Chapter 4 Chapter Three 1921——Liu Zongxiang and Mu Mianzhi
Hearing that a general named Mou Xingguo came to visit, Mu Mianzhi blinked his eyes for a long time and asked:
"What's the matter, Mou Xingguo, is it the one who brought Xie Zidong down?"
Mu Mianzhi didn't know Mou Xingguo, but he knew his reputation, he knew about the generals, and he knew that the generals were some old revolutionaries in the provincial capital who hadn't benefited from the revolution.Mu Mianzhi knew that these people were similar to beggars, they were playing the autumn wind everywhere, as long as there was something turbulent, they thought it might be beneficial, just like a cat smelling fishy smell, they would go after it.
"Hey! What the hell is he doing to Lao Tzu? Thinking about Lao Tzu?"
"I don't know." Sun Houzhi, nicknamed Monkey Sun, blinked his eyes quickly, as if he was trying to help his elder brother come up with something.In this way, he is more like a monkey.
"Hey, it's also very strange. We, the fifth child, eat a lot, and we can be regarded as foodies. Why have we not grown a little bit of meat after so many years? The longer we grow, the more we look like monkeys!" Mu Mu Mianzhi looked at Sun Houzi again.The glance was subconscious and meaningless.He was still thinking that Mou Xingguo had come all the way across the river to find something important for him.
This is a two-story building next to the back door of Tiansheng Theatre, adjacent to the French Concession.This is a very proud move by Mu Mianzhi to get close to the concession.This move is determined by the business he does.Mu Mianzhi is still in the local specialty business such as tea, pig hair and cowhide.From the outside, Mu Mianzhi's native products business is still booming and has a large scale. He seems to be a big business in Hankou's native products business, and he is a representative figure in this line of business.In fact, these traditional businesses do not really account for a large proportion of Mu Mianzhi's business.
Mu Mianzhi's real money-making business is opium.
"Isn't opium a kind of native product? Did it come from a foreign country? I don't know when it happened a hundred years ago! Slightly scratching your fingernails and counting, we in China know how many places produce this kind of thing! Open your eyes a little bit." Look, I know how many people like to eat this kind of food!"
Mu Mianzhi just forgot that he himself does not smoke opium.He never smoked even cigarettes.This rare advantage of Mu Mianzhi was amazed by the Hankou business community.
It is indeed painstaking to choose this location to do this kind of black business.The theater is beating and singing every day. I don't know how lively it is.Besides, Mu Mianzhi owns most of the shares in the Tiansheng Theater, and the back door of this theater is convenient for quietness in the middle of the noise.People's attention was attracted by the bustle and bustle, which provided the best cover for doing business that was not allowed on the surface.Because of the need to find peace amidst the hustle and bustle, Mu Mianzhi adopted Mao Yutang Mao Yutou's suggestion and opened a tea house next door to this building.The reason for naming it as a teahouse rather than a teahouse is entirely to adapt to the geographical relationship adjacent to the foreign concession.As the name suggests, Tea House, how elegant is this name!In order to match this elegance, the inner hall of the teahouse is divided into many small rooms, each with long chairs like the hard seats of a train, and a coffee table in the middle.In this kind of layout, it is impossible to have the noise and hustle and bustle of a teahouse.There is no noise and noise, and there is less chance of being targeted by others.This is a great place for junkies to enjoy.At that time, when Mao Yutou made this suggestion, Mu Mianzhi looked at him for a while.Mu Mianzhi really didn't expect that this always careless brother with a dysentery head would come up with such an elegant and brilliant idea.This can only be explained by "money is the greatest driver of wisdom and all abilities".Mu Mianzhi admired this view very much.In order to express the meaning of commendation, Mu Mianzhi handed over the management of this "tea house" to Mao Yutou.However, Mu Mianzhi once again instructed that the "tea club" should not expand in scale, and tea customers should have a certain status or identity as much as possible.Regarding the first item, Mao Yutou thinks it is easy to handle, as long as it does not expand the scale.Regarding the second item, Mao Yutou didn't understand very much—"Your family doesn't want to make more money? Big brother, is your family afraid of being bitten by too much money? Forget it, just listen to your family. How can you be called a tea guest?" Does he have a status? Maybe everyone who comes in I have to ask their "years" one by one? Maybe no one who has a status will be driven out?"
"Hi! Brother, your family can come up with such a lofty idea of opening a tea house, why are you choked up on simple things? If you don't expand the scale, you don't want to attract attention. Your family may not be innocent. We are here, mainly Do you want to be a wholesaler? Opening a 'tea house' is a signboard. But the signboard can't be made too big, or it will ruin our nest! We can't get some miscellaneous people to come here near the concession. This It will draw the eyes of the police station in the concession to here. Foreigners are also bad things, they are like flies, hoping to find a place to breed maggots. If the status of tea drinkers is high, there will be no such troubles. To improve the tea The identity of the customer is not easy to deal with, just raise the price of tea! How much? What kind of people are scared away, dare to come in?"
"Uh, uh, uh!"
"Open more cigarette shops in other places, open more! Don't use the name of our helper, find some people who are not helping to open, make more profits, there must be someone who is willing to do it. Old six, brother, your family Just keep on supplying the supply, stick to the source of the supply, and we will make the most of the money here. You need to be more concealed, brother, this is not in Cowhide Lane back then. Just run. Now it’s gone. Mo Guang only thinks about eating, but think more about it. Don’t let our ass get shit. We must find a way to let those who sell foreign goods and daily necessities sell this on behalf of them. Plant something."
After many contests with Liu Zongxiang, Mu Mianzhi wanted to start a business, and began to "fork" towards the big place.Over the years, he seldom caused troubles anymore, and used the spirit of trembling and ruthless at every turn to run a bleak business, and finally developed from doing business with the French concession to buying properties next to the concession.Mu Mianzhi did not completely set up his "base" in the French Concession, which was also after careful consideration.In the French Concession, although the French can come forward to protect this kind of business that is ostensibly banned by the authorities, the French are not easy to deal with.Who doesn't like money!The French will have a share, that's for sure.Being next to the French Concession is different. "The situation is peaceful, and there is nothing to say; when the news gets tighter, and the goods are transferred to the concession, the ghosts will have nothing to do with me! I have suffered too much. If I want to suffer from the immediate loss, I will not be so sloppy." Already!"
Mou Xingguo brought down Xie Zidong's Hengchang Company and turned it into the "junjun" Chuxing Company. Almost everyone in the Hankou business community in Wuchang knew about it.Mu Mianzhi's current career has already reached a considerable scale.Hearing that Mou Xingguo was visiting, he naturally put himself in the position of the fish.
"Dude, my surname is Mou, this fish of mine is not so easy to eat! Do you think my surname Mu is Xie Zidong? This fish of my surname has thorns all over its body. Don't let the fishy smell get on it, but your Your throat is stuck!" Mu Mianzhi glanced at Monkey Sun again, and this glance was already meaningful.Of course, only Monkey Sun can understand it.
"Should I meet here, or..."
