Chapter 12 Section VI
A tiger sleeps in it.
——This is what Lei Yi felt when he entered the cell.
The air underground is cold.Water drops formed on the stone walls and iron bars.It's not exactly underground—there's a small window above the wall directly opposite the iron gate.The winter morning sun shone through the rusty iron branches.There must be a barren grave outside the window, Lei Yi thought to himself.It was never possible to peer into the cell from the outside—it was always darker inside than outside.
The cell was cleaned exceptionally clean, with tables, chairs, cups and bowls.On the left wall stood a large bookshelf stuffed with ledgers and files.The bed in the corner was very soft, with neatly folded quilts and bedding on it.
Yu Runsheng sat on the bed.He was wearing that huge tiger skin.
I have known Yu Runsheng for five or six years, Lei Yi recalled.He couldn't remember any change in Yu Runsheng's appearance.Except for the beautifully trimmed mustache that covers his lips.The mustache made his face more memorable—the contours of the features seemed to be deepened.
Thirty-two-year-old Yu Runsheng looks like thirty-two years old, and he is a good-looking thirty-two years old.
With a body covered in tiger stripes and a faint mist floating around it, at first glance it seemed to be emitting heat.
There was no one else in the cell.Without any guards.Lei Yi knew that Yu Runsheng was absolutely safe in the prison.It was through Lei Yi that Yu Runsheng got acquainted with Tian Youqing, the warden of the prison.With the help of Yu Runsheng, the "Doujiao" gambling business in the prison expanded beyond the prison.People in Piaocheng who like new things are very interested in this exciting way of gambling-betting money on real people is much more interesting than betting on dice.Rich people are more interested in watching the brutal fight on the spot.Some even began to suggest that they raise their own boxers to participate.As a result, Tian Youqing's wealth skyrocketed several times.He affectionately called Yu Runsheng "brother".
"Sit." Yu Runsheng waved his hand.There was no respect in the voice and expression in the past.Lei Yi is used to it.He sits on a chair.
"How about Teng Yi?" Yu Runsheng asked immediately.Not a single word of pleasantries.
"It has been decided. I will resign next month." Lei Yi also had no expression when he replied.
"What's his relationship with Zha Song?"
"Very good. He knows a lot about Zha Song, but when he said he was going to leave, Zha Song didn't hold back much. It means that Governor Zha is very relieved of this old man."
Yu Runsheng was silent for a while. "I will give Teng Yi a gift. You can also give one yourself. I will take care of the rest for you. Prepare to be the chief inspector with peace of mind. Talk to Zha Song more often, have a meal, etc. - he does not agree It doesn't matter. Just let him feel at ease with you. You will have more opportunities to work together in the future."
"But with your relationship with Zha Song... it is impossible for him to let me sit in that position."
"I'll take care of that."
After Yu Runsheng finished speaking, he waved his hand.
Lei Yi stood up and turned to face the iron gate.There's no room for resentment, he thought.Today, he is just another dereliction of duty leader, and with a family he doesn't want to lose, he is no longer qualified to speak side by side with Yu Runsheng.He was just another asset in Yu Runsheng's hands.Assets can be exchanged and bought and sold at any time.
——He didn't even talk to me about Jinya Puchuan.
Sometimes he misses his former self, then hates his present self, and starts drinking. At that time, only Kanae's face can comfort him.
"How is your family?" Yu Runsheng suddenly asked behind his back.
"It's okay." Lei Yi nodded.
Yu Runsheng didn't speak any more.Lei Yi waited for a while, then knocked on the door and signaled Ye Yi to open the door.
——Lei Yi never knew: Yu Runsheng arranged for him to meet Xiang Miao and her two children.
