Reborn in 1982: I Became the Richest Man by Repairing Cars

The Toyota Crown was one of the first luxury cars that Chinese people came into contact with after the reform and opening up.

Although in the eyes of later generations, it is not considered a luxury car at all, at least not in the same class as BBA (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi).

However, in China during the 1980s and 90s, the Crown was undoubtedly a high-end luxury car.

At this moment, a Crown with a rugged appearance and a retro, dignified feel is quietly parked on the sidewalk in front of the Yonghe Temple, a style completely different from the streamlined cars of later generations.

A crowd of passersby gathered around the car, craning their necks and pointing, their eyes full of wonder.

"Uncle, your company is really capable; you even managed to get your hands on this latest sixth-generation Toyota Crown."

As soon as Jiang Hui said this, Zhang Wuchao felt a little relieved.

It's not surprising that people can recognize this as a Crown – these days, anyone with a bit of worldly experience can recognize this luxury car from Japan.

It's quite remarkable that it can be identified as the sixth generation at a glance.

Zhang Wuchao, the company's designated driver, was specially sent to learn the ins and outs of the vehicle before he could truly understand its intricacies.

"Our unit is a bit special. This vehicle was only imported from Japan last year, and it was transported through a special channel."

Zhang Wuchao led Jiang Hui to the car, his face full of anxiety. "We just drove to the entrance of Yonghe Temple today, and it suddenly turned off. Now we can't start it no matter what we do!"

"When I turn the key, the starter motor turns quite powerfully, making a 'buzzing' sound without any hesitation, but the engine just won't start."

"Occasionally, you can hear a muffled 'poof' sound from the engine compartment, which makes the hood tremble a little."

"I tried several times, turning the key while pressing the clutch, turning the key while releasing the clutch, and even revving the engine twice before turning it, but it was all in vain."

Zhang Wuchao had already said this to several repairmen; he knew it so well that he didn't need to think about it and could just say it offhand.

"Old Zhang, you just hired this greenhorn to fix the car?"

A middle-aged man carrying a canvas toolbox came over, looking Jiang Hui up and down with suspicion in his eyes.

Judging from the looks of it, it was an outside help that Zhang Wuchao had just invited, but after all that effort, he hadn't gotten anything done.

"Car repair is all about skill, not wrinkles on your face or gray hair on your head."

This is my first business deal, and I absolutely cannot allow anyone to interfere.

So before Zhang Wuchao could speak, Jiang Hui retorted first.

"Oh ho! You've got quite the nerve. Today I'll see what you're capable of fixing this car."

The middle-aged man's face darkened, his tone full of resentment.

Jiang Hui ignored him and reached out to pull the driver's side door of the Crown.

The moment my fingertips touched the cold car door handle, a notification popped into my mind.

[A severely clogged air filter was detected in the Toyota Crown S110.]

[Solution: Remove the air filter and blow away the dust with compressed air in the opposite direction, or gently tap it to remove impurities.]

Jiang Hui ignored the others and reached out to open the driver's side door of the Crown.

The moment his hand touched the car door, the [Auto Repair Encyclopedia System] automatically activated and provided fault diagnosis information.

This is the biggest source of his confidence to give up his "iron rice bowl" job at a state-owned enterprise and choose to open a car repair stall at the entrance of the alley.

Without this system, even with his past life experience, he wouldn't dare to risk setting up a stall so easily.

The types of vehicles in the 1980s were very diverse, and apart from buses, he was not familiar with most of them. This little stall might go out of business any day.

But things are different now. No matter what car model or what problem it has, the system can tell you everything with a single test.

Although he already had a plan in mind, Jiang Hui was quickly calculating: should he immediately point out the fault and resolve the issue quickly?

Or do they pretend to fumble around for a long time, only to miraculously fix it at the end?

This is the ultimate test of human nature.

If the stall has already gained a reputation, he might slowly repair it, giving customers enough psychological expectation so that they feel their money is well spent.

But things are different now. Nobody believes in this greenhorn. If he's even a little slow, the other party might change their mind.

As Jiang Hui pondered this, he turned the key and test-drove the car—he had to go through the motions, otherwise it would be too unprofessional.

Sure enough, the situation was exactly as Zhang Wuchao had described: the starter motor was strong, but the engine just wouldn't start.

He pulled out the key, bent down and unzipped the engine hood, got out of the car and deftly lifted the hatch. He calmly said to Zhang Wuchao, "Uncle Zhang, I can fix this car. It's most likely a problem with the intake and exhaust system. Let me check the specific issues first."

This calm and skillful movement reassured Zhang Wuchao.

The few people we hired earlier didn't even dare to open the hatch easily, let alone guarantee they could repair the car.

"You're so sure it's an intake or exhaust problem just because you hear two sounds? Young man, you're being way too arrogant."

The middle-aged man came over again and advised Zhang Wuchao, "Old Zhang, you have to be careful. This car is very valuable. If it gets worse and worse after repairs, you might lose your job."

Jiang Hui turned to look at Zhang Wuchao, his tone steady: "Since your surname is Zhang, I'll call you Uncle Zhang."

"My name is Jiang Hui, and I live in Wudaoying Hutong. All the neighbors know me. You can ask anyone for me."

"If you feel anything is wrong while I'm fixing the car, feel free to stop me anytime."

He paused, then added, "I'm not bragging, but there aren't many mechanics in all of Beijing who dare to open the hood and start repairing this sixth-generation Crown S110."

"Its engine structure and engine bay layout are completely different from the BJ212 and AvtoVAZ that are commonly seen in China."

"You're lucky you ran into me today, otherwise this car would have had to spend the night in front of the Yonghe Temple."

He could tell that Zhang Wuchao was still somewhat hesitant. These days, people trust seniority and are naturally more suspicious of young people.

If gentle persuasion and pleading don't work, you have to get to the heart of the matter.

Sure enough, perhaps provoked by Jiang Hui's words that "the car will have to spend the night at Yonghe Temple," Zhang Wuchao chose to believe Jiang Hui.

Otherwise, the secret of the leaders coming to Yonghe Temple to offer incense might not be kept.

Zhang Wuchao turned and glared at the middle-aged man, his tone stern: "Old Li, as the foreman of the unit's maintenance team, you've been messing around for more than half an hour, and you didn't even dare to open the engine room."

"I haven't decided yet whether or not to report this to my supervisor."

"You either go back to your workplace, or you stay quiet and watch."

Clearly, his passivity today is inextricably linked to Old Li's helplessness and his incoherent remarks.

Seeing that Old Li's face was ashen but he dared not utter another word, Jiang Hui was too lazy to pretend anymore—since he had already gained trust, he might as well show everyone what he was capable of.

He reached out and pried open the clips on the air filter box with his bare hands, took out the filter element, and shook it in the sunlight (it was covered with dust and impurities).

I gently patted it a few times in my palm, then put the filter back into the box and fastened the buckle.

The entire set of movements was fluid and smooth, taking no more than two minutes.

He went back to the driver's seat, turned the key—"Boom!" The engine started smoothly and ran steadily and powerfully.

"Uncle Zhang, it's fixed," Jiang Hui said, pushing open the car door.

"Huh? It's fixed already?" Zhang Wuchao stood there, stunned, his face full of disbelief.

In less than five minutes, just by opening the hood, taking out the filter and patting it, the problem was fixed?

Old Li had spent a lot of time trying to figure out what the problem was, but he couldn't even find it.

"Come up and try it yourself and you'll see."

Jiang Hui stepped aside to make way, his tone resolute.

The onlookers and Old Li also gathered around, their eyes filled with surprise—this young lad really does have some skills.