To fully understand the real situation of this casino, Song Jianhao waited in the venue until five o'clock. As Yang Fan had said, more and more workers were getting off work, and the betting amounts had increased to fifty yuan.
It seemed that this casino was a money-laundering operation. The workers bet fifty or eighty yuan at a time, but their sheer numbers and high enthusiasm for gambling meant that money was piled on the table at the start of each round, ranging from a few thousand to over ten thousand.
Especially later, when several small bosses arrived, betting one or two thousand yuan each time. The total amount was no less than that of ordinary casinos that dealt with clean money.
"Old Wu, what do you think of this place?"
On the way back to Jiangnan, Song Jianhao asked for Old Wu's opinion.
Old Wu replied without hesitation: "This place is good. It's better than any place you've shown me. Although it's all black money, the gamblers are enthusiastic. The difference in the amounts bet on odd or even numbers in each round is not very large, which is most beneficial to the Emperor Company. Even if they lose money, they won't lose much. But if a few more familiar faces join in, there will be substantial profits."
"I agree. The Emperor Company has a clear advantage here. Let's try dealing a couple of rounds. If it goes well, we'll move here and prepare to stay permanently."
"I second that. We should have changed our luck long ago. Living in that hotel felt unlucky. A woman moved into the room next to us a few days ago, bringing different men back to spend the night every day. The noise was like a pig being slaughtered, which was unbearable and seriously affected the physical and mental health of us young children."
Yang Jian immediately responded. He wanted to learn from Yang Fan for a while, but what he said was also true. Their room was separated from the next room by only a window, and with a stool, one could see the entire room opposite.
Old Wu laughed heartily: "I've heard from Biao Biao that you can watch live adult videos every night. This is your benefit!"
Song Jianhao also smiled: "Alright, let's come here and deal tomorrow to see how it goes. If it's good, we'll move the day after tomorrow."
Old Cao interjected: "Why don't you move tomorrow? I've found another place for you in the Baihuating residential area. They said we can go and see it tomorrow. Little Yang is right, your living situation really has bad feng shui, so it's best to change it quickly."
"Yes, let's move tomorrow. I can't stay in that place for another day. I think that woman is a prostitute, and staying any longer will tempt us to commit crimes."
"Then let's move tomorrow. Our luck will improve when we get to the north of the river."
Song Jianhao finally made up his mind to move the Emperor Company to the north of the river, the sooner the better.
According to the plan, the next day after breakfast, Song Jianhao led all the company members to the north of the river, abandoning the two small casinos.
The group checked into a hotel near the Han River Railway Station. The conditions were much better, with twin rooms, private bathrooms, and 24-hour hot water, costing fifty yuan a day.
Yang Jian and San Pang shared a room, Biao Biao and Liang Liang shared another, Si Xi and Si Gou shared one, while Song Jianhao and Old Wu each had a single room.
According to Old Wu, Song Jianhao's asthma worsened at night, and his breathing was very loud, which he found unbearable.
As arranged by Yang Fan, Song Jianhao led all members to Hongqi Street at 3:30 PM and personally took the dealer's seat. Biao Biao, Liang Liang, Si Xi, and Si Gou served as dealers on both sides of the gambling table.
The number of gamblers was still the same. As soon as the game started, the table was covered with banknotes, mostly small bills, but also some larger denominations.
Yang Jian carried fifty thousand yuan to the neighboring shop to have tea with Yang Fan.
"Little Yang, have you moved here?"
Yang Fan brewed a pot of Longjing tea and poured a cup for Yang Jian.
"Thank you, Brother Fan. We've moved and decided to stay here in the north of the river permanently."
"That's good. After class, I'll take you to see my gym and we can spar."
"Okay, I'll go after class. By the way, Brother Fan, are you not afraid of the police coming to arrest you for opening a place on this street?"
This was a question Yang Jian had wanted to ask yesterday, as it concerned their safety.
Yang Fan chuckled: "You don't need to worry about that. It's very safe. This street not only has casinos but also a red-light district. Do you want me to show you?"
"No, no, I'm just very curious why the regulations here are so lenient."
"Let me tell you, this is the largest clothing production base in Hancheng and even the entire central region. The clothing produced here is sold all over the country and the world, so there are many foreign merchants and customers. These are all wealth gods, and we need to satisfy their various consumption needs. Therefore, some gray industries have emerged.
For the sake of economic development and to retain foreign investors, the relevant departments have adopted a lenient management model for these gray industries. This is actually learned from the coastal cities in the south.
"So, these industries are only allowed to exist on Hongqi Street?"
"Yes, but it's not absolute. If there's any fighting or trouble, the police will intervene and make arrests. Don't worry, I'll ensure your safety here."
"Thank you, Brother Fan."
With this promise, Yang Jian felt reassured.
After sitting in the shop for over an hour, the casino hadn't called him to deliver money, indicating that the Emperor had not lost money.
However, the gambling company sent dinner: hundreds of boxed meals, with two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes, quite substantial, plus two large buckets of tomato and egg soup. All participants could receive a meal. Yang Jian naturally received one. He noticed that even those who were not gambling also came to collect boxed meals.
"Brother Fan, do you supply boxed meals like this every day? I see many shopkeepers and passing workers coming here to eat."
Yang Fan was also eating a boxed meal: "When you open a casino, you can't just think about making money; you also need to appease the emotions of nearby shopkeepers and workers. If they are appeased, no one will report us. The police can turn a blind eye, but if someone reports us, they have to respond. If we are reported every day, how can I keep this place running?"
Yang Jian nodded repeatedly: "That makes sense. Your approach is very humane, no wonder you dare to open a place on the street."
"Those workers work hard, and a meal can warm their hearts. When more people eat, they won't reject this casino; instead, they will hope that this casino continues to exist. This is also why we take ten percent commission. The wool comes from the sheep."
"It's only right. I think taking ten percent commission is very reasonable. Your casino expenses are indeed very high."
"Don't worry, even with ten percent commission, you can still make money. The Emperor Companies that deal here rarely lose money. Let me put it this way, as long as this place doesn't collapse, you can easily make three to five million yuan here this year."
Yang Fan's words excited Yang Jian. If this were true, wouldn't his goal of earning 1.5 million yuan be achievable?