Next door to Jinchina's house, the small grocery store that was originally dusty has been renovated and replaced with new door links and plaques. The upper link is the "opening discount big reward", the lower link is the "vomiting blood jumping off the building sale", and the horizontal batch is even more vigorous: "The lowest price in the city, the absolute cheapest!" ”

-- Obviously, this is the grocery store opened by Wang Qiu and other modern time-travelers.

In order to do a good job in this first business, Wang Qiu and his team posted many small advertisements on the streets and alleys in advance, made many leaflets, and temporarily hired a group of newspaper boys to distribute them everywhere. There was nothing very special on the leaflet, except that the couplets and horizontal batches in front of the grocery store were copied, and then the date and time of the opening were marked, and then, in order to enhance the convincingness, a price list of the main commodities was attached: a thermos for one and a half oceans, a high-powered telescope for five silver dollars, ten oceanic watches, an alarm clock for an ocean, a lighter for half an ocean, and a magnifying glass for twenty copper dollars......

-- Throughout the ages, Chinese people have always had the habit of taking advantage of small advantages, and often some housewives see that something is particularly cheap, and they don't care whether they can use it at home, so they happily buy a large number of them and put them at home.

Therefore, when this "lowest price in the city" small grocery store opened, the business really quickly became so hot that it "sold crazy":

“…… Two iron hot water bottles, not printed, should be printed with the scenery of the West Lake and the three pools reflecting the moon...... Give, just three dollars! ”

“…… There are three aluminum alloy lunch boxes, large, medium, and small sizes should be the same! Another medium enamel washbasin! ”

“…… Bring me a ten-dollar watch, and ask for a black one...... What brand of watch is this? How come this trademark has never been seen before? ”

“…… Alas. Dude, of course, it's a small company in the United States, if it's some Swiss brand-name watch. Will it still be so cheap? ”

“…… Give me ten of these one-dollar alarm clocks! Boss, I bought so much this time, can I give it a discount? ”

“…… This benevolent brother! A dollar and a clock are already very cheap! It's with an alarm! You can look elsewhere, even the blackest pawnshops give more than that! Even if you don't buy it, there are still people who want it! There's still a queue at the back! Next! ”

“…… I want half a pound of gold coins and chocolates, and I also have three taels of that 'snow cake'. By the way, is this snow cake sweet or salty? ”

“…… Belch. How so? My snow cake is both salty and sweet. ”

“……？？？”

“…… Specifically, the white frosting on top is naturally sweet, but the snow cake itself is salty. ”

“…… You've got weird dim sum here......"

……

After the day's grocery trading is done. Wang Qiu, Ma Tong and others all felt that their level of Shanghainese had improved greatly, from the original stumbling to extremely smooth, especially the level of scolding had risen to more than one level.

However, Zhang's mother, who temporarily came from the golden house to help. Seems to be more gifted at swearing......

Wait until the lights of Shanghai are on and night falls. After hanging out the sign of "closed business" and putting down the door panel of the store, Wang Qiu took out a calculator, counted the number on the account book, and found that the turnover on the first day alone reached more than 3,500 yuan, not only earning back the cost of handling goods and the rent of leasing stores and licenses, but also the remaining net profit of more than 800 yuan, which can almost be called a huge profit.

However. Ma Tong just pouted at this, "...... That's just a little bit of money...... Which previous crossing didn't make more money than this? ”

-- I have to say. Through several lucrative cross-time and space adventures before and after, everyone in the Chengguan Dogtooth International Column has nourished their appetites.

