From Jianguomen to Chang'an Avenue, the endless traffic is the eternal scenery of Beijing. Like everyone who comes here for the first time, Fan Bo looks out the window with interest. The solemn Tiananmen Square and the towering Telegraph Building, the strict Ministry of Public Security and the elegant concert hall form a sharp contrast, which vividly shows the classic and fashion, conservatism and openness, the five thousand years of civilization tradition and the development of modern science and technology on both sides of this famous ten-mile long street. Although the umbrella-shaped Sophora japonica has withered its branches and leaves, it can still be seen that it was majestic and gorgeous in its heyday. However, in just a moment, the wind and sand in the distance gradually rose, which was much stronger than when he just left the train station, which scared the enthusiastic Fan Bo.
"Are there sandstorms in this season?"
Wen Liang sat in the front passenger seat. Unlike Fan Bo, he didn't look around or show his joy. He leaned on the headrest calmly, with a noble demeanor and a calm expression, not like someone from a small place. Lei Fang had been observing him silently. He didn't understand why Ning Xi, with her usual pride and vision, repeatedly emphasized on the phone that this man named Wen Liang from Qingzhou was her good friend. Now it seemed that he was really capable and not just a country bumpkin.
Wen Liang's understanding of Beijing was still stuck in the period after he graduated from college and came to Beijing to work hard. He didn't know that there was such severe sandstorm weather in 1996. Hearing him finally speak out of silence, Lei Fang slowed down the car and moved slowly along the river, smiling: "It's only in recent years, there are always three or five times a year, sand and soil come like rain, you are unlucky, you just happened to catch it."
Wen Liang smiled and said, "We are just lucky. We can meet each other three or five times a year. It seems that with the help of Master Lei, this trip to the capital will be successful!"
When it comes to business, Lei Fang is not vague, saying: "I will not hide this from you. Getting a book number is just a small matter. It can be done in a day or two. As for whether the book can be popular, I dare not guarantee it. You brothers have to work hard. In addition, the approval of a five-star hotel is not as easy as a book number. It will definitely not be approved without two or three months..."
"I understand. The hotel matter is not urgent. It is already a great honor to have the approval within five months."
As they were talking, the entire Chang'an Avenue was already covered in dust and yellow fog. It was as dark as night, and the front windows were covered with a thick layer of dust.
"Premier Wen just mentioned the sandstorm," Fan Bo said jokingly, "In fact, there are records of sandstorms in ancient times. Chen Dasheng, who was known as the 'King of Music' in the Ming Dynasty, once composed a song to mock the people in the alleys of Beijing. There is a line in the song: 'A mule cart passed by the door, and the dust was flying. Where is the fragrance of horse hooves returning from stepping on flowers?' It can be seen that the weather in Beijing was not very good at that time."
Lei Fang laughed and said, "Teacher Fan is indeed knowledgeable. We are just plain people who don't understand these things. Anyway, if it rains, it will rain, and if my mother wants to get married, let it be."
Wen Liang also smiled. This guy, who was afraid that others would not know that he was a rude man with his every move and even had the word "bold" carved on his face, was just as Ning Xi said. Not only was he not self-aware and arrogant as a third-generation red, but he was more approachable than the average second-generation rich. Regardless of whether this approachability was true or false, at least on the surface it made people feel warm and relaxed. Maybe some people would be flattered if they knew his identity.
No wonder Ning Xi recommended this person to be a broker. This attitude alone was enough to make him thrive in Sijiu City.
The car stopped at the entrance of the Jingcheng Hotel. It was not until 1998 that a large-scale renovation began. However, it was still a super five-star hotel at that time. As soon as you enter the main door, you will see a red printed carpet in front of the five-room hall with copper-wrapped lattices. Twelve large columns painted with passionflowers and five large palace lanterns with peculiar shapes decorate the front hall solemnly and magnificently. Fan Bo looked up and his mouth closed for a long time. Wen Liang had come here with his boss to have a bite before, so of course he would not show any unfamiliarity or surprise. He even sneered at the decoration in 1996. Lei Fang usually received many guests from other places here, some of whom were local officials or wealthy businessmen. Most of them would be scared by the reputation and luxury of the Jingcheng Hotel. There were people like Wen Liang who were not surprised by fame or disgrace, but none of them were as old as him.
The three of them came to the luxury suite in Building A. After a simple wash, Lei Fang took Wen Fan to the Tan Family Hall on the 7th floor of Building C. As the name suggests, the main dish here is Tan Family cuisine, also known as Bangyan cuisine, which is also the only official cuisine preserved in Beijing. It emphasizes "roasting, stewing, steaming, grilling, frying and roasting eight delicacies from the sea", and many people at that time tried every means to taste "Tan Family cuisine" for fun.
"Today we have booked Peng Dingxiang as the chef. He is the grandson of Peng Dahai, the chef of the Tan family. His cooking skills are one of the best in the capital. You two must try them later."
Because Tan's dishes are so exquisitely made, reservations are usually required to give the chef enough time to prepare the ingredients and cook. However, Wen Liang was still surprised that Lei Fang could book Peng Dingxiang, but thinking about his background, he was relieved. Although Lei Fang was the most useless playboy in the family, his surname was there, which made him countless times better than a playboy.
