Back to the Republic of China to open a department store

The promotional plan of Sakura Department Store went bankrupt.

The total number of visitors to the store for the whole day did not exceed 500 people—this was even when Modern Department Store was closed and Shimai Department Store gave up promotional activities.

Suffering is a circle of small businesses around.

In addition to these three major department stores, there are also small daily-use stores, north-south goods stores, music record stores, pharmacies, and other small and medium-sized department stores on the main road.

These stores did not expect in advance that the sales promotion of Sakura Department Store would be targeted by them, and these small stores also made a lot of price cuts for the mid-autumn sales season. cheaper.

Those customers who couldn't buy low-priced goods at Shimai poured into these small shops one after another, and then went to Sakura Department Store to exchange purchases with the invoices.

These merchants also wondered for a long time, and only later did they realize that they had become the "meat pads" of Japanese department stores.

Okay, your family is doing activities, making fun of other people's houses?How can there be any reason to do business like this?

These small businesses do not have the aggressive attitude of "I just don't do business, what do you do with me?" like Shimai and Modern.They had to grit their teeth and continue to operate, continue to promote, and then endure Sakura's invisible exploitation of them.Watching their old customers become Sakura's customers, they still have to swallow their anger.

Unlike Shimai and Modern Department Store, which joined the "China National Product Promotion Association", many of these small stores buy cheap goods wherever they are available, and buy good goods wherever they are available. They don't pay much attention to the nationality of suppliers and are willing to import from Japan. There are many shops for goods.

But after this time, many of them also hated this group of Japanese, and began to gradually reduce the purchase of Japanese goods.

Many of them even asked Luo Xiazhi how they could join the "Chinese Domestic Product Promotion Association".

Originally, after the "fake domestic products" incident last time, after the internal review of the Domestic Products Promotion Association, many merchants who "made foreign products" were cleared out, and the morale of the association was somewhat low.However, after Luo Muze made such a move, he actually added a lot of fresh blood...

Combining the "Tian~Niu movement" driven by the last "swimsuit show" and the sales boom of new underwear, Luo Xiazhi sometimes really doubts that his second brother is "in Cao Ying and in Han"?

Otherwise, why every time he does something, the result is to push him in the opposite direction?

A week later, the Sakura Department Store's October sales promotion, which had been vigorously promoted among the Japanese in the early stage, ended in scribbles.

Except for the first group of Japanese who really benefited, there was basically no splash in Shanghai after that-it received a lot of saliva.

People from Shanghai, the "advantage" known all over the country is that they are very fussy.

Shopping is accurate to "points", eating wontons is accurate to "units", and buying cream is accurate to "grams". These are the "fine traditions" that we have maintained for more than 100 years.

After being scolded by "Bastard Department Store" like this, the Sakura Department Store is simply a mess in the word-of-mouth of the boss's surname.I lost all the face I had accumulated through "high quality and low price" with great difficulty.

The media, relying on the fact that their newspaper offices are basically located in the British and French Concession and are not harassed by the Japanese, wrote a close-up of this matter, almost writing Luo Muze and his father-in-law as a pair of clowns.

The angry Tsubakizaemon simply returned to Tokyo for the New Year ahead of schedule—the four-year war in Europe was finally over, and the Germans announced their surrender at the end of the year.Japan, which is also a victorious country, has to consider how to obtain the greatest benefit in the subsequent peace talks.For example, Shandong Province, which they have been coveting for a long time, has been actually controlled for a long time, but it is not legally part of Japan.

As the "heavy weapon" of the national economy, Otsubaki Trading Company is bound to join this negotiation to strive for more benefits for Japan.

Here, Tsubaki Zuobei returned to Japan.On the other hand, the news that China is also eligible to participate in the peace talks because it sent 14 laborers to the European battlefield to fight against the victorious side of the "Allies" also spread to China.

Since the Opium War, the country has been impoverished and weak, the land was ceded for compensation, and its diplomacy was sluggish.After the Sino-Japanese War, the Westernization Movement, which had been painstakingly managed for 30 years, failed. It lost its vassal states of Korea, Taiwan, the Ryukyu Islands, and Outer Mongolia. Shandong was actually occupied by Germany and Japan successively.

In this European war, China entered the negotiations as the victor. The Chinese people sincerely believed that they could rely on their status as the victor to gain support from international public opinion and regain the land occupied by the foreign powers.As soon as the news of victory came out, the whole country rejoiced.

"70 Years of Humiliation Has Been Cleaned Up!Occupied Shandong is expected to return! "

"Victory in Europe!President Wilson of the United States called for: national self-determination, national equality, fairness and justice

Reports full of expectations appeared in major newspapers across the country. From the political and business circles, to the people at the bottom, students, and workers, they all gave countless high hopes for the victory of this war.

