Yang Xiaoyou looked at the slender figure of the boy, whose eyes revealed a cunning intelligence, and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
At this time in Kanpur, many people were looking to buy cars, but few could actually obtain them. The demand far exceeded the supply, creating a typical seller's market. It was quite obvious that Yang Xiaoyou and his companions were interested in purchasing a vehicle, and some people were aware of their intentions.
However, it was somewhat unexpected for someone to approach them directly.
Through a brief conversation with the boy, Yang Xiaoyou soon understood why he had come forward.
It turned out that the boy's "gang" was preparing to hold an underground market. In this critical situation, they were exchanging goods, accepting only Pounds, Ten Million USD, and gold as currency. Some merchants might even propose bartering.
After all, while Pounds, Ten Million USD, and gold were still considered hard currencies globally, their value had significantly depreciated in the current chaotic state of India. Holding large amounts of cash without being able to spend it was quite a painful predicament.
Faced with this market situation, Yang Xiaoyou decisively agreed to the proposal and then inquired further.
The longer they delayed, the lower the value of their currency would become. It was wise to exchange it for necessities as soon as possible. Even without this particular matter at hand, Yang Xiaoyou had already planned to start large-scale procurement.
According to the boy's words, their gang's leader was the nephew of the Commander of the British Forces in Kanpur, so there was no need to worry about safety.
Of course, Yang Xiaoyou understood that "complete" safety was relative; if ordinary people relied entirely on the fairness of the marketplace, they could easily be taken advantage of.
However, all Yang Xiaoyou needed was a relatively reasonable trading environment. Given his group's capabilities, basic safety concerns were manageable; at least they wouldn't suffer immediate losses.
The real concern lay in the long journey ahead after leaving the market—the physical toll from prolonged travel and the potential encounters with relentless Infected Entities that could gradually wear them down.
The purpose of procuring supplies now was to extend their period of stability through external means and ensure a smooth exit from this perilous place.
Due to a massive influx of refugees, all accommodations were fully booked. Most refugees were forced to sleep on the streets alongside cattle.
However, Yang Kai and his companions were accustomed to wilderness activities and had brought essential emergency supplies in their tents, so they were relatively unaffected by these circumstances.
"The banking network has also been frozen, and I still have over seventy thousand pounds left on me. What about you?" After setting up a tent by the roadside, Yang Xiaoyou rummaged through his belongings and pulled out bundles of cash, leaving Yang Kai and Qin Meng feeling somewhat disheartened. Although the situation in the UK was dire, the value of the pound still held some weight.
They too had around seventy thousand pounds, but it was quite absurd to think that one could casually pull out money from their pockets like a child.
In the past, they would have likely been interrogated about the source of such funds, but after realizing the brat's capabilities, they refrained from asking further questions; as long as their conscience was clear, that was enough.
"We didn't expect things to turn this bad at first. Fortunately, due to habit, I kept a few thousand on me. Combined with yours, we probably have around eighty thousand. The only issue now is how much purchasing power remains; it would be wise to spend it soon. We still have some survival tools here, but what we really need are supplies and a vehicle." After assessing what they had and discussing it among themselves, they began to outline a plan.
Although Yang Xiaoyou had considerable experience in various aspects, he still fell short compared to the three seasoned professionals when it came to surviving in the wild.
Some of their suggestions seemed trivial at first glance but became enlightening upon deeper reflection.
As time passed, Yang Xiaoyou divided the money into four portions, handing each person a list as they prepared to head to the Arms Trading Market for separate purchases. He kept half for himself primarily to scout for a vehicle; he had already scrutinized the mechs and knew that any attempts to deceive him would be futile.
If they could secure a vehicle sooner rather than later, he was willing to spend a bit more money.
Following the address provided by the young boy earlier, Yang Xiaoyou and his companions arrived at a square marked as a Second-Hand Car Market.
A few brawny men stood at the entrance, scanning the incoming and outgoing crowds with piercing gazes that exuded intimidation.
The heat and dense crowd filled the area with an odor of sweat, yet despite this discomfort, many hurried individuals continued to enter and exit.
Although the sign outside read Second-Hand Car Market, looking around revealed no visible vehicles; instead, there were numerous stalls selling various items—knives, iron pipes, and more.
