Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 184 Taking the Initiative to Perform a Double Act

After class, the students went home, and Chen Fan also returned to the broadcasting room to turn off the machine and go back.

Upon reaching the door, they found Xiao Liewen inside the room, one hand behind his back and the other holding a twelve-foot red spear. His arm pressed down on the spear's butt, his body motionless, only using his wrist strength to shake the spear, creating trembling spear flowers.

Chen Fan chuckled and said, "Captain, you're still going strong for your age."

"Pah!"

Xiao Liewen, however, was unimpressed. "Old? What do you mean I'm old? I'm not even 50 yet, and you're saying I'm old?"

Chen Fan was not intimidated. He calmly turned off the radio and broadcaster and said with a smile, "They say that having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. I was just praising you."

"No need, compliment something else next time."

Xiao Liewen placed the spear against the wall at an angle and said, "I have something to ask you."

As Chen Fan packed his things, he looked at him and said, "Please tell me, I will answer everything I know."

Xiao Liewen pointed in the direction of Master Lu's house, walked over and whispered, "Did you install that stove at Master Lu's house?"

Chen Fan slung the cloth bag and water bottle over his shoulder, turned to look at him, and nodded. "Ah, what's wrong?"

Xiao Liewen: "I've never seen that thing anywhere else. Where did you buy it?"

Chen Fan smiled and said, "I didn't buy it; I made it myself."

Xiao Liewen's eyes widened. "You did this yourself?"

Is that something you can just make yourself?

Chen Fan pulled over two chairs, first inviting him to sit down, then sitting down himself, and said with a smile, "That's right, this thing isn't complicated. I tried firing a few when I was making pottery, and after using them myself, I felt they were pretty good, especially when burning charcoal for warmth at night, it's very warm to sleep in."

"It's been snowing heavily these past few days, and I remembered that the walls of Master Lu's house are too thin and not warm enough, so I brought him a new one."

He paused for a moment, then asked, "What, you want one too?"

If you don't want it, why ask?
Xiao Liewen chuckled, "I went to see him last night, and he was sleeping soundly. I went again this morning, and he was reading next to the stove you gave him. The room was warm and cozy, more comfortable than my old brick house, and there was no smell of coal smoke at all. So I wanted to ask you where you bought that stove."

He shook his head again, his eyes filled with sigh, "I never imagined you would burn it yourself?!"

This kid is incredibly skilled!
Chen Fan knew exactly what he was thinking and immediately chuckled, "To be honest, these are all test subjects. I asked Master Zhu's cousin, Zhu Hao, who works as a chef in a state-run restaurant, to buy me some books from the county town. One of them was 'Traditional Pottery Making,' and I made these by following the process described in the book."

He paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "But I only know a little bit. I dug a pit kiln, but I can't fire much stuff each time. I just fire some utensils for myself, so it's not very useful. That's why I didn't tell you."

He was putting his words out in advance to prevent Captain Xiao from taking advantage of his pottery skills like Captain Yang and the others in his team.

If that's the case, he can forget about doing anything else and can just be a master craftsman.

Or just lie down and learn nothing.

But without learning these things, how can one live comfortably given the current conditions in the countryside?

He was still hoping to build a rural villa with a toilet, bathroom, and a sunny kitchen by hand.

Whether you leave or stay in the future, living a good life is the most basic human need!
If even this small requirement cannot be met, let alone giving him two work points, even if you give him ten, he will only try his best to run away.

Upon hearing his words, Captain Xiao immediately understood what he meant, waved his hand and laughed, "Don't say you only have a little pottery-making skill. Even if you were a master potter, how much soil and firewood would you have to make a pottery piece in this tiny piece of land in Lujiawan?"

Chen Fan felt relieved upon hearing this.

Hehe, as expected, the leaders of the brigade headquarters are farsighted and consider all aspects of the problem, much better than Captain Yang's short-sightedness. He said with a smile, "It's definitely not going to be done on a large scale. It's fine to make a few things for personal use. Since you like it, I'll make one for you when I get back. However, we have to wait for the clay blank to dry completely before it can be fired in the kiln, so it will take a few days."

