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Chapter 106: A Dilemma
... Now broadcasting the morning news, since the start of the travel peak season, the provincial tourism bureau, along with relevant departments, has conducted inspections at multiple scenic spots across the province. Numerous management issues have been discovered, including exorbitant fees at some attractions and incidents where unqualified tour guides forced tourists to spend money. Just yesterday, reporters in Suzhou and Hangzhou uncovered one such case...
The news featured a secretly filmed scene in a shopping mall, where a canister of tea was sold for three hundred, while its factory price was merely fifteen, with the factory located only five kilometers away from the sales point.
What an outrageously infuriating news report! Xiao Mu withdrew his gaze and looked at the two people sitting across from him—a man who was the mall manager and a woman who was the assistant manager. Both were nervously watching Xiao Mu, holding his phone, which was playing the same content as in the news report. However, instead of tea, it was showcasing bracelets, jade stones, emeralds, and gold jewelry.
"Quickly pour some water," the manager scolded the assistant manager, who hurriedly complied.
The man handed the phone back to Xiao Mu but nervously tried to retract it. Xiao Mu reached out for it. "Keep it; it's useful. It's so convenient now; just a few seconds and you can expose everything."
"Please be lenient; it's really not easy to do business. The tour guides take a big cut; we hardly make anything," the manager lamented, knowing Xiao Mu's intentions and starting with a sob story.
"Look at you! What do you mean by being lenient? It's your hands that are too dirty... I’ve looked at your bracelets, jade stones, and emeralds—none of them are real," Xiao Mu retorted angrily.
"The discounted price is only a few hundred; where can you buy something genuine?" the manager argued back.
"And what about the gold? Are you claiming it's 999 purity?" Xiao Mu shot back.
"This can't be taken too seriously; even established stores mix in some fakes. Where can we get genuine products?" the manager replied.
In this era of chaos, relationships between people are often about mutual exploitation. The manager's words were still somewhat pitiful; if you sold 999 gold jewelry, people wouldn’t believe it anyway—if they didn’t believe it, they’d just call you an idiot.
"Alright... let’s not argue about authenticity anymore. As a conscientious consumer who wants to fight against your illegal practices, how do you plan to settle this?" Xiao Mu stated firmly as he got to the point.
Once you jump into this big dye vat of society, you realize that no matter what color you dye yourself into, there's no need to feel guilty about it.
The manager exchanged a glance with the assistant manager; he knew there was only one way to resolve this matter—settling it privately. Otherwise, they would face closure. The video provided by Xiao Mu was precisely what could lead to exposing a business in the news if extortion failed.
"We have over a hundred staff members here, thirty security personnel, and good relations with the local police station... We also have business dealings with more than thirty travel agencies in the city. So... are you planning to blackmail me?" The manager spoke seriously.
"I have over a hundred unemployed people under my command, no homes, no cars, and most of them have spent time in the police station. As for the travel agencies, we have connections too; many of the shady tour guides work with us. To put it simply, I can make your place bustling with customers or leave it deserted. You should understand," Xiao Mu said lazily. With thorough preparation behind him, he felt confident, while the other party was left in a dilemma, resorting to any means but not daring to call the police.
"You're making quite a bold statement," the manager hesitated.
"Am I?" Xiao Mu smiled and dialed his phone, contacting his associates outside. "Liu Yang, oh, it's me... Get in touch with a few tour guides and arrange for them to add a shopping stop temporarily at... Peace Road, not far from the scenic area, called Xiling Commercial Building. Oh, sure, they won't be treated poorly; they know the rules."
After hanging up, Xiao Mu stood up and smiled. The manager was left dumbfounded as Xiao Mu told him, "You can either share the profits or close down tomorrow. It's not a hard choice, is it? I'm not blackmailing you; if it weren't for your good location, I wouldn't even bother talking to you. Those tour guides are much easier to deal with. Just wait; there are plenty of things you won't believe."
