The Republic of China: From Storyteller to God

"Master Huang, I won't go in."

Hua Lao stopped at the door and said with a forced smile, "I'll wait for you here."

Whether in the North or the South, going to a pawnshop is considered a wasteful act.

Therefore, in the center of the entrance of any pawnshop, there is a tall screen, commonly known as a "shame-covering board".

"Oh well."

Huang Feihong guessed what he was thinking.

Even with his exceptional martial arts skills, Wong Fei-hung felt somewhat uncomfortable in a pawnshop.

Liu Che didn't pay any attention. He just glanced casually behind Hua Lao, then put his hands behind his back and went inside with Huang Feihong.

He was a merchant himself, so he naturally didn't feel any psychological pressure coming to a place like this.

The pawnshop counter was tall, and after the clerk announced the arrival, a window opened above the counter, revealing an old shopkeeper with a flowing white beard.

Liu Che could tell at a glance that this old shopkeeper was also a seasoned merchant.

Therefore, when he handed over the ring, he said directly, "Shopkeeper, please take a closer look. This is a pure gold ring set with an old red stone. It is 24 points of pure gold and has a diamond underneath."

I'm determined to hold out for a month; please, old manager, do me a favor.

Upon hearing this, the old shopkeeper immediately realized that he had encountered a competitor.

Without further ado, he said directly, "I'll be your friend, no matter how many ten I'm willing to pay."

"Exquisite".

Liu Che clasped his hands in a fist salute: "I will come to redeem the pawned item in one month."

According to industry practice, gold and silver jewelry are considered hard-core items, and their actual valuation is usually around 80% of the item's value.

However, the rule for pawnshops to lend money is usually 30% to 50% of the discounted price.

In other words, if an ordinary person doesn't know anything about pawnbroking, they can only get back at least a quarter of the original price if they pawn their belongings.

This is why people who go to pawnshops are considered spendthrifts.

The shopkeeper's willingness to lend 60% of the amount is already considered giving face to his peers.

Seeing that Liu Che agreed, the old shopkeeper flipped his hand and put the ring away.

"What a brilliant move to conceal one's intentions within one's sleeve."

Liu Che joked with a smile.

The old shopkeeper didn't respond. He picked up a pen and began writing and reading aloud: "A pure gold ring inlaid with old red gemstones, 24 fen of pure gold, a dead horse that can be used as a live horse, principal of 600 silver dollars, monthly interest of 2%, deposit box of 1%.

He quickly wrote down a pawnshop agreement, stamped it, and handed it to Liu Che.

A moment later, Liu Che left the pawnshop with six hundred silver dollars and Huang Feihong.

Stepping out of the pawnshop, Wong Fei-hung exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Liu, you actually managed to pawn so much money?"

Although he hadn't dealt with pawnshops much, he had heard about them from others.

If you can get 30% of the value of something from a pawnshop, you're already considered lucky.

It's unbelievable that Liu Che could figure out 60% of the truth in just a few words.

"Every profession has its rules!"

Liu Che did not explain the reason, but casually counted out seventy-six silver dollars and stuffed them into his pocket.

Then he handed the remaining 524 silver dollars to the flower vendor waiting at the door: "Here, take the extra half dollar, use it to mend your pants!"

Hua Lao held the heavy bag of silver dollars, his heart pounding.

This was the first time he had ever seen so much money.

He handed the seal to Liu Che, ignoring his ripped pants, and ran off with the silver dollars in his hand.

Watching his retreating figure, Wong Fei-hung worriedly thought, "Could this guy have run off with the money?"

"What's there to be afraid of?"

Liu Che waved the seal in his hand: "Isn't it enough to just get this thing?"

Huang Feihong was still a little worried, but he didn't say anything.

On the other side, Hua Lao, clutching the silver dollar, ran two streets before stopping in an empty alley.

The silver dollar in his arms was so heavy that he could hardly lift it.

An idea quickly took root in his mind.

Why don't we take this money and fly far away?

But where can we go?

Although Zhao Tianhu was a good-for-nothing, his older brother Zhao Tianba was quite something.

