Golden Scale [EN]: Chapter 67

The Contradiction Becomes Public

“Does Prince know why no one dares to disrespect me?” Tyrannosaurus Rex began his test.

“After our first meeting, I inquired about you from some people in the underworld [criminal organizations]. They said that you ventured into Beijing alone at the age of sixteen, starting by ambushing people in the alleys. After gaining power, you became known for your ruthless methods. Those who opposed you met a miserable end.”

“Do you believe what they say?”

“You may know something about my background. Although I am not a true underworld figure, I have a lot of contact with it. I know how underworld legends are created, and I am one of the beneficiaries. So, I don’t completely believe them. Besides, none of the people I asked had real contact with you. Those who had deep contact with you are all veteran figures who either look down on me or know about your… misunderstanding of me. I can’t get anything from them.”

“So…”

“So, I have to use my brain to analyze. Thanks to the great people’s democratic dictatorship, there is no real mafia or so-called ‘gangs’ in mainland China. There is no large-scale organized crime in Beijing under the Emperor’s feet [close to the central government]. All the ‘big brothers’ are only influential in very small areas, like ‘a mouse carrying a gun’ [powerless]. If there really were someone who could control the whole city with violence alone, they would have been ‘revolutionized’ [dealt with by the government] long ago.”

“So, am I just a mouse?”

“Of course not. There’s no smoke without fire. Legends with a certain factual basis have vitality. Dragon came to Beijing at the age of sixteen,” Hou Longtao thought desperately. He had never really investigated “Tyrannosaurus Rex” before. Everything he was saying was “freshly baked,” reasoning step by step. He needed time. “If you don’t mind, how old are you this year…”

“Forty-seven.”

“That was thirty-one years ago, right in the middle of the ‘Cultural Revolution’ [a period of social and political upheaval in China]. Society was in a state of anarchy. Chen Cheng and Zhou Fengtian were able to become immortal legends in the Beijing underworld as students. Naturally, you had the ability to become synonymous with ‘ruthlessness.’ Although it has been almost impossible to start a business by fighting and killing since the ‘Cultural Revolution,’ especially in the last ten years, your reputation has been established, and you also have some initial capital. It is the wisest choice to switch to legitimate business on the surface.”

“You’re rambling on and on, and you’re getting off topic. You won’t get a high score like this.” Although “Tyrannosaurus Rex” said so, he was starting to like Hou Longtao a little. He was able to analyze his own history, which showed that he had some brains.

“To understand a person’s present, you must understand their past, right? Of course, I’m just speculating.”

“Okay, keep going. I won’t deduct your points.”

“The composition of the Beijing underworld is very unstable, and it can even be said to be in a very chaotic situation. The situation of ‘the big brother giving way and the younger brother taking the lead’ happens almost every day. If Dragon only uses iron fist to suppress the forces, it is hard to imagine that they will not unite to take you down. So, I believe that Dragon makes friends widely, and when he is invited to mediate conflicts, he maintains absolute fairness.”

Only in this way can you sit firmly in the top spot in Beijing.

“So, you don’t believe that ‘those who oppose me will not have a good end’?”

“I have never doubted Dragon’s prestige. Without prestige as a guarantee, no one would listen to you. However, I believe that no one has opposed you for a long time. Most of your business is legal, and the illegal parts are only in your own territory. You just said that you haven’t ‘handled affairs’ [engaged in illegal activities] here in the past five years, right?”

“Good boy, your head isn’t full of paste [you’re not stupid]. What do you think of drugs?”

“Drugs?” Hou Longtao immediately thought that this was the central issue of today’s conversation.

“Yes, drugs, marijuana, heroin, etc.”

“I will never touch them.”

“Really? If a group of friends all persuade you, ‘Try it, how do you know it’s bad if you don’t try it? Look, we all smoke it, and we’re fine. It’s very enjoyable.’ Wouldn’t you be tempted at all?”

“Hahaha, I am willing to be the first person to eat crab [try something new], but I will never be the hundredth person to eat shit [follow a bad trend]. Besides, the person who says that to me is definitely not my friend. My dad told me that when they were in the Northeast Construction Corps [a labor organization during the Cultural Revolution], almost everyone smoked opium. Most people quit in the end, but that was definitely not because of their strong willpower, but because of the purity. But the purity of today’s drugs is too high, especially heroin. Once you get hooked, it’s a ‘death’ word [you’re doomed].”

