The thirty-six all agreed

  Chen Xiaoqi's face showed a look of surprise, almost as if he was shocked, his mouth agape and eyes wide with wonder, he exclaimed: "Ah! So it's the famous Shanghai Zhang Mr. in person! I've heard your name for a long time, but never had the chance to meet you, today I'm so lucky to meet you in this foreign land thousands of miles away!"

  As he spoke, Chen Xiaoqi repeatedly cupped his hands in respect, with an expression that was just like a fan seeing Andy Lau - "admiration as endless as the Yangtze River". Such exaggerated flattery came naturally and smoothly from Chen Xiaoqi, without a hint of insincerity. This made Zhang Xiaolin feel very pleased with himself, pretending to be reserved while smiling continuously.

  Zhang Xiaolin waved his hand, and his slightly bald forehead shook as he smiled self-deprecatingly: "Ah, Old Master Chen, you're overpraising me. I'm just leading a group of brothers to make a living, barely scraping by, whereas you've built such a huge business empire in the Western world with just one hand and one foot in a few short years! Compared to that, we old folks have really wasted half our lives! The younger generation is truly formidable, it's not false!"

  Chen Xiaoqi said, "You can't say that, nowadays in big Shanghai who doesn't know that you, Mr. Zhang and Mr. Huang, Mr. Du are the best among our Chinese people? The heroic deeds of the three of you, even I, a person living in a foreign country, have long admired. Only I don't know what good business Mr. Zhang has come from afar to entrust to me?"

  "Where's the business that needs to be taken care of? Who doesn't know the name 'Little God of Wealth' Chen Boss nowadays? With just a flick of your finger, you can turn stones into gold and make huge profits. If you were in Shanghai now, I'm sure many wealthy businessmen would be clamoring to consult with you! Haha, speaking of which, I came all the way to America to find you, brother, because I wanted to ask my little brother to take care of his big brother for a bit!"

  Mr. Zhang, you're too polite. Here, we're all fellow villagers. Don't mention anything about taking care of each other. Whatever I have that you think is good enough, and whatever little brother can help with, just go ahead and ask, Mr. Zhang.

  "Good, good, good! Brother Chen is indeed a straightforward and bold Shandong man. So I won't beat around the bush either. I'm sure you know that He Dageng's pharmaceutical business in Qingdao has now all been taken over by our 'Sanxin Company'. Speaking of which, He was also an unlucky person. After struggling for over a decade, he finally managed to build up his family business with your brother's guidance, but unfortunately, he met with bad luck and passed away at sea during a storm. It's really something to sigh about!"

  Chen Xiaoqi immediately understood, it seems that He Dagen was drowned in the sea! It looks like this is indeed a common method of the Shanghai Gang, in Shanghai they put people in sacks and fill them into the Huangpu River, in Qingdao they fill Jiaozhou Bay, okay! Anyway, the black eat the black to be beautiful, the thief eats the thief to be fat!

  Shaking his head with a sigh, Chen Xiaoqi said: "Alas, this can only be blamed on He Lao's bad luck. This is also an unavoidable thing. It's good that it's like this. Originally, his small business was just a temporary game I played, and I didn't take it seriously. He Lao's ability is limited, and he can't stir up much trouble. Now that it has returned to the 'Sanxin Company', with the great abilities of Mr. Zhang and Mr. Huang, Mr. Du, they will surely be able to revive this small thing and create a new prosperous scene."

  Zhang Xiaolin picked up his pipe again, slowly puffing on it, and nodded gently, saying: "It's best that Old Chen can understand this."

  Chen Xiaoqi smiled and beckoned the three of them to have tea, Zhang Xiaolin slightly tilted his head to one side and called out to the two followers: "Xiao Ma, Xiao Dai, since Mr. Chen is so enthusiastic and hospitable, you two also sit down and finish your tea."

  That little horse's eyes flickered, not knowing how to speak, but Xiao Dai slightly bowed and smiled: "There is a distinction between superior and inferior, Mr. Zhang and Old Chen are discussing official business, we shouldn't disturb them, it's better to wait."

  This person spoke very appropriately and knew when to advance or retreat, which made Chen Xiaoqi take a closer look at this young Dai. He was in his early twenties, not particularly tall, with a horse face, short hair that was combed neatly without a single strand out of place, small eyes, and clean-shaven cheeks. His suit looked like it had been washed many times and had faded somewhat, but there wasn't a speck of dirt on it, and it didn't have a single wrinkle. This was someone who paid close attention to details and understood etiquette, knowing when to observe the situation. In contrast, Little Ma fell short in this regard, as he was still clearly considering whether or not to sit down just now.

