Chapter 51 Chapter 51 Captain Gu, come on!
"We caught it, we caught it! What a big frog." The little friend in the small tank shouted under the blue brick wall of the courtyard.
Xiao Gang and several other children quickly made "shush" gestures, and Xiao Gang criticized them: "Qingmei is taking a nap, don't make any noise."
They caught frogs so that Qingmei could sleep well.
After May Day, the weather became milder and more living things appeared in the fields.
Yesterday, Zhao Xiaoxing and Xiaoyan went to Grandpa Guo's house to study. Mrs. Fang and Xiaohua came over to chat with Qingmei. Qingmei casually mentioned that the frogs outside the yard were croaking day and night, disturbing her sleep.
Xiaogang was playing at the door and didn't react at the time. The next day, he started to patrol the blue brick yard with his friends, and he had to catch all the frogs nearby and move them somewhere else.
Gu Qingzhou had three days off after returning from a mission and went to Qingzhuanyuan carrying a box of pastries.
The little jar is like a guard standing guard at the door and saying, "What are you doing here?"
Gu Qingzhou was willing to cooperate with the little fool and said with a smile, "Looking for a wife."
Xiao Gang still held the frog with its white belly exposed and said, "Your wife is taking her lunch break. Go wait on the rock across from her. I'll call you in when she wakes up in the afternoon."
Gu Qingzhou was used to this. He pulled out a handful of White Rabbit tea bags from his pocket and said, "This is a greeting gift for you and the other comrades. Please be so kind as to let me in and kiss my wife."
Xiao Gang beckoned, and Gu Qingzhou readily placed the Big White Rabbit in his palm. Xiao Gang stepped aside and said, "Come in and kiss your wife."
There were children jumping around the small jar and shouting, "Someone wants to kiss his wife, someone wants to kiss his wife!"
Qingmei pushed open the half-closed window and shouted with a blushing face, "What nonsense are you talking to the child about? Come in!"
Gu Qingzhou patted their heads and walked into the house with big strides.
Qingmei's belly had already taken shape, a slight bulge. Her face, fresh from her nap, was rosy and tender, with a hint of pink tinging her cheeks and neck. It was clear she'd been pampered at home.
Gu Qingzhou washed his hands and face carefully, changed out of his military uniform, and then hurried into the house.
While Qingmei was sleeping, Xiaoyan cut two pieces of light yellow cotton material, intending to make clothes for her unborn baby.
When Gu Qingzhou entered the room, Xiaoyan stood up and said, "I'll go sew it up and bring it back to you when it's done."
Gu Qingzhou lifted the door curtain for Xiaoyan. It was the candy wrapper door curtain that she had rolled herself.
After Xiaoyan left, Gu Qingzhou closed the door, sat on the kang, hugged his wife and kissed her. Then he lowered his head and kissed her bulging belly: "Have you been good recently?"
Qingmei's belly was tickled by his touch, and she pushed his hand away and said, "You are still young, how would you know anything?"
Gu Qingzhou said: "Our children are definitely smart and won't be any later than other children in terms of maturity."
Qingmei leaned into his arms and said, "Just let it develop normally. Don't force it."
Gu Qingzhou nodded: "Of course."
Qingmei hadn't had her hair cut in months. Her hair fell softly down her waist. Gu Qingzhou picked it up and rubbed it, saying, "Do you know what news I got on this business trip?"
Qingmei leaned against him lazily, grabbed his big hand and placed it on her belly and said, "Just tell me, I can't guess."
After becoming pregnant, Qingmei found that her patience had diminished and she had become more tired. This was probably because she had been coaxed too much by Gu Qingzhou, and her temperament had become more arrogant.
But no matter how arrogant she was, Gu Qingzhou still loved her. He let her hair down, gathered his hands behind his back again, and embraced his young wife, giving her a full sense of security. "What you said last year about reform and opening up was accurate. There's news coming from Beijing that there will be a proposal at the end-of-year meeting. People in Beijing are spreading the word that by the end of the year, there will be several pieces of good news that will affect the national economy and people's livelihood."
Qingmei said, "So you came back so excited today because you knew there was some good news?"
Gu Qingzhou kissed her ear and said, "You said you wanted to buy the port. Do you still have this plan now?"
Qingmei straightened up, unable to conceal her excitement, turned her head to look at him and said, "Of course, this idea remains unchanged."
Gu Qingzhou hugged his wife again and said, "Then I'll take you somewhere."
Qingmei asked, "Where?"
