Rebirth 08: Equipment God

Chapter 187 Another Yu Lihua?

Wu Yue's greatest characteristic, or perhaps its strongest point, is its execution ability.

This may be related to Dongyang County's meticulous investigation, going through streets and alleys, and planning the final operation. As long as the direction is agreed upon, this guy can break it down into smaller, tangible targets and start executing them immediately.

That night, he stayed with Zhai Da until after 2 a.m., and when only the bartender was left, they drank and chatted. Zhai Da confirmed the details more closely, took photos of the equipment, confirmed the model, the manufacturer's name, and even managed to extract most of the bartender's training content.

This setup isn't difficult, but it still requires disassembling a prototype and reverse engineering it.

They don't need one, they need many, many more.

Immediately afterwards, he began to research how to contact foreign manufacturers. Zhai Da, who was familiar with the situation of most universities in the country, told Wu Yue that Heilongjiang University in Harbin had a German major. So, he went to the Heilongjiang University forum and recruited a German graduate student as a part-time worker, and then contacted manufacturers to prepare to place an order.

Theoretically, it would be more cost-effective to look for closed bars in China and buy a second-hand one, but these things were extremely rare in 08, scattered all over the country, and the effort required might be more troublesome than buying directly.

Zhai Da contacted Xu Xuejun and sent him some photos. Xu Xuejun said it was no big deal. If he couldn't produce a finished product after the research, he would have wasted his life's studies. However, it would still take a lot of time for the equipment to arrive overseas and for customs clearance.

The next step was to register a company called "Yueda Catering Management Co., Ltd.", with Zhai Da and Wu Yue each holding 50% of the shares and each contributing 50 yuan (not all at once).

However, when registering, the Industry and Commerce Bureau suggested that 51:49 would be best, so the two of them politely declined for ten minutes and finally decided to play rock-paper-scissors.

Zhai Dasheng became 51%.

In fact, this company's distribution method is different from the market norm, and the relationship between the two is not based on this 1%, so it is not very meaningful to be so meticulous about such things.

If the relationship between partners falls apart, they will form cliques, line their own pockets, enrich themselves at the expense of the company, engage in shady dealings, and even poison each other's water. There are many ways they can turn against each other, and no equity structure can withstand the word "falling out".

After that, I went through the process of obtaining various licenses and, while waiting for the process to be completed, I picked out a location. I found a spacious but unpopular shop with low customer traffic.

Craft beer is not considered an industry, but rather a workshop-level food processing business. Its management methods are the same as, or even simpler than, those of ordinary restaurants. Zhai Da suggested that this be done initially, and adjustments could be made later based on the actual situation.

Wu Yue completed all of the above within four days.

This guy is really something now. He even feels a bit relaxed and has started learning craft brewing techniques from the bartender, while also investigating future sales channels.

Craft beer does have a large market. These days, there aren't many imported beers. When you go to a bar to drink Tsingtao or Harbin beer, it's easy to tell which is better than a craft beer with a rich aroma, elegant appearance, and no name.

Showing off is a basic need. In fact, "OPEN" is indeed the most popular bar in the area, and other bars are very envious. However, it is difficult for most bars to make up their minds to purchase equipment worth more than 300,000 yuan.

This is market demand.

Wu Yue's cousin, Wang Xiaolong, ultimately decided to stay in Harbin and do something with his cousin. He didn't have any grand ambitions, but he admired Wu Yue from the bottom of his heart, and after hearing the story of Utopia, he also admired Zhai Da.

Going back to Dongyang would just mean hauling goods, but these days there aren't even any freight companies like Lalamove, so you can't make much money there.

Wang Xiaolong has a car, and it's a cargo truck, which will bring a lot of convenience to the project in its early stages.

------

Another class ended, and Zhai Da patted his face.

Jiang Xiaobai hasn't replied yet, so he's still working five classes a day without a break, and in the evenings he's busy with craft brewing with Wu Yue. He's feeling a bit numb.

