Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 577 No Discounts
For the next two days, the Zhou family did not immediately go looking for the person, but stayed in the capital and toured the city with Chen Fan.

They arrived on May 21st and were scheduled to leave on June 5th.

Although the timeline doesn't need to be so strict, there are still a lot of things to do in the US, and it wouldn't be good to be delayed too long. It would be best to return on schedule.

In this way, it would be impossible to search for people on one's own, firstly because it would be too time-consuming, and secondly because one would not be able to endure the hardship of traveling.

Zhou Zhengdong then provided funds to entrust the search for the missing person to the accompanying officials, and asked them to book return tickets for June 5th.

Since the last location for the search was in Shanghai, a flight was booked departing from Shanghai Airport and bound for Tokyo. After arriving in Tokyo, the flight would then fly back to the United States.

As for the two days spent searching for the missing person, they stayed in the capital to rest and take in the beautiful scenery of the capital.

When you arrive in Beijing, the must-see attractions are naturally Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

The Forbidden City today is not like it will be decades later, with locks everywhere and signs saying "No Entry for Tourists," preventing visitors from going anywhere.

Nowadays, there's nowhere you can't go except Xiyuan, and the entrance fee is only 5 cents, so there are a lot of tourists.

(A visit to the Forbidden City in 72, with many foreigners)

They arrived in Beijing on the morning of June 1st. After a short rest, Chen Fan took them to visit the Forbidden City, stroll around the square, and tour the Memorial Hall in the afternoon.

Chen Fan had specially retrieved a camera from the Chen family's old house, and Zhou Zhengdong and the others also brought one. He and Zhou Yali took the camera and, without treating the film as money, snapped several rolls of film.

Of course, I didn't take pictures of the areas where photography was prohibited, but I did take pictures of the outside.

We rested for one night in a house by Houhai Lake, and then went to Badaling the next day.

(Parking lot under the Badaling Great Wall in 72)

When Chen Fan arrived at Badaling, he realized what a popular tourist attraction was.

This was in the 70s, when cars were a rare sight, and yet there was a traffic jam at Badaling?!

Buses of all sizes, Jiefang trucks, jeeps, and sedans—it was a real spectacle, as if it were an auto expo. Almost every type of car available in China these days was on display, creating quite a lively atmosphere.

Another day of hustle and bustle.

On the 3rd, Chen Fan was ready. As he walked down the stairs, he said, "When you come to Beijing, you can't miss visiting the hutongs. The best-preserved hutongs are Nanluoguxiang..."

Before he could finish speaking, even the most active Zhou Yali stopped moving, lying on the table and groaning, "Take a break, take a break."

Zhou Zhengdong and Zhao Wanru sat upright to the side, holding their teacups without moving, shaking their heads in unison.

These past few days have been spent either by car or plane. The most comfortable time was actually in Lujiawan. Now I really don't want to go out.

Instead of going out and getting tired, I'd rather study the teacup in my hand.

It's amazing how a cup as thin as paper can hold boiling water without burning your hands.

Chen Fan walked over and sat down. Looking at the group, he smiled and said, "Nanluoguxiang is right across from Shichahai. Why don't you go for a stroll since it's so close?"

Zhou Yali grabbed him and said weakly, "Let's do it next time. When I come back next time, you can take me shopping again."

Chen Fan remained noncommittal, then casually grabbed her wrist, hesitated for two seconds, and said, "It's nothing, I'm just a little tired. I'll give you a few acupuncture needles and you'll be fine."

Zhou Yali's eyes widened instantly, "Acupuncture?"

Chen Fan took out his needle kit from his bag and said with a smile, "Don't worry, I have an intermediate-level medical certificate and I'm very skilled at acupuncture. I guarantee that the needle will cure the disease."

Then he pointed to it, "Legs."

Zhou Yali was quite bold; without saying a word, she moved her buttocks back, took off her shoes, and put her legs on the bench.

Wearing sandals in the summer means you don't even need to take off your socks.

Chen Fan didn't say much and immediately started inserting the needles.

After getting a few needles in her feet and calves, Zhou Yali looked up a moment later with a look of surprise, "Hey, it seems much better!"

Zhou Zhengdong and Zhao Wanru exchanged a glance. It actually worked?

A short while later, after Chen Fan removed the needles, Zhou Yali immediately stood up and jumped a few times, exclaiming, "Hey, much better!"

Chen Fan smiled, turned to Zhou Zhengdong and Zhao Wanru and said with a smile, "Want a few acupuncture needles too?"

Both of them agreed and made preparations accordingly.

They had also visited traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in Manhattan's Chinatown, but had never witnessed such a miraculous cure with acupuncture. They never expected to experience it today.

It didn't take long to finish tying up both of them.

Chen Fan brought out alcohol to disinfect the used silver needles, and said, "You are indeed a bit overworked, so why don't you go out for a stroll?"

There were no pedicabs at that time. It wasn't until 1981 that the Beijing Transportation Bureau issued regulations to resume the operation of pedicabs, and only then did pedicab tours of the hutongs begin.

Otherwise, he could call two tricycles so he could tour the alleys without having to walk.

Since he had decided not to go out, Chen Fan put down the things he had prepared, ran to the attic, and took down a few books to read.

He sent Master Zhang 38 yuan, and Master Zhang did more than just decorate the empty space to the north for him.

By this time, the small garden to the south was also fully completed, with ten auspicious trees—ginkgo, osmanthus, podocarpus, persimmon, pomegranate, jujube, sycamore, peach, plum, and crabapple—planted scattered throughout the garden.

The bare soil has been covered with grass and flowers. Water from Shichahai Lake, connected through underground pipes, fills the canal. A small waterwheel turns slowly, sending the water from the canal to a rockery. After filling the "Heavenly Pool," it forms a waterfall that falls down, and the cycle continues.

Trees, grass, flowers, and water blend together seamlessly, creating a picturesque scene with the nearby lake.

Sitting in the pavilion on the small hill in the center of the garden, holding a book and sipping a cup of good tea, is much more comfortable than going to a tourist attraction.

The bookshelves in the attic were already mostly filled with books. Since there weren't many books for leisure these days, Zhang Xuansong went to Xinhua Bookstore and asked them to send over several thousand new books of various kinds. The remaining bookshelves were reserved for Taoist scriptures. Once religious activities officially resumed, they would be filled with Taoist canons and various secret scriptures of the Quanzhen School. Later, a complete set of the Siku Quanshu (Complete Library of the Four Treasuries) would be added, emphasizing a balanced approach that included both vegetarian and non-vegetarian content.

In the pavilion, the four of them sat on opposite sides, reading and chatting for a while, enjoying themselves immensely.

But not long after, the doorbell rang.

Chen Fan immediately stood up and said, "Master Zhang and the others have the keys; it should be Section Chief Ma who's here."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhengdong and his companion each picked up their teacups and books and headed towards the front room.

Chen Fan walked to the gate and opened it. Sure enough, outside stood Section Chief Ma, the accompanying cadre appointed by the city, and two other colleagues from other units.

They were invited inside and seated at the tea table in the living room, where Zhou Zhengdong and the others were already waiting.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chen Fan served them tea, and then Section Chief Ma got down to business, "Mr. Zhou, we have received news about the families you asked us to look into."

Zhou Zhengdong didn't seem particularly excited. His main purpose in returning to China this time was to find his nephew. Now that everything was going smoothly, he wasn't particularly concerned about other things.

Besides, these "acquaintances" were all from his father's side of the family, people he had never even met. If his father hadn't mentioned this before he died, suggesting that if he had the chance to return to China, he could also look into what happened back then, he wouldn't have even brought it up.

Section Chief Ma had no idea about any of this. He only knew that this was an important task entrusted to him by the overseas Chinese, and since he had been paid, he would do his best to complete it. So he continued, "Of the five families you entrusted us to find, three are in Tianjin and two are in Shanghai."

After two days of searching, we can basically confirm that four of the families had emigrated abroad in the 5s and 60s, and only one family is still in Shanghai.

Zhou Zhengdong was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and asked curiously, "Will it still be possible to go abroad back then?"

Section Chief Ma smiled and said to him, "You've been abroad for a long time and aren't very familiar with our policies. Actually, in the 50s, we had an open attitude towards people with overseas connections."

(A section is missing)
So at that time, as long as one could provide proof of overseas relationship and there were no special circumstances for oneself or one's family, one could apply to one's employer. After the employer's review and approval, the public security department would issue a passport and allow one to leave the country.

This policy wasn't broken until 65, after which there were almost no cases of people leaving the country for private reasons. However, before that, for people with overseas connections, going abroad was not difficult.

After explaining, his expression became slightly strange, and he said with a smile, "According to the feedback, two of the four households that went out used letters exchanged with your Zhou family as proof."

Zhou Zhengdong blinked, his face somewhat blank.

Can you do this?

(The Hong Kong and Macau travel permit from the 60s was held by many overseas Chinese because they could only travel to Western countries via Hong Kong.)

Chen Fan was also very surprised. He thought that this period was particularly closed. It turned out that it was still possible to go abroad smoothly through normal procedures.

Section Chief Ma looked at Zhou Zhengdong and said, "Overall, it's good news. At least they were safe and sound before they left the country. However, their situation after they left is beyond our control. We really can't find out anything. I'm sorry."

Zhou Zhengdong quickly waved his hand, "No, no, it's me who's troubling you. Being able to find these people is enough to comfort my father's spirit in heaven."

Section Chief Ma nodded and said, "In that case, there's probably no need to go to Tianjin, right?"

Zhou Zhengdong thought for a moment, then sighed, looked up and gazed eastward, and said, "When I left back then, my father disposed of all our property. There's no point in looking at the house we used to live in, so let's not go."

He then looked at Section Chief Ma and said with a smile, "Then I'll trouble you to make the arrangements. We'll go to Shanghai tomorrow to visit that family, and then we'll set off."

