As it stood, Lu Hao couldn't be taken back. Afeng immediately called Yang Jian.
"What did you say? He borrowed a hundred million? And has to repay it tomorrow?"
Yang Jian gasped as he heard Afeng's report. He had seen people lose a lot of money. At the Xintai Casino, a mainland boss lost fifty million in one night and almost jumped off a building. But he had never seen anyone lose over a hundred million in a single session.
"Brother Jian, Xiao Zhao has confirmed it. President Lu really borrowed a hundred million and is being held at the hotel. They won't let him go until he repays the money."
"This is troublesome. Where can we get a hundred million now? Afeng, how much money do you have in your card?"
"I have over two million."
Jun Jun searched through his pockets and produced a bank card: "I have three million here."
Yang Jian sighed, "I only have three million in my card. Even if we ask Anan to scrape some together, it won't be more than ten million. We're still far off. Afeng, have Xiao Zhao call their company to see if they can raise this money."
"We can't call. Xiao Zhao said that if the company finds out President Lu gambled and lost so much money, his position as president would be in jeopardy, and he might even be fired. Besides, it's the end of the year, and the company can't possibly come up with so much cash at once."
"Then I'll ask Zhou Tao and Yu Dongqiang if they can lend me tens of millions."
Yang Jian thought that only these two had the capacity to produce tens of millions at once.
Ignoring the risk of his phone number being leaked, Yang Jian directly dialed Zhou Tao's number.
"President Zhou, it's Xiao Yang. I'm wishing you a Happy New Year in advance. I wish you and your family good health and all the best."
"Oh, Xiao Yang, I didn't expect you to call personally. Thank you for your blessings. I also wish you all the best in the new year, prosperity, and a new beginning."
Zhou Tao on the other end of the line sounded surprised that Yang Jian would call him to offer New Year's greetings.
"President Zhou, besides wishing you a Happy New Year, I also need your help with something."
"No problem, as long as I can do it, I won't shirk my responsibility."
"A very good friend of mine gambled heavily in the casino and borrowed money at exorbitant interest rates. He's being held now and won't be released until the money is repaid. I don't have enough funds. Can you help me raise some?"
"How much do you need?"
"He borrowed a hundred million, and I only have ten million."
"What? Are you kidding me, Xiao Yang? It's the New Year, and the banks are closed. Even if I had the money, I couldn't transfer it to you. Even on normal days, such a large transfer requires going to the bank to complete the procedures.
I thought you needed a million or two. I have that at home, and I could have someone drive it over to you overnight. But you need tens of millions, and I truly can't help you right now."
Yang Jian slapped his forehead, "I'm sorry, President Zhou. I was too anxious and forgot about the New Year. It's fine, I'll think of something else."
"How about I send a million over?"
"No, no, a million won't solve the problem. I'll find other ways. Thank you, President Zhou. Goodbye."
Yang Jian hung up the phone, feeling that calling Yu Dongqiang was also unnecessary. Even if they had money, they couldn't transfer it at this time.
This path was blocked, and Yang Jian fell into a predicament. He couldn't abandon Lu Hao. Not only could Lu Hao help him clear his record, but his help in setting up the vegetable trading company and renting Spring Breeze was also of great benefit to him.
Lu Hao truly considered him a brother. Otherwise, he wouldn't have notified him urgently before the police arrest. Based on this alone, no matter how big the trouble, he had to help him through it now.
"Brother Jian, why don't we communicate with the casino's finance department? Only they can come up with this money."
Jun Jun was also anxious. He knew that Lu Hao had significant influence in the police force, and they might all rely on him to legitimize themselves. Naturally, they didn't want him to get into trouble.
Yang Jian shook his head, "I know the casino's finance department can come up with this money. But for the casino to operate, they need to exchange money with customers at all times and cannot interrupt the cash flow. Moreover, such a large fund transfer requires Brother Zheng's approval."
"Then let's call Master Uncle. He can definitely come up with this money. Even if he can't get it all immediately, with his connections in the Hong Kong and Macau underworld, he might be able to ask them to postpone it for a while."
"This is the only way now. Even if he doesn't provide the money, just asking them to postpone it for a few days is better. Otherwise, with an interest rate of five percent, a hundred million a day is five million. Who can afford that?"
With no other options, the only one who could come up with such a large sum of money was Bai Zheng. Just as Yang Jian was about to dial his number, unexpectedly, Bai Zheng called him.
"Xiao Yang, Happy New Year. You should still be awake at this hour, right?"
It turned out Bai Zheng was calling to wish him a Happy New Year. Yang Jian then realized it was past midnight. The New Year's bells had rung in the distance, and countless fireworks illuminated the sky, dazzling and brilliant.
"Brother Zheng, Happy New Year. I sincerely wish you and your family good health and all the best."
"Good, good, good. I also wish our casino even greater prosperity. Let's aim for twenty billion in profit this year. You'll have to work hard during this period. I'll be back after the Spring Festival."
Hearing Bai Zheng's tone as if he was about to hang up, Yang Jian quickly called out, "Brother Zheng, please wait. I have a very important matter I need your help with."
"Oh? Tell me."
"Actually, I was just about to call you. It's fortunate you called. Firstly, I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year, and secondly, I've encountered a significant problem that only you can help me solve right now."
"Stop beating around the bush, speak quickly."
"I have a very close friend who, due to heartbreak, couldn't handle the blow and indulged in heavy drinking and gambling in the casino. He not only lost his own twenty million but also borrowed a hundred million at exorbitant interest rates. He's now being held, and they won't release him without payment. Furthermore, the daily interest is five million."
"Which casino in Macau?"
"The Venetian. I've already sent Afeng over. He's with my friend now, and I'm waiting at the Gongbei Port."
"How do you want me to help you? Find connections to get him out, or lend money to repay the debt?"
"Let's get him out first. He's the president of a listed company in Hancheng. If this is dragged out, it will not only ruin his career but also affect the company's stock price."
"Getting him out is not a problem. I have some connections at that casino, and I can act as a guarantor. However, this money still needs to be repaid, and it cannot exceed three days at the latest. After all, they are loan sharks, and it's a loss for them to have such a large sum of money outstanding without earning interest."
Raising a hundred million in three days was something Yang Jian was not confident about.
"Brother Zheng, although my friend is a CEO, he doesn't have much cash. Even if he has money, it's tied up in bonds and stocks. Moreover, this matter cannot be known by the company or his parents. How about this: you can advance this money for me, and I'll find a way to repay you within a month. I can bear some interest, but it shouldn't be too high."
"Xiao Yang, a hundred million is not a small sum. What kind of friend is worth you taking such a big risk for?"
Bai Zheng was clearly reluctant to lend the money, mainly because the amount was too large, and it wasn't Yang Jian's own difficulty.