Courtyard House: Passing through the Silly Pillar, Activating the Blessed Cave Heaven

32

Then he opened five suitcases: the first suitcase was neatly stacked with US dollars, twenty bundles of one hundred bills each, totaling two hundred thousand US dollars; the second and third suitcases contained ninety-six heavy gold bars; the fourth suitcase contained a mixture of small gold bars and Chinese currency—two hundred small gold bars, along with five million yuan in large denomination banknotes, and one hundred thousand yuan in smaller denominations; the last suitcase was filled with one-yuan Chinese currency, totaling eighty million yuan; and in the corner, a wooden box contained two thousand silver dollars.

He Yuzhu slammed the box containing foreign currency and gold shut, staring at the legal tender with a troubled expression.

These banknotes cannot be kept; they must be spent before they become worthless next year.

Although the legal tender has depreciated, 85 million yuan can still buy a lot of things, but what to buy still needs careful consideration.

Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he remembered Cui Zhongshi, the deputy director of the treasury of the Beiping branch of the Central Bank—rumored to be a spy for the Workers' and Peasants' Party.

Why not ask him to exchange these legal tender for hard currency? Even those two hundred boxes of penicillin can be sold to the workers and peasants.

He immediately took out paper and pen and wrote: He was willing to exchange 85 million yuan of legal tender for US dollars or gold, and after the matter was settled, he would sell penicillin for an additional 100,000 US dollars.

If you agree, simply hand the money to the messenger, and upon receiving the money, immediately inform him of the location of the Tibetan medicine.

He carefully put the letter away, picked up the leather suitcase containing the legal tender, and walked out of the cave.

He hailed a rickshaw on the street: "Excuse me, could you please take me to the Beiping branch of the Central Bank?" The wheels rolled over the cobblestone road, and when they arrived at the bank, He Yuzhu paid an extra thousand yuan for the fare: "Uncle, please wait a moment, I'll be right back."

"Alright! I'll stay here and watch over it for you!" The driver grinned and took the money.

As He Yuzhu stepped onto the bank's steps, the security guard blocked his way, raising his arm: "What are you doing here, kid?"

"Comrade, I'm here to see Director Cui Zhongshi of the Treasury. Is he in?"

"Director Cui is here, but do you have an appointment? You can't just walk in without one."

"Please inform him that Fang Meng'ao asked me to deliver something, and he will definitely see me."

The security guard dialed Cui Zhongshi's number and, after receiving permission, told He Yuzhu, "Director Cui wants you to come in. His office is the fourth room on the left on the third floor."

He Yuzhu carried his suitcase to the third floor and gently knocked on the office door.

After hearing the "Come in" voice, he pushed open the door and went inside.

Cui Zhongshi sat behind his desk, carefully scrutinizing the uninvited guest.

"I am Cui Zhongshi. I heard you brought some things from Fang Meng'ao?"

"Yes, Director Cui."

"The person who commissioned me asked me to give you this box and a letter, saying you'll understand after reading the letter." He Yuzhu handed over the letter and placed the box on the desk.

Cui Zhongshi checked the seal of the envelope, then opened it and began to read.

Although he was shocked inside, he remained outwardly calm.

"What does the client look like?"

"He was wearing a long gown, a top hat, and sunglasses, and he also had a beard."

He said he would give me two silver dollars as payment after the matter was completed.

Cui Zhongshi pondered for a moment.

"Please wait in the lounge next door for a moment." He called his assistant and led He Yuzhu to the next room to wait.