Some signs brazenly advertised "firearms available for discussion," confirming that their earlier informant had indeed been telling the truth about having connections with the Commander of the British Forces.
When it came to firearms, Yang Xiaoyou had brought two with him, along with about fifty rounds of ammunition. His parents also had a spare gun for self-defense, which was more than enough. Aside from a slight surprise, Yang Xiaoyou didn't dwell on it much.
Upon entering, he quickly made his way inside without pausing at any of the shops outside.
No one was foolish; in the chaotic environment of India today, the chances of acquiring a gun were quite high. As long as one could keep a firearm for self-defense, it was far more important to have a vehicle ready for a quick escape in case of an emergency.
Simply holding onto a gun meant preparing to fight with others? Most people in such situations would prioritize tools that could ensure their survival.
Vehicles like cars, which could serve as means of transportation, were likely among the most sought-after items in this Arms Trading Market.
Yang Xiaoyou was not the only one with such thoughts; many others in the crowd were clearly rushing toward the interior, seemingly afraid of being outpaced by others.
As he ventured deeper inside, he indeed began to see the outlines of various vehicles covered by green canvas.
Moreover, there were several militants armed with assault rifles standing guard. Even more alarming were two makeshift watchtowers equipped with machine guns.
Golden bullets hung carelessly, but their threatening presence was unmistakable. It seemed the organizers understood that in such a chaotic market, maintaining stability could only be achieved through forceful deterrence.
This was not a place ordinary people could easily operate.
However, Yang Xiaoyou had come here for "serious" procurement and had no other intentions. Even if he did have some thoughts, as long as these gunmen weren't all seasoned warriors who were one with their weapons, he wouldn't face too much trouble.
With skill comes courage; he walked in without changing his expression. Coupled with his youthful and handsome appearance, he stood out among other hesitant and troubled buyers.
This drew the attention of several nearby individuals.
Soon enough, a middle-aged man resembling a traditional Indian approached Yang Xiaoyou and said, "Sir, are you looking to purchase a means of transportation? Don't worry; we have our own channels here. Once you buy and pay, we will immediately assist you with the necessary entry procedures."
"Your service is quite attentive. What kind of goods do you have, and what are their price ranges?" Yang Xiaoyou asked directly, not wanting to beat around the bush.
"The young master is indeed straightforward. May I ask if you are looking for a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler?" The middle-aged man changed his address upon hearing the inquiry.
"Naturally, I need a four-wheeler with solid off-road capabilities and a large fuel capacity." After quickly stating his requirements, Yang Xiaoyou fixed his gaze on the man's eyes, seemingly waiting for a response.
The middle-aged man, who had initially intended to say something else, suddenly felt a wave of confusion wash over him after being met with that seemingly ordinary gaze. His mind became slightly hazy, and he found himself struggling to come up with words that would allow him to profit from the situation.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he spoke in a somewhat dazed and weak voice, "Regretful Child, you have good taste. This type of vehicle is currently one of the hottest sellers, with prices starting at least around thirty thousand pounds or forty million USD. Of course, if you use gold or diamonds, the price can be lowered somewhat."
As soon as he finished speaking, he instinctively snapped back to reality and couldn't help but want to slap himself a few times.
That price was already the absolute bottom line. Even if he wanted to buy one for personal use, he wouldn't be able to get it at that price. How could someone as shrewd as him suddenly lose his wits?
Having successfully dealt with several fat sheep before, he had been brought in for this lucrative job. Although there was plenty of profit to be made, the business pressure was also significant. He had only casually mentioned a few things; it wasn't even time for serious negotiations yet. But now that the other party knew his bottom line in advance, it would be much harder to negotiate later.
On the other hand, Yang Xiaoyou felt somewhat disdainful. He realized that treating someone from this lower tier like this was already bullying them. Yet even so, the information he received left him speechless.
What was the lowest-priced item? It was undoubtedly those old green military jeeps from decades ago. Here, however, their price had skyrocketed by more than ten times. And this price was derived from special means he used to extract internal pricing from the man's mouth; if it were converted into formal purchasing terms, it would likely double!
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