Chapter 45 Tang Baiqing's Suggestion
It was late at night, around 11:30, and an off-road vehicle was parked in the warehouse yard near Haiyan Pit. Yu Mingyuan walked out alone, with a furrowed brow, and entered the building.
In the main living room, a group of workers was changing their wet clothes, while Su Tianyu stood at the doorway, having just finished a phone call with Kong Zhenghui.
"The goods are gone and so are the people?" Yu Mingyuan asked directly as he entered the room.
"Yes, the other side hijacked the goods at sea and took all of Zhang Hao's crew members." Su Tianyu explained the situation again, "There were six speedboats on the other side, with over thirty people carrying spear guns and long forks, all of them with their faces covered."
"When will Bai Hongbo and Kong Zhenghui arrive?" Yu Mingyuan paused and asked.
"They're on their way, and my family is also heading here," Su Tianyu replied.
"Okay, then come with me." Yu Mingyuan nodded.
"Sure!" Su Tianyu turned to Mizi and said, "You stay here and watch, I'm going out with Mr. Yu."
"I understand."
—---
Yu Mingyuan pulled open the car door and sat in the passenger seat, while Su Tianyu had to drive.
The two of them left the bungalow and Su Tianyu asked, "Where are we going?"
"Back to the company," Yu Mingyuan replied while holding his phone.
Su Tianyu nodded and drove towards Maolin Avenue.
During the drive, Yu Mingyuan made several consecutive phone calls and sat in silence in the passenger seat. Su Tianyu furrowed his brow and asked, "What did Tang Baiqing say?"
"He's waiting for us at the company entrance," Yu Mingyuan replied irritably, "They hijacked the goods, why did they have to take the crew members as well?"
"It's either to intimidate or because Zhang Hao's crew members recognized the hijackers," Su Tianyu pondered and said, "They were wearing masks."
Yu Mingyuan nodded slowly and sighed, "Let's see Tang Baiqing first."
Su Tianyu glanced at Yu Mingyuan and asked directly, "Can he really protect us, Brother Yuan?"
"Are you sure the culprits are from the Ma gang?" Yu Mingyuan retorted.
"It's very likely them," Su Tianyu replied.
"Let's see what Tang Baiqing has to say," said Yu Mingyuan.
"My family has been taken, and if it was done by the gang, they should release them first, Brother Yuan." Su Tianyu spoke to Yu Mingyuan without any hesitation or awkwardness.
Yu Mingyuan glanced at Su Tianyu and nodded slowly.
—---
Around 11:30, in front of the office building of Mingyuan Trading Company, Su Tianyu stopped his car and Tang Baiqing got in alone.
"Did you ask?" he said.
"I did. The gang said they had no knowledge of it." Tang Baiqing had been having a tough time recently and looked particularly haggard with poor complexion.
"Could they be lying?" Yu Mingyuan asked again.
"The gang's people wouldn't lie to me." Tang Baiqing shook his head and replied, "It could have been done by people on the streets or those around the docks who were envious of the money and didn't inform the higher-ups before doing it."
"Why would they take people if they wanted money?" Yu Mingyuan frowned and said, "Five people from the Su and Bai families have been taken. This is way over the line."
"I called Wei Xiangzuo, the boss of the gang, and also Xu Hu, who is in charge, and they are investigating." Tang Baiqing comforted him and said, "If the problem is around the port, we will hear about it sooner or later. Besides, those workers who were taken are useless to the other side. They probably have demands, and we will negotiate with them sooner or later."
Yu Mingyuan fell silent.
Tang Baiqing loosened his collar, took out a cigarette case, looked at Su Tianyu, who was driving, and said softly, "Little Su, get out of the car first. I have a few words to say to Mr. Yu alone."
After a brief moment of surprise, Su Tianyu did not say much and got out of the car.
Inside the car, Tang Baiqing lit a cigarette, looked up at Yu Mingyuan, and said, "Actually... the gang's people came to see me yesterday."
"Why did they come to see you?" Yu Mingyuan was somewhat surprised.
"They wanted to discuss the business of shipping goods by sea, but I've been preoccupied with family matters lately, so I didn't really think about it at the time," Tang Baiqing took a drag of his cigarette. "The idea from the gang is that they initially thought we were only doing short hauls with a small volume, so they just ate their share of the food on the sea, which was a face-saving gesture. But in recent times, our cargo volume has been increasing and our management has been getting more and more standardized, so we're essentially operating like a long-haul business. This has made them a bit envious."
"Go on," said Yu Mingyuan.
"The idea from the gang is that they want to join in and take a cut of the cargo," Tang Baiqing added.
"How much of a cut?" Yu Mingyuan asked in return.
"At least twenty percent," Tang Baiqing replied.
"Nonsense!" Yu Mingyuan raised his eyebrows. "The Su, Bai, and Kong families have already taken thirty percent, and you take thirty percent. If I give another twenty percent to the gang, will this company still make a profit? Am I supposed to be running a charity here?"
