Chapter 200: Playing with a Big Gambit
"Pa…"
Tang Xiu slapped his palms and said with a smile, "Alright! That will beat them on their own game! So we might as well make the game bigger. Anyways, return to Beijing and look for your elders. If they want to play in a much bigger game, send someone with authority to speak to Star City and come to South Gate Town."
With a dull and blank face, Chu Yi looked at Tang Xiu who was full of spirit. Then he probed, "Brother Tang, can you tell me about the plan first? This is not by any means a small matter to begin with. And I'm afraid it will be very difficult for Bai Tao and I to convince our family elders to come here without good reason."
Tang Xiu thought for a while. Finally, he spoke about the grudges between him and the Zhangs as well as the preparation to exterminate the Zhang Family by joining the four forces. After he told everything, he finally said with a sinking tone, "If the two of you can come up with eight billion in secret, it would be very easy to strike the Zhangs later. Once we get rid of the Zhang Family, we can fully start to develop and build according to my architectural building designs. And I believe you also know the profits it will bring about once the project is successful."
"Do you really want to play it big?" Chu Yi was shocked as he asked with widened eyes.
"Since I must play, that play it big I will. In addition, Star City's Hu and Xue Families will also take huge damage if they participate in this matter. And I was thinking that all the architectural design I've drawn will be fully completed within three years."
Three years?
Chu Yi's heartbeat sped up.
He himself knew that constructing the buildings in the architectural design drawn by Tang Xiu was uncertain to be completed within 8-10 years according to the previous agreement.
A glint flashed in Chu Yi's eyes, as his expression turned very serious in particular. He immediately got up and said, "I'll go back to the Capital now, and I'll call you about the reply in the next evening at the most. I'll also call Bai Tao about this. You needn't worry about this, I give you my guarantee that I will not disclose this matter to anyone."
Tang Xiu's eyes swept over the black suitcase. As he sent out Chu Yi, then, he asked, "How much money have you spent for these medicinal herbs?"
"80 million. Well, leave the money be for now. We'll talk about this later." Chu Yi said.
"Alright!" Tang Xiu nodded.
A splendor flashed in Ouyang Lulu's eyes. She followed Tang Xiu after he sent Chu Yi away and asked, "Are you really sure to carry on this big project after exterminating the Zhangs?"
"You tell me, how much of the total profits can we get if this big project is completed?" Tang Xiu asked.
"Well, according to the building constructions drawn in your design, the profits it will bring about would be around tens of billions, if not 100 billion. Solely from the business district and residential area, the profits will be huge. I dare say that, once the construction plans have been advertised, perhaps when we begin to sell the houses, the price will rise greatly. And to my estimation… it won't be less than the most prosperous area in Star City."
Suddenly, Ouyang Lulu's eyes turned bright as she immediately continued with full enthusiasm, "Tang Xiu, I know very well about the plot of land that has been bought out by Zhengyu. If we really want to go all out, why don't we buyout all the lands in the surroundings? Even if we do nothing to the land, its price will surely be rising in the future and it will give us quite a fortune."
Tang Xiu spread out his hands as he said in a bachelor-ish manner, "I got no money."
Ouyang Lulu's eyes twinkled as she replied, "It doesn't matter if you got no money right now since my Ouyang Family can lend you some first. When you've solved the Zhang Family, perhaps our four forces can get a lot of income, and you can pay us back by then."
"Even if I get some benefits from the collapse of the Zhangs, that money will also be invested for this big project's development. I'm afraid that I can't pull it out either." Tang Xiu said
Ouyang Lulu stared blankly for a moment before falling into silence immediately.
Tang Xiu himself thought for a moment. The idea proposed by Ouyang Lulu itself was quite good. In particular, the idea of "borrowing the chicken to lay the eggs" was much suited to his style. However, if he were to do that, it would also mean that he would be more indebted to the Ouyang Family.
After he thought about it a bit more, only then he slowly said, "Then, how about we do this. Your Ouyang Family contact the local government first. After you selected the plot of lands, then you calculate as to how much money it will take as well as the amount you can come up with. At that time, I'll also provide 40% of funds whereas your Ouyang Family will provide 60%. So the future income will be divided into 4 to 6."
