Since the beginning of March, Lu Xuzhang of the General Administration of Tourism has almost been running smoothly.
Having just sent away his brother-in-law Bao Yugang, who sponsored the "Zhaolong Hotel", he also presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of the 37-story "Jinling Hotel" in Nanjing...
In 1978, the number of tourists entering the country reached 1.8 million, exceeding the total number of arrivals in the previous 20 years.
By 1979, this figure had soared to 4.2 million.
As Lu Xuzhang just said to Jiangshan, many cities are currently trying their best to build hotels and restaurants.
But when the critical moment comes, organizations that cannot come up with funds will not be able to organize themselves.
But others can ignore it, but Lu Xuzhang, who is a direct film supervisor, cannot ignore it.
After all, he is in charge of the tourism bureau, not the transportation brigade.
You can't drag foreign guests all over the place as soon as they arrive.
So, Lu Xuzhang dug out his small address book and called his international relations department one by one.
In this way, Singaporean overseas Chinese Tao Xinbo, who believed that even if the policy changed, he would donate to the motherland, made the decision to return to Nanjing and invest in the construction of the "Jinling Hotel".
Bao Yugang, who donated tens of millions of dollars, was granted the naming rights of Bao's father's "Zhaolong" hotel under pressure from Bureau Lu.
In addition, there are many tourism infrastructure projects that are still going through the process.
However, including hotels that have already implemented projects, even if they obtain sponsorship, they still have to repay considerable international loans for many years in the future.
Take the start-up capital of the "Jianguo Hotel" on the roadside as an example. Chen Xuanyuan, an American overseas Chinese, paid US$10 million out of his own pocket, and the Yanjing government provided another US$10 million.
After that, the Chinese side held 51% of the shares and Chen Xuanyuan held 49% of the shares, and the cooperation lasted for ten years.
At the end of the ten-year period, China can buy out all the shares held by Chen Xuanyuan for $1.
This contract was obviously beneficial to the Chinese side, but it also caused the organization to debate it for a long time.
Because the national treasury, which has already bottomed out, cannot afford the tens of millions of dollars invested in Jianguo Hotel.
All this money will come from HSBC and Citigroup's low-interest loans.
This means that in the first few years of hotel construction and operation, the organization cannot retain much foreign exchange.
…
At this moment, he looked at Jiang Shan's leaving figure and then glanced at the Jianguo Hotel construction site next to him.
Lu Xuzhang slowly closed the car window: "I'm afraid this kid still doesn't know that even if it is an attractive tourist facility, we can't spare any extra funds to build it."
"Indeed," Hou Xijiu nodded: "Although we also want to generate income and foreign exchange as soon as possible, it is... difficult!"
"Still too young." Bureau Lu smiled and shook his head.
Although Hou Xijiu didn't believe that the young man just now could really bring about any quick way to earn foreign exchange, he would also develop better and better methods of making money as he went on.
But he had to introduce the truth to Director Lu:
"However, although this little comrade looks young, he has helped Pujiang's many products achieve considerable sales overseas."
"oh?"
"According to my investigation, this reporter Jiang also produced a sand painting advertisement for the "Silk Road" in 1978.
It is precisely because of this advertisement that the export orders of several domestic silk fabric factories have returned to a situation on par with Japan."
"Really?" After hearing this, Director Lu couldn't help but look at Hou Xijiu in the rearview mirror: "What do you mean, that kid's words are reliable?"
"At least in terms of advertising, it's worth looking forward to."
"..." Director Lu was silent for a few seconds: "This was also my original purpose of meeting him. As for the rest... let's drive!"
…
Dayabao Hutong, Huang Yongyu's Mansion.
The old people who had dismissed the meal at noon gathered here one after another.
"Did you see that?"
Huang Yongyu, who was surrounded in the middle, knocked on a pile of photos on the table: "This is the guard platoon that protects us, and this is the cooking company responsible for cooking for us."
Wang Shixiang pointed to other photos: "This is the captain's suite assigned to us by Diaoyutai according to our rank.
Did you see these Hongqi vehicles? We were picked up by them into the Diaoyutai."
"Originally, I said we could just have a casual meal in the Four Seasons Hall in Building 2,"
Huang Yongyu clicked on the photo of the Four Seasons Hall: "But the comrade in charge of the reception disagreed and insisted on asking us to move to the State Banquet Hall for dinner."
"We have no choice," Wang Shixiang said as if he had no choice but to go to the state banquet.
