20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 468 Brothers
After the banquet, Wang Zhengnan found two apartments outside the Xiaoxiguan city gate for Yasipsen and Fangyan to settle down in.

In the following days, Nanfeng stayed at home, listening to Jiang Lianheng and Hu Xiaoyan introduce the situation in Harbin.

Apart from this, he had nothing to do all day long but eat and sleep to gain weight and conserve his energy, waiting for the spring to come, and then go north with Liu Yansheng to put into practice the many clues left by the Jiang family in Harbin one by one.

This afternoon, I had just finished a nap and was lying in bed to relax when someone suddenly knocked on the door twice.

Wang Zhengnan turned over and sat up, answering, but it was Xifeng who pushed the door and walked in.

"Brother, are you sleeping?"

"Hey, I just woke up. I slept too much and my head hurts a bit." Wang Zhengnan rubbed his temple and raised his hand to greet him, "Come in, what are you doing standing at the door?"

Li Zhengxi walked over with a smile, took out a cigarette box from his pocket, tapped it twice, and asked, "A whole cigarette?"

"Forget it, I don't smoke, don't ruin things."

Wang Zhengnan waved his hand, and then suddenly remembered something, so he hurriedly got up, walked to the desk in slippers, opened the drawer, took out a small box of cigars, and stuffed it into Li Zhengxi's arms with a smile.

"Xifeng, let me give you this. It's classy! It was given to me by Yasipsen. Dao Ge still has some. It would be useless if I had it. Take it back and have a try. It will make you look good!"

"Brother, I don't know how to smoke this either!"

"Why not?" Wang Zhengnan opened the cigar box on the spot, pointing to one end and explaining, "You can cut the back end and smoke it any way you want, just don't let it go through your lungs. This is good stuff, it smells really good, and a little sweet."

Li Zhengxi curled his lips and had to lower his head to put the cheap cigarette back into the cigarette box. He took the expensive cigar handed to him by Nanfeng and put it on the table.

"Second brother, you've been busy in southern Liaoning all year, and I haven't had a chance to chat with you." He sat down and asked, "How's the business over there?"

"Alas, I didn't make any money, I just earned a few shouts. When it comes to business, you can't be too anxious. It won't hurt to get to know a few more foreigners. You never know when we'll have the opportunity to cooperate with each other!"

Wang Zhengnan took the opportunity to talk a little about the recent situation at Liaonan Wharf.

But as he was talking, he found that Xifeng didn't seem to be interested and was just asking casually out of symbolic interest, so he gradually stopped the topic and asked, "What do you want to talk to me about?"

Li Zhengxi laughed awkwardly twice, then came to his senses and said quickly, "Yes, yes, yes, I wanted to come over to discuss something with you."

Wang Zhengnan immediately frowned, with a bit of complaint in his tone: "Well, if you have something to say, just say it directly! I have been talking to you for a long time, but you didn't listen to a word I said!"

"Hahaha, no no, I listened to a few sentences at least."

"Stop talking nonsense, just tell me what you have to say."

Li Zhengxi cleared his throat quickly and said, "Second brother, you know I have a group of little brothers over by the river!"

"You're not just at the riverside?" Wang Zhengnan said with a smile, "Aren't all the half-grown fans in Fengtian City under your control? Forget about them, even those old beggars would dare not call you 'Third Master' when they see you."

"Second brother, stop talking about me. Who is in charge? We are all brothers. If there is anything, let's discuss it together!"

Li Zhengxi never liked to call himself the "head of the group", so he shook his head to deny it.

However, whether he admits it or not, Mr. Li Sanye's identity as the "head of the group" has become an established fact.

Wang Zhengnan was too lazy to argue with him and asked directly: "Okay, okay, go on, what happened to those little fans?"

Li Zhengxi scratched his head and smiled flatteringly, "Second brother, you are smart. I want you to give me some advice and help me figure out what kind of business is suitable for my little brothers."

Hearing this, Wang Zhengnan was stunned for a moment.

After thinking about it for a while, he asked in confusion: "Selling fans is a business. If not this, what else do they want to do?"

Li Zhengxi explained: "Second brother, you know that those kids in Xiaoheyan are all real beggars, just like us when we were little. They just stretch out their hands and beg foolishly. They will never make a business out of fanning."

"If you don't know, just learn! Haven't you heard what the foreigners said, 'God saves those who save themselves'? If a person is extremely lazy, it won't be of any use to you, not to mention you, even if Jesus came!"

"Brother, this matter has nothing to do with God. Don't read the foreign scriptures to me. I just want to help them find a way to make a living and earn some money in peace and stability."

"Then introduce them to work in the factory!" Wang Zhengnan suggested on the spot, "The boys can go to the flour mill, the girls can go to the textile factory, and if they can't do technical work, they can go pull rickshaws, run postmen, or work as long-term workers for rich families... Do you still need to ask me about such a small matter? Can't you just say a word?"

Li Zhengxi was speechless.

At first, he also thought so, but the gang of young men led by Laizitou were too ambitious and looked down on this kind of livelihood. They only wanted to eat delicious food and drink spicy drinks, and become famous in the underworld, wishing they could reach the sky in one step.

