In 1985, although the wave of reform and opening up was sweeping across China and exchanges between the mainland and Hong Kong were becoming increasingly frequent, the means of communication were still not as convenient and smooth as they would be in the future.
With great expectations for Hong Kong, Zhao Xiaohai came to a slightly remote pier according to Lin Zhengxiong's arrangement.
As the sun sets, the afterglow shines on the sparkling river surface, covering the entire pier with a layer of golden gauze.
There are all kinds of ships docked at the dock, and the noisy voices of people and the roar of machines are intertwined.
Zhao Xiaohai was wearing plain work clothes and carrying a simple bag, making him very inconspicuous in the crowd.
He looked around, searching for the "big aircraft" that Lin Zhengxiong had described.
Finally, he saw a large speedboat with a mottled hull and a low humming engine.
A middle-aged man with dark skin and a strong build stood at the bow of the boat, holding a cigarette in his mouth and looking around vigilantly.
Zhao Xiaohai stepped forward and asked in Central Plains dialect, "Excuse me, are you the captain? Mr. Lin asked me to come and see you."
The captain looked Zhao Xiaohai up and down, exhaled a puff of smoke, and asked in a rough voice.
"Which Mr. Lin? What proof do you have?"
Zhao Xiaohai hurriedly took out the note written to him by Lin Zhengxiong from his pocket and handed it over.
The captain took the note, looked at it carefully, and the expression on his face eased a little.
He spoke in Central Plains dialect, and the evidence matched. He was not here for undercover investigation.
The captain let down his guard.
"Okay, get on board. But let me be frank, this is not an easy journey. You stay still and don't move around. Do you understand?"
Zhao Xiaohai nodded quickly: "I heard it, Captain, I will definitely cooperate."
After saying that, he boarded the boat carefully.
The cabin was not very spacious and was filled with cargo, emitting a smell mixed with engine oil and cargo.
Zhao Xiaohai found a corner to sit down, feeling both nervous and excited.
He knew that this kind of "big flying" ship was often used to smuggle goods and would occasionally carry people to and from Hong Kong. His trip this time was considered to be a special route.
The high speed of the big plane can bypass the inspection of Hong Kong uniformed police. It has been widely used since the Korean War.
The Pearl River is a suitable navigation area for large aircraft. The distance is not far and the wind and waves are not big.
The inspection in mainland China is very strict now.
But every policy has its own countermeasures.
When night falls.
With a shout from the captain, the "Da Fei" sailed towards the center of the river like an arrow.
Night fell over the Pearl River, and it was pitch black all around. Only the searchlight in front of the ship drew a bright trail on the water.
The river water splashed high under the impact of the speedboat.
Zhao Xiaohai held on tightly to the handrail beside him, feeling the violent shaking of the boat.
During the voyage, the captain suddenly turned around and shouted at Zhao Xiaohai.
"Kid, don't make a sound along the way. If we run into a coast guard patrol, we'll all be in trouble!"
Nowadays, it is no longer the case that good men and women bargain for business. Sometimes when they encounter the coast guard, the captain will actually throw people and goods into the Pearl River to avoid inspection.
It’s no short swim from here to shore.
Zhao Xiaohai didn't dare to guarantee whether he would have the chance to swim to the shore.
The captain and his men must have guns.
Now I have no firepower weapons to fight back.
Zhao Xiaohai's heart tightened and he quickly responded.
"Okay...Okay, Captain."
At this moment, he couldn't help but feel a little worried. He was a little rash this time.
But his yearning for Hong Kong forced him to suppress his uneasiness.
I don’t know how long it took, but finally, there were some lights in the distance, flashing an alluring light in the darkness.
The captain shouted excitedly: "Boy, we're in Hong Kong!"
Zhao Xiaohai stood up and looked out through the window. The bright lights were like falling stars, illuminating the entire harbor.
An indescribable excitement surged in his heart. After many twists and turns, he finally set foot on this long-dreamed-of land.
"Da Fei" slowly approached the shore, and Zhao Xiaohai quickly got off the boat at the signal of the captain.
Standing on the land of Hong Kong, he took a deep breath, and the salty sea breeze blew on his face, carrying the unique scent of this city.
At this moment, there is a whole new world before his eyes, waiting for him to explore and venture into.
Oriental Pearl Tower, here I come.
After the captain docked the boat, he did not leave in a hurry.
He waved at Zhao Xiaohai, motioning him to come closer, and said with a sly smile on his face.
"Hey kid, you're new in Hong Kong, you need Hong Kong dollars. I can exchange them for you here. The exchange rate is much better than at the bank."
In 1985, financial transactions between Hong Kong and the Mainland had not yet been fully standardized, and currency exchange in some hidden corners followed unique "black market" rules.
When Zhao Xiaohai set foot on the land of Hong Kong, he knew that in this prosperous city, the Hong Kong dollar was the only unimpeded medium of exchange.
Zhao Xiaohai was startled. He had heard that there were risks in exchanging currency on the black market, but he was in a foreign country and urgently needed Hong Kong dollars. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to trade with the captain.
Now I am staying in the captain's territory, even if I exchange it for Hong Kong dollars, I will suffer a loss due to the exchange rate.
As long as the loss is not too much, it’s fine.
If the captain is greedy.
hehe,
I just tried to find a way to rob the gang members.
"Captain, how do we change?" Zhao Xiaohai tried his best to sound calm.
The captain spat and held up three fingers. "The current bank exchange rate is about 2.50 and a few cents Hong Kong dollars, but here, one RMB can be exchanged for 1.2 Hong Kong dollars. How much do you want?"
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