Soon, Cao Zhiqiang followed Wang Xiaoqun out of the hotel and got into his rented Crown car.
Next, after Wang Xiaoqun mentioned a place, the middle-aged driver smiled playfully and then drove decisively.
Judging from the look of the driver, he probably knew what that place meant.
After driving for about half an hour, the car was stopped in front of a roadblock at an intersection.
The people who set up roadblocks at the intersection were two young men wearing green military uniforms and red sleeves.
That's all. The key point is that the two men still hold a Type 56 semi-automatic rifle in their hands.
Regarding this situation, Cao Zhiqiang's heart was pounding, but he was calm on the surface.
Because he found that neither the driver nor Wang Xiaoqun was surprised by this, so there was a high probability that there was no danger.
Sure enough, Wang Xiaoqun soon asked Cao Zhiqiang to stay in the car while he got out of the car to negotiate.
After comforting Cao Zhiqiang, Wang Xiaoqun opened the door and got out of the car. He first handed a pack of cigarettes to a man who came over to check, and then showed him something like a stamped business card.
Seeing the small card, the two gun-wielding men relaxed, and then Wang Xiaoqun began to communicate with the slightly older gun-wielding man.
After communicating for a while, Wang Xiaoqun came back to the Crown car and said to Cao Zhiqiang who was sitting inside: "Mr. Cao, it's okay, but this car is not registered and you can't go in. We have to walk in. You may have to be a little tired. , after all, there is still some distance ahead.”
Cao Zhiqiang smiled slightly: "It doesn't matter, just walk, I have no problem."
Wang Xiaoqun smiled, took out two flashlights from the green shoulder bag he brought, and handed one to Cao Zhiqiang: "Then, when the road gets dark, use this for lighting."
Cao Zhiqiang silently took the flashlight, opened it, looked at it, nodded, and turned it off again.
Wang Xiaoqun took out another mask and handed it to Cao Zhiqiang: "Mr. Cao, you are new here and no one knows you. To avoid trouble, wear this."
Cao Zhiqiang immediately frowned after taking the mask, because he found a black word "禾" written with a brush on the outside of the mask.
"What is this?" Cao Zhiqiang pointed to the word "禾" on the outside of the mask, "Why do you still have the word "禾" on it?"
Wang Xiaoqun chuckled and said: "That's right, one of the big guys is named Wang, and his name is Wang Yihe, and this word represents him.
So wearing this means that you are Wang Yihe's guest and belong to you, which can save you a lot of trouble and questioning. "
Cao Zhiqiang raised his eyebrows: "In this case, can anyone wear a mask and write the word "He" with a calligraphy brush and sneak in?"
"Theoretically it's possible, but in practice it's not." Wang Xiaoqun chuckled, "Because this character was written by Wang Yihe himself, and most people can't read his handwriting, but anyone with a bit of discernment can tell whether it's genuine or not.
Moreover, when strangers enter, someone must take them with them. If no one takes them, it will be difficult for them to get in.
But if someone is wearing one, why bother getting a fake mask, right? "
Upon hearing what Wang Xiaoqun said, Cao Zhiqiang nodded: "That makes sense."
But soon, Cao Zhiqiang began to look at Wang Xiaoqun carefully: "Wait, so you are an insider of theirs?"
Wang Xiaoqun was stunned for a moment, then he laughed and said: "Yes, to be honest, Wang Yihe and I are both from the same family. According to seniority, he has to call me uncle."
Cao Zhiqiang was stunned, looked at Wang Xiaoqun again, then nodded and put on the mask without saying a word.
After putting on a mask, carrying a canvas shoulder bag, and grabbing a flashlight, Cao Zhiqiang followed Wang Xiaoqun out of the car.
After instructing the driver to wait for him and giving him fifty yuan as a tip, Cao Zhiqiang followed Wang Xiaoqun to the two armed men.
When he came to two men, they asked Cao Zhiqiang to take off his mask to see his face.
Cao Zhiqiang complied decisively.
After the two men with guns had seen Cao Zhiqiang's face, and Wang Xiaoqun repeatedly assured that they were one of their own and that there was no problem, the two men in green military uniforms let Cao Zhiqiang and Wang Xiaoqun leave.
After leaving, Cao Zhiqiang, who put on his mask again, asked Wang Xiaoqun in a low voice: "Who are those two people from, police or soldiers?"
"None of them." Wang Xiaoqun said while walking with a flashlight relaxedly, "They are militiamen from nearby villages."
"Militia?" Cao Zhiqiang was stunned.
"That's right." Wang Xiaoqun nodded and said, "This night market is opened in the village. Of course, the village's militia is responsible for protecting it. Otherwise, how can this night market be opened if there are snakes, insects, rats and ants?"
"It makes sense!" Cao Zhiqiang nodded, knowing that this was a typical local collusion between government and businessmen.
