Phoenix Street was actually separated from the Fruit Wholesale Market by only one road, Longteng Avenue. Phoenix Street was to the south, and the fruit market was to the north. This entire area was Foye's territory.
On the way to Phoenix Street, Fang Zhicheng pointed to the streets outside, identifying Foye's sphere of influence.
Upon arriving at Phoenix Street, Yang Jian and the others felt as if they had entered another world. The streets were lined with luxury cars, and entertainment venues stood on both sides. Clubs, bars, nightclubs, and KTVs seemed to be concentrated here.
Neon lights flickered, and the place was resplendent, making the entire block feel like a fairyland.
Although it was just across the road, Yang Jian had spent several months at the fruit market and had never visited this place before.
"Little Yang, this street is about 150 meters long and is Dongjiang's most famous entertainment street. The people who come here to spend are all wealthy. Dongjiang is known as the 'world's factory.' Besides foreign businessmen from all over the world, there are more investors from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Therefore, the people who patronize this street are these businessmen and company executives. There are also wealthy individuals who come from all over the country, who are also the main consumer group here. This street is famous because it's essentially Dongjiang's red-light district. Although prostitution is not protected by law, it's in a semi-public state."
Fang Zhicheng was clearly a regular here, familiar with the specialties of every entertainment venue.
Yang Jian asked with a smile, "Brother Cheng, you come here often, don't you?"
"Occasionally. This is a man's paradise. If you're going to make it in Dongjiang, how can you not experience it?"
"But you said this is Foye's territory. If you come here to spend, aren't you afraid he'll do something to you?"
"It is his territory, that's true, but he's not omnipotent. He can't keep an eye on me every day. Besides, I'm here to spend money. As long as there's no conflict, he wouldn't dare touch me even if we met."
"That's true. While it's said to be his territory, it's ultimately not outside the law."
"Exactly. However, all the entertainment venues here have to pay tribute to him. Although they don't charge protection fees, Foye has a monopoly on the liquor sales."
Yang Jian didn't quite understand, "How is liquor monopolized?"
"The biggest expense for entertainment venues is liquor. A bottle of beer that costs one yuan outside is sold to the shops by Foye for five yuan a bottle. The shops then sell it to consumers for eight, ten, or even dozens of yuan a bottle. Dozens or hundreds of yuan for foreign liquor are mixed and sold to the shops for 1,800 yuan, and the shops sell it to consumers for 3,800, 6,800, or 18,000 yuan."
"Wow, that's truly a highly profitable business. With a street this long, how much money must Foye be making?"
"Of course, it's incredibly profitable. But he doesn't keep all the money. He has bosses above him, to whom he has to hand over a portion of his income. He also has to bribe many departments. Additionally, he has stationed one to two hundred of his men on this street, which is also a significant expense."
Yang Jian was a bit surprised, "Stationed so many people?"
"Yes, this street not only has legitimate liquor sales but also drug trafficking in the shadows, which is Foye's largest source of income. Many people are eyeing this goldmine, including our Boss Zheng, who wants to replace Foye."
"Then where are all his men? I don't see anyone loitering around on the street."
"Those men are scattered throughout the various bars and nightclubs, acting as security. Some are on standby in cars, ready to provide reinforcements wherever trouble arises. However, the largest concentration is likely at the Blueberry Nightclub, which is run by his mistress. That's Foye's stronghold. Look, it's right ahead."
As he spoke, the car arrived at the entrance of the Blueberry Nightclub. Fang Zhicheng pointed to a five-story building and explained.
The exterior of the building was adorned with many decorative lights, making it difficult to discern its actual design. The words "Blueberry Nightclub" emitted a cold, blue glow.
Luxury cars were parked in abundance at the entrance, and the men and women entering and exiting were all elegantly dressed, exuding an air of opulence.
This was a place where fortunes were spent, where the wealthy indulged in extravagance and lived in a state of drunken bliss.
Yang Jian thought of the workers who gambled, earning only seven or eight hundred yuan a month on the factory assembly line. Dai Mengmeng, under Meng Meiyun's care, earned only about 1,800 yuan. Compared to the people here, one was in heaven and the other in hell.
"Brother Cheng, have you ever spent time here?" Afeng asked.
"No, this is Foye's base of operations, after all. We are mortal enemies, and many of his men recognize me. If I were to come here, wouldn't that be deliberately provoking him? That would be seeking death. I'm not that foolish."
Yang Jian laughed, "Brother Cheng, dare you come in and spend some time with us?"
Fang Zhicheng quickly waved his hands, "Don't joke around. This is the most tense period in our conflict with Foye. I don't want to go in standing and come out carried."
"Then we'll go in, and you'll wait outside?"
"What do you mean? Do you want to make a move here?"
"Since this is Foye's stronghold, we'll start here. I don't believe Foye won't show himself. By the way, Brother Cheng, do they dare to use firearms here?" Yang Jian's only concern was whether the other party had guns, as that was too great a variable.
"Don't worry. Although Foye has immense power here, he wouldn't dare use firearms. This is a place where foreign businessmen are most concentrated. Any shooting incident would inevitably trigger international outcry. Furthermore, Dongjiang has been very strict in controlling firearms in recent years to attract investment. It's the city with the fewest shooting incidents among all coastal cities. If he dares to use firearms, his good days will be over."
Yang Jian nodded, "That's good. Brother Cheng, if we trash this place and lure Foye out to take him down, can you guys take control of this street?"
Fang Zhicheng stared at him with wide eyes, "Are you really going to cause trouble here? This street has one to two hundred men who can gather here within five minutes. No matter how skilled you are, you can't fight against so many people. Our Boss Zheng has been eyeing this lucrative piece of land for a long time, but he hasn't dared to act rashly."
"That's why I need your cooperation. My target is Foye. If I can lure him out, even if I don't kill him, I'll cripple him. You handle everything else."
"Holy cow, your idea scares me, but it's very exciting. I need to get instructions from Boss Zheng. You guys wait a moment."
Fang Zhicheng got out of the car and slid into the car driven by Fang Hai behind him. He was going to discuss it with Zheng Jingfa. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The combat strength of Yang Wu and the other three could indeed turn this place upside down, definitely luring Foye out. If Yang Wu and the others killed or crippled Foye, then their opportunity would arise, and seizing this territory would be a sure thing. This Phoenix Street, which made a fortune daily, was a place Zheng Jingfa dreamed of getting a piece of. Previously, Foye had maintained control, preventing any infiltration. Tonight, Yang Wu and the others might change the landscape here.