"Didn't you say that you have no money?" Ouyang Lulu said with a confused expression.
"I'll find a way. However, I'll only provide the money and won't involve myself in other things." Tang Xiu said.
Upon hearing his words, a satisfied smile emerged on Ouyang Lulu's face. She herself had indescribable trust toward Tang Xiu, so she nodded and said, "So be it then. I'll go back to Jingmen Island now to discuss this with my father. And considering his judgment ability, I believe that he'll agree to this one."
After having said that, she immediately returned to her room and packed up her things. Then, she hurriedly drove and left South Gate Town.
Her swift and decisive nature, as well as her intelligence, was much to Tang Xiu's liking, since he felt that it was very easy to cooperate with someone with such nature.
As for the money, he also had made a decision in his mind.
***
Star City. Zhang Group's Headquarter building.
Zhang Deqin was frowning deeply in her Vice General Manager's office. A bit of agitated mood could be seen in her eyes. Her mobile was unceasingly making sounds of dialing a number, but for each and every time, the only reply she got was "the number you have called is currently unavailable."
"Knock, knock…"
The office's door was knocked. In front of the wide opened door, Hu Wanjun and Xue Renfei were standing outside with a smile hung on their faces.
Upon seeing the two, Zhang Deqin immediately strode forward and asked with a deep tone, "You two just came at the right time, I was just about to call you! Anyways, where's Yongjin? He isn't with you?"
Hu Wanjun was surprised and said, "Big Sis Deqin, we're also looking for Yongjin! It's been more than a week and we haven't seen him at all; neither have we received any calls from him. We've tried to call him for many times, but our calls can't get through. Uh, speaking about it… you also can't find him?"
Zhang Deqin's complexion turned gloomy as though water. The restlessness inside her heart grew even more. She took her brother—Zhang Yongjin to Northern Jiangsu to let him stay with her bosom sister. The first day he got there, he was okay, well-behaved and obediently followed her bosom friends, having good meal and manners. However, ever since two days ago, not only did she lost contact with him, she couldn't even call her bosom girl-friend.
She had even sent someone to Northern Jiangsu, but there was still no result neither any messages sent to her. There was literally no one at all in her sister's house.
Xue Renfei said, "Big Sis Deqin, the last time Yongjin contacted me, he said that he'll stay in Northern Jiangsu for some time, vowing that he'll be back a week later at the most. Is he still in Northern Jiangsu now?"
Zhang Deqin shook her head and replied, "He did go to Northern Jiangsu, but I lost contact with him now. I sent him to stay with my good sister there, but now, I can't even contact her. I suspect that someone is investigating his whereabouts as well as kidnapped him and my good sister."
Hu Wanjun and Xue Renfei looked at each other in dismay.
"Which bastard did this?" Hu Wanjun quickly asked.
"I suspect that it's Tang Xiu's people's deeds. Because he's the only one that has hatred with us." Zhang Deqin coldly said.
"Tang Xiu? He dares to do this? He only has a trivial martial arts and relies on the Long Family.
Zhang Deqin didn't utter any words.
She had sent people to do surveillance in the vicinity of South Gate Town. They found that for more than a week, Tang Xiu hadn't left South Gate Town. She had determined that the three people that were killed outside South Gate Town were indeed assassins coming from abroad. She even suspected that the one who killed those three assassins was Tang Xiu himself.
She had tried to contact the middleman, but she couldn't get it through. She suspected that the other party had an accident. However, as for specifically what it could be, it was definitely not a good thing for her.
***
Star City, at Public Security Bureau.
The office of the Criminal Police squad was very busy as police officers constantly came in and out of the office with documents. Inside one of spacious offices, Deng Jianmin was puffing his cigarette in a jittery manner with an extremely gloomy expression. At the opposite of him, Cheng Xuemei was holding a teacup, looking to be in deep thought.
