Chapter 191: Canned Food for Aircraft?

According to Xu Yuexin's memory, later generations had someone exchange canned food for four Soviet aircraft.

Can I do the same? Xu Yuexin wondered, and for the moment set the thought aside to continue watching the news.

During the subsequent news broadcast, he collected several financial reports that might contain money‑making opportunities.

After the news, Xu Yuexin set the biscuit tin aside, opened the desk drawer for paper and pen, and recorded these financial reports together with the earlier news of the Soviet Union's economic difficulties in his notebook.

That way, he could prevent forgetting or omissions.

He nibbled more biscuits until his stomach was full, then Xu Yuexin put down the biscuit tin and analyzed each of the news items he had just recorded.

Sole Proprietorship operating policies are continuously relaxed, and the number of Sole Proprietorships across the regions is showing explosive growth?

Hmm, that's a good thing.

Only that the main business scope of Sole Proprietorships now remains food service, food products, and clothing, and Xu Yuexin does not intend to enter those fields.

The fiscal department is increasing Treasury bond issuance to raise infrastructure funds?

That is good news for the construction industry, but at present the construction sector is entirely state‑owned, and even the role of foreman will not appear until the massive influx of migrant workers in the 1990s.

As for profiting from price differences in Treasury bonds between regions, that must wait until the 1988 policy permits private buying and selling of Treasury bonds.

In other words, Xu Yuexin cannot yet profit from this piece of information.

Xu Yuexin examined each item, dismissed each one, until finally his gaze landed on the report of Soviet material shortages.

Since its founding, the Soviet Union has constantly been plagued by a shortfall in light industry.

In the 1970s, their strategy was to use abundant oil and gas resources, export to earn Foreign Exchange, and exchange it for light industrial goods to meet civilian needs.

In the past two years, international oil prices have fallen, the oil business has become unprofitable, and the Soviet Union's supply of daily necessities has become strained.

The canned‑food‑for‑aircraft story occurred against this backdrop.

The problem is that the people who could trade canned food for aircraft did so in the late 1980s, whereas now it is the early 1980s.

Many current circumstances are completely different from those a few years later.

For example, today's old Russian is not as destitute as in the late 1980s.

Moreover, in the canned‑food‑for‑aircraft incident, the party transporting the cans sought a local airline, because only they were willing to engage in such high‑risk trade.

And the nation's first local airline would not be established in Xiamen until 1984…

……

In short, although only a few years separate them, conditions on all fronts differ greatly.

Xu Yuexin believes he can use the canned‑food‑for‑aircraft episode as inspiration, earning money through Barter, but he must not copy it outright.

Details determine success or failure; only by devising a brand‑new approach based on current conditions can one succeed in this Barter trade.

Xu Yuexin mused.

And the first step in doing anything is to find the right person.

Especially when doing business with the Soviet Union.

The Soviet Union enforces strict controls on foreign trade, and only by finding someone who can speak the right words can the trade route be opened.

So the question arises: how can he find that person? Xu Yuexin thought it over and finally decided that starting tomorrow, he would have two meals a day at Lao Mo.

Lao Mo, as the only Russian restaurant in Jingcity now, is frequented by Soviet personnel stationed in China.

Staying there for a while, he should be able to find an opportunity.

After making up his mind, Xu Yuexin acted immediately, truly treating Lao Mo as home and eating there every day.

Even when his schedule is full, he will ride his motorcycle away from school at noon to go to the Moscow Restaurant.

Sometimes, he also brings Chen Qiaoqiao along.

After a while, Chen Qiaoqiao grew puzzled.

"Why do you come here to eat every day?"

On the way home, Chen Qiaoqiao oddly asked Xu Yuexin.

Xu Yuexin gently closed his eyes, shook his head, assuming the demeanor of an enlightened master.

"Heaven's secret cannot be revealed."

Xu Yuexin, with a tranquil air, said, which made Chen Qiaoqiao laugh.

"Look at you, are you the reincarnation of Zhuge Liang or the rebirth of Liu Bowen?"

"You're even playing secret with me now."

"Do you want to know?"

Xu Yuexin pointed to his own face and said, "Now, give me a kiss."

"Pfft."

"In broad daylight, and not even embarrassed."

Chen Qiaoqiao pursed her lips and laughed.

When they returned to Guogongfu, the two walked toward the main courtyard.

At that moment, Chen Qiaoqiao hurried to Xu Yuexin, placed a hand on his shoulder, lifted her face, and kissed his cheek.

"Can you tell me now?"

"Yes, of course I can."

Xu Yuexin chuckled, kissed Chen Qiaoqiao's cheek and said, "You are my good daughter‑in‑law; I cannot hide anything from you."

Then, he told Chen Qiaoqiao his idea for opening the Soviet market.

"The idea is good."

Chen Qiaoqiao agreed, "The plan is also feasible."

"Just the round trips might take some time?"

"I'll try to do it during holidays."

Xu Yuexin thought for a moment and said.

It is December now, and the holidays are not far off.

