20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 242 Falling on the road

When the train pulled into the platform, the sky was already dark.

The policemen urged loudly, and the passengers were busy and noisy, chattering and squeezing out of the carriage carrying large and small packages.

It was windy on the coast and it was early spring. Many people's hats were blown to the ground as soon as they got off the car, and the scene was even more chaotic.

In line with the rule of thieves not to steal anything, Chuanghu was about to get out of the car and took advantage of the chaos to steal a pocket watch.

Everyone walked together and chatted.

When I walked out of the station, I looked out from the steps and saw that under the gloomy night, the whole city was lit up with lights, as bright as the stars.

It's just that everywhere you look, there are all Oriental brands. After all, this is not a Chinese world.

Since the 30th year of Guangxu's reign, when the Russo-Japanese War broke out, the Japs have occupied this area and set up a military and administrative office. The east side of the Electrical Industry Bureau is designated as the New Market Street for the Japs to immigrate to; the west side is the Old Market Street, which is a commercial port with a mixture of Chinese and foreign cultures. .

Jiang Lianheng and others were tired from traveling all the way and didn't want to go far, so they found a nearby Dongyang Hotel to rest.

They originally planned to live with Chuang Hu, but the boy thought the hotel near the station was too expensive and insisted on walking to the old market street to find a place in the world, so everyone had to part ways.

The sea breeze was strong, Jiang Lianheng pressed the brim of his hat with his hand, smiled and said goodbye: "Brother, I don't want to say too much, but I wish you a great change in the fire hole and become famous!"

Chuang Hu leaned his body against the wind and said with a forced smile: "Thank you for your noble hand, brother. It doesn't matter what business you do, I wish you a lot of money!"

Holding fists and saying goodbye, Jiang Lianheng watched Chuanghu escape from the light in front of the hotel door into the night.

The boy's figure was so thin that he staggered and erratic, as if he would be blown down by the wind if he wasn't careful, which made people feel that it was not easy.

Zhao Guoyan stepped forward from behind and asked in a low voice: "Brother Dao, who is this kid?"

"Writer." Jiang Lianheng turned around with a mocking look on his face, "Okay, let's go into the store and open a room!"

Everyone picked up their luggage. Liu Yansheng caught up and asked, "Brother, what are your plans for tomorrow?"

"Early tomorrow morning, let's go to Hekengdian to explore and take a look at the excitement." Jiang Lianheng suddenly frowned, "Huh? Why is there someone missing?"

"Brother Dao, Brother Dao! I'm here!" Wang Zhengnan carried his suitcase and awkwardly walked towards the door against the wind, "Wait for me, wait for a moment!"

Jiang Lianheng looked disgusted and ordered in a low voice: "Guo Yan, go help him! I don't know what your sister-in-law is thinking. She has to deal with this kid."

…………

Check into the hotel and spend the night speechless.

In the early morning of the next day, everyone got up early, called a foreign car, and headed straight to the south bank of the Liaohe River.

As soon as we arrived at Wakengdian, we learned about the "overpass outside the pass", and it really lived up to its name.

Although it is not as prosperous as Xiaoxiguan, Fengtian, it is a serious mixed bag.

Looking from a distance, we can see several storefronts connected vertically and horizontally. Although they are simple, they are already beginning to take shape as a street market.

Crowds of people were going back and forth, and the shouts of hawkers could be heard. People were selling vinegar, oil, and soju, getting haircuts and pedicures, doing magic tricks, painting, calligraphy, and statues...

Not to mention the common businesses of doing tricks, selling plasters, playing monkeys, and telling fortunes.

Most of the passers-by and spectators are porters who have just unloaded goods from the port and residents of the old market. They come here early in the morning to drink a bowl of hot beans, eat two fried dough sticks, and watch the hustle and bustle. It is also a rare pastime. .

On the side of the wasteland near the north, there is a single row of women, with coarse cloth scarves tied on their heads, sitting on a futon, with needlework in front of them, and they are engaged in the business of "sewing poverty".

The porters at the dock are mostly bachelors struggling to make a living. They have no one to care about at home, and no one to take care of them. Whenever there is a hole in their clothes, they come here to find a girl to mend it. Needless to say, if you choose whichever dish is brighter, you will pay a few cents at the end, and you can also chat and flirt with each other. This is considered to be pornographic.

After working hard all day, the women made money, then got up to catch the tide, dug out some small fish, shrimps, and crabs from the mud, took them home, stewed them in an iron pot, and pasted on a few stick noodle cakes. A bit bitter, but also quite beautiful.

Fireworks in the world are nothing like this.

