Refusing a Gift and Asking for a Slap

The various bosses were all secretly pondering when two cold laughs suddenly rang out.

Everyone looked up to see that it was Boss Huang who had spoken.

"Boss Su, your idea is indeed excellent, but it is somewhat impractical.

Merchants chase profit and will stop at nothing to get it. If we follow your plan, we would certainly attract a large number of customers in the beginning.

But if the people over at Changde Ward realize what is happening and imitate us, their geographical advantage will immediately become apparent, and we still won't be able to compete with them."

The crowd nodded one after another; Boss Huang's concerns were indeed reasonable. That group in Changde Ward was certainly capable of such plagiarism.

Su Xin set down his teacup and shook his head: "They cannot imitate it. Changde Ward has a fatal flaw: the sizes of their plots are all different.

Our Joyful District was planned by the government in the past, and even the floor plans are identical, but what about Changde Ward?

That place was rebuilt from ruins after the imperial court moved the capital. There are shops of all sizes—one-story taverns alongside three-story gambling dens.

There are all sorts of other businesses, and even some buildings belonging to the prefecture government are located there.

Because of this, they cannot achieve the kind of integration we have.

Even if they wanted to imitate us, at most, some powerful and wealthy merchants would have to buy up the surrounding shops to force them into our model.

The land in a central market like Changde Ward is worth its weight in gold; how many merchants have the resources for such a grand gesture?

Everyone here knows the foundation of Changning Prefecture; merchants with such deep pockets number fewer than five. It would be a miracle if even thirty percent of Changde Ward could successfully imitate us.

But that thirty percent would absolutely not be enough to satisfy the needs of the entire Changning Prefecture.

If the remaining customers want to enjoy this kind of service, they will have to come to our Happy Forest!"

The crowd nodded upon hearing this. Su Xin's plan was linked ring by ring; he had basically anticipated every possibility.

Now, the only thing the merchants were hesitating about was that ten percent share of the profits.

For these businessmen, paying the monthly protection fee of a few dozen taels already felt like having their flesh carved away with a knife, let alone giving up ten percent of their equity.

After a long silence, Boss Huang finally spoke: "Boss Su, your idea is indeed good, but my Shunde Casino is a small operation. Money has been tight lately, and I can't spare any funds, so let's just drop it."

Although Boss Huang looked down on Su Xin, he actually approved of the plan itself.

However, approval was one thing, but he could not agree to it.

Ten percent was too much; he didn't want to give it, and he couldn't afford to!

If he gave it to Su Xin now, what if the government got jealous, or if Su Xin's foster father, Third Master Hu, got jealous and demanded a ten percent cut as well?

Therefore, this precedent absolutely could not be set!

But not agreeing to Su Xin's terms did not mean he wouldn't follow Su Xin's plan.

He would just stall for a while, claiming money was tight, and after some time, he could still coordinate with a few other bosses to implement Su Xin's method on their own.

By then, it wouldn't be so easy for Su Xin to get his hands on that share.

Everyone present was a seasoned veteran; the moment Boss Huang spoke, they immediately understood his meaning.

However, their businesses were small, and they dared not openly oppose Su Xin.

But by remaining silent, their stance was a tacit refusal.

"Boss Huang, sometimes being too clever is not a good thing."

Su Xin sighed and slowly walked over to Boss Huang's side.

Seeing Su Xin approach, Boss Huang suddenly felt a chill wash over him, causing him to shudder violently.

However, he considered his status and standing to be different from those small tavern owners, so he still managed to squeeze out a smile: "Boss Su, what do you mean by that? I don't quite understand."

"You don't understand? Then I will explain it to you slowly."

The Iron Sheet Sword hanging at Su Xin's waist appeared in his hand the next moment.

He grabbed Boss Huang's right hand and pressed it onto the table. The ridiculous Iron Sheet Sword thrust out, pinning Boss Huang's right hand directly through the table. It sank in several feet, leaving only the hilt visible on the back of his hand!

"Ah!"

Boss Huang let out a shrill, miserable howl. The spraying blood splattered onto the person next to him, who was so terrified that he retreated repeatedly, knocking over his chair in the process.

Everyone present was shocked; no one had expected Su Xin to strike the moment he finished speaking, without the slightest warning!

Ji Gang's eyelids twitched. He didn't speak, but the smile at the corner of his mouth vanished, and his eyes held a look of shock.

Li Huai, however, kept his eyes fixed on the Iron Sheet Sword embedded in the table, his gaze flickering with an unreadable meaning.

To be able to use a thin piece of iron to pierce through human bone and a one-inch-thick mahogany table as if it were tofu—such speed and strength were far from ordinary.

"Boss Su, let's talk this out, don't resort to violence!" Boss Liu of the Drunken Moon Pavilion hurriedly tried to mediate, though he was actually terrified himself.

Even if they knew that refusing Su Xin's demand for a share would offend him, they never expected him to resort to violence so casually!

