pertwk Chapter 17: Are they really not on our side?
Chapter 17: Are they really not on our side?
Sometimes, people's lifestyles and eating habits are completely different.
Take eating as an example: some people like to eat noodles, some like to eat rice, and some like to eat steamed buns.
Zhang Guohao is someone who loves both rice and noodles. Eating noodles is fine, but he needs a huge bowl of noodles; less is not good enough.
And it doesn't feel like it lasts long enough; I get hungry again after just a few hours.
In comparison, Zhang Guohao felt that rice was more filling; when he was sixteen, he would eat eight bowls of rice plus two steamed buns in one meal.
The bowls weren't the kind used in the south, but rather large bowls that could replace three bowls here, and the steamed buns were larger than a fist.
"It was my oversight. Next time I come, there will definitely be rice and steamed buns."
Manager Zhao looked at Zhang Guohao, smiled and agreed, thinking that since they were advancing under fire, they should at least be well-fed.
They have cooks from the north in their team, so they can just serve up some hometown dishes.
See you tomorrow.
Zhang Guohao spoke casually, seemingly not taking what he had just said to heart at all, which made Manager Zhao feel that Zhang Guohao was different from others.
This guy is interesting. He's not afraid of this. Is he really not one of us?
Once aboard, the engine hummed softly, the water was calm, and the wind was light.
Boss Huo boarded Zhang Guohao's boat again, and the two of them sat at the bow.
"Do you think we're really going to run into those warships?"
After hesitating for a moment, Boss Huo still said something.
"You're quitting just because there's a possibility of running into it?"
Zhang Guohao looked at the other person with bright eyes, showing no sign of fear.
"No way! I've thought about this before, but I didn't expect it to happen so soon."
Boss Huo shook his head and said firmly that he had considered all sorts of scenarios since he started this job, and he was not going to back down easily.
"That settles it then. We'll just have to see how fast we can run. Or how about you get a torpedo? We can take it down!"
Zhang Guohao chuckled and said.
"You're a waste not to be a soldier, all you ever think about is fighting and killing."
Boss Huo pointed at Zhang Guohao and said with a wry smile.
"I'm used to running errands on my own, I can't stand being managed."
Zhang Guohao said that he is fine with being asked to do the work, but he can't stand being managed by others. Boss Huo doesn't care about this aspect of him, which is what he admires most.
"Then let's fight them!"
Boss Huo gritted his teeth. He was a Tanka person, and the Tanka people did not have a high social status because many of them lived on boats their whole lives and never had the chance to go ashore. If they wanted to get ahead in the local area, they had to seize every opportunity; otherwise, they would be poor and miserable for the rest of their lives.
Many people in later generations think that eating seafood every meal is a good thing, but for the Tanka people, whoever lives like that suffers!
You can't survive on just seafood; you need to eat rice and noodles!
The Tanka people earn some money, but in the end, they exchange it all for rice and noodles.
Many Tanka people own only one boat, and in many places, they belong to the lowest social class.
Boss Huo is only good because he has a strong family tradition of perseverance and he went to school; otherwise, he might be rowing a boat somewhere right now!
They returned to Hong Kong Island without any trouble. Boss Huo arranged for people to unload the goods and then let everyone catch up on their sleep. When it got light, it would be time to get more goods.
"Ai Wu!"
However, Zhang Guohao was not in a hurry to leave today. Instead, he called out to Ai Wu, who had been working tirelessly for him for the past two days.
From what I've seen these past two days, this kid is quite sensible. He's very obedient at the dock and on the ship, and he's also good at organizing things.
Once we were off the dock, he would never come up to us unless we called him, but as soon as we arrived, he would always be there, offering us cigarettes or water. He was also quite hardworking.
Overall, he's a usable person.
"Brother Hao, what can I do for you?"
When Ai Wu heard Zhang Guohao call him, he ran all the way over, even though it wasn't far.
"Does Tsim Sha Tsui look familiar?"
Zhang Guohao glanced at him, then looked away and headed towards Tsim Sha Tsui.
"I know it all, Brother Hao. I've been hanging around Tsim Sha Tsui lately. I know everything about it, from food and drinks to entertainment and clothing."
Ai Wu's eyes lit up; the opportunity he had been waiting for had finally arrived!
It was worth it to wander around the docks and ask around for information; it finally came in handy today.
"Let's go buy some bed sheets, blankets, pots and pans."
Zhang Guohao nodded, ignored Ai Wu, and walked out of the dock.
Ai Wu quickly followed, even walking a few steps faster, and was the first to hail a rickshaw.
Because of the famous Peninsula Hotel, and its location on the north side of Victoria Harbour, Tsim Sha Tsui has a large number of foreigners, making it relatively safe, and the buildings also have a somewhat modern feel.
The places Ai Wu knew weren't particularly high-class; they were mostly ordinary people's places. His so-called familiarity with them was limited to having seen them a few times.
It's a bit of an exaggeration, but it's enough. Zhang Guohao spent 1,500 yuan on rent, over 200 yuan on two trips to Huaqing Pool, and almost 100 yuan on other miscellaneous expenses.
Although I received three thousand dollars in advance, I can't keep spending it like this. I need to keep some for self-defense so I can do some legitimate business in the future. I can't keep working as a bodyguard on ships all the time, can I?
First, buy bed sheets and blankets. Zhang Guohao ordered four sets at once. The weather in Hong Kong is hot, and you're always covered in sweat. You have to change and wash them frequently. It's even more troublesome when it's humid. You can't do anything every day.
Buy pots, pans, rice, flour, cooking oil, and kitchen seasonings.
Ai Wu was very clever, running around trying to bargain. Zhang Guohao just lit a cigarette and watched him with no expression on his face, but Ai Wu got even more excited. Brother Hao didn't praise him, nor did he say that he was wrong!
Prices aren't too high right now. Rice can be found for 30 or 50 cents, pork for a little over a dollar but less than two dollars, and eggs can be bought for 10 or 20 cents depending on where you live.
A whole rooster is a bit more expensive, ten yuan apiece.
In less than ten years, these numbers will all increase tenfold or twentyfold, and wages will also increase rapidly.
Whether everyone will receive a raise is uncertain.
After spending another few dozen yuan, Zhang Guohao and Ai Wu each took a rickshaw back to their rented courtyard.
As soon as he pushed the door open, he saw that it was not closed, and a smile appeared on Zhang Guohao's face.
"I live here. Come find me if you need anything."
Zhang Guohao spoke to Ai Wu behind him, showing no intention of inviting him into the courtyard.
"Don't worry, Brother Hao, I know what to do."
Ai Wu nodded, his eyes fixed downwards, showing no interest in looking into the courtyard.
"Here's a pack of cigarettes. You've had a long day, go find a place to rest. Also, change your clothes, you haven't showered in days, they're all smelly!"
Zhang Guohao took out most of a pack of cigarettes, the one he smoked himself, and threw it to Ai Wu. He then took out two five-yuan bills and handed them to the other man.
You can test whether someone is loyal or capable, but you can't actually withhold their money.
Who would work for you if you don't have money?
Ai Wu has been behaving subserviently these past few days. Could it be that he really wants to become Zhang Guohao's underling? He just wants to get ahead and earn more money.