Afeng's request put Chen Song in a difficult position. Normally, few people dared to embarrass him, but now he couldn't afford to get angry. If Afeng and his crew caused a scene, the casino wouldn't be able to operate, and Hua Zi would find out.
However, he couldn't afford to offend Xiao Zhao and his associates either. It wasn't that he was afraid of them, but rather that the tigress at home had business dealings with Xiao Zhao. A single phone call could bring her to the scene, and then even a hundred mouths wouldn't be enough to explain.
"Afeng, I can have them extend credit to fixed bosses, but asking for half their profit seems a bit excessive."
Chen Song tried to use his authority to suppress Afeng.
"Brother Song, I'm only discussing this with you privately out of respect for you. If it were anyone else, I'd have those people beaten and kicked out."
"Then wait a moment, I'll go discuss it with Xiao Zhao."
Afeng clearly wouldn't back down. Chen Song, not wanting trouble in the casino, chose to compromise temporarily. He walked behind Xiao Zhao and whispered something to him, then the two of them went into the adjacent room.
"Brother Song, you can't be joking. We're putting up money to extend credit, and they want half the profit? This is the first time I've heard of someone being so domineering. Doesn't he know that Lord Ma has three eyes? I want to see what they're made of!"
When Xiao Zhao heard Chen Song relay Afeng's demand, he immediately laughed. The new credit company present today was brought by him; in fact, he was the one who funded it. Extending credit was a highly profitable business. Chen Song had managed to gather so many influential bosses to gamble, a rare sight in all of Hancheng, so he also wanted a piece of the pie.
"Xiao Zhao, don't even think about causing trouble in my casino. This establishment was originally supported by their credit company. Letting you extend credit here is already a great favor. Moreover, they aren't ordinary street thugs; your people can't handle them."
Unable to suppress Afeng, Chen Song could only exert pressure on Xiao Zhao.
Xiao Zhao was a bit surprised. "Who do they belong to? As long as they're not Brother Hua Zi's people, who the hell am I afraid of?"
"Their boss's strength might not match Hua Zi's, but he's far more powerful than either of us. Even Hua Zi has to show him some respect. Furthermore, they're a professional crew; as long as they're paid, they dare to make a move against anyone. So, don't provoke them. Either your credit company withdraws, or you accept their terms."
"Brother Song, you're not trying to scare me, are you? There aren't many people in Jiangbei who even Hua Zi has to give face to. Who is it?"
"You don't need to know who it is. Let me put it this way: if things really kick off, you'll be the one to suffer."
Xiao Zhao pondered for a moment and could only back down. "Brother Song, I'm not causing trouble with them out of respect for you. Giving them half the profit is definitely out of the question. I borrowed the money, and I still have to pay interest to others. I can give at most a two-point commission."
"Give them two points, and I'll compensate you a bit from the gambling company's side later."
To ensure the smooth operation of the casino, Chen Song had to make some concessions.
Xiao Zhao didn't dare to offend Chen Song too much and could only agree to his suggestion.
After appeasing Xiao Zhao, Chen Song negotiated with Afeng again. After much persuasion, Afeng reluctantly agreed to accept two points from the other credit company. This meant that for every ten thousand yuan extended by Xiao Zhao's credit company, they had to pay Afeng two hundred yuan in commission, paid on the spot.
When Biao Biao heard that they were going to collect two points from another credit company, he was utterly impressed with Afeng. This was incredible. Anyone who extended credit was not to be trifled with, and few people backed down in a casino.
This society was very realistic. Following a tough boss meant holding one's head high everywhere. Following a boss like Hao Ge meant being constantly bullied, and the treatment was worlds apart.
Thus, he gained another task: to keep an eye on the other credit company. As soon as they extended credit, he had to go and collect the commission. This was a risk-free business; the more, the better.
The gambling proceeded smoothly. Old Wu carefully controlled the situation, ensuring neither obvious wins nor excessive losses, primarily to collect the casino's rake. For every ten thousand yuan won, one thousand yuan was paid to the gambling company as commission, as agreed upon the previous day.
The gamblers wouldn't pay attention to how much commission the gambling company was taking. As long as the Emperor Company didn't win too much, the gamblers wouldn't suspect that the game was rigged.
The scene today was even livelier than yesterday, so the gambling company's commission collection frequency was higher. By around eleven o'clock, Chen Song had already received over a million yuan in commission.
Afeng and his crew's credit extension income also exceeded a million, mainly due to an additional six hundred thousand in principal, plus the two-point commission from Xiao Zhao paid in cash, significantly increasing their compound interest income.
"Clang."
As it neared twelve o'clock, the casino's main door was suddenly kicked open. A robust, well-maintained middle-aged woman barged in aggressively, followed by four young men wielding cleavers.
Sixi, responsible for security, was about to step forward to question them when he was threatened with a cleaver at his head, making him too scared to move. Sigou and the others were also stunned; no one dared to step forward.
Biao Biao wanted to intervene but was held back by Song Jianhao. "Don't be impulsive, let's observe the situation."
The gamblers, however, were not particularly panicked. They stopped gambling and quietly watched the unfolding events.
Old Wu was a bit bewildered. It was the first time he had seen a woman so fierce, storming into a place with thugs and cleavers. Judging by the situation, it seemed she was targeting a male gambler.
It was common for couples to confront each other at casinos. Men who lost too much might be dragged home by their wives, or women gamblers might be beaten by their husbands on the spot. As long as it didn't significantly disrupt the casino's normal operations, the gambling company wouldn't interfere, at most they would persuade the couple to leave or fight outside.
Only Chen Song's face turned ashen. "You, you, why are you here?"
The middle-aged woman ignored him and shouted to the gamblers, "Excuse me for the interruption, please continue playing."
"Sister Yu, hello."
"Sister Yu, you're still not resting so late?"
Quite a few of the gamblers recognized the woman and greeted her.
The middle-aged woman nodded at them and then pulled Chen Song and A Ming to the meeting room outside. Song Jianhao wanted to follow, but he was blocked by the four young men. However, their voices could still be heard from inside the casino.
"Old Chen, you've got some nerve, opening a casino behind my back and Hua Zi's. Where's the money? Hand it all over."
"It's with A Ming. This money isn't all mine; I have to split half with the Emperor Company. You can't take it all, or I won't be able to explain myself."
"Stop spouting nonsense. Do you think I'm an outsider? The gambling company and the Emperor Company are separate. If they were one, who would dare to gamble here?"
Sounds of a struggle could be heard from outside. Everyone now understood that the woman was Chen Song's wife. The gambling company's money was with A Ming, and it was clear that Chen Song's wife was now seizing it.
With such a commotion, the gambling couldn't continue. The gamblers all got up to leave. Those who had borrowed credit bid farewell to Afeng, providing their bank card numbers and promising to transfer the funds by noon the next day.
Soon, only Song Jianhao's group remained in the casino. Even Afeng and his crew had gone downstairs.