Chapter 291: The Movement Has Begun

In March, Zhang Ping'an scoured the Ghost Market for many old items from the Republic of China era, then bought a large quantity of handicrafts at Liulichang, used the aging techniques he learned from Guan Daye to make them look old, and then placed them in his space to settle.

"Uncle Guan, you must keep those treasures of yours well hidden during this period."

"Naturally, this old man isn't stupid," Guan Daye smiled smugly.

In previous years, in order to freeload a bit more knowledge about antiques, and also so his own son could cultivate a closer relationship with Guan Xiaoguan, Zhang Ping'an's family would visit Guan Daye's home every few days.

Guan Daye was also happy that Guan Xiaoguan had a playmate; of course, the main attraction was still the tea and Medicinal Wine that Zhang Ping'an brought every time he came over.

His previously graying hair, under the dual nourishment of the Medicinal Wine and tea, had a faint tendency to turn black.

He Daqing sometimes couldn't even tell who was Guan Daye's nephew, him or Zhang Ping'an; the guy came even more diligently than he did.

However, ever since Wang Xiaoling went to Xiangjiang, Zhang Ping'an had also been watched, so he rarely went anymore, and even during holidays, he would just have He Daqing help bring the gifts over.

"Uncle, why didn't Uncle Ping'an and Brother Weidong come?" Every time He Daqing came over, Guan Xiaoguan would almost always ask this.

"Hmm... they are both busy, they'll come in a while," He Daqing could only reply with this every time.

"Oh," every answer Guan Xiaoguan received left her feeling incredibly disappointed.

Today Zhang Ping'an came over, and Guan Xiaoguan asked him the same thing; Zhang Ping'an was also very helpless and had no choice but to take out a photo of Weidong for her.

Ever since Zhang Ping'an got married, he would take family portraits and individual photos every year, so he had photos of Weidong from age one to nine.

"This is what your Brother Weidong asked me to give to you; he has gone to another place now and won't be able to return for a short time."

"Oh," the little girl took the photo, looked at it carefully, and then solemnly placed it in the iron box at the head of her bed.

"Are you up to no good, kid?" Guan Daye looked at Zhang Ping'an with an unkind expression.

"Cough, cough, Uncle Guan, you're wronging me there; they're just children, they have to make friends."

"Hmph."

Guan Daye didn't mind his granddaughter getting along with Zhang Ping'an's children, it was just that he always felt this kid was very cunning; his granddaughter was only this young, and she was already being targeted.

"Hehe, Uncle Guan, come, drink, drink."

"Old man, do you have any Disguise Technique?"

This was the third day after Zhang Ping'an received the information from Yun Province; the lair of those few guys had already been marked, confirming that Lao Er had not lied about the North Leg.

"In this day and age, where would you find any Disguise Technique? But there are indeed some Makeup Techniques; if the customer wants to learn, it'll be two hundred."

"Let me take a look first; if it's worth it, I'll buy it."

Zhang Ping'an also understood a little about the preparation of simple medicinal liquids; if it were just that, he definitely wouldn't want it.

"Done."

The old man didn't talk nonsense; he fumbled under the tablecloth for a while and took out a tattered booklet, *Complete Collection of Disguise Techniques*.

When Zhang Ping'an saw the title, the corners of his mouth twitched; he had the illusion that he was trading all his money for the Tathagata Palm.

If it weren't for Zhang Ping'an's Space Perception confirming that this booklet was indeed quite old—a product from the end of the previous dynasty or the Republic of China era—he would have thought it was fake.

Zhang Ping'an flipped through it briefly; many of the methods inside really made his eyes light up, comparable to the later "Asian sorcery," only the materials were different. Zhang Ping'an bought it without hesitation.

"This is a special medicinal liquid; the booklet has an introduction on how to use it. Does the customer want it? Twenty yuan a bottle."

"Fine, I'll take two bottles," Zhang Ping'an didn't care; in case of an emergency, it might really come in handy.

