42: huge sum of money

"Mr. Louis, a pleasure to cooperate!"

"Mr. Yamamoto, a pleasure to cooperate!"

After signing the cooperation agreement, both parties exchanged documents.

Lu Fan opened his file, and the first thing that caught his eye was a cash check for ten million US dollars.

These Japs might not be good people, but they certainly pay up quickly.

It would be a disservice to my ancestors not to fleece such a fat sheep.

In the first transaction, there were 200 diamonds totaling one thousand carats; as agreed, the 5-carat diamonds were 70,000 US dollars each.

The total funds for this transaction amounted to fourteen million US dollars.

The most excited person on the scene was Wang Tianxi.

After the transaction ended and Yamamoto Yushin and his party left, he, as Lu Fan's dedicated bank manager, was the first to enter the VIP room.

As soon as he entered, Lu Fan slapped the check onto his face.

The long string of zeros made this dedicated bank manager count them three times over.

At this moment, he was so shocked that he was somewhat at a loss.

This was the largest single transaction he had encountered in his career, and also the largest private transaction amount in Shanghai to date.

A fourteen-million-dollar transaction—what did that even mean?

Previously, when the Nanjing government established German-trained divisions, it was HSBC that acted as the intermediary.

Three German-trained divisions cost less than 4 million US dollars, and even then, Nanjing had to use a lot of minerals to offset the cost.

This Lu Fan had earned fourteen million US dollars from a single deal, more than three times that amount.

Saying Lu Fan was a reincarnation of Shen Wansan, wealthy enough to rival a nation, was not an exaggeration at all.

As the phrase "wealthy enough to rival a nation" came to mind, Wang Tianxi couldn't help but feel his blood boil with excitement.

His admiration for Lu Fan was like the surging waters of a great river, endless and unstoppable like the flooding of the Yellow River.

Gradually, Wang Tianxi calmed down; he hadn't been qualified to participate in the negotiation process, so he didn't know the specifics.

However, based on his observations and the documents on the table, the two parties had definitely reached some kind of strategic cooperation.

This business wasn't a one-off deal; the funds involved in future cooperation would be astronomical.

Thinking of this, his breathing quickened again.

His mind was filled with the single thought of clinging to Lu Fan's leg at all costs.

"Manager Wang, do you have any good wealth management options to recommend?"

Lu Fan sat calmly; holding such a large sum of money, he was a bit unsure how to spend it.

It wasn't that he hadn't seen such a large sum of money before.

It was just that this money had come too easily; if he didn't spend a significant amount, he wouldn't feel at ease.

"Viscount Louis, as for investment, I really don't have any good recommendations; the situation is so tense right now."

This time, Wang Tianxi didn't talk nonsense or recommend high-commission projects like stocks or futures.

Instead, he appeared exceptionally serious and gave a very practical suggestion: "With your status, position, and wealth...

...those small-scale investments certainly won't interest you.

Looking at it now, doing the opposite might suit your taste."

"Oh? Let's hear it."

Lu Fan was intrigued upon hearing this; he handed over a cigarette and motioned for him to sit and talk.

Wang Tianxi lit the cigarette and took a deep drag: "They say antiques in times of prosperity, gold in times of chaos.

You must have seen the current situation in Shanghai; a storm is brewing, and many people are already selling off their assets to find a way out.

Personally, I feel that now is the perfect time for you to start collecting antiques.

With US dollars in hand, if you collect them slowly and pick the finest pieces, such an investment will definitely pay off."

Although Wang Tianxi spoke subtly, Lu Fan understood.

By taking advantage of people's panic and their pursuit of gold and US dollars...

...the value of US dollars can be maximized when buying antiques.

Seeing how clear-headed and shrewd he was, Lu Fan couldn't help but think more highly of Wang Tianxi.

As expected, no one who can thrive in a place like Shanghai is simple.

"Fine, let's do as you say.

I'll leave the arrangements entirely to you; as long as you do a good job, you'll get a generous commission!"

Lu Fan was very straightforward; if you want the horse to run fast, you must feed it well.

Wang Tianxi was overjoyed and quickly agreed: "Certainly, Viscount Louis."

"Good."

Lu Fan nodded, then suddenly remembered he still lacked a means of transportation in Shanghai.

So he asked casually, "By the way, can you get an armored car here?"

"That would have to be ordered from the US; I can handle it for you, but it'll take some time.

Actually, our bank happens to have one here; you can use it for now."

After replying briskly, Wang Tianxi then asked: "Mr. Lu, the silver dollars you requested are ready.

I've also made contact regarding the gold; will you be paying in US dollars or British pounds?"

Good grief, money really makes the world go 'round.

In the current situation, exchanging for half a ton of gold is no easy feat, yet it was settled in just this short time.

Lu Fan waved his hand: "You handle it; whatever the other party needs, give it to them, I'm fine with anything.

Also, help me open a vault; when the gold arrives, store it together with the silver dollars."

After some small talk, Lu Fan got into the car and returned to Xiafei Manor.

Upon entering, the entire house was bright and spotless, with everything properly arranged and in perfect order.

Many daily necessities were clearly newly acquired, adding a touch of homeliness to the house.

Zhao Chengqiang came jogging over, bowed slightly, and said respectfully, "Boss, you're back!

I had some free time so I cleaned up a bit; if anything isn't to your liking, tell me and I'll adjust it immediately."

"No need, it's very good." Lu Fan glanced at the slightly sweating Zhao Chengqiang, taking note of his effort.

Then he sat on the sofa and lit a cigarette: "Is everything I assigned done?"

Zhao Chengqiang quickly brought over an ashtray and set it down gently.

"Yes, I've moved into a two-bedroom apartment next door.

I even got myself a suit, but I didn't wear it because I was afraid of getting it dirty while working."

As he spoke, he pointed to the neatly folded clothes and a stack of silver dollars on the coffee table: "I have quite a few silver dollars left over after finishing the tasks.

I thought the house would inevitably have guests, so I went ahead and bought teacups, a tea set, and tea leaves.

I didn't know what was good, so I just spent the money I had and picked the expensive ones.

If you don't like them, I'll go return them."

By the end of his sentence, Zhao Chengqiang was still slightly timid.

However, in Lu Fan's view, Zhao Chengqiang had completed this test very well.

Besides being clever and quick-witted, he was also a nimble man of action; he hadn't misjudged him.

"It's fine, sit down and talk."

Lu Fan signaled Zhao Chengqiang to sit on the sofa and gave him the second test: "See that car outside?

Starting now, find a way to learn how to drive from Old Li."

As he spoke, he took a roll of silver dollars from his briefcase.

"Understood!"

Zhao Chengqiang nodded solemnly, took the loose silver dollars, and headed out.

Once he was alone in the large house, Lu Fan took out the [Whole-House Smart Security Equipment] from his space.

Looking at the unremarkable, pitted lump of iron, it immediately began a data connection with his multifunctional glasses upon being taken out.

Once the connection was complete, he clicked install.

The entire iron lump scattered like a swarm of ants, crawling into nooks and crannies on its own and disappearing.

Only a necklace full of futuristic tech remained on the table.

After putting it on, the necklace quickly synchronized with the glasses and loaded the program.

Taking advantage of this time, Lu Fan closed his eyes and considered how to use this large sum of US dollars.