Siheyuan: Traveling through three years to gain the power of a palm

Yi Zhonghai listened to everyone's discussion and cursed these people in his heart for having no stance at all, but an apologetic smile appeared on his face and he apologized to Jiang Fan and Xu Damao very sincerely.

Chapter 196 Joining the Gang

Yi Zhonghai pretended to be sorry and said sincerely that he should have informed them and not excluded them. But in his heart, he cursed Jiang Fan and Xu Damao several times.

Both sides are well aware of this.

"Okay, aren't we supposed to have a meeting? Now that everyone is here, let's start."

Jiang Fan sat on the chair that Xu Damao had just brought over and looked at the neighbors calmly.

Yi Zhonghai was at his wit's end. His top henchman, Sha Zhu, was being watched by Xu Damao, and Jia Dongxu still had Jiang Ping'an's arm draped over his shoulder. It was impossible for the other neighbors to attack Jiang Fan just because of his words.

Seeing this, Yi Zhonghai had no choice but to carefully explain the method he had thought of.

"That's what I think. If we buy more, we might get a discount. It's also safer in large groups. Even if we get caught, there's a saying that the law doesn't punish the masses. I believe we'll be fine."

Yi Zhonghai's words were recognized by the neighbors, and everyone expressed their willingness to join in.

Sha Zhu pushed Xu Damao away somewhat arrogantly and came to Yi Zhonghai, "I, He Yuzhu, support Yi Ye and am willing to join." After saying that, he looked at Xu Damao provocatively.

Liu Haizhong glared at Sha Zhu, "Sha Zhu, there's no such thing as an "uncle" in our courtyard these days, so be careful about how you address people."

Sha Zhu turned his head away. He didn't want to listen to Liu Haizhong farting.

Xu Damao half-knelt and asked Jiang Fan, "What should we do? Should we join or not? If we don't join, I'm afraid that if they get caught, they'll suspect we were the ones who reported them. The neighbors won't mind, but what if word gets to the black market..."

Jiang Fan was slightly surprised after hearing what Xu Damao said. He didn't expect Xu Damao to think of this so quickly. He has made some progress.

Sha Zhu shouted, "Xu Damao, what are you guys whispering about? If you want to join, come over. If you don't want to join, get out. We still have to discuss the details."

"What the hell!"

Xu Damao wanted to curse a few more times, but stopped when he saw Jiang Fan raised his hand.

Yi Zhonghai and others were also looking at Jiang Fan.

"Of course we have to join. After all, we are short of food. Why not join when there is such a safe way to buy food?"

Then he changed the subject, "Besides, you're worried if I don't join, and I'm worried too. What if you're unlucky enough to get caught by the police, and they suspect we were the ones who reported you? I'd be killed unjustly, and if the news got out, our family wouldn't be able to live like this anymore."

Jiang Fan smiled and said this as if he was joking.

Yi Zhonghai was shocked because that was what he had planned. If nothing happened, it would be his, Yi Zhonghai's credit, but if something happened, he would secretly spread rumors and put the blame on Jiang Fan and Xu Damao.

According to his plan, under his instigation, the neighbors would become dissatisfied with Jiang Fan and Xu Damao, two families with no shortage of food. Then, as the initiator of the action, Yi Zhonghai would greatly increase his prestige in the courtyard if the plan was successfully implemented.

If it unfortunately fails, those who did not participate will be the best people to blame.

But now the plan can't keep up with the changes. Jiang Fan not only joined the meeting midway, but also wanted to participate. This made Yi Zhonghai very dissatisfied, and he cursed Jiang Fan in his heart, saying, "You are not short of food, why are you taking the risk to join our action?"

However, the polite words still had to be said, "It would be even better if Jiang Fan and Xu Damao were willing to join. As the saying goes, unity is strength. As long as everyone in our hospital unites, I believe we can definitely overcome this difficult time. Zhuzi, you and Xu Damao should put aside your conflict for now. Don't say anything that is not conducive to unity in the future. Xu Damao, you too."

