Back to 1979: Sending the Educated Youth’s Wife Back to the City

Chapter 135 Victory in the first battle
The next day, Sunday, Fang Mingche reserved an hour and went to the Capital Airport with Xiao Hu, the Qiu family father and daughter, Wang Dexian, and Teacher Gao to welcome the tourists flying in from France.

A few days ago, he asked Lin Yan to buy uniform clothing for the travel agency staff.

Lin Yan had some unique aesthetic sense. She bought black woolen cloth and tailored work clothes for everyone. They were all made into the style of Zhongshan suits.

Zhongshan suits are good, and now state leaders also wear Zhongshan suits in public. It seems that it was not until 1985 that they were all changed to suits.

It just so happened that Sister Qiu and Lingzi were both slim and looked very good in the clothes. Everyone was in agreement and it looked very proper. Even Teacher Qiu looked particularly energetic in such clothes. The old man was tall and had no hunchback. Wang Dexian and Teacher Gao also looked good in the clothes, after all, they were not short.

Teacher Gao also went with Wang Dexian today in his work clothes. Today's development is also closely related to his interests.

On the first day, everyone was a little nervous. We all knew that the 5000 startup capital had been spent, and there was almost nothing left. The 4500 car rental fee, the cost of hiring international students to shoot print ads, etc. Now we are really waiting for the rice to cook.

Fortunately, Mr. Fang borrowed 3000 from Mr. Cui and received the money yesterday. Otherwise, he would be completely broke.

Lin Yan was pregnant, so she didn't go and stayed at home to take care of Yan Yan. She was also a little nervous and didn't even have time to go back to her parents' home.

Lingzi stayed behind, just in case someone called for consultation and someone had to answer. She was even more nervous, "My spoken English is not that good. Teacher Qiu, you have to come back early!"

She practiced and memorized a lot of English phrases for answering the phone, and even wrote them down. But she couldn't help being nervous.

Teacher Qiu said: "We will display the phone number on the poster only after we go there. Don't be too nervous! Besides, those who dare to travel to China by themselves can speak some Chinese."

The time was almost up, and everyone got in the car. Yanyan waved to her father and said loudly, "Dad, success!"

"Okay!" Fang Mingche responded with a smile.

Sister Qiu said: "Yes, yes, immediate success!"

Yesterday she said that success or failure depends on this one move, and the old man said that she could only win but not lose! At that time, she felt that it was still people who had studied abroad in their early years who were so superstitious. However, she had to ask for a good omen!

Lin Yan also came out to the alley entrance to see him off.

Last night, the business car was parked at the entrance of the alley. She also sent some food to the people who came in and out of here, which affected their comings and goings. But everyone knew that they were going to earn money from foreigners, so they were relatively tolerant.

Xiao Hu and Sister Qiu got on the business car, and when they came back to pick up the tourists, they were the only two people following the car. A driver and a tour guide, who usually took the tourists on the tour. Everyone else got on Wang Dexian's car.

After waiting for a long time at the Capital Airport, we finally heard the announcement that the plane had arrived on time. We immediately stood up and walked towards the exit.

As agreed before, they held up the printed promotional pictures. It was not unusual to hold up signs in this place, as many people who came to pick up people were holding them up.

When foreign tourists and overseas Chinese came out, they saw a few people dressed alike, holding signs and smiling.

During this period, Fang Mingche has been training everyone on service. For example, smiling should show eight teeth. For this reason, Sister Qiu brushed her teeth more seriously.

However, he also told everyone that too much is as bad as too little. Foreign tourists don't like excessive enthusiasm. Everyone just needs to maintain a certain level of enthusiasm.

Some tourists went straight out of the station, although they looked in their direction.

Wang Dexian whispered in Fang Mingche's ear: "Really just wait for someone to come?"

"Well, being too enthusiastic lowers the price."

Before he finished speaking, Teacher Gao whispered, "I'm coming, I'm coming, stop talking."

Although everyone has learned some spoken English during this period, when two tourists with suitcases and backpacks came to consult, only Mr. Qiu, Ms. Qiu and Fang Mingche spoke to them in English and introduced their travel agency. The others were still speechless.