“…… This is just the beginning, Senior Sister Ma Tong, a small grocery store like this as a sales terminal can't occupy much of the consumer market, and it is impossible to make a fortune anytime soon. We opened this shop just to engage in a market practice. ”

Looking at Ma Tong's dissatisfied expression, Wang Qiu smiled and flicked a silver coin in his hand, listening to it emit a clear tremor sound of "buzzing", "...... This profit is simply insignificant to us at the moment. The real harvest is that the market demand in old Shanghai has been initially figured out, and these things we bring can be sold locally and will not be resisted by consumers. ”

Speaking of this, Wang Qiu couldn't help but dance with a little eyebrows, "...... Next, we can find dealers, develop the downline, and then let dealers find dozens of agents, and send out all the goods worth one or two million oceans in one go...... Alas, compared with the previous ancient time and space with slow logistics speed and limited trade scale, China in the Republic of China era has entered the era of market economy, and Shanghai alone is a market for four million people! That's more than the entire population of Britain we've traveled through the time of Arthur before! Not to mention that there is still a market to be developed in the entire Jiangsu, Zhejiang region and the Yangtze River basin......"

However, just as Wang Qiu was talking more and more energetic, happily reverie about the future "money scene", he suddenly heard a knock on the door, and then heard someone outside the door shouting in Shanghainese, "...... Open the door! Open the door! Is anyone in there? ”

Wang Qiu and the others listened to each other, no one said anything for a while, the people outside shouted again, and then smashed the door panel even harder, knocking the wooden planks with a loud bang, seeing that they were about to break, and the words shouted in the other party's mouth were even more unkind: "...... I can see that there is still a light inside! Can't they all die? Don't think you'll be fine if you hide inside and keep quiet! Come out to Uncle Ben! Beware of us setting fire to your broken shop! ”

Seeing that this catastrophe could not be avoided, Wang Qiu had no choice but to check the body armor on his body, then rubbed his face, got up and opened the door of the store. And Sonya, Ma Tong, Jin Qina, Professor Yang, and Little Bird You Zhenbai also took out their guns and axes, and each was on guard just in case.

As soon as the door opens. Just looked at the five or six gangsters in black gathered outside, in Wang Qiu's eyes, they were all quite short, they should all be southerners.

And the guy in the lead is even more short, sharp-beaked monkey gills. But his face was arrogant, and he was still spinning two iron balls in his hand, and he looked like a gangster brother...... At this moment, even if he saw that everyone in the store was holding a guy, the eldest brother was not afraid at all, but showed a smile on his face, and asked in an arrogant tone: "...... Who is the boss? ”

Wang Qiu turned around and looked at the room full of "old and weak women and children". I had to roll my eyes and stand up, "...... I'm the boss, and the store is closed! ”

“…… Alas. This boss, we don't mean anything else, we just want to talk to you about business. The big brother said, spinning a pair of iron balls.

“…… We don't have much business to talk about here. Please come back! Wang Qiu categorically rejected the other party's entanglement.

-- Based on a little shallow experience in modern society, he knows very well when dealing with hooligans. They must not be given any chance. Otherwise, as long as you are weak once. Let them think that you are a deceitful person, and then they will definitely have endless trouble.

However, the gangsters of old Shanghai are much more difficult to deal with than those of modern China," ...... Don't have much business to talk about? This boss is too absolute! During the day, your small shop is full of people, so you must be rich! He said with a "compliment" without a smile.

“…… It's just a loss of money and a reputation, and there really is no business to talk to you about. Wang Qiu still didn't let go.

“…… Hehe. This boss, don't be so absolute! You must know that there are always multiple friends and multiple paths in this world. Multiple enemies, many walls. We just want to make a fortune with you, boss. Seeing that your grocery store is doing a prosperous business, and the world is so chaotic now, the boss doesn't want to find a few people to help protect it. If there is a fire, or if a bad person comes to make trouble, it would always be better to have someone to help, right? ”

The eldest brother said threatening words with a "reserved" face, but his demeanor and tone were very sincere, just like the sincere care of an old friend.

…… These guys are really here to collect protection money, aren't they the subordinates of the legendary Green Gang boss Du Yuesheng?

