Chapter 138: War of Words with Wang Daolin

Outside the district, by the river.

Su Tianyu stared blankly at Wang Daolin: "Why would you think we killed Gu Tongshan?!"

"Because I gave you information," Wang Daolin stared at Su Tianyu, replying very directly.

"Let me make two points: First, we took Nick, and at that time Gu Tongshan was in that trading company. If we wanted to take him out, couldn't we have done it right there? Why go around in circles to snipe him from the perimeter? That's so much trouble with no benefit to us, because once Gu Tongshan died, everyone would suspect us. Second, wouldn't we be stupid to do something that everyone would suspect us of?" Su Tianyu spread his hands looking at Wang Daolin. "Our goal was to rescue people, not to retaliate now. Killing Gu Tongshan now would make the dock gang retaliate madly, with little benefit to us."

Wang Daolin took a drag on his cigarette, staring at Su Tianyu: "Your reasons are too complete, like rehearsed lines."

Su Tianyu looked exasperated: "I hate dealing with you Police Bureau people the most - too suspicious."

Wang Daolin withdrew his gaze to look at the river: "If it wasn't you who did it, then the dock gang actually has turbulent undercurrents, with many internal conflicts worse than outsiders imagine."

"Dragon City has over ten dock gang halls, nearly a hundred thousand members inside and out. Though not all are living the underworld life, but with this many people, isn't it normal to have some internal conflicts?" Su Tianyu replied softly. "Never mind them - just take our team for example. We're few in number but argue every day! We argued for a long time about rescuing Yu Mingfei and Zhou Tonghui this time."

Wang Daolin stood with his hands behind his back: "That's true."

Su Tianyu looked at the river without responding.

After they were both silent for a while, Wang Daolin looked sideways at Su Tianyu and asked: "Don't you have anything to say to me?"

"Say what?" Su Tianyu asked with a confused look.

Wang Daolin raised his arm and gripped Su Tianyu's shoulder hard: "How are you so crafty at such a young age?! I've helped you so many times, you're not going to say thank you? Have you no shame?!"

"Hehe!" Su Tianyu grinned.

"Damn it, I find communicating with you more difficult than with those old men," Wang Daolin gave Su Tianyu a side-eye.

"Fine, since Uncle Wang is straightforward, I'll be straightforward too," Su Tianyu counted on his fingers as he said: "The current situation is, the Yu family is in charge, backed by our three lackey families, with the garrison covering from above, and very strong political connections in Zone One. After this incident, Nick stupidly kidnapped Zhou Yaoxiang's son from Zone One as well, and even cut him, so the Zhou family will likely buy in too."

Wang Daolin turned to look at Su Tianyu: "Zhou Yaoxiang had agreed to invest before, right?"

Su Tianyu paused before immediately replying: "No, he wanted to invest but Uncle Yu didn't let him. He felt the association matter should still be under his control, so Zhou Yaoxiang agreed to lend Yu Jinrong four million instead."

Wang Daolin was somewhat stunned: "Directly lent four million? Yu Jinrong must have quite a lot of face!"

"I didn't understand the Yu family's influence in Zone One before either," Su Tianyu said without blushing or panting. "But going over this time I discovered they really do have extensive connections there. One of Red Rock Group's founders and Chairman Shen of Sanfeng Capital both wanted to invest in the Yu family, but Uncle Yu felt these capitals were somewhat tainted red, so he didn't use them."

Wang Daolin frowned at Su Tianyu: "Are you fucking telling the truth or lies? Why does this sound so mysterious to me?!"

"See how suspicious you are!" Su Tianyu replied impatiently. "If the Yu family didn't have connections, why would the garrison help them so much? Why did the District Security Bureau get involved immediately after Zhou Tonghui and Yu Mingfei were kidnapped?!"

Hearing this, Wang Daolin's eyes finally softened somewhat.

After laying the groundwork, Su Tianyu continued softly: "I also attended a dance performance there, specially arranged by the Zhou family to entertain Uncle Yu. Everyone present was either district councilors, famous Zone One white families, city leaders, and two Chinese generals with stars... Even the opera and dance troupe was Zone One's most famous - I heard they don't perform easily usually."

Wang Daolin lit another cigarette: "So by what you're saying, the Yu family's setup is worth joining?"

"Brother, if the Yu family was really that weak, with my intelligence, would I mix with them like this?!" Su Tianyu replied urgently. "What kind of person am I? I'm the type who runs away as soon as things look wrong! Why would I create such big movements with them in Dragon City?!"

"On this point, I won't argue with you," Wang Daolin slowly nodded.

"The Yu family's setup is worth joining, and speaking of personal relationships, you and my Second Uncle are war comrades, both Northeast Circle brothers," Su Tianyu continued persuading. "Working together, we don't even need to build feelings, right?!"

Wang Daolin turned to look at him: "No wonder Yu Mingyuan is willing to use you - that little mouth of yours is quite the trap."

"Big Brother, could you...?"

"Call me fucking Uncle!"

"Oh right, Uncle Wang!" Su Tianyu immediately replied. "Let's not waste words - simply put, if you want to officially join the setup, I'll talk to Uncle Yu personally. Whether in the association or sea business in the future, we'll maximize your benefits. Now that the Zhou family is in, we're not really short of money anymore, so your future position arrangements in the Police Bureau and such will all be negotiable. But if you say... you don't want to join, we're still friends, and the Yu family will definitely heavily thank you for the help you've given before."

Wang Daolin took a drag on his cigarette and after long hesitation replied: "Then... let's work together?"

"We're eager to cooperate!" Su Tianyu immediately replied. "What we lack now is exactly Dragon City ground relationships, especially Police Bureau relationships. Uncle Wang, if you join in, you'll be everyone's grandfather!"

"Hehe!" Wang Daolin pointed at Su Tianyu: "Your little mouth is a trap! Do this - go back and tell Yu Jinrong, I have quite a few friends in the Police Bureau too. If I'm to get involved, he needs to show sincerity."

Su Tianyu grabbed Wang Daolin's wrist: "You truly are a wise person!"

"Stop the nonsense, I'm leaving," Wang Daolin had already made up his mind.

Actually, Wang Daolin had been watching and waiting all along, maintaining a not-too-close-not-too-far distance from the Yu family, and any matters requiring communication had to go through the Su family.

But this time with Gu Tongshan's death and Zhou Yaoxiang joining in, Wang Daolin felt the opportunity had come. He really needed backing now, otherwise he wouldn't have much room to advance further up.

After their conversation, Su Tianyu watched Wang Daolin leave and immediately called Yu Mingyuan: "Basically secured my Uncle Wang."

"You truly are my trusted minister!"

"Absolutely!" Su Tianyu replied.

In the car, Wang Daolin held the steering wheel with his left hand while casually searching on his phone with his right, looking down.

"...National Ballet performed at the District Theater the day before yesterday..."

Wang Daolin glanced briefly: "He really wasn't bullshitting, they really did have a dance performance."

......

In the morgue.

Xu Hu wept bitterly for his master, heartbroken.

Wei Xiangzuo stood at the door, staring blankly at Gu Tongshan's body.

The crowd at the door parted as Gu Tongshan's wife rushed in, crying and shouting: "Old Gu! Who killed you?!"

Xu Hu turned to look at the old woman and replied through gritted teeth: "Master's Wife, if I don't avenge this, I'm not human!!"