Carrying twelve thousand yuan, Yang Jian went downstairs to meet with Si Xi and the others.
“Brother Si, take this money first. I’ll get you the rest tomorrow.”
Yang Jian had ten thousand yuan in his bank card. Brother Mao had given him six thousand, Brother Hao two thousand, Song Jianmin eight hundred, Sister Feng five hundred, and after expenses, his four days’ wages were one thousand.
Si Xi took the money and counted it, saying, “Little Yang, you’re too righteous. You’re not suited for loan sharking or debt collection, and probably not for life on the streets. In our line of work, you sometimes have to be ruthless. Since you’ve acknowledged the rest of the money, tell Hao Ge. He should agree to a delay in paying him back.”
“No need. I didn’t bring my bank card today. I’ll withdraw the money for you tomorrow.”
Yang Jian didn’t agree with Si Xi’s words. If one had to be ruthless, were they still human? To achieve great things, one needed to build good relationships; connections were the most important factor. Spending ten thousand yuan to win over Zheng Guangyao was worth it.
Following Brother Hao was just a temporary measure; his ultimate goal was to get into construction.
“Little Yang, so far, our collections have been relatively smooth. Tomorrow, we’ll face Cao Wu, a tough nut to crack. This guy is a madman. You need to be extra careful when talking to him and prevent him from using any excuse to cause trouble.”
“I won’t say anything. You’re all seasoned veterans; I’ll listen to you.”
“No, tomorrow, it’ll be just you and me going to see him. Having more people might cause misunderstandings and conflicts.”
“You know his whereabouts?”
“Of course. For this collection, I’ve also enlisted a few brothers to help with surveillance. Otherwise, how could we have caught Liu Fengtian smoothly today?”
Yang Jian suddenly understood. No wonder Si Xi could always accurately locate debtors; he had made arrangements in advance. This meant the interest collected this time would have to be shared with others.
Yang Jian wasn’t overly nervous about facing Cao Wu. Si Xi would be the main person in this debt collection, and he only intended to make up the numbers. He wouldn’t actively harm anyone and would try to speak as little as possible, as there were many unspoken rules in their circle, and one could easily touch someone’s taboo and cause trouble, which wouldn’t be worth it.
To fulfill his promise to Sister Feng and out of concern for a major conflict with Cao Wu, Si Xi and the others checked into the Fengqi Lou Hotel the next morning. This place was safer than a small motel. After dropping off their luggage, they drove out of the city.
“Brother Si, where are we going? Isn’t Cao Wu in the county town?”
Yang Jian noticed their car was heading towards a very remote mountainous area.
“Cao Wu has contracted for the hardening of rural roads in his hometown and is currently organizing construction there.”
“If he doesn’t pay, what measures can we take?”
Yang Jian knew that those who contracted for road construction in rural areas were usually local ruffians and ruthless individuals. Sometimes, several factions would resort to violence, even murder, to snatch projects.
Si Xi gave a wry smile. “We can only hope he gives Hao Ge some face and returns the principal. If he really doesn’t, we’ll have to let Hao Ge handle it.”
Yang Jian stopped asking. He had a faint feeling that today wouldn’t go smoothly. Sixty thousand yuan was not a small sum, and Hao Ge’s influence in the county town didn’t seem very significant.
Half an hour later, near a village called Caojia Mountain, Si Xi stopped the car and asked Yang Jian to get out and walk into the village with him.
Yang Jian had already tucked his extendable baton into his back waistband, ready for any sudden situation.
This area was hilly, with large mountains not far away. At the village entrance, many people were working on the roadbed, with excavators and bulldozers in operation.
Si Xi took out a pack of cigarettes and walked up to a bald man in his thirties, dressed smartly.
“Boss Cao, hello. I’m Brother Hao’s subordinate.”
Si Xi obsequiously offered a cigarette. It was clear this man was Cao Wu.
Yang Jian frowned, sensing a strong aura of hostility from this man, who didn’t seem easy to talk to or get along with.
“Brother Hao? Which Brother Hao? What do you want with me?”
Cao Wu didn’t take the cigarette but stared at Si Xi with fierce eyes.
“Song Jianhao. Didn’t you borrow sixty thousand yuan from us at the venue a few days ago? The time is up. Can you return it to us?”
“Get lost! Who the hell is Song Jianhao? I lost over a hundred thousand at his venue. I’m still suspecting he cheated me. I haven’t settled the score with him, and now you’re here to demand money?”
This was a clear attempt to renege. Si Xi’s face turned red. He was clearly intimidated by Cao Wu’s demeanor but unwilling to give up so easily.
“Boss Cao, you signed an IOU when you took the money. How can you go back on your word now? We can waive the interest, but you must return the principal.”
“Are you deliberately trying to slap my face in front of the workers? Fine, I’ll give you the money. Wait a moment, I’ll have someone bring it over.”
Cao Wu was somewhat enraged and embarrassed because the workers around were all watching them. These were people from his own village, and being pressured for debt in front of them made him lose face.
Si Xi breathed a sigh of relief. As long as they could get the money, it didn’t matter if he had to endure some scolding.
However, Yang Jian felt it wasn’t that simple. Cao Wu had made a phone call while avoiding them. Although he couldn’t hear what was being said, his eyes flashed with malicious ferocity.
“You two wait in the car for a while. Someone will bring the money over soon.”
After finishing the call, Cao Wu said this and then began directing the excavator’s work, ignoring the two of them.
Si Xi nodded and took Yang Jian back to the car.
About ten minutes later, a Jinbei minivan sped over and stopped next to the Santana. Eight young men carrying machetes got out.
Seeing that this was going to be a confrontation, Yang Jian quickly got out of the car, unable to stay inside.
Si Xi and the other two also quickly got out, but their faces were already pale with fear. There were no surveillance cameras in this area, and it was far from the police station. They were likely in for a beating today.
The eight young men didn’t attack immediately but surrounded the four of them.
At this moment, Cao Wu walked over with two other people, both carrying weapons.
Yang Jian gasped in shock. Cao Wu was holding a handgun, while the other two were carrying pickaxe handles.
“I remember you’re Si Xi, right? Hand over the IOU, and then all of you kneel down for me.”
Cao Wu directly pressed the gun to Si Xi’s head.
“Boss Cao, Cao, Cao, I don’t want the money anymore. Let me go.”
Si Xi trembled all over, so scared that he lost control of his bladder. A smell of urine emanated from him, completely devoid of the fierceness he had shown towards Liu Fengtian.
“So, you don’t want the money and it’s over? You motherfucker embarrassed me in front of my villagers, and you expect me to let you go? Kneel down.”
Before Cao Wu could finish, Si Xi fell to his knees with a thud.
“And the three of you, all kneel.”
Cao Wu’s gun then pointed at Biao Biao and Liang Liang.
It was a replica of a Type 54 pistol, and Yang Jian couldn’t be sure if it was real. However, he refused to kneel.
Better to die standing than live kneeling. The always stubborn Yang Jian prepared to fight back.