Liu Yong was also a diligent and practical person. For years, he had been conscientiously working in the construction industry. He was open-minded and very loyal, which was why a group of workers had followed him to various construction sites for a long time.
This time, thirty people had come along with him to Xichuan. Because of the high quality of his work, the project department also valued him highly, which led them to consider subcontracting the entire carpentry work to him.
Regarding Yang Jian's concerns, Liu Yong had already thought them through. "Don't worry, funding isn't a big problem."
Yang Jian thought he was drunk. "Brother, I think you've had too much to drink. How about we discuss this again tomorrow?"
"I'm not drunk. I'm very serious about discussing this with you. Let me put it this way, Manager Chen has already promised me that the existing formwork on the construction site can be transferred to me at a low price. All the formwork and lumber will only cost twenty thousand yuan. Isn't that cheap?"
"Twenty thousand? That's really cheap. Those formworks have been used several times, so they're not worth much, but the lumber is all good. Buying new ones would cost one to two hundred thousand. It's indeed a good deal."
"And the steel pipes and fasteners will also be sold to us at a price slightly below market value. These steel pipes are also considered new, only used on this office building construction site. Isn't that a good deal too?"
"It's a good deal, but how much money do we need? We don't have any extra money right now."
Liu Yong laughed heartily. "Don't rush. Let me finish. Manager Chen said we don't need to pay cash for these materials; they will be deducted directly from the office building project."
"We won't earn that much from the office building project. It should be less than a hundred thousand, not enough to buy steel pipes and fasteners."
"We won't pay wages for now. They'll be settled at the end of the year anyway. As long as the dormitory building progresses quickly and we reach a payment milestone before the end of the year, there won't be any overdue wages."
"That's still not enough. New construction sites require new formwork; that's the rule. Old formwork can only be used in combination. Just the formwork alone would cost several hundred thousand. Besides, when the office building is topped out, we have to pay the workers some money, right? That's the usual practice, especially for local workers. If we don't pay them, they'll cause trouble."
This was indeed a problem. Liu Yong might have been truly drunk and hadn't considered this detail. To rush the construction schedule, they had hired some local workers. Once the office building was topped out, the workers he brought could be paid less, with the full settlement at the end of the year.
However, the local workers' wages had to be paid in full, otherwise, they would make things difficult.
The office building project would at most earn fifty to sixty-five thousand yuan. Earning this much in over four months was already quite good. On one hand, the subcontracting price was relatively high, as it was a large company and a major project. They had traveled a long distance, and the project department took good care of the subcontractors.
On the other hand, Yang Jian's management was very effective. His imposing figure, standing at 1.8 meters, had a deterrent effect. During construction, the workers obeyed his arrangements, and there were no fights or disruptions that delayed the schedule.
This amount of money was definitely not enough for the subcontracting. Moreover, after subcontracting, the project department would not disburse funds for a long time, and the living expenses and material costs that needed to be advanced were not a small sum. They had only brought a total of 150,000 yuan, which was almost used up. If this money were to be offset against the project department's material costs, they wouldn't be able to afford it.
"Er Jian, how about this? I'll find someone to owe some of the formwork, and I'll also borrow some money from home. Xiao Chao privately told me that you haven't taken out the money you put into the Nanhu Farm. You should also ask those shareholders for help and borrow two to three hundred thousand, then we can start."
Liu Yong proposed his idea after thinking for a long time.
Yang Jian was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected that their dealings at Nanhu Farm would be leaked by Liu Chao.
"Alright, I'll make a call."
Since he didn't want to be involved in the underworld anymore, that money should be taken out. The gambling company should have made a lot of money in the past few months.
Yang Jian had originally planned to settle with Song Jianmin and the others after returning home. This was his contingency plan. The gambling company made money quickly, and he didn't want to give it up entirely. After all, Yu Feng, Song Jianmin, and the others wouldn't betray him.
He dialed Song Jianmin's number. Although he had bought a new phone here, the numbers of Song Jianmin, Biao Biao, and Liang Liang were already etched in his memory.
"Hello, who is it?"
Song Jianmin's voice came from the other end of the phone, sounding a bit impatient. It also sounded very noisy, suggesting he was likely at a casino.
"It's me, Yang Jian. Jianmin, what are you doing? Why is it so noisy?"
"Damn, Yang Jian, where have you been? You haven't called in so long."
"I'm doing some engineering work in Xichuan. My dad took my old phone, so I got your number from my sister."
Yang Jian told a white lie.
"What kind of engineering work? How much can you earn in a year doing single contracts? Hurry back. With your reputation, you can easily earn a million a year in Chengguan."
"Jianmin, don't talk about that. It's because of these things that my grandfather passed away. I can't forgive myself, so I won't be returning to Xinhe anytime soon."
"Is that so? That's a pity."
"Jianmin, I'm preparing to take on a big project here, and I don't have enough funds on hand. Can I withdraw my money from the gambling company?"
"You should discuss this with Sister Feng and Biao Biao. I have no objections. I'm in Hancheng now, running the Emperor Company with my uncle, and I rarely deal with the gambling company's affairs. I'm currently acting as the house at the venue."
"Then you be busy. I'll contact Biao Biao."
Yang Jian hung up the phone and immediately dialed Biao Biao's number. Upon hearing Yang Jian's voice, Biao Biao was so excited that he couldn't speak for a long time.
"Brother Jian, you finally called me. We've really missed you these past few months. Where have you been?"
"I'm doing engineering work in Xichuan. Are you and Liang Liang okay?"
"Not good, Brother Jian. We're in trouble now. Can you come back?"
"No, I don't want to get involved in underworld matters anymore. I can't help you even if you're in trouble. I won't be back anytime soon."
"Then help us come up with an idea. I really don't know what to do."
Biao Biao's voice was almost pleading.
Yang Jian knew it was about some fighting and killing again. He didn't want to listen, but Biao Biao was his sworn brother. Even though he was no longer in the underworld, he should still offer him some advice.
"Brother Jian, after you left, Liang Liang and I, along with Lu Feng, joined Sister Feng's company. Lu Feng is the manager of the security department, and we are both deputy managers.
Since Sister Feng publicly announced that you are the vice president of the group company, the company has been operating smoothly these past few months, and the pre-sale of the southern city real estate has begun, with funds starting to flow back.
However, not long ago, Old Gui's nephew, Hong Xing, brought people to smash the company's commercial concrete station, damaging equipment worth hundreds of thousands. Old Gui also started pressuring Sister Feng, wanting to enter the real estate projects.
To curb Old Gui's arrogance and keep him out, Lu Feng wants to take me and Liang Liang to Nanhai City to plan Hong Xing's elimination. The risk is very high, and neither Liang Liang nor I want to go, but we can't refuse. We're worried sick, Brother Jian, what do you think we should do?"
Biao Biao's tone was full of helplessness and anxiety, clearly indicating his predicament.