The Republic of China: I, Xiangzi, a Hero in a Chaotic Era

Liu Jiaxiang leaned forward slightly, his sharp gaze landing on Hai Gouzi's face as if it were a physical object, as if trying to see through his flesh and into his bones.

"When thugs from Tianjin go to the capital to work as outlaws, they either can't make a living locally or they get into huge legal trouble."

His voice wasn't loud, but it possessed a penetrating power that seemed to see through everything.

"Judging from your skills and your quick thinking tonight, you're clearly the latter. Tell me, are you carrying the weight of someone's life on your shoulders?"

The sea lion felt a chill run down its spine under that gaze, and a cold sweat instantly broke out on its back.

His facial muscles twitched slightly, knowing that there was no point in hiding anything from this unfathomable director.

Sea Dog gave a wry smile, with a resigned acceptance of his fate:

"Your Excellency's judgment is impeccable. I... I was fighting over dock territory in Tianjin and accidentally killed someone, which landed me in legal trouble. The other party was a minor leader of the Green Gang, who had some influence in Tianjin. I... have no choice but to flee to another place."

He raised his head, his eyes filled with a hint of pleading, as well as the ruthlessness unique to those in the martial arts world.

"If you value us and can provide us with a place to live and make a living, then my life, Hai Gouzi's life, is yours! I will go through fire and water for you without hesitation!"

Liu Jiaxiang listened to his declaration of loyalty without much emotion on his face, and simply gave a soft "hmm".

"It wasn't as exaggerated as going through fire and water."

He leaned back in his chair, his fingers interlaced in front of his abdomen.

"What I want you to do is very simple. Just go back to what you're doing and run the casino."

"You can open a bigger venue, right in my jurisdiction in Xisi North. I'll instruct the patrol officers to take care of your venue. As long as you follow the rules, no one will cause you trouble."

Sea Dog's spirits lifted; this was exactly the result he had hoped for.

However, Liu Jiaxiang's next words made his heart tighten.

As for the profits...

Liu Jiaxiang spoke in a calm tone, as if he were discussing the weather.

"Besides the fees that you normally have to pay to the office, I'll take 30% of your venue's profits."

"Thirty percent?"

The sea lion repeated it subconsciously, its face showing undisguised surprise.

He had assumed that the ruthless director would ask for an exorbitant amount, at least 50% or more, since he was making a living under the director's protection.

Thirty percent, much lower than he had expected, even lower than the percentage he had previously paid to local bullies in Tianjin.

He looked at Liu Jiaxiang with some disbelief.

Liu Jiaxiang took in his surprise, his eyes filled with a condescending sense of understanding.

"I don't care about this amount of money; it's just a matter of protocol."

He paused, his tone carrying a deeper indifference.

"I don't care about this small business. What's next is the most important thing."

The sea lion immediately held his breath; he knew the real test was coming.

Liu Jiaxiang's gaze sharpened like a hawk's, locking onto the sea lion:

"I'm giving you three months. Within three months, you need to find a way to infiltrate the West City Three Friends Joint Transportation Association."

Upon hearing this, Haikouzi's heart skipped a beat. Xicheng Sanyou Joint Transportation Association!

During his month in Maojiawan, he had already become a household name.

That was the veritable tyrant of the West City, monopolizing both land and water passenger transport. It was said that he had extremely deep connections with the higher-ups in the police department and had a powerful background.

This young director infiltrated the United Nations General Assembly; his motives... far exceed the profits from a small casino.

A chill mixed with a strange excitement ran down the sea dog's spine.

He was calculating rapidly in his mind.

Infiltrating the Federation of Transport Associations with ulterior motives is extremely risky; once exposed, one will face certain death.

But this is also a tremendous opportunity!

A real opportunity to establish oneself in the capital and climb the social ladder!

He, Hai Gouzi, was a desperate man who was least afraid of seeking wealth and power in dangerous situations.

What's more, his life and fortune are now in the hands of this unfathomable director.

He had no choice.

After a moment's thought, Hai Gouzi's eyes hardened, and he met Liu Jiaxiang's gaze, nodding firmly.

"My lord, rest assured! I will do my utmost to accomplish this!"

"Not by giving it your all,"

Liu Jiaxiang's voice suddenly turned cold, like an ice pick piercing to the bone.

"But it is imperative to do so."

He leaned forward slightly, and an invisible pressure instantly enveloped the entire office, making it almost impossible for Hai Gouzi to breathe.

"If you can't do that, then you're worthless to me. Understand?"

Looking into Liu Jiaxiang's eyes, which shone brightly under the lights yet were unfathomable and devoid of any emotion, Hai Gouzi instantly understood the weight of those words.

In the eyes of this director, people who have no value only have one path: death.

He had no doubt that the other party had countless ways to make him disappear without a trace.

Cold sweat instantly soaked through his inner shirt.

Sea Dog took a deep breath, suppressing his fear, straightened his back, and his eyes revealed a resolute determination unique to a desperado:

"Rest assured, sir! I, Sea Dog, will definitely succeed! Within three months, I will infiltrate the Joint Transport Association!"

Liu Jiaxiang stared at him for a few seconds, his cold scrutiny seeming to see right through his soul.

Finally, Liu Jiaxiang slowly leaned back in his chair, a trace of calm returning to his face.

"Yes. I'll remember your words."

"By the way, do you still have enough money to set up the venue? We need to expand our operations; we can't keep doing small-scale things like before."

The sea lion quickly replied:

"Your Excellency, the casino in Maojiawan will be opened this month. I have some savings, enough to support a decent establishment, no problem."

"it is good."

Liu Jiaxiang nodded and gave the final instructions.

"Then you can take your brothers and go. In the Xisi North area, you can choose a suitable place and set up your business as soon as possible."

"Once everything is settled, just send someone to the police station to report to Officer Zhang Kui. We don't need to meet again unless absolutely necessary."

"Yes, sir!"

Hai Gouzi stood up and bowed deeply to Liu Jiaxiang, his posture extremely respectful.

He knew that from this moment on, his life, and the lives of his men, were completely tied to this young police station chief.

Haikouzi dared not be negligent in the slightest, carefully leaving the office and gently closing the door behind him.

Silence returned to the office.

Liu Jiaxiang sat alone in a large chair, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the table.

Outside the window, the sky was still pitch black, but a faint gray-white tinge seemed to be emerging in the east.

Dealing with the sea lions, distributing gambling funds, assigning tasks to infiltrate the Joint Transport Association... the turmoil of the night finally came to an end.

A deep sense of fatigue washed over me, not from physical exhaustion, but from the relaxation that comes after intense mental concentration.

The Xicheng Sanyou Joint Transportation Association, Master Ning, was an absolute behemoth to Liu Jiaxiang, who was merely the head of a police station.