But it was inconvenient for them to get too close. All the people gathered here were acquaintances, and the sudden appearance of two unfamiliar faces would easily make people suspicious. There was no need to ask for news. Chen Tianxiong felt that his time here was too short, and he still did
Not to the point of "sinking". Not only did he let people know that he came from "outsiders" as soon as he opened his mouth, but he even behaved differently from others. Every move he made attracted attention. In this kind of social environment, there was no one like the locals.
To assist and engage in intelligence work is just whimsical.
Thinking of this, I can't help but admire the secret arrangements made by President Wen and others in Guangzhou: If there were no Gao family and no Qiwei Escort Agency, the Crossing Group would be alone and trapped in Gao. I don't know how long it would take to open up the situation. How much would it be like 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 it was a mixed bag. Even if they didn't ask, they could still hear a lot of news from the discussions of the people around them.
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 talking about it the most.
The news is very mixed, and there are many absurdities. Especially the machinery of the South China Factory has almost become a "demon weapon". Although machinery is not as rare in the late Ming Dynasty as it was in the "Sheng Qing", it does not require manpower.
Water power does not require the power of wind to move on its own, and such a powerful thing still makes many people feel mysterious and unpredictable.
The second most talked about thing is the private life of the princes of the South China Factory. Especially the relationship with the Wen brothers has become the object of many people's lust. Listening to the public comments in the teahouse about the chrysanthemums of these two people is very popular.
Daydream. However, no one mentioned Chang Shide's "feat" of buying five women in one fell swoop.
At this time, I heard the person next to me frothing at the mouth and said: "...I think this time, South China will be greatly deflated."
Why? This is something everyone wants to ask. So far, there have been several predictions that South China will suffer. In Xu Wen's gambling game, there is a new bet recently: Betting on whether South China will win the sugar war.
It’s still Hai Yi Tang Sheng. A lot of people have been buying Hai Yi Tang Sheng in the past few days, but as the purchase price of 2, 25 yuan has been maintained until now, the number of people buying Hua Nan Sheng has greatly increased. The locals are not fools, and they exploit Ji Ling
It has only been more than three months, and now two-thirds of it has passed. The warehouses of the various sugar shops below Hai Yi Tang are still empty. The victory or defeat has been decided.
"Your brother knows how to lick Hai Yitang's feet every day. I don't know who told him last time that the Huanan Bank will be cut off within three days. If he keeps saying it, will he lose his job?" Someone said sarcastically, "Look at you, old man, you haven't done anything yet.
Didn’t you go to the capital and put up a gear?"
"Hanging up the stall" is a formality for people who self-castrate among the people and intend to enter the palace to go to the capital to submit themselves as eunuchs.
There was a burst of laughter in the tea shed, and the person who was being laughed at said hard: "Who knows where they got the money again? I think South China is also struggling to survive."
"The number of people who were barely hanging on until they were weighed increased to fifteen, which tripled. Is there anyone in the world who is hanging on like this?"
"Hmph!" The person who was being laughed at refused to admit defeat and said, "Even if there is a lot of money in South China, they have lost the hearts of the people! Just watch, there will be a civil uprising within three to five days!"
"How can you see that?" The other party disagreed, "Do you have two jobs? No wonder you can't work in a job!"
At this time, the tea shed was filled with laughter. Everyone was holding their stomachs and falling down. Even the waiter and the waiter were laughing so hard that they bent over and wiped away tears.
At this time, the man couldn't keep his face and said anxiously: "Xiao Suanzi! Just watch it. Huanan acted perversely in Xuwen and ruined many people's livelihoods. Earlier, someone went to sue him but was refuted by the master. But things happened
How can we understand this? Sooner or later, it will trigger a popular uprising!"
The scholar who was called sour shook his head and said with a smile: "I advise you to go to the door of South China Sugar Store and talk to the sugarcane farmers. The market price of two taels and five cents has just changed to one tael, and you have the nerve to tell others."
Destroying people’s livelihoods’?!”
"Humph, there are only sugarcane farmers in Xuwen?" the other party sneered, "I think you are blind. Who among those people in front of Monk Zou's temple hates 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, three days!" The scholar put away the fan, "I want to see what happens. Just look at the kind of Lin Zhuang they elected, this group of people won't be able to make a difference!"
When Chen Tianxiong heard the mention of "Lin Zhuang", he couldn't help but pricked up his ears and wanted to hear what happened. Unexpectedly, someone came to persuade him, "You two, you two, this kind of thing has nothing to do with us, why should we get hurt over it?"