Wang Zhengnan sat cross-legged on the bed, still muttering to himself loudly:

"Oh, right, I heard from Lao Liu a few days ago that the government has already marked out the commercial port land. They will bid for the land in the spring and start construction in the summer. Just imagine how big a project that is. These are places that need people, so let them go!"

Li Zhengxi listened silently, then he groaned and sighed, "Second brother, what you said is all very good, but I still want to help them find a long-term livelihood."

Hearing this, Wang Zhengnan frowned and asked suspiciously, "Xifeng, are those guys too ambitious and incompetent to work hard?"

"No, no, no, you can't say that. People must have some ambition!"

"... Just indulge them!" Wang Zhengnan shook his head and sighed, "Xifeng, I have to remind you that you are their 'leader'. Sometimes you have to act like a 'leader'. I won't say you can yell and show off your power, but you can't let them intimidate you!"

"It's not as serious as you say. They don't dare to challenge me." Li Zhengxi waved his hand and said, "I think we are all brothers. If they want to start a business, I will help them if I can!"

"Come on, I don't know you." Wang Zhengnan curled his lips. "If they dare to challenge you, then there will be no such thing. But if they beg you, you will be embarrassed. Am I right?"

"Brother, you're making this matter too complicated."

"It's not complicated at all! Xifeng, I'm telling you something serious. You must not let those guys catch you. You think you are being righteous when you are not acting like a big brother? That's not a good thing!"

"Brother, what you said is too high-level. It's not that complicated at all. I just want to make my brothers' lives better and give them a hand. There's nothing wrong with that, right?"

"Hey, why don't you understand? You pull them, but they are actually pulling you too! Don't let them pull you down before you pull them up!"

After several tit-for-tat exchanges, both of them looked a little unhappy.

Xifeng naturally understood all the truth, but he was also born to be a righteous person.

If he didn't have this kind of personality, he wouldn't be able to gather a group of people and unite them into one.

If he always has this kind of personality, he will never be able to become the leader.

The word hypocrisy is easy to say and difficult to say - the easy part is that you just have to pass the hurdle of your own heart; the difficult part is that you must eventually pass the hurdle of your own heart.

"Second brother, the way you speak now is more and more like a businessman." Li Zhengxi said in a low voice with a gloomy face.

"What's wrong with being a businessman?" Wang Zhengnan argued. "You don't do business in silence. You have to deal with people. Let me tell you this. I have concluded over the years that if you want to do business well, you must first understand people. The business world is like a battlefield, full of conspiracies and intrigues. You really should go out with me."

"Hiss - Second Brother, why do I always feel that we are talking about two different things?"

"How can they be two different things? They are obviously the same thing!"

"I just want you to give me some advice, why are you talking to me about all this nonsense?" "I just want to tell you that you are different from them now, you can't just think about them all day long!"

"What's the difference?" Li Zhengxi frowned immediately. "We both have one head and two legs. They are begging now, and we were begging when we were little. It's nothing more than that we are luckier than them. Apart from this, what else is the difference?"

"Look at you, why do you keep talking about the past?" Wang Zhengnan said impatiently, "People always believe in 'don't air your dirty laundry in public'. If someone's family has some shameful past, they won't talk about it if they can. But you, on the other hand, were a beggar for a few years when you were a kid, and you can't wait to talk about it every day. I just don't understand, how can this bring honor to the family?"

"That's not what I meant!"

"I think that's what you mean. Good fellow, everyone is sharpening their heads to climb up, but why are you digging a hole and crawling down here?"

"Who went down there? We're living well now, but those little idiots are working for the family, and they can't even afford a full meal. Can't I help them?"

"Oh, you said that as if I have no good intentions. I didn't say I wouldn't let you help, but those guys are obviously ambitious. I just want to remind you not to let them catch you. Besides, you can help but you have to do it within your ability. You can't just help yourself. Can you help others? Look at this cotton jacket of yours. How many years have you worn it? My sister-in-law gives us a lot of salary, but you are the one who wears it the shabbiest. You should pay more attention to your appearance. You don't look classy at all!"

Li Zhengxi turned away impatiently and waved his hand, "Okay, okay, don't mind my business."

"Then why did you come here to ask me?" Wang Zhengnan choked back as he opened his mouth.

Li Zhengxi was stunned and felt a little embarrassed.

If it were any other time, he would probably just walk away, too lazy to argue with Nan Feng anymore.

But the situation today is different. He came here to seek advice on behalf of the brothers in Xiaoheyan and he can't just leave like that.

After thinking it over, Li Zhengxi lit a cigarette, and said with a shy smile: "Um... Second brother, I spoke too harshly just now, please don't take it personally."

Wang Zhengnan smacked his lips, waved his hand and said, "Forget it, stop being so pretentious."

Li Zhengxi scratched his head and said, "So what can I do with them? Help me think of a way, preferably one that doesn't cost any money."