"Xiaosi, what do you think? Piaocheng seems to have become too small..." Yu Runsheng's words were still ringing in Qi Chu's mind. After leaving the prison, Qi Chu went to the warehouse "Lair" in Poshili to take a look.He will personally count the inventory every three or five days.Of course, this is not really necessary-it will take at least a morning to seriously count the goods in the entire warehouse.He just wanted to let the subordinates in the warehouse see him appear.Let them know: Fourth Master Qi always looks at how you are doing from behind. He knew what kind of person Qi Siye was in the eyes of the brothers in the "Dashutang".He also understands that only warriors like Long Bai and Di Bin can truly win the worship of this group of people.He doesn't care.Even though he knows that some of his subordinates even hate him.He knew that in a successful organization there had to be one or two annoying people who did all the annoying jobs. He remembered the situation when he met Di Bin just now.He couldn't deny that he was a little jealous of this sixth brother.But a few years ago, Di Bin was still that little dwarf who was easy to be underestimated by others.In the eyes of "Xing Leng'er" at that time, the gentle fourth son Qi was not far from the shy sixth son Di; today's sixth master Di has unprecedented confidence in every step he takes. "The spokesperson and executor in the dark street of Biaocheng. Qi Chu left the "old nest", passed a cold and wet narrow alley, and boarded a carriage parked on the main road.Qi Chu knew that he might be ambushed every time he passed this narrow alley, but he was not particularly afraid.He knew that if he was attacked, it would mean that Yu Runsheng, Di Bin, and other important people in "Dashutang" would all be attacked at the same time-the life of fourth master Qi alone was not worth taking.At that time, it was already a question of the survival of the entire "Big Tree Hall", and personal fears were insignificant in comparison. Qi Chu was sitting in the carriage, and his attendants immediately handed him a cloth towel to wipe his face.Qi Chu covered his mouth with a cloth towel, and coughed again. Looking at the scenery on the street, he silently considered his work for the day: he had to go outside the city to inspect the progress of the new port in the afternoon, and he had to finish the calculation of several major accounts in the store before leaving the city.Today is another day for turning over the Poshili gambling house—that is the most prosperous of the four gambling houses they own.The total will not be much, but it is all bits and pieces of money.Qi Chu has to stay at the head office on An Dong Street all night tonight.In addition, it is necessary to arrange to transfer the money to the supervisor of the "Chengguan", and to listen to the information about the real estate transaction that his subordinates have inquired about... The wood and bricks and tiles accumulated in the "Old Nest" are not enough, and he has already sent people to urge the supply.There are four mansions in Tongtai that will start construction within a few days.What's more terrible is that the building materials used for the new port have increased a lot more than expected... Since the "Suppression War" seven years ago, the imperial court has greatly monitored war materials (including copper, iron, wood, building materials, etc.). Insufficient supply coupled with excessive taxation has caused the prices of official goods to be completely beyond common sense, resulting in rapid private goods. Swarm up. Among all kinds of private goods, the private salt that "Feng Yilong" has monopolized for many years should be the most profitable; )control.After the establishment of the "Dashutang" four years ago, the first task was to take over the private goods network left by the "slaughter house", which mainly focused on building materials such as wood and bricks.Yu Runsheng established a smuggling business soon after using the existing medicinal material trafficking channels. At the same time, Yu Runsheng established the "Chengguan", which on the surface is an establishment to undertake construction projects and recruit craftsmen, but in essence, it gradually controls all the master craftsmen in Piaocheng. At first, more than half of the craftsmen refused to join. It was before a dozen fingers were knocked off. Soon, anyone in Piaocheng who wanted to build a house had to be nodded by Yu Runsheng.Of course, the building materials used are all private goods imported by "Dashutang".By the time the other smugglers discovered this, it was too late. Qi Chu added a stroke of genius to the construction business: infiltrating low-priced inferior materials into the project, or making craftsmen do some hands and feet invisible