Chapter 20: The God of Wealth descends on Wan Gou Zhen, Dao Piao Li fawns like a dog

One-person coupon, first give me thirty.

Lu Qingshan's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an indisputable resolve.

His gaze swept over those colorful tickets, and he added: "Cotton coupons, cloth coupons, thread coupons, you have those here, right?"

Give a realistic price.

If it's suitable, I'll take them all.

Buy them all at once to avoid trouble.

As soon as he said that, Dao Piao Li's eyes widened instantly!

Like two bronze bells!

His breathing became a bit hurried!

Oh my goodness! Brother! Really...... really......

He couldn't find a suitable word for a moment, rubbing his hands, the wrinkles on his face blooming into a chrysanthemum smile.

Magnificent! Open and bright! At first glance you're someone who does big things and makes a fortune!

Dao Piao Li's attitude did a complete 180-degree turn instantly.

His eyes instantly narrowed into slits, the wrinkles on his face all scrunched together, grinning so wide he couldn't close his mouth.

The earlier probing and slickness disappeared, replaced by an almost fawning enthusiasm.

All right! All right! Brother, you can relax!

Since you're so open and straightforward, brother, I, Old Li, can't be vague!

I, Old Li, have been hanging around Wan Gou Zhen for so long, relying on just one word: "solid"!

I'll guarantee you the lowest price! The lowest price!

He spat as he spoke, raising his greasy finger, quickly quoting the price, his voice lowered further, carrying an air of mystery.

Cotton coupons have been bid up to two yuan on the market, I'll give you brother one yuan eight! A blood‑vomiting price!

Cloth coupons are snapped up in the black market, seven fen per inch, I'll give you brother that! Can't go any lower!

Thread coupons, this one's cheap, five fen per spool!

These are absolutely Wan Gou Zhen's lowest prices; if I went lower I'd really be losing money just to shout for business!

Lu Qingshan silently calculated in his mind.

The price was fairly reasonable, a bit cheaper than the black market, mainly saving trouble and also safe.

What he lacks most now is time, and what he fears most is trouble.

Fine, we'll go with your price.

He nodded, his tone still calm.

One-person coupon, thirty.

Cotton coupons, thirty catties' worth.

Cloth coupons, sixty chi.

Thread coupons, four spools.

He paused, then asked: "Do you have kerosene coupons? I need two catties; without light at home at night it won't do."

Kerosene coupons?

Dao Piao Li slapped his thigh, laughing even harder.

Brother, you really know how to live! We have this too! But it's in demand, five fen per tael, okay?

Okay.

Lu Qingshan agreed readily.

Dao Piao Li was so pleased he didn't know which way was up, feeling he'd run into the God of Wealth.

He nimbly began counting the coupons, while enthusiastically chatting up Lu Qingshan.

Brother, you look unfamiliar; you're not a local of Wan Gou Zhen, are you? Also here to do business, running errands?

Lu Qingshan gave a noncommittal "uh", just to get by, and didn't say more.

He doesn't like to talk too much with strangers, especially in a place like this where all kinds mix; the more you say, the more mistakes, words lead to loss, so it's better to say less; cautious speech and conduct is the way.

Soon, Dao Piao Li finished counting all the coupons, shoved them all into Lu Qingshan's hands, and said with a smiling squint.

Brother, the coupons are all counted; you count them: thirty one‑person coupons, thirty catties of cotton coupons, sixty chi of cloth coupons, four spools of thread coupons, two catties of kerosene coupons—all here. Count them and see if the numbers match.

Lu Qingshan took the coupons, gave them a quick glance, and the numbers were indeed correct.

He nimbly began to calculate the cost, muttering constantly, afraid of miscalculating even a fen.

One‑person coupons forty‑five, cotton coupons fifty‑four, cloth coupons forty‑two, thread coupons two mao, kerosene coupons…… one mao……

He counted on his fingers and finally announced a total.

Brother, the total is one hundred forty‑one yuan three mao! You see, not a single fen off!

Over one hundred forty yuan.

That's indeed not a small amount.

Three months' wages for an ordinary worker.

Dao Piao Li saw Lu Qingshan seem to pause a moment, and hurriedly explained.

Brother, this price really isn't high! With the New Year coming, everyone's watching; even with money it's hard to get! These coupons change price daily! Mine is absolutely a conscience price!

If it weren't for seeing how straightforward you are, brother, and this being my first deal, I wouldn't even let others see this price if I swapped them in!

He spat as he spoke, speaking with sincere feeling, as if he'd suffered a huge loss.

Lu Qingshan knew it as clear as a mirror.

This ticket scalper's mouth holds few truthful words; there's definitely some exaggeration, but not by much.

This price indeed reflects the current market conditions.

Over a hundred yuan is indeed a huge sum for an ordinary family; it can buy quite a lot.

But compared with the five thousand yuan in his pocket, it's just a drop in the bucket.

He was only thinking that this amount could keep Yue E and Xiao Xue from freezing this winter.

Worth it!

Too worth it!

He no longer hesitated.

He reached into his chest, his movement extremely careful yet unusually swift.

He didn't pull out the thick stack of money; by feel, he blindly counted fifteen ten‑yuan Great Unity notes.

He handed them over.

"I only have one hundred and fifty here, all in whole notes."

"For the rest, just ask me for a few National Grain Tickets and I'll settle everything."

When those fifteen brand‑new Great Unity notes appeared before Dao Piao Li, his eyes nearly popped out!

He stared fixedly at the stack of money, then suddenly looked up at Lu Qingshan's bulging chest.

His Adam's apple rolled violently.

In his gaze, greed, shock, awe… a swirl of emotions!

But he quickly forced them down, replacing them with an even more flattering and reverent smile.

Good boy!

Where the hell did this living god of wealth pop out from?!

"Ah! Alright! Alright!"

Dao Piao Li's voice trembled, and his hands that took the money were shaking.

He counted them one by one, carefully, flipping them over twice.

After confirming no errors, he gingerly slipped them into his chest, as if holding a red‑hot branding iron.

His face was piled with unprecedented awe and flattery.

"Brother! Money and goods settled! Pleasant cooperation! Pleasant cooperation!"

He hurriedly produced two five‑jin National Grain Tickets and handed them to Lu Qingshan with both hands.

Lu Qingshan took the tickets, didn't even glance at them, and shoved them straight into his satchel, holding it tightly to his chest.

Inside were the warmth of home and the hope for the future.

"Brother! Come often from now on!"

Dao Piao Li nodded and bowed, enthusiastic as if meeting his own father.

"If you need anything, or have good goods to sell, find me Lao Li anytime! I guarantee to handle it perfectly!"

"I guarantee you the fairest price and the most meticulous service!"

"Mm."

Lu Qingshan gave a faint reply.

He turned and, without hesitation, merged into the sparse morning crowd.

His steps were steady, yet carried a hint of urgency.

The tickets in the bag and the huge sum in his chest were hot and scorching.

He dared not linger at all.

Around the Black Market there are many people with wandering eyes; it's certain someone with a sharp gaze will target him.

He must leave this place of trouble quickly and return to the relatively safe town avenue.

The sky was already fully bright.

The cold wind remained biting, but in his heart a fire burned.

Yue E, Xiao Xue, wait for me!

Good days are about to arrive!