After parting ways with Bai Zheng, Yang Jian and the other three returned to Jiarong residential area, but they didn't go upstairs. Instead, they discussed their next plan in the car.
"Afeng, Anan, Junjun, what do you think about Brother Zheng opening a casino? Should we cooperate with him?"
Although he had agreed to Bai Zheng, Yang Jian still wanted to get his friends' opinions. Brothers should share fortunes and face difficulties together.
Afeng spoke first, "Brother Jian, I think this is a huge opportunity. Uncle-master gave up his underworld businesses to set up this casino, which shows his high expectations for it. Moreover, its positioning is very clear, targeting wealthy individuals from Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Casinos like this will have enormous capital flow, not to mention the profits. There's probably no more profitable business. It's already a stroke of luck for us to get a share of it."
Anan also nodded, "Brother Jian, Brother Feng is right. We must seize this opportunity and soar to success."
"I agree too. Our visit to him this time was very coincidental, right when he was forming a new team. He also values our team highly, so we shouldn't refuse."
Yang Jian chuckled, "You're flattering yourself. Brother Zheng accepted us entirely out of respect for Brother Fan. The casino shares are actually for Brother Fan, and we are just his representatives."
Afeng disagreed with this statement, "Brother Jian, don't underestimate yourself. Uncle-master giving us casino shares is indeed partly out of respect for Master, but more importantly, it's an acknowledgment of your success in opening a major casino in Hancheng.
Furthermore, during our time in Dongjiang, you single-handedly crippled Brother Fo's Yuzhen gang. Just this accomplishment alone earned you his high regard.
Since Uncle-master plans to sever ties with his established brothers and form a new team, and we have no background or criminal record in Dongjiang, we are the best candidates."
"Alright, but how do we manage Phoenix Street? Are we supposed to become mob bosses and extort protection money? That goes against our principles."
Not bullying the weak, not extorting, and not earning ill-gotten gains were Yang Jian's bottom lines. Bai Zheng asking him to oversee Phoenix Street meant making him the local mob boss, which put him in a difficult position.
"This matter is easier to handle. Let's invite Fang Zhicheng out later and clearly tell him that Phoenix Street can be controlled by the Xichuan gang. We only want the alcohol business. From now on, we'll have nothing to do with any fighting and killing in Phoenix Street, unless someone interferes with the alcohol business."
"Actually, that's what I was thinking, but we can't predict future events. If you walk by the river often, you're bound to get your shoes wet. If the Xichuan gang can't handle something, they'll likely ask us to step in, and it won't be easy to refuse."
"Brother Jian, let's take it one step at a time. Uncle-master doesn't want to give up the alcohol business now. us guarding this business for him is considered the condition for obtaining casino shares, and also our pledge of allegiance. We cannot refuse it."
"Alright, I'll ask Fang Zhicheng to come out and talk."
Seeing that everyone's opinions were unified, Yang Jian no longer hesitated. After all, working together as brothers, everyone should voice their thoughts to avoid future recriminations. The things they were doing were all clandestine and carried a high probability of being investigated by the police.
Ten minutes later, Fang Zhicheng walked out of the residential complex gate and got into Yang Jian's car.
"Xiao Yang, why didn't you come inside? I just finished dinner not long ago and don't really want a late-night snack."
Fang Zhicheng looked dejected, as if he had encountered some trouble.
Yang Jian smiled, "Brother Cheng, why the long face? Did you have a fight with your wife?"
"No, I'm sorry, Xiao Yang. I have some bad news for you. Brother Fo was rescued this morning. Boss Zheng scolded me severely, and I have no face to tell you this. It was my carelessness. I should have moved Brother Fo to several different locations."
Brother Fo being rescued had disrupted Boss Zheng's plans, and Fang Zhicheng was under immense pressure. If he hadn't recently seized several of Brother Fo's territories, he might have been kicked out by Boss Zheng directly.
"Brother Cheng, I'm sorry. I was the one who leaked Brother Fo's location to Bai Zheng. He arranged for people to rescue Brother Fo. I hope those four brothers weren't hurt?"
Now it was Yang Jian's turn to feel embarrassed.
Fang Zhicheng stared at him with wide eyes, "Xiao Yang, stop joking. How do you know Bai Zheng? Have you already defected to him?"
"Brother Cheng, don't get agitated. Let me explain. A few days ago, I contacted my elder brother who is overseas. He heard I was in Dongjiang and entrusted me to visit his senior brother, Bai Zheng.
We went to Bai Zheng's villa today. Unexpectedly, during our conversation, I learned that Bai Zheng is Brother Fo's boss. Even more bizarrely, Bai Zheng's goddaughter, who is also Brother Fo's girlfriend, Meng Meiyun, is my high school classmate.
Under these circumstances, I couldn't conceal it, so I had to tell Bai Zheng Brother Fo's location. I also specifically instructed them not to harm your brothers. I hope you can understand."
After hearing Yang Jian's explanation, Fang Zhicheng was speechless for a long time. What could he do? He didn't dare to get angry at Yang Jian, and besides, Brother Fo was also kidnapped by him, so he had the right to dispose of him as he pleased.
"Xiao Yang, Brother Yang Wu, I can understand your situation, but you've really put me in a terrible spot! The planned negotiation was suddenly canceled by Boss Bai, and we knew Brother Fo was rescued by him. But we never expected it was the location you provided. However, they indeed did not harm my brothers."
"It's good that your men weren't hurt. I apologize for this."
"Brother, there's no need for an apology. The problem is that I'm in a difficult situation now. Boss Bai didn't interfere much in our disputes with the Yuzhen gang before, but now if he's determined to help Brother Fo, it will be very difficult for us to establish ourselves in Phoenix Street. He is a top figure in Dongjiang and can drive our Xichuan gang out of Dongjiang in minutes."
Yang Jian deliberately asked, "So powerful? Don't you have local bosses above you who can support you against Bai Zheng?"
"Alas, you don't know. Local bosses like Bai Zheng have already become powerful figures and entered the capital industry. They disdain participating in low-level money-making methods like fighting for territory and street brawls. That's why there's room for us outsider gangs to survive.
Therefore, these big bosses won't fall out with each other over disputes among their subordinates. I also heard that our boss Qin Ming is classmates with Bai Zheng. If Bai Zheng wants to eliminate us, Qin Ming won't intervene."
Fang Zhicheng clearly understood the dynamics of Dongjiang's underworld better than Yang Jian, so he was pessimistic about establishing themselves in Phoenix Street. However, Boss Zheng was determined to take control of Phoenix Street and had sent him to lead the charge. In this situation, he was caught between a rock and a hard place.
"Brother Cheng, you mentioned a few days ago that Boss Zheng wanted me to oversee Phoenix Street. Is that still valid?"
Yang Jian smiled at him, wanting to give him a surprise.