86: Linhe's large supermarket has opened!

Zhongyang Street, the most bustling area of Harbin.

Today, it was packed so tightly that not even a drop of water could trickle through.

Gongs and drums resounded to the heavens, and colorful flags fluttered in the breeze.

A large shopping mall, three stories high, was draped in red cloth, featuring four large gilded characters—[Lins Supermarket].

The large poster written on red paper at the entrance was quite eye-catching.

"Color TVs! Refrigerators! Washing machines! All in stock!"

"Lins Special Supply, ten times compensation for fakes!"

These days, everyone went to the Supply and Marketing Cooperatives or Department Stores to buy things.

The shop assistants there were all incredibly snobbish; everything was locked in glass cabinets, and you'd get a dirty look just for glancing at something, let alone touching it.

But this Lins Supermarket was different.

Word was that you could touch and look at anything here as you pleased!

And there was even a warranty!

In the Harbin of '92, this was simply huge news!

A stage had been set up at the main entrance.

Lin Chuan's second older brother, Lin He, was wearing a brand-new suit, his hair combed until it was sleek and shiny.

Holding a microphone and looking at the dense crowd below, his calves felt a bit like jelly.

Although he had practiced many times over the past few days, he was still nervous now that it had come down to the wire.

"Everyone... fellow townsfolk!"

Lin He cleared his throat, his voice broadcasting across the entire street through the loudspeakers.

"I am the general manager of Lins Supermarket, Lin He!"

"Today is the grand opening of our Lins Supermarket!"

"I know that when everyone usually buys things, the biggest fear is encountering fakes! Fearing that it'll break after getting it home, and then having to argue with people who won't take responsibility!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the folks in the audience nodded one after another.

"Exactly! Last time I bought Erguotou at that Department Store, it tasted like horse urine when I got home! Fake liquor!"

"My color TV was fine at first, but after two months, it was all static. When I went to return it, they said it was man-made damage. It made me so angry!"

Seeing that everyone resonated with him, Lin He's courage grew.

"But at my Lins Supermarket!"

"None of that is an issue!"

Lin He gave a grand wave of his hand, pointing at the mall behind him.

"Every bottle of liquor and every pack of cigarettes sold here has our unique Lins Anti-counterfeiting Label!"

"As long as it came from my place, if you find even one fake, I, Lin He, will compensate you ten times the money on the spot!!"

"And!"

"The large appliances you all care about!"

"As long as it was bought from me, no matter how long you've used it, if a problem arises, bring it back! We have a dedicated maintenance department! We'll fix it for you for free! If it can't be fixed, we'll replace it with a new one!"

As soon as these words came out, the entire audience was in an uproar.

This service!

This promise!

It was simply unheard of!

"Good!!"

"This boss is straightforward!"

A burst of cheers erupted from the crowd.

However, just then.

A few discordant voices suddenly emerged from the crowd.

"Psh! Who can't say nice words?"

A man wearing a leather jacket with a face full of scowls squeezed to the front and shouted loudly.

"Ten times compensation for fakes? Once you close your doors, where are we supposed to find you?"

"Exactly!"

Another thin man also joined in the heckling; they were clearly together.

"And free maintenance? When the time comes, you'll definitely say this isn't covered and that isn't covered, finding every way to cheat us out of our money!"

"Don't believe him, everyone! This is just tricking us inside to fleece us!"

"I think their goods must all be defective, otherwise how would they dare to boast so much?"

"They're probably planning to stay open for a while and then run off with the money!"

"Ten times compensation! Northeasterners really know how to brag!"

As these few people shouted, the crowd that had been boiling with excitement just a moment ago suddenly became a bit hesitant.

That's true.

There were many scammers these days.

This Lins Supermarket was a new big supermarket; could it be trusted?

Hearing this, Lin He was so anxious that he broke out in a cold sweat.

"No! That's not it! We are for real!"

"We have credibility!"

"How much is credibility worth?" The scowling man got even more worked up. "Who can't make empty promises? What evidence do you have?"

Those troublemakers below the stage were hired by the managers of several nearby Department Stores.

If Lins Supermarket opened, wouldn't it be taking away their livelihood?

They had to mess it up!

Seeing the atmosphere cooling down, Lin He was somewhat at a loss.

Just then.

A large hand steadily took the microphone from Lin He's hand.

Lin Chuan.

He had gotten onto the stage at some point, dressed in casual clothes with a calm smile on his face.

The confidence and aura radiating from his very core instantly suppressed the clamor of the entire venue.

He didn't even spare a glance at those disruptive clowns.

This kind of low-level questioning wasn't even worth his explanation.

In this era of wild growth, explanations were the most futile thing.

Only the most direct benefits could blast through everything!

The money-driven approach was the strongest and most efficient tactic: use money to attract people, and then use quality to retain them.

Then use word of mouth to draw in even more people!

This was the best and most sustainable tactic!

"I am Lin Chuan."

Four simple words.

The audience instantly fell silent.

Who in Harbin didn't know Lin Chuan's name now?

He was the big tycoon who had spent over ten million to buy two factories and even got Huang Bancheng sent to prison!

Lin Chuan held the microphone, his gaze sweeping across the venue before landing on the troublemakers with a contemptuous smile.

"Someone is questioning us?"

"It's fine; questioning is normal."

"I can't be bothered to explain."

"Whether the quality is good or the service is up to par isn't determined by words, but by everyone's experience!"

Lin Chuan took a deep breath, his voice suddenly rising:

"I'll only say one thing!"

"To celebrate our opening!"

"Today! All products in the store!"

"Including color TVs! Refrigerators! Cigarettes, liquor, candy, and tea!"

"Are all fifty percent off!!"

Boom—!!!

If Lin He's words just now were like throwing a stone.

Then Lin Chuan's words were simply like dropping a nuclear bomb!

Fifty percent off?!

Is this a damn discount? This is a bone-breaking discount!

This is literally throwing money away!

Burning money—Lin Chuan could afford it!

Building a reputation by showing results was what mattered most!

"Fifty percent off?! Did I hear that right?!"

"A color TV worth a thousand yuan can be taken for five hundred?!"

"Canned goods for 2 yuan are being sold for one?!"

"Holy crap!! What are you all still standing around for!!"

The troublemakers from a moment ago were instantly submerged in the vast ocean of the people's war.

Who still cared whether you said it was real or fake?

At fifty percent off! Even if you bought back a brick, it would be worth it!

Not to mention Boss Lin had such a huge net worth; would he really cheat people for this little bit of money?

"Boss Lin is awesome!!"

"Open the doors!! We want to go in!!"

"Grab everything!!"

The crowd's eyes were bloodshot with excitement; their enthusiasm could practically set the building on fire.

Lin Chuan looked at the boiling crowd, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

Having money meant he could be this headstrong.

He turned to his second brother, who was still in a daze, and said:

"Second Brother, you see that?"

"This money-burning tactic is the real dimensionality reduction strike."

"Get ready to set off the firecrackers!"

"O-Okay!"

Lin He was so excited his hands were shaking as he picked up a lighter and lit the "Great Earth Red" firecracker string, which had a full ten thousand bangs!

"Crack-pop-bang!!"

The deafening sound of firecrackers rang out, and red paper scraps danced in the air.

"Open the doors to welcome the guests!!"

As the doors slowly opened.

That scene was simply like a zombie siege!

Hundreds of customers flooded into the supermarket like a tide.

It was only because Lin Chuan had arranged dozens of security guards in advance to maintain order; otherwise, even the door frames would have been squeezed out of place.

Upon entering the main doors.

Everyone was stunned.

"Oh my god!!"

"This place is so bright!"

The hall, spanning several hundred square meters, was brightly lit, and the floor was polished so well it could reflect a person's silhouette.

What shocked them the most was.

There were no glass counters separating people from the goods at all!

All the products were neatly stacked on open shelves.

Whatever you wanted to see, you could just reach out and take it!

Want to feel the texture of that thermos? Feel it as much as you like!

Want to smell that soap? Smell it all you want!

"This... this is too bold!"

An elderly man held a jar of Lins Fresh Fruit Preserves; its specially made frosted black lid looked high-end.

"Aren't they afraid of people stealing?"

"Sir, we have surveillance here, and we trust everyone's integrity!"

A sales assistant nearby, wearing a uniform, gave an incredibly sweet smile.

"Come, come, come! This is the tasting area!"

"Lins King of Kings Ham Sausages! Freshly prepared! Try them for free!"

A waft of meaty aroma drifted over.

A table stood over there, with sliced ham sausages on toothpicks arranged on a large, full platter.

"You can eat this for free?"

Hearing this, everyone swarmed over in a rush.

"Mmm!! This taste is amazing! It's all meat!"

"How is this corn sausage so sweet? And this crispy sausage, the spice is so satisfying!"

"Fifty percent off, right? Give me a whole box!"

"I want two boxes too!"

Over at Chu Yueli's side, half of the King of Kings stock was snatched up before it could even be officially shelved!

Walking further in.

That was the self-operated braised food section.

Braised pig trotters, roasted chicken, and marinated eggs were bright red in color and smelled fragrant.

There was also freshly baked bread, as soft as clouds.

"These braised pig trotters are only three yuan? Give me four!"

"This bread is so soft! I'll buy two for the kids!"

The second floor was for daily necessities, cigarettes, and liquor.

The cigarette and liquor boxes really did have those shiny Anti-counterfeiting Labels on them.

"This liquor looks authentic! Fifty percent off! I can buy two bottles for the price of one! Give me five cases! I'll store them at home to drink!"

The third floor was the appliance section.

It was even more crowded here.

The televisions and tape recorders were all powered on, with clear pictures and loud sound.

Everyone could directly try adjusting the channels and listening to the sound quality.

This kind of immersive shopping experience was like opening the doors to a new world for people in the 90s!

"This big color TV looks so clear!"

"I'm buying it! Buying a big color TV at fifty percent off will give me so much face when I go home for the New Year!"

"This refrigerator is great too; it's so big, imagine how many dumplings it can freeze!"

Long queues formed in front of the cash registers.

Everyone was pushing fully loaded shopping carts, their faces beaming with the joy of having gotten a huge bargain.

Although they were spending money, it felt like they had earned a hundred million!

By the railing on the second floor.

Lin Chuan and Lin He watched the explosive scene below.

Lin He was so excited his eyes were turning red.

"Little brother!"

"This is way too popular!"

"I just did a rough calculation; in just this half hour, the turnover must be hundreds of thousands!"

"Even though it's fifty percent off and we might not make a profit or even lose a bit..."

"...our reputation has been completely established!"

Lin Chuan lit a cigarette, looking at the bustling prosperity.

"The more we lose, the more we earn!"

"I want everyone in Harbin, and even the entire province, to only look for our Lins brand when they buy things from now on!"

"Just watch, Second Brother. This is only the beginning."