Jiang Lianheng and others came from the east and were dazzled along the way.

But one thing is exactly the same as what Chuanghu said - the two odd-numbered "comments" and "tuan" are the most prosperous in the potholes.

Every three or five steps, you can see a circle of people talking about cross talk, writing on the white sand, and a thousand taels of gold.

Nowadays, those who cook firewood no longer go to "Mingdi", but instead go to teahouses to tell stories.

Stinky Tuanchun people don't get this kind of treatment. If they don't go on stage, they still have to do it. As long as their voices are better, they won't do cross talk anymore.

When it comes to performing arts, you rely on your ability to make a living. If your ability is not enough, you will stand there in a daze, opening your mouth, and you will not be able to earn even half a grain of rice except for filling your stomach with wind.

As soon as the cross talk show started, there were no taboos. Parents, brothers and sisters-in-law all used it as a burden to talk about sex. As soon as they finished talking about shit and pissing, there was an ethics joke over there, making Jiang Lianheng and others bend over and over. Du Liu Yansheng is an exception.

There was a big difference between the north and the south, and no matter how good the burden was, it didn't ring a bell in his ears, so he urged everyone to find someone to discuss business with.

Jiang Lianheng thought of business, so he quickly calmed down and went to inquire about the so-called Xiao Laoer.

The first choice of places was naturally various drug stores, but after asking around, I found that there were Hongwan pills, but I had never heard of Xiao Laoer's name in any of them.

After wandering around for two times, no one asked, but Wang Zhengnan was very tired.

Fatty Dabai followed behind, huffing and puffing, and kept calling for a break.

Both Jiang and Hu regarded Si Fengkou as their own younger brother. Although Jiang Lianheng disliked him, he had no choice but to let him play around on his own and agreed to meet back at the hotel in the evening.

As time passed by and there was no news from Xiao Laoer, Liu Yansheng couldn't help but ask: "Brother, did you remember the wrong person's name?"

"No way!" Jiang Lianheng also felt strange, "Even if I remember the name of the person wrong, his business is so big. When it comes to Dongyang Hongwan, someone must have heard of it. It's not like there is no news at all. !”

Liu Yansheng was not old, but he had been running around in the world for a long time. He immediately hesitated and said: "Could it be that he deliberately concealed his name and made a fortune in silence? After all, this is the kind of business he is doing!"

"This is possible." Jiang Lianheng nodded, "If this is the case, it will be difficult to handle."

Zhao Guoyan suggested: "Brother Dao, how about we ask the Changchun Society here?"

Those who can "establish a position" in the world are all prominent figures with high seniority and seniority, so the news will naturally be wider.

Jiang Lianheng thought it was feasible. There happened to be a monkey charmer nearby who was collecting money and asking for a pestle. When the spectators were about to leave, he quickly walked over and threw a gong into the gong with a "ding" sound. Now foreign.

When the old man who played the monkey saw Yin Yang, he immediately beamed and said, "Master, you are rich and prosperous, and everything goes well for you. I thank you for that. What do you want to see? I let my monkey perform for you again?"

"No, no!" Jiang Lianheng came closer and said, "Let me ask you something. Who is the 'suppressor' in this pit of yours?"

"Hey! Master, you are from the family! You have worked hard." The old man said politely, but there was hesitation in his eyes, "You don't look like you are dressed like this!"

"Hey! I want to ask him about something." Jiang Lianheng smiled and said, "Don't worry, we are not in the same industry, so we can't steal your meal."

"In that case, even if we are in the same industry, we have to help each other!" The old man looked a little relieved, "The guy in this pit is named Liu Fengqi. It's too easy to find him. Mr. Chang came from Jinmen and opened books in the Xia Family Teahouse. He listened there every day. You can reach the intersection ahead by turning north. "

"Okay, okay, thank you very much, sir! It's hard work and business is booming!"

"Hey, young master, I have to remind you, if you want to meet him, don't say that he is a 'showman'. If he doesn't like to hear it, you have to call the manager."

"Manager?" Jiang Lianheng was surprised, "Who are you talking about?"

"He said he was the venue manager." The old man shook his head and smiled, "This can be considered as advancing with the times."

"Yes! Thank you for reminding me, let's go."

Jiang Lianheng said goodbye to the old man and took Zhao Guoyan and Liu Yansheng to Xia's teahouse.

This Liu Fengqi was one of the first people to do business in Wakengdian. In the past few years, I was engaged in "hangtiao" business. To put it bluntly, it was just a way to make money. It was a small business, with little ability, but a lot of cleverness.

