Returning to the county opera troupe in 77

The crowd erupted in excitement, with various expressions of surprise and discussion filling the entire backyard.

These days, foreign businessmen are seen as having an aura of prestige by the locals.

Let alone foreign businessmen coming to inspect cooperation, even overseas Chinese returning to visit relatives, the county has to send special people and cars to pick them up, vacate the best rooms in the guesthouse, and almost triple or quadruple the food standards.

When local leaders meet foreign businessmen, their faces beam with smiles warmer than if they were meeting their own fathers; they seem eager to reveal all their wealth to them.

Why?

That goes without saying, it's all for foreign exchange quotas!

In the 1970s and 80s, this stuff was in short supply everywhere.

The foreign exchange quota allocated by the province each year is so small that even sending key personnel abroad or buying imported equipment is difficult, and the county level doesn't get a chance.

But if you attract foreign investors, sign contracts, and obtain foreign exchange, then it's a completely different story.

Whether Hongzhou can shake off the label of "poor investment attraction" depends entirely on whether Mr. Lin nods in agreement today.

If Chu Shengli can secure the Hong Kong investment, he will be a hero in the entire Hongzhou region, and a promotion will be just around the corner.

Therefore, for Chu Shengli, Lin Zhaotang was not only the God of Wealth of Hongzhou, but also a benefactor who was even closer to him than his own father!

The troupe members didn't know anything about foreign exchange, but they did know that "Hong Kong businessmen" were wealthy people who walked with an air of superiority, big shots that even their superiors had to curry favor with!

Compared to the group of peasants in their county theater troupe, who wore cloth shoes and ate steamed buns from enamel mugs, it was like comparing heaven and earth.

But today, it was precisely this important person who came to their theater troupe's compound and specifically asked to see their performance.

As Jia Dafang was speaking animatedly, he caught a glimpse of Chu Shengli and Lin Zhaotang approaching from the rehearsal hall. He quickly stopped talking and hurried over to them, saying, "Oh, Mr. Lin, Director Chu, we were just talking about you two!"

He stepped aside and gestured for them to speak, his voice suddenly rising several decibels: "Comrades, let's give a warm round of applause to Director Chu and Mr. Lin to say a few words!"

A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted in the backyard, and hundreds of eyes turned to the two figures.

Chu Shengli stood on the left with a smile, while Mr. Lin, wearing those gold-rimmed glasses, stood calmly on the right.

Chu Shengli first raised his hand and pressed it down, and the applause gradually subsided. He coughed and said, "Ahem, comrades, let me just say a few words."

He paused for a moment, then said, "The main reason I brought Mr. Lin Zhaotang to our troupe today is because Mr. Lin is very interested in opera culture. Mr. Lin is a well-known figure in the cultural circles of Hong Kong. It is an honor and an opportunity for us that he can come to our troupe."

As he spoke, he turned and nodded to Mr. Lin, "Now, let's welcome Mr. Lin to say a few words to everyone!"

Another round of applause erupted, even more enthusiastic than before.

Ma Dongmei, Pan Lanxiang, Lin Datou and their group all stared intently at Mr. Lin, eager to hear what accent the "Hong Kong businessman" had.

Chen Xiangdong looked at the somewhat familiar face in front of him, but couldn't help but frown slightly, searching his mind for relevant information about this person.

Lin Zhaotang smiled and nodded to everyone, then spoke in his broken Mandarin: "Comrades, you've all worked hard. Although this place isn't big, what you hold in your hands is a treasure."

"I came here because I genuinely want to collaborate with everyone. Your opera, acting skills, and old costumes all have a strong market in Hong Kong. I've personally been collecting old items in Hong Kong for several years, so I have some experience to share."

As he spoke, he held up two fingers: "I've discussed this with Director Chu. Based on the specific situation in Dongping County, we can start with two directions: First, compile a list of the operas you are good at, and I will be responsible for contacting performance channels in Gangcheng. Second, collectors in Gangcheng are quite interested in old opera costumes and props, and I can act as a go-between to facilitate a few collection transactions."

At this point, he smiled, adjusting his glasses: "For the theater troupe, this is both a form of cultural exchange and a way to alleviate some... uh, financial pressure, right?"

The crowd erupted in uproar again. Could there really be such a good thing?

How could those old costumes, which had been sealed away for ten years, still be sold in Hong Kong? And these people even have the opportunity to perform in Hong Kong?

Wouldn't that be equivalent to going abroad and bringing glory to one's ancestors?

Ma Dongmei slapped her thigh excitedly: "Wow! I've never even been to the provincial capital in my life, and now I can go to the port city?"

Pan Lanxiang, Lu Meiyin, and the other women had their eyes shining, their minds already filled with anticipation for what a prosperous scene Hong Kong City would be like.

However, upon hearing the word "costume," Chen Xiangdong's mind went blank, and his vision seemed to explode with a burst of light. He finally remembered who this person surnamed Lin was!

Lin Zhaotang!

He talks about cooperation and collecting all the time, and wherever he goes, people treat him like a big boss from Hong Kong.

But the truth is, this guy is a complete fraud! He might not even be real, even his name is Lin Zhaotang!

In his past life, it was he who not only ripped off the Cultural Bureau and the Dongping County Theater Troupe, but also left the county supply and marketing cooperative with a huge debt.

Chen Xiangdong clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles cracked.

Lin Zhaotang, this swindler, actually didn't use any particularly clever methods. In later generations, he would be nothing to brag about, and could even be described as full of flaws.

But in this day and age, his outfit and his southern accent are the best proof of his identity.

After all, who has ever met a real Hong Kong businessman? Who can see through the thin veil between "investment" and "fraud"?

Chen Xiangdong stared at Lin Zhaotang, who was speaking eloquently in front of others, wondering what method he could use to stop this impending scam.

Right now, everyone is blinded by the promises Lin Zhaotang makes. If they rush over and point their fingers at him, yelling "You're a liar," no one will believe them. Instead, they'll just alert him.

Jia Dafang and Chu Shengli were overjoyed as they listened to Lin Zhaotang's promises.

An old theatrical costume costs 1,000 Hong Kong dollars! Those faded, worm-eaten "antiques" in the troupe have become gold nuggets!

Jia Dafang counted on his fingers: there are at least a hundred old costumes stored in the theater's warehouse. If they were all sold to Hong Kong, wouldn't that be... 100,000 yuan?!

Oh my god!

Not to mention the actors' performances in Hong Kong, each earning HK$100 per show. If the entire troupe were to perform, imagine how much foreign exchange the troupe would gain!

Chu Shengli seemed to see a mountain of political achievements flying towards him. Cooperation with Hong Kong businesses, foreign exchange earnings, provincial commendation, imminent promotion... these words, like a string of candied hawthorns, were hitting him on the head, leaving him dizzy and sweet.

"Don't worry, Mr. Lin!"

Chu Shengli excitedly grasped Lin Zhaotang's hand, repeatedly promising, "Director Jia will fully cooperate with the troupe's work! Our entire Education Bureau will give our full support!"

Lin Zhaotang remained as refined as ever, smiling and nodding: "Director Chu, you flatter me. I am a man of my word, and I always keep my promises."

He glanced at the crowd again, his gaze lingering briefly on Pan Lanxiang's ample bosom before quickly shifting away. He then remarked with perfect timing, "I just saw how hard things are for you all. It's such a waste that so many good things are just sitting in storage. I'll help you, and you help me—it's a win-win situation."