Chapter 233: Du Yuesheng

The next day.

Zhou Gendi got up early at six o'clock to go to the film set for work.

Hong Zhiyou did not get up until eight-thirty.

He ate the local specialty crab roe buns at the restaurant downstairs in the hotel.

A moment later, Yin Zhuoran arrived at the hotel.

As the white glove for the Song Ziliang Jinshan Foreign Trade Group and manager of the Longdong Company, Yin Zhuoran was a figure who could absolutely walk sideways in Shanghu.

Accompanying him was a young man with a side-parted hairstyle.

"Brother Yin."

Seeing him, Hong Zhiyou hurriedly stood up to welcome him.

"Eat, keep eating.

"What kind of relationship do we have? Why be so polite?"

Yin Zhuoran waved his hand, signaling him to continue his meal.

He pulled the young man to sit down opposite Hong Zhiyou and casually grabbed a bun from the tray to eat slowly.

This left the young man on the side dumbfounded.

Yin Zhuoran had always been very arrogant; there were few people in the Jianghu area he looked up to.

To be so unrefined and casual like this, one could only say his relationship with the young man in front of him was extraordinary.

It was indeed not ordinary.

Last night at the mahjong table in Jinhai, Hong Zhiyou had again let him "fire" thousands of US dollars.

Yin Zhuoran was also grateful.

Knowing Hong Zhiyou was coming to Shanghu to fish someone out, he directly skipped the Jinhai branch meeting and returned overnight to pave the way for him.

"Brother Yin, won't you introduce me?"

Hong Zhiyou did not dare to be casual and asked with a smile.

"Let me introduce you; this is Yu Xuan, currently a member of the Shanghu Industrial and Commercial Council," Yin Zhuoran introduced.

The Yu family?

"Young Master Yu, excuse my ignorance. I wonder what relation you are to the elder Mr. Yu Qiaqing..." Hong Zhiyou hurriedly stood up in a respectful manner.

"He is Mr. Yu's grandnephew.

"He grew up in Mr. Yu's residence since childhood. After Mr. Yu passed away, the Yu family had many children, and while many divided the money, the one who is still truly getting things done is Young Master Xuan.

"Don't look at him as young; there is nothing in the Huangpu River area he cannot handle.

"By the way, Young Master Xuan also holds the position of executive director of the Jiangzhe Chamber of Commerce.

"Last month, the arms procurement for Tang Enbo was facilitated single-handedly by Young Master Xuan.

"When the Generalissimo celebrated his birthday, he was one of the few invited guests.

"Mr. Song Ziwen and Mr. Song Ziliang also value him highly."

Yin Zhuoran was afraid Hong Zhiyou would slight Yu Xuan, so he spoke in great detail.

Hong Zhiyou immediately realized that this young man, who looked slightly honest and simple, was a true master of the business world and a big shot with heaven-reaching influence.

"Young Master Xuan, excuse my ignorance," Hong Zhiyou said hurriedly.

"You are too polite.

"I am merely basking in my granduncle's glory, just muddling through to make a living," Yu Xuan said with a low-key smile.

"You are not just basking in glory.

"Back when the Generalissimo was in Shanghu and paid his respects to Huang Jinrong, he stayed at the Yu residence for over half a year. You are the person who truly peed on his head and wandered the streets and alleys with him."

Yin Zhuoran laughed heartily.

Hong Zhiyou also understood a little.

Yu Qiaqing recognized Jiang when he was in obscurity, had the keen eye to identify talent, and supported him with all his might; he could be called a true founding elder who followed the dragon.

In other words.

The young man in front of him, like Zhang Zhizhong, Zhang Qun, and Chen Bulei, was someone who could speak directly to the Old Man.

A thigh, absolutely a golden thigh.

"Young Master Xuan, please look after me," Hong Zhiyou said with a very respectful attitude.

"Brother Hong, you are too polite.

"Old Yin has told me about you. It is said that there is nothing you cannot handle in Jinhai, and there is no money to be made without being friends with you.

"Coincidentally, I also like money.

