20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 449 Money Table

The older one is in the arena, the less courageous he becomes.

The next morning, the sky was gray and a bit overcast, but there was no wind, so it wasn't too cold.

On Khitan Street, a small newsboy holds a thick stack of "Far Eastern News" in his arms, slaps his buttocks with his cross-body bag, and walks along the street, selling news.

The city is gradually waking up.

Madiel Hotel, lobby seating area.

Jiang Lianheng had just had breakfast and was currently sitting on the sofa with Xue Yingqing and others, whispering. From time to time there were luxuriously dressed and foreign tourists coming and going around him.

When it comes to Sheng Baoku, he always has some concerns in his heart.

It's not that he's afraid, but he always feels that this person's behavior is abnormal, and he's not sure of his intentions, so he's inevitably a bit suspicious.

Xue Yingqing didn't take it seriously and just smiled and comforted him: "Oh, don't worry! If you can't trust him, can you still not trust me?"

Sheng Baoku quickly waved his hand and said: "Farewell, there are only these people among us, why bother doing that? Otherwise, I will squeeze in with the driver outside, you can sit inside and get on the bus. You are welcome." ”

While talking, a cold wind suddenly blew in the lobby.

What is outside the Dao? It's plaster poured out of a mold and pasted on. When you knock it, it makes a hollow sound!
The streets are poorly managed, small vendors occupy land everywhere, and rickshaws that are prohibited on the road are everywhere outside the road.

Everyone stood up and looked towards the door of the hotel - it was none other than "Old Qian'er" Sheng Baoku.

"Oh, Chuanghu's hometown is here. I let him go visit relatives, but he won't be with us today."

"Click, click, click..."

There was a crack of whip, and the sound of horse hooves gradually disappeared towards the south.

Xue Yingqing also smiled and echoed, and said to Jiang Lianheng: "Old Qian'er is a little greedy, but not to the point of risking his life for making money. He has heard of you, let him follow the online 'Hengbanger' makes Xing'er, he doesn't have the courage."

In front of us is Daowai Binjiang County, at the intersection of Zhengyang Street.

Chuang Hu didn't care, he just laughed and said: "They are all my brothers, they are all my brothers."

After twists and turns, the Russian carriage finally came to a slow stop.

"How are you? Are you used to sleeping last night?" Sheng Baoku asked.

At this time of year, whether the residents have gotten used to the severe cold or are buying New Year's goods in advance, the streets are crowded with people and the sounds of hawking are endless, making it seem far more lively than in the street.

"Don't worry about the dance, you just want to watch it!"

"Hey, you guys got up early enough!"

"What dance?"

Chuanghu was particularly excited to return to Binjiang County after seven years.

Seeing the familiar yet unfamiliar neighborhood, he couldn't help but sigh loudly: "What a big change, brother, let's go?"

Sheng Baoku grabbed his wrist, but without any explanation, he just laughed mysteriously.

"Don't always call me brother. Are you older than me?" Li Zhengxi frowned.

After a few words of greeting, Jiang Lianheng and others finally got into the carriage one after another.

Unexpectedly, Toudaozi snorted coldly, with a rather disdainful expression.

"It's not that I can't believe it." Jiang Lianheng explained, "It's just that I always feel that this old boy's mind is not on business."

"It's okay, it's just a bunch of money. He doesn't dare."

There are two rows of seats in the carriage, which are suitable for four people, but five people are squeezed in.

A thoroughfare runs from east to west, connecting a bustling city with people everywhere, filled with the smell of fireworks.

Seeing this, Jiang Lian said hurriedly: "That's okay. I'll work harder. Shopkeeper Xue can sit in my arms."

"Very good, it cost you money." Jiang Lian glanced outside the door and asked, "Boss Sheng, why are you here alone? Where was the little follower yesterday?"

He eagerly led everyone out of the hotel, stood at the door, raised his hand to call for a carriage, and talked about today's plan, and he seemed very excited.

After saying that, he turned around and was about to get into the carriage when he suddenly hesitated.

"What's wrong!" Xue Yingqing glared at him fiercely, "Can't we just call another car?"

"Hey, let's play for our own good and bring that kid to get in the way." Sheng Baoku was still very enthusiastic. He counted the number of people and suddenly felt a little surprised, "Eh? Boss Jiang, where were those two brothers last night?"

Kang Zheng nodded and agreed: "Shopkeeper, be careful not to make any mistakes. After all, we haven't seen each other for two or three years."

Jiang Lianheng had never heard of it.

Although the buildings on both sides are also in the Baroque style, they look loose and cheap, and they look exactly like they are—fake!
The churches and hotels in Daoli are all genuine masonry structures, with granite reliefs on their exterior walls.