Gu Qingzhou said, "Didn't you say that Beiyan University would build a new campus in Xinghai? I was there a while ago, and the site has been decided and development has begun."
Qingmei said, "I should definitely go over and take a look. I really hope I can get in."
Gu Qingzhou said: "That's not where I'm taking you."
Qingmei grabbed his clothes to prevent him from getting up, raised her head and kissed him on the mouth several times, then after giving him some benefits, she pressed him, "Tell me, don't keep me in suspense."
"Beiyan University's Northeast Campus is close to the Bohai Bay, which has seven ports. One of them is not far from the university. It only takes ten minutes to ride a bicycle, just crossing two streets."
Qingmei held Gu Qingzhou's arm and stood on the kang and said, "What are you waiting for? Take me there quickly. Yes, bring my passbook too."
Gu Qingzhou laughed and said, "Let's take a look at the place today. As for how to negotiate the land, we can discuss it when we get back."
Qingmei thought about it and calmed down. Currently, small ports are still state assets, and without clear policies, they can't be arbitrarily transferred from state to private ownership. Furthermore, ports are also companies, and the various transfer matters involved aren't something that can be handled all at once.
"I understand. Let's see if the place is suitable first." Qingmei moved to the edge of the kang, thinking that even if it was not suitable, she didn't want to stay in the room. She had to go out and get some fresh air.
It was a little chilly in May, but Qingmei was going out wearing only a short-sleeved shirt.
Gu Qingzhou persuaded her to bring a thin blouse.
After leaving the house, Gu Qingzhou drove to Bohai Bay. To ensure safety, he asked his wife to sit in the back.
"If you're interested, I'll ask someone in advance."
Gu Qingzhou said to Qingmei as he drove, "Don't miss this opportunity. You don't know when there will be another suitable port next time. I heard that the port was originally responsible for passenger docking and small container transshipment. Business is not good now, so the entire company has stopped for a long time to reorganize."
"As for the business, we can just hire someone to take charge later. Small port operations are simple," Qingmei said from behind. "It's mainly a matter of price. We have a total of 40,000 yuan right now."
Gu Qingzhou said, "That's enough. I've heard that some of the dilapidated ports in Bohai Bay only have annual profits of four or five figures, and some managers can't even be paid. Three years ago, Xinlao Port and Laodong Port in the north merged for only 70,000 yuan, and the scale is much larger than the port I took you to."
Hearing him say this, Qingmei felt a little relieved.
She stuck her head out the window and looked at the lush greenery outside, and suddenly felt very happy.
Last year on this day, she and Gu Qingzhou were still shrouded in the shadow of thunder. Today, not only did they get married, but they also had a child. She really never dreamed that this would happen.
Gu Qingzhou said, "I submitted my report for accompanying the army yesterday. When housing is allocated, I'll take you back to the army to choose one."
After having a child, they discussed it for a long time and finally decided to let their child join the army.
Firstly, she could be sent directly to the PLA hospital to give birth if she lived in the army. Experienced military doctors were on call 24 hours a day, making it more convenient than staying in the village. The only person the village could rely on was the veterinarian who had switched careers.
Furthermore, once a child is born, the conditions for upbringing, education, and the overall environment are superior in a military compound. From kindergarten and preschool to elementary school, there's no need to worry about school matters. The teachers are also competent.
"No need to choose, let's just live next to Aunt Qin."
Qingmei said without hesitation: "Isn't the house next to hers on the first floor with a yard still vacant? My sister-in-law lives on the second floor over there. We can be close by and take care of her."
"Okay, then I'll take that apartment directly. When the keys come down, I'll have Bao Mi and Xiao Jin pack it up and replace the furniture."
Gu Qingzhou knew that his wife lived in a blue brick courtyard and was exposed to huanghuali wood. She was no longer used to using second-hand furniture. Moreover, a new life was about to be born, and he wanted everything to be the best for the child.
"Okay, it's up to you." Qingmei nodded in agreement, and Gu Qingzhou continued to concentrate on driving. When he reached the traffic light, he turned around and saw his wife sleeping on the back of the chair.
When they arrived at the place, Gu Qingzhou waited for a while before waking Qingmei up.
Qingmei smoothed her hair and drowsily stuck her head out of the car window to look at the large open space.
"The port is over there. It has been abandoned for a long time. We have to walk there." Gu Qingzhou helped Qingmei get out of the car.
This place is close to the Bohai Bay, and the fishy smell from the beach sweeps in from the air.
