Chapter 002: The Pawnshop

The recent inspections at the county gate have become increasingly strict. As Xiao Tian entered the county, he felt quite nervous; the braid on his head was fake. If those soldiers conducting the checks were to pull on it, his life would be at stake.

This price is already as low as it can possibly be, but this can be considered saving face for oneself as an "insider". After receiving the money and the receipt, Xiao Tian clasped his fists together, forced a smile, and walked out.

Live for six months

"This was given to me by my mother. She told me that when I got to the city, I must remember to bring cigarettes for the master. These cigarettes were bought with money my mother borrowed from someone in the city," Xiao Tian said, rubbing his nose and looking quite unconvinced.

I dare not; I have also helped out in this line of work for a few days before. Xiao Tian stiffened his scalp and boasted.

Xiao Tianyi took note of this, feeling a bitter smile in his heart, realizing that he had unexpectedly become a pawnshop assistant. However, on another note, he truly had to thank this young lady Wu Pannan; without her, he genuinely would not have known what to do next

The shopkeeper suddenly realized and said to the one at the counter: "Since you are knowledgeable, show me a good one, four taels of silver!"

Wait a moment. Xiao Tian could no longer contain himself: "Sir, have you taken a closer look at www.hetushu.com? This is a Longines watch..."

I dare not, Xiao Tian

"Brother, let me say something, and I hope you won't take offense. You seem to be having a bit of a hard time. If you are willing, one of my street runners just went back home to help out. You have experience in this line of work and can read. This is quite an unusual case for me to invite an outsider to be a street runner. I will provide food and accommodation, but there will be no salary. If you complete a year and everyone is satisfied, I will give you a share. What do you think?"

Sir, how much silver can this be worth

Suddenly recalling the pack of cigarettes I had with me, I held it in my hand and approached the soldier leader dressed in a uniform with the character "Yong" on it, while asking, "Sir, which way to the yamen?" At the same time, I casually handed the cigarettes to the leader.

Looking up, not far away there was a pawnshop. I touched the small gold medal around my neck, feeling a sense of reluctance; this was something my grandfather had risked his life to obtain.

Xiao Tian felt a sense of luck, having finally passed a hurdle. With no place to go, he thought about finding some work in this county town, lest he starve to death on the road at any moment

The young lady nodded, walked up to the shopkeeper, and murmured a few words. The shopkeeper initially shook his head repeatedly, but unable to resist the young lady's pleas, he could only nod in agreement, inviting Xiao Tian to take a seat and having someone bring tea.

The stand clerk immediately called out in a rhythmic voice: "A broken Western watch, June, with an interest rate of 2.5 percent per month, deducting the annual interest, the actual amount received is two taels of silver, issue the ticket!"

The sight of him gasping for breath made the little leader cover his nose and retreat to the side: "Damn it, with the money for cigarettes, it would be better to buy you a straw mat to be buried in, maybe it's from the Sun family, I heard that the Sun family has such a poor relative. Go, go, once you enter the city, head east and you'll reach the yamen!"

The thought of going to Beiyang must be temporarily set aside; first, I need to fill my stomach, and then I can find a way to gather some travel expenses.

Upon entering, there is a row of large screens arranged inside, intended to prevent others from seeing the situation within the pawnshop, as well as to shield acquaintances from witnessing the embarrassment of those who come to pawn their belongings

Suddenly, a young girl's voice came from behind. Xiao Tian turned his head and saw a girl, who appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen years old, calling out to him. The pawnshops run by these Shanxi merchants were not as reserved as those of the girl's family regarding books.

Wait a moment

The guest is inappropriate, see them off! The attendant at the counter couldn't be bothered with Xiao Tian and directly called out again

Ziliu County Town is located approximately more than 100 li to the west of Hejian Prefecture

This is a psychological inducement, where "the master" is meant to please the leader. Saying they are going to the yamen is intended to psychologically lower the leader's guard. While speaking, stuffing a cigarette into the leader's hand is to ensure that the leader has no time to react, completely losing their vigilance

At this moment, the group of soldiers guarding the city gate approached with smiles, while the leader concealed his cigarette, asking, "Who are you looking for at the yamen?"

These actions were delivered in one breath, and the leader indeed said while smelling the cigarette: "Hey, this cigarette is really fragrant. You, a poor kid, actually have such good cigarettes. They aren't stolen, are they?"

Xiao Tian picked up the watch and noticed two unnoticed scratches on the strap, which looked like fingernail marks. He coldly smiled and said: "You must be the shopkeeper, right? Just by looking at this, it seems you made a 'pancake' on my 'cart'. Wherever I go, once people see your mark, they won't offer more than two coins for it. In the end, I still have to come to you."

In the pawnshop, there were two gentlemen, one sitting at the counter and the other standing. Xiao Tian knew a bit about pawnshops, and the one sitting at the counter was likely the owner of the pawnshop. The standing gentleman glanced at the clock and lazily asked: "Live pawn or dead pawn?"

"Find my uncle, my uncle is the local advisor..." Xiao Tian said, suddenly coughing heavily, his face contorted in pain, intermittently saying: "The doctor said I... said I am ill... have no money for treatment... so..."

This is a small county town, but recently various revolutionary parties and the new ideas of overseas students have also spread here in the past two years

Xiao Tian was furious, picking up the watch and preparing to walk out. At that moment, the attendant quickly stood up and tried to mediate, saying: "Young sir, may I take a look at your watch?"

Having visited several places, surprisingly none of the shops were hiring. As noon approached and hunger gnawed at him, Xiao Tian could only smile wryly and shake his head, realizing now what it meant for a hero to be thwarted by a mere penny.

Xiao Tian handed the watch to the clerk at the counter, who merely glanced at it and returned it to Xiao Tian, saying: "Young master, this is not a gold watch, and its design is rather peculiar; it would fetch this price anywhere."

The shopkeeper held the water pipe and looked up and down at Xiao Tian: "Young man, are we family?"

The county magistrate feels as if facing a formidable enemy; the revolutionary party is not to be trifled with. One day, they might just throw a bomb, "boom," right into your yard.

Xiao Tian was taken aback for a moment, working in a pawn shop on the street? He had never considered entering this line of work, but now it seemed to be his only way out. After thinking for a while, he finally nodded.

This young lady has delicate features and, upon closer inspection, is indeed a beauty. She walked up to Xiao Tian and scrutinized him for a moment, asking, "What is your esteemed name, young sir"

This is the jargon used in pawnshops, also known as "Chun Dian." The term "Yuan Zi" means "watch," while "Bing Zi" refers to "two." The shopkeeper discreetly marks the watch strap, which is incomprehensible to outsiders, but those familiar with the pawnshop immediately understand the hidden mark. The offered pawn value will definitely not exceed that of the first shop.

He reached for the Longines watch hidden in his pocket, gritted his teeth, and stepped into the pawnshop

After attending school for a few days, I became acquainted.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Tian immediately agreed, and the shopkeeper promptly regained his authority: "Well then, from now on, you will be considered a runner for my 'Celebration Shop.' Remember, if anyone asks, just say you came from your hometown. My surname is Wu, so you can call me Shopkeeper Wu. This gentleman who will speak well of you is Mr. Jin. And this is my daughter, Wu Pan Nan."

Do you recognize the characters