Chapter 120: Extortion

The front hall, reception room.

“Steward Su, what does this mean? Why has your chairman sent me all these gifts for no reason?” Bai Yulan asked, pointing at the various gift boxes Su Xing had brought in.

“My master heard that Young Master Zhou had caught a slight chill, so he specifically ordered me to bring over some precious herbs to replenish his vitality and blood. He hopes Young Master Zhou will recover soon,” Su Xing said, his eyes lowered and his head bowed.

“My husband has only caught a slight chill. These herbs are meant to replenish qi and blood; they hardly seem necessary. And this three-hundred-year-old wild ginseng—surely that is used to keep someone alive when they are at death’s door?” Bai Yulan gave a cold snort. “Is your master trying to curse my husband to an early grave?”

“No, Boss Bai, my master absolutely did not mean that…” Su Xing hurriedly denied it, a sheen of sweat appearing on his forehead.

He had been mentally prepared for this. Delivering these gifts was never going to be easy.

“Your master wants to make peace? Fine. He can come himself. When he was plotting to take my husband’s life, why did he never consider that this day might come?” Bai Yulan let out a cold laugh.

“Boss Bai, enemies are better reconciled than maintained. My master was indeed blinded by jealousy for a time, but he has already come to his senses. If everyone insists on fighting to the death, no one will benefit. Wouldn’t you agree?” Su Xing spoke reasonably enough, but there was still a trace of menace beneath his words.

“If he truly wishes to admit his mistake, then he should show some sincerity. Or is he still unable to swallow his pride?” Bai Yulan sneered.

“Boss Bai, please name your conditions, and I will report them when I return.” Su Xing knew perfectly well that Bai Yulan was not someone who could be easily fooled.

Bai Yulan also understood that if they fought to the bitter end, she and Zhou Sen were currently at a disadvantage. Once the battle began, both sides would inevitably suffer losses, and there might even be casualties.

Of course, she would not readily believe that the other side would truly stop. Their next moves might be even more covert and much harder to guard against.

But she could not kill her opponent at present.

She needed time, and so did Zhou Sen.

“Chairman Su holds roughly eight percent of the shares in New Stage. I want those eight percent,” Bai Yulan said.

“Boss Bai, are you planning to enter the theater business?” Su Xing asked in surprise.

“That is none of your concern. Are you giving them to me or not?” Bai Yulan asked.

“Those eight percent are worth at least two hundred thousand yuan at market value. Boss Bai, you certainly ask for a great deal.” Su Xing frowned.

“I am asking you one question. Are you giving them to me or not?”

“Very well. Provided that Boss Bai and Young Master Zhou agree to make peace, those shares can be given to you.” Su Xing considered for a moment before answering.

“That is only the first condition,” Bai Yulan said. “Second, he must come in person to apologize and promise that he will never make trouble for Zhou Sen or me again. Otherwise, may Heaven destroy him, and may he never be reborn.”

“A promise is possible, but I cannot decide whether he will come personally to apologize.” Su Xing spoke cautiously. “An apology itself is not difficult. There are many ways to apologize—through the newspapers, in person, or through a representative.”

“You may go back and discuss that with Chairman Su.” Bai Yulan nodded. “Third, during this year’s election of the Ice City General Chamber of Commerce, my seat on the board must be retained.”

Bai Yulan naturally intended to seize the greatest possible advantage from this opportunity. Of course, that was merely the surface. The real reason was that Zhou Sen could not show his face for the time being.

“That will not be difficult. Given Boss Bai’s reputation and standing, you can certainly retain it,” Su Xing said.

“Those are my three conditions. If Chairman Su agrees, then we shall value peace above all else,” Bai Yulan said.

“Very well. I also hope you will look after Fourth Guo and the others for us.”

“I do not know any Fourth Guo. Show our guest out!” Bai Yulan swept her sleeve through the air. “Take all these things back with you. My husband has no need of them.”

“My master has never taken back a gift once it has been given.” Su Xing clasped his fists. “Boss Bai, farewell.”

…

“I gave Su Wenqing three conditions. First, the shares in New Stage. Second, he must come personally to apologize and promise never to make trouble for you or me again. Third, I want to retain my seat on the board of the Ice City General Chamber of Commerce.” As soon as Su Xing left, Bai Yulan went from the front hall to the rear room to see Zhou Sen.

