Lin Sisheng took a sip of tea and looked at the two families.
“Where are the houses you want to sell? How big are they? And who is the owner—are you authorized to decide?”
Hearing the black market boss’s question, Yun Zhenguo and Liang Yuanjun began describing their houses in detail—the location, size, layout, everything.
Lin Sisheng nodded as he listened, occasionally asking questions. He thought these two properties were good and was about to say he wanted to buy them.
Suddenly, Zhu Qingsong rushed in, quickly approached the boss, and whispered:
“Boss, they’re frauds.”
Lin Sisheng’s eyes narrowed as he glanced at the five people sitting at the lower end of the table.
Then he looked back at Zhu Qingsong and asked in a low voice:
“Explain in detail—why do you say these five are scammers?”
The Yun siblings and the three Liang siblings noticed that as soon as Zhu Qingsong had spoken in front of the boss, the boss’s gaze toward them changed. Their hearts tightened—they feared their scheme was exposed.
Zhu Qingsong immediately whispered:
“Boss, their parents were taken by the Revolutionary Committee. Judging by their panic, those two houses will probably be seized soon. If you actually buy them, you’ll lose everything down to your underpants.”
Hearing this, Lin Sisheng’s anger grew. He looked at Zhu Qingsong and, suppressing his rage, asked quietly:
“Is this true? Where did this information come from?”
Zhu Qingsong replied solemnly:
“Boss, it’s true. The info came from the Revolutionary Committee, and many people saw it today. I heard these five went to the newspaper office and even the Youth Registration Office.”
He didn’t continue, but Lin Sisheng understood—these five were clearly trying to scam him.
He raised his voice:
“Kick these five out! And starting today, they’re forbidden from entering the East City black market again.”
“Buzz—”
The five felt their heads spin. Their plans had been completely exposed.
“Yes, boss!”
Immediately, Zhu Qingsong, Shi Wencen, Zhang Qingchen, and others rushed over to the Yun siblings and the Liang siblings, shouting coldly:
“Do you want to leave on your own, or shall we escort you out?”
The five scrambled to their feet and ran for the exit.
Watching them flee in disgrace, Lin Sisheng narrowed his eyes and summoned a subordinate.
He whispered in the subordinate’s ear:
“Teach them a lesson, let them know how many eyes the Horse King has.”
“Yes, boss!” the subordinate replied and left.
Lin Sisheng stood up, scanning his men around him:
“This place isn’t safe anymore, move!”
Hearing this, the men quickly left the courtyard with him.
Meanwhile, “Wu Qing,” carrying a basket, arrived at the black market entrance. Sun Erwa stopped him immediately.
“Brother, are you buying or selling? If buying, you can enter directly. If selling, each person must pay one dime to get in.”
Wu Qing didn’t have time to waste. He lowered his voice:
“Look at the goods in my basket. If you like them, we can make a deal. I have a huge stock. If not, I’ll find someone else.”
Sun Erwa came over and lifted a corner of the blue cloth covering the basket.
Inside, there were sacks of rice, high-gluten flour, soybean oil, white sugar, vegetable oil, and powdered sugar—each with a fair amount.
Sun Erwa’s eyes lit up like searchlights. He looked at the scar-faced man and whispered:
“Brother, how much stock do you have? If it’s too little, there’s no need to see our boss.”
Wu Qing glanced at him and replied slowly:
“I have 10,000 jin of each item. Do you really think I need to see your boss?”
Sun Erwa nodded repeatedly:
“Yes! Absolutely necessary. What’s your name, brother? How should we address you?”
Wu Qing surveyed his surroundings carefully before answering:
“My name is Wu Qing. Call me as you like. I’m in a hurry—take me to see your boss!”
Sun Erwa glanced around, then whispered to Li Sanlin:
“Keep an eye on the surroundings. I’ll take Brother Wu in to see our boss.”
Li Sanlin replied softly:
“Alright, second brother, go quickly and return.”
Sun Erwa nodded and turned to Wu Qing:
“Brother Wu, follow me.”
Wu Qing nodded lightly, hoisted his basket, and followed Sun Erwa.
They twisted through narrow alleys, passing many residences, and finally stopped at a house with an old locust tree to the right.
Sun Erwa knocked on the door:
“Knock knock knock—”
Zhang Qingchen inside asked:
“Who’s there? Why are you knocking?”
Sun Erwa leaned close and whispered:
“Zhang Qingchen, it’s Sun Erwa. Passphrase: ‘The King Covers the Earth!’”
Inside, Zhang Qingchen responded immediately:
“Chicken stewed with mushrooms!”
Sun Erwa replied:
“Cat catching mice, Zhang Qingchen, open the door! Business is waiting!”
After a pause, Zhang Qingchen slowly said:
“Coming.”
The door creaked open. Wu Qing saw a burly man scrutinizing him.
He was unafraid—no one had ever seen through his disguise.
After a moment, Zhang Qingchen looked away and said to Sun Erwa:
“Please come in.”
Sun Erwa turned to Wu Qing and whispered:
“Brother Wu, just follow Zhang Qingchen. He’ll take you to see our boss.”
Then he briefed Zhang Qingchen:
“This man is Wu Qing. He has 10,000 jin each of rice, high-gluten flour, soybean oil, white sugar, and more. All top quality. If this deal goes through…”
Zhang Qingchen’s expression changed—he realized he was dealing with a goldmine.
Smiling, he said:
“Brother Wu, follow me.”
Wu Qing nodded lightly:
“Alright.”