"Therefore, I am very happy to make a friend like you."

Yu Xuan said from the bottom of his heart.

They were all people spinning in piles of money; who could not like the God of Wealth?

The two began to talk about business strategies right there in the restaurant.

Yu Xuan listened to many of Hong Zhiyou's insights and was full of praise.

"Previously, I called Mr. Hong's purchase of Hennessy labels a high-level insight, and I have long admired you in spirit.

"Talking today, I realize that you, brother, are the true businessman."

After the chat, Yu Xuan bowed to Hong Zhiyou in sincere tribute.

Hong Zhiyou felt secretly ashamed.

He was merely using his knowledge of history, the future world economy, general trends, and the rise of big brands to derive a few ideas.

"Actually, my business philosophy is very simple.

"As long as there is profit.

"If the partner earns nine parts and I earn one part, that is a good deal."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"No wonder your friends are all over the world, and even Brother Yin treats you with such sincerity.

"I have learned much."

Yu Xuan said.

"Who doesn't like nine parts?

"If people are counted out of ten, I would at least give Brother Hong a nine!"

Yin Zhuoran laughed heartily from the side.

Nine parts... damn you!

"Let's talk business.

"That Zhang Junfei you want to protect committed a serious offense this time.

"He was fighting over a woman in the City That Never Sleeps.

"The one guarding the place was a hall master under Du named Chen Song.

"Zhang Junfei not only refused to give face but also stabbed Chen Song, right in the chest; he died before he was even sent to the hospital.

"Chen Song still has a wife and young children at home.

"Du Yuesheng has clearly stated that this matter must have an explanation for Chen Song; there is no room for negotiation.

"The people I sent didn't even get through the front door.

"They were kicked out by the gang members.

"Some of Chen Song's more radical subordinates even declared that whoever dares to come and plead for mercy will be the first to be stabbed."

Yin Zhuoran said.

"Do you know their names and addresses?" Hong Zhiyou said.

"I do.

"The leader is called Zhu Simao, living at 69 Zhujia Lane. He is a sworn brother of Chen Song and was his closest friend.

"There are three others, and I have written them all here."

Yin Zhuoran was very efficient; in one night, he had figured everything out clearly.

"Good, thanks." Hong Zhiyou took the note and put it away.

"Are you going to pay a visit now?

"When Old Yu was alive, his seniority was higher than Huang Jinrong and the others. Du has always valued this, and with Young Master Xuan accompanying you, he wouldn't dare turn you away."

Yin Zhuoran said.

"Hmm, let's do it in the evening.

"I will have to trouble Young Master Xuan then," Hong Zhiyou said.

"What I am most worried about now is Mao Sen. His secret agents might find an excuse to attack you. This group of people uses explosives, assassinations, poisoning—they will use any dirty trick.

"Why don't you go to Mr. Song Ziliang's residence, or Young Master Xuan's..."

Yin Zhuoran shook his head as he said this:

"No, the Yu family is too mixed; it's better to go to Mr. Song Ziliang's or my place."

"No need.

"Mr. Song Ziliang is busy with a thousand tasks; I won't trouble the two Mr. Songs with such a small matter.

"I have a safer place to go."

Hong Zhiyou thought for a moment and said.

"Garrison Headquarters?" Yu Xuan asked.

As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt it was too intrusive, so he smiled slightly and said nothing more.

"No.

"Everyone over there carries guns; the situation is more complicated.

"As for where I am going, you will know when the time comes."

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

He had originally wanted to use his connection with Yang Wenquan to request garrison protection.

But on second thought, Old Yang had not been in contact with his subordinates for a long time, so he felt it was not very reliable.

After seeing Yin and Yu off.

He walked to the hotel counter, raised an eyebrow at the pretty female receptionist with a smile, and then dialed a number:

"Hello, is this Staff Officer Li?

"Hello, I am Hong Zhiyou, secretary from the Jinhai Station. Yes, Chief Yang has mentioned me to you.

"I will arrive at the Garrison Headquarters around ten tonight to stay the night.

"Alright, thank you for your trouble."