“Oh? Su Wenqing actually owns shares in New Stage?” Zhou Sen truly had not known. If he had been asked to guess, he never would have imagined it.

Zhou Sen and Bai Yulan had an unspoken understanding. Bai Yulan handled matters in public while he remained hidden behind the scenes.

This gave outsiders the impression that everything had been stirred up by Bai Yulan and that he was merely a kept man.

One in the light, one in the shadows.

“Su Wenqing has roughly eight percent of the shares. At New Stage’s current market value, those shares are worth at least two hundred thousand yuan,” Bai Yulan explained.

“How many people control New Stage’s shares?”

“New Stage was founded by Tang Peiyuan. There were three original investors. Tang Peiyuan invested the most and held sixty percent. One of the other two held twenty-five percent, and the remaining one held fifteen percent. Later, one of the founders died of illness, and his fifteen percent was divided equally between his two sons—seven and a half percent each. One of them sold his seven and a half percent to Su Wenqing. The other seven and a half percent is in my hands…”

“So if we obtain the shares held by Su Wenqing, we will have fifteen percent. Even if we add the other founder’s twenty-five percent, that only gives us forty percent—not enough for controlling ownership?”

“Actually, Tang Peiyuan’s sixty percent is not all in his own hands. It belongs to the family he comes from. He personally controls less than forty percent. As long as we obtain more than fifty-one percent of the shares, we can remove Tang Peiyuan from his positions as chairman and general manager and take control of New Stage,” Bai Yulan said.

“You understand business better than I do. Whatever cooperation you need from me, I will do my best to provide,” Zhou Sen said.

“I need money.”

“Isn’t all my money with you? Use it as you see fit,” Zhou Sen said generously.

“Good. Then I will help you take New Stage.” Bai Yulan paused. “By the way, when is Xiaorou moving here? Should we choose an auspicious day?”

“There is no rush. If we press her too hard, it might look as though we have some ulterior motive. Ask her the next time she comes,” Zhou Sen said.

“All right. We will do as you say.” Bai Yulan hesitated. “You are not angry that I made the decision on your behalf and agreed to reconcile with Su Wenqing, are you?”

“Our strength is far inferior to Su Wenqing’s right now. Fighting him would be like throwing an egg against a rock. There is no need for that. A true man can endure what others cannot, and we have not yet reached the point where endurance is impossible. Why should we insist on meeting force with force? I am not some hot-blooded young fool. Everything must be approached strategically.” Zhou Sen smiled faintly. “A man like Su Wenqing is stubborn by nature. The reason he took the initiative to seek peace this time is simply because he came under pressure from outside. Once he has recovered his footing, he still will not let us go. So while strengthening ourselves, we must remain especially vigilant.”

Bai Yulan’s eyes brightened, shining with reflected light. Clearly, Zhou Sen had not assumed that this reconciliation meant they could rest easy. If anything, he had become even more cautious.

She had been worried about that herself.

“I agreed to split the benefits of this deal with Qin Lang fifty-fifty. Once we obtain the shares in New Stage, we will give him one hundred thousand yuan as compensation. Everything will wait until Su Wenqing completes the transfer he promised,” Zhou Sen said.

“Good. That money is worth paying.” Bai Yulan was not a narrow-minded woman without vision. “You have brought Qin Lang onto our side, which greatly reduces the threat from the Qin family.”

“Qin Lang is someone worth befriending, but we cannot trust him completely. We have only come together because our interests currently align,” Zhou Sen said.

“Yes, I know.”

…

“First Young Master, something has happened! The police have sent a large force to seal off the House of Many Blossoms at both the front and rear entrances!” Hou Wu hurriedly knocked open Qin Xiong’s office door.

“What?” Qin Xiong shot to his feet, utterly astonished.

“I have no idea what the police intend to do. It has already been several days since that policeman died in Peach Blossom Alley, and they have questioned everyone they needed to question. Why have they come back again?” Hou Wu complained.

Everyone knew how deep the Qin family’s ties to the police ran. Under ordinary circumstances, officers handling cases would avoid any matter connected to the Qin family.

“Who is leading the operation?”

“Zou the Lame, captain of the Special Investigations Division’s action squad,” Hou Wu replied.

