Life 1984

Chapter 20 Business is not just business, it’s also human connection
In the 20s, there were many self-employed people like Li Yunhai who set up a table on the roadside and set up stalls to repair home appliances. There were also those who specialized in bicycles and watches. They could be found in almost every town.

Radios in this era were all discrete components, and they could be worked with just two tools: a multimeter and a soldering iron. Unlike later generations, where household appliances were integrated and intelligent, they couldn't be used without specialized maintenance equipment.Many electrical appliances in later generations don't even have a screw in sight, and you won't be allowed to repair them at all. You can just throw them away and buy new ones.

Not to mention, the advertising sign handmade by Lin Zhi is really good. It is several grades higher than Li Yunhai's own corrugated paper. It was placed under the tree and immediately attracted the attention of many pedestrians.Even an illiterate person can tell by looking at this sign that this is a repair stall.

A middle-aged man laughed and walked over: "Little comrade! I came to see you this morning, why aren't you here?"

When Li Yunhai saw that it was Director Lin, he stood up quickly, took out a cigarette, handed one to him, and said with a smile: "I rented a small shop and helped people repair a TV there in the morning."

Director Lin nodded repeatedly: "It's good to open a shop. You have such a good craft and you can make a living from it. Where is the shop located?"

Li Yunhai raised his hand and pointed: "It's at No. 106 Jiuru Lane. Director Lin, if I'm not here in the future, you can go find me over there."

Director Lin glanced towards Jiuru Lane, nodded and said, "I know where it is!"

He looked away and said with a smile: "I have a job, see if you can do it? A computer in our unit has broken down. I wonder if you can fix it?"

Li Yunhai still knew a little about computers in this era and asked: "What kind of computer is it? What is the fault?"

Director Lin thought for a moment and said: "It seems to be an East German computer. I have forgotten the specific model. It was purchased in 1980. The problem is that it cannot be turned on."

Li Yunhai was happy when he heard this: "Then I have to go and see it! Director Lin, don't worry, if I don't replace the components, I can fix it today. If I need to replace the components, then I have to find accessories."

Director Lin said: "Okay, then come with me and have a look!"

Li Yunhai cleaned up the stall and first went to the soda vendor nearby to buy two bottles of iced soda.

The soda vendor also got to know him. While giving him soda, he asked with a smile: "Did you take another job? Your business is good!"

Li Yunhai laughed: "I only earn two craft fees. It's a lot of hard work running around. You might as well be selling soda!"

The soda vendor smiled and believed it to be true. Thinking about it, how much money could a young man doing repair work make?Those who repair pots, pressure cookers, and bicycles don’t even see them making much money!

Li Yunhai handed a bottle of soda to Director Lin: "Thank you for making two trips, Director Lin."

Director Lin waved his hand, took the soda, and finished it in a few sips.

Li Yunhai also finished drinking the soda and returned the bottle to the vendor before setting off with Director Lin.

After arriving at the familiar unit, Li Yunhai was taken to the computer room in another building.

Seeing the malfunctioning computer, Li Yunhai called out, "What a guy!"
This is an East German computer with an all-steel casing, an all-steel casing monitor, and an all-steel casing keyboard!
The computer was produced in 1980 and has the model number Robotron PC1715.

Li Yunhai was not polite and immediately started repairing when he arrived.

He first checked the circuit and then disassembled the machine for inspection.

Li Yunhai has his own maintenance methods and testing procedures.

As long as you follow this procedure, you can definitely determine the fault within 10 minutes.

You can judge whether it can be repaired or not.

The power supply occupies half of the computer's chassis, and there are two large floppy drives. The circuit board is vertical. The cooling fan is fixed with sponge to reduce vibration. The frame blades of the fan are also all steel.The power supply of the monitor is connected to the back of the host computer. There is no hard disk and a large 5.25-inch floppy disk drive is used.

Li Yunhai first checked the circuit fault and found that there was no problem.

He then carefully cleaned the entire machine.

This is time consuming, but works well for most older machines.

The workmanship and quality of a machine like this is absolutely trustworthy. It is said that it can prevent nuclear explosions!
It's only been four years since I bought it. Logically speaking, there shouldn't be any major malfunctions.

Therefore, Li Yunhai judged that the gold finger of a certain part may be worn, or there may be poor contact, or there may be too much dust, or it may be loose.

All in all, in Li Yunhai's view, careful and careful cleaning and care can solve about half of the problems of old machines.It can also improve the operating effect of electrical appliances, reduce the maintenance rate of electrical appliances and the incidence of minor problems, reduce the operating noise of electrical appliances, extend the life of electrical appliances, effectively sterilize and remove pathogenic bacteria, and ensure the health of your family.

Ordinary maintenance workers only know how to repair something broken. They can repair it in three seconds and will never waste an extra minute.

Because such meticulous care is indeed time-consuming and requires patience, but it is naturally good for customers and machines.

During the cleaning process, Li Yunhai found out that the reason why the computer could not be turned on was because there was a problem with the cable connecting the floppy drive and the motherboard.The floppy drive needs to be plugged in and out frequently. Some people will push it in very hard. Over time, this affects the wiring port, causing looseness and poor contact.

He stopped and looked at Director Lin: "Director Lin, I can fix this computer's fault. We are old acquaintances, and I won't yell for a high price. Just 500 yuan!"

Director Lin was the director in charge of another department, and this computer was in charge of Director Gao of this department. The two directors discussed it.

Director Gao agreed happily: "As long as it can be repaired, 500 yuan is 500 yuan!"

Director Lin smiled and said: "Comrade, did you hear that? Let's do it!"

Li Yunhai agreed, carefully cleaned the interface, polished the gold finger on the interface with a screwdriver, took out the soldering iron and solder, and soldered the loose parts tightly.

After the processing was completed, Li Yunhai loaded the machine.

Turn on.

There was a loud whistling sound, which was the normal startup sound of an old computer.

"Hey! It can be turned on!" Director Lin and other staff shouted in surprise.Li Yunhai installed the floppy drive.

The computer successfully entered the system.

This kind of computer can play Tetris and the original Snake game.

As long as it is properly maintained, a computer of this quality can last another 50 to [-] years without any problem.It's just that after a few decades, this kind of computer has no big use, and it can only play cubes and snakes.

"Director Lin, come and see, the computer has been repaired." Li Yunhai smiled and gave up his seat, asking the computer operator from the other unit to test the computer.

In this day and age, let alone computer repairs, there are not many people who know how to operate computers.

If there are one or two computer-savvy employees in the unit, they are high-tech talents and can hold the key to the computer room.

Some units, in addition to computer rooms, also have special copy rooms. Even copying is done by dedicated personnel. Others are not allowed to turn on the computer without permission.

Workers who operate computers and copiers are also skilled workers. Their wages are higher than those of ordinary people, their work is easy, and they are respected by others.

Therefore, in this context, it is particularly impressive that Li Yunhai can repair a computer that cost tens of thousands of yuan!

Director Lin nodded with satisfaction. Li Yunhai was the repairman he called over. He completed the task well and gave him a pat on the back. He was naturally happy.

Director Gao gave a thumbs up: "I didn't realize it, little comrade, you are so awesome! No wonder Director Lin highly recommends you!"

Li Yunhai smiled modestly, thinking that he had only intended to make friends with Director Lin, and it seemed that he had made the right friend.

He successfully earned 500 yuan!

It is equivalent to 15 months of his salary at the Meishan County Machinery Factory.

After Li Yunhai collected the money, he went to the Sugar Industry Tobacco and Liquor Store where he bought cigarettes and alcohol last time.

The same male salesman was on duty before. He actually remembered Li Yunhai. He came up to him as soon as he saw him and said with a smile: "Comrade, are you here to buy cigarettes and alcohol again?"

Li Yunhai nodded, looked around, and when he saw no one else, he said, "I don't have a ticket. I want to buy four bottles of Maotai and two strips of Sanwu brand cigarettes. You can pack them separately for me. It's still the same price as last time."

The male salesperson looked understanding and said in a low voice: "I understand, but do you still have to wrap it in newspaper?"

Li Yunhai smiled slightly and took out the money.

He didn't have a ticket, so he negotiated to buy it.

The original price of Moutai is 10 yuan, but the negotiated price is [-] yuan per bottle.

Four bottles of Maotai cost 40 yuan.

A pack of Sanwu brand cigarettes costs 31 yuan, and two packs of cigarettes cost 62 yuan.

Li Yunhai counted out 102 yuan and handed it to the salesperson.

The salesperson was also a good person and asked curiously: "Comrade, which unit do you work for? You can spend so much money on cigarettes and alcohol as gifts, which shows that your income far exceeds this figure."

Li Yunhai smiled mysteriously.

The salesperson didn't ask any more questions and took four bottles of Maotai and two strips of Sanwu brand cigarettes, wrapped them in old newspapers, and then put them separately into several mesh bags.

Li Yunhai went out carrying cigarettes and wine.

Of these two gifts, one was given to Director Lin, and the other was given to Director Wu of the bank.Last time, Director Wu also introduced a copy machine maintenance order from the head office to him, but he didn't have time to give it a gift.

Director Lin and Director Wu are the connections that Li Yunhai wants to maintain.

There are no roads in the world, and if there are many people walking, it will become a road.

There are no connections in the human world. If you move around a lot, you will become a circle.

Li Yunhai had no friends in the provincial capital and could only make connections through his own efforts.

Repair, after all, is a business, selling technology and services.

Many times, business is not just business, but also human connection.

Too many people don't understand this truth, so business can't work or grow.

Li Yunhai thought for a while, turned around, returned to the tobacco and alcohol store, and spent 51 yuan to buy an extra gift.

It was still early, and Li Yunhai couldn't wait here for Director Lin to get off work. He stored the other two gifts at the tobacco and alcohol store, and then took one to the guard of Director Lin's unit.

Li Yunhai took out his cigarettes, took out two, and handed a double portion to the guard.

The guard recognized him and took it with a smile.

Li Yunhai put the gift for Director Lin on the table in the guard room and said with a smile: "Brother, these are some local specialties brought from Director Lin's hometown by someone from his hometown. He is at work, so I can't go in and disturb him. Wait. Please give it to Director Lin when he gets off work. If he asks who brought it, just say it was Li Yunhai."

The guard had seen Li Yunhai several times, and unexpectedly he was there, so he readily agreed.

(End of this chapter)