Chapter 32: The Fox's Tail

The degree of work freedom and personal care that Yu Mingyuan gave to Su Tianyu had far exceeded that of a normal boss, which made Su Tianyu feel somewhat uneasy.

If this work relationship had no connection to the Su family, Su Tianyu would definitely have been patient enough to wait for Yu Mingyuan to reveal his fox's tail and state his demands. But the current situation was different. Su Tianyu himself was just a small fry, and although capable, he had no way to demonstrate it in this company. He had too little usable value, so Yu Mingyuan being so good to him must be aimed at the Su family.

Su Tianyu certainly couldn't foolishly take the Su family's value and spend his days eating and drinking with Yu Mingyuan. If he owed too big a favor, it would be hard to repay in the future.

Left with no choice, Su Tianyu thought of a countermeasure - to completely lie flat.

You want to give me special treatment? Then I'll just climb up the pole!

For five consecutive days, Su Tianyu not only arrived late and left early, frequently skipping work, but also rarely stayed in the company during the day. His phone was either turned off or unanswered, to the point where even Yu Mingyuan couldn't find him.

This approach really had an effect. Yu Mingyuan thought Su Tianyu didn't want to work anymore and wanted to resign, so he sent him a text message asking him to come to the company the next day to discuss matters.

......

Early the next morning, Su Tianyu arrived at the company at the normal work time and grinned as he entered Yu Mingyuan's office: "Brother Yuan."

"Hehe, it's quite difficult to see you," Yu Mingyuan glanced at him. "Come, sit down."

"Alright," Su Tianyu sat down casually in the chair.

"What have you been busy with these past few days? Why haven't I seen you?" Yu Mingyuan asked softly, sitting at his desk.

"There's nothing to do in the company, and I happened to have a few war buddies come back to Dragon City. We've been having gatherings these past few days," Su Tianyu made up an excuse.

"Little Su, the company has just been established..." Yu Mingyuan still wanted to talk to Dog Six in a very vague manner.

"Brother Yuan, I've been thinking these past few days. In this whole company, I'm the only idle person. I really feel uncomfortable staying here. It just so happens that a few of my war buddies who came back also want to do something, so... why don't I process my resignation?" Su Tianyu said with a look of difficulty.

The two looked at each other, and Yu Mingyuan suddenly grinned: "Hehe, you're playing games with me?"

"Brother Yuan, who's really playing games with whom?!" Su Tianyu asked in return, following the conversation.

Yu Mingyuan paused, then pointed at Su Tianyu: "Hey, I was originally thinking of waiting until the company stabilized before talking to you, but you... you're too impatient."

"It's not that I'm impatient, it's that you're making me too uneasy," Su Tianyu replied with a smile. "I thought for a moment that you wanted to sleep with me."

"Hahaha!" Yu Mingyuan laughed. "With your build, you couldn't handle my gun."

"Then what's it really about? You have to tell me, so I can serve you better!" Su Tianyu pressed.

Yu Mingyuan picked up his teacup and after pondering for a while, said: "Actually, I made you assistant to the general manager because I really valued your abilities..."

"Come on, stop beating around the bush. I spend my days here just drinking tea and sleeping, what abilities could I have shown?" Su Tianyu waved his hand. "Let's talk straight."

Yu Mingyuan looked at Su Tianyu, suddenly pulled open his desk drawer and took out two packs of cigarettes: "Do you recognize these?"

"Of course, Da Jiu cigarettes, an old brand from Zone Nine," Su Tianyu asked back, puzzled. "What about them?"

"Do you know how much these cigarettes sell for in Dragon City?" Yu Mingyuan asked.

"Seems to be 11 yuan a pack."

"Then do you know how much they sell for in the Chinese Zone?" Yu Mingyuan asked again.

"How would I know that? I've never been to the Chinese Zone since I can remember," Su Tianyu shook his head.

"They sell for 3.5 yuan in the Chinese Zone."

"...!" Su Tianyu didn't immediately respond upon hearing this.

Yu Mingyuan held the cigarette pack and said softly: "For cigarettes that cost over 50 yuan a carton, import tariffs plus consumption tax and fixed tax amount to about 50% of the purchase price in taxes. Add to that transportation, wholesale, and retail markups, and by the time it's placed on the sales counter, the cost of these cigarettes is nearly three times more expensive than in their home territory."

Su Tianyu listened quietly.

"Dragon City's population is mainly Chinese, and many of our living habits can't be changed, especially when it comes to cigarettes and alcohol. We prefer the taste of home," Yu Mingyuan patiently continued. "You also know that overseas cigarettes are mainly blended types, while we're used to flue-cured tobacco. It's the same with alcohol. Here, it's mainly Western liquors, red wines, grape wines and the like, which don't quite match our tastes."

Su Tianyu had already guessed what Yu Mingyuan was going to say next, so he immediately asked: "If the tastes are different, why not produce them ourselves?"

Yu Mingyuan looked at Su Tianyu, his eyes brightening: "You really are very smart."

"Hehe, stop flattering me," Su Tianyu said softly. "Dragon City's land area isn't small, producing for self-sufficiency shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Self-sufficiency isn't a problem, but tax revenue is," Yu Mingyuan got to the point in one sentence. "Whether before the New Era or now, the import tax revenue from tobacco and alcohol has always been substantial, and our tastes are very Eastern, so the tax revenue generated by this kind of trade far exceeds your imagination. Let's not even talk about now, look at before the New Era, which tobacco company didn't pay tens of billions in taxes? It could even match military expenditure! If you become self-sufficient, then Dragon City and Zone One won't get this import tax revenue from these products. Do you understand my meaning?"

Su Tianyu understood immediately: "I see."

"Dragon City has its own tobacco company, but it's limited to official operations. This big cake is still out of our reach at our level. But they're doing a terrible job, their products are poor, so they're not very competitive. Currently, Dragon City's cigarettes and alcohol are still mainly imported," Yu Mingyuan looked at Su Tianyu with excited eyes and said in a low voice. "I have channels to import goods, and your Su family's dirty gang is spread all over Zha'nan, which can act as couriers and salespeople. If you're willing, the goods come by sea and are dispersed as soon as they land. Can you imagine what kind of future that would be?"

Su Tianyu blinked: "I doubt my Second Uncle would do this, this..."

"Don't be hasty to judge," Yu Mingyuan looked down at his watch. "Let's go out for a while, meet some people, and you'll understand."

"Alright," Su Tianyu nodded.

......

About half an hour later, in a quiet teahouse in Zha'nan District.

Yu Mingyuan sat in the main seat and waited for a while before smiling at Su Tianyu and saying: "An acquaintance of yours is coming soon."

Su Tianyu paused for a moment, immediately guessing who it was.

Sure enough, in less than ten minutes, the door of the private room opened, and a familiar figure walked in.