Years: Salted fish life since going to the countryside.

Chapter 861 It’s Hard to Find
The most famous, largest and most diverse trust stores in the city are Xidan, Caishikou, Tianqiao, Huashi, Xisi, Dongsi, Qianmen, Guang'anmen, Beixinqiao and Xinjiekou.

In front of every trust store there is a large group of scattered machinists who specialize in helping buyers deliver their purchases to their homes, but if you observe carefully, you will find that these people are divided into two factions.

Some of them are normal tricycle riders. They are managed by a unit called "Tricycle Society" and are not vagrants.

There are also some people who ride tricycles. They don’t have any work units. In later times, these tricycles were called “black cars.”

Most of these people who ride illegal tricycles have been released from prison. Various units refuse to accept them, and the tricycle clubs are also afraid that they will cause trouble and be difficult to manage. Without the indicators from their superiors, or the local street office or police station to intercede, no unit will choose them.

These people who have been released from prison also need to eat, but they just can't stand the hardship of picking up scraps, so they choose to work as illegal tricycle drivers. The local authorities turn a blind eye to this, as long as they don't cause trouble.

In fact, these people used to be called "woboer" and "kangjian". For example, Cai in a certain TV series had nothing and belonged to the industry of selling coolie labor.

The earliest and most formal Wobo'er originated from the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China. It was not something that could be done by just having a lot of strength. Although they sold labor, it was also a special industry at the time and required necessary training and solid skills to be competent.

In the past, when farmers in the old city moved their crops, merchants and common people married off their daughters, they feared that their gold and silver jewelry, porcelain, vases, shrines, statues, hardwood furniture, antiques and jade would be damaged by the jolting of carriages, so the Wobo'er was born.

However, these are all relatively expensive items. If untrained people make mistakes, they may not be able to afford the compensation even if they lose everything they have.

Therefore, there was a business that specialized in training and selecting Wobo'er at that time. Its original name was Shengziku, which was specifically for supporting the old witch of the Yehenara clan. What the superior likes, the subordinates must follow, and this was also the rise of the Wobo'er industry.

In the 1930s and 1940s, with the rise of carts and rickshaws, Wobo'er was promoted to Banerye and rickshaw puller, for example: Luotuo and so on.

Han Li came here today with the intention of buying things, so when he arrived at the door of Xidan Trust Store, which was the closest to his home, he first observed the people riding tricycles, and determined which ones were regular people and which ones were illegal taxis before walking in.

As soon as he entered the door, Han Li found that there was no change here from the last time he came here except that there were more goods, including the first counter "Lost and Found".

Han Li looked at the salespeople from some unknown counter who were sitting inside the counter and listening to music, shook his head silently, and went to the furniture section.

The stretch bed was still there. Han Li was not in a hurry to go forward to observe it. Instead, he took out a cigarette from a pack of cigarettes and handed it to the salesperson who was reading a book inside.

"Comrade, have a cigarette."

"you are?"

"I'd like to ask if we have a complete set of furniture here, preferably one from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It would be even better if there is a professional craftsman who can recommend one."

After Han Li finished speaking, the salesperson looked at him as if he was a fool. Nowadays, there are actually people who buy such expensive, impractical, and possibly troublesome things. However, when he saw the Huazi in his hand, he said.

"Then wait a moment, I'll go to the back and ask someone to come over."

"That's really too much trouble for you."

"You're welcome. With you and Huazi, I can make three trips."

As Han Li spoke, he took out a kerosene lighter and lit a cigarette for the salesman. He exhaled a puff of smoke, nodded, and went inside. Han Li then walked around and soon brought back a white-haired, glasses-wearing old man in his fifties or sixties. "This is Master Zhang from our Xidan Trust Store. He is an expert in antique furniture appraisal. His appraisal level is among the best in the entire city. If you have any questions, ask him. He is really the best choice."

After hearing this, Han Li took out the cigarettes again, scattered them around, and lit them for them.

At this time, Master Zhang looked Han Li up and down. Seeing that he was well-dressed and had a good demeanor, he was not like those people who came here to touch and look around, looking extremely greedy but only asking questions and not buying anything. So Master Zhang opened his mouth and asked.

"Comrade, what kind of furniture do you want?"

"To be honest with you, Master Zhang, I want a set of furniture made of high-quality wood from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The more the better."

"This is not easy to do. Even if the furniture is made of high-quality wood, it is easy to have problems after so many years. It is not difficult for us to find a few pieces in good condition, but it is not easy for you to collect a complete set of this."

When Han Li heard this, he knew there was a way. He could live off the mountain if he depended on it, live off the water if he depended on it, and live off the devils if he depended on the King of Hell.

Since Master Zhang is an expert in identifying antique furniture, he must have inventory or sources of goods, and now he just wants to gain some benefits from it.

"Master Zhang, you are an expert in this area. I would like to ask for your help in this matter."

"They are all praised by everyone, but I have been in this industry for a lifetime. In addition to some things in our warehouse that meet your requirements, I actually know a few people who have what you want, but I don't know whether they will sell it or at what price."

After hearing this, Han Li immediately took out a pack of unopened cigarettes from his pocket and stuffed it into Master Zhang's pocket and said.

"Then thank you for your concern. As long as it's a good item and the price is not outrageous, I can negotiate it."

"Then I'll go ask for you."

"Thank you for your hard work. I will definitely not let your help go in vain after the matter is accomplished."

"Okay, okay. Let's go check out the goods in the warehouse first. I'll go ask about the rest another day."

"Well, I'm still in school and don't have time on weekdays. How about we set the time for next Sunday? If the things suit your eyes, I'll buy them all at once. This way it will be easier when I ask someone to deliver them."

After the two men exchanged greetings for a while, Han Li left the trust store in Xidan. However, after he went out, he came to the leader of the two groups of tricycle riders he had just observed, took out a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes and talked while distributing them.

"Brother, are you guys busy with this job?"

"Hey, Daqianmen, I haven't smoked for a long time."

"Thanks, buddy. We can just make ends meet. With the way you're dressed and the cigarettes you're smoking, are you planning to do this?"

"No, I just want to find something for my buddies to do."

(End of this chapter)