Chapter 256: A line of work, diligent and attentive to nothing
"Oh my god, we are finally in line!"
Fengdelou and his party joined the team entering Beijing in the morning, and it was not until the sun turned west that they finally arrived under the city gate, ready to be interrogated.
It was freezing cold and no fires were allowed in front of the city wall. The guys had to get out of the car and stomp their feet and run back and forth to keep away the cold.
Zheng Yao's voice came from the front car: "Convoys like yours all go through Xuanwu Gate, which is of course slow. If ordinary people going in and out of the city go through Dahua Gate next to it, it won't take so long at all."
Four hard-lined soldiers carefully checked Zhou Shi's documents and the carriage. When they found the car where the tables and chairs were stored, Zhou Shi appeared beside them in time and secretly handed everyone some scraps of silver.
"Master Jun, it's convenient."
The four of them understood the situation and circled around the donkey cart before signaling to let it go.
"So fast? Why did the team in front take so long?" Xue An was puzzled.
"We still have to rely on money." Agui explained to him in a low voice.
"Not entirely, it mainly depends on the documents provided by the Bashu Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce still has a great reputation after all." Zhou Shi, who was driving the car, replied calmly, "I'm just afraid that they will flip over the newly bought tables and chairs we bought. If they break, it will not be worth the loss."
."
In fact, it’s because Mr. Mo is hiding in the old counter...
"It's getting late. Let's find an inn to sleep in today, and then go to the Chamber of Commerce to look for a place to open a store tomorrow."
The capital was two or three times as big as Jiangdu. Fortunately, Zheng Yao showed the way and they were able to find the inn before dark.
"Good guy, it's so expensive..." Even though he was mentally prepared, Zhou Shi was still shocked by the price offered by the inn.
"Is it expensive? You can live with it if it's expensive."
Unexpectedly, the waiter at the inn was even more arrogant. As soon as he heard the word "expensive", he turned around and left. Zhou Shi quickly grabbed him and handed him the last payment.
"Pay tonight's money first, and I'll pay later after I exchange the banknote tomorrow."
"Tch..." The clerk measured the money with a small scale and put it into his pocket, "Don't delay, otherwise there won't be any room left for you."
"And our food..."
"Steamed buns are three cents a piece, pickles are ten cents a tael, and well water is free."
Spending money is like water. Zhou Shi dug out his empty pockets and said to himself that he was still thinking about treating the guys to a nice meal after arriving in Beijing. It seemed that he could only wait until he chose a store.
When he was worried, he suddenly heard someone calling his name.
"Is this Shopkeeper Zhou?"
A middle-aged man wearing a flower-embroidered cotton-padded jacket stood by the counter of the inn. Seeing Zhou Shi turn around after hearing this, he smiled and gave a salute.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm in Wenshan, Bashu Chamber of Commerce. I'm here to meet Shopkeeper Zhou."
"Meet me?" Zhou Shi was surprised, "I just entered the city an hour ago!"
Lu Wenshan took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat on his forehead, and said: "I thought that shopkeeper Zhou would go straight to our chamber of commerce, so I came out late to pick him up. Please don't mind. Since you have arranged the car trip, then
Please move."
"Where to go?"
"Guang Qingfeng, one of the Eight Buildings in the Capital, the president of the Capital Restaurant Guild has been waiting for a long time."
"President..." Zhou Shi was a little dizzy, and then he realized that when they left Jiangdu, the Bashu Chamber of Commerce branch in Jiangdu sent a letter to the capital, and the guard at the city gate reported the letter to the Chamber of Commerce after seeing the documents from the Bashu Chamber of Commerce.
That’s why Lu Wenshan was able to find himself so quickly.
"I can't bear this."
"By the way, you are a distinguished guest of our Bashu Chamber of Commerce and the shopkeeper of Fengde Building, one of the four famous buildings in Jiangdu. This is what we should do. Come on, go this way."
After Zhou Shi asked the clerk to send a message to his companion, he followed Lu Wenshan and left the inn and walked towards the north.
"If you come directly to the Chamber of Commerce, I can arrange accommodation for you. The inn in the capital is too busy, and I'm afraid you won't have a good rest."
Zhou Shi was a little flattered by the Bashu Chamber of Commerce's enthusiasm.
In fact, his relationship with the Bashu Chamber of Commerce was nothing more than bringing a letter home from Xu Baocai, and it was not even the handwriting of the wealthy businessman. Although Xu Baocai was once suspected of being the key criminal in the Yichunyuan corpse case, it was all thanks to Zhou Shi's help.
was able to clear the suspicion, but this was all done in secret, and it was supposed that the Chamber of Commerce would not know... Could it be that just for a letter from home with a suspicious origin and only a few password marks to prove it, the Bashu Chamber of Commerce put it on display
Such a battle?
"Here we are, shopkeeper Zhou, please."
