Not a moment later, the sun turned to the west.
Leaving his brother Bai Ming and Da Bao Xiao Bao in the Dongshi shop, Bai Qi went out with Liang Sanshui to Hongcao Street in the north of the outer city.
There is a hall where the fish pen is set up, and every shop has to go there and hand in their numbers at the end of each month.
There is no government office in Heihe County, and all decisions are controlled by local snakes and local gentry.
Yihai County would not send tax collectors and petty officials to the countryside until summer or autumn, or when corvee labor was collected.
In fact, the Yamen didn't really care about this.
It is said that full power is given to a behemoth called the "Pai Gang".
“Are gangs and yamen going to rule the same city together?
Then, there are so-called immortal masters and Taoist officials above?
This Longting is really strange. It is almost generous in delegating power.
It is not easy for me, a fisherman, to change my registration and household registration.
How difficult would it be to get into a third-class 'registration'? "
Bai Qi lowered his head and thought.
In addition to the six households, there are three registered households.
They are immortal, official and noble respectively.
Corresponds to immortal masters, Taoist officials and noble families.
To be fair, they were among the fourteen prefectures under the rule of Long Ting in the vast Chi County Shenzhou.
A big shot who can truly turn his hands into clouds and turn his hands into rain!
These rare things that cannot be heard from the tea shed and tile shop are all what Old Man Liang talks about when he is idle.
Let Bai Qi greatly broaden his horizons and increase his knowledge.
"Ah Qi, your brother seems to be quite smart. He is very delicate in both words and deeds. He looks like a good scholar.
I came from a school before and know a few good teachers and can help introduce them. "
Liang Sanshui walked in front and took the initiative to chat.
"This is the benefit of good friendship, the rewards are endless."
Bai Qi raised his eyebrows and smiled kindly:
"It would be best if Brother Shui has connections. I had been thinking about waiting for next spring to send my brother to school so that he could learn some accounting skills."
Private schools in Heihe County specialize in cultivating junior talents such as accountants and clerks.
The literacy rate is not high these days, and being able to listen and write is considered outstanding.
If you have decent talent, are proficient in painting, engraving, copying calligraphy and other special skills, and have a good tongue, you can be hired to make suggestions like a white paper fan.
Societies like the fish farm, firewood market, and fire kiln are not just about fighting and killing, there are also many sales to be negotiated.
To control the scene, one relies on a skilled practitioner with strong fists and kicks.
When doing business, it depends on the means of doing business.
"It's not difficult. It's just a matter of saying hello."
Liang Sanshui agreed wholeheartedly.
He had received such a huge favor from Ah Qi, and he had to find a way to repay it.
Otherwise, I will always think about it, just like a knot in my heart.
Fortunately, Ah Qi understands the truth and will never reject herself and her father, and is very willing to accept these good intentions.
"Here we are, ahead is Hongcao Street. The wine brewed here is very famous."
Liang Sanshui raised his hand and pointed to the low-lying long street, where stores were scattered and vendors came and went.
Maybe it's because porters come here every day to collect manure. Compared to the shantytowns Bai Qi once visited, it seems a little livelier and cleaner.
"I've also heard people say that it is said that the Huangsha River flows here, and there are traders who set up troughs to collect the water from the stream to make wine. The business is particularly prosperous, so it is called Hongcao Street.
Brother Shui, does he know where the trough room is? I'll buy a few kilograms of good wine and give it to Uncle Changshun. "
The so-called trough house refers to an earthen house with a wine trough.
To make wine, the grains are steamed, fermented in a vat, and covered with a thick layer of cotton wool.
Wait for ten days and a half before proceeding with the subsequent steps.
Therefore, the trough house is often used to refer to a shop that sells home-made wine.
Liang Sanshui looked strange and a little embarrassed:
"It's gone. Because the dealer is good at brewing wine, business is booming.
A steward of the fish farm saw jealousy and wanted to get involved.
Why let outsiders get a piece of a profitable business? Naturally, it is difficult to negotiate.
The steward became so angry that he found some idle men and made them defecate and urinate in the Huangsha River where the wine trough was filled with water, causing the stench to rise.
He turned around and said that he had mixed his wine with water and was causing trouble all day long.
Within two months, the wine trough was closed. "
Bai Qi was slightly startled, but soon he didn't feel surprised.
He probably has a pretty good idea of the many managers in the fish farm and even the moral character of the owner.
How much kindness can exist among the local snakes who exploit the common people?
Kind people like Liang Sanshui are in the minority.
"This matter isn't over yet. The steward is trying to trick someone into letting the liquor dealer's eldest son hang out in the gambling den."
Liang Sanshui shook his head and sighed helplessly:
“I started giving him one or two taels of silver every day, but then he became more and more addicted, and the more he gambled, the more he lost.
Then I asked the gambling house to give generous credit, and after half a month, it had already increased to more than 500 taels.
