Go back to the prosperous days and become a layman

Chapter 447 446 Small Yellow Croaker

Tang Zhitong parked his bicycle, took out a cigarette and gave one to Tong Wang.

When Tong Wang saw the cigarettes, his eyes widened. These cigarettes were not expensive for him, but he had no channels to buy them. Now he was even more certain that Tang Zhitong had channels and could get good stuff.

"Master Tong, to be honest, I understand what you mean. However, the area of ​​your house is too conspicuous. There are those people to the east and west. I don't need to say more, right? I'm afraid of trouble." Tang Zhitong simply stopped pretending and expressed his concerns.

"Well, brother, you're overthinking it. A cunning rabbit has three burrows. I don't have only that one yard. We can find an inconspicuous yard to trade with later, right?" Tong Wang said happily when he heard Tang Zhitong agreed.

"Oh? Where do you have a yard?" Tang Zhitong was a little surprised. Housing is very tight right now, and last year they started renting houses. He really didn't expect Tong Wang to have such a trick.

"There is one set near the Bell and Drum Tower, and another set near the Sun Temple. Which one do you think is suitable? It doesn't matter if there is no suitable one. I can find another one." Tong Wang was afraid that Tang Zhitong would say that these two places were not suitable, so he didn't dare to say it.

"Forget about the Sun Temple, there are quite a few foreigners there. Is the Drum Tower facing the street?" Tang Zhitong pondered in his mind. Not only are there many foreigners at the Sun Temple, but the ladies with bound feet are also very discerning. It would be best not to provoke them if possible.

Tang Zhitong knew the Bell and Drum Tower. It was a residential area now, and it would remain a residential area in a few decades.

When the country was just liberated, most of the people in the city did not have clocks at home. In order to help people keep track of time, the bell tower and drum tower diligently told the time, allowing the people in the city to live with the sound of morning bells and evening drums.

The noise from this place happens several times a day, and it can wake up sleeping children.

Therefore, when choosing a location after moving into the city, few companies considered this area because the noise was a bit loud.

It was not until the telegraph building and the railway station started to use timekeeping that the bell and drum tower finally quieted down.

Apart from a cultural center, there doesn't seem to be any celebrities living there right now.

"It's on the street, right between the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower. There used to be a market right outside the door, and I used to do small business and store things. But last year the market disappeared, so the place became vacant." When Tong Wang heard that Tang Zhitong liked the Bell and Drum Tower more, he immediately introduced it.

Tang Zhitong nodded and thought about it. This location was good. It was close to Shichahai. Although there was no market, he had seen it when he went fishing. It was still bustling with people coming and going.

Isn't having a lot of people a cover for me?
As long as he passed by, he could use the plug-in to throw the things into the yard. Even if Lao Tong was discovered and someone was staking out the transaction, they would not be able to find any evidence of his transaction.

"How about it? I'll take you to have a look?" Seeing Tang Zhitong smoking and pondering in silence, Tong Wang felt a little panicked. He really wanted to make this deal.

"Master Tong, don't be in a hurry. I have to confirm with you first what you want." Tang Zhitong had stockpiled a lot of pig heads, pig offal, rabbit meat, and vegetables before. Although he also had flour, fruits, and pork, the quantity was less in comparison. He didn't want to sell these rare ones and planned to keep them for his own consumption.

"I'm not picky. Any pork, mutton, beef, eggs, grain, etc., is fine." Tong Wang said that he wanted to eat meat, but he also wanted grain. The price of meat on the black market has risen sharply, and it is definitely not enough to eat. Do the landlords really not know how to live?
"Hey, these things you mentioned all require tickets. I won't touch things rationed to the people. We can talk about things outside the quota." Tang Zhitong shook his head after hearing this.

"Then what can you get?" Tong Wang's disappointment was evident in his words and his face quickly fell.

"How about fish and shrimp?" Tang Zhitong had his own plans. Although there were a lot of pork heads and offal, now was not a good time to sell them.

Firstly, it is easier to set a price for quota items, and secondly, this stuff is cheap meat and not worthy of Tong Wang’s status. Of course, the most important thing is that both pig heads and offal contain fat, and they cannot be sold at a high price until they are in the most scarce period!
"Not very good. If I want to eat fish and shrimp, can't I go to Shichahai and buy them myself?" Tong Wang's tone changed as he spoke.

"Hey, if I can buy them in Shichahai, how can I have the nerve to ask you? The fish and shrimps I get are not necessarily available in Shichahai, even if you go to those top restaurants." Tang Zhitong of course noticed the change in Tong Wang and started to put out bait.

"Oh? What kind of fish or shrimp is that?" Tong Wang's attitude improved a lot after hearing what Tang Zhitong said.

