Lin Gao Qiming

Chapter 292 - Xiao Zhanfeng

But they are inconvenient to get too close.All the people who come and go here are acquaintances, and suddenly two unfamiliar faces come, which is very easy to make people suspicious.Not to mention asking for news.Chen Tianxiong deeply felt that his time here was too short to reach the point of "sinking down".Not only did he let people know that he came from an "outsider road" as soon as he opened his mouth, but he even behaved differently from others.Every move will attract people's attention. In this social environment, without the assistance of local people, it is whimsical to engage in intelligence work.

Thinking of this, I can't help admiring the secret arrangements made by Mr. Wen and the others in Guangzhou back then: If there is no Gao family and Qiwei Escort today, and the Crossing Group is lonely and facing Gao, I don't know how long it will take to break the situation.There, as it is now, there is always some local support.

The two of them rested and drank tea in a roadside tea shed half a mile away from the temple. There were people coming and going in the tea shed, and there were many places in five directions.

Fortunately, the recent struggle between Huanan and Haiyitang has become a big news in Xuwen and even Leizhou, and the people in the shed are the most talked about.

The news is very mixed, and there are many absurdities, especially the machines in the South China factory, which are almost becoming "monster weapons".Although things like machinery were not as rare in the late Ming Dynasty as they were in the "Prosperous Qing Dynasty", many people still feel mysterious and unfathomable about things that can move by themselves without manpower, water power, or wind power, and are so powerful.

The second most talked about is the private life of the South China factory masters.Especially the relationship with the Wen family brothers has become the object of many people's obsession. Listening to the public comment in the tea shed on the chrysanthemum of the two people is very popular.However, Chang Shide's "feat" of buying five women in one fell swoop in the market was not mentioned.

At this time, I heard the people next to me frothing and said: "...I think this time, South China will be greatly deflated."

How do you see it?This is something everyone wants to ask. So far, predictions that South China will be deflated have been made several times.In Xu Wen's gambling game, there has recently been an additional gamble: betting on whether Huanan will win or Haiyitang will win this sugar war.A few days ago, there were many people who had been buying Haiyitang Sheng, but as the purchase price of [-] yuan has been maintained until now, the number of people buying Huanan Sheng has greatly increased.The local people are not fools, the cropping season has only lasted for more than three months, and now two-thirds of it has passed, and the warehouses of the various sugar shops below Haiyi Hall are still empty.Victory or defeat has been divided.

"Your brother knows how to lick Haiyitang's feet every day. I don't know who said last time that Huanan's money will be broken within three days. If you keep talking, he will cut off his job?" Didn't you go to the capital to hang up the block!"

"Hanging up the son" means self-eunuchs among the people, and those who intend to enter the palace go to the capital to offer themselves as eunuchs to complete the procedures.

There was a burst of laughter in the tea shed, and the person who was being teased remained stubborn: "Who knows where they got the money again? I think South China is also dying."

"The number of lingering to the point of passing the scale has increased to fifteen, which has tripled. Is there such a lingering life in the world?"

"Hmph!" The person who was being teased refused to admit defeat, and said, "Even if South China has a lot of money, they have lost in the hearts of the people! Just watch, within three to five days, there must be a civil uprising!"

"Why do you know?" The other party didn't think so, "Do you have two jobs? No wonder you can't apply for jobs!"

Now the tea shed was full of laughter, everyone clutched their stomachs and knocked down, even the waiter and the waiter bent over and wiped their tears from laughter.

Now this person lost face, and said anxiously: "Xiao Suanzi! Just look at it, South China has gone against the law in Xuwen and ruined many people's livelihoods. Someone sued him earlier and was refuted by the grandfather. But the matter How can you understand this? Sooner or later, a civil uprising will be triggered!"

The scholar called Suanzi shook his head and said with a smile: "I advise you to go to the gate of the South China Sugar Shop and talk to the sugarcane farmers. If the price of two taels and five yuan has changed to one tael, you have the nerve to talk about others." Ruin people's livelihood'?!"

"Huh, Xu Wen only has sugarcane farmers?" The other party sneered, "I think you are blind. Those people in front of Monk Zou's temple, who don't hate South China to death? I advise you not to rush to advocate for South China. After three days , we must see the outcome!"

"Three days is three days!" The scholar snapped his fan away, "I'd like to see what happens. It depends on what kind of guy they recommend Lin Zhuang. This group of people can't make a fortune!"

