20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 422 Learn from the pain and make foresight

As night falls, the grounds of the Xiaoxiguan restaurant and prostitute are bustling with lights, feasting, and laughter.

Jiang Lianheng took over the entire Juxiang Tower.

The brothers in the lobby were already eating, drinking, laughing and scolding, but he took the most trusted and important leader of the family and opened a private room alone.

Zhao Guoyan, Liu Yansheng, Zhang Zhengdong, Wang Zhengnan, and Li Zhengxi are either life-long friends or siblings for many years. They have a solid position and have a considerable say in the Jiang family.

The episode with Mr. Rong Wu is coming to an end; the Hu bandit's batch of arms is also gradually showing a turn for the better thanks to Nanfeng's mediation.

The table was filled with food, wine and fish, but Jiang Lianheng didn't move his chopsticks. Naturally, the others could only sit and stare.

"Brother Dao!" Wang Zhengnan took a sip of tea and asked inexplicably, "Who are we... waiting for? Xiaobei will be back later?"

"Wait brother!" Jiang Lian turned his head and looked at Dongfeng, "Should it be here soon?"

Zhang Zhengdong said "hmm", but the others immediately became confused: Which brother is not here? It's impossible to be waiting for Han Xinyuan and Zhong Yushan, right?
Within a few words, there was a sudden knock on the door in the private room.

Jiang Lianheng took a sip of wine, looked over the rim of the glass, and scanned everyone's reactions, with a faint smile on his lips...

The couple sat opposite each other, but Jiang Lianheng was not working hard, looking drowsy and absent-minded.

Now, Wen Tingge was invited to have a drink with the leader of the Jiang family. Although Jiang Lianheng hadn't said it clearly yet, the implication of promotion and reuse was already obvious.

"I'm too lazy to look at Sangualiang Zaoer's bad debt!" Jiang Lianheng lit a cigarette and asked, "What, compensation?"

Everyone looked up, only to see Wen Tingge wearing a gray gown, walking into the house covered in dust, with his hands clasped in his fists, bowing to everyone he met, with a guilty look on his face, and apologizing again and again: "Brother Dao, brothers, I'm really sorry, I just Come back from the annex and keep everyone waiting. "

"Go ahead and dream! I would rather not give up the business in Huifangli, and you don't even want to go to that place. Don't even think about it!"

"That's true, and right!"

"Zhang Laoge has designated two streets and four alleys for you. Even if you let me take over by default, it won't be for free. Why don't you hurry up and raise money?"

"Understood, understood!" Liu Yansheng waved his hands nonchalantly, then turned to look at the person on the table.

Jiang Lianheng nodded and said lightly: "Serve it!"

Jiang Lianheng choked on his cigarette, frowned and asked in surprise: "What are you going to do? Volunteer studies? Volunteer studies like Shantang? I think you are full of food, and you really think of yourself as a philanthropist."

"Brother Wen!" Liu Yansheng stood up immediately, looked around, thought about it for a while, and finally made a guess, so he quickly smiled and said, "So you didn't leave!"

"It's okay if you don't want to, my family still needs money!"

Jiang Lianheng simply explained a few words about Wen Tingge's origins, and the tasks that Wen Tingge took over during this period - getting rid of Zhao Yongcai in time, secretly cooperating with Xifeng to track Na Min, discovering that Zhong and Han were secretly colluding, etc... ...Although it is not crucial, it is absolutely indispensable.

…………

Hu Xiaoyan suddenly sighed and made a comment on the account book. The handwriting was crooked and large, as if written by a child. The abacus at hand was not fast, one after another, slower than a pendulum, but more accurate than a pendulum. .

After Jiang Lianheng said this, the door of the elegant room was pushed open with a sound.

Wen Tingge hurriedly explained: "Brother Yansheng, don't be offended. Everyone has to perform their duties according to the errands assigned by the boss."

"What's wrong?" Jiang Lian turned around and asked, "Am I bankrupt?"

"That's what I'm telling you!" Jiang Lianheng said with a smile, "I've seen those gold bars and cash you hid in our basement, how could you go bankrupt!"

