After hearing Yang Jian's words, Fang Zhicheng was first stunned, then overjoyed.
"Little Yang, you mean Bai Zheng agreed to let our Xichuan Gang enter Phoenix Street, on the condition that you control Phoenix Street in your name?"
"Smart, Cheng Ge gets it right away, saving me a long explanation."
Yang Jian was a little surprised that Fang Zhicheng understood Bai Zheng's intention so quickly.
"That's great, this is the best way to handle it. In fact, Phoenix Street was taken down by you leading the Xichuan Gang. Everyone in our Xichuan Gang and on Dongjiang Road knows your great name, Yang Wu.
And now you've become Bai Zheng's sworn brother. On the surface, Phoenix Street is still Boss Bai's territory, and you've become a favored figure on both sides."
Yang Jian smiled, "You can understand it that way, but I don't intend to truly control Phoenix Street. According to Boss Bai's wishes, except for the alcohol business, all other businesses will be given to your Xichuan Gang, and I will only be responsible for the alcohol business. I won't interfere with anything else."
"As long as we can enter Phoenix Street, the distribution of benefits is up to the higher-ups. My mission is considered complete."
Fang Zhicheng was already very happy that the Xichuan Gang's influence could enter Phoenix Street.
He understood that alcohol and drugs were the two most profitable businesses in Phoenix Street, both of which were sought after by the underworld.
The alcohol business was particularly lucrative because it was ostensibly legal. Even if investigated, it would only result in penalties from the industry and commerce department, at most a fine.
However, hallucinogenic drugs like ketamine, ecstasy, and GHB, commonly used in nightclubs, fell entirely into the category of illegal drugs and were severely cracked down upon by the police.
Therefore, the alcohol business was a matter decided by the top bosses of both sides, not something a minor figure like him could decide.
"Cheng Ge, Bai Zheng is meeting Qin Ming tomorrow to finalize this matter. Do you think you should inform Boss Zheng, so it's not awkward when I meet him?"
On the night of the disturbance at Phoenix Street, Boss Zheng had provided assistance and lent him a car. Although they hadn't met, Yang Jian was grateful to Boss Zheng.
Fang Zhicheng thought for a moment and said, "I'll just tell Boss Zheng that you've accepted the invitation to join us and agreed to oversee Phoenix Street. As for your relationship with Bai Zheng, it's better to let Bai Zheng announce it himself tomorrow."
"Okay, we'll do as you say. Are you feeling better now? Want to go for a drink?"
"Drink, we must drink! We'll truly be working together from now on, it's worth celebrating. Let's go to Phoenix Street, I'm treating tonight, don't fight me on this."
"Cheng Ge, what's the point of drinking fake or expensive liquor in Phoenix Street? It's not as satisfying as skewers at a roadside stall."
"Alright, let's go to the roadside stall for skewers."
Yang Jian turned the car around and merged into the dense traffic.
Eating morning tea is the local term for breakfast in Dongjiang. The breakfasts of Dongjiang people are very ritualistic. As long as they are not too busy, the whole family will go to a tea house for morning tea.
Morning tea originated in the Qing Dynasty, initially emphasizing "one cup and two pieces," meaning a cup of tea and two types of dim sum. However, modern morning tea is much richer.
In addition to tea, there are a wide variety of snacks, such as siu mai, char siu bao, shrimp dumplings, egg tarts, and rice noodle rolls, with flavors tending to be light and sweet.
Bai Zheng had a particular fondness for morning tea, so he chose a tea house called "Dongjiang Renjia" for his meeting with Qin Ming. This tea house was older than Bai Zheng, and it held half of Bai Zheng's memories.
Only Ah Bao and Yang Jian accompanied Bai Zheng, and they booked a private room on the second floor.
While waiting for Qin Ming, Bai Zheng had already ordered a large table of tea snacks.
At precisely eight o'clock, the door to the private room opened, and three men entered, led by a server.
