Siheyuan: Starting from a Truck Driver

In order to carry out their mission, inspectors often secretly take trains to conduct inspections, which is in a sense like an imperial envoy who has no limits.

Even if they act covertly and lack professional camouflage skills, waiters who have been on trains for a long time, such as Zhang Yazhi, can often easily identify them.

Zhang Yazhi confirmed and replied, "It is indeed common, but what do you want to do with them? The people in Lu Feng's office seem to be aggressive."

"It is precisely because they look stern that I want to seek their help. You don't need to ask why. Next time when the train is running, if you meet someone from the Road and Wind Office, just go to the driver's room and tell me."

"Okay, I'll pay attention and make sure I remember it."

Zhang Yazhi nodded vigorously in agreement. Somehow, a sense of responsibility suddenly surged in her heart.

People like the old turtle are like lurking poisonous snakes that may attack at any time. When facing such enemies, the only way is to make plans early and strike directly at the dragon's head.

After thinking it over, Li Aiguo, with a sense of mission, rode his tandem bicycle towards Wang Dagui's house.

Hand the rice obtained from the little black fat man today to Wang Da Kui.

Faced with those shiny rice grains, Wang Da Kui was so shocked that his mouth opened wide like a box lid. He was stunned for a moment, then swallowed three or four times, as if his throat was extremely thirsty.

"My God, the quality of this rice is more than one level higher than last time."

"Erpao, can't you see what's going on?" Zhang Erpao rolled up his sleeves and wiped his nose with the corner of his clothes.

"That's because your eyesight is not sharp enough." Wang Da Kui stared at the rice, as if he had discovered a treasure.

"These are the real top-grade Xiaozhan rice. When sold at the pigeon market, the price can be increased by an extra five cents, so it can be sold at a high price of 26 cents."

"Can the price be increased so much?" Li Aiguo expressed doubt.

"Although you are a first-rate train driver, Brother Aiguo, I am better at business like the pigeon market."

Wang Dagui carefully closed the bag, straightened his body, and said proudly: "There are many poor people in Beijing, and there are also many rich people."

"The poor go to the pigeon market to buy food mainly to fill their stomachs, so there is a strong demand for coarse grains. Even barley cakes with sawdust are bought, but it's a pity that they can't be sold at a good price."

"Rich people are particular about taste. The gold and silver they have can make their lives luxurious, so they naturally seek out delicious enjoyment."

“Therefore, this high-quality rice has always been in short supply.”

"With high demand and limited supply, prices are naturally going to go up."

Every industry has its own talents.

Every line has its own mysteries and strategies.

Wang Da Kui is already familiar with the rules of the pigeon market.

"Let's just calculate the price of rice based on what we just said."

Compatriots also need to be clear with each other. After taking the money handed over by Wang Da Kui, Li Aiguo counted out a part of it and returned it to him.

"Give me a thermos ticket and two soy sauce tickets."

The thermos at home is a relic from the Republic of China era. The iron sheet is rusted, the body is shaking, and the cork is damaged.

Whenever he poured water, it would always accidentally splash onto his pants or shoes, causing people to misunderstand that there was something wrong with some of his abilities.

As an unmarried bachelor, he couldn't stand this kind of treatment!

Wang Da Kui was originally a bill merchant, and dealing in grain was only a part-time job for him. His canvas bag was full of bills.

He took out a few and handed them to Li Aiguo: "Brother Aiguo, keep them carefully."

As he spoke, he moved a little too much and shook his head. Li Aiguo noticed the bruises and red marks on his forehead.

"Da Kui, how did you get into this situation?"

Wang Dagui frantically tugged at his hair to try to cover the marks, revealing a slightly embarrassed smile: "I accidentally fell. You know, we often walk at night in this line of work, and we end up like this if we're not careful."

"It wasn't a fall! My brother was hit on the head and he was too embarrassed to talk about it." Zhang Erpao sniffed and interjected.

Wang Da Kui patted his forehead and said, "You unlucky guy, what are you talking about?!"

Where there is profit, there is struggle.

The pigeon market is both a commercial area and a place for competing for interests.

It is normal for competitors to make small moves.

The seemingly profitable pigeon market business is actually a life-threatening business. Li Aiguo said with concern:

"Da Kui, it is not appropriate to frequently show up at the pigeon market. The current situation is becoming increasingly serious. The guards at the locomotive section have been instructed to strictly check for smuggled goods."

"All relevant departments have received the notice and are preparing to clean up the pigeon market in Beijing."

"Brother Aiguo, people with connections won't make a living in the pigeon market." Wang Dagui took a deep puff of his cigarette and sighed:

"If I were alone, I could get through anything."

"You also know that the old lady is in poor health. I am not a civil servant and do not have a public medical card. I have to spend five dollars a month just to buy medicine."

After saying this, Wang Da Kui's face darkened and his shoulders slumped a little.

He pointed at Zhang Erpao and said, "Erpao's father has been bedridden, and the family's livelihood depends on his mother making paper boxes for others. If the pigeon market job is gone, I'm afraid our two families will not be able to make a living."

