Chapter 493 The Era of Exorbitant Profits
Border trade between the two countries has a long history.
During the late Qing Dynasty, there was frequent interaction between the border residents on both sides of the strait, and merchants from Heihe and Aihui could set up shops and do business in Blaveshchensk.
Around 10 a.m. in the summer, merchants would gather on the riverbank at the sound of gongs, then take boats to the other side, where they would set off firecrackers to lure Russians into their shops to make purchases.
Around four o'clock in the afternoon, a gong was sounded, and the merchants locked up their shops and returned by boat. At night, the wooden houses were guarded by Russian soldiers, and nothing was ever stolen.
Russians also went to Aihui and Heihe, or via Heihe and Mergen (Nenjiang) to do business in Buqu (Qiqihar).
After the ninth year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign, gold mining flourished on both sides of the Longjiang River, leading to a surge in population and promoting trade between the two sides.
At that time, Aigun and Heihe were quite wealthy, but the Russian farmers and workers were not as hardworking as the Chinese, and they bought all their daily necessities from the Chinese side.
At the end of the 19th century, there were more than 500 Chinese-owned shops in Blaveshchensk.
After the Boxer Rebellion in Russia, Chinese people lost their lives and property, and trade between China and Russia was interrupted for a time.
In 1922, the Soviet Union implemented a planned economy and prohibited border residents from engaging in trade. The Republic of China government responded by closing the border in response, but barter trade between the border residents of the two countries continued secretly.
The weather in Russia is freezing cold, and both men and women love to drink, especially strong liquor, such as Russian vodka, which is a very strong spirit.
Upon seeing someone approaching, Sun Jinggang, Zhang Zhiqiang, and the others greeted the person with a combination of words and gestures.
While the goods were being displayed here, a few Russians came over. When they saw the liquor and sausages in the boxes, their eyes lit up.
Sun Jinggang and his team have been in Heihe for more than half a year and have made contact with various parties, including acquaintances on the border.
The checks here are much stricter. Everyone has to open their packages and check them one by one to make sure there are no prohibited items.
This type of red sausage was originally learned from the Russians, and its taste is very similar to theirs, making it easier for people to accept.
Coincidentally, one of these people was indeed in the Far East, and quite powerful, with influence in both the military and political spheres.
Therefore, both parties agreed to meet on the big island on the first day of the border trade, and discuss all matters there.
Sheng Xiping was not an official, and before the border trade was launched, any contact with the other party would definitely have to go through the city.
The people opposite him took the liquor and downed it in one gulp. After finishing, they kept smacking their lips, looking quite pleased with themselves.
If you walk a little further along the river, you'll reach the island, where there's a second checkpoint.
Sheng Xiping also had concerns, fearing that if the news leaked out in advance and someone else intercepted it, then how long would it take for him to exchange all the goods he had stockpiled for small-scale trade?
The other side also had concerns. Despite how well the two sides spoke in their letters, they were not entirely convinced that Sheng Xiping had such abilities until they met him in person.
Therefore, this time, the border trade will still be conducted through barter.
After 1960, with the deterioration of Sino-Soviet relations, trade volume shrank. In January 1970, the last border trade took place, and then ceased.
In 1933, after the Japanese occupied Heihe, civilian trade along the Sino-Soviet border was prohibited.
The red sausages were ordered from the Harbin Food Factory. They were frozen solid in the warehouse. The ones brought to the island today were specially moved indoors last night to be slowly opened.
The principle of border small-scale trade was established as "equality and mutual benefit, mutual exchange of goods, barter, no foreign exchange transactions, income based on expenditure, balance of import and export, and no arrears between parties".
"Desheng, pour them two more glasses. It's alright, they're all friends since it's their first meeting."
In August, delegations from the Heihe region and the Amur region met in Blagoveshchensk.
So the other party didn't make things difficult for them, and they passed the inspection quickly.
Sure enough, the group took the sausages, immediately put them in their mouths, chewed them, swallowed them, and then gave Sheng Xiping and the others a thumbs up, saying, "Hala Shao."
This sign was a signal that Sheng Xiping had arranged with the other party beforehand; upon seeing the sign, the other party would come and contact him.
There was a simple trading hall on the island, almost like an open-air shed, not much better than a rural market.
Sheng Xiping and his men found an open space, laid out a canvas they had prepared beforehand, and then placed the goods they had brought on the canvas.
At the beginning, neither side had much experience, and the trading hall was a mess, without even a stall or shelf.
Next to it, there was a sign with the name of Tengyue Trading Company written in both Chinese and Russian.
Pan Desheng also thoughtfully poured a few glasses of baijiu (Chinese liquor) and offered them to the other party to taste.
Upon hearing this, Pan Desheng and the others immediately poured more wine, one cup for each person as before.
Sun Jinggang and others had learned Russian in advance. Although they didn't know much, just some everyday phrases, it was enough for them at this time.
In 1957, the State Council approved the opening of the Heihe Port.
Previously, Sheng Xiping had already made contact with the Russians through Chen Ruiqing's channels.
Sheng Xiping gave Pan Desheng and the others a wink, signaling them to pour a few more drinks for them.
Someone nearby sliced a few pieces of red sausage and handed them to the people opposite.
The disruption of trade between the two countries has lasted too long, and neither side is clear about what the other needs, let alone able to measure it in terms of currency.
Sheng Xiping and his group quickly reached the riverbank, where border guards would conduct initial checks.
A group of tall, burly Russians, bundled up like black bears, were looking over with curiosity.
Fortunately, the people conducting the inspection were familiar with Sun Jinggang and his group, so they only did a cursory check and let them through in a few minutes.
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