Slug was brought to Malfoy Manor by the house elf, where Lucius Malfoy was already sitting in a high-backed chair waiting.
"What's going on in your letter? Someone wants to steal your business?"
"Yes, sir. In the past two months, every once in a while, someone comes to the store to buy a large amount of materials, the most of which is dittany, but there are other potion materials. I have to replenish the goods several times in a row to supply them."
Lucius tapped his leather-gloved fingers on the table next to him, "Let me repeat what you said. You mean, our potion materials are selling very well, but do you think this is not a good thing? Even if we earn tens of thousands of Galleons from it?"
"Yes, sir! Of course I'm not saying that Galleons are not a good thing. I mean that the other party bought so many materials, but not our potions. This is very strange."
"I'm listening."
"If ordinary wizards need potions temporarily, they will directly buy our finished products. After all, the potion level of ordinary wizards is not as good as that of the potion experts in our store." Slug said.
"Even if some wizards are highly skilled and want to save costs by making their own potions, they will only buy a few ingredients."
Lucius nodded.
He has shares in Slug and Giggs' pharmacy. Although he rarely participates in the operation of the store, he still takes a look at the basic accounts occasionally. What Slug said is consistent with what he knows.
"In the past, only professors at Hogwarts would buy a large amount of potion materials at one time, because they usually have to provide the amount needed for students to practice for a semester."
"But the buyer this time is not any professor I know. Although they use different appearances every time they appear, because the things they buy are roughly similar, I have reason to suspect that they are actually in the same group."
"Why do you think they buy so many materials since they are not professors?"
Lucius thought about it, but had no clue, and said: "Tell me what you think, don't let me guess!"
"Yes, yes, sir. I suspect that they are going to open a potion shop! Only to open a potion shop would you need so many materials! They may be hoarding medicinal materials now. And by doing this, they can also prevent us from gathering enough materials in a short period of time, resulting in our inability to supply customers with the potions they need, thereby reducing Low our evaluation "Lucius understands," You mean, we have a competitor? "" Yes, I am very convinced! " It's not a good thing, you go to investigate! "After all, it was a large amount of Galon, and he was really reluctant." But leave enough for the amount we need. "In the end, Lucius ordered another sentence. "Yes, sir."
…
"Here is the key to your vault." Locke handed a small golden key to Murphy, "You can use it to withdraw money at any counter, just like an ordinary vault."
On the seventh day after receiving Locke's gold coins, Murphy summoned this special goblin.
There was no other way, the orders for Yunduan Baiyao were growing too fast, and he had to continue buying materials.
Murphy handed a suitcase to the goblin, "There are 150,000 pounds in it. I just need 28,000 more galleons in the vault, and the difference can be your commission."
It was a last resort to exchange pounds for gold and then for galleons. Now that there was Locke, the insider of Gringotts, there was no need to go through so much trouble.
And this exchange rate was much more cost-effective than Gringotts.
"Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Murphy. But which name do you want to use to withdraw money? I suggest you not use your real name."
Murphy had not planned to use his real name.
After thinking for a while, "Let's call him Stephen Cumberbatch."
"We'll use this name when we meet in the future."
Murphy was a little helpless about having to open a small account, but who made him do something so shady.
"Okay, Mr. Stephen, your gold coins will be ready in two days."
"Then we will be allies from now on." Finally, the big thing of obtaining wizard currency was done, Murphy was in a good mood and stretched out a hand.
Locke was a little surprised, he hesitated and stretched out a hand, and shook hands with Murphy.
"Happy cooperation, Mr. Locke."
Locke seemed a little flattered, "Happy cooperation, Mr. Stephen."
Locke didn't breathe a sigh of relief until Murphy Apparated away.
As a goblin, especially a goblin who is not recognized by his own race and does such a shady business, he rarely gets a good face.
It was the first time that Locke saw an attitude other than contempt and disdain from a wizard.
Stephen Cumberbatch, no, Murphy Darkholme.
This wizard seemed a little different.
…
"When can we build a research institute?" Murphy asked again in Patrick's room.
This was the third time he asked this question.
Although Patrick was talking about building a three-dimensional farm, Murphy automatically thought of it as a research base integrating production and research. After saying it twice, Patrick acquiesced.
"I know you are anxious, but don't be too anxious." Patrick said, "We have too many things recently. We have to move, recruit people, advertise, buy equipment, buy materials..."
"Umbrella Corporation is no longer a workshop now. We can't always work in my home. To be honest, Audrey is already worried that too many strangers will come to my house."
Audrey is Patrick's wife, a very elegant Latin American designer.
"Uh, sorry."
Murphy did feel a little bad because his work disturbed other people's lives.
"And we have to recruit people, personnel, finance, marketing, at least more than 20 people to set up the framework... So, we don't have that much money to use."
"Aren't we very profitable?" Murphy asked.
"Indeed, but the recent expenses are also very high. To build a research and development base... We don't have the ability to do so at present."
"Okay." Murphy was a little disappointed.
After all, selling potions to make money is just a means, what he wants is magic research.
But what Patrick said is right, the umbrella has just started, and the grass-roots team has not been set up yet, and it is indeed a bit hasty to want to set up a research and development center.
"However, we can first find someone to do the preliminary design and planning, as well as site selection and the needs of researchers, and do some preparatory work, which can be outsourced."
"Okay!" Murphy nodded, "Let's do it."
After the discussion, Murphy was about to leave, but Patrick stopped him and gave him a package.
Murphy opened it and saw that it was a mobile phone.
"You appear and disappear all day long, and I can't contact you. Take this with you, and I'll call you if there's anything."
(End of this chapter)