682: Chapter 671 682: Chapter 671 In the city of WZ, ZJ Province.
WZ is a magical city that has fostered countless wealthy individuals.
People from all over the country and the world have come to give the merchants of this place a unique nickname: the Wen merchants.
This title is not only a high affirmation of the Wen merchants but also a subtle and ineradicable reverence for them.
Many people say that the Jews are good at business, and many in WZ are called the “Jews of the East.” Among this distinguished group, Wang Billion undoubtedly stands at the very peak.
Wang Billion is not so-called “second-generation rich” nor “second-generation red.” Born in a small village near WZ, no one from the village has ever really made it big.
As a boy, Wang Billion was mischievous and playful, not someone capable of reciting Tang poetry at a tender age, writing Song lyrics, or skilled in the four arts of zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting.
What Wang Billion had was a mind more agile than others and even greater perseverance.
In the 1990s, Wang Billion made his first fortune in electronics like mobile phones and televisions, and towards the end of the 90s became overnight wealthy through steel.
At the turn of the millennium, when the steel market was at its hottest, Wang Billion quietly withdrew and invested in the then-dubious real estate sector.
Just when everyone was awaiting a fiasco, the real estate industry began to develop at an unimaginably rapid pace.
By 2011, it reached its pinnacle.
Wang Billion’s companies, initially focused solely on real estate, branched into more diverse areas.
Until now, Wang Billion’s total assets rank him among the top three in the nation and number one in the entire ZJ Province.
Even the richest man in Sunan can only be considered poor in comparison to Wang Billion, which speaks volumes about his wealth.
As Wang Billion rose to power, however, his ascent was accompanied by a bloodiness akin to the rise of a criminal organization.
In the early days, in order to seize business, Wang Billion had disposed of countless opponents, both openly and in secret.
Later, processes like the demolition of buildings and the development of estates all involved stepping over the corpses of others to rise.
Wang Billion controlled three large security firms, filled with countless security guards and enforcers.
Of course, like Song Yun’s Shura Alliance, Wang Billion’s security companies essentially operated legitimate businesses, with only occasional ventures into misdeeds.
Behind these security companies, Wang Billion owned a major business coalition that ranked globally: the Wen Commerce Association.
In short, it was an alliance formed by many Wen merchants pooling their resources.
In this day and age, going it alone only meant being eaten by others.
Even Wang Billion, strong as he was, knew the power of numbers, and thus, led by him, the Wen Commerce Association was successfully founded five years ago.
To date, it boasted 108 members, colloquially referred to as the 108 Generals, with the least wealthy among them worth billions!
Such an alliance, though ostensibly a legitimate chamber of commerce, lived by the caveat that no business was done without some cunning involved.
These 108 members virtually monopolized every industry, big and small, in ZJ Province.
Naturally, among these 108 there were rivals, so they were not one monolithic entity.
If these 108 ever united as one, the authorities would directly strike down such an economically influential organization without needing Song Yun to take action.
At that moment, in the top floor of the Wen Commerce Association headquarters, within a vast room of at least 150 square meters, a middle-aged man was smiling at another man with a gloomy expression, saying, “Lei Long, this time, the fault really lies with me!”
“Mr.
Wang, you shouldn’t say that!” Lei Long replied with a slightly ingratiating look, “This time, it was indeed my impatience that caused the problem.
Had we taken it step by step, Song Yun wouldn’t have won so easily.”
“That’s true.
From finding out that Song Yun was low on energy, to entering Sunan, it took barely more than a day.
Our actions were indeed too fast.
Although meant as a surprise attack, we left too many gaps and vulnerabilities that if exploited, would certainly not be a trivial issue,” said the middle-aged man, Wang Billion, seated on a black sofa and continuing to address Lei Long, “You just stay on my side for now.
As for matters regarding Song Yun, let’s wait for an opportunity.
Gai Nie, escort him down.”
“Yes!” Gai Nie, standing next to Lei Long, said, “Brother Long, let’s go.”
“Right,” Lei Long nodded and followed Gai Nie out of Wang Billion’s office.
After sending Lei Long off, Gai Nie returned to Wang Billion’s office.
Wang Billion rubbed his temples and said to Gai Nie standing beside him, “I knew it.
I should have had you take care of him when you brought him over.”
“You didn’t say,” Gai Nie shrugged helplessly.
Wang Billion lamented, “Ah, it was my misjudgment.
Now we’re in a fix.
The Ghost King side knows Lei Long is with us and is making a fuss about us not giving him face.
Although someone’s bearing the brunt, the pressure on me is still massive.
If Lei Long had died earlier, the matter would be settled, and we could absolve ourselves of involvement.
Now, it’s troublesome whether he’s alive or dead.
He’s such a burden.”
“Just wait then, there’s no hurry,” Gai Nie, sitting on the office desk Wang Billion had provided, said, “If it weren’t for those people insisting I come, I really wouldn’t want to.
Honestly, I actually rather like that Song Yun, sigh.”
“Heh, different sides do not accommodate fondness, do they?” Wang Billion chuckled as he picked up the phone and dialed out.
“My son, how’s it going with the negotiations with Kun Shan?”
“They’ve been settled.
After I go back this time, our dealings with Kun Shan will begin.
But Dad, we’re not exactly short on money.
Why do we need to get into so much stuff?
To be honest, these things can indeed harm people.”
“Haha, as long as it makes money, it’s good stuff.
Besides, I don’t necessarily have to use those things to harm our own people,” Wang Billion said with a laugh.
“Oh?
What do you mean?”
“I’ve found sellers in RB and Korea.
When the time comes, we’ll simply send these things over to them.
Just the brokerage fee alone will make us a tidy profit.
Plus, this is our contribution to the country as well, haha,” Wang Billion declared with a hearty laugh.
After hanging up the phone, Wang Billion said to Gai Nie in front of him, “Take a few good men with you to Sunan.
The goal is simple—I want you to take out Wang Hu.”
“Understood,” Gai Nie nodded and smiled nonchalantly, “But, this is like going head-to-head against Song Yun.”
“Am I afraid of him?” Wang Billion said indifferently, “Since he’s made others cautious about us and disrupted two of our revenue streams, I’ll simply take out his men.
An eye for an eye; it’s only fair.”
“Fine, I’ll bring a few people over,” Gai Nie said as he touched the ancient sword belted at his waist.
“Remember, strike once and leave.
The current Song Yun is not the one you used to know,” Wang Billion instructed.
“Hmph, I’m not who I used to be either,” Gai Nie snorted contemptuously, but Wang Billion said no more and simply waved his hand.
Gai Nie concealed his dagger behind him and left Wang Billion’s office.
Meanwhile, the moon over Sunan was obscured by a dark cloud, an occasional biting wind carrying a penetrating chill.