My Realistic Simulation Game

Chapter 6 Genius, A Stroke of Genius

Gangzi was stung by Old Zhang's murky yet sharp gaze, and his previous suspicions vanished instantly, leaving only the embarrassment of being caught red-handed.

He scratched the back of his head, forcing an embarrassed smile on his dark face, and quickly waved his hands: "Oh dear, Mr. Zhang! Mr. Zhang! Please don't take it to heart! I just have a loose tongue and was talking nonsense! Your reputation is a well-known and respected name in our alley!"

"I'm just... I'm just worried about Brother Yuan because you haven't come back for so long!"

As he spoke, he shrank behind Qin Yuan.

Old Zhang was a respected elder in the alley. He was originally a young master from a wealthy family. In the late 1940s, he joined the revolution, carried a gun, and went abroad.

Back in China, due to issues related to the ingredients and foreign involvement, they faced scrutiny and have always kept a low profile.

In the early 1980s, everyone started making money, and that's when they realized how capable Old Zhang was.

I heard that the largest courtyard house in the alley originally belonged to the Zhang family.

As a result, there are countless rumors and stories about Old Zhang.

Gangzi was also quite intimidated by this senior colleague.

“Yuanzi, all the goods are ready. As you said, thick, durable, and windproof wool coats, 4,400 yuan, fifty pieces, not one missing, all in the bag.”

Old Zhang ignored Gangzi, that hothead, and turned his gaze to Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan nodded, opened the bag, and the contents were exactly as he had described.

Although the style is old-fashioned, it is very substantial.

However, that's enough.

He inquired about the market price of sheepskin coats. In state-run stores and department stores, a good quality sheepskin coat usually costs between 200 and 400 yuan.

This is equivalent to several months' wages for an average worker.

However, if it's a brand like Shanghai Sanyang, a genuine leather coat can easily cost over a thousand yuan.

On the black market, in wholesale markets and other "connections" channels, a sheepskin coat would cost at least 150 yuan.

But Old Zhang brought fifty overcoats.

This means that the cost has been reduced to around 90 yuan.

Judging from the looks of it, Old Zhang's acquaintance has very strong connections, that he can offer such a large discount.

Qin Yuan touched the texture of the wool and was amazed.

"Old Zhang, does your friend have a stable supply of goods?" Qin Yuan's eyes burned with interest. "Can he still get goods of this price and quality?"

His plan was never to do business with a one-size-fits-all approach.

He wants a steady, long-term relationship.

"The supply is stable, but this low price is a one-time offer." Old Zhang shook his head, advising Qin Yuan to give up the idea.

The most crucial reason he was able to get the goods at such a low price was personal connections.

But favors are consumables; once they've been used, they're gone.

But Qin Yuan didn't care: "As long as the supply is stable, it doesn't matter if the price is a little higher."

"Uncle Zhang," he said, using this more intimate term, "when we get back, introduce me to him. We can all make money together. I won't let you, my friend, suffer any losses."

"Those things are too far off, let's talk about the present." Old Zhang didn't answer the question directly, but pointed to the goods in his hands and said, "Now, we have the goods and the tickets, but the most crucial hurdle—the visa—what do we do?"

His voice was low and cautious, like that of a seasoned veteran: "With my limited connections, I can manage to get a few documents to fool the border control in China, but the Russians, especially at this border, are very strict! Our 'business trip' pretense probably won't stand up to scrutiny."

He stared intently at Qin Yuan; this was the biggest worry in his heart. To set foot on Soviet soil without legal status was tantamount to illegal immigration!

If they get caught, losing the goods is a minor issue; it's hard to say whether they'll even get back alive.

Qin Yuan showed no worry whatsoever, remaining calm and composed, as if everything was under his control.

He smiled slightly, not answering Old Zhang's question directly, but instead slowly taking out the stack of K3 train tickets that Gangzi had just given him from his pocket.

He deftly twisted his fingers, precisely pulling out a card, then held it between two fingers and handed it to Old Zhang.

"Uncle Zhang, take a look at this." Qin Yuan said with a faint smile.

Old Zhang took the ticket with suspicion and examined it closely.

As the sun rises, its blinding light clearly illuminates the departure and destination points on the ticket:
Beijing → Budapest (Hungary)
"Hungary?" Old Zhang looked up abruptly, his cloudy eyes filled with astonishment and confusion, his brows furrowed. "Yuanzi, what are you up to? Weren't we going to Moscow? How come we bought tickets to Hungary? This... this is completely the opposite of what we were looking for!"

Gangzi and Magan'er also came over to look, and they were equally confused.

Seeing Old Zhang's puzzled look, Qin Yuan's smile deepened. "Uncle Zhang, you've been around the block for so many years, you should understand the principle of 'saving the country through indirect means' better than I do."

He explained slowly, "Getting a visa directly to the Soviet Union is now incredibly difficult. But Hungary offers visa-free entry for us!"

"Visa-free?!" Old Zhang's pupils contracted. The term was a bit unfamiliar to him, but he instantly understood its meaning.

“That’s right.” Qin Yuan nodded, his voice clear and firm. “As long as we have this train ticket to Hungary, we can get a ‘transit visa’ from the Soviet Embassy in China.”

"Transit visa?" Old Zhang pondered the term.

“Yes!” Qin Yuan’s eyes shone brightly, as if he were talking about something that couldn’t be simpler. “We told the people at the Russian embassy that we were going to take the train to Hungary and would need to transfer in Moscow, so we applied for a transit visa for a few days.”

"The reasons are valid, and the procedures are simple!"

"The Russians aren't as strict about visas for short-term stays or transit, especially since we have a legitimate train ticket to our destination in Hungary as proof."

He paused, watching Old Zhang's eyes gradually brighten, and continued, "Once we get our transit visas and board the K3 train, we'll ride all the way to Moscow. When we get there, hehe..."

Qin Yuan gave a meaningful smile. “You can go forward or stay here! You can do business or work, it’s up to you! Things are chaotic over there right now, and the border crossings are strict, but once you’re in Moscow, who cares if you’re really going to Hungary? As long as your visa hasn’t expired, you can wander around the streets without anyone bothering you!”

"This transit visa is our legal protection in Moscow!"

As Old Zhang listened to Qin Yuan's explanation, the wrinkles on his face slowly smoothed out, and a strong glint flashed in his cloudy eyes!

He slapped his thigh, his voice trembling with excitement: "Brilliant! Yuanzi, your move... it's fucking brilliant! Using Hungary as a transit route, fooling the Russian embassy, ​​and getting a transit visa... this is absolutely brilliant! How come I never thought of that!"

He held the "Yanjing-Budapest" train ticket, turning it over and over, as if it were not a piece of paper, but a gold medal for passing through customs!
The biggest problem that had been troubling him for days was solved by Qin Yuan in such a clever and compliant way!
This is absolutely brilliant!

"Hahaha!" Old Zhang couldn't help but laugh out loud, pointing at Qin Yuan, "Yuanzi, Yuanzi, your brain is really... really more convoluted than mine, an old hand! I'm impressed! This old man is truly impressed! It was worth it to come with you this time!"

Gangzi and Magan'er understood and were immediately overjoyed.

Gangzi rubbed his hands together excitedly: "Brother Yuan! Awesome! Absolutely amazing! You even came up with this idea! Now we can go to Moscow with a legitimate reason!"

As for Da Binzi, he silently picked up the bag on the ground with a smile on his lips.

He always believed in Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan simply smiled calmly as he looked at the three of them excited.

He put away the remaining tickets, his gaze sweeping over the goods in the courtyard and his companion before him, his tone steady and firm:
"Alright, everything that needed to be resolved has been resolved."

"The goods are all there, the tickets are in hand, and I have my identity."

Qin Yuan waved his hand:
"Early the day after tomorrow morning, Beijing Station, K3 train, we... depart!"

(End of this chapter)