"Oh? So you're willing to accept my proposal?" Ma Yu seemed somewhat smug. He probably thought that an outsider like me was easily persuaded, and his initial politeness before taking action was likely because he knew through some channels that I now had good relations with the government, which was why he didn't push too hard. He then smiled and said, "How about this? The biggest business I control right now is logistics and transportation. You see, Yunnan is a mountainous region, and logistics and transportation are a crucial link. No matter what business you invest in here, you'll rely on transportation. Am I right? I think we'll have many opportunities for cooperation in this area… You see, I'm a very friendly person. The misunderstanding between my nephew and you is now wiped clean, isn't it?"
"Hmph," I chuckled, looking directly at him. "If you're done talking, you can leave." After a pause, I added, "And could you please close the door for me from the outside?"
Upon hearing this, Ma Yu's expression immediately changed! He seemed to be forcing himself not to stand up, but instead remained seated on the sofa, forcing himself to shift his posture. This action made me think of him even more highly.
This person seems to know how to control and regulate his emotions, which is far superior to those rough and uncouth gangsters.
"In medieval Europe, armies under the rule of the Pope would typically bring a phrase when negotiating with their enemies." Ma Yu had now dropped his pretense and was threatening without any attempt to hide it: "I hold a sword in one hand and flowers in the other. It's up to you to choose!"
I couldn't help but cheer and said with a smile, "Well done! I didn't expect that Mr. Ma Yu, despite his humble background, would have such profound knowledge and expertise, and even have some interest in classical literature from abroad."
“In that case, there’s nothing more to discuss.” Ma Yu stood up, still proudly saying, “I think you will come looking for me again in the near future, but the conditions I offer at that time will probably be different from now.”
After he finished speaking, he was about to get up and take his leave when buck-toothed Zhou suddenly interrupted, "...wait a moment."
"What's wrong? Changed your mind?" Ma Yu revealed a smug smile.
I glanced at the buck-toothed man, and we exchanged a look. He then hesitated for a moment before saying, "Mr. Ma Yu, actually, I've done some research on you, right after our conflict with your nephew tonight. You see, you're quite famous locally... and because we have good relations with the authorities, the police are happy to provide us with information."
Zhou with buck teeth spoke casually: "Actually, Yunnan, being a border province, is a mixed bag, and we know all about that… Most of the sizable gangs here have some support from foreign forces. For example, if you push someone too far, they can easily summon a group of people from abroad to pull off a ruthless heist. And when the local police investigate, they can simply send the perpetrators abroad—nobody can catch them! Even without foreign support, there are so many mountainous areas here. They can just find a few tough guys from the mountains to be hitmen or gunmen, kill one or two people, and then run back to some small village in the mountains to hide. They're unlikely to be caught. And the mastermind won't leave any evidence. So, when local gangs break ties, they often resort to extreme measures… Am I right?"
Ma Yu smiled, a sharp glint in his eyes, and slowly said, "It seems Attorney Zhou knows quite a bit."
"Hmm, this... that's probably why you're so fearless... This method is indeed very sharp and intimidating. Ma Yu, you must have succeeded many times using this method." Buck-toothed Zhou smiled, tapping his temples, then as if suddenly remembering something, he said, "Oh, right, I don't know what you call this kind of extreme method here, but we usually give this kind of operation a name... 'paratroopers'."
Airborne troops?
I couldn't help but laugh.
Of all the gangs in the world, who can beat us, the Big Circle, at playing the paratrooper game? What a joke! The paratrooper system is the Big Circle's specialty! Trying to play paratroopers with the Big Circle? It's like trying to sell water on the banks of the Yellow River or wielding a giant axe in front of Lu Ban (a legendary carpenter)!
“Actually, I admire you quite a bit.” Buck-toothed Zhou’s smile widened. “I think my boss, this Mr. Chen, must admire you as well. Frankly, among all the gangsters we’ve met during our trip to Kunming, Yunnan, you’re the most charismatic and ruthless. You’re intelligent, resourceful, and cunning. In some ways, you’re a very outstanding person.” Buck-toothed Zhou sighed at the end. “However, I still have a suggestion for you…”
He had already stood up and made a gesture to show him out: "There are some people you can mess with... but there are some people you can't afford to mess with. Understand?"
