Chapter 720

Feng Chengmin nodded, checked his watch, and said:

"Let's go, let's hurry. That pile of junk is just lying outside. I'll find my cousin to write a slip, see how much it costs, and then you can just haul it away."

As they spoke, the three of them got on the four-wheeled vehicle. Wang Li drove, but Wang An and Feng Chengmin climbed into the cargo bed.

On the vehicle, Wang An handed the two cartons of cigarettes wrapped in newspaper to Feng Chengmin and said: "Uncle-in-law, we can't go empty-handed when asking someone for a favor. Are two cartons of Classic Bingcheng enough?"

Feng Chengmin waved his hand and said: "No need. You don't need to bring cigarettes for such a small matter. Those pieces of junk are useless to them anyway. Let's see how it goes; we might not even have to spend any money."

Wang An replied: "That won't do. It's better to get things done cleanly the first time, so we don't have any messy trouble coming back to you later."

Feng Chengmin was stunned upon hearing this, thought for a moment, and said:

"There shouldn't be anything... Hmm, let's see how it goes."

Soon, the four-wheeled vehicle arrived at the township government courtyard. After parking and killing the engine, the three got off, and Feng Chengmin led Wang An and Wang Li toward the courtyard.

Sure enough, in the bicycle shed on the right side of the entrance, there were seven or eight rice transplanters and six or seven plows and the like.

Without exception, these machines were all meant to be used with four-wheeled vehicles, walking tractors, or crawler tractors.

From the rust on them, it wasn't hard to see that these things had been idle for a long time; they hadn't even received daily oiling and maintenance, and two of the rice transplanters were indeed missing their wheels.

If these originally intact machines were left for another few years, they would likely become a pile of scrap metal.

Feng Chengmin said to Wang An and the other:

"You two go pick and see which of those rice transplanters are in good condition. I'll go find my cousin."

Wang An and Wang Li agreed and turned to walk into the shed.

Feng Chengmin's goal was very clear; he walked straight toward an office, and on the door of this office hung a wooden sign that read "Comprehensive Office."

Wang An examined the rice transplanters and found that, except for the two without wheels, the rest were actually intact. Three of them hadn't even been used in the fields; they were completely brand new.

Wang Li naturally discovered this too and said to Wang An in surprise: "Fourth Brother, these three machines don't have a speck of dirt on them. They look like they've never been used. Why don't we pick one of these three?"

While checking the parts on the three rice transplanters, Wang An subconsciously asked: "Yeah, they're definitely new. Do you want one? If you miss this chance, you won't find another."

Upon hearing this, Wang Li scratched his head and said: "Can this thing even be used? It's just that my mother said this thing is useless, and I'm afraid she'll scold me if I bring it back."

Wang An said without even lifting his head: "Do I look like a sucker to you? Why would I buy this thing if it really couldn't be used? Besides, think about it: if everyone says this thing is useless, why would they produce it? You, day after day, you're good for nothing."

When Wang Li heard this, he was stunned for a moment. Only then did he remember that although his Fourth Brother spent money aggressively, he certainly couldn't be called a reckless spender.

Because everything Wang An bought had its purpose and goal.

Most importantly, his Fourth Brother had always been an incredibly impressive existence.

Thinking of this, Wang Li suddenly said quite decisively: "Then I'll buy one to try out too."

Wang An lifted his face but didn't speak, though he was thinking that if the price wasn't high, he would buy all three new rice transplanters.

It was mainly because letting these things sit here like this was simply a waste of precious resources!

Just then, Feng Chengmin brought his cousin over. After a brief introduction, the two brothers learned that Feng Chengmin's cousin was named Feng Chenglin.

After a few simple pleasantries, Feng Chenglin asked with a very straightforward smile:

"Your uncle-in-law has already told me what's going on. Just pick whichever one you like and move it away; otherwise, it'll be sold as scrap metal sooner or later."

It was clear that Feng Chengmin's cousin already understood the situation.

One has to say, doing things locally is just like this: without connections, you could be worried to death, but with connections, it's crisp and clean, and very straightforward.

Wang An subconsciously asked: "Third Uncle, how much does one of these cost? My brother and I are thinking of taking all three new ones."

The reason Wang An called him "Third Uncle" was because he had to follow the children of Feng Chengmin in addressing Feng Chengmin's relatives.

Feng Chenglin was stunned upon hearing this and subconsciously looked at Feng Chengmin, as if asking: Didn't you say you wanted to buy one? Why are there three now? Feng Chengmin hadn't expected Wang An to change his mind on the spot, so he blinked and followed Wang An's lead: "Then just sell them to him at the scrap metal price. It'll be easier for you to report it."

It was clear that Feng Chengmin's original intention was obviously to not spend money and just get them for free.

However, this kind of thing was normal at the time; whatever the unit had, the family had, and there was nothing wrong with that.

As for spending money, could spending money be right? Spending money was so embarrassing.

Of course, later generations were about the same; at the very least, everyone's mindset was similar.

Feng Chenglin thought for a moment and said: "That works too. This thing seems to sell for over 30 yuan as scrap metal. If it's three, then that's one—"

It was clear that Feng Chenglin wanted to say the number 100, but before he could finish, Feng Chengmin interrupted:

"80 yuan is fine. 80 yuan isn't expensive. Xiao An, pay up."

Feng Chenglin looked at Feng Chengmin in utter astonishment, completely dumbfounded.

After reacting, Feng Chenglin said to Feng Chengmin with a face full of annoyance: "Damn, do I owe you something?"

Then Feng Chenglin turned his head and said to Wang An with a smile:

"Let's just go with what your uncle-in-law said. If you only wanted one, I was thinking of not making you pay, but these are public property after all. Three missing at once might be troublesome if they check the inventory."

It was clear that Feng Chenglin meant: since you're taking so many, I have no choice but to collect money.

Wang An didn't hesitate to take out eight "Big Unities" (10-yuan bills) and handed them over.

He also handed over the cigarettes he had been holding in his hand, saying with a smile: "Then thank you for your trouble, Third Uncle. My uncle-in-law asked me to give these two cartons of cigarettes to you as a sign of respect."

Feng Chenglin took the money and cigarettes and pointed at Feng Chengmin with his finger: "I see you still have a bit of conscience, kid."

Feng Chengmin smiled and didn't speak.

The transaction was complete. After loading the three rice transplanters into the bed of the four-wheeled vehicle and declining Feng Chengmin's invitation to stay, Wang An and Wang Li drove home.

Passing by the supply and marketing cooperative, Wang An bought several more wrenches and a few large screwdrivers, as well as sheet metal and grease, preparing to modify the rice transplanters as soon as he got home.

(End of chapter)