Chapter 10

The bosses present were all deep in thought when suddenly two cold laughs echoed through the room.

Everyone looked up, and it was Boss Huang who spoke again.

"Boss Su, your idea is indeed good, but it's a bit impractical. Merchants seek profit and will go to any lengths. If we implement your plan, we will indeed attract many customers at first. But if the people from Changde Market react and copy us, the advantage of their location will immediately become apparent, and we still won't be able to compete with them."

Everyone nodded, Boss Huang's concerns were indeed reasonable. The people from Changde Market would definitely copy such a strategy.

Su Xin put down his teacup and shook his head. "They can't copy it. Changde Market has a fatal flaw: the sizes of their plots are all different. Our Changle Market was planned by the government in the past, even the floors are identical. But what about Changde Market?

That area was rebuilt from ruins after the capital was moved. The shops vary in size, from small taverns to large gambling dens with three floors. There are also all kinds of other shops, and even some government buildings.

This makes it impossible for them to achieve the kind of mutual exchange we can. Even if they want to copy us, only a few powerful and wealthy merchants could buy up the surrounding shops and replicate our model.

The land in Changde Market is worth a fortune, and how many merchants can afford such a large investment? The financial strength of Changning Prefecture is known to all, and there are no more than five such wealthy merchants. If Changde Market can achieve a 30% success rate in copying us, that would be quite good.

But this 30% won't be enough to meet the needs of the entire Changning Prefecture. The remaining customers will have to come to our Kuaile Forest to enjoy this service!"

Everyone nodded, Su Xin's plan was well-thought-out, and he had considered almost every possibility.

Now, the only hesitation among the merchants was the 10% dry share.

For these merchants, paying the monthly fees was like being cut with a knife, let alone giving up a 10% dry share.

After a long silence, Boss Huang finally spoke. "Boss Su, your idea is indeed good, but my Shunde Gambling Den is a small business, and I'm short on cash right now. I can't afford to invest, so let's not trouble ourselves."

Although Boss Huang somewhat looked down on Su Xin, he still approved of his plan.

However, approval is one thing, but he couldn't agree to it. A 10% dry share was too much, and he didn't want to give it, nor could he.

If he gave it to Su Xin now, what if the government or Su Xin's godfather, Hu San, got jealous and demanded a 10% share as well?

So, this precedent must not be set!

But refusing Su Xin's terms doesn't mean he won't follow his plan.

He would delay for a while, citing his current financial difficulties. After some time, he could still collaborate with a few other bosses and implement Su Xin's plan.

By then, it wouldn't be so easy for Su Xin to demand a share from him.

The people present were all seasoned, and they immediately understood Boss Huang's meaning when he spoke.

However, these people, though small in business, didn't dare to openly defy Su Xin.

But their silence was a tacit refusal.

"Boss Huang, sometimes being too clever isn't a good thing."

Su Xin sighed and slowly walked to Boss Huang's side.

As Su Xin approached, Boss Huang felt a chill run down his spine, making him shudder.

But he considered himself different from the small tavern owners, so he forced a smile. "What do you mean, Boss Su? I don't understand."

"Don't understand? I'll explain it to you slowly."

The iron sword hanging at Su Xin's waist was suddenly in his hand.

He forcefully pulled Boss Huang's right hand onto the table, and with a laughable iron blade, he pierced through Boss Huang's right hand and the table, driving it several feet deep, leaving only the hilt visible!

"Ahh!"

Boss Huang let out a piercing scream. The blood splattered onto a nearby person, who immediately retreated, even kicking over a chair.

Everyone present was shocked. No one expected Su Xin to act so suddenly, with no warning!

Ji Gang's eyelid twitched, and though he didn't speak, his smile faded, and his eyes showed shock.

Li Hua, however, stared at the iron blade embedded in the table, his eyes flickering with an indescribable expression.

To be able to pierce a man's hand and a one-inch thick redwood table with a thin iron blade required extraordinary speed and strength.

"Boss Su, let's talk this out, no need for violence!" Liu, the boss of Zuiyue Tower, quickly tried to mediate, but he was also terrified.

Even though they knew refusing Su Xin's share would offend him, they didn't expect him to act so quickly!