“Then what do you think of drug trafficking? Real drug dealers don’t use drugs themselves, and there are super high profits. If someone provides you with a source of goods, and you are dirt poor, would you do it?”

“No.”

“Are you afraid of being caught?”

“No, maybe you won’t believe it, but I, Hou Longtao, would never do anything that harms the country and the people, let alone when I’m poor.” Hou Longtao lowered his head and looked at the other party from above his glasses. “If Dragon wants me to help you traffic drugs, you don’t need to go on.”

“Don’t you think you’re stupid?” “Tyrannosaurus Rex”‘s face sank. “If you don’t do it, others will. You have the best audience. It would be a pity not to make good use of it.”

“I can’t control others, I can only control myself and my subordinates,” Hou Longtao stood up. “I don’t have the ability to control your five families, do I?”

“When did I ask you to help me traffic drugs? You are not my direct subordinate. Would I take such a risk?”

Hou Longtao sat down again. “Tyrannosaurus Rex”‘s words made sense. If it were him, he would never tell an outsider about this kind of thing. “Then what do you mean?”

“This time you might not believe it, but on the issue of drugs, my views are exactly the same as yours. I, Shen, have been fighting and competing for half my life, and I have harmed many people, but I would never touch white powder [heroin].”

“Dragon, just tell me what you want me to do.”

“Half a month ago, two Yunnan people came to me and asked me to allow them to do business in my place. Why do you think they came to me?”

“Because you have many entertainment cities, dance halls, and bars, which are ideal places for drug trafficking. Besides, you are the leader of the Beijing underworld. If you agree, many big brothers in other places will follow suit. This will greatly help drug dealers further open up the Beijing middle class and youth market.”

“Well, you’re right. Naturally, I refused them outright, but a new problem immediately arose.” “Tyrannosaurus Rex” lit a cigarette. “Those Yunnan people didn’t move me, and went to several other people. According to them, those Yunnan people spread the word that someone within my group strongly supports their plan, and it’s someone close to me.”

“They are trying to sow discord, hoping to weaken your prestige from within.”

“Possibly, but the profit of drugs is too great. If someone really changes their mind, it can’t be considered too unexpected. I must find out about this, otherwise I will have trouble sleeping and eating.”

“Aren’t you being too suspicious? If there really is an inside traitor by your side, why would those Yunnan people go around spreading the word? Wouldn’t that be like dismantling their own stage?” Hou Longtao didn’t think deeply, and only said the most superficial things.

“What if they just want me to think that way? Besides, their main purpose is to convince others.”

“Then it’s easy to handle. You catch those two Yunnan people and torture them severely. Are you afraid they won’t tell the truth? You’re not afraid of offending them, are you?”

“Of course I’m not afraid. They can’t become a force in Beijing. I sent people as soon as I heard the news, but those two grandsons [derogatory term] had already run back to Yunnan. I can’t send people to chase them. Once we get to Yunnan, the strong dragon can’t suppress the local snake [outsiders can’t win against locals].”

“They want to watch the fire from the other side of the river [wait and see]?” Hou Longtao felt that this explanation was more reasonable…

Situ Qingying lit a cigarette. Her mind was full of He Liping’s mature and plump body, and that gorgeous face. It was so beautiful. If only she could… She looked up and saw two men coming out of the office building. Hou Longtao had his hands in his pockets, and his face didn’t look good. “Tyrannosaurus Rex” also had a gloomy face, looking annoyed. “Prince, you’d better reconsider my proposal.”

“There’s nothing to consider. I’ll handle my own business. I don’t need Dragon to worry about it,” Hou Longtao coldly dropped a sentence.

“I advise you to weigh the pros and cons. I’ll give you five days.”

“Are you threatening me?” Hou Longtao narrowed his eyes and approached “Tyrannosaurus Rex.” “You want to play with me? I’ll play with you. Let’s see who has the better means. Be careful, I’ll 砸死 you [bury you] with money.” After he finished speaking, he turned around to leave.

With a “whoosh,” Hou Longtao was blocked by ten people. He turned around and took off his suit. “What’s up? Are you going to do it now?”

“丫那 [You],” Shen Yi took two steps forward, almost 贴在了一起 [nose to nose] his face with Hou Longtao’s. “Are you tired of living?”

“Go to your mother!” Hou Longtao raised his fist, but his right arm was immediately blocked by Situ Qingying behind him. With such a short delay of two seconds, he had already taken a kick to the stomach from Shen Yi. Several people held Hou Longtao in place. It looked like they were just waiting for the boss’s order to tear him apart, especially Situ Qingying, who had even pulled out a folding knife.