Are you feeling friendly? Let’s have some tea.”
In this way, the topic of "Linzhuang" was not mentioned, but the topic was still about matters in South China. The scholar was very interested in the machines in South China, and he just hated that the gates in South China were so strict that he was not allowed to go in for a look.
"I heard that the machine eats sugarcane bagasse and spits out black smoke and blazing fire. It looks 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 people inside that they have to drive water inside every day. When the time comes, water vapor will spray out, but I don't know if they boil water like this every day. What effect will it have on boiling sugar?"
usefulness?"
He said it unintentionally, but the listener had an intention. Chen Tianxiong nodded secretly. The ancients still had the ability to observe, but unfortunately they lacked hundreds of years of experience and accumulation, which was a disadvantage.
"Sugar production in South China is a secret method. Wouldn't it be wishful thinking to enter a sugar factory to see their machines?" An old man said, "In Leizhou Prefecture, there are many big companies who want to do business with South China."
This is the first time I have heard of it! Chen Tianxiong thought to himself, the escorts came out to inquire about the news, but they were separated by one layer, not to mention they didn't know which ones the time travelers were most concerned about.
"This is surprising. Apart from sugar, what other business can we do with them?"
"For such a big brand in South China, just eating and clothing is a huge business!" the old man said, "It's a pity that they didn't come for a short time -"
What a pity, you can tell without asking. South China has very little foundation here, not to mention unclear details. Most of the large local shops are mature and prudent. They make new customers and do business. Firstly, they have a clear view of the road, and secondly, they know how to behave. There is no problem with either.
Only then will I trade with you, otherwise I would rather not make money than provoke you.
The showdown 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 deeper than before: Huanan is here, firstly, to make money, and secondly, to build a stronghold.
Name. Although this is not a "liberated area", it is an important source of income for the future traversal group, and the foundation must be solid. Thinking of this, Chen Tianxiang became more determined to solve the problem with means rather than relying on force.
But in the end, no one mentioned anything about Linzhuang anymore. Chen Tianxiong was disappointed. In this case, he had to inquire in person. From the conversations of others, he knew that the scholar surnamed Xiao was called Xiao Zhanfeng. This person had great influence on South China.
He has a very good impression. It is rare for him to understand the truth and speak uprightly. He is a target that can be won over. Moreover, the implication is that he knows Linzhuang quite well, and he may be able to get some information through him.
It was almost noon, and Xiao Zhanfeng was about to go back for dinner. Chen Tianxiong winked at Zhou Shizhai. Zhou Shizhai understood: There are too many people here and it is not convenient to greet him on the street. It is not too late to follow him home and visit him at home.
.
Immediately he followed him out. Chen Tianxiong was drinking tea in the tea shed and listening to people talking nonsense. However, his level of Leizhou dialect was quite limited, and he couldn't understand most of it. He was planning to hire someone to teach him.
.
After sitting there for more than an hour, I saw that Zhou Shizhai had come back. He dropped a few copper coins on the table and went out to meet him.
Zhou Shizhai told him in a low voice that the place where Xiao lived was actually in Xuwen County. This was quite surprising. Why did he, a resident of the county, come to Hai'an Street more than ten miles away to drink tea? Although Xuwen was young
, there is always a place to drink tea.
"His home is located in Beiguanxiang, the county seat. It looks very rundown. I even found out about his family's affairs."
Xiao Zhanfeng's parents have passed away. Feng commented that this person has always been careless in his job, and he is always talkative. His family situation is very poor. So he doesn't even have a wife so far.
Since this man is a carefree master, I can befriend him and put him to my use. Chen Tianxiong made up his mind and asked Zhou Shizhai to lead the way to visit this scholar.
Liu Xiucai lived in a courtyard in the back street of Guanxiang. It was also a detached house. Judging from the size, it used to be a well-off family, but now it looks very dilapidated. The walls have not been painted for a long time, and even the door walls are a little crooked.
There is even grass growing on the ground in front of the door - it looks like a deserted house in front of the door.
Zhou Shizhai stepped forward and knocked on the door. After a long while, he knocked the person out. He was wearing an old sweatshirt. His head was bare and he didn't wear a turban. Although the clothes were old and patched, they were still clean and tidy.
Seeing two strangers coming to the door, Xiao Zhanfeng couldn't help but be startled: "Who are you two looking for?"
