Chapter 105 The Deal is Made

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Wang Xuesen's gaze fell on the boxes of medicine on Yang Hongchang's desk, and he pointed to them.

"Old Yang, do you know how much these sulfonamide antibiotics are being sold on the black market right now, like fentanyl, aspirin, and especially the newly released fentanyl?"

Yang Hongchang raised his eyebrows but didn't reply.

Wang Xuesen flicked his cigarette ash and said casually.

"These things are now priced in US dollars and gold."

"Is it a big deal for you to just let a little bit slip out of your hand?"

"That's just a matter of filling in a number."

Yang Hongchang's expression changed abruptly, and he lowered his voice: "Brother, you can't say things like that carelessly."

He got up, opened the door, and glanced outside to make sure no one was eavesdropping before locking the door and returning: "Drugs are strictly controlled now; the Public Works Department comes to check every few days."

"We just conducted a round of investigations last month, and it threw the entire French Concession pharmacy and hospital into chaos."

"To even consider this is tantamount to playing with one's life."

Wang Xuesen smiled.

"Brother, you're just too honest."

He crossed his legs, dusted off the cigarette ash from his trousers, and said in a relaxed tone:

"You're in charge of everything at this hospital. Just wiggle a few things, adjust the dosage, and report the waste a tiny bit higher, and the medicine will be dispensed more efficiently, right?"

"Whoever wants to investigate, just throw money at them."

At this point, he rubbed his thumb and forefinger together, making a money-counting gesture, and leaned closer to the shrew with a smile:

"In this business, no matter how much you invest, it's a sure thing that you'll make a profit."

"That's how it is, but..." Yang Hongchang frowned and shook his head, his hand unconsciously touching the Guanyin jade pendant around his neck.

Wang Xuesen sneered inwardly.

Those who hesitate are not necessarily unwilling to do it; they are simply lacking the spark or the step to take.

"Brother, tell me, in this world, where is there any morality or righteousness left?" Wang Xuesen's tone turned somber, tinged with a hint of melancholy.

"Who leaked all those drugs from the black market?"

Yang Hongchang instinctively asked, "Who?"

Wang Xuesen winked at him.

"Is that even a question?"

"Either the Japanese army was embezzling money internally, or it was a front manipulator in the concession's high-ranking positions."

He smiled slightly.

"In this world, everything is fake; only real money makes a sound."

"The Japanese have turned the concession into an isolated island. The foreigners aren't stupid. They also want to make a fortune before they leave so they can go back to their homeland and live a life of luxury."

"If you don't earn this money, others will."

"You keep stuck in this position, putting on airs and not delivering anything..."

Wang Xuesen paused, stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, and his tone suddenly turned cold.

"That's called blocking someone else's path to wealth."

"Cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents."

"Those above and those below, countless eyes are waiting for you to get out of here and make way."

"They might make a move on you any day."

"To blend in with the world, you must first become dust."

"If a person doesn't look out for himself, he'll be punished by heaven and earth."

He stared into Yang Hongchang's eyes.

"Think carefully, hasn't someone been quite dissatisfied with you lately?"

Yang Hongchang's face trembled, and the color drained from his face.

He opened his mouth, but then hesitated and stopped.

They were persuaded, but dared not admit it.

Wang Xuesen understood this type of person all too well.

They are timid, greedy, and put on a saintly facade while secretly calculating their own interests.

Just one kick away.

"Brother...no, no."

Yang Hongchang finally waved his hand, forcing a troubled expression on his face.

"Unauthorized resale of medicines violates hospital regulations and the Public Works Department's laws. Besides, these medicines are meant to treat and save lives; what kind of behavior is it to resell them?"

He clasped his hands together and compared them to the Guanyin jade pendant.

"No, no, you mustn't!"

"A bad conscience."

Having a bad conscience?

Wang Xuesen sneered.

He got up, took two boxes of aspirin from the table, and slapped them down in front of Yang Hongchang.

One box on the left, one box on the right.

"Dean Yang."

He pointed to the box on the left.

