“General Chatchai… I think you’re mistaken.” I shook my head. “I’m a person who likes to reason. You were the one who made the threat first, and what I said was just my response. I wasn’t the one who made the threat first… Besides, I think you and the heroes of the Golden Triangle aren’t fools… These days, the era of fighting and killing just to save face is long gone! Business comes first, and making a profit is the most important thing. I don’t think any of you would be interested in wasting time, weapons, and your men’s lives in a war that is destined to have no result. And you… I don’t think General Chatchai, who has dominated the Golden Triangle for many years, would be so impulsive.”
"Hmph!" Chatchai was probably furious. Because what I said was true! If I really hardened my heart and fought them head-on, I would indeed lose in the end based on the disparity in strength. But it would be enough to hold them back and make them lose the North American market!
Looking at Chachai's expression, I knew the time was almost up.
That was showing the stick; now it's time to offer the carrot.
Part Three: The Pinnacle, Chapter Ninety-Five: The Snake Swallows the Elephant
Much later, many people wondered what conditions I offered Chachai to gain the support of the biggest drug lord in the Golden Triangle.
Some speculate that I spent hundreds of millions of dollars to sway Chatchai, while others guess that I promised him exclusive sales channels in North America. Still others speculate that I used African diamond mines as part of the deal.
However, all of these guesses are inaccurate.
After I made the threat, the "carrot" I offered Chachai was actually quite simple.
Even the exceptionally intelligent Yang Wei couldn't guess it correctly at first.
"What is the greatest desire of a seasoned veteran who has roamed the world for decades, an old man who has witnessed countless battles and carnage, and a ruthless old tycoon who could amass wealth enough to last several lifetimes?"
"For Chatchai, after a lifetime of hard work, he had everything and lacked nothing... At this point, in his twilight years, what drives him to continue down this path? People get tired and weary. I can say this with certainty... In this world, out of a hundred bosses, ninety-nine of them don't hope to continue making money, but rather... to die peacefully in bed like an ordinary person."
"But once you're in this world, it's a one-way street. Once you're on it, there's no turning back! Because even if you want to quit, your friends, your partners, even your rivals and your enemies will absolutely not allow it!! The only thing you can do is keep moving forward! As long as you're still breathing, as long as you're still alive! Even if you know it's a one-way street, you have to keep going step by step! Until one day, a bullet from somewhere ends your life."
"So, what could possibly sway Chatchai? Money? Women? Power? None of those!"
"Being in a big boss's position may seem glamorous, but the responsibility is even heavier! Because you command so many people and such a huge enterprise, you are responsible for all of it! Thousands of lives are in your hands! These are all mouths to feed! If you have to keep moving forward, keep going step by step, feed these people... otherwise, once you stop, they will all turn into gaping maws that devour you!"
"What goes around comes around. The only difference is that Chacha understands that if our talks break down, then he will probably have to pay the price immediately! Losing the North American market is something they can't afford! Such an upheaval would cause an earthquake in the Golden Triangle! And the most dangerous one would be him, the leader! The result of agreeing to my conditions is... to maintain the status quo. That's all. But that's enough to satisfy him."
“If you stand on my side, I guarantee the Canadian market will still be yours.” That was my promise to Chatchai.
After more than ten hours of continuous turbulence, the plane landed at Toronto Airport. I rubbed my face, which was numb from exhaustion, and carefully put on my sunglasses, while a thick scarf covered half of my face.
Tu pushed the wheelchair. When we walked out of the airport, cars had been waiting for quite some time.
The converted RV is very spacious. The back row of seats has been removed, making it easy to carry me and my wheelchair inside.
It wasn't until we boarded the train, and inside the carriage, that Xiluo, who was sitting in the front row, turned around. He looked at me, his eyes slightly red: "Xiao Wu...you..."
I smiled and patted his face lightly: "Why are you crying? I'm not dead, I just have two broken legs."
There was a newspaper on my lap.
This is a Chinese newspaper that I brought with me before boarding the plane in Shanghai. The headline on the front page is: Deep Blue Entertainment announces its plans fall through; Chen Yang goes to the US for treatment due to his injuries; domestic business begins to shrink; there are indications that the car accident has made this overseas tycoon, who once aspired to return to China to make a big splash, disheartened and considering retirement...
Indeed, Shanghai Dihua Star Company has recently begun to gradually scale back its operations. Under my direction, a series of work and market expansion plans have slowly come to a halt. Even the collaboration between Deep Blue Entertainment and Billy Hill Films has been temporarily shelved. The only news is that Jenny went to Billy Hill Films in Hollywood after her concert tour.