He left gracefully like a charming young gentleman in a chaotic world, leaving both managers stunned and forgetting to see him off.
In less than half an hour, several buses carrying hundreds of people arrived at the mall. This was an extra arrangement that kept the mall bustling with activity. The two managers rushed downstairs upon hearing the news and looked at the throngs of tourists with their hearts blooming with joy.
Those weren't just heads; they were all money.
Tourists are like that; one bus brings a whole group. They get dizzy on the bus anyway; wherever they go, they spend money—it's become second nature. The two managers went downstairs and contacted Young Master Mu. They quickly met him in the lobby. The manager politely pulled Xiao Mu aside and directly asked in a whisper, "How much do you want?"
"Five percent."
"No way; at most two percent."
"Four percent, and I'll help you take care of that place five kilometers away."
"Really?"
"If I can't take care of it, I won't take a single dime."
"Deal."
"Let's start counting from today, don't try to fool me."
"Alright, then hurry up. The peak season only lasts a few days."
"Don't worry, it's much easier to cut in than to persuade you."
The two of them leaned in close, scheming together. In front of them was a bustling crowd, with tour guides energetically promoting the local silk as the best in the world, a way to show filial piety to their parents; salespeople were enthusiastically advertising jade at great discounts, perfect gifts for wives... The tourists from all over had long since become numb and lost their sense of judgment, either swiping their cards or making purchases, leaving the cashiers sweating profusely.
Xiao Mu exchanged knowing glances with the two managers, sharing a smile as if they were old friends...
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"Let's go."
Li Derli said quietly. He had seen Xiao Mu and the managers conspiring and noted the spirited demeanor of that group of ruffians. With his keen eye for character, he could tell they were thriving. It was clear that bringing someone like that back to work for him was out of the question.
Once settled in the car, Golden Treasure remarked, "What a character! After stirring up one place, he intimidates the others. It's strange how those shady businessmen are convinced by him."
"The benefits outweigh the drawbacks; naturally, they seek profit and avoid harm. But pulling this off in such a short time is no easy feat... By the way, they don't know you, right?" Li Derli asked cautiously.
"They don't know me. I'm just a minor accountant under Ma Yubing; no one pays attention to me... But he has sent people to invite me several times. Previously, the ruffians under Lame Brother and drivers under Ma Ye have all come to him. He can even find bus drivers now... Oh, and he even incited a bunch of small-time thugs to become monks and sell incense in a temple; they've made quite a bit over there too," Golden Treasure said.
"Hey, what kind of good fortune does he have that allows him to scoop everything up?" Li Derli finally couldn't hold back.
"That's not all," Golden Treasure said.
"There's more?" Li Derli exclaimed in surprise.
"Have you forgotten Lame Brother's original business?" Golden Treasure replied.
"Organizing prostitution... Oh right, that guy organized the Liuying Guerrilla Team. Is he still doing that?" Li Derli asked.
"Yes, he's still at it, and he's expanded. They teamed up with a few pimps and took over all the Yellow Brothels around Zhengmin Road. If they don't pay protection fees, the unregulated Lounge Girls are all driven out. Otherwise, the locals are willing to pay him for protection. Business is booming... It's not just talk; now even the clients know this area is safe. The moment the police or security team shows up, everything shuts down immediately," Golden Treasure explained.
"Did they bribe them?" Li Derli inquired.
"No need to bribe; they have videos of the security team and police officers. The moment they show up here, everyone recognizes them. I've heard they even have training sessions on how to avoid getting caught or beaten by the police," Golden Treasure continued.
Li Derli couldn't hold back any longer and slapped his forehead, saying, "God, what on earth is this freak trying to do?"
"I don't know either, but his popularity is skyrocketing. It doesn't seem as dirty and chaotic as before; it feels somewhat acceptable," Golden Treasure remarked.
"You've got a pig's brain! This is about winning people's hearts. It's like stepping on Ma Yubing and their shoulders to rise directly to power. By the time they realize what's happening and try to make a comeback, they'll be left with nothing. Who would still follow him? I can see you're tempted too," Li Derli pointed out, recognizing the biggest issue.
