Back in the 1980s, hiking in the mountains was also a way of life

For shoppers, buying ready-made items and waiting to order custom-made items definitely have completely different psychological effects.

Especially for those families who live far from the county seat, it's really a pain in the ass to come to the county seat. Who would want to keep going to the county seat in the freezing cold?

Wang An flattered with a smile:
"It has to be you, Uncle Geng! In the blacksmithing business in DJ County, you're definitely the real boss, the one who deserves it!"

When he finished speaking, Wang An gave Boss Geng a thumbs up.

Upon receiving Wang An's praise, Grandpa Geng smiled even more broadly, laughing heartily as he said:

"Come on, come with me to the warehouse. I've made quite a few good stuff there. See if there's anything you like, hehehe."

Wang An agreed and followed Boss Geng into a warehouse.

To be fair, this Boss Geng really does have a talent for business, because as soon as Wang An entered the warehouse, he saw all sorts of things inside.

Iron kitchen utensils such as scalpels, boning knives, kitchen knives, spatulas, spoons, water ladles, iron pots, etc.

There are also sickles, fan blades, scrapers, hoes, weeding hoes, jacks, chains, horse bits, horseshoes, and other farm tools.

There are also common household tools such as scissors, hammers, axes, picks, chisels, ice picks, shovels, and shovels.

In short, he had almost every iron tool that an ordinary person could use, which amazed Wang An.

Wang An even saw several homemade shotguns, which were also firearms, hanging conspicuously on the wall.

After showing Wang An around the warehouse, Boss Geng asked impatiently:

"How's it going? Isn't my stuff pretty complete? Let me tell you, kid An, even the hardware stores might not have as much stuff here as you do."

Wang An nodded in agreement:
"Yeah, it's really comprehensive. If I need anything in the future, I can just come here and that'll be fine."

After exchanging a few more perfunctory words with Boss Geng, Wang An went straight to the spot where the pot surround and the cauldron were placed to take a look.

The pot that Boss Geng makes is welded directly to the pot surround, and a circular inner lining is welded around the bottom of the pot surround.

When using it, simply stuff damp cotton or cotton cloth into the gap between the inner lining and the outer ring, and then place the pot warmer directly on your iron pot at home to ensure that it is completely airtight.

There is a small round hole on the side of the pot, which is used to insert the distillation tube.

Wang An examined it carefully, then grabbed the handle of the cauldron and held it up to the sunlight to look around. He found that the cauldron and the rim were welded very tightly, and no light could pass through at all.

The craftsmanship is truly exceptional!
Therefore, Wang An directly asked Boss Geng:
"Uncle Geng, how much will this set cost me?"

Grandpa Geng held up two fingers and said:

"I'll give you a discount if you buy it, how about 20 yuan?"

Wang An said without looking up:
"Those two sets are 22 yuan, right?"

Wang An knew that steel prices were quite high this year, with finished steel costing over 800 yuan per ton. Each set of the thick iron pot and its surrounding frame weighed over 20 kilograms, and with the addition of welding rods and electricity, the cost alone would be nearly 9 yuan.

However, labor was relatively cheap in those days. A blacksmith's daily wage was only about 1 yuan, so a set of tian guo (a type of cooking pot) cost no more than 10 yuan including labor and other costs.

After Wang An finished speaking, Boss Geng, as if he had been stepped on the root of a sore spot, said somewhat excitedly:

"No, that's not the price. I normally sell them for 25 yuan a set. I'm only giving them to you for 20 yuan a set because you're here. Two sets would cost at least 35 yuan."

Although Wang An was wealthy, he had never been taken advantage of, so he stood up and said:
"At most 25, so you can make a pure profit of more than 5 yuan. If you don't sell to me, I'll buy from someone else."

Although Boss Geng's skills are indeed excellent, and his workmanship and materials are quite solid, the old man's prices are also quite exorbitant. If he can make a dollar, he will never make 8 cents.

Their main strategy is to make a little money, however small.

However, it must be admitted that the quality of the things this old man makes is indeed reliable. To put it bluntly, the only flaw in his products is that they are a bit pricey. Wang An knew him very well in his previous life, so every time he brought his brothers to have knives made, he had to engage in some scheming and maneuvering with him.

This time, however, Wang An didn't want to haggle with him over every penny and directly stated the price he could accept.

Upon hearing this, Boss Geng immediately said:
"30 yuan, that's the lowest I can go."

Wang An put down the cauldron and turned to walk outside.

Upon seeing Wang An about to leave, Boss Geng immediately became anxious. Although Wang An understood his character, he also understood Wang An.

So, Boss Geng immediately took two quick steps, grabbed Wang An's sleeve, and smiled with a feigned aggrieved expression:

"Look at you, An boy, why are you so sour all of a sudden? I was thinking of arguing with you for a while, but you just left without a second thought. I'm just making a fool of myself with you."

Wang An didn't hear the words he wanted to hear, so he dragged Boss Geng out, saying as he went:

"I've come all this way, thinking that we're good friends, so I thought I'd patronize your business. But you're not being honest at all! You're ripping me off."

Seeing that he was about to walk out of the warehouse, Boss Geng stopped pretending and quickly said:
"Sell, sell, sell! Is the price you asked for acceptable?"

Wang An then stopped in his tracks.
Twenty minutes later, Boss Geng helped Wang An tie one of the two satellite dishes to the roof rack of the car, and put the other diagonally into the trunk of the GAZ.

I must say, this modified GAZ is really practical. With the rear seats folded down, the space is huge, it's like an armored truck!

In fact, many banks in those days used modified GAZ trucks to transport banknotes.

The main reason was that the automobile industry was underdeveloped at that time, and there were very few vehicles suitable for transporting cash.

Aside from being extremely fuel-inefficient, consuming as much as 28 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, the GAZ has virtually no drawbacks, and its practicality is absolutely amazing.

After loading the truck, Boss Geng said with a look of envy and a hint of sourness:
"Young man, you've struck it rich! You're even driving a car now."

Wang An smiled slightly and said nonchalantly:

"I didn't make a fortune. I just got lucky and made a little money from trading goods."

Boss Geng rolled his eyes at Wang An and said:

"Come on, this is one of last year's modified GAZ engines, costing a whopping 55,000 yuan each. Do you think I don't know that?"

Wang An smiled but didn't reply. The main reason was that Wang An had Wu Dong help him buy it, and it only cost 5 yuan.

Just as Wang An was about to drive away, Boss Geng suddenly came over and said:
"Hey kid, don't you have a little brother named Cui Tianbing?"

Wang An was taken aback upon hearing this, and subconsciously thought of his good brother.

Of course, he also thought of his younger brother, Cui Tianjiang, and the scene when he was refused entry by Cui Tianbing's mother when he went to Cui Tianbing's house last time.

However, his mother is his mother, and he is himself. Wang An would never disown Cui Tianbing as his brother just because his mother dislikes him.

Wang An clearly remembered that during the same period in his previous life, he led a group to collect a debt, only to be pointed at with guns and beaten, almost resulting in the deaths of several of his men.

If it weren't for Cui Tianbing returning home to visit his family, and risking serious mistakes, even being fired or imprisoned, by shooting and saving them, they and the people he led would definitely have been completely crippled.

Wang An must never forget such a brother!
Wang An nodded, his face beaming with excitement:
"Yes, Uncle Geng, you've seen my brother? Where are you looking at him?"

I couldn't help but be excited; including my previous life, it had been so many years since we last met.

Boss Geng said:

"He was asking me about you a couple of days ago; it seems he needs to talk to you about something." (End of Chapter)