The automobile factory was thriving in the 1980s. According to Zhang Xiaoqing, their factory mainly produced automobile parts and assembled three-wheeled vehicles.
The workers in the workshop were all wearing blue work clothes and were concentrating intently on their tasks. Everyone's face was extremely serious, and no one was even slacking off.
This reflects the spirit of workers in this era—full of hope and boundless energy.
"Comrade Xiao Fu, look over there, those are the three-wheeled vehicles that our factory produces and assembles."
Fu Wan and Fu Ming looked in the direction she pointed and saw rows of blue tricycles parked neatly on the side. Each vehicle looked exquisite, and Fu Ming's eyes lit up with envy.
Although Fu San's car looked somewhat similar to these cars, the difference was that Fu San's car was a second-hand purchase, so the paint on the body was quite scratched. But even so, Fu Ming liked it very much.
Seeing this brand-new three-wheeled vehicle, Fu Ming couldn't even imagine how cool he would look driving it.
Fu Wan also took a look at the tricycle. Since they couldn't buy a car, this would be fine for the family for the time being.
And more importantly, she had just thought that the cannery might also be able to use it, for example, to deliver goods to places like supply and marketing cooperatives.
"Okay, Comrade Zhang, how much does one of these tricycles cost?"
Zhang Xiaoqing was surprised that Fu Wan still wanted to buy the car after seeing it.
She instinctively quoted a price immediately.
"This 581 three-wheeled vehicle sells for 32,000 yuan here. It's actually a light truck, and it's very suitable if you want to use it for hauling goods."
"Moreover, our vehicle uses a four-cylinder engine with excellent horsepower, and it has three forward gears and one reverse gear, capable of carrying about one ton of cargo." The 581 tricycle is still used as a sanitation vehicle in many places. Fu Ming listened with great interest and couldn't help but ask again, "Why is it called the 581 tricycle?"
This price has absolutely nothing to do with the car or the number 581!
Zhang Xiaoqing smiled and said, "581 means that this car was finalized and put into production in January 1958. The production technology for this car was introduced from Shanghai. The masters in the production workshop all studied at the Shanghai Automobile Assembly Plant."
If you encounter any problems after purchasing the car, you can contact us at any time for inspection and repair.
Fu Ming nodded subconsciously, "That's actually pretty good."
After muttering to himself, he couldn't help but look at the row of cars again. Every single one of them looked good, and he wanted to take them all home.
However, he was also well aware that if he drove the whole car back, Ye Xiaocui would chase him around the village for most of the time.
"Ah Wan, this car..."
Fu Ming was about to discuss it with Fu Wan when Fu Wan turned to Zhang Xiaoqing beside her and said, "Comrade Zhang, could you please write up the order? I need one."
"One? Okay, I'll go talk to the finance department right away!"
Zhang Xiaoqing didn't expect Fu Wan to make such a decision so quickly. When she did business with her former colleagues, they not only demanded kickbacks but also asked her to treat them to meals.
If it weren't for her and her colleagues' drinking prowess, they wouldn't have been able to sign so many deals.
She only received Fu Wan out of respect for the director of the Friendship Store; she never expected that this young comrade would buy a car as if it were child's play.
"Ah Wan, are we really going to buy it?"
Fu Ming was dumbfounded and couldn't help but advise Fu Wan, "If we buy this car, it won't be of much use, and Mother might even get angry."
Fu Wan patted his shoulder, "Don't worry, Mom will definitely understand. Besides, I can use this truck to deliver goods for the cannery later."
Putting everything else aside, just tell me, do you want to drive this car?
Fu Ming nodded frantically, not wanting to disagree.
"That's settled then. You should practice your driving skills and help me drive to the cannery more often. I'll pay you a salary later."
Fu Ming belatedly realized that his younger sister had given him another job, but he didn't find it troublesome at all; on the contrary, he was deeply moved.
If you were to ask what jobs were most sought after in the 1980s, besides the secure jobs of teachers, it would definitely be drivers.
Not only is the salary high, but you also get to drive a big car.
This tricycle is also a vehicle, so Fu Ming was naturally very happy.
The price of 32,000 was nothing to Fu Wan, but she still had to negotiate.
"Comrade Zhang, can we get a discount on this car?"
The cloth bag Fu Wan was carrying contained the money Fu Ming had withdrawn when he bought the refrigerator. He had withdrawn a total of 50,000 yuan, and there was still more than 40,000 yuan left in the bag.
Zhang Xiaoqing is a straightforward person, and since Fu Wan didn't fuss over buying the car, she directly offered a friendly price.
“We usually pay 31,000 to companies here. Why don’t you pay that as well? I’ll talk to my boss about it later.”
Fu Wan was overjoyed to have saved a thousand yuan in just a few words. She immediately paid the money and then asked Zhang Xiaoqing to help her register the car.
"By the way, Comrade Zhang, you don't need a driver's license to ride this bike, right?"
Fu Wan suddenly remembered this matter. What if she was stopped by the police as soon as she drove out? That would be a real injustice.
"It's not necessary now, but who knows in the future. If Comrade Xiao Fu has the means and time, it would be best to take the exam first."
She wouldn't say these things to others, but she couldn't help but say a few more words because she saw that Fu Wan got along well with her.
"Okay, I'll see where there are places to take a driving test in the county later, and then I'll go and get my driver's license."
Zhang Xiaoqing was delighted to hear this, as she had guessed that Fu Wan would not be satisfied with just a small tricycle.
"I have the phone number of the city's driving test department. I'll copy it down for you later. If you have time, practice on a tricycle, and then go to the actual test site to practice a couple of times."
At that time, there weren't so many subjects in the driver's license test. Fu Wan smiled and said, "Then thank you very much, Sister Zhang."
The word "sister" brought the two closer together.
Zhang Xiaoqing's smile widened. "Oh, then I've gotten a beautiful girl for free."
After purchasing the tricycle, Fu Wan took the factory's demo unit for a spin and felt reassured after finding it to be a good fit.
Looks like I can drive it home by myself later.
Fu Ming was impatient and took a little longer than Fu Wan, but he also got the hang of it quickly.
Because the car still needed to be registered and processed, Fu Wan and Fu Ming decided not to bother Zhang Xiaoqing and went out for a casual stroll.
The supply and marketing cooperatives in the city are pretty much the same as those in the county. Fu Wan had just spent a lot of money at the Friendship Store and bought a car, so her desire to spend money wasn't as strong anymore.
Just as she stepped out of the supply and marketing cooperative, she saw an elderly man with a full head of white hair lying face down on the ground by the roadside, his hand still trembling as he tried to reach into his pocket.
After hesitating for a while, Fu Wan decided to ask the old lady if she needed help.
After all, right at the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative, the sales clerk saw that she wasn't the one who knocked her down.
"Grandma, do you need any help?"
The old lady's voice was very weak. After hearing Fu Wan's voice, she answered weakly after a long while.
"Candy...candy...in my pocket..."
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