Qingmei sneezed, and Gu Qingzhou turned back to the car to find a thin shawl and asked her to put it on without saying anything.
It was a rare sight to see a military vehicle approach, and the scattered fishermen nearby were looking over, dragging their fishing nets.
Qingmei said, "Is there a fishing village here?" If there really is a village, then the future expansion of the port may involve demolition issues, which is the number one problem.
Gu Qingzhou said, "No, these people are fishing illegally. The fishing ban period is about to end. The so-called 'small boat seafood' you bought in the market last year was all illegally caught by private boats like this."
Qingmei whispered, "It's hard for everyone."
Gu Qingzhou helped her walk towards the port gate and said with a smile, "It will be fine soon."
The port Gu Qingzhou discovered was indeed small, covering only about 2,000 to 3,000 square meters. There were only five small docks for passenger ships entering and leaving the port. Most of the rest of the area was used as dock warehouses.
It's not a particularly good location, with mountains behind and the sea in front. But Qingmei thinks it's a good place. It's not far from Beiyan University, close to home, and it takes less than two hours to get to the military base.
There is a small lighthouse on the port platform, as well as a lookout tower and a three-story management office.
It had been abandoned for more than half a year and there was no one inside, only an old man who opened the door and a black dog named Wang Xiaoer.
"No one wants this place. The day before yesterday, our leader asked people if they wanted to sell it for 20,000 yuan. But guess what? Those who like it can't afford it. And those who can afford it don't like this place."
Qingmei winked at Gu Qingzhou, who went up to chat with the old man. After learning the leader's information, he returned to the car and said to Qingmei, "I suspect their leader wants to take over the port himself."
Anyone who is well-informed knows that there is about to be a big move in Beijing. Some people are waiting and watching, while others want to take advantage of the opportunity to make a fortune.
"I heard that since no one else was willing to take over the mess, his leader had to 'begrudgingly' pay 20,000 yuan to take over the port."
Qingmei frowned and said, "How could a leader of an abandoned port get such a large sum of money?"
Gu Qingzhou said, "I heard that they signed a contract with the credit union. The credit union will take over the port first, and the leader will pay a sum of money every year. When the money is paid off, the port will belong to him."
Qingmei understood that this was equivalent to the later mortgage loans. It should become popular across the country in a few years.
Seeing Qingmei was genuinely interested, Gu Qingzhou said, "Then let me ask for you?"
Qingmei smiled and said, "They're asking for us. But if they don't have the proper procedures, then we won't have a chance to use this port."
Gu Qingzhou said: "I understand."
In recent years, there has been a large-scale shift from state-owned enterprises to private enterprises. Some businesses that could no longer operate legitimately have switched to private contracting, while others have taken advantage of relaxed policies to operate covertly.
Gu Qingzhou felt that the leader of the port should be the latter.
Gu Qingzhou said he would ask around, and after returning, he took Qingmei to the Land Bureau to check the information of this abandoned port.
If you hadn't checked, you wouldn't have known that the area starting from where they parked, along with the beach and the hill behind it, was all part of the port area. It was much larger than the thousand square meters enclosed by the fence.
Qingmei's little face flushed with excitement. She couldn't say anything at the Land Bureau, so she could only grab Gu Qingzhou's big hand.
Just now in the car, Qingmei felt that it was unsatisfactory, but now she really wants to buy the port.
Gu Qingzhou understood what she meant and pointed to the name of the port in the file and said, "It's called 'Dayan Port' now. By this time next year, it will be called 'Qingmei Port'."
He gave Qingmei a reassuring look and went out. Gu Qingzhou then took his young wife to the credit union.
The deputy director of the municipal credit union is an old company commander who retired from Gu Qingzhou's work.
Gu Qingzhou didn't waste any time talking to him. He laid out the financial operations of the Dayan Port leaders and a certain credit union cadre and asked him whether they complied with the regulations.
There were no commercial mortgage lending activities at the moment, and the Beijing Municipal Bureau had no directives or guidance in this regard. The deputy director didn't hesitate and said directly, "Absolutely impossible. This is illegal. Chief, rest assured, I will never let anyone do this under my supervision."
Qingmei said, "What if someone from Dayan Port applies?"
The deputy director smiled and said, "We will never lend money."
Qingmei was relieved.
Back in the car, Qingmei whispered to Gu Qingzhou, "Can we do this?"
Gu Qingzhou said: "Illegal operations are not advisable. We are reporting for the benefit of the country. Don't take it to heart."
