“Mr.
Song, a gentleman loves wealth and acquires it in a proper way.
Foreigners use their power to bully others and oppress our compatriots.
How could we compatriots take advantage of a crisis?
From now on, the sugar I purchase from you will all be at the market price!”
With that said, Li Yi’an picked up his cup and took a sip of coffee as if nothing had happened.
Actually, in this instant, he had already prepared to be penalized by the system.
After all, according to the system’s nature, a businessman cannot do a loss-making business.
But unexpectedly, the system did not appear at all.
It’s a bit different from what I imagined!
The seemingly light words fell into the ears of Li Dijun, Song Chengjun, and Song Bing, making them all stand there dumbfounded like wooden chickens.
After a long time, Song Chengjun stood up, cupped his hands, and said.
“Mr.
Li has high righteousness, I am in awe!”
Looking at the man sitting there, Song Bing, who had originally been full of anger, was now blushing with shame.
Originally, she just hitched a ride with her father to go shopping in the city.
Unexpectedly, after hearing that man’s words, she couldn’t control herself and stood out, but who knew it would cause such a huge misunderstanding.
So she hurriedly apologized.
“Mr., Mr.
Li, I, I…
am really sorry to have accused Mr.
Li without reason.”
Glancing at the girl standing on the side, Li Yi’an said.
“It doesn’t matter.
Since the miss came with Mr.
Song, sit together.”
With that said, he turned his gaze back to Song Chengjun and said.
“Mr.
Song, I can buy this sugar, but I cannot guarantee how much.
This month…”
Pondering for a moment, Li Yi’an said.
“Three or four thousand tons should not be a problem.”
“Three or four thousand tons…”
Although feeling slightly disappointed, Song Chengjun still nodded and said.
“Although it is not much, it can also solve our urgent needs.”
“Let’s take it slowly.”
Li Yi’an continued.
“However, some things must be said upfront.
The Americans rely on their monopoly of shipping to choke us.
If they find out I am helping you out of this predicament, I’m afraid it will only bring some trouble.
Therefore, if we are to do this business, it must be kept strictly confidential!”
It wasn’t to keep a secret, but to…
hide the reality that he had no ships.
“What Mr.
Li said is very true.
Rest assured, we will absolutely not let outsiders know Mr.
Li’s identity, nor will we…”
Originally wanting to add that they wouldn’t bring trouble to the big shot behind him, Song Chengjun swallowed his words back.
Some things can be known, but cannot be stated plainly.
Right now, ships are the most precious things.
Ordinary people definitely cannot get ships.
Even if they get them, it definitely cannot see the light of day.
Ships that cannot see the light of day certainly cannot be spoken of.
The subsequent matters were extremely simple.
It was nothing more than the two sides agreeing on the method of delivery, and of course, how to keep it confidential, after which the deal was considered settled.
Of course, Li Yi’an also specifically inquired about the tobacco business.
Regarding this, Song Chengjun held nothing back and told him everything he knew.
“…Although American tobacco companies have factories in Cuba to produce cigarettes, a tobacco tax must be paid when those cigarettes leave the factory.
Unless one can buy a factory, only then can tax-free cigarettes be shipped out…”
To put it bluntly in one sentence, you must have connections!
Without connections, even holding silver in your hands, you might not be able to buy things.
It’s not that Chinese people can’t do certain businesses, but that there’s no way to do them, at least not right now.
Even if they force their way in, they will inevitably face suppression.
Just like how Song Chengjun and the others wanted to take the opportunity to step into the sugar industry, if it weren’t for the god-given opportunity of World War II, they could only watch eagerly as Americans monopolized the business.
Even if they stepped in now, what was the result?
It was plainly evident.
…
“I really didn’t expect Young Master Li to be so generous…”
As the car drove towards the Legation, Song Chengjun suddenly said a sentence, then remained silent for a long while before saying:
“Worthy Brother Shijie, Young Master Li is so generous, as an elder brother, I will absolutely not let him suffer a loss…”
“I wonder what Brother Zhepu’s plan is?”
“Um…
if packed tightly, it’s still possible to fit an extra ten percent in each bag.”
“An extra ten percent…”
Li Dijun pondered.
“Young Master Li has high righteousness, and Brother Zhepu is generous.
If all our Chinese merchants were like you, why would we be looked down upon by foreigners, sigh…”
As the words reached his lips, Li Dijun couldn’t help shaking his head and sighing lightly, while Song Chengjun beside him agreed.
“What Chengjie said is very true.
Ever since Jiang Yu and the others usurped the position of Chairman of the General Association, there has been infighting within the overseas Chinese community, even bringing in outsiders as reinforcements.
It is truly absurd.”
The Jiang Yu he mentioned referred to Jiang Cifu, Yu Zhiquan, and others, who used bribery and other fraudulent means to obtain the position of Chairman of the Chinese General Association.
“It’s not just absurd, it’s simply shameless.
What is hateful is that they run rampant relying on their status as members of the Central Committee.
Even I, sigh, have absolutely no way to deal with them.”
After a long sigh, the car fell silent.
After a long while, Li Dijun said.
“Actually, Brother Zhepu could also vie for the chairmanship of the General Association.
Wouldn’t you be more suitable than those people?”
“This…”
Song Chengjun shook his head and said.
“You know my ambitions do not lie there.”
Seeing this, Li Dijun did not continue the topic.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, he said.
“By the way, Brother Zhepu, what do you think of that Young Master Li?”
“Can’t see through him.”
Song Chengjun said straightforwardly.
“Anyone who can get ships right now is absolutely not an ordinary person.
This person’s background is probably not ordinary!”
Listening to his old friend’s words, Li Dijun asked.
“Then Brother Zhepu, do you think he and your niece are a good match?”
Facing his old friend’s inquiry, Song Chengjun didn’t hide it and said directly.
“Yesterday you told me an outstanding youth from the United States arrived in Havana, and I was somewhat moved.
After all, right now in Havana, there are not many compatriots suitable for Bing’er, they are either too old or too young.
This War of Resistance has lasted for several years.
Although victory is expected, the end is still nowhere in sight, and I only have this one daughter…”
Smiling bitterly, Song Chengjun said.
“I can’t let her drag on to become an old spinster.”
This was also why Song Bing appeared in the cafe.
However, Song Chengjun didn’t tell her the reason; he just used the excuse of discussing business to bring her into the city and have her wait on the side.
Neither Song Bing nor Li Yi’an could probably dream that…
this was actually a blind date!
“The heart of a parent is hard to bear!”
While sighing, Li Dijun said again: “Not mentioning anything else, just in terms of appearance and age, Young Master Li and your niece are quite suitable.
If it works out, it could also settle a matter on Brother Zhepu’s mind.”
Hearing this, Song Chengjun shook his head.
“Let’s wait and see, let’s wait and see.
Moreover, observing him, I’m afraid his ambitions do not lie here.
Didn’t you see that from beginning to end, he didn’t cast a second glance at Bing’er.
This Young Master Li is probably solely focused on his career…”
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends.