Biao Biao grabbed his extendable baton and prepared to leave. Only San Pang and Song Ge followed him; the others remained still.
"What's wrong with you guys? Let's go."
Biao Biao wasn't foolish enough to think the three of them could rescue Song Jianhao on their own. Seeing that Sixi and the others hadn't moved, he naturally stopped.
Sixi felt a bit awkward. "Biao Biao, don't be impulsive. The other party is a top boss in Hancheng. We can't win against them. Just the few of us going there wouldn't even be enough to fill their teeth. Let's think of other ways to get Brother Hao back."
"What other ways are there?"
"They want a million. Old Wu, you're a shareholder, you decide this."
Sixi tossed the responsibility to Old Wu. Raising money was a shareholder's concern, not theirs as employees.
Old Wu jumped up. "A million? Where am I supposed to raise a million? Fugui is too greedy. We haven't even won a million from his establishment, and this is outright extortion. I think we should call the police."
"We can't call the police. They have the video. If we call the police, Brother Hao will go to jail."
"If I don't call the police, where will I find a million?"
"You should discuss it with Yang Jian and Jian Min. They are also shareholders."
Song Jianmei said, "I'll call Jian Min. You guys contact Yang Jian."
Biao Biao objected. "Brother Jian is worried about his sister's situation. It's past midnight, and he's not feeling well himself. Let's not bother him. I'll call him tomorrow."
Sixi and the others knew Biao Biao had a good relationship with Yang Jian, so they agreed with his suggestion.
However, Song Jianmei was anxious. She immediately called Song Jianmin and told him to quickly discuss with Yang Jian how to rescue Song Jianhao.
Song Jianmin, who had only just started to walk again, rushed to the People's Hospital early in the morning and woke Yang Jian from his sleep.
Yang Jian, groggy, asked, "Jian Min, why are you here so early? Can you walk around now?"
"Yang Jian, your family has such a big problem, why didn't you tell me? If my sister hadn't called me, I wouldn't have known you were back. How is your sister?"
"She's still in the intensive care unit. She should be transferred to a regular ward today. I don't know the specifics of her injuries yet."
"Alas, that Wu Laizi is truly a scoundrel, to be so brutal to a woman. He'll get ten or eight years if caught."
"I won't let him go to jail. That would be too easy for him. I want him to feel like living is worse than dying."
"Don't be too extreme, Yang Jian. Don't get yourself dragged down by an impulsive act. I'm here today for another important matter that might require your help."
Seeing his serious expression, Yang Jian knew it was no small matter. "Tell me, what is it?"
"My brother was detained by Fugui last night. They want us to pay a million to release him."
Song Jianmin briefly recounted the events of the previous night.
Yang Jian frowned. "Did Brother Hao really cheat?"
"Definitely not. My brother doesn't know how to cheat. Changing dice on the spot requires considerable skill. Old Wu wouldn't even guarantee he wouldn't be discovered. So, Fugui is framing him deliberately this time."
"What can I do? I have over 400,000, but this money is for Yang Fan to save my sister."
Yang Jian thought he had come to ask for money.
Song Jianmin shook his head. "I'm not here to ask you for money. We can't and shouldn't pay this million. We need to find someone to mediate and get Fugui to release my brother."
"Dabai" is a local dialect in Xinhe, meaning to find someone who has a good relationship with the person involved or has influence to act as a mediator to resolve the issue.
Yang Jian understood. "Who can we find to mediate? We don't know Fugui."
"We can approach two people. One is Yang Fan. His boss, Luo Tong, has some reputation in Jiangbei, and might be able to talk to the Fu Ping and Fugui brothers. They are top bosses in the underworld, and might give face.
Another option is Yu Feng. Her family has extensive connections and is on good terms with high-ranking officials in the Hancheng police. If pressure is applied through high-ranking police officials, Fu Ping and Fugui might also give face and release him.
Whether it's Yang Fan or Yu Feng, you'll have to invite them. Of course, we'll have to pay a price. The purpose of finding a mediator is to minimize the compensation amount."
Song Jianmin spoke strategically. He didn't mention anything about shareholders paying, so as not to put pressure on Yang Jian.
Yang Jian thought his words made sense. He decided to ask Yang Fan first. It would be more appropriate for someone from the underworld to handle this kind of matter.
At this time, Yang Fan should be awake and doing his morning exercises, so it wouldn't disturb his rest. Yang Jian dialed his number and recounted the events.
"Little Yang, this matter is a bit difficult. Although Luo Tong has considerable strength, he's still a notch below Fu Ping and Fugui. The Fu Ping and Fugui brothers are top bosses in Hancheng, on par with Old Pan from Jiangnan and Hua Zi from the Hancheng train station, known as the three major underworld leaders of Hancheng. Luo Tong doesn't even rank among them, and he has no direct dealings with Fu Ping and Fugui.
Moreover, Fugui is a scoundrel. He has no bottom line and a bad reputation in the underworld. Otherwise, with his status, he wouldn't resort to such low-class tactics. His brother, Fu Ping, is more upright and is the true head of the Fu family."
Yang Fan objectively described the situation of Hancheng's underworld, subtly indicating that he might not be able to help.
Yang Jian didn't want to force him. "Brother Fan, what about applying pressure through high-ranking police officials? Do you think that would be effective?"
"Not necessarily. As top bosses in Hancheng, their network extends beyond Hancheng. The high-ranking police officials in Hancheng might not be able to exert much pressure on them. This is a big deal for you, but a small matter for those officials, not worth them owing Fu Ping a favor."
"Then what should we do? We don't have a million to give him either."
"Don't worry. How about this: After breakfast, I'm meeting with Luo Tong. I'll ask him to think of a way. He has a connection with Hua Zi. We can see if he can ask Hua Zi to mediate with Fu Ping and try to get President Song out with the least cost."
"Thank you, Brother Fan. That would be best."
"Don't thank me yet. This might not work. How are things on your end? Have you caught Wu Laizi?"
"No, that guy is very cunning. He ran as soon as he heard the wind. He should be in the south by now."
"Where in the south? Do you have any leads? I have fellow disciples developing in the south, and they have considerable influence. They can provide you with help."
"He should be in Nanhai City. There are many people from Xinhe there, and Wu Laizi's boss, Hong Xing, is also there. I've already arranged for people to search there."
"Nanhai, huh? I'll contact my fellow disciples and ask them to keep an eye out for this Hong Xing. It shouldn't be difficult to find him if he has some influence there."
"Okay. As soon as I find them, I'll go immediately. I want to deal with Wu Laizi personally."
Wu Laizi was like a thorn in Yang Jian's heart, and he thought about removing it constantly.