This last woman, wearing the blue cloth cotton jacket Su Hanzhi found for her, raised her head, her mouth was crooked, her eyes were slanted, her appearance was extremely ugly, and her face was swollen, which made people disgusted at first sight. Bisheng still raised his head and smirked, which made people even more unappetizing.

Huo Qiu rubbed his eyes, "This...... Who's this? Say, how did you get in! ”

The woman grinned, but showed a mouthful of white teeth, "Slave Fengxi, you bought the slave and maid, the meal just now was made by the slave and maid, and how many mouths are there?" As he spoke, he stretched out his sleeve and wiped the runny nose.

Thinking that it was such a sloppy woman who had just cooked for herself, Huo Qiu and the other three felt sick to their stomachs for a while, and almost vomited what they had eaten! Zhao Guanhou pointed to the door with his hand, "Get out!" Get out of here and get back to the human market! ”

"Slow." Su Hanzhi shook his head, "Guanhou, look at how cold it is outside now, you let one of her daughters go out, how should she live." Besides, she's alone, aren't you afraid that she'll meet the bad guys? ”

"I'm afraid the bad guys will meet her! I feel sorry for those bad guys. Zhao Guanhou snorted, but no matter what he was outside, at home, he was mainly his wife, and Su Hanzhi said a word, which was better than a holy decree. I had to nod, "Then let her do some work at home, what kind of work, sister, you arrange, but remember one, don't let her touch our food, dare to enter the small kitchen, break her dog's legs!" ”

As soon as he turned his head, he looked at Huo Qiu viciously, "Huo Qiu! I can't kill you! ”

"My lord, I remembered that there was something important in the camp, so I took my leave! Baoshan, Baohe, go! The three of them saw that there was a big disaster, and they left in embarrassment without saying a word, and when they went out and got into the rickshaw, Huo Qiu was still muttering, "How do I remember when I bought that little chef that day, although it was also very ugly, but it wasn't so ugly, this is really fucking hell." ”

When it came to the evening, Zhao Guanhou still hated Nafeng, saying that he would resign when spring began. Su Hanzhi persuaded again and again, "We are also from a bitter background, and we should also be considerate of the poor, in fact, there is no work in this family, I accepted them, mainly to save people." If I take one more here, they will starve to death one less, which is a good deed. Look at those girls, if you don't come to our house, if you are bought by those lowly places, this life will be over. Feng Xi is energetic, scary with great strength, and can cook Shandong cuisine, which is very useful. Go back and invite the second brother and let him taste it. ”

"Second brother? I'm afraid I'll kill him. It's just that it's almost the New Year, and it's time to invite everyone to come, and it's lively. Zhao Guanhou said as he hugged Su Hanzhi, but Su Hanzhi struggled slightly, "Don't ...... Don't bother in my saline land. I bought those girls just to keep them for your family. Whoever you like, I will call him and let her serve you. ”

"Stupid, what kind of room do you receive, those Chai He chicks, I don't like it, I just want my Hanzhi. Especially that Feng Xi, it's unappetizing just thinking about it. Zhao Guanhou originally thought about whether he should tell the matter of Shigege, but Su Hanzhi's current state naturally couldn't be mentioned, otherwise he didn't know what was going on, so he had to hide it in his heart.

And in the big kitchen, with cold water, Feng Xi washed his face, caught fire again, and fried a pot of rice for a few companions. The girls said: "Sister Fengxi, you are so handsome, how did you get it, let yourself become like that." ”

"Stupid, I washed my face with croton water, and my face was naturally swollen. This man is too young, you all give me to be careful, stay away from him, otherwise he will suffer a big loss sooner or later. Hurry up and eat, we are not allowed to eat this white rice, so I will eat it. Remember to clean it up after eating, and don't let him find flaws. ”

Jinmen, above the wharf, low shacks, can't isolate the biting cold wind. Although the end of the year is approaching, it makes no difference whether it is a year or not for these coolies. On the contrary, due to the approaching New Year, many of the leaders have stopped working, but these coolies have no source of livelihood, and the sun and moon are even more difficult.

A Lifu lost his hand while moving goods today, injured his leg, and lay in the shed, letting out a cry of pain. Several people surrounded him, and there was nothing they could do but feed him some dirty water from the ditch. They look down on the doctor, especially Su Sanliang's plaster of three taels of silver, even if it kills them, they can't take it out, and most of this companion is useless.

A big man from Angzang heated half of the black, hard, dry and cold nest on the fire, broke it up and fed it to his companions. Looking at the five-foot-tall man, crying bitterly for his cripple, the big man's face was gloomy, like a piece of iron. If Zhao Guanhou was here, he would probably be able to recognize that this was the Ma surnamed Lifu who took him to Su San and the two families that day, and then had a conflict.

