money player

Tokyo Street.

In a unit of a tenement building, two members of the Mosquito Team, wearing headphones, sat in front of a Collins 51J-4 vacuum tube superheterodyne receiver, monitoring the frequencies of walkie-talkies and step-by-step phones.

In another unit, several fixed direction finding stations were set up, equipped with loop directional antennas, to measure the azimuth angle of the local oscillator radiated signal.

When a vacuum tube superheterodyne receiver is powered on, the local oscillator will radiate a stable radio frequency signal (local oscillator leakage). Due to the poor isolation of the vacuum tube circuit, tens of volts of oscillation voltage will radiate outward through the antenna, casing, and power line, and can be measured through walls.

A member of the Mosquito team, holding a pencil, drew several directional lines on a map of Kowloon and marked the intersections with red circles.

After a moment, he put down his pencil, turned around and said, "There's another direction finding station. Can you guess which side it's on?"

"It's definitely not a British guy."

"Taiwan?"

"Where in Taiwan would the money be to build another direction finding station?"

"That's an American."

"It could also be the Soviet Union."

"The Soviet Union is the least likely candidate. Have you ever seen any country's spies who were poorer than Soviet spies?"

"Too."

"It's almost time, the neighbors should turn off their phones."

"It's pointless whether it's closed or not, the location has already been locked, what time are we moving?"

Nine o'clock in the evening.

"Now that it's moved to the Water Cube, it won't move again, right?"

"I doubt it."

"I don't know if we can go up to the second floor."

"What unrealistic dreams are you having? You'd be lucky if your food rations were transferred to the kitchen."

"You're not going to eat security meals anymore?"

"The notice issued yesterday said that a banquet hall will be opened in the restaurant, and the meals for security guards and servants will be canceled. From now on, we will eat at the banquet hall."

"Yan Dian? Which Yan?"

"上日下安" means lunch.

"Is Yan Dian a restaurant that only serves lunch?"

"It's a small, affordable lunch restaurant catering to laborers, serving dishes like rice dishes and inexpensive stir-fries, and also selling double-distilled liquor. However, the banquet hall at the restaurant serves meals, with dozens of dishes to choose from, catering to all budgets."

"Oh, it's the canteen that's open to the public."

"almost."

"You want to make money?"

"Mrs. Cai's business."

"Hang up a sign?"

"Cai Ji".

Where will it be located?

"Didn't you see the construction site?"

"Oh. The foundation is quite large; even at the fastest pace, it will take at least a month and a half to complete. Where will we eat during this time?"

"Cai Ji will start doing business the day after tomorrow."

"Setting up a tent?"

I don't know.

In another unit.

Chicken Plague's right eye locked onto Fang Mengyin, who had just gotten off the rickshaw, through the scope, while its left eye looked towards the stairwell, observing its surroundings.

Boss Dai held up his binoculars, observing the only three possible shooting angles.

From the construction of Building No. 9 to the subsequent Dining Hall and Water Cube, the architectural layout has subtly protected Building No. 1, blocking both indirect and direct firing angles. Currently, mortar and sniper tactics are ineffective against Building No. 1, leaving only a ground assault as the only option.

On the rooftop of Building 3, nine firing ports were opened, and a person's right index finger rested on the trigger guard of a strange gun.

The gun has nine barrels. With just a light pull of the trigger, all nine barrels simultaneously fire 22mm caliber rifle grenades, covering a marked area with a hail of bullets.

About a hundred meters west of the Xian family compound, in the ground floor of a tenement building, the 1949th squad of the Xian family guard detachment had already formed a standard tactical formation, with all members on high alert, ready to intercept any invading enemy at any time.

Wang Xiamin, dressed in a dress, came down the stairs, glanced at Fang Mengyin out of the corner of her eye, and then walked towards the Paradise Cinema.

The floors of Paradise Cinema were cemented and terrazzo, cleaner than most of the neighbors' floors. Occasionally, Shan Jinxing would bring over any spoiled dried fruit, which would be displayed in glass cabinets for people to take for free.

The clinic's doctors hold free clinics every few days. For minor illnesses, they only make diagnoses and never prescribe medication. For serious illnesses, they prescribe medication depending on the situation.

