The cost of each dose of the special medicine developed by Abu is about two shillings. It is sold to the Japanese for two pounds, and the profit is about twenty times.
The price of two pounds is also comparable to gold. One pound is equal to 7.32 grams of pure gold, two pounds is 14.64 grams, and a dose of special medicine only weighs about ten grams.
If the price is set so high, ordinary soldiers will definitely not be able to afford it, which will have a great impact on sales.
Rock doesn't care about this problem. It was originally limited to materials, and the current output is not high. Japan wants to buy in large quantities, but Rock can't provide them yet. It's best to do this now, which not only ensures profits, but also achieves the goal.
Yamaguchi Kisho did not expect that the price of specific medicines would be so expensive, but he did not hesitate. Rand Bank agreed to provide a loan to the Japanese government. One of the conditions of the loan was that the Japanese government could only use the money to purchase supplies locally in Johannesburg.
, so it is impossible for Yamaguchi Muxiang to take away the money. In this case, Yamaguchi Muxiang can only buy, buy, buy.
After gaining an in-depth understanding of the Johannesburg market, Yamaguchi Kisho finally realized that Johannesburg is a treasure for the Japanese government.
Japan is a country with many people but little land and scarce resources, so Japan can only take the path of external expansion. Before Yamaguchi Kisho arrived in Johannesburg, he once thought that Johannesburg was a remote place with nothing but gold.
After arriving in Johannesburg, Yamaguchi Kisho discovered that Johannesburg had medicines and weapons that the Japanese Empire urgently needed, as well as delicious potato vodka, high-quality woolen textiles, and steel and machinery that the Empire desperately needed. This "backwater" has even been
With electricity, where can we be poor?
The only regret is that the prices of goods in Johannesburg are very expensive. Even compared with Europe, the prices of goods in Johannesburg are a bit outrageous.
However, in this era of "skyrocketing prices", commodity prices around the world are rising. Although the prices of commodities in Johannesburg are expensive, they are not yet unacceptable to Yamaguchi Muxiang.
There are reasons why it is expensive. For example, the special medicine produced by Johannesburg Medical College is expensive, but the effect is indeed very good. It seems that a higher price is not unacceptable.
Another example is the mortars produced by the Nyasaland Arsenal. Although they are also very expensive, they are indeed convenient to use and have good power. Compared with the artillery used by the Japanese troops, the mortars are more suitable for the short stature of the Japanese soldiers.
And the relatively backward equipment level.
In 1904, the Japanese army did not even achieve the level of mules and horses. The transportation of military supplies basically relied on manpower. Compared with field artillery, which was bulky and difficult to move, the advantage of mortars was simply not too great.
Even potatoes, which were only used to make wine and raise livestock in Johannesburg, were urgently needed by the Japanese Empire.
Of course, the Japanese Empire did not have the luxury of Johannesburg. They used potatoes to feed livestock. Japan also tightened its belt for the Russo-Japanese War. Even the emperor took the lead in frugality. Many civilians in the country could not even eat potatoes.
So Yamaguchi Muxiang’s first order was given to the Johannesburg Agricultural Association to purchase agricultural products.
"Mr. Bronte, thank you for your cooperation. Let's go have a drink together to celebrate the successful completion of the first purchase." After signing the agreement, Yamaguchi Kisho sent an invitation to Bronte, a senior employee of Rand Bank. p>
The loan from the Rand Bank to the Japanese government can only be used to purchase supplies locally in Johannesburg, so the Rand Bank has to send people to supervise Yamaguchi Kisho's use of this money. To be precise, the loan from the Rand Bank to the Japanese government
It's all in Bronte's hands. Every purchase made by Yamaguchi Muxiang requires Bronte's approval.
Bronte was of course happy to accompany such a private invitation, so the group went to the largest Oak Bar in Ziwei Town.
The Oak Bar is still lively. The drunkards seem to be sleepless and partying day and night in the Oak Bar. Although the Chinese in Ziwei Town account for the absolute majority, most of the people who hang out in the bar all day long are white people. The Chinese sometimes come to have a drink, but not
This happens every day.
A variety of cocktails are the specialty of Oak Bar. The wine cabinets in the bar are filled with various liquor bases. The shiny crystal bottles are colorful under the illumination of fluorescent lamps. The carefully prepared cocktails are colorful, and the band is playing melodious music.
The waitresses at the bar are in all their glory, and the air is filled with glitz and glamour.
"I really didn't expect that this place is so prosperous. It's not inferior to London." Yamaguchi Muxiang has a good impression of Ziwei Town. In Japan, due to the war, all industries have declined, and entertainment venues such as bars are basically uninterested. As for comparison with London, if the scale is not considered, the prosperity of Ziwei Town is comparable to that of central London.
