Chapter 6: Autumn Mountain Mist Painting

Wang Xu distinguishes between the primary and secondary aspects, and is not a mindless fan of fruit.

No business, impossible. When Yu Zicheng left, he must have had gold in his bag, right? I can't be wrong; I can hear the sound of gold clashing more clearly than my mother's voice. Give me a chance!" Wang Xu flatly rejected him, but Xie Ruolin didn't mind.

What is a businessman? One who is shameless and only cares about money, that is a businessman

Wang Xu pondered for a moment and said: "Using my medicine, regardless of whether it is a gunshot wound, a knife wound, or a burn, the possibility of infection will be minimized to the lowest. In comparison, the best anti-inflammatory drug on the market, Baibaodan, has an effect that is only one-third of that of my medicine"

Penicillin, discovered in 1928, was put into production in 1942 and became popular worldwide in 1943

Twenty or thirty pieces of gold, how much information must one sell to earn that much

However, among ordinary soldiers, there are very few who can use this medicine; at the very least, it must be a junior officer.

Before dawn, Yu Zicheng, who left yesterday with a gold bar, returned holding a censer and a painting

He believes that he can completely take over Yu Zicheng's business, regardless of what Yu Zicheng is discussing with Wang Xu, he is confident that he can exceed expectations.

"It doesn't matter, yet it does matter." Xie Ruolin arrived uninvited and did not bother to be polite with Wang Xu, walking directly into the room and observing: "Two teacups, one is yours, and the other belongs to Yu Zecheng."

Starting from the base of the incense burner, the entire incense burner resembles a lotus flower, unfolding layer by layer upwards

Yu Zicheng wanted these items; he did not believe they were for friends. It was highly likely that they were supplies needed by the underground party.

Hearing Xie Ruolin's words, Wang Xu slightly shook his head: "You are overthinking it; there is no business for me here"

What spirit is this, as if Lei Feng were alive, and Song Jiang were reborn

Such a person is entirely focused on interests, showing no concern for right or wrong.

Without uttering a word, he gestured for the guests to leave, and then he slammed the door shut.

In this day and age, the bold thrive while the timid perish

As soon as the door opened, before Wang Xu could ask, Yu Zecheng took the initiative to say: "In the Ming Dynasty, there was a Wen Wang lotus incense burner, inlaid with fine gemstones. The three masters of the Northern Song Dynasty, the ancestor of Southern landscape painting, Dong Yuan's Autumn Mountain Misty Rain painting, take a look at the goods."

Yu Zicheng does not openly acknowledge his affiliation with the underground party, yet he employs such a method to allow Wang Xuzhan to gain an advantage, under the pretext of wanting to befriend him; the true intention is not merely to enjoy the company.

Bai Baodan is Yunnan Baiyao, which is currently recognized in China as a miraculous anti-inflammatory medicine

Wang Xu remembered a segment in the television drama that left a deep impression.

Anti-inflammatory drugs are not considered controlled substances in modern times; any clinic typically has a box or half a box of stock available

Ding dong

In sight, the incense burner is a bronze color, about the size of an ashtray, fitting perfectly in the hand.

"What are you here for?" Upon seeing Xie Ruolin, Wang Xu frowned.

"No need for next time, I know you have great abilities, and I intend to ask you for a favor this time as well." Yu Zicheng spoke halfway, paused for a moment in contemplation, and then said: "I have a friend who is in the medicinal materials business. Currently, Tianwei is dominated by the Japanese, and the medicinal materials business is difficult to manage. I wonder if you have any connections to bring in a batch of anti-inflammatory medicine?"

However, in Tianjin in 1940, this matter was quite extraordinary. To prevent these medications from falling into the hands of the underground party and the Loyal and Righteous Society for National Salvation, the Japanese conducted inspections of pharmacies every few days, and any slight discrepancy would result in arrests

Yu Zecheng is a person who is overly meticulous but lacks boldness, making him not a good businessman. Brother, if there is a way to make a fortune, perhaps we could cooperate; I am much more open-minded than old Yu. Xie Ruolin lives downstairs from Yu Zecheng and looks down on Yu's cautiousness from the bottom of his heart

He gave Yu Zecheng 23 gold bars, but Yu Zecheng did not gain anything; instead, he lost one.

