqian specializes in dry goods. At first, he thought that since everyone's business was different, there was no need to have more contact with him.
I didn't expect that the man named Chu could get so much fresh fish, so he would have to move around more in the future.
As for whether the fresh fish comes from the mainland or Southeast Asia, it has nothing to do with you.
As long as the price is right, it doesn't matter who you buy from.
"How to calculate the price?"
Chu Xiangqian had asked Sanjiang Shui before and even knew roughly the purchase price of the fish stall.
He said with a smile, "The first time we cooperate, we will calculate it based on 90% of the purchase price of the fish stall. And my fish are four to five kilograms each."
Hong Zhennan thought for a while, and found that the miscellaneous fish was one or two cents, and the one or two kilograms was four or five cents.
Therefore, the bigger the fish, the higher the price, but bigger is not always better.
After all, when ordinary people buy fish to eat, two or three pounds is just right.
If it is sold to a restaurant, four or five pounds is the best.
I silently calculated in my mind that the purchase price of four or five kilograms of fish was 75 cents or 80 cents per catty, and 10,000 catties was 7,000 to 8,000 cents.
I only earn 70% of the 10% difference, which is more than 500 yuan, which is equivalent to the food expenses of a family for three months.
For an ordinary family, that would be one year's food expenses.
Only fools would not do this kind of free business that does not require wasting effort.
As for coconuts, Hong Zhennan was a little unsure, but he thought that when his daughters went to the fruit stall, they would start drinking coconuts when they saw them. They should be very popular.
"I have no problem with fish, as long as the goods are good, cash transaction. It's just coconuts, I have to ask my friends at the fruit stall."
"Then weigh it at the fish stall at 4pm. The live fish will cost you 8 cents. If you die, I will give it to you directly."
Hong Zhennan was speechless now.
In his eyes, whether it is shipped from Nanyang or from the mainland, there will inevitably be a certain amount of loss.
Maybe out of 10,000 jins, there will be hundreds or even thousands of jins lost.
"Have a good time, then see you at the fish stall at 4pm."
Chu Xiangqian stood up to say goodbye, rode his bicycle and went to find Sanjiangshui. After getting a truck, Chu Xiangqian drove away by himself.
As soon as we arrived, this time in a deserted place, we climbed into the truck and took out 50 bamboo baskets from the warehouse, each containing about 200 kilograms of fish.
When we arrived at the fish stall, not only Hong Zhennan was there, but also a dozen fish stall owners were waiting.
Seeing Chu Qianqian driving over, after saying hello, fish stall guys immediately climbed onto the truck and carried bamboo baskets one by one to weigh them.
Then pour the fish into the water tank.
I saw big fish that were stiff just now, and soon began to swim.
The owners and waiters at the fish stall are all veterans, and you can tell at a glance that these fish must be wild.
After checking it with a dozen fish stall owners, Hong Zhennan couldn't help but smile and said to Chu Xiangqian, "Master Chu, the fish is fine and the weight is 80 kilograms more. We will settle the bill now."
Chu Qianqian said with a smile, "It will be calculated as 10,000 catties, and the extra money will be used to treat the guys who helped today to eat fish."
When the dozen or so guys heard this, smiles suddenly appeared on their faces.
Hong Zhennan didn't mind either, and the 7,200 yuan was quickly handed over to Chu Xiangqian.
Everyone then started talking about coconuts.
1,400 coconuts were finally discussed and calculated at 50 cents per pound.
As for Chu Xiangqian's coconuts, each one weighs about 4 or 5 pounds.
To a discerning eye, these coconuts are definitely produced in Nanyang.
If it's the one on the island, it's basically only 2 or 3 pounds each.
When Chu Xiangqian came back again with his truck, 1,400 pieces were sold for 3,250 yuan at the final settlement.
Chu Xiangqian immediately decided to keep all the coconuts next time and sell them all at once at the end of 1960.
According to Hong Zhennan, the price at that time was still 30% higher.
Chu pulled Hong Zhennan forward and said to a dozen fish stall owners, "Let's go, it's getting dark, find a place to drink."
When Hong Zhennan heard this, he immediately shook his head, "No, you can eat, but I will never drink with you in my life."
Everyone around was surprised.
Hong Zhennan was a man of his own words, so many times, people who had just come into contact with him felt that he was overbearing.
People who are familiar with him also know that he never admits defeat.
