This brought him to another problem. He had previously spoken with Manager Yao Xiang from the jewelry store, who told him that the biggest precious metals dealer in Xiahai City was Chen Baokun.

Fang Zhen had also learned some information from He Yilin. This Chen Baokun was indeed a capable man, but he couldn’t monopolize the precious metals trade. In this day and age, cornering an entire market was incredibly difficult. You had the government—the so-called "heavenly thunder"—watching from above and competitors nipping at your heels from below. It was a near-impossible task.

Only special enterprises related to public welfare or national security had the right to operate as a monopoly. Clearly, Chen Baokun couldn’t achieve that.

The reason people said you couldn’t get around Chen Baokun was that his business was the largest and his network the most extensive. While not a monopoly, he could offer the best prices for precious metals transactions. He was also the dealer capable of buying and selling the largest volumes.

The amount of gold and silver Fang Zhen was moving was no small sum. It would require sourcing from across the country, but that would mean he’d have to spend a lot of time traveling, which wasn’t convenient.

If he wanted to trade precious metals locally in Xiahai, then the most suitable partner really was Chen Baokun.

Just as Fang Zhen was wondering how he might get in touch with Chen Baokun, the phone on his coffee table vibrated. A call was coming in.

Fang Zhen glanced at the caller ID and a look of surprise washed over his face.

’Speak of the devil.’ The caller was none other than the man said to be highly influential in Xiahai City, Chen Baokun—Uncle Bao.

Fang Zhen was quite surprised to receive a call from Chen Baokun.

The last time they’d met, Fang Zhen had been little more than a freelancer with some extra leeway, whereas Chen Baokun was a powerful figure in Xiahai. And while Fang Zhen hadn’t been at a disadvantage during their transaction, he could clearly sense that Chen Baokun didn’t regard him as a business partner on the same level.

But this time, Chen Baokun had actually taken the initiative to call him, making Fang Zhen feel that something had changed.

Fang Zhen answered the phone, and Chen Baokun’s voice came through the receiver.

"Is this Fang Zhen? It’s Chen Baokun. We did a deal for some gold jewelry a while back. Remember me?"

Chen Baokun’s voice came over the phone.

This time, however, his voice lacked the deeply hidden sense of superiority it had before. Instead, he spoke in a relatively formal tone.

Fang Zhen noted the change in his tone and, sensing what it meant, said, "Of course. You made quite an impression."

Chen Baokun grunted in acknowledgment. "Here’s the thing. I heard you’ve been buying up silver bars around Xiahai recently—and in large quantities. Since my business is primarily precious metals, I thought we might have some business to discuss."

"I can guarantee that when it comes to trading precious metals in Xiahai, you’ll get the most satisfactory price from me, whether you’re buying or selling."

"What do you say? If you have time, let’s meet for tea and talk it over."

A faint smile touched Fang Zhen’s lips.

After everything he had been through, his understanding of such matters had become much clearer.

The change in Chen Baokun’s attitude spoke volumes.

During their last transaction, Chen Baokun had likely seen him as just some greenhorn who’d stumbled upon a channel for gold jewelry. He hadn’t treated Fang Zhen as a peer or a rival in the same league.

’But now, his tone and attitude have shifted, becoming more formal. He must have learned something about my capabilities,’ Fang Zhen thought. ’He’s finally starting to take me seriously, treating me as an equal.’

"Sounds good," Fang Zhen said. "Let’s meet at the same teahouse as last time."

"Good. Tomorrow at 9:30 AM. We’ll meet there. I’ll see you then," Chen Baokun said.

"Done."

「The next day.」

At 9:30 AM, Fang Zhen arrived promptly at the teahouse where he had met Chen Baokun before.

He didn’t come alone. He brought two people with him: his employee, Hao Lei, and another newly recruited young salesman.

Last time, Chen Baokun had brought an assistant who spent the entire meeting talking up his boss, making Chen Baokun seem incredibly important.

’I can’t let him outdo me in this regard,’ Fang Zhen thought. ’I won’t be put at a disadvantage.’

So he brought two of his company’s employees along.

Ostensibly, he was bringing Hao Lei along to give him some experience, but his real goal was to prevent Chen Baokun from overshadowing him again.

Fang Zhen was dressed casually, but the two employees with him were each in a black suit. They definitely looked the part.

When Fang Zhen arrived at the teahouse, Chen Baokun was already there.

The door opened, and Fang Zhen walked inside.

Perhaps because he had once been a Duke who ruled over thousands in an alternate world, Fang Zhen now carried himself with an entirely different air.

Chen Baokun seemed to sense it, too, and stared at Fang Zhen for a long moment.

Fang Zhen just smiled, offered a greeting, and walked over to casually take a seat.

Behind him, Hao Lei, ever quick on the uptake, immediately picked up the tea set from the table and poured a cup for Fang Zhen.

Fang Zhen glanced at Chen Baokun, whose expression was rather serious today.

Fang Zhen, however, was quite relaxed. "Long time no see," he said.