Li Long thought for a moment, then said:
"Director Qian, I actually do have a tiger pelt... but it isn't mine. I own a share of it..."
"Really?" Director Qian's eyes lit up. The vehicle suddenly swerved, and Director Qian turned to scold Xiao Si:
"Xiao Si, keep the car steady!"
Xiao Si murmured an acknowledgment, feeling rather ashamed. He still lacked composure.
Li Xiangqian also stared wide-eyed at Li Long and asked:
"Really? Xiao Li, you really have a tiger pelt?"
Li Long nodded and said:
"When I went to take part in the Winter Slaughter, my herder friends gave it to me. Section Chief, you know I'm close to them. I often take them supplies, so they gave me this. I was thinking that if I could sell it, I could buy them some more things."
"Sell it to me!" Director Qian said at once, even reaching out to seize Li Long's arm.
"Xiao Li, let's make this a deal! Do you want money, or this Jeep? If you want the vehicle, we'll keep it registered under our Prefectural Supply and Marketing Cooperative, and you can have it! If you want money... fifteen thousand. How about it?"
Director Qian gritted his teeth as he named that figure. He didn't have much cash available, and fifteen thousand was his limit.
Both Xiao Si and Li Xiangqian, however, were stunned.
Fifteen thousand!
It wasn't that they had never seen fifteen thousand before, but was a single tiger pelt worth paying that much for?
That was enough to buy three tractors!
Li Long hesitated instead, saying:
"Director, to tell you the truth, I want the vehicle, but my tiger pelt has several bullet holes... I don't know whether it's worth that much..."
"The pelt is complete, right?" Director Qian had calmed