"There is no compensation. Even if you do, you won't be able to compensate for anything. But if you don't make money, your work will be almost in vain for a year!" Hu Xiaoyan suggested again, "How about you take me to see it! Although I can't be a madam, I can't be a madam. Can you at least see what the problem is?"

"Ugh!"

"For what money? Aren't you ready to come out with two thousand cash?"

At noon, the sun shines brightly, making people lazy and sleepy.

"Enter!"

A sense of accomplishment arose spontaneously - he had taken care of his family in troubled times, never letting them go hungry or suffering humiliation. Although his methods were despicable and cruel, he did not want to and was worthy of them.

Jiang Lianheng had just had lunch and was about to have tea when he was rushed to the study room on the second floor by Hu Xiaoyan to accompany her to check the accounts of "Heshengfang" and "Huifangli".

However, establishing a charity school in the name of the Jiang family was not Hu Xiaoyan's whim, but a decision made after careful consideration.

The Jiang family's current crisis, as well as Zhao Zhengbei's riding alone as the savior, made her even more convinced of her judgment three years ago - a relationship that is only maintained by money without human interaction is not reliable enough.

Wen Tingge knew the meaning of these three words, so he walked across the seat and bowed his head to the Jiang family's chief shopkeeper.

"Are you determined? You prodigal old woman, you can do whatever you want as soon as you think about it? Then you can do it for me!"

When Jiang Lianheng saw this, he immediately raised his hand to stop him, but said, "Let's worship another day! Today is just for a meal!"

Wang Zhengnan and Li Zhengxi had met Wen Tingge several times, but they were not very impressed, and it seemed that they had never been put in high regard by Brother Dao. Zhao Guoyan had only heard of him by name, but had never even met him in person.

Hu Xiaoyan rolled her eyes, then lowered her head to get another account book, muttering to herself: "The business in Huifangli is too bad, really too bad. I was pregnant and raising a child before, so can't you be more concerned? "

The sound of a pair of children playing together came from the yard downstairs. Xiaohua took them to play childhood games. Jiang Chengye was one year younger than Jiang Ya and spoke later. Now was the time to be a follower to his sister, doing whatever he was told. Mom's words still work - could the sister be the natural enemy of the younger brother? Could my sister be my brother’s natural enemy? Women are definitely men’s natural enemies!
Jiang Lianheng looked at the two children from a distance, with a smile in his eyes and sighed in his heart: Children who grew up eating white rice are beautiful!

As soon as he sat down, the other people were a little confused.

"In addition, I also want to set up a volunteer school for the Jiang family."

"That's not true."

Hu Xiaoyan put down the account book and said without giving in: "I have decided on this matter anyway, and the volunteer school must be carried out."

Wen Tingge also felt that the current situation was too casual and not formal enough. After thinking about it, he stood up, consciously walked to the end of the seat and sat down.

The banquet begins!
Since they are both from the Jiang family, they can talk to each other about everything. Liu Yansheng naturally raised his glasses frequently to add to the fun; Wang Zhengnan had always been kind, and when he heard that Wen Tingge was from Rehe, he asked him to inquire about the local customs and local products; Zhang Zhengdong still had a Jiujiu character and just kept his head down and drank; Zhao Guoyan probably met him for the first time. He looked at Wen Tingge lukewarmly all the time; but Li Zhengxi was in a daze, seemingly confused.

To be beneficial but not benevolent is nothing more than being a friend; to be benevolent but not beneficent is to force others into trouble.

Of course, the world is hot and cold, and people's hearts are cold and warm. Even if there are favors and benefits, there are many people who will add insult to injury and turn against each other, but there is always a little more trouble.

Hu Xiaoyan had previously provided for twelve little beggars to study in the city. She now feels that it is far from enough. If she can get children from poor families near and far to study, she does not expect them to become talented. Even if they are just postmen in the future, or even just to learn a few words, it will be useful. The Jiang family will be in trouble again in the future. , which gives you more room to maneuver.

"Even if you raise a bunch of white-eyed wolves and don't think about our family's good, just talking about setting up a volunteer school, your face will be bright if word spreads. If anything happens in the future, the government will protect us, at least There is another way to say it." Hu Xiaoyan said, "From now on, my fellow villagers will be able to say something nice about you."