The convenience store's announcements rang from morning till afternoon, attracting people to gather there to do handicrafts. Over time, on rainless days, the Paradise Cinema turned into a handicraft workshop.

Wang Xiamin walked to the side of Yu Zhiya, a girl she knew well, picked up a half-finished matchbox, skillfully bent her fingers twice, dipped them lightly into the bowl of paste, and quickly and neatly glued it together. Her movements were clean and efficient.

She picked up another matchbox, glanced up at Yu Zhiya, and asked, "Yu Mao, where's your mother?"

Hearing this, Yu Zhiya, who had been busy with her work, didn't look up at all. Instead, she buried her head even deeper and said in a soft, shy voice, "Mom is out of cigarettes."

"Your mother isn't working?"

Yu Zhiya's mother, Deng Meimei, was a Cantonese film actress. She didn't have the looks of a leading lady and could only play supporting roles.

The number of Cantonese films produced this year is not small, but the market has been squeezed out by Friendship Films, resulting in mediocre box office performance and very few films that have actually made money.

In order to survive, production companies have to keep cutting production costs, and the quality of films has declined accordingly, thus falling into a vicious cycle. As a result, the filming opportunities available to industry professionals have also gradually decreased.

For celebrities like Deng Meimei, their acting fees alone are simply not enough to cover their daily expenses. Add to that her habit of smoking, drinking, and gambling, and it's no surprise she's struggling financially. When she's not filming, she can only supplement her income by doing odd jobs like handicrafts.

"Yes, we haven't been able to work for half a month."

A layer of pity welled up in Wang Xiamin's eyes. Yu Zhiya was already fourteen years old, but Deng Meimei still refused to send her to school. The girl was busy from morning till night every day, carrying firewood and fetching water, washing clothes and cooking. Whenever she had a spare moment, she would bury herself in making handicrafts.

When Deng Meimei was filming a movie, she would go to the set with her to help carry costumes, serve tea and water, tidy up miscellaneous set items, and look after various props, earning a meager wage to supplement her family's income.

She lived like a free nanny, yet Deng Meimei still vented her long-term life stress on her, beating and scolding her at the slightest provocation, and frequently sending her back to her biological father's place in Guangzhou. When her biological father remarried, he sent her back to Hong Kong, making her feel like a ball being kicked around, with nowhere to settle down.

Wang Xiamin turned to look at the convenience store and saw Deng Meimei talking to the clerk. The clerk looked unhappy, probably because Deng Meimei wanted to buy cigarettes on credit, but the clerk was unwilling.

This convenience store is part of the Sin family's philanthropic system, and it supports credit loans with a maximum payment period of fifteen days. If a loan is overdue, the store will not come to collect it; instead, the person will be added to a credit blacklist, and no new credit loans will be allowed once the old debts are cleared.

Sin Yiu-man specifically instructed the shop assistants to be gentle and tolerant towards others. Even if they encountered a deadbeat who was deliberately trying to avoid paying, they should still treat them kindly and not be harsh or confrontational.

The fact that Deng Meimei could make even the most good-natured shop assistants look so upset shows that she is either verbally abusive or acts excessively, making her difficult to deal with.

Wang Xiamin turned back, her pity falling on Yu Zhiya's face. "Yu Mao, you often go to the film set, have you ever seen Bai Yan and Hong Xiannu filming?"

Yu Zhiya nodded.

Do you want to act?

Yu Zhiya nodded again.

"With your looks, you can't play the lead role; you can only play supporting roles. Cantonese films are not doing well right now. If you want to act, you'd better learn Mandarin first."

"Who should I learn from?"

“I can help you find a job at the Friendship Film Studio. You can work for more than 20 days a month and there is dormitory accommodation.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Zhiya's face lit up with joy, and she hurriedly said, "Miss Fang, I..."

Wang Xiamin waved her hand, "No need to thank me. I'm just introducing you to the world. How far you go is up to you. Zhiya is a nice name, it sounds like a young lady from a scholarly family, but it doesn't suit the identity of an actress."

The governor's wife's name is Ge Mulian. If you borrow some of her good fortune, you can use the stage name Yu Mulian.

"Yu Mulian?"

"Ah."

Wang Xiamin didn't explain the subtlety of the name "Mulian" to Yu Zhiya; she simply looked up at the approaching footsteps.

