During Lao Li's tenure, he also supported many emerging enterprises. He usually wasn't corrupt or greedy, so wasn't it okay to fine them a little at critical moments?

Was there a problem with that?

No!

That evening, Director Liu organized a scheme to fleece them.

...

Around nine o'clock in the evening.

Su Tianyu called Gu Baishun and Wei Xiangzuo, and the three of them sat in front of a food stall in Tianhong Port, drinking and enjoying the sea breeze.

"Anyway, that's the situation. You two decide how to do it specifically. I'll handle whatever resources you need." Su Tianyu took a sip of beer, "In short, once this is settled, it'll be good for everyone."

"Okay, I have no problem," Gu Baishun said with a smile, nodding.

For some reason, Wei Xiangzuo drank a lot of wine today, even acting a bit out of character. He put his hand on Gu Baishun's back, repeating, "Xiao Gu, to be honest, I'm really happy that you're standing with Lao Li."

"Hehe, yes, we're all one family from now on," Gu Baishun said, adjusting his glasses and nodding.

"...You're different from my shifu. You're steady in your work, and you have principles." Wei Xiangzuo sincerely praised, "I hope you do well, really."

"I understand what you mean, Brother," Gu Baishun said with a serious nod.

Seeing the two of them hugging and holding each other, Su Tianyu thought he was too out of place here, so he took the opportunity to get up and said, "Everything's been said clearly. I also have to go back to the team, so you two can chat."

"You're leaving already?" Gu Baishun asked.

"Yeah."

"Okay, go back then." Wei Xiangzuo waved at him.

After saying goodbye, Su Tianyu left by car.

Under the sunshade of the food stall, Wei Xiangzuo tilted his head back and drank half a glass of baijiu, before saying in a hoarse voice, "Baishun, either don't come, or if you come, put the past behind you."

Gu Baishun paused slightly, "Brother, put what behind me?"

"I'm not stupid, and neither are you, right?" Wei Xiangzuo pointed to the ground, his eyes bloodshot, "If Yu Jinrong hadn't died, I definitely wouldn't be saying this to you today. But he's gone, so the pit is filled, you know?"

"Hehe." Gu Baishun grinned, "Brother, who do you think Su Tianyu is closer to, you or shifu?"

Wei Xiangzuo replied without hesitation, "Of course it's shifu. He taught me how to make a living and gave me social status. That's gratitude."

"That's all I need to hear." Gu Baishun nodded heavily and poured wine.

"After shifu died, I went to District One and messed with Su Tianyu. He said he didn't do it, but I didn't believe him." Wei Xiangzuo narrated without the slightest falsehood, "Later, I had a falling out with Xu Hu, the conflict shifted, and Su Tianyu saved me at least three times. But if he did it, I would definitely still get him, even if it meant giving him my life!"

Gu Baishun looked at Wei Xiangzuo, pursing his lips without saying a word.

"But later it was different, Yu Jinrong also died, what else do you want?" Wei Xiangzuo asked Gu Baishun.

"Brother, I didn't do it!" Gu Baishun replied with a firm gaze.

"I don't believe you!" Wei Xiangzuo waved his hand very straightforwardly, "I'll say it again, either don't come, or if you come, we're in this together."

"I didn't do it, but I can make it happen." Gu Baishun replied without hesitation.

"You can really make it happen?" Wei Xiangzuo asked.

"I can!" Gu Baishun's gaze was calm.

Wei Xiangzuo raised his glass, saying in a sonorous voice, "Lao Li wants me to be the big boss of the dockworkers' association, but I don't care about this position. I swear to the heavens, if everyone can stick together in the future, I will definitely give you the position. But if anyone fires the first shot, I will definitely stand on the other side to clean house."

Gu Baishun raised his glass, "It's a deal!"

"A real man spits and it's a nail!" Wei Xiangzuo clinked glasses with him, "I'll only say this once, after today, we won't mention it again."

"Cheers, Brother Wei!"

"Cheers!"

The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

Late at night, Wei Xiangzuo, drunk, waved at Gu Baishun, "I'm leaving, I'll start working tomorrow."

"Take care, Brother!"

"Hey! It's been years since I've been this happy, this drink was really satisfying." Wei Xiangzuo patted the other man's arm, bent over and got into the car.

Gu Baishun watched him leave, standing by the roadside for a long time before leaving in Niu Feng's car.

...

The next day, around eight o'clock in the evening.

Gu Baishun sat in a van, whispering to Wei Xiangzuo, "Today, Yu Zheng from the Elders' Council is coming, as well as Zhou Peng, the branch president of the Xinghe District, and Yang Dong from the Daokou District. You know these people, they're all old foxes in the association. If we can get them on board, the road will be paved."

"Okay," Wei Xiangzuo nodded.

"Monkey, give Baishun some equipment, I'll listen to how they talk later," Su Tianyu instructed.

Hou Guoyu immediately took out eavesdropping equipment from his bag, softly saying to Gu Baishun, "Just don't put it inside your collar."

"Hehe, making it seem like I'm a secret agent." Gu Baishun reached out and took it.

Five minutes later, the car stopped in front of the Fulai Hotel. Wei Xiangzuo, along with Gu Baishun and his four brothers, stepped out of the car.

"Waiting for your good news." Su Tianyu waved his hand.

"Hehe." Wei Xiangzuo smiled and led the group into the hotel lobby.

Su Tianyu yawned and pressed the car horn.

Not far away, two SUVs flashed their hazard lights in response.

...

Fulai Hotel, 19th floor, suite.

Seven or eight men sat around a large round table, chatting and laughing.

The door opened, and Wei Xiangzuo walked in, cupping his fist and saying, "Hey, long time no see, thanks for coming!"

"Old Wei, I heard you're practically a master in Tianhong Port! You're skimming two or three million from the military supplies business every year?! Haha, with such a good business, why don't you bring everyone in on it?" Yu Zheng from the Elders' Council asked with a smile.

"Don't listen to outsiders exaggerating me," Wei Xiangzuo curled his lips and replied, "You can ask Yu Mingyuan if his annual net profit is two or three million. Damn, those are all rumors!"

Wei Xiangzuo bent down and sat in the seat of honor, raising his head and shouting, "Come on, bring on the dishes!"

Beside him, a man with a shaved head glanced at Wei Xiangzuo with contempt, and said in a strange tone, "If we're talking about who best embodies the words 'bearing humiliation and carrying a heavy burden,' then I'd say it's definitely Brother Wei! When Elder Gu had an accident, he was the first to jump up and shout for revenge. Who knew that after all that revenge, Brother Wei ended up doing business with the Tongji Association and even made money! Isn't that amazing?!"

"Hehe." Wei Xiangzuo smiled and didn't reply.

"Brother Zhou Peng, you're even scolding me with those words." Gu Baishun smoothed things over.

"If it wasn't for your face, I wouldn't have come today! Eating seafood again, am I someone who can't afford seafood?" The bald man named Zhou Peng said casually, stuffing a cigarette into his mouth.

Wei Xiangzuo didn't speak, but his brothers couldn't stand it, and immediately asked with a smile, "Old Zhou, did you eat shit today, why is your mouth so stinky?!"