Chapter 2 one

What we want to introduce is Xiangzi, not camel, because "camel" is just a nickname; then, let's talk about Xiangzi first, and just talk about the relationship between camel and Xiangzi, and forget it. There are many schools of rickshaw drivers in Peiping: young and strong, with good legs and feet, they pay attention to renting beautiful cars, pull "all day", they like to have the freedom to pick up and pick up the car when they want to pull it out; Once the "car entrance"① or the gate of the house is opened, it's only waiting for the owner of the express train; if it's done, maybe you can get one or two yuan at once; But also don't care.There are probably two hopes for this group of buddies: either to rent a chartered car; or to buy a car by yourself. Once you have your own car, it doesn’t matter if you go to rent a monthly subscription or take a seat, anyway, the car is your own.

Those who are a little older than this group, or those who run a little less vigorously because of their health, or those who dare not waste a day because of their families, probably most of them drive 80% new cars; It is beautiful, so it can still maintain a considerable dignity when asking for a price.The driver of this school may pull "all day" or "half a day".In the latter case, because there is still considerable energy, it is always "late night" no matter in winter or summer②.At night, of course, more attention and skills are required than during the day; naturally, more money is earned.

Those who are over forty and under twenty may find it difficult to gain a position in the first two factions.Their cars are broken, and they don't dare to "stay late", so they can only leave the car early, hoping to turn from early morning to three or four in the afternoon, and pull out their "car shares" and their own food ③.Their cars are broken and run slowly, so they walk more and ask for less money. They are the ones who go to the melon market, fruit market, and vegetable market to collect goods; they have little money, but there is no need to run fast. Here, those under the age of twenty—some have been in this business since they were eleven or twelve years old—rarely can change into handsome coachmen after the age of twenty, because it is difficult to become strong because of injuries at a young age. .They may pull foreign cars all their lives, but they have never even pulled a car in the limelight.Some of the people over forty have been pulling carts for ten or eight years, and the deterioration of their muscles makes them willing to stay behind. They gradually know that sooner or later they will die on the road.Their posture of pulling carts, their adaptability when negotiating prices, and their short and long walks are all enough to remind them of the glory of the past, and use their noses to slap those newcomers.But this little glory can't reduce the darkness in the future, and they themselves often sigh slightly when they are wiping their sweat.However, comparing them with other coachmen in their forties, it seems that they have not yet reached home.These people never thought that they could have a relationship with foreign cars before, and only picked up the handlebars when the boundary between life and death was not clear.Dismissed policemen or school janitors, peddlers who have eaten up all their capital, or unemployed craftsmen, when they have nothing to sell or work, they grit their teeth, with tears in their eyes, and take this road to death. road.These people have sold off the most vigorous period of life, and now drip the blood and sweat turned into steamed bread on the road.No strength, no experience, no friends, and no luck even among peers.They pull the most shabby carts, and the belts don't know how many times a day they will lose their air; while pulling people, they have to beg their forgiveness, although fifteen big coppers are considered a sweet deal.

In addition, due to the peculiarities of the environment and knowledge, some of the coachmen became sects. Those who were born in Haidian, Xiyuan, are naturally more convenient to go to Xishan, Yanjing, Tsinghua University; similarly, those who live outside Andingmen go to Qinghe, Beiyuan; those who go outside Yongdingmen go to Nanyuan... This is a long trip, and I don't want to take a zero seat; because a trip is a trip, I don't bother to make up for three or five coppers.But they are not as vigorous as the coachmen in Dongjiaomin Lane. Those who specialize in foreign business are dragged from Jiaomin Lane to Yuquan Mountain, the Summer Palace or Xishan in one go.It's not a trivial matter to grow up, and the reason why ordinary coachmen can't compete for this business is mostly because these foreign food eaters have a little different knowledge, they can speak foreign languages.British soldiers, French soldiers, they all know the Longevity Hill, Lama Temple, and "Eight Great Alleys".They have their own set of foreign languages ​​and do not pass them on to others.Their running style is also special, taking four or six steps neither fast nor slow, with their heads down, not looking aside, walking close to the side of the road, showing an air of indifference to the world and their own expertise.Because they are pulling foreigners, they don't have to wear jackets, but they all wear long-sleeved white coats, white or black trousers, the trousers are very fat, and the ankles are tied with thin belts; the feet are wide and double-faced. Blue cloth shoes with soles; clean, neat and airy.Seeing this kind of clothing, other drivers will not come to compete for seats and race cars, they seem to belong to another industry.