Her personal maid, Zhang Jiujin, was leading a guest toward her.

"Madam, this Ms. Fang is looking for you."

Before the words were finished, Wang Xiamin and Fang Mengyin's eyes met in mid-air.

"Miss Fang, I am Fang Mengyin, it's a pleasure to meet you."

In a flash, Fang Mengyin understood everything, discarded the alias Fang Zhiyu, and revealed her real name.

"Mrs. Fang, hello, I am Fang Jingyin." Wang Xiamin nodded slightly, stood up and pointed to Building No. 15. "Mrs. Fang, why don't you come and sit in my building for a while?"

She came downstairs because she didn't want to entertain Fang Mengyin in the living room of Building 1. Who knew if Fang Mengyin would drop any equipment? If equipment was dropped, the choice between discovering it and not discovering it both had their drawbacks.

"Miss Fang, please go first."

"please."

Wang Xiamin and Fang Mengyin walked together toward Building 15. Wang Xiamin switched to Mandarin to greet her, "Ms. Fang, I heard that there is a young lady in the Fang family in Shanghai named Fang Mengyin."

"Madam Xian's information network is truly impressive. I am Fang Mengyin from the Fang family."

“One of my sisters is from Shanghai, and I’ve heard her talk about things from the early days of Shanghai.”

Fang Mengyin understood the subtext in Wang Xiamin's words. She raised her hand to brush her hair aside and said casually, "I haven't been back to Shanghai for years. I passed through two years ago and only stayed one night in Zhabei. I didn't have time to go home and visit."

Wang Xiamin nodded slightly. "What kind of business does Ms. Fang plan to do in Hong Kong?"

"Is the Shenhuo Flashlight Factory a business owned by the Xian family?"

Tinplate?

"Yes."

"Would Ms. Fang like some chocolate haha?"

"I rarely eat them, I like scones."

"Does Ms. Fang prefer Sullivan or Feda scones?"

"I don't like the original flavor; I prefer the feeder."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiamin turned to Zhang Jiujin behind her and said, "Today's afternoon tea will be Darjeeling autumn harvest paired with Shanghai-style scones, lotus flower pastries, and two bowls of fruit salad."

"Ok."

After a moment's consideration, Fang Mengyin asked curiously, "Miss Fang, what is fruit salad?"

"The recipe came up by the family's tea restaurant. It's similar to mixed fruit jelly... oh no, it's more like a mixed fruit cup, except the base is milk."

"I see."

Tiger House.

"I don't like new products; I only love Mrs. Karlruschki and the King of Bavaria."

“Mrs. Kardrushki is lovely; I’ll consider using it for my flower arch at my next wedding.”

Isabella's fingers caressed Tang Tun as she smiled faintly, "Adam, how many more times do you plan to get married?"

Sin Yiu-man shrugged. "Maybe once or twice, or maybe many times, who knows?"

"You don't have a wife who is officially registered with you."

“A toad wants to eat swan meat.” Xian Yaowen picked up the soup and said slowly, “There is a similar German proverb in China: a toad wants to eat swan meat.”

I'm just a toad from the countryside, uneducated, yet I dream of eating swan meat.

Are you waiting for a wife who is your match?

Sin Yiu-man nodded slightly, "To match myself a few years from now, I am still growing."

"Too many women will affect your value assessment."

“I know, but I don’t intend to pretend, nor do I intend to change. Swans are just an option, not a necessity.” Xian Yaowen smiled faintly at Isabella. “No swan is obsessed with love.”

Isabella said with certainty, "I've seen swans like this before."

Are the swans you mentioned still swans?

Isabella's expression changed slightly, and she gently shook her head. "She is no longer a swan."

"There are gains and losses."

Isabella adjusted her glasses and smiled wryly. "Adam, it's not a pleasant conversation with you."

"A pleasant conversation always begins with something unpleasant. After we've finished talking about the unpleasant things, we can talk about something happy."

"Your happiness doesn't necessarily mean my happiness, and I don't want to discuss topics that you consider happiness with you."

"The first impression a woman who wears glasses gives to outsiders is that she is quiet, loves to read, is not good at making noise, and has an introverted personality. In fact, this is a wrong impression."