If he dares to embezzle these dollars, he will be found no matter where he runs.

But what if we go out to sea?

Forget about America.

The most profitable business for the Shahe Gang these days is helping foreigners trick poor people into going to the United States to mine gold.

But did he know that there are no gold mines in the United States?

Those guys were all captured by the foreigners and forced to work on the railway.

But what if we go to Southeast Asia?

As he was pondering, he suddenly felt a chill on his neck, followed by what felt like hot water being poured over it.

He raised his hand to touch it, only to find his hand covered in scalding hot blood.

That was his blood!

His eyes widened in horror, and he quickly covered his neck, but blood continued to gush out.

when!

A heavy bag of silver dollars fell to the ground.

He turned his head and looked back, only to see a very ordinary-looking boy.

How could there be anyone here?

He clearly saw that there was no one in the alley before he ran in, didn't he?

Seeing the blood-dripping dagger in the boy's hand, he retreated repeatedly, wanting to beg for mercy.

But all he could make was a hissing sound.

His trachea had been cut open, and he couldn't speak at all.

Pfft!

He collapsed to the ground.

Rapid blood loss was quickly draining his strength.

He could only watch helplessly as the boy picked up the bag containing the silver dollars from the ground.

"Do you think it's so easy to take my brother's money?"

This young man was none other than Awu.

He went out in the morning to inquire about information at the fish market and didn't return until noon.

As soon as he returned to the vicinity of the inn, he encountered Liu Che and Huang Feihong, who were leaving the teahouse.

Liu Che gestured for him to follow, and he quietly made his way to Xiguan.

Outside the pawnshop, he remained hidden some distance behind the flower vendor.

When Hua Lao got the money and left, Liu Che signaled him to secretly follow him and find out the location of the Shahe Gang's stronghold.

But when the man ran to this place, he stopped and looked like he wanted to take the money and run away.

So he took decisive action.

He picked up the silver dollar and turned to leave.

But after taking only two steps, he suddenly stopped.

After listening intently for a moment, he slipped back.

He tossed the silver dollar behind his back, braced himself against the left wall of the alley with both hands, and stepped onto the right wall with both feet, climbing up step by step.

The next moment, several figures ran up from the alleyway.

Where are they?

"Where did you go?"

"The Yan family shovel! If he runs away, I will definitely skin him!"

The one leading the group was Zhao Tianhu.

"Boss! There!"

Someone with sharp eyes spotted the flower vendor and pointed at him.

"leave!"

Zhao Tianhu rushed over and was immediately taken aback, gasping in shock.

Hua Lao was only exhaling, not inhaling.

The blood beneath him had formed a pool of blood.

"Where's the money?"

Zhao Tianhu grabbed him and angrily demanded, "Who did this?"

Hua Lao stared blankly at the top of his head. Above the alley, A Wu was still climbing step by step.

With his last ounce of strength, he shakily raised his hand and pointed it toward A-Wu.

Zhao Tianhu looked at his hand, paused for a moment, then seemed to realize something, and suddenly looked up.

But the alleyway was completely empty, with nothing at all.

"What?"

He lowered his head again, and Hua Lao's hand had already fallen limply to his side.

"Damn it, you old fool!"

He angrily threw the old man's corpse to the ground.

"Boss."

A henchman stepped forward and suggested, "Could it have been Wong Fei-hung?"

"idiot!"

Zhao Feihu turned around and slapped him: "Which eye did you see that with? You need evidence to back up your claims!"

Although his fighting skills were rudimentary, he was not stupid.

He did dislike Wong Fei-hung, but he knew Wong Fei-hung's character very well.

Wong Fei-hung would never do such a thing.

Who could it be?

Liu Che's face immediately appeared before his eyes.

It has to be that kid, there's no doubt about it!

What a formidable outsider! He actually dared to double-cross my Shahe Gang!

Do you really think I, Zhao Tianhu, am a pushover?

With a dark expression, he stood up and kicked the corpse of Hua Lao: "Take it back! Call all four hall masters back to me!"

Damn it! It's time for that tiger from Lingbei to show its power!