"The top brasses have strictly urged us to catch the murderer within three days before. How many days have passed now? But still, not even a clue can we find! What and how should we report about the progress? Captain Cheng, it's imperative for us to change our way of thinking. We can no longer pay attention to the people we're suspecting and being monitored. More importantly, we'll focus our attention toward the one who hired those foreign hitmen." Deng Jianmin pinched the cigarette butt as he spoke with a sinking tone.
Cheng Xuemei forced out a smile and said, "We already know about these foreign hitmen from the Interpol. They belong to a small killer organization, and there's only a few dozen people in the entire organization. And this time, three of them suddenly died, that also closed the chance for us to find the person who pulled the strings behind the scene. The manipulator himself suddenly disappeared into hiding. Even if we want to investigate starting from them, we won't be able to get any useful information!"
Deng Jianmin shook his head and said, "No, I think we'll some clues from it."
"Director Deng, what clues?" Cheng Xuemei's spirit sparked as she quickly asked.
"How did they sneak into the country and come to Star City smoothly?" Deng Jianmin said.
"You mean… the black-hand who hired these hitmen should be someone from Star City? This person helped these three hitmen enter the country and then helped them come to Star city?" Cheng Xuemei's eyes brightened up as she immediately got up and replied.
"Correct. These hitmen are hired guns and they will get their payment for killing. Since there's a target, there should be an employer who hired them. We can't find the person who killed these hitmen and neither can we find any valuable clues from him. So, we might as well change our way of thinking and focus our attention on the employer. Thus, immediately send someone to the airport, bus terminals and any of the transit channels from the outside to Star City. As long as we can figure out as to how these hitmen entered Star City, we can find the about their employer." Deng Jianmin said.
Cheng Xuemei put down her teacup as she replied with a deep tone, "I'll lead the men personally."
"Wait! You must contact the Interpol. Clarify to them from which city these hitmen embarked from. Only by taking this approach will our investigation be quicker." Deng Jianmin said.
Chapter 201: Good News
The noon of the next day.
Tang Xiu quietly left South Gate Town to meet the two top brasses sent by the Chu and Bai Families. After having a secret negotiation for half an hour, the two then went back to Beijing.
The answer from the both of them was that, they agreed to the deal!
The ones who were the happiest was not Tang Xiu, but Chu Yi and Bai Tao, who then rushed to Star City in a hurry. From both parties, Tang Xiu learned that their families had decided to nurture them as the future heads of the families; even their arrival to Star City this time also brought along eight billion yuan with them.
Late at night, a Mercedes-Benz car drove toward South Gate Town as Tang Xiu then met with the travel-worn Shao Mingzhen on the first floor of his villa.
"I heard that you just went back to Northern Jiangsu two days ago, how did you come back today?"
A happy expression could be seen from the corner of Shao Mingzhen's eyes as he said, "Brother Tang, you should have heard the saying, 'you're trying to find something wholeheartedly with no success, but then you found it by accident without even sweating'. Well, the reason I hurried back this time is to tell you good news."
"What good news?" Tang Xiu asked with a puzzled expression.
"Take a look at this recorded video I've taken, then you'll know." Shao Mingzhen played a video from his mobile phone.
Tang Xiu took his mobile and watched a man and a woman being tied up in the video. What he didn't expect was that the man turned out to be Zhang Yongjin. He informed the other forces to help to find Zhang Yongjin's whereabouts with no result, that was why he didn't expect that Shao Mingzhen was the one who found him.
"How did you find him? And who's the woman beside him?"
Shao Mingzhen received his phone back with a cheerful mood as he then happily said, "Well, four days ago a small team leader for my people was setting up and arranged a gambling joint which can give a big winning prize. That woman is called Sun Hong and she's a famous gambling addict from Northern Jiangsu's Peng City. In that gambling joint she won two million yuan while Zhang Yongjin who was with her lost more than ten million. Afterward, the both of them borrowed six million high-interest loan from the casino. After the following gamble on the table, Sun Hong was found cheating on the gambling, so that small team leader under me tied up the both of them.
