Lin Shengyuan got off the boat and looked around. Said: "In one or two years, Fancheng on the north bank has become so prosperous! I think when I first came to Xiangyang, it was still a small town with not many people. Now there are many shops and there are countless pedestrians on the streets!"
Huang Yuan said: "The goods sold in Xiangyang to the north must be converted from ships to cars here, so it will naturally become prosperous."
Lin Shengyuan said: "You can go north along the Bihe River to Tangzhou. Why do you have to change trains here?"
Huang Yuanwai shook his head: "The boats on the Bi River are all owned by the Zhenfu Division. If there are no connections, how can ordinary merchants afford to wait? We sell cotton cloth, which is not heavy, so we don't have to wait for the boats."
Lin Shengyuan nodded. I didn't care about these things before, so I didn't know.
After chatting for a while, Lin Shengyuan said to Lin Xi behind him: "I am just accompanying Huang Yuanwai to Xiangcheng County. It is a flat road. You don't have to worry too much. We have already arrived in Fancheng. You should go back early. When I am not in Xiangyang , you should stay home and don’t cause trouble."
Lin Xi was determined to accompany her father for another walk, but when Huang Yuanwai on the side kept urging her, she had no choice but to agree. He stepped forward and straightened the sleeves of his father's robe, and said in a low voice: "Dad, please be careful when you go out! The cotton you transport is precious, so don't underestimate it."
Lin Shengyuan smiled and said: "I have been doing business for many years, how come I don't know this? Besides, after leaving Kaifeng Mansion and wandering for many years, I have seen everything in the world. Don't worry, wait for me to return safely."
The father and daughter were reluctant to leave. Huang Yuanwai came over to urge them, so they had to say goodbye.
After leaving the dock, Lin Shengyuan and his two hired companions, Jian Da and Qi Sanlang, followed Huang Yuanwai to the south cargo yard.
A member of the Communist Party of China was directing everyone to load the cars. When he saw Huang Sanlang coming, he came over to salute.
Huang Yuanwai said: "This is a junior member who is traveling with me. He came to Xiangyang to sell some plums and loquats. These fruits are rare in the north, and they bring a lot of interest when shipped. Please be friendly with me along the way."
Lin Shengyuan stepped forward to meet the junior members outside. Seeing that he has a strong body and electric eyes, he is not as kind as Huang Yuanwai.
On the road next to it, a long row of large cars was already lined up. The cars are all newly made of jujube wood and look very strong. The two wooden wheels below are covered with iron sheets, and a horizontal axis connecting the wooden wheels is made of iron at both ends and installed in Xiangyangsheng's bearings.
Huang Yuanwai said: "The team that transports the goods for us is the fleet of the Zhenfu Division. They are the only ones with such good cars and so many cars. Although the price is a little more expensive, it is worth it. After discussing with them, we can do it in one day To travel sixty miles, no one else can do it.”
Lin Shengyuan nodded. I heard someone say before that the Zhenfu Division has a special fleet to transport goods over long distances for merchants. The chariot is newly made and the horses are specially selected, which is unusual. A truck carries 800 kilograms, and a hundred miles is always enough money. The freight is actually not expensive.
The cargo transport team built by Wang Xiaolie was actually a food transport team outside the army. During wartime, they were directly requisitioned by the government to transport grain, grass and baggage for the army. When not fighting, it can be used to make money.
Huang Yuanwai said: "This time more than 3,000 pieces of cloth were transported, and more than thirty vehicles were used. The other twenty vehicles were from junior members."
Lin Shengyuan whispered: "Fruits such as plums and loquats are bound to get spoiled over time. If the first-time members sell these to Xiangcheng, most of them will be spoiled. Not to mention that they have to be transported to the north. This is not a loss. Buy and sell?”
Huang Yuanwai smiled and said: "You are wrong. The first Yuanwai only went to Rufen Town and sold it in Ruzhou, but not to Xiangcheng."
Lin Shengyuan nodded. There are no fools in the world who go into business knowing that they will lose money.