"This box will be left in the hospitals in the French Concession for wealthy businessmen and high-ranking officials to use for medical treatment and healing."

Then he pointed to the box on the right.

"This box smuggled into the rear of the war zone or into private clinics through the black market."

"These are all life-saving medicines."

"Come on, tell me!"

"Which box is filthy? Which box is noble?"

Yang Hongchang's mouth dropped open, and he was stunned: "This..."

Wang Xuesen gave him no chance to breathe, straightened up and stared intently at him, his tone even harsher:

"Conscience? That's just an excuse cowards and fools make for themselves."

"If you don't sell, there are plenty of people in the hospital who would like to."

He held up his finger and pointed towards the ceiling.

"Your vice president and department heads, can you honestly say they've never stolen medicine? That their hands are completely clean?"

Yang Hongchang's eyes flickered.

Not clean.

That expression said it all.

"Wake up, buddy!"

Wang Xuesen, gripping the edge of the table, said with deep sorrow, "Once the Japanese invade the concession and the island falls completely, you won't even have this last chance to achieve enlightenment."

Yang Hongchang's lips twitched, and he pressed on, "Instant enlightenment?"

"What do you mean?"

Wang Xuesen tapped the table: "If you pour the medicine out, aren't you saving a person?"

"You saved millions upon millions of lives!"

He raised his hand and pointed out the window, his voice rising a few decibels.

"Let's not talk about any of those empty concepts like national or ethnic righteousness. I'll just ask you this: isn't the ultimate purpose of this medicine to save lives?"

"Nobody's going to eat aspirin like it's food, or keep a 'drug-containing' medicine like a family heirloom, right?"

"If you pour out a box of medicine, it's either saving someone or on its way to saving someone."

"Isn't this an immense act of merit?"

His gaze landed precisely on the warm, smooth jade pendant of Guanyin on Yang Hongchang's neck.

"As for money, it's just a small reward and return you get for doing good deeds."

Wang Xuesen clasped his hands together and added the final touch:

"Dean Yang, saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda. You are a living bodhisattva in this world."

"The benefactor of countless people struggling on the brink of death."

"Why can't you see your own worth?"

The consultation room fell silent.

Yang Hongchang's lips trembled.

He looked down at the Guanyin jade pendant on his chest, then looked up at Wang Xuesen's heartfelt and disappointed expression.

His gaze gradually changed from hesitation to sudden realization and understanding.

That expression was like that of a believer who had been kneeling in a temple for three days and three nights seeking answers, only to be suddenly struck by a high monk and grasp the true essence of Buddhism.

Yang Hongchang suddenly grabbed Wang Xuesen's hand and said in a trembling voice:

"Brother Xuesen!"

"Your words are truly a wake-up call!"

"My mother is a devout Buddhist and always encourages me to do good deeds and accumulate merit. You can imagine how much merit I could have had right under my nose, and yet I've missed out on it for so long."

He patted his chest, his face full of shame.

"I am truly ashamed and have committed a grave sin!"

Wang Xuesen also frowned, looking heartbroken: "It's more than just a sin, it's downright... Alas, thankfully, the Buddha's light shines upon us, and it's not too late."

Yang Hongchang nodded repeatedly, agreeing.

He expressed humility and remorse.

The benevolent look on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by the shrewd and calculating face of a businessman.

He opened the drawer and pulled out a piece of white paper and a fountain pen.

Swish swish.

The pen tip flew across the paper.

A moment later, a form was pushed in front of Wang Xuesen.

"This is roughly the amount I can get each month. Take a look."

Wang Xuesen took it and scanned it.

Sulfadiazine injection, 50 boxes.

Antitoxin serum, 50 boxes.

Xinxihua Powder Injection, 100 boxes.

Aspirin, 20 boxes (2000 tablets).

Xiaofa Mieding, 20 boxes (2000 tablets).

He remained silent.

But I knew exactly what was going on in my mind.

Renji Hospital is one of the largest hospitals in Shanghai, with approximately 15,000 outpatients and inpatients each month.

Aspirin, a commonly used analgesic, is consumed in quantities of around 20,000 tablets per month.