Once people's hearts scatter, it's hard to lead a team. On one side, people flee; on the other side, popularity gathers. Those few who want to turn back might struggle to find followers. Even Cold Ai sitting nearby was chuckling, seemingly in agreement.
Indeed, Cold Ai knew well—one side was fleeing in fear while the other was thriving. Who would dare switch sides?
Li Derli understood this situation and lost interest in staying any longer. He hurried back to his original spot, preparing to return to Binhai. Things here had exceeded their expectations...
A group of thugs greeted Xiao Mu as he emerged from the commercial building. Xiao Mu nodded in acknowledgment and casually instructed, "Baoshi, take some people to check out that place and those tour guides they’re colluding with. Make sure to intercept a few of their vehicles tomorrow—whatever you can manage. Just scare them a bit; don’t get rough. They’re all pocketing kickbacks anyway. I can’t believe they’re ignoring what I said. Get it done quickly."
"Right, let’s show them what we can do," replied Jia Baoshi, a local tough with a mouth full of crooked teeth, who had come to pledge loyalty to Xiao Mu.
After giving out orders, Xiao Mu continued, "Mazi, ensure the security here. If there are any petty thieves, send them over there. Flat tires, deflated wheels, prying open trunks—handle it however you see fit. Just don’t let them leave easily; they hate wasting time the most."
Mazi, a son of a tea farmer who had been selling tea to tourists to make ends meet, accepted the task eagerly. He had heard about Young Master Mu's exploits and brought along a group of local second-hand dealers to join him. After all, Young Master Mu's operations were far more lucrative than just ripping off customers.
After arranging several matters and watching his subordinates leave one by one, Liu Yang, who had driven over, seemed like he had something to say. Xiao Mu smiled and asked, "How’s it going at the temple?"
Liu Yang rubbed his bald head sheepishly and cursed under his breath, "Business is good, but there’s this old monk who insists on taking me as his disciple."
"Haha, it wouldn’t be that Blowing Xiao Boy, would it?" Xiao Mu chuckled.
"Probably just some errand-running Shami; not even close to Blowing Xiao Boy," Liu Yang replied. "Oh right, Brother Mu, I saw someone."
Xiao Mu's heart raced at the mention of someone noteworthy. "Who is it?"
Liu Yang had noticed Panzi's subordinate leaving with something valuable. "They call him Big Green Head; he always shaves his head bald. I don’t know his real name."
"What are you doing? Just following him around because you can't meet anyone? To put it bluntly, all of us in this business are part of Lame Brother. If you keep pointing at others, we'll end up back where we started," Xiao Mu advised earnestly.
"I talked to him, and he recognized me. He even left a phone number! This guy is doing pretty well for himself; he's got a beautiful girl with him. He said he’s staying at the Zhonghai Hotel for a few days with his girlfriend," Liu Yang replied, sending a text to Xiao Mu.
"Not bad, he even has a girlfriend now," Xiao Mu mused thoughtfully.
"Brother Mu, are you thinking of taking him in?" Liu Yang asked curiously.
"Why not?" Xiao Mu chuckled. His subordinates were scarce, and he was willing to accept anyone, no matter how dubious their background. However, Liu Yang shook his head. "You can't take him in. He's been hanging out with Panzi for a while now. He’s got an iPhone and carries a bag worth several thousand. When he offered me a cigarette, it was Soft Zhonghua."
"Just stay put; you might still enjoy yourself for a few days... Go on, if anything comes up, call Big Gourd. Never get into conflicts with tourists; if you can scam a little, great. If not, it’s fine—there are plenty of people in the tourist area," Xiao Mu instructed.
"Got it. It's just selling some Incense Money, right? That's easy enough," Liu Yang said as he boarded a departing bus heading to the scenic area.
