Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 699 was slightly modified.

Just as Mr. Ba was about to drink his tea, he heard his words and was immediately stunned. He put his teacup aside, looked at him with a strange expression, and said, "The meeting a few days ago made it clear that we should open our doors to the world and 'actively develop equal and mutually beneficial economic cooperation with all countries in the world on the basis of self-reliance.'"

Your Jiangnan Writers Association has set a good example for the national literary community, proving that literature can indeed go global and generate economic benefits. With this conference setting the tone, what else do you have to worry about?

Chen Fan took a drag of his cigarette and said with a smile, "It's not for that reason."

Before Mr. Buffett could ask a question, he continued, "I don't want to go abroad, mainly for two reasons. First, I'm currently mainly responsible for the association's external relations work. Thanks to the meeting a few days ago, the situation where everyone used to avoid going abroad will definitely change completely."

Without causing trouble, who wouldn't want to go abroad and see the world? You can see this from the overseas Chinese who return home. Foreign countries are rich in resources, and a trip abroad will definitely bring back a lot of good things. In this way, going abroad for business has become a perk.

As the person in charge of external liaison work, regardless of whether the quota for going abroad was determined by the general manager or the foreign businessmen, many people would definitely think that I made the decision myself.

This isn't like housing allocation or some kind of amazing welfare benefit, why would I want to cause myself trouble?

Upon hearing this, Ba Jin remained silent for a moment, picked up his teacup, and drank his tea in silence.

After a moment, he put down his teacup, picked up a cigarette, looked up at Chen Fan, and sighed, "You're so young, yet you're always so mature and composed. I heard that back then you ended up in Lujiawan from Yunhu Machinery Factory due to special circumstances..."

At this point, he shook his head and sighed, lit a match to light a cigarette, and fell silent.

Chen Fan couldn't help but chuckle. "It's not that exaggerated. This incident did make me more cautious, but it doesn't mean I'm afraid to do anything. You've forgotten, from Lujiawan to Yunhu Machinery Factory, and then to the Jiangnan Writers Association, I was the one who pushed forward a lot of the work."

If I were truly the kind of person who's afraid of everything, could I have accomplished those things?

He chuckled at Buffett, "Actually, besides that reason, the main reason is that I myself have no interest in foreign countries."

Mr. Buffett became somewhat curious. "Just like you said, if you go abroad, you can definitely bring back some things that you don't have in China. So why aren't you interested?"

Chen Fan shrugged, a cigarette dangling from his lips, and spread his hands. "As long as the country allows me to enter, what can't I get? I don't even need to spend money; my uncle and sister can send it to me."

And look at those who go abroad. Don't tell me they can just wander around wherever they want once they're overseas?

Ba Jin shook his head without hesitation, "That's impossible."

Chen Fan flicked his cigarette ash and chuckled, "Isn't that it? You don't even need to think about it to know that when you go abroad on business, you'll definitely be accompanied by someone, just like when foreign tourists come to China. There are strict regulations on where you go, who you meet, and what you do."

The benefits are minimal, and it's exhausting; why should I make myself suffer for such a trivial matter?

He tossed away his cigarette butt, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked at Ba Jin with a smile, saying, "When the country opens up and allows individuals to travel abroad, I will definitely go out and travel around. There's no need to compete with the old comrades for these quotas now."

Actually, it didn't take long. In 1982, my country issued the "Provisional Regulations on Self-Funded Study Abroad," opening up opportunities for individuals to study abroad and sparking a "craze for studying abroad."

In 84, the higher authorities approved the "Request for Instructions on Relaxing the Approval Conditions for Private Travel Abroad," which clarified that citizens have the right to travel abroad for private purposes.

Chen Fan will definitely go out for a stroll then.

There's no other reason than that the international financial market was fluctuating during those years. As long as you could go abroad, making money was easier than picking up money. If you didn't accept free money, you'd be struck by lightning.

After listening to Chen Fan's explanation, Ba Jin silently took a few puffs of his cigarette, and couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle, "You kid, you have quite the composure."

Chen Fan took out another cigarette, lit it, and laughed, "Not really, I'm just timid and like to think things through before I do anything."

Mr. Ba nodded. "Think thrice before you act, a good habit."

He then introduced to Chen Fan the arrangements made by the General Association for this first overseas visit and exchange since the reform and opening up.

The process is simple, and because of the short distance, it takes very little time.