Their status was different from that of the crippled Wang Fat, who was just a small pharmacy owner. They were well-known major merchants in Changning Prefecture.

They paid thousands of taels in taxes to the government each year. How could the government allow them to be bullied by a gang?

If gangs could act with impunity, who would pay taxes to the government, and instead give the money to gangs as protection fees?

So, the gangs generally treated these major merchants well, as long as they followed the rules.

But someone like Su Xin, who acted without hesitation, was a madman!

When the government became angry, the Flying Eagle Gang wouldn't be able to protect him and would likely hand him over as a scapegoat!

The bosses present, even if they faced the Flying Eagle Gang's leader, Sha Feiying, wouldn't be afraid, as he was a man of principles.

But now, facing a madman like Su Xin who didn't follow the rules, they were helpless.

Looking at Boss Huang, who was sweating profusely from the pain, Su Xin said calmly, "Do you really think you can fool me, Su Xin? Delaying time, using my plan but not giving me a share? Hmm?"

Boss Huang was in too much pain to speak. As a boss who had always lived a life of luxury, when had he ever suffered such torment?

Su Xin then swiftly pulled the iron blade out of his right hand, pressed his left hand on the table, and pierced it in the same way!

Boss Huang let out another scream, and the hearts of the other bosses skipped a beat. His two hands were now useless.

Su Xin looked around, and none of the bosses dared to meet his gaze.

"Actually, I'm a man of principles. I come up with the plan, you make money, and I get a taste. Is that too much to ask?

If you take my plan and don't want to pay, then I'll have to take it myself."

He pulled the iron blade out and grabbed Boss Huang's hair, thrusting the blade into his mouth and stirring it, pulling out a bloody piece of flesh.

Su Xin whispered in Boss Huang's ear, "Has anyone ever told you that your mouth stinks?"

But at that moment, Boss Huang couldn't hear anything. The moment Su Xin cut his tongue, he fainted from the pain.

"Now, is anyone willing to agree to my plan?"

All the bosses nodded frantically. In this situation, who would dare to refuse? The one who refused was already a cripple on the ground!

"Then let's sign the documents."

Su Xin waved his hand, and Huang Bingcheng immediately had someone bring in the writing materials to draft the transfer of the dry share.

Though the bosses didn't say anything, they wrote the documents obediently, but they were inwardly sneering.

You, Su Xin, have gone too far today. We'll see how you get out of this!

Wiping the blood from his blade on Boss Huang's body, Su Xin waved at Huang Bingcheng. "Go call the brothers in."

Su Xin had fewer than seventy gang members, but when they all entered, the hall became crowded.

Seeing Boss Huang lying on the ground, covered in blood, the gang members shuddered.

This boss was really ruthless!

Looking at his subordinates, Su Xin said solemnly, "Being in the underworld is about selling your life for a good price.

I, Su Xin, am not a good person, and I don't expect you to give your life for free. Now, I have an opportunity, and I want to know if you dare to take it."

He pointed at Boss Huang. "Boss Huang of Shunde Gambling Den is now crippled, as you all saw.

Whoever steps forward and turns themselves in to the government, claiming they did it, will receive 300 taels of silver, and I, Su Xin, will take care of their family!"

The gang members' breathing quickened. 300 taels of silver was a fortune for them.

Most of Su Xin's subordinates were recruited locally, with only a few being old members of the Flying Eagle Gang.

These people came from the slums, and even a basic living was hard to come by.

Now, with 300 taels of silver in front of them, they couldn't help but be tempted.

Seeing their interest, Su Xin added, "Turning yourself in doesn't mean you'll die. I'll arrange for you to be released within three years.

Spend three years in prison, and when you come out, I, Su Xin, will have a place for you in my gang!"

The bosses looked at Su Xin in shock. Was he really going to do this?

A gang member, about 25 or 26 years old, stepped forward and said fiercely, "I'll take the blame! 300 taels of silver will ensure my mother, wife, and son never worry about food and drink again."

He bowed to Su Xin. "Boss Su, I'll give my life to you, but I hope the brothers will keep an eye on my wife, so she doesn't take my money and run off with someone else!"

The hall erupted in laughter, but some gang members regretted not stepping forward.

