The train driver in the courtyard

Chapter 773: Iron-shell frogs are selling well, profiteer He Yushui is laid off (Additional update)
Time is like the speed of water drainage, getting faster and faster, and half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

The first batch of iron-shell frogs were finally shipped out of the Red Star Umbrella Factory and placed on the counters of the railway workers' consumer cooperatives in various locomotive depots in Beijing.

During the production stage of the Iron Shell Frog, Qianmen Locomotive Depot actively contacted the Beijing Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

We hope to promote the iron-shell frog with the help of the supply and marketing cooperative's huge sales network.

However, the Supply and Marketing Cooperative stated that according to the supply and marketing regulations, all sales and purchases must be finalized one year in advance.

If we want to deliver the iron-shell frog to the supply and marketing cooperative, we have to wait until at least next year.

The China Supply and Marketing Cooperative is carrying out its work in accordance with regulations, and the Qianmen Locomotive Depot has no choice.

However, as the big brother, the railway will not be troubled by such a small matter.

The railway also has its own supply and marketing system - the Railway Employees Consumer Cooperative.

Railways have always been a unique field.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Railway Administration Trade Union called on and mobilized employees to raise funds and invest in the Railway Employees Consumer Cooperative, which was a public-private partnership.

As the state implemented a unified purchase and sale policy for major means of production, some of the business of the Railway Employees Consumer Cooperative was divested.

However, it still retains the function of selling some daily necessities and is mainly open to railway employees.

Qianmen Locomotive Depot seized the opportunity and quickly established close contact with relevant leaders within the Ministry of Railways.
After some communication and coordination, the Railway Employees Consumer Cooperative quickly agreed to include the iron-shell frog in the scope of internal commodity sales.

This iron-shell frog was priced at one yuan and fifty cents, and because it was not sold through the supply and marketing system, it could be purchased without industrial coupons.

Railway workers' salaries are generally high, so one dollar and fifty cents is nothing.

as predicted.

Within just a few days, the sales of Iron Shell Frogs soared like a rocket at the Railway Employees Consumer Cooperative of Qianmen Locomotive Depot alone, with more than 2,000 sold.

This remarkable achievement far exceeded Li Aiguo's expectations.

When Director Xing Duan saw this grand scene, he was so excited that his face turned red and he couldn't close his mouth.

"This iron-shell frog costs 50 cents, and we make a net profit of one dollar for each one we sell. In the past few days, we have made 2,000 yuan."

However, in addition to the excitement, a trace of doubt quickly flashed through Director Xing's mind, and he immediately raised a question.

"Patriotic, isn't it a bit inappropriate for us to earn money from our own employees in this way? Otherwise, we can just sell it at cost price, what do you think?"

They work hard to develop and produce goods, but they do not pursue profits, and are even willing to give up profits.

This idea may seem counterintuitive at first.

In fact, it was the business philosophy and actual practice generally upheld by many factory leaders at that time.

The goods produced by the factory are basically sold to employees at cost price, and sometimes they even have to put in some extra money.

This situation can be regarded as a unique characteristic of that era.

Li Aiguo said: "Section Chief, our locomotive section employees are not the only ones who have children in Beijing. When the iron-shell frog appears in society, people from other units will also buy it.

Besides, the money we earn is also used in railway construction or to provide benefits to employees, which is also beneficial to the employees.”

Upon hearing this, Director Xing Duan immediately understood and slapped his thigh.

"I've heard that the workers in the textile factory have more money than us. We have to make more money this time!"

Things developed just as Li Aiguo expected.

As the children of railway workers played with the iron-shell frogs on the streets, more and more people noticed this novel toy.

In that era when material resources were relatively scarce and entertainment options were relatively limited, a toy that could jump automatically was undoubtedly as attractive to children as a blockbuster bomb.

The price of one dollar and fifty cents is indeed expensive, but what else can adults say when faced with children’s begging!

Buy it.

Don’t change into new clothes for two years at most, and don’t eat meat for half a year.

But those people soon ran into trouble.

As an internal product, the iron-shell frog can only be purchased at the Railway Employees Consumer Cooperative, which requires an employee's work permit.

So, some smart people came up with a solution - they could ask Beijing Railway employees to buy the goods on their behalf.

For a time, railway workers in Beijing became purchasing agents.

"I never thought that I would become the most popular person among relatives and friends because of a small toy!" The railway workers were all very excited.

The children in the courtyard also coveted the iron-shell frog. After all, they had to work for a whole day to get five minutes of play time. For only one dollar and fifty cents, they could have their own iron-shell frog.

So, even Li Aiguo helped Liu Haizhong's family and Zhang Gangzhu's family to buy iron-shell frogs.

Li Aiguo just did it casually and did not charge any money.

The third uncle realized that this was a good opportunity.

As soon as he got home, the third uncle called Yan Jiecheng into the house.

"Jie Cheng, you are still a railway employee, right?"

"Is that so?" Although Yan Jiecheng was punished, he was not expelled.

"That's great. Several teachers in our school want to buy iron-shell frogs for their children. I'll take you to meet them tomorrow. Just act a little embarrassed, and I'll take care of the rest."

Yan Jiecheng was a smart man and immediately realized what the third uncle was going to do.

"Dad, this is inappropriate."

"What's inappropriate about that?" The third uncle glared, "We don't steal or rob. If they are willing to give us money, why should we refuse it?"

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Seeing that the third uncle was angry, Yan Jiecheng had no choice but to agree.

In this way, the third uncle became the number one trader in the country and successfully earned several dollars.

The Qianmen Locomotive Depot was also aware of the situation, but did not pay much attention to it.

Because half a month later, after receiving countless requests from residents, the supply and marketing department in the capital finally couldn't help it and issued a purchase order to the Qianmen Locomotive Depot.

Iron-shell frogs were placed on the counters of Beijing Department Store and Beijing Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

Residents can purchase Iron Shell Frogs directly using Industrial Tickets.

The country's top trader was laid off just like that.

He Yushui was also laid off.

Now all the children in the compound have iron-shell frogs, and He Yushui can no longer use cheap labor.

"Brother Aiguo, when will you finish this stroller?!" He Yushui squatted beside Li Aiguo as soon as school was over.

Her big black eyes blinked.

Li Aiguo: ".Rainwater, we don't rent out baby strollers."

He Yushui: “.”

The little girl sighed and left helplessly.

Li Aiguo stopped He Yushui's evolution into the third uncle in time.

If placed in the future, He Yushui's current behavior can be considered smart and intelligent.

But these days, we might get into big trouble.

at dusk.

Li Aiguo installed the shed on the baby carriage.

"Tomorrow we'll go to the maintenance shop and get four springs to install on the wheels as shock absorbers. That'll be about it."

At this time, a figure hurried over.

"Driver Li, there's something wrong at the weather station."

Li Aiguo looked up and saw that it was a comrade from the meteorological station. Before he had time to greet him, he immediately realized the seriousness of the problem when he heard his words.

The fact that the comrades from the weather station came to his home in person to inform him instead of calling was enough to show that the matter was extremely urgent.

"You wait first."

Li Aiguo pushed the stroller into the house and told Chen Xueru that he had some chores to take care of.

"Come back early, I'll save some food for you tonight." Chen Xueru was feeding Xiao Hongsheng and said in a low voice.

Li Aiguo nodded again, then turned around and strode out of the house.

At this moment, he still carried a faint smell of the rich milk in the house.

"Let's go!"

(End of this chapter)