Chapter 140: The Silver Dollar Age

Kailuan is an emerging industrial city, but in just ten years, the population has exceeded 100,000, with spacious streets, majestic eaves and low-cost brick buildings rising from the ground. As the population increases, the city near Beijing and Tianjin also has its own bright lights and wine at night. ("".com)

Phoenix Mountain Park is located in the outskirts of Kailuan City, but Kailuan’s only tram bus line, which is the railway line connecting the city to Kailuan Coal Mine Area and Kailuan Steel Plant, passes there from then, and the transportation is extremely convenient.

Near the capital, Kailuan literati have similar hobbies to those in the capital. They go to restaurants, watch Peking operas, civilized operas and dramas, shop for tea, and go to the morning market to buy books, inscriptions, and cultural relics.

The teahouses in Kailuan are the most famous as Bingxin Teahouse in Phoenix Mountain Park. At the foot of Phoenix Mountain and by the Blushui Lake, the teahouse environment is extremely elegant.

The entry-level ticket for Phoenix Mountain Park is one dime, and ordinary working-class people can afford to go out with their whole family on holidays. However, high-end teahouses are not something that ordinary people can consume. For example, Bingxin Teahouse, the cheapest tea costs one yuan, and dim sum is one yuan per dish. According to Kailuan’s salary level, among the laborers, the average monthly salary of non-skilled workers in Kailuan Steel Factory is only about 200 yuan. Usually, the wives of this type of worker family will not come out to do things. At most, they can make some small money by sewing and repairing. 200 yuan will have to bear the whole family’s life. It is impossible to drink tea and relax, so they spend more than ten yuan.

There are also big bowls of tea in the park, and often near the tea shop is the most lively place in the park, less quiet and more joy.

Ye Zhao naturally sat in Bingxin Teahouse. He had eaten lunch at noon and wanted to take Fu Cha out to relax, but Inspector Ma invited him to the park. He had heard of Fenghuangshan Park for a long time and had never had the chance to come and see him. Ye Zhao happily went to the appointment.

Bingxin Teahouse is ancient and elegant, without the luxuriousness of magnificence, and the decorative calligraphy and paintings show elegance everywhere. The most special thing is that Bingxin Teahouse actually installed a telephone.

Although the phone appeared in the empire more than ten years ago, even the provincial capital is not fully connected to the long-distance telephone network. However, the bustling cities such as the capital have been opened from the capital to Tianjin, Taiyuan, Shanghai, Jinling, Guangzhou and other places.

This year is 1880, but because of the birth of a number of key physical chemistry and natural science theories ahead of schedule, and many technologies with relatively low thresholds appeared by Ye Zhao's breaking through window paper, and the establishment of various systematic discipline laboratories, over the years, the world's most developed science and technology empire has reached the level of the early 20th century in some fields. Ye Zhao has even heard that several adventurous mechanics in Guangzhou have begun to experiment with whether people can ride machines to the sky under the power of the engine.

Having said that, it is not easy to popularize many technical products. Let’s talk about this phone. There are about dozens of phones in Kailuan City. Because installing a phone requires a 3,000 yuan installation fee, and a 100 yuan management fee per month. This is a payment for "《》.com)

Today, the working class in the empire has the highest income in the education system, followed by civil servants, company clerks and technical workers, and workers who rely on their strength to make a living naturally have the lowest salary.

Of course, this is the overall trend, region, position, and individual abilities, so the specific income cannot be generalized.

Take the teacher with the highest income as an example. In Kailuan, the monthly salary of junior teachers is about 300 yuan. If you want to install a telephone, you have to not eat or drink for a year. The monthly management fee is one-third of their salary. It is impossible for someone to install a telephone.

Even the mayor of Kailuan City, although his income is not as high as that of the head of the city government in a prosperous city, his monthly salary is more than 1,000 yuan. Despite this, installing a telephone will cost him two or three months of salary.

Telephones are almost a symbol of family identity within the empire, and it is conceivable how eye-catching it is to install telephones in Bingxin Teahouse.

On the second floor of the teahouse, the breeze is blowing, and outside the window is the Phoenix Lake like a green mirror.

Ye Zhao, Fu Cha and Inspector Ma sat at a table by the window. Most of the tea guests in the tea room were cultural people and businessmen who like art. There were several modern and beautiful socialites who were originally regular guests and even pets in this man's world, but today, they were all covered by Fu Cha.

The votes in the constituencies of Zhili started yesterday. Today, the tea shops were talking about the general election.

Inspector Ma sipped tea and asked Ye Zhao: "What are you thinking about with Brother Jingzhai?" Although when he saw Fucha, Inspector Ma was slightly destined by his beauty, he would never look at the beauty like a flower and jade at this time, and it can be seen that Inspector Ma is not an ordinary person.

Mrs. Ma, however, accompanied her smiling face to cover Fucha's words and asked, "Does my sister-in-law install a telephone at home? I heard that it is amazing to be able to talk to people thousands of miles away." She seemed older than Fucha, but she had to consider her seniority from Ye Zhao. Ye Zhao was no longer the handsome young man she used to be. Although she could not tell the depth of her age, she was much more majestic and peaceful, and she thought she was much older than Fucha's family, and she was also older than Detective Ma. However, Ma could never think of Ye Zhao and Fucha's family, and could almost be described as an old husband and young wife.

