Chapter 3, Major Issues

Rising slightly from his seat, Guo Shouyun sat down beside his younger brother, patted him on the shoulder, and continued, "Indeed, compared to a few years ago, what we have now is something we wouldn't have dared to dream of back then. However, society is constantly developing, and money is gradually losing its value. Think about it, six years ago, I was working day and night in a factory, earning thirty-seven yuan a month. Although it wasn't wealthy, it was enough for us three siblings to live without worry. But what about now? What can thirty-something yuan do today? The same principle applies; now we have over a million in assets, but in a few years, with the continuous development of society and the rising economy, how long can this million sustain us? As the older brother, I am afraid of being poor; I no longer want to live those days of worrying over a few yuan. Of course, I don't want you and Dongting to suffer alongside me. You and Dongting are not young anymore; I am considering that in a few years, you will be getting married and starting a family, and Dongting should also find a man. You two are my only relatives in this world, and as your older brother, I want to ensure that your weddings are splendid and that I can prepare a lifetime of financial security for you. How do we achieve these things? They all require money. Think about it, can I not work hard for a few more years?"

"Well, you have observed quite well," Guo Shouyun said with a smile, "Now, use your little brain to think about it and see what abnormal things you can come up with."

Brother, I understand everything you said. To my elder brother, Guo Shoucheng, I am genuinely grateful. He said, "But I feel that we do not need to take risks like we are now. It would be much better to do it the way we used to, only dealing in goods that the old Russian government allowed for import. Wouldn't that still allow us to make money? I believe if we follow our previous methods and continue for another four or five years, our money could multiply several times over..." I believe if we follow our previous methods and continue for another four or five years, our money could multiply several times over..."

"I just feel that we don't need to take such risks right now," Guo Shoucheng said as he sat down in front of his brother, his brow furrowed. "Brother, think about it. We have already earned enough over the past few years. The money we have saved is sufficient for the three of us siblings to live comfortably for the rest of our lives. So, if that's the case, why should we take such risks?"

"Brother, isn't the cost here too high? Ninety-five rubles for one night, let's find another place," Guo Shoucheng said with a worried expression as he looked at the luxurious hotel room. "I think the 'Susha Inn' where we originally stayed was quite good; it has convenient transportation, affordable prices, and..."

"That is true," Guo Shoucheng nodded in agreement, yet the unease on his face did not diminish in the slightest. After a moment of hesitation, he cautiously said, "However, brother, isn't the risk we are taking this time too great? Three hundred thousand cigarettes is no small amount. If we get caught by those 'Gray Skins' (Soviet police), we would at least have to endure ten years of hard labor in Siberia."

"Hey, it's not just related; it's significantly related," Guo Shouyun said thoughtfully as he took a puff of his cigarette. "Let me tell you, the bank across the street is the French-owned Industrial Bank. Do you know what its presence here signifies?"

He casually handed the bellboy two ten-ruble tips to send him away, closed the door, and then smiled, saying: "Alright, Shoucheng, don't be so petty. We must remember that we are here to accomplish significant matters. If we don't stay in a high-end hotel like this, how can we attract those greedy old Russians?"

A brand new starting point? ! '' Guo Shoucheng was once again confused. With a distressed expression, he said, `` Brother, please don't speak in riddles. You've completely muddled me. Just a moment ago, you said the old Russians were about to reform, and now, in the blink of an eye, it has turned into a new starting point. Your words are so vague that I truly do not understand. ''

"What is abnormal?" Guo Shoucheng looked at his brother in astonishment, and after a long pause, he stammered, "Brother, how, how did you find out about the library? Is someone trying to target this bank?"

Guo Shouyun said at this point, glancing at his watch, and then continued, "Let's see what differences there are between them. Hmm, I need to go out to meet two people now. When I return, tell me what you have thought of. Oh, and also, keep an eye on Dong Ting; don't let her run around. This place is different from back home, and it's her first time here, so don't get me into trouble."

Oh," Guo Shouyun walked to the sofa in the room and lazily lit a cigarette for himself, then casually asked, "What is it, Shoucheng, do you have any other thoughts?"

Not understanding?" Guo Shouyun glanced sideways at his younger brother, smiling oddly.

"Come, follow me," Guo Shouyun extinguished the cigarette butt in his hand, then stood up and pulled his brother to the window. "Do you see the Xingye Bank across the street? What do you notice?"

"You are half right," Guo Shouyun smiled and said in a relaxed tone, "I do intend to make a significant profit during this period. However, for us, this is not the final period; rather, heh heh, it is the arrival of a brand new starting point."

"Not bad," Guo Shouyun said with a smile, "The fundamental reason our business is so easy to operate and so profitable lies in the semi-isolation policy that the Russians have consistently implemented. They focus on the development of heavy industry while neglecting investment in consumer goods industries. Moreover, they also restrict imports in this area. In this situation, their citizens have money but cannot buy the necessities they urgently need, which creates excellent opportunities for people like us to make money. However, now the Russians can no longer sustain this situation; they plan to adopt a reform and opening-up approach similar to ours. Once this policy is truly implemented, a large influx of foreign consumer goods will arrive in a very short time, shattering the livelihood we have been holding onto. Shoucheng, think about it, when that time comes, how will we still earn money from the Russians?"

"How many more years do you think we can keep this up? Hey, you silly boy," Guo Shouyun ruffled his younger brother's hair and then pointed to the large floor-to-ceiling window on the right, saying, "Do you think a business like ours, which is so easy to run, can last for several more years? You saw it when we entered the hotel; what is that crowded place across the street for?"

I understand your point, my brother. You intend to take advantage of this final period to make a significant profit from him

"You little rascal, where have you been?" Guo Shouyun said with a laugh and a slap on his younger brother's head, "What does it matter to us if someone is targeting that bank? What I want you to look at is... well, never mind, take a look at this Industrial Bank, and then look at that old Russian Central Bank next to it. Oh, and that Labor Hetushu.com.com Reserve Bank (a type of commercial bank in the Soviet Union)"

I don't understand," Guo Shoucheng shrugged and said helplessly

Brother, do you mean that although Guo Shoucheng lacks knowledge, he is quite clever? This simple hint from you has allowed him to grasp the key point.

What does it mean? Guo Shoucheng asked in confusion

"I saw the bank, as for what I discovered..." Guo Shoucheng hesitated for a long time while surveying the tall building across from him, and then said, "I just noticed that this building is very beautifully constructed. Well, there are many people in front of the door, hehe, the business should be quite good."

Oh, it should be a bank, right? Guo Shoucheng instinctively glanced out the window. From his position, he could see the neon sign on the roof of the building across the street. However, unfortunately, he only recognized the word "bank" in the Russian text on the sign. "What does it matter how many years they can do business with us?"

"Hehe, Shoucheng," Guo Shouyun said, gently blowing out a smoke ring. "You are still too young. Your understanding of this world remains stuck in the days when we struggled to make ends meet. It is precisely for this reason that you place such great importance on everything we have now."

"This means that the Soviets have begun to implement comprehensive reforms," Guo Shouyun said, "These reforms are similar to our domestic reform and opening-up, but their steps are even larger than ours"