Like any businessman, Li Yi’an deeply understood the importance of information in commercial activities.
This is also why all major financial groups have corresponding intelligence agencies.
In the business world, information is money, and intelligence is wealth.
Cane sugar, an apparently inconspicuous bulk consumer good, was currently the most in-demand commodity on the US market.
“55 cents per pound of sugar.”
Sitting in his chair, Li Yi’an looked at the price in the report.
The market price of sugar had entered a period of crazy growth after the attack on Pearl Harbor, increasing more than 4 times from the initial 12 cents per pound, fluctuating around 55 cents.
And this was the official fixed price.
“The black market price is 1 dollar, the profit doesn’t seem to be big either…”
Although the profit margin wasn’t large, it couldn’t withstand the massive volume.
After all, the public’s craving for sweets always existed, and the demand was very strong.
“Because the government preserves transport capacity to transport other urgently needed supplies, sugar is in short supply, candy manufacturers cannot get enough raw materials, sugar has disappeared from many families’ kitchens, and candy store owners save the best candy for those willing to pay the maximum price.
Even buying and selling bubble gum has formed a black market!…
The current gap in the sugar market is 5 million tons…”
5 million tons!
Li Yi’an calculated on the memo pad.
Even at the official price, a ton of sugar could sell for about 1,200 US dollars.
5 million tons meant a 6 billion dollar market!
6 billion, 6 billion!
I couldn’t spend it all in a lifetime!
Just at this time, an exclamation interrupted Li Yi’an’s fantasy.
“Oh my God!”
If not Zhu Yihai, who else could it be.
Opening the company doors, Zhu Yihai was stunned by the warehouse full of cars.
Brand new luxury cars like BMWs, Mercedes-Benz, and Audis were parked neatly in the warehouse, making him almost think he was hallucinating.
“Boss, Boss…”
Seeing the boss walking out of the office and standing behind the second-floor railing, Zhu Yihai said excitedly.
“Did you bring these over from Britain?”
“Are they all new cars?”
“Pretty much, there are also a few used cars.”
“Boss, even if they are used cars, I can guarantee that as soon as these cars are rolled out, people will definitely rush to buy them!”
Rush to buy?
No, others simply won’t have the chance to buy them!
…
“Thank you for the tea.”
The voice was soft and gentle, the smile on his face was very sincere, and it even gave people the illusion of bathing in a spring breeze.
“You’re welcome.”
Examining Carlo Gambino, Li Yi’an likewise wore a smile.
Actually, he was prepared for this moment.
Doing business with the Mafia, eventually, you will meet the Godfather.
Now this Mafia Godfather had finally arrived.
Dozens of cars bombed out a big fish—the Mafia Godfather who never showed his face had finally stepped forward!
What is the biggest advantage of doing business with the Mafia?
They don’t talk much, they won’t ask about the origins of the goods, and they pay crisply and cleanly.
Of course, the premise is to dispel any thoughts they might have of crossing you and stealing the goods.
And the information revealed by these cars was enough to dispel this thought of theirs.
Most importantly, he needed to use the Mafia’s sales channels to sell his goods.
And this required the Godfather to step forward personally.
“I rarely inquire about business matters normally.”
Carlo Gambino said looking at the young man in front of him.
Keeping a low profile was his biggest characteristic.
He always got things done through his consiglieres and trusted subordinates, never showing his own face.
Now, the reason he came here wasn’t because of dozens of cars, but because of the other party’s strength to transport the cars over.
“I came over today hoping that we can have a long-term cooperation in the future, if you have more cars or other commodities.”
The smiling Carlo Gambino said directly.
“Just like today, I will give you the best price, and all transactions will be in cash.”
“This is also why I chose to cooperate with you.”
Li Yi’an said with a smile.
“I believe we will have more opportunities for cooperation in the future.”
Subsequently, he said without concealment.
“I have some connections in the official transport fleets and can transport a lot of supplies from Britain.
Of course, also from other places.”
The reason Li Yi’an said this was because one must be careful when dealing with the Mafia.
The Mafia in this era were the kind who would whip corpses with Thompson submachine guns.
Telling a mix of true and false information was to make them hesitate for fear of collateral damage, making them think he had the backing of even bigger figures, so they would have reservations and he wouldn’t have to worry about being crossed.
Carlo Gambino froze slightly, and suddenly filled in the blanks in his mind.
“So, the last transaction was just a probe?”
Instantly, he seemed to understand the other party’s identity.
This Chinese man was just a representative pushed forward by certain people, perhaps even certain officials in Washington.
After all, right now, any ship capable of ocean voyages was requisitioned by the government.
Only those people in the government could load large items like cars onto ships.
Moreover, there were only a few days between the two transactions; could it be anything but a probe?
“Mr.
Gambino, many times, we must build true trust through long-term cooperation.”
Li Yi’an’s half-true, half-false answer made Carlo Gambino nod in deep agreement, and then he said.
“Yes, true trust takes time to build, but I believe your choice is definitely not wrong.”
Now Carlo Gambino had his answer, confirming the speculation in his heart.
“Of course, seeing Mr.
Gambino today, I know my choice wasn’t wrong.
I think we will have more room for cooperation in the future.
In the future, we will transport a continuous stream of goods to New York.
Li Yi’an’s pretentious words made Carlo Gambino and Anastasia exchange a glance, and then he slowly spoke:
“Li, in the future, if there are cars or other supplies, just give a call in advance, and I will prepare the payment.
Even if the transaction volume is ten times larger than today, there won’t be any problem on my end.”
Soon, this transaction was completed.
As Gambino ordered his men to drive the cars away, he glanced at the warehouse rented by Li Yi’an, and then said to Anastasia.
“Anastasia, tell those little hooligans in Brooklyn to stay far away from here.
This is Mr.
Li’s place, he is our friend.”
Friend?
If the Mafia is reliable, sows can climb trees!
These words just sound nice.
But the Mafia’s money is still money!
The revenue from this transaction was a full 510,000 US dollars!
But what truly surprised Li Yi’an wasn’t the huge 500% profit, but that this transaction gained him over 120,000 experience points, and the system actually unlocked a new function.
[Can activate the System Trading function.
Do you wish to activate?] “System Trading?
Does this mean I can trade within the system?”
Could this be the real system grand gift package?
Harboring somewhat excited feelings, Li Yi’an chose to “Activate”.
Subsequently, more text appeared on the light screen.
“Can temporarily increase the storage space limit.
The space increase limit shall not exceed 50%, and the duration shall not exceed 24 hours.”
Facing the system’s prompt, Li Yi’an raised his eyebrows slightly.
Just this…
Is this the long-awaited grand gift package?
Is this gift package big?
The space can be temporarily expanded…
It actually requires 10,000 experience points.
“Holy shit, this is way too expensive…”
Saying so verbally, his body was honest.
Although he felt it was a bit pricey to temporarily increase the space capacity, the returns were still extremely considerable.
“Actually, I can also consider Cuba…”
Once again, Li Yi’an set his sights on Cuba.
Firstly, Cuba is very close to the United States.
Secondly, Cuba is the most important source of goods for families like Gambino’s.
“Perhaps, I should go to Cuba and give it a try.”
Having made up his mind, Li Yi’an gave Zhu Yihai a few instructions, telling him to see if he could buy cigarettes from other channels.
Meanwhile, he drove to the Consulate in New York.
Finding an old colleague of Li Guoren inside the consulate, and paving the way with US dollars, he easily “replenished” a passport.
Compared to the previous temporary certificate, this passport was true proof of identity, and this passport was also a pass to travel to other countries.