1988: Back to the human world for a few years

Chapter 335 What I Saw (1)

On a fine day, I went to the banks of the Si River to look for flowers, and the boundless scenery was new and beautiful.

Although April in the north does not have the lively feeling of "mist and rain are shy, dusk is still welcoming" in the water towns of the south of the Yangtze River, it also has a refreshing and somewhat unrestrained sense of vitality.

Therefore, when Tao Quan walked out of the DZ City Railway Station, he was blown by the spring breeze mixed with a little chill, and he suddenly felt more energetic.

Looking up at the dazzling golden crow in the sky, he gritted his teeth and straightened the cuffs of his shirt.

Compared to Shantou, it seems much colder here. Originally, I wore a long-sleeved shirt just for the sake of respectability, which would have made me sweat in the local area. But now it seems...

Forget it, let’s see how the situation goes. If it doesn’t work, I’ll go to a clothing store and buy a new coat to put on.

But this place looks very old, and I’m not sure whether I can buy a suitable coat here.

Thinking of this, Tao Quan curled his lips, then adjusted his tie with some reserve and flicked the rabbit logo on his chest.

........................

As the general manager of "Canjin Import and Export Trading Company", Tao Quan would go to Tianjin on business trips from time to time in the past few years, but he never thought that he would have to make a personal trip to a little-known third-tier city like Dezhou.

To be honest, this old industrial city, which seemed shabby and dilapidated to him, was simply awful!
Especially that faint smell of coal acid in the air. If you take a few more breaths, it's really torture!

But he had to come.

Although he is the general manager of Canjin Import and Export Trading Company, with an annual income of over 500,000, he is, after all, just a small fry.

Of course, he prefers another more elegant title for people like him in the underworld...white gloves.

Since they are gloves, you have to obey the orders of your boss. There are more than one gloves under his command. If he is unhappy with you, it will only take a few minutes to replace them with new gloves.

The reason why I came to Texas in person is actually not complicated.

Just last year, the losses of several industries of his master's family in the south were so severe that they were almost shut down. However, unexpectedly, the other two auxiliary industries in the north survived smoothly... It was precisely because of the supply from those two industries that the Canjin Import and Export Trading Company, as a mouthpiece, did not fall to the point where it could not even supply goods.

Even the host was surprised about this matter. After all, the intensity of the rectification last year was rare in the past decade. They tried many ways and used many connections, but still failed to avoid this trouble.

Later, we called the little gloves over in the north and asked them, and found out that they were trying every possible means to save the situation. By accident, they relied on the protection of a second-level unit of a central enterprise here, and thus escaped the disaster.

This is even more surprising. You know, those industries in the south have also sought channels from state-owned enterprises, but the effect is not effective at all. Those that should be investigated are still investigated, those that should be punished are still punished, and those that should be closed are still closed.

After asking in detail, I found out that the situation in the north is different. The central enterprise we are affiliated with has been constantly trying reform experiments in the past year, and has even entered the vision of the upper echelons... It is precisely because of this that the other party's protection is more powerful.

In addition, the umbrella given to you cannot be just held up there. You need to half-integrate into their actions and assume corresponding social responsibilities.

The master is very interested in this semi-integrated protection method. As the rectification efforts this year are even greater than those of last year, they have paid more and more attention to this second-level unit of a central enterprise… There are many units with higher levels than this second-level unit of a central enterprise, but there are currently only a few units that can enter the vision of the upper level and even make the front page of the internal reference.

So, when they heard that a certain person in charge of this company was looking for someone, the owner immediately sent him over without saying a word, intending to consolidate this semi-embedded cooperative relationship.

In fact, they had announced before the New Year that the more than 500 franchisees with mixed backgrounds should bring their friends to inspect the business again in mid-April. However, the owner has always believed in "the earlier the better", and they also had some intentions to "deepen cooperation", so they sent him to Texas half a month in advance to conduct a comprehensive inspection.

Therefore, he, the general manager who seemed to be in a very glorious position in the eyes of outsiders, had no choice but to do as he was told.

Tao Quan felt extremely bad when he thought about having to stay in such a shabby place for half a month.

No luxury car pick-up.
There is no Western red wine.

There are no high-end, bright, luxurious hotels.
There is no nightclub full of beautiful women.

Even fresh lobster seafood is not available.

