Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 623 Seeking the Upper and Obtaining the Middle
After finishing their meal, they got into the car, and the two sisters immediately pulled out their guns and started playing with them.

The Walther PPK is small and exquisite; it could be considered a work of art, if not a weapon.

Zhou Yali was the last to get on the bus. Sitting in the back, she sighed and said, "Last time I came here without incident, I thought the mainland was particularly safe, but I didn't expect..."

She glanced at the guns in the two sisters' hands, her eyes filled with regret, "So you have to carry guns on the street too."

Chen Fan closed the car door, drove off, and chuckled softly, "It's not that exaggerated. At least China can't compare to the United States. Giving them guns is just a precaution."

Take what happened the day before yesterday, for example. Those guys only had sticks made from tree branches; they were basically just for show, used to scare people. Then, after being scratched a few times by the cat, they were terrified and ran away. It's fundamentally different from the US, where people pull out guns at the drop of a hat.

Zhou Yali pursed her lips, watched the two sisters put the guns away, and said, "If you want guns, then just use them. Why did you tell your masters you needed bodyguards?"

Jiang Lili turned around and explained to her, "Because if we ask for a gun directly, Master might not agree."

So Xiao Fan first made an impossible request. If his master refused, he would then ask to be armed, thus ensuring success. This is the principle of seeking the highest and achieving the middle, or seeking the middle and achieving the lowest.

Unexpectedly, before Xiao Fan even mentioned it, his master had already taken care of it.

Jiang Tiantian nodded gently, "I think Master really loves Xiaofan. If we bring it up directly, they will most likely agree."

Chen Fan, who was driving in the front, smiled and said, "If you were still in Yunhu, you wouldn't need to go through all this trouble. In Lujiawan, I could easily get you two guns, and gun licenses would be easy to obtain. But it's different outside."

He glanced at the rearview mirror and continued, "You are all college students now, and the school is your workplace. Moreover, it's a metropolis like Shanghai. No matter who I go to, it's impossible for me to get you gun licenses."

The only way to provoke my three mentors was to get them two gun licenses; with their skills, that would be a piece of cake. Sure enough, before I even finished speaking, my third mentor had it all done. Now I feel more at ease letting you carry guns.”

Jiang Lili was alright, but her eyes were brimming with tears as she looked at Chen Fan. Jiang Tiantian, on the other hand, blushed deeply and immediately turned to look out the window, not daring to let her sister see.

Zhou Yali then asked, "What did Second Master mean by what he said later?"

Chen Fan said, "It's very simple. I just need to teach them a few tricks. If they can solve a problem with their fists and weapons, they shouldn't use guns."

Zhou Yali's eyes widened instantly. "Are you really that good at kung fu?"

Since Bruce Lee became famous, the word "kung fu" has become very popular in the West and is known to almost everyone. Not to mention that Zhou Yali is a crazy girl who likes to read martial arts novels. When she heard Chen Fan's words, her interest naturally increased.

Before Chen Fan could speak, Jiang Lili said, "Not just amazing, she's incredibly amazing!"

She waved her hands, her face flushed, unsure how to express herself, and finally could only say, "Anyway, those few people from the day before yesterday weren't even worth a handful of his."

Jiang Tiantian knew that Chen Fan was good at martial arts, but she had never seen him in person; she had only heard her sister mention him.

Seeing her younger sister's appearance, she couldn't help but chuckle, but she also became increasingly curious about just how amazing she was.

After they had both stopped talking, Chen Fan smiled and said, "Lili has been practicing Little Baguazhang for almost a year. Although she doesn't have much practical combat ability, she has laid a foundation for martial arts. Tiantian has only practiced Vajra Longevity Kung Fu for half a year, which is barely enough to stretch her muscles and bones. She will have to practice Little Baguazhang with Lili later."

Today is the 23rd. We still have a week before we return to Shanghai. I'll teach you one more set of grappling techniques and one set of leg techniques. Once you've mastered them, you should be able to handle a few ordinary people. After you've practiced them until you're proficient, I'll teach you other skills.

The two sisters nodded at the same time, and before they could speak, Zhou Yali craned her neck and asked, "Little brother, little brother, can I learn it?"

Without hesitation, Chen Fan replied, "No."

Zhou Yali's face immediately darkened. "Why? Does having a wife mean you don't want your older sister anymore?"

Upon hearing this, the two sisters in front blushed deeply. Not to mention Jiang Tiantian, even Jiang Lili felt a little embarrassed.

Chen Fan glanced at the rearview mirror speechlessly. "What nonsense. The reason I don't teach you kung fu is because you're too impulsive. If you learn kung fu, you'll definitely get involved in other people's business. If you cause trouble, it won't be good whether you're right or wrong. It's better not to learn at all."