With only three days, the delegation will include a leader, "staff," and official members, with the total number limited to ten. The itinerary includes a symposium (casual chat and reminiscing), followed by discussions of works, visits to each other's publishing companies and writers' associations, and finally, discussions on mutual book publishing.

Therefore, the general staff is indispensable, as are those responsible for handling various miscellaneous tasks, security, and internal supervision. Finally, there are the members of the Jiangnan Writers Association whose works have already been published in booklets.

Chen Fan felt that what he heard was pretty much the same as what he had guessed.

These exchanges and visits have long followed a set pattern, offering little in the way of interesting events, but they are also the most reliable and unlikely to cause problems.

An activity that goes smoothly without any problems is a successful activity.

As for the results of the activity, a simple stroke of the pen will produce them.

After Mr. Ba finished explaining the situation, Chen Fan said, "The exchange program with the Japanese has been finalized, which can be considered a start. Do you have any thoughts on the US side?"

Upon hearing this, Buffett looked up at him in astonishment, "America?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he realized, "Yes, yes, your uncle's family has a publishing company, so we can indeed replicate the successful experience of cooperating with Takahashi Publishing."

He looked at Chen Fan with great interest and smiled, "Since you brought this up yourself, you must have already talked about it, right? Tell me, what's the situation?"

Chen Fan smiled and said, "The idea of ​​cooperating with my uncle's company was first proposed by Uncle He."

Upon hearing this, Ba Jin nodded, "Yes, Xiao He is bold and decisive, that's his style."

He then gestured for Chen Fan to continue.

Chen Fan said, "My uncle and cousin came to Beijing a few days ago, so I went to talk to them about this matter, even though it was a business trip. Because that publishing company is not big, and even the company name is just 'Zhou's' which was chosen randomly, it mainly provided services to the Chinese community before, so it is not very strong."

At this moment, Old Man Ba ​​suddenly interrupted him, "You've published 'The Legend of the Dragon Knight,' aren't you strong yet?"

Chen Fan was taken aback. "You all knew?"

Old Ba waved his hand, his gaze towards him somewhat complicated, and said, "I wouldn't say I know everything. I only guessed. After all, you showed me the story outline, and your uncle uses this publishing company's name to pay us the overseas publishing royalties we've collected from other publishing companies every month. If I still couldn't guess, then I'd be senile."

Chen Fan chuckled dryly twice, "I just thought the Shushan Heroes stuff was pretty fun, so I changed the shell, adapted some Western elements, and I didn't expect it to be so popular."

Old Master Ba clicked his tongue and said with admiration, "I heard that this set of books has sold over ten million US dollars, and it continues to sell well in Europe. You didn't just make a few minor changes."

After a two-second silence, he waved his hand, not continuing the topic, nor asking Chen Fan how much he had earned in royalties, but simply saying, "Go on with what you were saying earlier."

Chen Fan: "Oh. My cousin and I discussed it, and considering that we shouldn't take too big a step at the beginning, we've decided to start by selecting six novels from domestic literary works and getting them published in the United States."

Regarding the allocation of these six novels, here's my idea: two will be allocated to the Jiangnan Writers Association, two to the General Association, and the remaining two will be up to you to decide.

Ba Lao was quite surprised. "It's only natural that Jiangnan has two slots. The two slots from the General Association are actually allocated to other parts of the country. Are you also giving me two slots?" Faced with the question, Chen Fan just smiled. "If I said I would give both slots to the General Association, would you ask me for them separately?"

Without hesitation, Mr. Ba slapped the table and said, "Of course we need it."

After all, he is the newly elected chairman of the Shanghai Writers Association, so how could he not fight for the benefits of his organization?
Chen Fan spread his hands and laughed, "That's settled then. You asked me for it, how could I refuse? It's better to arrange it in advance. Besides, people have different levels of closeness and distance, so it's only right that I arrange two spots for you."

Old Ba tapped the table, his face beaming with joy, "Alright, I accept this favor."

After chatting for more than half an hour, the motorcade came over to inform Chen Fan that the tires had been replaced and had him sign a document so that it would be easier to go to Yunqi Factory to get new tires.

After the visitor left, Chen Fan prepared to take his leave.

He stood up, took out his pipe, opened it and threw it on the table. "Don't you like smoking pipes? Try this tobacco, I made it myself."

Old Ba didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up his pipe, opened it, and smelled it. "Hmm, the smell is quite unique. I'll keep this."

He looked at Chen Fan, shaking the pipe in his hand, "You came to see me and this is all you brought? And this is all you have?"

