Chapter 74

Ma Pinghai called Wu Lei, who was clearly surprised: "Secretary Ma, why did you think of me, a busy person like you?"

"Brother, you know me, I don't like owing favors. Today, I really have something important to ask you," Ma Pinghai said straightforwardly. This wasn't the time for formalities; now he had to put aside his pride and ask for help: "I need your help, six o'clock tonight, at the Jin Ge Grand Hotel, I'll treat you!"

Wu Lei, the youngest of the three major figures in Hedong City, was not yet in his forties, but he was meticulous and clear-headed, which is why he rose to power quickly: "Secretary Ma, you're being so formal with me? Ha, if you want to drink, I'll certainly join you."

"I know you're the most loyal, brother," Ma Pinghai breathed a sigh of relief. "See you tonight, no backing out."

"No backing out."

After hanging up with Wu Lei, Ma Pinghai took a deep breath and called Jin Biao: "Biao Ge, it's me, do you have time?"

"Secretary Ma, are you trying to shorten my life by calling me that?" Jin Biao had just been discharged from the hospital, his mouth still swollen, and it hurt to speak: "Brother Hai, just say what you need, no need to be formal with me."

Ma Pinghai knew Jin Biao wasn't as straightforward as Wu Lei, so he didn't have high hopes: "Biao Ge, don't mock me, I need your help."

Jin Biao was slightly taken aback. He knew Ma Pinghai rarely asked for help, so what could be so important that he would ask him?

"Six o'clock tonight, at the Jin Ge Grand Hotel, Wu Lei and I will be waiting for you, Biao Ge." Seeing that Jin Biao wasn't speaking, Ma Pinghai had to bring up Wu Lei to increase his chances.

Hearing that Wu Lei would also be there, Jin Biao's heart skipped a beat. In Hedong, only these two could be mentioned in the same breath as him. They were actually inviting him to dinner, and he had to go: "Brother Hai, I'll treat you! I'll definitely be there!"

After a few more pleasantries, the call ended. Jin Biao had his own thoughts. He wasn't going to help Ma Pinghai, but to bring up the issue of the new force in Nanan District.

If it weren't for Qi Yishan, Jin Biao would have been done for a long time ago. Qi Yishan had told him not to provoke that person again, as they had the support of the police, and Qin Wan'er, who was now a favorite of Chief Chen, was backing them.

Jin Biao had completely given up on taking over Nanan District, but he needed to find a way to reconcile. Otherwise, he was worried that if the other side decided to retaliate, it would be trouble. If he could rally the other two major figures to his side and offer them the position in Nanan District, perhaps they could coexist peacefully.

If they refused, he would have to find a way to incite Ma Pinghai and Wu Lei to join him in taking them down!

...

After hanging up, Ma Pinghai felt a bit more at ease. He immediately headed to the Jin Ge Grand Hotel. He couldn't delay this any longer; if he did, he would be in real trouble.

At six o'clock, Wu Lei arrived first. Ma Pinghai had prepared the most luxurious private room and ordered the highest standard of dishes and wine.

Wu Lei was a bit uneasy. Such high treatment, this old man wouldn't be asking them to kill someone, would he? "Secretary Ma, do we really need to be so extravagant? We're all friends, right?"

"Just a casual dinner, no need to be so formal, brother." Ma Pinghai said, taking out a box of Nanjing 95 and offering it to Wu Lei, then immediately lighting a lighter to light his cigarette.

Wu Lei quickly refused and lit his own cigarette. He didn't know what Ma Pinghai wanted him to do, so he wouldn't let him light his cigarette. Eating a meal without doing a favor wasn't a betrayal, but if he smoked a cigarette lit by him, he would have to help.

Just as they lit their cigarettes, Jin Biao waddled in, his face still swollen despite the best anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling injections: "Brother Hai, this treatment is a bit too much, I thought you were hosting a state leader, hahaha!"

Ma Pinghai and Wu Lei were both surprised to see Jin Biao.

"Ah, isn't that Brother Wu Lei? Long time no see!" Jin Biao said, extending his hand.

Wu Lei also stood up to greet him: "Biao Ge, please, come in!"

Ma Pinghai looked puzzled: "Biao Ge, what about your injuries..."

Wu Lei also wanted to ask but didn't, as it was embarrassing to admit being beaten.

"Brother Hai, don't mention it. A fierce dragon from across the river has come to Hedong, and I might not be able to hold onto the East District. I'm just giving you a heads-up today," Jin Biao said with a bitter expression. "See this? They beat me up, and it was vicious. My nephew even had him arrested, and the police came to take him away! They have strong backing!"

