A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 6 Difficult Situation
Although he had to rest at home for two days, Chen Guangliang was not idle either.

He suddenly had the urge to write the novel "Camel Xiangzi".

After all, he had read Lao She's original text in his previous life and watched the movie starring Zhang Fengyi, so he had a deep impression of this novel.

So he bought the cheapest wooden pencils and white paper.

If you don’t know how to write traditional Chinese characters, use old newspapers to look them up. It doesn’t matter if you learn slowly.

After overcoming various difficulties, Chen Guangliang soon discovered a fact - that is, his writing style was far from that of writers of this era; even his vernacular was not up to standard at all.

"Looks like I can't be a plagiarist anymore!"

I also thought about making my first pot of gold from this, but I soon found out that it was not realistic at all.

You know, the literati of this era were all really wealthy.

Lu Xun's monthly income could reach 420 yuan, which allowed him to live in the Ramos Apartment in Shanghai (later called Beichuan Apartment); Xu Zhimo's salary could allow him to rent a small Western-style house in Shanghai, hire a driver and a servant, and let Lu Xiaoman live a life like a lady, although Xu Zhimo himself was wearing a pair of tattered pants.
It’s enviable to think about it. A university professor has a salary of 240 yuan, and Xu Zhimo is a lecturer at three universities in Shanghai!
finally.

Chen Guangliang could only choose to try to write a vernacular outline, that is, to write the main plot, portray the characters' personalities, and list two main lines.

“Just treat it as material!”

Even if Lao She wrote this article in his previous life, it was a friend from Shandong University talking about his experience and observations of hiring a rickshaw driver: a rickshaw driver bought a "foreign rickshaw" and sold it soon after, and after three ups and downs, he finally became poor.

In addition, because Lao She was born into a poor urban family, he had been in contact with the lower classes since he was a child, and had a deeper understanding of the living conditions and psychology of the working people. All of this provided the source of material for Lao She to create "Camel Xiangzi".

"Boss Wang, I'm fine."

"How was your rest?"

Chen Guangliang complained, "Boss Wang, you don't know, I'm still growing. I almost had nothing to eat after two days of rest!"

"Haha," Wang Chengyun laughed, "Young people can eat and do things, not bad!"

After speaking for a few words, Wang Chengyun took out a number plate and gave it to Chen Guangliang.

It was another rickshaw that was only about 60% to 70% new, which was not ideal.

Chen Guangliang didn't complain directly, but his evaluation of Wang Chengyun became more certain.

"Smiling Tiger"

The "Wang's Car Company" controlled by Wang Chengyun owned more than 120 rickshaws and had more than 200 rickshaw pullers under his command.

The drivers paid him high rent every day, and he also gave everyone a chance to have enough food.

That seems to be no problem!

But from Chen Guangliang's current perspective, Wang Chengyun has a lot of "little tricks" and is exploiting many people.

First, he would control everyone's ability to make money and not want anyone to buy a rickshaw on their own;
Secondly, many drivers keep their savings with Wang Chengyun (shanty towns and large bunk beds are not safe), but there is no interest.

Finally, Wang Chengyun liked to make the driver work for free.

It is true that the original accumulation of capital is bloody.

Chen Guangliang also learned a lot from Wang Chengyun.

of course.

The difficulty facing Chen Guangliang is Wang Chengyun's "cunningness".

His original plan was to save eight or nine yuan a month, and in three months he would be eligible to buy a new rickshaw and join the partnership.

But now it seems that Chen Guangliang can save six or seven yuan a month, which is already very good.

This is because no one knows how much money he earns every day, otherwise Wang Chengyun would definitely make things difficult for him and continue to increase the number of days he has to rest.

Chen Guangliang was somewhat unwilling to accept the fact that he had earned his first pot of gold in just four or five months.

After entering May, the lives of rickshaw pullers gradually became difficult.

Running on the road almost barefoot (straw sandals are easily worn out) will cause blisters on the soles of your feet after a day; you also sweat too much and need to replenish water in time; the smell of sweat all over your body is also disliked by others, and even ridiculed.

