ExtraOrdinary Genius
Chapter 5 – Selling the bear
On the morning of the New year’s second day, Feng Xingtai
along with Feng Yu loaded the bear onto a tractor cart which will be pulled by
the fifty-five horse-power tractor. Feng Danying also tagged along as she says
she wanted to meet up with a classmate in the city.
Feng Xingtai is not aware of anything but Feng Yu knew. He
remembered his brother-in-law had already started dating his sister. However,
he did not expect his sister to be so brave as to visit her boyfriend in the
city.
The driving compartment of the tractor is not big. So, Feng
Yu and his sister can only sit on the metal mudguard above the tires.
They reach the city after 3 hours. It was the second day of
the new year. There are many people on the streets but no shops were open. They
are not able to get any new clothes.
However, they are going to an international hotel which is
open during this time.
“Hello, I am looking for Manager Yu.” Feng Yu said.
“Young man, why are you looking for him?”
“I have a bear to sell to your manager Mr. Yu Chun Yuan. I
had called up last night.”
“Ah, are you Mr. Feng’s son? Wait a minute, I will call our
manager. ”
After about two minutes, a middle-aged man in a suit and tie
came out. Manager Yu is followed by two chefs dressed in white chef clothing.
All three look at Feng Xingtai, making him nervous.
“Hello, Mr. Feng. Bring your bear over. I bought two chefs along
to take a look at your bear. Don’t worry. We will give you a reasonable price.”
Manager Yu said while shaking Feng Xingtai’s hands passionately.
“The bear is in the tractor cart outside.”
While they were speaking, sounds of people talking loudly were
heard outside. Feng Yu rush out hurriedly. He is afraid that someone would
damage the bear’s hide or steal his bear away.
At the door, he saw two “Lao Mao Zi” (Soviets), looking at
the bear. Fortunately, Feng Yu studied Russian in his previous life. Not only
he is able to speak Russian, he has no problem reading and writing. He
understands that they are amazed by the ferocious black bear. If they are able
to buy the bear’s hide back, they will certainly be basking in the limelight in
front of their friends.
“Sir, I had hunted this bear with my friends. I intend to
sell the bear’s meat to the hotel but we do not intend to sell the bear’s hide
and bear’s bile.”
Kirilenko turned and looked at Feng Yu, surprised. This boy
is only about fifteen or sixteen years old. How could he understand Russian?
And he said that he hunted this black bear? Don’t tell me he is from a
legendary Chinese hunting family?
The marksmanship is too good. All the wounds are on the head
and there is no other damage to other parts of the body. This boy is really a
sharpshooter. I must buy this bear’s hide back and tell everyone that I have
hunted this bear in China.
“Friend, I am very interested in this bear hide. I just want
the hide and I can give you a very high price for it.” Kirilenko said
seriously.
“How much? I’ve contacted a buyer and he is giving me a good
price for it.”
“How much is he offering? I will double what he offered!”
Kirilenko said.
“He offered ten thousand dollars!”
Kirilenko considered for a moment, and said: “Ten thousand?
Then I will have to offer twenty thousand? A bit expensive though, but no
problem. I want this hide.”
“I am talking about Ruble!” Feng Yu added. At the current
exchange rate, 1 ruble is equivalent to 3,4 RMB.
Kirilenko frowned. This Chinese buy is greedy. Ruble is
worth much more than RMB.
“Impossible. If it is 20,000 RMB, I can pay you immediately.
I don’t have anything more than that.”
Kirilenko did not know that his reply to Feng Yu indicates
that Kirilenko really wants the hide and is willing to accept the price of
20,000 rubles.
“It’s a shame then. I am going to sell the hide to another
foreigner from the Soviet Union too. He is willing to pay 10,000 rubles.” Feng
Yu said and turn around with no hesitation.
“I can also offer 10,000 rubles,” Kirilenko said urgently.
“No, we agreed that you will pay double. 20,000 rubles. I
can hire people to help you skin and treat the hide.” Feng Yu replied.
At this time, Feng Xingtai and Yu Chun Yuan are looking at
Feng Yu shocked. Feng Yu could actually converse to Soviets in Russian? But
what are they talking about? They can’t be discussing a deal to buy the bear,
right?
Kirilenko discussed with his companion and nodded at Feng
Yu: “Fine. But you have to act fast. I will be returning to Moscow in a few
days time.”
“No problem, we can sign a contract.”
Kirilenko is convinced that Feng Yu is from a family of
hunters and also often deal with foreigners. If not, how come he have thought
of signing a contract. He also felt that Feng Yu is not only a splendid hunter
but also very smart. Kirilenko does not know about the market price of the
black bear hide, but he felt that he is paying more.
Feng Yu turned to Yu Chun Yuan said: “Manager Yu, I have
sold the hide. My father will skin it and bring it away. We can discuss the
price for the rest of the bear?”
Yu Chun Yuan seeing no objections from Feng Xingtai said to
Feng Yu: “Initially, I wanted to buy the whole bear. But now, without the hide,
I can’t offer you a high price. The bear should not weigh 300 jin. I will still
count it as 300 jin and offer you 1,500 RMB?”
“The price is too low even if the bear’s paw and gall are
not included. The bear, without the paw and gall, 3000 RMB, bear’s paw 1,000
RMB each and the bear gall is 2,000 RMB. Total 9,000 RMB. Feng Yu calmly
negotiate with Manager Yu.
“Mr. Feng, your son is not making any sense. He thought that
we will just accept whatever price he offered? 1,000 RMB for a bear’s paw?
impossible! I will offer a total of 2,000 RMB for the whole bear, including
bear’s paw and gall. This price is already very high! ” Manager Yu Looked at
Feng Xingtai said.
Feng Xingtai is not stupid, but he is not as eloquent as his
son. He shook his head and pointed at Feng Yu said: “He hunted the bear and
studied more than me. He will negotiate with you. If both of you can’t agree to
a price, we will find someone else. ”
“Someone else? In Bing City, other than our international
hotel, who can offer such a high price? Mr. Feng, this bear will not be fresh
if it is frozen for a long time. ” Yu Chun Yuan proudly said.
“Manager Yu, do you think the two guests who just went in is
willing to offer a high price for the bear’s paws and gall? Also, with such a
big bear, your restaurant is able to offer exotic dishes. I think the party
leaders will be willing to dine here if they know about these dishes.” Feng Yu
said. He is not willing to lower the price as he felt that the bear is worth
this price.
If it is a few years later, black bears can still be traded
legally. But at that time, the bears are so rare that a bear can sell for hundreds
of thousands. There are many rich people who are willing to pay to eat a bear
dish. A cooked bear’s paw dish is able to sell for 100,000!
“You… young man, but the price you want is a too high price.
1,000 RMB for a bear’s paw? Do you know how much rice you can buy for 1,000
RMB? Your whole family can’t even finish those rice in a year!”
“Well, they are coming out. If you are not interested, I
will sell to them. They were asking about the price earlier but I told them
that I promised to sell to you first and they gave up.” Feng Yu said as he
points to Kirilenko and his companion.
Yu Chunyuan gritted his teeth and said: “7,000 RMB for the
bear without the hide. In addition, I will help you skin the hide for free.”
Feng Yu smiled: “You must also treat the hide within a week.
We can sign the contract now!”
PS1: Wildlife Protection Act, only starts at the end of
1988.
PS2: Contracts have existed since ancient times.