Yang Jian understood that Li Jin's request was not unreasonable; interactions between people were inherently about mutual benefit, and his relationship with Li Jin was also built on shared interests.
Therefore, helping Li Jin secure the concrete agreements for the two projects was a task Yang Jian had to accomplish.
Otherwise, the casino might not be able to operate for much longer. Ultimately, this was Li Jin's territory, and for a daily profit of over a hundred thousand yuan, Yang Jian had to handle this matter well.
Zheng Guangyao's situation was easier. His construction site was progressing faster and had already laid the foundation. The concrete for the foundation had not increased in price because Xiong Er had intended to interfere before, but after Yang Jian beat him, he didn't dare to return. Naturally, no one else would dare to confront Yang Jian.
To make it easier to find Manager Fan, Yang Jian specifically returned to the construction site to stay for a night. The next morning, as soon as work began, he cornered Manager Fan in his office.
"General Manager Yang, you're up so early."
Manager Fan was a bit surprised. Although the project department had provided Yang Jian with accommodation and an office, he had only stayed there once on the first day and had been at the casino ever since.
Yang Jian smiled and offered him a cigarette, "Manager Fan, I have something to discuss with you."
"Please, sit down. I'll make you a cup of tea."
"No need to be so polite. It's about this: your earthwork project is almost finished, isn't it? What are your plans regarding the concrete?"
"Oh, I was planning to discuss this with you in a couple of days. It's good that we can settle it today."
"Alright, please share your thoughts."
"Well, because our company has its own ready-mix concrete plants in Hancheng, one in Jiangnan and one in Jiangbei, we use our own concrete for all our projects in Hancheng. However, there are local powers interfering at every construction site. We have no choice but to turn a blind eye and offer these powers some benefits."
"What is the standard for these benefits?"
"Sometimes, we directly find a power to protect us, paying them a certain amount annually. In return, this power handles all external interference at the construction site, including the supply of concrete and other building materials.
Another method is to give a commission, like ten or twenty yuan per cubic meter of concrete. However, we generally adopt the first method. Since you are protecting this project, you can state your requirements or discuss it directly with General Manager Yu."
Yang Jian thought for a moment and said, "Manager Fan, I can help you deal with any external disputes at the construction site without any charge. However, Li Jin and I have a cooperative relationship, and it's difficult for me to stop him from interfering with the concrete supply for this site. What do you think of this concrete price list he provided? Is it reasonable?"
Manager Fan took the documents and carefully compared them with his company's prices.
"General Manager Yang, I cannot accept this price. Because we use concrete from our own ready-mix plant, there is already a significant difference in price compared to other ready-mix plants. Adding another thirty yuan per cubic meter here would render our own ready-mix plant meaningless."
"But if Li Jin forcefully interferes with your construction site, it's hard for me to stop him. Are there any alternative solutions?"
Yang Jian's intention was clear: he could protect the construction site, but they still had to make concessions.
"General Manager Yang, please wait a moment. I need to report this matter to my superiors."
Manager Fan, being a smart person, understood Yang Jian's purpose and immediately left the office to call the group's leadership.
Five minutes later, Manager Fan returned with a smile.
"General Manager Yang, I've discussed it with the company. We will use our own concrete, and we agree to give you a rebate of thirty yuan per cubic meter. However, you cannot interfere with our pricing."
"No problem. I can try to negotiate with Li Jin about the thirty yuan difference to see if it can be reduced, as I don't want this benefit for myself."
"It's alright. You should be compensated for helping us. By the way, if you can help us sell our concrete to other construction sites, we can give you a separate commission, for example, with Zheng Guangyao."
"I'm going there later. Do you have a price advantage for your concrete?"
"Of course. We can be thirty yuan per cubic meter cheaper than other companies."
"That's good to hear. This matter should be manageable."
Yang Jian wasn't necessarily seeking the commission from Dong Sheng Company; he just felt that having a price advantage would make it easier to persuade Zheng Guangyao to accept Li Jin's demands.
After leaving the Dong Sheng Company construction site, Yang Jian called Zheng Guangyao. He briefly explained Li Jin's requirements and also informed him of Manager Fan's quoted price.
Zheng Guangyao readily agreed to use Dong Sheng Company's concrete. This effectively transferred the thirty yuan surcharge, which was being extorted by Li Jin, to Dong Sheng Group, allowing him to benefit greatly.
After reaching preliminary agreements with the two companies, Yang Jian went to Li Jin's company.
"Xiao Yang, did you go to the construction site today? How did the discussion go?"
In his office, Li Jin poured Yang Jian a cup of tea.
"Brother Jin, both companies have agreed to give us a thirty yuan difference per cubic meter, but they want to use Dong Sheng Company's concrete. What do you think?"
"Dong Sheng Group has ready-mix concrete plants?"
Li Jin's expression clearly turned somber. He had shares in the designated ready-mix concrete plants, and the thirty yuan difference was merely a superficial benefit.
"Yes, Dong Sheng Group is the largest private enterprise in our Xinhe District and is very strong. They have ready-mix concrete plants in both Jiangnan and Jiangbei of Hancheng, and they use their own concrete for all their projects in Hancheng. No one can stop this."
Yang Jian noticed Li Jin's discomfort.
Li Jin pondered for a long time before saying, "Xiao Yang, if they want to use Dong Sheng Company's concrete, the fee will have to increase to fifty yuan per cubic meter. Our company is a shareholder of Tongxin Ready-mix, and my objective is to sell Tongxin Ready-mix concrete. Dong Sheng Company's concrete entering the market would be taking away our share. However, out of respect for you, I agree to let them use their own concrete."
This was pure gangster logic. Yang Jian felt an urge to curse. Organized crime inherently involved coercion and unreasonable demands. If he were not collaborating with Li Jin to operate the casino, but simply helping Dong Sheng Company and Zheng Guangyao, he would never have bowed to Li Jin, nor would he have paid the thirty yuan fee.
"Brother Jin, this doesn't seem right. Not to mention whether I have face with them, Dong Sheng Group is not someone to be trifled with. Their official background is very strong. Forcing them into a corner would not benefit us."
"Xiao Yang, it is precisely because of your face that I agreed to let them use their own concrete. Don't talk to me about strong backgrounds. Even state-owned enterprises have to follow our rules when they come here, otherwise, they won't even be able to transport a single brick."
Li Jin's tone was quite arrogant. While he claimed to be showing respect to Yang Jian, he was actually pressuring him.
There was no need to fall out with him. Yang Jian thought for a moment and said, "Brother Jin, how about this: I'll forgo my share of the profit, and we'll stick to the original terms, giving you thirty yuan per cubic meter. This is because Dong Sheng Group's General Manager, Yu Feng, has a deep connection with me. Before we opened the casino, I promised her I would look after this construction site. My formwork factory also has a long-term supply agreement with her."