But after half a day, he still couldn't get any information out of him. He pondered every word Li Baichuan said for a long time.
He felt there was something else going on, but he couldn't figure out what it really meant.
I can only console myself with the thought that, given his upbringing in a family like his, how could he be a simple person?
They process goods very quickly over there, and here, every piece of goods is assigned to someone and managed accordingly.
Li Baichuan's goods match the items on that note.
The men under his command were very efficient. Just as Kang Laowu was getting a little restless, they finished organizing the things.
Looking at the accounts he had compiled, Kang Laowu knew that they were indeed valuable items.
However, it's not that he's never seen it before.
"Brother Xiaochuan, this is the price I'm offering. Would you like to settle the payment after the goods are shipped, or do you want me to pay you now?"
If it were anyone else, don't even mention paying first; even if you sold it to them, they would still try to negotiate a lower price.
Besides, Li Baichuan was just doing this consignment business, and it wasn't even a very profitable one.
Li Baichuan took Kang Laowu's ledger. The prices inside were much higher than he had expected. He had calculated how much he had bought and how much he would sell for.
He could tell that Kang Laowu hadn't embezzled a single penny, but that made sense; if he had said one thing and done another, the losses would have been far greater than just this amount of money.
"Fifth Brother, I know the rules of the underworld. This thing hasn't been sold yet, how can you ask for money first?"
“The accounts are all correct, but we need to deduct ten jars of wine. Fifth Brother, you can decide how to divide them among the brothers.”
Li Baichuan had calculated the quantities carefully. The amount of cigarettes and alcohol was not large to begin with, and he didn't plan to make money from it this time.
You should be on good terms with Kang Laowu. He's straightforward, so he should be generous too. You should always be a little polite the first time.
"Brother Xiao Chuan is very generous." Kang Laowu was taken aback, but quickly realized that he meant the hardship fee he had mentioned that morning.
Cigarettes and alcohol are available on the black market, but they are scarce. Usually, Kang Laowu keeps them for newcomers and sells them later depending on the situation.
It doesn't matter how precious this thing is; its advantage lies in the strict control it receives, making it very difficult for them to obtain the goods.
Moreover, they are easy to sell on the black market, and people in Beijing are generally wealthier than those in other places.
During holidays and festivals, when visiting relatives and friends, these are necessities for the upper class who are not poor.
Li Baichuan was indeed generous to be able to divide out ten jars at once.
Even the few subordinates standing behind Kang Laowu who initially had a lot of opinions about him fell silent.
Since Li Baichuan had already given it to him, he didn't like to say anything hypocritical, so he took a pen and crossed out the wine.
The rest remains the same. We'll just send the money and receipts to them after they finish shipping the goods.
As for how to get it out, or what other goods to sell it with, that's Kang Laowu's business.
Li Baichuan knew he would definitely maximize his profits.
"Then I'll be going now, Fifth Brother." Li Baichuan checked the time; he still had to go to work.
That matter can be put aside for now; he needs to focus on his studies these next couple of days, as the exams are coming up soon.
Kang Laowu personally saw the person out the door, and only after watching them leave did he call over a few people to inquire about what Li Baichuan had sent someone to find out.
The informant had already led his men to the countryside to look for the person.
"Find someone to follow Bao and find out the truth." Kang Laowu was a grateful man.
Since Li Baichuan is easy to talk to and doesn't put on airs, he's not the type to put on airs either.
It was quite late when Li Baichuan returned to the transportation department, but no one was paying attention to him now.
Whether it's a little earlier or a little later, as long as people arrive, no one will ask any questions; right now, they're all discussing recruiting new people.
"Do you think what the director said is true? That someone has already been chosen as the minister?"
"We received the information internally first. Could we notify our relatives to register first?"
"I think it's unlikely. Since the director said so, the candidate must have already been chosen. Besides, so many people in the transportation department are watching this matter. How could it be our place to make the decision?"
They huddled together talking, but at noon each of them went home to inform their families.
Some secretly spent money, others pulled strings; no one knew better than them how coveted this lucrative position in the transport team was.
But outwardly they were wary of each other, each saying that the director had already made the decision.
Everyone hopes that others will give up and they will be the only ones left. Now it depends on who finds a reliable person.
"Brother Chuan, you're here." Master Lu and Biancheng had been waiting here for a long time, and he had gotten used to calling him "brother" like Biancheng had.
It has nothing to do with age; it's just that calling someone that makes it seem more intimate.
"What's wrong?" Li Baichuan already knew what was going on when the other man took the initiative to come to him.
"Brother Chuan, I'd like to ask you for a favor." Master Lu looked at Li Baichuan, somewhat hesitant to speak.
But if he didn't know about this, that would be one thing, but he wouldn't be willing to watch this opportunity slip away.
He knew he had no connections, no network, and no money; he wouldn't stand a chance if things went through the normal channels.
As soon as the news from the director came out, not only their transportation team, but the entire transportation department became abuzz with excitement.
Even if the minister has a candidate, as long as the candidate hasn't arrived, they still have a chance.
“Master Lu, we’ve worked together for so long, and this is the first time I’ve heard you say you need my help.”
Li Baichuan knew exactly what his wife was going to say, and she was right. If he wanted to, he wouldn't need to scheme; he would come looking for her on his own.
"Brother Chuan, you know what kind of person I am, so I won't beat around the bush. I want you to put in a good word for me with the minister."
"Could you give me one of the job openings this time? I'm willing to pay anything. My eldest child has dropped out of school, and if he can't find a job, he'll have to go to the countryside."
“Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, but now that I suddenly have this opportunity, it would be really hard for me to do nothing.”
“But I also know that I am insignificant and have no influence here. The only reason I was able to get a job in the transportation team was because the neighborhood committee took pity on my family and helped us get in through the recruitment department.”
“When I first joined the company, the transportation department wasn’t as sought-after as it is now. Over the years, I haven’t dared to make a single mistake, for fear of losing my job and leaving my family without a way to make a living.”
“I’ve gained some experience and made a lot of money following Brother Chuan these past few days, and I know how to be grateful.”
"If Brother Chuan ever needs my help, just let me know. I'll be Brother Chuan's right-hand man from now on, and I'll be completely devoted to him."
Master Lu was indeed not a smooth talker; even when he spoke flattering words, he did so with extraordinary force, as if he were making a vow.
No one knows how many times he had secretly rehearsed it, but after he finished speaking, he didn't know where to put his hands.
He looked at the person with excitement, knowing that only Li Baichuan could help him.
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