Section Chief Ma nodded slightly, "Then I'll book your return tickets for June 5th?"

Zhou Zhengdong had just nodded when he suddenly remembered something and quickly asked, "By the way, Section Chief Ma, how did the matter I asked you to do yesterday go?"

Section Chief Ma smiled, raised the cup in front of him, and said, "I reported your intention to purchase this kind of porcelain to my superiors at the time, and the leaders informed me of the result today."

He glanced at Zhou Zhengdong and the other three, whose faces were full of anticipation, and said with a smile, "First of all, I must state that, in principle, this batch of porcelain is not for sale. Please understand this point."

Zhou Zhengdong blinked, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. So, does this mean there's no chance?
Chen Fan, on the other hand, remained unfazed.

Since it's a principle, then it can be broken.

However, Section Chief Ma was right about one thing: this batch of porcelain really was not for sale.

Two years later, the Jingdezhen ceramics factory preferred to distribute the porcelain as welfare items rather than put it on the market.

Moreover, according to Chen Fan's understanding, this batch of porcelain was only sold from the government once, in the late 80s, when a foreign trade exhibition was held in Beijing. The Ceramic Research Institute took out the remaining 200-odd pieces of porcelain and sold them to an overseas Chinese.

Yes, they only sell to overseas Chinese or foreign guests, not to domestic customers.

Therefore, Chen Fan never thought of purchasing this batch of ceramics in his own name. If he were to rely solely on personal connections, he could have bought some from the Ceramic Research Institute or the Jingdezhen Ceramic Factory.

For example, what they are using now is just a few scattered parts; don't even think about anything more.

The only way to buy all two thousand-plus pieces of porcelain that were sealed away was for my uncle to intervene.

Section Chief Ma glanced at the four people and continued, "However, considering Mr. Zhou's status as a patriotic overseas Chinese..."

At this point, he turned to look at Chen Fan and said, "Back then, Ms. Zhou also gave up her comfortable life in the United States and, inspired by her motherland, resolutely returned to China, making outstanding contributions to the country's development. Therefore, the leadership decided to partially grant Mr. Zhou's request."

Zhou Zhengdong blinked, puzzled, and asked, "Partially agreed?"

Section Chief Ma nodded and explained, "We cannot agree to your request to purchase the entire batch of products, because we need to reserve some products as a backup for Xiyuan's needs."

Zhou Zhengdong understood and immediately nodded, asking, "How many can we buy?"

Section Chief Ma didn't keep you in suspense, "Currently, the total inventory of 7501 porcelain is more than 2200 pieces, most of which are kept at the Jingdezhen Ceramic Factory, with a very small number remaining at the Ceramic Research Institute. After consideration and discussion, the Ceramic Factory can transfer a total of 1200 pieces to you."

Zhou Zhengdong breathed a sigh of relief and laughed, "That's fine too, that's fine too."

He then asked, "How much does it cost?"

Even though he was worth hundreds of millions, he was still a little trembling when he asked that question.

This is a rare and exquisite piece of ceramics, made exclusively for the Xiyuan Garden. It is incredibly valuable in every respect.

Don't drain the company's cash flow!

But asking him to give up is even more impossible. Even if he's short of money, he'll take out a loan to buy it; there's no other way, it's just too worth it!

Then they heard Section Chief Ma hold up two fingers and say, "2."

Zhou Zhengdong was still guessing the price in his mind when he heard this, and his eyes widened instantly. "How much?"

Seeing his reaction, Section Chief Ma was a little embarrassed and explained, "At that time, Jiangxi Province allocated 35000 yuan specifically for the research and development of this kind of porcelain, and the Ceramic Research Institute also invested a huge amount of manpower."

We asked the Ministry of Commerce to do a calculation, and after taking into account all the costs, we set this price, and..."

He smiled somewhat awkwardly, "And this price is discounted; otherwise, at an average price of 20 yuan per piece, it would cost a total of 24000 yuan."

Zhou Zhengdong gasped, paused for two seconds, then waved his hand and said seriously, "No discounts, I can't take advantage of the country. Just do as you said, 20 yuan a piece, 24,000 it is, I'll pay."

Section Chief Ma rubbed his hands together, grinning from ear to ear, "Mr. Zhou is so generous!"

He paused for a moment, then quickly added, "I'm talking about US dollars."

Just as Zhou Zhengdong was about to speak, Chen Fan suddenly said from the side, "The US dollars are no problem, but there is one additional condition."

Section Chief Ma turned to look at him, blinking slightly. "What are the conditions?"

Chen Fan coughed lightly, "If the remaining spare porcelain is unsealed, we demand the right of first refusal."

Section Chief Ma hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement, "Okay."

The leader had already told him that if it weren't for the issue of restocking in Xiyuan, he could have sold all of this batch of porcelain to Zhou Zhengdong.

Therefore, this condition doesn't really count as a condition.

Zhou Zhengdong and Chen Fan exchanged a glance and both revealed smug smiles.

(End of this chapter)