"Wooo—!"
The train slowly pulled into Jinmen Station.
Huo Yuanhong carried a simple cloth bundle and stepped off the platform with the crowd.
After being away for some time, Jinmen still looked much the same. Most of the wealthy gentry and great households had fled, but ordinary folk still lived as they always had. Nothing much had changed for them.
The eastern side of the platform was crammed with food stalls—vendors selling candied hawthorns, wontons, and baked flatbreads. Rickshaw pullers stood beside their rickshaws as well, waiting eagerly.
"Hm?"
Huo Yuanhong swept his gaze around and suddenly spotted a familiar rickshaw puller.
When he had dealt with Shentu Chen, he had needed a cart to haul things away, so he had taken one off the street and left behind two hundred silver dollars.
Now, this rickshaw puller looked noticeably more spirited. He had probably used that money to properly improve his life.
"Going to Yong'an Old Teahouse?"
Huo Yuanhong walked over.
"Yes, yes, sir, please get in! I guarantee I'll pull you there fast and steady!"
At once, the puller plastered on a practiced smile and bowed repeatedly.
"Two-Hundred Xiangzi really has all the luck. Not only did he pick up two hundred dollars, his business has been getting better by the day..."
"Isn't that so? The gentlemen all like taking his rickshaw, hoping some of his good fortune will rub off on them."
Several nearby pullers cast envious looks his way.
Once Huo Yuanhong was seated securely, the puller steadily lifted the shafts. His steps were light yet powerful as he pulled the rickshaw into the stream of pedestrians and vehicles outside the station.
"I remember you having a different rickshaw before. When did you replace it?" Huo Yuanhong asked from the seat.
"I changed it more than two