But today, when he gave in in front of this young man, everyone was really surprised and shocked.
Several of Hong Zhennan's disciples quietly explained to the people around them.
Only then did everyone realize that Chu Xiangqian actually had the record of drinking down seventeen or eight people by himself.
Some people immediately didn’t believe it.
Chu Qianqian smiled and said to Hong Zhennan, "Okay, okay, you can eat later, or have a drink with other bosses, I will keep it safe so that I won't fight with you for drinks tonight.
But don't stop me from having a good drink with these bosses. "
Hong Zhennan felt relieved and said with a smile, "Okay, I will only eat tonight and be a referee. If you lose, you pay the bill. If they lose, let them pay the bill themselves."
Nowadays, a dozen fish stall owners are so enthusiastic that they can't believe that there are more than a dozen of them, but they can't drink a young man.
Besides, it doesn’t cost much at all when the bill is split between a dozen people.
But the result was that in a fairly good food stall, there were hundreds of people around, noisily watching Chu Qianqian force down more than a dozen fish bosses.
Then he invited two eldest brothers from the club who knew Hong Zhennan and did not believe in evil. Each of them drank 5 bottles of one bottle, and easily poured people under the table.
Hundreds of passers-by and young people around were all in a stir.
This effect is countless times stronger than in the restaurant before.
When Hong Zhennan and his disciples looked at Chu Xiangqian's expression, they seemed to be looking at gods.
This is more than twenty bottles of liquor. If you hadn’t seen it with your own eyes, you wouldn’t have believed it.
Hong Zhennan asked his apprentice to pay the bill. Chu Qianqian pulled the man and said, "There is no reason for a referee to pay. Next time Master Hong treats, I will never rush to pay, but this time I have to pay."
Hong Zhennan smiled and shook his head, and said to his apprentice, "Aji, don't argue with Master Chu. Let's talk about it next time I treat you."
Several apprentices had a greater favorable impression of Chu Xiangqian.
After settling the bill, they all asked politely, "Master Chu, do you want us to take you back?"
Chu waved his hand forward and looked at the dozen or so fish stall owners lying on the table or on the ground, "Brothers, it's better to call some guys over and send them back. That's the business.
Wait until they sober up tomorrow and tell them to come back next time if they are not convinced. "
Everyone looked back and laughed.
Hong Zhennan cupped his fists towards Chu Qianqian and said, "Master Chu, that's it for today. Let's talk next time we meet."
Chu nodded forward, clasped his fists in return, found the truck, and drove away.
And this shocked the people around him.
Damn it, after drinking so much, there was nothing unusual about driving. In this way, Master Chu was not even 70% drunk.
If he kept drinking this, he might be able to drink thirty or forty kilograms of liquor.
Aji swallowed his saliva and said, "Master, you still have the foresight, otherwise, we would have to crawl back today."
"You just crawled back." Hong Zhennan slapped Aji on the head.
Several other apprentices couldn't help but snicker.
Last time Hong Zhennan was so drunk that he fell unconscious. When he got home, he crawled a few steps from the living room before lying on the sofa and snoring loudly.
The next day, Hong Zhennan heard this from his precious son. He didn't believe it anyway, and even slapped his son on the butt for the first time.
After ordering people to take away a dozen fish stall owners and two club eldest brothers, Hong Zhennan took his apprentices home.
The next day, after Chu Qianqian opened his shop, someone came to buy dried fish and asked him if he was really invincible in wine.
Chu Qianqian smiled and waved his hand, "It's all because of the face given by others. How can anyone really be able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk?"
But there were so many people who came to ask questions today that Chu Qianqian could only leave the shop to the master and his wife, and he simply went out to hide for a while.
Two days later, Chu Xiangqian reappeared at the teahouse where he last watched a play. Qian Guotai saw him coming in and hurriedly opened the door to the private room, took out a box from his bag and put it on the table.
"Hurry up and give me the more than 2,000 yuan, and give these ten gold bars weighing ten liang to you, so that I won't be worried all the time."
Chu Qianqian rolled his eyes at Qian Guotai, picked up the gold bar and looked at it once before closing the box and putting it in his pocket.
He took out an envelope and handed it to Qian Guotai, "It's only 2,000. If nothing happens, I'll go back first."
Saying this, Chu Xiangqian actually wanted to exchange antiques with Qian Guotai, but he couldn't say it too early.
(End of chapter)
