Chapter 79 reveals the money-making methods of the Jilin City garrison...
Chapter 79
Upon hearing this question, the office fell silent instantly. Commander Fang, who had been pouring water, put the kettle on the table and slowly walked over to Qin Mingxiu's side.
Money? Who doesn't want to make money?
Commander Fang stared at her. "As a long-time rival, you should know the situation of our Harbin Cultural Troupe. Over the years, we have always ranked last in competitions. One reason is the lack of talent among our personnel."
Secondly, there's the issue of money. Our performing arts troupe has limited expenses, so we can't recruit good students. Every time, the best talents are poached by the Jilin City Performing Arts Troupe with hefty sums. Secondly, the same goes for coaches; we can't find good ones. Even Coach Zhao was someone I snatched up from the Jilin City Performing Arts Troupe.
If the Jishi Cultural Troupe hadn't kicked Coach Zhao out, she wouldn't have been able to find a talent like Coach Zhao at all.
"Third, all the dance costumes, props, and equipment for our performing arts troupe members are secondhand. We even couldn't afford to go to previous competitions because competitions require food, lodging, and transportation, all of which cost money. But now the organization is cutting back on funding, and our performing arts troupe is almost unable to pay salaries."
"Comrade Qin, do you think our Harbin-based team is short of money?"
The organization is short of funds, and everyone is tightening their belts. You can tell from the canteen that they eat cornbread, cornmeal, mixed grain porridge, wild vegetables, and pickled vegetables every day.
They might not even get a single bite of meat in three months. At this rate, forget about nurturing talent; it's already a miracle that some of their students haven't left.
Compared to the Jilin City Cultural Troupe, the Harbin City Cultural Troupe really had much worse conditions.
Qin Mingxiu knew the Harbin Cultural Troupe was poor, but she didn't expect them to be this poor. She took a deep breath. "I can tell you the legitimate sources of income for the Jilin-based troupe, but you're not qualified, Director Fang. Go and call your top leader over."
"You can't do this alone, and neither can I."
Upon hearing this, Commander Fang was already in turmoil. She immediately gave Coach Zhao a wink, and Coach Zhao instantly understood and ran out.
Upon reaching the door, she began to gasp for breath and tremble slightly. She ignored the students who came to ask her questions and instead ran all the way to Commander Chen's office.
At this moment, a meeting was still being held in Commander Chen's office, attended by Qi Donghan, Political Commissar Xiao, Xu Wenjun, and Regiment Commander Li.
These are all our own people now.
Coach Zhao arrived at that moment, knocking on the door and asking the guard to announce her arrival. Qi Donghan was reporting the results of the mission to Changshi to Commander Chen when he heard that Coach Zhao had come to see Commander Chen.
To be honest, Qi Donghan was a little dazed. He really didn't understand how Coach Zhao had broken off his relationship with Commander Chen.
Isn't this overstepping authority?
Normally, only Director Fang from the cultural troupe is qualified to report to Commander Chen.
Commander Chen stood at the head of the group. He glanced up at Qi Donghan, who was standing next to the blackboard and reporting on his work.
Qi Donghan shook his head, and then Division Commander Chen said to the outside, "Come in."
As soon as Coach Zhao entered, she saw a sea of heads in the big boss's office, all of them staring at her.
To be honest, Coach Zhao had never experienced anything like this before. The performing arts troupe mainly focused on dancing and singing, with the latter playing a supporting role.
The person sitting in the office in front of her is the core of the entire Harbin garrison team.
That was the center of power.
Coach Zhao was a little nervous, but she calmed down a bit when she saw Qi Donghan standing in front of the blackboard reporting on his work.
After all, she was familiar with Qi Donghan, even though she didn't know the others well. At least she had someone she knew, which relieved some of her pressure.
Coach Zhao tried to keep his report concise: "Leader, it's like this, Qin Mingxiu, who was dismissed from the Jishi Cultural Troupe, came to our Director Fang's office."
She glanced at the crowd and realized there were quite a few people there; she wasn't sure if she could share this information.
Commander Chen decisively said, "You all go out first, Coach Zhao, you can say what you want."
Once Qi Donghan and the others left, only Commander Chen remained in the office. Coach Zhao stepped forward and whispered, "Qin Mingxiu said she brought a way for the Jishi Cultural Troupe to legally earn money and subsidize the stationed troops."
