Director Yu wasn't exactly thinking of covering up for officials, he was merely passing on a message as requested. Seeing Jing Yongli's displeased expression, he didn't press him further.
"Director Jing, go back and consider it carefully. Your project is too large and fraught with disputes. Our police force is limited, and we don't want any more major criminal cases."
This was a veiled threat, and Jing Yongli understood it perfectly. "Director Yu, the company isn't solely mine. I can authorize a compensation of one hundred thousand yuan. Anything exceeding that requires shareholder approval. I'll discuss it with them when I get back."
"Alright, give me your decision soon to avoid any prolonged complications. I'll await your call."
Director Yu personally escorted Jing Yongli out of the police station.
Feng Wu was already waiting for them by the car. The two of them drove back to the factory.
Jing Yongli called Yang Jian to report his experiences at the detention center over the past few days, focusing on the demands made by Yu Xiangdong and Director Yu.
Yang Jian directly rejected the compensation demand and told Jing Yongli to take some time off, only handling financial matters. All other affairs were to be managed by Feng Wu.
At the same time, Yang Jian instructed Feng Wu to increase the security team by twenty members to strengthen patrols around the entire Yaochi Garden project area and the factory grounds.
This was to prevent the theft of landscaping saplings, as a large number of them would be transported in as the construction progressed.
In Chengguan, at Nanhu Farm.
Brother Mao brought San Pang to meet Hong Xing. Baoguo and Shen Hua were also present.
"Brother Mao, Jing Yongli is being stubborn. Even with Yu Xiangdong and Director Yu mediating, he refuses to budge. He's only willing to pay one hundred thousand yuan. What should we do?"
Shen Hua was in charge of the sandpit matters. Despite trying various tactics, none had been effective, so he had to call Brother Mao again for advice.
"Jing Yongli probably can't make the final decision. His authority might be limited to one hundred thousand yuan. The real control of Lijian Company lies with Yang Jian. Given Yang Jian's personality, he won't bow to us."
Brother Mao knew Yang Jian very well and understood he was a tough nut to crack.
"Then what should we do? The sandpit is now isolated on the riverbank of the Xiao Sha River, unable to operate. We still need people to guard it day and night. I originally planned to transport the sand out by taking a longer route around the dike, but now the entire river channel is under construction, and the dike is being raised and widened. Our sand trucks can't get through."
"It seems Yu Feng is also cooperating with Yang Jian to obstruct us. Can we create some trouble for her at the construction site to force her to halt operations?"
"No, Lijian Company has hired more security guards. They have numbers and are united. If we don't resort to firearms, we can't handle them. Besides, if they call the police, we'll be at a disadvantage."
Brother Mao pondered for a moment and looked at San Pang. "San Pang, what's the current situation with Lijian Company? How many security guards do they have?"
San Pang said with helplessness, "Lijian Company has been shut down for twenty days due to the food poisoning incident. However, the company announced normal wage payments for workers and provided compensation ranging from five hundred to two thousand yuan to those poisoned. Therefore, no one filed a lawsuit against the police, and Jing Yongli and the others were released quickly.
Jing Yongli, after his home was vandalized and his father was hospitalized, no longer managed company affairs. Instead, Yang Jian's cousin, Feng Wu, was responsible for external liaison.
This Feng Wu is also the security department manager. He has a security team of sixty people, all retired soldiers. The security department operates under semi-military management and possesses strong combat capabilities."
"Feng Wu? Where did he come from?"
"Feng Wu is Yang Jian's aunt's son. They are originally from Xiangnan, and now all four members of their family are working at the factory."
"Is this Feng Wu also a retired soldier?"
"No, Feng Wen and Feng Wu are twin brothers. They likely used to be involved in shady dealings. Now, Feng Wen handles sales outside the factory, while Feng Wu is in charge of the security department."
"Damn it, is the template factory that profitable to support so many idlers? Ordinary private enterprises don't need sixty security guards."
Brother Mao's tone was filled with despair. How could he fight against such a powerful force?
San Pang subtly curled his lips. He wouldn't tell Brother Mao how profitable Yang Jian's casino operations were, making it effortless to support sixty people.
Liangliang had told him about the casino's immense scale, far beyond his comprehension. Thus, he guessed that all the funds for Yaochi Garden were earned by Yang Jian from the casino.
"San Pang, are you familiar with the Feng Wen and Feng Wu brothers?" Brother Mao suddenly asked.
San Pang quickly shook his head. "Not familiar. Feng Wen is always out on business, and Feng Wu hasn't been here long. I got my information about them from Jing Yongli."
"Then can you introduce two workers to the factory?"
"I can't. Lijian Company is managed by professional managers. Apart from Yang Jian's immediate relatives, other management personnel are recruited from Hancheng. The workers are villagers from Yangli Village and surrounding villages, hired after passing factory interviews. Moreover, the factory isn't hiring anyone right now."
Brother Mao thought for a moment and said, "San Pang, go back to Yangli Village and rest for a while. If the factory resumes operations or starts hiring, notify me immediately."
"Okay, I'll be going then."
San Pang was perceptive and got up to leave, knowing they were planning something bigger and wouldn't involve him.
"Brother Mao, the poisoning plan went smoothly, but it only managed to halt Yang Jian's template factory for a while. Clearly, this doesn't shake Yang Jian's foundation. What other big moves do you have? Hurry up and use them," Hong Xing said with a laugh after San Pang left.
Brother Mao glanced at the door. "The poisoning plan was just to extort some money from them, partly to compensate Xu Zheng and partly to recover our mechanical losses. Who knew they would still be so tough? Then we have no choice but to destroy him completely, to damn Yang Jian for eternity."
"Then are you planning to strike from within?"
"We can only strike from within now. Their security forces are too strong; it's very difficult for outsiders to penetrate their core areas."
"Then why don't you just use San Pang? With his relationship with Yang Jian and Jing Yongli, it would be easy for him to get inside."
Brother Mao shook his head. "I don't trust San Pang very much. I keep him around primarily to deal with Yang Jian. With him, I can understand some of their dynamics and also pass on some of our messages. Once Yang Jian is dealt with, this kid can't be kept."
"Haha, a man must be ruthless to succeed. Brother Mao, I truly admire you. I heard San Pang is also your relative, isn't he?"
"What if he's my relative? This kid is a double agent, thinking I don't know. He actually secretly bought a house in Chengguan, 180 square meters, fully furnished and paid for in cash. If he relied solely on the three thousand yuan salary I give him per month, he could never afford such a large house. Clearly, he's taken money from Yang Jian."
Brother Mao had clearly investigated San Pang's situation thoroughly but had not exposed him.
"Damn, this San Pang is a double agent. Interesting. But you're also very patient. If I had someone like that by my side, I would have gotten rid of him long ago."
"He's still useful for now. Besides, he hasn't truly done anything to harm me in these years, otherwise, his grave would have been overgrown with grass long ago."
Since engaging in drug trafficking, Brother Mao had become indifferent to the lives of others. As long as his interests or safety were threatened, killing was not out of the question.