“That greedy gambler, Zou the Lame?” Qin Xiong asked.

“Yes, him.” Hou Wu nodded.

“Come. Let us go meet him.” Qin Xiong put on his coat and waved for Hou Wu to follow.

“Captain Zou, what brings you here? I should have welcomed you properly!” Qin Xiong came forward with a broad smile and clasped his fists.

“First Young Master Qin, spare me the pleasantries. I am here on official business, so please do not make things difficult for me.” Zou Shuxun said, “Everyone in the House of Many Blossoms is to be taken back for questioning. The order came from above.”

“There are several hundred people working in the House of Many Blossoms. If you take every one of them back for questioning, when will you ever finish? Tell me what you want to know, and I will question them for you. How does that sound?” Qin Xiong said.

“This concerns confidential matters. I am afraid First Young Master Qin cannot help us.” Zou Shuxun gave a sly chuckle and refused him outright.

Qin Xiong was momentarily stunned.

“Captain Zou, could you show a little leniency? Whoever you need to question, I guarantee they will cooperate fully. But sealing the place and preventing us from doing business—isn’t that going too far?” Qin Xiong asked.

“That is not for me to decide. I am only carrying out orders. If an order comes down, I will obey it. Whether you can change that depends on First Young Master Qin’s ability.” Zou Shuxun chuckled again.

Qin Xiong’s face darkened instantly. Apart from the Japanese, was there anyone else in Ice City who dared refuse him?

“Captain Zou, you will pay for what you have done today!” He was forcing down his anger. Zou Shuxun was merely an action-squad captain, but he was still wearing a government uniform. Since ancient times, ordinary people had not fought the authorities—especially not when the Qin family made its living from this sort of business.

“Heh heh, First Young Master Qin, I will be waiting.” Zou Shuxun laughed loudly. Sealing the House of Many Blossoms had been ordered by the Japanese.

No matter how powerful Qin Xiong’s arm was, could it possibly be thicker than the Japanese army’s leg?

Qin Xiong stormed away. Zou Shuxun was clearly refusing every inducement, which meant he must have powerful backing. Qin Xiong had to find out what lay behind this. The Qin family had people inside the police, after all. His father-in-law was none other than the former chief of the police.

His father-in-law, Jin Rongsheng, still had many subordinates in the police force. Qin Xiong immediately returned to his office and called Han Lin, head of the Judicial Division.

“Director Han, it’s me, Qin Xiong…”

“You do not know? Oh, all right. Then I will wait for your call…”

“Uncle Liu, it’s me… You do not know either? This case falls under the Special Investigations Division… Find Director Lin? Fine, I understand.”

…

“Well, First Young Master?”

“The problem lies with the Investigations Director surnamed Lin in the Special Investigations Division.” Qin Xiong ground his teeth. If the House of Many Blossoms remained closed for even a single day, the losses would be enormous. Even if it reopened now, many customers would never return. Who was deliberately making things difficult for him?

“The Investigations Director surnamed Lin in the Special Investigations Division… Then there is only Lin Dakuan. He is a ruthless man and has never had much of a relationship with our family…” Hou Wu felt his heart sink. This was going to be troublesome.

“Find out what Lin Dakuan likes immediately. Quickly! I want to know right now—this instant!” Qin Xiong roared furiously.

…

Peace Bridge Gambling House.

“Second Young Master, something has happened at the House of Many Blossoms. The Special Investigations Division has sealed it off.” Heizi, Qin Lan’s trusted subordinate, woke Qin Lang, who was still fast asleep, and reported the shocking news.

“What?” Qin Lang sat bolt upright.

“The police have sealed the House of Many Blossoms!”

“Why?” Qin Lang asked instinctively.

“It seems to be connected to the policeman who was killed in Peach Blossom Alley a few days ago. He had a lover who worked at the House of Many Blossoms,” Heizi explained.

“That does not add up…”

“The dead policeman belonged to the Special Investigations Division of South Hill Police Station…”

“What? The Special Investigations Division of South Hill Police Station?” Qin Lang suddenly remembered. Zhou Sen had mentioned that he had been transferred to the Special Investigations Division at South Hill Police Station. Could this have something to do with him?

Damn it. The retaliation was coming wave after wave.

He was afraid now—truly afraid of that couple…