Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

The two soon arrived at the door of Xu Damao's house. The yard was quiet, as if all the life had been swallowed up by the night. Li Xiangqian took a deep breath and raised his hand to knock on the door. A few seconds later, a dull sound of footsteps came from the door, and then the door was slowly opened, revealing Xu Damao's slightly tired face.

"Hey, Li Xiangqian, He Yuzhu, what's the matter so late?" When Xu Damao saw them, a trace of alertness flashed in his eyes, and then he put on his usual smile.

Li Xiangqian didn't beat around the bush and said directly: "Brother Damao, we came to you because we want to ask you for help."

When Xu Damao heard this, the smile in his eyes deepened. He leaned against the door frame, crossed his arms, and had a playful expression: "Oh? You want me to help you? This is a rare thing. Tell me about it."

Li Xiangqian smiled slightly, looked directly at Xu Damao, and said calmly: "Brother Damao, you have many connections and are well-informed. Everyone has had a hard time recently. We would like to ask you if there is any way to get some scarce supplies. To put it bluntly, it means food and necessities."

Xu Damao's eyes flashed with hesitation after hearing this. It's not that he didn't see the dilemma of Siheyuan, but he also understood that if he agreed easily, he might get himself into trouble. But he also knew that Li Xiangqian was a reliable person and would not come to him casually.

"This matter is not simple." Xu Damao pondered, frowning slightly.

He Yuzhu felt annoyed when he saw his expression, but he suppressed his anger and said in a deep voice: "Da Mao, we won't let you help us for nothing. As long as we can get the things, we can talk about it."

Xu Damao's heart moved. Although it was difficult for him to say it, he knew in his heart that Li Xiangqian and He Yuzhu were not easy to fool. If he could really stabilize the situation through them, he could also get some benefits from it.

"Well," Xu Damao pondered for a while and finally said, "I do have some connections, but it takes a lot of effort to get the things. You guys tell me first, what do you need? Is the quantity large?"

Li Xiangqian felt a little relieved when he saw Xu Damao was relieved, but he remained calm on the surface. He knew that he couldn't show too much anxiety at the moment, otherwise Xu Damao would definitely take the opportunity to raise the price.

"We need some rice and noodles, more would be best." Li Xiangqian said calmly, "Of course, we know these things are not easy to get, but as long as you can help, we will never let you suffer any loss."

Xu Damao narrowed his eyes and was already calculating in his mind. This kind of material is indeed in short supply, but because of this, there is a lot of room for maneuver. He felt that this transaction might bring him considerable benefits.

"Okay, since you said so, I can give it a try. However, you also know that this thing is not easy to make, and the cost is not small." Xu Damao's voice was low and tentative.

Li Xiangqian nodded: "We understand. As long as you can get it, the conditions can be negotiated."

He Yuzhu stood aside, staring at Xu Damao, his fists clenched slightly. He was still a little uneasy, but now he could only wait and see how Li Xiangqian would respond.

Xu Damao looked at them and had already made up his mind. He nodded and smiled meaningfully, "Okay, I'll take over this. But the specific operation will take time. You go back and wait. I'll notify you when I have news."

Li Xiangqian knew that things were already going well, so he didn't say anything more. He nodded to Xu Damao and said, "Thank you very much, brother Damao. We'll wait for your news."

After saying that, he pulled He Yuzhu and turned to leave Xu Damao's yard.

After taking a few steps, He Yuzhu couldn't help but whispered, "Xiang Qian, do you think Xu Damao is reliable?"

Li Xiangqian was always wondering if Xu Damao was really reliable. Although he appeared calm on the surface, he still couldn't completely trust Xu Damao's smiling face. He analyzed the conversation over and over again in his mind, recalling every expression and every word of Xu Damao, trying to capture any possible truth from it. But the more he thought about it, the more he felt that this matter was not as simple as it seemed.

"Xiang Qian, do you think that guy Damao is playing any tricks?" He Yuzhu's voice was low and a little worried. He had been silently observing Li Xiangqian's reaction, wanting to get some definite answers from him.

Li Xiangqian pondered for a moment and shook his head gently, "Yuzhu, I don't know either. But we are now in a difficult situation and have no choice but to give it a try."

He Yuzhu sighed, "You're right, we have no way out now." He looked up in the direction of the courtyard, as if trying to find some comfort in the darkness, but his heart was still filled with uneasiness.

Just as they were about to go home, they suddenly heard hurried footsteps from the darkness. Before Li Xiangqian could react, he felt a sharp pain in the back of his head, and then his eyes went dark and his body fell down involuntarily.

He Yuzhu turned around suddenly and saw that Li Xiangqian had fainted on the ground. He was shocked and immediately took a defensive posture. He stared with wide eyes, desperately looking for the attacker's traces, his heart pounding, and countless possibilities flashed through his mind.

However, the scene in front of him surprised him. In the darkness, a familiar figure slowly walked out, holding a thick wooden stick in his hand. It was Yi Zhonghai. His eyes were gloomy and his face was expressionless, as if what had just happened had nothing to do with him.

"Uncle Yi, what are you doing?!" He Yuzhu shouted in disbelief, his tone full of anger and confusion.

Yi Zhonghai glanced at He Yuzhu coldly without answering. He just sighed softly, then bent down and checked Li Xiangqian's pulse to confirm that he was only temporarily unconscious.

He Yuzhu's mood became more and more complicated. He couldn't understand why Yi Zhonghai, who had always been steady, would suddenly make such a move. At this moment, his mind was in a mess and he almost didn't know how to face this sudden situation.

"Why did you knock Xiang Qian unconscious? Are you crazy?" He Yuzhu couldn't help but ask, his voice trembling with anger.

Yi Zhonghai stood up slowly, looking directly at He Yuzhu, his tone calm but with unshakable determination, "Yuzhu, Xiang Qian is too impatient. You and I both understand the current situation, and we can't let him do whatever he wants."

He Yuzhu heard this, and the anger in his heart instantly turned into confusion, "What do you mean? Xiang Qian is doing this for the good of everyone, can't you see that?"