"I'll meet him here. Be as polite as possible. Say hello to the brothers outside, don't go in and out, let the surnamed Mou see the mess here, and there will be no rules."
Monkey Sun counted the time with his thin head and went out to make arrangements.
"Your family is Mr. Mu? Oh, hahahaha, I've admired you for a long time. Meeting is worse than being famous. Meeting is better than being famous!"
"Damn it, he really is a decent beggar, but he doesn't have a stick or a basket in his hand!
"Mu Mian also hummed and laughed, but he looked down on him all the time.
Mou Xingguo would never have imagined that in Mu Mianzhi's eyes, he was actually a beggar.
Today, Mou Xingguo specially changed into a robe.The texture of the robe is very light and soft, which is very suitable for this season, and it is a very fashionable veil.Mou Xingguo seldom dresses like this.He has always liked to wear revolutionary uniforms, that is, uniforms without lapels, also called student uniforms.Mou Xingguo likes that people always remember that he used to be a revolutionary party member, a revolutionary fighter who joined the army, and a minister who made great contributions to the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China.Today his clothes are a bit of an exception.Before coming to see Mu Mianzhi, Mou Xingguo did some research.He figured it out. In essence, Mu Mianzhi is a gangster, but he is on two boats. He not only has his own series of shops, but also his own Hongmen cottage. Over the years, he has cultivated a deep sense of shrewdness.This is a character who is also a businessman, a bandit, a thief, and a gangster, and he still has a bit of a foundation in Chinese culture.It is inappropriate to use the identity of a revolutionary party when dealing with such people.
"Revolutionary party, revolution, what a dick! Don't they all want to tear down the filth, muddy the water, and catch a few more fish while the water is muddy! I do my business, and I like muddy water!" Mou Xingguo I have heard people say that Mu Mianzhi made this evaluation of the revolution and the revolutionary party.
"Mr. Mu, I heard that your family is a very straightforward person. Forget it, we are talking today, and we will drive pigs in the narrow alley, and drive them straight. False tricks and fake tricks will be avoided. Your family will see. How?" Mou Xingguo, who can't see Mu Mianzhi's disdain for him?After all, you are a person who has been in the sea, and you, Mu Mianzhi, are nothing more than a bowl of water. What a big deal, even if it is a bucket of water, I still can't see through you?
"It's like this. I don't know if your family has heard about it. Qi Manyuan, the governor of the provincial capital, encouraged veterans to rob businesses in the three towns, and many people died..." Before Mu Mianzhi could express anything, Mou Xingguo continued.Having said that, he found that Mu Mianzhi was a little moved, so he stopped and scanned around the building.
Mou Xingguo's guess was really good.His topic caught Mu Mianzhi's attention.
The military chaos that spread to the three towns not long ago left too deep a mark on Hankou merchants.According to statistics from the Hankou news media, more than 200 shops in Hankou alone have been robbed to varying degrees, not counting Wuchang.More than thirty women were raped.Sixteen people were killed or killed.These figures are, of course, very inaccurate.Among other things, the number of raped women is absolutely inaccurate.Just think about it, how many others are there who are taken advantage of by Brother Bing but are ashamed to speak to others!For such things, Hankou people may not be much different from Chinese people in other places. They would rather suffer from being dumb than save face.Mu Mianzhi was also a victim of the military chaos, but the damage he suffered was not so severe.This of course has to do with the projects he runs.Cowhide, tea, bristles, these things are not of interest to the soldiers.Mu Mianzhi just lost a little of the day's business money.However, this is a loss after all.Moreover, the psychological harm caused by this military chaos was very profound.Mu Mianzhi didn't care about the political turmoil in the society, he didn't care about waking up in the morning, what color flag was flying over Hankou today, or who would collect taxes tomorrow.In fact, Mu Mianzhi really likes the fast pace of constantly changing the king's banner at the top of the city: Is there anything wrong with it? Lao Tzu's opium business is just a matter of profiting from chaos!But like this kind of blatant, you come to grab a piece today, and he will grab a piece tomorrow, no businessman can stand it.
"Mr. Mou, did your family explain the reason for your family's visit? Your family just said it very well, just copy it as soon as possible, and don't spin around in circles."
"Okay, okay, Mr. Mu is really a happy person!" Mou Xingguo smiled with a complicated content on his face.It's a bit like a fisherman who sees the float on his fishing line blinking and pulling, and the pleasure he feels is also pulling and pulling.
"Qi Manyuan has supervised E for so many years, and he hasn't done a good thing. Your family, Mr. Mu, knows this. The provincial capital has already started to move. What's the matter? It's to drive the governor surnamed Qi away! I I am an uninvited guest today, not for any other reason, but to make your family famous in Hankou, that is, to represent the businesses in Hankou..." Mou Xingguo was going to talk about it.It has been a long time since I had such an opportunity.Those who deal with him either have too much goods in their stomachs or too little goods in their stomachs.If the opponent has too much goods in his stomach, he loses the qualification to talk endlessly; if the opponent has too little goods in his stomach, he loses the interest to talk endlessly.He felt that Mu Mianzhi was just the right opponent.
"Don't panic, don't panic about your family, Mr. Mou, we just said something first, so we went straight to get closer. Otherwise, your family will leave it first, and your family will tell me first. If I take the lead, what benefits will I get?"
Mou Xingguo felt very painful.This is a kind of pure spiritual and pure individual pain that others cannot understand, as if immersed in some kind of excrement pleasure, it was forcibly terminated by someone!
"Huh? Oh, oh?" Mou Xingguo couldn't extricate himself from the excitement just now, he looked at Mu Mianzhi with a silly look.
"How is it, Mr. Mou? Did your family hear clearly?" At this moment, Mu Mianzhi didn't think much.He just focused on listening to Mou Xingguo's suggestion just now, if he accepted it, how much benefit would he get.It should be admitted that Mou Xingguo's proposal is tempting.
Seeing Mou Xingguo's bewildered expression, Mu Mianzhi was a little impatient.He didn't know, his crooked strike hit exactly where Mou Xingguo hurt.In the crevices of Mou Xingguo's bones, there is still the wizened breadth of a scholar.
Once this broadness encounters some kind of opportunity to swell and ferment, it swells up ignorant of the times and becomes a ridiculous sore spot.
"Mr. Mu, does your family recognize Xie Zidong?" Like a snake that has been stepped on, it hurts suddenly, and then reacted subconsciously.The bewilderment that was written on his face just now disappeared from Mou Xingguo's face in the blink of an eye.
"Hey! Mr. Mou, what do you mean by your family's words? Do you want my surname Mu to think about it? If my surname Mu doesn't listen to your family's suggestion just now, your family will take me as Pan Xie Zidong did. Turn off the flame?"
It seems that Mou Xingguo really doesn't know Mu Mianzhi very well.Mu Mianzhi belongs to the horse pebbles in the latrine, which are smelly and hard, neither hard nor soft.In the social circle, apart from money, Mu Mianzhi only recognizes the loyalty of his friends in Hongmen.Mou Xingguo was temporarily annoyed and said radical words, making the situation very tense.
