After leaving the supply and marketing cooperative's retail shop, Li Long still could not quite give up. He led his horse around the area by the reins, then spotted the cooperative's main gate.
It dawned on Li Long that going to the retail shop had been pointless. Purchasing was not the salesclerks' job. They only sold things; they were not responsible for buying them, so naturally they had brushed him off with rules and policies.
But if he met someone who actually handled purchasing, perhaps they would be more flexible?
Leading his horse and cart by the reins, Li Long came to the entrance of the cooperative's compound.
Black smoke rose from the chimney of the gatehouse beside the entrance. He could tell they were burning plenty of coal inside.
Li Long walked over and lightly tapped on the window covered with plastic sheeting. The door opened, and an old man looked at him and asked expressionlessly:
"Who are you looking for?"
"Have a cigarette, sir." Smiling, Li Long took a squashed pack of Daqianmen out of his pocket, pulled out a cigarette, and offered it to him.
The old man's expression softened a little at the offer. He took the cigarette and said:
"Just tell me what you need, young man. It's too cold outside, and I don't want to let all the warmth out."
Seeing the old man tuck the cigarette behind his ear, Li Long simply pressed the remaining half pack of Daqianmen into his hand and said:
"Sir, could you tell me who handles purchasing here at the cooperative, and whether he's in right now?"
"Purchasing? Are you looking to sell something, young man?" The old man glanced at Li Long's cart and smiled. He took the Daqianmen from behind his ear, put it back in