Courtyard House: My Wife is Xu Huizhen

Page 111

The earliest name of Dashilan was Langfang Sitiao. Back in 1368, when the Ming Dynasty destroyed the Yuan Dynasty, the capital city was a desolate place. Langfang Hutong, Ertiao, Santiao, and Sitiao outside Qianmen were built at that time.

It wasn't until the Qing Dynasty that two wooden fences were built at the east and west entrances of the four corridors. They were sturdy and tall, so people called them "Da Shilan" (Big Fence).

Over time, its original name, Langfang Fourth Street, was replaced by Dashilan.

The Ming Dynasty book "Collection of Fifteen City Lanes and Alleys" records it as "Langfang Fourth Alley", but it was renamed "Dazhalan" in the "Complete Map of the Capital" during the Qianlong era.

He Yuzhu said in surprise, "I didn't expect you to know so much."

"No la."

Xu Huizhen said somewhat embarrassedly, "I learned this knowledge recently in a teahouse."

Walking into Dashilan, you soon come to a small north-south alley. Xu Huizhen pointed and said, "This is the famous Menkuang Hutong, which is the most famous snack street in Beijing."

“Let’s go try it first,” He Yuzhu said.

"Aren't you going to look for a place to rent?" Xu Huizhen said, "Let's take care of business first."

"Why are you in such a hurry? Finding a house isn't that easy."

Menkuang Hutong is a famous snack street in Beijing, featuring delicacies such as Baodu Feng, Doufunao Bai, Niangao Yang, Chuzi Yang, Wandouhuang Wan, Niangao Wang, Fushunzhai braised beef, Dexingzhai roasted mutton, Baozi Yang, Kangjia's old tofu, Xiangruihao's Dalian Huoshao, Nailao Wei, and Yangtouma's mutton.

Here you can often see some celebrities who are still alive. Zhou Shuren, Bajin, Ding Lingling, Han Langen, Bai Yang, Chen Yan and many famous opera stars are all frequent visitors to Menkuang Hutong.

Unfortunately, He Yuzhu and Xu Huizhen hadn't seen a single celebrity after their tour.

He Yuzhu asked, "What would you like to eat?"

"Hmm... Let's have tofu pudding first, then we'll go eat mutton head meat. Let's see how well you can match their skills."

"Okay, but you can't talk nonsense in someone else's shop."

He Yuzhu isn't bragging that his braised meat has reached its peak; after all, he has worked hard for many years and has already reached the pinnacle.

The main problem is that its reputation is not as good as these traditional old shops. After all, they have been operating for many years and have already spread their fame.

He Yuzhu already has the nickname "Braised Pork He," which means he has made a name for himself, but it's only been a short time and hasn't spread widely yet.

The two first went to the tofu pudding shop. The storefront was small, with only two rooms. Although it wasn't mealtime, there were quite a few customers, about 70-80% full. Many people were also carrying enamel basins to buy to take away.

When Xu Huizhen first came here, she and Xiangcao had also played around here, but at that time they didn't have much money and didn't get to try many things.

The two of them no longer worry about money and can afford to eat whatever they want.

First, she ate tofu pudding, then went out and bought a bowl of Kangjia's old tofu and Xiangruihao's fried dough sticks. After eating, Xu Huizhen rubbed her little belly embarrassedly.

He Yuzhu asked, "Do you still want to eat mutton face meat?"

"Yes, of course we want to eat, but we'll have to wait a bit."

"Then I'll take you to Quanyechang."

"Quanyechang? What's that for?"

"You've never been here before?"

Xu Huizhen said awkwardly, "Xiangcao and I are just here for snacks."

"Quanyechang was quite remarkable. It was originally built in 1906 and was rebuilt in 1 and called Beijing Quanyechang. It only sold domestic goods and not foreign goods. It was the first large-scale comprehensive commercial building in Beijing."

The department store in Beijing has not yet started construction, and this place is still the largest shopping mall.

From a modern perspective, it was just average, but at that time, it was an extremely rare commercial market.

The entire Quanyechang market has more than 180 stalls representing 22 industries, spread across four floors.

The main entrance of Quanyechang is the north gate on the first side of the corridor, and the south gate is on the second side of the corridor. It has one underground floor and three floors above ground, and is a reinforced concrete and brick structure.

The interior features three large halls with open-plan shops and a large atrium that extends to the roof.

The courtyard was surrounded by a three-story corridor and wooden pillars. When He Yuzhu brought Xu Huizhen to the first floor, they saw many children playing hide-and-seek inside.

Xu Huizhen was surprised: "How come this place is so big?"

"It's alright, let's take a look around."

The first floor sells daily necessities, books, and musical instruments. Xu Huizhen let go of He Yuzhu's hand and strolled around the shops.

After buying a horn comb at Lifenghao and browsing around at Ruizenghehao, He Yuzhu finally made the final decision and bought me a beaded hairpin. We wandered from the basement all the way to the third floor, where there were photo studios, barbershops, dental shops, craft shops, and antique shops. On the top floor, there was also the Xinluotian Small Theater, which could seat about 500 people and was showing Li Wanchun's "Night Flight".

The two bought tickets for fifty cents and sat down in the back. A waiter brought them two cups of tea, but the tea leaves were just average, though better than broken tea.