Tang Baiqing fell silent for a moment, then lowered his voice and replied, "Mingyuan, you can't avoid the gang if you want to work in the sea trade. Every industry has its own methods and rules. If you stretch your hand too far and make too much profit, naturally someone will be envious. You know about the gang's situation. They are similar to the Changqing company, both are organizational groups with their own influence not only on land but also in the maritime police and customs. They can do me a favor, but they can also choose not to. Do you understand what I mean?"
Yu Mingyuan paused for a moment. "Are you saying that they are the ones who hijacked our cargo this time?"
"No, I'm not saying that," Tang Baiqing shook his head. "I did ask Wei Xiangzuo and Xu Hu, but they both said they didn't send anyone to do it. What I told you earlier was just what they talked to me about when they approached me yesterday."
Yu Mingyuan fell silent.
"The job of footwork can be given to anyone, to be honest, the profit you give to the Su, Bai, and Kong families is a bit high," Tang Baiqing paused for a moment and continued, "If you're going to do this for a long time, you won't be able to avoid the gang. It might be better to let them handle the footwork."
"What do you mean?"
"Whoever is useful, use them." Tang Baiqing replied.
"Kick those three out, right?" Yu Mingyuan asked bluntly.
"That would be better." Tang Baiqing nodded.
Yu Mingyuan looked deeply at Tang Baiqing and after much thought, asked, "Old Tang, are you sure the people from the Ma gang didn't lie to you?"
"Damn it, don't you trust me?" Tang Baiqing replied with frustration. "Do you want me to call Wei Xiangzuo and Xu Hu now so you can hear it for yourself?"
"No need for that."
"This might not be the work of the Ma gang. Someone may be jealous and trying to extort money by hijacking the goods." Tang Baiqing took a puff of smoke and said, "The dock is in chaos, and there are desperate people everywhere."
"Whoever is in or out will be discussed later. Let's focus on finding the people and the goods first." Yu Mingyuan turned his head and said, "Okay, I'll urge the Ma gang. If it really is someone from around Zhanan Nan Port, we can definitely find out."
—---
In a certain location in Zhanan District, Zhang Hao and five others were pressed down on the ground, covered in blood.
"You dare fight back and report us? You think you're tough?" A burly man stomped on Zhang Hao's head a few times before waving his hand and instructing, "Put them in the dog cage and soak them in the pool."
A few minutes later, Zhang Hao and the others were locked in a cramped dog cage and then thrown into an artificial fish pond by several people.
Zhang Hao's lower body was submerged in the water, blood dripping from his thighs, and his consciousness was already fuzzy. He was supported by another worker who whispered, "I... I know who they are..."
Chapter 45 Tang Baiqing's Suggestion
It was late at night, around 11:30, and an off-road vehicle was parked in the warehouse yard near Haiyan Pit. Yu Mingyuan walked out alone, with a furrowed brow, and entered the building.
In the main living room, a group of workers was changing their wet clothes, while Su Tianyu stood at the doorway, having just finished a phone call with Kong Zhenghui.
"The goods are gone and so are the people?" Yu Mingyuan asked directly as he entered the room.
"Yes, the other side hijacked the goods at sea and took all of Zhang Hao's crew members." Su Tianyu explained the situation again, "There were six speedboats on the other side, with over thirty people carrying spear guns and long forks, all of them with their faces covered."
"When will Bai Hongbo and Kong Zhenghui arrive?" Yu Mingyuan paused and asked.
"They're on their way, and my family is also heading here," Su Tianyu replied.
"Okay, then come with me." Yu Mingyuan nodded.
"Sure!" Su Tianyu turned to Mizi and said, "You stay here and watch, I'm going out with Mr. Yu."
"I understand."
—---
Yu Mingyuan pulled open the car door and sat in the passenger seat, while Su Tianyu had to drive.
The two of them left the bungalow and Su Tianyu asked, "Where are we going?"
"Back to the company," Yu Mingyuan replied while holding his phone.
Su Tianyu nodded and drove towards Maolin Avenue.
During the drive, Yu Mingyuan made several consecutive phone calls and sat in silence in the passenger seat. Su Tianyu furrowed his brow and asked, "What did Tang Baiqing say?"
"He's waiting for us at the company entrance," Yu Mingyuan replied irritably, "They hijacked the goods, why did they have to take the crew members as well?"
"It's either to intimidate or because Zhang Hao's crew members recognized the hijackers," Su Tianyu pondered and said, "They were wearing masks."
Yu Mingyuan nodded slowly and sighed, "Let's see Tang Baiqing first."
Su Tianyu glanced at Yu Mingyuan and asked directly, "Can he really protect us, Brother Yuan?"
"Are you sure the culprits are from the Ma gang?" Yu Mingyuan retorted.
"It's very likely them," Su Tianyu replied.
"Let's see what Tang Baiqing has to say," said Yu Mingyuan.
"My family has been taken, and if it was done by the gang, they should release them first, Brother Yuan." Su Tianyu spoke to Yu Mingyuan without any hesitation or awkwardness.
Yu Mingyuan glanced at Su Tianyu and nodded slowly.