Sha Zhu nodded reluctantly, and Xu Damao didn't care at all. Now Sha Zhu was just a little trash in front of him, with no strength.

The team that will go to buy food together has been preliminarily determined.

After the meeting, everyone went back home to calculate how much food they needed to buy. After calculating, they went to the black market to ask if there were any discounts for buying so much and compare prices.

Jiang Fan returned home and told his family about the incident. No one in the family said much, and Shen Yue simply handed the matter over to Jiang Fan, believing she wouldn't suffer any loss anyway.

Others returned home and took out their savings, counted them again and again, and decided how much food to buy based on their actual situation.

You definitely can’t buy too much for the first time. This is everyone’s common idea. Buy a little to try it out first. If it works, buy more.

After returning home, Jia Dongxu took out the money he had saved over the years. It wasn't much, actually. In the past, they were lucky to save a few yuan a month. It was only after Jia Zhang went to the countryside that they started saving some money. They had spent a lot of money on food these days. If Jia Dongxu didn't have a high salary now and didn't indulge Jia Zhang anymore, he really wouldn't have much money.

Counting the banknotes and receipts, Jia Dongxu sighed helplessly.

"Dongxu, I have some money here. It's from making shoe soles. You can take it all."

Qin Huairu took out a small cloth bag from her bosom and placed it in Jia Dongxu's hand. This was the private money she had saved over the years. She had married into the family at the age of eighteen, when the business was not strictly regulated.

She also learned from Jia Zhangshi to make shoe soles and sell them for money. Jia Zhangshi wanted her to hand over the money, but at that time she and Jia Dongxu were deeply in love, so she managed to keep this income.

Jia Dongxu was very moved and held Qin Huairu's hand. Looking at the needle wound on her hand, he choked up and said, "Huairu, I'm not capable. You've suffered a lot following me."

"Dongxu, don't say that. We are a family and this is what I should do."

Jia Zhang, who was standing next to them, seemed to be unable to bear the sight of happiness. Seeing the two of them like this, she wanted to leave.

"mom."

"Dongxu, is there something wrong? It's getting late and I want to go to bed." Jia Zhang suddenly felt something was wrong. She felt that her wallet was in danger.

"It's nothing serious. I just wanted to ask you, you've been sewing soles at home every day for so many years, and we only wear a few pairs. How much did you make from the others?"

Jia Dongxu approached step by step. Qin Huairu's behavior reminded him that there was still such a source of income for the family. Although making shoe soles did not make money, it could not withstand the accumulation of so many years.

"No money, Dongxu, you know how much can you make making shoe soles? The money from selling them is not even enough to buy my medicine every month."

"You don't have to fool me with this. I will give you money for your medicine every month, as well as pension money. You have saved a lot over the years, and our family is in need of money right now, so you'd better take it out." Jia Dongxu didn't want to argue with Jia Zhang any more, and spoke to her in a threatening tone, as if he would ignore her as long as she didn't take the money.

Chapter 197: Going to the Black Market Together

Jia Zhang asked Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu to carry Xiaodang, who was still asleep, out, leaving Banggen behind to sleep soundly.

After closing the door, Jia Zhang cursed in a low voice, "This unfilial son actually asked for his own mother's money. I gave birth to him and raised him to adulthood, and now he actually wants my money!"

"This is an unfilial son, so disrespectful. Old Jia should really come up and teach him a lesson, so that he knows what it means to respect the elderly. How can someone in their thirties still rely on their mother's support to support their family?"

Jia Zhang was a little crazy. Jia Dongxu, who was like a flower in her mouth before, was now being scolded by her. This was definitely a shocking thing.

"And Yi Zhonghai, Old Jia really should take him away too. He actually dared Banggeng to call him grandpa, he deserves to die. He has so much money, he should use it to buy us food. What do these two damned fools need so much money for? In the end, it will all be left to Banggeng. And Jiang Fan, his family is so rich..."