Even Gu Hanlin often talked about his views on regaining Qingdao during their dates, and even felt that the century-old weakness might be wiped out from now on, and China could regain the dignity it had lost for many years through the next peace talks.

Luo Xiazhi knew that this was just a fantasy.

Paris, Versailles, is a sad place.

But he can't say it...

"Victory! Victory! Hello, sir, get a leaflet, please!"

The two of them walked on the road, although the cold wind was strong, it couldn't blow away the heat in the hearts of the joyful crowd.A man who looked like a middle school student saw the two of them, smiled and handed over a leaflet celebrating the victory, then raised his right hand high, waving red pieces of paper, "Victory! We won!"

Gu Hanlin took it and thanked him.

Seeing the big word "Happy News" on it, Gu Hanlin couldn't help laughing, showed the leaflet to Luo Xiazhi, and said, "Look how happy everyone is, this is good news that I haven't seen in many years. "

Looking at Gu Hanlin's excited expression, seeing the expectant smiles of the students on the road, and listening to the sound of gongs and drums in the celebration team, he could only frown sadly and sigh for the era he lived in.

Peace does not open, but falls into a longer darkness.

In the past few days, he has also been extremely entangled in whether to tell Gu Hanlin the truth that he is "not a person of this era".

But he didn't know how to speak.

——Hi, hello ancestor, I come from Shanghai a hundred years later!

In fact, the real "Rorschach" is dead, am I a ghost who accidentally entered this body?

It sounds like you're talking nonsense...

Rorschach was very depressed.

"What's the matter? I see that you haven't been in a high mood these days. Are you feeling unwell?"

Gu Hanlin stopped, looked down at his sullen lover, and then pressed his forehead to Luo Xiazhi's.

The cold touch made Luo Xiazhi startled, his eyes widened until he took half a step back, a blush flew onto his white cheeks.

Fortunately, passers-by were immersed in the joyful gongs and drums, and no one noticed their bold behavior.

"I... I just think that my second brother may not let us have a good New Year."

He covered his forehead, and the place he touched seemed to have a fever.

What should I do, my face must be as red as a pig's liver now.

Luo Xiazhi simply pulled up the woolen scarf, covering half of his face.

"You...you and your past lovers are also like this...so..."

Luo Xiazhi was so shy that he hesitated to speak.

"What about your ex-lover?"

Gu Hanlin asked back with a smile.

Since the two confirmed their relationship, he revealed his "love history" on the tray.

In fact, it's not really a "love history". There were only two loves, the first time was unrequited love... When I was in middle school, I fell in love with the quiet and fair boy at the same table with a simple smile.

It was also at that time that I realized that I originally liked boys.At first, Gu Hanlin was troubled for a while, feeling that he was an abnormal person with dangerous thoughts.

From the beginning to the end, that deskmate didn't know what he was thinking at all.Before graduation, the slender boy died of tuberculosis.The green first love ended without a problem.

The second one is my classmate Yi Sheng when I was studying at the Normal University in Beiping... Last time in Tianjin, I heard an old classmate Jia Jinze mention that this guy is already married for the second time. I wonder if he is on the road to a third marriage.

For his "honest confession", Luo Xiazhi just nodded, and he didn't seem to take it seriously.On the contrary, Gu Hanlin was very surprised that Luo Xiazhi was so good, yet he didn't have any boyfriend or girlfriend - you must know that this was an era when it was common to get married at the age of sixteen or seventeen, and maybe everyone became a father.

It's a pity that he doesn't understand that this "Luo Xiazhi" has no love experience, but it doesn't mean that this "Ror Xiazhi" has no experience.

"So, what?"

Gu Hanlin asked.

"Then... stinky shameless!"

Luo Xiazhi glared at him and ran away quickly.

Raving~~ He can't stand the "sour smell" of the person in love even if he smells it himself!

The Christmas holiday is coming soon, but no one in the Luo family is a believer in Western religion.

The eldest brother Luo Yunze is a member of the "I will believe whoever blesses me to get rich" who will not be shaken by the God of Wealth on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year; Luo Xiazhi was originally a firm materialist, but after experiencing rebirth, there are "some slightly" wavering supporters of scientism ; and although his mother Bai Fenghuang has not sung opera for more than 20 years, she still pays homage to the patriarch of Liyuan every year and festival, and occasionally follows other wives to the temple to offer incense to the Buddha.

As for Xiaoxiao - she believed in her third uncle.