Wang Qiu thought helplessly, but he still refused to back down: "...... Hmph, if there is any trouble, we can deal with it ourselves, so we won't bother the few of you! In order to enhance his persuasiveness, Sonya, the political commissar standing behind, deliberately put on a straight face, and slapped the pistol on the counter with a "snap", trying to make the other party understand that "the idea is piercing", and it is best to retreat in the face of difficulties...... Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be working.

- I saw that the gangster raised his eyebrows, ignoring the threat of the blonde girl, but instead showed a lustful expression, and teased Sonya absently, "...... Little girl, it's very dangerous to play with guns, be careful of hurting yourself! Moreover, in Shanghai, there are rules for every line......" He glanced at Wang Qiu, and then said lightly, "...... The reason that the strong dragon does not suppress the head snake on the ground, this boss should not understand! There are a lot of things that can't be solved by just fighting......"

With that, he dropped a prayer post, and then walked away, "...... At noon on Baoyue Building the day after tomorrow, please invite the boss to drink a cup of tea, and you will not wait for the expiration date! ”

And one of the younger brothers of the follower threatened viciously before leaving, "...... I hope the boss will keep his eyes brighter, and don't think that he will dare not come to the meeting if he pulls a foreign woman by his side. If you don't eat and drink in a toast...... Hmph—"

For this catastrophe, Wang Qiu and the others were all stunned - of course, they were not afraid, but a little unable to figure it out.

“…… Isn't it said that the Chinese in these years are most afraid of foreigners? Wang Qiu glanced at Sonia and muttered with some confusion, "...... We even shot a pistol here, why didn't this old Shanghai kid Mi San react at all, he was even more determined than the underground party? ”

“…… You're talking about the state to the state, the government to the government. The warlords and the government may be afraid of foreigners to the core, but the ruffians in Shanghai are not much of a drag, but they are not necessarily afraid of foreigners, and they may like to slaughter foreigners as fat sheep!

I remember that in the spring of last year, there was a beautiful young lady from a wealthy American family, who was drugged and stunned by the people of the Qinggang during a trip to Shanghai, and was abducted and sold into a kiln, and when Zuihou was rescued by the people of the detective agency. People have gone mad and have become addicted to drugs and willow disease......"

Jinjina pursed her lips, "...... In the 21st century. Aren't American citizens kidnapped, kidnapped, and beheaded everywhere? In fact, according to the rules of the Shanghai side, these guys didn't smash our store just now, and they were already giving face to foreigners. ”

“…… That's right. Wang Qiu thought about it and felt that it seemed to make sense—although the citizens of the hegemonic power were feared everywhere abroad, they would also be regarded as big purses that could walk—so he changed the subject. …… So, what do these little deflated three want to blackmail? ”

“…… What do you mean? Of course, they want to ask us to extort benefits and collect protection money! Jinchina replied.

“…… Of course I know that, the question is how much do they want? Is it not to give them a sum of money every month. It's like paying rent? ”

“…… You have to try your luck in this matter, if you are lucky, as long as you give a gift money during the New Year's holidays, you can pass so-so. If luck is not haode. Hehe...... Then in our grocery store. There will be one more 'white-faced person' who specializes in eating idle meals and destroying things! ”

Jinjina smiled bitterly, "...... In the publishing house where I submitted my article before, there was such a guy who was idle all day long, causing trouble, and I don't know how much trouble he caused to the publishing house, how many troubles he caused, and how many losses he caused, but no one dared to fire him. Thanks to the new editor-in-chief who took office last year, he is capable. There are some connections in both black and white, and there are a lot of activities up and down. I got this bastard out of the way......"

-- It turned out that in recent years, the arrogance and hegemony of various gangs in Shanghai have reached the level of an "invisible government," and the Shanghai government of the Kuomintang is not as effective as their words. Even the most ordinary and responsible ordinary people have to tremble under the obscenity of various gangsters. In this context, if anyone refuses to join the gang, it will still be light to be broken, and even worse will be thrown into the Huangpu River in a sack.

