Chapter 697: Dealing with Ren Xiagou

Dealing with this kid,

I decided to let Ruan Wei take the field.

These days, after Ruan Wei came from the south,

He was annoyed that he hadn't been kept busy by me.

Back then I had Ruan Wei come over just so I wouldn't let people know.

I still have a trump card hidden in my hand that I haven't used.

I mainly fear the people from society; they're hard to deal with.

I didn't expect that 100,000 yuan would buy off that Ren Xiagou.

Later, Ruan Wei wouldn't be needed either.

But I never let Ruan Wei leave.

Just let him stay in the same hotel,

and that would keep us safe.

I directly summoned Ruan Wei to the room,

Ruan Wei, upon seeing me, immediately shouted: "Brother Zhao, we've been here for days, and I've had nothing to do."

We can't just live off idle food.

"Brother Ruan Wei, have a seat.'

"You're not just idling; actually, you're here to give me face, which also counts as protecting me.' I said with a smile.

"Brother Zhao, don't say that.'

"I was planning to take the brothers to patrol the Ancient City like Shi Yong does.'

"But without you, we dare not act rashly.' Ruan Wei said.

"Brother, I know how you feel. Understand this: no one knows you've come; you're my trump card hidden in my hand, normally not used.'

"When you're brought out, it's got to be a rocket.'

"Brother Zhao, the New Year is coming up soon. Is there going to be some action before then?' Ruan Wei asked.

I took out a cigarette,

"Ruan Wei, originally I didn't need you; our Ancient City is doing very well. But there are always people who like to throw themselves at the gun barrel.'

"That's unavoidable; I have no choice but to use you.'

"I can't let you come here for nothing.'

Upon hearing that, Ruan Wei was overjoyed,

"Brother Zhao, tell me what we should do—kidnap or kill to silence.'

"Leave these dirty jobs to me.'

"I'll handle them very cleanly.'

"It's neither kidnapping nor killing to silence; look at what you imagine me to be.' I said, lighting my cigarette.

"Sorry, Brother Zhao, I misspoke. Then should we do surveillance or eavesdropping?' Ruan Wei immediately corrected himself.

"Ruan Wei, regarding this Ancient City, we've invested over a million in total; I never intended to make money, and I didn't expect to make a bit.'

"But some people are jealous and don't want me to take this money.'

"Someone actually called to threaten me.'

"They said that if I take this money, they'll immediately move against me.'

"Hmph, they think too highly of me—actually, they think I'm too simple.'

"I'm giving you a mission.'

"Help me investigate who's behind the threats, who doesn't want me to take this million.'

"Of course, I won't let you investigate without direction.'

"Before I went to Huaihai Ancient City, I had someone recommend the boss of the northern part of Huaihai City; his name is Ren Xiagou, blind in one eye.'

"He's also a society figure, the tyrant of the northern city.'

"This guy has had contact with me, and I suspect he's the one deliberately threatening me.'

"Help me investigate him thoroughly. Don't kill him.'

"Then try to get evidence if you can.'

"Okay, Brother Zhao, we'll get on it right away.'

"What's Ren Xiagou's phone number?' Ruan Wei asked.

I handed Ren Xiagou's phone number, as well as the anonymous threatening calls, to Ruan Wei.

After Ruan Wei noted down the phone number,

"Brother Zhao, I'll give you the results in two days. These society folks are easy to investigate.'

"Alright, don't tell anyone about this.'

Ruan Wei nodded and left.

After Ruan Wei left,

I also called Shi Jinhe, telling him to bring his people back to Zaocheng first to go home for the New Year.

Each person he brought gets 20,000 yuan.

I told Yang Tao that the money would come from her.

We're just waiting for Chief Guo to send someone to hand over the Ancient City.

But there's been no movement.

I also can't call to urge Chief Guo,

If I urge, it means I want to quit and not work.

I can only wait.

All the Zaocheng brothers who came along, I've thought, each person must get at least twenty thousand yuan.

We've divided all the money we earned.

I, Zhao Jianqiang, am not lacking this money either.

These are small change to me.

A man definitely shouldn't quibble over small change.

I haven't gone to the Ancient City for two days; I've been staying in the hotel.

In the evening, Secretary Wu called.

Secretary Wu said on the phone,

"Mr. Zhao, it's so late I'm calling you; there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"Go ahead, Secretary Wu."

"Chief Guo sees that you're managing the Ancient City well, and he's getting anxious. He wants to rush to take over the Ancient City; this matter, I and Zhuang Shi do not approve,

"Isn't our rush to take over like burning the bridge after crossing the river? Zhuang Shi asked me to call you to explain." Secretary Wu said on the phone.

"Secretary Wu, hear me out: we were originally helping Zhuang Shi, helping you, and now the business environment in the Ancient City has improved."

"Chief Guo can take over anytime."

"Secretary Wu, tell Zhuang Shi that I really have no ulterior motives."

"Put it this way: the sooner Chief Guo takes over, the sooner we can return to Zaocheng for the New Year."

"All right then, Mr. Zhao, I understand your meaning; I'll convey it to Zhuang Shi." Secretary Wu said and hung up.

Secretary Wu even did me a favor; really.

Chief Guo really has the gall; he wouldn't dare act recklessly.

Some things can't be explained.

Anyway, I'm eager to leave; the sooner you take over, the better for us to go.

The next morning, Ruan Wei came.

Ruan Wei, upon seeing me, directly said,

"Zhao Ge, we've figured it out."

I looked at Ruan Wei somewhat disbelievingly,

"So fast."

"Zhao Ge, this is easy to investigate; people in the underworld are easier to investigate than professionals—they're bold, thinking no one would dare move against them, they decide what to do on a whim, never considering the consequences."

"So they don't care about secrecy." Ruan Wei laughed.

"It seems these underworld folks still lack experience." I sighed.

"Yeah, otherwise they'd forever just be hired guns and end up in prison."

"Go on, what's the situation?" I took out a cigarette.

"Actually, this is very simple: Ren Xiagou is jealous."

"He heard you divided over three million, and immediately got an idea."

"He thinks he's a local,"

"you're all outsiders, so he wants to extort you."

"He found a few guys just out of prison and had them call you; if you don't care about the calls,"

"he plans to really kidnap you,"

"or those who came with you."

"Anyway, don't think you can take this money." Ren Wei said.

"This place really has corrupt customs."

"How did you figure it out?" I asked Ruan Wei.

"It's simple: after you called me, we tailed Ren Xiagou and quickly found his hideout,"

"he lives at a woman's place. We installed an eavesdropping device there."

"Ren Xiagou and that woman talked about how to intimidate Zhao Ge."

"The other few people, Ren Xiagou put them up in a hotel near the Ancient City,"

"waiting for a suitable opportunity to kidnap you." Ren Wei said.

"This guy really intended to kidnap us; I underestimated him." I laughed.

"Zhao Ge, what should we do next? Should we take out Ren Xiagou?" Ren Wei asked.

"No need; you just need to investigate clearly and have the evidence; the rest doesn't matter."

"I'll have others handle it."

"For these illegal matters, we don't need to lift a finger; just give me the evidence."

"In a couple days it'll be New Year; leave Huaihai as soon as possible. By the way, about the expenses, give me your card number."

"I'll have someone transfer the money over." I said.