Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 597 Bodhidharma

Ferrari sent three people: a sales engineer and two assistants.

The sales engineer was an Italian with a full beard and a rather burly build. He had two assistants, a man and a woman. The man was from Hong Kong Island, and the woman's nationality was unknown. She had striking features, both in her face and body.

In Xiaowei's room, Xiaohong acted as a translator for the Hong Kong man, while Xiaowei communicated with the bearded Italian sales engineer. Finally, the purchase was confirmed, and both parties signed a contract.

The main issue in the communication was the payment method. The Italians insisted on payment in US dollars, but Xiaowei didn't have any and could only pay in RMB. Then the Italians demanded to use the black market exchange rate of 1 to 8.7, while Xiaowei insisted on using the official exchange rate of 1 to 5.2. Keep in mind that there's a significant difference between these two rates, and a car costs nearly 500,000 RMB.

In the end, it was Xiao Liu who came up with the idea. He whispered to Xiao Wei, "We wanted to exchange foreign exchange certificates, right? Have him exchange them for $400,000 worth of foreign exchange certificates, and then we can buy them back at a 1:6 ratio. He'll make a profit, and we won't lose out."

Xiao Wei did the math in his head and said, "Over two million in foreign exchange certificates? Is that even possible? Will they even exchange that much?"

Xiao Liu said, "Foreign exchange certificates are for exchanging foreign currency. We receive US dollars. The country will be happy if you exchange one hundred million."

Xiao Wei asked, "What good will it do them if they take our money back?"

Xiao Liu glanced at the bearded man and whispered, "You're so nosy. What's it to you?"

Xiao Hong, with her sharp ears, didn't wait for Xiao Wei to speak before taking out a check for 2.4 million from her bag and handing it over, saying, "This is the car payment, 2.082 million. We won't budge on the car payment, but we can do another transaction."

The woman opposite, with her striking three-dimensional features, examined the check. Chong, with his large beard, nodded, and the Hong Kong assistant mumbled a translation.

The bearded man asked, "What kind of deal?" Actually, this is how foreigners and Chinese do business. Even if the conditions are met, they still try to find ways to lower the price. In fact, their pricing is based on the official exchange rate. Demanding the market exchange rate is just being unreasonable. Anyway, it's just a matter of a word. What if it works out?

Xiao Hong said, "Your side will exchange $400,000 in foreign exchange certificates with the government and give them to us. We will then purchase them from you at a ratio of one to six."

Before the translator could even finish speaking, the sales engineer exclaimed, "One to six? Two million four hundred thousand RMB?"

Xiao Hong nodded and said, "Yes, when the vehicle arrives in Fengtian, we hope the foreign exchange certificates will arrive at the same time, and we will conduct the transaction in cash."

The bearded sales engineer nodded and said, "Bene. Sure, I'd be happy to help. Foreign exchange certificates, I know what I'm talking about."

That's equivalent to earning over $50,000. I'm sure he'll use his own money to do it; $50,000 is a huge sum of money even in the US right now. And that's a 348!

Once the terms were agreed upon, everyone shook hands and made peace, and the deal was considered done. The extra 300,000 RMB on the check would also be returned in the form of foreign exchange certificates, but this part would not require additional payment. Xiao Hong made both of these into supplementary agreements, had the bearded sales engineer sign and seal them, and that was it.

Europeans are generally loyal to the spirit of contracts; once something is written down, it will usually be honored unless something major happens. However, verbal agreements can be reneged on at any time. They have no qualms about signing such gray-area contracts.

The three Ferrari guys left with the contract and checks; they had to rush back to Hong Kong Island. Xiao Wei politely offered to treat them to a meal, but they wouldn't stay. Big Beard was excited about making over $50,000 and was eager to get back to work.

After the three left, Xiao Wei asked Xiao Liu, "Isn't it a good idea to get so many foreign exchange certificates at once? You have to make sure you weigh them accurately."

Xiao Liu said, "Don't worry, let alone two million, you can get three or five million without any problem. This stuff is very valuable now, and everyone is trying to get their hands on it. Let me tell you, you can get a lot done with foreign exchange certificates, you know? People at all levels need this."

Xiao Hong asked, "Are you giving a gift?"

Xiao Wei said, "Why would we give a gift? We don't need to ask anyone for anything."

Xiao Liu said, "Giving money is illegal. Who told you to do this? Just exchange it normally with him; it's just a favor. Oh, I'll help you with that when we get back. Okay, I want some too, no extra charge."

