Chapter 6 Chapter 5 Money Is My Religion

The tall leader is Bai Xu, the leader of the people, with gray hair scattered around his shoulders, casual clothes, and a nasal voice in his speech. "There's no hypocrisy here, Ma Hongshang," he said. "We don't allow pomp and fluff. In my case, I'm just the civic leader of this country. That's what Grand Commander means; and that's all I have." It seemed that he was very satisfied with this. "Indeed, I think this is one of the strongest alliances between Gaury and your country. I have heard that your people, like our own, are fortunately blessed with the grace of a republic."

"Totally correct, Your Excellency." Marlowe responded solemnly, but he didn't take it seriously in his heart: "I think this is an important factor in maintaining the peace and friendship between the two governments." "Peace! Ah!" The commander-in-chief's sparse white beard twisted with a sentimental expression: "There is no one in the border region who loves peace more than me. I can say with sincerity that my famous father, the country Since the leadership of the Communist Party of China was handed over to me, the era of peace has never been interrupted, and the people regard you and me as 'Dear Leader'."

Marlowe's eyes wandered among the carefully tended gardens, where a thousand strong men lurked with grotesque but obviously powerful weapons; A bone wall, obviously not very commensurate with the 'Dear Leader'. He said: "Your Excellency, it is a great blessing in life to deal with you. The tyrants and dictators of the surrounding countries who have not benefited from enlightened rule always lack the noble temperament that is widely loved by all peoples." "You mean?" There was a sense of testing in the commander's words. "I mean caring for the people and doing their best good. You, of course, will understand."

They strolled past on the gravel path, the Grand Commander looked at the ground with his eyes, and clasped and rubbed his hands behind his back. Marlowe said in a smooth tone: "So far, the trade between your two countries has been difficult to progress due to the various restrictions imposed by your government. Of course, what is beneficial to you should be unrestricted trade——" "Free trade?" the High Commander muttered. "It is free trade. Your Excellency will find that it is beneficial to both parties. Your country produces many things that our country needs, and our country also produces many things that your country needs. As long as we exchange a little bit with each other, we can mutually benefit and promote prosperity."

"That's right! I understand. But what about you?" His voice sounded whining. "I'm in favor of all the trade practices our economy can support, but I'm not subservient to you. I'm not the only master here," he raised his voice. ; "I am only a public servant to carry out the wishes of the people. The people of our country will never accept the religious beliefs that come with the merchandise." Marlow straightened his back: "Coerced religion?" "That's always been the case. It happened at Asgon twenty years ago. First they bought some of your wares, then you demanded full freedom to preach, then established madrassahs, gave autonomy to deacons at all levels of the church, The result? Asgang became an inseparable part of the base system, and the Patriarch couldn't even keep his underwear."

Marlowe interposed: "My suggestion has nothing to do with what your Excellency mentioned." "No?" "No. I am the chief merchant, and money is my religion. I am tired of the mysterious tricks played by the church. I am glad that your Excellency also refused to support it, so that our ideas can be more consistent." The commander-in-chief laughed like an owl: "Well said! The base should have sent someone as capable as you over." He put his palm on Marlowe's thick shoulder as a gesture of friendliness: "But boy, you've only said half the story. You told me what a good thing isn't, but you haven't said what it is."

"The good thing is, Your Excellency, you will soon be troubled by the untold wealth." "Really?" he snorted, "but what do I need money for? The real wealth is the love of the people, and I already have it." "Wealth and love can be both, you can receive money with your left hand and the cheers of the people with your right." "Well, young man, that sounds interesting. Assuming it's possible, how would you do it?" "Oh, there are many ways. The only difficulty is to choose one of them. Well, let's say high-end products. Here's something. Look—"

Marlowe gently pulled a smooth, shiny metal chain from his underwear pocket: "Take this as an example." "what is this?" "Got to demonstrate it, can I have a lady? Any young girl. And, a full-length mirror." "Well... let's go to the house then." The commander-in-chief called his residence a house, but the common people called it a palace.It gave Marlow the immediate impression that it looked like a fortress, built on high ground overlooking the capital.It is surrounded by high, heavily fortified walls, and the entrance is heavily guarded.Structural systems are for defense, what a house!

