Chapter 18 Beiguan Street, Boss Ze
The saying "the east is poor and the west is rich, the south is rich and the north is chaotic" is widely circulated in the Tai'an metropolitan area.
The "Dongqiong" in it refers to Jiuchang Street located in the eastern suburbs of Dangyang.
With the relocation of industries and the closure of factories one after another, this seemingly forgotten old city is like a decrepit patient who has lost too much blood, breathing hard and barely surviving.
But just like weeds growing in the cracks of rock formations, the more difficult the environment, the more tenacious vitality can be stimulated.
Jiuchang Street did not become desolate and deserted as a result, but instead became more smokey and smokey.
At ten past seven in the evening, the streets and alleys became lively.
Old ladies and gentlemen were wandering around wearing sandals and waving cattail fans, and self-employed people selling spicy fried skewers pushed their carts out of their stalls. The loudspeaker kept repeating "Bobo Chicken~Ah Bobo, Bobo Chicken~One Yuan for a String of Bobo Chicken". "The magical voice!
"Ah Shi, please have a grilled chicken! This one has the best taste. I used to pester my mother to buy it every day!"
Li Yuan stopped in front of a cart covered with barbed wire and covered with charcoal blocks.
Seven or eight chicken racks are flipped back and forth, grilled until they are slightly charred and golden, and the aroma is so delicious that it makes people drool.
"Thanks, Brother Yuan. I happen to be hungry. I haven't been to Beiguan Street for a long time, and I almost forgot what the barbecue chicken rack smells like!"
Qin Shi was not polite and said directly to the boss:
"Let's make something spicy, instead of spraying vinegar, sprinkle more cumin."
At first glance, Li Yuan seems quite cold and difficult to get along with. Only when you get closer will you find that he has a quite cheerful temperament.
A bit like the people Qin Shi came into contact with in his previous life, who believed in the principle of "righteousness comes first" in old movies.
"Brother Yuan, I also want to eat chicken..."
Xie Yucheng smiled and came closer.
"Go away! I stuffed half a box of nutritious cream into my stomach, and I can still eat the chicken rack. What a waste!"
Li Yuan cursed a lot, but paid the boss three times.
Xie Yucheng pushed further and said deliberately:
"At this time, it will be more comfortable to have another bottle of Hongbao soda."
Li Yuan took out a few coins:
"Stop reading, run errands and buy it yourself! If you win the prize, remember to give me the bottle cap, don't hide it!"
Xie Yucheng’s face was full of innocence:
"It's unfair, Brother Yuan, how could I do such an inappropriate thing!"
Not long after, Qin Shi received a bottle of orange juice-flavored Hongbao soda. He bit down on the straw and took a long sip. The refreshing sensation hit his brain, and then he nibbled on the hot grilled chicken in his hand. It was a perfect match!
"My mother used to work in a slaughterhouse, and she would bring frozen chicken racks for my sister and me to fry every now and then."
Xie Yucheng smiled happily and said happily:
"The factory back there is in a recession, and if we are laid off to clean the buildings, do sanitation and wash clothes, it will be difficult for us to eat again."
Li Yuan sneered:
"When my dad worked in the steel factory, he was a pacesetter in production every month! The factory gave out benefits, and boxes of apples and hairtail fish were brought home. During the Chinese New Year, there were soaps, towels, and large wall calendars... but as soon as the new star development project was over, , all moved to Tai'an New City, creating a large urban area, no one remembers Dangyang! ”
Qin Shi was very moved when he heard what he was doing. At that time, large-scale production was in full swing in the eastern suburbs of Dangyang, and workers were gathering in groups, and every time they got off work, there would be a group of workers.
The machines in the factory run 24 hours a day without stopping. Banners and slogans such as "Close to production without slackening and advance in an orderly manner", "Quality first, keep improving" and "Sprint and strive to increase production and efficiency" are posted in every corner. .
The reason why Chicken Rack is chosen as the number one delicacy among civilians in Jiuchang Street is because the largest chicken farm and slaughterhouse in Hengzhou were opened here.
Workers and machines separate and package the chicken and other parts for delivery to metropolitan areas.
The remaining chicken racks are very cheap and taste very good after being fried, so they have become popular as a snack with drinks.
"That unforgettable time that was both hot and glorious can now only be heard from the previous generation at the wine table in a stall restaurant."
