CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 55: SUDDEN WEALTH

Jiang Mingyue pedaled quickly, reaching the city in about forty minutes. If the road was smooth, she could cut the time in half.

Last time, Du Shouqiang reminded her that the black market usually operates in the latter part of the night; that day was an exception.

Jiang Mingyue wanted to try her luck in the black market to find some good deals, naturally following the flow at this time.

As she approached the area from last time and saw no one, Jiang Mingyue stopped and tossed her bicycle into her space, carrying only a basket.

She covered half of her face with a black cloth, wearing a straw hat made by Mrs. Jiang, along with a men’s black coat, appearing just like an old farmer from the countryside.

However, she wanted to find Pan Zhoucong first and let him know she had arrived.

Finding the courtyard from last time, it was brightly lit, with people constantly coming in and out of the main hall. When they saw her, they reacted as if seeing an old friend, rubbing against her. Jiang Mingyue took out a roasted chicken from her space for it to eat.

Unexpectedly, a quick hand intercepted the offer midway, infuriating the creature on the ground.

Who’s here but Du Shouqiang?

"Mr. Jiang, how could you bear to give such delicious food to it? Isn’t this a waste?"

"Ow ow..." the creature on the ground expressed its anger, but Du Shouqiang insisted that the food was not to be wasted. Last time when Mr. Jiang gave him a piece of meat, he managed only a few bites before the boss snatched it away, leaving him with heartache but unable to confront the boss. The taste lingered in his mind, waiting eagerly for Mr. Jiang’s return.

Seeing Du Shouqiang care so much about food, Jiang Mingyue felt gratified; indeed, it’s a pleasure to have one’s culinary skills recognized.

She immediately gifted him a portion of spicy rabbit cubes.

"Brother Qiang, I’m just here to say hello. I want to check out the front first."

Du Shouqiang hurriedly stopped her, "Mr. Jiang, are you planning to sell meat? Please, no! I’ll buy as much as you have; you name the price."

Jiang Mingyue laughed, having a genuine partner like him is a blessing.

"No, I’m just looking to see if there are any vegetable seeds or fruit seedlings for sale." She doesn’t talk about antiques.

Du Shouqiang boldly waved his good hand, "Small matter, I’ll have my brothers handle it for you. You should meet our boss first."

Unable to refuse his kind offer, Jiang Mingyue naturally followed into the main hall.

Somehow, the place had already been cleared.

Pan Zhoucong had long arranged for snacks and tea to be brought over, "Mr. Jiang, you’ve had a hard journey! Come have some food to warm your stomach."

Ming Yue thought this businessman was all-encompassing, completely hitting her point.

Except for that scar on his face that made him appear a bit ruthless.

"Thank you! Then I won’t be polite."

Among the four types of snacks, Jiang Mingyue tried each: egg yolk pastry, osmanthus cake, mung bean cake, and peanut crisp, all very delicious. They didn’t seem like they were store-bought, likely made by a dessert expert at home.

"These were made by Uncle Mute, who’s been with me for years. If you like, I’ll have some packed for you to take."

Jiang Mingyue didn’t decline, "Then I thank Mr. Pan in advance."

"No need to be polite, we are all familiar. Anytime you’d like some, just say the word."

Getting down to business, the two quickly discussed serious matters.

"Since Mr. Pan’s demand is unlimited and as such straightforward partners, I won’t go to others; it’s all yours. This time, I’ve received forty thousand jin of rice, fifty thousand jin of wheat flour, seventy thousand jin of cornmeal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, sugar, brown sugar, peanuts, eggs... Oh, and chickens and rabbits..."

As Pan Zhoucong listened, he couldn’t help but smile. Heaven knows he’s been worrying to death as various regions couldn’t harvest enough food lately, leaving many to starve. Now, he’s just waiting for his food to be transported for relief.

Du Shouqiang is a competent clerk and quickly calculated the total based on the agreed price.

"For the grains, the total comes to fifteen thousand three hundred yuan; the chickens and rabbits are priced higher, still at three yuan each, totaling sixty thousand yuan. Together, the two items amount to seventy thousand five hundred and three hundred yuan. We’ll prepare the money accordingly for a cash-on-delivery transaction."

"Yes, the amount is correct."

Pan Zhoucong chimed in, "The seeds Mr. Jiang entrusted me to find last time, I’ve kept an eye out, and found some, which I’ll have handed to Mr. Jiang shortly."

"Wonderful! Then Mr. Pan will deduct the money accordingly. Additionally, I have a request, could you convert part of it into coupons for me?"

"The seeds don’t cost anything, consider them a gift from me to Mr. Jiang. As for coupons, that’s easily arranged. Da Qiang, have Uncle Mute prepare them."

It seemed things were nearly wrapped up.

But just then, someone dashed into the courtyard.

"Mr. Pan, how should we handle that batch of ancient goods? Still the old rule and transport them to Port City?"

Ancient goods?

Jiang Mingyue acutely linked it to antique collectibles.

Could it possibly be as she suspected?

Should she inquire?

"Mr. Pan, the ancient goods you’re discussing, could they be antiques?"

Pan Zhoucong didn’t conceal it, candidly discussing with Jiang Mingyue.

"Yes, it’s something you should know. It’s very dangerous! But if managed well, the profits are high. I took the risk to buy them because a friend asked. What? Are you interested, Mr. Jiang?"

"I am indeed interested. May I have the pleasure of seeing them, Mr. Pan?"

Pan Zhoucong didn’t believe Jiang Mingyue had the nerve to resell; after all, she’s working solo without connections. Not to mention making money, her life would be at risk, and collecting is even less likely since no one would be that foolish.

The ancient goods were stored in another courtyard, in the basement. Jiang Mingyue used her spiritual power to probe inside, seeing over twenty large wooden boxes.

There were twenty boxes of antiques and four boxes of jewelry, diamonds, and jade—an extravagant display of splendor.

Jiang Mingyue was now worried that the money she just received wouldn’t be enough, as those antiques were treasures. She suspected a major collector was forced to sell them off, and the jewelry pieces were unaffordable for ordinary people in later generations.

"It’s here. Da Qiang, open them up and let Mr. Jiang choose what they like."

Such generosity!

Jiang Mingyue had already looked over them; now was just formalities.

"Mr. Pan, if I wanted to buy..."

"You want them?" Pan Zhoucong was momentarily stunned, not what he had expected.

Jiang Mingyue honestly nodded, "Yes, I want to buy, Mr. Pan set a price; if reasonable, I’ll take them all."

Pan Zhoucong saw her serious expression and suddenly became solemn.

"Mr. Jiang, this is not a joking matter. Now Nanxi City is in chaos; those people raid homes upon receiving reports. I’m not exaggerating; discovering these will cost lives."

"Thank you, Mr. Pan, but I have my considerations. These items carry the souls of our ancestors; they’re precious treasures left for the next generations, cultural relics. I wish to use all my strength to preserve them. When the day brightens, I’ll bring them out as an homage to our ancestors."

Risking losing one’s head while waiting for brighter days?

Pan Zhoucong was overwhelmed, facing a girl not yet twenty but possessing such a high spiritual plane, truly making him, a person who’s consumed over ten years more salt, feel inferior.