Tonya was a glorious teacher of the Soviet people. After work, she did not go home immediately but patiently finished her tasks in the class. She assigned work for the next day to the class monitor and student cadres, applied some pressure to the mischievous ones to teach them to control their impulses, and gave serious warnings to those children who had already shown problems.

Her husband, Korchagin, had been a secretary of the Komsomol (Youth League). Tonya had learned many working methods from him, which proved very effective when applied to education.

By the time she returned home, the sky was nearly dark. Tonya had already bought groceries, but before she could start cooking, there was a knock at the door. The wife of the Deputy Secretary of the Education Bureau stood at the door holding a dish. "Dear Tonya, you just got back, right? This is a dish made at my home, let's share it."

In the Soviet Union, everything was graded by rank, and each rank had corresponding treatment. The KGB caught thousands of corrupt elements every year, and most of those netted were cadres discovered because they enjoyed things beyond their rank. For example, if a section-level cadre enjoyed the treatment of a division-level cadre, there was definitely a problem.

Tonya lived in Korchagin's apartment, and the neighbors were cadres of similar status. Soon, the wives of the secretaries of the Kiev Industrial Bureau and the Transportation Bureau also arrived at Tonya's place with dishes they had cooked. Everyone was of roughly the same rank, so there was no issue of currying favor. Tonya had a gentle personality but did not just drift with the current. As a teacher, her conversation was elegant. Naturally, everyone liked to sit at Tonya's home.

The neighbors brought several dishes, and Tonya could not finish them alone. Neither her husband nor her children were at home, so Tonya deftly made a pot of borscht and chatted with the female neighbors while they ate.

The Soviet Union had begun to produce automobiles, ending the history of Russia being unable to build cars. As the families of high-ranking cadres all bought cars, middle-ranking cadre families also mostly considered buying one. The women talked about the news they had heard: domestic cars were striving for improvement, but compared to imported cars, the failure rate was obviously higher. The purpose of buying a car was to facilitate life, not to add annoyance, so naturally, they wanted to buy cars with low failure rates.

Chatting while eating, the women quickly reached a conclusion. If the quality of Soviet domestic cars improved a bit, they would of course buy domestic. At this stage, the most suitable car to purchase was the Hongqi (Red Flag) car produced in Changchun, China. The Hongqi car had a very low failure rate and the price was also cheap. In the latest hierarchy formulated by the Soviet Union, the Hongqi car was positioned as a vehicle that deputy division-level cadres were permitted to own. This meant that if the families present bought a Hongqi car, there would be no trouble.

The wife of the Deputy Secretary of the Education Bureau was anxious to buy a car, but after hearing the introduction, she still had some hesitation. Tonya was a teacher and did not understand the quality of cars. The expert was Dasha, the wife of the Transportation Bureau Secretary. Dasha herself was an engineer at a machinery plant, a professional through and through.

"Dasha, why are the cars allocated to deputy division-level cadres better?"

This question was also the most puzzling point for the other ladies. Logically, cars for higher ranks should be better.

Dasha actually did not quite understand why the quality of the Hongqi sedan performed so well either, and could only offer some guesses based on professional knowledge. "Perhaps the climate in Changchun is relatively similar to the Soviet Union? I heard that south of the Yangtze River region in China, it doesn't snow in winter."

Several ladies were surprised. "It doesn't snow! Can it really not snow?"

Such surprise was not because the ladies were uneducated, but simply because Russians could not imagine what a winter without snow would look like. Dasha looked at Tonya. "Tonya, your husband has been to Shanghai, he should be clear about it."

Tonya thought for a moment, supported her waist, stood up with her pregnant belly, and walked into the bedroom. Before long, she brought out a photo album. The ladies gathered around and saw over a dozen photos of Korchagin on a business trip to Shanghai, China. In the photos, a relatively thin Korchagin was on streets, at docks, by the seaside; behind him were massive equipment, streams of cars and bicycles, and tall buildings.