to laymen.As a result, the house had to be repaired and repaired less than two years after it was built.The owner of the house without a backer of course dare not ask for compensation-everyone knows that behind the "Chengguan" is the "Dashutang", and of course only the craftsmen of the "Chengguan" undertake the repair work... The car drove east out of Poshili and stopped at the entrance of Pingxishi Hutong.Qi Chu walked into the "Da Shu Tang" branch in the alley with his men. "Hello, fourth master, the medicine is ready." The shopkeeper of the pharmacy greeted him in front of the store, and accompanied Qi Chu straight to the warehouse behind the store.A charcoal fire was lit in the center of the warehouse, and an earthen pot was warmed on it.Qi Chu took a deep breath of the warm medicinal fragrance. Qi Chu and his subordinates sat around the fire, stretching out their stiff fingers to keep warm.When he watched the shopkeeper pour the medicine into the bowl, he suddenly remembered an old servant in his family when he was a child.The impression was very vague. In the same weather, young master Qi Chu was half lying on the bed, and the old servant peeled off the oranges with rough-skinned fingers, and brought the orange meat to his mouth... The medicinal juice was poured into the stomach in one breath, and the bitter taste seemed to come out of the nose. Qi Chu looked at the flames. Boss Yu's meaningful words sounded again. ——Drifting City has become too small? ... When Yu Runsheng said these words suddenly, Qi Chu raised his head from between the files and account books piled up on the table, and looked at the boss in puzzlement. Among the sworn brothers, Qi Chu was the only one who was born in the city.At that time, his family still had money, and his father was still wearing an official uniform every day... That city was once everything in the life of young Qi Chu.Looking back now, I realize that compared with today's Piaocheng, that city is simply a poor place. The small window at the top of the cell wall let in faint sunlight.Yu Runsheng was lying on the bed, still wearing the tiger skin, looking up at the ceiling made of rough stones. Qi Chu looked at him suspiciously. "I've seen it..." Yu Runsheng's gaze remained motionless. "What will the 'Dashutang' be like in two or three years..." Except for himself, only Qi Chu knows exactly how big Yu Runsheng's kingdom is and how much money he allocates every month.They never say hello every time they meet.Yu Runsheng seldom said words of encouragement to his fourth brother.This trust alone is enough. The business of "Dashutang" has three pillars: private goods trafficking (mainly building materials); construction business of "Chengguan";After the completion of the new port, the river transport will become the fourth main source of income for the "Dashutang". The second is the four gambling houses and twelve brothels directly owned by "Dashutang" in Piaocheng.Dice and whores have always been the tools of the underworld to make the most money and the fastest. Almost all the remnants of the "slaughter house" are dedicated to these two industries, and the competition in the city is extremely fierce. On the contrary, the production and sales of medicinal materials in the "Dashutang" pharmacy, although the gross profit is not huge, but because of the monopoly in Piaocheng and neighboring towns, the profit of the whole business is very considerable. Qi Chu originally suggested to use this monopoly situation as much as possible to raise the price of medicinal materials.But Yu Runsheng categorically opposed it. Instead, he donated medicine to the poor in the city for one day every month.Qi Chu understood what the boss meant, so he had no objection. The business at the lowest level of "Dashutang" includes three restaurants, hotels and an inn, and there are more than a dozen street vendors who regularly offer "regular money"... These are all the "visible" businesses in Yu Runsheng's hands. This can no longer be described as "small", Qi Chu thought.During the first two years he often suffered from insomnia.He had never imagined that such a large amount of money was flowing under his hands.He was afraid that he would make a mistake, and he was used to it now. Qi Chu had a stack of contracts in his hand, on which were the fingerprints of the bosses of several big companies and shipping companies.They have all agreed to abandon the "Hetong Port" and switch to Runsheng's new port for loading and unloading goods. The two were silent in the cell. "Piaocheng is too small", does the boss mean to expand the business from Piaocheng?First of all, the surrounding towns and counties, and then other big cities in the state.That is not easy, and it may take more than ten years.But definitely worth