Hearing this, Wu Lei forgot why they were there: "Biao Ge, who's so powerful that they dared to touch you?"

"Touch me? Hmph, you'll be next." Jin Biao sneered. "We might all be done for, and the entire Hedong underworld will belong to them."

Ma Pinghai and Wu Lei took a deep breath. Who could be so powerful?

Jin Biao waved his hand: "Enough, Brother Hai, why did you call us here? Just say it, no need to be formal."

Ma Pinghai smiled and had the waiter serve the dishes and pour the wine. "No rush, no rush, let's eat first."

During the meal, Ma Pinghai repeatedly stood up to toast, setting the stage. Jin Biao also took the opportunity to talk about the situation in Nanan District. The other two were very curious about this new force, especially since anyone who dared to touch Jin Biao was no ordinary person. Now that Jin Biao had made it sound so serious, the two were naturally uneasy.

Soon, after a hearty meal, Jin Biao had made his point and said to Ma Pinghai: "Brother Hai, you should tell us what you need. I've had quite a few drinks, and if you don't say it soon, I might get drunk."

Ma Pinghai took out an envelope and placed it on the table, sliding it to Jin Biao: "I just need you two to help me find these two people in the photo. A friend of mine is looking for them, and I don't have enough people to do it quickly, so I have to ask for your help."

Wu Lei thought it was a big deal to need such a grand setup and prelude, but it was just to find people: "Sure, Secretary Ma, I'll have my people keep an eye out."

Jin Biao picked up the envelope but had no interest in the photo. Was it really necessary to ask them for help to find people? It was almost insulting: "Brother Hai, you have a lot of free time, helping a friend find people, when we might not even be able to hold onto our own territory."

Ma Pinghai frowned. Although he thought Jin Biao was exaggerating about the new force in Nanan District, he couldn't deny the injuries on his face: "What should we do?"

"Right, Biao Ge, they've already attacked you, I'm really worried," Wu Lei said. He was the weakest of the three, and if a powerful force came, he would need the other two to help.

Jin Biao knew this dinner wasn't for nothing: "Whether we can hold onto our territory depends on whether we can unite."

"How do we unite?" Ma Pinghai frowned. If he had to send more people, he had no one left, and he needed these two to help him.

Jin Biao had already thought it through: "Tomorrow, I'll be the mediator. We'll invite them out and be straightforward. We'll support them controlling Nanan District, but they can't interfere with our business. If they refuse and still want to expand, we'll unite to resist them, no matter who they target!"

"Agreed!"

This resonated with everyone, but it was a selfish resonance.

Jin Biao had this idea because he knew if they acted, he would be the first target. Ma Pinghai agreed because he had no one left to resist the invasion, and he didn't have the nerve to ask Red Scorpion Hao Kai for help. Wu Lei supported it because he was the weakest of the three, but he was the only one with any defensive capability left.

"Then it's settled!" Jin Biao finally smiled. "If there's nothing else, I'll go first."

"Sure, it's settled." Wu Lei nodded. "I'll go too."

Seeing that Jin Biao hadn't opened the envelope to look at the photos, Ma Pinghai quickly reminded him: "Biao Ge, Brother Wu, don't forget to help me find those two people in the photo..."

"Don't worry." Jin Biao waved the photo at Ma Pinghai. "I'll make a thousand copies as soon as I leave, and I'll give a few hundred to Brother Wu to distribute!"

Ma Pinghai felt a weight lifted from his heart. With so many informants, finding the people would be faster.

When Jin Biao and Wu Lei left the restaurant, Jin Biao immediately tore the envelope in front of Wu Lei and threw it in the trash.

Wu Lei was slightly taken aback, wanting to ask but holding back.

Jin Biao saw Wu Lei's puzzled expression and patted his shoulder: "Brother, in such a critical time, Ma Pinghai still asks us to help him find people, thinking he's the secretary. This is something his subordinates should do. Look at my injuries; I was attacked on my own turf in Tuoshan District. Be careful."

Hearing this, Wu Lei agreed. With a powerful force expanding, he had no time to help Ma Pinghai find people. He needed to focus on the situation in Nanan District.

"Thanks for the warning, Biao Ge," Wu Lei said. "I'll definitely stand with you. If they dare to act, we'll fight them!"

Jin Biao nodded firmly: "Yes, with your support, I'm reassured!"

Wu Lei looked loyal, but he had already made up his mind. He would let the two old birds go first and wouldn't foolishly send his own people to the front. When their forces were weakened, he would act.

After a few more pleasantries, they left. Ma Pinghai was watching from the private room upstairs and saw Jin Biao tear the envelope: "Damn, Jin Biao, you talk one way and act another. Don't blame me for playing dirty!"

...