First put fire spoons, cut cakes, stove candies and other snacks in a woven basket, and then prepare another bucket of bamboo skewers with flat ends and engraved Pai Gow points on the tail. Let the guests draw lots and then compare them. If the guest loses, he will have to pay money. , but the compensation is not in vain, cut the cake and take it away, but it is much more expensive than on the street.

At that time, Wakengdian was not prosperous. Liu Fengqi saw that entertainers could attract business, so he got a wealthy man to enclose the land. He acted as the manager, and gradually ran the business of Wakengdian. Now, it has become a small business. Rich man.

Jiang Lianheng and others came to Xia Family Teahouse.

Before entering, an angry old lady suddenly walked across the street, shouting and cursing: "You Northeasterners can't listen to this thing of mine, your level is too low! Is your call storytelling? You call it Dagubai!" Humph! If you don’t listen, I won’t serve you any more!” Everyone laughed and looked sideways, pointing and saying, “What’s wrong, are you crazy?”

Someone laughed and replied: "My voice is not strong enough. I have a tight voice. Everyone has the same tone. I am anxious and urgent. I just passed by Kun Library opposite and I can't keep my face!"

"Hey! If it doesn't work, just say it doesn't work. Why are you scolding me?"

Jiang Lianheng and others also smiled, turned around and walked into the teahouse.

It didn't matter when I entered, but I saw that the whole teahouse was full of holes and there was not a single seat left. Just like this, there were still many people leaning on the beams and standing on tiptoe, listening attentively to the gentleman in the hall.

Jiang Lianheng was influenced by his father and had been listening to books since he was a child, but he had never seen such a scene.

The whole room was completely silent. The tea was so cold that they forgot to drink it. The melon seeds hung on their lips and they forgot to nibble. They all listened in fascination.

I couldn't help but stop and listen to a few words, but I had never heard of it, saying that it was neither a yellow-face "Sui and Tang" nor a black-face "Bao Gong", but a purple face made out of nothing - the purple-faced Kunlun Man who conquers all directions!

It talks about creating a new world and creating a new family.

Not long after the fall of the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Yongzheng began to be arranged in a grand manner, which is also novel.

The waiter stepped forward and said in a voice as thin as a mosquito's cry: "Sir, would you like to have tea or just listen and read?"

Jiang Lian paid the admission fee, lowered his voice and asked, "I want to ask you a question, is Manager Liu here?"

The waiter raised his hand and pointed to a corner of the store: "Why don't you sit there?"

Jiang Lianheng looked in the direction and saw a high-level tea table set up in the corner of the store. The tea and snacks were not moved at all. A slightly fat middle-aged man was sitting at the table, with two stunned young men standing behind him. , there was no empty seat in the entire store, and he was the only one occupying a table - what a grand occasion.

Jiang Lianheng stepped forward slowly, clasped his fists and bowed. Before he could speak, he saw Liu Fengqi not squinting, raised his arm, and quickly told him: "Don't talk! Don't talk!"

Everyone had no choice but to stand there and listen to the book with him.

Although there was some neglect, Jiang Lianheng didn't care.

The main reason is that this book is really exciting. The protagonist Tong Lin never stops. He is either fighting or about to fight.

Wu Shuwen said that Mr. Chang was really capable. It wasn't until he took a striking shot and listened to the next chapter that everyone came to their senses and shouted for Mr. Chang to continue talking.

Liu Fengqi even shouted: "Reward him! Reward him! Let him continue talking!"

There is no leader in listening to books. Jiang Lianheng hurriedly took the opportunity to step forward and said with a smile on his face: "Is this Manager Liu?"

"Ah, I am." Liu Fengqi glanced at Jiang Lianheng and asked nonchalantly, "What's wrong, do you want to 'strike the ground'?"

Land acquisition means renting a space to do business, so naturally it is not what everyone wants.

"Manager Liu, this is Jiang Lianheng, who came from Fengtian. You are the big man here. You have a lot of information. We are all in the same world. I'm here to ask for help and ask you about someone."

"Fengtian?" Liu Fengqi thought for a moment and said in a slightly contemptuous tone, "I know Zhou Yunfu in Fengtian. I have met him once before, but I have never heard of you!"

"Oh! What a coincidence!" Jiang Lianheng laughed quickly, "Manager Liu, then we can barely be considered family friends. Zhou Yunfu is my godfather!"

A person's name is like a tree's shadow. When he heard Zhou Yunfu's name, Liu Fengqi finally turned his face and looked at the person with a straight face.

"Huh? What's more, then who is your godfather?"

"My father reported the number 'Owl'."