As the dean, Yang Hongchang could easily have 20% of his expenses reported as losses and falsified accounts without any problem, and the Public Works Bureau would have a hard time finding out.

But this old man only reported 10%, 20 boxes, 2,000 tablets.

It is well below the safety line for random inspections.

"He's a cautious man!" Wang Xuesen glanced at him and chuckled dryly.

Yang Hongchang rubbed his hands together: "When doing good deeds for the first time, the intention is the most important."

It's best to be cautious.

Caution means stability and the ability to work long-term, preventing one from ruining oneself due to momentary greed.

He's not in a hurry; meat should be eaten one bite at a time.

Once Yang Hongchang tastes the benefits, the number will naturally increase gradually.

Wang Xuesen took out a lighter and burned the list.

He held up five fingers.

"Enough said, at least five large yellow croakers every month."

Yang Hongchang's pupils suddenly dilated.

Fifty taels of gold!

That's equivalent to nearly 20,000 yuan, or 1,800 US dollars.

His monthly salary plus bonus is only a little over 300 yuan, and if he doesn't eat or drink for a whole year, he will only earn less than 4,000 yuan.

He earned five years' worth of wages in just one month.

Yang Hongchang was stunned.

His mouth was agape, his eyes were wide open, and his expression shifted from shock to ecstasy, a blissful feeling bordering on dizziness.

Wang Xuesen smiled, his eyes narrowing.

He had seen that expression far too many times.

When faced with enormous profits, the last vestige of morality in a person's mind snaps more easily than a musical instrument string.

Yang Hongchang swallowed hard and muttered to himself in a sleepwalking voice:

"Damn it... I've wasted all these years."

"Brother, are you sure you can give me fifty taels of gold every month?" He asked, still incredulous, as he came to his senses.

Wang Xuesen, however, came prepared.

He opened his briefcase, took out three hundred US dollars and a large yellow croaker, and put them on the table.

The gold bars gleamed softly under the lamp, and Yang Hongchang's pupils lit up.

"We're not playing games, it's a deposit." Wang Xuesen pushed the money and gold bars toward him.

"terrific!"

Yang Hongchang couldn't wait to reach out and grab it.

Wang Xuesen pulled his hand back.

Yang Hongchang's hand froze in mid-air, his smile solidified: "Brother, what do you mean by this?"

"Don't rush."

Wang Xuesen, with his legs crossed, said unhurriedly, "If you don't want to do a one-off deal, you'd better put up 60% of the money to bribe your superiors in the Municipal Council, the hospital's finance and procurement departments, and your cronies in the relevant chain."

He held up one finger and shook it.

"Only by making money together can we have a long-term, sustainable business."

Yang Hongchang licked his lips and nodded repeatedly, "Understood, understood!"

"It's not enough to just understand it."

Wang Xuesen tapped the table twice:

"I'll arrange for two people to come over in a few days. One will be a logistics assistant to handle accounting, and the other will be in charge of shipping."

He looked at Yang Hongchang and said, "After all, professional matters need to be handled by professionals. Since this is a long-term cooperation, there needs to be a set of rules. I hope Dean Yang can understand."

Yang Hongchang's smile faded.

I felt a little annoyed.

This is clearly like planting nails in the hospital.

One person manages the accounts, and the other manages the goods, which means they have a tight grip on the distribution channels.

But he's not stupid.

Upon closer examination, with a monthly income of at least 20,000 yuan, even if 60% is used to bribe superiors and subordinates, one can still keep at least 8,000 yuan.

Over the course of a year, it amounted to nearly 100,000 yuan.

His monthly salary plus bonus is only a little over 300 yuan, and if he doesn't eat or drink for a whole year, he will only earn less than 4,000 yuan.

This is equivalent to earning more than two years' worth of wages in one month.

It's definitely a huge profit.

Looking at the young man in front of him, Yang Hongchang saw that he was calm and composed, and his actions were meticulous, clearly the work of a seasoned veteran.

Such people are reliable.