"Mr. Mou, drink tea at your house, drink tea!" Seeing that the air was a little tense, Sun Houzi, who had been watching the battle, came out to smooth things over without losing the opportunity. "Brother, look at your house, it's getting late, and it's time to eat, isn't it..."
"Oh, yes, yes, it's time to eat! Mr. Mou, let's talk about it, let's eat the food, do you take care of it?" After all, Mou Xingguo's suggestion is too tempting, and it can't be done in trivial matters. The small face is entangled and unclear.Following Sun Houzi's words, Mu Mianzhi took the initiative to send Mou Xingguo a ladder to go downstairs.
"Oh, it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter, eating, eating, everything, this is the only big thing!"
"Damn it, big brother, this sofa makes people's butts feel hot! I just sat on it for a while, and my buttocks are full of burns!" Seeing that the atmosphere is relaxed, Sun Houzi is also completely relaxed. .He rubbed his sharp ass, glanced at the small, deep dimple his bum had made, and complained about the sheepskin sofa.
"Hahaha!" Mu Mianzhi laughed.
"Ho ho ho!" Mou Xingguo laughed.
Mou Xingguo found out that the deal between him and Mu Mianzhi has basically been completed.The scene between them was roughly evenly staged, and it was considered a tie.
Every time Mu Mianzhi went to Yijiangchun Tea House, Wu Xiuxiu knew about it.
Of course, Xiuxiu didn't know exactly what Mu Mianzhi wanted to do, but she knew that when a fly flew into the house, besides looking for something to eat, it also wanted to find a suitable place to lay maggots.Wu Xiuxiu was full of vigilance and uneasiness about Mu Mianzhi often coming here from the French Concession to "drink tea".
"Brother Zongxiang, you have to be careful, the surname Mu is not a serious fruit! There is no peace in the market for a day! These days, there are student demonstrations, workers' strikes, and I heard that soldiers in Hunan are going to Come to Hankou! Oh, it's all chaos!"
Seeing that Liu Zongxiang's expression was not very good, Xiuxiu hurriedly glanced at the window facing the river.The window is open, and the river wind blows in waves, except for some tide, it doesn't mean much to relieve the heat.She turned on the switch of the electric fan casually, and the electric fan whizzed and started spinning above her head.
"Anything is hot, and any fan won't work." Seeing Liu Zongxiang's sweaty face, Xiuxiu could only talk to herself helplessly.
"No, Xiuxiu, don't be too busy. It's because your chest is tight." Liu Zongxiang took out a small bottle from his jacket pocket, poured a few pills into his palm, took a look, and patted it into his mouth.
"Did I speak too quickly?"
"Look at what you said, what you said is all good, and it's all for our own good." Liu Zongxiang stared at Xiuxiu's face with soft eyes.
Several times, Liu Zongxiang proposed to go through divorce procedures with Zhong Yuying.In the Republic of China, divorce is nothing new.Xiuxiu always stops.With the passage of time, Xiuxiu's relationship with Liu Zongxiang became less important.Isn't it just a piece of red paper, a ceremony, invite a lot of related or irrelevant people to eat and drink on bad credit, let these people know that these two people are going to sleep together, and they are going to do that together. It's over - just think how boring it is!Isn't this the same as advertising!This kind of thing is a matter between two people, and the most chewy thing is the emotion that only two people can share.What's the point of making a fuss like that!As long as two people are sincerely good, as long as two people are living well, even if there is only a sip of water to drink, it is still sweet.
The house where Xiuxiu lives is still in the original place, but the house is no longer the original house.The original house, together with the original Yijiangchun tea house, suffered a catastrophe of Huilu, and did not escape the catastrophe of the fire ten years ago.Unlike the house ten years ago, it is now a bungalow.Originally, Xiuxiu still wanted Mr. Zhang and Mrs. Zhang to live with her.However, this time Mrs. Zhang and his wife did not agree with each other, and they only wanted to build another one-story house next to Xiuxiu's house.As a result, Xiuxiu also refused to build buildings.For one thing, she didn't want to look like she was overpowering her old friend, even if it wasn't on purpose.Secondly, bungalows seem to be safer.The fire ten years ago scared everyone.
From the outside, Xiuxiu's house is no different from the surrounding houses.The walls are made of blue bricks, the roof is paved with blue tiles, and there are also carved wooden lattice windows.The furnishings in the room also look very ordinary, with one color of national lacquer furniture.If there is any difference in appearance, it is that the foundation of this house is higher than the foundation of other houses.This difference can be seen from the several steps to enter the door. "Wow, Hankou, it's either a fire or flooding, which scares people. Put the floor up a little higher to keep out the moisture." This is not the architectural style of Hankou's residential buildings. Explain often.In fact, the high foundation built to prevent flooding on the surface, under the floor slab, is a very particular basement.Except that there is no stove, pots and pans, the living utensils in the basement can be said to be readily available.What outsiders don't know is that the walls of this house are twice as thick as those of other people's houses.Especially the wall that separates his bedroom from his son's room is more than two feet thick.Building such a thick wall is naturally not because there are too many bricks. This wall is almost entirely a dark room. Of course, it can be understood as a safe.
"Xiuwa, is this necessary? If you put something valuable in a foreign bank, you can have as much insurance as you need. You look like a rich man in the country." At that time, when the darkroom was being built, Liu Zongxiang Also jokes about Xiuxiu.
Xiuxiu ignored him, and smiled back: "Don't worry about it, the rich man is the rich man. People have no long-term concerns, but immediate worries.
The rabbit also knows how to make more holes!Foreign banks, what about foreign banks!Foreigners are always foreigners, so foreigners may not be able to stay in China forever?One day, one day..."
Xiuxiu wants to say that there will always be a day when foreigners will leave China.But after thinking about it, this Huatou is very unlucky for Liu Zongxiang.Liu Zongxiang didn't like to hear such words.It is really thanks to foreigners that Liu Zongxiang is able to be where he is today.
"Xiuxiu, wow, it seems that you have really thought of it. Mu Mianzhi is not afraid of hard work, but he wants to give me a springboard in the French Concession. Nowadays, the market is unstable and changes three times a day. Yes. I am not good, but it is very beneficial to Mu Mianzhi."
Liu Zongxiang subconsciously tapped the thick wall with his fingers, turned around and walked to the window.
The road along the river is always so lively, there are always so many people walking around here.
These people who come and go are dressed in all kinds of clothes.The afternoon sun was poisonous.No matter how they are dressed, no matter how beautiful or ugly they are, the people who come and go in front of them all walk in a hurry.Yellow dust and smoke rose from the footsteps, just like on the endless autumn plain with dry grass and water, simmering wolf smoke rises from time to time, which may burn at any time, and may form a sea of fire at any time.In this way, it seems that it is a bit unclear: whether these people who come and go in a hurry may ignite a fire at any time, or are people rushing to a place they think is safe to escape the fire that may burn at any time? What about the disaster?
In front of the window of Xiuxiu River, it is really a frame of ever-changing scenery.Standing here, Liu Zongxiang seemed to be watching a long, long movie.In this movie, there is a strong atmosphere of the market and merchants that Liu Zongxiang is familiar with.
