The first day after the circumcision was the most uncomfortable. With that unruly little thing's sensitive head completely exposed, even the slightest movement while wearing pants, with its head rubbing against his underwear, would send Zhang Tie trembling all over, making him walk with extreme caution.
In addition, the surgical wound started to hurt.
It's likely that the anesthesia hadn't completely worn off on that disobedient guy yesterday, which is why he didn't feel much. It wasn't until the next day, after all his senses had returned, that the aftereffects of the surgery became fully apparent. Thinking about how he'd actually argued with that Iron Rooster Tang De at Gathering Immortal Restaurant yesterday, and how that guy had brought over a few women to torment him, Zhang Tie felt a chill run down his spine. If it were today, he definitely wouldn't have done that; he'd been so foolish.
In two days, he will officially report to the Iron-Blood Battalion, which means he will be leaving this home. In six days, he will face his first duel. In addition, the guy below is not feeling well, so Zhang Tie will stay at home obediently.
In his parents' eyes, Zhang Tie has really grown up this time.
Zhang Tie's father was also off work that day. Due to various reasons, the factory where Zhang Tie's father worked had been operating at a lower capacity for the past month. His father said that several Norman Empire engineers had recently arrived at the factory and were adjusting several newly installed molds on the production line. These new molds would produce standardized steel components. The Norman Empire engineers said that these components were modular components for warships, and that half of the steel mill where Zhang Tie's father worked would be used to produce these modular components for warships.
After annexing Black Flame City, the Norman Empire began to digest the Black Flame City's vast resources, and the direction of this resource digestion was singular—preparing for war. This left Zhang Tie somewhat puzzled. Could it be that in the eyes of the Norman Empire's decision-makers, an even larger war was yet to come, requiring advance preparation? Recalling Jerome's words during the trial—that a chaotic era was approaching— Zhang Tie's heart sank slightly, and a sense of urgency rose within him once more.
Sometimes, what powerful people know, ordinary people are often kept in the dark—this is the tragedy of the common people. The natural history teacher said this phenomenon stems from an information asymmetry, and behind this information asymmetry lies an asymmetry in power, interests, and authority.
It is said that before the Great Cataclysm, there was a magical tool in the human world called the Internet. At that time, people could stay in touch with each other at any time, even if they were billions of miles apart, and share news about their surroundings. The Internet connected people all over the continent, and people could easily obtain a vast amount of knowledge and information online, and easily know what was happening on the entire continent, even in the most remote corners.
For the first time in human history, a technology-driven information-sharing platform was created for all humanity. Its greatest achievement was minimizing the information asymmetry caused by disparities in interests and power between ordinary people and powerful figures, significantly promoting social equity. Ordinary people loved this network and did everything they could to expand and strengthen it. Meanwhile, certain powerful figures who sought to maintain their dominance and vested interests by exploiting information asymmetry hated it and tried everything to destroy it.
This struggle continued until Great Cataclysm Great Cataclysm and the appearance of the Star of God of Star of God, which caused humanity to lose this magical network forever. Humanity was plunged back into an era of extreme information asymmetry...
For the next two days after the surgery, Zhang Tie stayed at home, spending two peaceful days with his family and taking the opportunity to quietly recover from his injuries.
If nothing else had happened, Zhang Tie hadn't planned to go out for the next few days. Every second he spent at home felt precious to Zhang Tie. But early on the third day, a little boy delivered a letter to Zhang Tie's house, forcing Zhang Tie to put on civilian clothes and go out again.
The letter was from Tang De, instructing Zhang Tie to go to the general store today no matter what. The handwriting on the letter was familiar, and there was even a secret mark that Tang De had taught him to distinguish between genuine and fake letters—a very useful little trick.
The little boy who delivered the letter said that the grocer paid him a silver coin to run an errand and deliver the letter.
Zhang Tie didn't doubt the little boy's words, but he was a little surprised. When did Tang De become so generous? A silver coin? Normally, that Iron Rooster would be lucky to give ten copper coins.
After telling his family what he wanted, Zhang Tie went out, spent a few copper coins to take a tram, and arrived at Tang De's general store in less than twenty minutes.
The grocery store was closed today, with only one door slightly ajar, seemingly waiting for Zhang Tie. After Zhang Tie went inside, he saw Tang De and another person taking inventory behind the counter.
"Wait a moment, I'll be done right away!" Tang De turned to Zhang Tie Zhang Tie come in, then continued to check the items in the shop with the other person.
