When Li Long was eating breakfast the next morning, he saw Director Dai. His complexion was noticeably poor, and Li Long smelled alcohol on him.
Seeing Li Long, Director Dai smiled and invited him to sit with him. Li Long simply asked about going to the nearby Consignment Shop and Antique Shop that morning to see if he could buy a few things.
"You like old things?" As soon as Director Dai heard where he wanted to go, he understood. "Do you have Foreign Exchange Certificates?"
"No, but I have some US dollars," Li Long said. "You know how it is back home. Russians come over to trade and buy things. They like hides, and I have a Purchasing Station. I sell some of the hides I collect to them, and some pay directly in dollars."
"Hey, that's really something." Even Director Dai was rather envious of his ability to get dollars. "Do you have much? Could you exchange some with me? Don't worry, I certainly won't use the official exchange rate. We'll go by the market rate!"
Once again, Li Long experienced the power of US dollars in those days.
"I didn't bring much this time. How about this, Director Dai-shall I exchange a thousand for you?" Li Long figured he couldn't offer too much, but too little would be awkward, so that was what he said.
"Yes, yes, that's plenty." Director Dai was delighted. He had originally thought he would be lucky to exchange five hundred. After all, both renminbi and dollars had tremendous purchasing power at the time.
After breakfast, Director Dai went to get his money, and Li Long did the same. They then met in Director Dai's office.
"The market rate is between seven and eight to one now..." Director Dai took out a package