Chapter 006: Want to go out without an introduction letter?

Ma Feng stubbornly explained: "This is not it, what I want is from Hujiang Publishing House, what you have is from Ge Ming Education Publishing House"

Gu Chao did not want to stoop to her level. After some contemplation, seeing that no one was around, he took out a few dimes and asked her for a favor: "Auntie, how about this? Could you help me check if there is a book number for the 'Self-Study Series on Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry' published by Hujiang Publishing House, as well as the current distribution status of this series? Your bookstore should have records of that, right? It was published in 1964."

Ma Feng thought for a moment and gritted his teeth: "How about we take a long-distance bus to Hujiang to buy it this Sunday?"

Today is no exception

For instance, even in this mathematics book, at the beginning of the chapter on "Functions," it must first state: "The great leader teaches us: Marxists believe that the productive activities of human society and people's understanding develop step by step from the lower to the higher... Therefore, people's understanding of 'constants and variables' in the natural world also develops step by step from the lower to the higher..."

Currently, purchasing long-distance bus and train tickets requires a letter of introduction from the organization

Ma Feng: "Alright, I will start from the right side, and we will search separately."

Because each era's examination papers have their own unique traps. Familiarizing oneself with the current basis for question-setting is always beneficial, as it can help prevent overthinking during the exam

Perhaps some may feel that Gu Ao, after all, emerged from the fierce competition of the college entrance examination in later years, and has encountered all sorts of unconventional and bizarre questions. Even if many pieces of knowledge have not been used for years and have been returned to the teachers, the tutoring books from the 1960s should hold little value for him

The female salesperson exuded the demeanor of a state-owned enterprise employee, and without a doubt, she pulled out a book: "Yes, isn't this the 'Self-Study Series on Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry'? Is your eyesight not good at such a young age?"

However, during lunch, Ma Feng returned in a hesitant manner, looking as if he had no face to show: "Gu Ge, I am truly useless; the task you entrusted to me has been mishandled."

Gu Chao thought for a moment, and it seemed that this was indeed the case

Gu Ao gained a profound understanding of Ma Feng's strong sense of purpose in his work for the first time

Ma Feng did not understand why it had to be Hujiang Publishing House, so he could only go find Gu Ao

The saleswoman took out this book, which Ma Feng had also seen earlier, but the publisher is incorrect

Ma Feng: "Brother Gu, what is the title of the book?"

Ma Feng said somewhat timidly: "It's not that I came back directly—I wasn't willing to go back empty-handed. I asked many people and finally went to the Gongchen Bridge dock, where I bought two tickets for the boat to Suzhou tonight. The tickets don't require a letter of introduction, but the conditions are a bit harsh; we have to sleep on the deck for a night. Actually, the price is even cheaper than by car. I just don't know if you can handle it... We can make it by bringing the bicycle on board, and tomorrow morning we can ride the bicycle from Suzhou to Hujiang after getting off the boat." The tickets don't require a letter of introduction, but the conditions are a bit harsh; we have to sleep on the deck for a night. Actually, the price is even cheaper than by car. I just don't know if you can handle it... We can make it by bringing the bicycle on board, and tomorrow morning we can ride the bicycle from Suzhou to Hujiang after getting off the boat.

Gu Chaoqi said: "What happened? Didn't you get in line? Were the tickets sold out?"

The female salesperson immediately became displeased: "Hey! How can a child speak like that? So just because it’s in the textbook, you have to make things difficult for others? Your thinking is very dangerous! You will definitely grow up to be a narrow-minded person!"

It is not that I couldn't get a ticket; rather, it is that purchasing long-distance bus tickets requires a letter of introduction—it's also my fault for not having traveled far before, and I didn't anticipate this.

