Chapter 713

“No.”

Zhang Jiangke answered readily:

“If I have to say it, the only link between me and him is Lao Gu.”

“Without him acting as the bridge, I could never have contacted someone of that level.”

From his expression while speaking, it was clear he held great respect for that person.

This sparked Yu Dazhang’s curiosity.

“From your perspective, describe in detail what kind of person he is?”

He could only understand the mastermind through Zhang Jiangke’s viewpoint.

Finding someone like Zhang Jiangke—a human trafficker—and using him to achieve his own goals was already beyond the capability of an ordinary person.

It seemed as if the man was cooperating with Zhang Jiangke, but in truth, he was exploiting his network.

Yu Dazhang had once listened to Qu Tuotuo discuss business topics.

Those who truly make money only change their behavior patterns after reaching a certain level of understanding.

For someone like Zhang Jiangke, who relies solely on buying low and selling high for profit, this is merely the most basic, lowest-tier level of commercial understanding.

Those with slightly higher understanding recognize the value of connections and go to great lengths to turn others’ networks into their own assets.

Even higher still is the game of “premium pricing.”

For example, memberships.

Whether it’s a subscription to a video platform or a gym membership, they’re all about profiting from premium pricing.

You haven’t even received the full service, yet they’ve already collected the full payment.

Another example: Taobao.

Its market value peaked at seven trillion, then fell back to one trillion.

Where did the six trillion go?

The real money-makers were profiting from that six-trillion premium.

Each round of financing—you think they’re raising capital?

It’s a process of expanding the pie.

During this process, early investors reap enormous returns from the premium.

So when Yu Dazhang heard Zhang Jiangke call him “a person of substance,” his first thought was that this man must hold considerable status and influence in the business world.

“I’ve never met him, but just from his tone of voice, I can imagine how wealthy and powerful he is.”

Zhang Jiangke recalled as he spoke:

“His way of speaking was strange—imposing, sometimes even arrogant, with an unshakable, commanding tone.”

“It gave me a feeling, a kind of…”

He trailed off suddenly, struggling to find a single phrase to summarize it, unable to locate the right word.

Yu Dazhang didn’t rush; he sat quietly across from him, watching.

Zhang Jiangke lowered his head, thinking for a long while, then slowly raised it again:

“He gives me the feeling of someone who’s… dogging it off someone else’s power.”

He’d barely started when he shook his head:

“No, that’s still not precise enough—but the meaning’s close. What’s the word again?”

As he muttered to himself, his brow furrowed tightly, as if frantically searching his mind for a better term.

Seeing this, Yu Dazhang couldn’t help but prompt him:

“Dog barking on someone else’s authority?”

The moment he spoke, Zhang Jiangke turned to him at once:

“Yes—that’s it. Dog barking on someone else’s authority.”

“I can’t explain why, but despite his air of dignity and boldness, that’s exactly the impression he gives me.”

He paused, thought again, then continued:

“Perhaps he lacks the calm confidence of someone who plans from behind the scenes. He’s too showy—it reminds me of those household servants in historical dramas.”

Household servant? Yu Dazhang thought his description was exaggerated.

This was the modern age—there was no such thing as a household servant anymore. Even the maids and stewards working for the Qu family were merely hired employees of Qu Wannian.

They could freely choose whether to continue their jobs.