Ma Yu's expression changed slightly... He stared at us carefully for a few moments, and finally saw what was worrying him in our eyes.
We were very calm, even... very composed, and showed no signs of tension from beginning to end.
Moreover, this composure was not feigned. Ma Yu had met many people, some of whom could remain calm in the face of his threats, but most of them were just putting on a show... but we were not.
Judging from our reaction… we seem… no, not just seem. We definitely do! We didn’t take his threat seriously at all.
Ma Yu wasn't a fool. He should understand that if the other party had this attitude, then unless they were an idiot, they must have something to rely on.
His expression changed several times in an instant, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he gritted his teeth and didn't say anything, silently stood up and walked to the door.
Buck-toothed Zhou saw him out, but finally, Ma Yu couldn't hold back any longer. After thinking for a moment, he asked in a low voice, "Alright, may I ask one more question? What exactly is your side...?"
He had already softened somewhat.
Buck-toothed Zhou whispered something in his ear, and Ma Yu's body trembled, then a hint of fear appeared in his eyes. He seemed about to say something, but Buck-toothed Zhou stopped him, saying calmly, "Don't worry, we don't intend to deal with you, and what we're doing here has nothing to do with you... It's just that I think you're a smart man, and I don't want to see you court death. Maybe we'll need your help in the future. Go back obediently... But you'd better remember, we didn't meet today."
Ma Yu's attitude had made a complete 180-degree turn, and her eyes were much more respectful. She said in a low voice, "Um... okay, I understand."
And so, he slunk away.
Back in the room, I sat on the sofa smoking, looking at him, and said slowly, "What did you say to him last? Did you tell him my identity?"
“No.” Buck-toothed Zhou said calmly, “Even if you told him you’re the Fifth Master of Vancouver… he probably wouldn’t have heard of you. This is Yunnan! Your identity won’t scare people here.”
"So what did you say?"
Bucktooth Zhou thought for a moment and then smiled and said, "Well, I told him that I am good friends with General Wang Luo of the Golden Triangle."
General Wang Luo?
I frowned. I'd heard of this man before; apparently, he was a major tycoon in the Golden Triangle, controlling thousands of armed men and vast drug empires… even the government forces didn't dare confront him directly. This kind of person wasn't too far from Yunnan; the local underworld should all know his name.
What Bucktooth Zhou meant was actually quite simple: You're just a nobody, don't try to scare us with those kinds of tactics. If you anger us, we won't need any paratroopers, we can just send a team of mercenaries from the Golden Triangle and wipe out your entire family without much difficulty.
I looked at Zhou with buck teeth, at this guy who had been by my side for more than half a year.
“Attorney Zhou… I don’t recall ever hearing that you know anyone in the Golden Triangle… Hmm, could it be that during the Eighth Master’s era, besides being his lawyer, you did some other work?” I stared at this cunning guy: “It seems there are still many things you haven’t told me.”
Buck-toothed Zhou was relaxed, simply smiling as he said, "My Fifth Master, some things are in the past. At least for now, you're my boss. And I'm completely loyal to you...right?"
This guy... is quite dishonest!
Actually, among my subordinates, Bucktooth Zhou has always been a special case... Unlike Xiluo and others, Bucktooth Zhou isn't one of my core members, not one of my brothers who have shared life and death with me. This guy is very intelligent, the kind with a high IQ.
This can be seen from the conversation in which he decided to comply with me.
This guy isn't blindly loyal to me... it's just that the strength I've demonstrated has earned his respect and made him feel that following a boss like me is a promising future, which is why he's sticking with me. And all of this is purely based on self-interest; it doesn't have the deep emotional bond I have with my other subordinates.
And this is something I understand very well.
I even speculate: if there's even a slight chance... if I were to die... well, at that moment, the people around me—Yan Di and the other women—would definitely be willing to live and die with me, and Xi Luo and Hammer would certainly do so without hesitation. And Senior Brother would probably... well, Captain Wick most likely wouldn't. As for that buck-toothed Zhou... well, there's no need to even think about it; he'd definitely have already found a way to stay far away.