"How's it going? Are you getting awkward with Frank again?"
After a long time of silence, many similar emotions were brewed.Xiuxiu knew about the estrangement between Frank and Liu Zongxiang.
"It's not so awkward. This time, Frank didn't show up. It seems that Mou Xingguo is fanning the wind behind, and Mu Mianzhi is lighting the fire behind." Liu Zongxiang turned from the window and walked to Under the electric fan, shake the silk shirt.He was still hot and overwhelmed.
The conversation with Frank this morning was unforgettable to Liu Zongxiang.
"Mr. Liu, the weather in your Hankou is simply terrible! In winter, it's as cold inside the house as outside, making people shiver. Look at this summer, it's hotter inside the house than outside. It's really frustrating." No. Mr. Liu, what do you think?"
Frank was not one for politeness.Talking about the weather and laughing at each other is not the style of the French, and it is not the style of Frank.The politeness of the French should not be like this.Frank has not been in Hankou for a very long time, so why did he fall into some of the hypocrisy and politeness of the Chinese?Liu Zongxiang just looked at Frank, the expression on his face could be regarded as indifferent or plain.
"Mr. Liu, it's like this. After research by the board of directors, I feel that most of the business of the foreign firm is dealing in Chinese local products. In terms of dealing in Chinese local products, Mr. Mu Mianzhi, a Chinese businessman in Hankou, has more experience and more experience. Therefore, the foreign firm decided to hire Mr. Mu as a comprador. Considering Mr. Liu’s contribution to the foreign firm, the foreign firm decided to continue to employ Mr. Liu as an interpreter. Mr. Liu, what do you think?”
Liu Zongxiang's calm seemed to be beyond Frank's expectation.There is no fundamental conflict of interest between him and Liu Zongxiang.This decision is indeed the best choice for the company.Liu Zongxiang basically does not do native products business, and Liu Zongxiang often entrusts others to do these businesses.This artificially adds an intermediate link, which is naturally detrimental to the profit of the business.Although what Frank said was very reasonable, Mu Mianzhi was the deciding factor in Lixing Foreign Firm's selection of comprador candidates this time.In other words, it is the result of the cooperative efforts of Mu Mianzhi and Mou Xingguo.
Liu Zongxiang did not express any objection to the decision announced by Frank.Of course, if he was a scholar with a background in Chinese studies, he would resign from the position of translation and walk away to show his dignity.Liu Zongxiang is a businessman at heart.Business is always profitable.Who can guarantee that the business they do is always profitable?It's the same as life.Don't you often hear this saying that nine out of ten unsatisfactory things happen in life.It can be seen that regret is the main theme of life.Life is still like this, let alone life does not bring things outside the body that death does not take away!
"Very well, Mr. Frank, I am very happy to hear this decision. I believe that we must cooperate very well as in the past."
Liu Zongxiang spoke a standard Parisian accent, which even Frank could hear very pleasantly.
Mu Mianzhi did not expect that his speech would be so coldly received by his business colleagues.
In all fairness, Mu Mianzhi's speech was very "to the point".
"My colleagues, my friends!"
Mu Mianzhi remembered that his speech started like this.
This started off quite formally.It was especially difficult for Mu Mianzhi.Although he has studied for a few days, compared with the dead Lu Scar, and compared with people like Zhang Lagou, Mu Mianzhi is still an intellectual, but he belongs to those chicken intestine alleys in Hankou. When you open your mouth, it's either a dick or an egg.As for "a mother" and "son of a bitch", they are used as greetings between friends, expressing affection, and as a substitute for polite words such as "hello" and "hello".
What's going on?As soon as Lao Tzu spoke, he spoke so elegantly, the bottom was like boiling water, bubbling non-stop, it was so noisy!Mu Mianzhi was stunned for a moment, and a layer of anger climbed up his square face.
Of course, this is just the blink of an eye.Mu Mianzhi can't lose his temper today.This is not an occasion to lose your temper.The Hankou Chinese Entrepreneurs Association is not what it used to be. It not only has a very formal organizational form, but also has a very grand venue.This building, built at the junction of the British Concession in Hankou and the Chinese Territory, is solemn and magnificent, and there are few buildings in Hankou that can surpass it.This is mainly due to the contributions of Zhou Bonian and Liu Zongxiang, the owners of Huichang Bank in Hankou.Huichang Bank is the largest wholly-owned Chinese bank in Hankou.For the construction of the Hankou Chinese Entrepreneurs Association Building, Huichang paid the bulk of the money, and the rest of the Chinese merchants gave a lot of help.The land was sold by Liu Zongxiang, and it was used as a sponsorship fund.Since the Hankou Chinese merchants' own building was established, the federation has had regular meetings, and there is no need to fight guerrillas anymore.Mu Mianzhi also paid for the construction of this building.He knew that this was a public place to talk about face, and all the people who attended the meeting were the leading businessmen in Hankou.Besides, Mu Mianzhi has just taken over the position of the comprador of Lixing Foreign Company in Hankou, France.Compradors, they all sound very refined and foreign, how can they lose their temper at every turn, they have no restraint at all!
Mou Xingguo, that bastard, is quite prescient in this matter.After all, he got mixed up in such a hypocritical place, and he knows the sternness inside.He taught Lao Tzu that he must make a speech at this meeting. This is an excellent opportunity to make an appearance, and it is a good opportunity to make money: Don’t you, Mu Mianzhi, want to make a name for yourself in Hankou’s business circles? Don’t you want to completely replace Liu Zongxiang? , then you have to reshape your image!Image is capital, image is money!Mu Mianzhi could listen to Mou Xingguo's words, but he still had some slander: what about shaping an image, new flowery poetry.In fact, it's just pretending.This pretentious thing is nothing more than thickening the skin, making the ears deaf, and blinding the eyes.In this way, others will say that you are a bastard with a heart, after all, you are different than before, as if you are doing big things.That's it.I don't care what I said, did you bastards listen to it? The key is that I am speaking in a serious manner here. I am speaking as a comprador on behalf of a foreign firm!I don't care if you bastards listen to it or not, it's all fake tricks anyway!
After figuring it out, Mu Mianzhi's breath became smoother.He talked eloquently for more than half an hour.
The time was written down by Liu Zongxiang.Liu Zongxiang knew whether others had listened, but he listened carefully.The content of Mu Mianzhi's speech is actually a topic that everyone is very concerned about: how the merchants in Hankou get together and form a joint force to drive away Qi Manyuan, who is in charge of Hubei and causing disasters in Hubei.Of course, the method proposed by Mu Mianzhi is not innovative at all. It is nothing more than the ability to contribute, the rich to contribute money, and the poor to develop wisdom.At this meeting, everyone who attends the meeting is rich.The drunken man doesn't care about wine, he cares about money.Liu Zongxiang understood the key point of Mu Mianzhi's speech.
Of course, he also heard the subtext of Mu Mianzhi's speech: You all have to listen to my advice from Mu Mianzhi, otherwise, if there is any trouble in the future, you may cry to me, Mu Mianzhi!
