Chapter 71: Liu Qingwen Discusses the Classics and Philosophies

The Soviet Union had already disintegrated.

Now, the colossal nation to the north of China had plunged into utter chaos.

This was turmoil born from the very roots.

Even before the collapse, many former Soviet officials saw only uncertainty ahead. Prison was a looming possibility, or at best, a precipitous fall from grace, reduced to nothing more than an ordinary person among millions.

Within the country, daily necessities were desperately scarce, while, paradoxically, there was no shortage of planes, cannons, and the like.

As a result, many former Soviet officials became involved in all manner of smuggling and black-market deals. After all, the nation itself was gone, so who wouldn’t want to gorge themselves while they could?

Two hundred thousand US dollars in 1992 was an enormous sum. At that time, the dollar was still commonly called "Greenbacks." Calculated at the current exchange rate, just this transaction with Nemanov would cost Chai Jin over a million yuan! Not to mention the series of additional expenses for "public relations" that would follow—by that calculation, the promised five million yuan for public relations would certainly not be enough.

That was why Yu Pengfei had to call Chai Jin to make things clear. He couldn’t possibly be expected to cover the shortfall himself.

Chai Jin grew silent on the other end of the line.

He didn't know exactly how Mu Qizhong had managed to make contact with the Russians, nor how much money had already changed hands.

But this was something Chai Jin had to see through.

After a long pause, he said, "So this person is now with the Russian Aviation Administration? Can he actually make decisions within their system?"

Yu Pengfei chuckled on the phone, "If someone dares to name such a price, you can be sure they’re worth it."

"And by the way, have you heard of Mu Qizhong from Sichuan Province? Apparently, he’s about to strike a deal as well."

Chai Jin replied, "He’s handling aviation deals for Sichuan. I’m working on Shenzhen’s aviation market. There’s no conflict between us."

"When is Nemanov coming to China next month?"

Yu Pengfei gave a wry smile, "Russians are an odd bunch—proud and unpredictable. He hasn’t told me. He just wants us to agree to his terms first. If he’s satisfied, he’ll contact us after he wraps up his official business in China."

"So, what’s your decision? I need to get back to him."

Chai Jin didn’t hesitate, "Alright, agree to his terms. As long as he can make the call on their end, it’s worth whatever he asks."

"I’m just worried about those charlatans who come over, talk big, take the money, and leave us with nothing but wasted effort."

"Deal," Yu Pengfei replied crisply.

Then, as if something else came to mind, he asked, "By the way, I heard that the subscription certificates in Zhonghai are now trading for eight or nine thousand?"

"That’s right."

"Good grief!"

Yu Pengfei couldn’t help but lament over the phone. He had bought in when certificates were just a few hundred each, acquiring five or six hundred of them. When they soared to two or three thousand, he’d panicked and sold them all off—and now, look, the price had more than doubled again. On the phone, he was practically beating his chest and stamping his feet.

After calming down, he asked, "How many did you buy, Chai? How much did you make?"

Chai Jin, of course, wouldn’t tell the truth. He laughed, "My instincts aren’t great. I only bought a handful. But luck was on my side—I was so busy with other things that I didn’t follow the daily market. By the time I checked, they were going for eighty-five hundred, so I made a small profit. Sometimes luck just works that way."

Yu Pengfei let out a howl of envy, sounding re-energized, "Brother, you’ve been in Zhonghai for a while—ever heard the story of a big-time speculator?"

"I’ve heard rumors. Supposedly, there was a legend on the black market who hoarded nearly twelve thousand certificates, and then some mining boss from the north showed up with a truck full of cash and bought them all at once. Is that true?"

Chai Jin smiled calmly, "Do you really believe in such legends?"

"It’s just hearsay. The biggest certificate hoarder in Zhonghai is Liu Yiqian—that’s common knowledge."

Someone hauling a truckload of cash to buy over twelve thousand certificates—true, the transaction had been kept out of sight, but it was still a bit too conspicuous. So rumors had spread wildly in the Zhonghai black market, growing ever more exaggerated until they reached the level of myth.

But no one could say for sure, nor did anyone know the identity of this legendary hoarder.

And so, the story remained just that—a rumor. No one ever offered confirmation.

Yet, as these tales circulated, the very man who had amassed such a fortune was already seated on a nondescript green train, quietly leaving Zhonghai behind.

Yu Pengfei mused on the phone, "True enough—twelve thousand certificates, at these prices, would mean over a hundred million in cash. It does sound far-fetched. Best not to believe everything you hear."

The two exchanged a few more words of courtesy and hung up.

Little did he know that the protagonist of this outlandish tale was none other than the man he had just spoken with, Chai Jin.

After putting down the heavy mobile phone, Chai Jin felt a stiff ache in his neck. He gazed at the device in front of him with a sigh, "Doesn’t everyone’s hand hurt from lugging this thing around?"

"I really should make fewer calls, or I’ll end up with a frozen shoulder," he muttered. And just then, a sudden inspiration flashed through his mind.

Why not get into the mobile phone business once I reach Shenzhen?

…

As for Liu Qingwen—

With tens of thousands in his pocket, he was walking taller than ever.

All this newfound confidence manifested itself in his pursuit of women.

He’d been chasing after a girl named Gu Qiuyan, from Jiangsu Province.

She wasn’t what one would call stunning, but she was the kind of girl who always drew second glances in the street. Her attire was simple, betraying her rural upbringing.

At first, she barely paid Liu Qingwen any notice.

But Liu Qingwen’s skin was thicker than a train car’s steel, and his tongue was even quicker than the train itself.

Before long, a shy smile appeared on the girl’s face.

Eventually, she opened up, chatting with Liu Qingwen about anything and everything.

What shocked Fang Yi, who was sitting nearby, was that Liu Qingwen was actually discussing literature and poetry with her!

Since when did my buddy know anything about that? Wasn’t his greatest life skill supposed to be catching eels with a net?

How did he even know who Li Qingzhao was?

So he kept a close eye on Liu Qingwen’s flirtations.

Meanwhile, Chai Jin was busy scribbling on paper.

As the girl became more talkative, Liu Qingwen sensed his chance.

His eyes darted around craftily, checking the surroundings. It was nighttime by now, the sleeper car was quiet, and almost all the passengers were asleep.

He swallowed and said, "Qiuyan, what do you think of me?"

Gu Qiuyan looked at him curiously, "I think you’re a nice person. You’re funny, and you know a lot about many things."

Liu Qingwen swallowed again, "You really think I’m outstanding?"

Gu Qiuyan nodded innocently, "Mm-hmm."

He rubbed his hands together, "I’ve been drifting for half my life, always searching, always yearning, and now I’ve finally found that feeling of first love."

"Qiuyan, after we get off the train, let’s get a room and have a child together."