As soon as he finished speaking, Commander Chen stood up abruptly, and in his sudden movement, the enamel mug next to him was knocked over.
Are you sure?
Coach Zhao nodded. "Confirmed."
"Qin Mingxiu said that our Commander Fang can't make decisions on this kind of thing, so he asked me to call you over as well."
Commander Chen paced back and forth for a moment, then said without any hesitation, "Go now."
Outside.
After Qi Donghan and his group were kicked out, Xu Wenjun, being a bit gossipy, turned around and looked at the locked office door, asking curiously, "Why would Coach Zhao from the cultural troupe come to see our big leader?"
These are people who are completely unrelated.
Qi Donghan shook his head, his sharp brows furrowing. "I don't know."
However, he had a guess, but he didn't know if it was right. Xu Wenjun wanted to gossip a little more, but the office door opened, and Commander Chen came out first. He glanced at everyone at the door and finally called out, "Xiao Qi is with me."
"Political Commissar Xiao, please continue with the meeting I was in."
Simple and clear, the order was issued instantly.
Political Commissar Xiao nodded and led Xu Wenjun and Regiment Commander Li inside. Xu Wenjun was still curious, "What happened?"
Why didn't you take us there?
Political Commissar Xiao glanced at him and said, "Since the leader hasn't said anything, you shouldn't ask. That's a big no-no."
Unfortunately, Xu Wenjun, with her foul mouth, just couldn't remember.
Xu Wenjun then awkwardly fell silent.
Meanwhile, Commander Chen, along with Qi Donghan and Coach Zhao, arrived at the office of Director Fang of the cultural troupe.
They naturally had to pass by the practice room, and saw that not only Qin Mingxiu had come, but Coach Zhao had also brought the big boss and Qi Donghan with him.
They exchanged bewildered glances, forgetting even to dance. "What happened?"
Commander Chen only appears on stage to speak at the annual commendation meeting.
But today, a high-ranking leader came to their performing arts troupe.
Is something going to happen to their performing arts troupe?
Seeing that these students were immediately attracted by the slightest external disturbance, I noticed that they were being led away.
Yang Jie's expression was somewhat cold. "Dancing, what happens outside is none of your business."
"Dancing is about focusing your mind and immersing yourself in the activity, not letting the slightest disturbance outside distract you."
She had taught geniuses before, and now teaching these students felt exhausting.
Geniuses don't need her prompting; they can immerse themselves in their studies on their own. But ordinary students need her to give them repeated instructions.
After a moment of silence, everyone said, "I understand, Coach."
Yang Jie hummed in agreement, looked up at the large glass window outside, and thought that she should find some newspapers to seal up the glass windows and completely isolate herself from the outside world.
Commander Fang's office.
Qin Mingxiu had already drunk three cups of tea, but because Commander Chen hadn't come, she hadn't revealed any information to anyone.
Commander Fang had a short temper and almost lost his temper several times, but Qin Mingxiu remained calm. It can only be said that this dismissal and expulsion completely calmed down the impetuous Qin Mingxiu.
Of course, her apprentice Shen Qiuyue also deserves credit for this.
Between life and death, Qin Mingxiu realized with a start that there was nothing better than being alive in this world.
She didn't speak.
Commander Fang also refrained from speaking, listening to the footsteps coming from the corridor outside.
Commander Fang finally breathed a sigh of relief, stood up and went to greet him, "Leader."
Commander Chen nodded, and after striding into the office, he asked Qi Donghan to close the door behind him.
Qi Donghan hummed in agreement.
Commander Fang was surprised that Division Commander Chen had brought Qi Donghan along, but then he understood. Some people in the garrison said that Qi Donghan was going to succeed Division Commander Chen.
It seems the rumor is true.
With his mind racing, Commander Fang got down to business, "Sir, this is Comrade Qin Mingxiu."
Qin Mingxiu didn't dare to act arrogantly in front of Commander Chen, so she stood up and said, "Greetings, Commander Chen."
Commander Chen waved his hand and sat down in the main seat. "I heard a brief summary of the situation from Coach Zhao. Comrade Qin, could you provide more details?"
Qin Mingxiu nodded before saying, "There are two main sources of legal income for the Jilin City garrison."