Jiang Lianheng put out his cigarette butt and was silent. "Besides, it doesn't cost much to set up a volunteer school." Hu Xiaoyan continued, "I have already thought about it. Too many people died in Bai Guoping's foreign residence back then, so it is empty. If it cannot be sold, why not just use it for decoration? Decorate it, turn it into a classroom, and hire three or five older gentlemen. It doesn’t cost much.”

"Do you know what a classroom looks like?"

"What does it look like?"

Jiang Lianheng suddenly sneered: "I'm stuck at home every day, I don't even know what the classroom looks like, and I'm still running a volunteer school!"

When Hu Xiaoyan heard this, her cheeks immediately turned red, and then she hurriedly lowered her head: "That can't be done."

As I talked, I shed tears.

Jiang Lianheng quickly changed his mind and said, "Hey! I'm just kidding you. I'll do everything as you say. Aren't you already settled?"

Hu Xiaoyan remained silent and looked through the account books in a daze, knowing that he meant no harm, but once she thought about the words "stayed at home every day", she felt aggrieved and inferior.

With a "pop" sound, the tears finally fell.

Jiang Lianheng sat quietly for a while, peeking at Hu Xiaoyan's reaction from time to time. It wasn't until he heard the sound of the abacus ringing again that he cleared his throat and asked: "That...'Heshengfang' and' Who will these two places in Huifangli be allocated to in the future?”

"No one will give it to anyone." Hu Xiaoyan said without raising her head. "From now on, no one will give it to my family's gambling stalls and brothel businesses. We will keep it in our own hands."

"Can you take care of it?"

"It's easy to pay for professional managers, accountants, and people to look after the site. East wind, south wind, and west wind, it's enough to work in shifts, and our family doesn't have to worry too much about these now."

Jiang Lianheng frowned and said hesitantly, "What do those brothers do?"

"Just wait for the dividends." Hu Xiaoyan said, "You can borrow their power, but the family business will no longer be divided. Huifangli can consider it, but Heshengfang definitely can't!"

"Daughter-in-law, if you do this - is it a bit like choking and giving up eating - is it a bit like being bitten by a snake once and being afraid of well ropes for ten years?"

"Have you not noticed that something always happens in Heshengfang?" Hu Xiaoyan asked, "When Zhou Yunfu was here, the first person who rebelled was Chen Wantang of Heshengfang. Our family has only had a cabinet for a few years, and Zhong Yushan has been there again. Is there any sign of this?"

In the final analysis, "Landao's taking money is like child's play"!
The money coming from the gambling stall business is too fast. A deck of cards and a few dice can make people bankrupt in an instant. Zhong Yushan got Heshengfang. In just three to five years, he became rich just relying on the dividends given by the Jiang family. Oily flow.

With real money and silver in front of you, passing through your hands day and night, and fighting against selfish desires for many years, there is no guarantee that you will not fake accounts and be greedy for money, leading to your ambitions and seeking to establish your own business.

Chen Wantang was able to control the gambling stall business because Heshengfang originally belonged to him. He brought a whole team to seek refuge with Zhou Yunfu, and the Zhou family had the backing of the opium and soil trade in Fengzhou, and at the same time they also had "Hai Lao". "Owl" is the head horse and has well-connected people, so women of "Chun'erhong" are not to be feared, so until his old age, Zhou Yunfu was able to steadily suppress the "draft".

Repeatedly, Hu Xiaoyan did not intend to distribute the gambling business she had collected to her bosses.

Not only the gambling business, if the Jiang family has any business in the future, they must also keep it in their hands.

The Jiang family can give them power and money, but they can't give them a way to get money.

"The truth is correct." Jiang Lianheng scratched his head and said, "But a lonely tree does not make a forest. Brothers are all people who have made meritorious deeds. Just giving money is not that big of a deal. Beifeng is twenty..."

"Twenty-one." Hu Xiaoyan reminded.

"Isn't it! Bei Feng is already twenty-one, Dong Feng is twenty-three, Nan Feng and Xi Feng are twenty-two. Zhao Guoyan and the others are imitating me, so they have to do some errands."