Sheng Baoku was startled at first, then quickly waved his hands and said with a smile: "I should, then... let's leave quickly?"

"crunch..."

He came over with a smile on his face, his face was a little stiff, his ears were red, his forehead was shiny, as if he had traveled a long way, and he looked very cold.

"Shopkeeper Xue, I know your hobbies. Our first stop today is not going anywhere. We will go straight to Qiulin Foreign Trade Co., Ltd. to go shopping with you. Boss Jiang, we are going to play horse racing later. How about going to the ballet tonight?”

Jiang Lianheng and others stood up one after another and exchanged greetings with him.

As soon as Li Zhengxi got off the carriage, the lively noise was like a flood from a bursting embankment, rushing towards him in an instant.

Although it is a bit chaotic, it is an authentic Jianghu place.

Looking around, there are people ordering food, playing games, selling foreign movies, fortune telling, begging, and setting up small gambling stalls... just like the eight immortals crossing the sea, each showing his magical powers.

Li Zhengxi walked sideways through the crowd, turned around and asked: "Where is your buddy named Lin Qi? Can he open in such a bright light?"

"I don't know either, let's go inside first and take a look!"

Chuanghu's body is too small, and it is particularly difficult to move through the crowd.

The two of them moved around and around, and after a long effort, they finally passed the entrance to the downtown area, and the street gradually became wider.

Chuanghu stood at the intersection of Toudao Street, looking around with a bit of confusion in his eyes.

When he left Binjiang County, there were still many mud houses here, but now they have disappeared.

"Can't find it?" Li Zhengxi asked.

"I can find it, I can find it..." Chuanghu looked a little ambitious, "Wait until I find a familiar ligature and ask?"

It's easy to say, but hard to find.

Performing in the martial arts world mostly involves cheating to make money.

Although the New Year is approaching and everyone who should go home has gone home, after all, things have changed in Fujiadian, Binjiang County for seven years. Where can I find a familiar Chinese character?

The two of them were running around in the street. After two cigarettes, Chuang Hu still didn't meet anyone he knew.

In desperation, I had no choice but to walk to a Gua stall on the street and try my luck.

The fortune teller was an old man in his fifties, with a goatee on his chin and glasses. He looked quite knowledgeable and was wrapped tightly in a cotton-padded jacket. When Li Zhengxi and Chuang Hu came over, he had just sent away a young daughter-in-law. When he saw the two coming, he glanced at them and immediately turned away, pretending to turn a blind eye, assuming the attitude of an outsider.

"uncle--"

"Oh, you didn't find it?"

A businessman with a golden touch is the best at observing words and emotions.

The old gentleman had just noticed that the two people were looking blankly on the street, their eyes empty. They were either looking for someone or something. Nine times out of ten, they were sure to make a mistake. Even if they were wrong, he could make up for it with words. return.

He asked so suddenly: "You didn't find it, did you?"

It's both a "big lie" and a "false lie". If you listen to it through a loophole, you might be fooled on the spot.

Li Zhengxi quickly stopped talking and asked directly: "Uncle, I'm here from Waiha. I want to ask you about my old relationship."

The old gentleman lowered his eyes, looked at the two of them, and tentatively asked, "Are we traveling together?"

"No, no, just walking around online. This person's name is Lin Qi, he is a shadow puppet singer."

"No cuckoo." Chuanghu added.

The old man rolled his eyes, shook his head and said, "I haven't heard of it. This is the city, and there are not many shadow puppet performers. You two go to the countryside and go to Shuangcheng to have a look."

"Have you never heard of Wu Mingjuan?" Chuang Hu frowned, "His shadow puppet can take off his clothes."

"I've never heard of it, what's new?" The old gentleman was a little impatient, "Oh, let's go, let's go, I'm busy right now!"

Li Zhengxi and Chuang Hu looked at each other and had to get up and leave.

In this way, the two of them wandered around Zhengyang Street all morning like headless chickens. During this period, they asked many Jianghu artists, but no one knew whether they mentioned "Lin Qi" or "Wu Mingjuan".

When the sun was high, the two of them found a noodle restaurant to eat.

Li Zhengxi couldn't help complaining: "Huzi, your brother doesn't even have a man'er! Is he still lying down now? Didn't he really die of the plague that year?"

"No way..."

Chuanghu scratched his head, feeling increasingly unsure.

In the second year of Xuantong, the population of Fujiadian was not large, but the great plague claimed thousands of lives.