In short, although the beliefs of this family are messy, it does not prevent them from celebrating Christmas every year.It is the tradition of the Luo family to place a Christmas tree in front of the fireplace in the Luo mansion and give gifts to each other since Luo Zhenhua became prosperous-he did all this just in pursuit of "foreign style life".

Gu Hanlin once laughed at their family's "fake appearance" after knowing about it.Proud to say that the Gu family has nothing but traditional Chinese festivals and the birthday of Master Xinglin.

What gods, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas?Only doctors can save lives!

But Luo Xiazhi rolled his eyes and resisted not telling him that there will be more inexplicable festivals in a hundred years.Chinese people not only celebrate Valentine's Day, Christmas, Halloween and other foreign festivals, but also "artificial festivals" such as Double Eleven and Double Twelve!

"Housekeeper, don't put the gold star on the top of the Christmas tree. Every year, Xiaoxiao climbs, ladders and hangs it up by herself. If she hangs up, she will be unhappy when she goes home and sees it."

On December 12, Bai Fenghuang had already called the house up and down to start decorating.The Christmas tree is full of ribbons and little socks.A circle of presents was also placed under the Christmas tree, big and small, all carefully prepared by Luo Xiazhi and Bai Fenghuang for their families.

Not only that, because Luo's family and Shimai encountered too many disturbances this year, Bai Fenghuang also prepared gifts for all the servants, so that they could "congratulate" and make the whole family very happy.

Not long ago, Luo Mansion installed heating equipment, not only the living room, master room, and guest room, but also the servant's room and porter's room.Prepare to burn from December until next year's spring, and protect Luo's family from the cold in the coming winter.

"Amitabha, I have been a servant all my life, and I have never seen such a bodhisattva-hearted boss. Our life is better than ordinary small families."

Aunt Li said with emotion.

Hey, speaking of these, they couldn't help but think of A Le.

Originally, it would be nice to be honest with the third master. When the third master gets married and goes out to live, maybe he can be directly promoted from a personal servant to a steward.The third master is kind-hearted and knowledgeable, and he doesn't know how many worlds he can see by his side.

It's better now. It is said that after being taken back to Chongming Island by his parents, Ah Le became depressed.The third master originally wanted him to go to "Yingzhou Xiaozhu" to continue working as a driver, but he knew that the third master would not go back to the island for a few years now, and if he really went to the villa, he would be paid for nothing.

So he went back to being a fisherman with his father, and lived a life of living in the wind and rain, making a living at sea.It is said that their family also told him about a marriage, met a girl on the island, and they were going to get married during the Spring Festival.

After all, he longed to send his son to the city and became a city resident, but he was beaten back to his original form... Hey, look back at Li Ye, now he has graduated from university, and he is still in the department store with the third master The company's work style is becoming more and more like a "leather shoe" in the city.

Comparing the two is really embarrassing.

Aunt Li and Aunt Lin folded their hands together in front of the small statue of the "foreigner female Bodhisattva" hanging in the living room, the Virgin Mary, and prayed sincerely, "Bodhisattva above, bless Luo's family safe and sound, my masters Good health and smooth career. May Miss Xiaoxiao return safely."

"Amitabha, bless you."

"puff……"

Luo Xiazhi stood behind them holding a bouquet of flowers, and couldn't help laughing.

"The third master is back. Oh, it's not cheap to buy flowers this season."

Aunt Lin turned around, took the flower in Luo Xiazhi's hand, and said pleasantly, "This is Miss's favorite white lily. I'll find a more beautiful vase."

"No need, just put it in the ugly bottle that Xiaoxiao made in clay class in school before, let her appreciate it."

Rorschach waved his hand.

"The third master is really, such a big man, he is still like a child, making fun of the young lady."

Aunt Li went around the kitchen and brought a steaming bowl of "Paris Pearl Milk Tea".

Well, a bowl of...

This "Paris Pearl Milk Tea" is a new autumn and winter product for western restaurants and cafes, and it has achieved great success inside Shimai Department Store.

It is said that when many young people who have "studied abroad" bring their girlfriends to eat French food, they swear to their girlfriends that this is an "authentic French drink".They used to enjoy it in the cafe next to the Champs Elysees.Now that I’m back in China, I didn’t expect to be able to drink the familiar taste, which is really touching...

But in the Luo mansion, Aunt Li still firmly believed that these things were "Ningbo glutinous rice balls" from foreigners.

"Third Master, is Miss the train this afternoon? What time will it arrive? Aunt Lin and I have to prepare the snacks and side dishes that Miss likes in advance, and wait for her to come back."

