Chapter 10 Go with the Wind(1/2)
In addition to clothing and flower umbrellas, there was also a special kind of cigarette that became rapidly popular during the same period.
I don’t know exactly when this year started, but a unique landscape appeared on the roadside in Beijing - unlicensed cigarette stalls.
All it takes is a broken three-wheeler, a piece of cloth, and a few boxes of in-demand cigarettes such as "Red Plum", "Emerald", and "Tiantan" at increased prices, and you can open your business.
The people who do this have some connections, and they specialize in taking advantage of the cigarette sales period in state-owned stores.
As for who is the master with "real skills", it can be seen at a glance.
Because his cigarette stall will definitely have white brand cigarettes simply wrapped in white paper.
The origin of this kind of smoke is very mysterious, and there are many types.
Like Qianmen, Pegasus, Peony, Shanghai, Phoenix, Golden Deer, Gaole, Guangrong, Jindeli, they all have them.
But actually, it’s boring to talk about it.
Unfortunately, these cigarettes were all produced from second-grade "processed cigarettes" due to difficulties in procuring tobacco leaves during special periods. With the approval of superiors, the Shanghai Cigarette Factory began in 1979.
Normally, these cigarettes are sold domestically and are only considered a welfare.
However, after it passed into the hands of these cigarette dealers, they were able to sell it at the same price as the genuine product.
There are even more unscrupulous owners among cigarette dealers who deliberately brag these processed products as "supply to the army" in order to sell them at a higher price.
However, some people among the common people are superstitious about privileges and like to spread gossip, so they even took the initiative to spread this story on their behalf.
As a result, a trend of "white brand cigarettes" was formed, and many people believed it to be true and fell into the trap.
As for these colleagues, they have no impact on the business of "Naughty" and "Shunzi", and are even quite popular with them.
Because of these mobile troops, the two brothers no longer have to travel to the suburbs.
It would be more convenient to directly distribute low-price cigarettes to these cigarette dealers, or use them to deal with the cigarettes that have been collected and left for too long.
Why not do this?
In addition, this year also created a desire for functional upgrades.
Interestingly, this concept originated from the acceleration axle of the Envy bicycle.
In 1982, bicycles were already popular, so some people who had already bought "private cars" began to recommend installing accelerator shafts in order to maintain their inner sense of superiority.
At that time, everyone went to the Dengshikou Bicycle Shop to do this, and it was a popular pursuit, just like a well-known club.
Specific brands include Xiang brand (imitation of British crested brand), Jing brand, Peacock brand, Peony brand, Jingyue brand (imitation of Japanese Feiyue), Iron Anchor brand, etc.
Most are internal 3-speed, and some are internal 5-speed.
Regardless of the high price, the best ones cost dozens of yuan, which is less than a month's salary.
However, compared to others who pedal normally for several laps, pedaling with a speed axle is much more leisurely, and there is also a "click, click, click, click, click" sound.
Don't be too noisy. Isn't this the difference you want to draw?
So the owner who spent the money was immediately different. Riding such a car, there was a sense of arrogance.
It's like driving an imported car now and looking at domestically produced cars.
Speaking of vanity, judging from this matter, it is indeed a bit.
But having said that, this is also a reflection of the improvement of people's economic conditions.
Who would do this if they don’t have a little spare money? Right?
Of course, some people may say that these are things that adults like and are purely material. This does not prove that the trend of society has begun to be aimed at money. At least the spiritual enjoyment will remain the same.
This is indeed a bit premature and a bit idealistic.
The new era has new characteristics, and changes are all-round.
If nothing else, let’s talk about the children.
Children's games like those in the past such as "saving candy wrappers", "scaffolding", "triangle throwing" and "making your own chain gun" have now been eliminated.
The upgraded versions instead include "shooting foreign paintings", "water gun", and "bouncing glass balls". They are said to be cheap, but they are all bought. Which one is free?
That is to say, "little people's books" and "crotch-picking and riding bicycles" are still "traditional reserved projects" favored by children, but they still have to have a material foundation.
For example, Hong Jun is now obsessed with learning to ride a bicycle and secretly uses Hong Yanwu's bicycle to practice every day.