—---
Around 11:30, in front of the office building of Mingyuan Trading Company, Su Tianyu stopped his car and Tang Baiqing got in alone.
"Did you ask?" he said.
"I did. The gang said they had no knowledge of it." Tang Baiqing had been having a tough time recently and looked particularly haggard with poor complexion.
"Could they be lying?" Yu Mingyuan asked again.
"The gang's people wouldn't lie to me." Tang Baiqing shook his head and replied, "It could have been done by people on the streets or those around the docks who were envious of the money and didn't inform the higher-ups before doing it."
"Why would they take people if they wanted money?" Yu Mingyuan frowned and said, "Five people from the Su and Bai families have been taken. This is way over the line."
"I called Wei Xiangzuo, the boss of the gang, and also Xu Hu, who is in charge, and they are investigating." Tang Baiqing comforted him and said, "If the problem is around the port, we will hear about it sooner or later. Besides, those workers who were taken are useless to the other side. They probably have demands, and we will negotiate with them sooner or later."
Yu Mingyuan fell silent.
Tang Baiqing loosened his collar, took out a cigarette case, looked at Su Tianyu, who was driving, and said softly, "Little Su, get out of the car first. I have a few words to say to Mr. Yu alone."
After a brief moment of surprise, Su Tianyu did not say much and got out of the car.
Inside the car, Tang Baiqing lit a cigarette, looked up at Yu Mingyuan, and said, "Actually... the gang's people came to see me yesterday."
"Why did they come to see you?" Yu Mingyuan was somewhat surprised.
"They wanted to discuss the business of shipping goods by sea, but I've been preoccupied with family matters lately, so I didn't really think about it at the time," Tang Baiqing took a drag of his cigarette. "The idea from the gang is that they initially thought we were only doing short hauls with a small volume, so they just ate their share of the food on the sea, which was a face-saving gesture. But in recent times, our cargo volume has been increasing and our management has been getting more and more standardized, so we're essentially operating like a long-haul business. This has made them a bit envious."
"Go on," said Yu Mingyuan.
"The idea from the gang is that they want to join in and take a cut of the cargo," Tang Baiqing added.
"How much of a cut?" Yu Mingyuan asked in return.
"At least twenty percent," Tang Baiqing replied.
"Nonsense!" Yu Mingyuan raised his eyebrows. "The Su, Bai, and Kong families have already taken thirty percent, and you take thirty percent. If I give another twenty percent to the gang, will this company still make a profit? Am I supposed to be running a charity here?"
Tang Baiqing fell silent for a moment, then lowered his voice and replied, "Mingyuan, you can't avoid the gang if you want to work in the sea trade. Every industry has its own methods and rules. If you stretch your hand too far and make too much profit, naturally someone will be envious. You know about the gang's situation. They are similar to the Changqing company, both are organizational groups with their own influence not only on land but also in the maritime police and customs. They can do me a favor, but they can also choose not to. Do you understand what I mean?"
Yu Mingyuan paused for a moment. "Are you saying that they are the ones who hijacked our cargo this time?"
"No, I'm not saying that," Tang Baiqing shook his head. "I did ask Wei Xiangzuo and Xu Hu, but they both said they didn't send anyone to do it. What I told you earlier was just what they talked to me about when they approached me yesterday."
Yu Mingyuan fell silent.
"The job of footwork can be given to anyone, to be honest, the profit you give to the Su, Bai, and Kong families is a bit high," Tang Baiqing paused for a moment and continued, "If you're going to do this for a long time, you won't be able to avoid the gang. It might be better to let them handle the footwork."
"What do you mean?"
"Whoever is useful, use them." Tang Baiqing replied.
"Kick those three out, right?" Yu Mingyuan asked bluntly.
"That would be better." Tang Baiqing nodded.
Yu Mingyuan looked deeply at Tang Baiqing and after much thought, asked, "Old Tang, are you sure the people from the Ma gang didn't lie to you?"
"Damn it, don't you trust me?" Tang Baiqing replied with frustration. "Do you want me to call Wei Xiangzuo and Xu Hu now so you can hear it for yourself?"
"No need for that."
"This might not be the work of the Ma gang. Someone may be jealous and trying to extort money by hijacking the goods." Tang Baiqing took a puff of smoke and said, "The dock is in chaos, and there are desperate people everywhere."
"Whoever is in or out will be discussed later. Let's focus on finding the people and the goods first." Yu Mingyuan turned his head and said, "Okay, I'll urge the Ma gang. If it really is someone from around Zhanan Nan Port, we can definitely find out."
—---
In a certain location in Zhanan District, Zhang Hao and five others were pressed down on the ground, covered in blood.
"You dare fight back and report us? You think you're tough?" A burly man stomped on Zhang Hao's head a few times before waving his hand and instructing, "Put them in the dog cage and soak them in the pool."
A few minutes later, Zhang Hao and the others were locked in a cramped dog cage and then thrown into an artificial fish pond by several people.
Zhang Hao's lower body was submerged in the water, blood dripping from his thighs, and his consciousness was already fuzzy. He was supported by another worker who whispered, "I... I know who they are..."