Listening to the constant conversations in their ears, Zhu Jiazhu, Qi Gong, and Xu Bangda really didn't want to believe it.
But faced with the photos spread across the table, they had to admit this reality.
Zhu Jiazhu: "You...really entered the Diaoyutai?"
Qi Gong: "And you still live in it?"
Xu Bangda grabbed a photo with Huang Yongyu and Wang Shixiang in the front and the People's Liberation Army in the back: "Why do they send soldiers to protect you? What do you have to defend?"
"Old Xu," Wang Shixiang patted Old Xu: "Although we really have nothing to protect, we can't let down the organization's intentions!"
"No, no," Huang Yongyu smiled and held his pipe in his mouth: "Absolutely not."
Looking at the photo, Yongyu and Shixiang are sitting on the sofa soaking their feet.
Shen Congwen suddenly felt that the Fangshan snacks in his hands no longer tasted good.
"It's okay if you don't take me with you when you go to Pujiang. It will be the same when you return to Yanjing." Shen Congwen stared at the people in the room and said:
"It doesn't matter that Diaoyutai is inconvenient. Why didn't you call me when you went to Fangshan for dinner?"
"That's right," Zhu Jiaxin said, "Why don't you want to call Teacher Shen?"
Xu Bangda: "Yongyu, I have to criticize you for this matter."
"It's not just that he didn't call you when he went to the Pujiang River," Qigong said, "he didn't call you when he went to the moon!"
"What," this sentence shocked everyone Shen: "Where did you just say he was?"
"How's it going? Doesn't the photo look exciting?"
Huang Yongyu laughed, found a few photos and handed them to his cousin: "It's not that I won't take you with me, it's mainly because I'm afraid of causing trouble to Xiao Jiang."
The talkative Shen Congwen looked at the photo with surprise: "What's going on with this photo?"
"These are what that boy from Jiangshan did...what is this?"
Wang Shixiang: "Advertising shooting set."
"Really?" Zhu Jiazhu: "How big is this place?"
"It's just one classroom, but he said he would build a bigger one in the future."
"If you didn't mention Jiangshan, I would have forgotten," Shen Congwen said, "I haven't thanked Brother Boju properly for changing the ward."
"What does that child have to do with us?" Huang Yongyu: "I said thank you and left."
Shen Congwen: "But you can't..."
Suddenly, a familiar voice came from the yard.
"Excuse me, does Teacher Huang live here?"
"..." Huang Yongyu was startled: "Did I hear correctly?"
Wang Shixiang got up and went to open the door: "Is it Jiangshan?"
When I opened the door, I saw that the outside was really refreshing, with Comrade Jiangshan smiling in his eyes.
Standing with him was Yu Sigui, who was smiling like a flower.
"Uncle, we meet again!"
…
"You guys get busy, I'll go back to sleep first!"
"Don't forget to go to Tingli Restaurant for dinner tomorrow at noon!"
"Don't worry, Xiao Jiang, I won't forget it."
When Shen Congwen walked out of Huang's house happily.
In Huang Yongyu's study, only Wang Shixiang, Zhu Jiaxin, Jiang Shan and Yu Sigui were left.
At this moment, the four people in the room were bending over the table, each doing their own thing.
Zhu Jiaxin, who was holding his hands behind his back, looked at Huang Yongyu and Wang Shixiang who were playing with knives.
After a while, he stood in Jiangshan again, looking at the paintings behind Yu Sigui.
"After we left at noon," Zhu Jiazhu asked, "The leader of the tourism bureau came to find you about this matter?"
"Well," Jiang Shan said, holding the pen in his hand, "you must have never imagined that they were already staring at us while we were eating."
"Oh my god," Huang Yongyu quickly recalled: "Fortunately, we didn't talk about any nonsense."
"People from the tourism bureau," Wang Shixiang asked curiously, "are they still in charge of building hotels?"
"It should be more than just him," Jiang Shan thought for a while: "I heard from Director Lu that it seems that more than 10 departments need to sign.
It’s probably because the managers of these buildings were hired by Director Lu, so he came to handle the details.”
"He brought all the investors here?" Hearing Zhu Jiashu's words, he knew that he had seen the world: "It seems that this director is not simple."
Yu Sigui, who was serving as the empress of Jiangshan, made great achievements: "I heard from Jiangshan that this director once opened a bank."
Jiang Shan corrected him: "It's a commercial bank, not a bank."
"Underground workers, right?" Zhu Jiaxin expressed his understanding: "There were not a few cadres like this in the past."