Besides this, all my work during this trip back to China has been temporarily suspended, or even regressed.
All signs indicate that, having become paralyzed, I have lost all hope and abandoned my original plans to make a name for myself back home.
“There’s no time.” I glanced at my watch, then stared at Xiluo and said seriously, “Originally, I hoped you wouldn’t come. I know you’re here because you care about me, but this has increased your danger! You should also know that right now, the two of us are the ones they most want to eliminate! Go back to Vancouver immediately. They need you there. And remember, starting tomorrow, the sea operations are suspended for three days. Once the personnel in Africa have all arrived, we’ll launch the next round of raids! I want to ensure that drugs from Asia can’t land in Canada within a month!” I sighed and whispered, “I know you’re in a dangerous situation right now. You know better than I do how dangerous the Big Circle’s paratroopers and assassins are. I heard you’ve been assassinated twice in the past few days. Be careful. With Senior Brother by your side, I feel a little more at ease, but try to stay out of the public eye as much as possible. That way, even if they come to deal with you, it won’t be too dangerous. And there’s also the matter of your relationship with the police…”
“Alright, Xiao Wu.” Xi Luo shook his head: “I’m not a child anymore. Don’t forget, I’m two years older than you… I know I haven’t grown up to the extent you expected, and you’ve always been the one bearing everything. But now I will try my best to do things well.”
"Live." I looked into Xirodi's eyes. "As long as you can live safely, this will be our greatest victory! I really don't want to see any more of my brothers die."
Xiluo's eyes were still filled with excitement, but at this moment he hardened his heart, got out of the car, and left. I sat in the car, watching Xiluo walk into the airport through the window, before letting out a sigh.
This kid, just to see me. He rushed over... Sigh, still so immature... Yeah, just like me back then. Hey!
He patted the driver's seat in front of him: "Let's go, take me to see Mr. Thorin. I think he must be getting impatient."
Thorin was indeed getting impatient. You could tell from the look in his eyes when we met. He didn't even come over to shake my hand or hug me like he used to.
As I entered Solin's estate, I could feel the unusually tight security. Old Solin strode towards me in full view of everyone, snatched the handle of the wheelchair from Tu's hand, and pushed me inside.
At my signal, Tu quietly stepped aside and followed behind.
Without any pleasantries, not even a single polite word, old Thorin simply ushered me into his study.
It was just the two of us. Both Butcher and Old Thorin's men were blocked in front of us.
“Chen Yang. Now I need you to tell me what you really want to do.” Old Thorin looked at me very seriously.
His expression looked much older, and even he, who had always taken good care of himself, had some faint dark circles under his eyes.
I didn't say anything, but gently pressed the button. I then started to move around the study in my wheelchair, looking around.
The study in Old Thorindi was very large, a full 200 square meters. It was decorated in a purely European style, with a row of arched bookshelves around the perimeter and a tall, extended staircase.
Putting everything else aside, just looking at that row of bookshelves, I estimate there are at least several thousand books.
"Have you read all these books?" I didn't answer old Thorin's question, but instead turned around and asked with a smile.
“No…” Old Thorin frowned: “Chen Yang, I’m not in the mood for jokes right now! You should know how serious things are right now.”
"My dear friend, one shouldn't have too big an appetite." I smiled thoughtfully, "Isn't a 15% stake in Huaxing Company's smuggling business enough to temporarily quell your unease?"
After I finished speaking, I took another look around. The study had a very high ceiling, and it was a domed structure. A fireplace next to it made the room exceptionally warm. However, the black bookshelves and the thick red curtains gave it a metallic, blood-like feel, making the atmosphere too heavy and oppressive.
“I’ve heard quite a few tales about your study, and I’ve finally seen it for myself today.” I smiled, as if I were quite relaxed. “I’ve heard that you don’t easily let anyone into your study unless it’s something important or someone particularly important. Right, my dear friend?”
Old Thorin still had a deep frown on his face.
"Alright." I looked at him and couldn't help but reveal a hint of mockery. "Mr. Thorin, in my opinion, when we meet, your first words shouldn't be to question me... but rather to say thank you."
"Th...thank you?"
