Chapter 415: He who speaks first loses

It's all white sugar.

Check one bag, it's white sugar.

Check another bag, it's white sugar...

The entire warehouse is full to the brim. It's all white sugar.

Very white.

Very sweet.

Very pure. Presumably imported. Or perhaps even made in Japan.

In fact, white sugar is very valuable.

In wartime, white sugar is a genuine strategic material. Its supply is restricted. Ordinary people simply cannot buy it.

However...

Zhang Yong cannot use it! Nor can he resell it.

Where can he carry all that white sugar? And where can he find a buyer? How can he trade it?

Alas...

It's all been a waste of effort.

He thought this No. 49 Shihu Street had so many treasures...

He is disheartened.

He hung his head in despair.

Everyone else was overjoyed.

How to trade the sugar was Zhang Yong's business.

They only knew that so much sugar was very valuable. It could be worth tens of thousands of dollars.

At that time, the price of sugar was still quite high. This was because domestic sugar production was very low. There were only one or two sugar refineries in the whole of Songhu. How could the output be high?

On the contrary, as an industrial country, the Japanese occupation forces had a relatively high sugar production.

'Four hundred tons.'

'How much?'

'400 tons of sugar in total.'

'Ah...'

Zhang Yong is dumbfounded.

400 tons! That's a lot!

This Takeshita Takashi really is in big business!

Sugar is actually measured in tons. What a big spender. Unusual.

In the private sector, white sugar is a luxury product. It's expensive. For one dollar, you can probably buy about 10 catties.

Or maybe not even that.

In other words, the price of one ton of sugar is at least 200 dollars.

Four hundred tons would be eighty thousand taels.

Goodness...

If only it could be cashed in...

The problem is, how?

Sell it to the garrison?

I wonder if they dare eat it?

Look outside the warehouse.

It's empty, not a soul in sight.

No red dots appear on the map surveillance either. There aren't even many white dots.

Sigh, forget it.

This time, God won't feed us.

There must be no buyers knocking at the right door.

I'll have to figure something out myself...

'Shaolong, there's a phone call here,' Yu Lexing said, approaching. He handed Zhang Yong a piece of paper.

Zhang Yong took it.

It was just a piece of paper. It wasn't a business card.

There was no name on it either. Just a phone number.

It was simple.

Whose phone number was it? Zhang Yong wondered.

Was there only one phone number in the entire warehouse?

It shouldn't be someone the guard knew. If it was someone he knew, there was no need to write it down separately.

If it was an unimportant number, there was no need to write it down either.

In other words, this number should be relatively important. But it's not someone from the warehouse.

So, should I give it a try?

'There's a phone in the office,'

'Oh?'

Zhang Yong was a little surprised.

He entered the warehouse office. Sure enough, there was a phone.

It seems that this warehouse is not a one-off. It should have been in use for a long time. Otherwise, it would be impossible to install a phone. Nowadays, a phone is also a luxury.

He picked up the receiver.

He dialed the numbers one by one against the note.

Then he waited...

'Doodle doodle...'

'Doodle doodle...'

The line kept ringing busy.

But Zhang Yong was very patient.

He had to be, after all, he was hoping to make some money! What if it was the buyer?

Oh, he was thinking too much...

It was just a phone number, how could it be the buyer?

'Hello?'

Finally, someone picked up the phone.

It was a man. His voice was a little hoarse. He seemed very old.

'49 Shihu Street,' Zhang Yong introduced himself.

He didn't know who the other person was.

But he couldn't let the other person hang up. He had to take the initiative.

'Hold on!'

The other person then covered the receiver.

Then there was silence.

Zhang Yong looked around. He was actually a little worried.

If this call was not made correctly and the Japanese found out that their warehouse had been occupied, what would happen?

There was so much sugar, they definitely couldn't move it. They would have to destroy it.

How? Set it on fire?

I don't think the sugar would burn. And there wasn't that much petrol.

They would have to use explosives.

Blast the sugar into pieces. Mix it with the soil.

The problem is, he doesn't have that much dynamite either!

For a moment, he was at a loss.

It felt like a lot of the preparations hadn't been done.

He needed to learn a lesson.

If he ever encountered a similar situation again, he would first prepare the dynamite.

If he couldn't get any, he would destroy it.

He absolutely couldn't let it continue to fall into the hands of the Japanese invaders.

And he couldn't give it to the civilians either. Why? Because the Japanese invaders, who were infuriated, would massacre the civilians who got their hands on the sugar.

That would be like harming the people.

'Hello...' Finally, the phone came to life again.

This time it was a man with a rather feminine voice. But it didn't sound like he spoke Chinese very well?

I couldn't help but wonder. Could it be that the person on the other end of the line was Japanese?

'This is No. 49 Shihu Street.'

'We won't raise the price anymore. If you raise the price again, we won't make any profit. You can sell it to someone else.'

'Okay. You name the price. How much?'

'83,000.'

