Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 477 Thorough
He Qingsheng was a little anxious, and after the meeting, he immediately gave Chen Fan the membership card that had been prepared in advance.

The photo I used was one I got from Chen Fan yesterday. After attaching the photo and stamping it with the official seal, Chen Fan is now a certified person and can be officially called a "writer"!
Looking at the writer's certificate in Chen Fan's hand, He Qingsheng's eyes were filled with a sense of melancholy. "Back in the 1950s, the Writers' Association provided welfare subsidies to every writer. I remember that back then, everyone received a pack of Pegasus cigarettes, a pound of brown sugar, and other welfare items every month."

Later, the Writers' Association dissolved, and even salaries were no longer guaranteed, so these welfare benefits were naturally canceled as well.

As he spoke, he looked up at Chen Fan and said, "The Writers' Association has just been rebuilt, and many things are not yet perfect. However, once the relevant institutions and personnel are in place, these benefits and conditions will gradually be restored."

Don't worry, since you joined the Writers' Association this month, you'll definitely receive your share. All benefits will be provided once you've resumed your membership.

Chen Fan put his documents into his coat pocket, trying to suppress a smile, "Hmm, I'm not in a hurry."

Compared to this certificate, what are those welfare items?

Old Guo, standing next to him with one hand in his pocket and the other holding a cigarette, laughed and said, "This certificate is not just an identity document. It's a provincial membership card, which is very useful. For example, you can buy second-class or even first-class tickets on a boat, and you don't need to get a separate cadre certificate to buy plane tickets."

"Wait two months until you go to the capital for a meeting, and Lao He will recommend you to join the National Writers Association. That membership card is much more useful; it will bring convenience in shopping, travel, and all sorts of other aspects."

Chen Fan blinked. "You can still buy plane tickets?"

He couldn't help but touch the Writers Association membership card in his pocket again.

(A Writers' Association membership card from the 50s)

These days, not just anyone can fly on a plane. You need a certificate from a cadre at the county or regimental level or above, plus a letter of introduction. If Chen Fan can buy a second-class cabin on a passenger ship at Yunhu Passenger Station by using his connections, then he can only sigh longingly at the thought of flying.

His level is what it is; unless one of his book friends works for an airline and can give him special treatment, he can't even get into the airport.

Hmm, I'll go back and go through the letters from readers again. What if there really are letters from readers from airlines?

After the morning meeting, there was a preparatory meeting for the Writers Association in the afternoon. Chen Fan was not involved and had no intention of becoming a full-time writer, so he did not need to stay in the meeting room and thus had an extra half-day of free time.

Unlike him, the other 22 representatives were all involved, assisting or taking charge of the establishment of various branches.

For example, the Yunhu District Writers Association branch, which Lao Guo and his group will definitely participate in.

Furthermore, there's the issue of determining the internal structure, staffing, and personnel of the writers' association. For example, the director of the external relations department of the Jiangnan Writers' Association is a very important position; they can even apply to the national writers' association to independently organize a delegation for overseas visits. ...If this director doesn't get along with the representatives, wouldn't that cut off any possibility of future overseas exchange visits?!

The full name of the External Relations Department is the Department of External Liaison. Its main responsibility is to communicate with overseas counterparts and promote exchanges and cooperation.

Before the Writers Association was dissolved, there was no such department. However, there was a Foreign Literature Committee at that time, whose responsibilities were somewhat similar, including sending people abroad for visits and exchanges.

This year, the capital city is rebuilding the Writers' Association, and the news that has come out includes the establishment of this new department. As a result, the provincial branches are also planning to establish their own branches, hoping to keep up with the pace of the general association.

The External Liaison Department has branches in Europe and America and Asia and Africa, and the meeting room is filled with the sounds of intense collisions.

Everyone wanted to recommend their own people to the Asia-Africa branch, but the Europe-America branch avoided it like the plague.

The harsh winter is still going strong, who would be so audacious as to provoke Western countries? Aren't they afraid of being stabbed in the back?
The Asia-Africa division is different; those are "traditional friendly countries." Joining this division means there's no risk, and there are opportunities for international exchange and visits. Who wouldn't want that?

As a result of the ongoing debate, the position of deputy director in charge of the European and American branches remains unresolved.

He Qingsheng was very troubled. He wrote and drew on the list of all members, thinking about who could take on the responsibility of the European and American branch.
……

Chen Fan had no idea about Chairman He's troubles; he was about to drive out for a stroll.

However, compared to yesterday's aimless wandering, today's purpose is very clear: to buy souvenirs.

Whenever you're traveling for work, unless you're completely clueless about social etiquette, you'll inevitably have to buy some souvenirs to take back as gifts.

