Chapter 31: A 500,000 Deal

  "The master, that Wu Ye from last time is here again!" The young servant reported loudly under Xiao Cilang's window. Disguised as Wu Ye, Mo Lun came alone this time. Zhao Zhi had important things to attend to today, and Meng San and Yu Dazhi had both met with Xiao Cilang before. Zhao Zhi didn't want a small mistake to ruin the plan, so Mo Lun came out alone today.

  Xiao Jirou was ill, very seriously ill, because of those lost gold bars that had been infuriating him. When Morunjo came to the door dressed as the Fifth Master, Xiao Jirou struggled to come to the front hall, but looking at Xiao Jirou's sallow face, Morun's heart burst with joy. Suppressing his smile, Morun coughed lightly twice, "Mr. Xiao Jirou, I've come this time to discuss a business deal, a very big one, only I don't know if you're interested?"

  Kojirō looked at Moren with eyes full of bloodshot, his eyes clearly showing some madness. "That Wu Ye, I'm a businessman, opening the door is to do business, what kind of big business is it? You speak first and listen." Kojirō's voice was a bit hoarse, but very urgent. The items brought by Wu Ye were liked by the high-level officials of the empire, if this transaction with Wu Ye was completed again, would he still get rewarded by his superiors.

  "It's a bronze tripod with an inscription," Morun whispered to Shōjiro, as if it was a secret. "What?!" Shōjiro was shocked by Morun's words. A bronze tripod, this is something that many antique collectors dream of having, and one with an inscription is even more elusive, a holy grail. Shōjiro looked at Morun suspiciously, he had done several deals with this guy before, so it shouldn't be a lie.

  "Can I take a look at that bronze tripod first?" Xiao Cilang eagerly stared at Mo Ren, this thing was too enticing, and he couldn't wait to see the bronze tripod that Mo Ren had mentioned. "No problem," Mo Ren smiled slightly, seemingly unintentionally rotating the white jade ring on his thumb, "but you have to prepare your money first, we'll look at the goods and then make a direct transaction. This was secretly taken from my family's treasure vault, I'm afraid of accidents, so it's better to sell it quickly."

  "That's right." Xiao Cilang was delighted, and Mo Ren's seemingly unintentional play with the abacus actually proved his anxiety in his heart, indicating that he urgently needed to get rid of the bronze tripod. It seemed that he should be able to lower the price appropriately.

  "Mo Ren, I don't know how much you want for this bronze tripod?" Xiao Cilang carefully poured tea for Mo Ren and cautiously asked about his intentions.

  "500,000 taels?" Xiao Jirou saw Molanbi hold up five fingers and felt an inexplicable surge of excitement in his heart. If the five bronze tripods provided were precious items, their market price should be over 8 million taels. If he could get this bronze tripod for 500,000 taels, he would make a profit of 16 times just by reselling it, which was even more profitable than robbing a bank!

  "The shopkeeper, it's not 500,000, but 5 million." Morun chuckled and waved his palm back and forth a few times. This old man is really greedy, he can actually say a price of 500,000 yuan, and he's treating himself like a fool. Xiao Cilang's smile froze on his face, the price of five was truly beyond his expectations, originally thought this young master was just trying to get some money to spend, but didn't expect him to quote a price of 5 million.

  If it were the old days, Shojiro would have only one way to deal with that five, which is to call in the Japanese military police to take him away. With a good beating, he wouldn't dare not hand over the goods. But yesterday, the people following that five discovered that this young master actually hangs out with people from the American consulate, playing cards and drinking together, and they seem to be quite familiar with each other. America is currently someone Japan can't afford to mess with, so since that five has connections with Americans, Shojiro can't use the military police on him like he would on other Chinese people. The best way out is to spend money to buy the goods.

  "Old Five, we've done many transactions before and you know my credibility. I want to buy your stuff, but the price is too high, I really can't afford it. Can you lower it a bit?" With a purchase price of 500,000, Xiao Cilang could already make a profit of 300,000, but in business talks, Xiao Cilang still wanted to see if Old Five would lower the price, and making more money would give him a great sense of accomplishment.

  "Mr. Kojirō, to be honest with you, just yesterday the Americans came to see my bronze tripod and their offer was 500,000 yuan." Morin seemed to smile as he glanced at Kojirō sideways, "I have some connections with the Americans, but this is the first time we've done business together. We've had several transactions before, and I'm very satisfied with your ability to handle things and your credibility, Mr. Kojirō, so I gave you priority consideration. If you think the price is too high, then forget it, let's cooperate again next time."

  As they spoke, Mo Lun stood up and bowed his hands to bid farewell to Xiao Cilang. However, Xiao Cilang wouldn't let him leave, directly grabbing onto Mo Lun's sleeve. "Fifth Master, we can still discuss the price, sit down first." Mo Lun was pressed back into his chair by Xiao Cilang. At this moment, Xiao Cilang wasn't concerned with haggling over the price of the bronze tripod with Mo Lun; he was more interested in something else. Earlier, Mo Lun had mentioned that he had connections with Americans, and Xiao Cilang needed to know what kind of relationship Fifth Master had with the Americans.

  "Old Wu, how can you still have dealings with Americans? I've heard those hairy guys are untrustworthy and even more unreasonable when it comes to business. Don't get cheated by them!" Xiao Cilang seemed concerned as he slandered the foreigners, but in his heart, he had an ulterior motive. If Old Wu only knew the American superficially and didn't have any deep connections with him, then Xiao Cilang would use the police to get rid of Old Wu and force him to hand over the bronze tripod. This way, he could even save money.

  That Wu's answer was apparently very satisfactory to Xiao Cilang, "I have no connection with the Americans, they just heard that I have some good things in my hands and want to do business with me." Moran seemed to be drinking tea leisurely, and he explained away his connections with the Americans. Xiao Cilang suppressed the excitement in his heart, and immediately wrote an address for Wu, and made an appointment with Wu to meet at that address tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock, exchanging goods for cash on the spot.

  Molun, of course, wouldn't be foolish enough to think that Xiao Cilang would invite him to dinner. After agreeing on a meeting place and time with Xiao Cilang, he hastily left the antique shop. From Xiao Cilang's eyes earlier, Molun had sensed this little devil's ill intentions. If not for his own words about the bronze tripod being stored in the safe deposit box at the Bank of China, perhaps he wouldn't have been able to leave the antique shop today. It seems that what Old Man Zhao said was right - these Japanese people are no good.