Now, three years in prison for 300 taels of silver seemed like a great deal!

They had been in prison for a few months before for petty crimes, so why were they afraid now?

"Rest assured, I don't want your life. As soon as you turn yourself in, I'll arrange for a lawyer to defend you, and the money will be sent to your family.

Everyone here can witness this. I, Su Xin, keep my word. If I break it, I won't be able to stay in Changning Prefecture."

The gang member nodded and left.

The bosses immediately lowered their heads, not daring to have any other thoughts.

At that moment, Su Xin seemed even more terrifying than when he crippled Boss Huang.

He understood the government's mindset better than the gang members, who only knew violence.

Harming someone is illegal, but the government doesn't care who did it; they only care about their performance and reputation.

By delivering the criminal to them, Su Xin gave them the face they needed.

He would also arrange for the necessary bribes, ensuring they had the substance as well. Why would they go against Su Xin?

As for Boss Huang, no one would care, and some of the merchants were already thinking about how to take over his Shunde Gambling Den.

"Alright, today's discussion has been pleasant. I won't keep you any longer. You all know the plan. Start the renovations in the coming days."

The bosses glanced at Boss Huang, who was still lying on the ground, and inwardly sneered.

Was this really a pleasant discussion?

But they didn't dare to show any defiance, and they all smiled and bowed as they left.

"Everyone else can leave. Old Huang, stay. Oh, and have Boss Huang carried away and taken care of. Don't let him die."

Injuring someone and killing someone are different. If Boss Huang died, it would be hard to explain to the government.

After everyone left, Huang Bingcheng bowed and said, "Boss, I'm really impressed. I never thought you could come up with such a plan."

"It's nothing, just a small trick," Su Xin waved his hand.

Though Huang Bingcheng thought Su Xin was being modest, it was indeed just a small trick.

Such things were common in his previous life.

Here, no one had used or even thought of such methods because the gangs only valued strength.

"Strength is the only way!"

Su Xin sighed. If he had the strength, he wouldn't need to resort to such low tactics, which were exactly what the merchants like Boss Huang enjoyed.

If it were the Flying Eagle Gang's leader, Sha Feiying, with his peak strength, he could have killed Boss Huang on the spot, and the government would have turned a blind eye.

The government also had its own power.

Changning Prefecture had 49 markets, with Changde Market in the center, and 12 markets in each of the east, west, south, and north. Each group of 12 markets had a chief constable.

These four chief constables were all at the peak of their strength, and they had over a hundred constables under them, allowing them to maintain control over the three gangs and four associations in Changning Prefecture, even if it was just on the surface.

"Old Huang, take 300 taels to the brother who will take the blame. Do it in front of everyone.

Also, find the most famous lawyer in Changning Prefecture to help him get a sentence of less than three years.

You know which officials to bribe. Don't skimp; we'll need to deal with them in the future."

Huang Bingcheng said, "300 taels for the family, and a good lawyer costs about 10 taels. But the officials will probably need at least 1,000 taels."

Su Xin nodded. "1,000 taels, less than I expected."

"But we don't have that much," Huang Bingcheng said with a bitter face. "Our only 500 taels were given to Hu San. We only have some loose silver left."

Su Xin said calmly, "Shunde Gambling Den is large. Even if the Huang Fat doesn't have 100,000 taels, he has a few thousand. Isn't that money?"

"Boss! We can find someone to take the blame for crippling Boss Huang, but if we take his property, the government will definitely intervene," Huang Bingcheng said, alarmed.

Harming and robbing someone was more serious than just crippling them. It would cross the government's line.

They were a gang, and if they started robbing, they would become bandits, which was a different matter.

"We can't take all the money, nor do we want to. Have the property of Shunde Gambling Den inventoried and listed, and give it to Hu San. He will understand my meaning."

The so-called line of the government didn't really exist.

With enough money and strength, that line could be bent.

Huang Bingcheng left, still unsure, and Su Xin added, "When you go, you might see Ji Gang. Don't be surprised; just pretend you didn't see him."

Huang Bingcheng nodded thoughtfully and left.

---

The page turned, and the advertisement began.

The page turned, and the advertisement ended.