We sat by the semicircular window, and soon various dishes were served. During the meal, we talked about the anecdotes of the Beijing Hotel. Lei Fang seemed to be a rough man, but he was actually very eloquent, and with the unique ruffian nature of the Beijing people, it sounded very interesting. When talking about the reconstruction of the New East Building in 1974, the Premier rejected it because of its height, which allowed a direct view of Zhongnanhai. They built a screen building, solid walls, frosted glass, and sealed the guest rooms above the tenth floor from the public, which added a sense of history and mystery to this century-old hotel.
As they were chatting and laughing, a middle-aged man with a big belly walked in side by side with several young men and women in their thirties, dressed elegantly. They sat at the table from a distance, separated by Wen Liang and the others. The middle-aged man had a big smile on his face and was trying to please the young men and women, with a very humble attitude.
Noticing Wen Liang's look, Lei Fang turned his head and took a look, then said with a smile, "He is an outsider here to do business. It seems that this person has been cheated, otherwise he would not have come to Mo Xiaoan for help."
The circle in Beijing is big and small. Wen Liang didn't know what it was, so he didn't want to respond. He handed a piece of braised shark's fin to Fan Bo and said, "Teacher Fan, try this. There are more than a dozen ways to cook shark's fin in Tan's cuisine, but this is the best."
Fan Bo took a bite and said, "Hmm, rich, fresh and smooth, it's really extraordinary. Mr. Lei, this one must cost a lot of money, right?"
He knew that his status was far inferior to theirs, so he did not bother to act or put on airs. In front of these masters, pretending to be knowledgeable would only bring humiliation upon himself.
Unexpectedly, it was Wen Liang who answered for him: "It costs several thousand yuan. It uses carefully selected Luzon yellow, simmered over low heat for several hours, and then seasoned and poured into the soup. Each process takes a lot of labor time. Labor time determines the value, and value determines the price."
Fan Bo was already used to Wen Liang's omniscience, or maybe he would get used to his unusualness after spending so much time with him. Lei Fang was surprised again, and imitated Fan Bo's words and called out to Mr. Wen, "Mr. Wen, have you been here before?"
From a carefree brother to a serious CEO, Lei Fang's mentality changed in this short journey. Of course, Ning Xi played a role in this, but it also had something to do with Wen Liang himself. With Lei Fang's ruthless eyes, if he still thought Wen Liang was just an ordinary relative, then his many years of hanging around in Beijing would have been wasted.
After eating for a while, the middle-aged man at the table far away received a phone call and stood up to walk out. Lei Fang wiped his mouth and said, "You two, eat slowly. I'm going to the bathroom and will be back soon."
When his back disappeared at the door, Wen Liang chuckled. Fan Bo, who was enjoying his meal, felt a little embarrassed and said, "I'm sorry, Master Wen, I couldn't hold back..."
"It's none of your business. Just eat your food. If you need to beg Lei Fang for help in the future, this meal will pay for itself first!"
This was a joke, but Wen Liang had already seen that Lei Fang was related to the middle-aged man, otherwise he would not have been coldly mocking when talking about Mo Xiaoan. After a while, Lei Fang came back first, with no change on his face, and casually talked about what he saw in Beijing. Within two minutes, the middle-aged man came back and said something to the young men and women. One of them was a thin, long-haired man with a sinister face, and slammed the cup hard, and left with his people. Hearing the movement behind him, Lei Fang did not turn around, poured a glass of Maotai for Wen Liang, and said, "Some people in Beijing have low quality, Mr. Wen, please forgive me."
Wen Liang clinked glasses with him and said with a smile, "Master Lei, someone is coming."
The middle-aged man held the wine glass, bent over and said apologetically: "Master Lei, this is all my fault, my fault. I listened to other people's gossip and didn't mean to do anything. I just wanted to meet Master Mo and have a meal..."
This man has a square head and big ears, and looks very lucky. He should be a prominent figure in the local area, but he doesn't want to bow and scrape in the capital, being so humble. Lei Fang ignored him and picked up food for Wen Liang. The smile on the middle-aged man's face became more and more stiff, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead in the cold winter. Wen Liang sighed secretly, poured wine for Lei Fang and himself, and said: "Come on, I'll borrow flowers to offer to Buddha and toast to Master Lei. May I know your name..."
"I dare not. Please excuse me for your surname, Wan, Wan Siwei."
“Brother Wan, come on, if you respect your brother, let’s drink this cup together.”
This was a way to give him a way out, and Wan Siwei knew it. He was so grateful that he almost wanted to pull Wen Liang to swear brotherhood with him. He clinked glasses with him and looked at Lei Fang eagerly. Lei Fang saw that the time was almost right, so he took advantage of the situation and raised his glass carelessly, saying, "Today, I'm giving Mr. Wen a favor. Old Wan, you are a dishonest person. Since you have used my connections, how can I let you go with my promise? Who the hell is Mo Xiaoan? Is he worthy of it?"
(It was painful to change the outline, and I was so entangled. Sorry) (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.) (To be continued)