Of course, you don't need to give them all away; the key is to give them to your superiors and close friends.

Chen Fan made a rough estimate: the four big shots of Lujiawan, Captain Yang, Zhang Wenliang, ... well, let's just write down all 12 captains.

Then there are the six girls who live in his home and do voluntary work. They are quite diligent and hardworking. He doesn't have to worry about anything; they can manage everything very well.

However, the gifts for them don't need to be too expensive; the thought is what counts.

Then there were the acquaintances from the prefectural committee, the health department, the education department, the machinery factory, the cotton mill, as well as leaders from the passenger station and the water transport company.

After all, Lujiawan is using someone else's land to open a shop, so they can't afford to have a bad relationship with them.

If we calculate it this way, shouldn't we also go to several hospitals, as well as the Prefectural Health Institute?
Chen Fan looked at the name written in the notebook and couldn't help but wipe his face.

Isn't that too much?

Are there any wholesale markets these days?

Maybe not!

So he decided to ask He Qingsheng for help.

The reason is perfectly valid. If he hadn't come to the provincial capital for this meeting, would he have needed to buy so many souvenirs?
When He Qingsheng was called out of the meeting room and listened to his request, he couldn't help but roll his eyes. He then called over Xu Qizhen, who had just been elected secretary-general of the Writers Association, and said, "Old Xu, call the No. 1 Department Store. Make a note of what he bought. Just take the money, and send the receipts and other documents to them later."

Secretary-General Xu suppressed a laugh and looked at Chen Fan, "You can just go and buy it. As long as it's not too outrageous, the organization will cover for you."

What kind of international joke are you kidding?
Is the Writers' Association short of votes?
Just one question, just one question! Every single one of them, whether it's at the provincial or district/county level, which organization doesn't have members of the Writers' Association?

You're asking if the Writers' Association has any tickets?

It's as ridiculous as asking Jack Ma if he could get an affordable housing unit!
The main theme is outrageous!
Then Chen Fan set off with great enthusiasm.

Having an organization makes all the difference. Before, even if I had plenty of money, I could only hold a few dozen votes. Now I'm so much more extravagant.

No need to worry about tickets or coupons, just buy what you see!

Anyway, since I paid the money, someone else will buy the ticket later.

This is called paying first and then paying the fare, highlighting a sense of freedom!
Chen Fan was filled with excitement and drove straight to the No. 1 Department Store.

The place where I bought the wedding cloth for Zhang Wenliang yesterday was just a small district-level department store, which is nothing compared to the provincial No. 1 Department Store.

It is said, it is said.

When this department store was established, it was aiming to compete with Wangfujing Department Store.

Unfortunately, Wangfujing Department Store is backed by the National Academy, so even if the entire province pools its resources, the provincial capital's No. 1 Department Store cannot compare with Wangfujing Department Store.

However, it is still no match for Wangfujing Department Store, and a few other department stores in Shanghai and Guangzhou.

A department store built with the full support of the entire province is naturally extraordinary.

Wangfujing Department Store has four floors, and the Provincial Capital's No. 1 Department Store also has four floors. They also have two-story annexes above them, and this place also has two-story annexes. They only open floors one through three, but this place has all four floors open!

Chen Fan drove to the entrance of the provincial capital's No. 1 Department Store, got out of the car, and was greeted by a middle-aged man wearing a Zhongshan suit and a long cotton-padded coat.

Without a doubt, this was a manager of the department store. After receiving the call, he personally went to the entrance to wait and greet him.

Department stores are very powerful, even more powerful than supply and marketing cooperatives, but so what?
Try offending a scholar.
If you befriend intellectuals, your workplace will produce an "advanced worker" who will be widely reported in city and provincial newspapers, and might even be featured in national newspapers.

These days, apart from the few national model workers handpicked by leaders and whom all units are required to learn from, which of the others wasn't made famous by journalists and writers?

Even now, for the next 20 years, the most arrogant person will have to show deference to reporters and well-known writers.

That's what it means to write with the power of a knife!
Conversely, if a scholar were to offer assistance, ...

That's what the manager was thinking at that moment.

Not to mention that this scholar is Chen Fan, who is famous throughout the country.

He personally acted as a guide, leading Chen Fan from the first floor to the fourth floor.

Then, with great enthusiasm, he helped put the bags into the car and waved goodbye to writer Chen as he left.

……

As Chen Fan drove, he glanced at the bags in the rearview mirror and on the back seat, and felt inexplicably guilty.

The other items were fine, just some souvenirs like hats, cups, folding knives, and handkerchiefs. However, the two Jiang sisters were given two Plum Blossom watches with calendars.