Their status was not like that of Fatty Wang, whom Su Xin had crippled; he was just the owner of a small pharmacy, while they were famous, wealthy merchants within Changning Prefecture.

Every year, they paid thousands of taels in taxes to the government; how could the government watch them be bullied by gangs?

If the gangs could cover the sky with one hand, who would still pay taxes to the government? Everyone would just hand their money to the gangs as protection fees!

Therefore, the major gangs maintained a decent attitude toward these big merchants: as long as you followed the rules, they wouldn't make things difficult for you.

Someone who resorts to violence the moment a disagreement arises like Su Xin is nothing but a madman!

When the authorities are eventually enraged, the Flying Eagle Gang won't be able to protect him at all; they will be the first to toss him out as a scapegoat to face the government's wrath.

The bosses present wouldn't even fear Sha Feiying, the leader of the Flying Eagle Gang, because he is a man who respects the rules.

But now that they have encountered a rule-breaking madman like Su Xin, they are utterly helpless.

Watching Boss Huang, who is slumped over the table in a cold sweat from the pain, Su Xin says calmly, "Do you really take me, Su Xin, for a fool? Stalling for time, are you? You used my plan, yet you don't intend to give me my share? Hmm?"

Boss Huang is already in too much pain to speak; as a wealthy boss who has lived in luxury for years, when has he ever suffered such agony?

At this moment, Su Xin pulls the Iron Sheet Sword from his right hand with lightning speed, presses his left hand onto the table, and drives the blade in with the same motion!

Boss Huang lets out another miserable shriek, making the hearts of the surrounding bosses jump; Boss Huang's hands are effectively ruined.

Su Xin glances around, and not a single boss present dares to meet his eyes.

"Actually, I am a man who values rules. I provide the plan, you make the money and eat the meat, and I just follow along to have some soup. Is that too much to ask?

If you take my things but don't want to pay, then fine, I'll just have to collect it myself."

As he pulls the iron sword out, Su Xin grabs Boss Huang by the hair and thrusts the blade into his mouth, twisting it viciously until a blood-red piece is torn out.

Su Xin leans into Boss Huang's ear and whispers, "Has anyone ever told you that your mouth really stinks?"

However, Boss Huang can no longer hear a thing; the moment Su Xin cut out his tongue, he fainted from the pain.

"Now, does anyone agree to my plan?"

All the bosses present nod hurriedly; in this situation, do they dare disagree? Those who disagreed are already lying on the floor as cripples!

"Then let's sign the documents."

Su Xin waves his hand, and Huang Bingcheng immediately calls for people to bring over the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone to write up the transfer deeds for the equity.

Although none of the bosses say anything aloud and obediently sign the transfer deeds, they are sneering in their hearts.

Su Xin, you have gone so far today; we shall see how you manage to clean up this mess!

Wiping the blood-stained blade on Boss Huang's clothes, Su Xin waves at Huang Bingcheng: "Go and call all the brothers in."

Su Xin currently has fewer than seventy gang members under his command, but as they all crowd in, the hall feels slightly cramped.

Seeing Boss Huang lying on the floor, his mouth covered in blood and looking as if he were dead, the gang members all shudder.

This boss of theirs is truly ruthless!

Glancing at the men below, Su Xin says in a deep voice: "Those of us who live in the underworld are really just trying to sell our lives for a good price.

I, Su Xin, am no saint, and I don't expect you to throw your lives away for me for nothing. I have an opportunity here, but I don't know if you have the guts to take it."

Su Xin points to the unconscious Boss Huang: "Boss Huang of the Shunde Casino has been crippled by me, as you can all see.

Now, whoever steps forward to surrender to the authorities and claims they were the one who crippled him, I will give them three hundred taels of silver, and from this day on, I, Su Xin, will provide for their parents and family!"

The breathing of the gang members present grows rapid; three hundred taels of silver is an astronomical figure to them.

Most of the men under Su Xin now are not the old guard from the Flying Eagle Gang, but recruits from the local Joyful District.

These men come from the slums, used to fighting and brawling, yet struggling to even put food on the table.

Now that three hundred taels of silver are laid out before them, they cannot help but be tempted.

Seeing their hesitation, Su Xin adds more fuel to the fire: "Surrendering doesn't mean you'll die. I will pull strings on the outside to ensure you are released within three years.

Spend three years in prison, and when you come out, there will definitely be a place for you by my side!"

The bosses watch Su Xin in horror; is this really how he plays the game?

At this moment, a gang member of about twenty-five or twenty-six steps forward and says viciously: "I'll take the fall! Three hundred taels of silver is enough for my mother, my wife, and my son to live comfortably for the rest of their lives."

The man bows to Su Xin: "Boss Su, I'm selling my life to you. I only hope the brothers in the gang can keep an eye on things and not let my wife take my blood money and run off with another man!"

The whole room erupts in laughter, though some gang members secretly regret not stepping forward themselves.

Thinking about it now, three years in prison in exchange for three hundred taels of silver is an incredible deal!