On a psychological level, glasses are a protective barrier. The lenses are like a transparent insulating layer, and the wearer will subconsciously restrain their outgoing side and play the role of a steady and sensible person.

Long-term restraint has suppressed many emotions; once in a completely safe and private circle of familiar people, the wearer will completely release them.

Xian Yaowen stared into Isabella's eyes and let out a wicked laugh. "During the height of the imperial system, it was common knowledge that European nobles were dissolute, but not every noble family was like that. Your family of the Dukes of Württemberg has a very good reputation."

The harder a spring is compressed, the greater the rebound force. All one sees and hears are licentious people, making it difficult to remain virtuous.

If you have the ability to do it, it's hard to resist. Be brave and do it, but keep the scope small, don't involve outsiders, only relatives and close friends. Kill a few suspected insiders to prevent the information from leaking out.

Isabella listened quietly to these words, picked up her soup bowl, took a small sip of black tea, and said softly, "Adam, I don't like what you're saying, but I have to admit that what you're saying is very close to the truth."

Sin Yiu-man shrugged. "There's not much new in the world. Almost all modern people have ancestors who practiced cannibalism in their ancient ancestral lineage. Different races share the same survival instincts and similar human nature."

Isabella nodded slightly. "I agree."

Do you have the decision-making power?

"Have."

"Did your family foresee the economic rise of Japan?"

"uh-huh."

“I can provide currency exchange services. Your marks don’t need to go to Japan. I will exchange Japanese yen for your West German marks.”

Do I need to pay you a commission?

"No need, this is my way of showing my sincerity in cooperating with you."

Isabella nodded slightly. "I appreciate your sincerity. Shall we discuss the details of the collaboration?"

"Private matters should be discussed in private settings. Would you like to enjoy a Bavarian dinner in Tokyo?"

Isabella chuckled softly, "I'd rather try the local cuisine."

“Passt scho!”

Jin Jitang.

In Zhao Chuanxiong's office, he looked down at the prescription in his hand. Zhao Duzhong and Zhao Sumu, members of the Zhao family who had risen through the ranks, stood opposite him.

After looking at it for a few minutes, Zhao Chuanxiong added a few lines of annotations to the prescription. Then, he put down his pen and looked at Zhao Sumu, "Sumu, among the younger generation of our Zhao family, your medical skills are the most superb. This time, my wife is pregnant, and I plan to appoint you as her full-time prenatal care physician. Do you have any objections?"

Zhao Sumu cupped his hands and said, "It's all up to Second Uncle to decide."

"Alright." Zhao Chuanxiong nodded slightly. "There are two things you must remember clearly: never use strong medicine indiscriminately, and never have any improper thoughts. If your medical skills are not good, at worst you will be kicked out of the house; if your thoughts are not right, the entire Zhao family will suffer because of you."

"Yes."

"You go out first."

After Zhao Sumu left, Zhao Chuanxiong turned to Zhao Duzhong and said, "Duzhong, you are eloquent and good at persuasion. I plan to send you to the interior to find and recruit a group of top Chinese medicine practitioners."

Zhao Duzhong frowned slightly and replied, "Second Uncle, a true master of medicine cannot be easily persuaded to leave the mountain with just a few words."

"It was impossible before, but now there is an opportunity. Many high-ranking officials in the Ministry of Health of the mainland are supporters of Yu Yunxiu, who advocates abolishing traditional Chinese medicine. They believe that traditional Chinese medicine is feudal medicine and lacks scientific basis. In practice, they advocate abolishing medicine but keeping herbs, and modifying, weakening or even dissolving the theory and traditional apprenticeship system of traditional Chinese medicine."

In May of this year, the mainland promulgated the "Provisional Regulations on Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners". In the second half of the year, a TCM practitioner examination dominated by Western medicine was held in North China. More than 90% of TCM practitioners failed the exam. Those who passed only learned medical skills on paper. They were good at the exam, but not necessarily good at treating and saving lives.

It is said that regulations for the management of traditional Chinese medicine clinics are still being drafted, and that clinic registration, equipment, disinfection, and reporting of infectious diseases will all be based on Western medical standards. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners working in pharmacies without isolation and disinfection equipment will not be able to obtain a traditional Chinese medicine license.

