Chapter 149

Hai Gang Cheng jewelry store.

The Manager in the reception room complained repeatedly.

"Lin Sheng, you know, the environment has been bad lately."

"The bosses are all pulling in investments, and our store's profits are declining too."

"Understood." Lin Dao paused. "Want to lower the price."

The Manager waved his hands repeatedly. "Lin Sheng misunderstands."

"We've cooperated this long, your business in Africa is so big, you're this store's best partner."

"A thing like lowering the price, no way would it be pressed onto you."

The matter of a big store bullying customers does indeed exist.

But a supplier like Lin Dao who can often get large quantities of jewelry and gemstones from Africa is a jewelry store's partner.

Although many of these jewelry and gemstones have no record of reserves or mining in Africa, he just manages to get them.

A supplier relationship like this needs to be properly maintained, how could one casually lower the price.

They're doing a century-old brand, not making quick money.

"Since it's like this."

Lin Dao asked in confusion, "Then what do you mean?"

"Lin Sheng." The Manager signaled toward the many jade, tianhuang, and chicken blood stones Lin Dao brought. "You brought too much goods, our store can't take it all."

Compared to various gemstones, the Ancient world prefers various jade stones.

These things definitely have value, but the market capacity isn't as large as imagined.

After all, these things only have a market within this side's circle.

Taken outside the circle, very few people would recognize them, invisibly shrinking the market.

Plus the recent economic environment isn't good, the wealthy have also tightened their purse strings, making the market even smaller.

"Understood."

Lin Dao nodded. "How much can you take?"

"At most half." The Manager explained earnestly. "Even half will take a very long time to sell."

"Actually, what holds value best right now is still gold."

"Not to mention prices soaring, the wealthy also like buying it to preserve value."

"Lin Sheng has your own gold mine, dig more gold, it's more convenient than these things."

"Fine." Lin Dao stood up. "Half is half, settle and transfer payment as soon as possible."

He's been busy lately stockpiling supplies on a large scale.

Especially grain, cloth, medicine, iron tools, etc.

The Northern Regions of the Chongzhen Spacetime have long since been wrecked by natural and man-made disasters.

The great army goes northward, fighting isn't the focus, the focus is disaster relief, is striving to restore production and life.

These supplies need Lin Dao to prepare as much as possible in advance.

Leaving the jewelry store, Lin Dao got in a taxi and returned to the Hotel.

Looking at the various buildings lining both sides of the narrow streets, a thought sprouted in his heart: "Should buy a house on this side, always staying in a Hotel isn't a solution."

Hai Gang Cheng is an important node in his trade closed loop.

The import and export of goods here is massive in scale, convenient and fast.

Moreover, Hai Gang Cheng nurtures massive wealth, is an important shipping point for Lin Dao's Time-Space Trade.

Walking back and forth in the Hotel all day, if he runs into a Surveillance Camera or something, it'd be trouble.

Buying a house would indeed be much more convenient.

"Too expensive."

The only trouble is that the housing prices here are excessively high.

As a career-oriented man, Lin Dao is even more inclined to use funds on his career, rather than start enjoying now.

"I'm not a scumbag~ I really like Lei~"

The Phone Ringtone rang, interrupting his train of thought.

It was his ex-girlfriend's call.

The corner of Lin Dao's mouth curved up, he coughed lightly and answered.

"The kid's born." His ex-girlfriend's voice was slightly hoarse, full of exhaustion. "It's a boy, seven catties six taels."

"Good thing." Lin Dao's smile was radiant. "Congratulations."

A woman with a son, in the marriage market that's a huge Lei.

Even the Prince Regent can't raise one to be obedient, which man would dare take it on?

Especially since his ex-girlfriend has high standards, she'll definitely go find a rich man.

But rich men aren't stupid, at most they'll just taste but not buy.

In the days to come, she'll understand what suffering is.

"You, this person."

A complaining voice came from the phone. "Didn't accompany me for prenatal checkups, didn't come accompany me for giving birth either. Didn't you say, once the kid's born, you'd raise it?"

Lin Dao pursed his lips, tone still gentle. "My work is very busy, really can't squeeze out time."

He promptly changed the subject. "Congratulations, as long as you tell this good news to your domineering CEO, you'll be able to marry into a Wealthy Family."

The ex-girlfriend on the other end obviously got emotionally worked up. "I'll definitely succeed!"

She didn't forget to encourage Lin Dao either. "When the time comes, I'll have him give you a raise."

"Then thank you, waiting to drink your wedding wine."

Hanging up the phone, Lin Dao spat, "Fool, your domineering CEO is about to go bankrupt!"

With Su Tongtong acting as an inside agent, Lin Dao continuously sniped at the domineering CEO's business.

Many times, even at a loss he had to mess with him, dragging him into losing money together.

Especially when the domineering CEO went all-in, shifting from ready-made garments to exporting cotton cloth, it reached a fever pitch.

In the Chongzhen Spacetime, Lin Dao collected a large amount of cotton cloth.

He directly launched a price war, dragging the domineering CEO's company to death.

News transmitted from Su Tongtong's side: the domineering CEO's mother could no longer suppress things, the company shareholders began auditing the accounts, estimating this company wouldn't last much longer before disbanding.

With no company and no wealth, that domineering CEO who played around wildly during his studies abroad would have to show his true colors.

In a great mood, Lin Dao instructed the driver to go to Mingdu Restaurant, to eat a good meal.

Chongzhen Spacetime.

Jinling City North, Yanziji Ferry.

Official ships flying blue flags with red sun and yellow moon slowly docked at the trestle.

Shi Kefa, standing on the bow deck, gazing at the ever-closer Jinling City, felt melancholy in his heart.