Fu Cha is not good at dating outsiders. When he heard Mrs. Ma’s questioning, he just turned a little bit of pink cheeks, and Mrs. Ma’s eyes became brighter.

On the other side, Ye Zhao smiled and said, "As far as I know, this coal mine has not been approved by the government. Because it is too close to the steep river, the government will not be able to develop it for at least a few years. Is Inspector Ma going to ask me to open a black mine?" It is easy to deal with such a small person, and for Ye Zhao, this is already a luxury.

Inspector Ma was stunned, but he didn't expect that in three days, Mr. Wen could find out everything clearly. It seemed that he had completely underestimated others. This energy was not ordinary. Maybe he could recognize Mayor Jiao. Inspector Ma immediately broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead. "".com.

"Sell newspapers and newspapers! Kailuan Daily! Empire Daily! Guangdong Daily! Report! See Luanzhou tycoon Ma Yunlong was arrested for bribery election!" A newspaper boy waved the newspaper and climbed to the second floor to shout.

The tea shops on the second floor immediately became lively and called newspaper boys to buy newspapers.

Although Luanzhou County is affiliated to Kailuan City, it opened its port early and was originally a central town in the lower reaches of the Luan River. The Luanzhou gentry Ma Yunlong Ma’s family is known as one of the “Four Great Masters of Jingdong”. It is well-known locally and was arrested by the government. This is sensational news, so how can we not make these tea lovers furious?

Ye Zhao knew about Ma Longyun's arrest this morning. The Kailuan Daily reacted very quickly, probably because it changed the "blue paper template" overnight and went to the newspaper today.

Ma Yunlong bribed voters at a price of 10 silver dollars per vote. In any case, silver coins seem to be more attractive than paper money. Ten silver coins are more attractive than 100 yuan. In the Luanzhou constituency, there are only 3,000 voters with the right to vote. If one-quarter of the voters can be bought, and with normal canvassing, they will inevitably be elected, that is, a few thousand silver coins can be elected.

In order to prevent bribery in various places, the Imperial Study Room gave a holy metaphor. In addition to the official organization's supervision committees with private people involved, local supervision departments also need to intervene deeply. Once bribery occurs and not investigate, the head of the local supervision system is guilty of dereliction of duty. Even the internal security agencies at all levels have obtained secret orders to select some intelligence personnel to supervise the election, which is also a last resort. I think Ye Zhao has to do this. I think there will be many cases of bribery in this election. If it is not severely punished, it will form a vicious cycle and will simply become a model of selling official positions in the previous dynasty.

"The Ma family of the four majors in Jingdong has collapsed?" Inspector Ma looked at the front page of the newspaper and opened his mouth wide in surprise. He migrated from Luanzhou and kept gigging himself on his face. He said he was a child of the Ma family in Luanzhou, but in fact he had nothing to do with him.

On the seat not far away, a middle school teacher in Zhongshan suit exclaimed: "The Holy Emperor is serious, setting a precedent for the people to discuss politics, and a role model for the ages." Those who were at the same table with him seemed to be cultural people, and they all agreed.

Mrs. Ma asked Fu Cha: "Does my sister-in-law have the right to elect?"

Fucha had the right to vote before entering the palace, but after becoming a member of the royal family, she naturally "lost" this right. The royal family did not belong to the category of citizens, but she did not understand very well and nodded slightly.

Mrs. Ma was even more envious. She had never attended a new elementary school, nor had she received a private school education with the same education as the elementary school, nor did she have the right to vote. Even her husband, Inspector Ma, had to receive training after joining the police force. Later, in order to get the lead in the exam, she went to night school again, so she had the right to vote for no reason. And this beautiful woman who was indifferent to fish and geese seemed to be very ordinary to obtain the right to vote, which really made Mrs. Ma ashamed.

Inspector Ma pretended to look through the newspaper for a while, his eyes turned around and said to Ye Zhao: "Brother Jingzhai, I'll ask you about the coal mine?" He already felt that the businessman in the capital in front of him was quite energetic. He was not the one who could get the oil and water, but he was still a little unwilling to give up.

Ye Zhao smiled and said, "Forget it, I'll go back in two days." He turned to Fucha and said, "Go to see your brother tomorrow and go back to the capital the day after tomorrow."

Fu Cha was surprised and happy, nodded gentlely. The emperor was very kind to her in the past two days, which made her very relieved. However, following the emperor, he was under great pressure. Even if he came to this teahouse to enjoy tea, he would not have the pleasure of leisure.

Inspector Ma said, "Will I give away Brother Jingzhai the day after tomorrow?" He asked casually, and gradually he could feel that he was a rich man, not a coal dealer. He wanted to climb up but couldn't. Seeing Ye Zhao waved his hand, he smiled and said, "Then I wish Brother Jingzhai a good journey in advance."

