Chapter 7 Watches and Bicycles
The next day
Xizhimen, Wangfujing Street.

Wang Jianfeng walked into the department store and stood in front of the counter. At this time, there were not many people in the store. Several waiters were talking and laughing in front of the counter.

"Comrade, I want to buy a watch."

At the counter, a man glanced at Wang Jianfeng and said indifferently, "What kind of watch do you want to buy?"

"Now there are only domestically produced watches produced in Shanghai. Do you want some?"

"Yes, as long as I can tell the time, how much is it?"

"180."

"Okay," he said, handing over the money.

"Okay, come with me."

Soon, Wang Jianfeng got the bill and the watch.

Then, he walked out of the department store, and then thought about how to get a radio and a bicycle. The radio could be bought after the house was renovated, mainly because there was no place to put it now, but the bicycle had to be bought immediately, otherwise it would be difficult to complete the task of going to the countryside to purchase goods. In this way, the only thing missing from the "three turns and one ring" was a sewing machine.

In the 50s, owning a watch actually made you considered relatively wealthy, and if you also owned a bicycle, you would be even more prestigious. In other words, a bicycle at that time was equivalent to a Mercedes-Benz or BMW.

The popular ones on the market are the Forever 28-bar bicycles and the Fei Ge bicycle factory. Later, there were also brands such as Phoenix produced in Shanghai. Fortunately, you don’t need a ticket now. In two years, you can’t buy a bicycle even if you have money. You must have a bicycle ticket.

After exiting the Wangfujing department store, walk south and head straight to the supply and marketing cooperative near Zhengyangmen. Although there are bicycles in this mall, the price may be slightly higher. In addition, in accordance with the principle of not letting money go unnoticed, you can only go to Zhengyangmen.

More than half an hour later, Wang Jianfeng arrived at the Zhengyangmen Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

"Comrade, we want a Forever 1940-bar bicycle." Wang Jianfeng said to the salesperson. At that time, Forever was the top domestic bicycle brand, founded in , and was also the most common bicycle on the market.

The saleswoman was a pretty middle-aged woman in her thirties, who was eating melon seeds boredly at the counter.

After the founding of New China, production was vigorously restored. In July, Fei Ge brand bicycles were established in Tianjin. In addition, the city became a national center, and the supply of bicycles increased, getting rid of the previous situation of difficulty in finding one.

At this stage, the country is vigorously developing. Although bicycles have a wide range of uses, they are not a necessity in life. Some people with good conditions buy them for the convenience of travel, and those with poor conditions don’t care about them. After all, nowadays, having enough food and clothing is the top priority. Most people barely survive on coarse and fine grains.

The salesperson didn't even raise his head, but squinted his eyes as he looked at the young man in his twenties in front of him.

Curiously asked, "Are you sure you want to buy a bicycle?"

Many people were walking around, and when they heard Wang Jianfeng's voice, they all looked over curiously. Most people who can buy a car these days are in their thirties.

These days, a family income of around 20 yuan would require an ordinary worker to go without food or drink for half a year to buy a bicycle. For any family, this was as big an event as getting married, so everyone would come to watch. Moreover, the supply and marketing cooperative would only sell one bicycle every ten days or half a month.

Wang Jianfeng looked at the salesman's suspicious expression and said, "We really want to buy a car. Why would we come all the way here to make fun of you? Are we free? Or are you not selling cars?"

Seeing this, the salesman quickly apologized: "Excuse me, comrade, we have business, so we have everything to sell. I'll take you to the back to look at the car."

There are not many people buying things at this time, especially bicycles, so the salespersons spend most of their time eating melon seeds out of boredom.

"What brand do you want?"

"I want a Forever 28-bar."

The salesperson calculated and said it would cost 175 million.

Wang Jianfeng took out his bag and counted out 175 million to the salesperson. The salesperson took the money and counted it. Seeing that the money was correct, he quickly issued a receipt and took Wang Jianfeng to the garage to pick up the car.

