Chapter 323: Tavern Dispute

Seeing Jia Zhangshi hang her head and slink back into her own room, the people in the courtyard dispersed in twos and threes.

Wang Xia walked slowly to He Yuzhu's side and said in a low voice, "It's dark now, walk me home."

He Yuzhu nodded and followed her out of the courtyard gate without a word.

Once they were outside, Wang Xia frowned and scolded, "Stop using those crooked methods in the future! Don't treat everyone else like a fool—they might not have realized it yet, but they'll understand once they go home and think it over."

"Sister, that's unreasonable of you," He Yuzhu scratched his head. "You were the one who asked me for help; I only came up with this idea because I was acting on impulse."

"I'm not blaming you," Wang Xia sighed, "I'm reminding you to know your limits when doing things in the future!"

"Understood. But your neighborhood office really should do something about this Jia Zhangshi! She relies on the government's leniency toward people like her and has become increasingly arrogant. She spends all day in the courtyard pointing at the mulberry tree and cursing the locust tree, and she doesn't even spare my sister and the other children, calling them 'money-losing goods' every day!"

"I know about this," Wang Xia nodded. "Several households in the courtyard have already come to the neighborhood office to report it. We are also waiting for a suitable opportunity to properly educate her."

"By the way, that secret agent who died at your place last time—his whole group has been caught. Who would have thought these people were actually hiding in a temple?" He Yuzhu changed the subject.

"That's good," Wang Xia breathed a sigh of relief. "I've been on edge these days, terrified they might come back to cause trouble. I haven't even dared to go out after dark."

After seeing Wang Xia home, He Yuzhu turned and headed toward Liu Rusi's residence.

Just as he knocked on the door, Pingping poked her head out and blocked the entrance, saying, "The young lady is entertaining guests, come back tomorrow!"

"What kind of distinguished guest is it that even I can't see?" He Yuzhu asked curiously.

"I really can't say. Just go back for now!" Pingping said.

He Yuzhu turned and left in a huff, driving straight toward Qianmen. For some reason, he felt as if his heart were stuffed with cotton; it was stifling.

Arriving at Xueru Clothing Store, he saw Chen Xueru busy greeting a group of Russian customers in broken Russian.

She caught sight of He Yuzhu and smiled, signaling, "Wait a moment."

He Yuzhu nodded and looked around the shop. Chen Xueru was indeed a shrewd businessperson—she had actually made samples of all the outdoor winter designs he had drawn previously.

Although the quantity was small, each piece was displayed individually with a "Taking Pre-orders" sign in front.

These ahead-of-their-time designs were truly eye-catching, and the shop was packed with customers waiting to try them on.

Many people paid their deposits on the spot after trying them on, afraid that their orders would be pushed to the back of the line.

He Yuzhu glanced at the price tag on a down jacket; it was actually two million.

It seemed that no matter the era, there was never a shortage of rich people.

After seeing off the Russians, Chen Xueru trotted over excitedly: "Those Russians ordered three thousand down jackets from me! This is a huge deal."

"That's a lot, can you handle the production?" He Yuzhu asked with concern.

"No problem! I've already contacted slaughterhouses in various places, and they've promised a long-term supply of goose and duck down. There are still ten months until the delivery date, so there's plenty of time."

"The price doesn't look cheap; are many local customers buying them?"

"Quite a few. Our garment factory has already expanded to five hundred people, and it will reach one thousand in three months," Chen Xueru whispered.

"What fabric are you using for the down jackets? It looks quite thick."

"Specially made poplin; the density is higher than regular poplin so the duck down won't poke through," Chen Xueru said, not without pride.

"Remember to sterilize the down at high temperatures during processing."

"I know that. We sort it by hand and then wash it with warm water, but we can't use boiling water..."

He Yuzhu nodded with satisfaction.

The wisdom of the people was indeed strong; as someone from the future, this was all he knew as well.

"Speaking of which, since we started selling these new styles, the shop's turnover has doubled," Chen Xueru was very satisfied with the current business.

"Shouldn't Boss Chen treat us to a meal?" He Yuzhu teased.

"No problem, but a busy person like you coming here specially must have something else on your mind, right?" Chen Xueru asked with a smile.

He Yuzhu nodded, "I found a job for my second uncle, but I don't even know where he lives, so I had to come here to try my luck."

"What kind of job?"

"Being a Police officer."

"That's great! It would be even better if he could be in charge of our area."

