Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

Yi Zhonghai decided to look for Xu Damao, even though he was unwilling to do so. In order to get rid of the entanglement between the old woman of the Jia family and the unknown Jia Geng, he should put aside his high-handed status and ask for help.

So, after much thought, he took advantage of the opportunity after dinner to go to the backyard while still a little drunk. He first made an excuse to go to the main house in the backyard to check on the deaf old lady, and after confirming that Xu Damao was at home, he mustered up the courage to knock on Xu Damao's door.

"Here, who is it?"

Lou Xiaoe opened the door and saw that it was an old man named Yi Zhonghai, who was very polite.

"Uncle, you are looking for Damao. Come in and talk. Damao is having dinner."

Yi Zhonghai didn't expect that Xu Damao was still having dinner at home, and he didn't want to go in. However, Lou Xiaoe still warmly invited Yi Zhonghai in.

What a coincidence, today Xu Damao's family had a simple dinner, millet porridge, steamed bread, fried cabbage, and peanuts. Xu Damao was drinking a little wine with peanuts. The eldest son Xu Jun was drinking millet porridge and soaking the steamed bread.

"Da Mao, an uncle wants to talk to you about something, how about you two talk first?"

Lou Xiao'e looked at Xu Damao with a surprised expression and said something more.

"Uncle, have you eaten? Do you want to have a drink together? There's not much food though." Xu Damao was mentally prepared that Yi Zhonghai would look for him, but he still pretended to be surprised.

"Da Mao, you are still eating. How about I come over later? I do have something to talk to you about."

"Xiao'e, make a cup of tea for the uncle. Uncle, we can chat in front, it's okay, I can eat later."

Xu Damao got up and went to the reception room, asked Yi Zhonghai to sit down, and sat down himself. He handed Yi Zhonghai a cigarette and lit one for himself. After Lou Xiaoe made tea and closed the door, Xu Damao asked,

"Uncle, it's rare for you to come to my house. It seems like this is your first time. My house is rather simple. Have some tea and I will tell you what you want to say."

"Well, Damao, I remember that after Dongxu was gone, you said you had connections to sell Dongxu's workstation for 700 yuan. I wonder if it's possible to sell it now?"

Xu Damao thought for a moment, "Uncle, hasn't Brother Dongxu's workstation been sold yet? Actually, uncle, you should talk to Aunt Jia. It would be more appropriate to replace his workstation with a factory cleaner. I am sure I can ask Deputy Director Li, who is in charge of logistics, to help. After all, selling a workstation is a one-time deal, and the money can be spent. Workstations are a long-term income, and there will be continuous supply. Although the salary of a cleaner is relatively low, after all, 20 yuan a month is enough for them to take care of their grandchildren."

"Da Mao, you are right. But I have already advised Aunt Jia, but she is not happy about it. What can I do? She is thinking of selling the workstation at a high price. But 700 yuan is a bit high for most people. It is about yuan higher than the market price, so no one wants it during this period."

"The third uncle in the front yard is not willing to spend a few more dollars to buy Jiefang a workstation. This not only solves his own problems, but also helps the Jia family. Why doesn't he take action to achieve the best of both worlds?"

"Hey, you know Uncle San, he's usually quite stingy. Uncle San said he'd pay no more than 600 yuan, and he's also worried about what would happen if Aunt Jia changes her mind in the future. He thinks it's too expensive, and he also thinks it's going to cause trouble later."

"So what does Aunt Jia mean now? It can be sold for 700 yuan. Don't tell me if this is what you mean? I went to the countryside a few years ago. There are also rich people in the countryside. There are many opportunities to spend more money to buy their children to live in the city. I can help with the connection. I am also worried about regrets later. If you really want to sell it, I am willing to go to the countryside and see who is willing to pay yuan for it. After all, Brother Dongxu and I, Xu Damao, grew up together. Although he has passed away, the friendship between neighbors is still there."

"Da Mao, that's good. I'd like to ask you to find some time to contact me. Winter is coming soon. It's good to arrange it early. For the person who takes over the job, it's good to come into the factory early. If you take over this year, you will get some benefits at the end of the year."