"Originally, according to the casino's customs, they should call and inform their families to get ransom money. But since this team leader of mine saw that Sun Hong is beautiful, he wanted her to accompany him for half a month, which she agreed to. However, that Zhang Yongjin didn't have such a good luck as he was tied up in the casino's room and left starving for two days."
"The reason as to why I went to Northern Jiangsu two days ago, was because an old friend of mine from Great Northwest came looking for me to talk about the old days. It happened that this old friend of mine also likes to gamble once in awhile, so I accompanied him to this casino. Eventually, I found this matter by chance and felt that this Zhang Yongjin name was somewhat familiar. At that time, I didn't take it seriously, only later did I hear that he comes from a rich and respected family from Star City, so I immediately acted afterward."
Shao Mingzhen spoke happily whilst taking out a cigarette from its pack and lit it up. Then, he continued with a smile, "We been searching for him in Star City as well as in nearby cities for quite a long time, and not even a trace of him could we found. To think that he turned out to be hiding in my turf and happened to fall into such a pit. Well, Brother Tang, since I've found the person you're looking for, it's your call what to do with him."
"Kill him!" Tang Xiu said without hesitation.
"OK. And that Sun Hong woman?" Shao Mingzhen nodded and asked.
"Have you clearly investigated her? What's the relationship between her and Zhang Yongjin?" Tang Xiu asked.
"I've ascertained about that. Sun Hong is a widow and was Zhang Deqin's classmate. She's still a good sister of hers until now. The reason as to why Zhang Yongjin went to Northern Jiangsu was to seek asylum with Sun Hong."
"Seeking asylum?" Tang Xiu asked with a puzzled expression.
Shao Mingzhen said with a smile, "Hey, it was you who frightened them! You're the one who killed those three hitmen, Zhang Deqin is scared the hell out of it. Since she's afraid of your revenge, she sent her younger brother to her good sister in Northern Jiangsu. But anyway, this Sun Hong is not a pure and chaste woman. She also slept with Zhang Yongjin when he took shelter with her there."
"Then kill her also! I don't want this matter to be spread out." Tang Xiu said.
Shao Mingzhen nodded as he took out his mobile and dialed a number. After giving some commands, he hung up the phone and then said, "By the way, when I was on the way to Star City, I called Brother Miao and he told me that the plan here is almost finished."
"Yes. The Zhangs have been snared into the trap and it will be too late for them if they want to withdraw. Long Hanwen and Miao Wentang indeed want to finish things off. However, I don't have much knowledge with business matters, though; as I'm only responsible to send people to capture those high-level clansmen of the Zhangs."
Shao Mingzhen narrowed his eyes. Along with a glint that flashed from them, he spoke with a sinking tone, "I also have sent my men to keep an eye on them, they're ready to move at any time."
"Anyways, the Zhang Family has a lot of industries, one of which are entertainment venues. The Ouyang Family and you are in this business field, so it's up to the both of you to share them." Tang Xiu said with a smile.
"I don't want to take over Star City, just give them to Ouyang Family!" Shao Mingzhen said with a light laugh.
Two days later.
As per order from the project's chief in charge—Kang Xia, a comprehensive attack was carried out on the Zhangs' businesses. In particular, some people were arranged in advance to start making troubles for the housing quality in real estate business. At the same time, all the entertainment venues belonging to the Zhangs were also troubled with foreign staffs' issues. Furthermore, many employees from the Zhang Group also left all of a sudden.
In addition, a lot of bad deeds done by the top executives of the Zhang Family in the past were also reported. Even the Public Security Bureau was also involved in the investigation. The news on the Internet was overwhelming, discrediting the Zhang Family, erupting in major forums as the news then was passed around at an overwhelming speed across the country.
At the Zhang Group's HQ.
Inside the General Manager's office, after the series of attacking, getting scorched by the flames and badly battered, green veins protruded on Zhang Fengxian's forehead as his face reddened with rage. He brutally smashed several quilts as he looked as though a wolf toward several top leaders in front of him, shouting, "Who the hell can tell me what's going on? Who's aiming at my Zhang Family? Who's targeting my Zhang Group?"
