Chapter 116 Internal and External

Overseas Chinese organizations place great emphasis on etiquette, especially when it comes to weddings and funerals. They pay attention to details and processes.

Gu Tongshan was a senior figure in the Dockworkers' General Association. He had previously served as a leader in the Zha Nan dock gang and held a position in the Dragon City government. Therefore, his prestige and connections in this circle were extremely strong.

Death is the greatest event. After some discussion, the people from the Dockworkers' General Association immediately began preparing a grand funeral for Gu Tongshan.

The dock gang's busy night and negotiations with the police are another matter.

The next morning, after Gu Tongshan's mourning hall was set up at the Dockworkers' General Association, Xu Hu put on the filial attire that only a son could wear and began receiving guests in the hall.

Wei Xiangzuo had also been busy all night, so in the morning, he told the elders of the dock gang, "I'm tired. I'm going back to sleep."

Wei Xiangzuo didn't show his face during the day. Instead, he found a place to sleep soundly, seemingly unaffected by his master's death.

Xu Hu was different. He was genuinely emotional. When receiving guests during the day, his eyes were always tearful and red-rimmed, and his voice trembled.

After a busy morning, around noon, the Dockworkers' General Association prepared food and drinks, and the mourners went to eat. There were fewer people in the courtyard.

Xu Hu sat next to the coffin in the mourning hall, burning paper money while saying to a middle-aged man in a suit, "Old Wu was also killed with Master. The Longkou district is now without a leader."

"Yes, it was chaotic last night. If I hadn't suppressed it, the people from Longkou might have raided the Su, Bai, and Kong families last night," the middle-aged man replied in a low voice.

"Now is not the time to cause trouble." Xu Hu burned paper money and said calmly, "We need to be more flexible."

The middle-aged man looked down at him, slowly bent down, and squatted, "How so?"

"Nick has also been arrested, and he probably won't escape death." Xu Hu whispered, "These people were lost in Dragon City. Zhan Hammer will probably send people over."

The middle-aged man paused for a moment and picked up an apple from in front of Gu Tongshan's memorial tablet. "Yes, the old guys in the General Association were still discussing this morning about what to do with Zha Nan's territory now that Old Gu is gone."

Xu Hu looked up at him, his eyes bright. "Zhan Hammer's goods are expensive and limited, and they must be exclusive. If we continue to do things according to the old model, the brothers below... won't make much money."

The middle-aged man took a big bite of the offering apple, juice dripping from the corner of his mouth. "Old Xu, just say what you want to say."

"I don't want to sell Zhan Hammer's goods anymore." Xu Hu said directly, "Let's switch to a new channel!"

"The old guys might not agree to this. Although Zhan Hammer's goods are expensive and limited, they've been working with our dock gang for so long. The prices are transparent to the higher-ups." The middle-aged man glanced around and lowered his voice. "If you set up a new channel, you'll be negotiating the prices, which is uncontrollable for the old guys. Who knows how much you're negotiating for? They'll be suspicious."

Xu Hu looked up at him. "You don't dare to do it."

"I don't even know if I can take over as the Longkou district leader, so how can I make decisions?!" The middle-aged man curled his lips. "Old Wu died last night, and the Longkou heads and hall masters are already arguing. They're almost shooting each other. Brother, the situation isn't stable yet, so how can I talk about policy?"

Xu Hu burned paper and whispered, "If you work with me, I'll guarantee you get the position of Longkou district leader and become a small dragon head."

"Can you do it?" the other party asked.

"I'll do my best to support you. If it works out, I'll take you with me when I negotiate prices with the new channel. In the future, I won't take a cut from your Longkou district's goods. We'll get them at the same price." Xu Hu squinted at him and said, "You know me. I always keep my word in business."

"Give me a hint. Who in the General Association is supporting you?" the middle-aged man pressed.

"Let's put it this way. If this matter requires a vote from the elders, I have at least 30% of the votes in support now, and that doesn't include the support from Customs. If people from the other halls also speak up for me, then this matter can be done," Xu Hu replied.

The middle-aged man took two bites of the apple, stood up, and replied, "Okay, I'll work with you!"

"Good. I'll introduce you to the new channel's supplier later." Xu Hu nodded.

"That's it. I'm going to eat." The middle-aged man threw the half-eaten apple into the trash and turned to leave.

Inside the coffin, Gu Tongshan, who had been beaten to pieces, was still lying quietly. After Xu Hu met with the middle-aged man, he met with a Customs officer.

"Can you hold the territory?" the officer stood with his hands behind his back next to the mourning tent.

"I need your support! The dock gang's movement of goods depends on Customs' attitude." Xu Hu said with a smile, "If you agree, then it can be done; if you don't agree, then it can't be done. The old guys understand this."

"How will the profits be split?"

"I'll give the higher-ups an extra 10% on top of the original." Xu Hu whispered, "The new channel's goods are already cheaper. If we can do it long-term, the price can be lowered, so the profit margin won't be small."

"Okay, it's settled."

"We have to make our attitude clear before Zhan Hammer's people come."

"You arrange it." The officer said, and left.

Xu Hu guarded the mourning hall in the courtyard all day and met with at least a dozen people. His master's death kept him busy.

Until the evening.

Wei Xiangzuo finally walked over sleepily, bent down, and sat under the mourning tent. He asked directly, "When will we avenge Master?"

"Xiangzuo, we must secure ourselves internally before dealing with external threats! The situation in Zha Nan is turbulent!" Xu Hu replied.

Wei Xiangzuo was silent for a full three seconds before standing up and replying, "Okay, then you continue to be turbulent here. I'll go find the murderer."

After speaking, Wei Xiangzuo walked away expressionlessly.

Xu Hu looked at him and waved his hand. "Little Fei!"

"What's up, Boss?"

"The profits that weren't settled last month should be held back, and we won't settle this month either." Xu Hu looked at Wei Xiangzuo's back and continued in a low voice, "Do you understand what I mean?"

"Understood." Little Fei nodded.

"Also, release those people from the Security Bureau immediately. I'll apologize to the higher-ups later."

"Got it!"

...

That night, Captain Niu and others were released. He immediately called Yu Mingyuan, but the latter simply sent a text message, asking him to contact Su Tianyu.

Su Tianyu was busy dealing with the aftermath when he received a call from Captain Niu. "Hello?"

"You guys are really screwing us over! Why didn't you tell us about your follow-up plan? Do you know how passive I was?! Dozens of people came up and started beating us, and it didn't even work when I showed my work ID." Captain Niu cursed, "Are you using us as guinea pigs? Huh?! Who are we working for? You guys are too inconsiderate!"

"You've misunderstood. It's a long story..."

"I don't give a damn! Hurry up and send someone to pick me up. Those people don't know where they threw us. We don't have a car..."

"Where are you?"

"If I knew where I was, would I still be calling you?!"

"Are there any landmarks there?"

"No, it's by the sea, there's just a big pit..." Captain Niu replied irritably.