Qin Shi sighed in his heart and followed the two people chatting in front.
Stepping into the deep night, we walked into the most lively Beiguan Street. ……
……
The planning and construction of Dangyang Old Town is very complicated.
Various factories, tube buildings, and family areas are densely packed, resulting in narrow alleys and narrow aisles, forming a winding and cobweb-like layout.
Generally, the old people in Jiuchang Street are accustomed to calling the north and south "streets" and the east and west "roads".
Beiguan Street is quite special. It was originally named Xingshun Road and is located at the intersection of north, south and east. It is separated by a pedestrian bridge in the middle.
Due to the huge flow of people, many shops have been opened. With fashionable clothes, the latest electronic products, and various entertainment venues, they attract fun-loving men and women from Old Factory Street.
Qin Shi held the straw in his mouth, shook the empty bottle, and asked softly:
"How do you know Brother Ze?"
As a well-known student in Baogong Street, he naturally has no time to wander the night market at night.
When I first arrived at Beiguan Street, everything around me seemed strange.
Qin Shi glanced around a few times and saw that among the bustling crowd, there were many young people wearing sailor sea soul shirts and carrying green bags slung across their bodies.
Check out the 16-9 book bar to see the correct version!
They gathered in twos and threes, smoking cigarettes and drinking while leaning on the curb, or standing at the entrance of karaoke bars and nightclubs and giving small cards to everyone they met.
When I was not in school, my parents always told me to stay away from these people.
Later, when Qin Shi listened to the gossip among the neighbors, he learned that this kind of team was called "Chopper Team" and they were gangsters who roamed the streets.
Those military green satchels are often stuffed with bricks or kitchen knives, making it easy to fight and rob someone in trouble.
Compared to the area with food stalls and canteens in the family area, the aunt and uncle listen to the radio and enjoy the cool fireworks.
The place exudes a sense of intoxication similar to that of alcoholic beverages, just like another sinking appearance of a bustling urban area.
"How did you meet Brother Ze? Of course it was because of a fight."
Li Yuan did not hide anything and said slowly:
"Ah Cheng and I had just entered high school, and we went to Beiguan Street to find part-time jobs during the summer vacation. A labor leader bullied us for being young and introduced us to serve as waiters in a karaoke bar. They agreed that the salary would be settled daily, at fifty per day, and he would sell drinks. Plus commission.
As a result, the labor leader not only took away 20 dollars from Ah Cheng and I, but also deducted commissions on our drinks. I couldn't hold back my anger, so I hit him on the head with a wine bottle. ”
Xie Yucheng took up the topic with a wry smile:
"A laborer who takes people around to pick up jobs is an old man. As soon as Brother Yuan made a move, I knew something was wrong. I pulled him and ran away, but he didn't run away. The gangster at the door blocked him and then he was dragged into the bag. Fang was beaten like two dead dogs
That Lao Deng asked Brother Yuan and I to pay 10,000 yuan for medical expenses. If we couldn't pay it, each of us would lose one of our hands. ”
Li Yuan shrugged:
"Later, Brother Ze came forward. He learned that we were studying in No. 9 Middle School, so he asked Ah Cheng and I to work at the place he ran. It used to be at the Banana Cabaret, but recently it was changed to the Midnight Palace next to the Hongxia Hotel."
Qin Shi threw the soda bottle into the trash can:
"Brother Ze is quite honest."
Li Yuan nodded:
"Brother Ze also studied in No. 9 Middle School for a year. Later, when his family was in trouble, he ran a boat with his relatives. It seemed like a big boat that dredged sand. He could earn hundreds of thousands a night! Now he helps the big boss watch the show!
Brother Ze takes good care of his subordinates, and everyone is willing to work with him. Otherwise, how can we say, "To the west of Beiguan Street, Brother Ze is the number one". ”
It turned out to be "Causeway Bay Chan Ho-nam".
Qin Shi smiled and wondered if Brother Ze also had long flowing hair and a group of brothers who played with lighters.
"We're here, Ah Shi. Ahead is the Midnight Palace, the most splendid nightclub on Beiguan Street. I heard that many wealthy people from the urban area sneak here to play."
Li Yuan took the lead, taking Xie Yucheng and Qin Shi into the dark alley with various black garbage bags piled nearby, and raised his hand to knock on the locked iron door.
(End of chapter)