Volume 4: The World of Great Conflict Chapter 0386 Hate to Marry
"It is said that there was a Laofeng steamed bun shop at the intersection near Xidan North Street, just north of the archway... "
The next day, Nan Yi came to the courtyard deep in the flowers again. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he heard a man talking in vain. At a glance, he found it was another acquaintance he had never seen before. Nan Yi once quoted his famous saying "calcium supplement".
"The shop doesn't have a big front, with only enough space for two tables. It has a shop in front and a factory in the back. The shopkeeper's surname is Feng, and he is a middle-aged man in his forties. He doesn't have much work to do every day. A large steamer can hold about 30 buns. He can make about 300 buns in the morning and afternoon.
Lao Feng’s skill in making stuffing is pretty good, and the buns he makes are juicy and plump, but his skills in making the dough are not so good, so the buns don’t look that good and the dough is a bit sour , but the taste is amazing.
Old neighbors and people working nearby would take a detour to buy a few buns, and every day they could make a hundred or so yuan..."
As soon as Nan Yi heard the name "Laofeng Steamed Bun Shop", he knew what Fu Feng was talking about. He didn't know where he heard about the human flesh steamed bun case in Xidan two years ago, but Nan Yi heard that the case was kept secret and only known about it in a small circle of people.
It was really that the "fragrant meat" buns sold so well that hundreds of them were sold every day. It took a long time for people to discover the secret. Many people in Xidan had eaten them, and it would have been very disgusting if the news had spread out.
Nan Yi heard it from Li Jing. Li Jing heard it from the people in Xidan Committee. Isn't it that Tota Construction and Xidan Committee are working together to renovate Xidan Stadium? The person looks familiar.
But soon a scene appeared in Nan Yi's mind, "One person whispered in another person's ear: 'I'm only telling you, don't tell anyone else.' The other person patted his chest and swore, 'I will never tell anyone.'"
Gossip starts from “I won’t tell anyone” to “I only told so-and-so.”
Fu Feng knew that it was not something to be surprised about. As long as there were his friends, or friends of friends of friends of friends among the insiders in Xidan, he would most likely hear the news even if the route was long and winding.
Nan Yi did not make any noise, but quietly walked to Wang Lu's side and said, "Liu Zhen and I are going to get married soon, but we haven't decided on a date yet. Can you help me list the addresses of a few acquaintances so that I can use them when sending out invitations?"
"What are you going to do?" Wang Lu lowered his voice when he heard it.
"Just like the previous fights, send out a whole bicycle squadron to come with me to the Liu family to grab the bride. Help me spread the news first, and then we'll see how many people I can gather. Take it easy, I'm getting married, not really fighting, so don't invite those with bad tempers."
"Don't worry, buddy, I have a plan in mind." Wang Lu said, patting his chest.
"Well, I'm leaving now. I still have to go to Langfang Ertiao and Jewelry Street to buy some gold items."
"become."
He nodded to the newcomer Fu Heng and gave him an encouraging look. Then Nan Yi spoke to a few other acquaintances and left the courtyard.
He used the penny he found on the road to earn the policeman at the booth who nodded to him, and Nan Yi happily came to Langfang Ertiao.
In the past two years, there was a wave of price increases, which also made the gold market a little more active.
There was a small buying craze for gold items in 1982. Many of the old gold rings and gold earrings that are kept in the bottom of people's drawers were probably bought in 1982 and 1988.
In 1982, prices survived a minor catastrophe; in 1988, there was a nine-day thunder catastrophe. After surviving this catastrophe, prices were free to roam the heaven and earth, and no one could control them anymore.
From then on, all prices became a carefree life of eating, sleeping and paying for food.
The price of goods in society presents an inverted pyramid structure. The food price strongman, with a pale face, bulging veins, and trembling legs, easily lifted up the house price, medicine fee, and education fee, and shouted arrogantly: "Who else?"
During the Republic of China period, prices were unstable and currencies in different regions were not interchangeable. People who went on business trips would use their travel expenses to buy two gold rings. If they were on a business trip in Beijing, they would run to Langfang Erjie as soon as they arrived and sell one of the rings to use as meal and accommodation expenses.
Then when you're done and ready to go back, sell the remaining one and buy a return ticket.
Doing so can prevent currency depreciation and eliminate the need to worry about currency non-circulation. This is in line with the old saying - antiques are valuable in prosperous times, and gold is valuable in troubled times.
In times of war, gold played a very important role and gold shops were everywhere.
Langfang Toutiao is dominated by gold shops, among which Tianbao Gold Shop, Wuhua Gold Shop, Sanyang Gold Shop and dozens of others are famous; there are many jewelry stores on Langfang Ertiao, among which Rongxingzhai, Sanshengxing, Hengshengxing, Fushengzhai and so on are famous. Most of them have shops in front and factories in the back and can produce their own products.
