Chapter Twenty: The Rogue Has Arrived

  Qiao Yu said this not just talking nonsense, but history has already written it clearly. China's earliest batch of entrepreneurs basically all had dismal operations, and even closed down in the end. Of course, Sichuan was even more miserable, frequent wars made Sichuan's industry not develop at all.

  The people present also pondered, and everyone was somewhat knowledgeable. They were more in agreement with Qiao Yu's words. From the bottom of their hearts, they didn't want to mix with foreigners either, hoping that relying on foreigners wouldn't work out after all.

  The merchant with the surname Xie obviously agreed with Qiao Yu's point of view, and anxiously shouted: "Mr. Qiao, this Qing dynasty has plenty of gold and silver mountains that can't be spent, it's not up to you to worry about eating radish and being frugal, don't always think of yourself as a high-ranking official! The court also buys things from foreigners, aren't you also going to hand over a lot of silver to buy machines from abroad? Are you still more noble than others? I think we're not much different, we all eat foreign food, in this world if you don't eat foreign food you can't survive!"

  Wang Gui said loudly on one side: "Different paths don't make a plan, we recommend Bai Kuan as the next president of the Chamber of Commerce, everything depends on everyone's choice!" This naturally represents the major and minor shareholders such as Sichuan Investment Company, and the people present also understand the strength of this recommendation.

  Li Heyang saw Old Dad just closed his eyes to rest, so he had no choice but to preside over himself: "Does anyone else have any candidates? If not, then it's Mr. Huang and Mr. Bai competing for the two positions. Now I'll give you all a ballot, and you can elect your own chairman!"

  The rest of the businessmen also understood that it was a competition between these two families, and they didn't want to get involved with those who were on a higher level. They honestly accepted their fate and prepared for the election. The so-called "ding zi" referred to one green bean and one yellow bean, where the yellow bean represented Huang Baiwan and the green bean represented Bai Kuan. Whoever was elected would have their bean placed in a prepared jar, and after everyone had voted, they would count the beans to see who won!

  Only over 200 people were eligible to vote, and it was soon finished. The merchant with the surname Xie kept staring at the jar tightly, he and Huang Baiwan were relatives by marriage, sharing joys and sorrows together, otherwise he wouldn't have cheered for Huang Baiwan so desperately. However, from the bottom of his heart, he wasn't very confident either, after all, the commercial forces on Qiao Yu's side were too strong, and more than two-thirds of the merchants present had business dealings with this group, no doubt they would all vote to support Bai Kuan. He didn't know what other arrangements Huang Baiwan had made, if there was no countermeasure, defeat was the only choice!

  Li Heyang scanned the room, seeing that everyone had finished voting, and walked up to the jar in big strides: "Since you've all voted, let's count the beans on the spot!" Just as Li Heyang was about to take action, a cold laugh suddenly came from beside him.

  "Mr. Li, in order to ensure fairness, I've invited a few friends to come and witness this, don't you think it's time to bring them out now?"

  Li Heyang, as Li Yaoting's son, was also a figure in the Chongqing business circle who could shake the city with one foot. In such a formal setting, Huang Baiwan's words were undoubtedly questioning his authority, so his eyebrows furrowed involuntarily.

  "Boss Huang, don't you trust me?"

  "There's nothing wrong with the letter, but it's a big deal that this Chamber of Commerce will last long. After all, we have to ensure fairness! Moreover, the one who is coming for notarization is not an outsider, but rather Gu Jinlong, the President of the Chamber of Commerce. He'll be here immediately!"

  As they spoke, a loud noise came from outside and a group of people rushed into the meeting place. There were over a hundred of them, led by a tall and stout middle-aged man wearing a black robe, with a rugged face and a menacing look. He held a pair of sheep's fat jade chopsticks in his hand, surrounded by a group of guards who followed him closely, exuding an aura of power and intimidation.

  "Gentlemen of the business world, someone has come to disturb you! Please forgive me!"

  As soon as Gu Jinlong, the president of the Chongqing Gang, entered the venue, many businessmen felt a sense of unease. As the president of the Chongqing Gang, he was also notorious for his ruthlessness. Gu Jinlong was skilled with a hatchet and had allegedly beheaded seven people in a single gang conflict, striking fear into the hearts of the people of Chongqing. The businessmen present were all legitimate entrepreneurs who had often suffered at the hands of the gang, but upon seeing the infamous President Gu, they couldn't help but feel terrified and hastily rose to greet him.

