Chapter 458: There’s Definitely Something fishy
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
It took Zong Bang and Zong Ming a lot of effort to find out that the pharmacy was directly operated by the Imperial Court.
If he wanted to open a shop, he could only look for the person-in-charge of the Imperial Court.
Zong Bang had interacted with the Central Plains people a few years ago and knew that the person-in-charge with such an official position must be very greedy.
If he wanted them to agree, he had to pay a huge price.
Zong Bang planned to bribe the officials of Carefree City, but Zong Ming felt that it would not work. “Brother, we’ve been here for so many days, and the officials here are all very upright. It’s unlikely that they will accept our money. Moreover, I heard that if we’re caught with bribes, we’ll be thrown into jail to serve our sentence. It’s unlike the punishment that you had for fighting before.”
Zong Bang was also a little afraid. “Then do you think they will agree to let us open a shop?”
Zong Ming said, “Let’s give it a try. How will we know if we don’t try? The local tribesmen are all doing well here and living in luxurious houses.”
If not for the fact that he could not bear to part with the cows and sheep at home, Zong Ming would also want to live in such a good house. He even wanted to live in Carefree City. In just a few days, he had earned a third of his annual income.
Zong Bang thought about it and agreed. He would only know after trying.
They found a doctor from the pharmacy and said that they wanted to open a branch. They asked him to help ask the higher-ups.
From the way they were dressed, Guan Faren could tell that they were not locals. How was it possible to open a pharmacy that did not have enough supplies outside?
Guan Faren took a sip of tea calmly. “Our boss is very busy. It’s not easy to meet him.”
Zong Bang and Zong Ming looked at each other and instantly understood the meaning behind his words. They took out their money bags and pushed them forward.
This was a private room. Guan Faren was not afraid of being seen. He weighed the weight of the money bag and was quite satisfied. “Alright, I’ll help you ask later.”
Zong Bang was a little anxious. “How long will it take?” They had to go back as soon as possible.
Guan Faren raised his eyebrows again. “I have a lot to do too.”
Zong Bang gritted his teeth in his heart, but he still had to show a fawning expression. He took out a piece of turquoise stone from his waist. “Thank you, doctor.”
The quality of the turquoise stone was not bad. Although it was not as valuable as supreme-grade jade, his new wife would probably be happy with it.
After Guan Faren accepted it, he finally agreed. “Wait for my news here tomorrow.”
The next day, Zong Ming and Zong Bang waited for Guan Faren to arrive as promised.
Guan Faren said helplessly, “I’ve asked the inspector. He said that medicine stock is tight and there’s no way for you to open a shop.”
Zong Ming and Zong Bang were greatly disappointed. They asked with their remaining hope, “Then can you help us buy the medicine in advance?”
Guan Faren knew that they were about to return to Syria. He wanted to say that there was no medicine, but he suddenly remembered that his wife said that she was envious that other people could live in a villa and grow flowers and fruit trees in the backyard. He changed his mind. “I can get the medicine now, but the price is also expensive.”
The ordinary price was not enough for him to take the risk. If they were willing to pay a few times the price, he would have a way to convince his cousin in the pharmaceutical factory and ask him to get some medicine.
When Zong Bang heard this, he hesitated and asked, “How much?”
Guan Faren smiled and gestured three. “It has to be tripled.”
“Triple the price?”
Zong Bang almost bit his tongue off. Not only was Guan Faren’s heart black, but even the soles of his feet were black.
He was about to refuse when he thought about it. The price of medicine in Carefree City was not expensive. It was better to pay triple the price than to visit a doctor and take all kinds of medicine that did not work.
If it was expensive, he could just increase the price and sell it to others.
Zong Bang bargained. “Can’t it be cheaper? We’ll buy medicine from you next time.”
Who knew if he would be skinning the sheep? Guan Faren refused to give in no matter what. If they wanted to buy it, they would have to pay three times the price.
Zong Bang gritted his teeth and agreed.
Zong Ming felt that it was too expensive, so he changed to buying stationery supplies. These things would definitely earn him a lot of money.
Guan Faren went back and found his cousin, Gong Er. “Cousin, it’s three times the amount. As long as we casually take out some medicine, it’s equivalent to our monthly salary. Aren’t you also envious of others living in a villa and being able to spend money as they please? The opportunity is right in front of us.”
Gong Er said, “We won’t be able to buy a villa even if he buys it this time.”
Guan Faren tempted him patiently. “Cousin, if he buys medicine at three times the price, there will definitely be others who will be willing to do the same. Apart from outsiders, there are also locals. Even if we give them the same price or cheaply, we can still earn a lot.”
Gong Er was still a little hesitant. Guan Faren said, “Cousin, you don’t have to worry about anything else. Leave everything to me. You just have to take the medicine.”
Gong Er said, “It’s not that I don’t want to do it, but it’s not easy to take back this medicine at all. There are records of how many medicines were produced.”
Guan Faren was in charge of selling medicine in the pharmacy and guide everyone in using it. He quickly thought of a way. “Only the medicine from the factory has an accurate record. We can take the medicine before they are packaged.”
Gong Er objected. “The medicine can only maintain its effect if they are packaged. If it’s not packed, you might die from eating it.”
Guan Faren did not think much of it. “I’m just a doctor. The medicine effects will decrease a little, but it won’t kill anyone. Cousin, you’re a manager. Even if someone sees it, they won’t dare to say anything.”
“As long as Cousin is careful, it will definitely be fine. Didn’t Sister-in-law still want to buy the best dowry for Little Cai?”
Gong Er softened and said, “Then I’ll give it a try today. If it doesn’t work, you should give up on this idea.”
The machinery in the pharmacy was producing medicine continuously. Gong Er was in charge of the workshop and four workers on duty.
They were focused on picking out the defective products. Gong Er also took a basket and sat down far away. He was clearly picking out the defective products, but his hands were very fast.
Sun You, who was closest to Gong Er, could tell that something was wrong. When he met Gong Er’s vigilant gaze, he quickly lowered his head and pretended not to see anything.
Gong Er filled a basket with “defective products” and quickly left the workshop.
Because he was the manager, no one could ask about his actions.
Sun You said to his other colleagues, “I’m going to the toilet. I’ll be back soon.” He hurriedly followed quietly.
When he turned the corner, he saw that Gong Er did not place the defective products in the cart.
Sun You suddenly realized something, and a small flame lit up in his eyes. As long as he knocked Gong Er down, he would be able to become a manager.
He secretly stared at Gong Er and realized that Gong Er’s defective products had been placed in the trash disposal box at the back door. He quickly ran away.
Just as he was feeling puzzled, another figure quietly crawled out of the darkness. He opened the trash disposal box and quickly took the defective products away.
Sun You’s heart was pounding as he hurriedly followed.
During this period, the person turned around several times, and he barely avoided being seen.
In the end, he saw the person enter an apartment building. When he learned from the building manager that this person was Gong Er’s cousin, the flames in his eyes burned even brighter.
What Gong Er had taken away was definitely not defective products. Even if it was defective, one would still be severely punished for taking away the things from the pharmaceutical factory..