  Just like the current joke says "When the leader takes food, you turn the table; when the leader opens the door, you get in the car; when the leader speaks, you echo; when the leader loses face, you pretend to be deaf; when the leader has secrets, you spread rumors; when the leader has a mistress, you dare not touch; when the leader is sober, you drink more first; when the leader is young, you call him brother", people like this can't make it in society, no matter in ancient or modern times. Those who react quickly and respond appropriately are always talented.

  It's clear that Zhang Xiaolin is just showing off his strict family rules, and this young Dai is cleverly giving his boss face. Zhang Xiaolin seems satisfied but pretends to be regretful, shaking his head and sighing: "Ah, you see, nowadays young people all think they can make their own decisions, ah, fine, do as you please. Chen brother, don't be fooled by my appearance in Shanghai, it's actually a very difficult life. The ones who call the shots in Shanghai are foreigners, we Chinese can only scrounge for scraps from their tables, barely making ends meet. It's not like your younger brother here, who is living large and prosperous! Right now, I've started a company with Jin Rong and Yue Sheng, importing some foreign goods to make a hard-earned buck. Your younger brother's products, whether it's the "Zep" lighter or the "Black Star" handgun, the "Belle" western-style clothing, or the new western medicine, are all top-notch items that are popular for a time. Since your younger brother is doing so well in America, with his wealth and influence, could you spare some for your older brother, just to help him out a bit?

  Chen Xiaoqi waved his hand and said bluntly, "Mr. Zhang, this is what you're talking about. We are from the same root, so we should help each other. This goes without saying. Whatever products I have here, I can give your company the agency rights. For now, I'm not sure about larger things, but for the entire market south of the Yangtze River, which is half of China, all the products my American company currently has - clothing, lighters, pharmaceuticals, and chemical products - I can give you exclusive sales rights."

  Zhang Xiaolin happily patted his thigh and said, "Brother Chen is so generous! I'll thank you on behalf of my other two brothers. Hmm, I heard that your relationship with the DuPont company is quite good. Nowadays, domestic wars are frequent, and the demand for gunpowder is huge. Can you allocate some to our company through DuPont?"

  Chen Xiaoqi thought for a moment and said calmly: "This, I can't answer you immediately. After all, DuPont is not an equal partner with us, and I haven't had the chance to discuss terms with them yet. Moreover, DuPont has several offices in China, so it's not good to bypass them suddenly. However, I've been considering setting up a import and export company recently, which will be responsible for the agency distribution and transportation of my products domestically and globally. At that time, we can also transport some fine American products back to China, and your company can choose from them to discuss cooperation. How about that?"

  Zhang Xiaolin's eyes lit up, and his voice rose as he said: "Oh? Younger brother, you also want to expand your business domestically? Hehe, that's great. As long as older brother can transport these new goods to Shanghai, I can give you a guarantee, and your products will definitely sell well in all provinces."

  Chen Xiaoqi smiled and said, "It's settled then. Mr. Zhang and the two Dai brothers and Ma brother have come from afar, so as the host, I must treat you well. How about this: it's still early for dinner, why don't I invite you to take a look at my property first and offer some advice?"

  "Exactly what I wanted! I wouldn't dare say it's an honor to be taught, but rather that it broadens one's horizons, haha!"

  Ma and Dai also followed with a smile, Chen Xiaoqi coldly observed that this surname Ma had a flattering attitude, it was clear that he was not a broad-minded person. And this little Dai had a natural and warm smile from start to finish, without overstepping or losing his composure, very elegant. Chen Xiaoqi felt even more strange, Zhang Xiaolin himself was unvirtuous, bringing along someone like Ma was understandable, but this little Dai didn't seem to be on the same path as them! What's going on here?

  Chen Xiaoqi became more attentive, and he seemed to unintentionally make eye contact with Hu Qian, who had been following him from the beginning. Then, with a glance at Xiaodai's body, Hu Qian understood and quietly fell back a few steps to walk alongside Xiaodai and Xiaoma, striking up a casual conversation. Chen Xiaoqi took this opportunity to pull Zhang Xiaolin forward, pointing out the various buildings along the road with different architectural styles, as well as the numerous tower cranes in the distance. He told Zhang about his current company scale, products, and the grand blueprint for future business expansion, as well as his ambitious plans. Zhang listened intently, nodding repeatedly.

