The matter of going to Hongzhou was handled smoothly. Lu Qian and his wife met the student who worked at the Judicial Bureau. The student arranged a meeting with Warden Pang, and after a meal and two generous red envelopes, Lu Feng's appointment as team leader was secured.
Returning to Chengguan from Hongzhou, it was past five o'clock. Yang Jian didn't eat at the Lu family's house because Liangliang and the Song Jianhao and Song Jianmin brothers were waiting for him at Pinwei Shiguang.
Furthermore, Yu Feng had asked to meet him, also at Pinwei Shiguang.
Yang Jian decided to meet them all together and asked Liangliang to book a private room in advance.
"Brother Jian, the dishes are all ordered. Should we serve them now?"
Upon entering the private room, Liangliang poured him a cup of tea.
"Serve them. I didn't eat enough with the guests at noon, and I've been driving for over two hours straight. I'm starving."
Yang Jian greeted Sister Feng and Song Jianhao first, then took the tea cup and drank it down in one go.
"Er Jian, did you see Lu Feng today?"
Yu Feng's mental state was not good; she probably hadn't rested well due to her nephew's affairs.
"I didn't go to see Lu Feng today. I went to meet with the prison leadership to ensure Lu Feng is treated well inside. The matter was handled quite smoothly."
"Notify me next time you visit. I want to see Lu Feng too."
"Sister Feng, you should arrange a separate time. The Lu family has a deep prejudice against you and won't agree to you going together."
"Then arrange a time. There are some things I want to tell Lu Feng in person. I don't want him to resent me after he gets out."
Yang Jian nodded. "Alright. I've been a bit busy lately. Once things calm down, I'll take you."
"Is the factory very busy? Our site's project manager told me about the fight you were in at the resettlement housing construction site. He said the three of you beat Xiong Er and his thirty or forty men so badly that you became famous again in Xunsi River. I didn't expect you to have such a reputation there before."
"I didn't fight for fame. I was forced into it. Xiong Er beat my truck and driver without any reason. Can I just tolerate that?"
"You fought well! I heard Xiong Er is very afraid of you. Zheng Guangyao's construction site won't be harassed anymore. Why didn't you come to our construction site that day? I had already informed the project manager to treat you well."
Yang Jian scratched his head. "I'm sorry, Sister Feng. I was worried the police might find trouble with me because of the fight, so I didn't dare to linger too long."
Yu Feng forced a smile. "It's okay. You should take some time in the next few days to go over and sign the template purchase and sales contract with the project manager."
"Really? But I can't guarantee the quality of my templates yet!"
"Since Mr. Zheng is using your templates, the quality should be fine. However, I have a request. If anyone harasses our construction site, you have to step in and help me resolve it. This shouldn't be difficult for you. I hope you won't refuse."
Yu Feng finally revealed the purpose of their meeting. Even the largest construction companies encounter harassment from criminal elements. The solutions are either to have a strong background that can suppress local forces, including both legitimate and illegitimate channels, or to submit to the local criminal elements and give them a portion of the profits.
Yu Feng's Dong Sheng Group clearly did not have influence that extended to Xunsi River, a semi-urban and semi-rural area. She could only submit to local forces.
Unexpectedly, Yang Jian had made a name for himself in this area, making the local criminal elements afraid to provoke him.
Yang Jian did not hesitate this time. "Don't worry, Sister Feng. I'll cover your construction site. I guarantee no one will dare to cause trouble."
Yu Feng was very surprised. "You're not there every day, so how can you guarantee it? There are quite a few forces there. Our manager said at least four groups have approached him, either wanting to supply materials or bid for projects. It's much more complicated than other places."
Liangliang smiled and said, "Sister Feng, we're going to be stationed in Xunsi River. Brother Jian is partnering with Li Jin, the most influential person there currently, to open a casino. It's almost ready. We have our own team, so covering your construction site should be no problem."
"Really? That's great! Our company plans to do three phases of projects in Xunsi River, which will take at least five to six years. As long as you can ensure our projects proceed smoothly, we will also provide financial support."
During this period, due to her nephew's illegal detention and indecent assault of female gamblers, Dong Sheng Group and Yu Feng herself had faced immense public pressure, forcing her to constantly put out fires. This news today undoubtedly boosted her spirits.
Yu Feng's implied meaning was that she was willing to support Yang Jian's rise in Xunsi River. The two parties were mutually beneficial, one providing money and the other effort.
Yang Jian smiled. "Sister Feng, I don't need your special support. Just let all your construction sites use my templates. My ultimate goal is to build a large and strong enterprise. Opening a casino is just a temporary measure."
"No problem, this is a small matter for me."
Yu Feng was very pleased. Yang Jian's request was too simple. Not being harassed by local criminal elements and reducing construction costs for the sites would be beneficial, even if Yang Jian's template prices were slightly higher.
Seeing that Yu Feng's matter was settled, Song Jianhao quickly refilled Yang Jian's tea. "Xiao Yang, let's talk."
At this moment, a waiter came to serve the dishes, and Yang Jian didn't respond to him.
It was a bit awkward. Liangliang quickly smoothed things over. "Brother Jian, I met Brother Hao at home while looking for someone in Songjia Village, so I told him about you opening a casino."
Yang Jian smiled. "This isn't something to hide. Brother Hao, what are your thoughts?"
"Xiao Yang, Xunsi River is also our old base. Can I participate in your casino?"
Song Jianhao's meaning was clear: you, Yang Jian, were brought to Xunsi River by me. Now that you're opening a business there, you shouldn't forget where you came from and leave your guide behind.
As soon as he said this, Song Jianmin and Liangliang's expressions changed. This was not the posture of someone asking for a favor. Song Jianhao was an experienced veteran; how could his emotional intelligence be so low?
Yu Feng also looked at Song Jianhao in surprise, thinking he hadn't spoken so poorly before.
Yang Jian, however, didn't mind. "Brother Hao, I'm partnering with Li Jin to open a casino in Xunsi River. The shares are allocated by him. If you want to get involved, you'll have to discuss it with him. If he agrees, I have no objections."
"Xiao Yang, you know I'm not familiar with Li Jin, so how can I discuss it with him? My request isn't high. Even half a percent of the shares in the company would be fine because I have no capital left. Emperor Company can't be sustained anymore. You were desperate when you left, and I helped you out. Now that I'm in trouble, you can't just stand by and watch."
Before Yang Jian could answer, Song Jianmin couldn't help but interject. "Brother, what are you saying? Yang Jian doesn't owe you anything. Do you not know how much he has helped you since the New Year?
Not to mention helping you secure the venue during the New Year, but when Fugui detained you, if he hadn't provided two hundred thousand yuan, you might have been dismembered by Fugui."