Chen Fan's lips twitched slightly. "You weren't like this before."

Old Ba rubbed a wad of tobacco into his pipe and said irritably, "Nonsense, I don't treat others like this either. But others aren't like you, acting like bandits. Tell me yourself, how much have you taken from me? Gu Jingzhou's teapots, Qi Gong's calligraphy, Lin Fengmian's paintings..."

Chen Fan quickly coughed twice to interrupt him, "Well, I'm going to pick up a package later. It's some Changbai Mountain products I bought from the Liaoning Import and Export Company."

Before he could finish speaking, Old Ba took a leisurely puff of his cigarette, waved his hand, and said, "We don't need those things. Last time you gave me a set of 7501 porcelain tableware, which I like very much. I just need a tea set. You can get me a teapot and eight teacups later, and then we'll be even."

Chen Fan rubbed his hands together and grinned, "Brother Ba is so generous, then it's a deal!"

……

After changing the tires in his van, Chen Fan drove straight to the post office.

Complete the formalities and pick up the package.

The package is a bit big.

Chen Fan reported a considerable amount of items to Captain Qi. Based on the types and quantities he reported, Captain Qi estimated the price at $3. He then had his uncle wire $5, with the note, "Make sure you have enough money."

Then you get this huge package in front of you, big enough to fill a tricycle.

First, he folded down all the seats in the van, then asked the post office workers to help him lift the van into the car before driving back.

Soon after arriving home, Zhou Yali honked the horn twice and quickly came out to open the door.

After the car pulled into the yard, she closed the gate and asked, "Why did it take you so long?"

Chen Fan got out of the car. "I had a flat tire, so I went to the Writers' Association to change it."

Zhou Yali was stunned. "Huh? Didn't you meet with Mr. Ba? Then, are you going again later?"

Chen Fan opened the back door and, without needing anyone's help, dragged out the large package that had previously required four people to lift. He then turned around, slung it over his shoulder, and strode inside.

He added, “Go ahead, he can pick out the gift himself. Go to the storeroom and choose a tea set, a teapot with eight cups, and a tea caddy.”

Normally, a teapot comes with four teacups, but the 7501 porcelain teapot comes with six teacups and a tea canister. Since Mr. Ba wants eight, then let's give him eight.

If it is a wine vessel, it consists of one pot and ten cups.

In any case, the things he took from Buffett's house were definitely more expensive.

However, Chen Fan didn't let the old man suffer a loss. He had several calligraphy and paintings of his own, and when all in all, well, let's not calculate it so precisely.

Fortunately, the house had double doors with enough space between them, so Chen Fan carried his bag inside and threw it onto the open floor of the living room.

Then we began unpacking.

First, open the outer layer of coarse cotton cloth, and you'll find four bundles tied together inside. Then, untie each bundle one by one to reveal the contents inside.

One item was the furs Chen Fan wanted: one tiger skin, two bear skins, and two deer skins, all top-quality, tanned hides. There was also a stack of sable furs. This pile of furs alone would cost over 20,000 yuan. ...Of course, that's in RMB, but it's still a considerable sum in US dollars.

The other, smallest package contained a pile of bones, mostly tiger bones, along with antelope horns, deer antlers, and a few tiger penises.

Then there's a package of processed ginseng, lingzhi, and other herbs.

The second largest package contained a bunch of mushrooms and other mountain products, all food.

With these items, you only need to buy some common medicinal herbs to prepare the ingredients for making medicinal wine.

We have those medicinal herbs at home, so we don't need to go out to buy them.

After finally finishing organizing, Chen Fan began preparing the medicine.

Zhou Yali was also busy, holding the two little monkeys and curiously asking questions and looking around.

Fortunately, Chen Fan was very familiar with the process of preparing the medicine; otherwise, with her harassing him like this, he could easily have made a mistake.

Before I knew it, it was past 2 p.m.

After wrapping up the last dose of medicine, Chen Fan clapped his hands, breathed on them, and said, "Done."

Looking at the medicinal herbs on the table, Zhou Yali couldn't help but blink and mutter to herself, "With so much medicinal wine, how many more younger brothers and sisters will I have?!"

Hearing this, Chen Fan was speechless, grinning with no reply.

I was thinking to myself, should I readjust the prescription?
Just then, the doorbell rang.

Chen Fan snapped out of his daze, turned around and walked out, wondering to himself who would come at this hour.

It can't be safe, can it?
When he went out to open the gate, Zhou Zhengdong appeared outside the courtyard.

(End of this chapter)