During this period, the primary task of the underground party was to collect supplies for the base, while the secondary task was to gather intelligence

However, during this period, the Baibaodan had not yet undergone innovation in its craftsmanship, and its production methods were traditional, which made it somewhat inferior compared to penicillin

By 1943, penicillin had become popular worldwide. When it arrived in China, the initial price for a box of penicillin was equivalent to half a gold bar, specifically intended for military officers. It was also referred to as the "general's medicine," implying that without a certain rank, one did not have the right to use this medication

The next day

"Alright, I have made up my mind about you, my friend." Wang Xu, satisfied, put away the scroll and incense burner, maintaining his smile, and added, "If there is an opportunity, we shall continue our collaboration next time"

No problem, I have the anti-inflammatory medication...

It is uncertain whether it is an illusion, but when Xie Ruolin spoke of business, Wang Xu saw in his gaze the expression of a wild dog encountering a meat bone

Such a significant business opportunity has presented itself, yet it remains just out of reach, causing more distress than if he were killed.

It is now 1940, two years away from the emergence of penicillin

Wang Xu still thought that Yu Zecheng had returned. Upon opening the door, he discovered that Xie Ruolin was leaning at the doorway, observing the surroundings in a mysterious manner

The door had barely closed for three minutes when the doorbell rang again

"No problem, but you also know that medications are not cheap these days. My medicine is imported, and the price is quite high." Wang Xu was very adamant about the price because he had already thought about how to get the medicine over.

Later, as the production of penicillin expanded, the price gradually decreased

Wang Xu was astonished, holding the incense burner and the scroll, remaining speechless for a long time, and finally said in a deep voice: "I knew it all along, you are a great person!"

Challenging, fulfilling, and consistently engaging for a long time, one can leverage whatever is available

The underground party differs from the Military Intelligence Bureau, whose primary tasks are intelligence and counterintelligence

No, everyone is friends and helps each other! Yu Zecheng still wore a silly grin, revealing not a hint of his true thoughts

You are overthinking it, goodbye... Wang Xu has already reached an agreement on this side, only someone with a troubled mind would allow Xie Ruolin to intervene.

Wang Xu does not understand painting; the first thing he looked at was the Wen Wang lotus incense burner

Outside the door, Xie Ruolin wore a conflicted expression. From the bag that Yu Zhecheng was carrying, he discerned that there were at least twenty to thirty gold bars.

This incense burner, with eight gold bars, was obtained from an old friend of mine. This painting, featuring sixteen gold bars, is a treasured possession of a wealthy family. They are moving to Shanghai, and I consider myself fortunate to have acquired this painting at a bargain. As soon as Yu Zecheng spoke, Wang Xu was momentarily taken aback

Regarding this issue, Yu Zecheng is unable to provide an answer, which indirectly illustrates that Xie Ruolin himself has no principles; if there are any, they amount to merely a gold bar, differing only from two gold bars.

At this point, Xie Ruolin extended his hand, dipped his fingers into the teacup, and said: "The tea hasn't been disturbed, it's still warm, which indicates that the duration from when you met to when you parted was definitely not long. Let me guess, you are looking for Yu Zicheng for something, drinking tea is certainly not it, it must be business!"

Xie Ruolin held two gold bars and asked Yu Zecheng a question: which of the two gold bars is noble and which is base

In a moment, Xie Ruolin's gaze shifted, unwilling to give up so easily.

Wang Xu squinted his eyes and remained silent for a long time

8 + 16 = 24

Wang Xu believes that compared to the two, the penicillin produced under modern techniques should be at least one to two times more effective than Baibaodan.

On the top of the incense burner, there is a red ruby inlaid. At first glance, the color of the gemstone reveals that it has often been touched by people, carrying a sense of historical weight

Wang Xu suddenly fell silent, tilting his head to look at Yu Zecheng, and hesitantly said: "You are not testing me, are you?"

Xie Ruolin's favorite activity is to undermine others.

Penicillin can be sold to Yu Zecheng, but the money must be collected. Unlike those grandiose figures in novels who become saints during the Anti-Japanese War, he is not the same kind of person

Xie Ruolin wore a sly smile on his face, furtively pointing towards the corridor, and said with a sneer: "That person must be Yu Zecheng, right"

Does it have anything to do with you? Wang Xu did not give a clear answer and did not deny anything

"Haha, I do not dare to consider myself a great person; I just wish to befriend you." Upon hearing this from Yu Zicheng, Wang Xu immediately understood the crux of the matter

"What medicine is this, is it effective?" Yu Zecheng did not ask about the price, but inquired about the efficacy of the medication

Yesterday, what he gave to Yu Zecheng was not just gold bars, but also a report concerning the intelligence of military intelligence agents who were infiltrating the Yan'an area.

It is not surprising that Xie Ruolin, who has connections, dares to sell intelligence from the Central Bureau at a high price to the underground party, despite being a member of the Central Bureau himself