This time, Liu Shanmin brought a car across the border with Li Long and the others. After they reached Liu Gaolou's place and had dinner, Liu Shanmin called Li Long into his room and said:
"How was the hospitality this time? Both your leaders seemed quite pleased to me."
"More than pleased. They were extremely pleased," Li Long said with a smile. "Thank you so much. Sorry for putting you to so much trouble, too. I'll leave you half my profit from this shipment of white sugar to cover the hospitality expenses."
"No, no." Liu Shanmin waved his hand. "To tell you the truth, you gained something from this trip, and so did I. As I told you before, I spent money to get the Kazakh Union Republic's commerce authorities to back me up, and at the same time, I was letting them see what I could do.
"They can look into those two leaders of yours, too. Director Qian's rank isn't low, and they can confirm that. If I can invite a leader of that rank over, it shows I have official backing as well. That'll help me start working over here.
"Actually, you're helping me, too. Director Qian and Director Li's backgrounds are just right for what I'm doing now. In fact, they're providing cover for my real activities."
Li Long thought about it, and it was true. Director Qian and Li Xiangqian both worked in the supply and marketing system. These days, the domestic Supply and Marketing Cooperative sold just about everything, so it really could provide cover for Liu Shanmin's trading activities.
Li Long did not ask exactly what Liu Shanmin was doing, but he knew a thing or two. Compared with the goods sold by the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, those matters were what really