Chapter 3: The Heroic Rescue of the Fair Lady
After a considerable amount of time, Zhang Lei picked up the book filled with geometric shapes and said to Keller, "What do you intend to do with this?"
Damn it! Zhang Lei cursed inwardly, thinking how this was even more verbose than Tang Seng. He put down the book in his hand and said, "There is an ideal."
"Please enjoy your meal, esteemed guests," the waiter said as he prepared to leave. Zhang Lei called him back and then took out a small denomination silver note from his pocket, saying, "Go and buy two sets of clothing for each of us, using the finest satin. The rest is yours. By the way, also have someone bring up some hot water."
Exactly
Zhang Lei sat together with two others, Keller and William, who were both quite puzzled about why he had suddenly become so wealthy. However, due to their not being very familiar with him, they refrained from asking. Zhang Lei was also not foolish enough to explain himself. He secretly admired how obedient this guy was, took the menu handed over by the waiter, and randomly ordered a variety of dishes. In the end, he added, "Bring two pots of the best wine."
The old man finally called out a number that satisfied Zhang Lei, and with a smile, he turned around, placed the fan on the cabinet, and said: "Here, it's easy to understand, truly a veteran in the marketplace. Here, this item belongs to you."
Where are we going now?" William looked at Keller
Zhang Lei took a piece of broken silver from his pocket and said, "Look, we have this, why eat buns? Come on, I'll take you all to a restaurant."
Zhang Lei touched the banknote in his arms and sighed to himself, "Money can make the devil push the mill; this is indeed the truth"
"Five hundred taels?" Zhang Lei suddenly stood up straight, reopened his fan, and said, "Are you underestimating me because of my youth and inexperience? Have you truly seen it? This is the genuine work of Tang Bohu, the foremost of the Four Talents of Jiangnan. You offer me five hundred taels and a *picture* book? This piece of white jade alone is worth more than that. I think I shall go to another place instead."
The old gentleman straightened his posture, wearing a serious expression, yet his peripheral vision was fixed intently on the folding fan in Zhang Lei's hand. "Young man, are you here to redeem the pawn or to forfeit it?"
In his previous life, his job was to promote the company's products, and he had considerable insight into bargaining
Zhang Lei directly slapped the fan onto the cabinet and said, "This thing is useless to me; I can't eat when I'm hungry and I can't wear it when I'm cold. It's better to exchange it for money."
Zhang Lei was momentarily taken aback; he intended to call out to him, but unfortunately, William had already exited the private room. Hearing the sound of someone kicking the door nearby, he quickly said to Keller: "Let's go, we should check it out."
Seeing Zhang Lei nod, the old gentleman immediately straightened his posture, the smile on his face fading away, and said: "Let me have a look."
The golden sunlight slowly rises from the horizon, casting a layer of gold over the deep blue sea. Only then do the three individuals lying on the rocks gradually awaken from their slumber
Hey, hey, hey, don't be like that, the price is negotiable, very negotiable. How about 1,200?" Seeing Zhang Lei about to leave, the old man became anxious and quickly called him back.
Having tidied up those precious books, the three individuals made their way towards the distant, bustling area filled with voices.
Liu Xiang waved his hand and said: "No need to rush, no need to rush. This is all fat meat that has fallen into the bowl. Thin one, just ask a couple of brothers to keep an eye on it, they won't be able to leave for a while."
Brother Liu, are we now ... ... '' As he spoke, the thin man made a gesture of cutting his throat to indicate taking the money
The old gentleman glanced at his tattered attire and suddenly had an idea: "This young man, how about this? This fan really catches my eye, so I will offer you a higher price, five hundred taels, in cash. What do you think?"
Ah ... ...
Let us go
The old gentleman, feeling delighted, quickly cleared his throat softly to cover it up and said: "You must think this through; if you wish to redeem it in the future..."
Brother Liu is wise. The thin man flattered him and then quickly took his leave. Liu Xiang waved his hand, and that pretty girl began to sing again, her voice sweet and melodious.
Zhang Lei stopped in his tracks, remaining unmoved, and said: "Business relies on sincerity; with your approach, it will be difficult for us to cooperate."
What Zhang Lei sees now in "Elements" is precisely this kind of work that combines both Chinese and Western elements
Upon seeing the silver note in hand, the shop assistant immediately felt overjoyed and responded repeatedly, "Alright, alright, leave it to me, I guarantee your satisfaction"
Zhang Lei snapped his fingers and said, "You don't need to worry about this; as long as you stick with me in the future, I guarantee you will enjoy a life of luxury and abundance"
The place where they landed was a small coastal town under the jurisdiction of Huizhou Prefecture, called Pinghai Town. The residents were primarily local fishermen, followed by merchants. As they approached, Zhang Lei and his companions could hear the shouts of street vendors. The vendors looked at the three of them without any signs of surprise, merely stepping aside to let them pass. After a short while, they entered the town, where the streets were bustling with people and business was thriving. A nearby bun shop had just steamed a fresh batch of meat buns, releasing an enticing aroma that made the three of them even hungrier.