“Yes.” Seeing Thorin’s bewildered expression, I nodded seriously, then stared into his eyes and said calmly, “At least I haven’t forgotten the ‘gift’ you gave me at my wedding. Don’t you think that as allies, your actions could seriously jeopardize our friendship? ... And now, at this crucial moment, I’ve come to see you, which is enough to show that I don’t hold a grudge about that incident, but value our friendship as always... So, for that, don’t you think you should say thank you?”
"..." Old Thorin looked at me as if he were seeing me for the first time. There was a hint of surprise in his eyes, but more so a sense of unfamiliarity. Then, the man stood up, strode over to me, hesitated for a long time, looked at me, and finally exhaled and smiled, "Alright... I apologize for what happened back then... and thank you for forgiving me."
After a pause, old Thorin looked at me and smiled wryly: "However... my friend, I do find the way you speak now rather unfamiliar... You used to speak so bluntly."
"People always change." I turned my wheelchair around and casually picked up a paper cutter from the desk. I gently toyed with it in my hand: "A nice little craft."
This paper cutter is made of gold, and a crystal is inlaid on the handle... Of course, these kinds of knives are unsharpened and very dull.
"If you like it, you can have it." Thorin shrugged.
“Alright.” I could see his impatience and knew I couldn’t test his patience any further, so I finally turned my wheelchair back to the sofa: “Now, let’s talk.”
"What exactly do you want to do?" Old Thorin asked again.
“You should be able to tell,” I said calmly, then gently tapped my leg with the paper cutter in my hand, and slowly said, “You see, I’m paralyzed… or rather, crippled. These are gifts from the Big Circle… and in return, don’t you think my recent actions are quite normal?”
"Just for revenge?" Thorin frowned. "There are many ways to take revenge. But don't you know that your actions are dragging the other party down with you!" He paused, then added without hesitation, "And at the same time, they're bringing me enormous trouble."
"Hahahahaha..." I burst into unrestrained laughter, which made Thorin feel a little strange.
His face darkened. "What's so funny, my friend!"
"No, no, no..." I shook my head, then looked at him gently: "My friend, I smiled because I suddenly realized that I enjoy talking to you more and more... You see, at least you speak very frankly." He paused for a moment. I nodded and said, "You're right, this matter has indeed caused you a lot of trouble."
“Of course,” old Thorin said grimly. “There have been far too many bloodsheds at sea this past month! You know what? The Big Circle has already contacted me. You should know I’m Canada’s biggest buyer of those drugs at sea! They’re shipped here to sell to me! Now you’ve cut off the supply. Do you know how chaotic my drug supply chain is? I get almost a hundred complaints every day! Those guys without drugs are probably about to take to the streets at knives and commit robberies… And in just this past month, drug prices in Canada have nearly doubled!”
“Oh. I know.” I remained unmoved. “At the same time, I also believe that, with your intelligence, my friend, you probably took the opportunity to make a fortune.”
Thorin's face flushed red, but his anger intensified: "I demand that you immediately cease these actions... At the same time, I need sufficient supplies to quell the anger of the downstream channels!"
“Mr. Sorin!” I looked at him coldly, suddenly changing my form of address. I no longer called him “my friend” but addressed him by his first name: “I think you haven’t forgotten that just a few days ago, you acquired 15 percent of Huaxing Company’s shares! There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Isn’t that 15 percent enough to keep you silent about this matter for the time being? A person shouldn’t have such a big appetite… You want smuggling, you want drugs… Even God wouldn’t grant such a request.”
Thorin gave a wry smile: "If I could turn back time... I would rather I had refused that 15% stake back then... All I can say is, every penny of yours is burning my hands!"
Knowing the time was right, I slowly pushed my wheelchair closer to him and softened my tone: "My friend, I know you're under a lot of pressure... The entire Canadian drug market is under your control. I know the instability at sea has greatly impacted your business. I understand the rebellion and complaints from those below. Oh, by the way, I imagine the Big Circle has contacted you too. Did they offer any suggestions?"
"Their suggestion is to make me turn against you, or better yet, swallow you whole! Once we get rid of you, the Huaxing Gang member, the seas will be peaceful."
I pursed my lips: "You're absolutely right... Besides, after you kill me, you can take over the smuggling business. They've made a pretty good suggestion."
Old Thorin sneered: "Aren't you worried I'll accept this suggestion? Chen Yang, if I shoot you now, everything will be mine... Don't forget, you're on my turf! After you're dead, I believe your subordinate, that Siro, is simply not capable of maintaining the business you left behind. He's just a kid."