it. But that's all for the future.Now that everything is going so smoothly, why does the boss suddenly sigh like this? "About Jinya Puchuan..." Qi Chu hesitated for a while. "The other party has agreed to meet." Yu Runsheng seems to have already known.He was still lying on the bed, curled up under the tiger's skin, and turned his face to Qi Chu. "Little Four, do you agree with us working with this guy?" "Cooperation is beneficial to us. This Pu Chuan is an out-and-out businessman, and he is very capable. With him, many personnel can be stabilized: river transportation, private goods, those people from the "slaughterhouse" in the past, and even... Governor Cha .” When Zha Song was mentioned, Qi Chu still couldn't help being a little embarrassed—after all, "Dashutang" offended the governor of Piaocheng for him.He continued: "That means the entire city of Piao has been stabilized. Then we can concentrate on other businesses." Of course, this includes the plan to expand outside the city. Yu Runsheng didn't nod or shake his head. "Golden Ya Pu Chuan... this person is indeed worth something..." Qi Chu felt that the boss had other ideas. ——Did I say something wrong?Or is there something missing? "You don't have to come with me that day." The negotiation with Pu Chuan was scheduled for five days later. "Then I will discuss it with you in detail. So you have to rest well. You don't have to do anything that day, just stay in the inn and wait for me. The woman who happens to be with you..." The charcoal fire in front of him made a crackling sound, Qi Chu's face was flushed, and the smell of medicine surged in his throat. He was missing Ning Xiaoyu.Sometimes he was too busy to see her for several days, so he satisfied with his imagination.Those eyebrows, those fingers, those waist legs, those lips, there is no part that is not perfect.When people miss their loved ones, the image in their minds always beautifies the other party.But Qi Chu didn't.What he saw when he closed his eyes was exactly the same as when he opened them.Ning Xiaoyu is such a terrifying existence.A living dream where you can laugh, drink, sigh and have love. When you see her, you will immediately imagine how heartbroken it is to lose her. Losing her... Qi Chu didn't dare to think about it. "You will definitely marry her..." For this promise, for this woman, Yu Runsheng and "Dashutang" sacrificed a lot.
"Xiaosi, what do you think? Piaocheng seems to have become too small..." Yu Runsheng's words were still ringing in Qi Chu's mind. After leaving the prison, Qi Chu went to the warehouse "Lair" in Poshili to take a look.He will personally count the inventory every three or five days.Of course, this is not really necessary-it will take at least a morning to seriously count the goods in the entire warehouse.He just wanted to let the subordinates in the warehouse see him appear.Let them know: Fourth Master Qi always looks at how you are doing from behind. He knew what kind of person Qi Siye was in the eyes of the brothers in the "Dashutang".He also understands that only warriors like Long Bai and Di Bin can truly win the worship of this group of people.He doesn't care.Even though he knows that some of his subordinates even hate him.He knew that in a successful organization there had to be one or two annoying people who did all the annoying jobs. He remembered the situation when he met Di Bin just now.He couldn't deny that he was a little jealous of this sixth brother.But a few years ago, Di Bin was still that little dwarf who was easy to be underestimated by others.In the eyes of "Xing Leng'er" at that time, the gentle fourth son Qi was not far from the shy sixth son Di; today's sixth master Di has unprecedented confidence in every step he takes. "The spokesperson and executor in the dark street of Biaocheng. Qi Chu left the "old nest", passed a cold and wet narrow alley, and boarded a carriage parked on the main road.Qi Chu knew that he might be ambushed every time he passed this narrow alley, but he was not particularly afraid.He knew that if he was attacked, it would mean that Yu Runsheng, Di Bin, and other important people in "Dashutang" would all be attacked at the same time-the life of fourth master Qi alone was not worth taking.At that time, it was already a question of the survival of the entire "Big Tree Hall", and personal fears were insignificant in comparison. Qi Chu was sitting in the carriage, and his attendants immediately handed him a cloth towel to wipe his face.Qi Chu covered his mouth with a cloth towel, and coughed again. Looking at the scenery on the street, he silently considered his work for the day: he had to go outside the city to inspect the progress of the new port in the afternoon, and he had to finish the calculation of several major