Chapter 384: Great Help From New York Gangs

1980, May 9.

Two days before the New York Advertising Festival was about to open, seven people from Jiangshan came to Chinatown in lower Manhattan.

Chinatown is also known as Chinatown and Chinatown.

Chinese-style painted archways, Chinese-style green tile buildings...

In particular, the Hanxian signs in each house gave several comrades from the East the feeling of meeting old friends in a foreign land.

In this area where the Chinese are basically kings and hegemons, their main businesses are mostly Chinese restaurants, tea restaurants, mahjong parlors, grocery stores, and Chinese medicine shops.

Compared with other businesses, the business that attracts local Americans the most is undoubtedly Chinese restaurants.

After getting used to the arrogant, free-spirited Western faces outside, now looking at the Chinatown in front of me, I just feel that everywhere is a busy, meek and alert normal survival mode.

It happened to be lunch time, and seven comrades in twos and threes headed towards the Chinatown area.

Even before entering Chinatown, Chinese restaurants have already appeared on the street.

After officially entering the territory, the variety of signboards became even more abundant.

However, it was these large and small restaurants and snack shops that made a group of people strolling along the street see the seriousness of the problem.

Compared with the business scene of other shops where workers come and go to load and unload goods, and customers pick and choose.

The restaurants along the street looked deserted and dimly lit.

Even if I occasionally meet a few diners, they must all have oriental faces that look like me.

But compared to the Great Depression in various restaurants, what makes Jiangshan even more unable to take his eyes away are the notices posted at the door of the restaurant.

[Our meals do not contain MSG, no MSG is added to the dishes in the store, and all foods do not contain any MSG ingredients...]

At this moment, Zhang Lu, Jiang Shan and Wang Fulin were standing side by side outside a restaurant.

I looked at the notice on the door, which was all in English, and then looked at the table in the store that didn't have any customers.

Zhang Lu asked curiously: "What is written on it, business is suspended?"

Wang Fulin on the side didn't feel like it: "No way, there is no such thing as opening the door and suspending business."

Jiang Shan took a few steps back and pointed towards the street entrance: "From the beginning to here, every restaurant has posted a notice on the door stating that the food in the store does not contain MSG."

Not to mention restaurants, even dumpling shops and steamed bun shops have the same notices posted on them.

This scene is exactly the same as the historical description.

"Is this what it says here?" Wang Fulin was shocked: "It seems that foreign countries' aversion to MSG is more serious than we imagined."

Only then did he realize that Yu Sigui and Huang Hua, two comrades who were proficient in English, had already frowned with Jiang Shan.

Under Wang Shixiang's translation explanation, Huang Yongyu also shook his head: "Comrades, it seems that our task is very arduous."

"There's nothing we can do about it," Jiang Shan said truthfully, "We can't just open our mouths and force-feed foreigners MSG."

Although he said so, Jiang Shan really wanted to open their mouths.

"So are these people in Chinatown," Zhang Lu said with a frown:

"Have they never thought that if even their own Chinese restaurants said they would no longer stock MSG, then foreigners would be even less afraid to buy MSG!"

"You can't say that," Jiang Shan put his arm on Zhang Lu's shoulder:

"They are different from us. After all, they are a group of people who make a living within the enemy.

If even one's own survival is beginning to be difficult, how can one consider the survival of MSG. "

"That being said," looking at the notice posted on the store door, Huang Yongyu felt that Zhang Lu's words made sense:

"But the result of doing so will indeed only make foreigners misunderstand our country's MSG even more."

"Then what do you think we should do?" Wang Shixiang: "How about we tear up all these notices?"

"Are you planning to go out sideways?" Huang Yongyu looked sideways at the other party: "This is Chinatown? Not Fangjiayuan."

"I wouldn't even dare to go to Fangjiayuan." At this time, Wang Shixiang thought of a group of people in his hometown: "I don't know if there is a neighborhood committee in Chinatown, but the group with the red hoop has the most power."

"Your words reminded me," Jiang Shan had an idea after looking around.

"I don't know who has the final say here. If we can get his support, the problem will be much simpler."

At this moment, Yu Sigui also followed his gaze and said, "Why do I feel that Chinatown in New York is not as developed as Xiangjiang?"