Several top leaders could only lower their heads, afraid, and didn't utter even a word.
They didn't know. It was the general findings between them.
The situation developed and changed too quickly. It was as if everything had been prepared in advance. The Zhang Group's real estate business, several Branch Offices, as well as other running business; all of them were blocked in the same day. Major business partners contacted and informed them that they cut off all of their cooperation in the future. The news was as though the falling snowflakes, catching them unprepared.
"Knock, knock…"
At the moment, the office's door was knocked as Zhang Deqin strode inside. Looking at her furious father—Zhang Fengxian, her complexion turned ashen as she quickly said, "Dad, the bank has just called. They want us to repay the due loan that has expired. Previously, the President Liu had agreed for the delayed payment, but now…"
Zhang Fengxian's breath paused as a hard-to-believe glint flashed from his eyes. He had an excellent personal relationship with President Liu. The number of loans from others couldn't be compared with his Zhang Group.
Why did he also...
Zhang Fengxian grabbed his mobile and dialed President Liu's number. After a long while, his call was connected as a low and deep voice then came out:
"Hello, Liu Changjian speaking."
Upon hearing his tone, the bad premonition inside Zhang Fengxian's heart grew more intense. He took a deep breath and tried hard to calm down as he replied, "Brother Liu, what happened? I just heard from my daughter—Deqin, that our loan must be repaid as fast as possible? Haven't we brothers had an agreement before? That we have six months to return the loan along with all the interests?"
"Brother Zhang, to tell you the truth, this is an order from above, so my hands are also tied. Therefore, your Zhang Family must pay back the money as soon as possible! Otherwise, I'll really be in a tight situation." A voice with a dry and wry tone came out of the phone.
"Brother Liu, I believe you also heard that I've just invested in a huge project recently, so a huge number of my funds has been injected into it. Can you help me find a solution? As long as the project run on the right track, I'll immediately return the bank loan. Besides, I'll also double the what I promised you before!" Zhang Fengxian said.
"Brother Zhang, it's not that I don't want it. But I really can do nothing about it. Oh, right. I'll have to take care of another matter, so let's end our chat here. I hope you can return the money before the end of this month."
Upon hearing the mute-ending call sound, an alarmed and scared expression could be seen on Zhang Fengxian's expression.
He could tell that there was absolutely a problem from the bank. Even if he gave more benefits to President Liu, the loan perhaps could never be delayed any further. However, he was not afraid, because he still had nearly five billion at hand that was still unused. Much less that he still had another four billion from the Hu and Xue Families.
At present, what he really wanted to know, was figure out exactly what forces were against his Zhang Family.
Could it be the Long Family?
Zhang Fengxian frowned. Just as he was about to call Long Hanwen, his mobile phone suddenly rang.
"Kang Xia?"
Zhang Fengxian's heart moved as he immediately pressed the answer button and spoke with a deep tone, "Zhang Fengxian here. Chief Kang, is there something up?"
Kang Xia's cold and detached void came out of the phone, "Boss Zhang, the director of Property Department in our project is your second brother, Zhang Fengming, isn't he?"
A bad premonition gushed again inside Zhang Fengxian's heart as he quickly asked, "Yes, Zhang Fengming is indeed my second younger brother. Why is Chief Kang asking about this matter all of a sudden?"
"Yesterday, several key staffs of the Finance Department who are Zhang Fengming's associates, a total five of them, have transferred all the money in our collective account to a Swiss Bank account. All of them now have disappeared without a trace. I suspect they have absconded the money and run away. I also have reported this to the police. But I wonder, do your Zhang Family want to keep that 1-2 billion yuan to yourselves?" Kang Xia said coldly.
"What?" Zhang Fengxian's body shook, even his eyes almost popped out.
Fear invaded his heart.
Zhang Fengming? Why did he dare to do that?
Zhang Fengxian's body crooked as he sat down on the boss chair, paralyzed. Suddenly, he quickly grabbed the phone and dialed Zhang Fengming's private number. But he only heard a notification that his phone had been shut down.