accounts in the store before leaving the city.Today is another day for turning over the Poshili gambling house—that is the most prosperous of the four gambling houses they own.The total will not be much, but it is all bits and pieces of money.Qi Chu has to stay at the head office on An Dong Street all night tonight.In addition, it is necessary to arrange to transfer the money to the supervisor of the "Chengguan", and to listen to the information about the real estate transaction that his subordinates have inquired about... The wood and bricks and tiles accumulated in the "Old Nest" are not enough, and he has already sent people to urge the supply.There are four mansions in Tongtai that will start construction within a few days.What's more terrible is that the building materials used for the new port have increased a lot more than expected... Since the "Suppression War" seven years ago, the imperial court has greatly monitored war materials (including copper, iron, wood, building materials, etc.). Insufficient supply coupled with excessive taxation has caused the prices of official goods to be completely beyond common sense, resulting in rapid private goods. Swarm up. Among all kinds of private goods, the private salt that "Feng Yilong" has monopolized for many years should be the most profitable; )control.After the establishment of the "Dashutang" four years ago, the first task was to take over the private goods network left by the "slaughter house", which mainly focused on building materials such as wood and bricks.Yu Runsheng established a smuggling business soon after using the existing medicinal material trafficking channels. At the same time, Yu Runsheng established the "Chengguan", which on the surface is an establishment to undertake construction projects and recruit craftsmen, but in essence, it gradually controls all the master craftsmen in Piaocheng. At first, more than half of the craftsmen refused to join. It was before a dozen fingers were knocked off. Soon, anyone in Piaocheng who wanted to build a house had to be nodded by Yu Runsheng.Of course, the building materials used are all private goods imported by "Dashutang".By the time the other smugglers discovered this, it was too late. Qi Chu added a stroke of genius to the construction business: infiltrating low-priced inferior materials into the project, or making craftsmen do some hands and feet invisible to laymen.As a result, the house had to be repaired and repaired less than two years after it was built.The owner of the house without a backer of course dare not ask for compensation-everyone knows that behind the "Chengguan" is the "Dashutang", and of course only the craftsmen of the "Chengguan" undertake the repair work... The car drove east out of Poshili and stopped at the entrance of Pingxishi Hutong.Qi Chu walked into the "Da Shu Tang" branch in the alley with his men. "Hello, fourth master, the medicine is ready." The shopkeeper of the pharmacy greeted him in front of the store, and accompanied Qi Chu straight to the warehouse behind the store.A charcoal fire was lit in the center of the warehouse, and an earthen pot was warmed on it.Qi Chu took a deep breath of the warm medicinal fragrance. Qi Chu and his subordinates sat around the fire, stretching out their stiff fingers to keep warm.When he watched the shopkeeper pour the medicine into the bowl, he suddenly remembered an old servant in his family when he was a child.The impression was very vague. In the same weather, young master Qi Chu was half lying on the bed, and the old servant peeled off the oranges with rough-skinned fingers, and brought the orange meat to his mouth... The medicinal juice was poured into the stomach in one breath, and the bitter taste seemed to come out of the nose. Qi Chu looked at the flames. Boss Yu's meaningful words sounded again. ——Drifting City has become too small? ... When Yu Runsheng said these words suddenly, Qi Chu raised his head from between the files and account books piled up on the table, and looked at the boss in puzzlement. Among the sworn brothers, Qi Chu was the only one who was born in the city.At that time, his family still had money, and his father was still wearing an official uniform every day... That city was once everything in the life of young Qi Chu.Looking back now, I realize that compared with today's Piaocheng, that city is simply a poor place. The small window at the top of the cell wall let in faint sunlight.Yu Runsheng was lying on the bed, still wearing the tiger skin, looking up at the ceiling made of rough stones. Qi Chu looked at him suspiciously. "I've seen it..." Yu Runsheng's gaze remained motionless. "What will the 'Dashutang' be like in two or three years..." Except for himself, only Qi Chu knows exactly how big Yu Runsheng's