The external effects brought by this set of books quickly became less noticeable

Therefore, he can only insist on saying: "It is very important, if one wants to take the university entrance examination in the future, it is essential to study according to this set of books"

The questions in the 1980s were simple, and during the grading process, it was required to write the proof process in detail

Additionally, in science examinations, there are many major questions that require the calculation of process points, and the level of detail required for the process varies across different eras

After ten minutes, I had gone through all the middle school and high school materials, and even scanned other educational resources, yet I gained nothing.

As the elder brother, there are naturally expenses that come with the role, and one cannot expect the underlings to cover the costs

Every day after school, I would come to chat for a while, actively asking if there was anything I could help with or errands I could run

Gu Chao understood that this was not Ma Feng's fault, so he comforted him by saying: "So you came back? It's fine, I will think of another way."

Gu Chao was afraid that the saleswoman would shout, so he had no choice but to hand over a few dimes again, seeking confirmation: "Is it really out of stock? Is it impossible to have any unsold items left?"

Gu Chao casually replied: "I am going to Xinhua Bookstore to buy a few reference books, but I am not sure if I can find them. I will have to search slowly."

"Of course, I will pay for the money; you are just running errands for me." Gu Ao was quite straightforward about this.

Saying this, he handed Ma Feng a five-yuan banknote

Specifically for each question, for example, if it is about calculating compound interest, one must add a sentence: "The great leader teaches us: Never forget the class struggle. So now let us settle the evil account of the compound interest exploitation of the poor peasant YYY by the dog landlord XXX."

Similarly, by the time of the college entrance examination in 1978, it was heard that those who had this set of books the previous year were admitted to universities, and all to prestigious ones. Consequently, candidates from all over the country who had a bit of money were willing to sell their possessions to purchase this set of books

Gu Chao was taken aback upon hearing this, and then he felt truly foolish for not having thought of such a thing.

... ...

Instead, the books are placed on the counter like in a department store, where one can only see the titles through the glass, and only after paying can one flip through them

It is certainly somewhat exaggerated to say that the "Self-Study Series on Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry" in 1977 was equivalent to the "Nine Yin Manual"

The same problem-solving steps, when placed in a high school exercise book of the 21st century, might simply be glossed over with phrases like "it can be seen that" or "it is evident that." If Gu Ao were to also dare to say "it is evident that" during the exam, he might very well lose all the points for the process.

As it is the provincial capital, the bookstores in Qiantang are relatively well-stocked, and they are also organized by counters, which makes it easier for Gu Ao.

In the morning, Ma Feng did not come to school. Gu Ao knew that he had gone to queue for long-distance bus tickets and did not find it problematic

Gu Chao listened, and his furrowed brows gradually relaxed: "You are quite capable, at first glance, you clearly have the potential for speculation and profiteering!"

Ma Feng quickly said, "Then I will accompany you. I am very skilled at Taobao; as long as it is available on the market, I can definitely help you find it"

Brother Gu, your praise is also a form of mockery towards me

The long-distance bus ticket from Qiantang to Hujiang costs 2 yuan each, which is equivalent to the price of 3 jin of pork. The excess fare will naturally be returned to him.

Perhaps due to the influence of money, coupled with the fact that the social atmosphere has loosened compared to six months ago, the female salesperson finally revealed: "I can't say there is absolutely none, but there definitely isn't any from outside. If you want to buy, go to Hujiang and look for bookstores that cooperate directly with local publishers. There might be some unsold stock from over a decade ago."

Considering the few dimes and Gu Ao's humble demeanor, the saleswoman's eyes darted around a few times before she ultimately agreed

Gu Chao then explained to her: "Auntie, this is really different; the questions and difficulty level are far apart. The set you have from the Songming Education Publishing House is just a collection of easy questions meant to fool people."

