“In the real world, any item would be considered a foreign import during the MG era!” Niu Bi’s eyes gleamed, as if he could see countless gold bars and dollars flying in.
Having entered the S Beach world through the flashlight projection gate, Niu Bi decided to set a small goal: to earn 100,000 RMB.
The most profitable business is naturally flour.
This stuff was very common during the MG era. It was also known as "big smoke." It was much cheaper than in the real world. If it were brought into the real world, the profits would be huge. However, he wouldn't do something that would harm his fellow countrymen.
I heard that if you exceed 50 grams, you get a peanut as a reward, but Niu Bi immediately rejected the offer.
Of course, if I could travel to an island nation, I would be willing to cause some trouble.
antique?
At that time, warlords were in power, and gold was the only hard currency. Antiques weren't very valuable, although they could be sold in modern times for a fortune. But unless they were heirlooms, those items were said to have to be handed over to receive a 500 yuan subsidy.
If you force a lot of personal agendas on someone else, you'll end up singing "Tears Behind Bars."
That won't work either.
To sell real-world replicas of jade and jewelry at S Beach World.
Niu Bi rejected it outright, saying that he had neither a source of goods nor connections to high-quality imitations, and that low-quality imitations probably wouldn't fool those in the industry.
"Matches?"
Matches were a necessity during the Republic of China era.
After observing for several days, Niu Bi discovered that ordinary people used matches to light fires and smoke opium, but those matches only cost a few cents a box, so they didn't earn much.
On the contrary, lighters are more reliable. Niu Bi once saw several upper-class people riding in Buick cars, as well as some bankers in suits, elegantly lighting cigarettes with lighters, which made others envious.
Moreover, in a shop called 'Kunji', Niu Bi saw an old-fashioned kerosene lighter that was priced at 4 silver dollars!
Lighters originated overseas during the Republic of China era and were considered luxury items, used only by wealthy merchants and powerful figures. If you could get some old-style lighters over there, they would definitely become trendy items and you could make a fortune!
Niu Bi decided to test the waters with a lighter first.
On Taobao, Niu Bi saw a replica of a Zorro brand kerosene windproof old-fashioned copper-plated lighter with a grinding wheel. It can be customized with DIY engraving. It costs 27 yuan per lighter for purchases of 50 or more, with free shipping. It is made in Yiwu.
Niu Bi spent 2,700 yuan to customize 100 lighters, and another 500 yuan to purchase 100 sets of accessories such as cotton thread and kerosene, and had the merchant engrave the English logo "zorro" on them.
The reason for using this logo is that it makes the lighter look more like an imported product.
...
"Indeed, this lighter looks a bit outdated by today's standards, but in the Shanghai world, it was far superior to Kunji lighters!"
Three days later, Niu Bi received the lighter, cotton thread, kerosene, and other accessories he had ordered.
The exterior is copper-plated, and the front is engraved with the English word "zorro" as requested by Niu Bi, giving it a distinctly foreign feel.
Niu Bi took two more days off, removed all the lighter packaging, carried the blue cloth bag containing the lighters on his back, turned on the flashlight projection door, and arrived at S Beach World.
Kunji Trading Company covers an area of over 1,000 square meters and is the largest department store on Dongchang Road.
The store was quite busy with customers and staff moving about.
As soon as Niu Bi entered the shop, a quick-witted waiter came to greet him.
After shivering and explaining his purpose, Niu Bi quickly met Manager Yan, a lean old man wearing glasses and a long gown.
“Mr. Niu, it’s not convenient to discuss this further here. Please come with me.”
Seeing Niu Bi demonstrate how to light a lighter, making it ignite instantly with a concentrated flame, a glint flashed in Manager Yan's eyes. He respectfully ushered Niu Bi to the back of the shop.
Lighters are a novelty, originating from the West. Shopkeeper Yan received his first batch of goods a month ago, and they are already sold out.
He's worried because the next batch of goods is estimated to arrive in three months.
I never expected that a helpful pillow would come right when I was sleepy!
"Manager Yan, this lighter is the latest trendy gadget I brought back from America. There are probably very few people in Shanghai who have seen it. If the price is right, we'll make a deal." Niu Bi said calmly after watching Manager Yan examine the lighter once before putting it away.
"A lighter costs four silver dollars!"
Manager Yan was a discerning person, and he reluctantly turned his gaze away from the backpack.
The goods in this young man's hands are beautiful and impressive, far superior to the goods he brought in last time. Yesterday, Brigade Commander Chen and County Chief Zhang even sent people over to inquire whether the lighters had arrived.
These days, lighters, watches, and cars are the favorites of people with status and influence.
Wearing foreign clothes has become a symbol of the upper class.
In his view, these lighters cost 4 yuan each, and selling them for 10-11 yuan is absolutely no problem, or even higher.
After the last batch of lighters went out of stock, many people came to inquire, so there's no worry about selling them at a good price.
Although Manager Yan really wanted these lighters, he knew that in business, he had to drastically lower the purchase price.
"Manager Yan, my purchase price is more than 4 silver dollars. Please give me the actual price."
Niu Bi said calmly.
He remembered that a few days ago, Kunji sold a lighter for 4 silver dollars, while his goods were of much higher quality than the lighters sold by Kunji, so they should cost more than 4 dollars.
"Mr. Niu..."
Shopkeeper Yan looked troubled, seemingly in great pain, and said, "How about this, six silver dollars each?"