kingdom is and how much money he allocates every month.They never say hello every time they meet.Yu Runsheng seldom said words of encouragement to his fourth brother.This trust alone is enough. The business of "Dashutang" has three pillars: private goods trafficking (mainly building materials); construction business of "Chengguan";After the completion of the new port, the river transport will become the fourth main source of income for the "Dashutang". The second is the four gambling houses and twelve brothels directly owned by "Dashutang" in Piaocheng.Dice and whores have always been the tools of the underworld to make the most money and the fastest. Almost all the remnants of the "slaughter house" are dedicated to these two industries, and the competition in the city is extremely fierce. On the contrary, the production and sales of medicinal materials in the "Dashutang" pharmacy, although the gross profit is not huge, but because of the monopoly in Piaocheng and neighboring towns, the profit of the whole business is very considerable. Qi Chu originally suggested to use this monopoly situation as much as possible to raise the price of medicinal materials.But Yu Runsheng categorically opposed it. Instead, he donated medicine to the poor in the city for one day every month.Qi Chu understood what the boss meant, so he had no objection. The business at the lowest level of "Dashutang" includes three restaurants, hotels and an inn, and there are more than a dozen street vendors who regularly offer "regular money"... These are all the "visible" businesses in Yu Runsheng's hands. This can no longer be described as "small", Qi Chu thought.During the first two years he often suffered from insomnia.He had never imagined that such a large amount of money was flowing under his hands.He was afraid that he would make a mistake, and he was used to it now. Qi Chu had a stack of contracts in his hand, on which were the fingerprints of the bosses of several big companies and shipping companies.They have all agreed to abandon the "Hetong Port" and switch to Runsheng's new port for loading and unloading goods. The two were silent in the cell. "Piaocheng is too small", does the boss mean to expand the business from Piaocheng?First of all, the surrounding towns and counties, and then other big cities in the state.That is not easy, and it may take more than ten years.But definitely worth it. But that's all for the future.Now that everything is going so smoothly, why does the boss suddenly sigh like this? "About Jinya Puchuan..." Qi Chu hesitated for a while. "The other party has agreed to meet." Yu Runsheng seems to have already known.He was still lying on the bed, curled up under the tiger's skin, and turned his face to Qi Chu. "Little Four, do you agree with us working with this guy?" "Cooperation is beneficial to us. This Pu Chuan is an out-and-out businessman, and he is very capable. With him, many personnel can be stabilized: river transportation, private goods, those people from the "slaughterhouse" in the past, and even... Governor Cha .” When Zha Song was mentioned, Qi Chu still couldn't help being a little embarrassed—after all, "Dashutang" offended the governor of Piaocheng for him.He continued: "That means the entire city of Piao has been stabilized. Then we can concentrate on other businesses." Of course, this includes the plan to expand outside the city. Yu Runsheng didn't nod or shake his head. "Golden Ya Pu Chuan... this person is indeed worth something..." Qi Chu felt that the boss had other ideas. ——Did I say something wrong?Or is there something missing? "You don't have to come with me that day." The negotiation with Pu Chuan was scheduled for five days later. "Then I will discuss it with you in detail. So you have to rest well. You don't have to do anything that day, just stay in the inn and wait for me. The woman who happens to be with you..." The charcoal fire in front of him made a crackling sound, Qi Chu's face was flushed, and the smell of medicine surged in his throat. He was missing Ning Xiaoyu.Sometimes he was too busy to see her for several days, so he satisfied with his imagination.Those eyebrows, those fingers, those waist legs, those lips, there is no part that is not perfect.When people miss their loved ones, the image in their minds always beautifies the other party.But Qi Chu didn't.What he saw when he closed his eyes was exactly the same as when he opened them.Ning Xiaoyu is such a terrifying existence.A living dream where you can laugh, drink, sigh and have love. When you see her, you will immediately imagine how heartbroken it is to lose her. Losing her... Qi Chu didn't dare to think about it. "You will definitely marry her..." For this promise, for this woman, Yu Runsheng and "Dashutang" sacrificed a lot.