On February 12, the twenty-seventh year of the Republic of China, the New Year is approaching, and the traditional Chinese Spring Festival is coming. The streets of Zhangjiakou are full of pedestrians. The years of war have made people no longer unfamiliar with war. In addition, from the front line
The good news that kept coming made the Chahar Minzong very satisfied and reassured about the army's combat power.
After leaving the provincial government, Hawkins and Alice walked together on the bustling streets of Zhangjiakou, and all they saw were crowds of people rushing to shop.
"Alice, why are people here rushing to buy food and clothing? Are they hoarding supplies?" Hawkins asked Alice in confusion.
Alice shook her head and said, "No, Uncle Hawkins." Alice knew that although Hawkins had studied Chinese history, it was his first time coming to China and he didn't know much about some traditional customs, so she asked
What a strange thing to say.
"This is a traditional Chinese festival, called the Spring Festival in their words. In Chinese customs, only after the Spring Festival is the beginning of the new year, symbolizing the continuation of a good life. During the Spring Festival, the Han people in China
Many ethnic groups and ethnic groups have to hold various activities to celebrate. These activities are mainly about worshiping gods and Buddhas, paying homage to ancestors, removing the old and bringing in the new, welcoming the new year and blessings, and praying for a good harvest."
After listening to Alice's explanation, Hawkins looked at Alice thoughtfully and asked: "Alice, how long have you been in China?"
"It's been almost two years, Uncle Hawkins," Alice replied.
"Yeah, it's been almost two years," Hawkins said with some emotion: "You joined the Washington Post right after graduation, and then you actively asked to come to distant Asia to be a reporter. You must have suffered a lot in the past two years.
"
Alice's eyes turned red after hearing what Hawkins said. A girl was wandering alone in a foreign country thousands of miles away, sleeping rough and wandering everywhere. It would be a lie to say that it wasn't hard work. Even men, not many people could persevere.
Not to mention girls. Alice raised her head and said stubbornly: "It's pretty good without me."
Hawkins sighed and looked at the slightly weathered Alice lovingly, "Alice, I know you don't want to rely on your uncle's help, but it's not an option for you to run around in this war-torn country. You guys
The term of office for reporters stationed overseas by The Washington Post is usually two years. You can come back with me after a while."
Alice, who was a little upset, shook her head and said, "Uncle Hawkins, I haven't thought about this issue yet. I'll talk about it later."
Hawkins looked at Liz who was walking with her head lowered and sighed, and was speechless.
The crowds on the street are extremely crowded, not just Chinese people. Due to the influx of a large number of foreign immigrants in recent years, blond and blue-eyed Jews are also everywhere on the street. These people are also the main force of consumption, so that savvy businessmen
The products are also marked with Hebrew characters to facilitate identification by Jews who do not know Chinese characters.
Looking at the dazzling array of products in the store and the blond and blue-eyed Caucasians everywhere, Hawkins and Alice seemed to be back on the streets of New York. This illusion lasted for a while before being interrupted by a voice.
"This beautiful lady, this respected gentleman, may I help you with anything?" A young and beautiful waitress came to the two of them and asked diligently in Chinese.
Only then did the two of them come back to their senses. They had already arrived at a clothing store. Hawkins looked at the many clothes here and said to Alice with a smile: "Alice, go pick out a piece of clothing, even if it is a gift from your uncle."
A New Year’s gift for you.”
Alice smiled and nodded, not being polite to Hawkins. After a while, she picked out a women's windbreaker and came to Hawkins and asked: "Uncle Hawkins, do you think I look good in this dress?"
Hawkins smiled and nodded: "Well, that's right, our little Alice looks good in whatever clothes she wears."
Hawkins took out his wallet and asked with a smile: "How much does this dress cost?"
"Twenty gold yuan coupons, thank you" the waiter replied with a smile.
"Uh" Hawkins opened his wallet and was embarrassed to find that there were only US dollars in the bag, but no Chinese currency. Hawkins asked a little embarrassedly: "Do you accept US dollars here?"
"Sorry, we don't charge U.S. dollars here. If it's really inconvenient for you, you can go to our Northwest Bank to cash in the gold coupons and then come back to collect this piece of clothing. We will keep it safe for you." The waitress said still very enthusiastically.
"Pfft" Alice behind her laughed, "Forget it, Uncle Hawkins, let me pay the bill." After saying that, Alice took out her wallet and paid the money.