When the trade matters become clearer, it will probably be during the winter break.

Then there will be free time.

After informing his daughter‑in‑law of the trade plan, Xu Yuexin still continued to eat at Lao Mo every day, and in the meantime actually got to know a few staff members of the Soviet Embassy.

That is at least a welcome progress.

Each time Xu Yuexin meets these staff members, he treats them to meals and chats with them. After a while, both sides become familiar, and the staff begin to reveal to him some of the current realities in the Soviet Union.

According to their information, the Soviet economy is not doing well; since growth halted in the late 1970s, a recessionary trend has emerged in the past two years.

Basic foods such as bread and sausage have remained in a tight‑balanced state.

"So, it hasn't reached the point of actual shortages yet, right?"

One day, after the staff member finished describing the queue situation in Moscow, Xu Yuexin asked him.

"It's still in short supply, but not to the point of shortage."

The staff member named Alyosha answered truthfully, "As long as you're willing to queue, you can still buy it."

Hearing this, Xu Yuexin let out a deep breath in his heart.

Fortunately, he had originally considered the difference between now and the late 1980s, and did not go about stockpiling canned food in a futile way.

Otherwise it would have been a loss.

"Then what are you currently lacking the most?"

Xu Yuexin pressed further.

"The most lacking... probably high‑quality automobiles and electronic products."

"Lada cars, the steering handles fall off when you pull them. B2 televisions, poor picture quality and they explode at the slightest provocation."

Alyosha chuckled wryly, "From officials to ordinary citizens, everyone is trying to get imported cars and televisions."

"Of course you know, not everyone can obtain them. Even someone like me, an overseas official, can't get imported TVs because my rank isn't high enough."

At the end, he spread his hands and showed a helpless expression.

"When you work your way up, you'll be able to get the TV you want."

Xu Yuexin chuckled and comforted Alyosha.

Meanwhile, his mind was already running at full speed.

He couldn't obtain cars, nor could he supply assembled imported televisions in bulk.

However, there was one thing he could provide.

Chip, a Chip for the Mature Process used in television manufacturing.

Europe, America, Japan, and South Korea have long blocked the Soviet Union, restricting the export of technological products, resulting in a situation where a car is hard to obtain and a television is hard to obtain.

If he could sell the Chip, a core component of televisions, to the Russians, wouldn't that bring huge profits?

Thinking of this, Xu Yuexin felt a surge of interest.

But while excited, he did not forget to ask some questions.

"I know that because of the blockade you cannot import finished automobiles or televisions. But why don't you import some components and assemble them yourselves?"

Before engaging in an obviously profitable business, one must understand why others are not doing it.

In order to avoid possible pitfalls.

Alyosha gave an awkward smile.

"You can look into that yourself and you should find out."

He answered with an evasive expression.

Xu Yuexin read something from Alyosha's unnatural demeanor.

It must be due to a shortage of Foreign Exchange.

Since global commodity prices fell and oil prices dropped, the Soviet Union's Foreign Exchange reserves have been gradually depleting.

By the eve of its dissolution, there were situations where they couldn't even pay dollars for canned food, having to use an aircraft to exchange.

Such precious Foreign Exchange naturally cannot be allocated to televisions, imported cars, and other non‑essential goods.

This fits perfectly with Xu Yuexin's barter‑for‑goods plan.

"Alright, excuse my Tang Dynasty abruptness."

Xu Yuexin politely said to Alyosha, then raised his hand to glance at his Rolex watch, "I have to go now; let's talk again next time."

After speaking, he stepped forward and paid the bill.

"I also have to return to the embassy."

Alyosha followed behind Xu Yuexin, feeling a good impression of him.

At least... he's generous with money; he always pays the bill.

Leaving the Moscow Restaurant, Xu Yuexin considered how to deal with Alyosha next time.

In the Soviet Union, diplomacy and foreign trade are inseparable fields, and officials often rotate between the two departments.

Later, he intends to ask Alyosha directly whether he knows any leaders in foreign trade, to bring up the trade topic.

He must consider his wording, lest Alyosha think he has ulterior motives and be scared away.

As for why he didn't ask before, it's because Xu Yuexin felt the timing wasn't right.

Bluntly asking would be unwise.

A few days later, Xu Yuexin once again "ran into" Alyosha at the Moscow Restaurant.

Just like before, Xu Yuexin and Alyosha merged two tables into one and drank merrily together.

"Brother, you always hosted before; today it's my turn."

After the dishes were set, Alyosha refilled his wine cup, raised it high and said, "Otherwise, if I don't invite you today, there will be no chance later."

Xu Yuexin felt a sudden thump in his heart.

"What do you mean?"

He likewise raised his wine cup, his expression calm, and said.

"My term is about to expire and I'm returning to the country; today should be our last meeting."

Alyosha showed a regretful smile and said, "What a pity, just met a friend as opportunistic as you."

He's going back, huh.

Then it seems we must make it clear today and discuss the barter trade with him.

Upon hearing Alyosha's reply, Xu Yuexin immediately responded.

(End of chapter)