20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 674 Dissatisfaction
"What, you're not allowed to collect protection money?"

In the north of Fengtian City, there is Xifeng Mansion.

On the second day after the Jiang family meeting, each hall conveyed the final decision of the host family.

Li Zhengxi was no exception. At noon that day, just when it was time for lunch, he called several of his key members to his home and gave them instructions on various arrangements for the future.

Laizi, Shitou, Laoguai... the little fans back then are now in their twenties. Following the west wind, they have made a living and are finally starting to enjoy life.

Guyu was still busy preparing meals in the outer room. Everyone sat cross-legged on the kang, listening quietly to the west wind.

As expected, once the resolution was announced, it immediately aroused dissatisfaction among the public.

"Third brother, isn't this digging up our livelihood?"

Everyone cried out in injustice, not understanding why the Jiang family took the initiative to give in, and they didn't want to understand. They just felt that they were being treated unfairly and seemed to be being targeted in some way.

Li Zhengxi had no choice but to explain: "This is not targeted at you, but an adjustment that all halls must obey."

"That's what you said, but on what basis?" Shitou frowned, "It's obvious that our sect was the most affected."

Indeed, even with a unified adjustment, it is inevitable that some people will gain and some will suffer losses.

Most of Wang Zhengnan's subordinates serve as civilian managers. They earn a salary and are all calculating people. They never make a living by collecting protection fees.

Xue Yingqing brought his original team with him, and the business of "Songfeng Zhuyun" was booming. If they were asked to collect "land tax", people would feel it was a loss of face.

Although Wen Tingge is not in Fengtian, his people are all Buddhas and they are capable. Why should he worry about not having ways to make money?

Zhao Guoyan and Zhang Zhengdong have the most "Xiangzi" subordinates, who often watch over the places everywhere. They usually earn a lot of money. If they happen to get a job, one job can be equivalent to the annual income of others. However, the more they earn, the greater the risk. They often earn money but not spend it. Lao Niu is one of them.

Only Xifeng's sect is not so good. Although several of its core members are beggars, they have no master, so they are not considered to be important members of the sect, and they don't have any outstanding abilities. They usually rely on bullying others to barely make some money to make ends meet.

Of course, it depends on who you are comparing with.

Compared with ordinary people, Laizi and others live a very comfortable life, but it is far less prosperous than other gangs.

Not to mention that the Jiang family is partial, the initial starting points of each hall are almost the same, and the care they received is also the same. Now there is a gradual gap. If anyone is to blame, it can only be blamed on the eldest brother of the hall for his poor management. Even if the eldest sister-in-law wants to help him, how will the other halls feel when they hear about it?

However, can we really blame the gang leader for the current situation?

Li Zhengxi patiently explained the situation:

"Don't complain to me. I've already said that the Jiang family's future focus will be on the labor union. If you are willing, go to the factory to work. I can find someone to arrange a job for you. The work is not heavy. You should work hard in there and strive to become a team leader and serve as an eyeliner for the boss. If you can become a boss, you will definitely be valued in the Jiang family in the future."

"Wouldn't that mean I'd be a laborer?" Everyone curled their lips when they heard this. "Getting up early and going to bed late every day, and still having to be ordered around, is too embarrassing. I can't afford to lose face. There's no point in working in a factory. It's really boring."

"Snapped!"

Li Zhengxi slammed the table and cursed: "Fuck, you just had a few days of full meals and you still want to save face!"

Laoguai—his legs were broken when he was a child, and although they were later fixed, his right foot made circles when he walked, so he got this nickname—when he saw Xifeng getting angry, he immediately softened and said with a smile: "Third brother, that's not what I meant. Look at my conditions... I couldn't get into the factory anyway, and I was afraid of losing face for you."

"Bullshit! If I say I can let you in, I can let you in!"

"The point is... I don't know how to do that either!"

"Then learn it. Who the hell is born knowing it?"

"Third brother, look at my age... It's too late, really too late."

Actually, Lao Guai is only in his early twenties, but when he speaks, it seems as if he doesn't have much time left.

The bottom line is that I just don't want to work in a factory.

Relying on the power of the west wind, the people usually walk around the riverside with their arms swinging and their arms unrestrained. They are used to being the boss, so how could they be willing to suffer even the slightest hardship?
Lao Guai really didn't want to go, and Li Zhengxi couldn't force him to go. Otherwise, if he reluctantly joined the factory, he would probably be a spendthrift, not only would he lose the favor, but he might even cause some trouble.