That's evident from the fact that he immediately switched sides to me as soon as he saw that Eighth Master was finished. In his heart, there is no such thing as traditional loyalty or disloyalty.
A person like him will only be loyal to one rule: the rule of the strong. Whoever meets his standard of strength, he will serve.
I never tried to gain his true loyalty... It seemed to me completely impossible!
He's been with Eighth Master for so many years, and even with Eighth Master's methods, he hasn't been truly won over. I've only been his boss for a little over half a year, so I don't expect to be able to do that.
And I often feel... that Bucktooth Zhou's abilities seem a bit too much. He seems to be far more than just a lawyer. Moreover, he appears to be the kind of person who enjoys the deep trust of Eighth Master while always remaining behind the scenes.
Now it seems that he probably held some other positions under Eighth Master!
This is understandable, really. Eighth Master entrusted him with managing all his assets; what kind of trust does that represent?!
After I consolidated the large group, Yang Wei told me: A leader shouldn't expect all their subordinates to be absolutely loyal to them. That's impossible, unless you're God. What you need to do is fully utilize their talents to create the greatest value for you.
Clearly, buck teeth belong to this type.
Regarding the things he's been hiding... I even suspect that what he deliberately revealed today was also intentionally told to me. As for his intentions, I can't guess for now... Is it a test of me? Or have I already gained his deeper loyalty?
On the day Uncle Seven passed away, Bucktooth Zhou Yi's poignant remark, "An era has ended," revealed a complex mix of emotions within him. Such a person is definitely not just a simple lawyer.
I thought for a moment, then looked at the buck-toothed Zhou: "Attorney Zhou, I'm wondering if you could tell me how much more about the Eighth Master era you haven't told me?"
"Oh, my dear boss." Buck-toothed Zhou chuckled, still in that sarcastic tone: "Don't worry, I'll say what I need to say when the time comes. As for things that don't need to be said, saying them is just a waste of breath. But at least for now, I'm paid by you, so you're my boss."
Looking at this guy... I suddenly thought of Eighth Master.
Hmm, it's amazing that Eighth Master can tolerate such a strange person under his command and still give him so much trust.
Am I not as good as Eighth Prince?
Thinking of this, I smiled again, waved to signal him he could leave, and before he left, I added, "Don't stay out too late tonight. Try to make some connections tomorrow. Seek out a way to get him out of the police station."
"Oh? You've made up your mind to help that little girl?" Buck-toothed Zhou thought for a moment: "This matter isn't difficult to handle... and even if the police don't release her, Ma Yu is already wary of us. He knows that the little girl is with us now, so he won't dare to make any trouble."
After Zhou with buck teeth left, I suddenly felt a little tired.
Having someone like this under my command is something most people can't handle. This guy is smart, even smarter than me, and incredibly capable, yet he's not absolutely loyal to me... That wouldn't be so bad in itself... The important thing is, I don't even have anyone around me who can check and balance him.
Xiluo is too inexperienced, and intellectually, two Xiluos are no match for one buck-toothed Zhou. I need someone equally brilliant by my side to balance the power distribution among my subordinates. Otherwise, while I can make full use of buck-toothed Zhou, I absolutely cannot rely on him completely.
Involuntarily, I thought of that beautiful face that always wore a wise and calm smile… yes, Yang Wei…
Sigh, I rubbed my head and gave a wry smile. I was daydreaming again. How could someone like Yang Wei possibly come to assist me?
The next day, Ma Yu didn't bother me again. But I actually had a good impression of him... a smart guy, and quite intelligent.
The buck-toothed Zhou acted extremely quickly. He actually retrieved Ma Yu's file very soon, and to my surprise, this Ma Yu was indeed no ordinary person... he actually had a bachelor's degree!
“We can keep an eye on this guy,” Bucktooth Zhou winked at me. “We might need him in the future.”
As for the police, Zhou with buck teeth went to the police station on my behalf, and it didn't take much effort.
The little girl is definitely sticking with me, and I don't mind "adopting" her. Whether I take on apprentices or not is something I haven't considered, but she's very much to my liking, and I always feel she's a lot like me. She's also somewhat like Ni Duoduo from back then.