Zhao Chuanxiong leaned back in his chair and tugged at the cuffs of his long gown. “If the policies don’t change in the short term, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in the mainland won’t have an easy time… There will be exceptions, though. Imperial physicians are indispensable in the capital, and local government offices will also support their own imperial physicians.”

Don't go north; go south, to the former Kuomintang-controlled areas. Don't look for those with widespread fame; just look for those who are well-known in their local area. Ideally, you should be able to bring back a few true masters of incantation healing.

"Second Uncle, should I go to Miao territory and invite some Gu doctors back?"

Zhao Chuanxiong nodded, "Don't wander around when you get to Miao territory. Find someone in our Zhao family who can guide you and introduce you to the right path."

"Ok."

"Get out, and close the door behind you."

After Zhao Duzhong left, Zhao Chuanxiong took out a world map from the drawer and spread it on the table. He took a pencil from the pen holder and started drawing circles on the map: North Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Malaya, Indonesia, Korean Peninsula, East Asia, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Southern Europe Balkans, Southern Germany, Iberian Peninsula, Andes Mountains of South America, and Oregon, USA.

These regions have the potential to support the growth of certain Chinese medicinal herbs or have climates that support their growth. If Jinjitang wants to be a leader in the pharmacy industry, it cannot afford to give others the opportunity to hold it back. The supply channels for Chinese medicinal herbs must be adequately prepared.

Even without a backup crop, Jinjitang will still implement standardized harvesting and planting to ensure the consistency of medicinal properties and the quality of medicinal materials. The medicinal materials sold by Jinjitang must remain consistent for decades, without any fluctuations in quality.

knock knock knock.

"Please come in."

The office door was pushed open, and Chen Hetang, the general manager of Baota Pharmaceutical, walked in. "Manager Zhao."

"Manager Chen, what brings you here?"

Chen Hetang sat down opposite Zhao Chuanxiong, took out a pack of cigarettes, and offered one to Zhao Chuanxiong. "The solvent extraction and urea inclusion crystallization methods for badger oil have been achieved, and chemical synthesis is also on the horizon. However, it is not realistic to achieve low cost in the short term. Baota will need to use Jin Jitang's channels."

Zhao Chuanxiong tapped his cigarette twice on the table, then put it aside. "Are you in such a hurry to launch your burn ointment?"

“Badger oil has three benefits. With the addition of other ingredients, it can treat frostbite and repair scars.” Chen Hetang said in a low voice, “The Soviets are rough and don’t know how to be gentle with women. After a fight, women are bound to have some injuries. You desperately need medicine to repair scars.”

Was it common for high-ranking Soviet officials to keep mistresses?

"You know Zhukov, right?"

"nonsense."

"He kept a mistress in the Ural Military District, a medical student who had just graduated last year. This was no secret in the Soviet Union; many marshals and generals, dissatisfied with their wives' aging and fading beauty, secretly kept young nurses or performers from cultural troupes."

"Is the medicine supplied to those women?"

"There are also ballet dancers and film actors who live off the system and keep mistresses—every system does this."

"No wonder." Zhao Chuanxiong nodded. "The increased orders for mink and fox fur were all sent to the Soviet Union, weren't they?"

"I guess so." Chen Hetang straightened up and said in a loud voice, "The badger oil we delivered earlier was not refined properly, so Baota wants to send a technician over there, in your name."

"Can't the pagoda go there by itself?"

"The medicine from the pagoda will be sold to the West in the future, and we cannot allow anyone to find any evidence that it has any connection with the mainland."

"Okay, you can pay for it yourself."

“No problem, just give me the bill.” Chen Hetang stood up. “I’m leaving now. The lab is developing a secret imperial medicine for the Imperial Concubine, and I need to go back and keep an eye on it.”

Zhao Chuanxiong chuckled and said, "Dare to talk about the master behind his back? You'll regret it."

“Mr. Xian isn’t that petty.” Chen Hetang waved his right hand, which was holding a cigarette, “The formula for Indian God Oil is finalized. Want me to send you a few bottles?”

"Get lost, use your lies to fool outsiders."

"Hahaha."

In a secluded private room at a brothel in Dongfuhe, Liu Rongju got off a Brahmin prostitute, rolled over, leaned against the headboard, and took a cigarette from the edge of the bed and put it in his mouth.

