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After discovering the secret of the ability to absorb external energy for replenishment, Jiang Tao felt as if his meridians had been unblocked, and he was much more relaxed. Although the efficiency of this replenishment was not high and felt more like a "slow charge," it at least gave him hope for solving the "endurance" problem. This meant he could face high-difficulty technical challenges with greater composure and even make slight improvements to the scale and variety of Part Manufacturing within a controllable range.
With the biggest concern of energy resolved, another bottleneck—the sourcing of high-end, scarce components—became even more prominent. The batch of imported components he salvaged from the scrapped instruments at the City Textile Factory had alleviated his immediate needs, but they were ultimately hard to come by. To truly gain control over the repair of new and imported home appliances, and even venture into more precise fields in the future, he needed to find a stable and reliable supply channel for high-end parts.
"It seems it's time to head south," Jiang Tao decided in his heart.
In the late 1980s, with the deepening of reform and opening up, places like Guangdong and Shenzhen in the south had already taken the lead in national economic development. There were not only various joint ventures and foreign enterprises but also the largest and most vibrant electronic product market and parts distribution center in the country. There were even rumored special channels where one could find all sorts of "foreign junk." Whether it was for finding scarce components or understanding the latest technological trends and business models, going south was his best option at that moment.
He had discussed this idea thoroughly with Lin Wei. Although Lin Wei was concerned about his safety while traveling alone, she understood that this was an essential path for Jiang Hai Electronics to grow, so she ultimately chose to support him wholeheartedly.
"Don't worry about home or the company," Lin Wei said while helping him pack his luggage, carefully reminding him, "I will take good care of things with Master Liu and Wang Hao. While you're out there, remember to stay safe and not flaunt your wealth; take care of your health and don't overwork yourself; and… come back early." The last part of her voice carried a hint of unnoticeable longing.
Jiang Tao felt warmth in his heart as he held his wife's hand. "Don't worry, I'm just going to check out the market, buy some parts, and learn from their advanced experiences. I'll be back in no more than half a month. You’ll have to work hard at home."
He quickly packed his bag; aside from a change of clothes, the most important thing was bringing enough cash. He exchanged most of his savings for bundles of cash and carefully sewed them into a specially made inner belt. He also brought along several samples of his best "Jiang's Special Supply" parts that he had manufactured himself, intending to use them as a stepping stone to see if he could find potential partners or clients in the south.
After bidding farewell to his wife and children, along with his mother-in-law's countless reminders, Jiang Tao boarded the green train heading south.
Trains in the late 1980s were still crowded, slow, and noisy. The carriage was filled with a mix of sweat, smoke, instant noodle aroma, and various dialects from all over. Jiang Tao had bought a sleeper ticket, which offered slightly better conditions but still couldn’t escape the loud conversations of fellow travelers or the monotonous clattering sounds as the train moved.
Unlike others who played cards or chatted idly, he took out several books borrowed from the library about semiconductor principles and integrated circuits. Under the dim light of the carriage, he studied them earnestly. In his previous life as a mechanical engineer, he had dabbled in electronics but lacked systematic knowledge; this long journey was an excellent opportunity for him to catch up on lessons.
Occasionally, he would put down his book to listen to the conversations around him. Most people in the carriage were like him—carrying various dreams and heading south to Guangdong to seek their fortunes. They talked about Shenzhen's rapid development, about wealthy Hong Kong bosses, about huge business opportunities in electronic watches, recorders, and clothing wholesale… Although there was no shortage of boasting and unrealistic fantasies among them, their vibrant desire to change their fate felt genuine and infectious.
Jiang Tao also chatted briefly with a young man from a neighboring bunk who claimed to run a small electronics processing factory in Shenzhen. From him, Jiang learned more about the southern electronics market—where to find comprehensive parts suppliers, where specialized "foreign junk" dismantling markets were located, as well as some local "rules" and "insider knowledge." This information was far more specific and practical than what was reported in newspapers.
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