Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

Do it as soon as you say it. Besides, if the wheat grains are not processed after being stored for about three years, they will expire and deteriorate.

Fortunately, Xu Damao still had some connections, and he managed to find a relationship with someone who agreed to grind the remaining 200 kilograms of wheat grains in Yandaixie Street into powder, but he would keep 20% of the commission.

The price is reasonable too.

Xu Damao and Zhang Lingyun pulled more than 200 kilograms of wheat grains together and brought back three large bags of flour. Although the flour looked a little yellow, it was really white flour and had a strong wheat aroma.

Xu Damao asked Zhang Lingyun to take a bag back and share it with his master Zhang Taihe. He put one bag of flour on Yandaixie Street and quietly carried the other bag back to No. 95 Courtyard at night.

"Da Mao, it's so fast, you've already ground it? Let's steam some white flour buns tomorrow morning and make dumplings in a few days."

"Okay, here are more than 50 kilograms of flour. Go check with your parents to see if they have any flour. If not, I'll send some over."

"Well, okay, but my parents should have white flour, so don't worry too much. I'll take Xinxin back to see my mother tomorrow, and you can bring it back if needed. Damao, it's great to have you, and you really haven't treated us three badly."

"What are you talking about? How can I let my wife and son suffer? There is still some flour over at Yandaixie Street. I will find time to send some over to my parents tomorrow. There is also some rice over there. I will send some over as well. It should not be so difficult next year. We should be able to eat a little better."

"Okay. I'll listen to you." Of course Lou Xiao'e wanted to eat good food.

"Ezi, I will probably be busy again in a while, traveling between business units, so I may come back very late sometimes. If I'm really busy, don't let Huo Huo go to the nursery. You can take care of him by yourself, so you don't have to go back to pick him up."

"Okay, I got it."

The white flour buns are so fragrant, they look yellow and have a mouthful of wheat aroma. The aroma wafts directly outside, causing everyone to sigh.

Especially the deaf old lady, who stood at the door of her house regardless of the cold, hoping that Xu Damao or Lou Xiaoe would be kind enough to give her a white flour bun. It seemed that except for eating white flour dumplings a few times during the Chinese New Year, the deaf old lady had not eaten a big white flour bun in the past three years. How could she miss it? At her age, she really had to eat one meal less and one less, and she didn't know how many days she could have a full meal.

Look, Xu Damao knows more than one person who has only a few days to live.

A few days later, Guo Jiawei and Guo Xiaosan came to the factory to find Xu Damao.

"San'er, is there something urgent?"

"Brother Xu, there's something urgent. Do you remember Master Qi, the one who sold you those two things?"

"Then why don't you remember, Qi Delong, Mr. Qi, is a man of character, very capable."

"The old man asked me to tell you that he wants you to come to his house no matter what. I'll take you there whenever it's convenient for you."

"Why, is he short of food again or something?"

"It seems like there's more to it than just this. He won't let you go to his house just for food. He probably steals other things as well."

Xu Damao thought for a moment, "San'er, you go back first. I'll ask for leave from my boss and then go to Dongsishitiao to find you. So, why don't you just pack a few dishes and go to Mr. Qi's house to eat together. It's better to buy a roast duck and bring a few bottles of wine. I'll give you twenty dollars. If it's not enough, you can add some and I'll make it up to you later. Well, let's meet at 11:, is that okay with you?"

Guo Jiawei took the twenty yuan from Xu Damao and said, "Brother Xu, that's enough. I'll use the twenty yuan. I'll buy the roast duck from Bianyifang, the wine for one yuan and two cents, and some hard dishes and vegetables, and some steamed buns. I'll wait for you then."

Xu Damao guessed that Qi Delong was going to sell something. It was winter again and the Chinese New Year was getting closer. Things on the market were becoming scarce again and prices were rising rapidly.

Guo Xiaosan is not bad. He knows how to use lunch boxes to pack food, which is very particular.

"Hey, Brother Xu, this is the lunch box that the restaurant rented. I paid a five-dollar deposit for it."