With this simple analysis, when we talk about Xiangzi's status, it is as accurate as saying - we hope - a certain kind of nail on a machine.Xiangzi, before he had a relationship with the nickname "Camel", he was a relatively free foreign driver, that is to say, he belonged to the category of young and strong, and he had his own car: Your own car and your own life are all in your own hands, high-class coachman. This is by no means an easy task.One year, two years, at least three or four years; one drop of sweat, two drops of sweat, I don't know how many thousands of drops of sweat, to earn that car.Gritting his teeth in the wind and rain, and self-sufficiency in the tea and rice, he earned that car.The car was the sum and reward of all his struggles and hardships, like a badge of a battle-hardened warrior.When he was renting someone's car, he went from morning to night, from east to west, from south to north, like a top being spun by someone; he didn't have himself.But during this rotation, his eyes are not dazzled, and his mind is not confused. He always thinks about a car far away, which can make him free and independent, a car like his own hands and feet.With his own car, he can no longer be angry with the people who tie the car, and he doesn't need to perfuse others; with his own strength and foreign car, he can have food when he opens his eyes.

He is not afraid of hardship, and he does not have the vices of common rickshaw drivers that are forgivable and inconvenient to imitate. His intelligence and hard work are enough to make his wishes come true.If his environment were better, or he had received more education, he would definitely not fall into the "rubber group"⑤, and no matter what he did, he would never let his chance go.Unfortunately, he had to pull a rickshaw; well, he also proved his ability and intelligence in this job.As if he could be a good ghost even in hell.Growing up in the countryside, he lost his parents and a few acres of Susukida, and came to the city when he was eighteen.With the strength and honesty of a country boy, he has done almost everything that can be eaten by working hard.However, he soon realized that pulling a cart is easier to earn money; for other hard work, the income is limited; pulling a cart has many changes and opportunities, and he does not know when and where he will encounter some on the desired reward.Naturally, he also knows that such an opportunity is not entirely by chance, but that both the person and the car must be beautiful and spirited, and only when there is something to sell can one meet someone who knows the goods.After thinking about it, he believed that he had the qualifications: he was strong and young; the difference was that he hadn't run before, and he didn't dare to pull a beautiful car as soon as he got started.But this is not an insurmountable difficulty. With his body and strength as the foundation, he only needs to test it for ten and a half months, and he will be able to run well. Get a chartered car, and then live frugally for a year or two, even if it is three or four years, he will be able to buy a car by himself, the most beautiful car!Looking at his youthful muscles, he thought it was just a matter of time, this was a wish and goal that would surely be achieved, not a dream!

His stature and muscles have been developed before his age; in his twenties, he is already very big and tall. Although his limbs have not been formed into a certain pattern by the years, he is already like an adult—a face An adult with an innocent and mischievous look on his upper body.Looking at the senior coachman, he planned how to get into his waist⑥, so as to show his iron fan-like chest and straight back; he turned his head to look at his shoulders, how broad and majestic they were!After the waist is finished, put on the white trousers with fat legs, and the trousers are tied with chicken sausage belts, revealing those "outstanding" big feet!Yes, he could undoubtedly be the best coachman; foolishly he laughed to himself.

He has no appearance, what makes him lovely is the spirit in his face.The head is not very big, the eyes are round, the nose is fleshy, the two eyebrows are very short and thick, and the head is always shaved and shiny.There is no extra flesh on the cheeks, but the neck is almost as thick as the head; the face is always flushed, and the brightest part is a big scar between the cheekbone and the right ear - when I was a child, I slept under a tree and was gnawed by a donkey Take a sip.He doesn't pay much attention to his appearance, he loves his face as much as he loves his body, it is so strong and hard; he counts his face as if he counts his limbs, as long as he is strong.Yes, after arriving in the city, he could still stand upside down for a long time.Standing like this, he feels that he is very much like a tree, and there is no place up and down that is not straight.

He is indeed a bit like a tree, strong, silent, and alive.He has his own plan, and he has some ideas, but he is not good at talking about it to others.In the rickshaw driver, personal grievances and difficulties are the public's talk. On the "chekouer", in small teahouses, and in large courtyards, everyone reports, describes or clamors about himself, and then these things become everyone's property. It spread from one place to another like a folk song.As a country boy, Xiangzi lacked the conversational skills of men from the city. If eloquence was a natural gift, he'd never received it, and he had no desire to imitate the sharp-tongued men around him.He knows his affairs and doesn't like to discuss them with others.Because his mouth is always idle, he has time to think, and his eyes seem to be looking at his own heart.As long as he makes up his mind, he will follow the path opened in his heart; if it doesn't work out, he can keep silent for a day or two, gritting his teeth, as if gnashing his own heart!

