The Eighteenth Scene: The Villagers' Sentiments

  Within two days, Roger, who had enjoyed modern life for a while, had to cross the time-space cave to the Republic of China side again. He had no choice, as half a month had already passed, and he had to go over to understand the progress of ordering machines and repairing roads. Moreover, he also wanted to sell the blue pills in his hand to replenish funds.

  Rojer didn't have a house in the Republic, so he had been living in that hotel room all along. It was a bit inconvenient for Rojer, but on the other hand, it made it easier for some people to find him.

  "Mr. Luo, Mr. Luo, wait a minute, it's our Zhang Dogzi."

  Roger stopped in his tracks, turned around and looked at the "beggar" crouching at the entrance of the inn, furrowed his brow, and asked suspiciously: "How did you end up here? And what's with this getup, has something happened in the village again?"

  "There's nothing... in the village, it's just that everyone thinks you've done a good deed for the village, and since there's nothing valuable in the village, they gathered some eggs and such to give to you as a thank-you gift. I was asked to deliver them to you. At first, I couldn't find you, so I've been waiting here all this time. Maybe you won't think much of these things, but it's our sincere intention."

  As he spoke, he took out a cloth package from behind his back. The package was very clean and seemed to be made of new fabric, completely different from the tattered and dusty clothes on his body. It was clear that Zhang Dogzi would rather get his own clothes dirty than let the package get stained with even a speck of mud.

  "You guys didn't have to do this, but since you've brought it over, I'll just accept it." Roger said as he took the package. He was actually a bit embarrassed to refuse the villagers' kind intentions. "Have you eaten yet?"

  "No... no, I arrived the day before yesterday, didn't expect to not be able to find you, not enough dry rations to eat, went a whole day without eating today." Zhang Dogzi scratched his head in embarrassment.

  "Why don't you eat eggs then? Aren't there extras in the package?" Roger said with a smile, "Are you afraid that I won't let you eat something that's meant for me?"

  "That won't do, how can we casually eat the food that the villagers have prepared for the master with good intentions?" Zhang Dogzi said seriously.

  Roger smiled, thinking that people in this era were really not bad, they would rather starve themselves than eat something given by others, even if it was right in front of them, even if the other person didn't know the exact amount, and even if others knew about it, they would definitely let him eat, but still wouldn't do it.

  "Hey, Dogzi, are you willing to stay and help me out?" Roger asked suddenly, it was also a sudden thought, after all, he was alone, even with modern products, without his own team, he would definitely not be able to accomplish anything. He had done favors for the people of Zhangjia Village, and from the moral perspective of this era, using the villagers as his team seemed more reliable. Of course, if the temptation was too great, the effect of this relationship would be limited, and it would still be necessary to use benefits to bind them together. With both benefits and favors, there would basically be no need to worry about being betrayed.

  "Sir, if there's a place for me to be useful, just let me know. Anyway, at home, the land is not much, and going back would just mean more mouths to feed without being able to help with anything. Since you have use for me, I'll follow you to work, sir. What kind of work is it?"

  Roger smiled and said, "Don't be in a hurry, go take a bath and have something to eat first, then I'll tell you the details."

  ……

  While Zhang Gouzzi was having dinner and taking a bath, Roger instructed the innkeeper to help buy a set of clothes for Zhang Gouzzi to change into.

  After putting on the clothes that Roger had just bought for him, Zhang Dogzi changed completely and became a different person. Indeed, "clothes make the man", with these clothes, Zhang Dogzi really looked like a decent person.

  Roger smiled and said to Zhang Dogzi: "Later I'll go see a few friends, your job is to help me find around, see if there are any shops for rent, best if it's a pharmacy, ask the price, when I come back tell me."

  "Alright, I know what to do." Zhang Dogzi chuckled and patted his chest in guarantee.

  Roger nodded and asked: "Dogzi, do you have a big name? In the future, following me to do things, all kinds of people will meet, it's not good to always call you Dogzi."

  "Great name...... I haven't even read a book, where did this great name come from?" Zhang Dogzi said with embarrassment.

  Roger sighed and said, "This won't do, not reading books will put you at a disadvantage."

  As he spoke, he took out a silver dollar and handed it to Zhang Gouzzi, saying: "You take this silver dollar, use it when you run errands. Also, find a teacher to teach yourself to read books, at least recognize the words, otherwise, I can't do much with my life. From now on, just call yourself Zhang Wu."

  "Thank... thank you, sir, for the name!" Zhang Dogzi excitedly laughed and took over the silver ingot in his hand. He knelt down to kowtow to Roger, but was stopped by him.

  During the Republic of China era, although society had opened up a lot, the poor people's habit of giving themselves humble names to make a living had not changed. If there were no accidents, they would be stuck with that name for their whole lives. Those who gave themselves proper names were either literate or had made a name for themselves in the world. Now that he had a grand name, Zhang Wu, he thought this meant he was no longer his old self and could be considered a person of some standing. Even if this so-called "person" only had a decent-sounding name, it wasn't comparable to those wealthy landlords, but at least it was one level higher than those without a good name.

  Looking at the excited Zhang Gouzhang Wu, Roger smiled slightly and got up to leave the hotel. He was going to visit Chen Fengqi. Although he disliked that guy, many things now really couldn't be done without him.

  ……

  "Hey, Luo brother, how come you have time to come over today? It's really thanks to you that those foreigners are all tamed and obedient! Their tone is as soft as if they haven't gotten out of bed for three days and nights. They're so soft it's ridiculous! In a few more days, this matter should be settled. You're truly my lucky charm! Ah, right, look at my memory, later you come with me to see Commander Deng, he wants to ask you about the loan matters."

  As soon as he saw Roger, Chen Feng started talking about the American's affairs with a red face, without waiting for him to state his purpose. This matter had been bothering him for a long time, and unexpectedly, as soon as Roger took action, things took a turn for the better, and naturally, he was extremely affectionate towards Roger.

  "It's... getting late now, won't it disturb Commander Deng's rest?"

  "How could it be! Let me tell you, since I heard you mention that loan, Deng has been unable to sleep at night, thinking about those green dollars every day. He can't wait to finalize the loan, but these Americans are really slow in handling things."

  "Haha, then congratulations to Brother Chen!" Roger smiled and clasped his hands together, then pulled out a beautiful small porcelain bottle from his pocket and placed it on the table. "Brother Chen, you know, I'm planning to open a pharmaceutical factory, my family has some secret recipes that can ensure people's vigor every night, but I don't know if they're suitable for local people, so please help me verify them. There's also another bottle here for Commander Deng."

  This is exactly Roger's purpose in coming forward at this time - to take the high road, first to promote Wei Ge's brand, and the efficacy is there, making it impossible for them not to be moved.

  Chen Feng stared at Roger for half a day, his mouth slightly curved into a smile that only men could understand, and then he pulled out the cork, revealing only five small blue pills inside.

  "This medicine is very potent, take one pill at a time, don't take too much. Although this medicine is good, you also need to pay attention to your body."