Their atlas was specially designed by an art major, and it is very eye-catching. The route map and text introduction of the five-day tour are also clear at a glance. There are two versions in Chinese and English.

But because there is no registered business license, tourists are hesitant.

Fang Mingche had no choice but to explain to others: China's reform and opening up has been less than a year old, and currently no private enterprise in the capital has its own business license.

They will first send the tourists to the Friendship Hotel, which is specially designed to receive foreign guests. If everyone feels that this tour route is good, it will not be too late to sign the contract and pay the deposit.

The tourist was shocked and asked: "Your private enterprises all don't have business licenses yet?"

Teacher Qiu said: "There are a few places in Northeast China that are trying it out. We think this is a field that others have not entered, so we want to take advantage of our language advantage to get involved first."

In the end, it was his and Wang Dexian's work IDs, and Fang Mingche and Gao Xiang's student IDs that convinced people. A university teacher, a government worker, and two college students, they were still relatively credible.

With two foreign tourists coming to inquire about the situation, more and more people came to the exit. Finally, all eleven tourists gathered.

"This way please!" Sister Qiu led the way with a smile, taking everyone to the parking place.

The others still got into Wang Dexian's car and led the way.

Xiao Hu got in the car and fastened his seat belt. This car was manufactured after 1968, and the production standard is to have seat belts.

Sister Qiu gave each of the other tourists a bottle of mineral water and reminded them to fasten their seat belts. Teacher Fang told them that these details should reflect professionalism. Details determine success or failure!
Along the way, she introduced the capital's attractions and some buildings along the way to tourists in English.

The destination was the Friendship Hotel, and Lingzi had already booked a room for them. This was consistent with what she had learned from foreign tourists before they came.

When they were leaving the airport, Sister Qiu confirmed with the tourists how many rooms they needed and told Fang Mingche. He called Lingzi back from the airport's public phone and Lingzi made the reservation over the phone.

The Wang family had already established connections, and the Friendship Hotel directly reserved a room. Now, Sister Qiu led the tourists to check in and pay.

"I'm in the coffee shop downstairs. Everyone, please go upstairs to rest and think about it. If you are willing to sign a contract with us, just come downstairs. I will be waiting for you downstairs within an hour. It doesn't matter if you don't plan to sign a contract with us in the end. China and the Chinese people welcome you very much."

She ordered a glass of boiled water and waited in the cafe while everyone else was in the parking lot.

Half an hour later, Fang Mingche, who was sitting in Wang Dexian's co-pilot seat, watched Sister Qiu come out with a smile.

"It's done. They've signed a contract with us and paid 30% of the fee in advance! Other guests at the Friendship Hotel are also asking about it. I told them that there are only eleven places available, but I also gave them the brochure we made."

Fang Mingche nodded, "Okay, let's go back. Tomorrow morning you and Xiao Hu will come here to pick up the guests and tour according to the planned route."

Sister Qiu said: "I think it has great potential. Several foreign tourists asked me just now. It would be great if we could have more tour guides and more commercial vehicles."

Fang Mingche said, "Serve the first batch of customers first. Do you think I don't want to? You have to eat one bite at a time."

The route was worked out by everyone, and the cost was calculated by him, Ayan, and Gao Xiang. After deducting all expenses, they can earn 100 RMB from each tourist. 1100 RMB per trip, and they can do four trips a month.

International flights are not available every day, but only once a week. However, the first flight was full, which is still worth celebrating.

Wang Dexian took the signed contract and looked at it. "Does this have any legal effect?"

Fang Mingche said: "There is no relevant law in our country at present. This is to protect against gentlemen but not villains. Signing one like this just makes us look more professional. However, foreigners still have a strong sense of contract."

Of course, he also considered the terms of the contract carefully and asked his classmates majoring in law to go over it.

Wang Dexian drove home by himself. He also took one of the contracts back and prepared to explain it to the old man. The others went back together in a business car.