"Look at you guys, how do you expect me to help you?" Xifeng was getting angrier and angrier, and couldn't help but curse, "I would like to send you to help out at my place, but are you qualified? None of you can even read, and you're always picking and choosing!"

Lao Guai volunteered and said, "Third brother, I can be a 'ring-winner' for the Jiang family!"

"Damn it, why don't you say that you are not in good condition now?" Li Zhengxi simply laughed out of anger.

"Third brother, if I really run, my legs are actually pretty fast!" Laoguai said with blind confidence, "Besides, when the Jiang family goes out on a mission, aren't they equipped with guns? It's OK if you're good at shooting. Can that person really outrun a bullet?"

"Get lost, have you ever fired a gun?"

"Learn it. No one is born knowing how to do it!"

Li Zhengxi was speechless, extremely speechless - the gap between people is often incredible.

Come to think of it, Hu Xiaoyan gathered a group of young fans back then and carefully selected from them before deciding on Si Fengkou and Xiaohua, because she knew very well that one could not expect all young fans to become successful in the future.

Xifeng is different. He accepts all who come to him for help, without any discrimination or selection.

The originally considerable income from "land sales" will seem too little when distributed per person.

Knowing people and assigning them to the right positions - only four words. It sounds simple, but if one can achieve either "knowing people" or "assigning them to the right positions", he or she would probably be a well-known figure. How many people throughout history have been able to achieve both?

Li Zhengxi only hated Lao Guai for being stupid and finally shook his head helplessly.

Seeing that he didn't say anything, Laoguai argued again: "Third brother, even if my conditions are not good, then the stone can be used, right?"

Li Zhengxi waved his hand and asked, "Do you think that as long as you dare to kill someone, you can become a 'Xiangzi' in the Jiang family?"

"What else?" everyone asked.

Li Zhengxi was too lazy to explain, and just said: "Don't think about it. I'm not suppressing you on purpose, but you are simply incapable of doing dirty work. On the contrary, you will only make the work dirtier and dirtier."

The Jiang family's attitude towards "Xiangzi" has always been to rather have nothing than to have unqualified ones. After careful screening at various levels and mutual guarantees, there are only fifty people in total.

In fact, physical ability is often not the most important assessment criterion.

When everyone heard this, they felt a little discouraged.

The food was served one after another, but there was no wine. Guyu's attitude was a little cold. He greeted everyone indifferently, did not sit down at the table, and went back to the outer room to hide away.

"Okay, hurry up and start eating!" Li Zhengxi said hurriedly, "I won't drink today. I have to go to the hospital to deliver food later!"

Everyone ate a few mouthfuls of food in silence, feeling a little suffocated and complaining. Shitou said, "Third brother, it's not that we are not satisfied, but the ban on collecting protection fees has a huge impact on our sect. Can't you talk to the boss about it?"

"Yes!" Someone immediately echoed, "Third brother, we are not forcing you. As the saying goes, the crying child gets the milk. If you can't get it, just make a fuss. Maybe the matter will be resolved!"

"What are you making a fuss about!" Li Zhengxi shouted, "The boss has already made the decision. There is no room for bargaining!"

Shitou put down his bowl and chopsticks and tried to argue again: "Third brother, the problem is that if we don't collect the protection fee, someone else will. It's obviously the money we have earned, why do we have to give it back and let others get the benefit?"

"A tall tree attracts the wind, understand?" Li Zhengxi said patiently, "This is not called giving others a bargain, this is called easing relations, the same applies to other gangs. Let's eat."

"Oh, use our harvest to ease the relationship with the Jiang family?" Someone whispered.

Upon hearing this, Li Zhengxi immediately frowned, slammed his chopsticks and cursed: "Whose meal are you eating?"

Everyone was speechless and dared not say another word.

"You want to continue collecting protection fees, right?" Li Zhengxi pointed out the window. "Whoever wants to continue collecting protection fees can do it themselves, but don't use my name, let alone the Jiang family's name. If someone else kills you, you'll have to bear the consequences yourself. Don't come to me. Go! Whoever wants to collect it, get out of here right now!"

Suddenly, the room was completely silent.

There were two timid ones who were so frightened that they were silent and didn't even have the courage to raise their heads.

After the scolding, everyone was scared and naturally no longer had any objections.

After a long silence, Laizi finally spoke to break the silence.

He was the oldest and could be considered Xifeng's right-hand man. He immediately smiled and comforted him, "Third brother, eat, don't get angry. We just want to clarify something."

"Haven't I made it clear enough?" Li Zhengxi asked back, "This matter has been decided! Those who agree, stay; those who disagree, get out now!"