Wang Shixiang held a small chisel and banged it: "In addition to opening a business, there are also bookstores, pharmacies, and dance halls. There are so many."
"By the way," Huang Yongyu stopped the carving knife in his hand: "There are also people who make movies."
Jiang Shan: "However, this Director Lu is not an ordinary trading firm?"
Zhu Jiaxin: "How unusual is it?"
“Have you ever heard of Guanghua Bank?”
"What?"
The three veterans in the room all raised their voices.
Zhu Jiaxin: "The Lu Ju you are talking about is..."
Wang Shixiang: "Lu Xuzhang?"
Huang Yongyu: "He went to the tourism bureau again?"
"What?" Looking at the posture, Jiang Shan and Yu Sigui both stopped painting: "You know him."
"do not know."
"How can we know him?"
"Although we don't know him, we still know his name."
After experiencing a series of national salvation campaigns to rescue refugees, rescue the wounded, and collect donations for battlefields.
Lu Xuzhang strongly realized that in addition to will and belief, revolution also cannot do without strong economic backing.
That night, the lights in Huang Yongyu's study were brighter than before.
The wife, who was wearing a sweater, gently put down the two pots of hot water, closed the door and left.
After there was a loud banging sound, several people in the room held a cup of Nescafe coffee brought by Yu Sigui.
Stirring the world in a porcelain jar, he continued:
"To this end, Lu Xuzhang and several progressive young people raised 150 yuan in French currency and established a western medicine trading house. This was the original Guangdong Hua Bank."
After hearing the amount raised, both Wang Shixiang and Zhu Jiaxin felt that they had missed some good opportunities.
"In 1937, the Anti-Japanese War broke out in full force," Jiang Shan said:
"Lu Xuzhang participated in the anti-Japanese national salvation cadre training course organized by the Shanghai National Salvation Association.
This training class is directly led by Shanghai’s underground party organization.
Thanks to the organization's teaching in accordance with his aptitude, Lu Xuzhang took on the task of raising funds for the party organization after graduating from the training class.
Since then, Guangda Hua Bank has become an important stronghold of our party’s hidden front.”
After that, Lu Xuzhang, who was very motivated, traveled to various places to expand his business.
Give full play to the business talents of "Zhejiang merchants".
The business has developed to Kunming, Guiyang, Chengdu, and Xi'an.
The business field involves Western medicine, medical equipment, transportation and other businesses.
In any industry that is hugely profitable, as long as it does not harm the natural environment, you can see the presence of the vast number of Chinese banks.
"In that business, several senior officials in the Kuomintang are trying to win over Fang."
Jiang Shandao: "Even the evidence for reporting Lu Xuzhang's conspiracy has been piled high.
Chen Lifu, the leader of the Central Unification Committee, not only chose to turn a blind eye, but also attended the opening ceremony of Guangdong Huahang's new company despite being ill."
Wang Shixiang nodded with fresh memories: "At that time, Lu Xuzhang was definitely a prosperous business tycoon in Shanghai."
In order not to expose himself, Lu Xuzhang insisted on the chaebol style and could not see any flaws.
Even his friends and lovers are scolding him for being mercenary.
But Lu Xuzhang knows very well that a large amount of funds for the war ahead are waiting for them to transport them."
After 11 years of underground work, Guangdong Hua Bank, which started with 150 yuan, has raised more than 4 million US dollars for the organization.
In that era, this amount brought tremendous energy to fight against aggression and liberate China.
"No wonder it has attracted a lot of investors," Zhu Jiaxin said with emotion: "It turns out he is Lu Xuzhang."
"In that case," Wang Shixiang said, "what he is doing now is still raising funds for the country!"
"Actually, you are the same,"
Jiang Shan said seriously: "With the work you did tonight, it won't be long before you become a money-making machine for the country."
Wang Shixiang: "That's it?"
Huang Yongyu: "Just this piece of wood?"
Looking at the carpentry work in their hands, Huang Yongyu and Wang Shixiang were stunned for a moment.
"Just watch it, you two," Jiang Shan said firmly, "I firmly believe that our Mr. Lu, who is quite business-savvy, will never let go of such a simple way to make money."
After hearing this, the two old comrades lowered their heads and looked at the wooden blocks in their hands, as if they were looking at a template for printing money.
The next second, the two of them immediately started carving with great enthusiasm.
At this moment, Zhu Jiasu, who was walking around, had already begun to roll up his sleeves: "Xiao Jiang, assign me a task too!"
…
At noon on the second day, the bright spring scenery was infinitely beautiful.