'Okay. 83,000. Let's be friends.'

'Good!'

The other person didn't sound happy or sad.

It seemed that the other person wasn't very happy with the price either.

Zhang Yong: ...

Damn, 400 tons of sugar, selling you for 83,000 taels of silver, and you're not happy?

Wait...

It's necessary to explain in advance.

Don't ever try to pay with yen, or any other worthless paper money.

'I said 83,000 taels of silver.'

'I know.'

The other party still spoke without emotion.

Zhang Yong felt that he had spoken in vain. But he didn't care. As long as he was sure that it was in dollars, that was fine.

He wanted to warn the other party that he didn't want a bank draft from the Baoshang Bank. But then he held back.

In North China, what else could you get if you didn't want a bank draft from the Baoshang Bank?

That would be like telling the Japanese that I'm not on your side. Wouldn't that give me away?

There was no other way. He could only deal with it slowly after he got the bank draft.

Just think of it as making money and buying property here.

Earn money in North China, spend it in North China...

'Come and collect it immediately,' Zhang Yong said again.

'No,' the other person replied.

'Why?'

'We're not ready yet.'

'Then pay first. Otherwise, I'll sell it to someone else.'

'Okay,'

'as soon as possible.'

Zhang Yong was anxious to get the money.

Without it, he didn't feel safe. It wasn't secure.

All that sugar wasn't his until he exchanged it for money. The Japanese could take it back at any time.

'We'll leave right now.'

'Good!'

Zhang Yong felt relieved.

As long as the other party sent the money, there would be no problem.

He hung up the phone.

'What happened?' Yu Lexing asked curiously.

'It was the buyer. He will come to pay in a while, but he won't take the sugar,' Zhang Yong explained briefly.

He didn't say the exact price. He would wait until he got the banknote.

As long as the money was not in his hands, the deal could still change. He might lose both the money and the sugar.

'Arrange it. Get ready to make the deal.'

'OK!'

'Tell everyone to be careful.'

'Understood!'

Yu Le woke up and made the arrangements.

Zhang Yong's meaning was very clear, he was worried about a double cross.

What if the buyer didn't pay and tried to take the sugar? What should they do? They could only resort to violence. Fortunately, they were in a large group and had a lot of guns.

If they wanted to take it by force, the other party would need to send at least 200-300 people. They would also need to be equipped with heavy weapons.

Otherwise, Zhang Yong was not afraid.

Wait patiently...

20 minutes...

40 minutes...

The map is still quiet.

Frowns.

Has he been let down?

Or is the buyer plotting something, really trying to cheat the cheater?

Secretly raises his guard.

Finally...

The map edge prompts that a small red dot has entered.

Not one. Two.

Is it the buyer?

Not sure.

It could also be Japanese people passing by.

Or maybe it's someone Takashi Takeshita sent. Maybe Takeshita sends someone to keep an eye on things from time to time?

He quietly signals back. At the same time, he says, 'There are Japanese invaders coming!'

'Fuck them!' Cao Mengqi blurts out.

Zhang Yong: ...

This lair.

He is really full of spirit and high fighting spirit.

He wants to fight at the mere mention of the word 'Japanese invaders'.

This guy was never really willing to work for the Special Services Department of the Fuxing Society. He was hell-bent on going to war and leading troops in battle.

Unfortunately, he never got the chance.

The previous battle with the Japanese military police had made his blood boil. He felt that his life had not been in vain. The idea of leading troops into battle became even stronger. When he heard that the Japanese were coming, his first reaction was to kill, kill, kill...

No matter who they were, as long as they were Japanese, shoot them all. Then he would pursue them all the way...

'How many are here?'

'Two...four...six!'

Zhang Yong kept correcting himself.

The Japanese invaders seem to have arrived in cars. Two people in one car. There are three cars in total, with six people.

In addition to the Japanese, there are also two Chinese in each car.

Just as they are about to speak, a fourth car appears from behind. There are only three Chinese in it. Two in the front row. One in the back.

Is this the boss?

Zhang Yong silently judges.

It seems so. The boss always seems to sit alone in the back.

It seems that this boss is Chinese. However, there are six Japanese underlings. Obviously not ordinary people!

A big traitor, no doubt. I just don't know which one.

"Go!'

'Go!'

Cao Mengqi is in charge of combat deployment.

They set up an ambush on the wall. They are ready to fight at any time.

'Don't shoot!'

'Wait for my order!'

Zhang Yong reminds them.

These Japanese invaders should not be here to cause trouble.

They should be here to do business.

They drove straight here and didn't set up a surveillance team in the distance.

If the other side were to attack the warehouse, they would never drive here so openly. Isn't this a suicide mission?

It seems that this deal is very promising. They should be able to get the money.

After getting the money, they will find a way to rob it back. And so on and so on. The chicken lays the egg, the egg gives birth to the chicken, and so on for generations...

Arrange for someone to clean up the traces of the killings. At the same time, open the warehouse door.