“Let him go,” “Tyrannosaurus Rex” spoke. “Hou Longtao, I have more people today. Even if I did you, you wouldn’t be convinced. I’ll let you go today. I’ll say it again, five days. Think carefully about what to do.”

“Humph,” Hou Longtao picked up the clothes on the ground. “I won’t forget today.”

Watching Hou Longtao walk away, “Tyrannosaurus Rex” and his party got into the car. Situ Qingying was assigned to drive the S500. “Brother, what’s wrong with you? Why are your hands shaking?”

“I’m excited.”

“Excited about what?”

“It’s been so many years. No one has dared to challenge my position as the leader of the Beijing underworld. Now I’ve finally met a rising star who has the ability and courage to compete with me. How can I not be excited? Just thinking about being able to have some fun again makes my bones itch.”

“Hehe,” Situ Qingying saw “Tyrannosaurus Rex”‘s appearance in the rearview mirror and couldn’t help but laugh. “Godfather, your eyes are shining. But is Hou Longtao worth you looking up to so much? I think he’s just a 驴粪蛋儿 [worthless].”

“Dead girl, how many times have I told you? Girls should be more 斯一点儿 [refined] when they talk. If you’re always like this, who will dare to… Sigh, forget it, forget it.” “Tyrannosaurus Rex” shook his head helplessly. He remembered his goddaughter’s “hobby.”

“Brother, what conflict do we have with that 子 [guy]?” Returning to chase Hou Longtao was a temporary decision by “Tyrannosaurus Rex.” Shen Yi didn’t know why either.

“There are less than forty bars in Beijing, right? A third of them are already in his name. I think his ambition is not small, and it’s definitely not just in bars. He wants to get involved in any entertainment industry. If he becomes powerful, he will bite me sooner or later.”

“So you want to strike first?”

“Not really. Suppression is not my style. I want to cooperate with him, half and half. It would be best if he accepts my proposal. If he doesn’t accept it, I’ll have to show him some color [teach him a lesson]. If he still doesn’t appreciate it in the end, then we can only go to war.”

“So troublesome?” Situ Qingying 撇嘴 [pouted]. “You’re always so cautious when you do things. Since we’re going to war sooner or later, why not solve it sooner rather than later?”

“Humph, a cautious ship sails for ten thousand years [better safe than sorry]. Don’t underestimate Hou Longtao. He is the only one in the Beijing underworld who has the prestige to oppose me. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, it’s better not to tear our faces apart.” “Tyrannosaurus Rex” took off his glasses and wiped them. “Girl, don’t cause me unnecessary trouble, you know?”

“I know. When have I ever ruined your affairs?” Situ Qingying smiled sweetly…

Three days after Chanel left, the “SARS” epidemic broke out in Beijing. It must have been because of this that the Japanese withdrew the medical exchange group. In fact, “SARS” had already appeared in Beijing, but it had not been taken seriously. Although the number of people getting sick was constantly increasing, it was not until this day that it truly became an “incurable disease” in people’s hearts.

Before long, factories began to shut down, schools suspended classes, and the biggest impact on Hou Longtao was that all public entertainment venues were ordered to stop operating. Of course, out of concern for public health, he had no complaints about this emergency measure. These things would happen in the next ten or twenty days. Now it was just the beginning of the panic. But at this time, Wu Beiying, who had been urgently recalled to Hong Kong after the “Nongkai financial difficulties” were exposed, returned to this “city of death”…

At noon on Tuesday, Hou Longtao received a call from Liu Nan’s uncle, saying that Wu Beiying was at “Ivy League” and wanted him to go over quickly. Hou Longtao was not in a hurry. He looked at more than a dozen investment applications before slowly setting off.

Anyway, he had done what he should do. Now it was up to Gu Quanzhi.

As soon as Hou Longtao entered the president’s office of “Ivy League,” Wu Beiying, who was sitting on the big sofa, rushed to him before he could even say hello. “Hou Longtao, you’re a good one. I was very careful, but I was still 算计 [schemed against] by you, you 王鞍 [bastard].”

“Mr. Wu, where did such a big fire come from?” Hou Longtao took two steps back and turned to look at Gu Quanzhi behind the desk. “President Gu, didn’t you negotiate?”

“I can’t help it. Beiying, you don’t want to talk about anything other than scolding him.” Gu Quanzhi turned out from behind the desk and grabbed Wu Beiying’s arm. “Beiying, don’t be angry. Let’s talk nicely. Sit down, sit down.”