"Old Bai, you're here so early. Long time no see. Your hair has turned quite white. Have you made so much money that you're worried about how to spend it?"
The man in the middle, around forty years old, was slender, with fair skin and a refined demeanor. He wore glasses, looking like an academic intellectual.
Yang Jian was a little surprised. This person was clearly Qin Ming, the top boss of Dongjiang's underworld, who looked like a frail scholar. The contrast was too stark.
Ah Bao quickly stood up to help him with his chair, while Bai Zheng and Yang Jian remained seated.
"Old Qin, you start by teasing me as soon as we meet. Everyone knows you have two listed companies now, and your net worth is several times mine. I'm worried about not being left too far behind by you, so how can my hair not turn white?"
Bai Zheng smiled and offered him a cigarette.
Qin Ming sat beside him and lit the cigarette casually.
Accompanying him were a bodyguard and Zheng Jingfa, the boss of the Xichuan Gang.
"Hello, President Bai."
Zheng Jingfa clearly recognized Bai Zheng and greeted him proactively before sitting opposite them.
Bai Zheng nodded in acknowledgment.
"Old Bai, we haven't had tea together in a long time. I come to this place often, but I've never run into you."
Qin Ming glanced at Yang Jian and chose to ignore him, assuming he was Bai Zheng's bodyguard.
"Yes, it's been almost two years since we last met. I haven't been here much in the past two years, spending most of my time in Hong Kong and abroad, so it's natural that we wouldn't run into each other."
"Have your children also gone abroad?"
"Yes, I learned this from you. I sent my wife and children abroad early. I can't fall behind!"
"Haha, there's no other way. No matter how much we try to legitimize ourselves, there will always be people watching. We must have a fallback plan. Tell me, did you invite me today because there's a lucrative opportunity for me to participate in?"
After a few pleasantries, Qin Ming got to the point.
"Let's eat and talk. I've been waiting for you with an empty stomach. Everyone, please start eating, don't be shy."
Bai Zheng picked up his chopsticks and began to eat, while also urging Yang Jian and the others not to just sit there.
After eating until he was half full and taking a sip of tea, Bai Zheng wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Old Qin, Boss Zheng must have told you about Phoenix Street, right?"
Qin Ming also put down his chopsticks. "Yes, he briefly mentioned it yesterday. What's wrong, Old Bai? Are you going to interfere in the affairs of the subordinates?"
The atmosphere was a bit delicate. Yang Jian could sense that the superficial harmony between these two bosses was false. If he guessed correctly, these two likely fought a lot before they rose to prominence.
It's just that their status and age have changed, and the past grievances have faded. There's no need to fight to the death.
Bai Zheng smiled. "It's not that I want to interfere in their affairs, but Phoenix Street is ultimately a territory I built myself. Most importantly, my goddaughter's nightclub is there. Boss Zheng's Xichuan Gang is moving in, and she doesn't feel safe."
Zheng Jingfa quickly said, "President Bai, rest assured, I will not touch the Blue Berry Nightclub."
"I don't trust your promise because Chen Kai has too deep a grudge with you. Even if you don't suppress her, your brothers won't let my goddaughter off."
"Old Bai, we're both old now. We shouldn't concern ourselves with how the subordinates cause trouble. It's the rule of the Jianghu: the winner becomes king, the loser becomes a bandit.
I heard that Old Zheng's brother, Yang Wu, single-handedly took down the Yuzhen Gang and even crippled that 'Buddha' fellow.
This Yang Wu is a ruthless individual, no less than you or me. Even if you forcefully prevent the Xichuan Gang from entering Phoenix Street, no one will help you defend it. Tell me, who among your subordinates can stop Yang Wu? You can't possibly fight him yourself."
Qin Ming's tone carried a hint of mockery. He had learned about Yang Wu from Zheng Jingfa and was deeply impressed. Fighting the entire Yuzhen Gang by himself was something he couldn't have done in his youth.