Age of Legends

Chapter 90 The Art of War
Inside the studio, thunderous laughter broke out from time to time.

In the administrative building opposite, people were whispering.

"What's going on? Day after day. Is there any activity in the studio recently that requires such a big fuss?"

"You don't know? Oh, you just came back from a business trip... Wang Bowen's new show, emotional mediation, is really exciting. It needs a live audience, so they just made a notice and many people went to guest star in the audience, but when they came back, they couldn't laugh anymore!"

"Is it really that exciting?"

"Of course not. I'm planning to be a spectator! Emma, isn't that more exciting than watching TV later? Wang Bowen has gained power overnight. It is said that the Spring Festival song and dance program had many children of leaders perform, and the feedback was very good. Now it seems that he has established a connection with the leaders. Even Director Yu is supporting him. This program was organized with the support of Director Yu."

"Liu Bingrong must be very unhappy. Wang Bowen used to be a troublemaker that he wanted to deal with, but now he has turned the tables and given him a warning!"

"Shh... keep your voice down! It's not certain yet. After all, Director Liu will become the director sooner or later, and Wang Bowen may not end up well by then!"

The two chatted and looked towards the direction of the studio where they heard laughter. They were both thinking that since the show was so good, what would happen when it came out? How big of a reaction would it cause in Rongcheng?

……

During the winter vacation, Zhang Chen and Wang Shuowei went to Zhao Tao's game hall.

Just like Shen Nuo couldn't refuse Qin Tangxi's invitation to go shopping, Zhang Chen was also dragged to the game hall by Wang Shuowei.

Originally, Zhang Chen didn't want to go to such a place. Game halls and entertainment cities are occupied by many gangsters these days. It is smoky and dirty. Compared with that, it is better to go to an Internet cafe.

But Wang Shuowei assured that it was definitely different, so Zhang Chen went with him to see it, and it was indeed different.

Zhao Tao's game room is spacious, with the walls painted with only one layer of clear varnish, and the pipes on the ceiling and walls painted black, giving it an overall industrial style.

There are many PS game consoles and a big TV in the open area at the entrance, and a few sofas on the ground where you can sit and play games. The area is 1,000 square meters, and the arcade games and coin pushers are inside. It means that all aspects are taken care of. It is indeed a very novel layout now, breaking the concept of ordinary game halls.

Zhao Tao's game hall is very popular with people coming and going, and it seems that business is booming.

Zhang Chen felt that the reason why Zhao Tao was able to succeed in the future was probably not just because he was better at fighting and killing, but because of his more advanced entrepreneurial philosophy at the same time.

Look at the current game hall, it is a level higher than other game halls, so naturally business will be attracted here.

What was different today was that Zhao Tao had a bandage on one hand and walked to the sofa next to Zhang Chen and Wang Shuowei.

Zhang Chen and Wang Shuowei are playing Pro Evolution Soccer on PS. It is said that PS2 will be released next month, and Zhao Tao will upgrade these machines by then.

"Brother Zhao, what are you doing?" Wang Shuowei pointed at Zhao Tao's hand.

"Nothing, just a fall."

Zhang Chen looked at Zhao Tao again and said, "Thank you for what you did last time."

Zhang Chen was talking about helping Shen Nuoyi and the others out of trouble.

Zhao Tao waved his hand and said, "If it weren't for the fact that there are so many people here and the shops here do good business, I really don't like this area. It's smoky and there's an ice rink next to it. These people are always making trouble outside, making most people afraid to pass by here. It needs to be regulated."

While Zhao Tao's store was doing good business, new customers kept coming in to greet Zhao Tao, interrupting him while he was talking.

"You guys have fun, I'll go over there to greet people." Zhao Tao then stood up and walked over, looking quite cool.

On the other side, several people came over.

