Reborn in 1977

Western Hemisphere Time, September 15th, Friday.

New York, USA.

Midtown Manhattan, Fourth Avenue. Unlike the world-renowned Fifth Avenue, packed with luxury stores, this area is one of New York's most flourishing literary hubs, lined with bookstores selling both new and used books.

“Argosy Book Store” is a used bookstore that has been in operation since 1925.

Unlike ordinary used books, the used bookstores on this street have very high standards for book quality, with some even offering well-preserved new books.

Perhaps it would be more accurate to call these used books “antiques.”

Argosy Book Store boasts a collection of tens of thousands of rare books, including many old musical scores, author manuscripts, old magazines, antique maps, historical pictorial materials, and so on.

The entire bookstore exudes a classic and historical atmosphere, and even the employees are all book lovers. The store is currently managed by the second generation of the Cohen family, the founders.

Naturally, the prices of most books in such a bookstore are quite touching, often bringing tears to the eyes of inquiring customers.

Because the bookstore's upstairs archive has a collection of themed illustrations from various countries, many of which depict scenes of Chinese social life as seen by foreigners in the 19th and 20th centuries...

(Like this one)

Zhou Zhengdong often visited this store as a child to look for traces of his homeland. Over time, he became acquainted with the owner and developed a decent friendship.

Although this store mainly deals in used books, when his old friend sent over several hundred sets of new books, Berendiel Cohen could only reluctantly extort a dinner at Smith \u0026 Wollensky restaurant, then accept them with a smile.

Although this restaurant only opened last year, it quickly became one of New York's top restaurants due to its beautiful environment and traditional steaks.

Years later, this restaurant would become world-famous for the "Buffett's Lunch."

But of course, not yet. High-end and expensive were not the reasons Berendiel chose it.

Simply because the restaurant was located at the intersection of 49th Street and Third Avenue in Manhattan, he could walk there, saving him the trouble of driving.

He was prepared that if he couldn't sell these few hundred sets of books, he would buy them himself for his collection, treating it as his treat for the meal.

Anyway, at $4 a book, $8 for the two-volume set, a total of 200 sets, $1600, was just a drop in the bucket compared to the tens of thousands he had spent here over the decades. Moreover, there was a discount on the wholesale price, so he could afford it.

After the delivery truck left and slowly drove to another bookstore not far away, Berendiel waved to the owner of that bookstore and laughed a few times. As for whether it was mockery or something else, only he knew.

The owner shrugged helplessly and instructed the staff to carry the bundles of books into the store.

Although he didn't extort a meal, according to industry practice, unless an exclusive sales agreement was signed, some unsold new books could be returned to the publisher, so he didn't care too much and just helped a friend out.

Berendiel moved a chair and sat at the door. The morning sun shone on him. Unlike the hustle and bustle of Fifth Avenue, this street was relatively quiet.

Enjoying the warm morning breeze, he sat in the chair, picked up the newly arrived book, looked at the cover, and muttered softly, "'Legend of Dragon Rider'? Is it a fantasy story like 'The Lord of the Rings'? Let me see the author..."

He frowned slightly, "Versailles Augustus? A newcomer?"

Shaking his head, Berendiel chuckled, "Well, the cover art is pretty good, it has a bit of the youthful passion feeling."

Then he opened the cover, simply glanced at the introduction and table of contents, and turned to the first page of the text.

Time passed, and more and more people appeared on the street.

After an unknown amount of time, a voice woke Berendiel.

He looked up in astonishment, stunned for several seconds before regaining his senses, "Oh, it's Christine. Don't you have work today?"

The person was a blonde beauty in her thirties. She squatted down and curiously tilted her head to look at the cover of the book in Berendiel's hand, "The task is completed, so I came here to read. What are you reading? I called you several times before you heard me."

Berendiel supported himself on the armrest of the chair, adjusted his sitting posture, and handed the book to her with a smile, "A very interesting new book, a bit like 'The Lord of the Rings,' but also very different."

Christine took the book but looked at him, her eyes full of confusion, "Like 'The Lord of the Rings'? But very different?"

She wrinkled her nose, "How is it different?"

Berendiel took a deep breath, pondered for two seconds, and then said very seriously, "'The Lord of the Rings' doesn't teach you how to cultivate, but this book does!"