Putting everything else aside, he should at least repay Captain Xiao for teaching him martial arts.

Xiao Liewen didn't refuse and laughed, "Sure, I'll wait a few days. Anyway, it'll still be cold before the end of the first month. We can continue to use it after this year's supply is used up."

After he finished speaking, he paused for two seconds and then said, “A coal stove at the supply and marketing cooperative costs 15 yuan plus two industrial coupons. If you don’t have coupons, you can have one made at the blacksmith’s shop, and they will charge you 20 yuan. Yours is a ceramic stove and it’s for burning charcoal, so it definitely can’t be sold for that much.”

Chen Fan was a little dumbfounded. "I didn't plan to sell it."

Xiao Liewen glanced at him and continued talking to himself, "This charcoal stove doesn't need sheet metal, and the materials are simple to obtain. It's also heavier than a coal stove, and it doesn't even have a handle. You can only move it by holding the handles on both sides, which is inconvenient."

But there are advantages too. It has a dedicated smoke vent, and it can burn coal, charcoal, and firewood, unlike a coal stove which can only burn briquettes or honeycomb briquettes. Anyway, considering all these factors, I'll just charge you 10 yuan each.

Chen Fan stared wide-eyed at Xiao Liewen.

What do you mean? You're forcing me to make a mistake, then finding an excuse to fire me?

Xiao Liewen looked up and chuckled, "But you can't do business. Unless it's at a rural market, you can't sell for money at other times. If you want to sell, you can only sell to the purchasing station, but they might not even buy it."

Chen Fan closed his jaw, looking at him with a puzzled expression.

You've said both the truth and the sarcasm, what are you trying to do?
Xiao Liewen took out his pipe and crossed his legs.

Chen Fan immediately took out a match from the drawer, struck one, and lit it for him.

Xiao Liewen took a puff before smiling and saying, "Money won't do, but I can exchange things. I'll give you a sheepskin-lined hat with ear flaps, worth 10 yuan, I guarantee it'll be worth it."

Chen Fan's eyes darted around slightly. "How about I bring you a charcoal stove to wish you a Happy New Year sometime, and you return the favor with a leather hat?"

Xiao Liewen immediately shook his head, "Tomorrow you can still bring me a big radish to wish me a Happy New Year, nothing else is needed. After you've lit the charcoal stove, bring it over to me, and I'll give you that hat then."

Chen Fan blinked. "Why?"

Xiao Liewen pointed at him and said, "You're really smart, but you're also really stupid."

Chen Fan clicked his tongue in annoyance, about to speak, when suddenly his mind went blank and he lowered his voice, saying, "Are you afraid that if I give you a charcoal stove, everyone else will come and ask me for one?"

"That's right!"

Xiao Liewen glanced outside, then turned back and whispered, "All the things you did before were for the public good. When you do things for the public good, the public will naturally give you credit and awards."

But this time is different. This time it's for a private matter. Today I'll teach you a saying: "A small favor is appreciated, but a large one breeds resentment." Even blood relatives can argue fiercely over a few pounds of rice or a few pieces of meat, let alone an outsider like you.

Once people know you can make pottery, there will be a constant stream of people asking you for this and that every day. At that time, will you give it to them or not?
If you give it to them, where do you find the time and energy to burn it for them? If you don't give it to them, they'll criticize you behind your back, and that will become your fault.

However, it's different if I agree on a price with you beforehand and exchange it for something else.

Even I have to trade something worth 10 yuan with you. Do you think anyone else would take advantage of you for no reason? From now on, no matter who comes to you, just tell them, 'This item was traded to Captain Xiao for 10 yuan. If I give it to you for free, it would be like offending Captain Xiao.' That way, no one will ask you for anything.

Do you understand what I'm saying?

Chen Fan feigned sudden realization and nodded vigorously, "I understand."

Before transmigrating, he had encountered countless pitfalls throughout his life, so he naturally understood this principle, but he simply hadn't found a suitable opportunity to deal with it in advance.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Liewen would actually take the initiative to act out a charade with him.

(End of this chapter)