Go back to the prosperous days and become a layman

Chapter 523
When Tang Zhitong returned to the Finance Department, Ma Wei handed the letter to him.

"Thank you." Tang Zhitong took off the warm gear that Xiao Wang had carefully prepared for him.

Although it is not the coldest days of winter yet, it is already freezing outside. The maximum temperature during the day is above zero degrees, but it is around minus ten degrees at night. When I woke up, I found that the snow that fell yesterday had not melted yet.

Ma Wei smiled instead of answering. After chatting with Fu Caiyun, she realized that the skills possessed by the man in front of her were somewhat beyond her expectations.

Tang Zhitong sat down on the chair and looked at the letter in his hand. The mailing address was Dongjiaomin Lane, and he had an idea in his mind.

When I opened the letter, it was indeed a reply from Zhang Xinping.

Zhang Xinping's letter was very straightforward. He said that he had already contacted Lao Cheng and agreed to go to his office after work on the 29th, and asked Tang Zhitong to come and see him.

Tang Zhitong looked at the postmark on the outside of the envelope. It turned out that it was delivered yesterday. If he hadn't come today, he might have missed it.

When Tang Zhitong was replying to Zhang Xinping and Cheng Hai, he thought about the venue for the gathering.

It’s hard to have a meal together these days.

Generally speaking, home is not suitable because of its small size, and it is difficult to get a number in restaurants because of the long queues. Besides, restaurants also have closing times, so if you want to have a good time, it is not suitable to choose a restaurant.

Although my house is a little bigger, it is not convenient to pick vegetables outside in a blatant manner.

All in all, the workplace is more suitable, whether it is a small canteen or an office, as long as there is no one there.

In addition, it was Cheng Hai who introduced Tang Zhitong and Zhang Xinping to each other. Although he went to see Zhang Xinping alone once later, it was not Cheng Hai's help after all.

Since Cheng Hai was the one who notified everyone this time, it would be more appropriate for him to organize the gathering as well. Therefore, Tang Zhitong did not take over the responsibility when writing the letter.

As for the office, it didn't matter who they went to, as there were not many people there at night anyway. However, Tang Zhitong guessed that the two of them were not very happy to come to the escort office, after all, they were already out of the city.

When Tang Zhitong got home from get off work today, he "brought" another fifty or sixty kilograms of corn. He estimated that by the end of this week, the number he reported would be almost reached, and he would also be able to fill the ceramic jar that his grandmother bought many years ago.

This is the confidence of the two families in times of disaster, and we cannot be careless.

While eating, Tang Zhitong told his family that he would be hanging out with friends the next night and would not be eating at home.

"Then you have to leave food coupons for them." Zhang Guifang took the initiative to remind them after hearing this.

"Okay, then please give me half a pound of food coupons later." Tang Zhitong agreed readily. Although the most difficult time has not yet arrived, it has gradually become popular to leave food coupons when eating at other people's homes.

"Do you want to bring a bottle of wine? It's not appropriate to go empty-handed. Our mom brought a few bottles of wine." Student Xiao Wang asked.

"That wine is too good, it's not suitable. I'll buy a pound of it from the pub later." Tang Zhitong shook his head and refused. The Maotai that Ye Zhijuan gave him was from a few years ago. Even if it was kept now, it would be one less bottle after another. Besides, it was not appropriate to drink high-end wine at a gathering among friends.

Based on Tang Zhitong's limited previous experience, when entertaining the client or asking someone to do something for you, below the department level, Wuliangye, Jiannanchun, and Qinghua Fen 20 are all acceptable. If Feitian or Shengxi can be used, the atmosphere will be more harmonious and the probability of success will be higher.

If it is between Ke and Chu, it is best to only consider Fei Tian or Zodiac, the kind in the original box, a whole box.

If it's virgin or above, then there's nothing. If you ask, they just don't know. Even if they do know, they don't dare to tell you.

As for anything above that, it was beyond Tang Zhitong's reach and he had no way of knowing, but he probably thought it was four dishes and one soup.

December 12th, Tuesday, the day to deliver fish to Tong Wang.

Tang Zhitong still went back to that point, but because the road was icy, he didn't ride fast.

Tang Zhitong specially prepared a small notebook for Tong Wang, and would find an opportunity to make a note every time he delivered fish.

It can’t be less, otherwise Tong Wang will be unhappy; and it can’t be more, so as not to give Tong Wang the impression that I have a lot of goods.

We were still short of 50 kilograms of the first batch of fish, so we gave them all today, plus an extra 10 kilograms.

The temperature starts to get warmer on the 290th day of the lunar month, and fish and shrimp are prone to spoilage, so the remaining kilograms must be delivered before the th day of the lunar month.

Looking at the consideration for customers, Tang Zhitong almost gave himself a five-star rating.

