Chapter 6: Successful Binding

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Meanwhile, Xu Gaoxiang unexpectedly made a new discovery. As dusk began to fall and the captain might arrive soon, Changchun brought over an oil lamp. The problem lay with the oil lamp itself, as it was the first time Xu Gaoxiang had seen one. Curious, he reached out to touch it. At that moment, the platform suddenly reacted.

Xu Gaoxiang opened the prompt and saw a trade request: “A Han Dynasty bronze lamp with three feet and cloud patterns. Good materials, exquisite craftsmanship, with historical added value. Can be exchanged for 20,000 trade points. Please confirm!”

Xu Gaoxiang was stunned. “Damn, I’ve just stumbled upon an antique? No wonder Shanxi Province has so many relics!”

Changchun, holding the oil lamp and watching Xu Gaoxiang’s strange excitement, simply thought he was a wealthy man unfamiliar with common folk’s belongings, just momentarily fascinated.

Xu Gaoxiang steadied himself and casually asked Changchun, “This lamp has a nice design. Where did you get it?”

Changchun didn’t think much and replied, “Oh, that? We recently searched a small watchtower. It was in the room of that Puppet Army captain!”

“Right, there’s also an incense burner in our company commander’s room. We thought it was just copper and planned to trade it for some bullets in logistics, but haven’t had a chance to take it yet!”

Xu Gaoxiang hadn’t expected such an unexpected gain. Just as he was about to speak, a loud greeting came from outside the door.

“Brother Xu, I’ve missed you so much!”

The voice arrived before the person. Xu Gaoxiang glanced awkwardly at Changchun, feeling strange. “I thought Li Yunlong was just a scoundrel, but turns out he’s a super outgoing and shameless fellow!”

Finally seeing him in person, Xu Gaoxiang was quite excited and quickly stepped forward to greet him. “Captain Li, pleasure to meet you!”

Li Yunlong looked at him with a reproachful face. “Long time no see, why so distant? Just call me Old Li!” His tone made it feel like old friends reuniting.

Xu Gaoxiang twitched at the corner of his mouth, clearly not used to it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have left the office so quickly. Maybe Li Yunlong was the most well-connected man in the company.

“Well then, Old… Li.”

Hearing Xu Gaoxiang speak, Li Yunlong immediately climbed on the bandwagon. “Ah, Brother Xu, I’ve missed Old Li so much.” He pulled Xu Gaoxiang to sit on the kang, eyes scanning around but failing to find the thing he sought.

Xu Gaoxiang didn’t notice Li Yunlong’s little moves because the platform’s prompt had caught his attention.

“Please confirm binding with the current trade partner. Once confirmed, it cannot be changed! Traders, please decide carefully!”

Seeing the prompt, Xu Gaoxiang didn’t hesitate. “No choice! I’ll take the risk—Brother Yunlong, you have to back me up!” He firmly chose to confirm.

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Now, he and Li Yunlong were tied together. Xu Gaoxiang took a deep breath.

Li Yunlong chatted freely, probing Xu Gaoxiang’s background with indirect questions.

Being new, Xu Gaoxiang inadvertently led Li Yunlong to think he was an inexperienced rich young master, dispelling some of his doubts.

“Company commander, what are you standing there for? Get to work! Go on, don’t act like a woman!” Li Yunlong turned and shooed them away.

Watching Li Yunlong’s actions, Xu Gaoxiang knew the real show was about to begin.

Sure enough, once everyone left, Li Yunlong frowned and began to complain. “Brother Xu, my life is miserable!”

“Look, with the little devils causing havoc, we don’t even have food and drink to entertain you. The soldiers barely get enough to eat! But hey, we’re all from humble peasant origins—missing a meal or two isn’t much.”

...

Li Yunlong’s complaint session was thorough. Xu Gaoxiang listened seriously. He had only heard rumors of those days before, but now, hearing the firsthand account, he truly understood how difficult it had been.

Xu Gaoxiang felt waves stirring inside. Li Yunlong quietly observed that the other’s emotions were engaged. A little more prodding would surely yield great results.

“It’s just that Old Li doesn’t have the right tools in hand. Fighting the little devils is tough! Otherwise, would they be so rampant? Give me an entire division’s worth of gear and I’d dare to attack Taiyuan!”

Li Yunlong glared with wide, fierce eyes, spitting as he spoke.

Xu Gaoxiang knew this was Li Yunlong’s way to provoke him, but it didn’t stop the man’s passion from surging. Besides, Li Yunlong might gain a lot, but Xu Gaoxiang certainly wouldn’t lose.

“Alright! I’m all in! Just for your words, Old Li, I recognize you as my arms dealer. No one else will work!”

Hearing this, Li Yunlong beamed and gave a thumbs up. “No wonder you’re Brother Xu, so generous!”

But then he switched tone, complaining about poverty again. “Alas, Old Li is poor! Otherwise, Brother, you see…”

Li Yunlong planned to ask for credit, but Xu Gaoxiang cut him off.

“I know your difficulties. For the sake of early victory in the Anti-Japanese War, we all contribute what we can. My family has means, I can hold out. I’ll give you cost price—five silver dollars for a short gun, ten for a long gun! All brand new!”

Li Yunlong’s eyes sparkled instantly. In the black market here, even an old revolver might not fetch ten silver dollars. Now, having the chance to buy a new gun was a rare windfall.

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Unfortunately, Li Yunlong only had a few silver dollars in his pocket. Gritting his teeth, he decided to throw caution to the wind and put his old face on the line.

Seeing Li Yunlong’s determined expression, Xu Gaoxiang quickly proposed another plan. “Besides, Old Li, you’re not without any money. We can also barter!”

He placed the bronze lamp between them. Li Yunlong looked puzzled. “Hey, isn’t this just an oil lamp?”

Xu Gaoxiang explained, “It is an oil lamp, yes, but not an ordinary one. If I’m not mistaken, this is a Han Dynasty bronze lamp!”

Li Yunlong lifted his hat and peered closely. “Brother, you mean this is an antique? Then it can be turned into money?”

Xu Gaoxiang nodded confidently. “Exactly. If you trust me, this bronze lamp is worth a thousand silver dollars!”

He didn’t hold back and cut the value in half. From what he knew, a quality silver dollar could be exchanged for ten trade points.

Li Yunlong was shocked and stood up. “Just this old lamp? Worth a thousand silver dollars?!”

Then Li Yunlong burst out laughing. “Ha ha ha, never thought Old Li would become a local rich landlord one day, ha ha ha!”

Watching the excited Li Yunlong pacing about, Xu Gaoxiang delivered another blow. “And I heard your company commander has an incense burner!”

Hearing this, Li Yunlong rushed to the door and shouted loudly, “Guard, go call the company commander to bring the incense burner! Ha! This old guy’s just hit the jackpot!”

Now, Li Yunlong truly regarded Xu Gaoxiang as a brother. If not, there’d be no end to it!

Anyone who said otherwise would have to deal with Old Li!

Xu Gaoxiang looked at Li Yunlong, who seemed ready to cling to him, and finally breathed a sigh of relief. “As long as I get these two antiques, my life will be safe for now!”

Rubbing the bronze lamp in his hands, Xu Gaoxiang pondered deeply.