Yesterday, Liu Rongju found it strange and couldn't resist the urge to try out a few white Indian women from a source that was "definitely not through Xian Yaowen's channels." Today, he secretly came over to test the women himself.

In the living room on the fifteenth floor, Wang Xiamin gently gathered the newspapers on the coffee table.

Fang Mengyin, who was sitting on the side, glanced at the newspaper and saw the title of an article—An Analysis of India's Caste System.

Wang Xiamin put away the newspaper and pushed the plate of dried fruit toward Fang Mengyin. "Ms. Fang, try some American pecans. They have a unique flavor."

Fang Mengyin glanced at the dried fruit platter. "Are these thin-shelled pecans?"

"Correct."

"There were two trees in my garden, just for ornamental purposes. I never thought they were edible."

“There’s a patch of this fruit at the foot of the mountain near my home. When I was little, I picked it and ate it raw. It was very astringent, so I stopped picking it and never thought of cooking it.” Wang Xiamin broke one open and handed the flesh to Fang Mengyin. “My husband likes to eat this, so we started this business. We buy the fruit from the mainland and cook it in Hong Kong.”

Fang Mengyin brought the pecan to her lips, took a small bite, and said after tasting it, "It tastes good, but I don't think I've ever heard of any shop selling American pecans."

Wang Xiamin smiled and said, "For business reasons, my husband changed the name to Pecan, the Sahara Pecan."

Fang Mengyin's lips curled slightly, "To raise your status?"

“Yes,” Wang Xiamin nodded and smiled. “The production area is far away, so the transportation costs are naturally high. It’s reasonable to sell it at a higher price.”

"There should be quite a few people who recognize this."

"Quite a few," Wang Xiamin nodded slightly, then changed the subject, "Ms. Fang wants the tinplate production technology?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Mengyin sat up straight and said, "Yes, the complete set of technology and production machinery."

Wang Xiamin pondered for a moment and said, "It's difficult, and I can't make the decision myself. Please give me some time, Ms. Fang, and I will give you a definite answer."

“No problem.” Fang Mengyin nodded gently. “I know this is not an easy matter, but I am willing to compensate with agricultural products of several times the value.”

“Let’s not talk about that today.” Wang Xiamin waved her hand. “The mullet is fatter than a chicken in autumn, and it’s the perfect season for eating mullet. Ms. Fang, please stay for a simple meal today and experience the nourishing autumn and winter in Hong Kong.”

"I'd be honored to accept your invitation, Miss Fang. Thank you for your trouble!"

"Wow, that's rare. You're actually pretending to be a cultured person here."

Xian Yaowen took Isabella back to the Takano Garden, handed her over to Jin Chengwu in the garden, and went back to the living room. He immediately saw Fei Baoshu curled up on the sofa reading a book.

Fei Baoshu looked up and rolled his eyes at him, "No good partners today, no business."

Sin Yiu-man sat down next to her and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll have some free time in two days to go on vacation with you."

"Hmm." Fei Baoshu nestled into Xian Yaowen's arms. "Shuquan sent a telegram; she's doing well in Paris."

"Helping out at the coffee shop?"

“At the flower shop, Shu-Chuan said that the customers there were more willing to chat with her, and her French improved very quickly.”

“That’s good. Once she has a certain level of French proficiency, she can work as a waitress at Han Gong Lou for a few days to get a basic understanding of French social etiquette.”

"Hmm." Fei Baoshu frowned slightly. "Shu Quan also said... Shu Cheng got to know a man who is not young, and it seems like there's something going on."

How old are you?

"He looks to be in his fifties."

What do you think?

"I disagree."

"Too old?"

"They're about thirty years apart. If they can live a few more years, what will happen to Shucheng when he gets old?"

"I'll have someone inquire about the man's situation."

"Find out quickly."

“I know.” Sin Yiu-man nodded slightly. “There’s a German female guest in the garden. She knows my background and should be aware of our relationship. She speaks French. Go out and keep her company.”

What did we talk about?

"Let's not talk business, we can chat about anything else."

"it is good."

"Her name is Isabella von Württemberg."

"Mmm." Fei Baoshu turned and kissed Xian Yaowen on the cheek, then stood up, tidied his appearance, and walked towards the garden. (End of Chapter)