Liu Fengqi suddenly grabbed Jiang Lianheng's arm and asked mysteriously: "Is he really the son of Hai Lao Owl?"

"Second uncle Li Tianwei, third uncle Sun Chengmo, fourth uncle Jin Xiaoyi..."

"Okay, okay, stop reading, sit down, sit down!" Liu Fengqi's attitude suddenly changed, and he turned around and shouted, "Shunzi, watch the tea, move it up!"

"Okay!" the waiter responded loudly.

Jiang Lianheng was also surprised.

Immediately afterwards, Liu Fengqi lowered his voice and asked: "So, the rumors online are true? Brother, was it you who got Zhou Yunfu involved?"

"Rumors! Pure rumors!" Jiang Lianheng denied, "My godfather was very kind to me. He was secretly funding the Revolutionary Party and was caught by the patrol camp. On the day he died, I was the one who sent the message! Everyone in Fengtian knows it!”

This statement is half true and half false. Zhou Yunfu's spiritual appearance is indeed due to his arrangement.

"So that's what happened!" Liu Fengqi exclaimed, "It seems that the online rumors can't be believed at all! That's what I'm saying! 'Ebi Owl' values ​​love and justice, how could he possibly raise such a son? Yes. Okay, just now you said you wanted to inquire about someone, who is it?"

Jiang Lian said hurriedly: "I wonder if Manager Liu has heard of a man named Xiao Laoer nearby?"

"Xiao Laoer? Never heard of it."

"Why don't you think about it again? This person is a Tengdong Hongwan pill dealer, and he might also be selling local goods along the way."

The waiter brought the new tea, Liu Fengqi pursed his lips and took a sip, and said as if waking up from a dream: "Eh? Are you talking about Mr. Qiao?"

When Jiang Lianheng heard that there was something going on, he hurriedly said: "I'm not afraid of Manager Liu's jokes. I don't know whether it's Mr. Xiao or Mr. Qiao. I'm here purely because of his reputation."

"No, no, no, it's not your fault." Liu Fengqi waved his hand and said, "Second Master Qiao is a good-looking man. There are only a few people who know about the kind of business he does. If he gets a nickname, every few days Not many people know about this person. I drank with him. Once, someone drank too much and scolded the gun for giving up smoking pills. He became anxious. I was curious and asked several people before I found out what he was doing. This deal.”

"Then where is he?"

"At this point...it must be in the Rooster Building!"

"Rooster Tower?" Jiang Lianheng frowned upon hearing this, "What is that place?"

Just as Liu Fengqi was about to explain, there was a sudden commotion outside the store, causing everyone to look sideways at the door.

After a while, a young hooligan rushed in from outside the door and walked straight to the tea table.

"Manager Liu, go out and take a look, there's another one who fell down on the road!"

Liu Fengqi looked bored. He suddenly stood up and rushed to the door. He immediately cursed: "What a fucking fool! If you don't have anything else to do every day, it's just a fucking death and bad luck!"

Jiang Lianheng and others looked at each other and then stood up and followed.

The crowd outside the store was noisy. The onlookers yelled and then formed a circle again. They lowered their heads, pointed, sighed, and whispered something in their mouths. They looked surprised. It seems that he has begun to get used to the situation of falling down on the road.

How many times has this happened in the past month?

I'm afraid no one can tell clearly about this, and some people don't fall into the pit.

Not far away, the artists were complaining endlessly. In the middle of the performance, when they were about to ask for money, the spectators were all "failed". Who could they ask to reason with? You can't do this yourself, right?

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way!"

Liu Fengqi pushed away the gathering crowd and took a closer look. He saw a skinny man who looked like a beggar, lying in the middle of the road, dead from anger.

Everyone sometimes looked at the dead bodies on the ground, and sometimes looked at Manager Liu, waiting to see what would happen to him.

"What are you looking at? Everyone is doing it nonstop. Why don't you see any dead people? Call the patrol immediately!"

The onlookers gradually relaxed, and some of them turned around to go find the patrolman to collect the body.

Jiang Lianheng stepped forward hesitantly, only to see that his skinny arms were like a honeycomb, with a palm-sized piece of wrapping paper held in the palm of his hand.

Jiang Lianheng recognized that piece of paper—the medicine coat of Dongyang Hongwan!

----

Author's note: "The Swordsman Pictures of Yongzheng" was created by Chang Jiemiao, a master of storytelling, in 1921, and became an instant hit in Yingkou. The time is not right, so everyone should just scrape the bones to cure the poison! Putting it here means to open up a new world and create a new family.

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(End of this chapter)