After lunch, Song Jianhao took Yang Jian to their accommodation.
Since they didn't have long-term, fixed casinos to operate as dealers, and they had only recently arrived in Han City, Song Jianhao and the others were temporarily staying in a small hotel on Sanjiao Road.
The hotel was run-down with aging facilities. The rooms had bunk beds, accommodating four people per room, and lacked private toilets. To shower and use the restroom, one had to use the public facilities. The only advantage was its affordability, costing only thirty yuan per day.
Yang Jian was assigned to share a room with Biao Biao, Liang Liang, and San Pang.
"Xiao Yang, the conditions here are a bit poor. Please bear with it for a while. Once the company makes money, we'll move to a better place," Song Jianhao explained apologetically, noticing Yang Jian's slight disdain.
"It's fine, Brother Hao. We've lived in worse conditions on construction sites. When you're out trying to make a living, it's not about enjoying luxury. I'm used to it. How are the expenses for food and lodging calculated? How much do I need to contribute?" Yang Jian, who had brought ten thousand yuan in cash, took it out, ready to pay.
"You don't need to pay. Let me explain our company's operating model. We currently have four shareholders: you, me, Old Wu, and Jian Min. The employees are Sixi, Sigou, Biao Biao, Liang Liang, and San Pang. All food and lodging expenses, as well as the salaries of Sixi and the others, are shared among the four of us shareholders."
"How are their salaries determined?"
"As long as there's a venue for us to deal, they each get two hundred yuan per day. If there's no venue or they take leave, they don't get paid. Additionally, your and my transportation costs are also two hundred yuan per day."
"Transportation costs?"
"Yes, we need a car every day to go to the casinos, so there are expenses. This is the rule for all gambling companies."
This was a good thing; the company would help cover the car expenses, reducing his burden.
"Xiao Yang, let me explain the share issue. Our shares are calculated out of ten parts. Generally, the shares in an Emperor Company are subject to change at any time. The number of shares an individual wants is voluntary, as everyone's financial situation is different. Sometimes, when one has ample funds, they might want more shares, and if their finances are tight, they can reduce their holdings at any time."
Song Jianhao's explanation left Yang Jian a bit confused. "Aren't shares fixed? Why do they change?"
"It's simple. You only have ten thousand yuan now. In a small venue, you might hold two or three shares. If there are sufficient shares, you could even hold five or eight shares. But if a large venue suddenly comes up, with wins or losses in the hundreds of thousands, your ten thousand yuan won't be enough. You might not even be able to get one share, perhaps only half a share."
"I understand. Then, in such situations, who gets the extra shares?"
"They go to me. I cover all the shares. For example, if there's a small venue tonight with a two-thousand yuan table deposit, I plan to give each of you three a two-share stake, and I'll take four. But if you want more, I can allocate them from my four shares. If you all only want one share each, then the remaining shares are mine."
"I get it. So, are the daily expenses calculated based on the number of shareholders or the shares?" Yang Jian asked his final question.
"Of course, it's calculated based on shares. It's not as complicated as you think. It's very simple. After the day's play, regardless of wins or losses, we first deduct food, lodging, salaries, and transportation costs, and then we calculate profits or losses. If there's a profit, we distribute the money; if there's a loss, we cover it. Settlements are made daily."
This system was quite good. No wonder it was called an Emperor Company; it was indeed operated like a company. Yang Jian felt this model was excellent, and Song Jianhao showed some responsibility, as his larger shareholding meant he bore more of the expenses.
In the afternoon, they didn't go to the venues. Liang Liang and Biao Biao accompanied Yang Jian to buy toiletries, while San Pang followed Old Wu to learn cheating techniques. The hotel lacked everything, so daily necessities had to be brought from outside.
Without a car, the three of them walked to a nearby shopping mall.
"Biao Biao, in the few days you've been here, has the company generally been profitable or at a loss?" Yang Jian asked about casino matters during their casual chat.
Biao Biao pondered for a moment. "We're probably at a slight loss. They're all small venues, with daily wins and losses only in the thousands. Our daily expenses alone are over a thousand yuan. This is a significant expenditure. Brother Jian, if we only rely on such venues, it's hard to make big money."
"What can we do? I don't have enough capital right now, so we can only operate in small venues. Don't worry, we'll take it slow. While I haven't been successful in other ventures, my luck in casinos has always been good."
"We think the same way, Brother Jian. We've all decided to follow you this year. Liang Liang will buy a car, I'll put a down payment on an apartment in the city center, and San Pang will get married."
"Whoa, that's a tall order. I'm under a lot of pressure, but it's okay. Just like Wu Wangchun, when luck strikes, one venue can change everything."
"Exactly. I personally witnessed Wu Wangchun's rise. When he first came to Han City, he wore an old suit jacket, jeans, and a pair of white sneakers. He looked incredibly unfashionable, like a migrant worker. But six months later, he was driving a car, and now he's a big boss worth millions." Biao Biao spoke of Wu Wangchun with admiration; he was truly a legendary figure in the gambling circles of Xinhe.
"Don't worry, my luck won't be worse than his. By the way, have there been any disputes or cheating incidents recently?" Yang Jian was most concerned about these two issues as he was about to face various unfamiliar casinos.
Liang Liang replied, "There haven't been any disputes, but Old Wu discovered cheating at one venue."
"Oh? How was it handled?"
"How else could it be handled? We lost all the money on the table and left. We have fewer people, so we can only suffer in silence."
Yang Jian was surprised. "Since you knew they were cheating, why didn't you leave immediately? Why did you have to lose all your money first?"
Liang Liang sighed. "Brother Jian, you haven't truly experienced life in an Emperor Company. These things are common. If an Emperor Company is assertive, they can leave immediately after discovering cheating. If they're not assertive, they can only lose all the money on the table before leaving. Emperor Companies can't win disputes with gambling companies. They are the local power, not only having more people but also connections with local police. Any trouble would only result in the Emperor Company suffering."
"That's too overbearing. What if you discover cheating right from the start? Do you still have to watch them win money?"
"Yes, last time Old Wu spotted something fishy as soon as he entered the casino and wanted Brother Hao to withdraw. But Brother Hao didn't dare because the Emperor Company had a prior arrangement. If they withdrew without cause, the gambling company would create a fuss and demand compensation for losses, and in such a situation, you couldn't accuse them of cheating."
"Why not?"
"You don't have concrete evidence to prove they were cheating, and they would immediately turn hostile. Even if you had evidence, Old Wu wouldn't dare to say it out loud. On their turf, they could swap fake items for real ones at any moment, leaving you unable to defend yourself. Therefore, in such situations, the only way is to bring less money, lose it all, and then say you didn't bring enough. Everyone understands tacitly, and the gambling company won't force you to stay."
Liang Liang's words made Yang Jian feel that the risk of making money with this Emperor Company was too great, and they could easily be cheated by the gambling companies.