When Chen Tianxiong heard the mention of "Linzhuang", he couldn't help pricking up his ears, wanting to hear what happened, but someone came to persuade him, "Two, two, this kind of thing has nothing to do with us, why bother to hurt you for this?" Peaceful? Let’s drink tea.”

In this way, the topic of "Lin Zhuang" will not be mentioned, but the topic is still on the affairs of South China. This scholar is very interested in the machines in South China, and he only hates that South China has a very strict gate and cannot go in to have a look.

"I heard that the machine eats bagasse and spits out black smoke. The fire is raging like a big furnace." Someone said.

"I just don't know what is burning on this stove? What's the use of burning it?" He sighed, "I wish I could see it with my own eyes!"

"It's boiling water." Someone said, "I heard from the people inside that they have to pour water into it every day. At that time, there will be steam coming out, but I don't know what they do to boil sugar when they boil water like this every day." usefulness?"

Speaking without intention, the listener has a heart.Chen Tianxiong nodded secretly.The observation ability of the ancients is still there, but it is a pity that they lack the knowledge and accumulation of hundreds of years, which is a disadvantage.

"Sugar production in South China is a secret method. Wouldn't it be wishful thinking to go into a sugar factory to see their machines?" An old man said, "Just say that in Leizhou Prefecture, there are many big families who want to do business with South China."

This is the first time I heard of it!Chen Tianxiong thought, the bodyguards came out to inquire about the news, because they were separated by a layer, not to mention they didn't know what the traversers were most concerned about.

"That's strange. What business do you have with them besides sugar?"

"For such a big company in South China, just eating and dressing is a huge business!" said the old man, "It's a pity they didn't come here for a short time—"

What a pity, it goes without saying.South China's foundation here is very shallow, not to mention the details are unknown.Most of the general big shops in the local area are old and prudent, and they make new customers to do business.If there is no problem with both, I will trade with you, otherwise I would rather not make money than provoke.

The confrontation between Huanan and Haiyitang seems to be a matter between the two families, but in fact, the whole Leizhou is watching.Thinking about it this way, it is a level deeper than before: South China is here, one is to make money, and the other is to establish a name.Although this is not a "liberated area", it is an important source of income for the future travel group, and the foundation must be solid.Thinking of this, Chen Tianxiong became more determined to use his wrists instead of relying on force to solve the problem.

But in the end, no one mentioned about Lin Zhuang anymore, Chen Tianxiong was disappointed, since this was the case, he had to inquire about it face to face.From the conversations of other people, he knew that the scholar surnamed Xiao was called Xiao Zhanfeng.This person has a very good impression of South China. It is rare that he is sensible and willing to speak up, so he is a target that can be wooed.And the implication is that he knows Lin Zhuang quite well, and he may be able to inquire about some news through him.

It was almost noon, and Xiao Zhanfeng was going back to eat.Chen Tianxiong winked at Zhou Shidi.Zhou Shizhai understood: There are too many people here, it is inconvenient to greet him in the street, so he might as well go home with him, and it will not be too late to visit him again.

Immediately followed out.Chen Tianxiong drank tea in the tea shed by himself, listening to nonsense.It's just that his level of Leizhou dialect is quite limited, and he can't understand more than half of them, so he plans to ask someone to teach him.

After sitting for more than an hour, Zhou Shizhai came back, dropped a few copper coins on the table, and went out to meet him.

Zhou Shidi told him in a low voice that Xiao lived in Xuwen County.This is rather surprising.Why did he, a resident of a county town, go to Hai'an Street, more than ten miles away, to drink tea?Although Xu Wen is small, there is always a place to drink tea.

"His house is in Beiguanxiang, the county seat. It looks very dilapidated. I even found out about his family's affairs."

This Xiao Zhanfeng's parents have passed away, and the wind commented that this person has always been out of business, and he is prone to talking about it on weekdays, and his family is very miserable.So so far I don't even have a wife.

Since this person is a master who has nothing to worry about, he can be used by me.Chen Tianxiong made up his mind and asked Zhou Shidi to lead the way to visit the scholar together.

Liu Xiucai lived in a courtyard in the back street of Guanxiang.It is also a detached house.Looking at the scale, it used to be a well-to-do family, but now it looks very dilapidated. The walls have not been painted for a long time, and even the door and wall are a little crooked.Grass even grew on the ground in front of the door—a look of a desolate and dilapidated house in front of the door.

Zhou Shidi stepped forward and knocked on the door. After a long while, he knocked the person out.Wearing an old shirt.She was bareheaded and didn't wear a scarf. Although her clothes were old and patched, they were still clean and tidy.