Liu Zongxiang also noticed that Mou Xingguo was sitting at the venue, and when Mu Mianzhi was speaking, the former revolutionary kept smiling.This is an encouraging smile.The person who makes this kind of smile does not agree or admire the viewpoint and personality of the person who smiles, it is just a condescending gesture made by him.According to Zhou Bonian, chairman of the Hankou Chinese Entrepreneurs Association who presided over the meeting, Mou Xingguo attended the meeting as a representative of Chuxing Company in the provincial capital of Wuchang.Contacted that Mou Xingguo had run into a wall in Liu Yuan, contacted that Mou Xingguo destroyed Xie Zidong's Hengchang Company, contacted that Mu Mianzhi replaced him as the comprador of Lixing Foreign Firm, Liu Zongxiang connected Mu Mianzhi and Mou Xingguo with a line coming.
"After a long time, it turns out that they are colluding! It seems that they want to shut me down!"
Once you know who the opponent is, where they are hiding, and what tactics they are using, the rest is easy.Liu Zongxiang suddenly felt a special sense of relief.He knew that Mu Mianzhi still had a hard way to go before he could become a figure in Hankou's business circle and really stand out.What sparrows eat insects.Mu Mianzhi himself may not be clear for a while, why others don't want to listen to him, but Liu Zongxiang is very clear.Mu Mianzhi's foundation is too shallow, and Mu Mianzhi's reputation is not very good.Although the business field is like a battlefield, eighteen kinds of martial arts can be practiced, as long as your family can make money.
However, after all, a businessman has a code of ethics for a businessman.You don't have to abide by this norm, but most people who obey the norm can also look down on you.Opium trading is of course a kind of business, and the authorities are open-eyed to this kind of shady business, but the vast majority of Chinese businessmen in Hankou do not engage in this kind of "life-saving" business, and of course they absolutely look down on doing this kind of business. kind of business people.This is why one of Mu Mian said, "Dear colleagues" and "Dear friends", and the reason for blowing up the scene.Serious businessman, who wants to admit that he is a colleague and friend with an opium dealer?However, the business field still pays attention to the rules of not being serial and not buying and selling by bad people, so no one will talk about him face to face or run on him.
"We don't listen to you, and we don't ruin your money. This is quite worthy of you. Hey, you don't realize it. A plate of dog meat is still insisting on being served on the table as the first course; a dog in the gutter Mouse, insist on climbing up the weighing pan." Hearing Liu Zongxiang, Zhou Bonian muttered to himself.
"Hey, really, my asshole is bleeding all the time, and I even came here to treat other people's hemorrhoids! I didn't think about it, I did something good!"
Tian Yifa, the owner of Hankou Tian Ruitai Soy Sauce Garden, nicknamed "Tianyi", put his mouth next to Liu Zongxiang's ear, Qu Qu murmured.These words, although tinged with pickled garlic, still sound very comfortable.