He decided to pull the cart, so he did.After renting a broken car, he practiced his legs first. The first day did not pull any money.The next day's business was good, but after lying down for two days, his ankle was swollen like two gourds, and he could no longer lift it up.He endured no matter what the pain was.He knew it was inevitable, it was a hurdle that the cart had to go through.Unless he passes this level, he can't run boldly. After his feet recovered, he dared to run.This made him very happy, because there was nothing else to fear: he was familiar with the place names, and it didn't matter if he went a little far sometimes, but fortunately he had plenty of strength.The method of pulling a cart is not too difficult to understand based on his experience of pushing, pulling, carrying, and picking.Besides, he has his own ideas: pay more attention and fight less, and probably nothing will go wrong.As for bargaining for seats, his mouth is full of arrogance, and he can't handle those old oily people.Knowing this shortcoming, he simply doesn't go to the "car entrance"; where there is no car, he puts it there.

In this secluded place, he can negotiate the price calmly, and sometimes he refuses to ask for the price, just saying: "Sit down, and see!" His appearance is so honest, his face is so simple and cute, people seem to I had no choice but to trust him, not daring to think that this stupid big man would knock people.Even if people were suspicious, they could only suspect that he was an old country boy who had just arrived in the city and probably didn't know the way, so he couldn't tell the price.When people asked, "Do you know him?" he would pretend to be stupid and playfully smile, making people not know what to do. In two or three weeks he slipped his leg out.He knew he had a good run.Running is evidence of the ability and qualifications of the driver.The one with feet splayed, flapping the ground like a pair of palm-leaf fans, is undoubtedly a novice who has just come up from the countryside.The ones with their heads lowered, their feet scraping the ground, running at a speed similar to that of walking, and appearing to be running are the elderly people over fifty years old.Those who are full of experience but have little strength have another method: the chest is turned inward, the degree is very deep; the legs are raised high; Not at all faster than others; they rely on "style" to maintain their dignity.Of course Xiangzi would never adopt these kinds of gestures.His legs are long and his strides are long, his waist is very stable, he runs without much noise, his steps stretch a little, and the handlebars don't move, making the seat feel safe and comfortable.When he said stop, no matter how fast he was running, he stopped when he rubbed his big feet on the ground twice; his strength seemed to be able to reach all parts of the car.With his back slightly bent and his hands loosely holding the handlebars, he moves, neatly, and accurately; he runs fast without being in a hurry, fast without danger.Even in the inside of a chartered car, it must be considered very expensive. He got a new car.From the day he changed the car, he found out that the one he rented—soft bow, authentic brass, big rain cloth curtain, double lights, and big brass horn with a narrow neck—was worth over a hundred; If it's a little bit more lively, one hundred yuan can stop it.Roughly speaking, as long as he has a hundred yuan, he can buy a car.Suddenly I thought, if there is only one dime left in a day, one hundred yuan is a thousand days, a thousand days!He could hardly calculate how far it must be if he piled up a thousand days. However, he made up his mind, whether it is a thousand days or ten thousand days, he has to buy a car!He should take the first step, he thought it over, and went to pull the chartered car.When meeting a master who socializes a lot and has a lot of dinners⑧, he has an average of ten or so dinners in a month, and he can save two or three yuan for car meals for nothing.In addition, he saves another eight anise every month, maybe three to five yuan, and there will be fifty or sixty yuan left in a year!In this way, his hope is much closer.He doesn't smoke, drink, gamble, have any hobbies, and has no family burdens. As long as he is willing to grit his teeth, he can do anything.He made an oath to himself, within a year and a half, he—Xiangzi—must make it his own car!It is a fresh one, don't see new ones in old cars. He really paid for the monthly subscription.But the facts don't exactly help hope.Yes, he gritted his teeth, but after a year and a half he didn't fulfill that wish.The chartered car was indeed pulled up, and he watched things cautiously; unfortunately, things in the world are not one-sided.He cares about him, but the boss doesn't just refuse to let him go because of this; it may be three or two months, or ten or eight days, it's blown!He has to find another job.Naturally, he has to look for work while he also has to relax his seat; he can't be idle while riding a horse to find a horse.At times like this, he often makes mistakes.He also tried his best not to chew rice for the day, but to continue saving money to buy a car.But it's never a good thing to force his spirits: when he pulls up the car, he can't concentrate on running, as if he keeps thinking