Chapter 90

Chapter 91 Grand Opening

The students listened obediently, and Liu Zhong didn't have much to say about it. However, Du Fei, with his quick mind, noticed how Dong Ku managed to calm these young hotheads with just a few words. He was impressed and kept a close eye on the situation.

After settling the students, Dong Ku handed them over to Liu Zhong and the five hunters. With fewer people to manage, he had no choice, as starting from scratch was not easy. He didn't stay to manage things here and returned directly to Crescent Lake, where he met David Johnson.

Dong Ku talked with David for over two hours, discussing many topics. He explained to David that he, like Shao Pang, would treat him as a friend and outlined his requirements. The precision instruments they brought with them would remain their personal property, and they could list the equipment they needed, which Dong Ku would purchase. In return, they would help with the island's construction, including its defenses. Their research results would belong to them, but the usage rights would remain on the island until they left, as a way to repay the help they received.

Dong Ku also predicted a war, a view shared by a political figure who came with David. However, this person didn't expect the war to spread globally in a few years, rather than being limited to Germany's vicinity.

Dong Ku's selfless assistance deeply moved David Johnson. Seeing how respectfully the Iron Monk treated Dong Ku, he knew that Dong Ku's leadership had brought them here. David called a few close associates, and after a brief discussion, they quickly came up with a plan and agreed to serve the island. They listed a series of equipment and materials and requested help in rescuing some of their acquaintances who were fleeing from the Germans.

Dong Ku did not refuse this request. Whether it was one person or a group, it didn't matter much. The island could easily accommodate tens of thousands without affecting its secrecy. He agreed and had Shanzi bring a radio to send out several coded messages, selected from a list of over a dozen. He also sent a message to Shao Pang, asking him to send people to purchase the necessary equipment and transport the Jewish refugees who had arrived in Venice to Crescent Lake via the original route. He also asked Shao Pang to find a batch of Jewish technical personnel from various industries and to buy a thousand-ton oil tanker to bring a shipload of diesel to the island.

After making these arrangements, Dong Ku entrusted all the island's affairs to Liu Zhong and Shanzi, instructing Shanzi to guard the warship, weapons, and radio, allowing no one to approach. After discussion, he left Li Kaishan with Shanzi. He believed that as long as Li Kaishan had no ulterior motives, protecting Shanzi and overseeing these critical items would be fine.

With everything arranged, Dong Ku left Crescent Lake the next day, taking Du Fei with him on three cargo ships heading to Kuching. Tong Hai, accompanied by the Iron Monk, returned to Crescent Lake with the cargo ship.

The Pacific, which had been bustling for several days, returned to calm, with no ships in sight. The disappearance of the Kikuzuki became a mystery for the Japanese Navy, who searched the waters around Miyako and Okinawa thoroughly but found no trace of the ship.

Leaving aside the various speculations of the Japanese Navy, Dong Ku and his group sailed for over ten days to reach Kuching.

The reason for going to Kuching was that Shao Pang had informed him that the factory was ready, and the dehydration technology had been mastered, allowing for production. Dong Ku came to inspect the finished products and the factory's construction.

When he arrived at a secluded place over a hundred miles from the port, he saw a factory that resembled a castle and the finished products. He and Shao Pang went underground alone to inspect the warehouse and production line, where he saw teams of students in training. Shao Pang's efficiency surprised Dong Ku, who had expected a mess but found everything well-organized.

After a brief inspection, he learned that the food supply channels had been established. He only gave one instruction: to produce plastic bags and cardboard boxes using polypropylene materials. After making these arrangements, he didn't stay longer and left with five hundred boxes of fortified compressed cookies and Du Fei on a small cargo ship bound for Shanghai. The instant noodles were being tested there, and he wanted to see them and bring some back to Northeast China as a cover for the compressed cookies.

Everything went smoothly. In Shanghai, he saw the instant noodles being tested and tried two packets. The familiar taste brought a mix of emotions, even though he didn't particularly like instant noodles.

He packed five hundred boxes each of beef and pickled cabbage flavors and told the person in charge that the seasoning packet tests could be done gradually. First, they should deliver these pre-registered instant noodles to major restaurants in the concession area, leaving ten boxes of each flavor at each restaurant for trial sales without charging. Through the secret society in Shanghai, they would also distribute a hundred boxes to major gangs, allowing their businesses to trial sell them, but not yet push them to the market, waiting for the right time.

After staying in Shanghai for a day, he and Du Fei sailed directly to Lüshun. Since the boss here was Shao Pang, he presented his suggestions in a consultative manner, though they would be strictly followed after approval. He wouldn't overstep his bounds.