Hanging up the phone, he turned and went back upstairs.

No sooner had he left than the female receptionist dialed Mao Sen's number:

"Hello, Station Chief Mao, he is going to the Garrison Headquarters at ten tonight.

"Alright, I understand."

……

Hong Zhiyou returned to his room, took out the slip of paper, and stared at the list on it, pondering.

"Brother Hong, I went to scout it out.

"Chen Song's wife is just a frail woman, and there is a three-year-old little girl at home.

"I made a special trip to her house to check things out.

"They aren't well-off, and life definitely won't be easy now that her husband is dead. If it really comes to it, we can compensate her with some money to settle this matter."

Lin Tian leaned against the window, puffing on a cigarette and blowing at his handsome long bangs as he spoke.

"If money could settle it, Bureau Chief Wang would have already fished his nephew out; would he still need us?

"The problem now is that Chen Song died too unjustly, and this Zhang Junfei who beat him is incredibly arrogant.

"The people under him are looking to make trouble.

"As the head of the gang, Du Yuesheng has been backed into a corner and naturally cannot just let it slide."

Hong Zhiyou analyzed.

"Gangs are just like that; they value brotherhood and loyalty, so I'm afraid this won't be easy to handle.

"If it really doesn't work, I'll give them something rough."

Zhou Yan said.

Are the Axe Gang all this fierce?

Hong Zhiyou muttered to himself, then shook his head with a smile and said: "Fighting and killing is not the best policy. Everyone has a price; it's just a matter of whether the price is high or low."

"Like this, Little Lin, you go to Chen Song's house, give her ten gold bars, and have her settle this matter.

"As for these three tough nuts, I will go meet Zhu Simao and deal with them all at once."

"Let's do it this way, let's split up.

"Once we take them down, I will talk to Du Yuesheng tonight."

After giving his instructions, Hong Zhiyou picked up his small leather suitcase and walked out.

Zhu Family Lane.

Zhu Simao was lying on a rattan chair, basking in the sun.

He used to be a butcher.

He was burly, and no one in the entire Zhu Family Lane was unafraid of him.

Later, he joined the Green Gang, but unfortunately, Du Yuesheng didn't think much of him, instead letting a greenhorn named Chen Song ride over his head as a hall master.

Zhu Simao had always been very unhappy about this.

It was heaven's favor that Chen Song got himself knifed.

He could just use this incident to stir up the masses, raise the banner of righteousness, and make a name for himself.

That kid from Jinhai wanted a private settlement.

Chen Song's wife had agreed, but Zhu Simao was unwilling.

He had already gone to the Chen house and made threats.

Chen Song's grudge must be avenged.

Whoever dared to stop him from seeking revenge was betraying Chen Song's spirit in heaven; if he got pushed too far, he would send Chen Song's wife down to keep him company.

After such a scene, even if Chen Song's wife wanted the money, she didn't have the guts.

"Zhu Simao, right?"

Hong Zhiyou walked into the courtyard and asked.

Zhu Simao touched the black mole the size of a broad bean at the corner of his mouth, glared, and asked: "Who the hell are you?"

"I'm from Jinhai, here to protect Zhang Junfei.

"Can this matter be settled privately?"

Hong Zhiyou got straight to the point and handed over a brand-new gold bar.

"Protecting Zhang Junfei?

"Who do you think you are? He killed my brother; he won't be walking out of Shanghai alive." Zhu Simao flatly refused.

Hong Zhiyou took out another one: "That's enough trouble. Don't you just want to be a hall master? Do you think Boss Du can't see through your little schemes?

"Why have you never been able to get the position?

"Your intentions are crooked.

"So, no matter how much trouble you make, it will only make Boss Du feel disgusted.

"While you still have some value.

"Be obedient, take the lead, and let this matter end."

As Hong Zhiyou spoke, he added another one.

Three gold bars.

That was already giving him plenty of face.

Zhu Simao pursed his lips, staring at the gold bars, caught in a dilemma—he wanted to put on an act, but he also wanted to take them.

"Stop acting.