The salesperson was now enthusiastic from the bottom of his heart, and introduced Wang Jianfeng: "Comrade, you really have good taste. Forever brand bicycles are of good quality and durable. If you ride them on the street, the female comrades will chase you to look at you."

"How old are you this year? Do you have a partner? Where do you work? Do you want me to introduce you to someone?"

After walking a few steps, the salesperson kept chattering. Wang Jianfeng felt helpless listening to the salesperson's praise. What a gossip talent, what a matchmaker spirit.

Arriving at the garage, Wang Jianfeng was very happy when he saw the brand new bicycle. He finally had his own bicycle. Although it was just a bicycle, he finally didn't have to walk everywhere. Then he looked around like he was looking at a woman. As expected, for a man, a car is his little wife.

As I was pushing the car out, the salesperson said, "This is a new car. You need to take the invoice and work permit to the police station to get a stamp for record."

Walking out of the department store, everyone around looked at the bicycle in Wang Jianfeng's hand with envy.

Soon, he stepped on the pedal with his left foot, lifted his right foot, and flew away, his movements were smooth and flowing. Don't ask why I rode a bicycle when I bought it for the first time. I don't know how many bicycles I have ridden in later generations.

I arrived at the police station, handed in my receipt of purchase, and paid another 30,000 yuan. Soon the bicycle was stamped with a steel stamp, and it was already past five in the afternoon.

Then I bought two steamed buns and went back to the guesthouse.

It seems that this bicycle is not very suitable for purchasing supplies now. Some equipment must be equipped, otherwise the bicycle can only carry a few dozen kilograms.

According to the weight of the car, it should be no problem to load more than 100 kilograms. It seems that we can only design a carrying frame and put it on the shelf. This is not difficult. We just need to find a bamboo craftsman to help make one. However, I have just arrived and I don’t know where to find a bamboo craftsman. I can only ask the people in the guesthouse first.

After living here for a few days, I have become familiar with the people in the guesthouse.

"Uncle Guo, I want to make two bamboo baskets. Do you know of a bamboo craftsman nearby?"

"As for bamboo baskets, you can buy them at the supply and marketing cooperatives."

"That kind won't work. I need this to be custom made. As you can see, I rode a bicycle back today. It was given to me by my employer for purchasing. I need to make two bamboo baskets to carry the supplies."

"Okay, let me think about it. There seems to be a bamboo basket maker over there in Beiluoguxiang. He's quite famous. You can find his shop by asking over there."

"Okay, thank you. I'll go over first." Wang Jianfeng thanked him and walked over there.

A few minutes later, Wang Jianfeng came on his bicycle.
When we arrived at Beiluoguxiang, we asked around and found the place. The bamboo craftsman's surname was Qian and he lived in the front yard of No. 23.

"dong dong dong"

"Master Qian, are you home?"

"Young man, what's up with you?"

"It's like this, I want to order something from you."

"Okay, come in and tell me what you want to do."

"I want to make two bamboo baskets to put on the bicycle racks. You can connect them in the middle like a saddle. But you must make them strong. They must be able to hold at least 100 kilograms. Also, you need to make a chicken coop for me. It should be 150 centimeters long, 100 centimeters wide, and 100 centimeters high. The upper layer should be rainproof. You can also make a feeding trough and a water trough."

"If these can be made into carrying frames, they can be made tomorrow. There are ready-made baskets. You just need to connect the middle to make a rack. For chicken coops, it will take two days and the cost will be about 15 yuan. You need to pay 10 yuan as a deposit first," said Master Qian.
"Okay, no problem. I'll come get the basket tomorrow. It may take a few days for the chicken coop to arrive." Wang Jianfeng
"Don't worry, I will do it right"

"Thank you for your help. It's getting late. I'll go back first and come back tomorrow," Wang Jianfeng said and I turned around and went back to the guesthouse.

(End of this chapter)