No one moved, as everyone relied on the power of the west wind to get to where they are today.

Without Xifeng, with just a few of them, they wouldn’t be able to keep their business, let alone collect protection fees.

"It's clear, it's clear!" Laizi was a wise man, and he quickly turned around and advised, "You guys really don't understand. The boss has been very kind to us. Although he doesn't allow us to collect protection fees, we don't have to pay for the income from 'setting up the land'!"

No one answered.

Although the income from "setting up the land" no longer needs to be paid, the commission will be reduced by 20%. After deducting the protection fee, the income will still be less than before.

Seeing that everyone was silent, Laizi smiled and said, "Third brother, these cowards are timid, but don't worry, we eat the Jiang family's food, and we must follow the Jiang family's instructions. It's just that they are short-sighted and don't understand the interests involved. You have to give them some time to let them figure it out slowly."

Li Zhengxi didn't say anything. He was still angry. Naturally, he couldn't eat the food on the table in front of him.

Laizi was able to speak, so he winked at the others and urged them with a smile, "Okay, are you all full?"

Everyone nodded silently.

"Since you are full, don't stay here and avoid annoying your sister-in-law."

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Li Zhengxi squinted at the beggar.

"Yes, yes, I said the wrong thing again." Laizi slapped himself on the face, and then said, "Third brother, you still have to go to the hospital later, so we shouldn't cause you any trouble here. Let's leave now while it's not too late."

Having said that, he immediately asked everyone to leave quickly so as not to anger Xifeng again.

Everyone nodded hurriedly, got off the kang very carefully, put on their shoes, bowed and said goodbye: "Third brother, we are leaving first."

"Wait!" Li Zhengxi suddenly stopped them and reminded them again and again, "When you 'set up the land' in the future, remember to take 20% less. Don't fucking try to fool me. When the time comes, I will conduct random inspections. If there are any complaints, you will all be punished and given a pass. Don't blame me for not reminding you!"

Laizi immediately assured: "Third brother, don't worry, I'll be watching them. If anything goes wrong, you'll be the first to take action!"

Li Zhengxi was a little impatient, waved his hand and said, "Let's go, let's go!"

Everyone left the room one after another, went to the outer room to say goodbye to Guyu, and finally left the courtyard silently and walked out of the gate.

Li Zhengxi looked through the window and saw the figures of several brothers disappearing one by one. He lit a cigarette and stretched his neck to shout outside: "Wife, have you packed the food I want to bring to Xiaobei?"

Soon, the sound of footsteps gradually came.

Guyu walked into the house holding a small cloth bag in both hands, handed it to Xifeng, and sat down quietly on the edge of the kang. Apart from that, he had nothing else to say.

Li Zhengxi frowned when he saw this and asked, "What's going on? Laizi and the others didn't ask me for money, so why are they doing this to me?"

"Who said money?"

"Then why are you looking so gloomy in front of me?"

"Nothing." Guyu shook his head, then changed his mind and couldn't help but said, "Forget it, just continue to spoil them."

"Who?" Li Zhengxi's eyes widened. "Didn't you hear me scolding them just now?"

Guyu snorted softly, but said: "Come on, don't I know you? You have a sharp tongue but a soft heart. You will never be a person like my elder brother and his wife!"

"baffling!"

Li Zhengxi moved to the edge of the kang as if he was feeling guilty, and while putting on his shoes, he said, "I'm going to take Xiaobei a meal. I asked the doctor last night, and he estimated that he would be able to be discharged from the hospital tomorrow. Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon, Xiaobei is discharged from the hospital, and my brother has adopted a godson in Jilin, so this year will definitely be a lively time. Do you have enough money? Don't forget to bring a gift for my brother and sister-in-law."

After saying that, he walked towards the door in a hurry.

Just as he was about to push the door open, he suddenly heard Gu Yu ask quietly behind him, "'Use our harvest to ease the relationship with the Jiang family', if this is known to the family, what will the eldest sister-in-law do?"

Li Zhengxi suddenly stood at the door in a daze.

After pondering for a moment, he slowly turned his head, only to see Guyu standing with his back to him, silently cleaning up the dishes on the kang table.

She didn't look like she expected an answer.

Li Zhengxi tightened his throat, laughed dryly and said, "That kid is a good talker. Sometimes he blurts out all kinds of bullshit. If he is like that, he will probably die after two lashes. I guess he is scared now."

Guyu piled up the bowl and chopsticks and said coldly: "Well, if you say so, then so be it!"

"Well...I'm leaving now. Do you want me to bring anything back?"

"No need, just come back early."

(End of this chapter)