Chapter 3: Mechanical Watches

Ah! It is him! Although the man's face was covered in dust, Ma Liu recognized at a glance that this person riding the strange creature was the outsider he had previously extorted. Looking at the creature this man possessed, Ma Liu began to feel regret; it seemed highly likely that this person was the young master of a wealthy family in the city, otherwise, how could he have obtained such a creature

"Boss, can you give me a discount if I buy more?" Sima calculated the money in his pocket and figured that at this price, he could buy about 30 watches. If he sold each for 20 dollars, he would nearly make tens of thousands. "This is already the wholesale price; how about I give you a 10% discount? What do you think?" the shop owner estimated and said. "Deal! That's the price then." After calculating the considerable profit he would gain, Sima clearly did not linger on the price with the shop owner. He readily agreed and bought around 40 watches at the quoted price.

"Esteemed uncle, I hope you will accept this; I have one more request to make of you." Seeing that the timing was almost right, I began to proceed according to my original plan. "Oh, I wonder what the young master has in mind." Gao Chuanliang couldn't help but feel a bit nervous, pondering what kind of matter this young master could possibly seek from him. "I wonder if esteemed uncle would be willing to act as an agent for the watch business in the Zhang Sui area," Sima said softly after taking a sip of tea.

After both parties found a public notary and signed the agreement, both Gao Chuanliang and Sima let out a deep breath. For Gao Chuanliang, he was convinced that he had stumbled upon a great fortune with just ten yuan. For Sima, he merely found a shortcut to wealth. During the agreement, the two parties did not discuss the price of the goods, and Gao Chuanliang set a profit margin of 40% based on the market price. When Gao Chuanliang saw this clause, he could hardly believe his eyes, yet he felt a twinge of fear, realizing that this young master could be so at ease. For Sima, he merely found a shortcut to wealth. During the agreement, the two parties did not discuss the price of the goods, and Gao Chuanliang set a profit margin of 40% based on the market price. When Gao Chuanliang saw this clause, he could hardly believe his eyes, yet he felt a twinge of fear, realizing that this young master could be so at ease. It was either that he had some reliance on books or that he was mentally unstable; although Gao Chuanliang firmly believed that this young master was definitely the former.

Ah! Gao Chuanliang could hardly believe his ears, nor could he accept the words he had just heard. The young master before him actually wanted him to engage in the business of selling foreign watches. ... This ...! ... This! Waiting for an answer always makes one anxious. Although his tone seemed calm when he spoke, in reality, Sima's heart was already in a state of extreme tension, deeply praying for blessings from every deity he knew. God knows that in the year 1915, Sima only knew this Mr. Gao, who ran a pawn shop. If he were to sell watches piece by piece, six hours in a day would hardly be enough! Waiting for an answer always makes one anxious. Although his tone seemed calm when he spoke, in reality, Sima's heart was already in a state of extreme tension, deeply praying for blessings from every deity he knew. God knows that in the year 1915, Sima only knew this Mr. Gao, who ran a pawn shop. If he were to sell watches piece by piece, six hours in a day would hardly be enough! Moreover, how could such watches possibly sell in a small market like Kongjiazhuang? Although he knew that less than forty miles east along the railway was Zhangjiakou, once he got to Zhangjiakou, who would he sell them to?

What is the price of these watches? After a brief selection, Sima chose several stainless steel watches, among which two were matching pairs with leather straps. It seems that these shiny stainless steel watches should fetch a good price, Sima thought to himself. "Hehe! Little brother has a good eye. These are all stainless steel cases, all from reputable manufacturers in the past. This one is 75, this one is at least 90, and this one is 120..." The shop owner said, pointing to the watches Sima had selected.

As a type of motorcycle that exists only in limited numbers in Europe and America, it is understandable that the people of Kongjiazhuang have never seen one. People are quite curious about this object, which is unlike a steam locomotive that runs on coal and is restricted to the railway, nor is it like a horse-drawn carriage that requires a horse to pull it. For a moment, everyone in Kongjiazhuang, whether merchants or ordinary citizens, had their eyes fixed on this rumbling three-wheeled contraption, and naturally, the person seated on it attracted the attention of most onlookers.

