The train driver in the courtyard

September 12, 1957.

The National Center for the Performing Arts Ballet from Lao Maozi performed a wonderful performance at the People's Theater.

The performance was of a very high standard, and only comrades from major ministries and commissions in the capital could enter the theater to watch it.

Even the big boys in the courtyard could only wait outside and join in the fun.

After the performance, Zhao Gang walked out of the theater with his wife and chatted while walking.

"Feng Nan, I applied to my superiors yesterday and wanted to change my job. In the future, I may go to the frontline troops in the border areas."

"Why so sudden?"

Feng Nan was a little surprised.

Zhao Gang is currently working in the General Administration, and his salary and future are much higher than those of the front-line troops.

"Patriot is right, I am not suitable for being in an agency, and"

Zhao Gang hesitated for a moment and whispered: "The teacher has set up a special group to study border issues. Several papers I published have attracted the attention of the teacher. The teacher is going to transfer me to help him."

Feng Nan knew very well that she now had several children and had a job in the capital, so it was impossible for her to leave the capital with Zhao Gang.

The two must face the dilemma of being separated in two places.

It's just that Zhao Gang in the General Administration is like a thrush in a cage, chirping all day long.

If it continues like this, maybe something will go wrong.

Feng Nan bit her lip and said, "Old Zhao, don't worry, I can take care of several children by myself."

Zhao Gang saw that Feng Nan was worried and said with a smile: "Don't worry, Feng Nan, it's not that easy to transfer. In addition, teachers and principals at the border need to coordinate and reorganize the team.

If it is really transferred, it will take at least one or two years. "

After talking to Li Aiguo several times, Zhao Gang became more and more interested in how to print quickly.

Recently, I have conducted detailed research on the situation there and published many articles in internal publications.

After several conversations with Zhao Gang, the teacher felt that it was a pity for this person to stay in the General Administration, so he planned to transfer him to be responsible for rapid printing.

It's just that these matters are confidential and have not been approved internally. The opinions of superiors are not unanimous, and there is no way to tell Feng Nan directly.

The two chatted and left the theater.

boom.

After a burst of lightning and thunder, it started pouring rain outside.

The rain fell rapidly, like countless fine needles intertwining into an invisible net in the air, covering everything outside the theater in the rain.

Most of the people watching the show brought with them an orderly, equipped with jeeps.

The attendants held up umbrellas for those people.

Zhao Gang is different from others. He doesn't like to take attendants with him when he goes out on weekdays.

When Director Liu of the General Administration saw Zhao Gang and his wife standing under the eaves, he smiled and said hello: "Old Zhao, didn't you bring an umbrella? May I ask Xiao Wang to take you there?"

"Director Liu, you guessed wrong this time. I really brought an umbrella with me now."

"How could it be possible? Why didn't I see it?" Director Liu looked at the two of them and couldn't see where the umbrella was hidden.

"Xiao Feng, take out the umbrella."

Feng Nan opened the canvas bag and took out a strange-shaped umbrella.

This umbrella doesn't look like an umbrella, but like a big mushroom.

It is different from ordinary oilcloth umbrellas. The umbrella surface is bright red.

"Is this an umbrella?" Director Liu was immediately interested when he saw such an umbrella for the first time.

At this time, the orderly rushed over with an umbrella. Director Liu waved his hand and asked the orderly to wait aside, then he went over.

Feng Nan handed the umbrella to Zhao Gang. Zhao Gang took the umbrella in his hand and pressed the button gently.

Snapped!
The umbrella opened automatically.

On the bright red umbrella, the golden five-pointed stars sparkled against the light of lightning, making it particularly eye-catching.

"Hey, this is a good thing. It's the first time I've seen it. Hey, where did you buy this umbrella?"

An umbrella was played with, and Director Liu was in charge of the procurement work of the General Administration, and he suddenly became interested.

At this time, the leaders of the group who were waiting for the orderly to bring the umbrella saw such a delicate and compact umbrella, and they all came over to watch the fun.

Even if they are not interested, their wives will be.

“This umbrella looks like it’s only half the size of an ordinary umbrella, so it fits perfectly in a canvas bag.”

"The color is so bright. It looks much better than the black cloth umbrella. It can almost be used as a decoration."

"The key is that it opens automatically. It's too advanced."