What’s the difference between this life and being in prison?
The key is……

F*ck, no one cares even though I got stabbed by a gangster!
Thinking of this, Tao Quan wanted to slap himself hard.

Let you always think about performing in front of the master!
It makes you act on impulse and set off immediately after receiving the call!

Now that's good, if something really happens, you can just consider yourself unlucky!
Although he knew that this was a mixed blessing, it was easy for a single person to run into gangsters these days, but bringing more people with him made it easier for him to be targeted by gangsters. But it was always a bit uneasy when a single person first arrived in a strange city.

………………

Just as Tao Quan was dragging a suitcase that was quite fashionable at the time out of the train station gate, a man in his thirties, dressed in a train station uniform, came up to him.

"Sir, are you here for tourism?" She Shen smiled warmly.

Tao Quan glanced at the other person's clothes, which were very similar to those worn by the conductor, and the corners of his mouth twitched.

He knew that there were always some people soliciting work near the train station, and most of them were more or less related to the station, but he didn't expect that here, even the staff inside were starting to solicit work.

Is Texas already so poor?
Tao Quan secretly complained in his heart, looked at his thin shirt, and then looked at the pedestrians around him who were mostly wearing thin coats, and nodded: "Yes."

She Shen glanced at Tao Quan's playboy shirt calmly, and the smile on his face became more enthusiastic: "It seems that this is the first time for you to visit Texas. If the budget is not too tight...would you like to hire a tour guide?"

She Shen emphasized the words "if the budget is not too tight" and said in a tempting tone: "For only five yuan, you can hire a tour guide who knows the most about the topography of our DZ city. He will take you through the streets and alleys, and you can experience the most distinctive local food, eat the most authentic roast chicken, and appreciate the most authentic local customs and practices."

"In addition, when you need a car, they can immediately help you call the best and most reliable driver in DZ City;"

"When you want to stay, we can help you arrange the most cost-effective hotel or homestay in DZ city, with the most comfortable and safe living environment according to your budget;"

"When you want to buy local specialties, they can help you identify whether the fruits are genuine, whether the clothes and handicrafts are overpriced... Even if you want to buy some Chinese medicine to replenish your body, they can help you identify whether some Chinese herbs are genuine or fake, and whether they are of good quality!"

"In addition, they can also guarantee your personal safety. With them by your side, you don't have to worry about any unexpected situations in DZ City unless you break the law."

She Shen spread his hands and said, "Look, for five yuan, you can hire such a professional tour guide to take you around DZ City for a day, and there is no additional charge... Isn't it a good deal?"

Tao Quan looked at the young man in front of him who was about 30 years old with some surprise. He originally thought that the other party was here to recommend some tourist projects or accommodation places with special services... This is very common at the entrance of many train stations.

But he never expected that the other party would recommend him a private tour guide... and it only cost 5 yuan per day.

I have to say, he was a little moved.

He didn't really care about those crappy tourist attractions and food recommendation services; after all, in his opinion, Qilu was half a food desert, and there were no tourist attractions to speak of in an old industrial area like this, so even if She Shen talked about it in a grandiose way, he had no interest in these things.

But the fact that he could ensure his personal safety was very attractive to him.

Just when I was about to fall asleep, a pillow fell from the sky!
For a moment, Tao Quan had a good impression of the young man in work uniform in front of him.

The train station has always been a place where all kinds of people gather, so what She Shen said was actually quite convincing.

"Okay! Then please ask this comrade to introduce me to a private tour guide!"

Tao Quan nodded without much hesitation.

Although the current situation is a bit chaotic, it is not as chaotic as it was after 91/92. As the saying goes, every industry has its own rules, and everyone is out there to make a living. Unless you are stupid enough to show off a large amount of money, generally speaking, services like this with a middleman as a guarantor are not very dangerous... Of course, not all industries are like this, but at present, this kind of service should not break the rules.

Seeing Tao Quan agreed, She Shen laughed and said, "From your accent, you should be from the south. I know you pay after the event, but I'm sorry, we need a deposit first... It's not much, just one day's tour guide fee... Thank you for your patronage, five dollars!"

Tao Quan frowned, thinking he had met a scammer.

But after thinking about it, it was only five dollars, not much money, so if he was cheated, he was cheated; he was alone outside, so he should try not to cause unnecessary troubles... The style of work in the north was tough, if he didn't make a deal, a bunch of people playing with butterfly knives would come and block him, then it would really be not worth it. After a slight hesitation, he took out a stack of bills from his pocket, picked a ten-dollar bill and handed it over.