A fat man named Bu Ruijie, a skinny man nicknamed "Monkey", and a young man with disheveled hair named Hong Yao. Zhang Chen knew all of these people. Bu Ruijie was a character who could fight as well as Zhao Tao, like a tank. He used to be a weightlifter in a sports school. He was very strong and could kill one person with one punch. "Monkey" Qian Junyi was a second-level long-distance runner and had won the provincial championship. Hong Yao was a resident singer in a bar. It was said that he was famous for his singing in Rongcheng. He could conquer a lot of girls in various places and even had his own band.

These were all Zhao Tao's former friends, some grew up together, some knew each other at school, and later became brothers.

When these people saw Wang Shuowei coming, they kept staring at Zhang Chen, "Wang Shuowei, is he the one who smeared the faces of those beggars with chili powder?"

These brothers of Zhao Tao were obviously here for Zhang Chen. "Taokouzi" is a local term in Rongcheng, meaning the kind of hooligans that even hooligans look down upon.

That day, several people attacked a woman and made a big fuss. When the news got out, local gangsters like Zhao Tao wanted to cause trouble for this group of people.

And naturally they also heard about Zhang Chen's deeds.

Now I come here to get to know you.

"You can! Throwing chili powder is a bit shameless, but you had no other choice at that time!" Bu Ruijie was good at fighting and disdained this method just like Zhao Tao, so he glanced at Zhang Chen carelessly, but he didn't show much interest in him.

Qian Junyi was wearing a pair of Double Star running shoes and squatting next to Zhang Chen. He looked a little sinister and scary, but the next moment he handed over a cigarette and asked, "Do you want a cigarette?"

Zhang Chen refused, saying that he didn't smoke. Qian Junyi just smiled, put away his cigarette, and stood up to wander around again.

On the other hand, Hong Yao, who had his hair loose, sat on the armrest of the sofa next to Zhang Chen and said with a smile, "Don't listen to what they say about dishonorable means. You are students. How can you protect yourselves if you don't take such measures? So you are still a top student with a good brain, which is good."

He showed goodwill to Zhang Chen.

They only said they were top students because they were from Yude High School like Wang Shuowei, and in their eyes, Yude High School was a top student these days. That’s why Wang Shuowei didn’t tell anyone that they were at the bottom of the class. When you’re out, you give yourself an identity, and Wang Shuowei is very clear about that.

"What's wrong with Brother Zhao's hand?" Wang Shuowei asked Hong Yao.

Hong Yao glanced at the two men's curious eyes and said, "Zhao Tao opened a game hall here, and Sun Chao... he's the boss, so he wouldn't allow us Zhao Tao to open one, so he came up with an idea. Our two gangs started fighting. Under the North Gate Bridge, there were twelve of us and fifty or sixty of them. Sun Chao was doing well and had many brothers, so he picked up all kinds of knives, guns, sticks and clubs, but what was the use? Our Zhao Tao targeted him and beat him. His hands were all smashed to pieces, and Sun Chao even beat him into the yard. Complete victory!"

"So, from now on, we have the final say."

Wang Shuowei's eyes were shining and he was fascinated as he listened to these stories.

"So my brother Zhao's hand is broken?"

"No, his skin is just broken and he's just pretending." Hong Yao shook his head.

Zhang Chen saw Zhao Tao walking around with his hands wrapped, and he understood. Zhao Tao not only had good entrepreneurial ideas, but also had strategies. His condition was not serious, but he wrapped his hands on purpose. Everyone who saw him like this would ask, who did Zhao Tao have sex with, and how did he get his hands injured?

After understanding the whole story of the decisive battle at Beimen Bridge, they immediately understood the fact that Zhao Tao had suppressed Bei Sun Chao. Then naturally, the battle at Beimen Bridge played a role in promoting the battle in Rongcheng.

Zhang Chen shook his head. This was simply the art of war.

What is marketing? This is marketing.

Show weakness to others, lure them into a trap, and then achieve unexpected publicity effects.

No wonder Zhao Tao became so famous in later generations. With the advent of the new century, those hooligans who don’t understand military tactics and marketing will eventually be eliminated.

The new game room is updated.

Today, Zhang Chen also witnessed the transition from the old to the new in Rongcheng's underworld.

(End of this chapter)