Chapter 22 Renovating the Yard
It was already noon when we arrived at the Minzu Restaurant. This restaurant is famous for its mutton hotpot and there is always a long queue. I didn't expect that its business would be so popular in 1974. There were already more than a dozen people queuing at the door.
Good brother Yong and a few younger brothers came early. They had already ordered the dishes in the hall, so Qiao Qinglu and the other two walked into the restaurant under the envious gazes of everyone.
A copper hot pot was placed in the middle of the big table, and next to it were more than ten blue and white porcelain bowls filled with sesame paste, fermented tofu, pickled chives, braised shrimp oil, coriander and other condiments. There was also a plate of lamb slices, a plate of stir-fried lamb, a plate of roasted lamb legs, and a plate of stir-fried pork tenderloin with coriander.
When Brother Yong saw the three people arrive, he immediately invited them to take a seat. After exchanging a few words in front of the delicious food, they picked up their chopsticks and started eating.
This mutton is cooked in a copper hot pot soup in one dip, and then dipped in sesame paste, it tastes fragrant and tender, not smelly or greasy, with just the right amount of saltiness, and is extremely delicious.
Mutton is his specialty. Not only is the hot pot mutton delicious, but the stir-fried mutton, roasted lamb leg, and stir-fried pork tenderloin with coriander also have their own unique flavors. They are so delicious that they leave a lingering taste in your mouth. I just don't know how much this meal cost Brother Yong.
After the meal, Qiao Qinglu invited Brother Yong to go to the courtyard in Nanluoguxiang to discuss cooperation matters. Firstly, the restaurant was crowded with people and it was not suitable for discussing business; secondly, they had to let Brother Yong take a look at the courtyard before subletting it to his brother, so they changed their route and went to Nanluoguxiang.
After opening the door and entering the main room in the yard, Qiao Qinglu first handed Brother Yong a note, which read: 5 28-inch bicycles, 5 semiconductors; 30 thermoses, 30 military kettles; 50 pairs of men's cotton boots, 50 pairs of women's cotton boots; 20 sheets, 20 quilt covers, 20 pairs of pillowcases, 20 pairs of pillowcases; 30 kilograms each of red, yellow and blue wool yarn, 600 kilograms of cotton, 10 pieces of woolen fabric; 500 kilograms each of rice and flour, 50 kilograms of peanut oil, 30 kilograms of noodles, 10 kilograms of white sugar, and 10 kilograms of brown sugar.
Brother Yong looked at the remaining food and said, "Sister, you're so kind! Food is so precious these days, and I appreciate your kindness. Except for new items, which will be priced at market price, the prices for items traded last time remain unchanged. Woolen fabric is 260 yuan per piece, rice and flour are 7 cents per pound, peanut oil is 1.6 yuan per pound, noodles are 8 cents per pound, white sugar is 1.6 yuan per pound, and brown sugar is 1.8 yuan per pound. Is this price okay?"
Qiao Qinglu smiled frankly and said, "Okay, whatever price Brother Yong says is fine. But Brother Yong, this batch of grain I have is high-quality grain, especially this flour, which is not ordinary strong flour."
Brother Yong raised an eyebrow. "From what you said, did that batch of high-quality rice, flour, and noodles that appeared on the black market a while ago come from you?"
Qiao Qinglu: "A few days ago, I did sell a batch of grain on the black market. I don't know if it's the batch you mentioned. That day, after I sold the grain, I also sold a military coat and a watch. That's how we met."
Da Junzi explained, "A while ago, a few black market regulars were asking about high-quality rice, flour, and noodles. They said they'd bought some and the quality was excellent, especially the flour, which was whiter and finer than Fuqiang flour. Brother Yong and I were wondering, we've searched everywhere and haven't seen any such food. So it's yours."
Qiao Qinglu smiled. "Food isn't like a military coat. It takes up space and is difficult to transport, let alone trade in large quantities. I had a hard time getting some this time, and I'm supplying you right away."
Brother Yong looked at this girl and thought she was very capable. She was able to get such a batch of high-quality grain. He was just worrying about how to get in touch with her, and now she came as a stepping stone.
So he said cheerfully, "Okay, the total price is 9843, and this time, like last time, it's part cash, part small yellow croaker, and antique jewelry?"
Qiao Qinglu smiled. "Yeah, that's still the case. I'm going to take advantage of Brother Yong one last time and ask for 4,000 in cash. How about exchanging the rest for small yellow croaker, jewelry, jade, bronze, and snuff bottles? From now on, only cash and small yellow croaker will be accepted. I won't take anything away from others anymore."
Brother Yong laughed heartily and said, "Sure, sure. I bought these for my collection, but I didn't expect you and I to think alike. So why not let you have some?"
Qiao Qinglu smiled and bowed, "Brother Yong is a man of honor, but I can't keep taking away what others want. Brother Yong, I mentioned it to you last time. If you have some spare money, you might as well buy a few courtyards. I'll mention it again tomorrow. I bought these courtyards on land. If there are any courtyards for sale, no matter what they are, just take them. This courtyard is more valuable than small yellow croakers or antiques. That's all I have to say. It's up to you, Brother Yong, to believe it or not."
Brother Yong held up his chin. Qiao Qinglu had mentioned this matter last time, but he didn't take it seriously.
What's the point of buying a few shabby yards? Only this girl gave up her apartment and bought a yard instead. Everyone treated her as a joke.
This time she said it clearly again and mentioned that this yard was more valuable than antiques.
Okay, just trust the girl for once.
Anyway, he still has a lot of cash in his hands, so he might as well just leave it there and look for a yard nearby to rent to his brothers.
Qiao Qinglu finished her talk and was about to say goodbye to Brother Yong when she remembered she hadn't mentioned the rent yet. She took out the drafted contract and said, "Brother Yong, my yard is 20 yuan a month, payable in one lump sum, with a month's deposit. Is that okay with you? Let's sign a contract."
Brother Yong took the contract and signed and put his fingerprints on it without saying a word. He gave 260 yuan to Qiao Qinglu, and Qiao Qinglu gave Brother Yong a key to the place.
At the same time, Qiao Qinglu gave him a new big lock and a key.
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