Movie Variety Show: Starting from a New World

Chapter 407 Pian Ye and Paola Hou

That morning, after sending the children to school, Zhao Cheng rode his bicycle to Zhengyangmen. He needed to learn from his brother Yan Fugui, the shadow puppeteer, first, otherwise he, a layman in the antique business, would be ripped off.

Arriving at Zhengyang Gate, Zhao Cheng started to get out of the car and walk around, looking for Pian Ye. Zhengyang Gate at this time was no longer as prosperous as before. Now the streets were full of big-character posters and people in green military uniforms and red armbands.

The shops were less crowded. People rarely went out, and went straight home after work, fearing that they would be criticized if they found something wrong with them on the street.

There were very few people like Zhao Cheng. But because Zhao Cheng was wearing a police uniform, even though he didn't have a hat, no one would bother him.

Soon, Zhao Cheng found Pian Ye basking in the sun at the entrance of an alley. Zhao Cheng pushed the cart and walked over.

"Mr. Pian?" Zhao Cheng stepped forward and asked.

"Who are you?" Pian Ye looked at Zhao Cheng, who was wearing a police uniform, and thought to himself, I haven't done anything wrong. Why would the police come to see me?

"My name is Zhao Cheng, and I want to talk to you about something! How about we go to the pub for a drink? I'll treat you!" Zhao Cheng looked at Pian Ye with a smiling look.

"Then let's go!" Although Pian Ye didn't know what this policeman named Zhao Cheng wanted to do with him, since he was going to the tavern, there was nothing to be afraid of. Could he really deal with him in the tavern?

Soon, the two arrived at the tavern. Now, only Cai Quanwu was in the tavern. Xu Huizhen had already gone to work at the street office.

After the two entered the room, Cai Quanwu saw Zhao Cheng and immediately walked over with a smile on his face.

"Director Zhao, how come you have time to come to our place today?"

"I have something I want to ask you, Mr. Pian. Why don't we come to your tavern for a drink?" Zhao Cheng replied with a smile.

"If you have something to say, just tell me. Even if I can't do it, I will do it for you!" Cai Quanwu certainly knew how powerful Zhao Cheng was, so he was very polite to Zhao Cheng.

"What's the matter? Do you know this public security comrade?" Pian Ye looked at Cai Quanwu's fawning look and couldn't help asking.

"Haha, this is Director Zhao Cheng. You haven't heard of his real name, but you haven't heard of his nickname?" Cai Quanwu showed off to Pian Ye.

"What nickname? Is it more famous than the one about the Nine Gates Admiral living nearby?" Pian Ye felt that Cai Quanwu was exaggerating a bit.

"Hehe, Street Cleaner Tiger! Have you heard of him?" Cai Quanwu said.

As soon as Cai Quanwu finished speaking, the people who were drinking in the tavern, including Pian Ye, looked at Zhao Cheng in amazement.

Since liberation, Zhao Cheng had been cracking down on criminals. Petty thieves might be jailed for six months or a month and then released, but in his case, the punishment was absolute limb-severance. Even if he were released, he wouldn't be able to work in the industry again, and would be ruined.

Those who beat beggars were basically beaten by Zhao Cheng to the point that they could not take care of themselves or became disabled. Many of them had their lumbar vertebrae broken by Zhao Cheng's kicks. Their upper bodies were normal, but their lower bodies could not move.

Not to mention those who used to sell opium, most of them were shot by Zhao Cheng on the grounds of resisting arrest!

Although Zhao Cheng's targets were all criminals, these guys were still alive after all. What good words could they say for Zhao Cheng?

Everyone who knew the truth gave Zhao Cheng a thumbs-up. Those who didn't know the truth and only heard about it from others basically said that Zhao Cheng was not a good person and often broke people's hands and feet.

So now in the tavern, the only one who knows the truth is Cai Quanwu. Even Pian Ye has only heard of him but never seen him. Now that he has seen him, he didn't expect that he is so young and so handsome.

"What? Are you scared now? Don't worry, Director Zhao only uses heavy hands against criminals and evil people. Have you ever heard of Director Zhao bullying ordinary people? Director Zhao is definitely the most upright judge in our Peking!" Cai Quanwu also spared no effort to flatter Zhao Cheng.

"Hey, Old Cai, you've gone too far. I'm not a great official, I'm just a small policeman! Don't go around saying things that ruin my reputation! It's not acceptable to say that nowadays!" Zhao Cheng heard that Cai Quanwu's boasting was getting more and more mysterious, so he quickly stopped Cai Quanwu's flattery.

"Oh, yes, look at my mouth! Okay, Director Zhao, you talk to Mr. Pian first, and we'll talk again when we have time! I'll get you some wine!" After saying that, Cai Quanwu took the wine jug and went to the backyard.

Pian Ye and Zhao Chengji found a corner and sat down. Only then did the pub regain some of its vitality, and everyone continued to chat and drink. However, no one dared to make any loud noises anymore.

"I wonder what you want to talk to me about?" Pian Ye asked a little nervously.

"Mr. Pian, don't be nervous. I really need your help with something! Don't be nervous!" Zhao Cheng was a little amused.

"Please speak!" Pian Ye said carefully.

"I heard that you are a big shot in the antique business. I want to buy some antiques, calligraphy and paintings, or furniture from you. I wonder if you can give them up?" Zhao Cheng said slowly.

"Oh, Director Zhao, you're really wronging me. How could I possibly have those things?" Pian Ye quickly distanced himself from the matter. Those things were considered "Four Olds" and feudal products. Anyone who possessed them would be arrested and criticized! Pian Ye didn't dare admit it.

Zhao Cheng didn't say anything, but just stared at him!

At the beginning, Pian Ye could still look at Zhao Cheng, but as a murderous look flashed in Zhao Cheng's eyes, Pian Ye immediately became scared.

"Director Zhao, do you really want to buy it?" Pian Ye asked tentatively.

"Of course, I'll buy it with real money! And I can also trade with you with yellow croaker! What do you think?" Zhao Cheng smiled again, as if the murderous intent before did not exist.

"Director Zhao, I do know what you said, but the few things I have are just ordinary stuff. If you want good stuff, I think you can find a brother of mine, Hou Tianlai! He has a lot of good stuff!" For the sake of his own life, Pian Ye decisively sold out Hou Tianlai.

"That rag-and-bone guy who lives nearby and collects junk from door to door? I know him. If you don't agree, I plan to go find him! But you don't have to burden yourself. What I want to buy is the kind that can be converted into cash in the future. As for those national treasures and the like, I won't steal your collection! You can rest assured!" Zhao Cheng picked up the wine pot that Cai Quanwu had just given him and poured himself a glass of wine.

Hearing Zhao Cheng say this, Pian Ye secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He'd thought Director Zhao was here for his treasures. Turns out he was just looking for something that might be valuable in the future. It wasn't just him; even the Marquis of Tattered and the Nine Gates Admiral had plenty of such things! As for how much they might be worth in the future? That was a complete gamble.