For example, at this time, almost all of the recruitment market in Shanghai was occupied by gangs (mainly green gangs), and companies had to pay a lot of filial piety to these gangs in order to recruit workers, and they could not get around it. Sometimes it is necessary to tolerate these gangs inserting a group of idle people into the enterprise, otherwise they will be smashed (except for the hard-core ones with deep backgrounds such as Japanese yarn mills) - these unearned foremen not only brutally exploit the workers, taking away several percent or even more than half of their already meager wages, and some of them can even blackmail their own bosses in reverse and even squeeze out or kill the bosses, and directly rob the enterprises: no way, in front of these ruthless people who do all kinds of evil, Capitalists with no background are no different from exploited workers. And in some companies and factories, there will be a strange phenomenon of foremen giving orders to their bosses.

In general, during the Republic of China, the arrogance of the Shanghai Tang Green Gang has reached or even surpassed the level of modern Mexican drug lord organizations - at least Mexico has not yet elected a drug lord president, while the Republic of China has a small chairman (Chiang Kai-shek is a member of the Green Gang)......

―――――――――――――――――――――――

For the extortion and intimidation of the Shanghai gangsters, everyone discussed all night, but they couldn't decide what to do, thinking that there were still two days anyway, so they let it go - anyway, the boat will naturally go straight to the bridge!

However, what no one expected was that the troubles that needed to be overcome to do business in old Shanghai seemed to be far more than the gangsters!

The next day, Wang Qiu's small grocery store opened again, and business was still very hot. Unfortunately, it didn't take long for another wicked guest to come to the door - a lean-looking old man wearing a melon-skin hat who claimed to be a representative of the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce. I saw this guy holding a cane and leaning on the old and selling the old, spitting and teaching Wang Qiu and others a lesson like grandsons, accusing them of malicious dumping, disrupting market order, ignoring the morality of business colleagues, and fighting price wars without authorization, and did not even "worship the dock" in advance...... In short, they violated a lot of "unspoken rules", so they were ordered to rectify as soon as possible and make up for the missing "etiquette", otherwise they would bear all the consequences.

In the afternoon, a few Chinese patrolling houses in the public concession came over, unabashedly extorting favors, and after receiving the "filial piety" of five oceans per person, they also grabbed a few alarm clocks in the store, and filled their pockets with snacks before leaving.

The above troubles make the time-space city managers who are accustomed to solving problems with violence scratch their heads. But it is clear that fighting and killing alone will not solve the problem. Besides, for the sake of long-term cooperation in the future, they can't cause big trouble for Sister Jin Qina, who is the "source of wormholes" - what if they offend gangs, chambers of commerce, or other organizations so badly that someone breaks into the elementary school and kidnaps her daughter Jin Xingzhen?

Just when everyone was at a loss, His Excellency the former Prime Minister Kotori Yu Mashiro put forward a very groundbreaking "new idea".

“…… As far as I know, gangsters in this world will only go to shops to collect protection money, and they won't make trouble for the people who buy things, right? ”

Regarding the question raised by Xiaotori Yu Mahaku, Jinchina, a "local", felt a little inexplicable, "...... Isn't that a matter of course? If the protection money of the gang has to be paid to every customer, how can you let people open a store still do business? ”

“…… Then, in addition to the silver dollar, the dollar, the Japanese yen, the pound sterling, and the franc should also be in circulation, right? Little Bird Yu asked again.

“…… Well, these foreign currencies should be available in Shanghai, after all, this place is already very much the territory of foreigners - of course, it must be international currency, and if you take the Soviet ruble or the Deutsche mark, I'm afraid no one will admit it. Jinchina thought for a moment and replied.

“…… Smack! In that case, isn't it easy? First of all, if you just buy something, you can avoid being harassed by the gang. ”

Kotori Yu Mayahiro clapped his hands happily and smiled like a fox, "...... Secondly, as long as there is money, we can buy the goods we need in Shanghai...... And for us, is it still necessary to earn such a thing as banknotes? Don't forget, I'm the former Prime Minister of Japan! (To be continued......)