"But with only two people, wouldn't the defense force be too thin?" Cao Zhiqiang asked again.
Wang Xiaoqun smiled and continued walking: "Even though there are only two of us, that's just on the surface. In fact, there are many secret whistles ambush, even here, there are many secret whistles.
These people are also equipped with walkie-talkies. Even if you deal with the two people in front, it will not work at all and will only alert the enemy.
Besides, there's nothing wrong with those two outposts, it's useless even if you catch them.
Because they are all serious militiamen, and it is normal for militiamen to set up checkpoints and patrol in the middle of the night to prevent bandits and spies, so there is nothing wrong with setting up checkpoints here. It is their bounden duty.
In short, as long as no large troops come to raid, there is no need to be afraid.
Even if a large force comes to clean up, there will be no problem here.
Because these sentries have walkie-talkies and telephones to communicate with each other, if there is a problem at the front, the sensitive items in the night market behind will be immediately transferred, leaving you unable to find anything at all. "
"Wow, so powerful?" Cao Zhiqiang said in surprise.
Wang Xiaoqun chuckled: "Of course, after all, the people who arranged the sentry here are old soldiers and commanders who have actually served as soldiers and fought in battles. They have killed people and seen blood. They are rich in experience."
Cao Zhiqiang nodded and said nothing more.
The two kept walking with flashlights on. Perhaps because Wang Xiaoqun was not masked or wearing a mask, when the whistleblower saw him, he knew he was one of his own, so no one came out to stop or ask questions.
Although no one came out to interrupt, the journey was indeed a bit long.
Walk a little further, turn a corner, and come to a wider dirt road.
On this dirt road, there are many people walking with luggage and flashlights, and there are even many motorcycles and cars, which looks a bit lively.
"This is just the periphery." Wang Xiaoqun said, "It's not a real night market at all. It's still early for the night market. Please walk slowly with me in front."
In this way, Cao Zhiqiang followed Wang Xiaoqun and quickly blended into the crowd of people and vehicles, no longer conspicuous.
Yes, this time when we came to the night market, Wang Xiaoqun prepared a green military uniform for Cao Zhiqiang in advance, so Cao Zhiqiang, like Wang Xiaoqun, wore a green military uniform and rubber-soled shoes, and did not wear his handmade customized suit or tunic suit.
Most of the pedestrians on the road were wearing green military uniforms, or some were wearing white shirts and blue trousers. Most of them were dressed like ordinary people in this era.
Of course, not all of them may be old white people. Maybe many people, like Cao Zhiqiang, are rich people in disguise.
After walking for nearly an hour, the two of them arrived at a brightly lit market.
It is indeed brightly lit here, but most of the lighting equipment is glass-shaded kerosene lamps and gas lamps. There are also some candle lamps occasionally, and there are very few electric lamps.
Of course, many people have flashlights in their hands. When needed, they will use the flashlight to look closer.
As for the things sold here, there is also a dazzling array of things to eat, drink and use.
What about imported electronic watches, imported tape recorders, imported clothing, imported food, imported televisions, imported audio tapes, imported video tapes, imported magazines, comics, etc.
In short, if the place were not too simple, this place would be a comprehensive Qiaohui shopping mall. It even has more things than the Qiaohui store and the prices are cheaper. The key is that it does not require a ticket.
In short, this so-called night market is very novel to Cao Zhiqiang.
Although there were many items, most of which were imported, Cao Zhiqiang was not interested.
After all, he has no shortage of ordinary consumer goods like this.
But after looking all the way, he also discovered a phenomenon.
That is, most of the things sold here are from Hong Kong, with the largest number of Japanese products, followed by various things from Southeast Asia.
After asking, it turned out that 99% of the things here were smuggled over from Xiangjiang.
In addition to sellers and buyers, there are also many young men wearing green military uniforms and red sleeves walking around with an electric baton in their hands. They are obviously militiamen maintaining law and order.
In other words, this is a place with rules, no wonder business is so good.
Also, it is impossible to form a market of this size in any place without rules. After all, business people are most afraid of people who do not follow the rules.
"How's it going?" Wang Xiaoqun chuckled and said to Cao Zhiqiang, "Is there anything you want to buy? Don't worry, many people here know me. When they see that I'm taking you, they won't trick you."
Cao Zhiqiang smiled and shook his head: "The things are good, but unfortunately I already have most of them and I don't lack much, so I don't need them."
"Oh, yes." Wang Xiaoqun slapped his forehead, "I forgot that you are a nobleman in the capital, how could you fall in love with these gadgets, haha."
Cao Zhiqiang smiled faintly, and then suddenly asked: "By the way, Section Chief Wang, since you are so familiar with this place, why don't you come here to do business? Why are you still hanging out in the tourism bureau? Is there as much money and money as here?"