Let them keep watching; I'll only take what I'm entitled to, and then I'll save myself the trouble.

The last bit of displeasure he felt vanished.

"Okay, deal."

Yang Hongchang smiled smugly and patted the table: "Have them come to me tomorrow, I'll take care of everything."

Wang Xuesen nodded and casually pushed the gold bars and US dollars back in front of him:

"Okay, I'll pay for the house tomorrow, and you can use that as a discount when you get medicine from me."

Yang Hongchang's eyes widened, and he exclaimed happily, "Great! Thank you so much, Director Wang!"

Wang Xuesen stood up and shook hands with him: "You're welcome, it's no trouble for me."

He patted Yang Hongchang on the shoulder, his tone solemn.

"You are the one who attains enlightenment instantly and is a blessing to patients."

Yang Hongchang immediately raised one palm, slightly closed his eyes, and his face was full of piety:

"Amitabha Buddha, it is a doctor's duty to do good deeds and accumulate merit."

Wang Xuesen almost lost his composure.

That bastard gets into character faster than he does.

Having reached an agreement, the two were in high spirits and sat down to chat for a while.

Wang Xuesen was such a good conversationalist.

What school does the child attend? What are the wife's hobbies? Is the household budget sufficient?

Every word he said resonated with Yang Hongchang.

Yang Hongchang was overjoyed when he heard that Wanjia was willing to introduce his wife to Captain Okamura's wife and a group of celebrities.

Fame and fortune, fame and fortune.

Profitability alone is not enough; reputation and image must also be developed.

Having spent so many years in the French Concession, he knew one thing well: personnel matters are politics. With this title, how could he lack connections or backers?

If the concession were to be occupied by the Japanese, even if he was down on his luck, he could still find a decent job in the municipal government or the health department by pulling some strings.

The road is getting wider and wider.

The two hit it off immediately, feeling as if they had known each other for a long time.

Yang Hongchang slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Brother, since we've hit it off today, if you don't mind, let's become sworn brothers!"

Wang Xuesen smiled and said, "That's hard to say."

He had Yang Hongchang remove the Guanyin jade pendant from his chest and place it properly. He then lit three cigarettes and offered them as incense before the Guanyin statue, and they immediately became sworn brothers.

Wang Xuesen had many brothers like this.

Yang Jie, Wu Sibao, Okamura, Shibuya—who among them didn't act like brothers at the table, but secretly harbored their own ulterior motives?

In this cannibalistic age, sworn brotherhood is as common as drinking water.

It's easy to use.

As we were talking, there was a knock on the door.

Director Li pushed open the door and walked in, taking off his mask, his forehead still glistening with fine beads of sweat.

"Old Li, how is Ms. Mao?" Yang Hongchang asked.

Director Li sighed and said succinctly:

"The bleeding has stopped, and he is temporarily out of danger. His condition is basically stable, but he still needs to be observed."

"Thank you, Director. You've worked hard."

Wang Xuesen took out two hundred US dollars and stuffed it into his hand.

"This, this is unacceptable, it's my duty." Director Li's eyes lit up. US dollars, what a nice thing, but he couldn't accept it in front of Yang Hongchang.

"Old Li, Xue Sen and I are all family."

"Take it."

Yang Hongchang smiled and remarked, "As expected of the young master of the Wang family, what a grand gesture and generous spirit! He throws around US dollars as if they're free."

"Thank you very much, Young Master Wang. Well... then I will respectfully accept your offer." Director Li was extremely grateful.

This extra shift was totally worth it; I got six months' salary back.

"polite."

"Director Li, you are a famous miracle doctor in Shanghai."

"I have many friends in the martial arts world, and I'll need to trouble you a lot in the future."

Wang Xuesen remained humble, without the slightest hint of arrogance in his gesture of charity.

He was well aware of Li Xian's value.

In the future, if there is an emergency and someone is needed to do private work, it will be difficult to find a doctor with such good medical skills.

"Not at all, not at all, Young Master Wang, please feel free to ask if you need anything in the future." Li Xian was very pleased and immediately agreed.