For Li Changjiang, Liu Yuan is already a rather distant dream.
Li Changjiang himself doubted how the memory of Liu Yuan could be so lingering: Is that peach forest still there?That's the kind of show!This is not the season for harvesting peaches, let alone the season for peach blossoms. "The peach blossoms are shining brightly, and the son returns home, suitable for his family." For Li Changjiang, reading is a half-way monk.
Li Changjiang, who has very little background in ancient Chinese, suddenly flashed such an ancient love poem in his mind.Oh, this is what Xiuxiu chanted that day.That is really the season when the peach blossoms are shining.Today's Li Changjiang, the Li family's Da Huazi was weeding and loosening the peach trees, and Xiuxiu was brushing lime on the peach trees to kill insects.Weeding, loosening the soil and brushing lime will inevitably touch the tree trunks, and Dahuazi and Xiuxiu will inevitably be touched by peach blossoms.Maybe it's because of the feeling of touching the scene, Xiuxiu recited this poem.She was also recited by Feng Zigao church not long ago.Li Changjiang still remembers that his face was covered with sweat.However, when Xiuxiu handed him a handkerchief, he jumped to the side like a frightened strong calf, causing Xiuxiu to smile like a string of silver bells: "Hey, I really ran away!"
Li Changjiang came to Liu Yuan to meet Liu Zongxiang.吴二苕的妻子芦花告诉他，她的男人陪先生出去了，晓得李先生要来，他们马上就转来的。有了这点空隙，李长江就自己到刘园随意走一走，面对这熟悉的环境，也有一点物是人非，韶华不再的感慨。特别是有些当年的细节，似乎硬是挥之不去。
也是，当年的大花子，到哪里去了呢？李长江伸伸胳臂，踢一踢腿，仿佛要用这个动作，找回当年的李家大花子，又似乎在用这个动作，摆脱掉回忆的影子，回到今天的李长江。
“大花子哥，是你么？”
声音分明在身后，但李长江却没有立即转过身来。他觉得，他似乎突然又回到了十六七岁的豆蔻时节，他又变成了那个一见到秀秀就脸红、秀秀随说什么他都点头的大花子。噢，秀秀，这分明是秀秀么！秀秀，还是那个秀秀么？好像是为了让这种久违了的恍惚多留一瞬，也许是担心今日的秀秀与昨天的秀秀太不一样。
他心中的秀秀，毕竟是昨天的少女呀！
只有李长江自己晓得，为了保持这一分独有的回忆，自从有了组织，离开了码头，就一直没有和秀秀见过面。他有和秀秀见面的机会，也有和秀秀见面的由头。
但是，李长江就是这样一个外表粗豪而内心极细腻的男人：过去了的，就让它过去罢，就像江河的水，流走了就流走了。只要有一份很舒服的记忆，有一份很甜的回忆，就很好了。
“大花子哥，是您家么？”
身后的声音，由于增添了“您家”，就增添了生硬的成分。李长江不禁心头一震。不能由于自己的任性和自私，破坏了这一次难得邂逅的平和心境。
“哦，秀秀，噢，是秀秀哇。”
眼前的确是秀秀。还是鹅蛋形的脸，削挺的鼻子，小而丰润的嘴，不大但却长长的朝眉梢飞过去的眼稍。在秀秀的脸上扫了一遍，李长江的眼光就躲闪开了。秀秀比过去丰满了。李长江的眼光，不由自主地落在那一片绿荫的桃林里。梅树成荫子满枝。这好像是那个文人雅客的诗句呢，噢，这和“人面不知何处去，桃花依旧笑东风”，有异曲同蕴之妙咧。李长江朝桃林狠狠地眨了眨眼睛。他有些瞧不起自己了：么时候了哦，你是来做么事的哟，么样尽想些不相干的东西呢！
“噢，秀秀，刘先生回来冇？”终于，李家大花子远去了，李家大花子回到了李长江。“我们约好了的，有蛮重要的事情要谈咧。”李长江知道，秀秀参与刘宗祥所有的大事，他也就不对秀秀隐瞒自己今天的来意了。
“回来了，我就是来喊你……来请您家的唦。”
“秀秀姑娘，李先生，刘先生催您家们快点咧！”芦花把地踩得一阵咚咚响。
芦花为吴二苕一口气生了五个伢，可也怪，这个牛高马大的女人，至今仍然高大得身材匀称，人也没有显出摘了葫芦藤就枯的衰相。
李长江是来动员刘宗祥参加驱逐军阀齐满元活动的，或者说，李长江是来动员刘宗祥向铁路工人的驱齐活动提供资助的。从生意的角度看，李长江和前几天穆勉之在汉口华商联合会上发言的内容没有什么差别。都是要刘宗祥出钱。都是说为了驱逐祸鄂殃民的齐满元。但是，在刘宗祥听来，这完全是两回事。
“您家是说，前些时，华商联合会也动员您家们参加这个活动？别的我不清楚。
我是想咧，都是为把齐满元这个王八蛋赶走。这个事是个大事，也不是哪一个人，哪一个方面就能做得到的。是要蛮多方面的人一起办。既然是这样，刘先生就参加那边活动，也是一样的。”李长江发现，刘宗祥已显出几分老态了。也还不到五十岁罢，应该是男人的巅峰期呀。透过刘宗祥依然衣冠楚楚整整齐齐的穿着，透过他依然白皙的肤色，李长江似乎看到了刘宗祥身心交瘁的疲惫和病容。
都说他有钱，是汉口生意做得最大最有气派的，看来，也不容易咧。有钱也有有钱的苦，无钱也有无钱的乐。这话说得有道理咧！想到这一层，李长江的话里，谦和中多了一些怜悯的成分。当然，李长江的任务就是动员刘宗祥出钱。汉口这边的铁路工人，已经为增加工资、反对虐待工人，罢工好多天了。工人一直和当局僵持着。