As soon as she finished speaking, Qi Donghan, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but have a flash in his eyes. So that's what it was about.
No wonder Commander Chen was so serious, and no wonder Regiment Commander Fang invited Commander Chen.
This almost entirely determines the future living standards of the stationed team.
This is also the most troublesome thing for their stationed team at present.
Commander Chen sat up slightly. "Go ahead and speak."
Qin Mingxiu took a deep breath. "Director Cao of the Jilin City Cultural Troupe has a brother-in-law who works at Harbin Pharmaceutical Group No. 6 Factory."
Seeing everyone's confusion, she explained, "As you all know, Harbin Pharmaceutical Group No. 6 Factory produces antibiotics, injections, and chemically synthesized drugs. Moreover, Harbin Pharmaceutical Group No. 6 Factory's drug production ranks among the top three in the country."
They still didn't understand how this was related to the legitimate income of the Jilin City Cultural Troupe.
Commander Fang probed, "Are they reselling medicine?"
But that shouldn't be the case; the organization has extremely strong control over pharmaceuticals. Even here at the garrison, the last time they needed approval from a high-ranking leader and the hospital director to apply for Demerol for Zhou Jingsong, it showed how strict the drug control was.
Qin Mingxiu shook her head, denying it decisively, "No."
"No matter how powerful Commander Cao's brother-in-law is, he wouldn't go so far as to extend his reach to Harbin Pharmaceutical Group No. 6 Factory and have them steal medicines for him. If this is found out, not only will her brother-in-law's position be in jeopardy, but even the Jilin City Cultural Troupe won't be able to protect her."
This is a matter of principle, and Commander Cao is a smart man, so naturally he wouldn't break the rules.
"What is that??"
It has to be said that Qin Mingxiu has successfully piqued everyone's curiosity.
"Harbin Pharmaceutical Group No. 6 Factory's pharmaceutical excipient scraps are recycled and sold."
They recognize all these words, so why can't they understand them when they're put together?
Qin Mingxiu sighed. She thought to herself, no wonder the Harbin garrison is poor. Everyone here is so narrow-minded and knows almost nothing about the outside world.
She could only patiently explain, "The medicines produced by Harbin Pharmaceutical Group No. 6 Factory all have leftover materials. For example, the filler for tablets is actually corn starch, and the glucose solution used for injection gets damp, clumps up, and becomes unusable, so it becomes glucose powder."
"These are all 'discarded excipients' discarded by pharmaceutical factories. They cannot be used in medicine, but they can be eaten."
"Commander Cao's brother-in-law is the deputy director of logistics at Harbin Pharmaceutical Group No. 6 Factory, and has the authority to dispose of 'scrap excipients'. Under the guise of 'side job labor,' the Jilin City Cultural Troupe helps the pharmaceutical factory clear out scraps for free, then repackages and resells them to earn the price difference, thereby subsidizing the living expenses of the stationed team and the cultural troupe."
The office fell silent instantly after Qin Mingxiu said this. They would never have imagined such a thing existed if Qin Mingxiu hadn't brought it up.
Seeing their silence, Qin Mingxiu assumed they didn't understand the extent of the profits involved, so she said, "The supply of food on the market is limited right now, and the supply of refined grains is even more limited. The corn starch and glucose powder that the Jilin team obtained from Harbin Pharmaceutical Group No. 6 Factory have become hot commodities after secondary processing."
"Corn starch was processed through old newspapers, packaged into small 500-gram paper packets, labeled with red edible starch strips, and sold to department stores, supply and marketing cooperatives, and restaurants."
As you all know, you need ration coupons to buy starch in the market. It costs 35 cents a pound on the black market, but they sell it for 28 cents a pound. This kind of product is almost instantly sold out as soon as it hits the market.
"Secondly, glucose powder is packaged in enamel mugs, labeled as edible glucose, and then sold to hospitals, nurseries, retirement homes, and family compounds of various units. As you know, glucose is a nutritional product and is extremely scarce now."
"The edible glucose sold by the Jilin City Cultural Troupe is always pre-ordered."
"These goods are easy to sell."
Upon hearing this, the office fell silent instantly.
Commander Fang's voice was somewhat strained, "If you hadn't told us, we would never have imagined in our lives that we could make money like this."
