Walking down the street, Da Jin Ya, clutching the banknotes, led Fatty and Hu Ba Yi towards the bank.
Most banks in this era were either foreign-funded or jointly established.
After all, foreign businessmen had a much more advanced economic mindset than people of this time.
Therefore, foreign currency could also be exchanged at the bank, and since there were no bank cards, exchanges were done using deposit slips.
"We scammed quite a bit this time. Fatty, we agreed on fifty-fifty."
Da Jin Ya said, and Fatty nodded with a grin.
"Fatty is truly raking it in this time."
Fatty thought to himself with glee, as trash could be sold at an exorbitant price, and the other party still felt it was worth it.
For a moment, Fatty even considered apprenticing.
After walking for a while, Hu Ba Yi's eyes spotted a familiar figure.
"Boss."
Hu Ba Yi called out, and the figure slowly turned around.
Zhang Tian, who had just left Da Jin Ya's shop and was wondering where Da Jin Ya had gone, was surprised to run into them here.
Zhang Tian waved and strode over.
"Master Jin, Old Hu... Fatty..."
Zhang Tian greeted them, then looked at the bulging wad of banknotes in Da Jin Ya's hand.
"Master Jin, what's with all this?"
Zhang Tian asked casually.
"Boss, you have no idea. Just now, Master Jin's mouth was like a shining beacon, he completely fooled a normal person, and made a healthy person believe they were sick."
"Let me tell you..."
Before Da Jin Ya could speak, Fatty recounted the events with embellishments.
After knowing the whole story, Zhang Tian cast an admiring glance at Da Jin Ya.
In this era, there was no shortage of capable individuals, but it was not easy for those who thrived.
"By the way, Boss, where are you going?"
Hu Ba Yi asked, looking at Zhang Tian.
Zhang Tian seemed to be in a hurry, as if he had something important to do.
"I was originally looking for you guys, but I didn't find you at the shop. I plan to buy a large estate in Bei Li, with a broad plot of land."
"Preferably in the suburbs, for convenience."
As Zhang Tian spoke, Da Jin Ya seemed a bit displeased.
"Young Master Zhang, if you ask me, buying something under the capital would be much better, more authentic, and might even appreciate in value later."
"Why bother buying in the suburbs? It's not worth much."
Da Jin Ya said, looking at Zhang Tian.
Zhang Tian's family was undoubtedly wealthy enough to afford a property near the capital, but for some reason, Zhang Tian suddenly wanted to buy in the suburbs.
"Master Jin, you don't understand. Our Xia Guo is in a period of immense change. Anyone who dares to stand in the way of Xia Guo's rise will be crushed."
"As a young and patriotic aspiring youth, how could I possibly hinder the march of history?"
"Therefore, the suburbs are a better choice. It won't hinder Xia Guo's development, and at the same time, we can get some things done."
As Zhang Tian spoke, Da Jin Ya's eyes darted.
He was intelligent enough to guess what was going on.
Zhang Tian intended to build his own power base, otherwise, why would he want to acquire land in the suburbs?
If it were a faction from the past, setting up in the city center of Bei Li would have drawn no criticism, as the era was rife with conflict.
But now that things were stabilizing, and some factions were being purged, Zhang Tian would be courting death by establishing his base in the city center.
"Young Master Zhang, I do know of a place."
Suddenly, Da Jin Ya said with a smile.
He even winked at Zhang Tian.
"Please, Master Jin, your advice is invaluable to me."
Zhang Tian was also humble.
"To the east of Bei Li, there is a mountain called Qing Ming Mountain. I know of someone who owns the usage rights to the entire mountain!"
Da Jin Ya whispered conspiratorially, his gold tooth gleaming.
Da Jin Ya was willing to share this information, clearly hoping to profit from it.
Zhang Tian didn't mind.
However, upon hearing Qing Ming Mountain, Zhang Tian felt a bit uneasy. Wasn't that the home of that Ban Shan Dao Ren from before?
He had killed the man, and now he was going to take over his territory.
It felt a bit like being a bandit.
"Boss, isn't that Qing Ming Mountain the place belonging to that scoundrel?"
Fatty exclaimed excitedly.
"What scoundrel? Do you know him?"
Da Jin Ya was a bit puzzled.
He didn't understand Fatty's words.
"It's nothing, Master Jin. You said before that you knew someone who definitively has the full usage rights to Qing Ming Mountain?"
Zhang Tian asked, as he didn't want to become a mountain king.
Otherwise, he'd be the first to be targeted by the anti-crime campaign.
After all, claiming an entire mountain as one's own was akin to being a bandit king in the past, which no country would tolerate.
"This mountain was his family's property. He also has a land deed from Xia Guo, and it has been passed down through his family for generations."
"Moreover, the mountain has been registered for individual ownership. As you know, it's relatively simple to register in Xia Guo these days, so the entire mountain can be commercialized."
Da Jin Ya said, making a money gesture with his hand.
Zhang Tian's eyes lit up. If this were true, Qing Ming Mountain would perfectly suit all of Zhang Tian's requirements.
Firstly, Qing Ming Mountain was not far from the city center of Bei Li, estimated to be within the second or third ring road.
The geographical location was good. If, coupled with the mountain's area and scenery, and being away from the city, Zhang Tian felt it was worth acquiring.
"Boss, you're not planning to buy a mountain and become a mountain king, and then drag Second Brother along, are you?"
Fatty's eyes widened, and he chuckled.
"Fatty, how many times have I told you to eat more green vegetables and fantasize less."
Zhang Tian rolled his eyes at Fatty, then looked at Da Jin Ya.
"Master Jin, I like this mountain very much. Please ask your friend how much he wants for the land deed."
Zhang Tian said.
It was his first time buying a mountain, and frankly, it felt rather strange.
Zhang Tian knew some trivia: if a mountain belonged to a farmer, it could be bought and sold, as farmers owned the land.
However, if one only had usage rights, like with apartments, the land couldn't be sold; one only had the right to reside.
Da Jin Ya smiled and nodded.
"Alright, I should have news for you tonight. However, Young Master Zhang, are you planning something big? Bring Master Jin along."
Da Jin Ya said slyly, his small eyes darting around.
His face was full of cunning.
"To establish a sect and organization."
Zhang Tian said, and Da Jin Ya licked his lips.
"Haha, Young Master Zhang has far-reaching ambitions, beyond what us small fry can comprehend. I wish Young Master Zhang success in advance."
Upon hearing that Zhang Tian intended to establish a sect, Da Jin Ya did not hesitate and offered his blessings.
Da Jin Ya was smart. In this era, with the power in Bei Li already consolidated, Zhang Tian's entry would surely attract attention.
Da Jin Ya considered himself not daring enough to confront powerful families.
Therefore, he promptly declined.
Zhang Tian nodded and said nothing more.
Afterward, Da Jin Ya exchanged the money.
Once the money was split, both parties departed.
"Boss, what kind of mountain gate are you creating? Fatty wants to be the commander of the mountain."
Fatty blinked his eyes.
"Fatty, remember, we are not mountain kings."
"We have our own name. The name is 《Nine Gates Construction Resource Protection and Evil Extermination Group》."
Zhang Tian said in one breath.
Fatty was stunned.
"What kind of group is that? It sounds so damn foreign."
Fatty's head buzzed.
The audience in the courtroom, however, went wild. Good heavens, the Nine Gates, this biggest tomb-robbing gang, was a group?
And at that time, Young Master Zhang already knew of the term "group"?
His thinking was simply too advanced!