Song Jianhao didn't know what Yang Jian was planning, but he hoped he would make a move against Bao Guo and the others to vent his anger.
"Their casino isn't doing too well right now because the gamblers in Chengguan have been drawn to Wu Wangchun's casino. It'll be difficult to restore it to its former scale in a short time."
"Old Wu has some skills. His net worth should be tens of millions by now."
Bao Guo's casino was not doing well, so Yang Jian lost interest. However, he admired Wu Wangchun. After his second release from prison, Wu Wangchun directly gave him two hundred thousand yuan. He was truly wealthy and generous.
"Old Wu's casino is doing well, but his expenses are also high, with a considerable portion going to bribes. He doesn't have that much money. I suspect Brother Mao will target him with underhanded tactics, otherwise Bao Guo's casino won't pick up."
"Oh? You mean the two of them might clash?"
"Yes. I went to Old Wu's place yesterday and met him. He has this concern. Brother Mao is very insidious. With Hong Xing backing him, he's capable of anything."
"Then how will they fight? Will they directly send people to smash up the place?"
If it came to a physical confrontation, Yang Jian wouldn't mind calling Ah Nan and the others back to help Wu Wangchun.
"It probably won't be a physical confrontation. I guess Brother Mao will try to bring down Old Wu's place through police channels."
"Old Wu has backing in the police force too."
"Old Wu's backing isn't as strong as Hong Xing's. Hong Xing has deep roots and connections in the provincial capital. I'm worried Old Wu can't win against him."
"Then what can we do? Our connections in the police are not as good as theirs, so we can't help him."
Yang Jian felt that Song Jianhao was trying to convey something but was hesitant to say it directly.
Song Jianhao thought for a moment and said, "Indeed, we can't help Old Wu. Let's talk to Old Wu after the National Day holiday."
"Alright, we'll discuss this later."
Yang Jian's relationship with Song Jianhao was merely superficial. However, Wu Wangchun was a good person, quite generous, and straightforward with him. If there was an opportunity, he would help him.
After the banquet began, Zhou Tao went around toasting at each table. When he reached Yang Jian's table, Yu Feng introduced them. Zhou Tao specifically had a drink with Yang Jian alone. Since they hadn't met before and Zhou Tao had many guests, they only exchanged brief pleasantries.
Yang Jian had a good impression of Zhou Tao. The man was forty-seven or forty-eight years old, burly, but had a very approachable demeanor, unlike a former formidable triad boss.
According to Yu Feng's introduction, Zhou Tao was a boss who had gone legitimate. His businesses were all legalized, and he rarely participated in underworld disputes openly.
Except for Old Gui, no one had dared to provoke him in Chengguan over the years, relying on his past reputation.
After Old Gui's death, Hong Xing began coveting his river sand mining rights. However, after Ah Feng and others smashed Bao Guo's casino, Hong Xing's influence in Chengguan was greatly diminished. Bao Guo also fled to the South China Sea for safety, and the competition for mining rights was temporarily halted.
Recently, due to Yang Jian's arrest, Bao Guo suddenly returned from the South China Sea. Not only did he reopen his casino, but he also started eyeing the river sand again. The two sides had already had a minor conflict, and one of Zhou Tao's sand dredging boats was smashed.
This was likely the fundamental reason why Zhou Tao wanted to win over Yang Jian.
"Er Jian, Zhou Tao wants to have a private chat with you. Do you have time?"
After quietly introducing Zhou Tao's situation, Yu Feng finally conveyed Zhou Tao's request.
Yang Jian checked the time. "Today?"
"Yes, after the banquet, come to my office for a chat."
"Sister Feng, I promised Yao Yao and the others that we'd go to the 4S shop to buy a car at two o'clock. I'm afraid I won't have much time to chat."
"It's alright, just a brief chat for ten to fifteen minutes. It won't delay you."
"Sister Feng, we're like siblings, not outsiders. Can you tell me what specific matter Zhou Tao wants to discuss with me?"
With Lu Feng's previous experience as a precedent, Yang Jian didn't want to be a scapegoat for anyone.
Yu Feng shook her head. "He didn't tell me the specifics, but I suspect it has something to do with the river sand. He might want to recruit you to participate in the river sand mining, which essentially means asking you to deal with Hong Xing and Bao Guo."
"Then, if that's his intention, should I agree?"
Yang Jian's question was clearly a test of Yu Feng's attitude. She had used Lu Feng once, and now he wanted to see which side she was on.
Yu Feng, being sharp and intelligent, knew exactly what he meant. "Er Jian, Lu Feng's situation was beyond my control. I did have the intention of using you back then, but now I absolutely won't harm you. My advice is that you should not get involved in this matter."
"But I heard that dealing in river sand is a highly profitable industry, even more so than construction, running casinos, or even drug trafficking."
"You are correct. Real estate is entering a period of vigorous development, and the country's major infrastructure projects are also accelerating. In the next ten to twenty years, yellow sand will be a scarce commodity, and its price will continue to rise.
Our Daxin River's yellow sand is of excellent quality and has large reserves. Whoever monopolizes this resource is equivalent to possessing billions in wealth.
It is precisely because of this immense profit that the competition is so fierce. No one is willing to give up this huge cake. As the price of sand gradually increases and demand grows, this struggle will be bloody, which is why I don't want you to participate.
You currently have Chunfeng Tower and the template factory. Both of these projects have excellent development prospects, especially the template factory. I heard you hired a very capable factory manager, and the templates produced now are of very good quality. It might not be difficult to turn this industry into a billion-dollar enterprise. Why get yourself involved in such murky waters and ruin your reputation?"
Yu Feng's words seemed to come from the heart. Yang Jian's reputation was now quite significant, providing protection for her company both in Chengguan and in Xunsi River.
Especially at today's event, her sitting with Yang Jian all along allowed all the powers in Chengguan and even Xinhe to see their extraordinary relationship.
Whether it was rumors or misunderstandings, as long as her husband understood and Yang Jian's girlfriend wasn't jealous, she didn't care what others commented. The most important thing was that the company's interests were not infringed.
"Sister Feng, you make a valid point. Zhou Tao wants to recruit me, which is essentially using me. I don't want to get involved in the river sand business. As my Uncle Huai Lin said, once you get involved in these highly profitable industries, you'll be labeled as part of organized crime and will eventually be targeted by the police. At that time, you won't be able to enjoy your wealth even if you have it."
Yang Jian remained firm in his resolve, resisting temptation.
"Yes, that's the right way to think."
"Then I don't think it's necessary to meet Zhou Tao. Refusing him face-to-face would be very awkward, after all, he's a true magnate."
"It would be more awkward if you refused to meet him. Let's meet him to save face for both him and me. As for how to refuse, I don't think I need to teach you that."
"Alright then, I'll have a cup of tea with him later and leave. You can also help smooth things over so that neither party feels too awkward."
Yang Jian neither wanted to get too close to Zhou Tao, an old hand, nor offend him. It was enough to maintain appearances. After all, Zhou Tao had been involved in the scheme that ensnared Lu Feng.