"Don't worry Si Fengkou. They have enough to do at home. As for other people, if they want to do business, the Jiang family can lend them money and help them smoothen their relationships. The premise is that they must get the consent of their families. The exception is Guo Yan, Yingkou He has agreed to take care of the pig bristles business. If he wants, he can continue to manage it and his bonus will remain unchanged. "

While talking, Hu Xiaoyan thought of another thing.

"When it comes to the opening of the Daxiguan port, I plan to remove the word 'freight' from my insurance company and call it 'Zongheng Insurance Company.'" She said, "In two years, once the commercial port is built, I don't know what else will happen. Many new businesses have to pay water and fire insurance if they have a shop. This is a business opportunity. Let’s take down the water and fire insurance in that area, so we don’t have to lose touch with the long-established brands in the city.”

Jiang Lianheng felt that his head was a little big, so he hummed and agreed, unable to take care of it.

Hu Xiaoyan continued: "Also, I thought about it last night. If a commercial port is to be opened outside Daxiguan, the project will definitely be big, including manpower, material resources, street lights, roads, and building houses... I plan to use part of my family's money. , buy shares in businesses such as brick factories and electric light factories. If any company refuses to buy shares, you have to do something! "

"Let me take it easy first."

"Listen to me, you are the general manager of Dongyang Factory. I asked Nanfeng to go to the Commercial Port Bureau to ventilate the situation. Before the construction begins, our family will get the news first. You have to ask your subordinates to find the boss in advance. Good guy, take over the labor work. However, I have also thought about it. With such a huge amount of money, Zhang Laogao must share it with a few brothers, but they are all important members of the camp, and they are mostly responsible for supervising and assisting. For such errands, you have to move around more and make good connections in advance. Lao Zhang is Lao Zhang, they are them, and you won’t know which one can borrow the strength when the time comes.”

"Um... why don't you write it down for me?" Jiang Lianheng felt his head getting bigger and bigger.

"I've already written it for you."

Hu Xiaoyan moved her wheelchair back, opened the drawer, pulled out a few pieces of paper, handed them over and asked, "Take a look, what do you think?"

Jiang Lianheng immediately waved his hand: "Uh - Madam and I see the same thing, so there's no need to read any further. Just do as you say."

Hu Xiaoyan finally stopped being angry and asked with a smile: "Let me show you how you write these words. Have you made any progress?"

"Hey! You're talking about words!" Jiang Lianheng breathed a sigh of relief, took it over and looked at it, then curled his lips and said, "It's still close to me. You look like you are writing with your feet -"

Halfway through his words, Jiang Lianheng immediately covered his mouth, glanced at Hu Xiaoyan, and said with a dry smile: "Very good, very good! It's well written. It would be even better if Third Uncle is here and lets him give you some pointers."

Hu Xiaoyan ignored it and asked again: "Did you read the rules written by Yan Sheng?"

Jiang Lianheng nodded: "I probably took a look at it twice. It's the old Hongmen's rules."

"not good?"

"It's not bad, it's because my dad always told me that the Southern and Northern Codes are different. The Southern Code has the rules of the South Code, and the North Code has the rules of the North Code. It really needs to be broken down, and each place has its own rules. Every place has its own conventions, and it’s the same outside the customs. According to what he wrote, if you apply them mechanically, it will definitely not work.”

"I think so too. Many things have different names, but some of them make sense."

"That's for sure. How can unreasonable rules stand?"

"It's time for the Jiang family to set clear rules." Hu Xiaoyan suggested, "How about you take the things he wrote and change them after you read them?"

Jiang Lianheng nodded in response, and just as he was about to stand up, he suddenly heard a sound at the gate of the house.

Looking downstairs along the glass window, he saw Chuanghu leading three people, saying a few words to Yuan Xinfa at the gate, and then walked into the yard.

"Hey! Shopkeeper Xue is here!" Jiang Lian said with a happy smile, "Get ready quickly. Where can I put the two thousand yuan now in the ocean?"

After finishing speaking, a sharp gaze suddenly pierced his face.

Jiang Lianheng was startled and turned around to see Hu Xiaoyan turning sideways and staring at him...

(End of this chapter)