Christine's eyes gradually widened. What does that mean?

Berendiel thought for a moment, raised his hands to chest level, palms facing each other, and said with a serious face, "For example, like this, keep your palms facing each other, about 12 inches apart, then close your eyes and silently feel between your palms, slowly pressing inward..."

Christine was also bored, so as Berendiel spoke, she followed along. Before he could finish, Christine suddenly exclaimed, "I can feel an energy between my palms. There's repulsion, oh, now it's turning into attraction..."

She suddenly opened her eyes, grabbed Berendiel's wrist, and her breathing became rapid, "What is that?"

Berendiel said triumphantly, as if he had deciphered some major discovery, "That is 'Qi'!"

Christine's eyes were dull, "Qi?"

"Yes!"

Berendiel picked up the book she had placed on her lap and said seriously, "This book explains very clearly that everyone has 'Qi' in their body. It is the basic ability that God gives to everyone. Without Qi, humans cannot survive.

It's just that this ability is very weak, only able to sustain our lives, and has no other function.

But fighters and mages can stimulate this 'Qi' to gradually grow stronger through special cultivation methods, and then release the Qi after learning specialized fighting skills or magic, which can produce earth-shattering effects!"

Christine opened her eyes wide, unblinking. Is this a skill I can see too?!

Berendiel shook his head, "Dear Christine, I think you should be interested in this book. This set of 'Legend of the Dragon Rider' has two volumes, each priced at $4, a total of $8 a set..."

Christine immediately waved her hand, "No need to say more, I want to buy a set!"

Berendiel tilted his head, supported himself on the armrest to stand up, pushed the door and walked in, "Come on, child, I have plenty here..."

Then he shouted at the clerk, "George, get Christine a set of 'The Dragon Knight Saga', the one that just arrived today."

As soon as he said that, Berendier suddenly noticed many people turning to look at him.

He couldn't help but hesitate, turning his head to look around, "Did something happen that I don't know about?"

His clerk, George, walked over with a book in his hand, raised the book, and said, "Boss, if you're talking about this set of 'The Dragon Knight Saga', then I'm very sorry, only the last set remains out of the 200. The first volume is in your hands, and I only have the second volume here, which is why it hasn't been sold."

The next second, more than a dozen people staring at Berendier rushed up, "Boss, I want this set."

Christine's heart clenched instantly, and she shouted loudly, "Hey, you can't do this, this set is mine!"

Berendier clutched the book to his chest, struggling to poke his head out from the crowd, "George, quickly call Zhou and order another 500 sets.

Everyone, everyone, listen to me, please rest assured, this book is just released on the first day, there are still many more, they will be delivered soon... Hey, don't do this!"

… …

Chen Fan and Zhang Wenliang had a big drinking session. He listened to him rambling about how his wife wasn't gentle and always liked to compete with him in martial arts. Then, he silently took notes, folded them up, and put them in his pocket, before having Yang Mei lead the little mare to take him back.

As for what tomorrow would bring, who cared?

Anyway, the next day, early in the morning, after getting up and eating breakfast, he bid farewell to his three tearful disciples, the three whimpering pandas, the two dogs缠绕around his legs, the two horses咬着his clothes and refusing to let go, the parrot squawking in the sky, and the saker falcon抓着the parrot and throwing it into the water…

Finally, he boarded the small wooden boat alone, started the outboard motor, and headed towards the prefectural committee.

I'm coming back tonight, okay? You're acting like it's a matter of life and death, is it really necessary?!

The speedboat kicked up a spray of water, speeding along the Liuhua River, arriving at the prefectural committee in less than an hour.

After landing, he drove his little jeep, which he had left at the dock, and chugged towards the machinery factory.

He entered the Advanced Machinery Factory and asked around, but Secretary Yang and Deputy Factory Director Li were both out. Another Deputy Factory Director, Xue, was in charge.

He invited Chen Fan to sit down on the sofa, handed him a cigarette, and said with a smile, "Thanks to Consultant Chen, the machinery factory has now been divided into three. It's no longer the machinery factory it used to be."

Chen Fan took the cigarette. The words sounded strange, and he couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean?"