Therefore, the "Nine Yin Manual" must be purchased; this matter cannot be overlooked

He is aware that there are few long-distance buses nowadays, even between major cities like Shanghai and Hangzhou, with only two buses each in the morning and afternoon. Therefore, tickets are in high demand, and it is quite normal not to be able to purchase them

Ultimately, it still relies on information asymmetry

After a while, the female sales clerk returned from the back, angrily announcing: "I knew you were not good people! That set of books has not been printed for a long time! They are old books from over a decade ago, and there are no highest directives at the beginning of each chapter! Who would dare to print such reactionary and specialized textbooks? I advise you to honestly buy from the Songming Education Publishing House instead!"

The two individuals took a bus that cost 5 cents, traveling from Ba Zhong to Guan Xiang Kou, where they found the largest Xinhua Bookstore in the city located on Jie Fang Road

The current Xinhua Bookstore, of course, does not have a database, but there are still physical indexes available for reference, all categorized into several dozen large volumes. In this day and age, books are also scarce, and the legitimate publications from formal publishers have updated distribution statuses.

It is important to note that the textbooks used for science and engineering courses today have all been published in the last ten years

The two individuals left the bookstore feeling dejected, and Ma Feng also felt that he had not been of any help, leaving him somewhat embarrassed.

It has been decided in such a pleasant manner

The current superficial and perfunctory textbooks are truly disappointing, and he has witnessed this with his own eyes

One can imagine that if the scene were shifted to the municipality of Shanghai, since it is originally a book published by a local publisher, it is possible that thousands of people could access it. Those few educated youth, if they were to return to their hometowns to take the exam, might not necessarily be able to gain admission to Jiaotong University.

... ...

Due to his assistance in fighting and taking responsibility, Ma Feng has recently become completely subservient to Gao Ma, becoming his little follower

Gu Chao nodded: "This is the only way left."

Gu Chao picked up his backpack and was about to leave when Ma Feng obediently followed him, asking, "Gu Ge, what are the plans for today?"

The reason why that plot in the TV series is so convoluted is primarily due to the relative poverty and isolation of Anhui Province, coupled with the hasty notification of the examination. On average, there are only a single-digit number of candidates in each prefecture-level city who possess this set of books, which makes the impact so pronounced

Upon hearing Ma Feng's explanation, Gu Ao was immediately struck with the impulse to slap his forehead

The set of practical and informative reference books mentioned by Gu Ao was published 66 years ago, and at that time, it naturally did not include so much personal content. Therefore, it later became known as "white specialized publications," which were prohibited from being published or printed.

Even in the province of Wu and Yue, where Gu Ao is located, although it is poor, the information is ultimately not as isolated as in Anhui Province. It is also impossible to completely replicate the kind of success depicted in television dramas.

If one is truly too poor to afford it, then one should copy it by hand oneself

He does not have much pocket money, so he cannot cover the expenses

Gu Chao was unaware of the extent of the disparity involved, but he did not wish to take any risks

This issue cannot be viewed in such a manner

Ma Feng was feeling embarrassed, so he caught a sales clerk and asked, "Excuse me, do you have the 'Self-Study Series on Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry' here?"

Train tickets are cheaper, therefore there are more people in line, which is also inconvenient

The only thing he is not accustomed to is that bookstores in this era are not like supermarkets, where readers can pick up books, browse through them, and then decide to purchase.

It seems that I am still not familiar enough with this era

This is a person who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals

After the arrangements were made, Gu Ao did not take it to heart. That day, he returned home and continued with his homework and review as usual, and the next day he attended class as usual

After all, the old book was portrayed as so impressive in the television series

He asked Gu Ao: "Brother Gu, is this set of books really that important? Is it absolutely necessary to have this edition? Are the revised versions completely useless?"

The female salesperson couldn't understand: "Hujiang Publishing House? Hey, you little brat, why are you asking for so much? The titles are the same, aren't they the same book? It might just be a revised edition. Two yuan each, twenty yuan for a set, buy it or not!"

Ma Feng cleverly said, "Then I will take a leave tomorrow morning to queue up to buy long-distance bus tickets, but the ticket fare..."

Gu Chao: "The Self-Study Series on Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, published by Hujiang Publishing House."