Chapter 426 A little accident in picking up the goods
The port of Cacteló is very large, with separate ports for freight and passenger transport, which are half an hour's drive apart.
The freight port handles a large amount of bulk cargo from various Lu Ying territories every day, and some of them cannot be transshipped in time, so there is a very large warehouse area near the port.
The Thundercat Chamber of Commerce rents several large warehouses in the port.
On the steam car, Su Lun and Reina were still chatting happily. Reminiscing about old times and some strange things in Linton, they didn't realize that time flew by so fast.
At this moment, the speed of the locomotive suddenly slowed down.
Reina glanced ahead and introduced: "Ahead is the warehouse management area of the port. It is very big. It is so big that even driving around it will take more than half an hour."
"oh."
Su Lun opened a corner of the curtain on the window, and instinctively alerted him to look out and take stock of the surrounding environment.
Only then did I see that there was a queue in front of the gate to enter the warehouse area.
There were probably two or three cars ahead.
It is a normal routine inspection, and you need to show the pass to enter the warehouse management area and the chamber of commerce materials.
But Su Lun glanced at the people on guard at the door, his eyes suddenly shrank, and then he lowered the curtains.
Reina looked at his strange expression and asked, "What's wrong?"
Su Lun shook his head and signaled not to speak.
Anthony, the old butler who was driving, had already prepared all the information and quickly passed through smoothly and entered the warehouse area.
The steam car moved away from the checkpoint. At this time, Su Lun spoke seriously: "We are being targeted."
Reina looked stern when she heard this, but cast a doubtful look, "Has she been targeted?"
"Um."
Su Lun thought about it for a moment and said: "The one who came to us must have been targeted by someone in that batch of goods. There is a high probability that they are Archduke Raphael's people."
Reina sounded a little confused and guessed something, "Ah, you mean those sentries just now?"
"Um."
Su Lun nodded and narrowed his eyes slightly, "The eyes of those guard sentries looking at us just now were wrong. Besides, one of them is a third-level professional."
The man was well hidden and looked like a professional intelligence officer.
But it can't be hidden from the soul's perception.
Reina immediately understood this.
Third-level professionals are respected figures everywhere, and there is absolutely no way they can be just guards!
"But it's obvious"
She wanted to explain that there was no problem with the channels and that there was enough money, so how could there be a problem?
But now it is obvious that there is no point in talking about these topics. Reina's expression became serious, and she was a little anxious: "It's terrible now. The goods are in the warehouse, and it's too late to transfer them now. They probably know that the buyers are coming, those guys
Maybe I came here for you, Mr. Su Lun."
As she said that, a trace of worry flashed across her face, but she immediately thought of a way to deal with it, and added: "I will immediately arrange for someone to act as a buyer and deal with this first! Then we will find a way to get the goods out."
Su Lun glanced at Reina, this little girl who was once silly and sweet had indeed matured, and was very good in both response and strategy.
But after hearing this suggestion, he still shook his head and asked calmly: "What warehouse number is the goods in?"
Reina said: "K322 warehouse."
Su Lun nodded and said, "Go there normally. Just drive the car a little slower."
"Go normally?"
Reina didn't know what Su Lun had in store yet, so she was slightly startled when she heard this suggestion.
But when she looked at Su Lun's calm expression, it seemed as if the two of them had returned to the dark underground world of Old London, where he would always solve all troubles with absolute calmness.
Reina nodded seriously: "Okay!"
Su Lun said, and took out a necklace engraved with space runes, and said: "I will give you a small gift. With it, I will know where you are at any time."
He picked this out from the pile of treasures in the Hai Ruins. It looked very beautiful and could carry space runes, so he took it as a meeting gift.
Reina took the necklace with the beautiful sapphire pendant, and suddenly her thoughts completely escaped, leaving only surprise: "Is this a gift from Mr. Su Lun?"
"Um."
Su Lun smiled slightly, but didn't explain much.
He pressed the surgeon's seal with his hands, and an imperceptible wave of space surged.
When I looked again, I saw that the whole person had disappeared into his seat.
Only then did Reina realize what Su Lun was going to do. Her crystal eyes were filled with energy and she murmured: "He has become so powerful."
She looked at the gem necklace in her hand, obviously she had prepared it.
Moreover, the Chamber of Commerce was already engaged in jewelry business, so she could tell at a glance that this necklace was an absolute rare treasure.
I received the gift, so happy!
Su Lun knew very well that the goods he needed were mostly controlled metals.
Those things can almost only be used for military purposes, such as high-precision mechanical parts for mechanical armor, battleships, and mechanical octopuses.
