The Great Era of Siheyuan

"Dad, who is this?"

Walking into the middle courtyard, a young man who was slightly older than Li Wenqiang asked Uncle Niu.

"It's none of your business. Go away and come sit inside. I'll go get the wine yeast."

After saying this, Uncle Niu pushed the man and a woman who had just come out aside and took him into the house.

Li Wenqiang smiled and nodded at them, then followed them in.

"This is the yeast I kept. I've kept it for decades. I've only used it a few times during the Chinese New Year at home. The rest is all here. I'm giving it to you now!"

As Uncle Niu spoke, he pushed over a blue and white porcelain vase that was about the size of two or three fists.

The bottle looks like it is quite old. Although Li Wenqiang can't tell what is in it, in the hearts of Chinese people, anything that cannot be understood must be a good thing.

When I opened the lid, I saw a pile of white rice flour balls piled together inside, and some white powder could be seen on the surface. There was about half a can of it.

Although it was a little less, Li Wenqiang didn't say anything and accepted it directly.

"Thanks. Now let's get down to business. I won't ask who you want all these things for. How are you going to pay? And where should I deliver the goods?"

Li Wenqiang became serious when talking about serious matters.

"That's easy. I have a yard in Dashilan. No one lives there now. We can trade there later. I don't have that much cash, but I can exchange it with you for something else. I promise I won't let you suffer any loss!"

Uncle Niu lowered his voice, neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for Li Wenqiang to hear.

"Really? Then how many dishes do you plan to order every day? How will you pay for it? Silver? Dollars? Or something else?"

Li Wenqiang probably had already guessed what he was thinking.

This guy is a bannerman, and he bought so many vegetables, probably to share with other bannermen. Because after the reform and opening up, the Han people who were previously oppressed by the Manchus finally stood up and discriminated against the bannermen who used to oppress and exploit them.

According to the location, this guy is most likely from the Bordered Blue Banner. The old people here, as long as they know that this person is from the Banner, can ask him where he lives and they will know which banner he belongs to.

"One thousand pounds a day, silver and dollars, banknotes, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, and gold. Whatever you want, how about it?"

Uncle Niu said very confidently that he didn't believe that he couldn't be defeated at this price.

"Tsk, why do I need silver and dollars? I'd be lucky if I could get half the silver in that thing. Antiques and calligraphy and paintings are useless. I only want gold and banknotes! If you don't have enough money, I can accept some ancient books and medical prescriptions, but forget about the rest!"

Li Wenqiang curled his lips.

Even if he wanted to get some antiques and calligraphy and paintings, he would never trade with him like this. Even if he really wanted them, they would come with people to confiscate his house in a few years, and then they would not charge a penny and could just take them away. Why would he be a sucker now and take over for them?

The reason I want ancient books and medical prescriptions is that I am afraid that some of the precious knowledge contained in them will be lost. As for calligraphy and paintings, if they are lost, just let them be. No matter how good a painting is, it can't compare to a camera. If you can keep it, keep it. If you can't, forget it.

After hearing what Li Wenqiang said, Uncle Niu frowned, but quickly nodded and agreed.

"Okay, I can find a way to get the gold and banknotes, and I'll also try to get you ancient books and medical prescriptions. But it's not easy to get a thousand kilograms of vegetables every day, so you have to ensure the supply."

Li Wenqiang smiled and said confidently.

"Don't worry, Master Niu. As long as you have enough money, the food will not be a problem. There will be more than enough."

"If that's the case, then I'm relieved. How about this, I'll take you to Dashilan to have a look first?"

Uncle Niu looked at him and said.

"Okay, lead the way!"

Li Wenqiang naturally would not refuse his words.

After leaving the middle courtyard, Li Wenqiang looked back and thought to himself that this Master Niu did not look simple, so he had to be cautious in this transaction. If he did not make a lot of money from these bannermen, how could he be worthy of his ancestors who had been exploited by them?

"This is it. I just renovated this yard not long ago and was planning to rent it out. But for now, let's use it for the time being and talk about it later!"

The two walked for about ten minutes and arrived at a renovated courtyard with four entrances and four sides in Dashilan. Judging from the depth of the courtyard, it was about one to two thousand square meters.

After seeing this, Li Wenqiang could only sigh that the Bannermen were really rich.

Uncle Niu took Li Wenqiang for a walk inside and came to the back door. After opening it, he saw a remote alley.

"I'll give you a lock later. When I want food next time, I'll find Xu Huizhen and tell her to deliver it from the back door. No one will come in or out here. How about you pay me after the food arrives?"

Uncle Niu felt that there was nothing wrong with his method. It was secluded and safe, and could fully guarantee the safety of both parties.

"I don't think it's a good idea. Pay first, and then I'll send you food. Let's negotiate first. I'll give you as much food as you pay. Otherwise, who would I turn to if something happens to you?"

Li Wenqiang smiled and said, it’s not a normal transaction, what are you thinking about transferring all the risks to him!

"It doesn't make sense to pay first and then get the goods. What if you take the money but don't give me the goods? Who should I turn to?"

When Mr. Niu heard this, he became unhappy too.

"That's your business. If you think it's okay, come. If not, forget it!"

Li Wenqiang was sure of him. If he could find someone else, he would not come to him.

"Okay, for Xu Huizhen's sake, I'll trust you this time! Wait, I'll go get the money!"

Uncle Niu thought about it, gritted his teeth and said, then turned and left.

Li Wenqiang watched his departing back and guessed that he was probably going to ask someone for money. It was impossible for him to pay so much money by himself, so there must be a big shot behind him.

His decision to take the money first was just a spur-of-the-moment decision. He even had another idea in his mind. These bannermen had large tracts of ancestral property, which could be seen from this courtyard house. Perhaps he should tell Xu Huizhen and Chen Xueru to let them take the house as well. No matter who got it, he would be the one who would benefit in the future!

Uncle Niu came back in less than ten minutes. Li Wenqiang had a rough idea in his mind. Either he had a yard nearby where he hid his money, or the person behind him lived nearby. Maybe this house didn't belong to him at all, but to someone else.

"Here, these are three large yellow croakers. Is two thousand and four okay? I'll give you the things. You just need to transport the vegetables to this yard tonight. Is that okay?"

Uncle Niu stretched his hands out from his sleeves, holding three long yellow metal strips with "Made in a certain branch of the Central Mint" written on them, and the year and date written below.

Li Wenqiang took it casually, weighed it in his hand, and said with a smile after feeling that there was no problem.

"Of course no problem, I'll call you when I'm done!"

"Then I'll wait for your good news. I'm leaving first. Call me when you're done!"

Uncle Niu consciously left through the front door, leaving the place for Li Wenqiang to perform.

After seeing him leave, Li Wenqiang looked at the big yellow croaker in his hand and smiled. This was a really good deal.