They had been locked up for months before for petty theft or brawling; what is a little more time? Why were they so cowardly?

"Rest assured, I don't want your life. Once you surrender, I will immediately arrange for a lawyer to defend you, and the silver will be delivered to your home.

All the brothers here can bear witness; I, Su Xin, keep my word. If I go back on it, I won't be able to survive in this Changning Prefecture anymore."

The gang member nods and turns to leave.

The bosses present immediately lower their heads, not daring to have any other thoughts.

At this moment, Su Xin feels even more terrifying to them than when he was ruthlessly crippling Boss Huang.

He understands the mindset of the authorities far better than those gang members who only know how to kill and fight!

It is true that injuring someone is a crime, but the authorities don't care who did the injuring; they only care about their own performance records and their own reputation.

Su Xin is now obediently handing the criminal over to them, giving them the face they need.

With the bribes behind the scenes, they will have the substance they need, so why would they make things difficult for Su Xin?

As for Boss Huang, no one cares; some of the merchants present are already thinking about how to take over his Shunde Casino.

"Alright, I've enjoyed our conversation today, so I won't keep you any longer. I trust you all have the plan in mind; you may begin the renovations during this period."

The various bosses glanced at Boss Huang, who was still lying on the ground, life or death unknown, and curled their lips in secret.

Could this really be called an enjoyable conversation?

However, they dared not bare their teeth at Su Xin now, so they all cupped their hands and took their leave with smiling faces.

"The rest of you may head out as well, but Old Huang, stay behind. Right, carry Boss Huang out for me and take good care of him; don't let him die." Su Xin instructed.

Injuring someone and killing someone were two different things. If Boss Huang were to truly die, it would be difficult to explain to the authorities.

After everyone had left, Huang Bingcheng hunched over and complimented him with an expression of admiration: "Boss, to think you could come up with such a method—I, Old Huang, am truly impressed."

"It's nothing, just a small trick." Su Xin waved his hand indifferently.

Although Huang Bingcheng believed Su Xin was being humble, in truth, this move of Su Xin's really was just a small trick.

Such things were common in his previous life.

No one here had used them, or even thought of them, because the gangs here only valued strength.

"Strength is the true path!"

Su Xin sighed inwardly. If he had the strength, he wouldn't need to resort to these low-level, petty tactics; these were the kinds of things that merchants like Boss Huang enjoyed playing with.

Sha Feiying, the leader of the Flying Eagle Gang, possessed the strength of a Houtian Great Perfection. If this matter were handled by him, let alone crippling Boss Huang, even if he had killed him on the spot, the authorities would have pretended not to see it.

The authorities also possessed their own power.

Changning Prefecture consisted of forty-nine wards. Excluding the central Changde Ward, the remaining forty-eight were divided into twelve wards each for the East, West, South, and North, with a Chief Constable for every twelve wards.

These four Chief Constables were all experts above the Houtian Great Perfection level, and each commanded over a hundred constables, which was how they managed to suppress the Three Gangs and Four Associations of Changning Prefecture, at least on the surface.

"Old Huang, take three hundred taels later and give it to the brother who took the fall, and do it in front of everyone.

Also, find the most famous lawyer in Changning Prefecture and have him help clear the charges; the sentence must be under three years.

You should know better than I do which offices in Changning Prefecture need to be greased. Don't skimp on the money; spend freely, as we will have dealings with them in the future."

Huang Bingcheng said: "Three hundred taels for the family settlement, and a lawyer isn't expensive—you can find a decent one for a dozen taels—but as for the offices, I'm afraid it won't be less than a thousand taels."

Su Xin nodded: "A thousand-plus taels? That's even less than I imagined."

"But even if it's less, we don't have it," Huang Bingcheng said with a bitter face. "Our only five hundred taels were given to Third Master Hu by you. Now, the gang only has some loose change left."

Su Xin said calmly: "Shunde Casino is so large; the fat Boss Huang's net worth, even if not a hundred thousand, must be at least tens of thousands. Isn't that money?"

"Bo... Boss! Crippling Boss Huang is one thing—we can find someone to take the fall—but if we seize the assets of Shunde Casino, the authorities will definitely intervene." Huang Bingcheng was startled and quickly tried to dissuade him.

Injuring someone and seizing wealth was far more serious than just crippling Boss Huang; this touched the bottom line of the authorities.

They were currently a Jianghu gang; if they started injuring people and seizing wealth, they would become nothing more than highway robbers, which was a completely different nature from a gang.

"Of course we can't swallow tens of thousands of taels, and I never intended to. Go and tally up all the assets of Shunde Casino, make a list, and hand it to Third Master Hu. He will understand what I mean."

The so-called bottom line of the authorities did not exist at all.

As long as there is enough money and enough strength, that so-called bottom line might just shift to wherever one pleases.

Huang Bingcheng walked out, half-doubting, when Su Xin added one more instruction: "You might see Ji Gang when you go; don't be surprised, just act as if you didn't see him."

Nodding, Huang Bingcheng walked out, lost in thought.