Chapter 411: It takes three generations for the lower class to turn things around
I can summarize my experience in a few sentences:
After failing the college entrance exam, he became a cook. His fried noodles were criticized for seeking change. He learned fortune-telling from Hongyi and sought development through learning from many teachers. He relied on others for help at critical moments and spread warmth with gratitude.
Then he explained the key events and key figures in these sentences. He was speechless for a long time. After taking a sip of tea to calm his nerves, he said, "You are young and have rich experience. This could write a book."
I said, "In the future, I plan to write a book to record the people who helped me."
He said, “Let me tell you what I know about you, okay?”
"Okay, I want to hear the truth, don't add any water."
He sighed, "If you don't understand someone, misunderstandings will arise. When I transferred 50,000 yuan to you, it wasn't just 50,000 yuan. We weren't in a business relationship; we were going to be friends in the future."
When you didn't accept the money, my wife asked me if Mr. Wan thought it was too little. I thought she had some truth in her words, so I left a message asking you to stop in Guangzhou if you return to China.
You went straight home. I figured you must be irritated by my stinginess and didn't want to bother with me anymore. So, I came all the way from Guizhou to thank you in person.
After listening to what you just said, I realized how much help you've received from so many people along the way, and how you've passed on this spirit of helping others. I can sense that your decision to not accept payment comes from the heart."
"Yes, you are telling the truth."
"I always feel awkward calling you Mr. Wan. I'm more than ten years older than you. Is it okay to call you brother?"
"OK."
He said, "Brother Shanhong, we are destined to be together. You saved my daughter, that's fate. Learning about your life story and your character is a kind of development and enlightenment for my life, it's fate upon fate."
I never thought I'd meet someone like you in my life. I'm not a big boss, but rather middle class in today's parlance. The people around me are all businesspeople, big and small.
My life is all about making money. Your life has really opened a different window for me."
I said, "Although I failed the college entrance exam, I don't think I'm cut out for making noodles. So I tried every possible way to change. When you're broke, you have to adapt. And when you adapt, you'll succeed."
He shared the same sentiment. "I also came from the countryside," he said. "I went to college, but my salary wasn't high, so I went out on my own. I started as an apprentice, learning to blow out lightbulbs, and then I started my own business, opening a factory. It's been a lot of hardship along the way."
I said, "We all come from the lower classes. People from our backgrounds have to work hard for three generations before we can even get anywhere."
"I've heard others say this too. What's the reason behind this?"
"For us, for example, the first requirement is that our parents' generation provided us with food, clothing, and education. This is called the efforts of a generation.
The efforts of the second generation depended on our generation, who left the countryside to establish themselves in the city. With the exception of a very small number of people, most people like us, who came from lower-class backgrounds, were able to establish a firm foothold in the city and avoid falling into the urban poor.
No matter how hard we struggle, the vast majority of us struggle to achieve great things because we start from such a low point. So, we should strive to provide good conditions for the next generation. Let them receive a good education and form good habits, so that they can strive to achieve great things.
He Yong said, "That's absolutely right. For example, I have assets worth hundreds of millions, but no matter how hard I try, there's not much room for further development. Whether it's my knowledge level or my network, I have the desire but not the ability to expand."
I said, "That's true. During the three generations of hard work, everyone had to work hard and avoid any trouble, otherwise we would fall back into poverty. For example, my mother had to be humble and low-key and not cause me any trouble, so that I could stand firm."
When she flaunts her wealth, people who are richer than me look down on her, and relatives who have less money than me start asking her for money. Eventually, our relatives are no longer relatives, and our friends are no longer friends. It's a mess.
So, I want her to go out and see how rich people keep a low profile, and that’s why I asked you to do this for me.”
He said, "You're very thoughtful. It really takes everyone's effort to ensure nothing goes wrong. For example, last time in the Philippines, if anything happened to my daughter, the whole family would have collapsed."
We chatted for a while before he asked me to do a fortune telling.
I asked, "Did you know what fortune-telling was?"
He said: "I haven't done any fortune-telling. I have seen signs hanging in some places that tell fortunes by reading characters. It's pretty much the same as fortune-telling anyway."
I said, "It's different from fortune-telling. Character divination is just writing a character, and it can only predict one aspect or one thing."
He nodded and said, "A friend introduced me to a boss in Shanghai who specializes in foreign lighting trade. He wants it made to his specifications. The orders are quite large. This is my first time dealing with him, and I'm not sure if this business is stable. He thought about it and suggested using the word 'qing'."
"Don't worry."
"You just measured it out?" He looked at me with some concern.
I found a pen and paper and wrote the word "qing." He explained, "In a word divination, no matter how many words you come up with, you can only choose one for me to divination. The word you choose represents your subconscious mind. Your subconscious mind determines the outcome of this matter."
He still seemed to understand.
I explained further: “For example, if you are standing at the door, you are deciding whether to go in or not. If you put one foot in, it means you are coming in. If you turn around, it means you are leaving.
There is a tiger behind the door. If you enter, it will eat you. If you leave, you will avoid danger. There is a room of gold behind the door. If you enter, you will encounter a treasure trove. If you leave, you will lose the opportunity.
That is to say, when you choose a word, that word determines whether the next thing is right or wrong."
"Oh, I see."
The character "青" (qing) was originally written like this: "生" (sheng) on top and "丹" (dan) on the bottom.
What does this word mean? It's a color. It's called cyan, not blue. It's purer than blue, and it indicates youth. So, "youth" refers to youthfulness and vigor.
This is consistent with your first time doing business with him. It's a first time, and you're not very familiar with each other yet."
He nodded, seeming to understand something.
"Secondly, he's in Shanghai, which also fits the character for 'qing'. The word 'qing' is interpreted in books as 'the color of the East.' Shanghai is in the East. Qing is the true color of Shanghai. This will be beneficial to your business."
Third, why did I write the original form of the character "青" (qing) as "生+丹"? The character "生" (sheng) on top represents production, and the character "丹" (dan) on the bottom represents the fire in the furnace refining the elixir. Dan is associated with fire and is located in the south, and Guangdong belongs to the south.
To sum up, production in the south and sales in the east is a good business for fire-fired lamps, a win-win situation."
He Yong said, "It's difficult for me to fully understand, but I believe in you."
"Just believe it. Some people, even after I've talked them dry, still don't believe it. I want to ask, why did you think of using the word 'qing' to test it?"
"The boss in Shanghai is Qiu Qingyuan."
"That's even better. You produce, and he sells your products abroad. He makes more money than you do, which is called the disciple surpassing the master. If he loses money, you won't make any money. If he can make money, your business will be good."
"Thank you, bro."
"A reminder to you: don't rush for quick success."
"Is there any secret?"
"I'll tell you when the time comes."
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