Lu Feng also seemed to be a chatterbox, rattling on to Yang Jian about the ins and outs of his profession.
Yang Jian then learned that the so-called "big bosses" in the city were not many in number. Most of them only had four or five subordinates, and even top powers like Pan Wenbin had only about a dozen people who were constantly engaged in fighting and knife-wielding.
When they needed people for a job, they would hire professional crews like Lu Feng's to fill the ranks and create a show of force.
Lu Feng and his crew particularly enjoyed jobs involving medical disputes and demanding compensation for families of industrial accident victims. These jobs not only paid well but were also risk-free. Moreover, they could drag on for days, even weeks, during which the hospital or the client had to provide good food and accommodation.
"Lu Feng, what if a client asks you to beat someone up or even cut them? Would you take such a job?"
Yang Jian thought of this crucial question, as it meant he wouldn't have to get his own hands dirty in the future.
Lu Feng shook his head. "We used to, but not anymore."
"Why not?"
"About this time last year, something happened in the city. One of our peers, nicknamed 'Three Monkeys,' was working for someone and, along with three brothers, hacked a man to death on the street. In the end, they were caught. One was shot, and Three Monkeys and two others were sentenced to eight to fifteen years. Since then, we stopped taking such jobs. The risk is too high."
"But aren't you in here for fighting for others?"
Lu Feng chuckled. "When we fill the ranks for others, conflicts are inevitable. Sometimes we have to resort to force. For instance, during forced demolitions for developers, if they ask you to move things out of a house or drag people out, you have to do it, right? If the homeowner resists and attacks you, you have to fight back. You can't just stand there and let them hit you."
Yang Jian nodded. "I've seen that happen. There are often many people resisting forced demolitions, and some even try to take everyone down with them using gas tanks."
"Exactly. Actually, people like us are just bullies. If the other party is tough and willing to fight to the death, we won't confront them head-on. But if they're weak, we'll swarm them. We won't use knives, but fists and kicks are unavoidable."
Admitting to being a bully, Yang Jian found himself starting to like Lu Feng's straightforward personality.
"Brother Yang, after talking with you for a while, I realize you don't know much about the underworld. You must be new to this. I'm older than you, so let me give you some advice. No matter what happens in the future, don't be afraid of having more opponents. Most of them are just there for show. As long as you're ruthless enough, no one will want to cross you."
Lu Feng could tell that Yang Jian's experience in the underworld was clearly lacking.
"That makes sense. When I confronted Cao Wu, the eight people he called all had knives, but none of them dared to make a move. Hearing you say that, I finally realized those people weren't Cao Wu's actual subordinates."
"Right, they were professional crews like me. Brother Yang, actually, you won't need to get your hands dirty anymore. Your reputation has already been established in the city. Just showing up somewhere will make people afraid to touch you. You should seize this opportunity to gain the greatest benefit for yourself."
Yang Jian was a bit curious. "What kind of benefits can I gain from my reputation?"
"Oh, there are plenty. For example, running gambling dens, operating casinos, loan sharking, taking on rural infrastructure projects, getting involved in some monopolistic businesses, like the sand and gravel extraction from Daxin River, earthwork projects for real estate companies, sand and gravel supply for construction companies, and becoming the general agent for beer and milk in the Nanhu region. These are all projects that bring in money quickly."
"Are these projects something I can just get involved in? I don't know anyone, and I don't understand them!"
Lu Feng laughed heartily. "Brother Yang, you underestimate yourself. I'm telling you, if you want, you can break into any industry. For example, the sand and gravel extraction from Daxin River is a highly profitable business. It's currently bought out by Zhou Tao for five million yuan annually. If you want to get involved, Zhou Tao will definitely give you face. He'll either let you set up a sand extraction point or give you some shares."
"That powerful?"
"Of course. So, Brother Yang, after we get out, I'll follow you. You don't have to show up; I'll handle the operations for you, and I guarantee you'll achieve financial freedom within a year."
Yang Jian quickly declined. "No, no, no. You're older than me, so I should call you brother. Besides, I don't plan to stay in the city. What you're talking about are things done by the underworld. I don't plan to build any power base. And you already have your own crew; I can't afford a big shot like you."
"Brother Yang, the wise lead the way. Your reputation is greater than mine, so you are the brother, regardless of age. After we get out, I don't want to do those things anymore. Take me in. I can fight well too, and I'm not unknown in the city. From now on, let me handle all the fighting."
"I don't need people to fight. I'm going to do legitimate work and engage in engineering projects from now on."
Lu Feng seemed determined to follow Yang Jian. "I can do engineering too. My father is a seasoned construction worker, and I've been exposed to it since childhood. I can understand ordinary construction drawings, and I've even attended high school."
"Stop bragging. You can understand drawings?"
"I'm not bragging. My father is Lu Qian, and he's quite famous in the Nanhu construction industry. If you've worked in construction, you should have heard of him."
"You're Chief Engineer Lu's son?"
Yang Jian looked at him incredulously. Having worked on construction sites for four years and moved through dozens of projects, he did indeed know Lu Qian and had even interacted with him.
Lu Feng was also surprised. "You know my father?"
"Yes, I worked at the Han City Water Margin project two years ago. Your father was the chief engineer, and I even asked him for advice on drawings. You don't look like him at all. Chief Engineer Lu is like a refined scholar, while you look like a bandit. Are you his biological son?"
Yang Jian joked, seeing that Lu Feng was not a petty person.
"I look like my mother, and my sister looks like my father."
"That makes more sense. Then your sister must be very beautiful, because your father, in his fifties, is still very dashing."
"Of course. My sister is really beautiful. She graduated from university last year and is about your age. I'll introduce you sometime."
At this remark, everyone in the cell burst into laughter. Lu Feng, usually overbearing, was now completely shameless, selling out his own sister to please Yang Jian.
Yang Jian also smiled. "Let's forget about introducing your sister. Since you're Chief Engineer Lu's son, let's work together after we get out. I'm going to join Emperor Company in Han City, but I won't give up the gambling operations at Nanhu Clubhouse. We'll see where you want to go then?"
To make quick money and develop his brother-in-law's land sooner, Yang Jian planned to continue operating in the gambling world. This was because engineering projects took too long, and doing labor contracts alone didn't earn much. Moreover, he would have to pay for safety accidents, so he wasn't considering legitimate business for now.