Free Web NovelChapter 393: Chapter 250: ’I’m Going to Teach Them a Good Lesson’ (2)
Tang Xiaojuan, the store manager from the gold store who had previously made the introductions, wasn’t there.
Fang Zhen didn’t mind.
He actually understood why the manager of Yu Le Gold Store hadn’t brought Tang Xiaojuan along. The woman was too ambitious, something anyone could see at a glance. Tang Xiaojuan was desperate to get ahead, eager to seize any opportunity to climb the ladder.
Fang Zhen didn’t exactly dislike Tang Xiaojuan, but he could tell her aspirations were a bit much.
The manager of Yu Le Gold Store had probably noticed as well. Besides, if Tang Xiaojuan climbed the ladder, she would inevitably pose something of a threat to him. And since the manager was getting a commission, he naturally didn’t want more people to know about it, so he simply cut Tang Xiaojuan out of the deal.
Fang Zhen saw all this, but he didn’t care. It was their business, and it had nothing to do with him.
Upon seeing Fang Zhen, the manager from Yu Le Gold Store immediately stood up to greet him.
Fang Zhen smiled and returned the greeting.
The manager was about forty years old, rather thin, and had a cautious air about him.
His name was Yao Xiang, and he managed some of the day-to-day affairs at Yu Le Gold Store.
The moment he saw Fang Zhen, a broad smile appeared on Yao Xiang’s face as he enthusiastically came forward to shake his hand.
"General Manager Fang, you’re here!"
"This teahouse has a lot of fine teas. I ordered a pot of Lao Ban Zhang Pu’er. Their tea is very authentic."
"Look at this tea—its color is dark and glossy. It’s slightly bitter at first, but the ’cha qi’ is powerful, and the aftertaste comes on fast and strong. The aroma is rich, with unique notes of orchid and honey. It’s the perfect fine tea to share with you."
Fang Zhen smiled and said, "You really shouldn’t have. This tea can’t be cheap."
"Hahaha, not at all! When General Manager Fang pays a visit, we must have a pot of fine tea," Yao Xiang said.
Fang Zhen smiled. ’I know what this is all about,’ he thought.
This Manager Yao was buttering him up because he had spent a lot of money. The last time, he’d bought so many silver bars, spending over 700,000. This time, he had Yao Xiang source more stock from his peers and from around Lincheng, and the total wouldn’t be any less than last time. On top of that, Manager Yao was getting a 3% kickback.
The wool comes from the sheep’s back, so Fang Zhen understood why Yao Xiang was being so polite.
But then he remembered that not long ago, he was just Fang Zhen. Now, he was "General Manager Fang."
Back then, he had to go to a gold store’s retail location to buy and sell gold and silver. Now, he was discussing deals directly with a manager in a teahouse.
’The progress is pretty obvious.’
Fang Zhen said, "I’m a bit tight on time. Let’s get straight to business."
"Alright." Yao Xiang nodded.
Yao Xiang shot a look at the two security guards.
The two guards retrieved four leather briefcases from under the table, one after another, and opened them in front of Fang Zhen.
Fang Zhen saw that the cases were filled with one-kilogram silver bars. Without any hesitation, he picked up a few and began to inspect them using a method he had recently learned.
After his inspection, he confirmed that all four cases indeed contained 925 silver bars. The purity was correct, and there were no fakes mixed in.
"Manager Yao is a man of his word. Good."
"Then let’s go through the corporate account. We have a deal."
Yao Xiang had acquired the silver bars in the name of the Yu Le Gold Store, and the sale would also go through the company’s books.
The three percent commission was Yao Xiang’s personal cut.
Strictly speaking, Yao Xiang wasn’t exactly harming the interests of Yu Le Gold Store. He was merely borrowing the store’s reputation and network. The store still made a small profit, while Yao Xiang was just looking out for himself.
"General Manager Fang, as long as you think it’s all in order," Yao Xiang confirmed. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Fang Zhen signed the contract and initiated the transfer.
After the corporate transfer, he casually sent another sum to Yao Xiang’s personal account—the exact amount of the agreed-upon commission.
After the transaction, Yao Xiang’s smile grew even wider.
Fang Zhen exchanged a few pleasantries and prepared to leave. He was on a tight schedule.
Just as he was about to leave, Fang Zhen asked casually, "Manager Yao, if I want to get into the precious metals business in Xiahai for the long term, are there any channels for a stable supply of gold and silver?"
He asked on a whim, not really expecting an answer. ’After all, it’s an industry secret, and even if Yao Xiang knows, he won’t necessarily say. But it doesn’t cost anything to ask, and what if I actually get some information?’
Yao Xiang thought for a moment, then said, "Actually, there is."
"General Manager Fang, if you want to enter the precious metals trading circle, there’s someone you absolutely must meet."
"Since you’re trading precious metals, have you heard of Xiahai’s Uncle Bao?"
Fang Zhen was a little surprised that Yao Xiang had actually answered. He raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "Which Uncle Bao?"
"Chen Baokun," Yao Xiang said.
Fang Zhen was slightly taken aback.
’The last time I sold some gold jewelry, I met Chen Baokun. Tang Xiaojuan was the one who set it up. Could she have told Yao Xiang about it? No, that makes no sense. Tang Xiaojuan was doing that on the side, using the store’s resources to build her own network. She’d be terrified of anyone finding out, so why would she proactively tell Yao Xiang? If Tang Xiaojuan didn’t tell him, does that mean this Chen Baokun has a very high standing in Xiahai’s precious metals circle?’
All these thoughts flashed through Fang Zhen’s mind in an instant, but his expression remained as neutral as ever, betraying no emotion.
Fang Zhen said, "I know of him. Why?"
Hearing this, Yao Xiang said, "Oh, you know Uncle Bao! I just wanted to mention that if you’re doing precious metals trading here in Xiahai, you can’t get around him. He’s the biggest precious metals agent in Xiahai. If you have time, you could ask him out and see what he’s all about."
Fang Zhen looked at Yao Xiang.
’Is he really being this kind, offering up information so freely?’
Yao Xiang, not sensing anything amiss, continued, "Actually, Uncle Bao’s status and connections aren’t really a secret at all. As soon as you’re in this circle, General Manager Fang, you’ll find out just by asking around."