Zhou Yali pouted, looking at him with a wronged expression, "But what if I encounter danger?"

Chen Fan thought for a moment, "Then I'll teach you a set of Baguazhang, but you have to remember, this skill is better for running away than fighting, so don't cause any trouble."

Zhou Yali looked conflicted. "Little brother, how little do you trust your older sister? Am I that kind of person?"

Chen Fan clicked his tongue, thinking about Zhou Yali's daily behavior. It seemed that apart from being a little lively, he hadn't really found any fault with her meddling in other people's business. So he smiled and said, "Then I'll teach you one more leg technique so you can run even faster."

Zhou Yali's face fell. "I don't want to talk to you."

The two sisters leaned against each other and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

……

Soon we arrived at the Writers' Association headquarters. It was the same few small wooden houses, but the people there had changed a few times.

Several have already secured positions and started working, while those who remain are the core members of the Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Writers Association after their reconstruction. They are now acting as agents for the management responsibilities of the Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Writers Association.

The third National Congress of Members will be held next November to elect the third council of the Writers Association, which will then take over management.

At the same time, the Fourth National Congress of Literary and Art Workers will be held in Beijing, where not only will the council of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles be elected, but many regulations will also be revised, thus opening a new chapter in literary and art work.

But that's for later.

Chen Fan still has to follow the old rules. For example, when his works are exported overseas, he needs the approval of his superiors and the consent of his unit.

After reading Chen Fan's one-page outline, and then glancing at the departmental headings on the manuscript, Mr. Mao Dun couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Are you trying to drag Brother Ba down with you?"

Chen Fan remained calm and composed, saying, "That's not what I meant. I just happened to be in Shanghai and borrowed a few sheets of paper from Mr. Ba's office."

As he spoke, his gaze involuntarily drifted to a stack of blank manuscript papers on the corner of his desk.

The next second, it was taken away by a hand.

it's a pity.

Mr. Mao Dun looked at him with annoyance and placed the outline in front of him. "Don't even think about it. Your novel outline is clearly a Western martial arts novel. There's nothing to censor."

"It's rare that you have this advantage—your uncle owns a publishing company and is willing to help you publish. So, we'll let you have it approved; it's a form of cultural exchange."

Upon hearing this, Chen Fan was unsure whether to be happy or worried.

It's like I can't publish my book without this uncle.

Well, publishing is definitely not a problem, but what about going overseas?
It's really quite difficult.

Unless I go to see Hideo Takahashi... Oh right, my first Japanese translation of a novel should have been published a month or two ago, I wonder how it's doing. I'll go ask He Qingsheng later.

He's responsible for sending the translated manuscript over there; he's in contact with them, so he should know.

This job originally belonged to Chen Fan, but the Department of Culture and the Writers' Association took over the translation work, so it became theirs. Chen Fan only contributed a small amount of foreign exchange earnings, which had no real impact and saved him a lot of trouble. Chen Fan put away the manuscript, feeling quite pleased with himself. Old Mao's verbal promise was more effective than Old Ba's department head's. All he had to do was tell He Qingsheng that he had shown them the manuscript, and that would be more effective than anything else.

Unfortunately, the official approval document for exporting works requires the seal of the Jiangnan Cultural Bureau to be valid; the Writers Association does not handle this matter, otherwise it could be processed directly here.

Old Mao took a sip of tea, looked at him and smiled, "Your uncle is quite honest. He offered to help our domestic writers recover their royalties. The first batch of royalties received was wired a couple of days ago. The amount isn't a lot, but it's not a small amount either. All the scattered amounts add up to more than a hundred thousand US dollars."

Although the money may not be much in the later stages, through it we can build a bridge to communicate with overseas publishers, and have another way for literature to go global besides foreign language publishing houses.

So, your novel is likely just the vanguard of our exchange with Western independent publishers. More and more works will be sent over, and then we can give you credit for that.”

Chen Fan blinked, feeling somewhat amazed. "I didn't do anything, and I'm already getting credit?"

After chatting with Mr. Mao for a while and showing his face to several other big shots, he took his leave as it was almost time to get off work, accompanied by three women who were frantically collecting autographs and taking photos with him.

First, I took them home, then returned the car, and then went home to meet them up so we could go to the train station together.

……

This time, instead of flying, they decided to take the evening train to Jilin.

However, this time the destination was not Changchun, but rather to go to Changchun first and then transfer to Lushuihe Station.

Lushuihe Station was built in 68. It is the smallest fourth-class railway station, with only a few stations connected to it, and it is mainly used for freight.