Zhao Gang didn't expect that an umbrella would attract so many people's attention, so he handed it over to let them have a good look.

Director Liu held the umbrella and studied it for a moment, and immediately realized the benefits of this kind of umbrella.

Very light weight, very strong ribs.

More importantly, it can be opened automatically with just one click, which fully demonstrates the status of the user.

"Old Zhao, where did you buy this umbrella?" Director Liu couldn't put it down holding the umbrella.

Zhao Gang did not expect that Director Liu would be interested, so he explained with a smile: "It was given by a friend, because the price is very expensive, and neither supply and marketing cooperatives nor department stores sell it."

"Expensive? How much does it cost?" Before Director Liu could play with the umbrella, he was snatched away by several lesbians.

Those lesbians were having a great time holding umbrellas, opening and closing them, opening and closing them.

There was a ballet dancer who stood on one foot with an umbrella and spun around in the heavy rain.

That wonderful figure complemented the beautiful umbrella, which attracted a burst of applause.

This is not an umbrella anymore, but a work of art!
The lesbians stared at the automatic umbrella with bright eyes.

In these years, the domestic industry has inherited the rough and arrogant genes of the old man. The quality of the products is first-rate, but they look rough and rough.

It’s rare to find something as sophisticated as this automatic umbrella.

"Director Zhao, what's the price?"

"Yeah, no matter how expensive this umbrella is, it has to have a price, right?"

"Feng Nan, why is your Zhao Gang so nagging? He doesn't look like a man."

"This kind of umbrella costs ten yuan." When Zhao Gang said this number, he felt a little guilty.

Ten yuan is equivalent to half a month's salary of a worker. Who would be willing to buy an umbrella?
When Li Aiguo gave him the umbrella, Zhao Gang insisted on returning it after knowing the price.

Li Aiguo told him that the umbrella cost only three or four yuan and was given to him, so Zhao Gang reluctantly took it.

"ten bucks"

Director Liu looked at the umbrella, pondered for a moment, and said, "The price is indeed a bit expensive. Since it is not available on the market for the time being, Lao Zhao, can you buy one for me?"

"Ah?" Zhao Gang was a little confused.

Can anyone buy an umbrella for ten yuan?

"Director Liu, don't worry, our old Zhao has a good relationship with the umbrella maker, and we will send him to your home tomorrow night."

Feng Nan saw that Zhao Gang didn't react and quickly agreed for him.

Zhao Gang was used to being alone in the General Political Courtyard, so he took this opportunity to build relationships.

Only then did Zhao Gang react and agreed immediately.

The group of female comrades heard that the price of umbrellas was ten yuan, and they all asked Zhao Gang to help buy umbrellas.

Zhao Gang felt a little curious and asked: "Xiao Liu, this umbrella costs ten yuan. Don't you think it's expensive?"

"It's very expensive, but I have a monthly salary of sixty or seventy yuan, so I can afford to spend these ten yuan.

What's more, this umbrella can be put into a canvas bag, so you won't be afraid if it suddenly rains. "

Zhao Gang couldn't understand what these people were thinking. He shook his head with a wry smile, took the money and registered their names in the book.

In just a moment, twelve people wanted to buy umbrellas, most of them leaders of units such as the General Administration.

Zhao Gang returned home, took a sip of hot tea, and looked through the order list.

He looked at Feng Nan, who was feeding the child, and suddenly said: "Feng Nan, an umbrella costs ten yuan, and those people don't blink an eye. Some people can't even afford corn noodle porridge. What's wrong?"

Seeing that Zhao Gang had relapsed into his old habit, Feng Nan put down his bowls and chopsticks, wiped the corners of Zhao Shui's mouth, and asked Zhao Gao to carry his sister over to play with her.

She sat sideways and sat opposite Zhao Gang: "Old Zhao, have you forgotten the words of the patriotic brothers? You should focus on the overall situation, not just the part."

Zhao Gang smiled bitterly and nodded when he heard this: "Daughter-in-law, I found that you remember the words of patriotism very clearly."

Just because you can't figure it out for three days, I have to advise you with these words. Can you forget it?
Seeing that Zhao Gang was in a much better mood, Feng Nan turned to say, "You have received so many orders from others. Do you want to give the money to Patriot and bring the umbrella back tomorrow?"

When mentioning this matter, Zhao Gang felt something was wrong.

