The First Volume: The Empty Spirit Chapter 67: A Bigger Business

  "Old Eight, these are all second-hand firearms, and although they can still be used, the bullets... The key is that the rifle caliber used by the French is different from most regular army rifles. There's no need to specially manufacture bullets for French rifles. If this batch of ammunition were sold to our Northeastern Army, at most it could only be distributed to local irregular troops."

  Selling to regular army and local miscellaneous troops is really different. The regular army has its own military channel at ordinary times, and can even manufacture guns by itself, so the requirements for firearms are extremely high. And selling to miscellaneous troops, as long as it's a gun, they want it, as long as it can be fired.

  "Vice Officer Zhang, this time we can get 3,000 sets of French-style firearms, next time we can get British, German and American styles. Although these guns are a bit old, they are well-maintained, and the foreign armies have this good habit too. The bullets are also sufficient, with an average of 60 rounds per rifle. In a fierce war, a rifle would consume about 10 rounds on average. It's easy to recruit people in this world, but it's difficult to get a large number of firearms at once. With these 3,000 sets of equipment, the Northeast Army can immediately form a division."

  The Central Plains War, 300,000 Northeastern Army had been wandering outside the pass. What Commander Zhang wanted to do, many people were clear about it. At that time, as long as they were given food, it was not a problem to gather a few thousand men into a troop. But the key was guns, only with guns could they be considered an army. Such an army would be recognized by the central government and given a number to enter the regular army sequence.

  "So that's how it is, you can get your hands on 3,000 sets of French equipment at once. Eighth Master and Vice-Branch Director Wang, the two of you really have connections. Alright, I'll take this batch of military supplies. However, as for the price, I really can't afford to pay too much."

  Vice Zhang said, stretching out his hand, the French equipment for three thousand people was a matter of one price. Wang Yaoyu was originally between Vice Zhang and Eighth Master. Seeing Vice Zhang stretch out his hand, Wang Yaoyu took a few steps to the side, this kind of thing is naturally handled by Eighth Master.

  In a big business, the price is negotiated in silence. The two men shook hands and based on the changes in their fingers, they haggled over the price. Wang Yaowu couldn't learn this trick and had never learned it before. Observing Eighth Master's expression, Wang Yaowu found that he was still calm, but not very happy, guessing that the price offered by Deputy Zhang was not high.

  "Alright, it's settled then." Eighth Master gritted his teeth and nodded directly. In order to open up a large source of wealth, Eighth Master decided to throw out a brick to attract jade. However, Deputy Zhang had the same idea in mind.

  "Alright, straightforward. You're indeed a big shot from Shanghai Bund. Eighth Master, this is my name card, with my signature on the back. The quantity and price are already written down, you go to the address on the back of the card to find that person, after receiving the goods he'll figure out a way to transport them back to Northeast."

  Vice Officer Zhang said as he wrote down the address and name on his business card with a pen. Of course, Vice Officer Zhang couldn't directly give money to Ba Ye, and General Zhang must have had his own businessmen in Shanghai, but the person Vice Officer Zhang wrote down was absolutely not the only one.

  "Does Deputy Zhang not want to buy anything else? If Eighth Master can get his hands on military equipment, he can also get other things. Many things can be purchased through Eighth Master's connections without arousing suspicion from others. As for the foreigners, I am familiar with people at the French consulate; the French and British in Shanghai are wearing the same pants."

  Since it's a big business, Wang Yaozu hopes the bigger the better. The Northeast has gold and ginseng, in short, there is money. By grasping this major client, Wang Yaozu's income can immediately increase by a large margin.

  "Haha, this is what I want to say now. Here is a list of materials, please trouble Eighth Master and Vice-Stockholder Wang to think of ways to gather them together. We can first complete the transaction of this batch of military supplies, and then continue to complete the transactions on this list. The prices are already clearly written above, and Young Marshal has personally nodded in agreement."

  He took the list from Zhang's hand, and Ba Ye's originally calm face finally changed. Wang Ya Zu walked to Ba Ye's side in three steps. The main materials on the list were Western medicines, machine tools, seamless steel pipes, engines, radios, and batteries for radios. At least half of them were controlled goods. Most of them also needed to be purchased from foreigners. But this was not too difficult for Wang Ya Zu and Ba Ye. The key was still the price at the end of the list, 150,000 silver dollars worth of gold. This was the total amount of money Ba Ye had received for his assassination business in the past five years.

  They threw out a brick and really attracted jade. Gold is a good thing, its price on the black market rises every month, if Eighth Master and Wang Ya Zu can make this big deal, they can do nothing in three years and just sit there eating, drinking and having fun.