Because the Luying military's own military machinery is backward, the sales of this type of metal in the market are not large. Although it is a controlled contraband, its circulation is not actually prohibited. It is only prohibited from being circulated to the outside world, for fear of being bought by people from the Marfa Empire.
As long as they are not shipped out of the country in large quantities all year round and a small amount is circulated on the black market, the Luying military will turn a blind eye.
Even though Su Lun's demand is quite large, compared with the military purchase demand of the Marfa military, it's not even a drop in the bucket.
This amount would not attract anyone's attention originally.
This is also the most important reason why Reina and the others were able to acquire so many materials from the black market.
However, it is different now that Archduke Raphael has become the "Sixth Member of Parliament".
Now that it is confirmed that the neuromechanical technology has leaked out and no one can be caught, we can just follow the example from the raw materials.
In the batch of goods Su Lun wants, there are many kinds of special metals that are needed for neuromechanical technology, such as [Armande Alloy], [Mystical Mithril] and so on.
The largest rare metal trading market in Luying and the gathering place for various mine owners are in Linton. You can't find such a large supply of goods elsewhere.
Su Lun felt that if it were him, he would not let go of such an important investigation clue.
Su Lun's judgment was indeed correct. The moment they entered the warehouse area, a group of people had already secretly targeted them.
"Confirm the entry of the target vehicle!"
"Keep an eye on that car, no one can escape!"
"yes!"
Not only people from the anti-smuggling department came, but also some professional intelligence personnel.
Fortunately, the warehouse at the freight terminal is very large. After a long while, Butler Anthony drove to the k322 warehouse.
There are some Thundercat Chamber of Commerce warehouse managers here who have been waiting for a long time.
As soon as the car stopped, everyone looked at Anthony who was driving and stepped forward to say hello: "Master Steward!"
Before Reina could get out of the car, a group of people who didn't know where they were hiding suddenly appeared.
There were two or three hundred people in black windbreakers and Anti-Smuggling Department uniforms.
Everyone held guns and surrounded the warehouse tightly.
The people in the Thunder Cat Chamber of Commerce were frightened by these people's actions. They all looked at each other, not knowing what was going on.
The thin man with a mustache in the lead was the section chief of the anti-smuggling department at the dock. He shouted loudly: "No one is allowed to move!"
Upon seeing this posture, Butler Anthony immediately stepped forward to negotiate and asked with a puzzled face: "Chief Lawrence, what is going on with you?"
Lawrence said coldly: "We received reports from the masses that your Thunder Cat Chamber of Commerce is illegally smuggling controlled contraband!"
Butler Anthony frowned slightly when he heard this.
He skillfully took out some documents, including a check from Rington Bank, and said: "We are legal businessmen, and there are procedures for all operations. Is there something wrong?"
Generally speaking, when the Anti-Smuggling Department comes to cause trouble, it can only be because you don't have enough money, rather than because you are actually violating the prohibition.
If you give enough money, no problem will be a problem.
Unexpectedly, Lawrence didn't even look at it this time, and snorted coldly: "Please don't hinder our law enforcement!"
As he spoke, he looked like he was enforcing the law impartially, pointed at the closed warehouse door and asked: "What is in the warehouse?"
Butler Anthony looked embarrassed and responded: "Just some ordinary goods."
Lawrence saw his expression and shouted: "Open it!"
How could a local snake like him not know what the goods in the warehouse area were?
He was extremely sure that there was banned metal in this warehouse area!
Originally, I accepted the money and turned a blind eye, but this time, the congressman said that he wanted to find a batch of materials and suspects.
Isn't this an opportunity to make a meritorious deed?
That's the "Sixth Councilor", the real powerful figure in the upper echelons of the empire. If you really want to get attached to him, it's not something that can be compared with a little oil and water.
He had previously determined that controlled metals had been shipped to this warehouse, and he had been fishing for so long just waiting for the buyer to come!
As soon as he said this, everyone around them raised their guns. If anyone from the Thunder Cat Chamber of Commerce made the slightest move, they would immediately hit them with a sudden burst of fire.
At this time, the man in the trench coat on the side also reminded: "Also, let the people in the car get off too!"
Hearing this, Butler Anthony was very reluctant, but he walked to the steam car, opened the car door, and whispered: "President, you may be asked to come down."
"oh."
responded,
Reina got out of the car with an indifferent look on her face.
It wasn't her first time at the dock warehouse, but it was her first time meeting these guys from the anti-smuggling department.