"Okay, I'll try to arrange a trip to the countryside as early as possible, but the old man said that the maximum is 700. Don't let me invite people over and then say that the price will be raised. Then I won't earn any favors, but will offend people. I will eventually have to show movies in the countryside, and I don't want to offend anyone. You also know that the only people who can buy workstations in the countryside are those who still have some power in the countryside."

"I know that. I asked their aunts before I came here. The maximum is 700."

"Okay, uncle, if you ask me, this courtyard really needs a responsible manager like you. I'll bring the person here as soon as possible. They can negotiate the sale themselves, and I'll just be in charge of the liaison."

"Okay, Damao, that's it. I'll go over it with Aunt Jia again. I'll go back first and wait for your news."

Yi Zhonghai stood up and Xu Damao walked him to the door before closing it. He went back to the dining table to eat, took out the braised pork from the cupboard, and started drinking wine again.

"Da Mao, an uncle wants you to help sell Jia Dongxu's workstation? Is anyone interested?"

"Yes, the village chief in the countryside has asked me to find such an opportunity a long time ago, but I just can't rush to ask for it. Only when they ask me to contact them, can I make a move. Otherwise, with Jia Zhang's face, who knows what will happen. Now it's good. The first uncle can't hold it anymore, and the third uncle thinks it's too expensive and troublesome, so I'm the only one who can make a move. The day after tomorrow, I will go to the countryside and bring people to them. I will be the middleman. Actually, now think about it, 700 is very expensive. In a few years, this 700 will not be enough. There is still a bargain to be made. The third uncle has made a wrong calculation. This matter must be resolved quickly to prevent more troubles."

Lou Xiao'e doesn't care about all these. She is now fully devoted to her two sons, and the rest of her time is to take care of Xu Damao.

Xu Damao followed his own pace and quickly went to Baishui Village to find Village Chief Chen and told him about this matter. Village Chief Chen had earned more than 700 yuan from Guo Xiaosan under Xu Damao's introduction some time ago, and now he felt that 95 yuan was not expensive. He immediately brought his son Chen Xiaoshun, who had graduated from high school and stayed at home, borrowed a bicycle and went to No. Courtyard with Xu Damao on Sunday.

"Uncle, I have brought you the buyer. He is the village chief in Haidian. He wants to buy a workstation for his son. Village chief Chen has brought the money. If possible, it would be best to go and complete the formalities tomorrow. It is not easy to come to the city from the countryside. You need a letter of introduction to come."

Yi Zhonghai didn't expect Xu Damao to bring the person here so quickly, and he was very happy. He quickly went across the street to call his family member Zhang to his home and discussed the sale of the workstation with the buyer.

The price is that price, there is no need to discuss. This is what Xu Damao and Village Chief Chen had agreed on, 700, no more, no less, if it is sold, take it, and hand over the workstation on Monday. Then Xu Damao helped Chen Xiaoshun go to the street office to find a way to rent a house, so that Village Chief Chen's problem was solved satisfactorily.

Xu Damao still has to flatter Village Chief Chen, and the village chief also needs to take care of his lover Gu Meifang.

Soon, the deal was done. On Monday, Yi Zhonghai accompanied Jia Zhangshi and Chen Xiaoshun to the Human Resources Department of Red Star Factory to hand over their workstations. In one morning, Chen Xiaoshun completed the handover and became a formal worker. Although there was a one-year internship period, his salary was not 18.5 yuan, but 22 yuan. Xu Damao knew about this and repeatedly congratulated Village Chief Chen for his good fortune. This extra four yuan a month was almost enough for a month's living expenses.

Xu Damao used his connections to arrange Chen Xiaoshuo to work in the workshop of his master Zhang Taihe, and let Chen Xiaoshun become Zhang Taihe's apprentice.

They also contacted the street office to rent a place for Chen Xiaoshun, and he settled him in an ear room next door to No. 96 Courtyard, with a monthly rent of one dollar and fifty cents.