This stack of money was used as a "primer". It looked thick, but it was only about two hundred yuan. Even if he was searched by thugs, it was enough for him to get through it... The real big money was actually the two passbooks and a mail remittance stub in the compartment of the suitcase.

As if he didn't see the stack of banknotes, She Shen took the ten-yuan note without looking away, counted out five yuan from his pocket and gave it back, then waved to the side with a smile: "Niu Wa... come here!"

………………

Three minutes later.

Tao Quan walked out of the train station with a unhappy look on his face, then glanced sideways at the teenager who was about twelve or thirteen years old sitting next to him.

He originally thought that the "little tour guide" mentioned by She Shen was just a word usage habit, used to indicate status, and had a meaning roughly equivalent to "young man" or "young man".

But he didn't expect that the "little tour guide" the other party was talking about was actually just a child who had not yet reached adulthood.

This is crazy...

And protect my personal safety? It's not certain who will protect whom by then!

If I wasn't afraid of complications, I would return the product immediately!
When Niu Wa saw Tao Quan looking at him, he looked back and found that She Shen was no longer there. He then touched the pocket of his "modified clothes" which looked a little funny but was washed very clean, took out five dollars and handed it over.

"Sir, Brother She just lied to you."

"First, I am only familiar with the North City, West City and the city center. I am not familiar with other places and have never been to most of the attractions. So if you really want to travel, I am not a very suitable tour guide;"

"Second, if you want to buy something, I can indeed help you identify the authenticity of some things, and I can also help you bargain... But bargaining is basically useless for me. This is not a tourist city, and generally there is no habit of overcharging people."

"Third, if you want to just wander around, I can indeed give you directions, and I can indeed recommend you some authentic snacks, but if you want to have a delicious meal or a reliable high-end restaurant, I can't recommend it to you... because I haven't eaten there either."

"Fourth, I don't know about other places, but the North City District, West City District and the city center are actually very safe. Even if I'm not around, you don't need to worry about your personal safety."

At this point, Niu Wa handed the money in his hand to Tao Quan: "So, sir, take the money back... I know Brother She wants to help me, but you are a noble man, you should find a more professional and knowledgeable travel companion, not a wild one like me."

After turning his head slightly again and finding that She Shen did not suddenly appear, Niu Wa took a deep breath and looked at Tao Quan seriously: "Miss Li often taught us that we should be upright... We will not give up a penny of the money we deserve, and we will not take a penny of the money we don't deserve!"

Looking at this child wearing strange clothes and only reaching his chest, Tao Quan suddenly became interested as he looked at the five-yuan bill that was about to be handed to his face.

After thinking for a while, he tilted his head and looked at Niu Wa: "You returned the five dollars to me, so you lost money, right? That person must have drawn a lot just now... How much did you lose, two dollars? Three dollars?"

Niu Wa gave him a strange look and said, "Why would I lose money...Brother She doesn't take a cut."

Tao Quan was choked up for a moment: "No commission!? Then why would he go to so much trouble to get you business?"

Niu Wa looked at him calmly and said, "Miss Li said that noble people like you live in another world and naturally don't understand people like us... Anyway, Brother She just wanted to help us and didn't think about taking a commission... Not only me, but also the other 47 friends who make a living at the train station from time to time, Brother She didn't take a commission when he helped them find jobs!"

Perhaps because the other person was just a child, Tao Quan let down his guard and laughed nonchalantly: "I'm not a rich man... But you seem to have a deep prejudice against rich people!"

At present, although there are many people in China who yearn for and admire rich people, there are also many people who have very deep prejudices against rich people. With the country's vigorous rectification of private enterprises, this trend is likely to intensify.

To be honest, he has traveled all over the country over the years and has seen many kinds of anti-rich attitudes, both overt and covert, but he did not expect that a twelve or thirteen-year-old child would be like this.

Niu Wa just shook his head when he heard this: "I don't have any prejudice against rich people... In fact, no matter how rich some people are, I won't have any opinion... For example, Miss Li, Brother She, and the people from the Drilling Company and Xialiu Sales Agency."

Drilling company?

When Tao Quan first heard the name, he was immediately surprised. He didn't expect that this company had such a good reputation here.