据那位经理介绍，这种进口手表最便宜的地方在上海，一块瑞士梅花表要290元、浪琴表276元。带日历的17钻手动梅花是319元、带日历25钻要430元，而且还不带原装钢表带。

All imported watches required a watch ticket and an industrial voucher.

For shipping this inland, thank you! It will cost an extra 20 yuan!
Adding a steel strip will cost an extra 10 yuan!
The two 25-jeweled plum blossom calendar watches that Chen Fan chose, worth 460 yuan each, not only required watch coupons and industrial vouchers, but also some kind of overseas remittance vouchers.

Everyone knows about foreign exchange certificates. When relatives or friends with overseas connections send money to you, the People's Bank of China will automatically convert it into RMB based on the exchange rate at that time and give it to you in the form of foreign exchange certificates.

Therefore, ordinary people cannot obtain foreign exchange.

Foreign exchange certificates were introduced in April 1980.

However, prior to this, remittance certificates had been issued since the 50s.

There is a big difference between remittance certificates and foreign exchange certificates. Foreign exchange certificates can be used directly as money without the need for additional payment vouchers.

The function of remittance certificates is somewhat similar to that of coupons; they need to be used in conjunction with money and cannot be used alone.

Before the advent of foreign exchange certificates, remittance certificates were a symbol of "special power".

Coincidentally, both watches Chen Fan bought required payment using remittance certificates.

But Chen Fan didn't want it, and the manager didn't want it either.

Because the Writers' Association covered it!

Chen Fan stuffed the two Plum Blossom watches into his pocket and ran back in a flash.

Anyway, handing it in is out of the question. At worst, I'll just write a few more articles to get it over with!
……

The second day of the meeting was to discuss the agenda for attending the National Writers Association Reconstruction Conference in the capital two months later.

The leaders from the Department of Culture and the Department of Publicity were no longer present. He Qingsheng sat on the dais and said solemnly, "This meeting is important in a way, as it is a major event for the Writers Association in more than a decade. It is also very simple in a way, as it is to support the decision made by the higher-level leaders."

He paused for a moment, picked up his teacup, took a sip of water, and continued, "However, even when following the organization, we must have our own stance."

He turned his gaze to Chen Fan and the others sitting in the front row and said seriously, "I already expressed my opinion yesterday. If any of you still have objections, you can bring them up for discussion now."

Ten seconds later, the room remained silent. He Qingsheng continued, "Since no one objects, the tone is set. We don't care about other provinces and cities, but the opinion of the literary circles in Jiangnan is to abandon the old ways and let us focus our energy on literature."

"To improve literary creation, give full play to the role of literary works, and enrich the spiritual and cultural life of the people—this is the primary and core task of our literary creators today..."

Chen Fan mustered his strength and finally made it to the end of the meeting.

The provincial writers' association meeting officially concluded at noon when the meeting ended.

……

Guesthouse canteen.

The members attending the meeting over the past two days gathered together, sitting at several tables, toasting and exchanging drinks.

During the meal, He Qingsheng didn't say much, just briefly shared his expectations, and then drank and chatted with his future colleagues and writers from various regions.

Chen Fan was very low-key. As the youngest and newest member of the provincial writers' association, he did not raise his glass to toast people. Instead, he sat on a stool, as shy as an 18-year-old.

The old guys around 50 years old found it both funny and pitiful, so they didn't ask him to drink. Instead, they moved over one by one and said a lot of comforting words to him.

Some shared their writing experience, while others exchanged their insights on life.

Regardless of whether it was useful or not, Chen Fan still felt somewhat moved.

After finishing their "farewell dinner," He Qingsheng, reeking of alcohol, followed Chen Fan into his room.

Chen Fan quickly brewed two cups of tea, and just like the night before last, the two sat facing each other across the tea table.

He Qingsheng took a sip of hot tea, put down the teacup, and said to Chen Fan, "The night before last, I asked Lao Guo about you. I didn't expect you to have such an experience."

Chen Fan blinked but remained silent.

Because he didn't know how much Lao Guo actually knew about his affairs.

What if someone added their own interpretation to it?

He Qingsheng leaned back on the sofa, took a deep breath, and said, "According to Lao Guo, your main workplace is actually in the Lujiawan Production Brigade. Your positions in the health department, the machinery factory, and the cotton mill are just nominal appointments."

He turned to look at Chen Fan, his eyes filled with emotion, "That makes sense now. It's actually a good thing that you didn't want to take a position at the Writers' Association. I just didn't expect that you, at such a young age, could see things so clearly!"

(End of this chapter)