Yang Jian's refusal seemed to be within Wu Wanchun's expectations.
"Little Yang, I understand you have concerns. As I said, the doors of my team are always open to you, whether it's for the gambling company or the emperor's company."
"Thank you, Uncle. I'll consider your suggestion, but definitely not now."
Yang Jian didn't completely shut the door, as he might need to cooperate with them if he went to Han City.
Wu Wanchun nodded, "It's fine. I believe you'll make the right choice. However, I invited you here today for another matter, and I need your help."
"Tell me, as long as it's within my capabilities, I'll do it without question."
"This matter won't be difficult for you. You know Xu Zheng, right?"
"I know of him, but I haven't met him. What's up, do you have a grudge against him?"
"No grudge, but Wu Xian had a minor conflict with him. That's not the point. The point is, he's opened a casino in Xinqiao Town. You know Xinqiao is only so big. One casino is fine, but if another one opens, it will definitely affect the other's business. It's like how Song Jianhao opening a casino displeased Hong Xing and Baoguo Hui, because Luogang Town can only have one casino."
Yang Jian nodded, "That makes sense. Otherwise, today's incident wouldn't have happened. Are you asking me to deal with Xu Zheng?"
"No, no. That country bumpkin Xu Zheng doesn't require you to deal with him. We can handle him ourselves."
"Then what help do you need?"
"Xu Zheng is not a threat, but he has an uncle who is a deputy director at the Xinqiao Police Station. If we open a place in Xinqiao, this person will be the biggest obstacle. Without dealing with him, our casino can't open. So, we have to rely on you."
Yang Jian chuckled, "Uncle, you think too highly of me. I'm just an ordinary person, and none of my ancestors were officials. Why do you think I can handle a dignified deputy director?"
"Don't rush. Let me finish. I know you can't handle him, but Yu Feng can. She has powerful connections in the high ranks of the police department. Transferring a deputy director is easy for her. I don't know her well, so she definitely won't do me any favors. That's why I have to ask you to step in."
Yang Jian looked at him incredulously, "You mean asking Yu Feng to use her connections to transfer Xu Zheng's uncle away from Xinqiao?"
"Yes, this is nothing difficult for Yu Feng."
"It's not about whether it's difficult or not. You want to interfere with the personnel transfer of an administrative unit just to open a casino? This is too much."
Wu Wanchun laughed heartily, "Little Yang, you're still too young. You don't understand many things. Do you know what 'collusion between officials and businessmen' means? Have you heard the term 'protective umbrella'? Society is not as simple as you imagine. Do you know why the country is making such a big effort to fight corruption? It's because there are too many parasites. Xu Zheng's uncle is a parasite, otherwise, how could he tolerate Xu Zheng's misbehavior in Xinqiao?"
"That's true. I don't know about Xu Zheng's other wrongdoings, but he did owe my uncle and aunt money for cigarettes and alcohol. If I hadn't spoken to him, he wouldn't have paid a cent. Even then, he still owed over three thousand yuan, which he didn't pay, relying on his uncle's influence."
Remembering his uncle and aunt's submissive attitude and desire for peace, Yang Jian truly disliked Xu Zheng and his conniving uncle.
"So, I want to bring down this parasite. If we can't, we'll transfer him. Only Yu Feng can do this. You have to help me; she will definitely give you face."
"Uncle, I can mention this to Yu Feng, or I can arrange for you to meet her directly. As for whether she's willing to help you, I can't be sure."
"That won't do, Little Yang. Meeting her is not difficult. I see her at the venue every day and can even chat with her. But she won't do this for me. This matter must be brought up by you personally. All expenses will be covered by me."
Wu Wanchun had heard from Song Jianmin that Yang Jian had some estrangement with Yu Feng, so he hadn't brought up this topic on the first day of the Lunar New Year. However, seeing their harmonious relationship in the past few days, he specifically invited Yang Jian over.
"Uncle, I'll try. I'll talk to her alone when we meet tomorrow."
Yang Jian scratched his head. Honestly, he didn't want to owe Yu Feng a favor. This woman was very calculating, and he couldn't get too close to her, or he might be used by her. Lu Feng was a living lesson.
But Wu Wanchun had always treated him well, and the request wasn't too difficult. He'd test Yu Feng's stance first. If she refused, he would have done his best.
Seeing Yang Jian agree, Wu Wanchun was overjoyed. His family had been farmers for generations and had no official connections. Now that they had money, they were just nouveau riche and still couldn't integrate into the upper circles. Being able to connect with someone like Yu Feng was the ceiling of his connections.
The meal was very enjoyable. When they were leaving, Wu Wanchun put the remaining two bottles of wine into Yang Jian's car. He knew Yang Shuanglin liked to drink and had a small drink every day.
With such great hospitality, it was hard for Yang Jian to refuse.
On the way back, he first dropped Liu Chao off at Liu Family Village. At the village entrance, Yang Jian hadn't intended to get out of the car, but he unexpectedly saw his cousin-in-law, Peng Yuxiu, hurrying out of the village. He quickly got out and stopped her, and Liu Chao also grabbed the suitcase she was dragging.
"Cousin-in-law, where are you going?"
Yang Jian knew his cousin-in-law wasn't home during the Lunar New Year. Ever since Liu Yong had an accident, she had run away from home. It was very unexpected to see her here today.
Peng Yuxiu's eyes were red, clearly having cried. "I came back to see the children. I'm going to work in the south tomorrow."
Liu Chao was anxious, "Cousin-in-law, have you seen my mother? Does she agree to you leaving?"
"I've seen her. I'm going to work in the south to earn money to treat your brother's illness. The children will be going to preschool in the second half of the year, and everything costs money. How could she not agree?"
"Cousin-in-law, don't rush off. Where have you been recently?"
"I went to my parents' home to borrow money, but my parents and my brother and sister-in-law held me captive. They wanted me to divorce your brother. I couldn't bear to leave the children, so I kept refusing. I only managed to sneak out today. Mom just told me that your brother's illness will cost over a hundred thousand yuan, but we have no money at home. I have no choice but to go out and work."
"But it's already dark. Can't you stay for one night before leaving?"
"No, my parents will come looking for me soon. I'll stay at my best friend's place in town for one night and leave early tomorrow morning. Er Jian, if you're not busy, can you take me to town? I'm worried I'll run into my parents on the way, and then I won't be able to leave."
What a kind woman. Yang Jian was a little moved. Liu Yong was a scoundrel, but his wife was a good person. He had wronged her before, thinking she would abandon her husband and children.
"Cousin-in-law, you can't leave. I won't take you either. Let's go home first. Liu Chao, carry the suitcase."
Yang Jian parked the car at the grain drying ground and told San Pang to wait in the car. He then went with Liu Chao and Peng Yuxiu to his uncle's house.