When he arrived at the Bell and Drum Tower, Tang Zhitong still had no intention of going in to say hello.

The sacks prepared by Tong Wang were enough, and Tang Zhitong planned to disappear later. He had money anyway, so it was not worth taking any more risks.

Tang Zhitong was upset when fish and shrimp were "thrown" into the yard again. He had to go back to the Finance Department to make payroll. Coal had been distributed two days ago, so it had to be deducted when the wages were paid.

It was time to get off work. Tang Zhitong packed up his things and went to a tavern in the flower market to get some drinks.

He Peilan's tavern is not very big, with only six or seven tables, and even if it is full, there are only about thirty people.

The pub was not full, but there were not a few people either. Most of the people were sharing tables, and each person had a small wine pot and a wine cup in front of them, and each person drank his or her own wine.

Some ordered a small dish, a piece of fermented bean curd for two cents, two pieces of dumpling noodles for one cent, while others just drank it straight.

Most of the people who can afford to order the dishes are old wine lovers from nearby families, or young workers after get off work in the factory.

Even sharing a table, people still chatted with each other. Some talked about the strange things happening nearby, some talked about gossip, and some even vented their dissatisfaction in a genuine Beijing accent under the influence of alcohol. There were always a few old scoundrels. Boss He was busy with his own business and pretended not to hear. This was not the chaotic time in "Tea House". It was normal to talk about state affairs. Few people would be punished for it, unless it aroused public anger like the dung tyrant.

Young people may not have so many complaints in their hearts because they have stable jobs. Even if they have a family, most of the household affairs are now taken care of by the wife at home. They don’t have to help their children with their homework, and they have plenty of time to sit down and chat with friends after get off work.

Apart from work, most of the topics we talked about were obscure dirty jokes, and whenever friends got the hint, they would burst into laughter.

The tavern was filled with the smell of alcohol, cigarettes, and laughter, giving it a sense of a paradise on earth.

He Peilan's tavern still maintains its old style. Everyone who comes is a guest. As long as they order wine, no matter how long they drink, they will not be kicked out. This may be one of the reasons why private taverns are more popular than joint-stock or state-owned ones.

"Sister He, give me a pound of Erguotou, but I need to lend you a bottle." Tang Zhitong greeted He Peilan after entering the room.

"Okay, big brother, I haven't been here for a while. The price of Erguotou has gone up a bit, now one dollar and sixty cents per pound." He Peilan did not pour the wine for a moment, but responded enthusiastically and told Tang Zhitong the latest price.

"Wow, this price is very reasonable. Buy it!" Tang Zhitong said without hesitation. Considering the current supply situation, one dollar and sixty cents is really not expensive.

The alcohol content of this wine is about 400 percent, and two taels of wine costs cents, which has about calories. Even if you go to the gate of Dongdan Park to buy two taels of coarse grain tickets, plus the extra price of buying grain, the labor cost of processing, and the time cost, the price and calories will be almost the same.

Tang Zhitong had seen similar situations in some film and television works before. Some people licked iron nails to drink wine, while others took a pebble and dipped it in vinegar to drink wine.

I was wondering, how can you still drink when you are so poor and can't even afford to eat? Is your alcohol addiction so severe?

This time, Tang Zhitong finally understood why some people still drink even though they are poor, because it is more cost-effective than buying food and can temporarily numb their nerves. However, the wives and children of some people may suffer, because some people have bad drinking habits and will beat their wives and children when they get home.

"Okay!" Seeing that Tang Zhitong could accept it, He Peilan immediately took out a glass bottle from under the counter, put a funnel on it, walked to the wine jar, and started pouring wine.

Even though the supply was so difficult, He Peilan still brewed the wine slowly, and each pound of wine was exactly the right weight, so he deserved that his business was doing well.

"Sister He, how much is the deposit for the bottles? I'll leave it all for you." Tang Zhitong watched He Peilan finish her drink and started taking money out of his pocket.

"Well, we are all neighbors who know each other well. We won't charge you for a deposit. Just take it and go." He Peilan put the rubber cap on the bottle, pushed it in front of Tang Zhitong, and said.

"Okay, I'll make sure you deliver it tomorrow morning." Tang Zhitong didn't bother to be polite with He Peilan. He took out one dollar and sixty cents and put it on the counter. He stuffed the bottle into his bag and turned to walk out.

"Hey, don't you want the ticket?" He Peilan asked as she picked up the money.

"Well, just drink by yourself, why do you need a ticket? I'll see you later." Tang Zhitong waved his hand and walked out.

On the way to Dongjiaomin Lane, Tang Zhitong was still sighing. Although He Peilan was a woman, she was able to open an independently run tavern in this day and age, and had channels to get wine. Her ability must be very strong, and she would definitely have the potential to become a wealthy businessman in a few decades. It was a pity that she was born at the wrong time.