Luo Xiazhi scooped up the "pearls" in the bowl with a porcelain spoon, and said, "The telegram said that Xiaoxiao will arrive at the Shanghai station at about 03:30 in the afternoon. I have a meeting this afternoon, so I can't go in person. But it has been arranged." Xiaoye is going to pick her up. It takes only half an hour to drive home from the train station."

"Okay, okay, I understand, then Allah will make some snacks now."

Aunt Li nodded, turned around and went to the kitchen to get busy.

After Luo Xiazhi finished his milk tea, he went upstairs to the study to get the documents, then called a car to go to Shimai for a meeting.There are really a lot of busy things at the end of the year, and next month I will start preparing for the New Year's Day promotion.If it weren't for the fact that he couldn't get away, he would definitely go to the train station to pick up Xiaoxiao himself.

Speaking of which, this is the first time Xiaoxiao has been away from home for so long.

"Master... I didn't meet Miss at the train station."

Halfway through the meeting, Secretary Zheng Jiesen came in with a flustered look when Luo Xiazhi was speaking, and asked him to go back to the office to answer the phone.

Unexpectedly, he picked up the receiver and heard Li Ye's anxious voice from the other end of the phone.

"How come... there are so many people at the train station, will you miss it?"

Luo Xiazhi took out his pocket watch and looked at the time and said.

It's already four o'clock, and it is reasonable to say that Xiaoxiao should be home.

"I came to the train station before two o'clock and waited for her in the carriage where the lady got off. After the car came, I didn't see the lady."

Li Ye's voice on the phone was visibly flustered.

"Later I got on the car to look for her, but I didn't see her from the front of the car. After the car rested for an hour to add coal and water, it was going to continue northward. I had to get off the car and asked the radio to find someone at the train station, but there was still nothing. turn up."

"...you can ask the train conductor and the conductor, when was the last time you saw Xiaoxiao."

Luo Xiazhi was also upset, he took a deep breath and told himself not to panic.

Li Ye probably borrowed the phone from the station office, and soon heard his footsteps running over.

"The conductor said that the last time he saw the lady was at Jiaxing Station. Because the lady was on the road alone and was sitting in the first-class car, he paid close attention to the lady along the way. He got off the bus when he found that she hadn't arrived in Shanghai. "

"Jiaxing? How did Xiaoxiao get off the car in Jiaxing? Did she get off the car alone?"

Rorschach asked.

"He said...a beautiful woman came to pick him up at the station. Miss Xiaoxiao went down when she heard her name being called in the car. The woman was very affectionate to her and brought two servants with her , and moved the lady’s luggage away together.”

"Is he sure that Xiaoxiao was not taken away by hijacking? Did he get out of the car voluntarily?"

"He didn't see this...but after confirming that he was at Jiaxing Station, he never saw Miss,"

In any case, Luo Xiazhi didn't think that Xiaoxiao was the kind of child who could be easily abducted. Who would make her let her guard down.

"Brother, do you know?"

He couldn't imagine how furious Luo Yunze would be if he found out that the jewel in his palm was missing.I'm afraid the whole family will be in a state of panic all day long.

"I haven't told the uncle... what should I do, third master? Miss, miss, he..."

Li Ye blamed himself so much, for the first time in so many years, he had the urge to cry again.

Even during the most difficult days with Liang Shaolong, those days when he lived in the shadow of swords and swords, he never panicked like this.

If Miss really disappeared, how would Third Master think of himself...

It was not easy to walk to the third master and gain his trust.

Will he be abandoned directly? Like that A Le, he was thrown back to Chongming Island, either facing the loess and back to the sky, or fishing in the wind and rain...

"You go back to the department store first. Even if you are really kidnapped, the kidnapper will come to the news. Don't let others know."

After Luo Xiazhi gave his orders, he hung up the phone.

He looked at the time on his pocket watch.

It's almost five o'clock... Mother, and the servants at home are all waiting for me to go back with a smile.

Where did this child go? Didn't she have been reborn a long time ago? She's not the kind of child who doesn't know the importance!

"Jingle bell~"

The sharp phone rang again, and Luo Xiazhi stared at the phone tightly.It wasn't until the phone rang seven or eight times that he took a deep breath and picked up the phone.

"Hey……"

"Hello, uncle?"

On the other end of the phone was a female voice with a wonderful tone, "My husband and I are in Xitang, Jiaxing. The scenery here is very beautiful. I don't know if my brother-in-law is interested, come and join us, and Xiaoxiao together..."

A faint girl's cry came from the phone, which made Luo Xiazhi's heart tighten.

"Come over for a cup of tea?"

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