Seeing the hopeful eyes of these workers, Yang Jian felt bad. He was also a migrant worker and knew how difficult it was to earn money on construction sites. They endured the wind and sun, and faced various dangers. After working hard for a year, they couldn't get paid. If it were him, he would have resorted to violence.
However, the amount involved was too large. Even if he borrowed another 100,000 yuan from his sister, it would be a drop in the bucket and wouldn't solve the problem. Moreover, his sister was also in a difficult situation, with elderly parents and young children to support. Her repair shop was not doing well, and she relied on that 100,000 yuan to get by. He definitely couldn't ask her for more.
"Old Xu, everyone, my Yong ge is still in the hospital. The doctor said that even if he survives, he'll likely be crippled. He's incapable of paying you."
Before Yang Jian could finish speaking, the workers panicked. They had all been hired by Liu Yong. Now that Liu Yong was incapacitated, Yang Jian could completely deny these debts, as Liu Yong was the one who signed the contract with the project department.
Old Xu's face also turned pale with fear. "Er Jian, you're Liu Yong's partner. You can't disavow this debt."
"That's right. When we worked, you assigned us tasks, and we all followed your instructions. You can't just abandon us."
"If you don't acknowledge this debt, I'll die at your house."
The workers were agitated, but they didn't dare to take extreme action due to Yang Jian's fearsome reputation.
Yang Jian waved his hand. "Let me finish speaking. Everyone, rest assured, if my Yong ge is truly unable to pay you back, I will acknowledge all his debts. However, I genuinely cannot come up with this much money right now."
Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Old Xu nodded. "It's enough that you acknowledge it. When can you pay us?"
"How about this: give me one year. By this time next year, I will settle all 1.5 million yuan for you, not a penny less."
"Can you earn that much money in a year?"
"I earned a million yuan in less than two months running a casino in Huangjiaping. Do you think I have the capability? At worst, I'll go to Hancheng and run a casino again."
"We believe in your capability. But can you give us some money now for the New Year?"
Yang Jian took out his wallet. "Old Xu, I haven't even entered my house yet. This bank card is all my net worth. I'll give it to you now. Tomorrow, I'll take you to the county town to withdraw the money. We'll take out whatever is there and divide it equally. The rest will be settled next year. What do you say?"
Xu Sheng took the wallet and saw about 2,000 yuan in cash and a bank card.
"What do you all think of Er Jian's proposal?"
Xu Sheng dared not make the decision alone and asked for everyone's opinion.
"That's the only way. Er Jian has always been trustworthy. There's no point in pressuring him now."
"I agree. The fact that Er Jian is willing to acknowledge Liu Yong's debts is already doing more than enough. If he didn't, we would have no recourse."
"I agree too. With Er Jian's capabilities, he might even earn 1.5 million yuan in less than a year."
"Exactly. If we had to rely on Liu Yong, we might never earn 1.5 million yuan. It's better to trust Er Jian; he's reliable."
The migrant workers had no choice but to compromise. On one hand, Yang Jian acknowledging the debt was more reliable than the crippled Liu Yong. On the other hand, they believed in Yang Jian's capabilities. His reputation in Chengguan was well-known; it wouldn't be difficult for him to earn one or two million yuan a year through less conventional means.
Most importantly, they didn't dare to push Yang Jian too hard, or they wouldn't get a single cent and wouldn't be able to do anything to him.
Xu Sheng returned the wallet to Yang Jian. "You keep the bank card. We trust you. It's more convenient for you to have a car. Just withdraw it tomorrow and distribute it to us."
"Alright, then. Come over tomorrow morning. Send two people with me to the county town to withdraw the money. I guarantee there won't be a penny left in the card."
Having to face a period of no money again, Yang Jian felt resentful, but there was nothing he could do. The workers had it even harder. They were the pillars of their families, described by the local saying as "iron pots on their heads," meaning they carried heavy burdens. They had a much tougher time than him, a young man who wasn't even married yet.
After finally seeing off the workers, Yang Jian entered his home. His parents didn't say anything for the moment, only telling him to eat dinner quickly, knowing he had been working hard these past few days.
After dinner, Yang Shuanglin asked Yang Jian to explain the situation with Liu Yong and the construction site.
Yang Jian concealed the part about forcibly taking Liu Yong away, only saying that he brought him back because he was seriously ill.
"Second brother, if what you say is true, then the construction site over there has to be completely abandoned?"
Yang Shuanglin felt a pang of heartache. They had bought so much steel pipe fittings and timber, and now they were just discarding it all.
Yang Jian gave a wry smile. "What else can we do? Even selling all that material wouldn't be enough to pay off Yong ge's debts. It's a miracle he's alive."
"Is Da Yong really as serious as you say? Will he be crippled?"
"It's very serious. The doctor said his nerves were stimulated, and combined with the effects of drugs, he might become an idiot or mentally ill."
Liu Xingzhi, standing nearby, almost burst into tears. "What can we do? His wife has also run off, and their two children are only four years old. Your aunt can't possibly take care of them all."
Yang Shuanglin was more concerned about his own son. "Are you really planning to take on all of Da Yong's debts?"
"What else can I do if I don't? He's like this, how can he possibly repay debts?"
"Over 1.5 million yuan, my child. When will you be able to pay it all back? Are you really going to get involved with casinos? Da Yong is a bloody lesson."
"Dad, running a casino is different from gambling. Running a casino is a sure bet, while gambling is nine losses out of ten."
"But running a casino is illegal, and it also harms people. Money earned this way isn't clean. We don't want you to go to jail again."
Yang Shuanglin already knew his son was running a casino in Xichuan, and it was indeed very profitable. Since his son had returned safely, he hadn't blamed him too much. If not for the money earned from the casino, the investment from home would have been completely lost.
"Dad, you're very familiar with Wu Wangchun. Do you know how much he earned from casinos this year? Five million, maybe even more."
"I know that. He's acting as some kind of 'emperor' in the casino. He even asked about you last time he met me. Isn't it dangerous to be involved in casinos?"
"Running a casino is indeed illegal, but too many people are involved in this industry. It's considered a gray profession. As long as you handle things properly, it's usually fine, especially being the 'emperor' and the house. If you're smart enough, it's not easy to get caught.
As for the money earned from running a casino not being clean, that's your prejudice. There are too many gambling addicts. These gamblers are constantly looking for casinos to play in, some even go abroad to gamble. If you don't earn this money, someone else will. It's a case of one willing to strike and one willing to be struck; there's nothing unclean about it. Where there's demand, there's a market."
Yang Shuanglin sighed. "Regardless, I still can't accept you getting involved in casinos. Not only is it dangerous, but it also ruins your reputation. Who would dare to propose marriage to you?"
"Dad, how about this? During the New Year, I'll talk to the bosses I know to see if I can get some carpentry work. If I can get it, I'll continue doing carpentry."
Yang Jian knew it would be difficult to convince his father to agree to him getting involved in casinos, so he decided to placate him for now.
"Okay, I support this idea. It's better to do proper work. By the way, we still have tens of thousands of yuan at home. I'll give you your wages tomorrow."
"No need. That money is for family emergencies. Mom needs long-term medication, and Rui Rui needs living expenses every month. This money must be guaranteed. Besides, an extra few tens of thousands won't solve the problem. Don't worry, I'm confident I can repay all this money within a year."
Yang Jian felt a little uneasy saying this. Earning 1.5 million yuan in a year wasn't that easy. He was completely broke now. Even if he went to work for Brother Hao or Wu Wangchun as an 'emperor,' he wouldn't have the capital. He'd have to start by working.