"Very good, Xiaosan, I trust you to do things. The last batch of goods was packed with high quality, and the boxes today are well rented and exquisite. Let's go, while the food is still hot, and have a drink with Master Qi to see what the old man has to say."

Qi Delong really didn't expect Xu Damao and Guo Xiaosan to arrive at his house so soon. He really didn't have anything to eat, so he just bought some fried peanuts and ate them with some snacks.

"Hey, Master Qi, you are too rude. You don't even go to the street to buy some braised meat, you just drink it. Okay, I'll take it for you. Brother Xu has brought you some food, and he said he wants to drink a few drinks with you."

"Master Qi, long time no see, you are so lucky."

"Xiao Xu, how can I thank you so much?"

Qi Delong watched Guo Xiaosan take out from the lunch box: braised beef with soy sauce, preserved egg with mustard, spicy tofu, stir-fried Chinese cabbage, shredded pickled vegetables, a complete set of roast duck, a bottle of wine for RMB 1.2, and four steamed buns.

Qi Delong almost shed tears.

"San'er, go to the kitchen and bring the two sets of bowls and chopsticks. It's been a long time since anyone in my courtyard has had a drink with me. Let's use Xiao Xu's wine and food to make this old man happy."

Qi Delong was quite good at talking, and when he was happy, he told all about his ancestors and family background: Qi Jia of the Zhenghong Banner, three generations of his ancestors were the most powerful officials, the commanders of the Eight Banners Battalion, and the second-rank military generals. His grandfather was also a first-class guard.

After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, life became difficult. Fortunately, there were still some items handed down from the family, but in the past few decades, his father got addicted to opium and lost most of his family. Several brothers also died or disappeared in the war. In the end, he was the only one left in the Qi family.

After having a good meal and a few drinks, Guo Xiaosan left early, using the excuse of carrying a box.

Xu Damao helped Qi Delong light a cigarette, and they smoked together. After a long while, Qi Delong finally spoke.

"Xiao Xu, I have something I want you to help me with. Of course, it's not easy to help, but I want to hear what you think."

"Old man, you haven't even said what you're doing yet, how can I answer you?"

"That's right. I only have one year to live, and I will probably report to my ancestors around this time next year. While I can still move, I want you to help me clean up the mess. Of course, it won't be in vain. I still have two boxes of old stuff in my house, and there are probably a dozen or so things that belong to you. I also want to give you this house first. If my ungrateful son comes back in the future, I want you to give this house to him, or let him buy it, depending on your mood at the time. Of course, you have to take care of my food and drink during the days I'm alive. It's not that great if you're not here, but just make sure I'm full. I wonder if you're willing to do that?"

Xu Damao had originally guessed that the old man had some interesting things in his hands, but he didn't expect that there were more than a dozen interesting things. I didn't want to see what they were, but they must be good. To say that I wanted to see them would be too utilitarian.

Xu Damao lit another cigarette while the cigarette was still burning. He thought for a while, "Master Qi, it's fine, but there's one thing. I definitely don't have time to serve you food and drink. I want you to move to the courtyard on East 40th Street that you've been to. The main house over there is empty. It was originally reserved for me. Now you can live there. I'll cover all your expenses. It won't be too bad. You'll definitely have meat every week, wine every day, and fine grains from time to time. I used to worship a master who taught me Xingyi Bagua. My second brother's family lives there, and Guo Xiaosan also lives there now. Over there, you will have someone to take care of you sooner or later, and I will feel relieved. You can live, as long as you live, I will take care of you in your old age, no problem. As for your yard, you can give it to me, I don’t know if you have a son outside, in the United States or somewhere else. As long as he comes back, I will definitely give it back to him. But it will take a long time, I can’t guarantee that there will be any changes in the meantime, for example, it is not impossible for the government to forcibly purchase unused houses, I can’t guarantee that I can protect your ancestral home, I will do my best, do you think it’s okay?”

Qi Delong's eyes were filled with tears. "Xiao Xu, thank you. Come over in a few days to help me move. It's up to you."