After implementing the Emperor Company, Yang Jian began to consider recruiting personnel. Opening a casino required a team of over a dozen people. Biao Biao, Liang Liang, A Feng, and A Nan were the core members. Additionally, they needed some lookouts and staff to maintain order inside.
These personnel couldn't be from Xinqiao; it would reflect poorly on him if word got out about his casino. Yang Jian decided to entrust this task to Liang Liang. Therefore, the next day, he drove to Chengguan and summoned Liang Liang, San Pang, and Old Wu to "Pin Wei Shi Guang."
Old Wu appeared unwell, his face gaunt and much older than before. He merely nodded upon seeing Yang Jian and sat opposite him without speaking.
"Old Wu, what's wrong? Is there something happening at home?"
Yesterday, he had learned from Wu Wangchun that Old Wu was in dire straits but hadn't inquired about the specifics.
Old Wu sighed, "My prodigal son has lost money in business again. He actually took our property deed to an investment company as collateral to borrow money at exorbitant interest rates. Now he can't repay it, and they're threatening to seize our house."
"How much did he borrow?"
"Thirty thousand yuan. If I hadn't lost so much recently, I could have repaid half of it. But now, I'm completely out of resources. I managed to borrow a few thousand yuan from relatives to pay the investment company one month's interest, which temporarily saved us from being kicked out. I don't know what to do next month. If we can't repay, the whole family will have nowhere to live."
"How much is the monthly interest?"
"Three percent interest. Thirty thousand yuan a month amounts to nine thousand yuan. None of us in the family have an income now, and nine thousand yuan is a heavy burden."
Old Wu's expression was one of despair. In this era, some people could earn thousands or tens of thousands a day, while the average person earned just over a thousand yuan a month. Even he, a seasoned card sharp, was now out of a job because the methods and techniques of gambling had changed.
"Old Wu, don't worry. In a few days, you'll come with me to Hancheng to work. It will help sustain your family and cover the investment company's interest, allowing you to keep your house. We can figure out repaying the principal later."
Old Wu's eyes lit up. "You're setting up your own operation? But I have no capital left, I can only work for you."
Yang Jian shook his head. "We're not going there for the Emperor Company, but to open a casino. You'll help me oversee it, ensuring no card sharps exploit loopholes. I'll pay you ten thousand yuan a month, and if the profits are good, I'll give you a bonus."
"Really? That's wonderful."
Old Wu became visibly excited.
Liang Liang and San Pang were also very surprised, clearly Biao Biao hadn't contacted them.
Liang Liang asked curiously, "Brother Jian, what's going on? Where are you opening? Has Yang Fan returned?"
"Yang Fan hasn't returned. I plan to partner with Li Jin to open an operation at Xunsi River. Biao Biao is already making preparations there, and it should officially start in five to ten days. Your driver's license test might have to be postponed."
"Is that so? That's great! We finally have our own casino. It doesn't matter if I don't take the driver's license test; we can always pay someone to take it for me, and I can already drive anyway."
Liang Liang was unwilling to let the driver's license test delay such an important matter.
San Pang looked a bit disappointed. "Brother Jian, what about me?"
Yang Jian glanced at Old Wu and said, "San Pang, you'll stay in Chengguan and help my brother-in-law with his work as we discussed. Your pay will be the same as Liang Liang and the others."
"Okay, I'll stay in Chengguan."
San Pang understood that he couldn't discuss matters concerning Brother Mao in front of Old Wu. As long as Yang Jian didn't abandon him, he was content.
Yang Jian looked at Liang Liang. "Liang Liang, we will operate this place entirely. Li Jin will only be responsible for coordinating with the police. Therefore, we need to recruit a group of young people to join our team. You are responsible for this. Get it done within three days, any problems?"
"No problem, I can get it done in one day. How many people do you specifically need?"
"You and Biao Biao can discuss the exact number, but the recruits must have courage. We don't want any soft-hearted individuals just looking for a meal. Xunsi River is a mixed urban-rural area, with all sorts of people. Opening a casino will inevitably lead to conflicts. We can't back down when things get tough."
"Don't worry, I'll find people I know well. We won't be like Brother Hao's team."
"That's good. If we want to establish ourselves there, we must be tough. Any force that tries to provoke us must be met with a firm counterattack. We want to be the dominant dragon, suppressing the local powers."
This was an excellent opportunity for a turnaround, and Yang Jian couldn't afford to miss it. Once they started, there would be no turning back; the entire team had to advance and retreat together.
"Little Yang, since we're opening a casino, there will surely be many people in the team. Could my mother-in-law come to cook? Even if the salary is less, it's fine."
Old Wu suddenly added a request.
Yang Jian frowned. "Old Wu, your wife is also around sixty, isn't she? It might not be suitable for someone of that age to cook for us."
"Little Yang, don't worry. My mother-in-law is in good health, very clean, and a great cook. You know I've lived a life of leisure and pleasure, and I'm very particular about food. My mother-in-law can prepare all sorts of delicacies to satisfy my palate. She's truly capable of this."
"Old Wu, I know you want to bring in extra income for your family, and I believe your wife can cook. However, she's getting older and may have some age-related ailments. If anything unexpected were to happen, I couldn't bear the responsibility."
Old Wu became a little anxious. "Little Yang, don't worry. My wife and I will absolutely not cause you any trouble. Today, in front of Liang Liang and San Pang, I promise that if my wife and I encounter any accidents at the casino, it will have nothing to do with you. I'll tell my son and daughter-in-law the same thing when I get back, and then I'll write a letter of commitment for them to sign and seal."
He was pushed to his limit. Yang Jian was now his only lifeline, and he couldn't afford to worry about his pride.
Liang Liang showed some sympathy. "Brother Jian, just agree to Old Wu's request. Let his wife try first. If she's not up to it, she can come back. Besides, Old Wu will be there too, he can help with grocery shopping, and it will save us one person for kitchen help."
"Alright then, Old Wu. Go back and get ready. Tomorrow, you and your wife should head to Xunsi River first. Contact Biao Biao; he'll be there to meet you. When you arrive, get the kitchen setup ready in advance. Biao Biao has money; just tell him what you need to buy."
"Thank you, Little Yang. I'll go back and prepare now."
Old Wu stood up and bowed slightly to Yang Jian before quickly leaving.
Only then did Yang Jian turn to San Pang. "How are things on your end? Has Brother Mao been acting unusually lately?"
San Pang shook his head. "No, Brother Mao is out of town. He hasn't been in Chengguan these past few days."
"Where did he go?"
"I don't know. He just told me he was going away for a few days. His wife arranges my deliveries, so it hasn't affected my work."
"Do you think it's possible he went to buy drugs?"
"It's possible. Brother Mao is very cautious. He wouldn't trust anyone with such an important matter. The cigarettes and alcohol he asked me to deliver were all sealed. I couldn't open them, nor did I dare to. I even suspect he might be tracking or monitoring me during my deliveries."