Chapter 124: Boss, Safe Travels
Shen Xing Shan was very clear that what Chen Yang said about banning opium was already an old topic.
If it was really a major reform, banning opium, he wouldn’t have invited him over.
The real reason was that the Japanese were jealous of the opium business and wanted to kick out these foreigners and monopolize the opium market themselves.
It must be known that Japan was originally a resource-poor country, and with such lucrative profits from the opium business, how could they not be jealous.
So, they needed to find an agent.
“Commissioner Chen, we Shanghai businessmen will certainly support the new government’s resolution.”
“I just don’t know what I can do for you?”
Chen Yang said slowly: “Opium must be banned, but Shanghai cannot be chaotic.”
“I hope Boss Shen can contribute and guarantee the stability of the Shanghai market.”
Shen Xing Shan frowned and said: “Does Commissioner Chen mean Tian Darong, Han Chong, Fei Jiu and those people?”
Zhang Xiaolin had eight Vajras under him, the most capable fighter Tian Darong was still lying in the hospital, and the remaining ones besides Song Zushan were six.
It’s not difficult to take down one of Zhang Xiaolin’s men, but the fear is a chain reaction that would disrupt the entire market.
Chen Yang nodded and said: “Boss Shen, rest assured, if the action succeeds, we will next close all the opium dens under Zhang Xiaolin’s name.”
Shen Xing Shan nodded and said: “Banning opium is an urgent task, please rest assured Commissioner Chen, we will fully support it.”
Chen Yang stood up and poured two glasses of red wine, handing one to Shen Xing Shan and saying: “It’s a deal, thank you for your support, Boss Shen.”
Shen Xing Shan took the wine cup, clinked it with Chen Yang’s, and drank it all in one go.
Even if their conversation was overheard, it was all about discussing banning opium, but the real meaning was clear to both of them.
Chen Yang guaranteed Shen Xing Shan that after he took Zhang Xiaolin’s territory, he would immediately close all the opium dens and never touch the opium business.
Shen Xing Shan could then obtain the opium agency rights originally belonging to Sanxin Company, on the condition that he help Chen Yang deal with the six Vajras under Boss Zhang.
Shen Xing Shan put down the wine cup and said: “Commissioner Chen is indeed a pillar of the state, this old man has one more thing to ask.”
“Just now I met Mr. Pi Shaona and Mr. Bogus, I wonder how you convinced them.”
Chen Yang did not hide it: “It’s not simple, the French people don’t have as many thoughts as we do, as long as their own profits are guaranteed not to be lost, they don’t want to meddle.”
“I told them I guarantee an additional ten percent commission on the original dividend basis, and they were naturally very happy.”
Only then did Shen Xing Shan suddenly understand, and he couldn’t help but admire him a bit in his heart.
The French people’s opium business was not entirely under the Municipal Council, a large part belonged to the military.
They took one hundred silver dollars commission per case, and only twenty percent reached the Municipal Council; Chen Yang promised to increase it by ten percent on top of that amount, so they naturally had no objection.
As for the military’s lost income, that was the military’s business, what did it have to do with the Municipal Council.
Shen Xing Shan stood up and said: “Commissioner Chen, if there’s nothing else to command, I’ll go back and make arrangements first.”
“Rest assured, we don’t want Shanghai to be chaotic either, that wouldn’t benefit anyone.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Boss Shen.” Chen Yang stood up and said: “Let me see you off.”
“Commissioner Chen, please stay.” Shen Xing Shan slightly bowed, picked up his cane and briefcase, and walked out.
Watching Shen Xing Shan leave, Chen Yang poured half a glass of red wine and walked to the window, looking at the scenery outside.
Creak, the heavy private room door was pushed open again, Lin Xueyi strode in: “Chen Yang, everyone is arranged.”
“Should we move now?”
Chen Yang raised his wine cup, looking at the scenery outside the window and said: “No hurry, at least let them finish dinner.”
Lin Xueyi was stunned for a moment, then nodded: “I understand.”
The evening light filtered through the colored glass window, casting mottled shadows on the carpet.
Although the crystal chandelier’s light was bright, it couldn’t fully illuminate those dark corners.
The entire space seemed to hide secrets that were hard to voice and the lingering gloom of this era.
The scenery before his eyes was like a gorgeous ship cabin settled in old times, striving to maintain surface glamour and order, but inside it rocked uneasily with the stormy waves of the era, along with the overcast Huangpu River outside the window.
Shanghai, Fuxi Road, Grand World Entertainment City.
Twilight fell, and Grand World Entertainment City welcomed its evening peak.
Suddenly, several black Dodge vans screeched to a halt at the entrance of Grand World Entertainment City.
“Xiao Bao, take men to guard the back door.”
“Ling Jiang, take men and follow me up.” With Director Zuo Mingquan’s command, the secret agents in the van rushed in with pistols.
The basement casino—don’t be deceived by the surface prosperity; correctly speaking, this was a human Asura field.
The air was so turbid it could almost be wrung out, under dozens of glaring incandescent lamps, the place was packed with people and swirling smoke.
Sweaty faces were distorted by greed or despair.
The huge roulette wheel spun rapidly, the crisp sound of the ivory ball hitting the dividers drowned in deafening shouts and sighs.
“Open, big!”
“Damn, big again.” The dice rattled in the bowl, the dealer expressionlessly called the points, chips piled like a small mountain by his hand.
Beside the pai gow table, a skinny hand shakily bet the last few silver dollars, knuckles white from pressure, turbid eyes fixed on the dealer’s fingers.