Regardless of the background, Korchagin in the photos was wearing thin short sleeves. The large number of Chinese people in the background were mostly the same. The ladies looked at the dates on the photos: from the end of October to early November 1922. The ground in the background was dry, and not a single snowflake could be seen. According to the time, it would already have started snowing in Russia.

While the ladies were clicking their tongues in wonder, Dasha suddenly said, "How about we consider traveling to China this year?"

Although they did not know the details, the Soviet Union had indeed recently begun to relax tourism management, especially for travel to China. Groups allowed to travel to China had already appeared. Travel to cities near the Sino-Soviet border was free, while these ladies could apply to travel to further places. For example, Beiping, Tianjin, Shanghai. The destinations one could choose for travel were also linked to the strict Soviet hierarchy.

In the last two or three years, China had suddenly gone unmentioned in Soviet newspapers and media. For ordinary Soviet people, this did not matter much. Originally, they paid no attention to China anyway. But the wives of officials did not see it that way, because Chinese commodities were quietly entering every aspect of the Soviet Union. It was just that previously these goods still had Chinese-made labels with Chinese characters, but now the labels had changed to Russian. Efforts were made to prevent people from associating these goods with Chinese manufacturing.

The view of the official class was completely the opposite; the interaction between the ladies' husbands and China had increased greatly. The Soviet Union imported a large amount of technical equipment from China to build factories, and the products of these factories, especially heavy industrial goods, were being exported to China in large quantities. Although the ladies did not understand why China did this, the increase in workload made them very curious about China.

Seeing the discussion veering off course, the wife of the Deputy Secretary of the Education Bureau quickly pulled the topic back. "Everyone suggests buying a Hongqi car? Are there other good cars to buy?"

Dasha replied, "Don't ask for trouble." As soon as this was said, everyone nodded. Someone couldn't hold back and whispered, "The fourth floor." Hearing this, several ladies immediately glared at that one.

The term "fourth floor" was not some folk taboo, but rather that two people from the KGB lived on the fourth floor. No one liked corrupt officials, but even less did anyone want to be targeted by the KGB. "Don't ask for trouble" was undoubtedly an excellent choice for self-preservation.

By the time Korchagin returned home again, Tonya had already prepared the meal. The couple chatted while eating. Seeing that Korchagin was in a good mood, Tonya then asked him if he had a ticket for a Hongqi car.

As it happened, Korchagin really did have a ticket for this model of vehicle for deputy division-level cadres. Korchagin did not quite understand why Tonya had become so fond of foreign things. Regarding whether to buy Soviet domestic cars or imported cars, the cadres had discussions, and everyone wanted to buy domestic cars more. Now the cadres were all waiting for higher-end domestic cars to appear, so they were not in a hurry.

Facing his beloved wife, Korchagin had no will to criticize at all. Tonya had a very clear sense of her husband's mood, so she revealed a flower-like smile. "Dear Korchagin, just do this favor. Her family has three children!"

Just as they were speaking, the sound of little guys running outside came from downstairs. Korchagin's heart could not help but soften. Without looking, he could imagine the scene outside: a group of little guys who had finished eating were running out from their homes, forming a team like a pack of wolves running to play in the nearby small park.

Wanting to take good care of this bunch of little rascals was really troublesome. When work wasn't busy, Korchagin personally took his daughter to school, and the little one would dawdle, which was quite a hassle. Sending three little ones to elementary school and kindergarten in the morning was really very strenuous. Packing them into a car would save a lot of trouble.

Korchagin drank the borscht in front of him in a few gulps and said, "Tonya, let's go sit at the Deputy Secretary's house."

Tonya wanted to laugh but quickly put away her smile. She nodded very seriously. "Okay. We can only help them this one time."

Half an hour later, Korchagin and Tonya left the home of the Deputy Secretary of the Education Bureau. The Deputy Secretary lived on the fifth floor and didn't dare send Korchagin into the hallway at all. He just thanked them profusely at home, quietly opened the door to see them out, and then immediately closed the door.

Korchagin lived on the third floor, so he didn't feel much about it. As someone who came from the revolutionary army, Korchagin actually felt some affinity for the KGB and could understand the hardships of these comrades well.