A city that has stood up again among the dead, and there are refugees fleeing here and there. The familiar connections in the past have long been broken and scattered. In the vast sea of ​​​​people, life and death are uncertain. It is not easy to find someone?

However, Chuanghu still refused to give up.

"Wait a minute, don't worry, I must still have acquaintances here, they can't all be dead."

"Pull him down, the day lily will be cold by the time you find this person."

Li Zhengxi was too impatient and immediately shook his head and said, "Don't look for your brother yet. Old Qian'er used to work at the money table. After we finish our meal, we should go directly to the money table to inquire."

"Brother, if you act like this, won't you be a little bit alarming?"

"Otherwise, what else can you do? Even if you find Lin Qi, he is a shadow puppeteer. How can he know about Lao Qian'er's business? I guess you will have to find the money table in the end to find out."

"Find Lin Qi, at least you have a guarantor!"

"We searched the streets for 'Uncuckoo' but couldn't find it. He doesn't even have a vine, so how can he be a guarantor?"

Li Zhengxi couldn't sit still anymore, put down his chopsticks and said, "Hurry up and eat, that's it."

Chuanghu thought about it again and again and nodded.

"Okay, if you want to find a money table, you have to go to the Exchange Street. There are all people doing this business there, but... Brother, they are a gang of people. Just take it easy, the boss won't let you report your number."

Li Zhengxi put his hand on his waist and said, "Don't be a coward, I'm taking the guys with me. If I don't ask about something, they'll fuck me in the street, right?"

"That's not the case."

"Eat quickly. When you're finished, lead the way!"

Chuanghu nodded, ate the noodles quickly and slowly, and then walked out of the restaurant with Xifeng.

There was no exchange street in Binjiang County, but because there were so many money banks, there was a so-called "exchange street".

This place is located at the intersection of Zhengyang Street, running north and south. Along both sides of the street, although there are several bank accounts, most of them are unrelated businesses.

It is said that there are more than 300 money tables outside the road, half of which are all gathered on this street, and gradually formed a sizable gang.

This business is an illegal business. The exchange rate is never economical according to the market price, and profits are deducted from it. Fake receipts and bills can be seen everywhere, and there are even a few who take advantage of the chaos to abduct and rob. People who know how to do it can make a bargain on the spot. They wanted to engage in violent fights, but the currency system in Habu was chaotic and the exchange industry was in short supply, so the government kept banning them.

The so-called money table is really just a table.

From a distance, it looks like a Gua stall.

This is good, because when the government makes a surprise inspection, it will be easier to lift the table and run away in time.

There were two chairs placed behind the table. There were several rows of ocean and copper plates stacked on the table, and they were covered with cloth heads. Other than that, there is only an account book and an abacus.

People are coming and going in the bustling city.

Now Dayang is just sitting there on the table, not afraid of stealing or robbing. You know, if you don't have some small influence, you will never be able to do this business.

At this time, the exchange street was particularly lively, and there was an endless stream of blind dates asking for exchange prices.

The money table has long been colluding, and no matter who you exchange it with, the exchange rate is the same.

Li Zhengxi and Chuang Hu walked around, finally found an empty table, and hurried over.

This money desk was about forty years old. When he saw guests coming, he didn't look good. Next to him sat the cashier, and behind him stood three or four strong men with round waists. At first glance, he was not a serious businessman.

When the two of them walked in, they glanced up at the money table and asked nonchalantly: "Should I exchange for Qiang tickets or gold tickets?"

Li Zhengxi took out three ocean dollars, put them on the table, and said, "I have another message."

"Oh, I'm asking about the market situation." Qian Zhuizhi immediately raised his chin to his side.

The accountant immediately understood, picked up the account book, and muttered like a mantra: "Today's old exchange rate..."

"Wait a minute!" Li Zhengxi quickly raised his hand to interrupt, "I'm not asking about the exchange rate. I just want to inquire about someone here."

Hearing this, Qian Zhuizhi showed displeasure on his face, but he glanced at Xian Dayang on the table and reluctantly nodded for the sake of money.

"Ask, who do you want to know about?"

"There is a man named Lao Qian'er in the money table business. I wonder if I have heard of him?"

"Old Qian?"

Qian Zhuizhi's expression suddenly changed. He turned around and looked at each other with the people around him. Then he turned his head with a half-smile, but asked: "You asked him, why did he come to my place? Haven't you heard that sentence? Are you a colleague?" enemy!"

Li Zhengxi immediately smiled: "It is precisely because our colleagues are enemies that I came here to inquire about the news!"

"What, you two have a grudge?"

Unexpectedly, the money desk came straight to the point and asked: "He - cheated you out of money?"

(End of this chapter)