Republic of China, 1928: Starting from a Wonton Shop

On the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month, we grind the grain to make tofu.

Although the snow had stopped in Beiping that day, the sky was very overcast.

Li Chunsheng got up a little later than usual. He had spent most of the day at the White Pagoda Temple Fair yesterday and had also encountered a police search on the road. He had something on his mind and didn't sleep well.

He put on his cotton robe and, as soon as he entered the hall, he smelled a faint smell of coal smoke.

Old Wu, who was behind the counter, had already arrived, and Xiao Wu was also preparing to roll up his sleeves and walk towards the backyard.

"Mr. Wu, Da Hu, good morning." Li Chunsheng tightened his collar and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the two of them.

Old Wu looked up and smiled, "Good morning, boss. Did you enjoy the temple fair yesterday?"

"Good, very good." Li Chunsheng walked to the counter and lowered his voice.

"Mr. Wu, there was quite a commotion outside last night. They say some valuable furs were stolen in the southern suburbs, and even the police station was alerted," Li Chunsheng casually remarked. "You live on Xiheyan Street, were you disturbed by the noise?"

"Really? I'm old and a heavy sleeper, so I haven't heard anything about it," Old Wu laughed. "But that kid Da Hu was so excited about getting his reward that he couldn't sleep. In the middle of the night, he dragged me to the yard to practice some kind of ancestral boxing technique, which made Aunt Zhang next door scold him half the night. So this morning, I sent him over to chop wood so he could loosen up his brute strength."

"Alright, practice makes perfect. In this world, it's never a bad thing to have some strength." Li Chunsheng didn't ask any further questions.

Not long after, Yunniang got up and used the hairpin she bought at the market yesterday to tie her hair up in a bun, making her look neat and elegant.

"Chunsheng, Mr. Wu, Dahu, good morning. I'll go make some noodles. Let's eat breakfast first." Yunniang put on her apron and went into the kitchen.

Ya Ya rubbed her eyes and ran out. The little girl was still thinking about yesterday's temple fair. She chattered around Li Chunsheng and Xiao Wu, talking about how amazing the clay figurine making skills were.

Around 11 a.m., the cotton curtains in the shop began to be lifted one after another, and rickshaw pullers, porters, and old neighbors from the surrounding alleys poured in.

"Manager Li, I heard there was a big commotion in the south of the city yesterday. Is everything alright here?" An old customer sat down, ordered a bowl of steaming wontons, and asked about the situation while eating.

"We're legitimate businessmen, what could possibly happen to us?" Li Chunsheng greeted from the lobby. "Master Liu and Master Ma have both taken care of us, who would dare come here to cause trouble?"

"That's true," another diner chuckled, "I'll have a braised pork belly rice bowl, with extra gravy!"

The atmosphere on Qianmen Street today was very different from yesterday. There were far fewer vendors, and instead, groups of police officers were patrolling, searching house to house.

"Just routine police work!"

With a rough shout, a group of patrol officers entered Li's Restaurant.

The leader was none other than Dog Skin Old Six, who was carrying a black police baton and had his belt around his waist pulled tight.

"Hey, Manager Li, busy?" Dog Skin Old Six cupped his hands in greeting to Li Chunsheng, who was walking out of the kitchen.

"Sixth Brother! What brings you here?" Li Chunsheng hurried over. "Please come in, please come in! It's so cold, brothers, you must be tired."

Dogskin Old Six glanced at the situation in the shop. Old Wu was slowly fiddling with an abacus behind the counter; Little Wu was squatting in the corner, diligently wiping several long benches, his back soaked with sweat.

"It's because of the orders from above." Dogskin Old Six sighed, put his baton on the table, and said in a low voice, "Something went missing from the warehouse in the southern suburbs. I heard it was a batch of valuable mink pelts. My brother-in-law said we should check everything, especially the newcomers and newly opened shops in this area."

Li Chunsheng was startled, but his face remained calm, even showing a hint of curiosity: "Sable fur? That's a rare thing! Who's so bold as to touch government property?"

"Who says otherwise?" Old Six sighed, looked around, and routinely pulled out a crumpled little notebook. "A single sentence on this page has our men running themselves ragged. Manager Li, I'm just going through the motions here. Where are all your men from yesterday?"

Old Wu paused slightly while using the abacus, then picked up an account book somewhat absentmindedly.

Li Chunsheng pointed at Yunniang, then at Yaya, and said with a smile, "Sixth Brother, you have such a good memory! Didn't you see my sister-in-law and I taking this girl shopping at the White Pagoda Temple market yesterday at noon?"

"Oh, right, right, I remember now." Old Dog Skin Six slapped his forehead. "I ran into you guys at the temple fair yesterday."

"As for these two," Li Chunsheng pointed to Old Wu and Xiao Wu, "Mr. Wu is old and can't stand the cold. He spent the whole day here yesterday settling accounts. Da Hu is diligent. While there were no customers, he chopped up all the firewood in the backyard. Look, the backyard is piled up like a small mountain. You can go and take a look if you don't believe me."

"Hey, look at what you're saying, how could I not trust you, Manager Li?" Old Six waved his hand. He had already received instructions from Fatty Liu and knew that Li Chunsheng was a sensible person, so he naturally didn't want to cause trouble at this critical juncture.

"Then Manager Li, you go ahead with your work, I'll go to the next shop." Old Six Dogskin got up to leave.

"Hey, since you're here, Sixth Brother and the brothers, don't be in such a hurry to leave," Li Chunsheng said, grabbing Goupi Lao Liu's arm and pulling him back onto the stool. "Freshly cooked braised pork, Sixth Brother, would you do us the honor of having a bite here?"

"Isn't this a bit inappropriate? We haven't finished our official business yet." Old Six Dogskin said, but he didn't budge an inch.

"Sixth Brother, what are you saying? Official business is the higher-ups' business, filling your stomach is your own business," Li Chunsheng called out, turning around. "Da Hu! Quick, serve Sixth Brother and the other brothers some food! And bring that jar of strong liquor!"

Soon, a large pot of braised pork was served. Each piece of pork was cut into neat squares, and the broth was thick and sticky. In addition, there was a plate of stir-fried liver tips and a bowl of steaming braised wheat cakes.

"Good heavens!" Old Six's eyes widened. "Manager Li, this is far too lavish!"

"Sixth Brother," Li Chunsheng poured drinks for the patrol officers, "Come on, brothers, you've all worked hard, start eating! It's on me today!"

With the strong liquor down their throats and the braised pork belly down their stomachs, the atmosphere in restaurant Li instantly became lively.

Dog-skin Old Six, his mouth greasy with oil, chewed on the tender braised pork while giving Li Chunsheng a thumbs-up: "Brother Li, I'm not bragging, but my brother-in-law has a great eye for people! You're a real friend! From now on, if you need anything in this area, just ask! As long as it's not a serious crime like treason, I, Old Six, can take care of it for you!"