Chapter 81 Abnormal Prosperity

"Uncle, please test me.

I grew up in Peking, so how could I not know about the famous ghost market? "

"Oh? Then tell me!"

"That place was originally where the Eight Banners playboys like Brother Suo sold their ancestral treasures.
Also, because those dandies were well-known people in the city, they were afraid of being recognized and stabbed in the back by acquaintances.

So in the middle of the night, I would light a small lantern, leaving only a pair of eyes visible, and sell things in the dark.

From a distance, it looks like a bunch of ghost lights floating around.

This is why it is called a ghost market.

But Uncle Gui, I heard that the ghost market sells antiques, calligraphy and paintings, which are all interesting things, and have nothing to do with food!"

Seeing that He Yuzhu really knew all this, Uncle Gui nodded with a smile.
"Zhu Zi, what you said is all old news.

Some time ago, in order to raise money to go to Tianjin, Suo Ye went to the ghost market to sell some rare items passed down from his ancestors.

At that time, he saw someone selling food in the ghost market.

And the price is not low.”

The Suo Ye mentioned by Gui Shu is the Third Brother Suo mentioned by He Yuzhu, who is also the landlord of their courtyard house.
When Sha Zhu went to Yandaixie Street to play with Tian Zao and his group of kids, he became familiar with them.

So I know this guy is a typical second-generation prodigal son,

I often take my family’s treasures to the ghost market to exchange for money.

As for Uncle Gui's suggestion that he go to Tianjin to make a living, He Yuzhu didn't take it seriously.
Anyway, we are more than 10 years apart in age, so we are not very familiar with each other.

What he is most concerned about now is how much food there is on the black market and whether it is enough for him to fill his stomach.

But just as he was about to ask,

He Daqing, who was standing nearby, also became interested when he heard about other sources of food.
"Master Gui, since you said that there are people reselling food in the ghost market, have you ever been there yourself? Do you know what the price of food is in the ghost market?
Is it profitable for us to buy them and make steamed buns, sesame cakes, etc.?"

But as soon as He Daqing asked, Uncle Gui poured cold water on him.
"Master He, don't think about it.
If this could work, do you think I would only be able to sell fried tripe now?

We are now in Beijing under military control, and food outside the quota is in short supply.
Even if you buy it with dollars, the price of food in the ghost market is twice that of the grain store.
One stone of wheat costs 30 dollars.

If you use gold yuan coupons, the price will be even higher, more than 5 times that of the grain store. One stone of wheat will cost at least 4000 gold yuan coupons.
With the license plate, you can go to the bank to exchange it for gold bars.

Master He, at this price, if we buy it back to make buns or sesame cakes, what price should we sell it at to make a profit?"

When He Daqing heard Uncle Gui say that a stone of wheat costs 30 dollars on the black market, he knew his idea would not work.
If it's not for my own consumption,
Who the hell would be such a fool to go to the ghost market to buy food to do business.

However, this was exactly what He Yuzhu wanted. He didn't care how many gold yuan coupons were needed for one stone of grain anyway. As long as there was a channel, it would be fine.

Just when he was thinking about going to the black market at night, he heard He Daqing still asking unwillingly,
"Master Gui, you said these local rich people should just sell the grain, why do they set such a high price?

Isn't this just taking advantage of us? "

At this time, Uncle Gui pointed to several shops nearby.

"Master He, you just arrived and don't know the situation.
Recently, the gambling dens, opium dens and brothels around Shichahai have been doing very well. The people coming and going are all local rich people from the countryside.

Those of us who set up stalls to sell food actually earn money through hard work.

The bulk of the profits were taken by those hooligans and bullies."

Hearing this, He Daqing and his son looked in the direction of Uncle Gui's finger, and just at that moment, the stupid son of a local rich man was thrown out of the gambling house.

"Get lost, go to hell. Don't you know where you are? If you lose money, go home and get it back.

If you continue to cause trouble next time, I will beat you to death."

Then I saw Uncle Gui pointed his mouth in that direction.

"Yes, including this one, this is the fifth one today. Someone else will definitely be thrown out later."

"Master Gui, that seems to be the gambling den of that villain Han Qingkui, he is so arrogant!"

"That's not the case!

Han Qingkui is the tyrant of our Shichahai.
The nearby opium dens, gambling dens, pawn shops, and loan sharks are all more or less related to him, and he has made a lot of money during this period."

Hearing them mention Han Qingkui, He Yuzhu turned to look at Uncle Gui curiously and asked,
"Uncle Gui, what is Sister Zao doing recently?
I have been working at Fengze Garden for more than a month and I haven’t seen her for a long time.”

When he heard He Yuzhu asking about the dates in the field, Uncle Gui pointed to the north.
"Right now, I am taking Dayong and the other kids to Deshengmen to exchange coal cores. I guess we will have to wait a while before we can come back.

What’s the matter? Do you have something to talk to your sister Zao about?
Would you like me to pass on a message to you and ask her to come find you here tomorrow?"

"That's not necessary. I just asked because you guys were talking about Han Qingkui."

Hearing that He Yuzhu mentioned Tian Zao because of Han Qingkui, Uncle Gui couldn't help but sigh, but didn't continue talking.

After a while, everyone started talking and laughing again.
Time slowly came to dinner time.

People gradually came out to eat at nearby gambling dens and tobacco shops, and He Daqing's stall was also crowded with people.
He Yuzhu served soup and buns to the guests swiftly, while saying auspicious words.
"Hey, this gentleman,

If you eat my steamed buns and mutton offal soup today, not only will your body be warm, but your luck will also be good.
I'm sure I'll win a lot of money tonight."

"Uncle, here are your four buns. I wish you prosperity in all seasons."

……

Soon, the nearby tables were filled with diners.
Those who won money excitedly discussed dice, card games, opium, women, etc. while eating.

As for those who lost money, they were either planning to borrow some money from the loan shark after dinner, or preparing to get more food to resell at the ghost market at night and come back to make up for their losses tomorrow.

In short, each of these people seems to be living a life of drunkenness and debauchery.

……

When most of the diners had left, Tian Zao had sold all the coal cores and strolled to Gulou Street with a group of children.

"Hey, Uncle He and Zhuzi are here to set up their stalls today."

"Zao'er is here!"

"Sister Zao, how's the harvest today?"

"Not bad. We found quite a few coal cores today. It's enough for Dayong and his friends to have a good meal.

Uncle He, Uncle Gui, give everyone a bowl."

"Haha, Zao'er, your uncle He's business is so good today that he has already run out of stock.
Come to your uncle's place.

After we finish eating, you can help me close the stall and we can go back together. "

Seeing Tian Zao went to Uncle Gui's place, He Yuzhu said while cleaning the stove,
"Sister Zao, let's go back first. Say hello to Brother Tiedan for me."

"Okay, go back quickly."

(End of this chapter)