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El General Todopoderoso de Dragón

As Zachary reminisced, his thoughts swirled within “Back when I got swindled on Antique Street, none of you looked down on
me. Who was the one constantly shouting and gossiping about Zachary? But now, with Don Albert, you suddenly call me
Brother.”
Amused by these memories, Zachary smirked and addressed the crowd, “To be honest, I’m no longer associated with Don
Albert.”
“What?” They had just cheerfully called him brother.
One man quickly inquired, “Zachary, you were doing well with Don Albert. Why the sudden change of heart?”
“That’s right,” chimed another man. “I’m talking about Zachary. Isn’t it better for you to enjoy spicy food and drinks with Don
Albert instead of dealing with these things in Antique Street?”
A woman selling counterfeit copper coins grinned and asked, “Zachary, did you mess up and get kicked out by Don Albert?”
Zachary waved his hand nonchalantly. “Don’t mention those things. I’m planning to come back and set up my stall again.” Then,
he gazed at the man who had greeted him earlier and said, “Ladden Harrow, when I left, I let you use my old stall for free. Look,
I’ve returned now and you’re still occupying my spot. Give it back to me.”
Ladden Harrow hastily waved his hand and replied, “Hey, don’t say that, Zachary. When you left, you made a promise not to
return to Antique Street. So, that stall was relinquished forever. I took it over. You’re a person of great influence. You can’t go
back on your word.”
Zachary smiled and said, “Ladden, you think I’m a coward, don’t you? Well, let me tell you, I got my freedom from Don Albert.
Leaving wasn’t his decision, it was mine, Zachary’s.”
“Blow it out your mouth and be gone,” Ladden retorted with a sneer. “We’ve known each other for so many years, don’t I know
you? Do you think I don’t know how thrilled you were when you left the stall to follow Don Albert? Now you claim to have left him
voluntarily. Why should I believe you?”
Zachary grinned. “I’ll tell you the truth, Mr. Harrow. I used to have a close friend who specialized in creating exquisite antiques.
Now, he has become a renowned businessman in Hong Kong. He wants me to collaborate with him in creating antiques,
targeting those wealthy Hong Kong bosses worth billions. Perhaps we could earn millions from a single order. Isn’t that better?”
The listeners widened their eyes in disbelief.

Ladden exchanged glances with the others, stepped forward and offered an apologetic smile. “Brother Zachary, I dare say you’ve
discovered a new avenue for making money. We can’t underestimate the opportunity to work with Don Albert!”
“Hey!” Zachary raised his hand solemnly, pointing his palm at the crowd. “It’s not that I, Zachary, underestimate Don Albert. The
ancients said that good birds choose good trees. I can only say that Don Albert’s towering tree doesn’t suit my growth. After all,
I’ve been in the antique business for so many years, and it’s the craft I excel at the most.”
Another man stepped forward, gently tugging at Zachary’s arm. “Brother Zachary, since you’ve found such a lucrative path, can’t
you take me along? Look at your brother here, I’ve been hanging around Antique Street for years, but I haven’t landed a big
catch. I can barely make ends meet throughout the year. If you have a good income source, can you lend a hand, please?”
He pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, extracted one and courteously extended it to Zachary “Come on, Brother
Zachary, have a smoke!”
Zachary accepted the cigarette, placed it between his lips and smiled. “Tommy, if you genuinely want to make money with me, it
won’t be easy. Consider it carefully. But I don’t know if you’re reliable or if you’ll
be committed...”
Tommy hastily retrieved his lighter and while lighting Zachary’s cigarette, spoke respectfully, “Zachary, Brother, as long as you’re
willing to take me with you, I’ll work hard without complaints!”
Ladden on the side quickly added, “Brother Zachary, take me along too! I might not have any outstanding qualities, but I’m
obedient! As long as I’m by your side, I’ll follow your lead and fight wherever you point!”
Others also expressed their sincerity towards Zachary at that moment. Their conviction was evident, Zachary had undoubtedly
discovered a lucrative income source, directly linked to antiques. Not only was Zachary skilled in this field, but everyone was also
familiar with it. They all desired a taste of Zachary’s success.
At this juncture, Zachary spoke indifferently, “Everyone, I’ve just returned, and my new business hasn’t settled completely. I don’t
need so many people initially. So, for now, let Ladden and Tommy join me. Don’t worry if others don’t get their turn. Once things
stabilize, everyone will have a share!”
Disappointment flickered in the other’s eyes, but Ladden Harrow and Tommy Swarley were brimming with excitement.
Excitedly, the two friends pulled Zachary away to a secluded area where they could speak privately. Ladden spoke obsequiously,
“Brother Zachary, you can use your booth anytime you want. If it’s not enough, you can even use mine.”

Zachary took a drag from his cigarette and inquired, “Tell me the truth, how much money do you two make in a month now?”
Ladden raised his hand and said, “Brother Zachary, let me go first. You know my situation. I’m not as smooth-tongued as you,
and I’m not as skilled in the art of deception. In a good month, I can only earn 10,000 to 20,000. Sometimes, I barely make
enough to cover the booth fee...”
Tommy chimed in as well, echoing Brother Zachary’s sentiments. “Indeed, Brother Zachary, my situation isn’t much better. We’re
already at the end of August, and this month I’ve barely managed to make a net profit of $3,000. The competition on Antique
Street is fierce, and those scammers are selling everything. I used to sell counterfeit five-emperor coins, and I could easily get
ten or twenty dollars for each. But now, those new fools are selling them for just a dollar. Can you believe it? The cost price for a
single string is 80 cents, and yet they sell it for a dollar. I’m at my wit’s end with this relentless onslaught of challenges I’m
facing!”
Zachary smiled and turned to the two of them “Well, let’s not say that Zachary doesn’t take care of you. In the next couple of
days, my connections will bring several influential Hong Kong businessmen here. You two won’t need to set up a stall. One of
you will go to the airport and the other will head to the high- speed rail station. Hold up a sign for me to pick them up!”
“Pick them up?” Ladden and Tommy exchanged glances and the latter asked, “Brother Zachary, isn’t picking people up an
unskilled job? How much will we get paid for it?”
Zachary smiled mysteriously and replied, “Let me tell you, the people you’ll be picking up are wealthy clients who spend a
fortune. Sometimes, they’re unable to show up in person, so they send representatives. When they see you upon arrival, they’ll
come forward willingly. Don’t underestimate this job, it has its perks. I’ll pay each of you 3,000per day!”
“3,000 per person a day?” The two were momentarily speechless but couldn’t contain their excitement. Three thousand a day,
this income far surpassed what they earned from their stalls.
Zachary continued, “However, I can’t guarantee when the big clients will arrive, so you’ll have to be at the airport and high-speed
rail station every day, keeping watch. You’ll have to go early in the morning and only return home after the flights and trains have
ceased for the day. During this time, you mustn’t miss a single arrival. If any of you successfully receives a client, I’ll reward an
extra 10,000. But if any of you miss a client, I won’t forgive you. Understand?”
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