Chapter 223 County Native Produce and Fruit Company
I boarded the bus at 7:30 in the morning and arrived in the county town at 10:00.
The county town of today was not like the high-rise buildings of later generations. In Sheng Xiping's eyes, it was all dilapidated bungalows, all gray and shabby.
But in other people's eyes, it was pretty good, very prosperous. After all, it was a county town, hundreds of times larger than Qianchuan Forest Farm.
"Xiping, neither of us has ever been to the county town before. Do you know which way to go?"
As soon as they got off the bus, everyone was dumbfounded. In such a big place, where were they supposed to find a recycling station?
"What's that under the nose? What's it for? Is it just for eating and breathing?"
Sheng Xiping snorted, strode forward, and found an old man who looked to be around fifty years old.
"Excuse me, sir, could you tell me how to get to the purchasing station of the supply and marketing cooperative in our county?" Sheng Xiping asked the old man politely.
The old man glanced at Sheng Xiping and saw that he had a rather respectable appearance, a smiling face, and was quite polite.
The old man was quite satisfied and nodded.
"You guys are from the valley, aren't you? Looking for a purchasing station to sell your mountain produce? Our place is called the Native Produce and Fruit Company, we buy everything. Come on, let me take you there."
Most people from Northeast China migrated there from other parts of China. Back then, Mandarin wasn't widely promoted, so many people still spoke with their hometown accents.
So even though they're all from Northeast China, you can really tell the difference in accents between people from county towns and those from remote mountain villages.
"Oh, that's wonderful, thank you so much, sir."
I've been to this county town quite a few times in my past life, but when was that?
In the 1990s, many multi-story buildings were built in the county, unlike now where there are only single-story houses. Where can we find a recycling station now?
No, the county's local products and fruit company was gone, and Sheng Xiping had never heard of it.
The old man waved his hand and led the way, with Sheng Xiping and the others following behind.
After exiting the bus station, walk east for a while, then turn south and walk forward for a while longer, and you will arrive.
"Over there, do you see that? That sign says 'department store,' and the door next to the department store is where you're looking for."
Everyone looked in the direction the old man pointed. Across the street was a two-story building with a sign hanging at the main entrance: Fusong Department Store, Fusong Supply and Marketing Cooperative.
In townships, they are called supply and marketing cooperatives; in counties, they are called general supply and marketing cooperatives or department stores.
This should be one of the few two-story buildings in the county town, and it looks quite impressive.
Next to the department store, there was a row of bungalows with a sign that read "Local Products and Fruits Company".
When Sheng Xiping looked around, he realized that the place hadn't changed much; it was still the same location as the department store.
"Oh, thank you so much, sir. You've gone to so much trouble to bring us all this way." Sheng Xiping quickly thanked the old man.
The old man waved his hand, turned around, and left. Sheng Xiping and the others then stepped across the street.
"Jianshe, you two take Zhijun and Fusheng and don't go in. Stay outside and keep watch for us."
Sheng Xiping's heart stirred, and he suddenly spoke up, instructing Wang Jianshe to wait outside the purchasing station with Zhang Zhijun and Pan Fusheng, without going in.
Upon hearing this, Wang Jianshe immediately understood, nodded, and led Zhang Zhijun and the others to the alley opposite the main entrance of the purchasing station, where they stood and looked at the purchasing station.
Here, Sheng Xiping, Gao Haining, and Chen Weiguo, carrying bags, entered the purchasing station—no, the local specialty products company.
Inside, it's actually similar to the Songjianghe purchasing station, with several counters. Inside the counters, staff stand, and outside, people sell all sorts of mountain products.
There are fewer people selling mountain products in early spring, but there are many people selling them at the beginning of winter.
At this time, those who come are usually hunters, and they mostly bring various kinds of hides.
One of them brought a lot of Yuanpi.
The so-called "yuanpi" is actually weasel skin.
Back when people ventured to Northeast China, apart from a few who worked for local landlords, most went into the deep mountains and forests to make a living.
These people engaged in activities such as ginseng harvesting, logging, rafting, and gold panning in the sand; they were known as the ginseng gang, the timber gang, and the gold gang.
In these trades, there are many taboos, especially the word "yellow." "Yellow" is considered unlucky and a bad omen.
So no one calls weasels "weasels" anymore; they all call them "Yuanpi." That's how the custom has been passed down. So in the leather goods trade, they've always been called "Yuanpi."
Weasels are plentiful and easy to hunt; they can be caught by setting traps or pairs of traps.
Moreover, the leather pieces were not large, so the price of these leather pieces was not high; a single leather piece cost only eleven or twelve yuan.
However, the man brought quite a lot of leather, and the staff counted them; there were more than thirty pieces.
Someone over there quickly calculated the quantity using an abacus, then issued a receipt, and the person took the receipt to collect the money.
"Xiping, I didn't know that weasel skins were so valuable? One skin is worth ten or so yuan. We have plenty of these in our mountains."
Gao Haining watched the other person receive a stack of money and was extremely envious. She whispered to Sheng Xiping.
No matter the era, money is of utmost importance. A penny can bring down a hero, money can take you anywhere, and without money, you can't move an inch.
A man with money is a hero; a man without money is nothing.
The Gao family is doing alright, but who would complain about not having enough money?
"Stop showing off, you think you can just think of anything? You think you can just easily take down those weasels?"
Sheng Xiping rolled his eyes at Gao Haining. This simpleton was a real headache, so single-minded.
"Although we're not supposed to be particular about those things now, have you forgotten what the older generation said?"
"What? You mean the Huang family and the Hu family? Cough, aren't they all superstitious? We don't care about that now," Gao Haining said nonchalantly.
"I only remember my master saying one thing: 'You won't get rich by beating weasels.'"
"No matter how much money we make from leatherworking, there will always be problems at home. We can't save any of it; it all has to be spent." Sheng Xiping glanced at Gao Haining and said seriously.
"Haining, we can make quite a bit of money a year from the agricultural team, the forestry team, and the side jobs we do in the mountains. That's enough, don't be too greedy."
Some things are better left unprovoked.
Sheng Xiping didn't know if Gao Haining would listen to these words, but as a friend and good brother, he had to say what needed to be said.
"Yes, Haining, don't just look at how much money they get; that's useless."
Nobody lives in someone else's house, so we don't know what they're like. We just need to take care of our own lives and live them well.
Chen Weiguo also offered quiet advice.
"We're hunting with Xiping now, and we're getting a lot of catches, which is great."
Besides, what's the point of struggling with those little things? We'd be better off finding a big one and giving it a good whack!
Gao Haining has a rather carefree personality; she's the type to act on impulse.
He was actually envious of how much money others made from selling their products, so he got the idea.
After Sheng Xiping and Chen Weiguo analyzed the pros and cons, he gave up the idea.
"Hehe, I was just saying it casually, but you two actually took it seriously."
"Don't worry, I'll listen to you guys and won't mess with those little things." Gao Haining scratched his head sheepishly and laughed.
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