After all, he is also the leader of the General Political Department, so why does he seem to have become a salesman now?
"Daughter-in-law, do you think that when Aiguo gave us umbrellas, he just wanted us to sell them for him?" "No way, Aiguo probably didn't want to sell the umbrellas for ten yuan each," Feng Nan said.

"This kid is much smarter than you think. I'm going to ask him now what's going on?"

Zhao Gang considers himself a smart man. He has only suffered defeat from the unreasonable Li Yunlong in his life. Now he is being taken advantage of by a little train driver. This is amazing.

"Even if Patriot has a wrong idea, don't be impatient with others." Feng Nan was worried.

"Don't worry, I've done a lot of things in my life. I've carried guns and shot cannons, but I haven't been a salesperson yet."

Zhao Gang laughed, put the book with the order written on it into the document bag, and called the orderly.

"Let's go to South Tongluo Lane."

After a day of driving, Li Aiguo returned home from work. As soon as he walked to the door, he saw Zhao Gang's jeep waiting there.

"Uncle Zhao, why are you here in person?"

"Of course I'm sending you money."

Zhao Gang took out a stack of banknotes from his pocket and handed it over, "Your umbrella was targeted by my friends. There are a total of twelve people buying umbrellas. Here is one hundred and twenty yuan. Count them."

Li Aiguo was not polite to Zhao Gang. He counted the money in front of him and put it into his pocket casually.

He turned around and took out twelve umbrellas from the back of the bicycle and handed them to Zhao Gang.

"Good boy, are you prepared?"

Zhao Gang said with some surprise when he saw that Li Aiguo had put so many umbrellas in the bag on the back of his bicycle.

Li Aiguo said: "Uncle, you are not a householder and don't know that firewood, rice, oil and salt are expensive. I have more than two thousand umbrellas in my warehouse."

When the topic of umbrellas was brought up, gold medal salesman Zhao Gang became interested and asked: "Aiguo, the cost of your umbrella is estimated to be only three or four yuan. Why is it so expensive?"

"Uncle, do you think ordinary people can afford this umbrella?" Li Aiguo didn't answer him, but asked instead.

Zhao Gang shook his head: "Ten yuan is equivalent to half a month's salary. The workers in the capital will definitely be reluctant to part with it, and only the leaders are interested."

Li Aiguo asked again: "There are coir raincoats and bamboo hats in the supply and marketing cooperatives in the countryside. A set only costs 30 cents. Do you think your colleagues will buy them?"

Zhao Gang shook his head: "That thing is indeed cheap, but it doesn't seem to be suitable for people like them."

Li Aiguo said: "You see, when they buy something, it is not whether it is cheap enough, but whether it is consistent with their identity."

Zhao Gang frowned slightly: "Isn't this linked to identity?"

Li Aiguo knew that Zhao Gang had relapsed into his old habits, so he laughed and patted him on the shoulder.

"Uncle, you are wearing a Chinese tunic suit now, why don't you wear a coarse coat?

Don’t you look down on people wearing coarse cloth coats and think coarse cloth coats are not good enough for you? "

As soon as these words came out, Zhao Gang's expression suddenly changed.

He wanted to deny Li Aiguo's statement, but he couldn't.

After all, even if Zhao Gang considers himself a person who insists on equality, he cannot accept wearing a coarse coat to work like an old commune member.

Li Aiguo continued: "Uncle Zhao, wearing the right clothes on the right occasion does not violate the concept of equality, but is a courtesy.

The same goes for these people who buy umbrellas.

They feel that this kind of automatic umbrella is more beautiful and suitable for their lifestyle. This is human nature and there is no need to go online. "

Although Zhao Gang thought Li Aiguo's statement was a bit strange, he still nodded.

After all, he can't force others to do things that he himself can't do.

After the automatic umbrella was designed and the cost calculation was completed, Li Aiguo realized that there was no way to promote this kind of umbrella on a large scale in China, which cost as much as three or four yuan.

There are only two sales routes now. One is to go to Hex Technology of the Yang family in Hong Kong City and ship it overseas.

But now that the Yang family in Hong Kong City is experiencing constant civil strife, there is no way to open up the sales channels for umbrellas for the time being.

The other is to take the 'luxury' route of later generations.

In fact, in this day and age, there are also 'luxury goods'.

The most common one is the general who attracts the admiration of the big courtyard disciples.

There are also various badges.