Due to the need for hot water to be freshly boiled, it took a moment for the staff in the shop to bring over a basin filled with hot water for washing the face. While washing his face, Sima noticed a new cloth towel hanging on the edge of the basin, which seemed to have been specially prepared by Boss Gao. After washing his face, he then entered the back room with Boss Gao. One was filled with gratitude while the other was deliberately flattering, and for a time, the two engaged in pleasant conversation.

Dressed in a black leather coat, with leather shoes on his feet and a black hat atop his head, he wore an M36 helmet made of polyester and sported goggles over his eyes. As this peculiar figure came to a halt in front of the "Gaoji Pawnshop" under the gaze of onlookers, Sima felt a bit regretful for not having brought a scarf to cover his face. He had been so absorbed in dreams of wealth that he forgot about the dust kicked up while riding a motorcycle on such a dirt road. He patted his now somewhat yellowed black leather coat and then noticed the tall boss who had helped him last time was standing in front of the shop, scrutinizing him.

Upon receiving the fruit from his hand, I took a glance and was surprised to find that I did not recognize the yellow fruit. The other bunches of grapes also astonished Gao Chuanliang, as grapes are commonly seen fruits. However, at this time of year, the grapevines are likely just beginning to sprout leaves. I could not help but feel curious about how this young master managed to procure grapes in the third month (early May 1915 corresponds to the end of the lunar month of March). It seems that this young master must have put in considerable effort to prepare this "modest gift," truly living up to his background from a wealthy family.

The boss took out several watches while speaking. "Hmm! Let me take a look." He mentioned that he did not know much about the quality of these watches. Looking at the various mechanical watches the boss brought over, he first eliminated several counterfeit luxury watches that were gold-plated; those were merely superficial items. At that time, in a place where gold and silver watches were everywhere, they could hardly sell for much. Given the chaotic market in China, most of these watches were either fakes or unknown brands, and they mostly relied on others for the production of their cases, which did not indicate any brand. Looking at the mechanical watches the boss brought over, he first eliminated several counterfeit luxury watches that were gold-plated; those were merely superficial items. At that time, in a place where gold and silver watches were everywhere, they could hardly sell for much. Given the chaotic market in China, most of these watches were either fakes or unknown brands, and they mostly relied on others for the production of their cases, which did not indicate any brand, making them quite suitable.

"Young Master, you are able to regard this old man in such a manner; I shall henceforth address you as 'Young Master' and 'Virtuous Nephew.'" "It should be so, it should be so." "In that case, I hope that Uncle will certainly accept this modest gift." Sima took out a beautifully wrapped watch from his pocket and presented it with both hands. "This... how can this be? This gift is too generous."

Watching the boss pack the watches, I hurriedly tossed one into the sidecar of my 750 motorcycle. Ah! This is all money! A watch worth around 40 can surely sell for several hundred dollars! I’m going to get rich! On the way to the company warehouse, for the first time in half a year, I filled up the tank of my 750 sidecar. I’ll need it for transportation tonight. Once I make some money, I won’t have to worry about fuel costs when riding this sidecar anymore. I can delete the listing for selling my 750 sidecar on Taobao. After all, good days are slowly coming, and spring has arrived.

"Boss, do you have any mechanical watches? I don't want those automatic ones." Sima was wandering through the wholesale market in the city, having already visited more than ten wholesale stores without finding a suitable watch. After returning from the year 1915, he checked online and discovered that watches were not invented until 1918, which should create some market potential. After taking a short break, Sima began preparing for this newly discovered opportunity, but upon arriving at the wholesale market, he realized that mechanical watches were not in demand at the moment, and finding a watch that met his preferences was quite difficult.

If Boss Gao feels there is a risk, these forty-three watches can be consigned with you first. Once the goods are settled, Sima noticed that Boss Gao was still hesitant, so he revealed his bottom line. "Ah! Young Master! This! This!" Gao Chuanliang was once again struck down by Sima's conditions. At this moment, Gao Chuanliang was already convinced that the Young Master clearly intended to bestow a fortune upon him, but it seemed that this fortune was coming a bit too... Although he still had some doubts in his heart, the thought of the future great fortune almost made Gao Chuanliang hold his breath as he agreed to Sima's "request".