"Alrighty, come back again when you're done, customer."

At night, Zhang Ping'an studied the contents of the booklet in his space. Good heavens, the author of this booklet was likely a thief or a killer; it was all about teaching you how to be the most inconspicuous person in a crowd.

The medicinal herbs needed for makeup were all in his space, and Zhang Ping'an experimented simply according to the methods.

Although the first time he applied makeup it was still a bit rough, in the dim light of the night, someone who wasn't familiar with him really wouldn't be able to recognize him.

"This is simply an essential skill for killing, seizing treasures, and framing others; once I master it, I won't have to be secretive wherever I go," Zhang Ping'an thought happily.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was May. During this time, Zhang Ping'an had been searching for the Red Treasure Book in various libraries. Hard work pays off, and Zhang Ping'an bought three copies directly.

After returning to the Siheyuan, Zhang Ping'an also had Lao Jia and his son buy a few copies, insisting that everyone have one and try their best to read the contents thoroughly.

Speaking of the four men including Qi Lu, they met in Yun Province dressed as beggars; at this moment, all four of them had a feeling of having survived a disaster.

Along the way, they saw too many of their own wanted posters, and even in towns, they didn't dare to stay long, just doing a simple resupply before continuing on.

By now, they had been traveling on foot for more than three months. After returning to their lair, they washed up thoroughly and rested for more than half a month before they finally recovered.

"Big Brother, let's just retire here from now on."

"Otherwise, where else do you want to go?"

The place they were staying now was located in a small border village where news was blocked. Their lair was exceptionally large, with forty or fifty subordinates inside, and even if someone reported them, they could immediately run across to Myanmar.

"Big Brother, about Lao Er's family, should we..."

"Forget it, they are all unaware. Even if it was Lao Er who betrayed us, we cannot do things that harm his wife and children."

"Yes, Big Brother."

Time reached June, and the elementary school classes were suspended. Yan Bugui also became unemployed. Based on the principle of not wasting resources, Zhang Ping'an prepared to discuss with Yan Bugui about giving his little brothers two hours of lessons every day.

"Done, anyway, being idle at home is just being idle." Then Bang Geng and his sister, and Yuliang all joined in to study.

In July, Donglai and Dongzi successfully graduated from junior high school. Afterwards, schools across the country were widely suspended, and the Yi siblings also returned from their high school.

"Ping'an, you should go out less in the future; it's chaotic outside now."

During this time, Dong Dani had seen many merchants and Capitalists being denounced, as well as the "Destroy the Four Olds" movement, which made her feel a little less resentful about the escape of Wang Xiaoling's family.

"Alright, Mother, don't you worry."

Zhang Ping'an now had to go out almost every early morning, besides buying antiques at the Black Market, he was swapping antiques in the "Four Olds" warehouses.

He used the fake goods he had aged previously to swap out the real antiques in the warehouses, which could also be considered a form of protection.

Anyway, the current Little Red Armbands were mostly led by junior high students, and they couldn't distinguish the authenticity of the antiques. Even if a teacher in a professional field didn't look carefully with a magnifying glass, it was very difficult to tell them apart.

For furniture, Zhang Ping'an only picked a few fine pieces and didn't touch the others much. He didn't want to disrupt his rhythm of exchanging for other antiques because of a few pieces of furniture; that would be penny-wise and pound-foolish.

The Siheyuan had also been very peaceful for the past half year; the first and second generations all had their own jobs, while most of the third generation were kept at home to study.

That day, Zhang Ping'an came to the Xicheng Branch Bureau again to deliver meat and Big Bone, and was pulled into the office by Wang Weiguo.

"What is it, Wang Shu?" Zhang Ping'an did not stand on ceremony either; he picked up a teacup, brewed a cup of tea, and started drinking.

"You brat, you really don't stand on ceremony. I've found a marriage match for you; I'm asking for your thoughts."

"Cough, cough, what?"