Manufacturing Empire in the Valley

Chapter 545 Buying a Boat
After Niu Xiaoqiang washed his feet, he picked up his spittoon and walked into the elder sister's bedroom. The room was dark with no lights on.Niu Xiaoqiang fumbled to put the spittoon under the bed.

Just as Niu Xiaoqiang was about to leave, Wu Ping's voice came from the darkness: "You kid, don't come here to do bad things at night."

Niu Xiaoqiang was angry and funny: "You think too much, I'm not that kind of person."

"This is your home, there is no guarantee that you will not act recklessly."

"Then you might as well lock the door, it will be safe."

"It's too cold outside, I'm too lazy to get up."

"Then what do you say?"

"Haha, my sister is just teasing you, you foolish boy really takes it seriously."

Niu Xiaoqiang shook his head: "This joke is not funny at all, it's boring."

Wu Ping suddenly lowered her voice: "Did it look good just now?"

Niu Xiaoqiang was stunned for a moment, and then smiled wryly: "Don't make fun of me, okay? Go to bed early, and you have to go to the city to do business tomorrow morning."

Wu Ping snorted and didn't speak. Niu Xiaoqiang went back to his room. After lying down, he was still thinking about these two questions: Was Miss Ping just joking?
There was nothing to say all night, and Niu Xiaoqiang got up early the next morning.Wu Ping also got up after hearing the movement.

The two cooked some noodles to fill their stomachs and came to the pier.

Near noon, the two disembarked at Qingjiang Wharf, and then Wu Ping took Niu Xiaoqiang straight to the owner's house.

The ship owner was posting happy words at home, and when he saw Wu Ping and Niu Xiaoqiang visiting, he couldn't help asking curiously: "Are you two...?"

Since some time has passed, the owner of the boat has forgotten about Wu Ping.After Wu Ping revealed her identity, the owner of the ship sighed with a wry smile: "You guys are late, I already sold that ship years ago."

The two looked at each other, and both saw deep regret in each other's eyes.Wu Ping couldn't help asking: "Boss Zhu, why are you in such a hurry to sell?"

Boss Zhu pointed to the things piled up in the house, and raised the red happy letter in his hand: "My son is getting married on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, and the family is anxiously waiting for money. I have no choice."

Wu Ping snorted and asked, "Do you know anyone else who wants to sell the boat? Can you introduce it to us?"

Boss Zhu nodded, and took out a small notebook from his pocket: "I really know this. I'll tell you the phone number of the other party. You can contact him directly. His surname is Li, and that ship is older than mine. It’s better, you just say that it was introduced by Lao Zhu, he will definitely not neglect you, as for the price, you can only talk to him yourself.”

The two wrote down the phone number and left thankfully.

Niu Xiaoqiang looked at the sun and suggested: "It's already noon, let's call Boss Li after lunch."

Wu Ping nodded in agreement, and the two of them found a small restaurant that was open after searching the street for a while.

This is Qingjiang City, unlike Aoshan Town, some small restaurants will still open normally during the Chinese New Year.

The two ordered two small dishes casually, found a snack bar after eating and drinking, and got in touch with Boss Li.

Boss Li happened to be visiting relatives nearby, and the two parties agreed on a place to meet, and they met after a quarter of an hour.

Boss Li is about fifty years old and looks very easy-going.After greeting each other, Niu Xiaoqiang went straight to the topic: "Uncle Li, how big is your boat? What was it used for?"

"My ship is a cargo ship with a capacity of 150 tons. It is specially used to transport back and forth between Qingjiang and the provincial capital. Although it has been used for fifteen years, the ship is still in good condition, but the motor is a bit old."

Niu Xiaoqiang said heartily: In this way, your boat has the same faults as Lao Zhu's boat.

"Can you show us around? We'll pay the bill on the spot if it's appropriate."

Niu Xiaoqiang prepared 5 yuan in cash in advance. Although this amount is a lot, it is not enough for a ship with a capacity of 150 tons.However, he bought an old boat, so the price will naturally be much cheaper. As long as he bargains, he still has a chance to win it.

Boss Li didn't expect Niu Xiaoqiang to be so forthright and bring all the money with him.He smiled and nodded, "My boat is docked by the river, come with me."

Along the way, Boss Li kept talking about how well maintained his boat was and how excellent its quality was.Niu Xiaoqiang and Wu Ping are not children, and they took Boss Li's words as nothing before the field trip.

When they saw the cargo ship docked by the river, they found that what Boss Li said along the way was not exaggerated, but basically true.

This boat looks really good, and the maintenance work is very good. Even the paint on the hull has not peeled off much. From the appearance, it is at least [-]% new.

Boss Li stretched out his hand to caress the side of the boat with emotion on his face: "It has been with me for fifteen years. If it wasn't for the small capacity, I wouldn't be willing to sell it. After my hand, there has never been any accident. I usually treat it as my own child. If you don’t believe it, you can ask other boat owners. Everyone knows how much my old Li loves boats.”

Niu Xiaoqiang nodded approvingly: "It does seem to be in good condition. Let's go and check the cabin and motor first, and then talk back, okay?"

Lao Li waved his hand and said with a cheerful smile: "No problem, good things can stand inspection, you can go to see them casually, and just call me if you need it."

Niu Xiaoqiang hummed, and walked into the cabin with Wu Ping.

The cabin is divided into two spaces, the outside is the cockpit, with an area of ​​about five square meters.Inside is a simple lounge, with beds and quilt covers, and four people can lie down if squeezed.

At the door of the cabin, there is a briquette stove, which seems to be used by Lao Li for cooking.

The two walked around, satisfied with what they saw, and then they came to the engine room at the stern.

The cabin is not big, and the space inside is a bit narrow, and two people can only stand in it with their waists bowed.

Niu Xiaoqiang squatted down and carefully checked the condition of the motor.He is very familiar with engines. The motor is the engine of a freighter, and it also burns diesel, so Niu Xiaoqiang can still tell the good from the bad.

"The motor is indeed a bit old, but fortunately, the transmission is not bad, as long as it is replaced with a new engine."

Wu Ping knew that Niu Xiaoqiang was very proficient in mechanical equipment, and it was the engine that Niu Xiaoqiang sold at the Canton Fair.She heard this and nodded slightly: "If the price is okay, then you can buy it, so as not to waste time running around."

According to the results discussed by the two in advance, the boat must be bought today, and then go home directly.It's already one o'clock in the afternoon, if you delay any longer, you may not be able to make it back.

(End of this chapter)