In the corner, a middle-aged man who had lost everything slumped on a bench, his eyes vacant, as if his soul had been extracted, leaving only a shell gasping in vain.
The female servers in the casino wore revealing uniforms, exposing large expanses of white creamy skin, carrying inferior tea and cheap cigarettes shuttling through the crowd, their calls drowned in greater clamor.
They were very good at reading the situation, often appearing just right beside gamblers when they won money; the gamblers grinningly bought cigarettes, and didn’t forget to grope them, laughing wildly amid the female servers’ coquettish tones.
Sharp-eyed thugs hid behind pillars or door curtains, like lurking hyenas, ready to pounce on troublemakers or sore losers.
The clinking of copper coins, the crisp jingle of silver dollars, the clatter of chips rose and fell throughout the casino.
Bang, a massive gunshot rang out, the bullet hit the incandescent lamp overhead, instantly glass shards flew everywhere.
“Sorry, everyone, customs inspection.” Director Zuo Mingquan pushed through the crowd with his little belly protruding and shouted: “Irrelevant personnel, please leave quickly.”
Everyone present was dumbfounded; customs, inspection—these words happening at a place like Grand World Entertainment City sounded so strange.
“Make way.” A rebuke rang out, Song Zushan with a gloomy face, bringing several thugs appeared at the door; seeing Director Zuo Mingquan’s figure, Song Zushan said sinisterly: “Director Zuo, you’re from the Special Affairs Office, when did you become customs people.”
Director Zuo Mingquan pulled out a document reading “Customs General Administration Prohibition Search Notice” and flashed it in front of Song Zushan.
“Manager Song, I’m just following orders; someone reported you for illegally operating an opium den and selling opium.”
“The Special Affairs Office received a joint investigation notice to thoroughly search Grand World Entertainment City.”
“You dare?” Song Zushan said coldly: “Director Zuo, they say blocking someone’s wealth is like killing their parents.”
“Are you now opposing us?”
Director Zuo Mingquan sneered: “Manager Song, we’re just doing official business, do you intend to resist law enforcement?”
“Anyone who dares obstruct official duties will be shot on the spot.”
Song Zushan angrily said: “You can try, I don’t believe your dozens of men can take down Grand World?”
Director Zuo Mingquan’s face darkened, he raised his hand: “Prepare.”
As soon as the words fell, the people behind Director Zuo Mingquan all raised their guns, the casino side also picked up weapons, both sides tense, war about to break out.
“Thud thud thud.” A burst of rapid footsteps sounded, a man dressed as a thug pushed through the crowd to Song Zushan’s side and whispered something.
Song Zushan nodded slightly: “I know.”
Then, Song Zushan turned back and said: “Director Zuo, if you want to inspect, go ahead, as long as you don’t harass the guests.”
Director Zuo Mingquan was stunned, his small eyes darted around, not knowing what Song Zushan was planning.
At that moment, a figure stumbled in from the main door: “Director Zuo, they’re transferring opium, Team Leader Zhang took men and they’re exchanging fire at the back door.”
Director Zuo Mingquan changed expression upon hearing it; before he could react, Song Zushan shouted: “Close the door, don’t let them out.”
Bang, no one knew who fired the first shot, the basement casino instantly descended into chaos.
Gamblers screamed and fled in all directions, chips and silver dollars knocked over by the panicked crowd, scattering everywhere.
Gaming tables were flipped, the roulette wheel still spinning on its own.
Casino thugs surged from all sides to reinforce, but were firmly blocked at the door by two secret agents left by Director Zuo Mingquan.
Both sides engaged in fierce shootout in the basement, bullets sending wood chips flying everywhere.
It had to be said, there was a gap between the thugs and the secret agents; numbers were similar, but this group of thugs were quickly suppressed and couldn’t lift their heads.
“Damn it, send the signal, call for backup.” Song Zushan retreated while fighting, commanding his subordinate.
The subordinate nodded, rolled agilely several times to the window, smashed the glass, took out a signal flare, lit it, and a massive firework exploded in the sky.
At this time, in a civilian house not far from Grand World, over a dozen men holding Type 14 submachine guns split into several corners, watching the dozens of thugs from all directions.
The leader watched the fireworks burst in the sky, grinned and said: “Cooperate everyone, I’m vegetarian today, don’t want to kill; as long as you stay here for two hours, we’ll leave immediately.”
Grand World top floor, a figure stumbled into the top floor office.
“Boss, Manager Song is fighting with the Special Affairs Office people, he told me to take you away first.”
Zhang Xiaolin’s face was ashen; he didn’t expect Director Zuo Mingquan to really dare come, not only come, but really dare to act.
“Damn bastard, I’ll go kill him now.”
“No no no, Boss, you’re porcelain, no need to clash hard with tiles.” The man earnestly advised: “Come with me, I’ll take you away first, leave this to Manager Song.”
Zhang Xiaolin was slightly stunned, but it made sense; what was his status, worth fighting to the death?
“Good, let’s go.” Zhang Xiaolin tapped his ivory cigarette holder and followed the man down to the ground floor from the other side.
A car was already waiting there, with four or five unfamiliar faces standing by it, probably the ones he had Song Zushan find.
The group got in the car, Zhang Xiaolin looked at Grand World Entertainment City behind him, frowned, turned to the man beside him: “You seem clever, what’s your name?”
The man grinned: “Boss Zhang, I am Lin Huaibu, the one sending you on your way.”
Zhang Xiaolin froze, before he could react, several pistols from front and back were pressed against his head.
“No no, I can give you money, any amount.”
Lin Huaibu chuckled: “Boss Zhang, too late, safe travels.”
