Chapter 62: Barter

Li Xuewu glanced at the wall clock; it was past twelve, already Friday.

Li Xuewu leaned back on the sofa smoking, not going inside to wake Li Xueli.

After sitting for over twenty minutes, Second Aunt returned first.

“Xuewu, Comrade Su said he needs three thousand jin, but he doesn’t have a convenient warehouse—he needs to ask your Second Uncle.”

Second Aunt hesitated, then added: “Comrade Su can’t raise that much cash so late—he can only trade you warehouse welfare goods. All are Northeast specialties. He wrote a list with prices marked behind each item—take a look and see what you want.”

Li Xuewu was eager to get Northeast specialties in exchange, so he quickly took the list and studied it, mentally comparing prices to those in Beijing.

White liquor: 8 fen per jin, in Beijing it’s 1 jiao per jin;

Cabbage: 1 fen per jin, in Beijing also 1 fen per jin;

Radish: 1 fen per jin, in Beijing also 1 fen per jin;

Potato: 1.5 fen per jin, in Beijing it’s 2 fen per jin;

Frozen ribbonfish: 5 fen per jin, in Beijing it’s 5.5 fen per jin;

Frozen river fish: 6.5 fen per jin, in Beijing it’s 7.5 fen per jin;

Rice: 1 jiao per jin, in Beijing it’s 1 jiao 4.3 li per jin;

White flour: 1.5 jiao per jin, in Beijing it’s 1.76 jiao per jin;

Cornmeal: 7 fen per jin, in Beijing it’s 9.5 fen per jin;

Soybean oil: 7 jiao per jin, in Beijing it’s 7.5 jiao per jin;

(This data is for readers to establish a value system—it won’t appear again, so read carefully.)

There aren’t many items; they can’t get that many varied holiday welfare goods right now.

Second Aunt pointed at the white liquor: “That’s Lao Jiaokou’s Dalinquan. The ribbonfish is from Andong. The frozen river fish is from Chagan Lake. Carp, crucian, and catfish are mixed. The grain and oil are all local.”

Clearly, Comrade Su knew the market rates—the differences weren’t large, but there was still profit to be made.

Li Xuewu thought for a moment and said: “Second Aunt, it’s too late to get cash—let’s exchange everything.”

Li Xuewu wrote “2400 yuan” on the list, then noted the quantities he needed for each item.

One thousand jin white liquor, five thousand jin each of cabbage, radish, potato, and cornmeal, two hundred jin each of frozen ribbonfish and frozen river fish, one thousand jin each of rice and white flour, eight hundred and fifty jin soybean oil.

Li Xuewu handed the completed list to Second Aunt and asked hesitantly: “Second Aunt, does your unit’s warehouse have this much? And can your unit even consume three thousand jin of big white pears?”

Second Aunt took the list, placed it on the table, studied it carefully, then looked up at Li Xuewu: “Comrade Su is thirty years old. Why would the leadership put such a young man in charge of the most important logistics department? Why does the warehouse hold so many kinds of supplies?”

“Besides, this is the Northeast—we say we’re the richest. Where else in the country dares to disagree?”

Li Xuewu instantly understood: placing the right person in the right position—that’s the core of leadership.

A logistics director’s job is to ensure solid support for the workers. If you can’t get anything, what good are you as a logistics director?

Second, the Northeast really was wealthy back then—vast land, sparse population, abundant resources, advanced heavy industry, high proportion of workers, strong economy.

Second Aunt, seeing Li Xuewu’s understanding, added: “Which department in Chuncheng doesn’t need railway support? Communication is easy. You don’t have to keep all three thousand jin of pears—you can always exchange more later.”

After speaking, Second Aunt didn’t explain further. She stood up, took the list, and left to find Comrade Su.

Less than ten minutes later, Second Aunt returned, saying they were preparing and waiting for your Second Uncle’s call.

Thus, Li Xuewu continued waiting with Second Aunt for Second Uncle. About half an hour later, Second Uncle returned.

Second Uncle asked Second Aunt: “How much did Old Su want?”

Second Aunt helped Second Uncle change his clothes as she answered: “Three thousand jin. He needs to use the forestry warehouse—we don’t have a hidden one, and it’s all barter. Xuewu already wrote the list.”

Second Uncle sat down, drank some water, then said: “First come, first served. Old Yang is also preparing to take his share—give Old Yang 3750 jin. Store it at the lumber processing plant warehouse outside the city, No. 213 Forest Farm. I’ll take you there later—half an hour by bike.”

Second Uncle also pulled out a list from his pocket and handed it to Li Xuewu, saying: “It’s so late and urgent—Old Yang can’t raise that much cash either. I know what the forest farm produces. I’ve made a list for you—take a look and see if it’s acceptable.”