Qin Mingxiu paused for a moment, "The Jilin City team can collect about one to two tons of scrap materials from Harbin Pharmaceutical Group No. 6 Factory every year. They do earn money from this, but it's not the main source of income for the Jilin City team."
Commander Fang and Qi Donghan were both taken aback. "This isn't even the big part?"
According to Qin Mingxiu, the Jishi garrison would probably earn at least tens of thousands of yuan a year just from purchasing scrap materials from Harbin Pharmaceutical Group No. 6 Factory.
"no."
"So what's their main source of income?"
Qi Donghan felt that the next step was the most important.
Qin Mingxiu murmured, "It's September and the mountains are about to open. The Jishi garrison relies on the mountains for their livelihood. Every year after the mountains open in September, they go up the mountain to collect hazelnuts, pine nuts, walnuts, ferns, bracken, monkey head mushrooms, black fungus, ginseng, lingzhi, and golden needle grass—all the mountain delicacies found in the forest area."
Upon hearing this, Division Commander Chen couldn't help but sit up straight, exchanged a glance with Qi Donghan, and asked, "And then?"
"The stationed team doesn't have the right to operate and sell the products, so what happens after they collect them?"
They do gather resources, but most of what they gather is consumed by their own teams. In layman's terms, it ends up in their mouths.
Qin Mingxiu: "They established a plan with the city's supply and marketing cooperative to centrally purchase and sell mountain products and fruits. Every year, the mountain products collected are inspected and loaded by the city's supply and marketing cooperative and directly exported to the neighboring Soviet Union to earn foreign exchange."
“Foreign exchange is valuable now, so every year after the mountains open in September, the people stationed in Jilin and the cultural troupe will put aside their temporary tasks and go up the mountain to collect materials. Generally speaking, they can earn back the expenses of the stationed team for a year in one to two months, and even have a surplus.”
This is why Commander Cao was able to generously sponsor all the expenses of the Northeast China League back then.
Seven thousand five hundred yuan is a lot for the team stationed in Jilin, but they can manage to come up with it if they grit their teeth.
Upon hearing this, Commander Chen stood up abruptly. He looked at the calendar hanging on the wall and said, "It's September now, the perfect time to start the mountain clearing."
He went to see Qin Mingxiu and asked, "It seems there's a missing procedure? How can the stationed team be allowed to sell on such a large scale?"
Even if they are stationed in the team, they don't have this right.
Qin Mingxiu was somewhat surprised by the leaders' sharp insight. She nodded, "Yes, certificates are required." She paused, her tone complicated, "Once we report to the Municipal Supply and Marketing Cooperative and obtain a mountain product collection certificate, the team will have the official right to sell mountain products to the outside world."
"Moreover, these mountain products are ultimately exported to earn foreign exchange. Once a certain quantity is reached, the municipal supply and marketing cooperative will also provide labor fees and grain coupons as rewards."
This is why the Jilin City garrison has such a legitimate source of income.
The scene fell silent.
Commander Fang's breathing quickened.
Qi Donghan remained silent, pondering the feasibility of the plan.
Only Commander Chen paced back and forth, quickly making a decision in his mind: "The first method, which is to profit from the price difference by sourcing scrap materials from Harbin Pharmaceutical Group No. 6 Factory, is not feasible for us at the moment."
Because they have no one.
“But we can try the second method.” He asked Qin Mingxiu, “Where do the Jishi team usually collect samples from?”
It's not very ethical, but at this point, whoever grabs it first gets to keep it.
Qin Mingxiu, "It refers to the mountainous areas of eastern Lingdong and the forest areas of northern Lingdong."
"However, the Lingdong mountain area is richer in resources. The Jishi team collects the most resources every year when they conduct training exercises in the Lingdong mountain area."
That really meant bending down to pick up money.
Every time we go up the mountain to collect materials, everyone is so tired that they don't want to move, but they are reluctant to leave.
Instead of making a decision, Division Commander Chen went to Regiment Commander Fang's office and began to examine the map on the wall.
"We are only 30 kilometers away from the Lingdong mountain area, and we have initially decided to conduct field research and data collection in the Lingdong mountain area."
At this point, Commander Chen made a decision. He immediately gave Qi Donghan an order: "First, go to the city supply and marketing cooperative to apply for a mountain product collection permit."
