Despite the varied reactions of the crowd in the hall, Hu Po, standing in the center, remained composed, as if everyone's responses were within his expectations.
"Everyone, I know you have many questions. Why don't we have a few representatives come forward? Otherwise, if everyone speaks one by one, we might not finish even by tomorrow," Hu Po said, after letting everyone vent their initial surprise.
Instantly, the previously noisy hall fell silent again.
If their earlier uproar hadn't been taken too seriously, Hu Po now asking individuals to step forward was a different matter.
Those who had claimed not to fear Hu Po were now facing the undisputed paramount leader of Dian Province. Unless they united as one, no single person present stood a chance against him.
If someone were to step forward alone and voice their earlier sentiments, they risked enraging Hu Po and making a formidable enemy. This was something no one wanted.
Thus, for a moment, the previously boisterous crowd fell silent.
"Brother Zhang San, among those present, you are the senior. Perhaps you could share your thoughts first?" After the crowd quieted, Hu Po voluntarily selected one person.
Zhang Zicheng was one of the top figures in Qian Province. Although he hadn't unified the entire province like Hu Po, his reputation for loyalty and generosity was widespread among the underworld figures of Qian Province, earning him the respect of most.
As Hu Po spoke, all eyes turned to Zhang Zicheng.
"What's this, Hu Po? Think you're hot stuff now, not caring about anyone else? You're still too green to challenge Brother San!!!" Before Zhang Zicheng could speak, a burly man with a crew cut and eyes like copper bells, sitting to his right, slammed the table and stood up. He was over two meters tall, and his voice boomed like thunder.
At this point, Zhang Zicheng, seated in the center of the table, stood up. He first patted the burly man's shoulder. Despite the anger on the latter's face, he immediately sat down without hesitation after Zhang Zicheng's touch.
After the burly man sat down, Zhang Zicheng smiled and said, "Hu Po, the reason we in this business are here is for money. Many years ago, the boss who brought me into this line of work said something I still remember: to earn everyone's respect, you must ensure that everyone following you makes money."
"So, I have only one thing to say: if you can ensure that the brothers here can eat well and drink well, and live better than before, then I will be the first to agree. But if you can't, I think it's best to maintain the status quo."
With that, Zhang Zicheng sat back down.
With Zhang Zicheng setting the precedent, several other influential bosses, without Hu Po needing to name them, stood up and voiced their opinions, almost all of them disagreeing with the proposed alliance.
"Everyone, I think Brother Hu's proposal is excellent. As the saying goes, there's strength in numbers. We are so many, and we've all been struggling individually like scattered soldiers. But if we unite, we will be invincible in whatever we do in the future. Therefore, I wholeheartedly support Brother Hu's proposal!"
Just as everyone was voicing their opposition, someone jumped out and seconded Hu Po's proposal. However, as soon as he finished speaking, someone immediately scoffed, "Crow, you limp when you walk, so when is it your turn to speak? Sichuan Province has many heroes, how did it produce a blockhead like you!"
Being publicly ridiculed, Crow was about to retort angrily, but when he saw Hu Po in the center of the hall, he forced himself to hold back. He could only glare fiercely at the man before sitting down.
"Brother Xiong, as the leader of the provincial capital of Sichuan, you should say something too."
"That's right, Brother Xiong, we'll listen to you."
The representatives from other provinces had spoken, leaving only Sichuan. Shen Xiong, as the leader of the Sichuan provincial capital, naturally became the focus, especially after Crow's embarrassing display.
"Alright, since everyone wants me to speak, I'll say a few words," Shen Xiong, with Du Fei by his side, was brimming with confidence. He stood up and looked at Hu Po in the center of the hall, saying, "Brother Hu, I disagree with your proposal. I don't know what others are thinking, but I think things are fine as they are. Besides, we are just common folk. If we truly band together, won't that give the authorities a reason to crack down on us? I absolutely will not support such a suicidal act."
As soon as he finished speaking, many voices of agreement echoed in the hall.
"Exactly, we are the underworld. Wouldn't it be suicide to get together?"
"After becoming the leader of Dian Province, Hu Po must have gotten too big for his boots and forgotten who he is."
"Damn it, what an idiot!"
Hu Po, who had maintained his composure earlier, gradually grew somber under their barrage of words.
"Noisy!"
Just then, Lin Gongfeng, who had come to the hall earlier and sat directly beside Hu Po, spoke. His voice was like a thunderclap, making everyone in the room feel a deafening roar and tremble with fear.
Following that, Lin Gongfeng slowly stood up.
In Lin Gongfeng's eyes, everyone present, including Hu Po, were mere ants, not even worth his notice. It was only because an important figure behind Hu Po had contacted him through certain channels and offered him an irresistible reward that Lin Gongfeng had agreed to help Hu Po consolidate the southwestern region.
However, he hadn't expected Hu Po to be so useless, getting stonewalled by these ants, with very few people showing him any respect. If this continued, the situation might escalate into a full-blown argument. Thus, Lin Gongfeng decided to intervene.
Seeing Lin Gongfeng stand up, Hu Po's face immediately darkened. He had just boasted to Lin Gongfeng that everything was under control, only for it to turn into a mess. Moreover, judging by Lin Gongfeng's expression, he was clearly displeased with Hu Po's earlier performance.
Lin Gongfeng stood up and scanned the entire hall with his eyes. Everyone who met his gaze felt a chill, as if being targeted by a venomous snake, their skin prickling with goosebumps.
"I will only say this once," Lin Gongfeng's voice was icy. "Everyone present, if you wish to leave here alive, you must agree to the alliance. Otherwise, it's a dead end!"
Everyone in the hall stared at Lin Gongfeng in shock, their situation having changed drastically in the blink of an eye.