Chapter 231 Meeting Zhou Yaoxiang

Inside the manor villa, a handsome and refined young man walked up to Yu Jinhang and extended his hand, saying, "Hello, Uncle Yu."

"This is my elder brother, Yu Jinrong," Yu Jinhang introduced. "Brother, this is Mr. Zhou's youngest son, Zhou Tonghui."

"Hello, Uncle Yu," the young man said, extending his palm.

"Hello," Yu Jinrong replied, shaking his hand.

"My father is on the phone upstairs. Let's go up first and wait for him," Zhou Tonghui politely invited.

"Okay," Yu Jinrong nodded.

The group followed Zhou Tonghui up a spiral staircase to the living room on the third floor of the villa.

After entering, they settled down in the spacious seating area. Zhou Tonghui personally prepared drinks for everyone, offering both coffee and tea. He was very humble and attentive, a gracious host.

Once Zhou Tonghui finished, a middle-aged man entered the living room. He looked to be in his fifties, but was extremely robust, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted. He wore a neat and clean suit, with his hair combed back meticulously, as black and lustrous as charcoal.

As the middle-aged man entered, Yu Jinhang immediately stood up, smiling, "Mr. Zhou."

"Old Yu, long time no see!" the middle-aged man said, grasping his hands in both of his.

"We've come to trouble you," Yu Jinhang said with a grin, introducing the others. "This is my elder brother, Yu Jinrong, and this is his son, Yu Mingyuan."

"You're giving me face by coming to me. Welcome, welcome," the middle-aged man said, shaking hands with each of them, even proactively offering his hand to the young girls like An Qiqi.

Before arriving, Yu Mingyuan had chatted with Gou Liuzi in the car. The man they were meeting today was called Zhou Yaoxiang, whose ancestors had come to District One before the Era, and three generations had been born here.

Zhou Yaoxiang's family had once been the most influential Chinese gang in Huadu, District One. His father had founded the Chinese Zhongxiao Tang at the age of forty-five, running a tangkou (a type of gang operation) and engaging in various "maritime trade" businesses. But after the Era began, and District One went to war with the Huaxia District, Zhou Yaoxiang's father was imprisoned for publicly supporting the Huaxia District and criticizing the Republican Party. Because of his advanced age, he was sentenced to 250 years and eventually died in prison.

After Zhou Yaoxiang's father passed away, the Zhou family became much more low-key. Zhou Yaoxiang currently serves as the leader of the Zhongxiao Tang and also the chairman of the Chinese Workers' Council.

It was difficult to define this kind of person. Calling him a businessman wouldn't be accurate, and calling him a political businessman didn't quite fit either. But calling him purely a gangster would be too simplistic.

Furthermore, judging solely from Zhou Yaoxiang's appearance, you could easily mistake him as being from a scholarly or political family. Although he was broad-shouldered, he looked very refined, with an innate humility and politeness that betrayed no hint of his background.

After shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with everyone, Zhou Yaoxiang smiled and sat down on the sofa near Yu Jinrong and Yu Jinhang. "Mr. Yu, I heard from Jinhang that you're planning to start an association in Dragon City, is that right?"

"Yes," Yu Jinrong nodded. "I want to set up a Chinese labor union."

Zhou Yaoxiang rested his arms on the sofa armrest, paused slightly, and replied, "Mr. Yu, isn't it a bit late to start an association now?"

"It's not too late yet, from what I can see," Yu Jinrong said softly. "I personally feel that the situation in Dragon City won't change in the short term. Its foundation is already set. Even if District One strengthens its control in the future, it will definitely be a 'One District, Two Systems' situation."

"Mr. Yu…!"

"Let's be casual. Just call me Old Yu or Jinrong. It sounds too formal," Yu Jinrong said with a smile.

Zhou Yaoxiang nodded. "Then let's dispense with the formalities and get straight to business, shall we?"

"Alright!"

