Chapter Seventy-Three: The Three Titans Each Harbor Their Own Schemes

Chapter Seventy-Three: The Three Big Bosses with Their Own Schemes

Ma Pinghai dialed Wu Lei’s number, and Wu Lei sounded somewhat surprised. “Secretary Ma, what brings you to call me, such a busy man?”

“Brother, you know me. I don’t like owing favors. Today, I really have something important to ask you,” Ma Pinghai went straight to the point. This was not the time for pride; he swallowed his dignity to ask for help. “I need your help. Tonight at six, Golden Pavilion Hotel—my treat!”

Wu Lei was the youngest of Hedong City’s three big bosses, just over forty, but meticulous and clear-headed, which was why he’d risen so quickly. “Secretary Ma, you’re too polite with me! If you want a drink, of course I’ll keep you company as your little brother.”

“I know you’re the most loyal.” Ma Pinghai breathed a sigh of relief. “See you tonight, don’t be late.”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

After hanging up with Wu Lei, Ma Pinghai took another deep breath, then called Jin Biao. “Brother Biao, it’s me. Do you have time?”

“Secretary Ma, calling me like this—are you trying to shorten my life?” Jin Biao had just been discharged from the hospital, his mouth still swollen and speaking was painful. “Brother Hai, just tell me what you need—no need for formalities.”

Ma Pinghai knew Jin Biao wasn’t as straightforward as Wu Lei, so he didn’t have high hopes. “Brother Biao, don’t laugh at me. I really have something to ask of you.”

Jin Biao was slightly taken aback; he knew Ma Pinghai rarely asked for favors—how big a matter could make him come to him?

“Tonight at six, Golden Pavilion Hotel. Wu Lei and I will be waiting to welcome you,” Ma Pinghai, seeing Jin Biao’s silence, threw in Wu Lei’s name as additional leverage.

Hearing Wu Lei would be there, Jin Biao’s heart skipped a beat. In Hedong’s underworld, only these two could rival him. If they invited him together, he had to go. “Brother Hai, let me host this one! I’ll be there for sure!”

After a few more polite exchanges, the call ended. Jin Biao’s mind was already working. He wasn’t going to this dinner to help Ma Pinghai with anything; he wanted to use this opportunity to discuss the rising new force in the Southern Second District.

If not for Qi Yishan, Jin Biao would probably have fallen already. Qi Yishan had told him not to provoke that person further—the newcomers had police backing, and their patron, Qin Wan’er, was currently a favorite of Chief Chen.

Jin Biao had completely abandoned any idea of swallowing up the Southern Second District, but he needed a chance for reconciliation. Otherwise, if the other side sought revenge, it would be trouble. If he could pull the other two bosses to his side and make it clear to the newcomers that they could take the position of Southern Boss, perhaps they could coexist peacefully.

If the other side refused, then he’d try to rally Ma Pinghai and Wu Lei to join forces and eliminate the threat!

…

After hanging up, Ma Pinghai felt somewhat calmer. He set off straight for the Golden Pavilion Hotel—this matter couldn’t wait any longer, or real trouble would follow.

At six o’clock, Wu Lei arrived first. Ma Pinghai had booked the most luxurious private room and ordered the best dishes and wine.

Wu Lei was a bit uneasy at the lavishness—was this old fox going to ask them to commit murder? “Secretary Ma, isn’t this a bit much? We’re all on the same side, no need for such extravagance.”

“It’s just a regular meal, brother. No need to stand on ceremony with me.” Ma Pinghai opened a box of Nanjing Supreme 95s and offered one to Wu Lei, immediately lighting it for him.

Wu Lei politely refused and lit his own. He didn’t yet know what Ma Pinghai wanted from him and wouldn’t so casually accept a light from him. Eating his food without helping was still just unkind, but if he accepted a cigarette lit by the man, then he’d be obliged to help with anything.

Just as the two lit their cigarettes, Jin Biao walked in, belly out. Though he’d had the best anti-inflammatory injections, the swelling on his face was still visible. “Brother Ma, this treatment is too much! I thought you were hosting a state leader, ha ha ha!”

Ma Pinghai and Wu Lei were both surprised to see Jin Biao.

“Well, if it isn’t Brother Wu Lei! Long time no see!” Jin Biao strode forward to shake hands.

Wu Lei stood to greet him. “Brother Biao, please, have a seat inside!”

Ma Pinghai looked puzzled. “Brother Biao, what happened to you…”

Wu Lei wanted to ask as well but was embarrassed, being the youngest. After all, no one likes to talk about getting beaten up.

“Brother Hai, don’t mention it. There’s a fierce newcomer in Hedong. I’m afraid I can’t hold the Eastern District anymore. Take this as a warning for you both.” Jin Biao’s face was bitter. “See this? Beaten to a pulp. And that’s nothing—my nephew detained their man, and they just had the police come and take him away! Their backing is solid!”