While selling gold and jewelry, gold shops also purchase old gold jewelry and raw materials such as gold sand and gold nuggets purchased from gold mines, and then melt and purify them in the furnace at the back and cast them into gold bars or gold ingots;
Once the name and fineness of a certain gold shop are cast on it, it becomes an authentic product, and its price is much higher than that of raw gold bars. In particular, gold bars cast by large gold shops have a higher reputation in the market.
At that time, there was a gold market here on Langfang Ertiao, and many gold shops were engaged in gold speculation. The market opened at three or four o'clock in the afternoon every day, and more than a hundred people gathered together to discuss business and current affairs. The price of gold rose and fell.
An important factor for the price increase is "war", so some smart people will put some fake news in the newspaper. A newsboy will come over with a newspaper and shout "Look at the evening paper, a war has started somewhere". Once the fake news comes out, the price of gold will rise immediately, and the people behind the scenes can just sell their goods and make a profit.
But that was a thing of the Republic of China. After the public-private partnership, most of the shops here were converted into residential houses. In the past two years, many clothing stores and restaurants have opened here one after another, and the place has regained some of its former bustle.
Nan Yi turned left and right and came to a two-story building. He walked through the snack bar on the first floor and went straight to the second floor.
Upstairs, an old craftsman was melting gold in front of a crucible.
The master craftsman’s surname is Jin. He was a goldsmith at Rongxingzhai in the past. He has superb skills. He started to set up a stall here two years ago and do his own business. His fame spread quickly and many people come here to make jewelry.
Nowadays, when newlyweds get married, in addition to large and small items, they will also get some gold jewelry. However, except for chains, they are generally kept in the bottom of the box or as a stash of cash; chains are hidden in clothes, not conspicuous, while rings and earrings are too flashy, so women will take them out from time to time to look at them in front of the desk or dressing table at home.
Anyway, if you see a woman wearing earrings on the street, people usually don't have anything nice to say and the topic will be about the Eight Great Hutongs.
"Just wait a moment, I'll be almost done."
"It's okay, Master Jin, just go about your business." Nan Yi said, then stepped back two steps, keeping a safe distance, and looked at the gold that was already softening in the crucible.
Once Master Jin poured the gold water into a mold and formed it into long strips, he freed his hands.
"Young man, are you making gold?"
"Look at what Master Jin said. Why am I here to become his disciple if I'm not here to make gold?"
"That's hard to say. There are many people who want to be my apprentice." Master Jin took a sip from the large teacup on the table, spitting out a mouthful of foam, and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "What do you want to fight?"
"Two chains, just a little thinner, plus two gold medals. One has a tigress engraved on the front, to make it look more domineering, and a few words engraved on the back - unswerving loyalty; the other has a paper tiger engraved on the front, and 'Life and Death Are Not Easy' engraved on the back."
Poof! Master Jin spat out the tea he had just drunk and choked a few times with coughs.
After catching his breath, he said, "Young man, I know how to deal with a tigress, but how about this paper tiger? Can you teach me?"
"Master Jin, have you ever watched cartoons?"
"My little grandson took a few glances when he was watching."
"That's fine. Just make it look like the one in the cartoon. There should be a strong contrast. The tigress is majestic and the paper tiger is weak."
"Are you sure you're not kidding?"
"Sure."
"Okay, how much gold have you prepared?"
Nan Yi took out a golden ball from his pocket and placed it on the table. "This is the ball."
Master Jin has been working with gold for decades and has a deep understanding of the weight of gold. He can estimate the weight of the gold ball by just glancing at it. "Young man, you are really willing to spend money. You already have two liang [market liang, 31.25 grams per liang] here."
"Master Jin has a good eye, it's exactly 62 grams."
Master Jin picked up a notebook on the table and threw it in front of Nan Yi, "Draw a rough sketch for me so I can estimate the cost."
Nan Yi quickly drew the general shape of the gold medal on the paper, which was just an outline. Although he was not good at drawing, he was very good at drawing straight lines and curves.
"Master Jin, that's it. You can use your imagination for the pictures, and you can just use Fangsong for the characters."
Master Jin glanced at the book and said, "Deduct the heat consumption, or pay the money? The heat consumption is two grams, pay the money, you give forty yuan."
"The weight cannot be less than one ounce. The female piece is 32.5 grams, and the male piece is 29.5 grams."
"Young man, born in 1962, right? Tiger, weighing 62 grams, 3 points less than a woman, not bad, not bad, when do you want it?"
"Three days?"
"Okay, come back in three days to pick it up and I'll give you a bill."
Master Jin first checked the quality of the gold ball and confirmed that there was no problem before he wrote an order for Nan Yi.
Nan Yi took the bill and left without paying the deposit.
There are dozens of grams of gold being kept by someone else. Why would you pay a deposit? They would rather you not come to pick it up.
Nan Yi didn't think about going to the gold counter in the department store to buy gold rings, gold earrings or anything like that. Liu Zhen's paper ring was pretty good. As for gold earrings, he didn't like women wearing earrings. He only appreciated stud earrings.
Once he buys the tools, he will make earrings for Liu Zhen himself, which will show his sincerity.