慑于半年前铁路工人罢工的威力，齐满元这次不敢动用武力。齐满元发现，最近的形势对他很不利。反对他的，真正的力量不是这些出臭汗的工人。工人算什么，妈妈日的，老子的枪刚举起来，他们就吓得屁滚尿流了！工人罢工，妈妈日的是做别人的枪筒子，是盯着老子这只碗的政客们的工具！这些不甘心外地人督鄂的湖北政客，真正的可恶之极！老子看得清清楚楚的。老子这次再也不做妈妈日的傻事了。那些政客就想引老子又朝这些傻出汗的开枪，把镇压工人的罪名再加到老子头上。算了，也捞得差不多了，三十六计，老子溜之乎也为上。你们要罢工，就罢去吧，看你们能把肚子罢饱？反正老子也不想在这里待了，你们要罢多久就罢多久吧！罢工吧，想打过来抢老子地盘的湖南蛮子，也没法开过来，好让老子不慌不忙地走啊。存了逃之夭夭的心思，齐满元对这次铁路上的罢工活动，反应冷淡，采取了不闻不问的态度。这倒有点像朝一匹老母猪身上打了一拳，老母猪开始还受了点惊吓，但立即就理解成是在给它抠痒，而拳头咧，却兀自在那里疼好半天。
这就是李长江不得不求助于刘宗祥的原因。什么叫骑虎难下？这大概就是了。
秀秀的眼光一直在刘宗祥和李长江之间转来转去。平心而论，秀秀没有接触过几个男人。少女时节就跟了刘宗祥，那时，李长江李汉江，当年的李家大花子小花子，都只能算是少年玩伴，根本谈不上有什么男女之思。秀秀记得大花子一看她就脸红，她至今仍新鲜地保存着这一份回味绵甜的记忆。真是变化大呀，他都成了铁路上做工的头脑了。这个一天都难得说两句话的男伢，现在几会说话哦，真是个人物了。只是，为么事还不成个家呢？这么出风头的人，晓得有几多姑娘伢喜欢他哟。一想到这上头，秀秀盯住李长江脸的眼光，就有些发呆。
刘宗祥没有多注意秀秀的神色。他内心生出一种少有的兴奋。虽然是要往外拿钱，而且，还是无偿的资助，但是，刘宗祥以一个生意人的机敏，很快就意识到，这也是一次很好的投资机会！
刘宗祥的脑袋瓜子，从商业和政治不同的角度，在高速运转——同牟兴国不愉快的周旋，要不是冯子高，我刘宗祥早就成第二个谢子东了。牟兴国为么事没有直接向我刘宗祥下手？主要是因为我刘宗祥有像冯子高这样地位很高，但又很清廉的革命党朋友！政治资本这东西，跟妓女好有一比。年轻水灵，加上几分姿色，就是卖笑女的资本。这段青春资本很短暂，很有限，必须抓紧。
一旦人老珠黄，这个所谓的资本就没有任何价值了。this is life.这就是人生的残酷处。好在政治这玩意和青春还有些不同。青春对于一个人，只有一次，去而不返。政治可以朝云暮雨，反复无常。长可以长到几百年，短也可以短到几十天。你看那个袁世凯，不是像个陀螺屁股，在那把什么洪宪皇帝的椅子上，只坐了不到一百天么！
同冯子高的交往，刘宗祥认识了过去的革命党，在李长江身上，他看到了如今的革命党。
“革命，这两个字倒是一样的，看样子，里头还不晓得有几多不同。这可能有点像包子，外头看，都是差不多的包子，里头包的东西，往往不一样。到底有何差别，就只有包的人自己晓得了。这就与我刘宗祥冇得么蛮大的关系了。我只要晓得，像冯子高噢，李长江哦，有这样的人参加的革命党，不会坏事，这就行了。
我是做生意的，跟不会坏事的革命党打交道，向他们的'业务'里头投资，我就不会折本。 "
无论如何，刘宗祥总是个生意人。
一层铅灰色的云，很均匀地铺在东边天上，把刚刚有点麻缝亮的天色，又蒙上一道深色的帷幔。何时才能天亮呢？太阳在出来之前，又多给了人一份神秘和期待。
这恰恰是炎夏汉口一天中最凉爽的一段光阴。疲惫的汉口，酣梦沉沉。
汉口人热天睡觉，对于床具，不甚讲究，也不可能很讲究。关键在于占一处轩敞的位置，最好是小巷口，或是小街小巷的十字路口处。但这样的位置，对于住得挤密挨密的街巷人家，总是显得太少太少。这就使得占一处恰当的睡觉位置，成为没有或不能出门挣钱养家的老人和半大孩子的一项季节性劳动。每当太阳还刚刚滑到西边一点点呢，小巷子虽然摆脱了太阳直接的烘烤，但还在蒸腾着暑气，这些以老人和半大孩子为主的劳动力，就开始了睡觉的准备工作。有脚的竹床，无脚的竹片子床，有脚的木板床，没有脚的木板子、门扇，填街塞巷摆成了奇特的床具大汇展。尽管准备工作做得很早，但真正睡觉，真正睡着，却要到午夜之后。不管占的位置多么好，在汉口炎夏的高温中，发挥的作用并不大。这就有了可能是全中国最早最朴素最自发最经济最卫生的夜生活。住在江边、汉水边的人家就好多了。无论多么热，江上河上，总时不时有潮润润的风吹过来。风，而且是潮潮润润的风，真是老天爷对炎夏汉口人最大的恩赐咧！像牛马样地奔忙了一天，像猪狗样地混了一肚半肚子的食，流出来的汗，比喝进去的水多，装进肚子里的气，比吃进肚子里的食多。有什么东西能够抚慰疲惫的肉身和疲惫的心灵呢？一碟花生米，或一把枯黄豆，二两汉汾酒，固然也是不错的东西。但偌大一个汉口，有几多人享得起这份福呢？江上的凉风，天上的明月，自然是最好的了。
好就好在它们不要钱。
汉口人实在太累了，汉口人实在活得不容易，所以，此时此刻，粘贴在西边天隅的那一弯残月，虽然自己也很憔悴，但还是用很有怜悯意味的眼神瞄着酣睡的汉口。
炎夏汉口人酣睡的这一段好光阴，也是某些人做某些事情的好时机。
汉口的玉带门，本是旧汉口城的第一个城门。芦汉铁路修通后，这里建了一个车站。这是个不怎么使用的车站，主要供调车用。一行人匆匆忙忙进了车站。没有办任何手续。他们无需办任何手续：比这时辰还早一些的午夜时分，人数不多的一伙军人，悄悄接管了这平日根本不上客的车站。昨天傍晚，正当汉口人热火朝天搬他们每天必搬的各色床具时，一辆机车开进了车站，挂上了早就停在这里的五节车厢。这五节车厢，外表都显得很陈旧，油漆斑驳，很多地方生着很难看的黄褐色的锈斑，像是拖到这里来修理的样子。这一行匆匆的特殊乘客，默默地站在火车边，盯着十来个搬运工模样的人，从一辆汽车上往火车里转卸行李。从搬运工沉重的脚步可以看出，这些行李都很沉重。从行李主人盯住搬运工的专注神情，可以想象到这些行李的重要。
“你们乘今天下午的那趟车走，把这些出臭汗的也带上，让他们到孝感再下车。
“齐满元再一次嘱咐他最贴心的侍卫官，他的幺儿子。再没有比这个侍卫更贴心的了。齐满元朝空荡荡的火车站扫了一眼，又朝空荡荡的汽车扫了一眼，长吁了一口粗气。
齐满元这声叹息的内容很复杂，有些眷念的伤感。妈妈日的，老子在这里干了八年呢！没有功劳还有苦劳么！他的确有些遗憾。他又朝兼贴身侍卫的儿子看了一眼。儿子正站在车窗前，准备最后跟老子告别。儿子神情冷漠。一阵从心区钻出来的疼痛，迅速向齐满元全身辐射开来。他恨极陆小山。他也恨极自己。他恨陆小山把他策划很久的计划给毁了。他恨自己，居然看不出陆小山羊羔的外表，豺狼的心肠。“老子一辈子算计别人，却让一个小娃娃秧子给算计了。妈妈日的，姓陆的小子，卷去的那一票，不少呢！相当于武昌汉口好几家商铺呢！当初，真该让几个儿子去办这件事的。一念之间哪，一来怕他们沾祸，二来也是个有性命之忧的差事。怪不得，儿子们都不高兴呢！”齐满元又长长地呼出一口气，强压下心疼的感觉，抹一抹脸上的油汗：“走罢！”
他自己一直没有意识到，由于对那些行李太专注，他早已是汗透衣衫了。
“妈妈日的，这汉口真他妈热，不是人待的地方！”他补充。
“咿，伙计，吭吭！开门了？等你开门，等得脑壳都大了咧！”一个对王发记包子铺牛骨头汤情有独钟的老食客，对正在下门板的王利发打招呼。这老顾客，趿一双木头拖鞋，也不待王利发答应，呱嗒呱嗒径自往店堂里头走。
“吭吭！伙计，老板叻，兄弟哟，么样搞的唦，这些时都不开门，我的舌头闲得一点味都冇得了！伙计，跑到哪里去了哇！么样一家人一个都冇看到哇？”
老顾客呱嗒呱嗒走到靠窗户的一张桌子跟前坐下。这里是应该有一点穿堂风的。
这是他热天坐的老地方。王利发记得，冬天，这个老客是坐靠灶间那张桌子跟前的。冬天，那里比别处暖和。
“么样，伙计，老板叻，水还冇烧开？吭吭吭！”今天没有穿堂风。或许，天太热了，有一点风也被热得吓跑了。老顾客把手上的那把大蒲扇拍得啪啪响，像是在扇风，又像是在赶苍蝇。这把扇子用得很苦。缝包扇子边的布，黢黑稀烂。看得出，这扇子和它的主人很般配，都很有些年头了。
