binnovel Chapter 110 I Want Everything
Chapter 110 I Want Everything
In the living room of the French-style house, after several people sat down, Zhang Wenwu also said politely: "I thank all the seniors for their help. Your actions can prevent the loss of thousands of precious antiques in China. It is a great blessing for China. I would like to thank the three seniors here. This time, I will not let your help go in vain. We still have to accept the money from the British, just as a way to get back some of the money that the British have robbed from us over the years."
"Hahaha, we three old bones never thought that we would have such an honor to contribute to the country at this age. I dare not say anything else, but as for the job of counterfeiting antiques and cultural relics, we are absolutely sure. Commander Zhang, just give us your orders." Mr. Xu said to Zhang Wenwu happily, without mentioning the reward. In their opinion, it was already very good that they could serve the country with their inferior and lowly skills. Money was no longer important to them.
Zhang Wenwu also learned from the subsequent communication that although the three old predecessors had retired for many years, they had passed down their skills. They all said that they could imitate various cultural relics and antiques for Zhang Wenwu at any time and guarantee that there would be absolutely no problems with the workmanship and details. It would not be a problem for the British to find the best appraisal experts on the market to appraise them.
Zhang Wenwu immediately asked the three seniors curiously. It was not that he did not believe in the craftsmanship of the three seniors, but he felt that the appraisal experts should be able to see some minor flaws. Occasionally, a few items might be misjudged, but it was impossible that all the items could not be identified as genuine.
After hearing Zhang Wenwu's question, Mr. Xu also said with a smile: "Chief Zhang, you don't know that the famous appraisal experts on the market can definitely tell that some objects are counterfeit. These antiques are real if they are real, and fake if they are fake. Fakes can never be made exactly the same as the real ones, and there will definitely be some flaws. But those appraisal experts, who are very capable, are familiar with us. They can tell that these objects are made by our craftsmanship, but they will not tell others that these objects are counterfeit, especially foreigners. Instead, they will characterize these objects as authentic, and excellent authentic ones."
Zhang Wenwu understood, it turned out that the referee was also one of ours. That was good, now he had more room to play and could empty the British's wallets better.
Zhang Wenwu, wearing a suit and a tweed windbreaker, came to the British Concession in Xue Siye's car. At the gate of the British Consulate in Shanghai, Zhang Wenwu explained his purpose to the guard at the gate. When the guard heard that he was looking for Major Smith, he hurriedly called the consulate. After receiving the notification, he let Zhang Wenwu enter the consulate, but cars were not allowed to enter. Zhang Wenwu asked the driver to return first and entered the British Consulate alone.
"Oh, dear Captain Zhang, welcome. Let me introduce you. This is Major Smith, the military attaché of the British Consulate in Shanghai." Lieutenant Colonel Rick happily introduced him to Zhang Wenwu.
"Hello, Major Smith, nice to meet you." Zhang Wenwu greeted Smith with a smile.
"Oh, hello, Captain Zhang. Rick was just introducing you to me. I didn't expect you to come to us. It seems that this is all God's arrangement. You are very welcome to join us." Smith is a young man in his thirties with a small mustache. He looks more like a businessman.
After a few people sat down and chatted for a while, Smith asked Zhang Wenwu: "Captain Zhang, do you know what kind of business we want to do? Do you have any special channels in this regard?" After Lieutenant Colonel Rick answered Smith's question, he looked at Zhang Wenwu with concern.
"Of course, Major Smith, ever since Lieutenant Colonel Rick told me about this matter that day, I immediately returned to Zhenjiang. There is a gang organization there that has been doing business in antiques and cultural relics. Coincidentally, I am very familiar with their leader, so I talked to him and he agreed to resell the antiques and cultural relics they collected to us. Moreover, the goods over there are very comprehensive. No matter what era or style, he can provide them." Zhang Wenwu said proudly.
After hearing Zhang Wenwu's introduction, Smith and Rick became obviously excited. After they looked at each other, Smith said happily: "Oh, God, Captain Zhang, you have brought us a very perfect news. It seems that we are going to make a fortune."
Afterwards, the three began to discuss the details. Zhang Wenwu was responsible for arranging the transportation of the antiques to the British Concession in Shanghai, Smith was responsible for issuing a pass for Zhang Wenwu to be exempted from inspection, and Rick was responsible for coordinating with the bank to open an account for each of the three in a British bank in Shanghai. Then Zhang Wenwu reminded Smith to find a few experts in antiques to be responsible for inspecting the authenticity of these antiques and judging their value.
