China in Ten Words

Yu Hua discusses the concept of “grassroots” in China. He begins by sharing the story of a wealthy “blood chief” who rose from humble origins to immense affluence by organizing peasants to sell their blood. Yu Hua emphasizes that this blood chief’s success was not an isolated incident but rather a reflection of the broader entrepreneurial spirit that has fueled China’s economic growth.

Drawing from his own childhood memories, Yu Hua recounts his encounters with a local “blood chief” who exercised authority over blood vendors in his community. He describes how this individual cultivated respect and loyalty among the vendors by understanding their needs and offering them a sense of security. As times changed and blood banks faced shortages, this savvy blood chief adapted to the new circumstances, organizing large-scale blood-selling expeditions to other regions where prices were higher. Yu Hua marvels at the logistical feat of coordinating and controlling such a large group of people, likening it to a military operation or a religious pilgrimage.

Yu Hua expands on this theme by discussing the emergence of various grassroots “kings” in China’s rapidly evolving economic landscape. He cites examples such as the “garbage king,” the “button king,” and the “paper napkin king” (167), among others, to illustrate how individuals from modest backgrounds have managed to carve out lucrative niches by specializing in seemingly mundane products or services.