One week later, the Deputy Secretary's family finally picked up the car. Compared to the appearance of cars produced by several Soviet auto plants that imitated American and European luxury cars, the styling of the Hongqi car was very plain. Yet, it gave a feeling of gentleness and elegance. Looking at this car, Korchagin couldn't help but remember his trip to Shanghai, China.

China's strength had left a deep impression on Korchagin. The prosperity of that city, as well as the warm climate—Korchagin really couldn't imagine there was such a comfortable city in the world. What left an even deeper impression on Korchagin was Guangzhou, because after discussing the production of pesticides and fertilizers in Shanghai, Korchagin was ordered to go to the pesticide production base over in Guangzhou. The hot climate of Guangzhou was almost unbearable for Korchagin. Even in early November, the temperature was even hotter than summer in Kiev. Korchagin doubted whether he could stand it if he went to Guangzhou in the summer.

The feeling the Chinese people gave Korchagin as a whole was this kind of gentleness and elegance. They lived peacefully, looking enthusiastic yet self-controlled. It was hard for Korchagin to connect such a country with the tough nation that defeated Japan and Britain. As for the Qing Dynasty that was defeated by Russia, Korchagin was not very clear on exactly why Russia had defeated China.

At this moment, Comrade Deputy Secretary of the Education Bureau happened to come downstairs with his children. Seeing Korchagin, he immediately revealed a smile. "Comrade Korchagin, are you going out? Do you need a lift?"

Korchagin hurriedly shook his head. "No need, I was just about to go home."

Soon, the car started up. The Deputy Secretary rolled down the window and waved to Korchagin. Quickly, the car entered the wide road and drove in the middle of the street.

Korchagin suddenly thought about whether he should also buy a car. The car Korchagin used now was assigned by his work unit. Korchagin had never thought about using the public car for private purposes; the car given by the state naturally had to be used for official business. But seeing that he was about to have two children, Tonya also needed a car. Korchagin himself didn't have anywhere to spend money, and the family's money was all managed by Tonya. He didn't know if their current savings were enough to buy a car? Now the government had introduced a policy called installment payments. This was actually a very good method. Korchagin decided to buy a car for himself and give it to Tonya to drive.

Korchagin did not expect that at this time, the manufacturer of the Hongqi car, the Changchun Automotive Group, was conducting a discussion regarding the Soviet market. The Deputy Section Chief of the Soviet Section of the Ministry of Commerce of the Republic of China was sitting on the podium, lecturing with spittle flying. That's right, not introducing the situation, but lecturing.

Originally, this should have been a discussion meeting. The report produced by the head of the after-sales department showed that from 1932 to 1933, the demand for imported auto parts in the Soviet Union increased by 361%, and whole vehicle exports increased by over 300%. In recent years, among the top three clients in Changchun Automotive Group's internal regional division, the Northeast region ranked first, the Soviet Union ranked second, and Inner and Outer Mongolia ranked third.

Originally, the Hebei region ranked second. Following the relocation of the capital, the economy of the Hebei region had actually become active. After the establishment of the Automotive Group in Tianjin, Changchun Automotive Group's sales in Hebei stagnated. Although the overall demand for automobiles in Hebei continued to increase, the new market share was eaten up by the Tianjin Automotive Group. From a sales market perspective, Changchun Automotive Group now had to take the Soviet market very seriously.

The group management layer naturally knew all this, but when it involved the Soviet Union, everyone couldn't help but complain about the Soviet system. For China, especially for present-day China, the concept of "industry" had appeared in the philosophy of the He Rui government. Since it was an industry, it was naturally a commercial operation. In commercial operations, there were no distinctions of high or low status, only the concept that everyone is equal before money.

As long as one had money, one could purchase a car. As for where the money to buy the car came from, whether the person buying the car was male or female, old or young, it had nothing to do with the automotive group. Regarding the rules and regulations formulated by those departments managing traffic, what the automotive group had to consider was whether to comply. If they were unwilling to comply, how to exploit loopholes in the laws and regulations.

Overall, the industry itself was very relaxed. Although dealing with regulation was a headache, as long as the enterprise didn't cross boundaries or get up to any mischief, it wasn't too much trouble.