After returning, Fang Mingche handed the prepaid money (it has not been converted into RMB yet, it is foreign currency received directly. He will send the tourists to the Bank of China early tomorrow morning to exchange it for RMB) to Lin Yan.

Lin Yan looked at it curiously, "Whose avatar is this?"

"Washington. This is one dollar! Keep it for now. There's no rush to exchange it."

Lin Yan turned it over and over, "With US dollars, there will be no restrictions on buying things at the Friendship Store."

"Keep it and try not to use it. The dollar will definitely appreciate in the future." The current exchange rate is 1.5:1, and he remembers that it rose to 8.6:1 at its peak. One dollar has increased by seven yuan!
"it is good!"

There was no office yet, so everyone sat in the small living room of Fang Mingche's house. Teacher Gao was doing the accounts next to them.

The father and daughter of the Qiu family also took out a dollar bill and looked at it. Sister Qiu also happily took out a dollar bill and showed it to Lingzi who was waiting on the phone, "Look, the dollars we received!"

Lingzi took it and said, "I really received US dollars. Yes, that's right. Last time my uncle came back, he also took out this kind of money."

This is where she works, and although she was itching to go in, she didn't dare to join in the fun.

If she walked away, a tourist would call. She always let her mother take over when she went to the toilet, so she should be quicker.

Hearing that there are US dollars here, the neighbors came over to see them with interest. It's very strange!
Aunt Yuan said, "So this is what it looks like. I always hear about dollars, dollars. Today I finally got to see some foreign food."

"Yes, this man looks like Washington."

An elementary school student nearby said, "The one chopping cherries is the first president of the United States."

The neighbor, who had no idea who Washington was, nodded.

Then someone said: "Our RMB is printed with the words 'working people'."

"When we have more money in the future, we can also print leaders."

……

"Can it be bigger than 100? It takes a long time to open a big unity card."

Nowadays, many things are sold at a few cents, and the purchasing power of ten yuan is indeed very strong. (It is equivalent to using a thousand-denomination bill to buy something worth a few yuan)
Wang Dexian's mother also came. Her son told her that after this incident, the old man valued him very much. Therefore, his father also valued him. His stepmother was a little uneasy. Therefore, Xiaofang was really her son's lucky star.

These days, she saw Fang Mingche, Lin Yan and others, all with smiles on their faces.

Sister Cui came in to watch while she was knitting a sweater. Lin Yan was also knitting Yanyan's black woolen long skirt. The two of them gathered together to talk.

When Sister Qiu saw Sister Cui, she said, "Teacher Fang said that one trip is five days. We will try to arrange a day to bring guests to Cui's Private Restaurant for home-cooked meals."

They have taken the trouble to arrange meals for the five days in century-old restaurants near the tourist attractions, so it should be no problem to add a home-cooked meal.

"OK, thanks!"

Teacher Gao in the room said to Fang Mingche: "Does that mean we have to take out another 1,000 or 2,000 yuan first?"

"Yes, but you have to pay the remaining 70% when you are halfway through the journey. You don't have to keep paying for it."

"That is not bad."

Wang Dexian took the promotional posters, brochures and the sample of the contract signed today back to show his grandfather. He also took several denominations of foreign currency, including US dollars and European currencies.

Mr. Wang put on his reading glasses and looked at their brochure carefully. "It's done quite well. I think it looks quite professional."

"It's just a makeshift team, without an office. The phone numbers are all requisitioned from a company with overseas connections at the entrance of the alley. For this purpose, they even hired a high school graduate girl as the operator. By the way, let me try calling."

He picked up the phone on the table and said in his limited English: "Travel agency?"

Lingzi was obviously a little nervous, and quickly responded in English according to the memorized formula. Then she asked him if he had any questions, and she could answer them. After a few words, the girl was obviously more confident and stopped stuttering.

Wang Dexian smiled and said, "I am Wang Dexian."

"Vice President Wang, you scared me."

Wang Dexian hung up the phone and asked, "Grandpa, are you okay?"

