Chapter 8: Eating Tea

After saying goodbye to Zhang's comprador, Chen Zikun asked his subordinates to send the goods back first, and then took Mu Yichen and Gong Zijun to a French foreign business and bought two hundred dans of Siamese rice. As for what the rice was used for, the guards could not guess, even others could not guess.

Then I went to the Spanish foreign company where Mu Yichen's classmate worked. This foreign company is very small in scale and supplies Spanish imitation Mauser pistols and star brand 765 caliber jacks, which are much cheaper than German goods.

The quality of box guns made in Spain is much better than that of domestic products, but there is still a little difference compared to original products in Germany. The entire gun in the original factory has no single shot, and it is all made of closely meshing parts. Spanish goods require nine shots to combine the entire gun. Of course, the price is also low, only 50 yuan.

Although he was not very satisfied, Chen Zikun still bought 100 Spanish box cannons and twenty star brand rappers, plus a batch of cheap 765 pistol bullets. Because of Mu Yichen's relationship, the foreign company gave a 105% discount, which was several hundred yuan cheaper.

After coming out of the foreign company, Zhao Yufeng came over from a distance, walked to Chen Zikun and whispered: "Boss Li called here, and he has already booked it. Jubao Teahouse tonight."

Chen Zikun nodded: "There is not much time left, hurry up and prepare." He then took out a hundred yuan in banknotes for Mu Yichen.

"What does this mean?" Mu Yichen hurriedly refused, "It is appropriate to help seniors."

"Brothers settle the score clearly, you deserve it, take it." Chen Zikun was very determined, and Mu Yichen had to accept it and thanked him again and again. Only he himself understood how embarrassed he was now.

"I still have some things, so let's contact us if I have time." Chen Zikun and Mu Yichen shook hands and parted, going their separate ways.

Chen Zikun returned to Huizhong Hotel, and Li Yaoting was already waiting for him in the room. Today, Li Yaoting looked good and held a big cigar in his hand and said with a smile: "It's settled, I'll ask Boss Huang to come forward and say peace. Zhang Xiaolin will definitely give face. It's okay, it's okay."

"Is it?" Chen Zikun said, "Isn't it that I haven't started talking yet? How can I say that the crisis has been resolved?"

Li Yaoting said: "Since Boss Huang is willing to come forward, this matter will be done. Don't worry, just follow Boss Huang's arrangements at that time. I guess everyone will give in and the sky will be wide."

Chen Zikun said: "That's it, okay, I know it in my heart."

After seeing Li Yaoting away, Chen Zikun asked someone to bring a few boxes of goods. The wooden boxes were very bulky and dusty. The hotel waiters were very dissatisfied, but these guests were all big and round, with bulging waists, as if they were holding a close friend, and they didn't dare to say anything more.

The wooden box was printed with German. After prying it open, it was a Berkman portable machine gun that was packed with tarp. The bolt was wrapped in thick butter. It was wiped with cotton yarn for a long time before it was wiped clean. When you pulled the bolt, it was crisp and pleasant. The barrel was brand new, and the walnut stock and guardrail were shining.

"Good gun!" Chen Zikun praised and threw it to Zhao Yufeng.

"With this thing, I can deal with ten people." Zhao Yufeng said confidently while playing with the flower tube.

"Disassemble all the boxes, each with two box cannons and a portable machine gun, we must arm our teeth." Chen Zikun said murderously.

Zhao Yufeng was stunned: "Didn't Boss Li say that the agreement has been settled? Just go through the formalities at that time."

Chen Zikun sneered: "How can things in the world be so easy to settle? Let's kill two people and chop off one hand. Can we expect them to give up?"

Zhao Yufeng thought for a while and said, "Damn it, these Shanghai barbarians are so upset!"

Chen Zikun said: "Adminton Zhao, don't go tonight, stay here to protect your wife."

Zhao Yufeng was anxious when he heard this: "Master, you just look down on me. After all, I am a member of the Third Division. If you don't help, you can deal with the seven or eight barbarians."

Chen Zikun said: "It is because of this that we have given you the important task of protecting our wife. This is Shanghai, so we have to take more precautions."

Zhao Yufeng then agreed.

...

In the evening, Li Yaoting drove to pick up Chen Zikun. He unexpectedly found that Chen Zikun, who had always been in suits and ties, actually wore a Chinese long gown and jacket, a top hat, and a folding fan in his hand, looking different.

When I was talking about tea, I naturally had to bring my followers. Chen Zikun brought four guards. Their outfits scared Li Yaoting. He was wearing a blue-gray summer cloth military uniform, tied his legs to his knees, a wide cowhide belt around his waist, a row of ochre-red leather bullet belts on his chest, and a wooden box cannon on both sides. Berkman's portable machine gun behind him, and a large-brimmed hat on his head, and five-color stars shining brightly.

Li Yaoting almost cried: "My brother, are you eating tea or scaring people? The rules of Shanghai, you can't take care of guys when eating tea. You are so good, you're all armed to your teeth."

Chen Zikun said: "It's not me who gives you face. We are soldiers. We naturally have to wear military uniforms and weapons. I don't believe that Zhang Xiaolin came empty-handed."

Li Yaoting had no choice but to say, "Forget it, let's talk about it when you go to the place."