The Tingli Pavilion, located in the Summer Palace, also has the appearance of a royal garden.
At this moment, Jiang Shan and Jiang He were holding their two children and gathering around a fish pond in the Oriole Hall to catch fish.
Lu Xuzhang, who was standing with several old comrades, looked happily at Xiaoyu and Xiaobai who were laughing excitedly.
"Catch the one you like," Lu Xuzhang said, "so that the kitchen can do more tricks."
Then, he introduced to Shen Congwen beside him: "The fish in this pond are caught every day from Kunming Lake in the Summer Palace."
"No wonder he's so alive and kicking," Shen Congwen said, "I feel energetic just by looking at him."
"This method was thought up by our tourism bureau," Lu Xuzhang said with a smile: "Foreigners like this trick. The more they make, the happier we are."
Listening to the conversation on the side, Huang Yongyu and Wang Shixiang looked at each other.
They all expressed considerable understanding.
Finally, after catching four carp, Xiaoyu and Xiaobai reluctantly left the fish pond.
At this moment, a table of people sitting on the stage of Tingli Hall were listening to Bureau Lu's opening remarks.
"Originally," Director Lu pointed to the private room in the red window opposite: "That's the restaurant I booked for you."
"Because there were too many people ordering food," Director Lu pointed to a table of people in the yard: "We moved there again."
"In the end," Director Lu knocked on the table and said with a smile, "I just let them set up a table on the stage..."
Wang Fulin immediately said: "It's so nice, it's quiet and no one disturbs me."
Jiang Shan also smiled and said: "It's thanks to your blessing, otherwise we really wouldn't be able to sit here."
The place chosen by Lu Xuzhang for Jiang Shan and his entourage was actually the fixed place where Cixi ate.
Across a small garden is a stage.
But this time, Jiangshan and the others went in the opposite direction and sat on the stage.
Not long after we sat down, two plates of fish were brought to the table.
"You're welcome," landlord Lu Xuzhang pointed at the plate and said, "Hurry up and eat it alive."
At this moment, the Kunming Lake carp, which had been fried and poured with juice, was lying on the plate, still opening and closing, cursing.
Comrade Jiang Shan couldn't bear it, but couldn't help but stretched out his chopsticks.
One bite and your mouth is full of fish flavor.
Not to mention how fresh it is!
Fortunately, we were able to win two sets, and even one person with such a physique could defeat one set!
"Comrade Xiao Jiang," Lu Xuzhang asked, seeing that everyone was eating so well that he even spared the use of chopsticks, "how does this fish taste?"
"It's fragrant," Jiang Shan praised truthfully: "I will definitely come here next time."
Wang Fulin looked at the popularity of the restaurant: "If you come by yourself, you probably won't even be able to grab a stool."
"What are you afraid of? I'm not there anymore,"
Lu Xuzhang, who was already familiar with everyone when he was fishing, didn't have the airs of a cadre at all.
"Don't worry, Xiaojiang. As long as you can shoot the advertisement well, you can just call the bureau whenever you want."
Jiang Shan held a cup of Moutai and said, "Then I'd like to thank you first."
After putting down the glass of wine, Jiang Shan took the initiative to take out the sketch that he had been working on for half a night without even having to ask Bureau Lu to open his mouth.
Seeing the expressions on their faces, even the waiter who served the dishes did not dare to announce the names of the dishes loudly.
"This is what you said," Director Lu looked at the drawings on the wine table: "A way to earn foreign exchange without extensive construction work?"
Jiang Shan nodded seriously: "Yes!"
"It looks pretty good, but what exactly is it?"
"This thing is called cultural and creative popsicle," Jiang Shan pointed at the drawing:
"The investment is not big and the production is simple, but once you take it to the corresponding scenic spot, the value will immediately increase dozens of times. If you don't believe me, look there..."
Jiang Shan raised his hand and pointed, and Lu Xuzhang looked over.
Yu Sigui, who never showed up, walked towards a table of foreign guests in the garden with a plate in his hand.
Before Yu Sigui finished his introduction, a table of foreign guests seemed to have discovered a new world, and their hands reached out to the popsicles on the plate with eyes full of surprise.
At the same time, Zhu Jiaxin, who spoke fluent English, had returned from another table carrying an empty plate.
"Three yuan for a popsicle," said Professor Zhu, who didn't mind at all and was having a lot of fun: "They robbed them as if they didn't need any money."