A feeling of disgust rose in Marlowe's heart; it was just befitting of the beloved leader and the grand master. At this time a little girl came, she stepped forward and bowed to the commander, and the commander said to Marlowe, "This is the maid of Mrs. Commander, is it okay?" "Excellent!" said Marlowe. The Grand Commander watched carefully as Marlowe fastened the chain around the girl's waist, then took a step back. He snorted, "Well, that's it?" "Please pull down the curtain, sir. Miss, there is a handle next to the button, can you please pull it up? It's okay, it won't hurt you."

In an instant, a cold colorful light burst out from the girl's waist, flooding around her body and covering the top of her head, gathering like fireflies and sparks to form a colorful and shining bead crown, which looks like the Northern Lights from the sky were torn down to form a bucket. Peng same. The girl walked towards the long mirror, and when she raised her eyes, she was fascinated, and she refused to blink again. "Here, and this," Marlowe handed over a dim crystal necklace: "Hang it around your neck." The girl complied.As soon as all the crystals entered the aperture, they immediately radiated golden and blood-red dazzling light, and the grains flickered like star pellets.

"What do you think?" Marlowe asked. Although the girl didn't answer, her eyes were full of admiration. She didn't pull the switch reluctantly until Datong waved her hand. At this time, Marlowe took off the necklace in the most casual manner, "For you, Your Excellency Commander, for the Commander's wife. It is a small gift from the base." "Hmm...um," the commander-in-chief played with the belt and necklace repeatedly, as if weighing them: "What are they made of?" Marlowe shrugged. "That's a question for our technical experts. But this thing doesn't need—mind you, it doesn't need the assistance of a priest to use it." "Uh, after all, this can only satisfy a woman's vanity, so what's the point? Where can I make money?" "You also have occasions like treats, dances or banquets?" "Have." "Do you know how much women are willing to spend on this kind of jewelry? At least 10,000." The commander-in-chief seemed to have received a blow to the head: "Hey!" "Because the power supply device of this kind of thing can be used for less than six months at most, and often needs to be replaced. So we can supply you in unlimited quantities, and the cost of each set is only the equivalent of one thousand yuan of fine iron, for you , the profit is nine hundred percent." The Grand Commander pulled his beard, and seemed to be eagerly calculating under his awe-inspiring face: "Galaxy, they are still fighting for blood! I want to lower the supply to drive up the price. Of course, I can't Let them know it's me—" Marlowe said; "If you want to do it, we can sell it for you with a fake shop number - and then sell a lot more, including the best meat roasters, floor cleaners, waxers, dusters and Lamps. If you let the public use these devices, you will be more popular. You let the government monopolize 900% of the profits, and your wealth will increase rapidly. And, let me tell you, none of these things are needed The priest supervises, and everyone is happy." "Except for you, perhaps, so it seems. What good are you?" "The profit that the merchant can get according to the law of the base: no matter how much it sells, my subordinates and I can get half of the profit." The commander was immersed in his own thoughts: "But, what will you use to pay the bill? Iron?" "Yes, or coal, bauxite, yam, pepper, hardwood, or magnesium. There is nothing you don't have in abundance." "It doesn't sound bad." "Yes. Oh, I remembered another thing, Commander, I can transform your factory." "Oh? How?" "Well, I have some small hand-sized steel-smelting gadgets. It can reduce the manufacturing cost to one hundredth of the original level. If you will allow me to do a demonstration, I can perform what I just said, and it will not cost much. Too much time." "It can be arranged. Ma Xingshang. But tomorrow—tomorrow is fine, shall we have dinner together?" "My men—" Marlowe began. "Call them all to come," the commander-in-chief said boldly, "as a symbol of the alliance and friendship between the two countries, it will also give us an opportunity to discuss further friendship. But there is one thing," he stretched his face with a straight face: "do not mention Religion. Don't think the church can sneak in." "Your Excellency," Marlowe said indifferently, "I promise that religion will only reduce my profits."