Chapter 47: Choose One of Two

In the company.

Yu Mingyuan sat in his chair, holding the phone with his right hand, his brows furrowed: "...Is this really about the Thunder Boys from outside Dragon City wanting money, or is the dock gang trying to put pressure on us?"

"In my opinion, the goods and people weren't taken by the dock gang, but they do want to use this situation to pressure us," Tang Baiqing replied. "We have channels, we distribute goods quickly, and now we've set up shop. It's normal for these people who make a living from the water to be envious."

Yu Mingyuan remained silent.

"Mingyuan, we've known each other for quite some time, so let me be frank," Tang Baiqing persuaded again. "Whether we use the dock gang or the dirty gang as couriers, it doesn't really matter to us. It's just a matter of giving away a bit of profit. But in terms of reasonability and convenience, the dock gang is more valuable than the Su, Bai, and Kong families. They make their living from the water, and they have a lot of influence around the port. Using them would reduce a lot of unnecessary trouble. For example, you're not operating on a large scale yet, but if you expand to the next level, there will be even more envious people. When the customs people and highway robbers from outside the district all come at you, can you rely on the Su, Bai, and Kong families to fend them all off? But you can with the dock gang. They're professionals at this, you understand my meaning?"

Yu Mingyuan seemed to be thinking and still didn't respond.

"Anyway, I've said my piece. If you're interested in talking, I'll arrange a meeting with Xu Hu and Xu Er, these two brothers. We can sit down and rearrange the setup."

"Alright, let me think about it."

"Don't worry, although the dock gang isn't willing to help us get the goods back now, if they give the word, the other side won't do anything to the people or goods for now," Tang Baiqing gave Yu Mingyuan a preemptive reassurance.

"Okay, I'll get back to you tomorrow."

"Good, I'll wait for your call. Then we can get everyone out and sit down to talk."

"That's it then."

With that, they ended the call.

In the dimly lit office, Yu Mingyuan lit a cigarette, his face gloomy and his gaze deep.

At this point, with Yu Mingyuan's intelligence, he absolutely wouldn't believe that the hijacking incident had nothing to do with the dock gang.

Obviously, the hijacking incident was the first card played by the dock gang, aimed at cornering Yu Mingyuan. Firstly, it was to show him their power and control near the port, and secondly, they didn't want to start off on bad terms with Yu Mingyuan, hence the story about the Thunder Boys from outside the district hijacking the goods.

So in this matter, what role was Tang Baiqing playing, who had been acting as a messenger all along? Did he really know nothing beforehand? Was he really considering things from Yu Mingyuan's perspective?

The relationship between the Maritime Police and the dock organizations was like that between fish and water, so was this matter really that simple?

Now Yu Mingyuan had only two choices before him: First, kick out the Su, Bai, and Kong families and bring in the dock gang. This way, the goods should come back quickly, and future sea operations would be smooth sailing, allowing the business to continue. Second, disagree with the dock gang's conditions and continue using the Su, Bai, and Kong families. But in this case, the goods wouldn't come back for now, the detained people would be in some danger, and it might offend Tang Baiqing, making it obviously not so easy to import goods from Zha'nan's sea in the future.

This was a choice with a very obvious bias. Yu Mingyuan felt an inexplicable anger in his heart, but he couldn't think of a third possibility.

As frustration welled up, Yu Mingyuan stubbed out his cigarette, preparing to leave the company first.

"Knock knock!"

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" Yu Mingyuan called out.

The door opened, and Su Tianyu walked in: "Brother Yuan!"

"Oh, Tianyu," Yu Mingyuan replied softly. "I was just about to leave."

"I came to ask if there's any news about the goods," Su Tianyu stepped forward and asked.

Yu Mingyuan licked his lips and didn't tell Su Tianyu the truth, only vaguely replying: "Tang Baiqing just called me. He said the dock gang has found some information and told me not to worry."

"If they have demands, the goods won't be lost," Su Tianyu frowned and said. "But my family members have been detained, I'm afraid something might happen to them."

"I'll urge the dock gang again. Don't worry, and reassure your family. Rest assured, whether it takes money or incense burning, our company will definitely get the people back," Yu Mingyuan patted Su Tianyu's shoulder.

Su Tianyu paused, then reached into his pocket and took out a folded A4 paper: "Brother Yuan, take a look at this."

"What is it?" Yu Mingyuan took the paper and unfolded it to look.

The A4 paper listed some data and the names of supermarkets in various areas of Zha'nan District.

Yu Mingyuan, not quite understanding, asked: "What does this data mean?"

"Recently, our three families have been expanding new sales channels within our own circles," Su Tianyu replied softly. "The data listed here are future growth estimates for goods, as well as addresses and scales of supermarkets and shops."

Yu Mingyuan looked at Su Tianyu with great surprise: "...You... you've done quite a thorough job!"

"Love what you do, right?" Su Tianyu looked up at Yu Mingyuan and suddenly said something out of the blue: "Brother Yuan, no matter how good the dock gang is, they're not our own people!"

This statement clearly stunned Yu Mingyuan for a moment. He slowly closed the A4 paper and said softly: "You're overthinking it, Tianyu."

"Brother Yuan, please urge Tang Baiqing to find the people as soon as possible," Su Tianyu said with no smile on his face, his voice low. "If my family members aren't back in two days, I won't rely on Tang Baiqing to find them anymore."

"What do you want to do?"

"I personally think that kidnapping and making personal threats is the lowest form of tactics, because if you can do it, others can do it too," Su Tianyu said, stopping short of saying more. "Zhang Hao was lost while working for me. If something happens to him because of this, I can't face his family. So if Tang Baiqing can't find them, I'll do it myself."

"Can you find them?"

"...Maybe, hehe!" Su Tianyu laughed.

Yu Mingyuan looked at him and nodded, not saying anything more.

"I'll be going now, Brother Yuan," Su Tianyu said, turning to leave.

Yu Mingyuan watched his back, his gaze complex.

Su Tianyu pushed open the door and left. Yu Mingyuan stood with his arms folded, thought for a few seconds, then quickly grabbed his coat and left as well.

......

Near the docks.

Kong Zhenghui sat in the car, reaching into his bag to take out 3,000 yuan. Looking at a shifty-eyed man, he said: "Cast a divination."

"For what?" the man asked.

"About the seven speedboats," Kong Zhenghui said with a cigarette in his mouth, handing over the money. "I'll give you one night."

"...That'll cost extra," the man replied.