As Yang Jian interacted with Song Jianhao, Wu Wangchun, and others, the gamblers at the venue were also discussing him.
"Damn, who is this kid? So many people are greeting him, he seems really awesome."
"Didn't you hear? His name is Yang Jian. He single-handedly sent Xiong Ge's Eight Vajras to the hospital and then shoved Xiong Ge's head into the ground. In the end, Xiong Ge had to concede and gave up the territory east of the Seventh Brigade to Xiao Wu."
"No way, that's so impressive. No wonder I haven't seen Xiong Ge's men on the streets lately; they were all in the hospital."
"There's more. Before coming here, Yang Jian collected a debt for Hao Ge. He took down over ten people from a local boss, who had more than a dozen machetes and a handgun. This boss had his legs broken and was forced to return the principal of sixty thousand and an interest of ten thousand, not a penny less, to Hao Ge. Yang Jian got away unharmed."
"That's impossible! He took on so many people by himself, with knives and guns? I've never heard of anyone that formidable."
"He really is that formidable. Four people went, but he was the only one who fought. This incident has spread throughout the entire Xinhe District. Look how polite the boss of Emperor Company is to him; it's not fake."
All these conversations reached the ears of Guangtou and his men. Their plan to cause trouble vanished. Yang Jian's exploits in Xinhe District couldn't be verified at the moment, but the fact that he beat Xiong Ge's Eight Vajras into hospitalization was undeniable, known to all the thugs and hoodlums in the Xunsi River area.
Yang Jian continued his performance, "Hao Ge, Xiao Wu Ge just said that I'll be in charge of this venue from now on. The management fee is increased to two thousand, with one thousand going to me. Do you have any objections?"
"No objections, Jianmin, count out two thousand for Xiao Yang."
Song Jianhao instructed Song Jianmin to hand over the money without hesitation.
"Hao Ge, Xiao Wu Ge also told me that I'll be responsible for the logging farm starting tomorrow, so I won't be here all the time. Call me if anything comes up, and I can rush over anytime."
Yang Jian took the two thousand yuan handed to him by Song Jianmin and prepared to leave.
With fifty to sixty people present at the venue, he not only declared that he would be in charge from now on but also sent out another message: he would also be overseeing the logging farm starting tomorrow.
This news would quickly spread through the casino patrons to the areas south of Xunsi River. The forces currently in conflict with Xiao Wu would have to weigh whether they could handle this formidable outsider, Yang Jian.
"General Manager Yang, hello."
Just as Yang Jian was about to turn, Guangtou suddenly stood up and offered him a cigarette. "I'm Li Jin from the Seventh Brigade. I've heard your name for a long time. Can we find a time to have a meal together?"
Yang Jian smiled, "So it's Brother Jin. I've also heard about you from Xiao Wu Ge. How is it, did you win or lose today?"
"Ahem, winning or losing doesn't matter. I'm mainly here to support Hao Ge. How about we sit down together tonight?"
"Tonight is definitely not possible. As you heard, I have to drink with General Manager Wu tonight. He's a fellow villager from the next village, so I have to give him face. There will be plenty of opportunities for meals. I won't be leaving the Seventh Brigade anytime soon. I'll treat you next time."
"Alright, I'll be waiting for you then."
"You keep your word. You continue playing, and win more."
Yang Jian waved goodbye and turned to leave.
The gambling game resumed. After losing his remaining three thousand yuan, Guangtou stopped betting, sat there for a moment, smoked a cigarette, then said goodbye to Song Jianhao and left with his men.
Ten minutes later, the other three people who were waiting also got up and left. They hadn't lost much money, and one of them had even won twenty thousand.
Changlong Trading Company, north of Xunsi River.
Yang Jian sat in Xiao Wu's general manager's office and handed the two thousand yuan collected from the venue to Xiao Wu. Wu Wangchun had given him five thousand two hundred yuan as a personal gesture. This money was unexpected and outside their prior agreement, clearly showing Wu Wangchun's desire to build a good relationship with him.
Xiao Wu took the money, counted out one thousand, and handed it back. "Xiao Yang, this thousand yuan is for you. Old Song and I have discussed it; you'll receive one thousand yuan from the venue every day."
"No, no, no. It was agreed beforehand that I would just show up at the venue to intimidate thugs like Li Jin. You're not really asking me to protect that place, are you?"
"Of course, it's real. Look, the effect is quite good, isn't it? Li Jin lost money and didn't dare to say a word, even trying to butter you up for a meal. I'm telling you, here in Xunsi River, your word carries more weight than mine. As long as you're here, no one will dare to cause trouble at Old Song's venue. You deserve this money."
Yang Jian scratched his head and accepted the thousand yuan. "Brother Xiao Wu, you telling me at the venue that the logging farm is also under my responsibility, was that serious too?"
"Of course, it's serious. Like I said, as long as you show up, no one will openly oppose you. Only you can settle matters at the logging farm, including the upcoming demolition. I'm counting on you."
"But I'm still recovering from my injuries and can't engage in strenuous activity, so I can't fight for you."
Xiao Wu smiled, "You don't have to do the fighting yourself. Just like just now, you bring people to the logging farm tomorrow, and I guarantee no one will dare to bother you."
Yang Jian was still hesitant. "Tell me, what's the situation with the logging farm?"
"The logging farm is like this: south of Xunsi River, there are two forest belts. One is by the river, fifty meters wide and six kilometers long, contracted by Xu Tao. The other is on both sides of the railway, twenty meters wide on each side, also six kilometers long, contracted by Zhou Bing.
After our fight with Boss Xiong, these two contractors sided with me, willing to give me the sales rights for all their timber. I just need to find timber merchants, and I can earn millions in profit from the markup without spending a penny.
However, more than half of these two forest belts are within the territories of the Fifth and Sixth Brigades. There are two forces there eyeing this lucrative opportunity. They won't allow workers to enter and cut timber, nor will they allow timber merchants' vehicles to transport it.
I've already fought them three times and injured several of my brothers, but the problem remains unresolved. The timber in those two areas cannot be transported out.
The trees in the Seventh Brigade are almost all cut. If we don't resolve the issue with those two groups soon, the contractors will terminate their contracts with me and sign agreements with them."
As soon as Xiao Wu finished speaking, Yang Jian felt that this matter was not so simple. This was not a casino where reputation alone could hold sway.
The thugs causing trouble at the casino were, at most, seeking recognition and to establish their authority, forcing Xiao Wu to yield, and to get a piece of the pie in the upcoming demolition project. Their ambitions were not that great.
Timber, however, was different. Millions in profit could be made with a single transaction. No one would easily let go of such an opportunity. Relying solely on his reputation would not make them back down.