In comparison, Lu Wei is more at ease. Xiao Mutou may feel tired, but he may not feel tired at all, and his days are more regular than Zhai Da's.

Unlike him, who sometimes has to stay up until one or two in the morning at different bars, he gets exhausted even if he doesn't drink a single drink.

Just as Zhai Da was about to go find Lu Wei, who was taking "Advanced Algebra" in another classroom, he heard someone calling him.

"Zhai Da, what are your plans for National Day? How about we go on a trip together?"

Happy Bean, Skinny Monk, and Ge Shang from the Materials Engineering Class 1, whose Tianjin accent hasn't been affected at all during their month-long stay in Harbin, are organizing a group trip.

Zhai Da wasn't actually that close to the other students in the class. He usually attended half of his classes by himself and didn't chat or joke around with others in the dormitory. But when it came to group activities, he was the first person everyone thought of.

It was as if he were the key figure.

After class, Ge Shang immediately approached, and the other students also slowed down their departure, wanting to hear what Zhai Da had to say.

“I’ve planned it out. We’ll go to Erlong Mountain for two days and one night, and stay there.”

Ge Shang lowered his voice for the second half of his sentence: "There are too few girls in our class. Let's invite a few beauties from Harbin Normal University, play cards and have some drinks together tonight, like King's Game or Thirteen Cards. It'll definitely be lively."

Shen Zixuan, nicknamed "Fat Monk," added, "My childhood friend is from Harbin Normal University. There are more girls than boys there, so it's inconvenient for them to go out and have fun. It's a good opportunity to get together."

Unfortunately, Zhai Da remained unmoved, shaking his head and saying, "I have plans for National Day."

"Huh? What's the arrangement? Studying?"

"Well, you could call it tourism."

Ge Shang immediately said, "Where to? It's not like we can't change our plans?"

Choosing Erlong Mountain wasn't because I liked the place. At this age, who cares about "where to go"? Everyone only cares about "who to go with" and "what to do?"

If a more suitable location becomes available, we'll change the plan in no time.

Zhai Da smiled and said, "It's quite far, in Qingdao."

Ge Shang paused, "Doesn't this require taking an airplane?"

"It's by plane, it takes a little over an hour."

This is clearly beyond the acceptance level of the average college student, mainly in terms of cost.

The nearby scenic spots, including food and lodging, can be squeezed in and cost only around 200 yuan per person if you're frugal. But going to Qing City, not many of my classmates can afford it. It's 2008 now, and most people's living expenses are around 1000 yuan, some even as low as 500. Ge Shang sighed: "Okay. Then I'll ask the others."

Zhai Da packed his schoolbag, fiddled with a coin in one hand, and went to pick up Xiao Mutou, leaving behind only a few peering figures.

Jiang Jingxuan, who had already cemented her title as the "campus beauty," leaned over and asked Ge Shang, "What did Zhai Da say? Is he going?"

Ge Shang shook his head: "He said he's going to Qing City for the National Day holiday to eat seafood and take a yacht trip."

The rest was something he made up himself, but Ge Shang felt it made perfect sense; otherwise, what else could he do? After all, he's a great writer.

Are we going to Qingcheng to "drink beer and eat clams"?
Jiang Jingxuan bit her lower lip, lost in thought.

Ge Shang glanced at him and said, "Zhai Da's position is too high. He can't get any food or a seat. It's already good enough that we can eat and drink together as classmates. He's already being approachable. What else do you want?"

As the founder of the "opportunity for healing" theory, he directly pointed out Jiang Jingxuan's thoughts.

"But I'm different. I'm an economical boyfriend. I can't give Zhai Da the same experience on a spiritual level, but I can give him the same experience on a physical level. Why don't you consider me?"

Jiang Jingxuan rolled her eyes and said calmly, "Ge Shang, I know you think you're funny and can joke around as you please. Anyone else would have lost their temper if they acted like that, but you just can't get angry."

Ge Shang smiled smugly.

"But have you ever considered that this is because nobody takes you seriously? I'd rather consider Liu Wei than you."