Outside, Jia Dongxu was holding Xiaodang. He loved his daughter very much, just like her mother.

"Dongxu, will Mom really give you the money?" Qin Huairu asked worriedly.

Jia Dongxu's tone was very firm, "Yes, don't worry, I have lived with her for decades, I understand her."

As Jia Zhang's former most beloved treasure, Jia Dongxu knew her all too well. He knew that Jia Zhang was a tough-looking person with a weak heart. As long as her opponent was a little stronger, she would become weak. If it weren't for Yi Zhonghai's mediation and Jia Dongxu's humble apology over the years, Jia Zhang would have been put in a sack and beaten with a club long ago.

Jia Zhang cursed everything, her words becoming incoherent. From heaven to earth, from Old Jia to Jia Dongxu, the people in the yard, the leaders of the steel mill and the neighborhood office—everything she knew escaped that raging mouth. If her words got out, they would be enough to get her executed for five minutes.

But she still opened her money box and took out twenty yuan. Then she looked around like a thief, carefully scanning the room, and then put the box back to its place with a heavy sense of stealth.

After finishing all this, she breathed a sigh of relief. But she didn't know that everything that had just happened was seen by her good grandson Banggen.

……

For the next two days, meetings would begin in the courtyard after dinner.

The content of the meeting was also very simple. It was to count the amount of food needed by the residents in the courtyard and to count the vendors selling food on the black market that everyone knew.

Then find someone to go to the black market to find these vendors to discuss buying food.

Jiang Fan and Xu Damao reported a vendor that most people knew, which also attracted the ridicule of Sha Zhu.

Sha Zhu felt that Jiang Fan and Xu Damao were not telling the truth, how could they be in the same place?

Xu Damao immediately retorted, saying that their noodles were good and pure, and that he was willing to buy them there, even paying extra. This left Sha Zhu speechless.

After these statistics were made, the people in the courtyard started to dispute over who should go to discuss business.

Everyone thinks they should go and others shouldn't. They are all afraid that the negotiator will take a kickback, but they also think about how much kickback is appropriate for them to take.

Everyone argued endlessly about this matter, and even almost disbanded the newly formed grain-buying group.

In the end, it was only after Yi Zhonghai and Yan Bugui discussed it that they decided on the candidate.

The final result was that Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui, the three giants of the original courtyard, went to the black market to negotiate, while Sha Zhu and Xu Damao supervised and managed it. They then took turns to find a few young people to provide protection outside the black market.

Because Sha Zhu and Xu Damao didn't get along, it was absolutely impossible for them to collude with each other. This was highly recognized by the people in the hospital.

Xu Damao also stood up at the right time and said that he would never allow corruption to happen in the purchase of grain. He wanted to be open, open, and open!

Sha Zhu sneered at Xu Damao's behavior because he couldn't say anything nice.

The team was formed and headed towards the black market.

After Yi Zhonghai and his companions left, the people in the courtyard did not completely disperse. They were all waiting for Yi Zhonghai to bring good news.

"Yi Zhonghai wants to re-establish his prestige in the courtyard." Shen Yue's mouth corners rose slightly, seemingly smiling, but actually sarcastic.

"Whatever he wants to do has nothing to do with us, but he can't involve our family." Jiang Daniu sneered and looked at Jiang Fan, "Xiao Fan, are you sure the news that Yi Zhonghai is infertile is true?"

"Brother, it doesn't matter whether it's true or not. We just need to say that he can't have children. Jiang Fan has already said that we should spread rumors about him. Now that it's a rumor, does it matter whether it's true or not?" Jiang Erniu didn't care about all that. He only knew that someone wanted to destroy his happy life now, and that person deserved to die!

Jiang Fan smiled and said, "Second Uncle is right. It doesn't matter whether it's true or not. As long as the rumor gets out that he can't have children, sometimes lies can become true."

"Okay, I'll do it tomorrow."

Yi Zhonghai and his team went to the black market, looking for vendors one by one, and negotiating with them about buying food. It was their first time buying food, so everyone bought a small amount, about ten or twenty kilograms.