After listening for less than an hour, He Yuzhu couldn't sit still any longer and pulled Xu Huizhen out of the room.

Why don't you want to listen anymore?

"I feel uncomfortable staying here, let me take you to buy fabric."

Dashilan has more than just these food options; you could say it has everything.

Quanjude, Tongrentang, Laozhengxing Restaurant, as well as cloth shop Ruifuxiang, Zhang Yiyuan's tea, Liubiju's pickled vegetables, and the main performance venues for the Anhui Opera troupes in Beijing, such as Guangdelou, Tonglexuan, Qingheyuan, Sanqingyuan, Zhongheyuan, Qingleyuan and other grand theaters.

It's worth mentioning that we can still see performances by the crosstalk master Hou Baolin. He Yuzhu only listened to a few lines from outside, but unfortunately, it wasn't the right time today.

Today's walk around has made He Yuzhu even more determined to open a shop in this area, so that he can play on the overpass and eat in Dashilan every day.

After the two bought tea, pickled vegetables, and had clothes custom-made by Ruifuxiang, it was already dark when they returned to the tavern.

Vanilla asked, "Have you found a house to rent?"

Xu Hui, who was rubbing her sore legs, was taken aback, and then her pretty face turned red.

They were so focused on having fun with He Yuzhu that they didn't even think about finding a place to rent in the alley.

Then he said, "I couldn't find one. Finding a place to rent isn't that easy."

"makes sense."

Vanilla asked a couple of questions, then took the gift and left.

He Yuzhu asked, "Are your legs sore? Would you like me to massage them?"

"No way." Xu Huizhen's face flushed even more. She packed up the paper bag and carried it into the back room.

He Yuzhu took the tea he had just bought and went to his master's house.

After chatting with my master's wife and senior sister for a while, I said, "My senior brother works at Fengzeyuan, right? He's quite familiar with the Dashilan area. I'd like him to help me rent a storefront there and open a braised meat restaurant."

"That's a good thing. You've made a name for yourself now, so you can go to Dashilan."

If the taste isn't unique, it's impossible to survive in Dashilan. He Yuzhu has been running the business full-time for a few months now, but he has already gained a reputation, and the shop has made a name for itself in the Gulou commercial district. If he were to move to Dashilan, he could also establish himself there.

The teacher's wife said, "Okay, tell your senior brother when he comes back to visit. But I guess it's impossible to rent a house in Menkuang Hutong."

"As long as it's in that area, it's generally fine."

There are no vacant houses for rent in Menkuang Hutong. Moreover, even if there were, they wouldn't be posted. Only acquaintances can rent these houses.

He Yuzhu wanted a change of scenery. Yandaixie Street was too close to the courtyard houses, and there were too many troubles there. He wanted to make money first while he still had more than three years left.

"Alright, leave this to your senior brother."

Just three days later, Hong Jindong came to deliver a message, asking He Yuzhu to go to Dashilan.

He Yuzhu brought Xu Huizhen to Fengzeyuan in Dashilan again.

Fengzeyuan is a leading restaurant in Beijing. It is a four-courtyard house with side courtyards on both sides, which can not only accommodate banquets but also host private events.

The chef naturally entered through the back door, and the two found Hung Kam-tung in the back room.

"You're here. Come on, let me show you around. This house is newly built; you'll definitely like it when you see it."

He Yuzhu was dumbfounded when he saw the house. There was nothing wrong with the house itself, but next door was Xue Ru Silk Shop.

Standing by the roadside, He Yuzhu could vaguely see Chen Xueru busy at work. He hesitated, wondering if he should become Chen Xueru's neighbor.

“This house is nice. It’s in a good location with lots of foot traffic. It has three rooms and a yard in the back, so it’s perfect for living. If I didn’t know someone here, we wouldn’t be able to rent it,” Hong Jindong said as he walked.

Xu Huizhen looked at the storefront and was very satisfied: "This place is really good, it's spacious, let's rent it here."

"Yes, once you miss this opportunity, you won't find another shop like this. If you hesitate even for a moment, the shop will be rented by someone else."

As Hong Jindong spoke, he turned around and saw that He Yuzhu seemed a little absent-minded. He asked, "Zhuzi, what's wrong? Are you not satisfied with the house?"

He Yuzhu paused for a moment, then said, "The house is quite nice."

He Yuzhu thought about it and realized that he couldn't just not rent the place because Chen Xueru was next door. After all, the place was really nice, and it was more popular than Yandai Xiejie.

“Then let’s rent it,” Xu Huizhen said.

"Then let's go and get the paperwork done."

Hong Jindong led the military control committee in this direction, chatting with He Yuzhu about the local customs and people along the way.

Although we have been liberated, there are still many people in society who are capable, so be careful not to offend them.

He Yuzhu asked about Fengzeyuan.

Hong Jindong sighed: "The labor dispute is still at a stalemate, which has caused business to be good and bad. We in the kitchen are also in a difficult position. But I heard that a grading system will be implemented soon, and the amount of money each chef will receive will be based on their grade."

"Really? Then that should solve the problem, right?"

"Who knows!"

Since last year, the chefs and the owner of Fengzeyuan have been at odds over salary issues.

This led to operational problems, with chefs sometimes even going on strike.