"Master Tong, have you ever seen prawns as long as chopsticks? Have you ever seen mackerel that's more than one meter long? Have you ever seen hairtail that's more than four fingers wide? Have you ever seen abalone that's bigger than a casserole? Hehe, they're all fresh." Tang Zhitong said as he gestured to Tong Wang. Seeing Tong Wang's eyes getting wider and wider and his mouth becoming an O shape, he chuckled.

"Oh~ It's nothing. It's been sold in grocery stores in winter for the past two years." After Tong Wang realized that he had lost his composure, he tried to control his expression and habitually began to think about how to lower the price, such as saying that he was not used to it, could not eat it, or did not like it.

"Hey, why don't you go to the grocery store to buy it?" Hearing Tong Wang say this, Tang Zhitong felt a little disgusted, but his facial expression didn't change much, he just teased him.

"Hey~ little brother, you are so kind-hearted. We have known each other for a while, so I have to take care of you, right?" Tong Wang still wanted it of course, but the shrewdness engraved in his bones made him only think about a lower price. At this moment, he had forgotten how hard it was for him to wait for Tang Zhitong.

"Hey, Mr. Tong, you're right. We know each other, so I have to take care of each other. But I don't have any fish or shrimp. I'm just teasing you. I'll see you later." Seeing that the fish not only wanted to eat the bait but was also unwilling to take the bait, and couldn't even tell who was taking care of whom, Tang Zhitong simply threw the cigarette butt on the ground and prepared to leave.

Tang Zhitong really wasn't playing hard to get, because he knew clearly that although the yellow croaker was very important to him and would allow him to buy food on his next trip to Anton, it was not irreplaceable.

Since ancient times, bartering has been very popular among border residents. It's just a little effort at most. Do you really think that the people over there don't lack fish?
Right now, the fish caught by the fishing boats in the east have to be exchanged for foreign currency, and the Maybach over there has not been found yet, so how can we possibly share it with the rest?

A few days ago, Sun asked the driver if his car could still be used after replacing the engine.

Of course the driver wanted to change the car, but Taiyang said: If we buy a new car, we might as well buy an extra pair of shoes for the people.

Look at other people’s awareness, no wonder the people are so loyal!

"Hey~ good brother, don't go, I haven't finished speaking." Tong Wang saw Tang Zhitong was about to leave, and his little idea of ​​lowering the price flew away in an instant. He quickly grabbed Tang Zhitong. He had been drinking cold wind for more than ten days to catch this guy, and he couldn't let him go like this.

The two met for only six or seven minutes, but Tong Wang changed the way he addressed Tang Zhitong several times: little comrade, big brother, little brother, good brother. His speed of changing his face was almost as fast as that of the chameleon in Chekhov's works.

"Second Master Tong, it's not a good look to pull and tug in the street." Tang Zhitong patted the hand on his sleeve, then took out a cigarette and lit it, waiting for his next words without any panic. These days, whoever has the goods in his hands is the boss.

Tong Wang also quickly came to his senses, and with a wry smile he apologized to Tang Zhitong: "I was blinded by greed, my good brother, please be magnanimous, don't argue with me."

"Master Tong, I really want to make friends with you, but friends should always be considerate of each other and not make things difficult for friends, right? There are only so many goods, how do you think I should divide them?" Tang Zhitong said he wanted to make friends, but in his mind he was thinking about how to make money. "Make friends" was originally a good word, and it didn't have any other meaning, but since it was used by a certain lady, it has become a synonym for making money. Which serious friend would think about making money from friends all day long?

"Oh, good brother, you decide on the division, I won't say no!" Tong Wang didn't get annoying this time. He put his hands into his sleeves, rummaged around for a while, and when he took them out, he directly pulled Tang Zhitong's hand and stuffed the thing into his hand.

"Okay, Second Master Gaoyi." They were not big, but heavy. Tang Zhitong rubbed them in his hands. There were two small yellow croakers, but he did not put them in his pocket. Instead, he said, "Second Master, these are a bit big. I wonder how you plan to transport them home?"

"I will transport it back at night when everyone is asleep. It will definitely not reach you." How could Tong Wang not hear the hidden meaning of Tang Zhitong? He immediately made a promise.

"Hey, that's fine. You can grill, fry, or boil the fish and shrimp. If you can't finish them, pickle them. Mix the shrimp with leeks to make dumplings. Wow, the taste is so good. I guarantee you'll want to eat it again after the first time." Tang Zhitong stroked the small yellow croaker in his hand. Although he said this, he was thinking in his heart what to do if Tong Wang revealed the truth and implicated himself.

It was impossible to be foolproof, but in the end I felt that the risk was not too great. Even if Tong Wang was exposed and implicated me, I was just a guy from the inland area. How could I get any living fish or shrimp? It was obviously a frame-up by Tong Wang.

"I understand, I understand." Although Tang Zhitong did not get to the point, Tong Wang could only smile along, but he was complaining in his heart, where can I get leeks at this time of year?

Tong Wang naturally didn't want to do this, but there were many people in his family and there was a big gap in food and non-staple food.