But with twenty or so households bringing in over 500 kilograms, it's a significant amount, and quite tempting. The vendors are willing to lower their prices a bit to make the deal.

After visiting a few stores, Xu Damao decided that he had enough and could buy from any of them. However, Sha Zhu objected, saying that there might be cheaper food available.

Yi Zhonghai and Yan Bugui also agreed with this. Liu Haizhong was a man without a strong opinion. Seeing that his two old friends supported Sha Zhu, and thinking of how Xu Damao had once ignored him as the manager, he also stood on Sha Zhu's side.

Xu Damao immediately laughed, a laugh of anger.

"You three are getting more confused as you get older. Shazhu is fine, he's a reckless and foolish man. But you three are also in your forties. Didn't you realize that we're being targeted?"

Xu Damao's voice was not loud, and since they were all gathered together, no one around could hear it.

"We are being targeted? Xu Damao, stop exaggerating." Sha Zhu was still extremely stupid and immediately refuted Xu Damao, and Liu Haizhong also agreed with him.

Only Yan Bugui and Yi Zhonghai looked at each other, as if they realized something.

"Da Mao, you said we were being targeted. Do you know who was targeting us? And how many people are there on the other side?"

The relationship between Yan Bugui and Xu Damao is not very good now, but it is still better than that of Yi Zhonghai and others.

"Uncle Yan, do you really believe what Xu Damao said?"

Sha Zhu looked at Yan Bugui as if he was crazy.

Chapter 198 The First Transaction Was Successful

Yi Zhonghai didn't say anything, but just raised his hand to tell Sha Zhu to shut up.

Sha Zhu was puzzled.

Xu Damao looked at Sha Zhu jokingly, thinking he looked like a fool. Xu Damao followed Luo Hu and followed Yan Jiecheng, although it was only a few days, but he learned a lot from Luo Hu.

Without waiting for Yi Zhonghai to speak, Xu Damao pointed directly at a stall not far away and said, "See that guy wearing Warrior shoes, black pants, and a blue shirt? He's been following us since we came out of the second stall."

Following the direction Xu Damao pointed, several people saw the man.

Yan Bugui frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "Da Mao is right. That person has indeed been following us since then."

Everyone's faces changed, and no one was happy. Especially Sha Zhu, he couldn't understand why Xu Damao could find out such a thing. He was obviously a cowardly, lustful person who only knew how to flatter.

Seeing the changing expressions on their faces, Xu Damao chuckled, "I don't know what you're worried about. This is in the black market. They wouldn't dare to act recklessly in the black market. Don't forget that outside the black market, there are still several people in our hospital."

Xu Damao's words put Yi Zhonghai and the others at ease. Yes, what were they worried about?

"So, Damao, should we go to that store to buy food?" Yan Bugui pushed his glasses and asked Xu Damao.

"It's up to you, but it's better to settle this matter as soon as possible. If it's too late, these vendors will inevitably collude to raise prices." Xu Damao didn't care whether he could buy food or not. With Lou Zhenhua's support, he had no shortage of food.

He only participated in this to prevent Yi Zhonghai and his gang from slandering him. He reminded Yi Zhonghai that he was being targeted because he was also here, and he did this for his own safety.

If he wasn't here, what would it have to do with him whether Yi Zhonghai and the others were dead or alive?

Seeing that Xu Damao had no intention of getting involved, Yan Bugui didn't dare to say much and turned to discuss with Yi Zhonghai.

Xu Damao did not participate. He was observing Sha Zhu's expression. Seeing the expression on Sha Zhu's old face that was difficult to describe in words, he felt very relieved.

Even when he received the "Outstanding Citizen" award, he was not so happy because this was the first time he had truly won a battle with Sha Zhu with his own abilities.

In a few minutes, Yi Zhonghai and his friends had reached an agreement. They planned to go to the fourth store to buy food because they were willing to give away sacks.

Xu Damao said it didn't matter and followed them.