Reborn in 78, I made my fortune by working in the mountains, supporting three families on my own.

Deng Changhai laughed and said, "Brother Zhao Lei, Wang Guohua said in the letter that you are planning to build a two-story red brick house for your own use? You're not kidding me, are you? In our Qingfeng Town, no one has built a two-story red brick house yet."

"Haha, Boss Deng, I've already ordered enough bricks for two floors at Brother Wang's brick factory. It was through his introduction that I found you, Boss Deng. I wonder what the current market price is?"

Since Zhao Lei had spoken so decisively, Deng Changhai was only briefly surprised before he stopped asking questions.

With a quick glance, he announced the price.

"Brother Zhao Lei, since you were recommended by Boss Wang, I'll be frank with you. If someone else were to buy cement from me, it would cost at least 120 yuan per ton."

With a buzzing sound.

Upon hearing this, Qin Bowen, who was standing nearby, widened his eyes in surprise and exclaimed, "What? 120? Boss Deng? Aren't you being a bit too greedy? The supply and marketing cooperative only charges less than 70 yuan per ton."

Deng Changhai didn't get angry; instead, he laughed.

"Haha, young man, what do you think this place is?"

"The black market..."

"That's right, this is the black market. It's all about ruthlessness and cutting corners. We do business that can't be done openly. With such huge risks, who would be willing to do it if the profits were low?"

Deng Changhai didn't hide anything and spoke frankly, which surprised Qin Bowen.

Then, Deng Changhai continued, "Young man, the supply and marketing cooperative sells it for 70 yuan a ton. If you could buy it there, would I still have any business? People aren't stupid. If there's a cheaper option, why would they insist on coming to me? Wouldn't they be out of their minds?"

"this……"

"That's right, young man. To buy it from the supply and marketing cooperative, you need a permit. Who can get that kind of thing normally? So if you really can't avoid it, you have to buy it from the black market."

Qin Bowen was speechless.

That's indeed the situation they described.

Earlier, he and his brother-in-law Zhao Lei had gone to the supply and marketing cooperative to inquire. They learned that an official approval slip was required to apply for the purchase, and there was a waiting list. It wasn't like you could get the slip and have it delivered to you immediately.

That requires approval from higher levels, followed by unified scheduling and allocation, before it can be implemented for you.

Zhao Lei had considered purchasing it through the normal procedures, but the first hurdle—the approval document—stopped him.

He secretly asked his father-in-law, Qin Mancang, who shook his head and said that the priority now is the country, then the collective, and finally the individual.

Materials like precast cement slabs and red bricks, which are in high demand, are prioritized for the state, so very little can be released for use.

The group also needs these supplies, but by the time it gets to individuals, there are basically none left.

Even many production brigades were still queuing up.

Many production teams are still queuing up for cement, holding their permits.

Upon learning of this situation, Zhao Lei decisively gave up.

He knew his father-in-law wasn't joking.

He was already very lucky to be able to buy red bricks.

Because there was a red brick kiln in the neighboring Taiyang Production Brigade, they were able to find Wang Guohua to reserve a certain amount of red bricks for him.

But he really had no choice but to look for cement on the black market.

However, this boss Deng Changhai is not simple either.

Besides Qingfeng Town, his business even extended into the county seat.

His goods are transported from a very far place, and ordinary people have to pre-order from him several days in advance if they want to buy them. He is also an exclusive supplier.

So Zhao Lei wasn't surprised when Deng Changhai offered 120 yuan.

Because Wang Guohua had already warned him, it would probably sell for around 100 yuan on the black market.

But hearing Deng Changhai personally quote the price of 120 yuan still made him feel a pang of pain.

Zhao Lei chimed in, "Boss Deng, I estimate I'll need about 7 tons of cement. Could you offer a discount?"

"sure."

Deng Changhai waved his hand and readily agreed, "Brother Zhao Lei, you're quite an interesting person, I like you a lot. Besides, you were introduced by Wang Guohua, how can you be treated the same as the others? How about this, I'll give you 112 yuan per ton, how about that? That's already a huge discount."

Zhao Lei offered Deng Changhai a cigarette.

Deng Changhai glanced at it, saw it was Daqianmen cigarettes, then took it, lit it, and started smoking.

This was a pair of Daqianmen cigarettes that Zhao Lei had specially bought when he first arrived in town, just to put them to use now.

"Brother Deng, you just asked me about building a two-story red brick house, right?"

Deng Changhai was somewhat suspicious, wondering what Zhao Lei meant: "Yeah, what's wrong, Brother Zhao Lei?"

"Brother Deng, even you are surprised, which means that my two-story red brick house is considered one of the best self-built houses in Qingfeng Town, right?"

"That's right, out of all my clients, you're the first one to build your own two-story house."

"That's right, Brother Deng. Since my house is the best in Qingfeng Town, it's bound to attract a lot of inquiries, envy, and even visits."

Deng Changhai, smoking a cigarette, was puzzled by Zhao Lei's intentions: "Brother Zhao Lei, what do you mean by that?"

Zhao Lei said with a smile, "That's right, Brother Deng. Once my house is built, other people will definitely be itching to build it, which will inevitably lead to a wave of people building red brick houses."

They'll all come asking me where these materials came from. Of course, I'll tell them the truth: I'll definitely refer them all to you, Brother Deng. That way, your business will improve, right? It's like I'm doing your free job!

Upon hearing this, Deng Changhai realized that it made perfect sense.

Recently, someone from his private network has been secretly revealing that the relevant policies will be adjusted soon, which will usher in a major wave of construction.

Even underground businessmen like him have the opportunity to come out into the open.

Therefore, he is frantically raising funds.

Previously, cement was sold in limited quantities, but now they have boldly increased the sales volume.

Hearing Zhao Lei say this, he couldn't help but think about it and realized that what Zhao Lei said made sense.

This Zhao Lei is really clever...

He was right.

Moreover, Wang Guohua also mentioned this point in his letter, using his house as his GG signboard.

Once it's done, this two-story residential building will definitely become a unique presence in Qingfeng Town. Word will spread, and it will open up new avenues for me.

Seeing that Deng Changhai remained silent, Zhao Lei fell into deep thought.

I thought to myself, "There's hope."

As expected, after much persuasion and guidance from Zhao Lei, Deng Changhai relented.

"Brother Zhao Lei, since you put it that way, I'll lower the price a bit more, to 110 yuan per ton, but we'll have to calculate the shipping cost separately."