Chapter 62: Li Ying's Assessment

On the other side, the situation on Da Tou's end was considerably better.

Although Da Tou had fewer men, Chang Le had even fewer.

Most of Chang Le's underlings were in the Ci Yun Shan area, relatively far from Wang Jiao, so hardly any of them had made it over.

Besides, Mi Dun Dao never had many establishments to begin with, and not many underlings were left behind to guard them.

Da Tou brought two hundred men to plant their flag and swept Chang Le's underlings out like crushing dry weeds.

Even Fei Hong was hacked badly by Da Tou and had to be carried off by his underlings.

After one night, Chen Mo had gained two more streets of territory.

The next day, Chen Mo returned to the bar feeling thoroughly refreshed.

After a night of Chen Mo's relentless bombardment, Gang Sheng and Qiu Di finally realized that even the two of them combined were no match for Chen Mo.

Now they had no objections whatsoever about Chen Mo taking an interest in He Min.

When your strength falls short, what more is there to say!

Gao Jin and the others came to report the results of last night's battle.

Chen Mo looked around at everyone and asked, "Where's Da Dou?"

Fei Ji replied, "He's already been sent to the hospital. Last night he got slashed several times by Shijiu, but no vital spots were hit — he just lost a fair amount of blood. A few days' rest in the hospital and some nutrition, and he'll be fine."

"That's good. When we have time, we'll go see him." Chen Mo thought for a moment, then asked, "Were there any underlings who performed exceptionally well last night? If so, you can recommend them to me."

With more territory, he needed more people.

Right now he only had this handful of men under him. Tian Yang Sheng and his brothers weren't suited to stepping into the spotlight just yet, and Da Dou was in the hospital — he had to bring in a few more leaders.

Gao Jin said, "My underling Ahua has consistently performed well. He's the one who took out Shensheng before, and he's also the one who took the photos of Shishi hacking Shensheng."

Da Tou also said, "Mo Ge, my underlings A Long and A Hu are very good too — among the more capable fighters among the underlings. In this fight against Chang Le, they performed very well."

"Fine," Chen Mo nodded. "Bring them over later for me to take a look."

"Excellent work last night! Tell the brothers that the bonuses for those who fought last night are doubled, and the compensation and medical expenses for the brothers who were killed or injured are also doubled.

As for the brothers whose limbs are crippled, they should rest for a while. After some time, I'll arrange proper jobs for them to ensure their livelihood."

Now that Chen Mo had the garment factory backing him, as long as they weren't fighting every day, he basically wouldn't run short of money anymore.

In the next few days, Chang Yi and Chang Le might counterattack, so handing out more money now would make the underlings fight harder to defend the territory.

Just as he finished giving instructions, an underling came over to report.

"Mo Ge, a cop is here. He says he wants to see you."

"Who is it?" Chen Mo asked with a frown.

The underling replied, "It's that Li Ying from last time."

Chen Mo thought for a moment, then said to the underling, "Go invite him in."

He turned and said to Gao Jin and the others, "You all go about your business for now! A Sheng, you brothers wait in my lounge for a bit."

The men nodded. Tian Yang Sheng and his brothers immediately got up and hid in Chen Mo's lounge, while Gao Jin and the others rose and left Chen Mo's office.

Less than two minutes later, an underling led Li Ying into Chen Mo's office.

"Sir Li, may I ask what brings you to see me?"

Chen Mo asked, puzzled.

In fact, Chen Mo could roughly guess Li Ying's purpose for coming — it was nothing more than the clashes from last night.

What he couldn't figure out was why Li Ying had come alone.

He truly wasn't afraid that Chen Mo would kill him.

Li Ying sat down directly across from Chen Mo and said coldly, "Chen Mo, let's put our cards on the table. What exactly are you trying to do?"

"What does Sir Li mean by that? I don't quite follow," Chen Mo said, puzzled.

"Hmph! You've been out of prison for barely over a month, and Wang Jiao has had several large-scale clashes already. I let you off last time, and less than half a month has passed, and you're fighting again.

Do you take our police station that lightly?"

Chen Mo pulled out a cigarette, tossed one to Li Ying, and said calmly, "Where does Sir Li get that idea? Since I got out of prison, I've been honestly running my business. I haven't done anything illegal."

Li Ying paid no mind at all that the cigarette was from Chen Mo and simply lit it.

"Chen Mo, this isn't the police station, and I didn't bring any recording equipment. You don't need to put on this act with me. We've dealt with each other for more than a day or two. I know exactly what kind of person you are."

"Oh? In Sir Li's eyes, what kind of person am I?" Chen Mo asked with keen interest.

He suddenly wanted to hear Li Ying's assessment of him.

"You've been in Great Prosperity for only five years, yet you've accomplished no small number of merits.

You took the rap for Thirteen Sister and went to prison, but only served one year, and used it to rise up and become a Red Pole. I have to say, you're very smart.

Within less than a month of rising to power, you dismantled Hong Tai, beat back an alliance of three Triad Societies, and seized three commercial streets in Wang Jiao.

Among the tens of thousands of Triad Society members on Gangdao, you're the most outstanding one.

Whether in fighting ability or in brains, you're first-class. Someone like you, whether running with a Triad Society or doing legitimate business, I believe you'd rise to the top either way."

"I didn't expect Sir Li to rate me so highly. I really don't deserve it." Chen Mo cooperatively gave Li Ying a bashful smile.

"From the time you joined Great Prosperity until now, you've never touched drugs, and you strictly forbid anything drug-related from appearing in your territory. Honestly, that's something I genuinely admire.

Very few Triad Societies on all of Gangdao are willing to give up the profits from dealing powder. You're one of the rare good men among the Gangdao Triad Societies."

Chen Mo nodded with a proud expression: "Sir Li is right about that. I've always been a good man."

Seeing Chen Mo's smug look, Li Ying gave a cold snort and continued, "I also know that you're now doing a counterfeit goods business, and business is quite good.

What I don't understand is, since you've already started doing business, why do you still need to go after Chang Yi and Chang Le? Wouldn't it be better to just focus on your business in peace?"

Chen Mo leaned back in his chair and said in a low voice, "Sir Li, I'm very willing to do business in peace. It's just that — how can one allow others to sleep soundly beside one's own bed?

Setting aside the fact that Chang Yi and Chang Le attacked me first, my retaliation is perfectly justified. With those two sitting on the sidelines, I can't do business in peace."

Li Ying narrowed his eyes slightly: "Are you saying that now that Chang Le and Chang Yi have been driven off by you, you'll focus on doing business in peace from now on?"

Chen Mo spread his hands: "Li Sir, you really aren't that naive, are you?"

I definitely just want to do business in peace, but that doesn't mean others are willing to let me do business in peace. In the jianghu, there's bound to be some fighting and killing.

"Hmph!" Li Ying said dissatisfiedly, "At most others have a few dozen or a few hundred people fighting, but you always bring thousands—how can that be the same?"

"I'm warning you, you'd better restrain a bit, otherwise I'll bring people every day to sweep your venue."

Chen Mo shrugged: "What's the use of sweeping my venue? My venue isn't afraid of being swept."

"If you sweep my venue once, I'll go report you to the police station once; let's see who's afraid of whom!"

Chen Mo has never been afraid of the police coming to inspect his venue.

On his territory, there basically won't be any low-quality goods. When the police come, at most they'll check ID cards.

Although it might affect business a bit, the impact isn't big.