"Oh, Inspector Ma, is this your friend?" A fat white man with big ears came out of the elegant room. He was dressed brightly, with silk robe and leather shoes, with his head shiny, and his small eyes were squinting, and his expression was a little arrogant.

Inspector Ma stood up in a hurry, nodded and said, "Third Master, are you here for a walk?" The person named Liu, the owner of a Kailuan iron factory, is considered an industrialist. It is rumored that he became rich by selling black slaves in South China back then, and I don't know whether it is true or false.

Master Liu San ignored Inspector Ma, and his little eyes swept around Fucha's gentle and charming body, bowed to Ye Zhao: "What do you call this friend?"

Inspector Ma immediately rushed to answer: "This is Mr. Wen, who comes from the capital." He also introduced to Ye Zhao: "Brother Jingzhai, Mr. Liu San is the owner of Jingyang Iron Factory."

In fact, looking at the attitude of Inspector Ma towards Liu San, we know that the current tolerance committee is not powerful. Ye Zhao is quite satisfied with this, but he also thinks that it will be overcorrected? Inspector Ma will be the director of the police station in his later generations. As for Liu San, Ye Zhao, who came to Kailuan, knew about it after coming to Kailuan. In later generations, he was just a small private business owner, and he was in the jurisdiction of Inspector Ma. Even if he is not afraid of the police station chief, he will always give him some face. How could he be so arrogant?

Inspector Ma, although Ye Zhao did not speak, the official in the imperial study room had already investigated him. In fact, he had no bad record. He was just restless and always wanted to make some money. The official in the imperial study room had already complained to the internal discipline investigation department of the Kailuan Police Office in his real name through the identity of the arrangement. He thought that he would be investigated by internal discipline soon. After this warning, he should be taught a lesson and would not dare to step on the line any more.

Ye Zhao had no disgust for Inspector Ma, and was a small person who was living a life. However, the current public office department was different from what he imagined, and it was not very suitable for him. However, Master Liu San felt that he was robbed, which made people feel quite uncomfortable.

He smiled at Liu San, nodded, and Ye Zhao did not get up.

Just now, Master Liu San saw Ye Zhao's pomp, who had just stared at the cute Fucha, and even stirred up a lust in his distracted and dirty imagination. But who knew that he was staring at him and was blocked by someone's vision. The beautiful man's crystal clear and delicate little hands and elegant and exquisite embroidered shoes were blocked tightly. Looking closely, it turned out to be Changsui of the male owner, one woman and four men, sitting at a table. I don't know if it was intentional, a servant moved the stool and blocked his sight.

The servants followed him to sit at a table, and the table was filled with tea, fruit, snacks, one yuan per dish, but they didn't touch the water. This show was rare in Kailuan City.

Wait until the newspaper seller comes up, let alone the male owner's instructions. The beautiful maid bought newspaper and paid the reward. She rewarded the child ten yuan at one time, and packed the table with the snacks. From beginning to end, the male owner didn't say anything, but took the newspaper and saw that the servant was already so decent and pompous, so the master's identity could be seen without asking.

It was because Mr. Liu San ran out of the fairy room to get to know Ye Zhao. Although the big man was cold, Liu San didn't care and smiled and said, "How can Mr. Wen eat tea in this noisy place? Inspector Ma, you have lost your identity as Mr. Wen? You are used to sitting in a tea shed and have no insults."

Inspector Ma's face changed. Although he didn't like to listen, he could only laugh and say yes. Mrs. Ma was resentful and had no choice but to do so. Once in the mahjong hall, Master Liu San teased her, as if she was a fairy woman, which made her shame and angry, and she had no face to go to the mahjong hall again. She hated Liu San so much.

Mr. Liu San said at this time: "Mr. Wen, if you are Meng Buqi, can you go to the private room with me to have a chat? There is a purity."

Ye Zhao smiled and said, "I like Inspector Ma, like fun and dare not make friends like Brother Liu."

Mr. Liu San's face changed, he nodded and walked back.

Seeing that Liu San was rejected, Inspector Ma felt so relieved. Mrs. Ma even more charmingly glanced at Ye Zhao frequently.

Just as Master Liu San took two steps, a dog suddenly fell to the ground after eating shit, but was accidentally tripped by Ye Zhaochangsu, his nose hit the table legs, and blood flowed.

Two big men rushed out of the private room, but Changsui, who tripped Liu San, had already helped him up with regret. Liu San was about to scold him, but he felt a severe pain in his shoulder as if it was broken. However, Changsui seemed to support him but pinched his shoulders, and his big hands were like iron clamps.

Liu San couldn't help but scream "ah", and then a cold voice was heard in his ear: "I'll look at you again and cut your dog's eyes!" Liu San didn't know why, but a hint of chill rose in his heart. He didn't dare to say more, and he didn't even dare to turn his head. He waved his hand to the entourage and entered the private room. After a while, he checked the bill and left.

Anyone could see that Mr. Liu San was still afraid to speak out after suffering a great loss. When a tea guest whispered, Tan Ma felt a light on his face and became more flattering to Ye Zhao.

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On the 1st, comrades, let’s have a few more monthly tickets.
Chapter completed!