Smith was very happy that Zhang Wenwu could think of this, and assured Zhang Wenwu that he had found two senior appraisal experts in Shanghai to ensure that there would be no problem. Finally, Smith and Rick unanimously decided to give Zhang Wenwu 30% of the profit, and said that if this business went well, they would cooperate in this business for a long time in the future.
Zhang Wenwu happily said that it was no problem. At the same time, he asked Smith, "Major Smith, I have another thing to do when I come to Shanghai this time. That is to buy a batch of anti-inflammatory drugs for my troops. I know that British companies in Shanghai sell such drugs. Can you help introduce them to me?"
"Oh, Captain Zhang, are you going to the British trading company to buy medicines? No problem, I am very familiar with the British trading companies in Shanghai. I will give you the contact information of someone later, and you can go directly to him. I think he will fully meet your demand for medicines." Smith said in a good mood and handed Zhang Wenwu a cup of coffee.
"Captain Zhang, aren't you a liaison officer? Why are you also responsible for purchasing these military supplies?" Rick asked curiously. He only knew that Zhang Wenwu was a liaison officer with a background, but he didn't know that Zhang Wenwu was also responsible for purchasing military supplies.
Zhang Wenwu took a sip of coffee before slowly saying, "Lieutenant Colonel Rick, my main job is the head of the quartermaster department of the division. I was only a liaison officer under special circumstances at the time. I was only temporarily in this position. After the incident is over, I will return to serve in my original unit."
Rick looked as if he had suddenly realized something, but he didn't really care. He knew that those who were in charge of the quartermaster department in China's central army basically had strong backgrounds, which was a good thing for their business.
When Smith heard that Zhang Wenwu was also responsible for the army's military procurement, he immediately moved closer and said, "Captain Zhang, I didn't expect you to be a quartermaster. I wonder what other supplies your army needs. As good friends, Lieutenant Colonel Rick and I will definitely help you meet your needs." After saying these words, Smith blinked at Zhang Wenwu.
After hearing what Smith said, Rick immediately reacted and said, "Yes, Captain Zhang, we are already close partners and good friends. Major Smith is right. We will help you with whatever you need."
Zhang Wenwu was full of contempt. What good friends are they? They don't even know what department I work for. How can they be good friends? They just want to make money from my purchases. This is too much of a self-flattering move. However, with the help of these two British guys, it would be a great help in purchasing military supplies.
"That's great. With the help of two good friends, I believe that my procurement of military supplies will be very smooth." Zhang Wenwu happily agreed.
Zhang Wenwu did not wait for the two to continue speaking, and continued: "Lieutenant Colonel Rick, Major Smith, do you have any good things in the garrison warehouse in Shanghai that you can sell to me at a low price, artillery?"
After hearing Zhang Wenwu's question, Smith smiled and replied, "Captain Zhang, there are indeed some artillery pieces in the British Empire Army warehouse in Shanghai, but the number is not large. You know, there are not many British Empire Army pieces in Shanghai, so we may not have any extra artillery pieces to dispose of. Even if there are artillery pieces that can be disposed of to you, I don't recommend you to buy them. After all, if there are no suitable shells, they are just a pile of scrap metal."
Zhang Wenwu knew that what Smith said was the actual situation, and he was also a little anxious about the artillery, but there was no way. The 102nd Division now had only one divisional mountain artillery battalion, and it was not fully staffed. It had only six Bofors mm mountain guns and not enough artillery shells. This was still a regular unit. Many local miscellaneous divisions did not even have a single artillery piece. When fighting with the Japanese in the future, the disadvantage in artillery would be quite large.
Seeing Zhang Wenwu's somewhat disappointed expression, Lieutenant Colonel Rick said reluctantly: "Captain Zhang, if you want artillery, we suggest you buy the Bofors 75mm mountain cannon you already have. This will also make it easier to maintain and service, and your arsenal can also imitate this type of artillery shells. If you really want to buy it, we will ask the British Empire Trading Company in Shanghai to collect some for you. I can't say how many, but at least it won't be a problem to get you five or six artillery pieces."
After hearing Rick's words, Zhang Wenwu felt that this was the best outcome, so he quickly thanked Rick and Smith and continued to ask: "Thank you for your help. Do you have any supplies you can give me?"
Smith took a puff of his cigarette and said with a smile, "Captain Zhang, we have a batch of canned food in the warehouse of the British Army in Shanghai that we can sell to you at a low price. In addition, we can also sell you some smuggled German bullets we have confiscated over the years and a batch of rifles and bullets made in China."
When Zhang Wenwu heard that there were canned food, weapons and ammunition, he immediately said that he could purchase these supplies. Of course, the price would require friendly negotiation between both parties.