Chapter Sixty-One: The Broker

Is more than twenty thousand cubic meters of logs a lot? In later years, that might just be the consumption of a large furniture factory in a day or two—not much at all. But this was the 1960s. What did twenty thousand cubic meters mean back then? Even if you used a massive black locomotive, it would take an entire train to haul it all.

“Brother Cheng, you’ve really given your little brother a tough problem this time!” Chen Liang had thought, at most, it would only be five or six thousand cubic meters of timber. He’d planned to ask his uncle for help, chalk it up as a favor for the factory, and let them absorb this batch of extra-allocated logs—that would have been that.

“Brother Cheng, let me think this over!” Chen Liang began to ruminate. His network was mostly concentrated in the Red Star Steel Mill. But with this amount of timber, it was clear that the Red Star Steel Mill couldn’t possibly take it all. He’d have to reach out to other factories.

“Oh, right, Brother Cheng, what do you want in exchange for these logs to take back with you?”

Zhang Cheng only managed a bitter smile. “Brother, we’re not outsiders here, so I’ll be honest—I really don’t know what to ask for in exchange.”

“But all these logs were saved up by the workers at the forest farm. No matter what they’re traded for, it all has to go back to the mountains.”

He sighed deeply. “Brother, you probably don’t know what it’s like in those mountains. They’re short of clothes and food—they lack everything. If possible, just exchange the logs for some food, drink, and clothing.”

“Alright! I’ll take care of it this afternoon. It’s about time for lunch anyway—come on, Brother Cheng, Brother Yi, your little brother will treat you to Peking duck at Quanjude!”

After all that boasting and banter, time flew by. Once their business was settled, it was mealtime. Chen Liang immediately dragged the two off to eat. Since the department would cover the bill, he headed straight for the famed Quanjude. He kept his word, and after settling his guests, he even went out to fetch a crate of Maotai and two cases of Xifeng liquor.

After a true feast, Chen Liang half-dragged the brothers, who could barely keep straight, back to the guesthouse under the incredulous gaze of the staff.

Damn, these two really were something else. Without cheating, Chen Liang simply couldn’t keep up with these two human wine barrels.

After settling Zhang Cheng and Zhang Yi at the guesthouse, Chen Liang, reeking of alcohol, headed off to the library to find his wife. Resting his head on her lap as she sat on the office sofa, he enjoyed a beautiful nap, then, refreshed, prepared to start networking on their behalf.

When there was a good opportunity, of course he’d look after his own unit first. Once he brought up the matter with his uncle, he was immediately taken to see the section chief, who then went to see the factory director. In the end, a brief meeting among a few factory leaders was enough to reserve five thousand cubic meters of logs.

Timber was a precious commodity, intimately tied to people’s daily lives—who didn’t need furniture in those days? With a quarter of the problem solved in one go, Chen Liang was in high spirits, and his uncle, riding Chen Liang’s coattails, also got to enjoy a bit of limelight.

Since Chen Liang had specified that only food, drink, and daily necessities could be exchanged, the factory offered some surplus steel to a sugar factory and traded it for five thousand tons of white sugar.

That was how things worked back then—every factory had periods of surplus capacity, and when trading these unplanned goods, value didn’t matter; barter was strictly one-for-one.

After jotting down the details in his little notebook, Chen Liang hurried off to seek help from Li Yuanchao, that sly fox. Known as the “Little Mengchang of the Capital,” and a veteran from a military courtyard background, Li’s network was leagues beyond anything Chen Liang could claim.

Although Chen Liang had cost him a job quota, he’d also saved Li’s face and hadn’t embarrassed him publicly—Li owed him a favor.

So Chen Liang was confident this request would be successful. Li Yuanchao was one of the leaders among the city’s veteran soldiers. A little inquiry revealed he was at his office.

Li Yuanchao was now working at the Xidan Subdistrict Office as a Level 21 staff member—a cadre-in-waiting. A few more years and he’d be promoted to a Level 19 section chief. That was a high starting point.

“Hey, Li Yuanchao!” Entering the subdistrict office, Chen Liang spotted him chatting up a young woman. Chen knocked on the door and called out.

“Well, well, Chen Liang? What brings you here? Need something?” Li Yuanchao turned at the sound and saw Chen Liang standing in the doorway.

“Of course I need something. Why else would I come all the way from East City to West City?” Chen Liang waved him over. “Come on, let’s talk outside.”

The two stepped out to a sheltered spot near the entrance. Chen Liang produced a pack of Hongtashan, offered Li a cigarette, and lit it for him.

“Li Yuanchao, you acknowledge that I saved your face last time, right?” Chen Liang asked, taking a drag.

“I knew it—you only ever look for me when you need something. Yes, I acknowledge it. So what is it this time?” Li Yuanchao shot him a look.

“Good. Here’s the deal: I have two brothers from the northeast who want to exchange surplus logs for necessities to take home. Can you help?”

Li eyed him suspiciously. “Aren’t you working at Red Star Steel Mill? What, your factory’s so flush now you don’t even care about timber?”

“The quantity’s too much—the factory can’t absorb it all.” Chen Liang pulled out his notebook. “Look—over twenty thousand cubic meters. Red Star can only take five thousand; there’s all this left!”

Li Yuanchao swallowed hard, then choked on his cigarette.

After coughing for a while, he sputtered, “Damn, are they trying to stock up for all of Beijing? Twenty thousand cubic meters?”

“They said the forest workers saved up for years. Enough talk—can you help or not?”

Li Yuanchao became thoughtful. “Only food, drink, and clothing? No other requests?”

“That’s right—this is for the forest workers. Once it gets to the northeast, it’s headed straight up into the mountains.”

“If it’s just food and fabric, I can find a way. But let’s be clear—if it’s valuables like the three big items, I can’t do it. The quantity is just too much; even if we emptied all of Beijing’s supply, it wouldn’t be enough!”

“They’re in the mountains—they can’t even get sugar. Who needs bicycles? Just get moving!”

“Alright, wait here. I’ll go talk to the section chief.”

He rushed inside, then quickly came back out, pushing a bicycle. “Let’s go!”

Chen Liang spent the entire afternoon trailing after Li Yuanchao, finally witnessing the extent of his connections. They visited the three largest food factories in the capital. Li strolled in as if he owned the place, and with just a few words, secured deals for six thousand cubic meters of logs in exchange for large quantities of surplus biscuits, canned goods, and other food supplies.