After hanging up the phone, Shen Nan immediately said, “Qing She, tell the ship not to dock. Keep it west of the port, and send more small boats to offload the cargo.”
“Boss, something really happened?” Qing She’s expression changed slightly.
Shen Nan didn’t answer. He looked at Zheng Chuan and said, “Come find me at the Zunjuehui in the southern part of the city tomorrow. From now on, you’re one of us.”
“Thank you, Boss Shen.” Zheng Chuan nodded. He had earned Shen Nan’s recognition.
“From now on, call me Big Brother.”
“Big Brother.” Zheng Chuan changed his address accordingly, though he couldn’t help but think, I’m your son-in-law… is this really appropriate?
“Haha, not bad, kid.” Shen Nan laughed heartily and left with his men in grand fashion.
“Hey, Big Brother! At least give me a ride back to the city! Where even is this place?” Zheng Chuan was both amused and exasperated. This desolate hill was at least several dozen kilometers from the city—was he supposed to walk back?
He turned his head and spotted Brother Fei and his gang. Feeling a little awkward, he said, “Uh… I think I’ll need to borrow your bike one more time.”
“Borrow it, absolutely! Brother Chuan, if you like it, I’ll give you a motorcycle!” Afei grinned like a blooming chrysanthemum.
“From now on, you’re our big brother—Brother Chuan!”
“Brother Chuan!” a group of slicked-back punks shouted in unison.
“This is kinda weird…” Zheng Chuan scratched his head, a bit embarrassed.
“No, Brother Chuan, you’re someone Boss Shen values. From now on, all of us are counting on you to look after us,” Afei said with puppy eyes.
“Do any of you have any skills?” Zheng Chuan asked after thinking for a moment.
These slicked-back punks were all unemployed youth, dreaming of making it in the underworld. Rather than letting them waste their lives causing trouble, it was better to steer them onto the right path.
“I graduated from a technical school. Studied auto repair,” Brother Fei said, a little embarrassed. “Worked two years as an apprentice in a repair shop and never got paid.”
“How good are your skills?” Zheng Chuan asked.
“Brother Chuan, I’m solid at fixing cars. Any issue with our motorcycles, I’ve always handled it. Don’t be fooled by my age—my repair skills are better than a lot of old mechanics,” Afei said, patting his chest.
“Then open your own repair shop and go independent.” Zheng Chuan scolded him, “Stop dreaming about the underworld all day and do something productive. Don’t keep making your parents worry.”
“Me? You think I could?” Afei was stunned.
“Why not? Go for it. If anything happens, I’ve got your back.” Zheng Chuan patted him on the shoulder.
Afei’s confidence skyrocketed. He clenched his fists and nodded, “Alright!”
The next day, at the Zunjuehui Business Club.
This was an entertainment venue owned by Shen Nan. Important matters for Jincheng were usually discussed here.
“Let me introduce everyone. This is Zheng Chuan, my new recruit,” Shen Nan said, introducing him to the group.
He then introduced Zheng Chuan to the core figures of Jincheng.
Of course, as someone reborn, Zheng Chuan already knew them all, but he still shook each hand politely.
“Big Brother, is this kid trustworthy?” a man puffing on a cigar gave Zheng Chuan a side glance.
This man was Chai Wu, the second-in-command of Jincheng.
He always looked up at people with his head lowered, giving off a gloomy vibe.
Zheng Chuan remembered him well. In his previous life, this guy had connected with drug dealers and used Jincheng to expand into the Tianhai market.
It was his influence that dragged Shen Nan fully into the abyss.
This time, Zheng Chuan planned to take him down.
“My daughter was saved by him. The customs incident last night was also thanks to his warning. He’s absolutely reliable,” Shen Nan said as he waved Zheng Chuan over. “Come, sit with me.”
“Alright, Brother Nan.” Zheng Chuan nodded and sat beside him.
“For the team to grow, we need people like Qing She who are good with fists, but we also need talents like Xiao Chuan.”
“From now on, he’s one of us. He’s young and new, so help guide him.”
“Everyone, I’ll be counting on your support,” Zheng Chuan said modestly.
“Alright, back to business. Customs checks are tight lately, so we’ll pause frozen goods operations. But we’ve got too many mouths to feed—our ports and ships can’t just sit idle,” Shen Nan said. “We need a solution. Any suggestions?”
The room filled with smoke as everyone scratched their heads. Not a single decent idea came out.
“Big Brother, why do we have to smuggle at all? Why not register a company and run a legitimate business?” Zheng Chuan broke the silence.
“Registering a company? You expect us to pay taxes? You want us to be proper businessmen?” Chai Wu scoffed. “People will laugh at us!”
“Then let them. Paying taxes is every citizen’s duty—it’s also our responsibility to society.”
“If we register a company, follow proper inspection and quarantine procedures, we build a reputation. With a good reputation, business naturally grows,” Zheng Chuan continued. “Besides, criminal laws are tightening.”
“A few years ago, people collected protection fees, fought over turf with knives. That doesn’t work anymore, right?”
“Society is advancing, becoming more civilized. If the group wants to grow stronger, the first step is to follow the country’s direction.”
His words left the room of rough men stunned. Even Shen Nan had to admit—it made sense.
“That’s true. I’ve made up my mind. We’ll register a company—call it Jincheng Group,” Shen Nan declared, slapping the table. “Xiao Hui, you handle it. Prepare the paperwork tomorrow.”
“Got it, Big Brother.” Xiao Hui adjusted his glasses.
He was the only college graduate in the group, quiet but meticulous. He handled the company’s finances and daily operations.
Chai Wu wanted to object, but Shen Nan had already decided. He could only keep silent.
Still, he cast a deep look at Zheng Chuan, memorizing his face.
“Big Brother, one more thing. Yu Laojiu from the north has set up a loan company to go against us,” Chai Wu reported again. “We charge 2.2% interest. He charges 2%. We lower to 2%, he goes to 1.8%.”
“Not only that, he’s breaking the rules and promoting in our southern district.”
“Is that so?” Shen Nan slammed the table in fury. “Gather the brothers. Smash that damn loan company of his.”
“Yu Laojiu’s probably behind my daughter’s kidnapping too!”
“Big Brother, I’ll round up the men right away!” Qing She perked up instantly at the mention of a fight.
“Go. Take weapons with you. This time, we’ll crush them completely,” Shen Nan commanded.
Qing She nodded and turned to leave.
“Brother Snake, wait!” Zheng Chuan quickly stopped him.
“What now?” Qing She asked irritably. He was all fired up—what trick was this kid pulling now?
“Big Brother, there’s no need for violence,” Zheng Chuan advised. “If we mobilize over a hundred men, the police are sure to notice.”
“If we lose, we end up in the hospital. If we win, we get detained. And if our guys get hurt, won’t that cost money? Totally not worth it.”
“Then what do you suggest? Let Yu Laojiu crap on our heads?” Chai Wu snapped. “Why are you always contradicting us? Whose side are you on?”
“Yeah, Yu Laojiu’s going too far,” Shen Nan said, puzzled. “If not by force, what do you suggest?”
“Didn’t he lower interest rates? He’s at 1.8%, right? Then we take loans from him, and lend them out at 2.2%,” Zheng Chuan said smugly.
“Whatever amount he has, we take it all. We’ve got hundreds of brothers. They can co-sign loans for each other. Everyone borrows a batch. Let’s see how long his capital chain lasts.”
“Easy to say. You planning not to pay back the loans?” Chai Wu snorted.
“Pay back? I borrowed it fair and square. Why should I return it?”