Seeing that it was two strangers who came to the door, Xiao Zhanfeng couldn't help but startled: "Who are you looking for?"

"Find Xiao Zhanfeng."

"This is me, I've never met before, I don't know you two..." He looked at the unexpected visitor curiously.

"I have admired your name for a long time, and I am here to pay you a visit." Chen Tianxiong said a general courtesy.

Xiao Zhanfeng's eyes flicked on Chen Tianxiong's body for a while, and he nodded suddenly: "I see! Please sit inside."

Chen Tianxiong originally thought that he would refuse, so he specially prepared a set of arguments, and even prepared to force his way, but now it seems that it is unnecessary.Can not help but greatly increase the interest in this person.

The courtyard is very barren, a lychee tree grows with branches, a broken table and a few bamboo chairs are placed under the tree.There is tea on the table, it can be seen that although Xiao Zhanfeng is poor, he still has the elegance of a literati.

"There are few people in the courtyard, and the house is chaotic, so please sit down in the courtyard."

The host and guest were seated, and before Chen Tianxiong could speak, Xiao Zhanfeng blinked his eyes a few times and said, "If you guess correctly, you two are from South China."

Chen Tianxiong secretly praised him for his eyesight, and only said: "How can you see it?"

"People in South China behave differently from the locals." Xiao Zhanfeng smiled quite complacently, "You two change your attire, but your demeanor remains the same."

"Oh, I want to ask you a question or two. How can you tell from your bearing?" This is tantamount to admitting that he is from South China in disguise.

"What's so difficult about this?" Xiao Zhanfeng was quite proud, "I've seen only a few of your big shopkeepers in South China. None of them look like businessmen, but they have the air of looking down on the world."

"Arrogant to the world?" Chen Tianxiong couldn't help laughing, don't we really have the air of a king?After thinking about it, modern people are indeed not comparable to the ancients in terms of self-confidence and self-esteem.What's more, the traversers are all overnourished, and their spirits are indeed quite different from those of the natives.

"Since Mr. Xiao—"

"Call me Zhanfeng."

This is a very polite expression.The two sides exchanged names, and Chen Tianxiong knew the rules of the Ming Dynasty, so he asked again: "Dare to ask the name?"

"What name do I have?" Xiao Zhanfeng smiled wryly, "I was enlightened when I was eight years old, and I took the boy's test at the age of 14. I have been waiting until now, and I am still a boy. What's the use of having a name?" Wake up: "The two of you are here, and you haven't even served tea..."

"You don't have to be polite." Chen Tianxiong knew Xiao Zhanfeng was in a difficult situation by looking at the appearance here. Since he wanted to recruit him, he had to give some small favors, and he had to do nothing.Since it is already noon, why not just buy him a drink.After three glasses of wine, friendship will be different.

"Master Zhou, please order some dishes and some wine."

Zhou Shizhai knew that the Australian was going to take over the poor scholar. Since he came to Lingao, although he only worked in silence and never commented on the affairs of the Australians, he could also see that their ambitions were not small, and they had long been in their hearts. I have a different idea.He nodded immediately and asked, "I don't know what kind of wine to drink?"

"No need for Xu Wenye, it's too sweet!" Since Chen Tianxiong wanted to solicit, he naturally wanted to spend some money, "Go to the sugar shop and get two bottles of 'Guo Shi Wu Shuang'!"

"No, no, this can't be done!" Xiao Zhanfeng blushed, "It's the first time we meet, how can I make you spend money?"

"We hit it off right away." Chen Tianxiong said with a smile, "I still have something to ask Brother Zhanfeng."

Although Xiao Zhanfeng felt that something was wrong, there was only a bowl of cold rice and a few pieces of pickles on the stove, not to mention entertaining guests, even eating by himself was not enough.Also thinking that the other party is so straightforward, why should I be coy?Also no longer shirk.

After a while, Zhou Shidi came back, and brought a buddy with him, carrying a food box.There are all kinds of hot and cold dishes in it, which is quite rich, making Xiao Zhanfeng, who has not known the taste of meat for a long time, swallow his saliva.

"It's too costly!" He cupped his hands, "Your Majesty is so polite, there is no way to repay you, ashamed, ashamed."

"Why are you being polite? They are all my brothers." Chen Tianxiong used to socialize a lot in the society, and he is very experienced in this method of soliciting relationships and getting close. , and this begins to get to the point.

(End of this chapter)