Chapter 861 It’s Hard to Find

The most famous, largest and most diverse trust stores in the city are Xidan, Caishikou, Tianqiao, Huashi, Xisi, Dongsi, Qianmen, Guang'anmen, Beixinqiao, Xinjiekou, etc.

In front of each trust store, there will be a large group of scattered car workers, who specialize in helping buyers deliver the purchased items to their homes, but if you observe carefully, you will find that these people are divided into two factions.

Some of them are normal tricycle drivers, who are managed by a unit called "Tricycle Society" and are not unemployed vagrants.

There are also some tricycle drivers who have no unit. In later generations, these tricycles are called "black cars."

Most of these black tricycle drivers are released from prison after serving their sentences. Various units refuse to accept them, and the tricycle society is also afraid that they will cause trouble and be difficult to manage. If there is no indicator from the superior, or the local street office or police station intercedes, no unit will choose them.

These people who have been released from prison also need to eat, but they can't bear the hardship of picking up rags, so they choose to ride black tricycles. The locals turn a blind eye to this, as long as they don't cause trouble.

In fact, these people used to be called Woboer and Kangjian, for example: Cai Wushiwu in a certain TV series, which belongs to the industry of selling coolies.

The earliest and most formal Woboer came from the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China. It was not something that could be done by just having a lot of strength. Although they sold coolies, it was also a special industry at the time, requiring necessary training and solid skills to be competent.

Because in the past, the iron-clad crops of the four-nine cities moved, merchants and ordinary people married their daughters, and those gold and silver, porcelain, vases, Buddhist shrines, statues, hardwood furniture, antiques and jade were placed in the carriage for fear of damage, so Woboer was born.

However, these are all relatively expensive things. If untrained people make any mistakes, they may not be able to pay for it even if they lose everything.

Therefore, there was a business that specialized in training and selecting wobers. The original name was called Shengziku, which was dedicated to supporting the old witch of the Yehenara clan. What the superior likes, the subordinates must follow, which is also the rise of the wobers industry.

In the 1930s and 1940s, with the rise of carts and rickshaws, wobers were promoted to boarders and rickshaw pullers, such as: camels and so on.

Han Li came here today to buy things back, so when he came to the door of the Xidan Trust Store, which was closest to his home, he first observed the people riding tricycles and determined which ones were regular people and which ones were black cars before walking in.

As soon as he entered the door, Han Li found that there was no change here except that there were more goods, including the first counter "Lost and Found Office".

Han Li looked at the salesmen who were sitting at the counter listening to music, who didn't know which counter they were from, and shook his head silently and went to the furniture sales side.

The step-out bed was still there, and Han Li was not in a hurry to go forward to observe it. Instead, he took out a cigarette from a pack of cigarettes and handed it to the salesperson who was reading inside.

"Comrade, have a cigarette."

"Who are you?"

"I want to ask if we have a complete set of furniture here, preferably one from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It would be even better if there is a professional master to help recommend it."

After Han Li finished speaking, the salesperson looked at him as if he was a fool. In this day and age, there are still people who buy such expensive, impractical, and troublesome things. However, when he saw the cigarette in his hand, he said.

"Then wait a moment, I'll go to the back and ask someone to come over."

"That's really too much trouble for you."

"You're welcome, with your Huazi, I can make three trips."

As Han Li said this, he took out a kerosene lighter and lit the cigarette for the salesperson. After he exhaled a puff of smoke, he nodded and went inside. Han Li then wandered around and soon brought back a master with gray hair and glasses in his fifties or sixties.

"This is Master Zhang from our Xidan Trust Store. He is an expert in identifying antique furniture. His identification level is ranked first in the entire Sijiu City. If you have any questions, ask him. He is really the best choice.

After hearing this, Han Li took out Huazi again and spread it around, and lit them for them.

At this time, Master Zhang looked Han Li up and down. Seeing that he was dressed well and had a good demeanor, he was not like those people who came here to touch and look around, looking greedy but only asking but not buying. Then he asked.

"Comrade, what kind of furniture do you want? "

"To be honest with you, Master Zhang, I want a set of furniture made of high-quality wood from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The more the better."

"This is not easy to do. Even furniture made of high-quality wood is prone to problems after so many years. It is not difficult for us to find a few pieces in good condition, but it is not easy for you to get a set of this."

Han Li knew it was a good idea when he heard this. If you rely on the mountain, you can eat the mountain; if you rely on the water, you can eat the water; if you rely on the King of Hell, you can eat the little ghosts.

Since Master Zhang is an expert in identifying antique furniture, he must have inventory or sources in his hands. Now he just wants to get some benefits from it.

"Master Zhang, you are an expert in this area. I still need your help in this matter."

"Everyone praises them, but I have been thinking about this all my life. In addition to some of the things in our warehouse that meet your requirements, I also know that there are a few people who have what you want, but they can't get it. I don’t know what price to sell it for.”

After hearing this, Han Li immediately took out an unopened pack of Huazi from his pocket and stuffed it into Master Zhang's pocket and said.

"Then please don't bother with this matter. As long as it's a good item and the price is not outrageous, I'll make it easy for you."

"Then I'll go ask for you."

"If you take the trouble, your help will never be in vain when it is done."

"Easy to say, easy to say. Let's go take a look at the goods in the warehouse first. I'll go and ask about the rest another day."

"Well, I'm still in school and don't have time. How about we set the time for next Sunday. If the things are suitable for my eyes, I'll buy them together. This will save trouble when giving them away."

After the two people chatted for a while, Han Li left the trust store in Xidan. However, after he left the door, he came to the leader who had just observed the two waves of three-wheelers, and took out a pack of large Qianmen Talking while walking away.

"Brother, are you busy with this?"

"Hey He, the big front door, I haven't opened it in a long time."

"Thank you, buddy. We can barely have a good time. Isn't this what you are trying to do with your outfit and cigarette?"

"No, I just want to find something for my brothers to do."