  Chen Xiaoqi was so enthusiastic about promoting these things to him, actually this can be considered a sudden brainstorming, before he didn't know what kind of person was coming, so he didn't make any preparations, he absolutely didn't expect that one of the three big giants of Shanghai would come in person to discuss. In his opinion, these business matters seemed not to require such heavyweight figures to appear, basically pulling the banner of three people here, he would also entertain well and arrange cooperation.

  In Chen Xiaoqi's view, the domestic market is insignificant to him, extremely backward and poor, with no great consumption capacity. His clothing and daily chemicals are high-priced products that cannot be afforded domestically. Lighters may enter the eyes of some officials, but they will not form a large scale or make much money. Even the most promising "sulfonamide" class drugs, which have just started production, are sold at high prices and are urgently needed by developed countries, which is already a huge market that cannot be filled, let alone spare many to cater to the domestic market.

  "Sanxin Company" is what, Chen Xiaoqi was very clear, this company's reputation has never been good, they mainly used to sell opium and other toxic substances to the domestic market for huge profits. The large amount of tobacco banned by the Republican government in Shanghai was actually mostly sold privately through "Sanxin Company". Not only that, but the company also controlled prostitution, gambling dens, opened smokehouses, sold military equipment, and dominated Shanghai's daily necessities market, making a fortune from ill-gotten gains, it can be said that it is not a good thing.

  But none of this would become Chen Xiaoqi's excuse for refusing, and he didn't plan to refuse either. His products were clean, no matter who brought them into the country, the result was the same. He didn't have the energy to care about that little business at home now. Who had the ability to develop it was irrelevant to him, so even if they all went to Zhang Xiaolin to do it, it didn't matter.

  Now he has a bit of uncertainty, it is Zhang Aoling's attitude, which is really beyond his expectation. It is said that in Shanghai, one of the big bosses who says one and two, Zhang Aoling is quite arrogant and unruly, and has never heard of being so humble and polite to others like today. Compared with Du Yuesheng's style, it is incomparable. So why would he have such a performance? Is there anything that he wants from himself? It seems that there is nothing in his hands that is worth the domestic bigwigs spending so much thought and effort to please him.

  Chen Xiaoqi couldn't see through it, after all, he was inexperienced and had been through too few things, and was also too young. Moreover, he was extremely unfamiliar with the domestic situation, so he couldn't guess at all what Zhang Xiaolin was thinking in his heart. The language exchange only stayed on the surface, and he didn't have the skill to use words to get to the bottom of things. As a result, after walking and pointing for more than half an hour, strolling for over an hour, they still couldn't figure out what the inside story was.

  Zhang Xiaolin is an old fox who has been wandering the world for many years, how could he be deceived by Chen Xiaoqi, a young whippersnapper? He seemed to be chatting casually, but actually was very careful with his words, praising Chen Xiaoqi's great achievements in a timely manner. He sighed about the passing of time and the loss of youth, and the sorrow of the changing seasons, making it seem like they were getting along famously, and the atmosphere was quite good.

  When it was time for dinner, Chen Xiaoqi didn't invite outsiders and instead had Zhang Xiaolin sit in the main seat with him. He then asked Hu Qian and Zhou Yunpeng to accompany Xiao Ma and Xiao Dai at a lower table. The six people sat together in a circle, enjoying Chinese dishes and Western cuisine prepared by a chef specially hired from the canteen of the laboratory, accompanied by red wine. Everyone was happy and harmonious.

  Before taking his seat, Hu Qian took the opportunity to pass a small note to Chen Xiaoqi, which simply read: "Xiao Dai, Dai Chunfeng, courtesy name Yunong, from Zhejiang, 25 years old, first joined Huang Du Chen."

  Dai Chunfeng? Dai Yunong?! Dai Li!!!

  Chen Xiaoqi only felt that his heart was very uncooperative, "hmm" and suddenly rose to the throat, pumping like thunder, buzzing in his head as if he had been struck by lightning, and his two eyes could hardly see anyone.

  This name can no longer be described as "thunderous", it has become a myth, a faith, a symbol that is enough to make people worship and yet hate extremely! This so-called "Chiang Kai-shek's partner in crime", "China's Gestapo", "China's most mysterious figure", 'King of Assassins' Dai Li, could he really be the young man standing in front of me who looks a bit shy and a bit down on his luck? It looks like him! Very much like him! But how did he end up with Zhang Xiaolin?