Old Master Wang nodded. "Not bad. It's not bad that such a makeshift troupe can be put together in a small alley. So according to what you said, if it's full, can we earn more than 4,000 yuan a month?"

Then he can get more than a thousand.

Wang Dexian nodded, "If everything goes well, that's it."

Old Master Wang said, "It really can't be underestimated. So by that calculation, I have a chance to take over this courtyard."

Wang Dexian said, "Don't count on this for now, old man. Our makeshift team can't keep making do like this. Xiao Fang asked me to try to rent a house in the Overseas Chinese Apartment to use as an office. Or just rent a whole courtyard. In case tourists want to visit or reporters want to interview, there must be a place. In addition, I see that there are so many people getting off the plane, it would be better if we can rent a few more cars. We have many places to spend money, and there will be no dividends in the short term."

Today's opening was very smooth, and he was really happy. When he left, he took two bottles of military-supplied Maotai from the old man and gave them to Fang Mingche along with the foreign currency he had taken.

Fang Mingche took the wine back to the room and locked it, then gave the foreign currency to Lin Yan.

Lin Yan said, "I feel uneasy leaving this at home. Someone came to our little room before and tried to steal something."

But if you take it to the bank, it will definitely be exchanged directly.

Fang Mingche smiled and said, "He has a legitimate income and will not do such things again."

"Do you know who it is?"

"There is a little bit. But Aunt Yuan said that as long as you don't do it again, just pretend you don't know. Give the old lady this face!"

Lin Yan immediately figured it out, it must be someone nearby.

Fang Mingche said: "It's okay, Teacher Qiu is here all day now."

He pays the old man 80 yuan a month, with 2% profit dividends. If he can really make more than 4000 yuan a month, the dividends will be 90. Mr. Qiu is now very important to the travel agency. He is still needed to train tour guides. So his income should be higher than his daughter's. But the father and daughter together make 300 a month.

In this way, what Fang Mingche told them was not just empty talk. At this moment, the father and daughter were excited and happy. This was ten times the basic salary of Teacher Qiu before. It was a meteoric rise!
Teacher Qiu said: "Well, Xiao Fang treats us very well, so we have to work hard too."

Sister Qiu nodded, "Yeah, I know."

"I'll take the bus back to school to see your grandma and tell her the good news. Otherwise, she might not be willing to spend the ten dollars."

Sister Qiu said, "How about we ask Master He to take us there as well?"

"You are quite good at spending money. No! The difference between taking the bus and taking a taxi is ten times. We haven't even received our salary yet, but you are already spending money lavishly. When we buy a house nearby, we can bring your grandma over and ask a taxi to pick her up."

After the accident, Beijing Normal University took back the house he had been allocated. Later, three generations of his family squeezed into the inner and outer rooms of a tube-shaped building. His daughter and mother lived in one room, and he lived in another. If he could buy a house nearby, he could buy a bigger one and bring his mother to live with him. Otherwise, as he gets older, he will not feel safe living alone.

Fang Mingche also knew that Teacher Qiu was worried about his mother. So he went to see her almost every day when he was in school, and helped her with things like fetching water and moving honeycomb coal. Teacher Qiu was very grateful to him for this.

That evening, Han Mei came over on her 28-inch bicycle to pick up the eggs. Lin Yi was not always available. Now she came over on her father-in-law's bicycle.

"Sister, brother-in-law, Mom asked me to ask you why you didn't go home today?" Lin Yan usually goes back to her parents' home on Sundays.

Lin Yan said: "Oh, something happened, so I didn't go back."

Han Mei had bought eggs on credit for about ten days and went back to sell them. She estimated that she had already made a profit of ten yuan. However, Han Mei did not mention paying the initial ten yuan for the eggs, and Lin Yan did not ask.

Nowadays, some places have the custom of putting down the payment for goods. But Lin Yan has no shortage of buyers, so except for Xiao Xie at the beginning, she has never given this treatment to anyone else.

As for Xiao Xie, this was to prevent her mother-in-law from saying in the future that Xiao Xie got the initial capital for her egg business from the Gao family.

(End of this chapter)