Gadgets that originally cost two or three cents can be sold for tens of dollars after being given special meaning.

That's why Li Aiguo gave away many kinds of umbrellas.

That's right, in addition to Zhao Gang, teacher Liu Guozhang also got a few umbrellas there.

Now the seeds of the Red Star automatic umbrella as a "luxury product" have been planted, and they just have to wait for them to sprout.

Things were just as Li Aiguo expected. The appearance of the automatic umbrella attracted the attention of many people.

Especially those who use automatic umbrellas are those in high positions.

For example, Zhong Yuemin is ambitious to stand out among the disciples in the courtyard.

On this day, as usual, Zhong Yuemin, Yuan Jun, and Zheng Tong held a small group gathering at Zhong Yuemin's house.

Zhong Yuemin stole Mr. Zhong's Maotai liquor and distributed it to Yuan Jun and Zheng Tong.

They drank until their faces turned red.

Yuan Jun lit up a cigarette, sighed and said, "Yuemin, this won't work. I was betrayed by those guys in the artillery compound a while ago. How long will it take to become famous?"

Zheng Tong said depressedly: "It's not our fault. The guys in the artillery compound even got the latest general. What can we do?"

Yuan Jun was speechless.

Although their elders have a relatively high level, they are based in the capital and have strict management.

If you dare to steal clothes, you will definitely get a brass buckle belt.

The elders of the guys in the artillery compound are out of town, so they often steal clothes.

These days, Generals and Schools are just like the krypton gold skins in games.

These skinless people feel guilty when they walk in front of others.

Zhong Yuemin came up with an idea: "Brothers, don't be discouraged. Have you heard about the automatic umbrella? If we can get it, we will definitely be able to stabilize the pressure on those boys."

"Umbrella? What's the use of that thing?" Yuan Jun said.

Zheng Tong seemed to know something, patted his thigh and said: "Yuemin, do you mean the big red umbrella that opens automatically when pressed?

I saw that Uncle Zhang, the General Secretary, had done something wrong, and he was very angry. "

Zhong Yuemin said: "It's that kind of umbrella. Brothers, I've heard that most of the leaders in the compound now have an automatic umbrella.

Today I met Zhang Haiyang, and he was also trying to buy an automatic umbrella! "

Upon hearing Zhong Yuemin's words, both Zheng Tong and Yuan Jun's eyes lit up.

If we can get an automatic umbrella, it will definitely be able to stabilize the pressure on the gang of boys in the artillery compound.

Finally, Zhong Yuemin made a final decision: "Whether you guys can pull out the elements depends on whether you can get an automatic umbrella. Let's take action!"

The few people didn't care about drinking and talking, and started to inquire about the origin of the automatic umbrella.

After asking around carefully, I suddenly found out that it was a bit difficult.

Automatic umbrellas are not expensive, only ten yuan each.

The key is that it is not sold on the market and can only be obtained through the Qianmen Locomotive Depot.

They, a group of gangsters, are in a different system from the railway department. They have never interacted with each other on weekdays, so they can only find ways to find people to build relationships with.

Zhong Yuemin and the others started to take action, and other big courtyard boys also noticed the automatic umbrella.

Think about it, the bright red umbrella has golden stars on it. Isn’t this a standard feature for big boys?

If you get one and hold it in your hand, you can not only show off your power in front of your buddies, but also use it to take pictures of your mother-in-law. It is simply killing two birds with one stone.

The brother in the courtyard had a wide network of connections and soon contacted Li Aiguo through various channels.

"On September 20th, the Qianmen Locomotive Depot will have a limited sale of Red Star brand automatic umbrellas. There are only 2,000 units. First come, first served. There will be a queue at the front door of the Qianmen Locomotive Depot!"

The news spread like a gust of wind among the disciples in the courtyard.

Those big guys noticed the word "limited sale" very keenly.

Limited edition means it’s gone once it’s sold out.

The umbrella in my hand has become a solitary item, perfect for showing off.

In addition, some people who can use their brains have some ideas: If I buy a few more umbrellas, when the umbrellas are sold out, can I sell the extra umbrellas to others at a high price?

For a time, in addition to the big boys, young people in Beijing who were reluctant to spend ten yuan to buy automatic umbrellas also became interested in automatic umbrellas.

Among them is the third wise man of the courtyard.

(End of this chapter)