Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 1040 The Money Counting Machine (Give a reward to lw0222, Gentle and Refined)

The original plan of three shifts was forced to be canceled due to too many people, and it was changed to two shifts in the morning and afternoon. The advantage is that the original middle shift was split in half, and there are more people working in the morning and afternoon, so everyone can relax a bit more on average.

The head of the observation group, eating from a military mess tin, said to Xiao Wei, "This event is well organized. It's busy but not chaotic, and the planning is quite thorough. The arrangements are both broad and detailed. It seems you are very confident in handling this kind of large-scale event. I was worried for nothing."

Xiao Wei said, "It's mainly because the district cooperated well, and the artillery division and the public security bureau did a good job in preparation. We didn't do much ourselves."

Commander Hou said, "You don't need to be modest. We've encountered almost all the major issues you raised this morning, especially the matter of delaying the purchasing groups from neighboring cities by three days. I have to give you a thumbs up. Also, this morning, Xiao Gao said that if you hadn't suggested that the whole company stand guard at the door, the door would probably have collapsed from the crowd, and things would have been in chaos."

Xiao Wei said, "Your design of one-way forward movement has also made a difference. I didn't think of that. Now that I see it, it would probably be chaotic if it weren't for that, especially in this waiting area. It really works."

The team leader turned to the statistician and asked, "What's the general situation? Can you tell anything?"

The statistician swallowed the food in his mouth and said, "It's quite a boom. Judging from the sales this morning, today's sales will reach at least seven million, or even exceed ten million."

Moreover, the sales of surrounding restaurants and shops all increased as usual, especially the restaurants, whose sales at least tripled or quadrupled; the stimulating effect was too obvious.

Commander Hou pointed to the police officer in charge who was sitting on the side eating and had been silent because of his low rank, and said, "With so many people in such a big market, there were only three pickpocketing incidents and less than ten thefts this morning, and the perpetrators were caught immediately."

The police officers also worked very hard to manage traffic outside; they deserve a lot of credit.

The person in charge forced a smile: "It's all thanks to the leadership's attention and the soldiers' quick response. We haven't done enough."

The team leader nodded and said, "This is something worth learning from. The Wu'ai and Nanta markets are plagued by countless thefts every year, which are impossible to trace and have always been a major problem."

"How about we consider setting up a patrol team? Like today's soldiers, moving around the market. I think it's feasible; it would serve as a deterrent, and also allow for quick response if anything happens."

Xiao Wei said, "Actually, I feel that Wu'ai and Nanta can be built entirely indoors, with proper planning."

My outdoor stall is temporary and fine, but that one is permanent and covers such a large area. Merchants suffer terribly in spring, autumn and winter, which actually contributes to this overcrowding.

"Sir, think about it: if the current market area were expanded into a single building, wouldn't it be much better? It could accommodate more merchants and consumers, and it would be much easier to manage."

The leader thought for a moment and asked, "Are you going to do it next year? Where will you do it? You're planning to start construction here next year, right?"

Xiao Wei said, "If this is a success, we will definitely do it again next year. We will strive to make the New Year's Goods Festival an annual event and create a brand. We don't have to worry about the location; once it's built here, it will definitely be demolished elsewhere."

Or I could find a place to build a larger venue, where I could host big events or rent it out for other people's activities. Of course, that would require the support of the higher-ups; I'd need a plot of land in a convenient location in the city center.

The leader smiled and pointed at Xiao Wei, then thought for a moment and said, "It's not entirely impossible; we can discuss it. I saw you acquired another piece of land in Huanggu District; are you also planning to build a shopping mall there?"

Xiao Wei said, "Yes, just like here, there are shopping malls, hotels, office buildings, and some residential buildings. Fengtian is too big and has a large population, so it's impossible for everyone to come here. We discussed it and felt that building a few would be feasible."

The leader nodded and said, "Have you considered Tiexi? How about building one there?"

Xiao Wei said, "The population of Tiexi is definitely not a problem, but there are two issues: one is the purchasing power, and the other is the location itself, which are not easy to manage."

The leader said, "The industry is undergoing transformation, and the province is also considering this. We believe in the driving force of your shopping mall, and it will create many jobs and help a number of families become wealthy—that's the key point. We'll consider the location, is that alright?"

Xiao Wei glanced at Chen Hui, thought for a moment, and said, "Okay, as long as the position is suitable, we'll give it a try. We'll listen to the leader."

The people who came off duty outside started eating. Almost all of them were complaining of being tired. Some of them just collapsed on the stools and didn't want to move. Others went straight into their tents and lay down, not even eating.

Xiao Wei said to Qiu, "Go and make arrangements. Everyone must eat before resting, and drink some hot soup."

Geng Hui came in and asked Xiao Wei, "Xiao Wei, should we pack up the tents together this afternoon or settle them this morning?"

Xiao Wei asked, "How much did you sell this morning?"

Geng Hui said, "There are quite a few, and we haven't even tallied them yet. It's a huge pile; the five of us are getting cramps just from sorting them all."

Xiao Wei said, "Let's add some more people. Just make sure the accounts at the stalls aren't mixed up; he knows the numbers, doesn't he?"

Geng Hui said, "If there are any slips, we have to count them all again. There are several hundred slips, and it will take time to sort them all out."

Xiao Wei glanced at his supervisor and said, "Call some people to help. It'll be a lot of work for you today; get all the statistics done. Starting tomorrow, we'll postpone the second half of the day."

Geng Hui said, "How about we borrow a few money counting machines from the bank? We only have three, which isn't enough. Counting so many by hand is simply not practical."

Chen Hui chuckled and said, "So this is your main reason for coming in, isn't it? Okay, I'll make a call and borrow ten of them."

Xiao Wei said, "Let's buy them. Let's buy ten directly from the manufacturer, so we can use them in the future."

Chen Hui ate all the rice in his bowl, wiped his mouth, and took out his phone to contact the money counter. He needed to find someone at the bank first to get the manufacturer's phone number.

The money counting machine was invented by the Chinese, and not just by a few people, but by many people.

In 58, Guo Dianhu of Fengtian Bank developed the world's first banknote counting machine, which was about the size of an office desk. Then, banks across the country invested manpower to develop and improve it, and in 60, they produced a small machine that was close to the modern banknote counting machine, and it was gradually improved thereafter.

Before 95, banknote counting machines were produced locally in small workshops. It wasn't until after 95 that large-scale manufacturers emerged, and the models and functions began to be standardized.

At 4:30 p.m., the last free shuttle bus left Zhongjie, and the New Year's Goods Festival closed its doors.

It was already dark, but the venue was brightly lit. The logistics departments were starting to check and prepare goods, while the afternoon shift staff ate and rested.

At five o'clock, Xiao Wei and several leaders had lunch and came to the finance tent to check the results. More than a dozen money counting machines were working clattering away, and the finance staff were busy sorting out and calculating work orders.

At seven o'clock, the results came out: the total sales for the day exceeded ten million, amounting to 11,093,652.70 yuan, with nearly 50,000 customers served. A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted from the tent.

The tax working group calculated the tax on the spot.

1992 was the most important year for my country's tax reform, but the new tax law was to be implemented on January 1st, and this New Year's shopping festival happened to span the tax reform period.

(End of this chapter)