Zhao Cheng followed up on Lü Bin's words, saying, "Middlemen are great; they make a profit from the price difference, taking advantage of both the plaintiff and the defendant."
Lü Bin asked, "What do you mean?"
"I'm flattering you." Zhao Cheng smiled and said, "People think that middlemen make easy money, but that's not true. Middlemen need to be capable. You can't do it without strong connections and channels."
Lü Bin immediately picked up his wine glass and stood up, exclaiming in surprise, "Boss Zhao is truly a kindred spirit to me!"
The three of them shared a drink, and Xia Qi also took a sip.
Zhao Cheng called Qiu Shu over, deliberately put his arm around her while talking, and gave the initiative to Cai Yilu.
Although he had only just met Zhao Cheng, Cai Yilu immediately understood what Zhao Cheng was doing and said to Lü Bin with a smile, "Boss Lü, have you been very busy lately? I wanted to make an appointment with you for tomorrow, but you insisted on making an appointment for this evening."
"To be honest, I've been really busy!" Lü Bin waved his hand lightly and said, "I took on a fairly big job, and I've been busy with it all day. That's why I'm late..."
"What big deal is it? Can you tell me about it?"
"Is the state banquet only two days away? His Majesty has invited a lot of people this time, and the banquet will last for three days and three nights. It is said that the lights in Changsui will not be turned off for three days and three nights. The palace is not able to supply enough ingredients. Ordinary ingredients are fine, as they can be supplied from the surrounding areas of Changsui, but some rare ingredients are in short supply. As for me, I will help purchase some rare ingredients for the palace."
Lu Bin spoke casually, but Cai Yilu listened in stunned silence, and even Zhao Cheng perked up his ears.
Could you help procure rare ingredients for the palace?
Is this something I should help with?
This is a huge business opportunity that so many people would love to get involved in!
Cai Yilu asked curiously, "You've even gotten business from the palace! Boss Lü's connections are that extensive!"
Lü Bin shook his head modestly and said, "It's all thanks to the help of friends in the palace."
As he said this, Lü Bin wore a bland smile and seemed somewhat reluctant, but he was clearly saying...
We have connections in the palace!
Zhao Cheng smiled subtly.
Go ahead and brag.
It has that flavor.
Cai Yilu clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Boss Lü has such extraordinary abilities, you'll have to look after me in the future!"
"We're like brothers! I have only one principle: if I'm rich, I'll help others; if I'm poor, I'll keep myself pure. We have to make money together, otherwise we're not brothers!"
"Mr. Lü is so generous! Come on, let's have a drink!"
After the two clinked glasses, Cai Yilu finally got to the point, saying, "Is there any problem with the second volume of 'Yingyingying'?"
Lü Bin immediately replied, "No problem, of course no problem! What problem could there be? There's still some time before the official release, I'll get the goods for you when that time comes!"
Has the official release date been announced?
"It'll be soon! Although I don't have definite news yet, don't worry, I'll definitely know before anyone else!"
"Then... shall we finalize the price?"
Lu Bin nodded, and just as he was about to speak, two people suddenly staggered over, completely ignoring the man at the table, and walked directly toward Xia Qi.
"Little girl, come here and play at our table!"
"Come...come quickly, bring your sisters too..."
The two of them had clearly drunk quite a bit. Cai Yilu pulled Xia Qi to sit down next to him and snapped his fingers.
Suddenly, several people appeared from the surrounding area, pinned the two drunkards to the ground, beat them, and then dragged them away.
Zhao Cheng and Zhao Wu immediately looked around and saw that there were no empty tables nearby. They had no idea where these people had come from.
Cai Yilu smiled at Zhao Cheng and said, "Those who do business all over the country inevitably have to support a few thugs."
Zhao Cheng gave a thumbs up and said, "These thugs are good, decisive and efficient!"
Cai poured wine for Lü Bin and said, "Boss Lü, let's continue."
Lü Bin nodded and said, "The release date hasn't been determined yet, but the price... has indeed been agreed upon."
"I'm a straightforward businessman, Mr. Lü, just name your price."
"Yes, one is..."
"Twins, they really are twins!"
Before Lü Bin could finish speaking, two more drunkards came over and started pointing and gesturing at Xia Qi and Qiu Shu.
"How much did you get for this table? Come with me, tonight I'll give you everything..."
*Snap!* Cai snapped his fingers.
The two drunkards were dragged away.
Cai Yilu simply stopped asking for prices and instead drank with Zhao Cheng and Lü Bin. Sure enough, two more groups of people arrived, all of them drunk and looking for Xia Qiqiu. Cai Yilu had his thugs "treat" them.
Having learned from the experience of those previous groups being beaten, after drinking for a while, no one dared to cause any more trouble.
Lü Bin then said, "Two hundred taels."
Cai asked in confusion, "How much?"
Lü Bin held up two fingers and said, "Two hundred taels of silver per book."
Zhao Cheng felt a sudden tightness in his buttocks and turned his face away so that no one could see his astonished expression.
Upon hearing the price, Cai Yilu was no better off; he was completely shocked.
Kang Ye charges me 200 taels for a book, and you sell it to me for 200 taels for a book too. How am I not making a profit?!
What's most infuriating is that your price is just outrageous!
Two hundred taels a book?! Why don't you just rob someone?!
Cai Yilu glanced at Zhao Cheng, only able to see the back of his head, coughed twice, and suppressed his anger, saying, "Mr. Lü, this price is too high..."
"Yes, it's tall! I think it's tall too!"
Lü Bin, looking even angrier than Cai Yilu, slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "But the second volume is selling too well!"
"The initial issue price of the second volume remains unchanged at ten taels per volume, but who can get the goods at the initial price? Don't even think about it! Even for locals in Yanchuan, the pre-sale price has been driven up to fifty taels or more!"
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
