Since the venue had already paid them, Yang Jian didn't stand on ceremony, though he still gave San Pang five hundred. Although San Pang wasn't working at the casino, he was preparing to be the banker, and his skill would determine how quickly they could get their hands on cash.
"Brother Jian, the dividends are split among Huang Hua, Huang Qiao, and you. Huang Qiao gets forty percent, and you and Huang Hua get thirty percent each. You need to manage this place well. The Huang brothers have some influence in this area and are very adept at handling things on the streets. They're generous with their money for their men and have good relations with the police. They have to pay them two thousand yuan every day, so it's very safe and can operate for a long time," Liang Liang continued reporting the casino's expenses.
"Of course. This place is much livelier than the one Brother Hao ran. There are many people betting with meal tickets, and quite a few playing with cash. I still want to be the banker. San Pang, you saw the casino today. Do you have confidence?" Yang Jian was most eager to get cash right now.
"There are no major issues, but I'm a bit nervous with such a large crowd. Let me practice for a few more days." San Pang had always operated in mahjong parlors, dealing with only two or three people. Suddenly having to cheat in front of dozens or hundreds of people, his psychological fortitude was somewhat lacking.
Liu Yong spoke up at this point, "Er Jian, why are you always thinking about being the banker? Not only is the investment large, but the risk is also high. What if you lose? Isn't it good to just take the cut from the house? I told you during the day that the money I have is for the construction site and can't be used as gambling funds."
"Brother, you don't understand casino matters. Don't think this casino is safe now. If someone reports it, it will shut down. I want to quickly make a fortune during this safe period. Once this opportunity is gone, it won't come back."
"Then where will you borrow the principal from?"
"I'll discuss it with Huang Hua in a few days to see if I can borrow some from him."
Before Yang Jian could finish speaking, Lu Feng was somewhat displeased. "Master, do you consider me an outsider? You know I have cash here, and you still want to borrow from someone else?"
"Xiao Lu, your money..."
Lu Feng interrupted him again. "Master, carrying so much cash myself is not safe. I was planning to have you help me deposit it, and then you can take it back to my parents. Also, Yu Feng still owes me a million yuan. You can help me collect that too. You can use this money as you please. Don't worry, nothing will happen."
Yang Jian naturally understood Lu Feng's meaning. Even if he were caught, it wouldn't implicate anyone else, meaning his family and Yang Jian. Lu Feng then took out the forty thousand yuan in cash he was carrying. There were many people at the construction site, and he didn't dare to leave so much money in the temporary shelter. Carrying it on him all the time was a burden, and since he was wanted, he couldn't deposit it in a bank. Entrusting it to Yang Jian was the most secure option.
Seeing so much cash, Liu Yong's eyes widened. His cousin's new friend was actually so wealthy, and someone in his family owed him a million yuan. More importantly, this money was for Yang Jian to use as he pleased. What was there to worry about regarding funding?
Lu Feng's matter couldn't be discussed further, not even with his cousin. Yang Jian knew Lu Feng was speaking sincerely, so he accepted the money for now. The meal tickets received today were registered by Liang Liang and given to Liu Yong. He wouldn't need to borrow meal tickets from the project department anymore. He could exchange the excess portion for cash with the main canteen and Manager Chen himself. As for the cash just distributed, Yang Jian kept it for himself. He planned to use the ten thousand yuan borrowed from Lu Feng as his principal to be the banker. The money distributed now would be kept to cover potential losses, as being the banker involved risk; there would be wins, and naturally, there would be losses.
Three days later, Liu Chao and Jing Yongli, two cousins, arrived at the construction site. They were happy to see Liang Liang and Lu Feng there. Their original team, except for Biao Biao and Song Jianmin, was reunited. They naturally knew about Lu Feng's situation, but Yang Jian had briefed them in advance not to mention it to anyone at the construction site, including their cousin Liu Yong, who was prone to drinking and could easily let slip information.
With someone guarding the warehouse, Yang Jian began preparing to be the banker. He called San Pang into a room alone.
"San Pang, how has your practice been these past few days?"
"My skills are definitely not a problem. I'm not good at playing poker, but I've worked hard at mahjong. Especially with the practical experience at Xu Zheng's mahjong hall for those few months, my level is almost the same as Master's. Playing dice games is similar to mahjong. After practicing for these few days, I'm very proficient."
"So you're ready to go on stage?"
"I should be, but I'm a bit scared. With so many eyes watching, the psychological pressure is immense."
"Are you worried about being discovered cheating?"
San Pang shook his head. "No, playing these dice games relies entirely on shuffling and throwing the dice. I don't steal or switch cards. Even if other players figure it out, they can't catch any evidence. My nervousness is purely psychological."
Yang Jian breathed a sigh of relief. "Then what are you afraid of? You'll be on stage tonight. I'll be behind you. Don't rush with your techniques at first. Just follow the normal procedures. Don't worry about wins or losses. Once you're fully accustomed to the casino atmosphere, then we'll talk."
"Alright, I'll try it first."
"Don't be afraid. Although we're in a different place, we're not afraid of anyone. No one dares to touch you in the casino. Even if I'm not there, Lu Feng and Liang Liang can guarantee your safety." Yang Jian knew San Pang was timid. He could act tough in his hometown but became cowardly in a foreign place, which was characteristic of most small-time hoodlums. With these words, San Pang's confidence grew. Yang Jian's combat ability was unquestionable; he was someone even Lao Gui had to defer to, and Lu Feng was someone who dared to kill. With the protection of these two, safety should not be an issue.
In the past few days, he had received five thousand yuan in cash from the casino manager, most of which was in meal tickets. Yang Jian felt that the money was coming in too slowly. If the casino suddenly shut down, he would miss such a good opportunity. After communicating with San Pang, he immediately found Huang Hua and requested that their night shift be given to them to operate as the banker. This was also San Pang's request. On one hand, the light at night was dimmer than during the day, and on the other hand, gamblers' energy would wane at night, making it easier for his cheating techniques to go unnoticed.
"Mr. Yang, more and more people are coming to gamble, and professional companies wanting to be the banker are lining up. However, if you want to be the banker, you have to agree to one condition, otherwise, it's hard for me to explain to the other banking companies." Huang Hua was not surprised by Yang Jian's request. In the few days the casino had been operating, the bankers had won most of the time, attracting several professional teams who wanted to be the banker.
"Tell me."
"That is, regardless of wins or losses, the meal tickets that come into your hands must be digested by yourself. We will not exchange them for cash. Other companies cannot meet this condition, so you will naturally be given priority." Huang Hua's calculation was clever. Since Yang Jian was an insider from the construction site, he would take the meal tickets obtained at the casino back with him, and their gambling companies wouldn't have to exchange them for cash daily, thus increasing their daily cash earnings.