about something, and the more he thinks about it, the more afraid and angry he becomes.If it keeps going on like this, when will I be able to buy a car?Why?Don't you think you are not strong?While thinking about it like this, he forgot his usual caution.The leather wheels were covered with broken copper and rotten magnets, and the cannon was fired; the car had to be closed.More seriously, sometimes I bumped into a pedestrian, and even lost the axle cap once because I was eager to squeeze past.If he had been pulling a chartered car, these mistakes would never have happened; once the matter was put aside, he felt unhappy and would be a little bit stunned.If the car is damaged, he will naturally lose money; this makes him even more anxious and adds fuel to the fire; for fear of causing a bigger accident, he sometimes sleeps all day long.When he opened his eyes, the day had passed in vain, and he regretted and hated himself.What's more, during this period, the more anxious he is, the more self-sufficient he will be, and the more he will eat and drink more irregularly; he thinks he is made of iron, but he will get sick if he dares.When he was sick, he was reluctant to spend money to buy medicine, so he stood up; as a result, the disease became more and more serious, not only had to buy medicine, but also had to rest for several days at a stretch.These difficulties made him grit his teeth and work harder, but the amount of money to buy the car did not accelerate at all. For three full years, he scraped together a hundred yuan! He couldn't wait any longer.The original plan was to buy the most complete, up-to-date and most desirable car, but now I have to pay a hundred dollars.Can't wait any longer; just in case something happens to lose a few more bucks!It just so happened that there was a car that had just been ordered (made to order and had no money to pick up the goods), which was not much different from the car he expected; it was worth more than 100 yuan, but because the deposit was given up, the car shop was willing to ask for less.Xiangzi's face was flushed, his hands were trembling, and he offered ninety-six yuan: "I want this car!" The shop owner planned to squeeze to a round number, and said a lot of words, pulling his car out and in again, Raised the shed, put it down again, honked the horn, and every movement was accompanied by a string of the best adjectives; and finally kicked two feet on the steel wheel bar, "Listen to the sound, like a bell! Pull it , you just broke the car, and if a steel rod is soft, you take it back and throw it on my face! One hundred yuan, one cent less, let’s blow it!" Xiangzi counted the money again: "I want this car, ninety-six!" The shop owner knew that he had met a caring person, looked at the money, looked at Xiangzi, and sighed: "Make friends, the car is yours; keep it for six months : Unless you break the big box, I will repair it for nothing; warranty, take it!" Xiangzi's hands trembled even more. He picked up the insurance policy and pulled up the car, almost crying.Pull to a secluded place, take a closer look at your car, and try to take a picture of your face on the painted panel!The cuter it looks, the more you can forgive even the places that don't meet your ideals, because it's already your car.Looking at the car as if he could rest for a while, he sat on the new floor mat of the water dustpan and looked at the shiny brass horn on the handlebar.He suddenly remembered that this year is twenty-two years old.Because his parents died early, he forgot what day his birthday was.He hadn't had a birthday since coming to town.Well, I bought a new car today, even if it’s my birthday, it’s easy to remember that people’s cars belong to people, and the car is my own painstaking effort, so there’s nothing wrong with including people and cars together. How to live this "double life"?Xiangzi had an idea: for the first sale, he had to hire a well-dressed person, definitely not a woman.It is best to pull to the front door, followed by Dong'an Market.When it arrives, he should have a meal at the best food stall, such as hot sesame cakes with fried mutton or something like that.After eating, if there is a good deal, just pull one or two more; if not, just take the car; it's a birthday! Since owning this car, his life has become more and more vigorous.Whether it's a monthly subscription or a free seat, he doesn't need to worry about "car share" every day, and the money he pulls is all his own.If you feel comfortable in your heart, you will be more kind to others, and your business will be smoother.After half a year, his hope is even greater: if he continues to work like this, for two years, at most two years, he will be able to buy a car again, one, two... he can also drive a factory! However, most hopes come to nothing, and Xiangzi's is no exception. ①The entrance is the parking place. ②Lawaner, the car leaves after 4:00 p.m. and stays until dawn. ③Chew the grain and eat it immediately. ④ In the past, foreign embassies in China were located in Dongjiaomin Lane. ⑤Rubber ball refers to the line of pulling carts. ⑥ Cut into the waist and make the waist thinner. ⑦ One side, that is, the same. ⑧ The master is a person.This refers to the owner of the chartered car. ⑨ Dinner, that is, a banquet. ⑩ Blowing means to be scattered and finished.