No matter how the times change, money cannot solve all problems, but it is absolutely necessary.

This is true even in the heyday of turmoil.

If you don't have money and radio coupons, no one will take the initiative to give you a radio when you walk on the street, then bow their heads and salute you, saying, "Dad, please use it."

Li Aiguo is not financially short of money now.

But he knew that if he wanted to accomplish something great after the spring breeze came, it would be difficult to succeed without support and foundation.

After a moment's silence, he briefly recounted the details of the little black fat man:

"The little black fat man is in charge of purchasing local specialties in Tianjin, and you are in charge of sales in Beijing."

"At the same time, you are responsible for purchasing national food coupons in Beijing, handing them over to the fat black guy, and selling them to him in Tianjin."

Wang Da Kui's eyes lit up and he applauded in agreement: "This way we don't have to take the risk of purchasing goods in the market, which can greatly reduce the risk."

Li Aiguo shook his head: "Not only in purchasing, but also in sales, we can select some long-term customers."

"You should have accumulated quite a few old customers over the years, right?"

"Of course, Wang Dagui's reputation is one of the best in the entire pigeon market. Many factory leaders or heads of enterprises and institutions often buy from me."

Wang Dagui took out a cigarette, passed it to everyone, and took a deep breath: "A few days ago, Deputy Director Li of the Steel Rolling Mill asked me to buy rice from Xiaozhan. He asked me to inform him as soon as I have any news."

Li Aiguo nodded: "From now on, your focus will be on serving familiar customers and implementing the order-to-home service process."

Wang Dagui was delighted: "This way, even if there is a problem in the pigeon market, our business will be less affected."

He knew very well that transporting goods from the capital to Tianjin could only be done by a capable person like Li Aiguo.

This big deal still depends on Li Aiguo's support.

"So what should we do now?" Wang Da Kui asked anxiously.

"We will arrive in Tianjin in three days. I will discuss further with the fat black guy. You should not set up a stall these days. First, sort out the contact information of old customers and visit them one by one to see what they need and buy what they need."

"Don't worry, I will help you arrange everything in an orderly manner."

Wang Dagui was so excited that he waved his hands and said, "This is the development of the Jingbin trade cooperation!"

Zhang Erpao also took a deep breath and agreed: "Following Brother Aiguo, we can grow stronger and develop!"

Li Aiguo smiled slightly: "..."

I always feel that neither of them is as reliable as the little black fat guy.

Seeing that it was getting late, Li Aiguo prepared to get up and say goodbye.

When he went out, he heard an old voice coming from next door.

“Is patriotism coming?”

Wang Da Kui entered the gate first.

The room was dark, filled with the smell of mold and dampness.

Under the dim light, Da Kui Niang was quietly repairing a cardboard box on the bed.

When she was young, Da Kuiniang worked as a helper in a landlord's family.

In the cold winter, she was often driven out into the snow and ice to catch birds for the entertainment of the landlords' sons.

Struggling day after day in the snow, he contracted long-term joint pain.

The current temperature is still enough for activities, but once the weather turns cold, Da Kui Niang will have no choice but to lie in bed and recuperate.

Seeing Li Aiguo, Da Kui Niang tried hard to get up from the edge of the kang, but unfortunately her old age made it difficult for her to walk, and she could only rely on a cane to stand after getting out of bed.

Li Aiguo walked into the room with firm steps and reached out his hand to support her as she walked to the chair.

"Mother, you are very tired, there is no need to get up."

Da Kui Niang held Aiguo's hand and asked, "Aiguo, I heard that you have become a train driver?"

“It’s not a long drive.”

"Now that you are a respectable person, if there is a suitable person, how about helping Da Kui find a partner?"

Da Kui Niang sighed slightly: "Our family doesn't ask for much, just knowing to come back on rainy and stormy days is enough."

"As a train driver, you often travel to remote areas. Remember to find us a good and reliable girl and bring her back."

Hearing all this, Wang Da Kui next to him blushed.

"Mom, what are you talking about! It's rare for Aiguo to come here, why are you always talking nonsense like this!"

"Besides, this world is no longer in the war-torn era, there are no more wandering women waiting for you by the tracks!"

Da Kui's mother said earnestly: "Dakui, you are not a child anymore. Do you remember that when you were your age, your father could help you with farm work."

"I'm not afraid that the Wang family will be extinct in the future, but I'm really concerned about the continuation of our bloodline!"

The greatest act of filial piety in the world is to have no offspring. Even if he was unwilling, Wang Dagui could not find a reason to refuse.

Seeing his embarrassment, Li Aiguo stood up and said, "Don't worry, Auntie. If I meet someone suitable, I will give priority to introducing him to Da Kui."

"I still have some personal matters to attend to. Next time I come to visit you, I will bring you some snacks from Beijing Daoxiang Village."

"You have a really good memory, kid. After all these years, you still know what Auntie likes."

Seeing Li Aiguo about to leave, Da Kui's mother urged Wang Da Kui to go out and see him off.

"Don't listen to your mother. I actually already have someone I like."

"Don't worry, I will definitely help you find a woman who knows the rain and will return home."