“哎呀，哎呀，是您家哪大哥！水就开，就开！您家只稍微等一下子！您家今日真是赶得巧了咧，鸡叫头遍买回的牛筒子骨，扇板骨，熬到这早晚，您家好好喝一碗，头道汤，二道茶唦您家！”对于老顾客打听他们全家这段时间去向的问题，王利发用一连串热情的招呼，轻轻带了过去。
陆小山再三嘱咐过，这段时间家里人的行踪，一点也不要对外人谈及。
要说呢，这个老顾客也不能算是外人。他就是当年绰号“痨病壳子”的老叫花子。说起来，老叫花子和陆小山的爹陆疤子，是生死弟兄的交情。十多年过去，老叫花子依然还是那样一副痨病壳子的身板，一阵风就能吹走的样子。这是大热天，他不怎么咳，一到冬天，不开口咳得要少一些，一开口，就咳多话少，有限的话往往被淹没在激烈的咳嗽里。现在，老叫花子已经“退休”了。他就在这王发记包子铺对面，赁了一间房子，也不开伙，一日三餐都在王利发这里混。当然，吃多少，付多少钱，却是极规矩的。这一点，是当初就说好了的。如果王利发不接钱，他老叫花子就不进这家包子铺的门。江湖规矩，感情归感情，生意归生意。这样就达成了一致。好在王利发心里也有数。虽然是个叫花子，总是道中的一方“诸侯”，也是一处庙里头受香火的首座菩萨，手头总是有几个的。不把残年余生安排妥当，老叫花子也不会“金盆洗手”。
“咿？也是呀，么样忘记跟老叫花子大哥说一声咧？哦噢，走慌了，走慌了！个把妈，走慌了，老叫花子大哥，算个么外人咧！装马虎吧，哪个晓得小山是么样想的咧？那小杂种一肚子的心窟眼！让他自己跟老叫花子说。”
脑壳里头打了个转，王利发决定，还是不把真相告诉老叫花子的好。
“王老板，您家的铺子这些时到底为么事不开门哪，吭吭！害得我口里硬是吭吭吭……”
“哦噢哦，汤来了，汤来了！大哥，莫烫到了，莫烫到了！哎呀，我还不是想到天气热，这牛骨头汤又辣……”
“老兄弟叻，您家这是说的个么话哪！亏您家还熬牛骨头汤吭吭！这多年，媳妇都熬成了婆咧，吭吭！剃头匠都熬成老板了咧，今日倒说起外行话了！越热越出汗，越冷越打颤。吭吭！说的就是这个道理唦！”
老叫花子对他们一家的行迹有这么执著的兴趣，让王利发实在是又尴尬又高兴。
他为不能满足这位老哥的好奇心而尴尬。
王利发并不知道，陆小山把齐满元准备独吞的金银财宝席卷一空，但看陆小山狼狈而兴奋的样子，不但一直不过江到督军府上班，还小心翼翼东躲西藏，心里明白，这小杂种惹了大祸。陆小山是在王利发身边长大的，这一对没有血缘关系的异姓父子，一向处得不错。看着陆小山一天天像个人样了，知书识字，聪明写在脸上了，王利发很高兴，很自觉地把自己放到这个家庭的次要位置上。王利发本来就不是个有竞争心的人。活了四十多年了，他很少对生活拿什么主意。先是听自己老爹的，爹死后，就接着听王玉霞的。现在呢，这家庭中的另外一个男人，又成长起来了。有时候，王利发搂着王玉霞暖烘烘的身子，心里常常充盈着满足和幸福。王玉霞的身子，皮肉虽然有些松弛了，特别是腰颈两处，最能显现女人年纪的地方，已经有多余的赘肉了。但王利发仍很满足。王利发什么时候有过自己的女人呢！自己的！
至今，对于女人，王利发有刻骨铭心伤心伤肝的感受。
他始终不能忘怀，在紫竹苑陶苏面前，面对一览无余香喷喷的女人，他变成了一只鼻涕虫，在汉白玉铺就的通往人道圣地的道路上，艰难地跋涉。这只孤独的鼻涕虫，多么希望能够完成天生的责任，修成大道哦！但是，没有，他始终没有做到他本应该做到也有能力做到的事。王利发曾不止一次地回忆和陶苏在一起的所有细节。他发现，他之所以在关键时刻变成一只鼻涕虫，完全是因为他的努力太孤独，他所行进的路，虽然是一条美得让他炫目的路，但却是一条毫无生气冰凉的路。他没有得到任何路标的提示，他没有得到哪怕是一丁点热情的鼓励和帮助。他仿佛听到土地说，不能责怪土地，只能怪犁铧不行，再说，那根本就不是自己的土地！
在王玉霞身上，王利发才真正觉得自己是个男人，一个完整的男人。一个可以扬起男人风帆的昂扬的男人。
和王利发的结合，对于王玉霞，并不是一件容易的事。已经没有初恋的激动，没有新婚的紧张。曾经沧海难为水。王玉霞把一切都给了陆疤子。感情肉体和灵魂。这些，可能王玉霞自己说不明白，但是，她早就用自己的爱和恨，用自己恶狠狠的骂和长久而深刻的思念，在燃烧自己很平凡的人生。王玉霞知道，她没有也不可能像爱陆疤子那样去爱王利发。用王玉霞藏在心里的话来说，那就是，再也不会疯了。和陆疤子在一起，王玉霞随时都可以疯起来。她心里很清楚，谁都说陆疤子不是个好男人。可她就是喜欢他。豆腐白菜，各人所爱。这是没有办法的事。
这些自然是王利发所无从知晓的。在男女之事上，王利发从来就是个流浪汉。现在，就像一只最不引人注意的小船，一只疲惫不堪浑身伤痕的小船，在充满物欲的茫茫大海上漂泊了好久好久，看到了一处可以停泊可以喘息的港湾。
“伢的姆妈，噢，小山的妈，哦，玉霞……”第一次同床共枕，王利发就像长久在沙漠上跋涉的旅人，陡然见到一处绿洲，当他使出最后一丁点力气奔到这一汪碧水跟前，却失去了痛饮一番的力气。疲惫的旅人，一任绝望向全身弥漫。朦胧中，他似乎看到那只遥远的鼻涕虫，在潮湿的沙滩上苦苦挣扎！噢，这可以闻到甘泉芬芳的沙滩哟！历史常常重演，人生也屡屡重蹈覆辙。王利发对自己很失望，对自己这不中用的皮囊，深感遗憾。
就在被绝望攫住的当口，王利发感到，一只柔柔的手，轻轻地抚了上来。这哪里是手哦，这分明是鼓励和证明生命存在的神杖。这哪里是对肉体的抚摸哟，这分明是对另一个遥远疲惫灵魂的激励和呼唤。于是，奇迹产生了。王利发看到，在他苦苦挣扎的沙滩上，浸出了一窝生命之水。这多像汉江边柔软的沙滩咯，轻轻地揉搓几下，潮湿柔软的沙地，就有了反应，有了深情默默的回报。他不需要再苦苦挣扎了，他不需要再自怨自艾了，他只需把头埋下去就行了。弱水三千，我只取一瓢饮。王利发不是佛门弟子，不懂得即心即佛的道理。但人都是有佛根的。此刻，他就在心里无数遍地念叨他信仰的“阿弥陀佛”——“哦噢喔玉霞玉霞，玉霞！”
我佛慈悲，我佛恕我，王利发真的是这样念叨的。
“王老板，您家听说了冇哇，省城那边掌作的，换了人咧！”汉口人把主持某一项事情的负责人称为“掌作的”，主持某一项事情，就叫掌作。推而广之，他们把掌管一方的官员，也叫掌作的。一个和王利发很熟，就住在隔壁不远几家的顾客，自己喝了一碗牛骨头汤，一边用手背擦着油乎乎的嘴，一边朝王利发喊。
“哎，伙计，再来一碗哪，您家哦嚯嚯嚯，狗日的，辣死了，狗日的辣死了！”
可能是把揩嘴的手揩到眼睛上了，天又热，一阵火烧火燎，辣得他不停地直吁吁。
“我晓得，您家是喝一碗，还要往家里带一碗的。”
王利发有思想准备，好多时没有开门，这一开门，生意肯定会挤破门。人的口味也真是怪，这热的天，还非要吃辣的，还要越辣越好。辣得一头一脸的汗，辣得鼻涕眼泪直流，口里还要一个劲地说好。正如其他的熟食业老板一样，王利发也不吃自己铺子做的东西。不是别的原因，闻多了，厌了。再说，王利发本来也不怎么爱吃辣东西。他觉得，吃辣东西最受罪的是舌头。辣得舌头直弹，恨不得把舌头割了甩得远远的，恨不得这舌头是别人的！又揩鼻涕又揩汗，又要不停地唆舌头，忙都把人忙死了！不晓得一些人为么事吃得这样有味！不过咧也得亏这些怪口味的人，冇得他们，我王利发哪来的钱赚咧？冇得钱，么样能够把小山那个小狗日的盘成人咧！不是老子尽心尽力地盘这个小杂种，玉霞么样肯一心一意地跟着我咧！王利发看着他的顾客，一脸的慈爱和感激。
真正能把顾客当上帝的，在汉口，就是王利发这样一些小生意人。
“王老板，兄弟叻，您家真是吭吭越活越显得年轻了咧，真的呀，吭吭！您家看唦，脸上光溜了咧