Then Lawrence looked at the beautiful Lena, his eyes widened, and asked: "Are you the president of the Thunder Cat Chamber of Commerce?"
Although the Thunderbird Chamber of Commerce is a new chamber of commerce, it still caters to the wealthy people of the upper class.
Wouldn't it be wrong if it fell into his own hands this time?
Lawrence had even planned in his mind that the people from the Chamber of Commerce would come to him to plead for mercy, and a lewd smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
Reina stood there elegantly and calmly, already possessing the steady aura that a chamber of commerce president should have.
She glanced at the group of people indifferently, not paying attention at all, and simply said: "Everyone, our Thunder Cat Chamber of Commerce is a legal chamber of commerce, and the procedures were signed by Minister Oliver himself. You are disrupting our normal operations."
If you can do business in Rington, you won't know a few people in the officialdom.
When Lawrence heard the name of the Minister of Commerce, he was originally a little wary, but now he sneered: "Please cooperate with us in our work!"
This is a special case ordered by the congressman, and it won’t work for anyone!
The man in the trench coat next to him was much more professional. He also knew that there were people in the car and shouted angrily: "Whoever else is in the car, please get off!"
After hearing the urging, Su Lun took the hat, walked down, and stood next to Reina.
After sensing for a moment, there were many experts around him. He also felt deeply that there were so many experts in the Luying Imperial City. If he came to investigate smuggling, they would all be led by fifth-level professionals.
However, killing them all is not a big problem.
But it can't.
The chief of the anti-smuggling department in front of him was just a little shrimp. If it had been anywhere else, Su Lun would have killed him with just a raise of his hand.
But behind this guy's uniform is an empire.
Attacking and killing public servants is going against the entire Luying system.
Su Lun himself is wanted by many parties, so it doesn't matter where he is.
However, the Chamber of Commerce finally established a foothold in Linton, so it would be a pity to destroy it all at once.
Besides, there are many innocent employees in the chamber of commerce, so it would be bad to be implicated.
He still feels that being a pirate is free and easy, and he will do whatever he doesn't like, so why are there so many twists and turns?
As soon as Su Lun walked down, it was obvious that everyone's guns were aimed at him.
This time we are here to catch the "buyer" of that batch of materials, so naturally we can't let him escape.
At this time, Lawrence looked at Su Lun and shouted again: "Who are you?"
Su Lun sneered, not hiding his sarcasm, "As a small anti-smuggling section chief, do you think you are qualified to ask me about my identity? Even if your immediate boss comes, you still have to bend down to talk to me!"
While he was speaking, he intentionally or unintentionally revealed a gemstone ring on his right index finger, which was engraved with the family crest of the Raigadi family!
The ring is fake.
But the identity of "Fick Regadi" is real.
Even if this matter comes to Queen Lu Ying, it won't be a big problem.
It's just that Su Lun didn't want to use this identity too early unless it was absolutely necessary.
As soon as these words came out, everyone in the anti-smuggling department looked at each other, and the guns in their hands were instantly suppressed.
Pretending to be a noble is a more serious crime than smuggling, especially the complicated patterns on the ring, which look like the coat of arms of a high noble.
If it's true, even ten heads won't be enough.
The president of the Thunder Cat Chamber of Commerce is also considered to be a wealthy member of the upper class. With Reina accompanying him, these people also tacitly accepted that Su Lun was a genuine high-class noble.
Things seemed to be beyond expectations.
No matter how big a businessman is, their anti-smuggling department can handle it.
But in front of the real nobles, they don't have that right at all.
Lawrence secretly glanced at the man in the trench coat next to him.
But the man in the trench coat was obviously much calmer and still didn't hesitate: "Search! If there are really prohibited items, no matter who it is, they will be severely punished by law!"
With this statement, Lawrence gained confidence.
But before he could speak, Reina spoke to the workers of the Chamber of Commerce: "Since they want to search the warehouse, just open it and let them search it. If no contraband is found, I hope someone can give me an explanation!"
Hearing this, Lawrence's face twitched fiercely, and his forehead was covered with cold sweat.
At this moment, even he himself wondered if the information was wrong and the contraband was not in this warehouse?
This is completely different from the script I expected before.
It stands to reason that if you are really guilty of being a thief, you shouldn't fight to the death or cry for mercy?
What's going on with someone who's so confident that he's being searched?
Just when everyone in the anti-smuggling team was hesitant, the huge iron door of the warehouse slowly opened.
A huge warehouse of thousands of square meters, full of goods, comes into view.
After all, it is contraband, and Rena is not stupid. She will not make such a big show of letting everyone know what is in the warehouse.
