Ma Niu Town.
With Ai Suo's allegiance, many things fell into place.
Li Ding's initial intention was not on Ma Niu Town's industries.
And Cai Shu only wanted a portion of the profits, to stabilize the financial chain of Da Ban.
Therefore, he did not make many changes to the industries in Ma Niu Town.
Converting the live cattle trade of Ma Niu Town to cold chain logistics felt like a natural progression.
Profits doubled!
Cai Shu already had a complete cold chain network, and handling these transportation matters was the most familiar business for his team.
Soon, the cold chain business in Ma Niu Town was operational.
The funds were stabilized for the time being, and Cai Shu began to focus all his attention on this deal with the Bo Bei Army.
Although this deal completely emptied Da Ban's reserves, Cai Shu knew Li Ding would not let him down, and the Bo Bei Army wouldn't either.
This deal, if successful, could be the most profitable one in his life.
It also involved the entire wealth of Da Ban.
Cai Shu even considered personally going to the border warehouse.
But Dan Tuo and others persuaded him to stay.
Dan Tuo said, "Cai Shu, Ma Niu Town needs you to oversee it."
"With more and more things happening, can you afford to leave even for a moment?"
"Besides, we long-term workers will handle this transportation business. You can trust us, right?"
"If you still feel uneasy, I and A Xing will go together this time. That should put your mind at ease, right?"
Cai Shu looked at Shen Xing, recalling his performance in the Pigeon Blood Red incident at the mine.
After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Alright, Dan Tuo, you take A Xing there."
"But remember my words, this deal is important, but your lives are more important. Understand?!"
Dan Tuo, with an unconcerned expression, nodded and said, "Cai Shu, rest assured. This is a deal with the Bo Bei Army. Who dares to obstruct?"
"Right now, even the Federal Government Army is scared out of their wits by the Bo Bei Army."
"Who would dare to cause trouble for the Bo Bei Army at this time?"
Cai Shu furrowed his brows, grabbing Dan Tuo's arm and said, "Don't take my words lightly. Listen to A Xing's advice on the road."
Then, Cai Shu turned to Shen Xing and said, "Be extra careful. If things go wrong, saving your two lives is more important."
"We're all part of the Bo Bei Army now. Even if something happens, the Bo Bei Army can step in. You don't need to stubbornly risk your lives, understand?!"
Shen Xing nodded solemnly and said, "Cai Shu, rest assured. Dan Tuo and I will be extra careful."
After receiving Shen Xing's assurance, Cai Shu said, "Set off as soon as possible. I heard that the Federal Government Army has started setting up checkpoints nearby, and they are very strict."
"You might encounter other problems if you're late."
Dan Tuo and Shen Xing nodded and then drove away from Ma Niu Town together.
As the car drove away, Cai Shu stood at the entrance of the town, gazing at them with an uneasy heart.
At this moment, Li Ding suddenly appeared beside Cai Shu and said, "I've heard about the change in the deal."
"Rest assured, I will not mistreat Da Ban."
Cai Shu, with a worried expression, forced a smile and said, "Commander, what are you saying? This is what Da Ban should do."
Li Ding didn't say anything more, just patted Cai Shu's shoulder solemnly.
On the other side;
Shen Xing was driving towards the border warehouse with Dan Tuo.
In the car, Shen Xing said, "Dan Tuo, I still remember the wedding and all that. That Ai Suo was so arrogant."
"I thought he was a big shot, but now it seems he's just a pretty but useless ornament."
Dan Tuo took out a cigarette but put it back in his pocket.
Normally it wouldn't be a problem, but with the Federal Government Army in full force, the sparks from a cigarette would be very noticeable in the forest.
It was better to be safe than sorry, so he put it away.
He said with some annoyance, "A Xing, you're wrong. This Ai Suo is not to be underestimated."
"All these years, even high-ranking officials of the Federal Government Army have given him face."
"Then why was he like that?"
Shen Xing didn't understand.
Last night, when he and Dan Tuo got up to go to the bathroom, they happened to see Ai Suo coming out of Li Ding's room and going straight to Cai Shu.
He even knelt down in front of Cai Shu's door, begging for mercy. He looked very humble.
Dan Tuo sighed and said, "It's not that Ai Suo is weak, it's that our Commander Li Ding is extraordinary!"
"Do you know about the Great Zen Master?"
Shen Xing nodded, "Of course, they say he's a highly respected figure here."
"Even Ai Suo, or even the high-ranking officials or ministers of the nearby Federal Government Army cities, rarely get to see the Great Zen Master."
"It's said that the Great Zen Master can, with just a word, hold a Dharma Assembly that will persuade the residents of Ma Niu Town, who are reluctant to sell cattle, to agree to Ai Suo's cattle trade in Ma Niu Town."
Dan Tuo explained, "Do you remember how you got out of the mine?"
Speaking of the mine, fear welled up in Shen Xing's heart.
He truly thought he had encountered evil spirits back then.
He also truly thought he would die there and never get out.
He remembered the mine vividly, "Of course I can't forget. I disguised myself as a bhikkhu and ran out of there."
Dan Tuo raised a hand and gave a thumbs up, explaining, "The Great Zen Master is the most important figure among bhikkhus."
"Now you know the importance of the Great Zen Master's status!"
"Don't mention Ai Suo. Even the top leaders of the top factions in Bo Mo Nation treat the Great Zen Master with great respect."
"But do you know? Yesterday, I saw with my own eyes that the Great Zen Master came to see Commander Li Ding with great respect!"
"Really?" Shen Xing turned around in confusion.
"You see!"
He straightened Shen Xing's face and continued, "That's why I fully agree with Cai Shu's decision."
"The Bo Bei Army, with this young commander, has an unlimited future! The Federal Government Army? They are like a grasshopper in the autumn!"
Shen Xing nodded thoughtfully, "So Cai Shu used all of Da Ban's savings to make this deal, to win the trust of Commander Li Ding and the Bo Bei Army?"
"How did you know?" Dan Tuo looked at Shen Xing in confusion.
The matter of the increased transaction amount was only known to a few people within Da Ban.
Dan Tuo didn't remember talking about this with Shen Xing.
Shen Xing said with a complex expression, "I guessed."
"You guessed?" Dan Tuo was puzzled.
Shen Xing continued, "Before we set off today, Cai Shu was so nervous. I've been with Cai Shu for a long time."
"He's always been so calm. Even when Ang Tun died and our Da Ban's financial chain was in trouble, he didn't panic."
"But this time…"
"You kid, you've got sharp eyes!"
Dan Tuo raised his hand to pat Shen Xing's head but seeing the rugged mountain road and remembering his own life was important, he withdrew his hand.
Then, Dan Tuo continued, "I might as well tell you. For this deal, Da Ban, including Cai Shu himself, has paid a huge price!"
"The latest increase in the transaction amount reached Da Ban's five-year profits! It's also all the savings Da Ban has now!"