  "Shun Qing, how did this guy come? Things are probably not good!" Bai Kuan didn't know that Qiao Yu had already made arrangements, and he still had a natural fear of this ruthless killer from the jianghu.

  Qiao Yu smiled slightly: "Uncle, rest assured, just consider it as adding a play for you, and wait for the position of Chamber of Commerce president!"

  "This guy is ferocious and evil, what's good-looking about him? You little brat, don't get too cocky, or you'll be finished if you're not careful!"

  "Uncle, don't worry, a thug like him can't turn the world upside down!" Behind Qiao Yu, Wang Tianhe was very clear about Qiao Yu's arrangements, so he was extremely confident and also advised Bai Kuan to calm down. Seeing that neither the master nor the servant were in a hurry, Bai Kuan felt even less need to be anxious, and simply sat stably on the fishing platform.

  While speaking, Gu Jinlong had already entered the main hall and bowed to Li Yaoting: "Master Li, I, Jinlong, have come to see you. May you be auspicious!"

  Li Yaoting seemed to have not heard, motionless, still sitting there, after a long time, Li Heyang on the side even wanted to test whether the old man had stopped breathing, the old man's eyes slowly opened, flashing two sharp lights.

  "As people age, how can they unknowingly fall asleep? Gu Hui Zhang, how did you end up here? We're from different worlds, one from the Chamber of Commerce and the other from the Gang. One is black and the other is white, didn't you take a wrong turn?"

  Gu Jinlong saw Li Yaoting leaning on his age to sell his old age, and although he was annoyed in his heart, he didn't dare not show respect for the elder, so he hurriedly bowed his head and paid his respects.

  "Old master, I shouldn't have come originally, but Mr. Huang invited me to come and make a statement, this is also a big deal in Chongqing, for the young masters, I came forward, please don't mind! " As he spoke, Gu Jinlong turned his body around, facing the crowd, and said loudly: "Mr. Huang's benevolence is unparalleled, I, Gu, am extremely admiring of him, I believe everyone else is too, how can there be any doubt about this position?"

  Gu Jinlong's fierce eyes stared tightly at the crowd, and many merchants lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze. Huang Baiwan was extremely pleased in her heart, these merchants were wealthy, but most of them were timid and afraid of trouble, when they encountered someone as reckless as Gu Jinlong, they involuntarily became cowardly!

  Gu Jinlong was very satisfied with his influence, a ugly smile appeared on his fleshy face, and he walked a few steps to the jar containing Dingzi.

  "Is it still necessary to use such tactics when choosing a chairman who is upright and just? Mr. Gu nominated Chairman Huang, if no one objects, it will be passed!"

  "Gu Jinlong, don't you see me in your eyes? Do you still want to monopolize the election? Or would you rather have Gu Hui come and be the president of this Chamber of Commerce?"

  Li Yaoting's face finally showed a hint of anger. As a high-ranking official, even the governor of Sichuan had to show him some courtesy. Who was Gu Jindong? He was nothing but a gang leader. How dare he ignore Li's presence and try to manipulate the Chamber of Commerce election? The old man couldn't tolerate this, and Gu Jindong looked equally arrogant.

  "Old man, I didn't mean it that way, just let everyone clarify what they said. At your age, you shouldn't bother with such trivial matters!"

  Li Heyang finally couldn't bear it anymore, his face flushing bright red.

  "Director Gu, this is the Li residence, not your gathering hall. Leave now, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

  "Old Li, I'm a person who doesn't stand on ceremony with anyone. If you're polite to me, I'll feel uncomfortable!"

  Li Heyang finally couldn't bear it, and with a wave of his hand, a large number of guards rushed out of the Li mansion, surrounding everyone brought by Gu Jindong. Gu Jindong sneered slightly: "Master Li, do you want to compete with us in numbers? You're not a match for us, let our people come in!" As he spoke, there was another commotion outside the mansion, and soon over 200 people rushed in, counter-surrounding the guards of the Li mansion.

  The guards of the Li Mansion were all equipped with rifles, while the Huizhou people only had a few bird guns, and the rest were all machetes and wooden clubs. However, the guards of the Li Mansion did not dare to take action against these Huizhou people easily, knowing that the Huizhou forces were spread all over the world, and if they provoked them, no one could bear the consequences. Li Heyang was also in a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat!