Chapter 9, Even the smartest can make mistakes

Yang Deguang casually came out to introduce to his companions: "Though he has a fierce mouth, he is quite a good person... don't take it to heart."

Yang Deguang felt a sudden shock and surprise: "Ah? I never thought..."

Shi Jianren smiled and pointed to the bustling crowd around them, pulling Yang Deguang to sit on the curb at the corner of the street where sewage flowed: "Look, the most common way for the workers to find jobs is to gather at the entrances of every market and building, waiting for employers to come out with their large and small bags of goods. At that moment, it means that at least five or six people, or even more, are competing for a single job. Even if jobs keep appearing, they are always passively chosen by others. If we think about it differently, why can't we choose our employers? Even if jobs keep appearing, they are always passively chosen by others. If we think about it differently, why can't we choose our employers? By identifying the right employer, we can enter the market with them and appear right in front of them when they receive their goods. That job is yours, without having to compete with others. So starting from the second order this morning, we have been taking jobs inside the market. Didn't you notice?"

As the result just emerged from the warehouse and entered the fire escape, Yang Deguang avoided those merchants who were eagerly rummaging through their collected goods on the side of the passage. Before he could remind them, Shijian Ren behind him collided head-on, not due to his own size, but because of the cargo packages extending out on both sides. The fluffy clothing, when compressed inside the long-distance freight package, felt particularly heavy, and the immense weight created a rebound force that sent the merchant flying with a scream.

This is what the poor are like

His height is indeed less than 1.6 meters, and most people who have engaged in manual labor for a long time since their youth are similarly shortened, being more than half a head shorter than their new companions

The middle-aged woman, like the vast majority of women in this market, was assertive, loudly directing four or five young girls in the store to assist customers in selecting goods, and spoke rather bluntly: "Two useless ones, stop talking nonsense, hurry over to the warehouse and bring out the goods!"

Yang Deguang blinked his eyes, perhaps he truly had never thought about so much: "You... understand... a lot."

This is the busiest time for the dock workers in the morning, transporting large goods for the merchants in the market from the warehouses hidden in the surrounding buildings to the stalls. Yang Deguang happily agreed and immediately took Shi Jianren over there, not forgetting to introduce, "Sister Pan Er! This is A Ren... we are together..."

Yang Deguang rubbed the back of his head and thought for a while, as if this kind of thinking was quite unfamiliar to him: "It seems... it seems that those of us at the dock rarely go to the streets in the city to work as porters. I heard that sometimes they stand all day without finding any work. At the dock, no matter what, in the morning there are jobs at the market, and in the afternoon at the cargo yard, there is always work to be found... Hmm, it seems to be just like that."

Shijian Ren calmly said: "Doing this now is merely to make a living. Once basic survival is secured, one should observe more and seek new opportunities, gradually changing oneself."

Shi Jianren shook his head: "Are you really planning to be a 'bangbang' for the rest of your life? It's not that I think there's anything wrong with doing this, but look at those who are still 'bangbangs' at fifty or sixty years old; it doesn't seem appropriate, does it?"

Yang Deguang's dazed eyes moved with difficulty: "Strange... no wonder, it seems like every time you ask me to go over, I naturally receive the business. How did you know that was the employer?"

Yang Deguang was taken aback and stammered, "Ah? I... everyone does it this way, why think too much?"

Shijian Ren naturally said: "At four or five o'clock in the morning, those who appear here with such hardship are not idlers. Just look at that strong man; he can carry the goods himself, which certainly saves on transportation costs. And that auntie, she is also quite fit and looks very tough. Even if she asks someone to help move things, she is unwilling to pay extra. And you remember that the two times we later found were both young girls, right?"

Shi Jianren smiled and did not mention how he had asked a few more questions while helping those young girls carry things. He pointed to the wholesale market ahead, picked up a stick and some hemp rope, and stood up to verify his observational skills

Just now, the young man was taken aback; no wonder Yang Deguang's shoulders were covered with patches of calluses. In the eyes of the poor, they would rather wear their skin thin than let their clothes wear out.

Shi Jianren nodded thoughtfully. At this moment, Yang Deguang's familiarity with the area proved somewhat useful, as a passing middle-aged woman called out to him: "Guangwazi! Go to the warehouse and bring up a few items for me, quickly!"

However, this massive cargo package is easily prone to bumping into others. The experienced Yang Deguang tries to stretch his arms and exert force, allowing his head to be raised higher to see the people around him. As he walks, he imparts his insights to Shi Jianren. The exceptionally intelligent young man is indeed a bit taller, and with that slight increase in height, it feels as if his bent arms are about to break. Consequently, he bends his waist even more, burying his head and following closely behind Yang Deguang, fixated on the heels of the person in front.

