Chapter 102: The Ruthless Actor (10)
The business that Colonel Davis and Mr. Zhan had negotiated was nothing but the harmful substance that had been banned from sale by the Nationalist government - opium, commonly known as opium.
Whether in the late Qing Dynasty or the Republic of China, the government has destroyed these evil things that harmed the people on a large scale many times. The opium dens that were everywhere in the past are now rarely seen openly.
But just because it’s not visible on the surface doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist in secret.
Especially now that gangs are rampant in Shanghai, selling opium can bring huge profits, and almost every underworld gang is involved.
In the concessions and gang territories where the patrol police had no control, many opium dens, disguised as dance halls and shops, continued to operate in full swing...
In Mr. Zhan's study.
Mr. Zhan took out a thick stack of account books.
"Deyun, from today on, you have to learn how to do business from me. Especially this time, Mr. Davis gave us such good stuff that others can't even get it. You have to help me out."
Zhan Deyun was the son born to the second wife.
"Dad, don't worry! I will study hard and try to help you!"
He has been waiting for this day for a long time.
Colonel Davis was newly appointed along with the new Master of the Consulate, and was in charge of the procurement of military supplies and logistical materials for the British Consulate.
He took advantage of his position to smuggle large quantities of opium onto British cargo ships bound for Shanghai.
These "good things" that can make a lot of money are not given to so many people, but are handed over to Mr. Zhan. There must be conditions.
"Deyun, go take a thorough inventory of all the cotton, coal, medicinal herbs, and other commodities in our various trading houses, then seal them up and don't sell them to anyone for the time being. This is Colonel Davis's request."
"Dad, if the company doesn't sell the goods it has stored, how can we make money?"
"You're still young and don't know how to calculate! How much can we earn from selling rice and sugar? Even if we sell hundreds of kilograms, it won't be as much as we make from a small pack of opium! Besides, if we suspend sales for a while, we can still raise prices when we reopen!"
"Father, you are wise! It's me, your son, who didn't think far enough ahead. Dad, I'll do it right now!"
...Davis's decision to have the Zhan family, the largest business in the British Concession, stop selling daily necessities certainly had a deeper meaning.
Although the assassin of former Ambassador Johnson had been caught and executed, the new ambassador was still furious about the security situation in the British Concession.
He intends to further tighten the already very strict management policy for Chinese people.
Letting the Chen Chinese Trading Company stop selling goods and switch to selling opium can not only transfer the people's hatred of the British Empire to Mr. Chen, but also weaken their fighting power, undermine their will, and seize their wealth through opium... It is beneficial to the consulate's rule in every way.
After so many years in business, Mr. Zhan is quite astute. How could he not see through the British Consulate's wishful thinking?!
He sees everything but doesn't speak out, and simply puts his own personal interests above the well-being of his compatriots! !
...Mr. Zhan's greed was overheard by the ghost of the baby girl who followed him, and then she informed Shi Sui.
The eldest son of Master Zhan's first wife had been taken back to his hometown in Hangzhou by his grandfather to be raised after his first wife passed away. Although he had not yet started a family, he only came back to visit his family a few times a year, like an invisible person, almost non-existent.
If Mr. Zhan died, the Zhan family's huge wealth would definitely fall into the hands of the second wife's son who had just reached adulthood.
As for the fifth concubine, she was actually bought by the second wife specifically to win over Mr. Zhan's heart and consolidate her own position because she was old and losing her beauty.
They are actually grasshoppers on the same rope.
Once we bring down this group of minions, it will be much easier to take down the big traitor Mr. Zhan and those cruel and crazy British guys.
Then let's start with the weakest fifth concubine...
Shi Sui called her maid Xiao Cui over.
"Doesn't Mrs. Wu usually enjoy drinking tea and playing mahjong? Could you help me find out where she usually hangs out and who she hangs out with?"
Xiao Cui had once benefited from Shi Sui, and she thought that the Fourth Concubine suddenly asked about other wives because she was trying to compete for favor, so she immediately went to find out.
…
"Reporting to the Fourth Madam, I've secretly investigated. Every few days, the Fifth Madam would invite the wives of other business owners to play mahjong. Sometimes, when there wasn't a full group, the Fifth Madam would go to the Shenglong Teahouse next door to the mahjong parlor for tea, sitting in a private room for the entire afternoon."
Xiao Cui was smart and clever. In just two days, she found out the fifth concubine's daily whereabouts.
When Shisui heard this, she felt that there was something else going on.
The fifth concubine is the kind of woman who only has a good appearance but likes to show off and flaunt everywhere, and even joins in the fun when others take a shit.
She had never been educated, nor did she have any artistic talent like playing the piano or dancing. She used to laugh at people who sang opera, saying it was like they were mourning.
How could the Fifth Concubine stay alone in the tea room box for an entire afternoon unless she was chained up?
Shi Sui thought for a moment and then asked Xiao Cui, "By the way, do you know which driver usually takes Fifth Concubine to play mahjong?"
"It's Driver Liu. He's always been responsible for picking up and dropping off Mrs. Wu."
Oh, Driver Liu.
It was the driver Liu who drove Shi Sui and Miao Jue to the dance hall that day, and then saw the pearl earrings left by the fifth concubine in the car, and panicked so much that he even let go of the accelerator...
Shisui smiled, having already guessed what was going on.
"Alright..." Shi Sui instructed Xiao Cui, "Next time Fifth Concubine goes to Shenglong Teahouse, please let me know."
"Just now... the Fifth Madam just left in a car! I heard her tell the Second Madam that she was going to have tea!"
Xiao Cui really wants to perform well!
Tokiho was amused by her.
"Okay, I'm going out for a trip too. Please help me arrange a car."
Shisui slowly took out perfume, eyebrow pencil, rouge, and lipstick, and slowly put on makeup.
Hehe, it’s time to have some fun in the Zhan family!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
