Supporting the respectful Uncle Changshun with both hands, Bai Qi said seriously:
"The fish stall has just opened. There are many chores and people are busy. I practice martial arts at Tongwen Hall on weekdays. I can leave the calculations and accounting to my brother.
Uncle Changshun has to worry about settling the wages of the clerks and selling the catches out of the boat.
Let's do this. From now on, you will be in charge of the fish stall, and my brother will be the accountant. Let's not act like the shopkeeper and the manager, so as not to get angry with each other. "
Uncle Chang Shun's dark face trembled, and an unbelievable look of surprise appeared in his eyes:
"Me? What kind of business is this? I still owe you money..."
He has been ordered around for most of his life, but he never thought about being the steward of a fish stall, leading several waiters under him.
This is so promising!
Bai Qi's tone turned tough, as if there was no doubt:
"Uncle Changshun, aren't you working for me to repay the debt? My brother is young and ignorant. If he doesn't have trustworthy people to rely on, he is afraid that he will be conspired by his associates to bully the superiors and subordinates. How can the business last long?
My brother and I are not related to each other. Uncle Changshun, can you bear to see our brothers without help? "
Uncle Changshun liked this trick the most. His eyes widened and he immediately straightened his waist:
"As long as I'm here, don't worry! I won't let those pickpockets who kill thousands of people take the opportunity to make money and ruin the fish stall's business!"
Bai Qi smiled with satisfaction when he heard that, no matter whether he was running a fish stall or doing other things, what he feared most was that the middle and the bottom would collude to enrich themselves and take advantage of the top.
Although he has a background in Tongwenkan and has practiced boxing and kicking, he is able to control the situation, but there is no guarantee that a short-sighted person will be blinded by lard.
For the sake of petty profit, you secretly act like a moth and make a stumbling block.
There must be a confidant who can be used to avoid things going wrong.
After a few more words, Uncle Changshun and the fishermen who passed by the stalls were asked to count the catch, unload the goods into baskets, and transport them to the Dongshi shop.
After this lively "opening ceremony", many cooking apprentices from large restaurants were attracted and couldn't wait to buy live fish and river fresh food from Liang Sanshui.
There are countless restaurants and foot shops in the inner and outer cities, and with the crowds of villagers joining in the fun, there is no need to worry about sales.
Baoyu can’t afford it, why not buy some fresh river food to satisfy his craving?
Bai Qi took the robe from his brother and put it on, and said with a smile:
"You gave me one thousand taels of silver to rescue me. Brother Yong is so proud. I can't repay this favor."
Deng Yong waved his hands loudly as he called on the junior disciples from Duandaomen to carry away the golden trout:
"Master is indeed going to hold a birthday party for his fiftieth birthday in a while. As an apprentice, I want to do my best."
Bai Qi just smiled and didn't take it seriously. He snatched the treasure fish from the hands of the young master of Yulan and the second son of Chaishi. However, at the risk of offending them, he could just take it away by congratulating his master on his birthday.
"Brother Xiao Qi, after today, the name of the fish stall will be well-known. Uncle Liang told you that my family is in the pickled fish business. We have to deal with it. Please take care of it."
Deng Yong came closer and lowered his voice:
"If you follow the coach, sooner or later you will enter Yihai County and make a career. If you step out into the world in the future, don't forget us.
I and other private salt dealers cannot see the light of day, so we have to go ashore to feel at ease. We cannot compare to a serious businessman like you who has real skills and ability. "
Bai Qi raised his eyelids and looked at the Broken Blade Sect's personal disciple who had profound meaning in his words:
"Brother Yong, did you hear any trouble?"
Deng Yong smiled bitterly:
"Before winter, it is common for tax collectors to go to the countryside. Those ruthless meat-eating people in big cities can squeeze out a few ounces of oil and water with a stone's throw.
The three major families have a way to avoid making things difficult for them, but ordinary businessmen have a hard time dealing with them. "
Bai Qi suddenly understood, just like fishermen being exploited by fish pens, and villagers being skinned by big families.
A wealthy businessman like Deng Yong is most afraid of "officials".