"I've already thought of the excuse for you: you sympathize with Chen Song's wife, a widow with an orphan, and you're letting Zhang Junfei pay a sum of money to settle it.

"This way you get the money, and Boss Du is spared the headache.

"Two birds with one stone, why not do it?"

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

Zhu Simao rubbed the gold bars with his fingers, his eyes flashing with cunning and greed:

"It's not impossible for me to smooth this over.

"How about this.

"Let's be precise: you give me ten gold bars, and I'll have the brothers making trouble at the mourning hall withdraw tonight."

"Ten?" Hong Zhiyou looked at him.

"That's right, ten.

"One less, and that guy surnamed Zhang won't be walking out of Shanghai."

After saying this, Zhu Simao picked up the teapot and gulped down a few mouthfuls of low-quality tea.

Hong Zhiyou glanced at Old Zhou.

Old Zhou reached out, and a gleaming short axe appeared in his hand.

Before Zhu Simao could react.

A cold light flashed.

Zhu Simao clutched his throat and slumped onto the rattan chair, whimpering, as fresh blood surged out along his fingers like a spring.

"Ten gold bars, you're not worth it."

Hong Zhiyou sneered, picked up the gold bars from the table, put them back in the suitcase, and headed to the next house.

The next two houses were much more sensible.

Each took one gold bar and obediently shut their mouths.

Having dealt with these troublemakers.

That evening, Hong Zhiyou drove straight to the Green Gang's main hall and, with Yu Xuan's introduction, paid a visit to Du Yuesheng.

Inside the old hall with blue bricks and black tiles.

Du Yuesheng was drinking tea with his elder brother, Huang Jinrong.

"Big Brother, with the war currently at a stalemate, I spent some time operating in Xiangdao before. That place is the territory of the foreigners; no matter who wins or loses, no one will touch that place.

"Why don't you wait a few days and come with me to take a look."

"Pick a spot with nice scenery to build a house and enjoy my twilight years."

Du Yuesheng asked.

"Alas, I cannot compare to you; once I reached this age, I didn't want to move anywhere.

"I'm used to hearing the Shanghai dialect.

"If you want me to go listen to the Yuedong dialect, it won't do.

"Besides, fallen leaves return to their roots; how could I, at my age, still drift about?

"A golden nest or a silver nest is not as good as one's own dog kennel.

"I'll just stick to the Huangpu River for the rest of my life; if they want to execute me, then let them execute me. At least I'll die at my own doorstep, and my soul will be able to find its way back.

"You, little brother, are still young; if you want to go out, then go."

Huang Jinrong shook his head and sighed.

"I am also in a difficult spot now.

"Once Dai Li died, people left and the tea went cold. My words don't carry the weight they did back then; many in the garrison and municipal government don't listen anymore."

Du Yuesheng also gave a helpless, bitter smile.

"What do you think about the Chen Song affair?" Huang Jinrong asked.

"Zhu Simao wants to jump," Du Yuesheng saw through it at a glance.

"How do you want to handle it?" Huang Jinrong asked.

"Let him jump for now. I rarely see things happening underneath, so it's a rare chance to encounter one; it's quite good to watch," Du Yuesheng smiled faintly, not taking it too seriously.

"Don't underestimate it.

"The Green Gang is no longer of one piece.

"The world is changing drastically, and people's hearts are filled with panic.

"If a small matter is handled poorly, it could very well be used as a pretext by those with ulterior motives to act against you,"

Huang Jinrong warned.

"What you say is true, elder brother..."

As they were speaking, the butler walked in: "Mr. Du, the young master of the Yu family has brought people here to act as lobbyists; he says he is the secretary of the Jinhai Station, named Hong Zhiyou.

"Will you see him or not?"

"Hong Zhiyou, I heard of this person when I went to Xiangdao last time; he has ties to the Zhigong lineage and is also in close contact with the Rong family, He Xian, and the Cao Gang.

"He and Yu Xuan can be called the two prides of the north and south among the younger generation."

Du Yuesheng's intelligence network was still very sharp.

"Jinhai Station?

