The troublemakers were dragged out, and the gambling tables were cleared, but no one was willing to continue gambling. Yet, no one left, as they all wanted to see how the situation would be resolved.
Many bosses already knew that these troublemakers were from Baoguo and Hongxing, but most of them didn't know Yang Jian, as they spent most of the year in the south and only returned for the New Year.
Both casinos had stopped operations, waiting to watch the spectacle. It was more exciting than watching Hong Kong movies; a real-life gang showdown was something one might not witness in a lifetime.
"Little Yang, why don't we let these people go? I'll discuss it with Mr. Wu, and we'll forget about the hundred thousand yuan. Hongxing and Baoguo are at their peak right now, we can't beat them."
Song Jianhao, seeing so many people watching, knew that if the situation escalated further, it would be unmanageable. He quickly pulled Yang Jian aside to advise him.
Yang Jian looked at him incredulously, "Brother Hao, if we back down today, this place won't be able to operate anymore?"
"So be it if we back down. We can just run a private gambling den. With so many onlookers, business won't be bad."
"Then will Mr. Wu agree to forfeit the hundred thousand yuan?"
"I'll go find Mr. Wu to discuss it. You, stop hitting people."
Song Jianhao truly didn't want to confront forces like Hongxing and Baoguo. It didn't align with his low-key and smooth-talking personality.
Not long after, Wu Wangchun and his brothers Wu Zhi and Wu Xian arrived with Song Jianhao.
"Little Yang, this has escalated, and it might be difficult to resolve. Are you planning to confront Hongxing head-on? He's the local kingpin here, with far more men than you. How about I find someone to mediate?"
Wu Wangchun still supported Yang Jian, as they were from the same hometown, and Yang Jian's father was an old friend.
Song Jianhao chimed in, "Exactly. A wise man knows when to retreat. I know you can fight, but the other side surely has many people. You can't fight with your bare fists against many. It's better to endure it for now. Let the people go, and then have Sister Feng find Hu Zhenghua to mediate. Baoguo should be amenable to that."
Hearing that he needed Baoguo to be amenable, Yang Jian immediately became furious. He was already planning to settle scores with Baoguo. The hatred for the death of his grandfather was irreconcilable. If he weren't in his current predicament, he would have already acted against him.
"Uncle Wu, are you not taking that hundred thousand yuan anymore?"
Yang Jian suppressed his anger and ignored Song Jianhao. Since he had publicly promised to collect the hundred thousand yuan to pay Emperor Company, he couldn't go back on his word, unless Wu Wangchun voluntarily gave up the money.
Before Wu Wangchun could speak, Wu Zhi eagerly interjected, "Of course, we want it. It's the rule of the house. Otherwise, how can we sit as dealers in other places in the future? Brother Jian, don't worry, I'll help you later. I don't believe the boss of Chengguan has three heads and six arms."
Wu Wangchun slapped the back of Wu Zhi's head, "Who asked you to play the hero here? Little Yang can fight several of you by himself. Get lost."
Wu Zhi rubbed his head and obediently retreated to the side. He was still a little afraid of his uncle.
"Little Yang, I don't want you to get into trouble. I can forgo this hundred thousand yuan. You should leave first. Old Song and I will help you find someone to smooth this over."
Wu Wangchun displayed the responsibility expected of an elder.
Before Yang Jian could make a decision, Song Jianmin rushed over, "Yang Jian, the scouts outside reported that Hongxing's people have entered. I estimate they were waiting nearby, otherwise, they wouldn't have arrived so quickly."
Song Jianhao panicked upon hearing this, "What should we do? It's too late to find someone to mediate. I'll discuss it with Sister Feng and have her call Hu Zhenghua. I'll also contact Brother Mao. Only the two of them might be able to placate Baoguo."
Yang Jian sneered, "Brother Hao, don't rely on others. You should leave. I'll handle this. Jianmin, call everyone out of the ancestral hall to avoid accidental injuries."
Since he had to settle scores with Baoguo sooner or later, he might as well end it today. If it weren't for his grandfather's death, Yang Jian might have backed down. After all, this casino was run by Brother Hao, and he, as a minor shareholder, didn't need to take the lead.
The situation had reached a point of no return. Song Jianmin and his brother immediately organized personnel to evacuate the gamblers from the ancestral hall to the outside.
Yang Jian then found Biao Biao, Liang Liang, Liu Chao, and San Pang.
"Biao Biao, Liang Liang, Hongxing's people will be here soon. I plan to confront them. You can choose to avoid it; I won't blame you."
"What are you saying, Brother Jian? From the moment we dealt with Liu Ming, we've been brothers who share life and death. Even if thousands of troops come today, we'll fight with you to the last man."
Biao Biao directly pulled out his repeater and prepared for a major confrontation.
Liang Liang, holding a homemade gun confiscated from Er Ping, said calmly, "Don't worry, Brother Jian, we'll advance and retreat with you. When paths cross, the brave will win. With our two firearms, I don't believe they won't be afraid."
"Brother, I won't leave either. At worst, I'll fight those bastards."
Liu Chao also held a machete over a meter long. After two fights, his courage grew. He was already powerfully built, and when he got fierce, his combat effectiveness was even stronger than Biao Biao's.
"Then San Pang, you go out. You're a fellow disciple of Baoguo, so don't get involved in this. Hide in the crowd and don't show yourself. The four of us are enough. Liang Liang, dismiss the people you called over too. We'll settle the expenses later."
Yang Jian quickly made arrangements. At this time, the more people there were, the greater the casualties. He would rather get hurt himself than implicate others, and most importantly, he didn't have money to compensate.
San Pang didn't refuse. His position was indeed awkward; he knew both sides well, and his combat effectiveness was too poor. Following Yang Jian would only be a burden. He quickly ran outside the ancestral hall.
Liang Liang then dispersed the brothers he had temporarily called over. Er Ping and his group were locked in the side rooms.
Outside the ancestral hall, nearly a thousand people had gathered to watch the commotion, all having rushed over from the theater. News of what happened in the casino spread rapidly through word of mouth by those who enjoyed gossip.
Everyone knew that the newly risen boss of Chengguan was about to have a showdown with the legendary Yang Jian. This was much more exciting than watching a play – a rare opportunity.
"Beep beep beep."
A series of car horns sounded, and the crowd quickly parted to create a passage. A long convoy roared in, with a total of over a dozen vehicles. Leading the way was a dark green Toyota Prado, followed by four vans, and then seven or eight sedans.
With a screech of brakes, the convoy stopped twenty meters from the entrance of the ancestral hall. Over forty people alighted, all young men uniformly dressed in camouflage uniforms, carrying machetes and clubs.
From the Toyota Prado SUV stepped out a man in his thirties, about 1.7 meters tall, with a robust build, a crew cut, and a thick gold chain around his neck. He cast a dismissive glance at the onlookers, then waved his hand and led the young men in camouflage towards the entrance of the ancestral hall.