Chapter 17 Fang Military Returns Online
Li Hanzhou's black sedan drove into the night on Portland Street.
The atmosphere inside the car was subtle.
Ah Gui, sitting in the driver's seat, kept a straight face and cautiously scanned the outside of the window.
In the back seat, Li Hanzhou closed his eyes to rest, his profile appearing cold and hard in the light and shadow.
Fang Che was trying his best to curl up into a ball, but his mind was racing:
"My goodness, this is Portland Street? It's just as lively as described in the book! Look at those neon lights, look at those big signs, 'Massage,' 'Nightingale Cabaret'... Hey, if this place falls under Brother Li's control, how much protection money... no, how much legitimate management fee will he collect!"
While he was envisioning the grand ambition of "brothers joining forces to monopolize Portland Street," he couldn't help but steal glances at Li Hanzhou beside him.
"The old building... has complicated ownership... Dongsheng Society doesn't want it... Yes! I mentioned this to Brother Li before! I don't know if he listened..."
Just then, Li Hanzhou suddenly opened his eyes and met his gaze directly.
"What are you looking at?"
The deep voice startled Fang Che, and he blurted out in Northeastern dialect, "Nothing! It's just that Brother Li, you're so handsome it's dazzling, just like the Eight Immortals from our backyard!"
Li Hanzhou: "..."
Ah Gui tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
Fang Che quickly added, "What I mean is, Brother Li, you look much better! We're sure to have a successful start to our trip to Portland Street!"
Li Hanzhou turned his gaze to the window: "Jiang Tianqi's men have arrived."
Fang Che followed his gaze and saw several burly men in black suits standing at the entrance of a nightclub with a significantly more upscale interior. They arrogantly scanned passersby, standing out from the gangsters around them who were wearing floral shirts and flip-flops.
"Tsk, what a show-off." Fang Che muttered under his breath, then became excited again. "Brother Li, should we just go in and confront them head-on? I may not be good at fighting, but I can cheer you on! Or... should I go get some white cloth and candles?"
He has not forgotten his "glorious record" of being a "funeral hall arsonist".
Li Hanzhou glanced at him, his eyes clearly saying: If you dare mention arson again, I'll throw you out.
Ah Gui finally couldn't help but mock, "Put away your shabby nonsense! Brother Li is here to discuss business, not to play house with you!"
Fang Che curled his lip, inwardly unconvinced: How is it not presentable? The effect is outstanding, isn't it!
The car made a series of turns, finally stopping at the back door of the old tea restaurant.
This place is a melting pot of all sorts of people, with a captivating aroma, but it's also a great spot to observe what's going on on Portland Street.
The three of them went into a private room on the second floor facing the street.
The windows were covered with dark film, making it impossible to see inside from the outside, but from the inside, one could clearly see the nightclub across the street, which belonged to the Dong Sheng Society.
Soon, a sprightly old man dressed in a Tang suit quietly entered, led by his younger brother.
The three of them went up to a private room on the second floor facing the street.
Soon, Uncle Chen walked in quietly.
"Hanzhou." The old man nodded slightly. He was none other than Chen Bo, the accountant who lived in seclusion on Temple Street and a former subordinate of the Li Hanzhou family.
"Uncle Chen, you've worked hard." Li Hanzhou stood up, his attitude clearly showing respect.
Fang Che could tell at a glance that the old man had an extraordinary aura and must be an important person!
He immediately put on a show of great enthusiasm, mimicking the gesture of clasping his hands in greeting from Hong Kong movies, and warmly greeted him in his thick Northeastern Cantonese: "Uncle Chen! I am Fang Che, a junior who has long admired your name! I look forward to your guidance in the future!"
Uncle Chen pushed up his reading glasses, his gaze lingering on Fang Che's face for a moment, a look of surprise flashing across his face before turning into a gentle smile: "This young man must be Che, right? Indeed... a handsome young man."
He seemed to have carefully considered his choice of words.
Upon hearing this, Fang Che became even more enthusiastic: "Absolutely! Uncle Chen, you have a keen eye! Brother Li and I are like heroes recognizing heroes... uh, it's Brother Li who thinks highly of me and is showing me the world!"
