Chapter 19: Thinking Strategically and the Basic System

After finishing the second order, Alberto gathered the chips from the table and put them back into the brown paper bag; the casino’s representative from the Koda family would take these chips to exchange for cash and bring them back.

He then pulled out two twenty-dollar bills, placed them on the table, pressed them with his index finger, and pushed them toward Lans: “Take your friends out for a good drink, and buy some clothes—get yourself dressed up.”

“You don’t just represent yourselves anymore—you represent the company’s face.”

He had seen the look of this group and could imagine how bad it must have been; luckily, Lans hadn’t brought his friends inside.

Otherwise, his nose would’ve suffered.

It looked like he’d given Lans one hundred and ninety dollars today, but in truth, this money was originally what Lans had brought back for him—and it was also an investment.

If he could handle Mr. Anderson, Alberto would entrust Lans with more debts.

He always felt Lans would one day have greater fame and a bigger stage in Jincheng City; this investment cost little now but would surely yield rich returns later.

Even if the investment failed, there would be no loss.

Not long after, Lans bid farewell to Alberto; by the time he reached the lounge, the boys were already playing with the company staff.

Ethan and Fordis sat at a dedicated arm-wrestling table, surrounded by people loudly cheering them on, some clutching handfuls of one-dollar bills.

Both men at the table had flushed faces; Ethan was straining with all his might, yet still couldn’t overpower Fordis.

Of course, Fordis was equally stunned—he couldn’t beat a young man!

Both were pushing with all their strength, the table shaking back and forth under their force.

Slowly, Ethan’s arm was gradually pressed down; amid the crowd’s boos, Fordis won!

He looked delighted, collecting bets from others—small amounts, mostly one or two dollars.

The money wasn’t much, but his spirits were high.

He took five dollars from his winnings and handed it to Ethan, patting his shoulder: “You’ve got the potential to be a strongman, Ethan.”

“Come find me when you’re free—I’ll take you to the gym. You’ll love the place and its atmosphere.”

Lans imagined two burly men wearing those tight, strap-and-shape-contouring one-piece suits, their testicles clearly outlined—and he shuddered.

“Done talking with the boss?” Fordis bumped shoulders with Lans. “You seem to be in a good mood.”

Lans smiled without denying it. “Where’s the Koda family casino?”

“You’re going to cash in your chips?”

“Of course.”

Fordis gave him the location: “Someone at the door will check your identity—just show them your chips. If they ask who referred you, say my name.”

“The Koda family holds high status in Jincheng City. Don’t cause trouble once you’re there—no one will save you if you do.”

Jincheng City has five major families—

These five families aren’t political dynasties or “interest clans” built around powerful figures or big capitalists; they’re five powerful, clan-based criminal organizations.

The Koda family is one of them.

These five families jointly established the framework of Jincheng City’s underworld order; though they often don’t act like gangs, if you underestimate or dismiss them, you’ll pay dearly for your stupidity.

Every year, one-third of the new oil drums dumped into Angel Lake belong to them; another third are indirectly linked to them.

Jincheng City holds too much wealth, drawing eyes from around the world; without real power, it’s nearly impossible to survive here.

The Koda family monopolizes seventy percent of Jincheng City’s casino business and also arranges private poker games for high rollers and prominent social or political figures.

When they’re not doing bad things, it’s hard to label them as “good” or “bad,” since most of their casino operations are legal and licensed.

Moreover, the current head of the Koda family is passionate about charity work.

Yes, charity work.

They pry the last dollar from gamblers’ mouths while donating to charities—and by the way, the two charities they donate to have some connection to the Koda family themselves.

After repeatedly warning Lans about what to be careful of, Lans left with the boys.

In the car, Ethan suddenly said, “I could’ve beaten him.”

Perhaps others hadn’t reacted yet, or perhaps he wanted his words to sound more convincing—he continued: “If I’d just put in a little more force, I could’ve crushed him.”

“But I thought I shouldn’t win, so at the end I held back a bit.”

Lans was surprised—Ethan was thinking? Or maybe it was just instinct.

“Good job, Ethan. You really shouldn’t have beaten him in front of so many people.”

“He holds a high position in the company. If he lost to you in front of everyone, he’d lose face. So you did the right thing.”

“I’m not saying losing face is right or good—but analyzing the situation matters more than winning or losing.”

Just then, the traffic light turned red. He pulled back the accelerator and stepped on the brake: “Mr. Cotty gave me one hundred and fifty dollars today. For every job we complete for him, he gives us five percent of the recovered debt as a reward.”

“I plan to rent a house and give each of you five dollars. Any objections?”

Everyone shook their heads—no objections. For just riding around in a car and getting five dollars, they were already thrilled!

Elvin had a concern, but it wasn’t about money: “Living in the storm drain is fine. No need to rent a house.”

“No, it’s necessary.”

“We need a safe, comfortable place to rest, somewhere to wash up, and closets and beds.”

“The storm drain is free, but it’s not a place to live long-term. I plan to rent a standalone house in the western suburbs.”

Jincheng City was built along the coast, and its most developed areas are nearly all along the shore and downtown; the city’s future development aims to expand its coastline as much as possible.

The city is growing overall toward the east, leaving the western side significantly behind the downtown, bay, and port areas.

In underdeveloped areas, housing prices are naturally low—whether for sale or rent.

When Lans said this, everyone had no objections—who wouldn’t prefer sleeping in a bed over a storm drain?

Even though the storm drain really was cool right now!

It was already afternoon; there wasn’t enough time to work, so Lans bought a large amount of food and took it back to the storm drain.

The boys were overjoyed at the sight of so much food; as Ethan drank beer and bragged about how bravely he’d handled his first job, the others couldn’t wait—they rushed to Lans’s side, demanding to join the next job!

Lans didn’t refuse. These people were future core members and needed serious cultivation.

He also explained the housing plan and income distribution.

Thirty percent of income went to Lans; thirty percent went into a shared account—currently held by Lans.

The remaining forty percent was distributed according to effort.

This system established Lans as the “group core” for wealth distribution, created a communal fund, and ensured fairness: those who worked harder got more.

To earn more, you must contribute more than others.

To sit at home doing nothing and still get paid every month? Not a chance.

The boys’ enthusiasm was reignited—by money.

Money was truly magical: it could lift the depressed and make the proud lower their damned heads.

Lans could feel that his income and the way he distributed wealth had made these people more cohesive.

They talked until dusk, and only then did Lans rise to leave. Though it was late, he’d come by car.

Jincheng City’s nighttime security was poor, but carjackings were still rare—you had to get the vehicle to stop first.

And stopping a car at night was inherently dangerous; most drivers wouldn’t stop—they’d just floor the gas and run you over.

He returned to the bakery without incident. When he pushed the door open, the apprentice mopping the floor didn’t look up: “Sorry, we’re closed…”