The signboard of Guangqingfeng is very conspicuous surrounded by a row of large lanterns. Zhou Shi squinted to see the words on it clearly.
"Founded in... day, more than one hundred and seventy years..."
The waiter in the store respectfully brought the two of them into the private room. An old man in luxurious clothes who had already been seated stood up to greet them:
"Mr. Lu, thank you for your hard work. Shopkeeper Zhou, you are so disappointed!"
"Don't dare." Zhou Shi said quickly, his eyes falling on the old man's jade ring, thinking that this thing should be enough to buy the old Fengde Building.
"This is Mr. Deng Zeen, the president of the Beijing Restaurant Guild. This is Shopkeeper Zhou from Fengde House. He wants to set up shop in the capital."
Under Lu Wenshan's introduction, Zhou Shi and the old president got to know each other and took their seats in order of seniority.
Zhou Shi first said something polite: "You two, I'm new here, and I'm really ashamed to receive such courtesy."
Deng Zeen said kindly: "Don't say that. Fengde Tower was founded in our capital back then. Do you know this story?"
"Of course. In the first year of Wenchong in Daliang, the famous chef Zhu Quan of the capital, who had just won the title of 'King of Chao Chao', established his own business at Jiuchakou in the capital..."
Zhou Shi briefly told the history of Fengde Building that he heard from Mr. Zhu’s family. Although the names of people and places were only verbal concepts to him, he always kept this story firmly in mind.
In my heart.
"Okay, okay." Deng Zeen clapped his hands with great satisfaction, seeming to admire such a young man who respects history, "Since we are all from the capital, there is no need to be polite to us. You can bring the Fengde Building sign back to the capital.
It’s like returning to your own home. If you need anything, just tell the guild.”
"Yes, thank you very much, President." Zhou Shi stood up and saluted, just in time to catch Lu Wenshan's wink towards him, and hurriedly caught the conversation, "To be honest with the President, our Fengde Building is lacking a place to stay. The boundaries of the capital city
I’m not familiar with it either, could you please give me some advice?”
"Oh, no problem. Xiaoju and Xiaohuai, bring me the picture."
The door of the private room opened, and the two maids put a map and a volume of documents on the table, bowed deeply, and then left.
"Look, here are the eight major alleys in the capital. A little to the north is the Huanglao Temple, and further to the east is right here, Yongde Lane. There is a store here that happens to be vacant, and the rent is not expensive. If shopkeeper Zhou doesn't mind it, you can
Open here. All the brick and mortar fortifications will be introduced to you by the guild, how about it?"
"Thank you, President, and let me take the guys to have a look tomorrow."
Unexpectedly, Zhou Shi saw a trace of displeasure flash across Deng Zeen's face as soon as these words came out.
Before he could react, Lu Wenshan quickly put on a smile and said, "I will accompany Shopkeeper Zhou to visit it tomorrow. I believe that the place recommended by President Deng must be a Feng Shui treasure."
"Of course, of course..." Zhou Shi agreed, glancing at his flawless smiling face, and feeling wary in his heart.
"Come and wish President Deng a long and prosperous life!"
After coming out of Guangqingfeng, Zhou Shi took a few breaths of cold air to dilute the smell of wine and meat in his mouth.
The food and wine just now were indeed good, but it seemed that the atmosphere at the dinner was not quite right from the moment Deng Zaien talked about the store.
After walking for a while, Lu Wenshan let out a long breath and said, "You really shouldn't have spoken like that just now."
"Did I say the wrong thing?"
"President Deng is kind enough to help you find a store and help you find a place. Doesn't it seem cold to you to hesitate like this? I hope President Deng won't mind."
Zhou Shi raised his eyebrows and said: "I have to confirm with my own eyes what kind of territory it is. Three points of craftsmanship and seven points of land, one point of Feng Shui and two points of harmony. This is an old saying in our industry."
"That's true..." Lu Wenshan rubbed his eyebrows and said with a headache, "But, alas, I see that you are also an old man, so I won't go around in circles with you. President Deng is not so busy in vain.
, when you arrive in the capital, of course you have to abide by the rules of the capital. The restaurant industry in the capital elected him as president, and if you refute his reputation, it will be a slap in the face of your colleagues."
Zhou Shi wanted to speak, but he raised his hand to stop him.
"Forget it, Shopkeeper Zhou, I think you are too tired today. I will call you tomorrow morning. After breakfast, we will go to see the place that President Deng has arranged for you. If you have any opinions, tell me first.
, let me coordinate, okay?"
Now that the words had reached this point, Zhou Shi had no choice but to suppress the doubts in his heart. "Mr. Youlaolu."
"See you tomorrow."
……
The next morning, Yongde Lane.
"Here we are, right here. What do you think?"
"Where should I start..."
In front of the door that Deng Zeen was looking for, Zhou Shi covered his mouth and paced back and forth several times, with veins bulging on his forehead.