Zhang Tie also recognized the man who was inventorying Tang De Tang De's goods. That man was Fils, a guy as thin as a monkey, the owner of another, larger general store near the train station flea market. Over the past two years, Fils had tried several times to buy Tang De's general store because he was interested in its location. Tang De had never agreed before, but judging from today's situation, had Tang De already sold the store?
For some reason, Zhang Tie felt that Tang De's demeanor today was noticeably different from usual.
Zhang Tie waited quietly to the side, and after about ten more minutes, the two of them finally finished taking inventory of the store's stock.
Fils closed the ledger with satisfaction, and said tentatively, "Boss Tang De, the records in the ledger match the items in the shop, but as you know, the situation in Black Flame City isn't very good right now. Many shops have closed down, and many wealthy people have left, so I may not be able to give you the same price as before!"
"Name your price!" Tang De said calmly.
"Hmm, how about 60% of the previous price, 300 gold coins in total, including the shop and goods?" A sly glint flashed in Fils's eyes as he spoke, carefully observing Tang De's expression.
Upon hearing the price, before Tang De could even utter a word, Zhang Tie nearly jumped up. Even though Black Flame City had experienced a crisis, the general store's business hadn't been affected much; in fact, it had improved considerably in the past two months. The flow of people near the train station was increasing, making the area more bustling than before. Even though property values in Black Flame City had depreciated somewhat, the items in the store had recently appreciated in value. For example, the Powerful Rat Poison and those crystals—to buy them for 300 gold coins was simply outrageous.
"400 gold coins!" Tang De said.
For some reason, Tang De, who is usually quite talkative, seemed unusually taciturn today. He spoke, stated the price, and didn't say a single word more.
Fils stared intently at Tang De's calm, expressionless face for over ten seconds with his brown eyes, seemingly trying to discern something. Finally, without even haggling, he nodded, "Alright, 400 gold coins it is!"
Later, Fils summoned the notary, who brought the transaction documents. Tang De produced the deed to the shop, while Fils contributed 400 gold coins and covered the notary fees and other taxes. The two parties quickly completed the transaction at the grocery store.
"This shop needs a skilled assistant. I'll pay you 35 silver coins a month for the first year, and you'll get commission from transactions in the second year. If you do well, you can become the shop manager. How about it, come and help me?"
To Zhang Tie's surprise, after the transaction was completed, Fils actually had his own ideas and wanted to come here and continue working for him.
"Thank you, but I already have another job!" Zhang Tie politely declined.
Fils looked at Zhang Tie with regret, "It's alright, you're welcome to come anytime if you want! It's not easy to train a skilled worker these days!"
"Let's go!" Tang De called to Zhang Tie after packing up his money bag, and then the two left the general store.
Tang De felt a little strange today. Zhang Tie had a lot to say, but didn't know how to start. Logically speaking, Tang De selling a general store was none of his business, but for some reason, Zhang Tie just felt a tightness in his chest.
After following Tang De for about 50 meters, Zhang Tie finally couldn't hold back any longer, "Why did you sell the grocery store?"
Tang De turned his head, glanced at Zhang Tie, and actually shook his head. "I originally thought you could hold back a little longer before asking, but it seems your willpower isn't enough!"
Damn it! Zhang Tie was speechless, but since he had already spoken, there was no need to pretend in front of Tang De. So Zhang Tie immediately retorted, "Did that meal yesterday bankrupt you? If so, then I'm really sorry!"
"A meal costing ten or so gold coins can bankrupt me?" Tang De glanced at Zhang Tie with disdain. "What was that yesterday's spending? It was just to show off in a backwater like Black Flame City. You country bumpkin, I've been to places where a cup of water costs hundreds of gold coins!"
A hundred gold coins for a cup of water? Zhang Tie curled his lip, thinking Tang De was exaggerating. Where in the world could such a place exist? A hundred gold coins? His father's eight or nine years' salary could only buy a cup of water?
Zhang Tie Tie's disbelief was written all over his face. Tang De didn't say much, but just silently led Zhang Tie on his way. After walking for about ten minutes, Tang De led Zhang Tie to a six-story apartment building with an area of more than 200 square meters on Monet Avenue in the east of Black Flame City.
"What do you think of this house?" Tang De asked Zhang Tie.
"It's fine!" Zhang Tie replied casually.
"Then, from now on, it's yours!" Tang De said casually.
Zhang Tie was stunned...