He was the leader of these coolies, and everyone else was willing to obey him. A few people were talking, and some fellow villagers came to find food to eat, but they didn't know that even they themselves were running out of food, so how could they care about the villagers. The big man said in a sullen voice: "This will not work. We can't wait to die, we have to live. ”

"Yes, if you continue like this, you will definitely wait for death. But how do you live? The government has not given relief for a long time, and after the defeat of the Goryeo army, it was a land cut and an indemnity, and all the money was paid off foreign debts, where did they take care of us? ”

"He can't take care of it, we have to take care of ourselves. If we don't get a sum of money and a sum of food, I'm afraid we won't be able to survive this winter. As he spoke, the big man threw a heavy punch and slammed it on the ground. The government doesn't care, we have to figure out our own way, Jinmen is a world of flowers, and there are many rich people. Let us poor people starve to death, there is no such rule! This world is not good, the rules are wrong, you have to make your own rules! ”

A few coolies were stunned for a moment, and then someone whispered: "Second brother Guojie, what do you mean...... Don't you dare, you want to kill your head. ”

"It's better to kill your head than to wait for death! Anyway, the left and right are also dead, it is better to fight and have a way to live. The big man named Ma Guojie, Huo Ran stood up and pointed outside the shack, there was a faint light in the distance, it was the Dutch consulate in the concession, because there were electric lights, it was on all night.

"The people there are drunk and dreaming of death, eating, drinking and merrymaking. It's not fair that we're going to starve and freeze here. We have to rely on our own hands to earn a fair return. There are concessions in Jinmen, there are foreigners, and there are those big businessmen and rich people, they are all rich, and they pour bird's nest shark fin and white flour dumplings every day. We can't even eat in the black nest, we sold our wives, sisters, and children, this is not a human life! If you smash one of those places, we'll have a way to live. When we get the money, we will leave Jinmen and find another place to hide for a few years, and the government may not be able to find us. If it doesn't work out, go to hug the calf, and you have to live like a person after all. ”

He pointed in the direction of the Purple Bamboo Forest, where was the golden mountain in their hearts.

Jinmen New Year's greetings are all over Chinese New Year's Eve, but when Li Xiushan and Cao Zhongkun came, they were just twenty-three years old, they were Jinlan, they wore houses between each other, and their wives did not avoid them. All the way through the house to the inner house. saw Zhao Guanhou, Su Hanzhi, and Jiang Fengzhi wrapping dumplings.

A pot of fine mutton filling, snow-white flying basket noodles, this meal of dumplings can probably be exchanged for a day's rations for twenty poor people. Zhao Guanhou Yun is like flying, one person packs, Su Hanzhi and Jiang Fengzhi can't catch up with the skin. Su Hanzhi was okay, Jiang Fengzhi's sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing two white and tender forearms, and his eyes were glazed.

When Cao Zhongkun saw it, he said strangely: "Sister Fengzhi, this young year, I am cold in a leather robe, although there is a stove in your room, but you are not cold with your arms exposed?" ”

Jiang Fengzhi originally lowered his head and blushed slightly, not knowing what he was thinking, but when he heard this, he realized that his arm was seen by these two people, so he screamed, grabbed a ball of noodles, threw it at Cao Zhongkun, turned around and ran.

Zhao Guanhou raised his hand to catch the dough, "Nonsense, Feiluo noodles can be used as a secret weapon." Come on, hurry up and take off your clothes, I look cold for you. You and Sister Hanzhi are in this bag, and I will accompany the two brothers to chat. ”

When I arrived at the guest room, a girl came over and brought tea, and flew away with a red face. Li Xiushan shook his head, "This girl can't do it, why don't you even understand some rules, compared to the subordinates of the Meng family, it's not a star and a half, and she can't get on the stage." ”

"No, I'm awkward at home, and I'm unlucky to send this from Huo Qiu, these girls blush as long as they see me, and they just want to run away with their heads down, as if I'm going to do something to them." Zhao Guanhou sighed helplessly, "Sister Hanzhi is soft-hearted, she doesn't beat or scold, and she is always afraid that they will be wronged, and she won't be able to teach the rules." also let them eat white noodles, which is almost a confession. If she's happy, let's do good. Don't mention these people, it's upset. The two brothers don't leave today, I'll call for food outside, let's have a few drinks in the evening. ”

"You let me go, and I won't go." Cao Zhongkun laughed and drank the tea, "The fourth will come in a while, today we will come to you to be lively, after a hard year, we have to get together." It's a pity that Siyuan is not there, or our brothers will be together. This time, the fourth child went to Shandong, and he made a fortune, speaking of which, he also wants to thank you for lending him the capital, he is here to thank you. At night, don't move, let's eat him. ”

Li Xiushan also said, "Second brother Siyuan is also a hard worker, everyone is busy with the New Year, and he is busy asking for accounts." At this time, they are using money, and the account is difficult to negotiate, not to mention that he borrowed foreign debts from Belgians, and he has to calculate interest, so he must find a way to withdraw the funds, this year, I am afraid that he will be very busy. There are rich people, and there are also rich people's troubles, and I don't feel comfortable looking at life. ”

Cao Zhongkun also said: "Yes, Siyuan, a rich man, has a very good life, but he is too good at tossing." If he hadn't run this yarn mill or textile factory, he would have been able to get by. Just for these factories, he is always very tight, and he also finds himself sick, I see, he is a bit risky. This person is not a small learner, but there is a little bit of bookishness. If it's okay, let's mention industry to save the country, let's save himself first. ”

After a few people talked for a while, Cao Zhongying rushed over. He was now completely different from the last downfall, wearing a fur coat with fever inside and out, an otter hat on his head, and rings on both hands, shining with gold, and a face that exploded. And beside him, there was also a very delicate woman, which was completely different from the smoky and flattering Fengchen women he had seen in the past.

