Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

"San'er, I'll give you 10% as a commission for this delivery. Take it." With the help of Zhang Lingyun and Guo Jiawei, Xu Damao transported Mr. Meng's study room in three batches using a six-cart. He then took out ten ten-yuan bills from the east fourth yard of his own home and gave them to San'er.

"Brother Mao, that's too much. I'll just take fifty. I know you were a little emotional this time, so you gave Mr. Meng more money."

"Just take it if I tell you to. Without you, I wouldn't be able to meet a master like Mr. Meng, not to mention the dozen or so paintings, twenty-odd pieces of porcelain and jade. Even though the price can't go up now, it doesn't mean it has no value. It's too valuable. I have to keep it well."

Guo Jiawei took the money and said, "Brother Mao, will you continue to accept it? I know many people who have received it."

"But you must be careful of the Red Guards. If they target you, it will be bad for you."

"I know that."

"Okay, let's eat here today, is that okay?"

"No, I still have to work the night shift. I'd better go home early. My mother also has to go home at night, and the child will be unattended during this time."

"San'er, you have already entered the state of a child slave. Okay, I will treat you to a drink some other day."

Gu Meifang saw Xu Damao seriously sorting things out, "Boss, do you want my help?"

"Yes, you put those books in a few boxes over there and I will move them away tonight. If the Red Guards find them, they will be charged with harboring the "Four Olds". The other things are easier, but these Buddhist scriptures must be moved away overnight."

"okay."

After sorting, Xu Damao moved the Buddhist scriptures and more than a dozen paintings and calligraphy to Yandaixie Street overnight and hid them in the basement.

He returned to his residence at Dongsishi Street overnight and, together with Chen Zhiyong, who had just returned from the countryside, they neatly arranged the bulky mahogany furniture into a decent study room in the main house. The task was finally completed.

"Uncle Xu, I heard from my mom that you spent a thousand dollars to buy these useless things, and you're still worried that the Red Guards will find out. Why?"

"Xiaoyong, why? Because of the scholarly atmosphere and family background. If you want to change your family background, it must take the efforts of several generations. We are on the road of hard work now. Cultural knowledge can change the family tradition and can also instill some scholarly atmosphere in future generations. Only after a long time, there will be a chance to change your family background. I asked you to study hard before, but you didn't want to study after entering junior high school. Fortunately, I found a job for you and moved you from the countryside to the city, so that you can eat public food. Otherwise, you would still be digging the land in Baishui Village to earn a living. Look, Xiaoyu is now a high school student. Next year, I will find a way to let her work in an office. This is how knowledge changes destiny. These antiques have value in themselves. Although you don't think they are valuable now, maybe in the near future, they will be valuable,"

Xu Damao took down a Qianlong-style gall-bladder vase from the newly-finished antique shelf and pointed the bottom inscription at Chen Zhiyong, "Do you recognize the words below?"

"During the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, the year..."

"Zhi, that's a traditional Chinese character, which means manufacturing. This is a thing from more than 200 years ago, a genuine official kiln. Maybe it was given by Emperor Qianlong as a reward to a meritorious official. In 30 years, it can be equivalent to your salary for or even years. Do you believe it?"

"I don't believe it. I don't want even a dollar for this."

"Then why do you think rich families are willing to put things at home? Are they willing to put something worthless in the study or in a conspicuous place at home? Do they want to tell others that their family is poor?! This is the difference. You will understand it later. So, Xiaoyong, don't forget to study. Knowledge will never expire. Also, your mother is pregnant, so help her more at home in the future. Be careful with the things in the study, don't give them to Cei."

"Ah, Uncle Xu, my mom is pregnant? Your child?"

Xu Damao slapped Chen Zhiyong on the back of his head and said, "How can you talk like that? You are so disrespectful. Go, get two bottles of wine from the wine jar in the kitchen. Let's have a few drinks today. Time flies. You have grown up in the blink of an eye and you are about to get married."

Undoubtedly, this meal brought out the flavor of a family meal.

Xu Damao was undoubtedly the happiest one. The next day, Xu Damao brought this happiness into his work state, and Wu Lingjuan immediately felt that Xu Damao was abnormal.

"Xu Damao, do you think the troupe might be able to make a name for themselves, or what? Why are you so happy?!"

"Wu Lingjuan, this is one of the reasons. Indeed, I encountered something happy yesterday and was a little excited. So, right, this working state is different, right?"

"I wonder if you went out to have an affair yesterday. You looked so disgusting."

"That's not the case, Wu Lingjuan. Please don't think wrongly of me. But I really can't share this happiness with you. Just think of it as the money I picked up yesterday, okay?"

"Okay, if you pick up money, you have to treat me. Can you treat me to a meal at Dong Lai Shun today?"

"It won't work for just the two of us. But we can have some hot pot at Dong Lai Shun. In a few days, the department will come to watch the performance of the troupe. After the performance, I will personally pay for the hot pot for you guys, okay?"

"That's pretty much it."

On Friday, a group of seven people from the department and the general factory came to watch the Red Star Small Theater's "Sha Jia Bang".

The performance was very successful. Li Huaimin, who was accompanying him, approached Xu Damao and said, "Damo, this troupe is doing great. It looks quite professional to me."

"Director Li, you didn't come to the grassroots to care for us after you went to the main factory. Is it okay? As long as the superiors are satisfied, our efforts have not been in vain. We do have professionals, scriptwriters and directors, musicians, and the leading roles are all selected by the masters of the Peking Opera Theater. They are a little worse than the professionals in the class, but as an amateur troupe, our Red Star Factory is definitely not bad. Director Li, please arrange for them to perform outside, so that the troupe's funds will be settled. After all, people eat and horses feed, and there still needs funds to stage new plays. We still have the confidence to make the troupe bigger and stronger, so that the Propaganda Department can also reach a new level, and the propaganda work in the factory will be better carried out in the future."

"Okay, I think the department leaders are a little surprised at your achievements today. Didn't you see them applauding many times? He is also an old fan and likes it. I think it has a future. However, you have to accompany the reception today. Director Li has already arranged it in the small cafeteria, you must attend. I heard that you are good at drinking?"

"I dare not. I will just drink the original amount. But since Director Li has spoken, I will definitely accompany you. If I can drink half a catty, I will definitely drink a catty. Is that okay?"

The performance of "Sha Jia Bang" received good reviews, the lunch reception also received good reviews, and Xu Damao drank 80% to 90% of the wine.

Or maybe because I received good things but had no place to share them, I used today's drinking party to release my joy.

Li Huaide was very satisfied with the performance, and also praised Xu Damao's drinking style today: he was both civil and military, and his drinking capacity was amazing.