Shi Jianren nodded: "There are indeed young women who are willing to endure hardships and put in effort, so we look for those who are dressed flamboyantly yet very clean, and also wear high heels. They definitely would not want to take it themselves, and don't you think they generally tend to give an extra one or two yuan?"

Feeling the sweat streaming down from his ears, Shi Jianren thought that he should cut his long hair, which could be tied up into a bun. He touched his ear and pondered for a moment before saying a few more words to his new friend: "Aguang, I won't elaborate on what we can do in the future. Since we are currently doing labor, we must be clear that what we are selling is our strength. Figuring out how to sell it quickly and efficiently at a good price is what we need to think about."

Yang Deguang felt somewhat reluctant: "Isn't it just about exerting effort? I have strength, I earn more in the morning, I can earn again in the afternoon, and I can still go move goods in the evening, so I can earn a little more each day!"

With a smile, Shi Jianren took off that coarse cloth shirt, assumed a horse stance against the cargo, and then pulled the woven bag from both sides of his head with his arms. Using his waist and hips as a pivot, he lifted the two or three hundred pounds of goods with a grunt. Immediately, he felt an unprecedented immense weight pressing down, causing his entire skeleton to creak. Nearby, a warehouse girl who was jokingly saying that Yang Deguang should quickly find a girl to mend his clothes paused and remarked, "Oh, you look even more... than A Guang." Another girl from the countryside struggled to find the right words to describe it. The two men tried to lift the cargo just a few centimeters off the ground, moving slowly with each step.

At this time, Shi Jianren had the opportunity to chat a bit more with Yang Deguang: "I have also worked as a stickman on Renmin Road a couple of times. It is quite evident that for just a little bit of effort, one can earn five yuan, which is much easier than here. Why do you all still prefer to work at the dock?"

The wholesale market was crowded with small vendors jostling for goods, the sounds of bargaining, laughter, insults, and pleas merging into a cacophony. Yang Deguang led Shi Jianren through staircases, cobblestone streets, steps, and fire exits, eventually arriving at a dirty and dark basement where the goods were stored. This time was different from previous transportations; the people picking up goods were mainly carrying three to five large black plastic bags, totaling only about fifty to sixty pounds. Balancing the load on both ends was not particularly difficult with the right technique, but the woven bags filled with clothing that were dragged out of the warehouse were very heavy, often reaching two to three hundred pounds and standing taller than a person.

Shi Jianren does not actually reject hard work; he simply habitually thinks about how to pursue the most cost-effective approach. He smiled and shook his head, following through with the task, while Yang Deguang still reminded him: "Clothes, take off your clothes, this woven bag is very abrasive on clothing; if it wears out, there will be nothing left to wear"

This is the reality of entering the world

The immensely simple-minded Yang Deguang was about to jump up, vigorously slapping his own thigh: "Ah! Exactly, exactly ... ... "

However, the market after dawn underwent changes. It seemed that after the early wave of outside vendors had passed, many were only making sporadic purchases, and some were simply browsing the market for small buys. The proportion of hired porters significantly declined, and two "sneaky" porters followed several groups of young ladies but only made one transaction.

She is a woman

Although it is only about 180 meters, there are steps everywhere, and those enormous bundles of clothing, which are taller than a person, are certainly not something a few girls can move even a bit. Yang Deguang took the lead in removing his soaked undershirt, tying the somewhat worn clothing around his waist, and securing the stick tightly at his side. He squatted half-naked in front of the upright massive cargo bundle to demonstrate for Shi Jianren: "Grab the two upper corners, use your hips to push against the cargo, slowly rise, and carry it at an angle on your back, that’s all... You are a bit taller, so it might be a little harder for you. If you don’t want to move it, I can do it; it’s easy to strain your back, and then you won’t be able to work for many days!"

Shijian Ren is very quiet: "No matter what we do, it is worth putting in the effort to do it well. This morning, we also tried concentrating for two uninterrupted hours. It was not as exhausting as moving goods on the cargo ship yesterday afternoon and evening, yet we earned more money than we did in the four hours yesterday afternoon. Therefore, we do not need to go to the cargo ship to take on work this afternoon and evening."

Shi Jianren nodded gently and smiled

Yang Deguang suddenly realized: "They are delicate and spoiled, certainly unwilling to carry anything themselves; if you go over, you will definitely see it clearly!"