Wu Beiying snatched back his arm and sat back on the sofa angrily. “As long as the news is tightly blocked, ‘Nongkai’s’ difficulties may not be able to be overcome quietly. Now it’s good. Even if there were no financial difficulties before, you’ve created them.”

“‘Nongkai’ is in trouble. Why are you looking for me, Mr. Wu? I’m just a 王鞍 [bastard]…”

“Longtao,” Gu Quanzhi frowned. Young people always like to take advantage of others verbally. “Everyone has opened up. If there are any misunderstandings, let’s resolve them. How can you be so 阴阳怪气 [sarcastic] when you talk to your elders?” In fact, Hou Longtao regretted it a little as soon as he said those words. His city was not deep enough. Sometimes very small things could make him lose his necessary composure.

Gu Quanzhi’s words worked for Hou Longtao, but they did not quell Wu Beiying’s anger. He stood up again. “You still dare to ask me why? I want to ask you why. You don’t need to deny it. After those news reports were published, the first thing we did was to find the newspaper and ask them to provide evidence. Not only did they not provide it, but they also said something about commercial secrets. Even if we threatened to resort to law, they were not afraid at all. This proves that they were not just talking nonsense.”

Wu Beiying forcibly suppressed his anger and sat down. “Later, a reporter who had a good relationship with me told me privately that they had received a recording. In the recording, I myself admitted the difficulties faced by ‘Nongkai.’ He also told me that the source of the news was not local in Hong Kong, but mainland China. Hou Longtao, you’re really something. At that moment, I truly understood the purpose of you looking for me that night. I don’t think I’ve ever done anything to let you down. Why did you want to harm me!?”

“Mr. Wu is thinking too personally about this matter. I not only have no prejudice against you personally, but I also admire you very much,” Hou Longtao said with a kind smile on his face. “The reason why I did that was entirely for self-preservation.”

“Self-preservation?”

“Yes, you’ve followed the one surnamed Mao for so many years. Don’t you know what kind of person he is? If I didn’t push him when he was in trouble, I’m afraid I wouldn’t even know how I died in the future.”

“Okay, okay,” Wu Beiying’s anger really subsided a little. “Then what about you, President Gu? President Mao has also been kind to you. Just for the sake of cooperating with Mr. Hou’s ‘East Star,’ you also 落井下石 [kick a man when he’s down] President Mao?”

“Beiying, is my situation much better than Longtao’s?”

“This…” Wu Beiying was speechless. Even if these two people were 杞人忧天 [unnecessarily worried], he couldn’t blame them, let alone they were 并非捕风捉影 [not just imagining things].

“Beiying, there are two reasons why we chose you as our target. First, the words of other people in ‘Nongkai’ are not weighty enough. The newspaper may not dare to publish the news. Only if you, Mao Zhengyi, or Zhou Yuping personally admit it, then it will be considered true evidence. But the other two are in Hong Kong, so you have become our only way out.” Gu Quanzhi began to do his part.

“Okay, what’s the second point?”

“The second point is, to be honest, we are not confident that we can use that recording alone to prevent Mao Zhengyi from turning over. We need your help. If you can provide evidence of his previous economic crimes, then it will be a great success.”

“Humph,” Wu Beiying shook his head. He had calmed down. “Even if President Mao has no criminal behavior, I can’t help you. President Gu, you know me. Am I an ungrateful person?”

“Indeed, you are not an ungrateful person. Yue Fei is not, Jiang Wei is not. Which one do you want to be?”

“What do you mean?”

“You can find someone to ask about the recording. Mao Zhengyi can do the same. Guess what will happen if he knows that you leaked the news…”

“No need. Even if President Mao knows, he won’t…” Wu Beiying stopped halfway through his sentence. He supported his knees with one hand and rubbed his forehead with the other.

“How is it? Beiying.”

“Won’t…” Wu Beiying stood up and immediately fell back down. He had been so busy being angry with Beijing these days, and coupled with the sharp drop in ‘Nongkai’s’ stock, he was trying to remedy the situation everywhere. He didn’t think carefully about how Mao Zhengyi would react after knowing the truth. Now that someone mentioned it, he began to think. Hou Longtao saw his furrowed brows and thought that he had been moved, so he smiled at Gu Quanzhi.