"Look for Xiao Zhanfeng."
"I am a stranger to you two..." He looked at the uninvited guest curiously.
"I have long admired your name, and I came here to pay you a visit." Chen Tianxiong said a general polite word.
Xiao Zhanfeng's eyes wandered around Chen Tianxiong, and he suddenly nodded: "That's it! Please sit inside."
Chen Tianxiong originally thought that he would refuse, so he specially prepared a set of excuses and even prepared to force his way in. But now it seems that there is no need for it. His interest in this person has greatly increased.
The courtyard was very deserted, with a lychee tree growing into branches and branches. Under the tree were a broken table and a few bamboo chairs. There was tea on the table, and it was obvious that although Xiao Zhanfeng was poor, he still had the spirit of a scholar.
"There are few people in the hall and the house is in chaos, so please take a seat in the courtyard."
The guests and hosts were seated. Before Chen Tianxiong could speak, Xiao Zhanfeng blinked a few times and said, "If I guess correctly, you two are from South China."
Chen Tianxiong secretly praised him for his sharp eyesight and only said: "How can you see it?"
"People in South China behave and look differently from the locals." Xiao Zhanfeng smiled quite proudly, "You two change your clothes, but your demeanor cannot change."
"Oh, I would like to ask you something. How can I tell by my demeanor?" This is like admitting in disguise that he is from South China.
"What's so difficult about this?" Xiao Zhanfeng was quite proud, "I have seen a few of your big shopkeepers in South China. None of them look like businessmen, but they have the air of being arrogant and looking down on the world."
"Arrogant in the world?" Chen Tianxiong couldn't help laughing. Do we really all have the spirit of bastards? Then I thought about it, modern people are indeed not comparable to the ancients in terms of self-confidence and self-esteem. What's more, all the time-travelers are over-nourished.
The energy and spirit are indeed very different from those of the indigenous people.
"Since Mr. Xiao——"
"Just ask me to Zhanfeng."
This was a very polite gesture. The two parties exchanged names. Chen Tianxiong knew the rules of the Ming Dynasty and asked again: "Dare you ask me your cousin's name?"
"What kind of cousin do I have?" Xiao Zhanfeng smiled bitterly, "I started my education at the age of eight, and took the boy's examination at the age of fourteen. I wasted my time until now, and I am still just a boy. What's the use of having a cousin?" At this point, suddenly there was something wrong.
What I realized: "When you two came here, you didn't even get tea..."
"No need to be polite." Chen Tianxiong knew from the look here that Xiao Zhanfeng was in a difficult situation. Since he wanted to recruit, he had to offer some small favors without leaving any trace. Since it was already noon, he might as well just invite him to drink. Three
After a glass of wine, friendship will be different.
"Master Zhou, please go and order some dishes and some wine."
Zhou Shizhai knew that the Australians wanted to recruit this down-and-out scholar, and even though he only worked silently and never commented on the affairs of the Australians, he could still see that they had great ambitions and had deep thoughts in their hearts.
He had a different thought. He nodded and asked, "I wonder what kind of wine I want to drink?"
"I don't want Xu Wenye, it's too sweet!" Since Chen Tianxiong was interested in recruiting, he naturally had to spend some money, "Go to the candy shop and get two bottles of 'Guo Shi Wushuang'!"
"No, no, this can't be done!" Xiao Zhanfeng blushed, "It's the first time we've met, how can I let you spend money?"
"We felt like old friends at first sight." Chen Tianxiong smiled and said, "I still have something to ask Brother Zhanfeng."
Although Xiao Zhanfeng felt it was inappropriate, there was only a bowl of cold rice and a few pickles on the stove. Not to mention entertaining guests, it was not enough to eat even for himself. He also thought that the other party was so cheerful, so why should he be coy? So he no longer shied away.
In less than a moment, Zhou Shizhai came back, and brought a waiter with him to carry a food box. There were all kinds of hot and cold dishes in it, which were quite rich, making Xiao Zhanfeng, who had not known the taste of meat for a long time, swallow hard.
"It's too expensive!" He cupped his hand, "Your Majesty is so polite, Zhan Feng can't repay you, I'm ashamed, I'm ashamed."
"Why are you so polite? We are all our brothers." Chen Tianxiong used to socialize a lot in society, and he was very experienced in this method of building relationships and getting close to each other. He exchanged cups for cups, drank a few glasses of wine, and saw that he was talking more and more warmly.