Wang Xiaoqun, who is the deputy section chief of the Tourism Bureau, was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly: "Mr. Cao, you don't know something. Doing business here seems very profitable, but the risks are also high.
The climate here can be formed, thanks to good policies and people protecting it.
Once the policy goes wrong, or the people here stop being protected, it can collapse at any time.
Just like Haifeng County before, it was so prosperous back then, much more prosperous than here.
But so what? The big tree attracts the wind and will soon be destroyed.
It's different for me at the Tourism Bureau. Although my rank is not high, I am still a cadre.
And since I work in the tourism bureau, I can’t do business, but my wife can.
I usually buy some goods here that are not particularly troublesome, and then let my wife sell them. This way, I am safe and can make extra money. How great.
If there is any trouble in the future, as a cadre of the Tourism Bureau, I will always be the first to hear the news, and the risk will be minimal. No matter how the wind blows, it will not blow on me, don't you think? "
Cao Zhiqiang was stunned when he heard this, then gave a thumbs up and said: "Not bad, Director Wang is smart enough!"
Wang Xiaoqun laughed at himself: "I'm nothing, I'm just timid at best.
But these days, policies change day by day, and who knows when they will change.
In fact, I'm pretty bad. After all, I have little capital and can only make small fuss.
Like our director, that's a big deal.
Our director's brother-in-law has a long-term stall here, and he sells imported tape recorders. The business is doing well. "
Cao Zhiqiang nodded: "That's right, then why doesn't he just resell more profitable color TVs or cars?"
Wang Xiaoqun smiled and said: "He would also like to, but in this industry, it depends on seniority. There are many things you can't do if you want to."
After a short pause, Wang Xiaoqun said again: "Ordinarily, I can't tell outsiders about this kind of thing, but you are a nobleman in the capital, so I am not afraid to tell you this.
In fact, when doing business here, we have already divided them into three, six, and nine levels. There are rules for who does what, and they cannot be exceeded casually.
For example, those who reverse cars are first-class people. People like this have a big background behind them, and they all need to be great leaders.
For example, the director of our bureau may look like a person even though he is a director, but in this case, that is not enough.
Therefore, at the level of our director, the people he protects can only operate tape recorders, and color TVs and cars are not allowed to be touched.
Not to mention, for someone of my level, I can only buy some audio and video tapes, or food and drink, but forget about high-end goods. "
"I understand." Cao Zhiqiang nodded, "It seems that this is very organized and disciplined."
Wang Xiaoqun chuckled: "That's right, a place like this is making a lot of money every day, and many people are jealous. If there is no organization and discipline, it will be over!"
Cao Zhiqiang nodded again, deeply convinced of this.
Although this is a criminal act, considering this era, it is actually one of the characteristics of the times.
Cao Zhiqiang had heard people say in his previous life that the early 1980s was actually the most rampant period for silk walking.
As for the red and white building, that happened later.
The reason is also very simple: insufficient management and control.
But there is nothing we can do. In the early stages of opening up, this kind of thing will inevitably happen. The key depends on how to control it later.
Of course, these matters have nothing to do with Cao Zhiqiang, and he has no interest in helping others clean up this night market den.
The purpose of Cao Zhiqiang's coming here is very simple. He just wants to buy a car of his own so that he can roam around Hainan Island freely.
"Stop talking about this." Cao Zhiqiang said quickly, "Old Wang, didn't you say there are imported cars here?
Where's the car? Why didn’t I see one?
I only saw imported color TVs, refrigerators and recorders, but I don’t lack these things either! "
Wang Xiaoqun chuckled: "Don't worry, this is just the outside of the night market, just like the lobby when you enter the casino. As for the really good things, you can't sell them here."
"Why can't it be sold here?" Cao Zhiqiang asked.
"It's very simple." Wang Xiaoqun said, "The things here are tens of dollars and hundreds of dollars. Those who can buy these can't afford a car that costs three to four thousand dollars. If you put the car here, , they are all a group of onlookers who can't afford it. If they accidentally touch and damage it, it will be troublesome.
On the other hand, those who can afford a car have bought most of the things here, and they don’t like the things here.
In other words, the people here are all individual tourists. Big customers like you will not play here. They can't afford to lose that person, and it's not safe. "
Cao Zhiqiang nodded: "I understand, only if you go to the VIP room can you get high-end goods like cars?"
"VIP?" Wang Xiaoqun was stunned, but quickly responded, "Oh, are you talking about what Xiangjiang said? Yes, yes, that's what it means.
Anyway, you can't see or buy a car here. If you want to buy a car, we have to go further in and go to the next high-end venue. "
"Then what are you waiting for?" Cao Zhiqiang said immediately, "It's getting late, take me to that high-end venue quickly!"
(End of chapter)