  "There are many and varied goods on the list, but the young master is in a hurry, so you only have three months to prepare. To make a lot of money, you must"

  The more laborious, I believe that Eighth Master and Vice Director Wang both understand this truth. Hand it over to Eighth Master, as for whether this is enough for the military supplies of three thousand people, I hope it can be completed as soon as possible."

  Since the decision to purchase arms has been made, it is hoped that the transactions on the list can be completed. Deputy Zhang naturally hopes that the arms transaction can be completed as soon as possible, so as to win over Eighth Master and send the arms back to Northeast China as soon as possible, and expand a division as soon as possible. If we are to haggle with the Central Government, then we must act quickly and ruthlessly.

  "Haha, then congratulations to both of you on a successful transaction. I will definitely do my best to assist. It's great that all three parties can get what they need. Many things have already been agreed upon, people like Eighth Master and Deputy Zhang, as well as Wang Ya Zu, once they make a promise, they must keep it. If they go back on their word halfway through, then the whole thing was just a big conspiracy from the start. So Deputy Zhang is gambling, and Wang Ya Zu and Eighth Master are also gambling."

  Everyone got back into the Eighth Master's car, and when they approached the downtown area, Deputy Zhang and his bodyguard got out of the car first and parted ways with Wang Yaowu right there. Wang Yaowu remained in the car and followed the Eighth Master back to the mansion. From the time Deputy Zhang got out of the car until the car entered the mansion, the Eighth Master kept staring at the list in his hand, his expression changing from initial excitement to growing concern.

  Wang Yaozu did not leave, and followed Eighth Master to his study. As soon as Eighth Master sat down, he asked the maid to brew a cup of bitter tea. The bitterness of the tea could calm Eighth Master's mind, while Wang Yaozu simply sat aside eating some snacks.

  "You're really something, young man. You're completely different from me, an old codger who's half in the grave already. Yaoyu, your guts are just too big, every time you play it so big, this old man's heart can barely hold on." Eighth Master said, downing half a cup of bitter tea with a look of great discomfort.

  "Eight Master, that's just what you think in your heart, but actually you're not old at all. In Nanjing, many high-ranking officials are around the same age as you, let alone those still very active and eager to make a good impression, the veteran leaders of the party and state. So I think, most importantly, one's own heart shouldn't acknowledge being old, this way vitality can be maintained. Eight Master, regarding the military supplies transaction fees, we can just collect half in gold, and replace the other half with Northeastern local specialties. Ginseng, deer antler, and various high-quality furs, these are all good things."

  "Yaozu, now is summer, ginseng and deer antler supplements, old Chinese doctors have said, it's best not to eat them in the summer, lest the fire energy becomes too strong and harms the body. And even the top-grade fur, at this time will also become very hard to sell. Why don't we just collect gold? The gold from Northeast is all good stuff."

  —

  No matter how tired or hesitant the eighth master is, as soon as he talks about money and his own interests, he can immediately focus.

  "Boss, that's why we can get those stockpiled goods from Northeast China at a cheap price and use it to increase our profit for this transaction. By winter, the ginseng, deer velvet, and fur that nobody wants now will become hot items, and at least sell for 30% more. Let's not worry about the inventory for now, only the money in hand is real."

  This time the military explosives were sold to the Northeast Army, and the profit obtained was much less than expected. If they were sold in batches, they could have made at least 30% more than the current price. However, this was the first time they had received such a large shipment, and the current situation was quite special, so they had no choice but to do so. Nevertheless, being able to pull in the Northeast Army's connection was an unexpected big gain.

  "Ah, Yaozu, the goods on the list, should we prepare them quickly? It seems that Deputy Zhang is in a hurry. However, the quantity of these goods is really too large, most of which are controlled items, and even if we invest the minimum amount, it will still require at least 60,000 taels! To take out 60,000 taels to do an even riskier business, Eighth Master's heart is not at ease."

  "Old Eighth Master, don't worry. The goods on the list are all in high demand, and as long as we can get our hands on them, we can resell them for double the price. It's just that the process of purchasing and storing them is a bit troublesome. Don't you want to earn some extra money for your retirement, Old Eighth Master? It seems like many of the retired Green Gang elders are living difficult lives."

  "That's right, before washing hands in the golden basin, many predecessors were invincible. But after washing hands in the golden basin, nothing is left. The most important thing is that there must be money in hand. So this business we will gamble again, on the foreign side, there are some important joints, all rely on you, Ya Zu. The profit will be handled according to what we agreed last time when buying arms."

  "Alright, everything remains the same. By the way, Eighth Master, if you really feel old, why don't you try taking a young concubine? With a young woman by your side, you'll immediately feel that you're still very young." Gunsmoke Silently, Volume 1: Empty Spirit, Chapter 67: A Bigger Business