Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

First of all: I would like to thank all the friends who have been urging me to update, liking my posts, and giving me flowers over the past two months. Thank you for your support.

In September, a lot of things happened to me, and I was not in the right mood to write a book. So I have not updated it until now. I am sorry to disappoint everyone.

Alas, sometimes I really feel how helpless life is. The vast majority of people are not the ones who can truly control their own lives.

Cherish the present moment!

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When Xu Damao, Lou Xiao'e, Gu Meifang and others were celebrating the birth of another child of the Xu family, the No. 95 compound was indeed very lively, and even He Yuzhu almost joined in.

Originally Xu Damao didn't know what was going on until he accompanied Lou Xiao'e to a restaurant for dinner and He Yuzhu asked about Lou Xiao'e, then he found out.

"Lou Xiao'e, do you think the old clothes sent from Hong Kong are worth buying?"

"Silly Zhu, why are you asking this? Do you want to do trade? I advise you not to jump into something you are not familiar with. You and Yu Li are each managing a store now? Isn't that enough for you to be busy? If you really want to do other trade, you can just invest your spare money in buying a house. Why take the risk of smuggling?"

Xu Damao was drinking while listening to the conversation between the two and immediately figured out the problem.

"Brother Zhuzi, are Yan Jiecheng and Liu Guangtian from the compound involved in the smuggling business? Listen to Xiao'e, it's for sure. She has been in Hong Kong for so many years, she knows the situation. I also think it's more reliable to work in an industry that I am familiar with."

"Da Mao, you are really good at guessing, and you always guess right. Don't worry, I didn't say I was involved. It was Uncle San who wanted to borrow money from me. He said they wanted to buy a container of used clothing, which was very profitable, and they were short of money."

"I see. Brother Zhuzi, you'd better not get involved. It will be hard to explain. I've heard about this as well. There are recycled old clothes from Europe and America on the market. The fabrics look good and the prices are cheap. They are very popular. But this is standard smuggling and will be strictly investigated by the customs. It's not easy for you to buy a business in such a shabby place. Don't let others borrow it or it will never come back."

"Okay, I'll listen to you. I'll continue to be a chef and count money every day. Damao, you didn't realize that my cooking skills have improved again."

"Brother Zhuzi, if you have a chance, go and find out if there are any chef competitions in Kyoto. With your current cooking skills, I think you can definitely participate in the competition. If you win a prize, don't you think our store will become more famous and you will make more money, right?"

"Hey, it's true. As expected of a leading cadre, you look at things differently. Well, I won't bother with you two anymore. I'm going back to my kitchen. You guys can show off slowly."

After asking the questions, He Yuzhu said hello and left in a flash.

"Da Mao, do you think those people in Compound No. 95 are really taking risks to engage in smuggling? If they are caught one day, they will lose all their money. They are really too bold."

"Money can move people's hearts. No one can get rich without unexpected wealth. Didn't you hear what Brother Zhuzi said? It was old guy Yan Fugui who asked him to borrow money. Yan Jiecheng is really not a good son. I guess the third uncle is obsessed with money and was fooled by his son. He doesn't know the risks at all. Hehe, if they are lucky, they will make a fortune. If they are unlucky, they will really have to stay in prison and lose all their money. Who cares about them. But I still have to go there, so that Xiaoyong will not be dragged into the water by them. He is having a hard time in the factory now. By the way, Ezi, when you return to Hong Kong, please help me buy a few VCRs and large-screen TVs. If videotapes can be used, bring more. I want Xiaoyong to change his environment and open a video hall or something. He will definitely make money. It's not a good thing for this kid to be idle now. Although he is not my biological son, I have to make good arrangements for him on behalf of Meifang."

"It's a small matter. I'll call my mom to arrange it. I won't be back to Hong Kong for a while. Damao, is it possible for you to accompany me to the United States? I want to see my son."

Xu Damao drank a glass of wine, "Ezi, do you really want to go to the United States to see your son? Okay, I think it's okay. I also want to go out for a walk. And I have been thinking about a question recently, that is, whether I should leave the steel mill. Logically, with my current position, it would be quite comfortable to live a leisurely life until retirement. I don't want to live like this. Today you said you want to go see your son, so I will make up my mind. I will quit and retire early. Anyway, I have you and Meifang to manage the restaurant, and I will rely on you to support me in the future. I can do nothing and just lie down. Do you have any objection?"

"Really? That's great. We're not short of money anyway. Besides, I feel like you're not happy in your class either. Just make up your mind. Support you? How could you be short of money? I know you're too rich. We don't know who will support whom. But one thing is for sure, the safety of the baby in my belly depends on you, so please don't ignore us."

"Don't worry, Ezi. I won't say that your man is a land immortal now, but it will be no problem for me to guarantee your safety. Let's eat first, and then I will go to the company to handle the formalities and live with you forever."

In No. 95 Yuanli, just as Xu Damao predicted, Liu Guangtian, Guangfu, and Yan Jiecheng were discussing taking over a container of used clothing business from overseas.

For several days, Yan Fugui failed to borrow money from He Yuzhu, so they set their sights on Jia Geng.

A container of old clothes is priced by tonnage. Liu Guangtian took on the job. It costs 8 yuan to load a container, and you have to pay first and then get the customs bill of lading. The container is still on the sea, but it will arrive at Tianjin Port soon. Time is running out. Hundreds of thousands of sets of clothes for only 8 yuan. Liu Guangtian and Yan Jiecheng were itching to think about it: if the damage rate is less than 30%, it would be one yuan per set of clothes, and it would not be a problem to sell them for dozens of yuan after ironing. They have a wool suit sample in their hands, which is very stiff and classy after ironing. Several people felt that countless banknotes were falling from the sky, and they felt that they were too busy to pick up the money.

"No, Guangtian, why don't we bring Banggeng in? If it doesn't work, we'll give him a share. If we miss this opportunity, we don't know when the next one will come. Besides, old clothes will keep coming in soon, and it will be difficult to sell them all at once. Time is money."

"I also know that time is money. Look at Bang Geng. He has so much money that he can't even afford cigarettes."

"Guangtian, you forgot that Banggeng has no money, but Daye has money, right? Daye has saved tens of thousands of dollars over the years, if not a lot? Who will he rely on for retirement? It's not Banggeng. I think we can give it a try. Banggeng is a useless guy, but he is very greedy. Let's talk to him and ask him to raise 10 yuan, which will be his % share. How about that?"

"Let's go and have a drink with him."