"Then you must not know what it was like a few years ago. After the Boer War, Ziwei Town was also in ruins. Ziwei Town didn't seem to be called this name at that time. It seemed to be called - sorry, I forgot it too. Now
The Ziwei Town is enough to make people forget everything in the past." Bronte is a resident of Ziwei Town, and of course she likes Ziwei Town very much.
Although the headquarters of Rand Bank has now been moved to Nyasaland, the largest branch of Rand Bank outside Nyasaland is in Ziwei Town, and the Johannesburg branch is not as large as Ziwei Town. p>
"Is all this because of Lord Nyasaland?" Yamaguchi Muxiang was very curious about Rock. After going around in circles for a long time, he finally brought the topic back to Rock.
"Who says otherwise? Ziwei Town is the private property of the Lord. This Oak Bar, Ziwei Public School, Ziwei Hospital, and everything else in Ziwei Town belongs to the Lord." Bronte finally had something to say.
Reserved, and did not reveal Roark’s identity as a major shareholder of Rand Bank.
"It's simply incredible. Let's talk more about the Lord. He is simply a legend -" Yamaguchi Muxiang's performance was obvious.
Bronte didn't care. There was nothing that couldn't be said about Rock's experience. Most Johannesburg people were proud of Rock.
It wasn't until the fifth glass of wine that Bronte gave an overview of Roque's experience. Of course, it was limited to the parts that the public knew. The part about Portuguese East Africa and the Belgian Congo was not known to the public. p>
"It's - it's incredible." Yamaguchi Muxiang's expression was a bit complicated. All this happened to a Chinese, and Yamaguchi Muxiang felt very regretful.
It seems that if the Cape Colonial Government had chosen Japanese to serve as policemen in Cape Town, then Rock's experience might have happened to a Japanese. In that case——
Yamaguchi Muxiang couldn't help but think about it.
If Rock knew about it, he would probably laugh out loud.
When settling the bill, Bronte paid with a loan from Rand Bank to the Japanese government.
This is also consumed locally in Johannesburg, and of course it is not illegal.
"Can I bring you two bottles of vodka?" Bronte was very generous, since the Japanese government paid for it anyway.
Yamaguchi Muxiang immediately understood the meaning: "Bring a few more bottles. Thank you Mr. Bronte for your hard work these days. We will continue to cooperate in the future. I hope everything goes well."
The Japanese have an innate talent for bribery.
After settling the account, Yamaguchi Muxiang suddenly discovered a very important problem.
Under normal circumstances, the price of wine sold in bars should be on the high side.
However, the price of the vodka sold by the Oak Bar to Bronte and Yamaguchi Muxiang was lower than the price offered by the Agricultural Association to Yamaguchi Muxiang.
This is very abnormal. It is said that the Japanese government is purchasing in bulk, and the price offered by the agricultural association should be given a certain discount.
"Ha, Mr. Yamaguchi, you probably don't know that the Oak Bar and the Vodka Distillery are both Lord's properties, so the Oak Bar can get vodka from the distillery at cost price, and the vodka sold to you will also have to add a certain consumption tax.
, so it’s normal that the price is a little higher.” Bronte’s explanation seemed reasonable, but Yamaguchi Kisho always felt that something was wrong.
However, it was obvious that now was not the time to get to the bottom of this issue. The next day, the Nyasaland Arsenal sent more weapons for Yamaguchi Muxiang to test. Yamaguchi Muxiang immediately forgot about vodka. p>
Compared with food and medicine, weapons are the bulk of procurement. Food and medicine only play a supporting role in the war, and weapons are the key to victory or defeat.
The test was conducted at the training ground of the newly established 1st Cavalry Division. When Yamaguchi arrived at the training ground, he discovered that there were several Russians on the training ground.
The Russians who had received the news long ago finally arrived late, but fortunately, it was not too late.
When enemies meet, they are extremely jealous. Yamaguchi Muxiang looked at several Russians who were as tall as horses and furry bears, and then looked at his short, thin and skinny body, and his eyes immediately returned to normal.
When several Russians saw Yamaguchi Muxiang, they were extremely jealous of enemies. Compared with Yamaguchi Muxiang, Russians who are generally over 1.8 meters tall have a huge advantage, so the Russians are gearing up to prepare for Yamaguchi Muxiang.
A lesson.
"Gentlemen, please pay attention to abide by the order. No violence is allowed in the military camp, otherwise you will be punished by military law." A Chinese officer stopped the impulsive Russians in English.
"Damn locusts——" a Russian blurted out.
Right, this is the attitude that white people should have towards Chinese people in this era.
The Chinese officer's expression changed, and before he could speak, a Russian who looked like an official scolded the Russian who had just made a rant: "Shut your stinky mouth!"
Suo Chao, who was responsible for organizing the test, looked on with cold eyes. The words that the Russian blurted out just now would increase the price of weapons purchased by the Russians by at least five percent. If the Russian officials knew that his bad mouth caused such a big trouble, they would not know.