4: Who said I only brought one thing with me when I time-traveled?

"I've long heard that Japan merchants possess unparalleled boldness, and seeing it today, the reputation is well-deserved.

It seems your nation's prosperity doesn't rely solely on its military. Admirable, truly admirable!"

If you want something to perish, you must first make it mad.

Lu Fan gave Yamamoto Yushin a thumbs up, lavishly praising him.

Afterwards, he got straight to business, making concessions directly in the transaction.

"I only want market share and recognition; everything else is negotiable!

To show my sincerity, I'll set an example first.

This diamond will be a flat price of seventy thousand dollars.

For the subsequent goods, Mr. Yamamoto, please name your price."

Lu Fan was very generous. Man-made diamonds had already been driven down to cabbage prices in Zhecheng; he couldn't lose money no matter how he sold them.

Most importantly, this stuff really didn't have many major uses in 1937.

It was purely an IQ tax.

If he could dump them in large quantities, he could maximize earning foreign exchange from the Japan.

This was also a way to weaken the japanese indirectly.

"Arigatou, Mr. Louis. I feel your sincerity.

As long as the diamond quality remains unchanged, the Empire is willing to purchase at thirty thousand per carat."

After several hesitations, Yamamoto Yushin stated his terms.

Lu Fan looked at Yamamoto with a smile. This fat sheep was really going all out to secure the agency.

Since they were sincerely offering money, our vast and magnificent China couldn't be petty.

"Good. Since Mr. Yamamoto is so forthright, I won't dawdle either.

I guarantee all the diamonds I subsequently provide will not only be of this quality,

but their size will absolutely be no less than five carats."

Upon hearing this, Yamamoto Yushin excitedly stood up and bowed.

"Arigatou, kousai masu. Mr. Louis~~"

You must understand, thirty thousand per carat was the price for bulk goods.

If the other party provided diamonds all over five carats, he would make a killing at this price.

After all, with any gemstone, the heavier it is, the more valuable.

"Don't thank me too soon; I also have requirements.

Without my re-authorization, you can only sell my goods in the European market.

Additionally, there are some details I need to decide after discussing with the family elders.

I imagine Mr. Yamamoto also needs to report to your consortium's higher-ups to decide.

How about this: let's meet in a week at the Peace Hotel to discuss the details."

Lu Fan calmly controlled the pace of the conversation.

This big fish, he didn't want it to slip the hook because of a moment of carelessness on his part.

He had to tire it out thoroughly, make it willingly enter the keep net.

In a word, he was determined to catch this Showa-era big fish.

Not even Jesus could stop it.

I said so.

Yamamoto Yushin slightly calmed his excited mood.

Looking at Lu Fan, sitting as steady as an angler, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly: nobles are nobles, their considerations are always thorough.

"Mr. Louis is still the thoughtful one. I will report to the consortium immediately.

One week from now, we'll meet at the Peace Hotel.

Is that acceptable to you?"

As he spoke, Yamamoto took out his checkbook, filled it out, stood at attention, and respectfully presented the check with both hands.

Lu Fan took the check and was slightly taken aback.

A Huifeng Bank cashier's check for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars left him a bit stunned.

He had lowered the price and shown goodwill to cast a long line for a big fish.

What did the japanese mean by doubling the amount in return?

Preparing to play Landlord?

"This is the Empire's sincerity. I sincerely hope Mr. Louis will not refuse."

Seeing Lu Fan's confusion, Yamamoto Yushin spoke with a sincere expression.

In ten years of international trade, he had never encountered someone so eager to give away money.

Not taking money offered is for fools, especially when it's from the japanese.

"Then I'll accept it graciously. I look forward to our meeting in a week, Mr. Yamamoto."

"Mr. Louis, here's to our future cooperation going smoothly!"

Escorted respectfully by Yamamoto Yushin, Lu Fan got into a rickshaw and slowly departed.

Back in his office, the respectful expression vanished from Yamamoto Yushin's face.

Replacing it was the imposing aura of a high-ranking leader.

He carefully toyed with the diamond for a long time before speaking steadily.