Ge Shang's smile froze on his face.

Jiang Jingxuan tossed her long hair and strode away.

Ge Shang pressed on from behind, "No... who is Liu Wei? There's no Liu Wei in our class."

Jiang Jingxuan left only one sentence: "All the hundreds of thousands of Liu Weis in the country are better than you!"

Ge Shang thought to himself, "Holy crap, they're even more aggressive than me?!"

On the other side, Zhai Da, carrying coins, went downstairs and saw Xiao Mutou quietly standing at the corner waiting for him.

The two met eyes. Lu Wei stared at him silently. Zhai Da suddenly wondered if Xiao Mutou would be smiling and jumping up to greet him if he had fully recovered.
Zhai Da found the lively little wooden boy adorable.

So I couldn't resist teasing him a bit, and with a flick of my thumb, the coin flew out.

"Hey beautiful, catch!"

Lu Wei calmly followed the coin, watching it trace an arc.

like a statue.

The coin fell to the ground with two clinks and rolled away.
The situation became a little awkward for a moment.

Then it was picked up by the other hand.

Jiang Xiaobai's cheeks flushed slightly as she looked at Zhai Da and then at the coins in her hand.

How can you talk to a teacher like that! Are you treating a recent graduate staying on campus like they're not a leader?!

Zhai Da chuckled dryly: "Teacher Jiang, I passed it to Lu Wei."

Jiang Xiaobai didn't investigate further. Regardless of whether it was true or false, he couldn't ask to maintain his teacher's dignity. He coughed lightly and said, "I was just about to look for you... I have something to tell you."

Zhai Da took back the coin, nodded, and said, "Please speak."

Jiang Xiaobai handed over a piece of paper and said, "I've already processed your application for exemption from six courses. However, a few teachers have their own requirements, which I've compiled on this form."

"For example, in the course 'Modern and Contemporary Chinese History,' the teacher requires that your final exam score must be above 85 points, otherwise your participation grade will be zero."

"There's also the 'Ideological and Political Education' course. There will be a social practice assignment in week 14. Teacher Li said that it can't be exempted, you have to submit it."

Zhai Da took the paper, thinking to himself that Jiang Xiaobai had put in a lot of effort.

If a large lecture is counted as two class hours, then a course is held once a week, and a semester has at least 40 class hours.

The six courses were basically the same for both Zhai Da and Lu Wei, which meant that they saved at least two hundred class hours and a lot of effort each semester!

Whether you use your spare time to do something else or to rest, it's wonderful!

Zhai Da handed the paper to Lu Wei so she could take a look, and casually said, "Thank you, Teacher Jiang. I'll treat you to dinner sometime."

Jiang Xiaobai shook his head: "No need, it's what I should do."

"There's a second thing, it's about your grandfather..."

Zhai Da was taken aback.

"Didn't you say before that your maternal grandfather was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology but couldn't come? The school asked the school history office to check, but there has been no feedback for so long because there was a problem. According to the timeline, there is no relevant information about your maternal grandfather for that year."

Zhai Da frowned slightly: "Impossible, right?"

It makes it seem like he deliberately lied to people.
Even disregarding the information revealed by the "Metalworking Notes" unlocking quest, many elderly people at the wool mill knew that my grandfather had been admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology.
Jiang Xiaobai explained, "Don't worry, I haven't finished yet. They found someone similar, also named Yu Lihua, who also didn't report for duty. But the information comes from Anhui Province. The teachers in the school history office suspect that there was a mistake in the registration back then. It's unlikely that there would be two people with the same name admitted in the same year, and neither of them came. So we can consider them as having been found."

Zhai Da nodded. It was almost fifty years ago, and all the information was in paper form. If he remembered it wrong, so be it; there was no way to investigate it further.

"You know my main job is in the Youth League Committee. The Youth League Committee has a publicity department, a junior reporter station, and a school newspaper. We'd like to do a special interview about this story. When do you have time?"

(End of this chapter)