Xiao Wei said, "Fine, I can't accept the higher price, that would be insulting me. No one in our department needs to pay more."

Xiao Hong said, "You can even raise the price?"

Xiao Liu said, "One hundred and thirty yuan can be exchanged for one hundred foreign exchange certificates. As much as you have, they'll take it. If someone's in a hurry, they'll even exchange it for one hundred and fifty yuan."

Xiao Hong clapped her hands and laughed after doing the math, saying, "Wow, this can earn quite a bit! This is my secret stash of money, you're not allowed to take it!" She then grabbed Xiao Wei by the neck and threatened him.

Xiao Wei said, "Okay, okay, it's all yours. Shall we go for a walk? Are we just going to stay inside?"

It was already 3:30 PM. After a quick discussion, we realized we wouldn't have enough time to go shopping, so we decided to take photos at a scenic spot instead. We grabbed our cameras and took a taxi to Guangxiao Temple. Guangxiao Temple is the oldest temple in Guangzhou, built in the 2nd century BC. It was originally the residence of Zhao Jiande, the King of Nanyue. During the Three Kingdoms period, Yu Fan of the Wu Kingdom lived here when he was exiled to Jiaozhou. After Yu Fan's death, his family donated the place to be converted into a temple.

Guangxiao Temple is famous not only for its antiquity—there are many ancient temples in China, some even older than this one—but also because of a famous figure in Buddhist history: Bodhidharma, the legendary monk who crossed the Yangtze River on a reed and founded Shaolin Temple.

Bodhidharma is a highly renowned figure in Chinese Buddhism, known as the First Patriarch. He is recorded in the *Luoyang Garanji*, *Kaiyuan Shijiaolu*, *Xu Gaosengzhuan*, *Lidai Fabaoji*, *Taisho*, *Jingde Zhenchuanlu*, *Chuanfa Zhengzongji*, *Jiu Tangshu*, *Zuting Shiyuan*, and many other books. However, his origins are subject to much speculation, with embellishment outweighing the actual facts.

They say he was an Indian high monk, a prince, and that his surname was Kshatriya, yet they also say he was the third prince under the Brahmins. You should know that India has a caste system, with four major castes at the top. Kshatriyas are kings, and Brahmins are priests, so it's obviously nonsense made up by later generations.

Bodhidharma was from the ancient kingdom of Jibin, located on the border between present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. His original name was Sengdhammayasha, with "Seng" indicating his status, similar to how monks today are often preceded by "Shi". He came to Guangzhou to preach during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, and the Washing Bowl Spring, which he dug, can still be found in Guangxiao Temple, which is why Guangxiao Temple is famous.

He built a meditation room at Guangxiao Temple to spread his teachings, then walked to the Northern Wei Dynasty, visited Yongning Temple in Luoyang, and then built Shaolin Temple on Shaoshi Mountain in Dengfeng. He later died at Kongxiang Temple in SMX and is known as the first patriarch of Zen Buddhism.

The reason why Buddhist temples in China are called "temples" originates from the emperors' faith in and respect for Buddhism during the Eastern Han Dynasty. In Chinese history, "temple" was also an official title, referring to government law enforcement departments, equivalent to a ministry today. For example, the Dali Temple was the unit responsible for managing criminal punishments throughout history, equivalent to the Ministry of Justice.

Buddhism entered China during the Eastern Han Dynasty. The first meditation hall built there was named Baima Temple by Emperor Yongping of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and subsequent temples were named after the temple.

The White Horse Temple is the same White Horse Temple in Luoyang.

Luoyang is a remarkable place in history. It is the birthplace of Chinese civilization and the Chinese nation, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties including Xia, Shang, Zhou and Eastern Han, and the secondary capital of Sui, Tang and Song dynasties. It has a civilization history of five thousand years and a city-building history of more than four thousand years. It is the eastern starting point of the ancient Silk Road.

Luoyang, historically known as the Divine Capital, is the city where the Luo River in the Luoshu and Hetu diagrams refers. Three of the Four Great Inventions of ancient China—the compass, papermaking, and printing—originated here. Taoism originated here, Confucianism flourished here, Buddhism was first introduced here, and Neo-Confucianism reached its zenith here. It has long been praised as the "Center of the World" and a "Gateway to Ten Provinces." A total of 105 emperors established their capitals here, making it "the earliest China."

(End of this chapter)