As Xiao Mu walked and observed, he found his newly purchased second-hand Changan Divine Car. Sitting inside the old vehicle, he pondered for a moment. After being in this game for so long, it was time to pass some information to the police; otherwise, being an Informant would be utterly ridiculous...
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"Is the information confirmed?"
"Definitely confirmed. They used to run together; his nickname is Azure Head. He was recruited by Panzi over a year ago and is currently staying at the Zhonghai Hotel. Seems like he's doing quite well with a girlfriend."
"What about his physical characteristics?"
"I wasn't there; he didn't suspect anything and left a phone number with someone familiar."
"Is there anything else?"
"No, that's all."
"Nothing went wrong, right?"
"Why are you so eager for me to mess up? I assure you, I'm currently engaged in a great endeavor, helping these unemployed individuals find their way to self-sufficiency. I'm not lying; we now have business dealings with the Street Office, Urban Construction, and the City Management. If you don't believe me, just check it out. The security around Zhengmin Road is quite good now..."
"I'd have to be crazy to believe you."
Shen Lingchen hung up the phone with a click.
It was mealtime during overtime, and the three of them had just returned from the detention center. Guo Wei felt relieved, while Wang Jie was to be sent to a prison three hundred kilometers away from Binhai, effectively cutting off any news from that side. His purpose had been to confirm that Xiao Mu had previously had contact with You Bisheng, and now that mission was accomplished.
Guan Yiqing, having faintly overheard Shen Lingchen's call, curiously asked, "What news, Master?"
"They found one of the thieves Panzi recruited—Azure Head. They have a phone number. After we finish eating, we'll go directly to apprehend him," Shen Lingchen replied. He had already checked; the number left behind was indeed from Shenzhen-Hong Kong. It seemed likely that after being alone, he had gone somewhere safe to avoid trouble.
"That's impressive; that guy managed to dig up such information," Guan Yiqing praised. Although the case hadn't progressed much, they were making strides in other areas. Whether it was You Bisheng or Pan Shuanglong, there were numerous cases involved. They were so busy that they almost forgot about the informant they had released. Guan Yiqing casually asked, "What’s he up to?"
"I don't know either, but he probably hasn't done anything wrong," Shen Lingchen said. The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt—not about the suspect but about Xiao Mu. Suddenly, he asked, "Do you think Xiao Mu would exhaust himself and work tirelessly to help us solve this case... without ever mentioning compensation? Do you think that's his mindset?"
It seemed unlikely. Guan Yiqing shook his head.
"Absolutely not," Guo Wei shook his head firmly.
"Oh no, I might have been fooled," Shen Lingchen said in astonishment. A person who could rise from being a pimp to the core of a gang, bringing along a group of outlaws into that vacuum zone—what could happen? The thought left Shen Lingchen's mouth agape. Whether it was Ma Yubing or Mao Shiping, their intelligence was not to be underestimated.
Damn it, there's no way to clean this up. Shen Lingchen thought, feeling increasingly anxious.
"What’s wrong? Master, do you suspect he... has turned to the other side?" Guan Yiqing asked.
"Not really. He can wholeheartedly work for us, but he won't turn against us," Shen Lingchen replied, feeling guilty. He recalled how he had unknowingly come to trust him completely, and that very mindset was the most dangerous.
"Let's eat quickly... We need to head back to Suzhou and Hangzhou and detain the suspect first."
Shen Lingchen said with a worried expression.
The case had stalled. Ma Yubing, Mao Shiping, and He Shi had all vanished. Pan Shuanglong couldn't be interrogated anytime soon. The relationship between the Suzhou and Hangzhou faction and the Binhai group was ambiguous, and no one could clarify the underlying issues between them. Meanwhile, that "informant" had started slacking off on his side jobs; it seemed they couldn't rely on him for now. It had been a month since they returned, and only this little information had come back. For now, they could only treat a dead horse as if it were alive and capture the thief connected to Pan Shuanglong first.
As night fell, Shen Lingchen returned to Suzhou and Hangzhou with a few companions in tow...
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