Chen Guangliang still insisted on running as much as possible every day, and for a while he became "well-known" in the circle.

However, when driving a car, Chen Guangliang always pays attention to whether the customer is an intellectual, and hints at whether he has published any articles.

He hoped that his 'information' could still bring him some extra benefits.

Near Tianfei Palace Bridge.

A young rickshaw driver named He Xiangdong saw Chen Guangliang put down his rickshaw and immediately asked, "Ah Liang, you've been driving around all day, you must have made a lot of money, right?"

Chen Guangliang saw that many of the rickshaw drivers who had gathered around him were acquaintances, so he smiled and said, "Have you ever seen a rickshaw driver make money?"

Everyone laughed.

Although it sounds heartless, this sentence is extremely true.

He Xiangdong said, "That's not necessarily true. I heard that Li Sizhong from Wang's Car Dealership bought a rickshaw a couple of years ago, and now he has meat to eat every day."

After saying this, he showed an envious expression.

"Yeah, that guy is so arrogant now that he didn't even say hello when he met us."

"Bah, I heard that he couldn't get a license, so he knelt in front of Boss Wang's house for a whole night, and only then did he resolve the problem."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone laughed at Li Sizhong's kneeling behavior.

Only Chen Guangliang was a little shocked. He didn't expect that it would be so difficult to get a rickshaw license.

He was mentally prepared!

After all, a brand new rickshaw costs just over 100 yuan, and there are even inferior ones that cost or yuan each, so there must be some people who can afford a rickshaw.

Moreover, the Municipal Council stipulated that the registration fee for a rickshaw was only two yuan, and a tax of about three yuan had to be paid every month.

But even so, there should be some people who can afford rickshaws.

But in fact, 60 to 70 percent of the rickshaws on the road are controlled by the owners of "rickshaw dealerships".

It seems that "relationships" are very important here, and only by establishing "relationships" can you get a license.

He Xiangdong also made a bold statement at this time: "When I save enough money, I will buy a brand new rickshaw. Then I won't have to pay rent, and my monthly income will more than double!"

Another Xiangzi!
His words were echoed by several people.

but.

According to their thinking and situation, it is impossible for them to buy a rickshaw in their lifetime, because the license may become more and more difficult to obtain in the future, and the competition will become more and more fierce.

If the "rickshaw dealerships" at this time only monopolize 60% to 70% of the rickshaws, then in the next five years, this proportion will expand to 80% to 90%, because the rickshaw licenses also have a time limit.

Similarly, the "monopoly" among car dealerships will become more and more serious, and will eventually be concentrated in a dozen or so large car dealerships.

Time is becoming more and more urgent!

When will I be able to earn my first pot of gold?
After everyone dispersed, He Xiangdong quietly came to Chen Guangliang and whispered, "Aliang, I know you work so hard every day. Are you thinking of buying your own rickshaw?"

Seeing the shrewdness in He Xiangdong's eyes, Chen Guangliang said, "Who wouldn't want to?"

He Xiangdong looked around and said mysteriously, "What's the point of thinking? The key is to find a way. It's certainly difficult for one person to buy a rickshaw, but what about two or three people? Wouldn't that mean it would be much faster?"

Talent!
How many rickshaw pullers of this era have such a brain?
Basically, they are a group of people who think "do as much as you can with the cash you have".

Seeing this, Chen Guangliang said without hiding anything: "That's what I was thinking, but this license is also difficult to get!"

He Xiangdong was delighted and said quickly, "It's not impossible even if it's difficult. Besides, it's better to pull a rickshaw than to live under someone else's roof."

Be brave and resourceful.

A illegal taxi is a black taxi, and he actually dared to try it.

Chen Guangliang nodded and said, "Okay, then we will be partners from now on."

He Xiangdong said: "Remember to convince your second uncle"

He knew that Chen Guangliang was not only strong but also literate, so he was the best partner.

Chen Guangliang also has a second uncle who is a veteran in this industry, so it would be better for him to join the company.

"it is good"

(End of this chapter)