When Tang Zhitong arrived at the door of Zhang Xinping's unit in Dongjiaomin Lane, not only was his work permit checked and the reason asked, but he was also registered and notified by phone that Zhang Xinping should come out to pick him up. The procedures were so strict that Tang Zhitong had never seen them even in the compound where Wu Haiyang lived.

"Wow, Brother Zhang, your unit is quite strict." After seeing Zhang Xinping, Tang Zhitong first shook hands with him, and then spoke after walking some distance inside.

"After all, the unit level is higher." Zhang Xinping explained happily.

"I hope it won't cause you any trouble?" Tang Zhitong was used to being cautious, so he asked, treating others as he would himself.

"It's okay. Everyone has some old friends. We're not doing anything shameful." Zhang Xinping finished speaking, and seeing that there was no one around, he whispered, "I've already taken care of the matter you asked me to do last time. Don't worry. I can't talk about this on the phone or write in a letter, so I haven't replied to you yet."

"Oh, thank you, Brother Zhang!" In this matter, it was indeed not convenient for Tang Zhitong to directly ask how the "care" was going afterwards, so he kept dragging it on. This time he finally got the definite news, and also knew the reason why Zhang Xinping did not reply. He thought very carefully.

"You're welcome. Come on, Old Cheng is upstairs." Zhang Xinping patted Tang Zhitong on the shoulder and took him to his office.

After entering the office, Tang Zhitong and Cheng Hai greeted each other. Zhang Xinping added, "Old Cheng just got here too. He said he would go downstairs to pick you up, but I didn't let him."

"Oh, you two brothers are so polite. If the guard hadn't let me in, I would have come up by myself." After Tang Zhitong said this, he took off his gloves and took something out of his bag.

First, he got some white wine from He Peilan's tavern, then a lunch box containing the hairtail fried by Tang Zhitong in Andong, and finally, the half-pound of food coupons and fine grains that Zhang Guifang gave him last night.

"Brother Cheng, I asked Brother Zhang to help me a while ago. This time I brought some food to go with the wine. You can all try it later." In order to avoid embarrassing Cheng Hai, Tang Zhitong deliberately emphasized the word "help", as if it was a thank-you gift he had brought.

"Hey, no wonder you and Lao Cheng can get along, you two are really the same, Lao Cheng also brought his own food and drinks." Zhang Xinping sighed and joked, "You two are too considerate of me, but I won't appreciate it. I will eat all the food tonight and won't leave any for you."

"Haha, I thought so too. Come here to take advantage of you, the landlord." Cheng Hai laughed and pulled Tang Zhitong to sit down: "Come on, Teacher Tang, there is no table here, let's make do in the office. Next time I'll take Lao Zhang to our Municipal Bureau and I'll reserve a table for him."

"Okay, we'll take turns. When the two brothers go to inspect the escort department, we have a small canteen." Tang Zhitong followed Cheng Hai's help and sat down. This was not a formal banquet, and the seating arrangement did not require host, guest of honor, or deputy host. It was not that particular.

"I heard from Lao Cheng that Teacher Tang's place is a bit far away." Zhang Xinping smacked his lips, scooped up a bottle of Erguotou and was about to open it.

"Drink this bottle first, it's authentic Erguotou. I borrowed the bottle from the pub, I have to return it tomorrow." Tang Zhitong opened the wine he brought without waiting for Zhang Xinping to make a move. After pouring it, he did not forget to complain about Zhang Xinping: "Brother Zhang, you have changed. When you were in Qinghe, I never saw you dislike the distance between the four cities."

"How can it be the same? I have worked so hard to come to the Municipal Bureau this time... Hey, great, Teacher Tang, your cooking is really good!" The moment Tang Zhitong finished pouring the wine and opened the fast food box, Zhang Xinping stopped talking and picked up the wine glass directly: "Come on, we haven't sat together for a while, for the fish that Teacher Tang brought, one of us has to go first!"

“Don’t be disgusted. These are just fish heads and tails. They can’t be served at the table. But my friend fried them with great care. I guarantee they will be crispy and delicious.” Tang Zhitong has not seen any hairtail for sale in the market yet. He can only rely on his imaginary friend, leaving the other two room to imagine.

"Your friend's cooking skills are very authentic, very authentic!" Zhang Xinping picked up a piece of hairtail head, took a bite, and found it crispy and fragrant. He was extremely satisfied.

"Hey, if it tastes good, eat more." Tang Zhitong took notice of the four dishes. The stir-fried cabbage and stir-fried bean sprouts were served on plates, probably prepared by Zhang Xinping. The other was tofu, which was served in a lunch box, probably brought by Cheng Hai. The wine was all Erguotou, the kind with a trademark, also prepared by the two of them.

(End of this chapter)