Chapter 134: Do You Want The Medicine?
Hearing Li Zongren say this, Su Yaoyang added: “But since the higher-ups aren’t giving me military pay or weapons, they should at least give me a place to settle down, right? Otherwise, what do all these people eat and drink?”
“Still a territory… I see you look like a territory?”
Bai Chongxi irritably scolded: “Want a territory? You can grab one from the Japanese yourself. Otherwise, who would willingly give away their own territory to you for free?”
Su Yaoyang snorted coldly: “Without a territory, it’s no good. If it’s really like this, I’ll disband the Nanjing Security Regiment, take my wife to the rear, and live my small life.”
“You…” Bai Chongxi was so angry that he pointed at him with his index finger trembling.
It was Li Zongren who couldn’t stand it and laughed scoldingly: “Mingxi, why are you so stubborn? If the Chairman doesn’t give you a territory, can’t you find one yourself?”
“Shanxi has so much territory. Can’t you just capture one at random?”
“Capture one… I…”
Su Yaoyang suddenly paused slightly, then his eyes suddenly lit up.
Recalling the Second War Zone, strings of memories immediately appeared in his mind.
During the entire War of Resistance, if asked which war zone had the most complex and chaotic forces, the Second War Zone would claim second place, and no one would dare claim first.
In the vast Second War Zone, Central Army, Jin-Sui Army, Eighth Route Army, and various local armed forces were all crammed together, plus Shanxi being a hilly area with complex terrain.
In the words of later online novels, this place was a chaotic zone with all kinds of people. The biggest advantage of going there himself was that it wouldn’t attract too much attention, allowing him to develop his forces peacefully.
Thinking this way, this position of Shanxi Security General Regiment Commander seemed quite suitable for him.
At this thought, he suddenly realized that this position of Shanxi General Regiment Commander was probably specially fought for by Li and Bai for him, just to secure a territory where he could develop peacefully.
At this thought, a warmth surged in Su Yaoyang’s heart. These two big shots were truly good to him, enough loyalty.
He stood up and saluted them militarily: “Two commanders, great kindness needs no thanks. This junior appreciates your good intentions.”
Bai Chongxi waved dismissively: “Alright, we don’t seek your thanks, just that you don’t resent us, and I’ll thank heaven and earth.”
Li Zongren was silent for a moment, then added: “This time the Japanese army is pressing with a massive force, different from last time. If over 200,000 troops really besiege Xuzhou together, our Fifth War Zone will be very hard to defend.”
“So to preserve strength, we have already begun withdrawing in batches step by step. Your Nanjing Security Regiment… um… no, now it should be called the Shanxi Security General Regiment.”
Hearing this, even Bai Chongxi couldn’t help laughing, teasing: “I see you’re stuck with the militia for life, but luckily, your military rank has been promoted.”
Su Yaoyang didn’t want to talk to this sharp-tongued big shot, so he turned to ask Li Zongren: “Commander, when does our unit leave?”
“Tomorrow.” Li Zongren thought for a moment: “Have you and Fang Lu completed their arms deal?”
“Completed long ago.” Su Yaoyang said: “A few anti-tank guns and some small-caliber mortars, done in half a day.”
“Good.” Li Zongren nodded appreciatively: “You’re also considered a person in the military now. Although… but it’s always right to get along well with them. More friends, more paths.”
Seeing Li Zongren nagging like the old man next door, Su Yaoyang felt warmth in his heart: “Right… two commanders, the 100 Dodge trucks you wanted should arrive tomorrow. Then you can send someone to my camp area to receive them.”
“There’s one more thing. I have a batch of penicillin, sulfa drugs, and some medical supplies. I wonder if you two are interested?”
“Medicine? Penicillin? Really?”
This time, Li Zongren could no longer maintain his calm expression and widened his eyes.
“You can get these medicines?”
Bai Chongxi nearly stood up: “If you can get these life-saving medicines, you’ll have made a great contribution.”
No wonder the two were so excited. Although the British discovered the bacteriostatic effect of penicillin as early as 1928, it was only successfully isolated this year, with its efficacy proven in animal experiments.
Since no large-scale cultivation method has been found yet, saying its price is higher than gold is an insult. Countless rich people are waiting for it to save lives.
A small box costs two large yellow croakers, and even that’s in short supply, so when Li and Bai heard Su Yaoyang could get penicillin, their first reaction was that the kid was lying.
Bai Chongxi vigilantly glanced around and said softly: “Mingxi… this isn’t something to joke about. Can you really get it?”
“Of course.” Su Yaoyang didn’t hide it and lowered his voice: “I know a friend in a laboratory who has developed a mass production method.”
“But he doesn’t dare reveal this method yet, so he found me to help him sell small batches. And the first ones I thought of were you two. How about it… loyal enough?”
“Good, good… it wasn’t in vain that I helped you so diligently.” Bai Chongxi stood up and paced happily in the office for a few circles.
Holding a rare item like penicillin might be a root of disaster for ordinary people, but for big shots like Li and Bai, there were no such worries.
They could even make a fuss about it to gain benefits for themselves.
After thinking for a while, Bai Chongxi asked: “How much can you get?”
“Um… temporarily 100 cases, each case 100 boxes, each box 10 vials of 50,000 units dosage.”
“Enough…”
Li Zongren nodded: “Go back later and have someone deliver the medicines. It’s inconvenient for you to show up in this matter. Jian Sheng and I will handle the sale for you.”
“For the sale, Jian Sheng and I take 50%, you take 50%. How about it?”
“No problem.” Su Yaoyang agreed without hesitation. They provide manpower, effort, and channels, and take the pressure for selling; 50% is fair.
Besides, Su Yaoyang knew that the Gui Clique was famously poor. Although Li and Bai were big shots of the Gui Clique, they never amassed wealth, putting all gained money into the army.
He had products but no sales channels; they had channels and strength but no products. The two sides complemented each other perfectly.
Although he had the matter converter and didn’t worry about money, doing too many things out of nothing wasn’t good. At least on the surface, he needed to let people see his way of making money, or it would arouse too much suspicion.
After discussing for a while and agreeing on the delivery time, he bid farewell to the two, got in the car, and returned to the camp.