He had barely uttered the words when he rejected the idea, saying, "Forget it, I'll leave this matter to Political Commissar Xiao."
"Your task is to assemble the troops within a day and send them up the mountain for a training exercise. Also, have the quartermaster prepare the tarpaulin trucks, burlap sacks, tools, marching equipment, and all the necessary supplies for food, clothing, and shelter in advance."
Their team stationed in Harbin is determined to secure this revenue.
Moreover, it's already September 9th, which is a time to race against time. If you're late, the best deals will be snatched up by others.
Qi Donghan stood up straight, his voice firm and powerful, "Received!"
Commander Chen went to see Qin Mingxiu and asked, "Did you apply for a mountain product collection permit before?"
Qin Mingxiu nodded.
Commander Chen said, "Take Political Commissar Xiao from our garrison to handle this. Comrade Qin, you can rest assured that you have made great contributions to our Harbin garrison. Our Harbin garrison will not mistreat our benefactor."
With these words, Qin Mingxiu felt relieved.
"I can get the mountain product collection certificate by myself, provided that it has the official seal of the Harbin team stationed there."
Commander Chen didn't like putting all the burdens on one person, as the risk was too high.
"Let Political Commissar Xiao come along, and you can teach him."
This shows a lack of trust in her.
Qin Mingxiu breathed a sigh of relief in her heart, but still agreed on the surface.
After Qin Mingxiu left.
Division Commander Chen turned his attention to Regiment Commander Fang. “We don’t have enough manpower for the garrison. Apart from the most basic guards, we need to include all the female soldiers from the cultural troupe.”
"This trip to the Lingdong mountain area to collect samples is a major mission for the entire team."
"The main focus is on seizing the time."
To avoid arriving too late and having to scavenge the leftovers from the Jilin City garrison.
That would be bad.
Commander Fang hesitated for a moment.
Commander Chen asked, "What's wrong?"
Then Director Fang said, "Our cultural troupe's Meng Yingying is going to the Soviet Union for a cultural exchange trip in ten days. Comrade Yang Jie specially came from Changsha to give her individual training."
"She and Comrade Yang Jie probably don't have time."
Commander Chen thought for a moment, "Then they can spend half a day collecting data, and the rest of the time is up to them."
Commander Fang was about to say something when Division Commander Chen interrupted him, "Little Fang, dancing isn't just for show; the necessary training is still required."
Isn't mountain field training and data collection a form of training in itself?
"Don't confine yourself to indoors."
Commander Chen made the final decision, and Regiment Commander Fang thought about it and realized that what the other party said made sense.
She agreed, "Okay, I'll go and tell the girls downstairs to get ready as soon as possible."
However, Commander Fang had told Yang Jie about this first, and Yang Jie instinctively wanted to say it was nonsense, "With time so tight now, where would we find the time to collect samples?"
“It’s not just about collecting materials,” said Commander Fang. “The big leader meant it was a training exercise. He was right about one thing: our cultural troupe’s students are indeed all show and no substance.”
"Teacher Yang, I think they should go up the mountain for some training to improve their core strength."
Even Yang Jie couldn't refuse this reason, thinking of those students who were like a scattered sand.
She rubbed her temples. "I can do it for others, but I need to train Meng Yingying separately."
"She only collects for half a day; the rest of the time is left to you."
"Alright."
Yang Jie no longer objected, "I'll go too."
Commander Fang, "?"
Yang Jie said expressionlessly, "I also need to train myself." She only realized how bad her physical strength was when she came to teach her students.
Commander Fang was somewhat surprised, but he still agreed.
"If we make money from this survey," Yang Jie pressed, "could we replace all the props in the performing arts troupe's training room?"
"I want a new one!"
Commander Fang waved his hand and said, "Alright!"
Meng Yingying, who was tiptoeing at the door, raised her hand and said, "Can we get our wages early? This month's wages have already been delayed by five days."
She was in a hurry to send her salary to Yue Ru.
Commander Fang glanced at her and said, "If you make money, not only will you get paid in advance, but you might even get a raise."
Meng Yingying clutched her heart, her heart pounding. "When are we going on a field training expedition to collect resources?"
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A word from the author: You need to build your career, and you also need to make money; otherwise, you can't develop anything without money.
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