When passing through here last year, he had still met friends in the city, eating, drinking, and making merry, very joyful.

Never expected, coming again this time, the city tower had already changed to the Great King's flag.

Even now he still found it somewhat hard to believe.

A proper accompanying capital, with so many troops and so many people, just how was it lost?

A eunuch leading several Embroidered Uniform Guards stepped forward, "Mingfu Shi, let's go."

Collecting his emotions, Shi Kefa straightened his official robe, and following his retinue stepped down from the ship.

The ferry was filled with armored soldiers with vigilant expressions.

Qian Qianyi, with a somewhat ugly expression, sighed and stepped forward to welcome them.

"Xianzhi, worthy younger brother."

Qian Qianyi stepped forward to salute, "Been well since we parted?"

Looking at the Great Ming official uniform he wore, Shi Kefa's expression was weird, "Mr. Mu Zhai, this is serving in Cao Cao's camp but heart in Han?"

"Watch your words, watch your words~"

Qian Qianyi hurriedly waved his hand, "Still hoping worthy brother will leave some face for foolish brother."

Him wearing Great Ming official uniform was also no choice.

Lin Dao's energy was all on the military units, he simply didn't pay attention to these.

Even the yamen organized in various places all wore military uniforms.

Qian Qianyi and the others, not to mention having no specific official posts, didn't even have the new dynasty's clothes.

This time ordered to come welcome Shi Kefa, also gave him a huge headache.

He is a person who cares about face, joining rebels this kind of thing, sounds better than it is~~~

Shi Kefa, his gaze carrying a hint of disdain, sighed softly, "Troubling Mr. Mu Zhai to welcome us, let's go."

He came to recruit and pacify.

The Chongzhen Emperor, urging every three days without stop, forcing him to go recover Jinling City.

This is opposite to Zhao Gou, who several hundred years ago sent down twelve gold plaques in succession.

Unfortunately he, Shi Kefa, is not Yue Wumu, and under his command there is also no Yue Family Army.

His subordinates, including newly recruited soldiers, numbered roughly ten thousand.

But most are new recruits, lacking both grain and salary.

Able to maintain no rioting for pay, not going to plunder the locality is already a great fortune.

With this little strength, how could he possibly be a match for Lin Dao who defeated the Jiannu Army?

Even if afterwards the Chongzhen Emperor sent Lu Jiude and Huang Degong to assist, still not enough.

In a situation where he cannot win militarily, according to Great Ming tradition, he should recruit and pacify.

Shi Kefa repeatedly submitted memorials strongly advocating recruitment and pacification, finally obtaining the Emperor's agreement.

This time he came personally, precisely to recruit and pacify Lin Dao.

"Xianzhi, worthy younger brother, please."

"Please~~~"

Shi Kefa only brought his retinue, as well as the eunuch and Embroidered Uniform Guards responsible for monitoring.

The two rode in the same horse cart, entering Guan Yin Gate along the foot of Guan Yin Mountain.

Then along Xiao Ling they walked, passed Tai Ping Gate and entered the inner city.

All along the way Shi Kefa carefully surveyed the surrounding environment, especially the people seen along the route.

"Mr. Mu Zhai."

Shi Kefa, lifting the carriage curtain, asked in confusion, "The city's commoners, why so many new clothes?"

Qian Qianyi glanced, smiling in reply, "This was distributed by the Great Commander."

"The Great Commander, feeling for the many families lacking clothes, distributed cloth according to household registers."

"Children half a bolt, adults one bolt each."

"The Great Commander spoke beforehand, not permitted to sell, only permitted to make new clothes for own family."

Shi Kefa was greatly surprised, "The world actually has such a rebel?!"

Also no wonder he couldn't accept it.

I've only heard that rebels everywhere plunder and loot, draped head to toe in fine silks and brocades.

Never heard of any rebel giving benefits to the common people.

What kind of rebels are these? They're clearly great benefactors.

Qian Qianyi smiled sheepishly and whispered a reminder, "Xianzhi, younger brother, watch your words."

"It was I who misspoke."

Shi Kefa composed himself, his gaze sweeping over the street not far away, where he saw people queuing in front of a grain shop, and immediately instructed the driver.

"Stop the carriage."

He got off the carriage, carrying his official robe as he walked toward the grain shop.

The commoners queuing up were quite surprised to see him coming over.

Some even instinctively wanted to salute.

But they quickly came to their senses — this was no longer the Great Ming's realm.

Shi Kefa paid them no mind, cutting straight to the front and stepping up to the clerk selling grain to ask, "What is the grain price?"

The clerk, currently scooping grain into a customer's cloth bag, replied without even lifting his head.

"Buy grain, go queue!"

"Don't queue, watch out for the stick!"

Shi Kefa was angered into a laugh.

A mere shop clerk, daring to speak to him like this?

"Xianzhi, younger brother."

Qian Qianyi hurried over, grabbed him and pulled him to the side.

"Don't be like this."

"The Great King's rules — buying things requires queuing."

"If you don't stop and the street patrol sees, you'll get the stick."

Shi Kefa had no interest in these matters; he only wanted to know what the grain price was in Jinling City right now.

"See for yourself."

Qian Qianyi reached out, pointing to the wooden sign hanging in front of the shop.

Shi Kefa looked over and saw the wooden sign read.

"Today's Grain Prices."

"White rice, sixty wen per dou."

"Beans, forty wen per dou."

"Wheat, fifty wen per dou."

"Potatoes, three hundred wen per shi."

Faced with these grain prices, Shi Kefa shook his head.

He cried out in shock, "How can this be!?"

(End of Chapter)