Upon arriving in Yingkou, with Uncle Tie personally receiving them, the light boxes were loaded onto a train car, escorted by a ten-man Japanese military squad, heading for Harbin.

On the way, Uncle Tie, after tasting the noodles, which were not beautifully packaged but had a unique flavor, said, "This will definitely sell well!"

Dong Ku, of course, believed it would sell well. In the future, instant noodles were loved by many, regardless of social status, and formed a significant industry in places like Korea, Japan, and Thailand.

However, he didn't realize that this trip with Du Fei would set a direction for his future development that he would find hard to control.

Du Fei remained silent throughout the journey, rarely speaking, but he observed everything. Although he didn't know the core details, it didn't affect his judgment of the trip.

Dong Ku didn't know what Du Fei was thinking and didn't pay much attention. What excited him was that Longxiang had finished its renovation, and Liu Rujie decided to open it three days after his return.

They arrived in Harbin without incident and met Liu Rujie, who was busy inviting people from various circles to attend the opening.

At the same time, he met an unexpected person, his silent partner.

In Liu Rujie's room, a very beautiful Japanese woman, who looked a bit like Aoi Sora, held a bowl of beef noodles and exclaimed, "Sister Rujie, is this the instant noodles you mentioned? They taste amazing!!"

Liu Rujie, who hadn't dared to say much before, was as surprised as Teru Miho by the rich beef aroma and the smooth, delicious noodles. She didn't know how to describe Dong Ku's abilities. He always exceeded her expectations.

"Miho, I mentioned this to you before. What do you think about opening a noodle factory in Osaka?"

"Great! If the factory opens in Japan, it will become popular quickly. This method of making noodles is similar to cooking, and I believe it will be accepted there in a short time. I'll provide the funds for the factory, giving you 10% as a silent partner, and 20% to the factory manager. When can I meet the person who created such delicious food?"

Miho, excited and losing her composure, spoke rapidly.

"Miho, I told you before that this factory is run by a friend of mine." Liu Rujie glanced at Dong Ku, who was meditating, and continued, "My friend can open the factory in Osaka, but he will cover all the costs. You can enjoy 20% as a silent partner, and your role will be to provide all the necessary conveniences and security for the factory."

"I see." Teru Miho was a bit disappointed but quickly became excited again. "That's fine, but I will handle the sales, and the pricing will be set by your friend."

Liu Rujie subtly glanced at Dong Ku, who nodded slightly, and said, "Miho, I think as long as you don't change the prices, my friend will accept this suggestion. After all, you know the area well, and your involvement will make the business run smoother."

"Sister Rujie, that's exactly what I meant. My involvement in sales will avoid many troubles," Teru Miho nodded.

"Alright, after the restaurant opens, I'll talk to my friend and arrange a meeting for you to discuss the details. I won't be involved."

Liu Rujie's words made Teru Miho a bit unhappy. "Sister Rujie, our business is always mutually beneficial. How can you not be involved?"

"Miho, you've seen the hotels being built in Xinjing and Fengtian. I also plan to open two more in Tianjin and Shanghai. I'm already busy, so I can't be involved in this business. Don't worry about me. You are my friends, and I'm happy as long as you make money. I believe you will have a good partnership."

"Is that so?" Miho was a bit disappointed but didn't mind too much. After all, if someone chose not to be involved, there was no need to force it.

Dong Ku, listening to this woman with potential, thought to himself that the partnership would be smooth, at least for the next three years, as many people in her area would enjoy the delicious seasoning packets made with formaldehyde, perhaps even with polyvinyl chloride. He wondered if she realized how hard it would be to earn that 20%.

Leaving aside Dong Ku's silent contemplation in front of the two beauties, Du Fei was having a detailed conversation with Liu Baicheng, reporting on the journey.

"Shao Qinglin actually went to the Dutch colony to set up a factory. It seems this young man doesn't plan to sell his products in China."

Liu Baicheng, holding the long "cookie," pondered why Dong Ku believed a war would break out in Europe. He trusted Dong Ku's judgment and, with a broader perspective, had a plan after organizing the information.

"Xiao Fei, contact Iron Killer, and we will do this..."

Dong Ku didn't know that his trusted friend Liu Baicheng was plotting something that would have a significant and irreversible impact on him.

After leaving Liu Rujie's room, Dong Ku went to the underground parking lot, now a wine cellar, where he saw the processed gun barrels that had been delivered. After inspecting a dozen, he was very satisfied with the lathe work at Liu Baicheng's place. The rifling was almost flawless, capable of functioning with a silencer, and the extended barrel would increase the range to over 800 meters.