The port leader obviously wanted to get something for nothing, use the country's money to buy the port that belongs to the country, and then make a profit for himself.
If you make money, 20,000 yuan is not a big amount in the future, and you can earn it back in no time.
If you lose money, you can declare bankruptcy and you don't have to pay a penny.
Qingmei whispered again, "Why do I feel a little guilty?"
Gu Qingzhou finished laughing: "You can just be frank. Those who want to take advantage of the country don't feel guilty, so why should you feel guilty? I'll find someone to handle the formalities on my behalf. The procedures are a bit complicated and require professionals to handle them, so that we don't get cheated by others because we don't understand the traps. You just need to wait at home."
Qingmei said: "Okay, then I will wait for your good news."
She knew that she had to make money early, and wait until twenty years later when military families could no longer do business, and then she could retire peacefully and rest easy.
Gu Qingzhou said he would buy Dayan Port, and Qingmei thought it would take some time.
May 19th was a Saturday. Normally, Gu Qingzhou would go back to Qingzhuanyuan after work every Saturday.
Then he called and said he couldn't come back.
On May 20th, Gu Qingzhou suddenly appeared in Qingzhuanyuan. Without saying anything, he asked Qingmei to change her clothes and go out with him.
Qingmei was still thinking about spending "520" with him, but she was suddenly dragged to Dayan Port again. When she sat down on the third floor of the management office, she realized that Gu Qingzhou had already negotiated everything. All she had to do was sign, ahem, hand over the money in one hand and take the seal in the other.
"I wish you great fortune."
As if in a dream, Qingmei watched the sullen-faced leader of Dayan Port leave. She slowly walked under the lampstand, opened her arms, turned around and said to Gu Qingzhou, "Does this place belong to us now?"
Gu Qingzhou stretched out his arm, pointing from south to north at a large beach, a low hill, and several compound courtyards, and said, "Yes, all of them."
Qingmei rushed over and hugged Gu Qingzhou: "Twenty thousand yuan, this is twenty thousand yuan!"
"Be careful." Gu Qingzhou hugged her nervously, then said with a smile: "Yes, you can buy seven or eight courtyard houses in Beijing."
Qingmei froze and said, "What did you say?"
Gu Qingzhou said: "Siheyuan."
Qingmei said, "Can I buy it now?"
Gu Qingzhou said: "Not yet, but there are private transactions. I heard that someone bought a small courtyard house for 600 yuan."
Just as Qingmei opened her mouth, Gu Qingzhou said, "I know, I know. Don't get excited. If there's a courtyard house you need to sell, I'll definitely buy it."
Qingmei clutched her belly and said, "When he's as old as us, he'll be a rich second-generation."
Gu Qingzhou said: "I'm not doing this for the child, but for you. I'll go wherever you point me."
Qingmei was in a good mood now that she had the port, and was very satisfied with Gu Qingzhou's statement: "Let's go home, I'll make you something delicious."
They walked out of the port and were stopped by the gatekeeper as soon as they reached the gate: "Hey, give me some money."
Qingmei asked, "What money?"
The old man said, "I haven't been paid in six months. They said you'll be in charge of this place from now on, so hurry up and pay me. I'm quitting this job."
Qingmei: "..."
It turned out that the leader was waiting for her here.
Gu Qingzhou asked about the old man's salary, which was not high, just 20 yuan a month for guarding the gate.
Gu Qingzhou took them to collect their newly received wages and gave the old man 120 yuan.
Qingmei persuaded the old man to stay and continue to guard the gate, and raised his salary by one yuan, giving him twenty-one yuan on time every month.
Gu Qingzhou kept laughing on the way back.
Qingmei said angrily, "They just think I'm easy to bully. Others are owed six months' salary, and now they're coming to me to demand it all in one go, and they're even threatening to quit."
Gu Qingzhou said: "He sees you as a kind-hearted girl. He wouldn't dare to do that to someone else."
Qingmei said, "But I still feel like I was cheated by that person."
Gu Qingzhou knew that his wife was in a bad mood, especially after she became pregnant, she became sensitive. Emotional problems had to be dealt with in a timely manner, otherwise it would be bad for both the pregnant woman and the fetus.
In fact, a small emotion is not important to others, but Gu Qingzhou has learned the psychology of pregnant women and knows that she must enlighten her emotions in time and not let it develop into a black hole in the soul and finally expand into depression or anxiety.
Gu Qingzhou knew the best solution.
Qingmei, who was holding the red bean popsicle, was no longer angry. She ate the red bean popsicle happily and imagined her future plan of lying down.