"If there is anything I can help you with, please let me know."
Bai Qi kept talking about the situation. There was a saying in his previous life that if you don't have diamonds, you won't do porcelain work.
I just started a fish stall by myself, and I am not a "grandpa" who can move everything around.
It is impossible to carry a heavy burden that is unbearable just because of a one-thousand-tael transaction.
Deng Yong also understood this truth. He changed the topic and regretfully brought up the past:
"By the way, I must come to my master's birthday party.
You and Broken Blade Clan were also destined to be together, but Brother Qi's luck was more prosperous and he was chosen by the instructor.
In fact, that night, when the master came back and saw the boxing target, he made up his mind to accept you as his successor, but somehow he changed his mind..."
Deng Yong remembered that he was stopped early the next morning. Although Mu Chun did not show up, he asked his maid to bring a message so that he did not have to go to the Dongshi shop again.
The strangest thing was that the master didn't show up for several days. He said he was practicing behind closed doors and wouldn't see any guests.
“The inheritance of master and apprentice is about fate and cannot be forced.
Sect Leader Mu's reputation for sharp swords spread throughout Heihe County, so he didn't have to worry about not finding a good young talent. "
Bai Qi slightly cupped his hands, and after saying goodbye to Deng Yong, he put on his stockings and boots, tied up his long hair, and stared at the loaded boats returning.
The surroundings are always lively, and people come up to say hello from time to time.
This feeling of being taken seriously is not unfamiliar.
That's what it was like to make a fortune and be a boss in your previous life.
When you are doing well, you seem to have friends everywhere, but you have to wait until you are down and out to find peace and quiet.
Bai Qi looked at the vast Heishui River. If climbing up to Brother Liang Boshui was the first step, visiting Tongwen Hall was the second step.
Well, now he finally took the third step!
We have a solid foundation and are truly established in Heihe County!
“Since ancient times, money is the courage of a man, and fists are the energy in the chest.
If a person lacks courage, he will be cowardly and dare not cause trouble; if a person lacks courage, he will break his teeth and swallow the blood..."
Bai Qi thought calmly, Adi Baiming set up tables and chairs and sat beside him to keep accounts.
He briefly enjoyed this moment of satisfaction, just like he had earned the first pot of gold in his previous life, lying on the bed and counting the money happily.
His eyes moved randomly and he glanced at a familiar figure.
"Xiatou, I thought you were practicing in the martial arts gym and didn't show up."
Suddenly, a hand reached out from behind and patted the shoulder, causing the shrimp, which shrank its neck, to shake its head.
When he saw it was Bai Qi, he breathed a sigh of relief, then lowered his head and whispered hesitantly:
"I just saw a lot of people surrounding you and the young master's house, so I didn't dare to go there..."
Taking a look at the coarse linen robe and the shrimp head wearing straw sandals, Bai Qi suddenly said:
"I feel uncomfortable after soaking in the river water for a long time. Come on, please go take a bath and fill up the temple of the five internal organs."
"ah?"
Before Xiatou could react, he was pulled away from the Dongshi shop.
A moment later, the two of them appeared in a bathhouse in the inner city. They each took off their clothes, wrapped a piece of crotch cloth around their waists, and soaked in the steaming pool.
"Comfortable?"
Bai Qi rested his elbows on the stone platform and raised his head and asked.
"This is the first time I know that there are so many things to pay attention to when taking a bath...it's not cheap, right?"
Xia Tou opened his eyes wide, and there were snacks on the tray beside him. When he shouted, someone would rub his back, and he seemed to hear a woman's sweet laughter when he walked in.
Which fisherman can stand the test of such a battle?
"This is my first time back. I only heard it mentioned by the young master of Yulan."
Bai Qi slightly knew that the idea of bathing had a long history.
"Wu" means washing the hair, and "bathing" means washing the body.
As the saying goes, a new bather must flick his crown, and a new bather must flutter his clothes. This is the reason.
Therefore, the holidays for court officials are also called "holidays".
It means a day to take care of yourself, wash and descale.
A truly luxurious palace that is neither rich nor noble will also build a special fragrant bath for soaking in all seasons.