"If you don't want to do this or that, then just stick to your fan business!" Wang Zhengnan said, "Xifeng, you have thirty or forty half-grown kids under your command. If they walk around the street, which shopkeeper wouldn't be upset? With so many of them, how can they lie down in front of someone's door and not get paid? Just play dirty. I think that bald-headed guy is suitable."

"Brother, if this is the method, then why would I come here to ask you?"

It's not like Li Zhengxi hadn't thought about this despicable thing.

The problem is that the shop owners of all the major businesses in Fengtian have dealings with the Jiang family; even if the smaller businesses do not know Jiang Lianheng, they are on good terms with other leaders; and all other businesses are "official" properties of Lao Zhang's brothers, and they will not tolerate anyone messing around.

We all know each other, and this despicable way of extorting money will only bring shame to the Jiang family in the end.

On the other hand, this "forcing the issue at the door" approach is not only easy to get beaten, but also does not earn any money at all. In the end, only the "head of the group" can benefit.

But in Li Zhengxi's eyes, this was not considered as finding a job for his brothers.

After hearing this, Wang Zhengnan suddenly understood, and finally began to think about it seriously.

A living person cannot be allowed to hold his urine to death. If one way is blocked, think of another one.

After smoking two cigarettes, Wang Zhengnan suddenly slapped his thigh and suggested, "Xifeng, why don't you let them set up shop along the river?"

"'Putting the ground'?" Li Zhengxi's eyes lit up. "Like Liu Fengqi from Liaonan?"

"No, no, no, you are different from him." Wang Zhengnan explained, "When Manager Liu was 'selling land', Wakendian hadn't been built yet. He deceived a few rich people, fenced off a piece of land, and built Wakendian up bit by bit. You don't have to work so hard."

"No need to raise money." Li Zhengxi breathed a sigh of relief.

Wang Zhengnan said, "Although you don't need to raise money, I guess you have to share profits with others."

"Then why?"

"Think about it, what is Xiaoheyan? The south bank is the vegetable garden of the provincial capital, the north bank is the largest vegetable market in the city, and there is a private park by the water. There are many people and businesses, but that piece of land seems to have an owner. Can you not give him a share of the money?"

"Oh, then the money should indeed be divided." Li Zhengxi nodded heavily.

Unexpectedly, Wang Zhengnan seemed very disappointed with his reaction. Although he didn't say it explicitly, he opened his mouth and pointed out to him: "Xifeng, you can't make a lot of money!"

"Well, I don't expect to make a lot of money, so you can say what you want."

"Also, don't forget that you are a member of the Jiang family. If you want to open your own business, you need your sister-in-law to agree to it - of course, Brother Dao must agree as well - if your sister-in-law agrees to let you open a business, you have to pay another share of the money to the family."

"Of course, that's the way it should be. No matter what kind of business you run, you still have to rely on your family."

"Well, you just need to know what's going on." Wang Zhengnan went on to say, "Also, don't think that 'setting up a business' means just finding a few people to create a scene. You have to be knowledgeable and know which artist is talented and whose work is popular. Otherwise, you still won't make money from this business, so you have to find a few knowledgeable people to help you with your advice."

"Ah, it's so complicated..."

"We're just getting started. You still have to answer those old questions correctly, and someone has to keep an eye on the artists. How can business be as easy as you think? We only have one idea now. If we want to really make the business a success, we have to study it carefully!"

"Second brother, you have to help me gather the crowd!"

"I...well, wait until I'm free. I have to go to Harbin with Lao Liu in the spring!" Wang Zhengnan said, "You don't have to rush. Everything has to be done step by step. I think you'd better discuss it with your sister-in-law first. If she doesn't agree, it's useless for you to think too much!"

Li Zhengxi nodded and said in a deep voice: "Then I will talk to my sister-in-law after the New Year and the beginning of spring."

"Just tell me now! My sister-in-law happens to be free today. She was taking care of the kids upstairs just now!"

However, Li Zhengxi hesitated for a moment and said, "Let's wait until after the Chinese New Year. After the spring comes, I will tell my sister-in-law about it."

Wang Zhengnan asked in confusion: "No, you...what else do you want?"

"Ah? Ah! Um... this... Actually it's nothing. Anyway, I'll tell my sister-in-law when the time comes. Um, second brother, I'm leaving first. Thank you very much!"

As he spoke, Li Zhengxi stood up from the chair and walked towards the door.

"Eh?" Wang Zhengnan noticed something was wrong and quickly asked, "Why are you talking halfway? Why are you so shy? What's going on?"

"Boom!"

The door was closed and listening to the footsteps, Xifeng seemed to have gone far away.

"There's something wrong with this kid, there must be something wrong!"

Wang Zhengnan turned around thoughtfully and suddenly found the box of cigars still lying quietly on the table. He suddenly opened the door and shouted to the corridor: "Xifeng, hold on to the cigars!"

But after waiting for half a day, there was still no response from Xifeng.

Wang Zhengnan had no choice but to put the cigar back into the drawer, muttering quietly, "These are all high-end, good stuff. You really don't know what they are!"

The desk drawer closed with a clang, the light outside the window flashed by, and in the blink of an eye it was already New Year's Eve...

(End of this chapter)