Li Xuewu took the list and examined it.

Mixed furs: marten, deer, wolf, and tiger pelts—each priced at 1 yuan, 100 pieces total, 100 yuan. All are well-tanned.

Wild mushrooms, black fungus, golden needle mushrooms—all dried. Each jin priced at 2 yuan, fifty jin each, total 300 yuan.

Red dates, walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts—all dried fruits. Each jin priced at 1 yuan, two hundred jin each, total 800 yuan.

Six dumb roe deer, each about sixty jin, meat priced at 5 fen per jin, total 180 yuan.

Timber: three-meter-long logs, each priced at 2 yuan, three hundred logs, total 600 yuan.

Cash: 120 yuan.

Li Xuewu knew he’d make a profit this trip—several thousand yuan guaranteed.

“Good, Second Uncle. I’ll follow your plan. I’ll call now and have them deliver in one hour. Is the location easy to find?”

Second Uncle smiled: “Everyone in your office is local—they all know. It’s just dark at night; during the day you can see it from far away.”

Second Uncle stood up, walked to the window, and pointed at the guardhouse: “I’ve already spoken to Old Sun, the guard. Just go there.”

Li Xuewu greeted Second Aunt, went downstairs, hurried to the guardhouse, and found an old man inside. He politely offered him a cigarette.

yawenba.

Guard Old Sun asked one question, then stepped outside to smoke.

Li Xuewu picked up the phone, turned his back, pretended to dial, muttered a few words, then hung up. He stepped outside and slipped the guard a pack of Beijing economy cigarettes.

The guard said nothing and returned inside.

Soon after, Second Uncle pushed a bicycle over.

Li Xuewu took the handlebars, carried Second Uncle, and followed directions toward the city outskirts. After cycling over half an hour, they reached the dark, silent lumber processing plant.

The lumber plant operated only during the day; at night only one old man was on duty. The warehouse entrance was outside the compound for easier loading.

Second Uncle entered the compound, went to the guardroom, retrieved the key, and led Li Xuewu to the warehouse. He unlocked the door and pulled open the large gate.

He flipped on the light—the warehouse was huge, with processed timber stacked along the walls.

Second Uncle pointed to the main warehouse: “Space is enough. When you’re done, come find me at the guardroom—I’ll chat with the guard.”

Li Xuewu, seeing the timber, grabbed Second Uncle’s hand and asked: “Second Uncle, what kind of wood is this? How do I choose? I’ll have them load the largest logs first.”

Seeing Li Xuewu scanning the timber area, Second Uncle pointed: “Over there, in order: red pine, white pine, birch, karas, poplar, linden, water elm. Note what you load and tell me.”

Li Xuewu nodded, said okay, and saw Second Uncle out.

He smoked two cigarettes at the door, took a leak, circled the area—no one around.

It was nearly two-thirty. Time to get to work.

Li Xuewu closed the warehouse door and stacked the baskets of big white pears against the wall.

After twenty minutes of effort, he went to the timber area and loaded three hundred cubic meters of logs—each three meters long, neatly stacked into his space. All were dry, smelling sweet.

He sat and waited another half hour.

Li Xuewu pushed open the big door, squatted by the wall, smoked two more cigarettes, then walked toward the guardhouse. He didn’t enter, just knocked on the door.

Seeing Second Uncle come out, Li Xuewu gave him a glance, leaned close, and whispered: “I loaded an even amount of each. The transport hasn’t left yet—they’re waiting for word.”

Second Uncle nodded, went inside, dialed a number, then hung up before it rang.

Second Uncle stepped out and led Li Xuewu to the warehouse. They saw the wall lined with tightly packed bamboo baskets full of big white pears.

Li Gan didn’t think much—he hadn’t heard any car sounds, so it must’ve been animal-drawn carts. He marveled at the steel mill’s sales office—they had capable people.

They waited over twenty minutes. Two trucks arrived, followed by over ten men.

A cadre followed Second Uncle into the warehouse. Soon after, the cadre stepped out, waved his hand, and the trucks and men entered. Second Uncle followed them in and closed the door.

Aside from the trucks’ noise, not a single voice was heard.

Li Xuewu didn’t go in. He stood in the dark corner by the guardhouse wall, smoking. He was quite tired.

The warehouse was pitch black. From where he stood, he heard no other sounds. Over ten minutes later, the trucks exited and vanished into the night.

Over ten minutes later, two more trucks arrived, each with people. Without hesitation, they entered the warehouse. Half an hour later, they left too.

After Second Uncle came out, he gestured to Li Xuewu. Li Xuewu walked toward him; Second Uncle walked toward the guardhouse. They passed each other without speaking. Second Uncle took the cigarette Li Xuewu offered and went inside.