Ok……

Perhaps this is the main reason why Jiao Chengyu was able to escape disaster last year?

Thinking that he would be meeting this guy who had been showing off for half a year in half a month, Tao Quan's mood became bad again.

After a moment of hesitation, Tao Quan glanced at the kid next to him, then turned his head to look at the crowded train station behind him, and suddenly laughed: "You can keep this money. It just so happens that I didn't plan to visit those scenic spots when I came to Texas this time. I just planned to walk around the city... I see that you are quite smart, so just follow me and be a little guide!"

Niu Wa stared at him for a while in confusion, but eventually took the five dollars back, his tone faintly becoming joyful: "Okay, let's make it clear first, what I can and cannot do, I've just made it clear to you, and you can't regret it when the time comes!"

Seeing this little guy suddenly become a little slick, Tao Quan's mouth twitched, and he wondered if he had fallen into this kid's trap.

He said with some concern: "Niu Wa... Niu Wa, right? What you just said about eating, playing and so on, are not important. I just want to ask you one thing... What you just said, as long as I am in the north, west and center of the city, you can guarantee my personal safety, is that true?"

As soon as the words came out, Tao Quan realized that something was wrong, and immediately added: "Don't worry, I won't regret it. You can just be my little guide peacefully these few days, and I will give you a big red envelope when I return... So, just tell me honestly what you have."

This is because I am worried that this little guy will talk nonsense in order to make money, and it will be troublesome if he gets into trouble.

Hearing this, Niu Wa just looked at him strangely and said, "I am telling the truth... I don't know about other urban areas, but the places I mentioned are really safe."

After thinking for a while, Niu Wa added: "Actually, this is not entirely accurate. It should be said that not only in Beicheng District and Xicheng District, but in any district, as long as there is a Mo Mo Baichao, it should be safe within a radius of one kilometer or even two kilometers... As long as you see a sign with the word Mo Mo, you can walk around the street without worry."

Silently stir-frying?

Tao Quan was a little confused: "Why is this?"

Niu Wa shrugged. "You outsiders don't understand. In this part of Texas, the store managers of Mo Mo Bai Chao are well-known for being nosy. They dare to confront even the supervisory units. So wherever Mo Mo Bai Chao is, everyone gets along like old neighbors... Those idle people dare not cause trouble within two kilometers, otherwise they will be beaten to a pulp."

As he spoke, Niu Wa smiled proudly: "Don't even mention those hooligans. Even if it's a murderer, if he dares to mess around near Mo Mo Bai Chao, he will definitely be beaten by countless people so that his parents won't recognize him... That's why I said that the security here is much better than you think. Unless your luck is extremely bad, you basically don't need to worry about your personal safety."

Tao Quan was totally confused after hearing this, wondering what the hell was going on.

He knew that this was a project that was tied together between the drilling company and Momo Baizha. Jiao Chengyu had complained about it at the beginning, but wasn't this a catering project? How was it related to public security?

and……

What the hell is that proud look of yours?!

Logically speaking, the better the public security is, shouldn't life be more difficult for a kid like you who has run out into society at such a young age?

Tao Quan was keenly aware that the situation in Dezhou might be very different from that in Shantou, Tianjin and many other places. He vaguely realized that his master had made the right decision by asking him to come for inspection half a month in advance.

Since they are planning to deepen the cooperation, the host will certainly invest here, and when it comes to investment, no matter it is the local customs and practices, or the cause and effect entanglements and tricks of this city, they must all be sorted out clearly.

Thinking of this, Tao Quan laughed and said, "Let's not talk too much for now, Niu Wa, since you are my guide now, please call a car to find a place for me to settle down... You find the place, and by the way, let me see if you are competent as a little guide."

Hearing this, Niu Wa just nodded: "Then do you have any requirements for the car and accommodation?"

Looking at the historic industrial buildings at the entrance of the train station, Tao Quan waved his hand nonchalantly: "Whatever, as long as it's safe."

Niu Wa grinned: "That's easy!"

As he said that, he ran towards a black car not far away, shouting as he ran: "Uncle Li, Uncle Li, don't doze off there...business is coming!"

Looking at the long-head Liberation truck that could almost be thrown into the garbage dump and scrapped, Tao Quan's face suddenly turned dark.

This is crazy...

Where did you find this antique?
(End of this chapter)