Well, by the time Hong Yanwu discovered the secret, the packed Fengtou was on the verge of falling apart, and when he pushed it, it started to rattle.
If I ask later, I might as well not ask, because asking will make me more angry.
"You kid, why don't you use your dad's Phoenix? What kind of car do I have! I don't know which one is more expensive and which one is cheaper?"
"I know, yours is expensive, but my dad's is cheap."
"Then you still use this car to practice?"
"Hey, isn't this just because it's your car? No matter how expensive it is, if it breaks, you can repair it or buy it again. But our car is different. How much does my dad earn? If it's really broken, he
When my heart hurts, don’t I have to suffer along with it?”
"Oh, you're not only good at what's going on inside and out, but you're also looking for the soft ones to pinch. Boy, I'm better at beating people than your dad..."
"Hey, Third Uncle, who among us is following who? Don't be so stingy. Besides, I also listen to you. Don't you always say it? Choice is very important..."
No problem, this kid has Hong family genes, is very good at accounting, and ranks first in abacus class in the whole grade.
He knew exactly what was appropriate.
What's more, he also developed his shamelessness and smooth talk following Hong Yanwu.
This person has become a spirit, what can be done to him?
And after he has learned it, how can you not let him continue riding? He has to do something.
Hey, so learning to ride a bicycle is not cheap.
In addition to these, reading, movies, and TV series are also the same.
Anyone who can read must know Qiong Yao and Jin Yong, whether they like their books or not.
In 1982, the mainland had no copyright awareness at all.
Although no publishing house has officially authorized it, pirated books have blatantly become hot-sellers.
The price is not cheap either. One yuan costs more than a book, which makes it twice as expensive as a regular book.
But that still doesn't stop people from being enthusiastic about it.
Especially boys and girls in middle schools, almost all of them will try their best to invest all their economic resources into these two kinds of spiritual food.
Then I indulged in the world of novels regardless of class or extracurricular time.
It was from Qiong Yao's writings that the girl learned for the first time that love can be talked about like this.
From Jin Yong’s story, the boy experienced the chivalrous demeanor and the dream of gratification and revenge.
But once a parent or teacher discovers it, there will definitely be no good consequences, and they may even be beaten or punished.
However, this thing is addictive, and it still refuses to change despite repeated admonitions.
Shui Qing's sister Shui Lian is a typical example. She is already fourteen years old and was fascinated by Qiong Yao to the point of being in a trance.
She did not hesitate to lie about the cost of textbooks and stationery, and saved up to buy Qiong Yao's books, and then exchanged them with her classmates.
As a result, one night I couldn't help crying while watching it, and Shui Lan discovered me.
This time, the Shui family almost turned upside down. Shui Lian just didn't want to cry anymore.
She didn't even talk about "Outside the Window" and "I'm a Cloud", and even received a severe beating from Aunt Shui.
From then on, it was not easy to ask for money from my family. It had to be signed by the teacher.
The reporter, Shui Lan, took her book and ran to work to read it.
Shui Qing felt a little sorry for her sister about this matter, but she couldn't protect her because she was afraid of premature love and that it would affect her studies.
Unexpectedly, after this, Shui Lian's academic performance plummeted, and he even became listless.
Later, when Hong Yanwu saw that Shui Qing was anxious, he tried to persuade her several times to wake her up.
Hong Yanwu said that the book was useless, but as long as the level was appropriate, it wouldn't necessarily do much harm.
It is true that it is a love novel, but the little girl is just a little curious and will never fall in love after reading it. Besides, there is no place to find Prince Charming.
If everyone is watching and you don't, your classmates will naturally be ostracized and you will become an outlier and feel even more lonely.
It's better to use this as a reward, maybe it can restore Shui Lian's academic performance.
Later, Shui Qing relented and made a three-part agreement with Shui Lian.
He promised that as long as her academic performance improved, he would spend his own money to buy novels, and behind the back of his family, he would read them to her on weekends.
Don't tell me, it's really effective. Not long after, Shui Lian was ranked among the best again.
And later, after knowing what happened, the little girl naturally had a great impression of Hong Yanwu.
As for movies and TV series, the prices of these two items have not increased.
But one thing is that the commercial consumption phenomenon caused by them should not be underestimated.
To be continued...