"Investing money is no problem," Zhou Yaoxiang said. Although polite and courteous, he spoke very directly. "I'll invest in establishing the association, but what's my return?"

"Profit sharing according to shares," Yu Jinrong replied.

"I'm not interested in profit sharing," Zhou Yaoxiang waved his hand, still speaking very directly. "If the association is established, can you get involved in the gold brick business?"

Yu Jinrong was stunned. He hadn't expected the other party to be so direct. Slightly surprised, he asked, "In Dragon City?"

"No, using Dragon City as a transit point, selling to the old Mexicans of Sinaloa," Zhou Yaoxiang replied.

Yu Jinrong hesitated for a moment. "That… I'm afraid we can't do that."

Zhou Yaoxiang nodded. "Then can you do the arms trade? Also transiting through Dragon City, selling to Sinaloa. I'll provide the goods, and you'll be responsible for stockpiling and distributing them."

Yu Jinrong was even more stunned.

Beside him, Bai Hongbo whispered to Su Tianyu, "Good lord, this guy doesn't touch any business that could get you killed! What principles!"

"Don't talk nonsense!" Su Tianyu was sweating, thinking that this Zhou Yaoxiang, though refined in appearance, was discussing deals that were one bigger than the next.

Yu Jinrong blinked and shook his head. "Arms dealing is out of the question too. That business belongs to the garrison; we can't get involved."

Hearing this, Zhou Yaoxiang spread his hands. "Then that's difficult. If you won't touch the two most profitable trades, what's the point of establishing an association?"

"It's a kind of implicit political investment, because the environment in Dragon City is quite special," Yu Jinrong explained.

"Without highly profitable industries, the association won't have any cohesion! The brothers below need to see money," Zhou Yaoxiang paused, immediately adding, "Of course, this is just my opinion. Perhaps you see things much more clearly than I do."

"Heh!" Yu Jinrong smiled without replying, thinking that this deal was definitely off the table today, because the other party was dead set on doing business that could get you killed. Who could stand for that?

Zhou Yaoxiang pondered for a moment, then turned to Yu Jinrong. "Old Yu, you came to me, giving me face. I'm afraid I can't help much with your investment, but if you need money, I can lend it to you."

Yu Jinrong was taken aback. "This…!"

"How much money do you need?" Zhou Yaoxiang asked directly.

"I really haven't considered borrowing, it's too embarrassing," Yu Jinrong said, clearly unprepared.

"I'll say it again, you're giving me face by coming to me, and I'll definitely help if I can." Zhou Yaoxiang interlocked his fingers, looking at him. "Twenty million, is that enough?"

"Taking this money…!"

"Just give me some handling fees at the bank interest rate," Zhou Yaoxiang immediately added. "That way you won't feel so embarrassed."

Hearing this, Su Tianyu sighed inwardly. No wonder this guy could become the chairman of the Huadu Chinese Labor Union. This level of magnanimity couldn't be faked.

"Think about it, and if you need it, I'll lend it to you," Zhou Yaoxiang said softly. "Since you're here, you're all guests. Stay for a few days and let me entertain you."

"That's too embarrassing!" Yu Jinrong replied with a smile.

"We're all family here. Jinhang and I have been friends for many years." Zhou Yaoxiang turned his head and called out, "Tonghui, make the arrangements!"

"Okay," Zhou Tonghui nodded.

And so, the group temporarily stayed at the Zhou family's manor as guests. Little did anyone know that this simple meeting would directly determine the fate of several families in Dragon City.

...

District One, inside the Three Abundance Group's investment bank office area.

A young man in a suit walked into the office.

The secretary came in and said in a low voice, "Our information department said that someone in Dragon City has been recently pulling investment, wanting to create an association. Do you think we should report this project to General Manager Shen?"

"What's the size of it?" the young man asked.

"There isn't one yet, they are just starting," the secretary replied.

"At that level, they won't look for us, so we don't need to actively talk about investment." The young man replied straightforwardly, "File it, and leave it aside for now."