Although Tong Wang could buy food coupons from the black market, not only were they expensive, but how to cash them out was also a problem.

If they take all of them to the grain store to buy grain, the weight recorded on the grain book will be much more than the quota. In this way, the grain store and the street will all know that they are eating grain beyond the ration, which will cause serious trouble. Tong Wang does not want this to be too outrageous.

If you don't go to the grain store, you can only go to some restaurants that accept grain coupons. This is equivalent to spending twice the money for one pound of grain. And it's not just a matter of money. You have to get up early and queue up in the restaurant. You can't always go to a restaurant and queue up, right?

"Master Tong, I am a reasonable person. The fish in Shichahai should be one dollar and fifty cents now, right?" When it came to the pricing stage, Tang Zhitong remembered the price Fang Yuan mentioned for buying crucian carp. Don't think it's too expensive, you may not be unable to buy it at this price.

"Almost." Tong Wang nodded in agreement.

“It was only 30 cents last year, and it has increased fivefold.

Last year, the best hairtail on the market was 40 cents. I calculated the price of Spanish mackerel, hairtail, and prawns at five times the amount, which was two yuan per catty. I also had to ask someone for help, so I added another 50 cents per catty.

According to the bank's price, the small yellow croaker is 130 yuan per piece. Is this price acceptable to you?"

Tang Zhitong made up a "friend" out of nothing, stared at Tong Wang, and gave a quote.

"This..." Tong Wang was a little conflicted. He calculated the family expenses in his mind. A small yellow croaker could be exchanged for about fifty kilograms, which could at least support the family for a week. In a year, there would only be five large yellow croakers, which seemed acceptable.

"Master Tong, you can eat something that even the emperor can't eat with just a small amount of money. Do you think it's worth it?
One change can last for several days. I can deliver it to the Bell and Drum Tower for you, saving you time and energy. Is this easier for you to accept?"

Since he was just trying to make a profit, Tang Zhitong didn't think about selling it cheaply, and he tried to find ways to give Tong Wang some benefits.

"Okay! Then let's exchange it for two small yellow croakers first." Tong Wang had money, so he did the math and accepted it.

"I won't cheat you. This time, I'll exchange it for a small yellow croaker. You can check the quality. I'll give you two pounds of leeks as a gift so you can make dumplings." Tang Zhitong said as he stuffed another piece of small yellow croaker into Tong Wang's hands.

"Oh, good brother, I can't take it back once I give it away. Let's count it for next time." Tong Wang waved his hands and refused to take it.

"Second Master is so generous!" Tang Zhitong gave Tong Wang a thumbs up and added, "It's not freezing yet, so I'll give it to you in two batches to prevent it from going bad. When you see the goods, you'll know that such good goods are not available every day. Even if there is a shortage of goods, I will give you these two batches with guaranteed quality and quantity. How do you think?"

"Okay, I trust you. Come on, I'll take you to the Bell and Drum Tower to get familiar with it." Two small yellow croakers were like a drop in the bucket for Tong Wang. After saying that, he waved towards a tricycle in the distance without saying anything else.

Tsk tsk, rich people are different. They are very meticulous when bargaining, but once they make a decision, they are extremely generous.

There is no market on Huguosi Street today, so the tricycle drivers headed directly east, passed Deshengmen Street, and walked along Dingfu Street to Prince Gong's Mansion Alley.

Tang Zhitong followed behind, and when they arrived at the alley of Prince Gong's Mansion, he noticed that Tong Wang stretched his neck to look towards Prince Gong's Mansion. He was a guy who was still thinking about his past glory.

When they arrived at the Bell and Drum Tower, Tong Wang paid and got off the car, and Tang Zhitong followed him to the gate of the courtyard.

"Good brother, come in and sit down." Tong Wang took out the key, opened the door and made way.

"Master Tong, I won't go in. Just recognize the gate." Tang Zhitong put away his bicycle and looked at the gate. It was not very eye-catching, but there was a screen wall standing between the main house and the gate, and there was a bare jujube tree in the yard.

"Um...when will you deliver it tomorrow?" Tong Wang didn't care about the money, but he cared about when the goods would arrive.

"This time tomorrow. Please prepare two sacks and I will use them next time."

"Sacks, right? No problem." Tong Wang agreed readily.

"Okay, see you tomorrow." Tang Zhitong didn't waste any more words. He waved to Tong Wang and rode his bicycle to the escort department. He had been delayed for so long, and hoped that he could still get there before getting off work.

Tong Wang watched Tang Zhitong go away. He didn't feel anything about the two small yellow croakers he gave away. He just felt that eggs should not be put in one basket. If he only relied on Tang Zhitong as a channel for replenishment, what if it was cut off?
It was not until Tang Zhitong walked away and his back disappeared at the street corner that Tong Wang sighed, shook his head and walked into the courtyard.

He had heard about the situation outside the city of Sijiu. It would be difficult to get some supplies!
(End of this chapter)