He almost blurted out "the turtle looking at the green bean" again.
Li Hanzhou rubbed his temples and gestured for Uncle Chen to sit down and talk business.
Uncle Chen pushed the folder he brought in front of Li Hanzhou: "Jiang Tianqi came prepared this time. He has contacted the owners of a third of the shops on Portland Street through several shell companies, and the asking price is very high. Moreover... he also seems to be very interested in those old tenement buildings at the end of the street with mixed ownership."
Li Hanzhou flipped through the documents, his eyes growing cold.
Fang Che craned his neck to look, and when he saw "Old Tent Building" and "Multiple Property Rights," his heart pounded! This coincided with his previous thoughts!
Li Hanzhou closed the folder and suddenly looked at him:
“Fang Che, you said before, ‘Start with the old buildings they don’t like.’”
Fang Che was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed! The big boss actually remembered!
He immediately straightened his back: "That's right! The Dong Sheng Society is eyeing the good shops, so we can take advantage of the loopholes!"
He pointed to the documents, "These dilapidated buildings are unwanted now, but we know their value! We'll rent them out! We'll secure the locations first!"
A hint of appreciation flashed in Uncle Chen's eyes: "Brother A-Che mentioned this before? You have good taste."
"Absolutely!" Fang Che said smugly for a moment, then quickly composed himself. "Ahem, I know a little bit! It's mainly because Brother Li is a good leader who gave me room to grow!"
Ah Gui scoffed, "That sounds nice, but how exactly do you do it?"
Fang Che was prepared.
He lowered his voice:
"We need to take a two-pronged approach!"
"First, rent it, we still have to rent it! Find a few unfamiliar guys, pretend to be 'cultural investors' from the north, and say they're interested in the historical features of the old building and want to set up an art studio. Sign a long-term lease, the rent can be a bit higher than the market price, but they have to pay several years' rent upfront. Lock them in!"
“Secondly,” Fang Che’s eyes lit up, “we need to become the ‘actual managers’ of these old buildings!”
Li Hanzhou's brow twitched slightly: "The actual manager?"
“That’s right!” Fang Che explained, “These old buildings have been in disrepair for years, and residents have a lot of complaints. We can find someone to help them arrange repairs and mediate disputes! We’ll advance some money first, but we need to make a good impression – that we’re HOYI Hall, helping out voluntarily and building a harmonious Portland Street!”
Ah Gui was stunned: "We? Go help people unclog their sewers?!"
“Brother Gui, this is called the will of the people!” Fang Che gave him a knowing look. “Once we build up our reputation and the residents trust us, whether it’s demolition or redevelopment, won’t our word carry more weight than Jiang Tianqi’s? Won’t our ‘homeowners’ committee’ be more influential than Dongsheng Society’s? This is called…right! Grassroots work! Seizing the high ground of public opinion and morality!”
Uncle Chen nodded slowly: "Hanzhou, although A-Che's method seems unorthodox, it hits the nail on the head. If it can control public opinion, it will indeed achieve twice the result with half the effort."
Li Hanzhou remained silent for a moment, then lightly tapped his fingers on the table.
"Repairs and mediation require manpower and funds."
Uncle Chen estimated: "The initial investment is not large, but it will require a few clever people."
“I’ll arrange the manpower. I’ll figure out the funding.” Li Hanzhou made the final decision. “Uncle Chen, the lease and the grassroots work will proceed simultaneously. Please take care of it.”
"Don't worry." Uncle Chen looked at Fang Che again, his eyes filled with admiration. "Young Brother Che, you are truly... quick-witted and unconventional."
Fang Che chuckled foolishly at the praise.
After finishing their business, Uncle Chen left.
Fang Che was still immersed in joy, talking incessantly around Li Hanzhou.
Li Hanzhou frowned at his noise: "Shut up. Come downstairs and eat."
As soon as he heard the word "eat," Fang Che's stomach started growling.
He went downstairs with Ah Gui first, and they had just finished ordering their food at a corner booth when trouble began.
Mad Dog Qiang from the Dong Sheng Society led his men in and headed straight for them.
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