Or it might sound strange to say it like this... but don't forget, one of the reasons I was willing to do everything I could to help Ni Duoduo back then was because Ni Duoduo was very much like me when I was young.
We've finally made some progress in finding information about Uncle Seven.
Based on the remaining traces in the official archives, we finally identified one of the dozen or so places called "Xiaowanggou" that we believe is where Uncle Qi is located.
When I left Kunming, I took my little girl with me. Xiaowanggou is not too far from Lijiang. You have to take a plane to Lijiang and then a six-hour bus ride.
To my surprise, Ma Yu also came to see me off at the airport. This guy was indeed someone that both Zhou and I admired. He knew how to conduct himself appropriately and didn't mention the conversation at the hotel that day at all. He just said some polite things and welcomed us to cooperate next time we came to Kunming... Of course, this time when he said "cooperate," there was no threat in it. Instead, it had a hint of asking us to give him a hand.
What surprised me even more was that a policeman was among those who came to the airport to see us off!
And it was the policewoman from the male and female police officers I met that day! I vaguely remember her name, something like Xu Liqiu, an ordinary policewoman. But she didn't seem to be there to see me off.
The young girl seemed to know her well; when she saw her, she ran over and whispered to her for a long time. When she came back, her eyes were a little red. The policewoman still didn't like me; she glanced at us and then left.
I suddenly remembered that the little girl had said that she had been instructed by someone to come and ask me for help. Could it be this policewoman?
Sure enough, on the plane, the little girl told me that she did know this Officer Xu. It turned out that this guy had been arrested by the police several times, and twice he had been deported back to his hometown according to the law... And the little girl was a minor and had no guardian, so both times the officer responsible for deporting her back to her hometown was this female officer.
But someone like that little girl, even if sent back, would just run away and be back in the streets in a few days. However, during those two deportations, perhaps out of compassion, the policewoman always took good care of the little girl.
A very clever policewoman. Judging from the situation those days, the young girl, having escaped alone, would most likely not survive outside. The policewoman, through some subtle actions I took at the police station, judged that I meant no harm, and thus quietly hinted to the young girl to come and beg me, perhaps there was a glimmer of hope.
Part Two: The Road to Success, Chapter 124: That Mountain, That Person
It takes about 40 minutes by plane from Kunming to reach Lijiang.
Clearly, Lijiang is a small tourist city that is quite famous throughout the country, especially the Lijiang Old Town, which is known as the "Jiangnan town on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau".
However, we are not here for tourism.
After leaving the airport, the first thing I did was find a local car rental company to rent a car and a driver, and then immediately head to Xiaowanggou.
The drive would normally take more than six hours, entirely along mountain roads, to reach the destination. I felt sorry for Yandi and didn't want her to endure such a long and tiring journey. I suggested she stay in Lijiang, rest for a day, and take the opportunity to explore the sights.
However, Yan Di refused; she insisted on staying by my side.
The journey took six hours, and the car we rented wasn't a high-end vehicle. Riding for six hours on a rugged and bumpy mountain road in a car without a good shock absorption system almost shook our bones apart.
When evening came, we arrived at our destination... After getting out of the car, apart from Lei Xiaohu and me, who had practiced martial arts since childhood and were physically able to keep up, everyone else, including the driver, was so exhausted that they could barely straighten their backs. The little girl was practically wrecked; she almost rolled off the car at the very end.
As for Yan Di, I held her in my arms the whole way in the car. With me as her human cushion underneath her, she was somewhat spared the discomfort of the bumpy ride. But she was still quite exhausted.
This is a typical mountain village, far removed from cities and modern life. The surrounding mountains are lush and verdant, stretching endlessly. Between two of these mountains flows a gentle stream, spanned by a stone bridge. Beyond the bridge lies a low-lying area, and I could even see smoke rising from the chimneys of some houses…
It was already evening, and the sun was about to set behind the mountains, but I didn't see any lights in the village... even though there was a telephone pole at the entrance of the village, which was the only one in the whole village.
The cell phone was no longer working; clearly, we were in a signal dead zone. Because the bridge was so narrow, probably only bicycles could cross it, we parked the car on this side of the bridge.