Not long after, a big man came over and crossed his arms towards Huang. He said: "Commissioner, it's getting late, so we'd better start early. Have a rest tonight, and we have to go to Huyang County tomorrow. If we miss the journey, it will be difficult."
Huang's nickname is "Huang Yuan". Pointing at Lin Shengyuan, he said: "This Lin member is my companion in Xiangyang City. I am able to invite you to Xiangcheng County this time because of his credit. All future business will also depend on him." Shipping goods from the north.”
The big man hurriedly stepped forward to salute.
This big man's name is Shen Duan, and he is the leader of the convoy. He has more than a hundred people to transport goods for others.
After everything was done, the team set off. The first member was outside the front, Lin Shengyuan led Jian Da and Qi Sanlang in the middle, and Huang Yuanwai was escorted behind. This was the first time to transport goods. Several people were very serious and watched the convoy carefully.
In the car in front, the junior member was leaning against the car wall with a gloomy expression. He held a wine gourd in his hand, but he didn't open the lid.
A man opposite raised the curtain and looked outside the car. He whispered to the junior member: "We are traveling with that yellow member. I wonder if there is anything unexpected? I heard that guy has a lot of connections in the north."
The junior member said: "Selling three thousand bolts of cotton at a time, I dare to be an ordinary businessman! He is doing a legitimate business, and he has money. If he encounters any trouble, as long as he spreads a lot of money, he will be able to pass without hindrance. If it is We're walking on our own, I'm afraid it won't be so smooth."
The man nodded. He added: "We are transporting some plums and loquats, but they are all perishable. I'm just afraid that someone will look through them on the way."
The junior member said: "I've asked this a long time ago. As long as the money is enough, these cargo carriers will not check the customers' goods. Humph, they are all people from the Zhenfu Division, but they just want to make money, and they don't want to check the goods. No matter what we transport. I asked clearly in Fancheng that as long as we remain calm, these people will not care what we transport. There is no one more suitable than them to transport goods."
The man nodded. After a while, he said again: "I saw that they were carrying knives and guns, and I always felt unsafe."
The junior member said: "Wherever there is a little risk in the world, nothing will happen! This time we have found a way out, and if we find a way through, there will be endless benefits in the future! Just listen to my orders and don't go out to talk to others. You will be fine!" "
The other men nodded. I stretched my head to look outside again. No one spoke for a long time.
Lin Shengyuan was sitting in the car, stretching his legs beautifully and leaning his head on the car wall, looking very relaxed. This time I helped Huang Yuan transport goods, and it was agreed that he could get one hundred coins for each piece of cloth. Send it to Xiangcheng County and get more than three hundred strings. How can such a good thing happen so easily? The connections I had accumulated from doing business in the past finally made it possible today.
The past few years of wandering made Lin Shengyuan realize that there is nothing more attractive to people than money. As long as you have money, no matter where you go, you will live a good life. If you don't have money, you will be looked down upon no matter where you are.
My daughter earns ten guan a month in the yamen, which is not a lot to be honest. There is no such family in ten households in Xiangyang City. However, Lin Yuan lived a wealthy life, and it was difficult to be satisfied with such a life. Now that there is an opportunity to make a lot of money, it is natural to seize it.
Qi Sanlang rode a mule and followed outside the car. Jian Da sat at the car door, drowsy.
Lin Shengyuan raised the curtain and let the wind blow into the car, which made him feel much cooler. July is in full swing, the heat begins to fade away, the cool breeze slowly rises, and it’s the harvest season of the year. If I go to Xiangcheng this time and earn 300 yuan, I can do a lot of things. Even if Huang Yuanwai stops doing business with me in the future, what can I do to make money if I have capital in hand?
Looking at the scenery outside the car, Lin Shengyuan felt very comfortable. From the time I escaped from Kaifeng Mansion to now, in the few years, I have never been in such a good mood again. The scenery outside the car is beautiful, the sky is blue, and even the people driving the car are lovely.