Hearing this, Wu Lei even forgot why they’d come tonight. “Brother Biao, who’s so bold they’d dare touch you?”

“Me? Hmph, you two just wait. Maybe one day, all three of us will be gone, and Hedong’s underworld will belong to them alone.”

Ma Pinghai and Wu Lei both drew a deep breath. Who could be so formidable?

Jin Biao waved his hand. “Enough, let’s not talk about it. Brother Hai, what did you call us here for? We’re all brothers, don’t stand on ceremony.”

Ma Pinghai smiled and signaled the waiter to serve the dishes and pour wine. “No rush, let’s eat first.”

Throughout the meal, Ma Pinghai repeatedly toasted, making plenty of small talk. Jin Biao took the chance to bring up the situation in the Southern Second District. The other two were clearly curious about this new force—anyone daring enough to attack Jin Biao was no ordinary player. Jin Biao’s words only heightened their unease.

Soon, after the food and drink had flowed, Jin Biao finished expressing his concerns. He turned to Ma Pinghai, “Brother Hai, you brought us here for a reason, right? I’ve drunk plenty, if you don’t speak up soon, I’ll be drunk.”

Ma Pinghai took out an envelope and placed it on the table, sliding it over to Jin Biao. “I’d like your help finding these two people in the photos. A friend of mine is looking for them, and I’m short on manpower. It’s urgent, so I hoped you might have some ideas.”

Wu Lei had expected something major, only to find it was just a search for people. “No problem, Secretary Ma. I’ll have my people keep an eye out.”

Jin Biao picked up the envelope but didn’t even look at the photos. Was finding people really worth them getting involved? What a trivial matter—almost insulting. “Brother Hai, you really have time to spare, helping friends find people? We can barely keep our own turf safe these days.”

Ma Pinghai frowned. Though he thought Jin Biao exaggerated the new threat in the Southern Second District, the injuries on Jin Biao’s face weren’t faked. “So, what should we do?”

“Exactly, Brother Biao. If they dare attack you, I’m honestly a bit nervous,” Wu Lei added. Of the three, his power was the weakest; if anyone was to be swallowed up, he’d need the other two’s support most.

Jin Biao knew the dinner hadn’t been for nothing. “Whether we keep our turf depends on whether we can stand united.”

“And how do we unite?” Ma Pinghai frowned. If he had to send out more men, he had none left; he needed the other two’s help now more than ever.

Jin Biao had already thought it through. “Tomorrow, I’ll act as mediator. The three of us will invite them for a talk and lay our cards on the table. We’ll support them taking over the Southern Second District, but on the condition they don’t interfere with our business. If they refuse and try to expand further, against any of us, we’ll unite to resist!”

“Agreed!”

These words struck a chord, but it was a chord of self-interest.

Jin Biao’s idea was because he knew, if the newcomers made a move, he’d be the first target. Ma Pinghai agreed because he had no men left to resist an incursion and didn’t dare ask for help from the Scorpion, Hao Kai. Wu Lei backed the plan because he thought himself the weakest and didn’t realize he was now the only one with any real defensive capability.

“Then it’s settled!” Jin Biao finally allowed himself a smile. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

“Agreed,” Wu Lei nodded. “I’ll be off too.”

Seeing Jin Biao hadn’t opened the envelope, Ma Pinghai quickly reminded them, “Brother Biao, Brother Wu, please don’t forget to look for those two people for me…”

“Don’t worry.” Jin Biao waved the envelope at Ma Pinghai. “I’ll make a thousand copies as soon as I walk out—let Brother Wu take a few hundred and distribute them too!”

A weight lifted from Ma Pinghai’s heart. At least one problem was solved; with so many eyes, they might just find those people quickly.

But after Jin Biao and Wu Lei left the restaurant, Jin Biao immediately tore up the envelope in front of Wu Lei and tossed it into the trash.

Wu Lei was startled and almost asked him why, but held back.

Jin Biao, seeing Wu Lei’s confusion, patted his shoulder. “Brother, in times like these, Ma Pinghai still wants us to help him find people? Does he really think he’s still secretary? Let his own boys handle it. Look at me—got jumped in my own territory in Tuoshan District. Be careful yourself.”

Wu Lei couldn’t argue; with a fierce new player looking to expand, he had no time to help Ma Pinghai find people. He needed his men focused on the Southern Second District.

“Thanks for the reminder, Brother Biao,” Wu Lei said. “Don’t worry, I’m with you. If they want a fight, then we’ll fight!”

Jin Biao nodded vigorously. “Good. With you on my side, I’m relieved!”

Wu Lei put on a loyal face, but inside he was already prepared. If anyone was going to the front lines, it would be the two old foxes first. He had no intention of sending his own men to take the brunt. When their forces were weakened, he would make his move.

After a few more words, the two parted ways. All the while, Ma Pinghai watched from the upstairs private room. He saw Jin Biao tear up the envelope. “Damn that Jin Biao—says one thing to my face, another behind my back. Well, don’t blame me if I play dirty too!”