After the secretary poured two cups of tea and brought them over, she closed the door from the outside. Deputy Factory Director Xue then said with a smile, "In the past, the machinery factory was just a machinery factory. Although it occasionally took on tasks from the prefectural commercial bureau to produce other things, it was still mainly focused on machinery manufacturing.

But since this year, that is, after you gave our factory a lot of suggestions, after more than half a year of development, the machinery factory has now been divided into three.

The first part is still the original machinery factory business, focusing on machine manufacturing and maintenance, supplemented by other tasks.

The second part is those suggestions you gave our factory at the beginning of the year. Later, we found a lot of small household appliances on the market.

Like the rice cookers, kettles, and also the electric ovens, heaters, electric fans, pressure cookers, electric blankets, juicers, meat grinders, etc. that you provided us, a total of more than a dozen categories, we all produce them.

And after being launched on the market, the sales are very good, even in terms of benefits, they are higher than the original machinery factory business.

So, after a meeting and discussion, and reporting to the prefectural committee and the provincial department, it was finally decided to split this part of the business and establish Yunhu Household Appliances Company.

This is the second part.

The last part is the Yunhu Automobile Factory, which officially launched its products in July. In addition, the auto parts business that provides parts for the automobile factory is also included in this part."

Deputy Factory Director Xue took a sip of tea, then took a puff of cigarette, and continued, "Currently, these three major types of business are all under the unified management of the original leadership team of our machinery factory.

But now the work of each sector has entered the right track, so we are preparing to discuss at the year-end summary meeting to formally split the three parts. The leadership team will also be disbanded and reorganized at the same time."

He looked at Chen Fan and smiled, "Although it hasn't been officially determined yet, the general direction has already been set. Factory Director Yang will continue to manage the Yunhu Automobile Factory, serving as both secretary and factory director. The prefectural committee and the province will also send other key personnel to assist him.

Deputy Factory Director Li may take over the household appliances company. The factory site has already been selected, not far from the north of the machinery factory, connected to the land of the automobile factory. He will also be promoted to secretary and factory director.

As for this machinery factory, if nothing unexpected happens, I should be the one to take over in the end."

Chen Fan looked at him and smiled, "So, in the future, we will have to call you Secretary Xue!"

Deputy Factory Director Xue waved his hand repeatedly, "Don't make fun of me, I just got lucky with this secretary position."

He pointed at Chen Fan and said with a smile, "Besides, Consultant Chen, your level is not low either. It's just that you like to be rooted in the grassroots, otherwise, I would probably have to call you a leader."

Chen Fan shook his head repeatedly, "I can't be a leader with my personality. Besides, the systems are different, how can I be a leader?"

Deputy Factory Director Xue laughed, "Haven't you heard of 'a higher official can crush you to death'? A high level means you're a leader. Moreover, the development of the factory still depends on you for help with suggestions, so I have to flatter you!"

After a pause, he said again, "Are you here to find Factory Director Yang today? I'll take you over."

As he said that, he got up to leave.

Chen Fan also stood up and said with a smile, "Since you said that the machinery factory is under your management, then I won't look for him, I'll look for you."

Deputy Factory Director Xue was stunned, turned around and looked at him, "Looking for me?"

He pulled up his trouser legs, sat down again, gestured for Chen Fan to sit as well, then handed him a cigarette, "Then tell me, what can I do? I'm duty-bound!"

He slapped his thigh and chuckled twice, "Even if I can't do it, I'll have your Uncle Yang help you!"

"No need for so much trouble."

Chen Fan took out a few pieces of paper from his bag, unfolded them, and placed them in front of him, smiling, "These are a few tools I designed myself, I'd like to trouble you to find a few master craftsmen to make these things."

Speaking of work, Deputy Factory Director Xue's expression immediately became serious. He put the newly lit cigarette on the ashtray, picked up the drawings in front of him, and put on his glasses to examine them carefully.

After a while, he turned to look at Chen Fan, "Are these tools of yours for the military?"

Chen Fan didn't explain much, just nodded, "For the militia of the production team."

Deputy Factory Director Xue put down the drawings, then took off his glasses, and said with emotion, "Then the militia of your production team is equipped even better than the regular army."