After chatting for a few minutes and drinking a cup of tea, Li Xian yawned repeatedly and left first.

"Brother, you're busy. I'll go check on her so I can explain to Mrs. Okamura later." Wang Xuesen stood up, pretending to be very casual.

After all, Mao Liying was a popular vote-getter.

He couldn't show too much concern; there were some things he had to keep to himself in front of Yang Hongchang.

Yang Hongchang smiled and added, "Alright, I should head back now. I still have to buy a house tomorrow."

Here's your office key. You can make do on the sofa if you want to rest.

He locked the drawer, then handed the room key to Wang Xuesen separately.

Here's your office key. You can make do on the sofa if you want to rest.

He locked the drawer, then handed the room key to Wang Xuesen separately.

Wang Xuesen took the key, pushed open the door, and went out.

The corridor smelled strongly of disinfectant.

Several nurses walked quickly past with their heads down, their footsteps echoing in the empty corridor.

Wang Xuesen arrived at the door of the emergency room and took a look.

Mao Liying lay on the hospital bed, her face as white as paper, her eyes tightly closed, still in a drowsy state under the influence of anesthesia.

Wang Xuesen did not go in; instead, he turned around and returned to Yang Hongchang's office.

The soft leather sofa wasn't wide, but it was big enough for one person to lie down on.

He covered himself with his coat and closed his eyes.

I don't know how long I slept, but I'm still half asleep.

The knocking woke him up.

The sky outside the window was already beginning to lighten, and the lights in the corridor were still on.

"Director Wang, Ms. Mao is awake," the nurse said from outside the door.

Wang Xuesen got up, straightened his collar, went to the restroom to wash his face, dried it, and headed to the emergency room.

The nurse was changing the IV drip. Mao Liying was leaning against the pillow, her face pale and bloodless, her lips dry, cracked, and purple.

But her eyes were bright.

Wang Xuesen glanced at the nurse beside him: "I'd like to speak with her alone for a few minutes, thank you."

The nurse packed up the equipment, told the patient that he was very weak and not to talk for too long, and then left.

The door closed.

Seeing Wang Xuesen walk in, Mao Liying's lips twitched, revealing a very faint smile:

"Director Wang, I never expected that it would be you again who saw me off on my final journey."

Her voice was so weak it was almost inaudible.

"I'm very happy."

Wang Xuesen moved a chair to the edge of the bed, looked up at her and sneered, "Give me a damn gift, you're not going to die."

"Why is your older sister so stubborn?"

"Where there's life, there's hope."

Mao Liying turned her head to look at him, her eyes calm.

"The situation is deteriorating day by day, and war is raging everywhere. Where are the green hills left?"

Wang Xuesen gave a wry smile: "That's true."

"Let's get down to business. You can't stay here. Wu Sibao will still try to harm you. Who can take you away?"

Mao Liying was silent for a moment: "I don't know."

Wang Xuesen nodded: "I don't know if that's right, just arrest every one of your men who comes."

"Big sister, are you thinking clearly now?"

Although Wang Xuesen was always very sharp-tongued when he saw her, Mao Liying felt a long-lost, warm feeling of familiarity.

She nodded: "I'm perfectly sober."

Wang Xuesen stared at her and said, "The Japanese military police will come to pick you up later. Don't be afraid. Once you get there, try to give Okamura most of the warehouse stock you're still holding."

"Then, he will arrange for you to contact the outside world. You'd better find someone with official Japanese status to protect you, such as the Iwai Mansion."

"This shouldn't be difficult for you, right?"

Fearing she might suspect something and overthink it, he added, "Don't tell me you've been operating in Shanghai for so long and don't have any connections at all."

"Okay, thank you."

"But the goods I have are originally intended to be sent to the New Fourth Army..." Mao Liying said with some heartache.

"Why are you dawdling like this, lady? What time is it? Stop thinking about your goods."

"Also, send me the best of your stock."

"Last night, I fired at Li Shiqun's men to save you. I won't get through this without shedding some blood."

Wang Xuesen rolled his eyes at her and said irritably.