Zhang Yong stood by the door himself, waiting for the other party to arrive with a dignified air. Since this was a transaction, it was of course business as usual with the door wide open.

Sure enough, four cars slowly drove up and stopped in front of the warehouse.

The people in the first three cars all got out and stood guard nearby. Then the fourth car slowly drove up.

Zhang Yong didn't say a word. He silently watched the other party.

The fourth car stopped. A man got out of the passenger's seat. He opened the back door.

A plump middle-aged man got out.

He wore glasses, a long silk robe, and had a square face. He didn't look like a bad guy.

After getting out of the car, he kept holding a pocket watch in his hand. As if he was treating the pocket watch like a toy?

Zhang Yong silently watched the other person. Still not saying a word.

Not sure what to say.

It felt like saying anything might give him away. Just not say anything.

As a result, the plump middle-aged man also didn't say anything. Just looked around. Then looked at the tall wall.

After a while, his gaze finally settled on Zhang Yong.

Zhang Yong still didn't say a word. He looked composed.

Maybe he was too composed? It's fine. There were only a dozen people on the other side. He was confident that he could handle them all.

There was silence.

Neither side seemed willing to speak.

It seemed that neither side was very happy with the deal. But they had to make the deal.

At this moment, a man in a long robe comes forward. He hands Zhang Yong a briefcase. Zhang Yong takes it. He opens it. It is full of banknotes. He recognises them. They are from the Baoshang Bank.

They are all 100 yuan notes. There are 100 notes in each stack. There are eight stacks in total. There is also a thin stack.

A rough estimate. Yes. 83,000 yuan.

He puts the briefcase away. He nods.

Since the other party is not speaking, he of course does not speak either. Whoever speaks first loses.

Silence.

Finally...

'Tomorrow, we will come and move it!' says the man handing over the briefcase.

Zhang Yong still nods. He is mainly arrogant.

You think if you speak, I will speak?

Hmph, you think 83,000 is expensive, and I think I'm selling at a loss.

Everyone else is a win-win situation, the buyer and seller are both satisfied. But now, both sides feel like they're losing. It's not pleasant.

The portly man gets into the car.

Suddenly, he casually threw his pocket watch on the ground.

Zhang Yong's eyes twitched.

Huh?

It looks like it's made of gold?

A gold pocket watch?

Wow, it looks like it's very precious...

Thrown away?

For me?

He subconsciously wanted to rush out and pick up the gold pocket watch. But then he held back.

Damn, the other guy doesn't mean any harm. He wants to make a fool of me. If he really goes over and picks up the gold pocket watch, he'll definitely be laughed at. So, he just held his ground.

The corner of his mouth curled up slightly. A sneer appeared.

Don't pick it up.

You can't take back what you've thrown away.

If you pick it up, you'll be the one to lose face.

The plump man: ...

Damn it!

That guy didn't move!

But it was a gold pocket watch! Made in Switzerland. Worth thousands of dollars!

He had intended to make the other person look ridiculous. He had thought the other person would be unable to resist the temptation. But the other person just didn't move. As a result, he was in a difficult situation.

Should he get off the bus and pick it up himself?

It would be humiliating...

But if he didn't, it would hurt.

It was worth thousands of dollars!

No matter how rich you are, no one would just ignore thousands of dollars!

He gritted his teeth. He wanted to get off the car and pick up the gold pocket watch.

Suddenly, he felt a hot, disdainful gaze from the side. So he gritted his teeth again and resisted.

Forget it, don't pick it up. Don't be mocked later.

He had wanted to mock others, but ended up being mocked himself. How embarrassing.

He waved his hand angrily. He ordered the car to drive.

The convoy of cars drove away.

Zhang Yong continued to stand still. Only the corner of his eye kept staring at the gold pocket watch.

Finally, the people left.

Zhang Yong handed the briefcase to Yu Lexing.

Eighty-three thousand, not even a dollar could swallow it. Because everyone knows.

If the amount is wrong, it will definitely arouse suspicion.

It's better to openly divide it.

Then go pick up the watch.

Bend down.

Pick it up. Sure enough, it's a gold pocket watch.

Dust it off. Not bad. Put it in your pocket. That's his take for the day.

Not bad.

Eighty-three thousand three hundred yen in public revenue. One gold pocket watch in private revenue.

'Ring ring ring...'

'Ring ring ring...'

Suddenly, the warehouse phone rang.

Everyone's face tightened.

Whose phone is it?

Is it the owner of the warehouse?

Oh no...

Maybe it's been discovered?

If we answer the phone, won't it blow our cover?

The problem is, if you don't answer the phone, it's just as suspicious. Takashita Takashi will definitely send someone to check.

Everyone's eyes fell on Zhang Yong.

Zhang Yong's expression did not change.

Since the phone is ringing, just answer it.

After all, the transaction has already been completed. The silver ticket is already in hand.

At worst, you can always run away.

What are you afraid of?

Pick up the phone.