After leaving Langfang Ertiao, Nan Yi rushed to Dongfeng Market [Dong'an] and Wangfujing Department Store, and bought everything related to marriage, such as red paper, red wedding candles, new candlesticks, thermos, and rags.
A whole day passed by in shopping.
Even so, Nan Yi always felt that there were still many things missing, and he would have to come again tomorrow. Fortunately, Sophie Marceau had a great time in Xiangkeng and planned to stay for two more days before flying over.
When Liu Zhen came back from get off work, she saw the house full of things and said angrily, "The date hasn't been set yet, why are you buying these things so early?"
"It doesn't matter if it's a few days earlier or later, but it must be done before you show your pregnancy." Nan Yi said, shaking out the big "囍" character he had cut out. "How is it? It's straight and straight, beautiful, right?"
"Oh, you'd better not cut it. You are not the one who should do such a thing. Find two people to help you."
"No, I plan to do everything I can do myself. I just have poor craftsmanship, otherwise I would plan to make our new clothes myself."
"Stop bragging. Can you make clothes?"
"Don't underestimate me. I can also knit."
Nan Yi was just bragging about knitting, but he was actually quite good at making clothes.
In his previous life, he had worked in the foreign trade business and spent two years mainly making shirts. He often went to Dachen, Yiwu and Suxi, and spent quite a while in the shirt factory, where he was hands-on with all the processes of shirt production.
Even though his craftsmanship is not that great, he has no problem turning fabric into clothes. Don't worry about the details as to whether it looks good or is comfortable to wear.
Liu Zhen took out the cloth that Nan Yi had pulled back from the side and looked at it piece by piece, but didn't see any suitable for making wedding clothes. She only saw pieces suitable for making curtains, tablecloths and the like.
"Where's the fabric for the clothes?"
"No, I'm going to get two sets of military uniforms tomorrow, and we'll wear green uniforms."
"You're still wearing a military uniform. Wedding photos are becoming popular now."
"Wedding photos are easy. We'll take them again after you give birth. We'll prepare all the wedding gowns and phoenix coronet for you. After a while, I'll place an order for a twelve-dragon and nine-phoenix coronet for you.
The shawl was dark blue in color, with two colorful cloud dragons embroidered on it side by side, and a gold and jade pendant with dragon patterns hung on the front.
Do you know who can wear this?"
"who?"
"The Queen."
"Haha." Liu Zhen laughed happily and said, "I am the queen?"
"Yes, you are the queen in my eyes. I am so unlucky that I was trapped by a stupid girl like you."
"Humph, you're stupid." Liu Zhen said angrily, "I've already told my family, my parents don't intend to ask for too much this time, they said one in a million will do, but you have to buy the dowry."
"Okay, all they need to do is put up eight wedding quilts, a toilet and a washbasin stand, and I'll take care of the rest. Get a new bed, and forget about the other things. I'm used to this room now.
It just so happens that one TV is not enough, so I will buy a 21-inch rocker and a Sanyo washing machine. These two large appliances will not be ostentatious and will not embarrass me. When the time comes, I can just put them on my bicycle and it will look like I am pulling them over from your house."
"Bicycle? Why not a car?"
"Just bicycles. I've already found someone. When the time comes, hundreds of bicycles will pick you up. When your neighbors see you, they'll say, 'Wow, even though the Liu family's daughter married a poor man, the new son-in-law has a wide network of contacts. What a grand show!'
"Of course, the daughter of the Liu family graduated from Peking University and studied abroad. She is now a manager in the Universal Bank. Our alley has also produced a golden phoenix."
Nan Yi imitated the neighbors' discussions vividly.
"Nonsense, who would say you are a pauper? With your wealth, one in a million, no one in the alley would dare to look down on you."
The betrothal gift for my daughter is one in a million, so I can’t keep this news to myself. I must leak it out on purpose. I won’t keep it to myself. I might even add, “We don’t plan to keep any of it. Let my daughter take it all…”
One in a million, although it is a bit conspicuous at this time, it is not so high as to be unrealistic.
There are still some people who can earn tens of thousands of yuan by themselves. Liu Zhen and his friends in the alley are probably among them. Naturally, there will be "first-mover" people who will stand up and sneer at the "one in a million".
Even so, it is a departure from Nan Yi's usual low-key style.
Weddings are too important in a woman's mind. In order to leave Liu Zhen with fewer regrets, Nan Yi tried to make the wedding as high-profile as possible without going too far.
How could Nan Yi not know that he could exchange a hundred bicycles for cars, declare his love on the front page of the newspaper, have heroes from all walks of life come to congratulate him at the banquet, transport several truckloads of cash as a betrothal gift, and hang eight hundred kilograms of gold bracelets around Liu Zhen's neck, making her look very majestic?
But if you really do that, then others will start to complain bitterly: "I watched him build a tall building, I watched him entertain guests, and I watched his building collapse!"
If a neighbor is in trouble, you should help him if you can. But if a neighbor becomes a superior person, you will feel uncomfortable, "How can she live better than me? Shouldn't she die earlier than me?"