Twenty-four years ago, the great Lord's loyal servant, His Excellency Matteo Ricci, translated it into Chinese. I swear before the Lord to inherit His will and to carry out this sacred task to the very end. Keller tightly grasped a cross on his chest, looking solemnly towards the West
five thousand taels
Zhang Lei held a five thousand tael silver note, yet felt a pang of pain in his heart. If this were to be taken to any Sotheby's spring or autumn auction, it would easily fetch over ten million without any pressure. Alas...
Liu Ge stopped his chopsticks, gestured with his hand, and the handsome girl across from him, who had been singing and playing, immediately fell silent and sat quietly.
"Then you wait for me," Zhang Lei instructed a few words before quickly disappearing into the nearby pawnshop
At Zhang Lei's sudden call, the old gentleman seemed somewhat startled. He shivered all over, opened his eyes, quickly reached for a folding fan, opened it, and said: "Guest."
In 1582, the Italian missionary Matteo Ricci came to our country and brought with him the 15-volume "Elements of Geometry." In 1600, after meeting the Ming dynasty mathematician Xu Guangqi, they began to correspond frequently. In 1607, they jointly translated the first 6 volumes of the book, which covered plane geometry, into Chinese, renaming it "The Elements of Geometry."
"Hello, hello, hello, business has come." Zhang Lei is not short; standing by the counter, he can just manage to rest his arms on it.
After more than an hour of turmoil, the sky had brightened significantly. The three individuals, who had not eaten a single grain of rice since the previous evening, were now feeling extremely hungry. Zhang Lei found a secluded spot to examine the items he had brought from the ship: a book and a fan. After some contemplation, he realized that he had boarded a pirate ship and had encountered a case of black eating black. "Alas, when you venture out into the world, you must always pay the price," he lamented.
Zhang Lei took out a beautifully carved wooden fan from his pocket. The fan ribs were intricately hollowed out, and a pure white jade pendant hung from it, complemented by a painting of a lady on the fan surface. Instantly, the old man, who was in a half-asleep state, became invigorated, looking at Zhang Lei with a beaming smile and said: "Are you planning to use this fan, young man?"
William suddenly stood up and walked outside, saying: "I am going to save that girl!"
This proposal received enthusiastic responses from two other individuals; however, William asked, "Do you have money?"
William and Keller were both extremely hungry. Zhang Lei touched his folding fan and said, "Let's find a place to eat something and buy some clothes to change into. We just got soaked by seawater, and it's indescribably uncomfortable."
As expected, it is indeed as I anticipated; it is only right that I, Old Liu, should prosper. Haha. Liu Xiang, upon hearing the report from his subordinate, could not help but smile with pride.
People in Guangdong have a habit of enjoying tea and dim sum in the morning, and it is rare to find someone like Zhang Lei who prefers a lavish meal with abundant meat and fish. However, within a short while, several large dishes have already been served.
The man known as Liu Ge is approximately in his forties. Perhaps due to living a rather comfortable life, he has a prominent belly, and when he speaks, the flesh on his face quivers. When he drinks, his face becomes drenched in sweat, shining with an oily sheen
Keller was busy taking the books out of the box one by one to dry them on the stones. Some of the book covers had stuck together, and it took Keller considerable effort to separate them intact. Zhang Lei glanced over and found that most of these books were various versions of the Bible. What surprised him was that there was actually a copy of the "Elements" among them
Upon entering through the main door, a tall cabinet, about a person's height, stands against a wall. An elderly man, who appears to be in the twilight of his years, sits high in a grand armchair, drowsy from a lack of business for an extended period. Behind him, there is a display case filled with an assortment of peculiar items.
The sunlight streamed in just right through the doorway, as the old gentleman opened his fan. The sunlight, filtering through the carved patterns, left mottled traces on his face. He carefully examined the fan and glanced at the white jade pendant hanging from it, just as he was about to study it in detail, a hand reached over and closed the fan.
Just after taking a few bites, a sudden sharp and piercing cry came through, startling Zhang Lei so much that he nearly spilled his drink on his chest. He paused his chopsticks and then heard a woman say: "No, Xiao Lian sells her art, not her body, please, esteemed guest... ah... help..."
"Dead on." Zhang Lei said without hesitation
Brother Liu, they also entered the Taibai Building. This middle-aged man had been following Zhang Lei and the others to the door of the private room, and only then did he swiftly slip into the large private room next door
"Hehe, you are here." As soon as Keller saw Zhang Lei approaching, he hurriedly went to greet him, and his pair of brown eyes kept glancing sideways at the bun shop
Three people found a high-end restaurant nearby and reserved a private room, preparing to enjoy a lavish meal in comfort. What everyone failed to notice was that ever since Zhang Lei had exited the pawnshop, a middle-aged man, thin as a skeleton, had begun to follow them.
I want to eat steamed buns. William couldn't help but swallow, making a "glug" sound.
With over three hundred years of advanced concepts, there should always be some notable achievements
"Don't just keep looking; don't forget what you need to do." Zhang Lei suddenly grabbed the fan, resting his right elbow on the cabinet, his entire body leaning against it, appearing quite relaxed and carefree
"Worm-eaten and mouse-bitten, a broken fan worth five thousand taels of silver." The old man turned his head and shouted, then tightly held onto the fan, as if afraid it would fly away.