Chapter 274: Joining the Team

Chapter 274: Joining the Team
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Upon hearing that Su Zhen lived in the county town, Jiang Chuan became even more interested and so they chatted a bit more about it.
After the conversation, Jiang Chuan realized that his family had quite a connection with Su Zhen.
It turned out Su Zhen and Jia Guang, the lavish-spending young master of the Jia family in the town, were cousins. No wonder Jiang Chuan felt a sense of familiarity when he first saw Su Zhen; now, he could see the resemblance between the two.
While Jia Guang was already quite handsome, Su Zhen had a more mature and grounded charm about him. If he didn’t always have such a stern expression, there would probably be a line of girls trying to win his heart.
Not wanting to dwell on personal topics, Su Zhen changed the subject, “Brother Jiang, I see that you’re quite adept in business. Interested in partnering with me?”
“Oh?” Jiang Chuan had anticipated that Su Zhen would propose a business collaboration, but he feigned surprise, his demeanor appearing innocent and guileless. He asked, “You mean the business of buying mountain goods to sell?” Su Zhen smiled, the gloominess on his face vanishing, making him appear more radiant. Indeed, a smile is the best beautifier.
“It’s not just that. Selling to nearby villagers or restaurants for a mere few coins? There are definitely other avenues,” Su Zhen casually said, noting Jiang Chuan’s keen interest in making money.
He continued, “Brother Jiang, have you heard of the black market?”
Jiang Chuan straightened up. Now they were getting to the heart of the matter.
Jiang Chuan first heard about the black market when he went to the town’s cooperative store. He wanted to purchase an iron pot but couldn’t find one. Someone at the cooperative informed him that the black market would have it, but the location and timing of the market were unpredictable.
The wolf cubs that the Jiang family’s eldest son and Sun Li stole from the mountain were also sold in the black market. This showed the vast range of goods the black market accepted. There seemed to be nothing that couldn’t be sold there.
Jiang Xia had plenty of items in her possession. She once thought if she could sell them in the black market, she could earn a considerable income.
But despite searching the town several times, father and daughter never stumbled upon the black market.
Su Zhen’s mention of the black market indicated he had inside access. No wonder he was so wealthy, which could also be related to the high prices on the black market.
Jiang Chuan replied, “I’ve heard of it, but never came across one. Do you have connections, young brother Su?”
Instead of boasting, Su Zhen modestly answered, “I’ve attended the black market a few times and have some contacts with the organizers. I know when and where each market will take place and bring goods for trading.”
Jiang Chuan and Su Zhen then discussed black market prices. Sitting intently in the middle of the cart, Jiang Xia noted that the black market prices were at least double the regular market’s.
For instance, a fish that Jiang Xia could sell for two to two and a half coins in the regular market could fetch five coins in the black market.
In her mind, Jiang Xia did a quick elementary math problem and immediately gasped. If they could trade in the black market, wouldn’t they make a fortune?
Jiang Xia pondered calmly and believed that Su Zhen’s situation wasn’t as simple as he described, being just a merchant on the black market. The way he eagerly invited her father to join suggests he had bigger plans for the black market. Those who desire the black market to grow and prosper are likely its organizers.
Recalling various actions of Su Zhen, Jiang Xia ventured a bold guess: Su Zhen might very well be the organizer of the black markets in both the county and the town.
This could explain why Su Zhen was so wealthy and why he could sporadically buy grain for the village. Clearly, this man was never short of money!
In fact, Jiang Xia’s thoughts might have been too conservative. Su Zhen was not only the organizer of the county’s black market, but he also secretly controlled all the black markets in the entire province.
Su Zhen had access to a wealth of insider information, enabling him to timely understand market trends.
Although the government strongly suppressed private trades, they could only turn a blind eye to the black market.
The existence of the black market provided many with an avenue to exchange goods for money. If the black market were to be entirely eliminated, even more people would starve..