The news of Hong Xing's death quickly reached Xinhe.
Along with it came a bounty notice issued by Hong Yushu: anyone providing information leading to the killer of Hong Xing would receive a reward of one million, and anyone who captured the killer would receive five million.
Although the reward was substantial, no one claimed it, as no one knew who had actually killed Hong Xing.
Whispers circulated among the underworld figures in the town center, suggesting that Zhou Tao had paid someone to carry out the deed, but no one dared to openly accuse him.
The Nanhai police had no leads in Hong Xing's case. Hong Yushu could only proceed with cremating his son's body and returning to Xinhe with the ashes for burial.
Since Hong Xing's kidnapping, the Xinhe Chamber of Commerce in Nanhai had ceased operations, so all employees from Xinhe were required to participate in escorting Hong Xing's ashes.
A convoy of twenty small cars departed from Nanhai. After a night of arduous travel, they arrived at the highway exit in Xinhe District at nine o'clock the following morning.
At the highway exit, over a hundred small cars were already waiting. These vehicles belonged to the Hong family and the Baoguo organization, comprising Hong Yushu's colleagues and Hong Xing and Baoguo's former brothers.
"Bingbing, go tell Baoguo to lead the convoy around the town center three times, with non-stop firecrackers."
Seeing so many people come to receive his son, Hong Yushu felt even more grief. He intended to vent his anger in the town center, to prove to the world that his son's death would not be in vain and that his Hong family still had the strength to avenge Hong Xing.
Shen Bing expressed some concern, "Uncle, will this affect your reputation? You are a state official and a leader. If you are too ostentatious, will your superiors investigate?"
"My son is gone, why should I care about reputation? Do as I say. I want the people of the town center to see the power of my Hong family. I want my son to have a glorious return."
"Alright, I'll go tell Baoguo."
Shen Bing dared not say more and quickly got out of the car to communicate with Baoguo.
Baoguo was naturally willing to seize this opportunity to display his might and immediately directed his subordinates to purchase firecrackers.
Thus, a massive convoy of over one hundred and twenty small cars began to advance towards the town center, with continuous firecracker sounds along the way, attracting countless onlookers.
Upon reaching the town center, the convoy slowed down, first passing through Xinhe Avenue in the main urban area, and then circling the outer ring road of the town center.
After circling three times, they had attracted almost all the residents of the town center.
"Damn, is the Hong family trying to show off? What's the meaning of such a grand display?"
"Hong Xing is dead, what more can Hong Yushu do? By doing this, he's only ruining his own reputation."
"Exactly. Hong Yushu is the town mayor, a state official. This is the behavior of a dark and evil force. This stunt today is self-destructive."
"Hong Xing was a mob boss to begin with, and he deserved to die. But his father's actions are going too far."
The onlookers along the route discussed the matter with great confusion, finding the Hong family's actions incredible.
However, some also felt the Hong family was formidable. Such a spectacle was unprecedented in the entire town center, and it was indeed a grand display.
After passing through the main urban area again, the convoy proceeded to Luogang Town. They did not enter Hongjia Village but directly buried Hong Xing's ashes in the ancestral graves on the back mountain.
This incident quickly fermented in society, having a very negative impact, and was even reported by provincial and municipal newspapers.
Half a month later, Hong Yushu was investigated and removed from his position as the mayor of Luogang Town.
With this, the Hong family's influence disintegrated, and they completely disappeared from the historical stage of the town center.
New Year's Day, 2008
After more than a month of preparation and renovation, the Lijian Board Merchants opened for business in Dongjiang's largest building materials market.
Yang Jian presided over the opening ceremony. Bai Zheng, accompanied by several supervisors from the entertainment city, as well as Fo Ye, Fang Zhicheng, and Meng Meiyun, personally attended to offer congratulations. Cao Chong and Shi Tou from Ping'an Town also sent flower baskets.
The business was registered under Ma Yuan, who was also responsible for its operation. Ma Dashan worked at the business, and Yang Jian arranged an accountant and a forklift driver for them.
This business only sold decorative boards. The construction formwork business was in another market and had not yet opened, mainly because the formwork factory in Yangli Village had not been completed. Formal production would commence after the New Year.
"Xiao Yang, after the Spring Festival, I'll introduce you to some renovation company bosses. They'll source their boards from you in the future, but you must guarantee the quality."
Bai Zheng, who was going abroad to spend the New Year with his wife and children, left a plaque and prepared to depart. Before leaving, he gave Yang Jian a few instructions.
"Thank you, Brother Zheng. I'm counting on your introductions to get customers for this shop."
This was Yang Jian's heartfelt wish. He intended to rely on Bai Zheng's network and resources to open up sales channels. With a word from him, at least the renovation companies in their area would buy from them.
Once the reputation of Lijian Boards was established, sales would naturally expand. Ultimately, this business was intended to be a wholesale distributor, serving as the general agent for Dongjiang City.
"Don't worry, as long as your product quality is superior, I guarantee your boards will be in high demand."
Having been deeply involved in Dongjiang for many years, Bai Zheng could easily support a business.
Subsequently, Fo Ye and Fang Zhicheng also expressed their willingness to introduce business to him.
Shi Tou and Cao Chong, who came from Ping'an Town, stated that they would open a branch in their local building materials market, also selling Lijian Boards and purchasing wholesale directly from here.
After seeing off the guests, Yang Jian decided to stay at the business to observe. He asked Afeng and the others to take the guests to the hotel to order food, as he wanted to see if Ma Yuan had the capability to manage a store.
The business was located in a prime area of the building materials market, attracting customers who came to purchase boards without the need for sales representatives to solicit business.
Ma Yuan quickly demonstrated the eloquence he had honed at the barbecue restaurant. He greeted every customer who came to the shop with enthusiasm and a silver tongue, regardless of whether the business was successful.
"He's a natural businessman," was Yang Jian's assessment of Ma Yuan, and he felt confident entrusting the business to his management.
"Hello, Brother Yang."
Just as Yang Jian finished his assessment of Ma Yuan and was about to leave, Ma Lan suddenly appeared.
"Hello, have you started your winter break?"
Yang Jian had not seen her for a long time.
"Brother Yang, you're so forgetful. I graduated last semester. What winter break?"
"Oh, I forgot. My sister is the same age as you and is still in school, so I assumed you were too. Where are you working now?"
"I'm working at a law firm now. I heard you helped my brother open this business, so I came to see. Thank you for giving my brother a proper job, so my dad doesn't have to collect scrap metal anymore."
"Xiao Ma, you shouldn't say that. I consider Uncle Ma family. If he hadn't taken me in back then, I don't know where I would have ended up. It's always been my wish to see them live a good life."
"You're amazing. To open such a large business in such a short time, our family has met a benefactor. By the way, Brother Yang, you've been in Dongjiang for so long, has your girlfriend come to see you?"
Ma Lan asked this question as if testing the waters. She found Yang Jian very mysterious. Her brother and father never told her about Yang Jian's current profession, which only fueled her curiosity.