"Boss, do you have mechanical watches here?" Sima looked at the shop filled with various quartz watches and other electronic clocks, nearly losing hope. Clinging to his last shred of hope, Sima asked the shop owner, "Hehe, you’ve come to the right place. Not to mention anything else, this wholesale market has no one more comprehensive than me when it comes to watches. Most of the watches sold in this night market come from my stock. How about these few types?" Clinging to his last shred of hope, Sima asked the shop owner, "Hehe, you’ve come to the right place. Not to mention anything else, this wholesale market has no one more comprehensive than me when it comes to watches. Most of the watches sold in this night market come from my stock. How about these few types?"

"Mechanical watches? Who still wears those nowadays?" The busy shop owner even replied without turning around. However, it seemed quite strange that someone would come to this wholesale market to buy a mechanical watch. "Damn! Is it really so hard to buy a watch?" Sima glanced at the time; it was almost 4 PM. In two hours, he had to go to work, yet he still hadn't found a suitable watch. He thought about a watch that could be worth over ten dollars, and if he exchanged it for RMB, it could amount to over a thousand yuan. "Damn! Is it really so hard to buy a watch?" Sima glanced at the time; it was almost 4 PM. In two hours, he had to go to work, yet he still hadn't found a suitable watch. He thought about a watch that could be worth over ten dollars, and if he exchanged it for RMB, it could amount to over a thousand yuan. This is a profit of several thousand percent.

Gao Chuanliang was greatly excited upon seeing the foreign watch. Although he had never encountered such a modern watch, he recalled that during his eldest son's wedding, the bride's dowry included a pocket watch, which had cost several hundred silver dollars at a foreign goods store in Zhangjiakou. This watch must be worth at least 200 silver dollars, and he couldn't help but reflect on the fact that it was an item worth several hundred silver dollars. Gao Chuanliang couldn't help but marvel at the way wealthy families receive guests and conduct themselves. No wonder there is a saying in "Dream of the Red Chamber" about Liu Laolao entering the Grand View Garden; this likely illustrates the difference between small households and wealthy families.

Mr. Gao, thank you for your assistance last time. This time, I have prepared some fresh fruits as a small token of my appreciation, and I hope you will accept them graciously," said Sima, taking out a fruit basket filled with bananas and grapes from the side of his bag, addressing the shopkeeper Gao, who had helped him previously. "You are too kind, too kind. Please go and boil some hot water; let us talk in the back room," Gao Chuanliang replied, as he recognized the young man before him, who appeared as if he had just emerged from the earth, covered in dirt from that strange contraption. Although he was pleased with the young man's visit, he was also aware that the entire Kong family village was watching this young man and his peculiar vehicle from a distance.

The sight of something never seen before always arouses people's curiosity. When a motorcycle, which had never before appeared in Kongjiazhuang, made its debut at the market, everyone present was astonished by this buzzing iron contraption, even though it was located just a few dozen miles from Zhangjiakou, near the Jing-Sui Railway.

"How can this be accepted?" Although he had a deep fondness for this foreign watch, Gao Chuanliang still insisted on declining, lest he leave the impression of being greedy to the young master before him. At the same time, Gao Chuanliang secretly admired his own discernment; although he had some regrets after his previous act of generosity, it was now proving that his judgment was indeed quite good. Ten dollars could establish a connection with such a wealthy family, which was invaluable.

Should it be done? It is clear that this young Sima intends to leverage the foreign goods business to bring wealth to himself. Xingjia is currently doing business in Zhangjiakou. Xingbang is also capable of managing on his own, allowing him to open a shop in Shanxi. At that time! Gao Chuanliang discovered for the first time that wealth was so close to him. Although he did not know how profitable these foreign watches were, he understood that they were definitely expensive, and those who bought them would not be poor. It is best to earn money from these people.