Chapter 19: Acquisition Completed

As soon as those words were spoken, a burst of laughter erupted in the cellar once again.

The skinny man, who had just clapped Zhang Yang on the shoulder, pointed at the man smoking a dry tobacco pipe and introduced him, “This is our Fierce Brother! Don’t talk about Maoli Town... even across the entire Zhenhai City, if Fierce Brother says no, no one will sell you a gun, got it?”

Zhang Yang blinked, feigning partial understanding.

In truth, he was completely clear in his mind!

There have always been street toughs in every era. To grow bigger and stronger, to feed everyone, they would select a leader among them.

This leader must be fierce, ruthless, and clever.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t command respect.

Zhang Yang had long noticed that the dry tobacco man, Fierce Brother, was the one with the highest authority in the room.

His act of only just realizing this now was meant to lower their guard.

For the moment, he just wanted to buy some rare items without drawing attention.

Zhang Yang called out plainly, “Fierce Brother.”

“Can I take a look at the goods? I have money!”

With that, he pulled out three thick stacks of large-denomination bills. “I have money!”

Fierce Brother’s men were stunned.

What kind of wild kid from some backwater village carries that much cash on him? And he didn’t just have it—he laid it all out!

“Fierce Brother, this is all for you! Tell me how many guns and bullets I can buy!”

Fierce Brother glanced at the money, then at Zhang Yang, his snake-like eyes finally losing half their vigilance.

Looks like this guy really wants to buy.

“Old Three, bring the box over,” Fierce Brother ordered.

His men immediately sprang into action, pulling a roughly one-and-a-half-meter-long rectangular box from a hidden compartment in the cellar.

When the lid opened, Zhang Yang’s wish was fulfilled at last.

Most were homemade guns, but thankfully they looked about sixty to seventy percent new.

Zhang Yang estimated there were at least thirty or forty guns inside!

Indeed, this was a big supplier.

---

“Kid, don’t know how to pick, huh?” Fierce Brother took another puff and expertly selected five guns. “Two hundred and fifty yuan for five guns, and I’ll throw in a box of bullets.”

“Deal!” Zhang Yang agreed readily.

Cradling the guns and bullets, he left the cellar and easily found Zhao Dong.

Zhao Dong was pacing anxiously. Seeing him, he abandoned the cart and came running over.

“Yangzi! Where have you been?”

As he approached, Zhao Dong’s eyes widened in shock and fear upon seeing the guns in Zhang Yang’s arms. “You... you actually got them?”

“Where’s the bus?” Zhang Yang asked.

Zhao Dong hurriedly led the way, but Zhang Yang didn’t follow. Instead, he handed the guns and a box of bullets to Zhao Dong.

“You go put these away. I’m going to ask around about something. I’ll be back soon.”

Zhang Yang returned to the black market, imitating the traders there: hands tucked tightly into his sleeves, neck hunched, the thick cotton hat pulled down low.

Then he approached a few seasoned dealers and inquired about Old Peng.

“He’s a regular here. No one really knows where he lives, but he’s often around. He doesn’t mingle with the others or buy much—he just likes to gamble! And he hangs out with the underground crowd.”

Zhang Yang put on a naïve expression, smacking his lips. “His family must be rich! Nowadays, skinny folks are everywhere. But someone as plump as him? Not many!”

The old dealer chuckled. “You’ve got a good eye! Old Peng really does come from a wealthy family... and he’s probably the only child. I heard once someone came looking for him at home, dressed all in dacron fabric!”

Zhang Yang made an impressed sound.

In this era of rough homespun cloth, everyone looked dusty and dull.

But dacron was different.

It came in rich, vivid colors, some with printed patterns.

Moreover, it was expensive and rare!

“If new dacron fabric arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative, people would line up outside before the doors even opened! City folk would scramble for it, and it would be worth more than money!”

The dealer suddenly changed his tone and scrutinized Zhang Yang. “What are you asking about Old Peng for? Kid, don’t get any ideas! The black market has its rules. If you hurt someone here—”

“No, no!” Zhang Yang hurriedly clarified with a wry smile. “He seems to have lost something, and I happen to know where it is... Of course, I don’t know if he still wants it. If he comes looking, you can tell him I know where it is.”

Since Old Peng’s background was unclear, Zhang Yang dared not speak rashly. The black stone he had picked up was safely tucked away.

That was enough for now.

If the item truly mattered to Old Peng, when he came searching, it would be a good chance to make friends with a wealthy young master.

If he didn’t come, there was no need to stir up trouble or draw unwanted curiosity about the item.

After leaving the message, Zhang Yang hurried back to find Zhao Dong and returned to Zhangjiatun.

---

By the time the two returned, it was already late at night.

They had traveled under the stars and over mountains, utterly exhausted.

Zhang Yan made noodles for them with some venison soup and recounted what had happened in the village that afternoon.

“The soil stained with wolf blood was all shoveled away by the villagers. The outside was filled back in; you must have seen it when you came back?”

Zhang Yan spoke while glancing at the two young men’s feet.

Zhao Dong’s cotton shoes were completely worn out!

Not only were the soles uneven, but the toes were poking through holes in the front!

It showed just how grueling their day had been.

Then there were Zhang Yang’s shoes.

They were newly made by Li Huifang this autumn, and although the shoes weren’t broken, they were heavily worn.

If the shoes were like this on the outside, how much worse must his feet have been?

Zhang Yan could imagine the countless blisters on Zhang Yang’s feet.

Listening to their heavy breathing as they hungrily ate noodles, she was heartbroken and couldn’t help but shed tears.

“You shouldn’t have bought so many fancy things at the market last time! You should have bought more soles and had another pair made for you!”

Wiping her tears, Zhang Yan pointed to the next room. “This afternoon, the squad leader came again. He took four guns and a bag of bullets and said they’re for you to manage.”

Her voice choked with emotion, struggling back tears, she said, “Yangzi, even though you’re the militia squad leader now, you can’t recklessly risk your life! Look at your mother—I’ve worried myself sick for you so many times!”

Zhang Yang gave a bashful smile. “Sister, I know all that. I can take care of myself.”

Zhao Dong joined in teasing, “Sister! Don’t worry. There’s still me and Yangzi together! Once I improve my shooting, when we act together, those wolves and bears in the mountains won’t stand a chance!”

Zhang Yan wiped her eyes again. “Yangzi works so hard, all for me and little Ya... It’s all because of that damn family of scoundrels!”

After finishing his noodles, Zhang Yang cheerfully pulled all the money from his pocket.

Three ten-yuan bills and some small change.

“Sister, this is what I earned today. Save it up!”