After saying that, he put the 20 yuan foreign exchange coupon in his hand on the table: "I just wanted to ask them if I can give change in RMB, but they just said that there is no need to change it as a tip."
On the other side, Yu Sigui, who had already closed the stall, also put down two 10 yuan foreign exchange coupons.
But this time, she had already brought the remaining popsicles from the kitchen.
"This thing can really be sold for three yuan a piece,"
Before Director Lu could speak, Hou Xijiu on the side couldn't help but ask.
While talking, he also picked up a Tiantan from the plate.
"Isn't this just a small altar of heaven? It's so crystal clear and so beautiful!"
Looking at the orange Temple of Heaven in the opponent's hand, Lu Xuzhang also picked up a milk-white Great Wall.
Taking a closer look: "It still tastes like butter!"
"I came here directly after I left you yesterday afternoon,"
Jiang Shan explained: "After showing the letter of introduction, the comrades in the restaurant promised to help us freeze popsicles when we got up early this morning. After everything was agreed, I bought some soda and milk here..."
"Comrade Xiaojiang, thank you for your hard work."
Director Lu took a bite of the popsicle. Although it was extremely gritty, his heart felt very warm!
As a big shot in shopping malls, can he not appreciate the charm of these gadgets?
For a moment, I looked at the orange Temple of Heaven on a white porcelain plate, the milky-white Great Wall, and the cola-colored Nine Dragons Wall...
Lu Xuzhang laughed: "If the color of this dragon pattern is changed, the effect will be better."
"You're right," Jiang Shan nodded and admitted:
"We have limited materials. This is all we completed with the help of several professors all night long."
As soon as he finished speaking, a large tray of wooden molds was placed on the table again.
Director Lu and Director Hou were looking at this and touching that. The more they looked at it, the more interesting they became.
"It turns out that this is how these popsicles are made!"
"Our production method is relatively primitive, but the cold drink factory is different. We only need to replace the molds on the production line with the corresponding shape.
Cities across the country can mass-produce cultural and creative popsicles based on their famous local attractions."
In today's world, there is no need for complex shapes.
Even an engraved panda can attract international friends who have only seen Mickey Mouse mashed potatoes!
Because the current level of Disneyland is nothing more than that.
At this time, not to mention Director Lu and Director Hou, even Wang Fulin and Zhang Lu who were sitting together came over in surprise.
After putting down the mold in his hand, Lu Xuzhang looked at the small square patterns on the drawing paper and immediately understood what they were!
"I bet you have set a good example for other cities,"
Director Lu nodded one by one: "Don't say it, it's really representative!"
"This is just a rough drawing," Jiang Shan said in detail:
“The effect of these popsicles is better when placed in corresponding attractions.
Especially as summer is about to enter.
When the time comes, you can add freezers at various intersections in the park.
Hang up these cool-looking popsicle advertising pictures.
It would be best to wrap the freezer with a large and eye-catching promotional poster...
We have to make a large number of posters with this thing and the corresponding building together," Jiang Shan pointed to the text notes on the drawing and said word by word:
"Don't say you sell it for three yuan, if you set the price at two yuan, I can guarantee you will make a lot of money."
Compared with the 5 yuan per plate of steamed buns sold in Tingli Pavilion today, the cultural and creative popsicles in the scenic area are priced at 2 yuan each, which is really a reasonable price.
After all, in the 1980s, various fees were doubled for foreign guests.
"Cultural and creative popsicles,"
Looking at the drawings on the table, Bureau Lu turned to Director Hou and smiled:
"Don't tell me, this is really a good foreign exchange-earning project that does not require large-scale construction or large investments!"
"I'm very optimistic about this project," Director Hou made a rough calculation: "Based on last year's number of arrivals, if each of the 4 million visitors only buys one popsicle on average..."
"Even if you earn one yuan a piece," Lu Xuzhang continued to calculate: "That's 4 million in foreign exchange. Even if only half of the people buy it, it's still a full 2 million in foreign exchange coupons..."
The more Director Hou calculated, the more excited he became: "Oh my God!"
"We can sell cultural and creative popsicles and cultural and creative ice cream in the summer," Jiang Shan helped calculate: "In the winter, we can sell cultural and creative pastries and cultural and creative chocolates..."
In 2016, when the first cultural and creative ice cream was born, a large number of tourists flocked to the scenic spot to grab the ice cream and check in.
Immediately, various scenic spots across the country quickly joined the army of hugely profitable ice cream.
In the past two years, the rolled-out cultural and creative ice cream has already become a beautiful sight in every scenic spot!