“I know…and I believe you.” I looked into his eyes. My voice was completely calm: “But if you do that…then who will support your daughter to take the throne? When you’re on your deathbed, to whom will you entrust your daughter? Or are you simply going to recall your godson, Allen, now and make him your heir again?”
This retort immediately caused Thorin's facial muscles to twitch.
Without a doubt, I have identified Thorin's weakness.
"What exactly do you want?" Sorin rubbed his temples hard. "Do you want me to continue to remain silent? Chen Yang... although you've given me quite a bit of benefit, and considering the price, that 15% stake is more than enough to offset my losses in the drug business. But... you should also understand. Money isn't everything! The market needs drugs! Those drug addicts won't quit overnight! If this continues, I'm even worried that the drug lords under my command might betray me!"
“Within a month… within a month. The war will be over.” I smiled. “And the purpose of my visit today… is to make a small request to you, my friend.”
"What are you planning now?" Old Sorin looked at me worriedly. "You're not suggesting I go buy drugs from those guys in South America, are you? Damn it... Don't you know I've fallen out with them because I chose the Big Circle? And there's a shortage right now. They'll take the opportunity to raise prices!"
"No, no, no... that's not it." I laughed. "My request is... I hope you can continue to choose Asian sources in the future. Abandon the plan to cooperate with the South Americans, my friend. I promise, this matter will be over soon... and after it's over, Asian goods will be shipped over quickly, and the price will be even lower by half a percent."
"..." The old man stared at me, too surprised to speak.
While I single-handedly swept Asian drugs out of the Canadian market, I almost caused this biggest drug kingpin in Canada to turn against me!
That's true. If I hadn't voluntarily given up another 15% of the smuggling business, and if old Sorin hadn't had the tacit understanding with me about supporting his daughter in the future... he probably would have turned against me long ago!
He probably even thought I would ask him to continue supporting me in driving Asian drugs out of North America, and completely extinguish the hope of the Big Circle... But to my surprise, I changed the subject and promised that a month later, not only would Asian drugs continue to flow in smoothly, but I would also voluntarily lower the price by half a percent.
Faced with such a good thing, old Thorin quickly revealed his true nature as a cunning old fox!
He stared at me warily: "Reduce it by half a percent? Are you planning to pay the difference yourself? My friend... this isn't just a few million... it's a huge sum! And... did those guys in the Golden Triangle agree to the price reduction? I don't believe you have such a good relationship with them."
"No, no, no, you misunderstand." I shook my head: "Lowering the price by half a percent doesn't mean the bigwigs in the Golden Triangle will suffer... it means the Big Circle! You know, the Big Circle isn't a drug producer, and they don't have a share in the Golden Triangle's plantations. The Big Circle is just a middleman... Originally, the Big Circle took a 20% cut from every batch. But from now on..."
"You want Big Circle to voluntarily give up some of their profits... Do you think they'll agree?"
“The former leader of the Big Circle would never have agreed to such a thing,” I smiled. “But from now on… I’ll be in charge.” Old Sorin stared at me in astonishment: “You… you want to swallow up the entire Big Circle in Asia?!”
"Why use the word 'swallow'?" I smiled amicably. "Look, the US attacked Iraq, but it didn't turn Iraq into a US state. It just installed a proxy in power."
“I think I understand what you mean.” Old Sorin’s expression was unusually serious this time. “But I have serious doubts… Chen Yang, let me be frank… in terms of strength, the Asian superpower is the United States, and you are Iraq! I’ve only ever heard of the United States swallowing Iraq, but I’ve never heard of Iraq swallowing the United States!”
“Never before. But this time, you might see it… Besides, ‘America’ is currently in turmoil.” I shrugged, playing with the paper cutter in my hand, and then suddenly laughed, “This thing is really nice… How many of these little gadgets do you have? Give them all to me.”
Part Three, Peak Chapter Ninety-Six: A Morning That Could Not Be Calm
That evening, old Sorin intended to host a banquet for me, but I declined his offer, citing my fatigue from the journey. Instead, I had a simple dinner and went to my room to sleep early.
Old Thorin's manor is naturally extremely safe. As the head of the Canadian underworld, having dominated the scene for decades, he has far more enemies than I do. Moreover, this guy is incredibly wealthy; the security system in his palace is top-of-the-line.
Of course, although old Thorin and I are still allies, I've figured out his weaknesses, ensuring he'll continue to cooperate obediently and won't harbor any ill intentions towards me. However, before going to sleep that night, Tu still carefully checked my room. Sure enough, he found two or three eavesdropping devices.