"People from the Secret Service Bureau; I find it very annoying to deal with that bunch.

"You two talk, I'm leaving first."

Huang Jinrong frowned, stood up, and took his leave.

Hong Zhiyou walked in.

Zhou Yan stood to the side with his hand resting on his waist.

At the same time, Du Yuesheng's elite experts also had their hands on their holstered pistols, watching like tigers.

"Mr. Du, this is not the way to treat a friend," Yu Xuan said.

"Some people are friends.

"Some people may not be friends."

Du Yuesheng said in a deep voice.

Hong Zhiyou sized up this underground overlord.

A crew cut, black long gown, black cloth shoes, deep-set cheeks, and a mouth full of opium-stained teeth.

From his appearance alone, there was nothing peculiar.

But upon meeting his sharp gaze, it made one feel a bone-chilling fear.

"I don't know about others.

"I am definitely a friend of Mr. Du."

Hong Zhiyou said in a clear voice.

"Young Master Xuan, sorry to trouble you, let me talk to Mr. Du alone," he turned his head and whispered to Yu Xuan.

"Alright."

Yu Xuan nodded at the two of them and turned to leave.

"I am here to redeem someone," Hong Zhiyou didn't waste words and got straight to the point.

"Redeem someone?

"This matter has nothing to do with money; if I release that man surnamed Zhang, it will be hard for me to manage my subordinates."

Du Yuesheng poured a cup of tea, took a sip, and said.

"If it's a person, there is a price.

"I know you are in a difficult position; I gave Zhu Simao three gold bars, but he was too greedy and insisted on twenty.

"So, I had no choice but to kill him.

"You, being able to sit in this position, should know better than me that in this world, there is no loyalty, only interests and money,"

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Kid, you have a lot of nerve.

"Don't think that just because you are from the Secret Service Bureau, I wouldn't dare to touch you. In this Huangpu River in Shanghai, there are many people with more fame and prospects than you who have ended up at the bottom of the river overnight."

Du Yuesheng narrowed his eyes and said coldly.

He never expected that Hong Zhiyou would kill his subordinate the moment he arrived in Jinhai.

"I only did what you wanted to do but found inconvenient to do.

"Moreover, you truly dare not touch me, and you cannot touch me."

Hong Zhiyou leaned over, picked up the teapot, and poured himself a cup.

"Tell me more," Du Yuesheng stared at him, feeling it was getting interesting.

"Boss Dai is dead.

"You should be able to guess the reason; he was feared by those above.

"Now even Mao Renfeng is unwilling to admit he is of the Jiangshan faction.

"And you, you were his sworn brother in the past.

"When Boss Dai was alive, indeed no one dared to touch you.

"But now, do you still have value?

"Never mind those high and mighty people in the Nanjing official residence, even the Jiangzhe financial magnates don't take you seriously.

"With your meager assets, they don't even need people from Nanjing.

"A single order from a small staff officer at the Songhu Garrison Headquarters, and a deputy police chief could find any excuse to raid you.

"Do you think anyone will protect you?

"Your only use is roughly that the Jiangzhe financial magnates might find some dirty work that they could use you for.

"If I were you, while you still have money in your hands, I would make more new friends, put down the status of so-called 'boss,' use money to make more money, and plan a way out for your children.

"This chair is no longer a sharp weapon; it is a great mountain pressing down on you.

"And I am the new friend you need."

Hong Zhiyou looked at him and said every word clearly.

Du Yuesheng's eyes flickered.

In fact, ever since Dai Li died, he had felt it; as a mouthpiece for politicians, the final outcome is that when the rabbits are dead, the hounds are cooked, and when the birds are gone, the bow is put away.

"Young man, you certainly have a very seductive way of speaking.

"Someone offered me a sum of money.

"A lot of money.

"To keep you here in the Green Gang headquarters permanently.

"I think this deal is worthwhile; you come to protect someone and are beaten to death by the indignant members of the Green Gang—that would be quite normal, wouldn't it?"

Du Yuesheng sneered, and with a wave of his hand, his subordinates surrounded them.

(End of chapter)