Because this area is deep in the Changbai Mountains, it has abundant forestry resources and often needs to transport various supplies outwards.

In addition, ten years later, the Lushuihe International Hunting Ground was completed here, where animals such as sika deer, red deer, and roe deer can be hunted.

So even with wildlife protection laws, hunting can still continue here.

The only difference is that hunting was a game back then, but hunting is for a living now.

Chen Fan certainly wasn't doing it for a living; those hunting teams that ventured deep into the old forests were.

The reason I'm going there is because the hunting team I knew before is currently at Lushui River.

For convenience, Chen Fan went directly to find them.

Four people, just enough for a soft sleeper compartment, bought their tickets in US dollars, without even needing a letter of introduction from their employer or their work ID.

On the train, Chen Fan started teaching, but due to the cramped space, he only taught one set of grappling techniques.

Zhou Yali was openly learning from the side, and Chen Fan glanced at her twice, but ultimately did not retract his teaching aura.

As a result, this girl thought she had the potential to be an emperor, and kept grinning and showing off, "A mere set of grappling techniques, what's so difficult about that? I can handle it in a minute!"

Seeing her smug look, Jiang Lili couldn't help but laugh and said, "That's because the teacher is Xiao Fan. If someone else were to teach, it might not be the same."

Jiang Tiantian nodded repeatedly, "Our school's physical education class also teaches martial arts, and it's hard to learn without a foundation. Xiao Fan taught me the Vajra Longevity Kung Fu before, and just now he taught me the Small Capturing Hand. I learned it almost immediately, so it must be because Xiao Fan is a good teacher."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yali's expression stiffened slightly. So that's how it is.
The train traveled through the darkness and arrived at its final destination precisely at 7:30 the next morning.

How rare.

With more than two hours to go before their train to Lushuihe, Chen Fan led them out of the station to stretch their legs and grab something to eat.

As I walked out of the train station, I saw a steaming place not far away, so I headed towards it.

Upon closer inspection, Jiang Lili let out a soft "Ah!" and the girls quickly turned away, not daring to look in that direction.

Zhou Yali turned her back, grabbed Chen Fan's arm, her face flushed, and asked softly, "Brother, what's going on?"

The steaming place wasn't the breakfast shop Chen Fan had imagined, but rather a row of washrooms.

(Restaurants near long-distance bus stations were very common back then)

The so-called "washroom" is just a place to boil water, with a shelf at the entrance containing washbasins with towels, water cups, and toothbrushes.

When a customer comes in, the owner pours hot water into the basin and charges 1 cents.

After paying, customers can use the towel to wash their face and brush their teeth.

Yes, all these towels, washbasins, water cups, and even toothbrushes are shared. After one person uses them, they are quickly rinsed before the next person uses them.

Although it is early autumn, the weather has not yet turned cool, and many people are still wearing only light clothing.

Especially those who have just gotten off the train are inevitably covered in sweat, so they lift their clothes to wipe themselves.

Since Chen Fan and his group didn't understand, their sudden arrival was bound to be awkward.

After witnessing this scene, Chen Fan secretly sighed that he had gained some knowledge. Without explaining, he led his men to the other side.

This time, we finally found the right place and went into a clean-looking restaurant. We ordered two plates of dumplings and two other dishes, paid, and then waited to start eating.

Knowing his appetite, Jiang Lili was worried that he wouldn't have enough to eat, so she asked softly, "Is this enough?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than a middle-aged waitress floated past her from behind, saying, "Take the 'ma' off. There are only a few of you, yet you dare to order two plates of dumplings and two dishes. Be careful you can't finish them and end up with leftovers."

Seeing the three girls looking completely bewildered, Chen Fan calmly waved his hand and then said loudly, "It's okay, sis, bring these first, I'll order more if you need more."

The woman immediately perked up, rolled up her sleeves, and shouted to the kitchen, "Xiaoshan, serve this table first. I want to see what kind of problem it is before we order more!"

Chen Fan raised an eyebrow at the three of them. See? They've cut in line.

When the food was served, Jiang Lili finally understood why the older woman had said that.

The plate was as big as a washbasin, and the dumplings were as big as fists, each one plump and white. She felt that she could be full after eating three of them.

Amidst the astonished gazes of everyone in the room, Chen Fan leisurely distributed a small portion to each of them before placing the rest in front of him and devouring it in a whirlwind of activity.

To avoid disappointing the older woman, I added another plate of dumplings and a plate of sweet and sour pork.

After eating his fill, amidst admiring glances, Chen Fan waved his hand and led the three women out the door, heading towards the train station.

(End of this chapter)