As soon as she sat down, Cao Zhongying took off her coat and threw it at the woman, who obediently hung up her clothes. Cao Zhongying took out a silver ticket and handed it to Zhao Guanhou, "Brother, if it weren't for you, brother, I would definitely not have today." If you didn't borrow me four hundred taels of silver, where did I get this wealth? We brothers, we will not talk about a word of thanks, but if we know our kindness, we will have to repay it. I, Cao Laosi, definitely don't turn my face and deny people, this is a thousand taels of silver tickets, and you keep the flowers. In the new home, you can add whatever you want, if you don't have the money, my brother still has it. ”

Zhao Guanhou was not polite, put away the silver ticket, and pointed to the woman again: "This is?" ”

"I bought it. Ten taels of silver, just buy a big girl, and she is so handsome, you say, did you make money? In her family, I heard that she is still a scholarly family, and her father is still a person. As a result, there was a big flood, and people were lifted...... It's useless to lift anything. I had to flee to Jinmen, her father died of illness in the field, and as soon as I buried her father, the person would be mine. ”

The woman was obviously a little scared, lowered her head, and didn't dare to say a word, Cao Zhongying, slapped her fiercely with her hand, "When I bought you, I don't remember that you were a dumb person, why can't you call people." This is my lifelong friend, even if he wants to sleep with you, you have to unbutton obediently, why don't you know how to call someone? ”

Zhao Guanhou coughed, and said to the woman: "Please go to the side, my wife and her sister-in-law are making dumplings there, you can also go over, everyone eats dumplings at night." ”

After sending the woman away, Zhao Guanhou shook his head and said, "Fourth brother, I didn't say you, it's a person, you can't do this." It's not very good. Again, that's a bit too much. ”

"People? She's also human? Cao Zhongying laughed, leaned back, "Brother, you look at the street, there is a grass mark on your head, and you kneel in a large area, black and pressed, the same as the livestock market." I bought her for ten taels of silver, where is she a human being? It's no different from the big mule and big horse at home. If you're happy, ride twice, and if you're not happy, whip it, it's no big deal. If you are in the middle of the phase, I will leave it for you, that is, I am sorry to use it, and I will go back and find you an original one. ”

Before he finished speaking, Cao Zhongkun's eyes widened, and he swallowed back the words in fright, and turned to talk about his own fortune and finance. "I went to Shandong this time, but I caught up with good luck and beat the people of the sect, which was a big family in the village, and there were firearms at home, but after all, I still let the group open. How do they understand those things that they get out? They didn't know anything but gold, silver, and bronze, and they weren't allowed to smoke big cigarettes, so they had to sell them. The rule in Shandong is that there is one leftover in three and three, and if the church and the people are beaten, thirty percent of the things belong to themselves, thirty percent are handed over, and the rest belong to the government. Think about it, who wouldn't want to leave a little more for themselves, the flowers here are big. ”

"I'm afraid that the government hasn't even seen all the things of the big family, and the rest has been divided. They don't know it, they sell it cheaply. I'll take the four hundred taels of silver you gave me, make a bun, and go back to Jinmen to make a move...... I'll tell you, there's not much to be done in this business. After the New Year, I still have to go to Shandong, leaving the character group and the Kanzi group, not only to fight the people, but also to fight the foreign religion. I heard that there are more good things in the church, as long as I enter it, I will come back a few times, and we will become decent people. ”

"Killing the people of the church and fighting the foreign religion, isn't this a bandit?" Zhao Guanhou frowned, "The local government of Shandong, still following the dirty, doesn't the governor care?" ”

"Tube? This order was ordered by Yu Zuochen, the governor of Shandong, and he supported the boxers to kill the foreign religion, how to do it. Besides, the ground in Shandong is not quiet, there are ringing horses, there are people who practice boxing, and there are people who eat and teach, what can he do? Don't worry, nothing will happen. ”

Cao Zhongying proudly introduced his business, Cao Zhongkun and Li Xiushan listened to it with relish, but Zhao Guanhou always felt that a trace of uneasiness lingered in his heart. Outside the window, the wind and snow are getting heavier, and the number of pedestrians on the road is gradually decreasing, and there are only groups of unkempt homeless people, wandering and gathering in the streets and alleys. Groups of three or five exchanged heads and ears, pointing at the high-ranking families and wealthy families, and the light of hope was shot in their eyes. (To be continued.) )