"All right."

She gave a pale smile and gave a warehouse address.

"I've been watching over you all night, and I'm so tired, I have to go now. Take good care of your injuries. The military police will be here in about half an hour."

"Remember, don't pick at it, just vomit what you need to vomit, otherwise Okamura won't release you and that will be troublesome."

Wang Xuesen yawned repeatedly.

"Yes, thank you, Xuesen."

"goodbye."

Mao Liying bid him a warm farewell.

"No, it's better if we don't meet. I can't afford to offend you." Wang Xuesen waved his hand and dragged his tired body away.

As Mao Liying watched that straight figure disappear at the end of the corridor, a strange warmth welled up in her heart.

There are both fools and clever people on the road to revolution.

She's just a slow learner.

Wang Xuesen was that smart man.

A faint light shone through the window, and the chirping of birds came from afar.

Its daybreak!

……

When Wang Xuesen returned home, it was already dawn.

He hung his coat on the rack and went upstairs to take a hot shower.

When he came out, Wanjia was wrapped in a quilt and curled up on the bed, looking at him with sleepy eyes.

"You're back?"

"Um."

Wang Xuesen dried his hair, crawled into bed, and pulled her close.

Wanjia nestled into his arms and asked in a muffled voice, "How is Ms. Mao?"

"Go to sleep, we'll talk about it later."

Wang Xuesen closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

When he opened his eyes again, the light coming through the gap in the curtains was already quite bright.

I went downstairs.

Wanjia and Xiaomin had already set out breakfast.

Porridge, fried dough sticks, two small dishes of pickled vegetables, and a bowl of rice cake dipped in white sugar.

"Sister-in-law, I'm going out early to buy groceries, they'll be fresh." Xiaomin tactfully picked up her shopping basket and hurried away.

Only two people remained in the living room.

Wang Xuesen sat down, picked up his bowl of porridge, took a sip, and briefly explained Mao Liying's situation.

Wanjia was overjoyed: "That's wonderful, you really saved her."

"Xuesen, you're practically my god."

"Waaah, give me a kiss."

Wang Xuesen pushed her away: "Stop fooling around, we're eating."

"No, I have to give you a kiss." Wanjia didn't care and sat on his lap, giving him a passionate kiss.

"It would be such a waste not to pass on your brilliant mind."

"Even the smartest brain will turn into a little pig when combined with you," Wang Xuesen snorted.

"Ugh, you think I'm stupid!" Wanjia angrily punched her.

"Okay, don't worry."

Wang Xuesen picked up a piece of rice cake, dipped it in white sugar, stuffed it into his mouth, and mumbled, "I'm tough, even the King of Hell won't take me, otherwise I would have died in Wanglongmen Detention Center long ago."

Wanjia was both amused and annoyed by his nonchalant attitude, and pinched his arm: "You little brat!"

After breakfast.

Wang Xuesen changed into a suit and straightened his tie.

Wanjia helped him button up the collar of his coat at the door.

He drove to No. 76.

On the way, Wang Xuesen rested one hand on the steering wheel, glanced at his watch, and deliberately slowed down.

moment.

He saw Okamura's guard car heading towards Jinji Hospital, and his heart immediately relaxed.

Okamura is now tasting the sweetness of success.

When it comes to money, they are absolutely efficient and decisive.

As for how the Iwai Mansion would protect its people, Wang Xuesen didn't care. He knew that the Red Tickets had a deep influence in the Iwai Mansion and that they were all extremely capable, the elite of the elite.

Getting someone out of trouble shouldn't be too difficult.

What he's worried about now is Wu Sibao.

On the surface, thanks to Yu Aizhen's mediation, the two were once again brother-in-law and good brothers.

But privately, given Wu Sibao's despicable character, he certainly wouldn't let it go after he had attacked Chiang Kai-shek's troops.

However, Mao Liying was saved after all, so the night wasn't wasted.

Moreover, Mao Liying revealed a lot of valuable information, and with the money in hand, Li Shiqun and Ye Jiqing were basically assured of passing this hurdle.

……