The wine dealer could only save the elder's hands and feet by draining his family's wealth and offering him the secret recipe for wine making. "
How sinister!
Bai Qi's eyelids twitched. In his previous life, there were people in the sideline industry who kept an eye on those who got rich.
He took the initiative to build friendships, engage in relationships, and bring food, drink, and fun with him, and in the end, his family fortune was ruined.
This is also the way to play.
However, he followed his master and mainly took the "master" route.
Calculating good and bad luck, talking about Feng Shui, consecrating lights, selling Buddhist amulets, Taoist talismans and crosses, the main focus is to be inclusive of both Chinese and foreign.
All the food was paid for by dignitaries and sponsored by famous ladies and geishas.
It has nothing to do with this kind of low-end business that is immoral and life-threatening.
"Brother Shui, it's not time to hand in the count today, why are you here?"
"Do something."
"Long time no see. I heard that you have been promoted and I have to treat you to a drink!"
"Easy to say, easy to say."
Liang Sanshui was very popular, and he was greeted by familiar acquaintances in the past, but no one cared about Bai Qi.
He was dressed in a fisherman's attire of shorts and knickerbockers, and walked with Manager Liang in a long robe and cloth shoes, so he should be regarded as a follower.
"Ah Qi, don't mind it. When you come out again, you will be a prosperous 'merchant'. These hawkers will not envy the 'fish stall owner'."
Liang Sanshui patted Bai Qi's shoulder, fearing that Ah Qi would be embarrassed.
"Brother Shui, I just suddenly thought that one day, I can make a name for myself with my fists and become famous.
Come to this Hongcao Street again, what will it be like! "
Bai Qi was not upset, but looked calm.
How could he remain unknown in Heihe County with all the useful skills he possesses?
"It must be cheering from front to back, and the scenery is endless!"
Liang Sanshui smiled approvingly.
What my father admired probably was Ah Qi's ambition.
After a while, the two walked into the spacious hall, which occupied a large area.
There were a few tough men standing at the door, slouching, looking like fish pen thugs.
They also recognized Liang Sanshui and let him go without questioning.
Going inside is the more open front yard.
A middle-aged man with a mustache was bored and dozing off.
"Brother Qing, it's time to do what we agreed to do yesterday."
Liang Sanshui gently tapped the table to wake up the mustache.
With him as guarantee, plus money to clear the way.
Bai Qi's registration and household change went smoothly without any difficulties or obstacles.
"Tianshui Prefecture, Yihai County, Heihe County, Bai Qi, the eldest son of the Bai family; Bai Ming, the erlang of the Bai family... Because they have families and businesses, after investigation and verification, they are all out of fishermen's households."
The mustache took out the fish scale album and wrote carefully.
“House deeds, land deeds, fish stall certificates… all must be kept in a copy.
For another five taels of silver, you can take the roster and waist badge to serve as a guide to the city.
Okay, Sanshui, we are not fooling around. "
Bai Qi put the paper with his name and origin into his arms, and then took the waist badge made of bamboo and wood.
This thing is very light in weight but of great significance.
Having such a thing means that he and his brother can travel to various villages in Heihe County and enter Yihai County.
If placed in the Fourteenth House of Longting, he would probably be considered a "person".
"Thank you. I'll treat you to a drink when the numbers are handed in at the end of the year."
Liang Sanshui cupped his hands, led Bai Qi out of the hall, and asked with a smile:
"Ah Qi, how do you feel?"
Bai Qi shook his shoulders, as if taking off his shackles:
"My whole body is light and my steps are as fast as flying. It's great!"
It was rare for Liang Sanshui to see Ah Qi so obviously happy. He clapped his hands and shouted:
"With your ability to catch treasure fish and me as the manager, we will definitely be able to accomplish something!"
The two looked at each other and smiled happily.
…
…
Halfway through the application time, Bai Qi and Liang Sanshui returned to the Dongshi Shop.
I don’t know if it was Old Man Liang’s idea or whose idea it was.
I actually bought two strings of firecrackers and hung them at the door of the house.
As soon as Bai Qicai appeared, the shrimp heads were lit with incense sticks and began to crackle.
"Seventh brother, congratulations!"
"You can take off your lowly status and do whatever you want from now on!"
"Brother Qi is so awesome. We haven't had a fisherman in Dongshi for many years who has been able to get ahead!"
"Yes, you have given us a lot of face!"
Many clerks, busy workers on the dock, and fishermen who were most sympathetic and envious at the same time gathered around and sent congratulatory words.
Bai Qi's eyes were slightly dazed. When he looked over, he saw warm and friendly smiling faces, and he couldn't help but sigh to himself:
"When Bai Ah Qi was about to starve to death, it was hard to get even a bowl of rice.
When I become Brother Bai Qi, I won't hear a bad word.
The warmth and warmth of the world really depends on the status. "
