When Yang Jian returned home from work that evening, he called A Nan, Jun Jun, and A Feng together to discuss the matter of extending credit at the casino.
"A Nan, Jun Jun, A Feng suggested we extend credit at the casino, and I've had this idea for a while. Do either of you have any objections?"
Sharing fortune and misfortune, the four of them were now united in everything they did, but it was still important to seek everyone's opinion.
"Brother Feng mentioned this to me, and I agree."
A Nan had been working with A Feng at the casino and was very familiar with the situation inside.
Jun Jun, however, asked, "The gamblers come from all corners of the country, as well as Hong Kong, Taiwan, and foreign nationals. How will we recover the money we lend out?"
A Feng replied, "We will only extend credit for 'follow-up bets,' which are settled on the spot. We won't extend credit for anything else."
"Follow-up bets" referred to money borrowed by gamblers at the casino. After the game ended, the credit company would send people to follow the gamblers to the bank or ATM to transfer money, or to their homes to collect it, as per the pre-arranged terms with the gamblers.
"I also agree with extending credit for follow-up bets."
Jun Jun also approved of this method.
Yang Jian nodded. "Since everyone agrees, we'll prepare the funds. Jun Jun, how much money is in the alcohol account?"
"Over five million."
The alcohol business on Phoenix Street was a joint account for the four of them. They had an income of about two million per month, and about ten million in revenue since the Lunar New Year.
After paying out over a million to the brothers released from prison during the New Year, A Feng, A Nan, and Jun Jun each bought cars worth around a million.
He bought Dai Mengmeng a car worth over two hundred thousand. This was partly a reward for her good management of the accounts, and partly a form of hush money, to prevent her from gossiping with her family and revealing Yang Jian's whereabouts in Dongjiang.
Money was easy to come by, so they spent it lavishly.
Yang Jian took out his bank card. "I have three million here. The three of you take out two million each to pool ten million as our initial capital. Our credit company is officially established."
This three million was his dividend from the casino in June. It was originally intended for the Yaochi Agricultural Park at home, but the project was still in the design and exploration phase, and the funds were not needed yet. They still had to go through the relevant procedures, and the project would likely require money around the end of the year.
A Feng and the other two naturally had no objections. They knew Yang Jian's character; as long as he had money, he was willing to invest it in ventures. This was also the fundamental reason why the three of them were so loyal and willing to stand by him through thick and thin.
"Brother Jian, for the credit company, we have too few people. Brother Feng is the supervisor, so he can only introduce clients and cannot personally participate in extending credit. Chun Lin and the others only have five people, and with me, that makes only six.
The credit company needs to monitor the casino twenty-four hours a day, and we also need to arrange people for follow-ups. Six of us are definitely not enough."
A Nan raised his concern. Extending credit during their shifts would be mutually beneficial, but they couldn't work twenty-four hours without rest.
Yang Jian nodded. "I'm considering this issue. I plan to arrange for Ma Yuan to come to the casino, and then call Liang Liang over, asking him to bring two trusted brothers.
A Nan will be in charge of the credit company, Luo Peng will manage the accounts, Liang Liang and Ma Yuan will handle the money lending, and Li Chun Lin will be responsible for leading the team for follow-ups and debt collection."
This arrangement was something Yang Jian had planned long ago. The credit company could not use outsiders. A Nan was a shareholder, so the credit company would naturally be led by him.
Luo Peng had attended high school and was the most educated among the group. He was also shrewd, so managing the accounts would be no problem.
Liang Liang and Ma Yuan were the most trustworthy, making them the most suitable to carry the money for lending.
Li Chun Lin was an old street tough with extensive experience in follow-ups and debt collection.
After finalizing the credit extension matter, Jun Jun changed the topic. "Brother Jian, Xiao Song wants to meet with you. And Fang Zhicheng also said he wants to talk to you privately."
"Fang Zhicheng definitely owes me an explanation. Even if he doesn't find me, I'll find him. What does Xiao Song want to see me about?"
"He said he was entrusted by Master Fo. He didn't tell me the specifics."
"Entrusted by Master Fo? He doesn't want us to help him reclaim Phoenix Street, does he?"
"There's a possibility. Since many people know about Fang Zhicheng's deception in luring you to the banquet, Master Fo must believe you will retaliate against Fang Zhicheng. He likely wants to cooperate with us to drive Fang Zhicheng out of Phoenix Street, or even seize Fang Zhicheng's territory."
"That's possible. He's got a good plan. I wonder what benefits he's willing to offer."
"Why don't we meet with him tomorrow?"
"Alright, we'll arrange to meet Xiao Song first tomorrow, and then summon Fang Zhicheng."
Yang Jian definitely intended to seek an explanation from the Xichuan Gang, and it wouldn't hurt to gain some benefits from Master Fo.
The next day, as soon as work began, Yang Jian and Jun Jun went to Phoenix Street.
There were no customers at the nightclub at this hour. Yang Jian met Xiao Song in the first-floor lobby.
"Little Yang, I heard you were in trouble and I was worried for a long time. Seeing you unharmed finally puts my mind at ease."
Xiao Song offered pleasantries upon meeting.
Yang Jian smiled. "Brother Song, that was all hearsay. I didn't encounter any danger. What did you want to see me about?"
Knowing that Yang Jian was unwilling to admit to the assassination attempt, Xiao Song tactfully changed the subject. "Then I'll get straight to the point. Master Fo entrusted me to talk to you. Your past grievances with him are over, and he hopes to cooperate with you."
"How do we cooperate?"
"We cooperate to drive Fang Zhicheng out of Phoenix Street. If we can also drive him out of the bus station and Liuqiao Village, that would be even better."
"Master Fo wants me to take action, and he'll reap the benefits?"
"No, no. He said that with your reputation and methods, you can drive Fang Zhicheng out of Phoenix Street even without resorting to violence. If you do resort to violence, he is willing to provide manpower and funds.
If you drive Fang Zhicheng out of Phoenix Street without violence, he is willing to give up a ten percent share of the alcohol business. If you reclaim the territory of the bus station and Liuqiao Village, he will give up all of his twenty percent share of the alcohol business."
This offer surprised Yang Jian somewhat. A twenty percent share of the alcohol business would yield over a million in monthly profits, which was quite a good deal. In that case, the alcohol business on Phoenix Street would be split equally between him and Bai Zheng.
"I'll consider this matter and give you a reply as soon as possible."
Yang Jian did not agree immediately, as he had not yet met with Fang Zhicheng, and he did not know what the outcome of their meeting would be.
"Alright, I'll await your call."
After Xiao Song finished speaking, he got up and left. He naturally hoped that Yang Jian would accept the twenty percent share, as he was also a shareholder, and this would significantly increase his income.
After seeing Xiao Song out, Jun Jun called Fang Zhicheng.
Half an hour later, Fang Zhicheng arrived alone in his car.
As soon as he entered, Fang Zhicheng knelt on the floor. "Little Yang, I'm sorry. I deceived you and almost cost you your life. You can hit me or kill me today, and I will have no complaints. I only beg you not to harm my family."
Yang Jian sat still, looking at him coldly. "Brother Cheng, aren't you going to offer an explanation? A serial assassination attempt, hiring a terminally ill patient, and foreign professional killers to deal with me—such a grand undertaking, such a meticulous plan, it shouldn't be something you could orchestrate, right?"