Gu Quanzhi nodded and sat next to Wu Beiying, handing him a cigarette. “Beiying, for so many years, if it weren’t for you, even if Mao Zhengyi was capable of getting money from the bank, he wouldn’t know which piece of land to buy. Now it’s good. He has tens of billions of assets. What about you? No matter how great his kindness to you is, you have already paid it off.”

“Even so, I can’t stab President Mao in the back.”

“Do you know why I’ve always wanted to invite you to ‘Ivy League’ all these years? Why have I never given up after you rejected me time and time again?”

“Why?”

“Not only because you are a rare talent. To be honest, I’ve seen a lot of talents. What I value most is your loyalty.”

“Thank you for your praise, President Gu. Since you said so, you should know that I won’t leave unless ‘Nongkai’ is okay.”

“Sigh, Beiying,” Gu Quanzhi patted him on the shoulder. “People like you are really rare. You are capable and loyal. You are the best candidate for a scapegoat.”

“What do you mean? What scapegoat?”

“I’ve always been curious how Mao Zhengyi had the courage to invest and acquire so recklessly in Hong Kong, and to publicize so loudly about borrowing huge amounts of foreign exchange from ‘Bank of China Hong Kong’.”

“What’s so strange about that? The success of the loan proves the bank’s recognition of ‘Nongkai’s’ strength. Strong publicity is extremely beneficial to ‘Nongkai’s’ corporate image. It’s a way to establish shareholders’ confidence. We often do this in Shanghai.”

“That makes sense, but there must be a premise, that is, the legality of the loan. In the past, ‘Nongkai’ used to withdraw RMB from banks in Shanghai. No matter whether the collateral was worth the money or not, the procedures were complete. Even if someone investigated, they could get away with it by using some tricks. But this time, ‘Bank of China Hong Kong’…”

“We have the approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange,” Wu Beiying was very vigilant today after the last lesson. “All of ‘Nongkai’s’ business in Hong Kong is legal.”

“Is Beiying too careful?”

“I was bitten by a snake once, and I’m afraid of well ropes for ten years [once bitten, twice shy].” Wu Beiying turned to look at the young man who had been smoking silently. Hou Longtao returned a smile. At this moment, he decided never to let Wu Beiying enter “East Star,” and suddenly felt like he was being played.

“Beiying, you don’t need to admit it. Everyone knows it,” Gu Quanzhi continued his persuasion. “You are a smart person, but you are blinded by your loyalty. Think about it, 2.2 billion Hong Kong dollars is not a small amount for anyone. I think such a large mortgage loan is not common in the short history of ‘Bank of China Hong Kong’, right? And it was lent to an out-of-town businessman.”

“So what?”

“If this matter appears in the media again and again, it will eventually be noticed by the Discipline Inspection Commission, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, or even the head office of the Bank of China. As long as someone in one of these organizations who is slightly in charge asks about it… Even if Mao Zhengyi is not a particularly shrewd person, even if he is arrogant and 嚣张 [unrestrained], he should not dare to take this kind of risk that can be broken with a single point, right? Especially since the money is used for investment, it is very likely to disappear.”

Gu Quanzhi paused, looking at Wu Beiying’s increasingly furrowed brows. He knew that his words had not been wasted. “If it really comes to a point where all the money is lost, it is even more likely that someone will investigate. But why does Mao Zhengyi not seem particularly anxious?”

“Who said President Mao is not anxious? He came to Beijing a while ago, looking for you, Sister Xu, and asking me to stay in the mainland to raise funds. How can you say he is not anxious?”

“Yes, yes. Although that 2.2 billion was picked up for nothing, it’s human nature to be anxious when you see it going down the drain. But don’t you think he is not anxious enough?”

“Who picked it up for nothing? It’s mortgaged. If we can’t pay it back when it’s due, we’ll have to use the industry to 抵 [repay].”

“Really? Does your mortgage agreement lack the necessary 件 [documents]? Does it have legal effect? If you earn money, it’s okay. Once you lose money, or if someone investigates… Beiying, can’t you figure it out?”

“This…” Wu Beiying’s eyes and mouth were wide open. Scenes of “Nongkai” borrowing money from “Bank of China Hong Kong” appeared in his mind. Four or five minutes later, he suddenly stood up, with a look of resentment. “Mao Zhengyi, you 生儿子没屁眼的 王鞍 [son of a bitch]!” Hou Longtao looked at him and, although he didn’t fully understand, he knew that it was a great success. It seemed that he was still far behind Gu Quanzhi…(金鳞岂是池中物 [a golden carp is not meant for a pond, meaning someone with great potential is not meant for a small place])