"Ichiro, have all the arrangements been made?"

"Father, I've already arranged for people to keep watch, ensuring we control his movements.

Additionally, I've notified the bank. As soon as he goes to withdraw the cash,

they will require him to provide detailed personal information on the grounds of a large transaction.

Once it's discovered he's just an ordinary person, our people know what to do. Absolutely foolproof."

Yamamoto Ichiro reported methodically. He had done such things many times; he was very clear on the procedure for getting something for nothing.

"baka! Who told you to take matters into your own hands? Don't you understand 'cast a long line to catch a big fish'?"

Yamamoto Yushin suddenly raised his voice, glaring at his son with frustration at his lack of foresight.

"Just have your men continue surveillance. Don't act rashly.

This man is not simple. Keep a close eye on him for me."

"Hai~~~"

Yamamoto Ichiro hurriedly left.

Compared to the Yamamotos' intensive arrangements, Lu Fan was quite relaxed.

Although he didn't yet know what medicine Yamamoto Yushin was selling in his gourd,

the check wasReally in his hand.

One hundred and fifty thousand dollars was a huge sum in this era.

At current prices, $150,000 could buy 10.6 million jin of rice, enough to feed 50,000 people for a year.

High-end Western-style houses on Xiafei Road or Yuyuan Road cost only about ten to twenty thousand dollars.

Gold was only $35 an ounce; $150,000 could buy over a hundred kilograms of gold.

If he could transport it back to modern times, his 290 million debt would be nothing.

A few trips would settle it.

Even more profitable would be exchanging it for antiques and paintings.

With $150,000, buying eight or ten genuine official kiln pieces from the Qing Dynasty's three great reigns wouldn't be a problem.

Back in modern times, auctioning them off, each piece could easily be worth hundreds of millions. He'd skyrocket directly.

Forget his 290 million debt; he'd even have the confidence to reach for the top spot on the rich list.

Thinking of this, his mind suddenly cleared.

"Sir, where are we going now?"

The rickshaw puller keenly observed their surroundings and asked quietly.

"No. 12, The Bund."

There was no need to think about it; going to the bank was the first choice.

"Young man, I've hired your rickshaw but don't know what to call you?"

Lu Fan started chatting casually. He appreciated this young man's perceptiveness and alertness.

"Zhao Chengqiang, from Fuchunning. Just call me A-Cheng."

"How much can you earn in a month?"

"After handing over the protection money, I can keep a little over ten dollars a month."

"Is it enough to live on?"

"With five mouths to feed at home, this money barely gets us by."

"Are you the only one working in the family?"

"My mother and younger siblings are unregistered. Without citizen certificates, they can only do odd jobs to help out."

"You need a citizen certificate just to work?"

"Yes. Nowadays, everything in Shanghai requires a citizen certificate."

This casual chat about daily life directly jolted him awake like a bucket of cold water.

As a time traveler, Lu Fan was currently also a pure unregistered person.

If he went to the bank, his identity would most likely be exposed.

Yamamoto giving him this check was probably trying to use the bank to investigate his background.

Once they verified he had no significant backing, the next meeting wouldn't be about business.

It would be like the weasel paying New Year's respects to the chicken—a one-way trip.

This was the medicine Yamamoto was selling in his gourd.

Lu Fan felt the rickshaw speed up and start weaving and changing directions constantly.

Looking at Zhao Chengqiang, who was taking the opportunity to keep observing their surroundings, he asked, "A-Cheng, what's wrong?"

"Sir, someone is following us.

Those two have been tailing us from a distance since the jewelry store."

Zhao Chengqiang warned in a hushed voice.

No need to guess; these people were undoubtedly sent by Yamamoto.

After brief consideration, Lu Fan changed their destination.

"A-Cheng, no rush to the bank.

Turn ahead and go to the Reister Institute of Medical Research. Let's take the two behind us for a little stroll while we're at it."

The corner of Lu Fan's mouth lifted. Since they wanted to probe his background, he'd get an identity to satisfy them.

Who says I only brought one thing through time?