"It's really not that good." Huang Hua on the side also had the same feeling: "It looks similar to Xiangjiang 10 years ago."

"How about we find a restaurant to eat and chat first?" Jiang Shan's eyes were fixed on a restaurant not far away: "By the way, let's try the Chinese food in New York."

"Okay, I just happen to feel hungry right now."

"You just feel hungry, my stomach has been growling for a long time."

“I’ve been eating in foreign restaurants for so many days, it’s time for a change.

After hearing what Jiang Shan said, everyone responded one after another.

After walking forward for more than ten meters, a restaurant with two small stone lions standing at the door appeared in front of everyone.

Before they could step through the door, a young lady wearing a green cheongsam came out with a smile.

"Feng Yingguang Leng."

As soon as I spoke, it was still in Cantonese.

At this moment, Huang Yongyu, who had been holding back for several days, suddenly found his home court.

After speaking fluently in Cantonese, several comrades sat down at a round table by the window.

It was clear without asking that the store wanted them to help serve as the restaurant's living signboard.

Jiangshan, who had just sat down, looked around casually.

In addition to them, there were four or five other tables of guests in the hall.

From the dragon and phoenix carved beams on the roof and several large palace lanterns hanging overhead, it can be seen that the decoration of this restaurant has invested a lot of money.

"This is a Cantonese restaurant. What do you want to eat?"

Huang Yongyu, holding the menu, asked while looking at it: "Bird's nest, shark fin... Let's forget about these. Xiao Jiang is our own comrade, we can't hold on to him."

Wang Shixiang smiled: "Just turn to the back."

Since Director Hou of the Tourism Bureau left New York and went to the next inspection site, Hong Kong.

The participating teams of the Advertising Festival have resumed normal accommodation and dining standards.

However, although the level of the hotel has been reduced, the standard of food is still very optimistic.

After all, there is still Jiangshan, a big household, to subsidize.

Jiangshan finally came to New York in the 80s, and he didn't want to be stingy and wronged himself.

Although he didn't dare to act rashly, it was not difficult to have a few good meals.

"Don't be polite, everyone,"

Since they were no longer outsiders, Jiangshan spoke more directly: "Except for abalone and bird's nest, you can order whatever you want."

Not to mention the government's hospitality subsidy, even if there was no government subsidy, he would not treat the people in front of him badly.

"Honey barbecued pork, crispy pigeon, dry fried beef noodles, black bean sauce spare ribs, barbecued four-piece..."

Huang Yongyu ordered a lot, not letting down his previous life experience in Hong Kong and Guangdong.

But after he finished ordering, he found that the people in front of him were all looking in the same direction.

Huang Yongyu turned sideways and saw that there was a TV hanging in the air in the hall.

[Did you know? MSG is made by microbial fermentation.

Let's explore the recycling ecosystem of MSG, which is made from sugarcane and other agricultural products...】

The advertisement being played on TV at this moment is an animated science advertisement commissioned by Pujiang Animation Film Studio after the Second Commercial Bureau adopted Jiangshan's suggestion.

Before the participating teams of the Advertising Festival came to New York, this MSG animation advertisement had already been broadcast on local TV stations.

"It's a good idea to broadcast a science advertisement about MSG in a Chinese restaurant," Jiangshan praised with his head raised.

It's obvious that the TV channel chosen by this restaurant is quite targeted.

Wang Fulin nodded: "It seems that the owner of this restaurant has not given up the idea of ​​putting MSG in the dishes."

"He is a smart man,"

Seeing that the guests at the other tables all have Asian faces, Jiangshan said directly:

"He knows that if the problem of MSG is not solved, the restaurant's business will not be good."

At least it will not be popular in recent years.

Even after that, Chinese food can only go the road of cheap and good quality, while Japanese food, which is quite good at making trouble, is becoming more and more cheap and good quality.

"When will our advertisement be released?" Huang Yongyu asked Jiangshan: "I feel like we can't wait any longer."

"It seems to be tonight," Jiangshan looked at Huang Hua: "Right, Manager Huang?"

"Yes, tonight," Huang Hua, who kept smiling, nodded: "The bureau chose a good time slot for "Wonderful Night in the Forbidden City" this time, so it was not scheduled until today."

The current Pujiang Advertising Company still takes over all the overseas advertising business of Pujiang City as before.

So all matters related to this aspect are handled by Huang Hua.

"That's good," Wang Fulin has begun to look forward to it:

"Now that the popular science advertisement of MSG has been broadcast, once our advertisement is released, it will be difficult for the export orders of MSG not to rise."

"The premise is..."

Before Huang Hua finished his words, a table of guests not far away suddenly turned towards this side.

Looking at the table of people coming over, it seems that none of them are easy to mess with.

Judging from the way some people dress, they are afraid that others will not see their shady dealings.

Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, even the waiter who was serving the dishes began to be careful about his actions.

At this time, a man sitting in a black shirt shouted across two tables: "Are you friends from the mainland?"

"Yes, we are all from China."

Although the other party spoke Cantonese, Huang Yongyu still replied in Mandarin: "What about you? People from Hong Kong?"

The difference between Cantonese Cantonese and Hong Kong Cantonese made Huang Yongyu immediately recognize the other party's place of origin.

"Hong Kong?" Looking at the man who was estimated to be in his 50s, he suddenly laughed: "That was a long time ago."

"Oh?"

"I have been in New York for many years."

"Are you not going back?"

"I can't go back. This restaurant is opened by me. Is it delicious?"

"I haven't started eating yet..."

In the conversation between the other party and Huang Yongyu, Jiangshan only understood a general idea and kept watching quietly.

Compared with the other people's defensive and unfriendly expressions, the oldest man looked very easy-going.

After just a few words, he came over and sat with Huang Yongyu: "My last name is Chen, and everyone likes to call me Brother Chao."

"Brother Chao?" Although he was in a foreign country, Huang Yongyu was still unwilling to condescend: "In what year was Mr. Chen born?"

"1928."

"You have to call me brother," Huang Yongyu said, "I am 24 years old."

"Brother," Brother Chao said cheerfully, then pointed at the TV and asked, "I just heard you guys talking about advertising. What happened? Did you make this advertisement?"

"Yes," Huang Yongyu nodded: "The current task of our team is to seek justice for MSG."

“Justice for MSG?”

Upon hearing this, Brother Chao suddenly stopped smiling: "You are thinking too simply. It has been a while since this cartoon advertisement was aired, but take a look..."

Brother Chao pointed out the window: "It's not useless at all."

At this time, Jiang Shan, who had been listening for a long time, finally spoke.

Although he had been listening half-comprehensively, he could at least get the general idea: "You have to keep broadcasting even if it's useless, otherwise your restaurant business will be even worse."

Jiang Shan looked at Brother Chao who was standing opposite him, and ignored the two heroes standing behind him.

"Now it seems that the Chinese restaurant's business is just poor," Jiang Shan began to bluff:

"We'll see after a while. Ingredients, seafood, condiments, etc. that are closely related to restaurants will be greatly affected."

Regarding the phenomena mentioned by Jiang Shan, they have actually already appeared in Chinatown.

Fortunately, there are a lot of Chinese in New York, even if some Chinese restaurants are closed.

His restaurant will not be affected.

Looking at the young man in front of him, Brother Chao was about to say something, but the other person spoke first.

"Do you think this is the end?" Jiang Shan continued to spread fear: "I believe you must know the purpose of foreigners coming to Chinatown, right?"

"Of course, they all come here for the Chinese food," Brother Chao said with a smile, "They can't come here to play mahjong, right?"

“One day there will be no more foreigners eating Chinese food,” Jiang Shan:

“Half of the restaurants in Chinatown will close. By then, whether they are rent collectors, restaurant owners or restaurant suppliers,

Or a large number of cooks and waiters... will suffer from the economic crisis, which will inevitably cause a series of coherent reactions in the future. "

"In addition, we might as well think more deeply," Jiang Shan also pointed to the TV:

"As you can see now, the idea that MSG is harmful to health is pure fabrication.

Those Americans can make rumors about MSG today, but they can make other rumors tomorrow.

The Chinese Exclusion Act was only repealed a few decades ago, have you forgotten?