After returning home, Qingmei was not idle. She mobilized the whole family to name the port.
After many ups and downs, it became "Qingmei Port".
Another week passed.
Gu Qingzhou drove everyone to visit Qingmei Port. Qingmei got off the car and found that everything was different from last week.
"I've hired someone to clean up the place. Also, a construction team is going to renovate the three-story, dilapidated building of the management office."
Gu Qingzhou took his young wife on a tour inside, and Qingmei saw that the port gate had been replaced by a middle-aged man.
"He's a veteran. He was injured in the line of duty and his left hand is disabled. But he's more than qualified to be our doorman."
Qingmei nodded to the other party and expressed her satisfaction at the new security guard's spirit.
Gu Qingzhou didn't tell her that the old man later raised his salary to 30 yuan a month. Gu Qingzhou invited the veteran over and there was no need to keep the old man.
It would be fine if the elders were worthy of respect, but if they were taking advantage of their seniority and bullying their kind young wife, then forget it.
Qingmei followed him towards the scattered courtyards.
There used to be a small fishing village at the foot of the hill, but it later moved elsewhere. Only two or three families with ancestral roots in this area live here.
When the Four Olds were destroyed, their old house and ancestral hall were almost demolished, and the people here also left with the crowd.
Later, when the port was built, the ancestral home was divided into courtyards for dock workers to rest and stay temporarily. The port company was not doing well, so after the workers left, the courtyards remained here.
Qingmei walked through the rooms and found that some of the tables, chairs and benches had been chopped up and burned as firewood, but in some places there were still some bottles and jars that had not been smashed.
"Be careful." Gu Qingzhou supported his pregnant wife and was stopped by Zhao Xiaoxing behind him halfway: "Put a mask on her, otherwise she will complain about the strong smell and won't eat properly when she gets home."
Qingmei turned around and glared at Zhao Xiaoxing. Zhao Xiaoxing wrinkled her nose and went somewhere else with Xiaoyan, helping her grandmother.
Grandma didn't understand why Qingmei spent a lot of money to buy such a shabby place, which was almost deserted.
Zhao Wuhe walked towards the lighthouse and finally came to the compound. She was startled when she heard some movement outside the compound and cried out "Ouch".
Qingmei, who was separated from her by a broken brick wall, clutched her chest and asked, "What's wrong?"
Zhao Wuhe was startled by the rat and said, "I don't know where this rat came from, but it's carrying a tattered book in its mouth. I think it's looking for a place to build a nest. You'll need to ask someone to clean up the mess when you get back. It'd be best if they flattened the whole place. And they'll have to use a stronger rat poison."
Qingmei didn't hear what she said next. Instead, she looked at her with sparkling eyes and asked, "A broken book? Where did it get this broken book from?"
Qingmei knew that in some eras, books had to be hidden to preserve them. Some people with bad backgrounds, fearing the red armbands would seize the opportunity to march, would smash or burn their belongings, or hide those they couldn't bear to part with.
Gu Qingzhou had said that the descendants had already handed over all their belongings to the port company. With the ancestral hall gone, they had lost their attachments and were seeking opportunities elsewhere. Apparently, some items had been left behind, intended for those destined to receive them.
Zhao Wuhe walked around twice with her head down. She felt that the ground was full of garbage and there was nothing good.
Zhao Xiaoxing came over and saw the dog and said, "There's a hole here. Do you want to dig it?"
The hole at the base of the wall looked deep, no shallower than the cellar in the blue brick courtyard. Over the years, one wondered if snakes or rats might have lurked in there.
Zhao Xiaoxing and Xiaoyan were a little scared. There were many caves like this on the mountain behind the village, and people often heard that snakes would come out of them.
Qingmei was so brave that she stood by the side, eager to try. If Gu Qingzhou hadn't held her collar, she would have slipped in long ago.
Even though she couldn't get in, she picked up the small stick at her feet and reached in to poke around. Xiaoyan was so scared that she quickly helped her grandmother to hide aside.
Gu Qingzhou frowned and stood in front of his young wife. He had rich experience in the wild. Looking at the edge of the cave, he judged that it was not a wild cave, but a man-made cave.
After waiting for a while, nothing came out of the cave, and no movement was heard, just as Gu Qingzhou had judged.
Qingmei didn't know that Gu Qingzhou had already brainstormed. She threw the stick aside, swiftly stepped on the grass beside her, turned around and looked at Gu Qingzhou excitedly and said, "Captain Gu, go!"
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