However, although Changchun Automotive Group was a state-owned enterprise, it was after all just an enterprise. An enterprise was not qualified to conduct equal transactions with a state like the Soviet Union. Previously, Changchun Automotive Group's exports were all conducted through Soviet procurement; the automotive group had no interface point for trade with the Soviet government at all.

Fortunately, everyone was from departments separated from the former Northeast government, and there were plenty of old colleagues. So they asked their old colleagues how to better expand trade with the Soviet Union. Unexpectedly, this directly alerted the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Commerce specially sent someone to give a lecture.

Originally, the group felt this was making a mountain out of a molehill, but once the course started, the group felt that things were really not as simple as imagined. To do business with the Soviet Union, one had to first figure out to what extent the Soviet Union had recently developed. Understanding the Soviet Union was like opening a new world.

For China, if you worked well, you got paid more; the principle was simple and clear. But the Soviet system gave Changchun Automotive Group, as a state-owned enterprise, a taste of a once-familiar flavor, as well as increasing helplessness.

If you said the Soviet Union was progressive, the hierarchy within Soviet management was strict, and many things became very pretentiously difficult. If you said it wasn't progressive, the distribution system implemented by the Soviet Union was actually very reasonable. It fully reflected the characteristic that the Soviet people were the masters of the country. An ordinary person could live very well for a month on 800 rubles, even a person with no productive capacity at all.

In the Soviet Union, housing allocation depended on family size, not rank. Rank determined whether one had a dedicated car and security measures. Looking at a plan list for an Oblast Committee Secretary, in terms of salary alone, as the rank went up, perhaps materially the planned salary only increased by a pack of cigarettes. But in terms of benefits, it was completely different: vacations to the Black Sea, Labor Heroes having lifelong fixed seats in cinemas and theaters, rotated every four years as stipulated by Stalin.

When all production was linked to planning, such a peculiar situation emerged. Salaries might not be high, but after being linked to rank and the audited labor level, the benefits made one drool with envy.

Moreover, this treatment was not just for normal situations; there were additional subsidies for special circumstances. For example, if an unmarried girl gave birth at 16, in China, this would be a major event sufficient to bring shame upon the family. The girl's life would likely be ruined.

But in the Soviet Union, such a matter took on a different appearance. The girl could apply to the government. During pregnancy, she would not accept any financial assistance from parents or other relatives; the state would provide living expenses for mother and child, and medical expenses for childbirth and hospitalization would be borne by the KGB.

That's right, this kind of accidental event was not the responsibility of the civil affairs department, but was the responsibility of the KGB, the department responsible for internal affairs.

From the time the child was seven months old, they started kindergarten until university graduation without paying tuition. There was a separate subsidy of 1000 rubles a month (3 jin of meat a day, unlimited bread, 2 dishes, plus 1 soup). The total monthly living cost was less than 800 rubles, and the extra 200 rubles could buy some clothes.

The loss for the 16-year-old girl was just delaying school for a year, and it might be hard to get married later. But that was the Soviet Union. Although they also held negative evaluations of chaotic relationships between men and women, the Soviet Union lacked population. As long as it was a child of the Soviet people, they would receive care.

In this environment, did the Soviet Union have consumption power? It really did, and it was very strong. But from the perspective of China's current policies, this consumption power was closely combined with the welfare system. If the Soviet Union did not want to provide such welfare, there would not be the related consumption.

The upper echelons of Changchun Automotive Group had thought they were just holding a meeting to expand the Soviet market, but they had to invite comrades from the Ministry of Commerce to lecture specifically for two days before they gained a rough concept of the "Soviet market."

Changchun Enterprise Group discovered that as an ordinary enterprise, even if it was majestic in the auto market of the Northeast region, it was helpless regarding auto sales to the Soviet Union. Watching a big piece of fat meat right by their mouth, they surprisingly could only accept Soviet orders completely passively. Although they knew in their hearts this was inevitable, that kind of unwillingness was unavoidable.

In the end, the group simply made a decision: "Let's just watch slowly."