Feng Wu and Liu Chao suffered burns on their backs, not particularly severe, but the doctor advised three months of rest.
Consequently, the security department of Lijian Company was temporarily managed by Liangliang, with Biaobiao assisting him.
After a large-scale investigation in Yangli Village that lasted two days, the police withdrew, and the Xiaosha River project resumed normal construction.
Jing Yongli and Jiang Bin immediately began preparations for the reconstruction of the template factory.
They hired the Xinhe Architectural Design Institute to plan and design the factory buildings and office buildings. Jiang Bin requested that the design institute produce the factory building blueprints within half a month and the office building blueprints within one and a half months.
Concurrently, they instructed Dongsheng Company to prepare for construction, to prefabricate steel structures and excavate foundations as soon as the blueprints were ready.
Regarding the project cost, it would be based on actual work done and finalized at the end.
Seeing the significant actions taken by Lijian Company, it was evident they were not short on funds. The fire had not significantly impacted the company. Zhou Hong's landscaping company also resumed construction after a five-day suspension.
Shen Hua's roadbed construction was also re-excavated. The few young men stationed in Xiaosha River became frightened after the shooting incident and left the next day. Only a mobile cabin and a sand suction machine remained at the sandfield, with all operable machinery having been moved away.
Without the interference of the sandfield hooligans, Yu Feng began to intensify the reinforcement work on Xiaosha River, with the viewing platform also under construction simultaneously.
Ultimately, the sandfield was isolated on a mound of earth about fifty square meters in the middle of the river channel, with steep slopes dug around it. It was impossible to move. Once the rubber dam was completed and water began to accumulate, this area would be submerged.
The design institute produced the factory building blueprints in just ten days. Jiang Bin immediately instructed Yu Feng to complete five thousand square meters of factory buildings, along with two thousand square meters of hardened roads and landscaping facilities, within three months.
The goal was to have the production machinery installed before the end of the year and to commence formal production immediately after the Spring Festival.
Subsequently, office buildings and supporting facilities such as a canteen would be constructed to create a modern woodworking company.
One and a half months after the shooting incident, Hong Xing remained at his home in Chengguan and did not go anywhere. He felt that even going to Nanhai would not be safe. Shen Hua's death and the smashing of the club had greatly affected him.
To the extent that Yang Jian grew impatient waiting in Dongjiang and even considered sending Ah Bao's men to Xinhe again to directly eliminate Hong Xing and Brother Mao. However, Ah Feng and others dissuaded him, citing that the time elapsed since the last shooting was too short, and the police would surely increase their scrutiny at various checkpoints, making the risk too great to return now.
Brother Mao hid in another city for a month and a half before returning to Chengguan. He immediately arranged to meet Hong Xing at Nanhu Farm.
"Brother Mao, I haven't seen you for so long, where have you been?"
Due to his bad mood, Hong Xing had not contacted him during his time at home.
Brother Mao chuckled wryly, "I took my daughter to Kyoto for treatment during this period. Leukemia is a bottomless pit, and I couldn't just watch her die, so I had to keep spending money on treatment. All the money I earned over the years has been spent on my younger brother and daughter."
"Alas, on the surface, you seem very successful, but your life is also very difficult, and you are not happy. How is it, what are your plans now that you're back?"
"Boss Hong, I heard you transferred all your industries in Xinhe, stopped dealing with the sandfield, and closed down the casinos. What are your plans?"
Although Brother Mao was hiding out, he was still well-informed about the dynamics in Chengguan.
Over the past month, Hong Xing had disbanded his underworld organization in Chengguan. The sandfield and casino businesses were handed over to Baoguo, while other more legitimate industries, such as the sole distributorship for beer in Xinhe District and the specialty store for urns at the crematorium, were given to his loyal brothers who had followed him for many years.
He only retained a real estate development company, which focused on small property rights housing and did not engage in large-scale development. This was considered a legitimate business.
Hong Xing did not hide anything, "Shen Hua's death had a significant impact on my family, and even more so on my father. To give him greater room for advancement, I had to abandon the gray industries in Xinhe and completely disassociate myself from the underworld."
Brother Mao looked disappointed, "If you're no longer involved in the underworld, what about people like us? You are our pillar of support."
"Don't sound so pathetic. You, Brother Mao, are a figure in Chengguan. You were doing very well even before you followed me. You have the skills of a card sharp, so why fear having no way to make a living?"
"I've played card sharp so much that there's no market for it anymore."
"Baoguo's casino and sandfield are still operating, you can continue to cooperate with him."
Brother Mao shook his head, "Without your backing, his casino and sandfield won't last long. Whether in the legitimate or illegitimate world, others defer to you. Baoguo can't achieve much."
"Then you can continue with the meth business."
Hong Xing was one of the few people who knew about Brother Mao's meth dealing. That business was even more lucrative than running a casino, but the risk was too high. If caught, it meant either the death penalty or a lifetime in prison.
Brother Mao gave a wry smile, "If it wasn't absolutely necessary to get through this, I wouldn't be willing to do such a life-threatening business. Boss Hong, are you really not planning to get revenge?"
"Revenge for what? Compared to suppressing Yang Jian and Zhou Tao, my father's career is more important. Without his connections in official circles, I am nothing. The reason I've gotten this far is that people respect my father."
"But even if you stop, will Yang Jian let it go? He's a very vengeful person. Can you guarantee he won't make a move against you?"
Brother Mao did not want Hong Xing to simply withdraw from the conflict with Yang Jian, as it would put him in even greater danger.
"He killed my cousin, what more can he do? The fact that I haven't retaliated for so long shows my stance. Does he still want to make a move against me?"
"That's not necessarily true."
"Enough, I don't want to talk about this. If you feel you can't stay in Chengguan, you can come with me to Nanhai. That's my base of operations. I truly have no intention of getting involved in Chengguan affairs. You should look out for yourself."
After speaking, Hong Xing got up and left. He knew Brother Mao was trying to use him as a shield, but they had worked together, so there was no need to be rude.
Brother Mao sat alone and thought for a long time. Hong Xing was no longer reliable, and going to Nanhai with him was unrealistic. His daughter's leukemia required regular treatment, making it impossible for him to be away from home for an extended period.
Moreover, he was physically weak and going to Nanhai to be his subordinate felt demeaning. At his age, he couldn't fight people with knives like young men.
To make money, he could only cooperate with Baoguo for the time being. In the short term, Baoguo could still act arrogantly under Hong Xing's name. The casino and sandfield could continue to operate for a while, allowing him to make a quick profit.
After all, Baoguo was his apprentice. Although he had some spirit, his mind was not sharp enough, and he needed Brother Mao to strategize for him.
Once the news of Hong Xing decoupling from Baoguo spread in the underworld, fewer people would fear Baoguo. Especially Zhou Tao, who would surely seek revenge against him. At that point, he would likely have to return to his old trade, dealing meth.