Even if it is shipped in, it will be in containers or packaged bundles. Special materials and confidentiality interlayers.
True and false, in and out.
Ordinary workers can only guess that it is heavy metal cargo, but are not sure what it is.
Moreover, these batches of goods came one after another. Except for Reina, the president, no one even knew what materials were in the warehouse.
If we really want to investigate, we can only look at the source.
But this batch of goods came from the black market.
If the goods on the black market were so easy to find sellers, it wouldn't be called a black market.
Butler Anthony urged: "Chief Lawrence, please."
Looking at the wide open hatch, Lawrence felt really faint. Their main purpose was to catch the "buyer", and the search was just a means.
What if no contraband is found?
Now that the matter has come to this, it has to be reported. Lawrence's face turned flat and he gave the order: "Search!"
Dozens of anti-smuggling officers rushed in immediately, rummaging through boxes and cabinets to check the goods in the warehouse.
The canvas was lifted, the container was opened, and bundles of steel coils, I-beams, grains, crystals, and furs came into view. They were all trophies packed and ready to be sold in Su Lun's small void world.
There is only a small amount of special metal in a few cargo boxes.
But with that amount, it’s not illegal at all for someone else’s chamber of commerce to sell such a small amount of goods!
As each container was opened, Lawrence and the anti-smuggling teams became increasingly pale.
In the end, no large quantities of controlled substances were found.
Seeing this, the men in trench coats also looked puzzled and looked at Lawrence, the head of the anti-smuggling section.
Lawrence's forehead was covered with cold sweat like soybeans.
Is the information really wrong, or has it been taken away?
But without contraband, there is no reason to arrest people.
What's more, the "buyer" seems to be a high-ranking noble.
The congressman can still leave like this, but what about you?
If the trouble is really big, it must be the little shrimps like you who take the blame.
Lawrence thought of this and didn't dare to show any strength. He knelt on the ground and said, "Oh, I'm sorry! I just received a report."
In the end, the search ended in a farce.
Even those suspected of being part of the "umbrella organization" didn't grasp the clue.
There are always people involved in controlled metal smuggling in the market. If you sell it to Marfa, you can get huge profits. Even if the crime is to be hanged, there are still a lot of speculators doing this business. What's more, there are some Lu Ying upper-level people behind this business.
Big shot.
There are a lot of contraband in the Cactelo Port shipping warehouse, and no one cared about it before. Who would deliberately confirm how much inventory is in which warehouse?
The anti-smuggling team has not one hundred pieces of this kind of information, but eighty in total.
Looking at it now, it seems like a big mistake has been made.
Without evidence, the matter can only remain undisturbed.
Although there were suspicions this time, the anti-smuggling team did not dare to investigate further.
Before it was just a chamber of commerce, and if it was offended, it would be offended.
But now that a high-ranking noble is involved, it would be really troublesome to offend that person.
This is also the purpose of Su Lun hinting at his noble status before, which will save the Thunder Cat Chamber of Commerce a lot of trouble in the future.
Although there was a little accident when picking up the goods this time, it was fortunately safe.
With this batch of goods, Su Lun will not be short of mechanical materials in a short time.
The Thundercat Chamber of Commerce is not in a hurry to risk buying those materials anymore.
Even if you want to buy, if you have learned a lesson this time, it will not be easy for others to catch you next time.
Not long after.
The steam locomotive left the warehouse district.
Sitting in the car, Reina swept away the cold and arrogant aura of President Naha before, and turned back to the gentle and considerate girl: "Mr. Su Lun is so awesome. If you hadn't found a way to solve the problem,
There will really be a big problem this time.”
Su Lun shook his head and said with a smile: "No, it was me who caused trouble for you. I didn't tell you something in advance."
I really can’t blame Lena for this.
After all, she didn't fully understand how much trouble the Dawn Group had made before Beihai.
I don’t know about the mechanical octopus either.
The business of smuggling controlled metals could not be hidden in the Luying black market, and no one expected that they would be targeted.
Despite what he said, Reina still looked remorseful and muttered: "It's still my fault that I wasn't careful enough."
Su Lun shook his head with a smile and stopped dwelling on the topic. He instead said, "Miss Lena, can I invite you to have dinner with me? By the way, can you take me to see the night view of Linton City?"
Reina happily agreed: "Okay!"
It is said that Linton becomes truly exciting only after dark.
Su Lun also wanted to see how rich the nightlife was in this legendary "city that never sleeps". By the way, he also wanted to investigate where the parasitic [psychedelics] came from.