Courtyard House: I Rely on Time-Space Trade to Build a Nation

Lou Bancheng's eyes lit up.

"Please speak."

Zhao Pingan stood up and walked to the window.

"You've probably heard of the buyout policy. The government buys your property with money, and you take the money and leave."

This matter will have to be addressed sooner or later, but when and how to do it requires careful consideration.

He turned around.

"If you bring it up proactively and cooperate actively, your superiors will appreciate it."

Your workers and your connections can all be properly taken care of.

I'll arrange something else for you, and there's a high chance no one will bother you afterwards; you'll leave with a clean slate.

Lou Bancheng nodded, but there was still doubt in his eyes.

Zhao Pingan smiled.

"Are you asking what happens after you cancel your contract? What should I do for you?"

Lou Bancheng nodded quickly.

Zhao Ping'an walked back to the chair and sat down.

"I happen to have an idea that I need someone to implement."

Zhao Pingan paused for a moment.

"We are now industrializing, and factories are being built one after another."

Previously, during the war, the main focus was on ensuring the army's logistical needs; now that the war is over...

The demand for military products has decreased, and many will be diverted to civilian use.

The products produced cannot be used domestically, so they have to be sold abroad.

There are markets in Big Brother's country and in Eastern Europe. These countries have good relations with us, so it's easy to negotiate.

But there's another market, bigger, farther away, and more troublesome.

"You mean Western Europe?" Lou Bancheng's eyes lit up.

"Yes. Western Europe, and those places controlled by the United States."

These places have less contact with us now, but they need our things.

Cotton cloth, canned goods, daily necessities, agricultural and sideline products, and primary industrial goods were all hard currencies.

He looked at Lou Bancheng.

"I need an agent. I want to open a company in Hong Kong that specializes in entrepot trade."

They'll ship our goods there, put on their labels, make them look like they're made in Hong Kong, and then sell them to Western Europe.

We'll use the money we earn to buy what we need.

Lou Bancheng's eyes slowly brightened.

Zhao Pingan said, "This agent must be reliable, knowledgeable about business, and able to deal with foreigners."

We also need patience—this can't be accomplished in a day or two; we have to pave the way slowly and wait for the right opportunity.

Zhao Ping'an looked at Lou Bancheng.

"Boss Lou, are you willing to do this?"

Lou Bancheng was stunned.

He opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Then he stood up, took a step back, and bowed deeply to Zhao Ping'an.

"Commander, I..."

His voice trembled slightly.

"I don't know what to say. You gave me this chance to live, and I, Lou, will remember it for the rest of my life... and the next."

Zhao Pingan stood up and helped him up.

"Boss Lou, you helped me back then too."

We have a relationship. If I entrust this matter to you, I will give you a profit margin.

But let's be cautious from the start and be honest later; not a single penny of money that shouldn't be taken should be touched. I hope you remember that.

Lou Bancheng straightened up, his eyes a little red.

"Sir, rest assured. I will definitely handle this matter well. I will do it even if it costs me my life."

Zhao Pingan patted him on the shoulder.

"No need to risk your life. Live well and do good business. Maybe we can meet again in Hong Kong in a few years."

Lou Bancheng nodded, bowed again, and turned to leave.

He turned around as he reached the door.

"Sir, shall I... go back and prepare?"

Zhao Ping'an nodded.

"Wait for notification. Someone will contact you then."

Lou Bancheng pushed open the door and went out.

Watching Lou Bancheng leave, Zhao Ping'an couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion again. He had been so busy that he hadn't really had a deep understanding of it.

Now that I have more free time, I can really feel it; everything is different.

Although I quickly rose to the rank of regimental commander or brigade commander, commanding several thousand men, my primary role at the time was as the logistics and transportation team leader.

Now, several years later, he has become a "big shot" who can easily arrange things for someone like Lou Bancheng, a former big businessman.

Just then, Liu Dazhu pushed open the door and entered, interrupting Zhao Ping'an's reflections.

"Brigadier, has Boss Lou left?"

Zhao Ping'an nodded.

Liu Dazhu chuckled: "What does he want from you?"

Zhao Ping'an glanced at him sideways: "Why are you asking so many questions?"

Liu Dazhu quickly waved his hand: "I won't ask, I won't ask."

Zhao Ping'an sat down next to him and poured him a glass of water.

"Dazhu, you just said you came to Beijing for a meeting?"

"Yes. It's a debriefing meeting for the armored forces system, and I'm here representing our brigade."

Zhao Pingan glanced at Liu Dazhu again and couldn't help but smile.

"Good lad, my bodyguard back then is now a brigade commander."

I heard you're now in charge of several hundred tanks?

Liu Dazhu scratched his head: "More than three hundred vehicles. They were all built by you back then."

"By the way, Dazhu, are you having any difficulties at work or in your life?"

Back then, when I was transferred, it was in a hurry, and secrecy was required. Now the war is over...

Write down this phone number later; keep in touch with our old buddies from back then.

"If you have any difficulties, just call me. I can usually handle most things." Zhao Ping'an couldn't help but think.

I left in such a hurry back then, leaving my elder brother and all the brothers who followed me behind.

The older brother is alright; he's a brother, he'll always find him.

Moreover, I've met him before on the northern battlefield; he's now the deputy commander.

I just wonder what happened to the brothers who followed me back then.

Liu Dazhu hesitated for a moment.

"Actually... there's something else."

"What is it?"

Liu Dazhu looked at him and whispered, "Brother Zhao Baoguo, he's a brigade commander now, and he wants to meet you too."

Zhao Pingan was stunned for a moment.

Zhao Baoguo. His elder brother's sworn brother, his own "second brother," the former regimental commander who defended the city, whom he later persuaded through Liu Dazhu's arrangement.

He revolted and surrendered, and later led his troops to participate in the Northern War.

I heard he fought well and made a name for himself; he's now a brigade commander.

"Where is my second brother now?"

"Also in Beijing. I just finished an awards ceremony yesterday and am staying at the Xijiao Hotel. I haven't gone back to my residence yet."

Zhao Pingan glared at him.

"He's also in Beijing, why didn't you say so sooner?"

Liu Dazhu said aggrievedly:

"I ran into him this morning and found out he was also at the meeting. I was thinking of asking him to come along, but I was worried it wouldn't be convenient for you."

Zhao Ping'an stood up and kicked him in the buttocks.

"Bullshit! He's my second brother, and you were my bodyguard and old subordinate back then. What's inconvenient about contacting me?"

Liu Dazhu rubbed his backside and chuckled, "Shall I call him over now?"

Zhao Pingan said irritably, "Fight! Fight now! Let him come over, the three of us will have a drink tonight."

Liu Dazhu quickly picked up the phone.

"Hello, is this the front desk of the West Suburbs Hotel? Could you please transfer me to Brigade Commander Zhao Baoguo's room?"

"Hey, Brother Baoguo? This is Dazhu! I'm with the brigade commander right now? Yes, right now. He wants you to come over for a drink!"

Zhao Baoguo's laughter came from the other end of the phone; it could be heard even through the phone.

Liu Dazhu hung up the phone and said to Zhao Pingan, "He said he'll be here right away."

Zhao Ping'an nodded, went out and instructed his guards to have the hotel prepare a few more hearty dishes.

Behind him, Liu Dazhu was rummaging through the things on his desk, just like he used to do.

"Commander, what kind of tea is this? Could you brew me a cup?"

Zhao Pingan turned around and complained.

"Do it yourself, do I have to entertain you?"