Siheyuan: The Era of Struggle

Chapter 391 Buying Grain

Zhang Daya arrived alone. Seeing that the person he thought would never appear had arrived, a smile immediately appeared on his face. He quickly walked a few steps to the table and said to He Yuanchao, who had stood up:
"I didn't expect you to actually come. Brother, you're a man of principle. I, Zhang Daya, am happy to associate with people like you."

Logically speaking, Zhang Daya deals with grain in the black market year-round, and a thousand catties is not a large amount. He Yuanchao's arrival to buy grain as agreed should not have made him so enthusiastic.

But almost everyone who knew about it laughed at him! They said he was crazy and that he could be fooled by tricks meant for children.

The black market grain dealer is someone else; Zhang Daya is just a gofer. To prevent others from gossiping about this later, he almost went to a temple to pray last night!

He Yuanchao was unaware of the situation. Seeing Zhang Daya's eagerness, he assumed there had been a problem with the grain. After exchanging a few polite words, he lowered his voice and asked:

"Have you gathered everything? I'm taking it with me today."

Zhang Daya was displeased that his strength was being questioned, and said with a stern face, "We have enough stuff without having to gather it. How about I take you to see it?"

The two were not speaking loudly, but because they were close together, all three people at the table could hear them. Except for Zhang Lide, who knew what they were saying, the driver Xiao Wang and Zhang Zhao were confused.

Zhang Lide had already planned to have Zhang Zhao buy grain on the black market, so without waiting for He Yuanchao to speak, he preemptively said:

"Wait a moment, Yuan Chao."

After saying that, Zhang Lide stood up and looked at Zhang Zhao beside him, saying, "Come out with me for a moment, I have something to tell you."

Although Zhang Zhao was a little confused about what was going on, he did not hesitate and quickly got up to follow Zhang Lide out of the restaurant.

He Yuanchao knew what Zhang Lide was going to do. After telling Zhang Daya, "Wait for me here," he hurriedly followed him out of the house.

Driver Xiao Wang and Zhang Daya were both a little confused by the commotion the three of them were causing. They exchanged glances, neither of them knowing the truth, and gave up the idea of ​​probing each other.

Zhang Lide is decisive and efficient in his work.

When He Yuanchao arrived at Zhang Lide's side, he was talking to Zhang Zhao about buying grain on the black market.

Zhang Zhao was taken aback for a moment after hearing this, then nodded with a delighted expression and replied, "Okay, I'll go and take a look."

After saying this, Zhang Zhao lifted his foot to walk into the restaurant, but suddenly remembered something, and the smile on his face froze. He said awkwardly:

"I have no problem buying grain on the black market, but... but I don't have any money!"

"I have it here."

After Zhang Lide finished speaking, seeing Zhang Zhao looking at him suspiciously, he felt a little guilty and quickly explained:

"This money isn't mine; I borrowed it from your brother-in-law."

You know your sister just got married, and there are expenses everywhere. I didn't want to use their money, but given the current situation, I have no choice but to take it to tide me over. I'll pay them back when I get back to Kyoto.

At first glance, Zhang Lide's words seem reasonable, but upon closer examination, the underlying motives become apparent.

Fortunately, Zhang Zhao was preoccupied with buying grain to return to the troops, so he didn't think much of it. After a slight hesitation, he asked Zhang Lide to give him the money.

"Dad, wait a minute."

Seeing Zhang Lide unbutton his shirt and reach in to take out money, He Yuanchao quickly stopped him, saying, "Dad, let me go buy the grain..."

"Why should you go? Do you think I can't buy the grain?" Zhang Zhao looked down on his brother-in-law, and when he heard this, he thought He Yuanchao was trying to curry favor with his father! Feeling a little annoyed, he interrupted without thinking.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Zhao had barely finished speaking when Zhang Lide became unhappy before He Yuanchao could even react.

"What are you yelling about? You're over thirty and you still can't tell right from wrong. Have you wasted your life?"

After reprimanding Zhang Zhao, Zhang Lide ignored him and turned to He Yuanchao, saying:

“I know what you mean by ‘aiding Korea,’ but he caused the trouble, so he has to go and buy the grain, and he has to bear the risks himself.”

Seeing that Zhang Lide insisted on sending Zhang Zhao to buy grain, He Yuanchao quickly explained:
“Dad, look, I’m the one who contacted that person on the black market. I’m afraid they won’t agree to changing people so suddenly. Besides…”

At this point, He Yuanchao stopped talking and gestured for Zhang Lide to look at Zhang Zhao's face.

When Zhang Lide saw this, he realized that Zhang Zhao's face had been scratched by his mother-in-law. Although he had given it some basic treatment in the car, several deep wounds were still oozing blood from time to time, and it still looked very bloody.

This image is indeed not very suitable for buying grain. If you don't put it away properly, people might mistake you for someone doing something bad and start watching you. At this time, people are generally more vigilant, and busybodies will report you to the neighborhood committee or police station at the slightest sign of trouble.

Seeing Zhang Lide frowning and remaining silent, He Yuanchao knew that Zhang Lide's insistence on having Zhang Zhao buy grain was wavering, so he quickly pressed his advantage and said:

"Alright, Dad, don't overthink it. It's just a small matter. It doesn't matter who goes. I'll go with that person to take a look. If I'm quick, I might be back before you've even finished your meal."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lide glanced at Zhang Zhao, whose neck was stiff, then at He Yuanchao, before finally making up his mind and saying:
"Alright, I'll trouble you to make the trip to aid Korea, but you must be careful. We're buying a lot of grain this time, which will attract too much attention, so please be very careful."

As he spoke, Zhang Lide took out two crisp stacks of cash from the inside pocket of his clothes and handed them to He Yuanchao.

He Yuanchao had already figured out a way to transport the grain, and the matter of buying the grain had been discussed. Without further delay, he turned around, opened the restaurant door, and called Zhang Daya out.

Eager to prove himself, Zhang Daya, upon learning that He Yuanchao wanted to accompany him to inspect the grain, didn't waste any words and rode off onto a bicycle parked in front of the restaurant.
"Are you driving after me, or should I give you a ride on my bike?"

"Take me with you!"

With that, He Yuanchao took two quick steps and got on the back of Zhang Daya's bicycle.

Seeing that He Yuanchao was seated, Zhang Daya didn't waste any time. With a push of his foot, the bicycle sped away from the restaurant entrance.

Following the main road eastward, after riding for about fifteen or sixteen minutes and almost out of the county town, Zhang Daya turned onto a desolate side road.

Zhang Daya admired He Yuanchao's courage at this moment. If an ordinary person came to such a secluded place, they would have started making a fuss long ago.

The bicycle traveled along the path for another seven or eight minutes before finally stopping in front of a detached bungalow.

He Yuanchao got out of the car and glanced around, then looked at the courtyard with the gate locked.

The courtyard wall is not very high, about 1.4 or 1.5 meters high. It is made of stone and is quite neat. There are three earthen houses in the courtyard, one tall and two short.

Just as He Yuanchao was inspecting the surroundings of the house, Zhang Daya parked his bicycle and walked over, saying:

"We have a rule in this business: cash on delivery. I brought you to see the grain, shouldn't you show some sincerity in return?"

(End of this chapter)