After the two paid the bill and left, Hawkins said with some embarrassment: "Alice, I'm so sorry. I originally wanted to give you a gift, but I didn't expect it to cost you money. But you also just arrived in Chahar, why did you cash it in?"
I bought so many gold yuan coupons from the northwest.”
Alice smiled and said: "It doesn't matter, I already have gold yuan coupons on me. Now the gold yuan coupons from the northwest can be circulated across the country, and they are also considered hard currencies. This kind of gold yuan coupons can be circulated in other regions. It is said that they are even stronger.
Their central government's legal currency can't even compete with it, and some merchants only accept gold yuan coupons."
"Really?" Hawkins couldn't help being a little surprised after hearing what Alice said, "Has General Su's tentacles already touched the economic field? It seems we still underestimated him."
Alice may not know it, but as a doctor with a doctorate in social relations, he is very aware of the importance of controlling the issuance of a country's currency. This means that General Su has initially controlled the economic direction of the entire country.
, as long as General Su sneezes, there will be an earthquake all over China.
After a long time, Hawkins asked softly: "Alice, do you know why the currency issued by the Northwest Bank is so strong in China?"
Alice thought for a long time before shaking her head apologetically, "I don't know much about this. I only know that the Northwest Bank uses a large amount of gold as its reserves, and they have also turned hundreds of tons of gold into a gold mountain.
It is placed in the underground vault. The underground vault is still open to the outside world. Anyone can visit it by spending one yuan. It is said that it has become a famous tourist attraction in Chahar, and there is an endless stream of people visiting it every day.
Everyone from Chahar says that if you don’t visit the underground vault of the Northwest Bank, your trip to Chahar is in vain.”
"Oh, really, who came up with this attraction that attracts people to visit?" Hawkins asked with a smile.
Speaking of Su Tong, Alice still had some lingering feelings about what happened this morning, and said angrily, "It is said that this attention came from Chairman Su. In my opinion, it is really a coffin reaching for money."
Hawkins is not like Alice who only looks at the surface. Chairman Su's move may seem greedy and tacky. In fact, if he puts that golden mountain in the treasury, it will prove to be of great significance. As long as he has that golden mountain to put it in.
There, the currency of the Northwest Bank will always be strong, and the public's trust in the Bank will be infinitely higher. This move can be said to achieve many goals.
"Alice, have you ever seen the underground vault of Northwest Bank?"
Alice shook her head slightly, "I just arrived a few days ago and have been busy with work, so I haven't had the time or opportunity to see it."
Hawkins stopped and said slowly to Alice: "Alice, I really want to see the underground vault of Northwest Bank and see what Jinshan is like. Are you interested in going with me?
"
Zhangjiakou Ninth Street is also called the most prosperous street in Chahar, because it is home to all the banks in Chahar, as well as major banks across the country, including the domestic Central Bank, Bank of Communications, China Construction Bank, and even the United Kingdom in the coming year.
, banks from the United States and other countries have opened branches here one after another. It can be said that since the fall of Shanghai, this place has replaced Shanghai as China's new financial center.
When he came to Ninth Avenue and saw the conspicuous traffic lights and sidewalks on the road, as well as the hurried passers-by, Hawkins said with emotion: "Alice, no wonder people say this is a city of miracles. In just three years, he has
To build a border city into the most prosperous city and financial center in China, I think although it is not as good as New York, it has the initial shape of an international city."
"That's just him being lucky, what's so big about it?" Alice behind her muttered unconvinced.
Hawkins turned to Alice and said seriously: "Alice, I don't know what prejudices you have against General Su, but his achievements are obvious to everyone. As a
Journalists should remember their professional codes. Don’t you know that looking at people through colored glasses will make you lose your impartial and neutral stance?"
Alice's face turned red and she lowered her head and remained silent. Seeing Alice's rare daughter-like expression, Hawkins also sighed, shook his head and remained silent.
When they arrived at the underground vault on Ninth Avenue, even the well-informed Hawkins was stunned. Well, Hawkins had to admit that when a building was five to six meters high and five to six meters wide, it glowed golden under the light.
When the shining golden mountain is placed in front of you, even God will be temporarily suffocated.
But no one here would laugh at them, because there were many people who were even more miserable than them. One person threw himself at the guardrail of Jinshan Mountain on the spot. He was so excited that he burst into tears and almost fainted. Some people were stunned on the spot.
Cry, and some people are dumbfounded. Nothing in the world is better than this.