The group got on the bus and went to Shiliupu. Jubao Teahouse was located near Shiliupu Wharf in Nanshi. It is a region under the jurisdiction of the Shanghai Municipal Government. Because it is close to the wharf, it is mixed with fish and dragons and gangs gathered. Whether it is hygiene or public security, it is much worse than in the concession.

There are many teahouses and restaurants around Shiliupu, but the best business is Jubao Teahouse. It is rumored that this teahouse was opened by the Qing Gang tycoon Huang Jinrong. In fact, Boss Huang just occupied some of the shares. He likes to come and go around every morning and listen to those who ask for information on the market.

In view of the serious casualties of the gang's private fighting, the municipal government has made regulations that it is strictly forbidden to eat tea in teahouses. Therefore, many teahouses post notes "Talk forbidden to talk tea in the temple" in the shop, but Jubao Teahouse is an exception. Because Boss Huang is surrounded by him, he can "tea tea forbidden to talk tea in the temple", which is of course just a saying in the martial arts world. Because Boss Huang has a great reputation, both parties who eat tea often resolve their grudges based on his face and shake hands and make peace. The officials are also happy that someone comes forward to manage this kind of private fighting behavior, so Jubao Teahouse has become the best place for tea in Shanghai.

Li Yaoting's car was parked in front of Jubao Teahouse. The servant went up and opened the door. The group entered the teahouse. It was time for dinner, but the business in the teahouse was still booming. The seats upstairs and downstairs were full. Seeing Li Yaoting and Chen Zikun and others coming in, the teahouse was quiet for a moment, and dozens of eyes were staring at Chen Zikun.

The rumors in the world are faster than the wind. This foreigner smashed Zhang Xiaolin's casino in Detu, killed two bodyguards, and chopped off one of his left hand. The news of the Huangpu River has long been spread across the banks of the Huangpu River. Those who can sit and drink tea in Jubao Teahouse are naturally all well-informed Bai Xiangren in society. Seeing the foreigner who dares to challenge Boss Zhang, how could he not take a look at it?

Chen Zikun actually brought four guards in military uniforms. Bai Xiang people started to talk again as if they had discovered a new world. No wonder they dared to smash Boss Zhang's place. It turned out that they were from the army. Everyone was very excited. Some of them were lively today.

The shopkeeper of Jubao Teahouse came to receive him personally, welcomed Li Yaoting and Chen Zikun to the second floor, and brewed the tea channel: "I'll wait in the pavilion, Boss Zhang and the others have not arrived yet."

Li Yaoting looked at his watch and smiled and said, "It's still early, don't worry, don't worry."

Chen Zikun took out his pocket watch and glanced at it, waiting patiently.

...

In a small restaurant in Nanshi, Mu Yichen ordered a bottle of rice wine, white chop chicken, and crab noodles. He hadn't had a decent meal for a long time. After returning to China, he couldn't find a job he wanted. He relied on Che Qiuling to help him. Qiuling's father was a businessman, very snobbish and looked down on himself, so he forced his daughter to elope.

"Don't bully the young man's poor, I must prove this sentence to them." Mu Yichen tilted his neck and dried the rice wine, which made him cough. He was not good at drinking. When he was studying in Germany, his classmates liked to drink beer, but he only had the worst alcohol tolerance and was often ridiculed by male and female classmates. Thinking of that happy time, Mu Yichen's eyes couldn't help but blur.

There are 100 yuan in your pocket, which is earned by yourself. In fact, this is the business of compradors. I always say that I look down on compradors and want to do business, but I still surrender to reality.

It is not just me who surrendered to reality. Isn’t it the same for senior Chen Zikun, who was full of enthusiasm for serving the country at the time, who has gone from a young student to a complete warlord.

This is the cruel reality.

Thinking of this, he was upset and fucked a few drinks, and he became a little drunk after getting drunk after drinking rice wine.

"My man, pour wine!" Mu Yichen blushed and his neck was thick, and he slapped the table.

Suddenly the door of the small restaurant was pushed open, and a group of big men in black shirts and pants rushed in and shouted: "Boss, come eighteen bowls of big meat noodles, two jars of old wine, hurry up, I have something to do!"

A group of people were filled with the store, with ferocious faces and no good looks. Other customers quickly checked out and left to avoid angering them and causing trouble.

"Four eyes, change seats." A big man rudely patted Mu Yichen's table.

Mu Yichen was shocked and was about to argue with him. The guy came over quickly and complained. He helped Mu Yichen change the wine and food to a corner, and then whispered him: "Sir, help me, at worst I can give you a discount."

"Forget it, go." Mu Yichen lowered his head to eat, but a few words came into his ears: "Jubao Teahouse...smashed the cup as a number...lime bag...cut it to death...stop it into Huangpu River."

Mu Yichen immediately put down his chopsticks, took out a bill and pressed it under the wine glass, hurried out, called a rickshaw, and headed straight for Huizhong Hotel.

When I arrived at the guest room where Chen Zikun stayed at Huizhong Hotel, I knocked on the door quickly, but no one answered.

"Oh no, oh no, this is the Hongmen Banquet!" Mu Yichen's drunkenness was gone, and he was so anxious that he was in a hurry.

...

At the same time, five black cars were parked in front of Jubao Teahouse. More than a dozen burly men wearing black silk shirts and pants jumped down. The back door of one of the cars opened, and a middle-aged man wearing a long gown got off the car calmly, with a rebellious and sharp look between his eyebrows.
Chapter completed!