"I can't say for sure about that."

"Your second uncle is an honest and reliable person. If you hadn't found him this job, I would have wanted to hire him as my driver!"

"Is Boss Chen planning to buy a car?"

Chen Xueru nodded, "I have to go out to negotiate business often lately, and it's too cold to go out by rickshaw!"

He Yuzhu smiled; he didn't know if it was good or bad that he was helping her grow her business.

"Shunzi, go and invite Master Cai over," Chen Xueru turned and instructed the clerk.

Shunzi responded and trotted out. Before long, Cai Quanwu entered the door, bringing a chill with him. Seeing He Yuzhu, a smile immediately bloomed on his face: "Zhuzi, how do you have time to come here today?"

"I found you a job as a Police officer, are you willing?"

Cai Quanwu didn't even think about it, saying with pleasant surprise: "If it were any other job, I might have to consider it. But this position is impossible to refuse."

"You will be working under Comrade Tian Dan."

"That's even better! That comrade is very kind to people."

Cai Quanwu rubbed his hands excitedly: "Zhuzi, are you free tonight? Let's go to the Small Tavern for a couple of drinks."

Chen Xueru took over the conversation: "Master Cai, I'll be the host tonight, let's go to Quanjude!"

"That won't do!" Cai Quanwu shook his head firmly. "The matter Zhuzi entrusted me with hasn't been completed yet, so I must treat tonight. Let's just go to the Small Tavern, I'll buy two braised pork elbows on the way."

He Yuzhu laughed: "I'll defer to your judgment. Xueru, let's all go to the Small Tavern and sit for a while."

"Alright." Chen Xueru handed the shop matters over to the manager, and the three of them set off together.

On the way, Cai Quanwu indeed bought two steaming hot braised pork elbows.

As soon as they entered the Small Tavern, Manager He greeted them with surprise: "Boss Xueru, you're here?"

Chen Xueru smiled and pointed at Cai Quanwu: "Master Cai is the host today."

Boss He curled his lip slightly and sized up Cai Quanwu: "Cai Quanwu, it's not time to stop pulling your cart yet today, why have you stopped? This is rare!"

Cai Quanwu saw Boss He's disdain and deliberately raised his voice: "Everyone! I told you long ago that the great hero who shot down the United States devils' plane, He Yuzhu, is my own nephew, but you didn't believe me. Now take a look, my own nephew has come to see me!"

He Yuzhu met everyone's gaze and cupped his hands: "Greetings, neighbors."

Shopkeeper He examined He Yuzhu carefully, as if judging whether Cai Quanwu was bragging.

After sizing him up for a long while, he said sarcastically: "Old Cai, you have a good nephew!"

"I also forgot to mention, my big brother is a Regimental Commander now!" Cai Quanwu boasted deliberately.

"Oh my! Cai Quanwu, you're like the Earth God passing gas—getting all high and mighty! You've become a revolutionary family in the blink of an eye!" Niu Ye, who was to the side, stood up and teased.

He Yuzhu felt his second uncle was getting a bit carried away today, but thinking of how he had been looked down upon for years and was finally able to hold his head high, it was understandable for him to show off a little.

Cai Quanwu ordered a few cold dishes from the shop and asked the shopkeeper to slice up a braised pork knuckle.

Chen Xueru poured wine for the three of them.

Cai Quanwu raised his glass and said: "Thanks to Zhuzi for finding a good job for your second uncle!"

"We're family, no need for such talk." He Yuzhu raised his glass and downed it in one gulp.

As soon as he finished drinking, he regretted it—this wasn't wine at all, it was clearly cold water mixed with a bit of alcohol!

"Second Uncle, there's quite a bit of water mixed into this wine, isn't there?"

Chen Xueru let out a giggle: "You don't come often, so you wouldn't know. I heard that when the Japan devils occupied Beiping, they first came here to drink and wouldn't pay. But after a few times, they all stopped coming. Do you know why?"

"Too much water was mixed in, it's even blander than sake!" He Yuzhu blurted out.

Hearing this, Shopkeeper He walked over with ill intent and said: "What are you saying?"

"Saying your wine is too watered down, I'm going to report you and have you, this unscrupulous merchant, arrested!" He Yuzhu said aggressively.

"You dare? Don't think that just because you've performed some meritorious service you can bully the common people!" Shopkeeper He said.

"Just for that remark, you're ripe for a struggle session!" He Yuzhu stood up and said.