Whenever winter comes, a bronze dragon is made, burned red with fire, and thrown into it until it becomes scalding hot.
In summer, water from the canal is diverted, various spices are put into gauze bags and thrown into the pool to eliminate the odor.
Ordinary people are not so particular about it, because the inner city is densely populated, and many merchant gangs, salesmen, bodyguards, and swordsmen move around, and bathhouses gradually emerge.
A pot is hung in front of the door as a sign, and services such as tea, snacks, and back rubs are provided.
Many martial arts masters have developed the habit of "soaking in head soup" because of this.
"This street is called 'Bath House Alley', also called 'Perfume Shop'. If you don't eat tea and snacks, and don't have people rub your back and body, the average person will only be thirty cents."
Bai Qi was talking about a hundang, a public bathhouse with more than a dozen people.
A clean pool like this, separated by a curtain and equipped with acacia spices and other bathing utensils, starts at fifty cents.
In particular, the house he came to was quite large. It was built with big stones on all sides, with a boiler connected to the back and a windlass that introduced cold water. There were dedicated people watching and adjusting the heat.
"The young master said that this is a good place to discuss business, favors, and knowledge. Soak it up, and then serve it happily with some crispy chicken noodle plates, fried lamb tails with milk rolls, and box vegetables."
Xiatou was confused when he heard this. He couldn't imagine what kind of person he should be to live such a comfortable life.
Turning to look at Bai Qi, the blurry image in his mind instantly became clear.
He lowered his head and said in a dull tone:
"very nice."
Bai Qi didn't seem to notice, pointing behind him and smiling:
"This is a good business. You don't have to worry about people escaping your account. When you come in, the clerk will help you undress, lift it up on a long pole, and hang it on a shelf that's 10 feet high. No matter how generous you are, you won't be able to run away naked."
Shrimp Head was also amused, and the atmosphere became a little lighter.
Bai Qi took a sip of hot tea:
"Let Uncle Changshun pay some money tomorrow and we can negotiate to redeem your two sisters."
Xia Tou was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to answer.
He has a similar temperament to his father. He actually doesn't like to owe things, especially familiar favors.
"Do you still remember? When there was a happy event in your family, Aunt Zhou was willing to fry the meat, and the dregs that came out were less than half a bowl.
You secretly put it in the oil paper bag, ran out with it, and gave it to me to eat, right under the river bank of Datian Bay. "
Bai Qi's eyes were empty. He didn't know whether he missed the past or thought about the past:
"It doesn't matter if Uncle Shun, the gang leader, comes forward, treats you to a bath, or redeems your sister's life.
These things, to me now, are like that bowl of grease residue.
Will you always think about asking me to return the favor just because you gave me a few bites of oil residue? "
The shrimp head squeaked a few times, and his voice that was originally like a gnat suddenly became louder:
"Certainly not!"
Bai Qi grinned:
"Then don't let Bai Aqi get ahead because you are not willing to accept even a mouthful of grease residue from him."
Xia Tou’s eyes were red and he looked away:
"Ah Qi."
"Um?"
"Actually, I'm afraid. You don't like people calling you that now, and I'm also afraid that others will think you know me, which is embarrassing..."
Bai Qi waved his hand and splashed water:
"Nonsense."
Xiatou put down his burden and wiped the heat from his face:
"Hey, I heard from Senior Brother Cao that you are so amazing. You single-handedly selected twelve martial arts schools in the outer city and opened up a Xinyi Street.
I wanted to say at that time, I am familiar with that person! But I was afraid that they would think I was bragging, so I kept silent. "
Bai Qi nodded lightly:
"Next time, remember to add that Bai Aqi's swimming ability was taught by you. He was originally a landlubber."
The shrimp head smiled stupidly, relaxing and soaking in the hot soup. He felt so comfortable that he felt a little sleepy. In his ears, he could faintly hear humming in a wild voice:
“The green mountains were by my side, and the white clouds were before me;
The blue sea is the joy in my heart, and I spent my childhood in the wind...
Who made Qingshan change and change his tacky face?
And who made the blue sea change and turn it into a vulgar current..."