You don’t even think about why they started with Chinese restaurants. Isn’t it because this is the business that attracts the most locals in Chinatown? "

Seeing Jiang Shan talking more and more energetically, not to mention Brother Chao's group, even Wang Fulin and Zhang Lu began to feel melancholy.

In 1880, New York’s earliest Chinatown was just a young tooth.

Gradually, residents from the coastal areas of Guangdong, Fujian, and Xiangjiang grew increasingly strong.

When they first arrived, they could only make a living from small restaurants, tofu shops, and laundries.

Gradually, casinos, tea restaurants, handicrafts, and porcelain shops...

Now, clothing processing factories, bathing centers, museums, bookstores, and one-stop smuggling and lending have also appeared one after another.

But no matter which development period it is, Chinese restaurants have always been the ones with the best business.

This meeting with Jiang Shan clarified the key point, and Brother Chao's sense of crisis immediately amplified.

Thinking again about the hateful "Chinese Exclusion Act", he slowly looked towards the country under the dark clouds:

"Although what you said makes sense, so what? Can Chinese restaurants be solved by just two advertisements?"

"Of course it won't work if it's an ordinary advertisement," Jiang Shan also slowed down his speech: "But fortunately, it's not an ordinary advertisement.

Domestic leaders also attach great importance to the current situation faced by Chinese restaurants in Chinatown.

After learning the specific reasons, the Propaganda Department and the Ministry of Culture immediately organized multiple departments to come forward to solve the problem.

The relevant departments not only allocated a special amount of funds for broadcasting, but also promised to purchase advertising broadcast time slots for a long time. "

This was the first time I heard that the relevant domestic departments would care about Chinatown. Brother Chao raised his lips indifferently.

But looking at Jiang Shan's serious and measured appearance, the trace of disdain hanging in the corner of his mouth gradually disappeared.

"This is Mr. Wang Fulin, the chief director of CCTV. Sitting next to him is Zhang Lu, the chief director of Pujiang TV Station."

Jiang Shan's performance continued, and the comrades whose names he called were also fully cooperating:

"Huang Hua, manager of Pujiang Advertising Company, Huang Yongyu, Wang Shixiang, commissioners of the Ministry of Culture...

In order to film a food commercial promoting Chinese food, the government not only allowed the crew to enter the Forbidden City for filming, but also moved out cultural relics from the Forbidden City to serve as props.

A team composed of experts from various departments came to the United States this time to participate in the New York Advertising Festival.

If our advertisement wins an award at an advertising festival, do you know how big an impact it will have? "

Brother Chao, who had been dumbfounded for a long time, finally understood: China has not only not forgotten their people who are drifting abroad, but also filmed an advertisement for them to solve the problem.

Not only him, but while Jiang Shan was chatting, everyone in the restaurant quietly gathered around.

"How much impact does it have?" Before Brother Chao could ask, the comrade who was sitting at the same table with him couldn't help but open his mouth.

"If we win the award," Jiang Shan said:

"Our Chinese food advertisement may be broadcasted on various TV stations in the United States, and it is more likely to be broadcast abroad.

Think about it carefully, New York is the center of the world. At that time, not only will the locals rush to Chinatown, but tourists from surrounding cities will also come.

Add to that the explanation brought by the MSG popular science advertisement.

I'm afraid that by then, your Chinese restaurants in Chinatown will not be able to rest even if they want to!"

Hearing this, Chao Ge, whose heart was already surging like a river, immediately raised his hand: "No need to say, when is the opening ceremony of the New York Advertising Festival?"

Jiang Shui: "The day after tomorrow . "

"You and you," Brother Chao pointed to two people in the crowd: "Go and drive a few Lincolns and Jiadeli over, remember to lengthen them."

"Okay, Brother Chao."

After the other party turned and left, Brother Chao looked at Jiangshan and smiled slowly: "Although I can't help with other things, I must make sure that you appear at the New York Advertising Festival in a glorious manner."

"Just pick the dress from me."

"Do you want me to follow you? If necessary, our Ghost Shadow will help you."

"Which hotel are you staying in now? How about I open a few luxury bags for you in the club?"

At this moment, other voices in the restaurant also rang...