He went straight to a restaurant, and after a while, Lao Dong returned and came with Dong Qiaoqiao, but Dong Qingshan did not follow. Lao Dong said indignantly, "This boy Qingshan doesn't know where he went wild. Let's not bother about him."
During the meal, Dong Rende recounted in vivid detail how he deceived Lin Wanrong and acquired the restaurant. Dong Qiaoqiao covered her mouth and giggled.
Since the embarrassing incident last night, Lin Wanrong's immunity to Dong Qiaoqiao had significantly decreased. Seeing her covering her mouth, laughing so delicately and charmingly, Lin Wanrong couldn't help but sigh deeply. This girl was dangerously captivating.
With 5,000 taels of silver left and 2,000 taels set aside for decoration and hiring staff, funds were tight.
However, the Dong family, trusting Lin Wanrong's abilities, remained unconcerned. Listening to Dong Rende's extravagant plans for carved railings, sandalwood tables and chairs, and hiring top chefs, Lin Wanrong slapped his forehead, saying, "Big brother, do you take me for an ATM?"
Dong Qiaoqiao giggled, and her bright red lips reminded Lin Wanrong of the passionate encounter from last night, causing a stir in his nether regions.
After the meal, the Dong family divided tasks according to their plan and went their separate ways.
Chatting happily with Dong Rende at noon, Lin Wanrong had a few more drinks. Walking in the street afterward, he felt a bit dizzy, remembering he had to "start work" in the afternoon. He walked forward with an unsteady gait.
In a flash, a familiar figure appeared before his eyes, then disappeared into a narrow alley.
Wasn't that Qingshan? Sneaky. What was he up to? Lin Wanrong followed.
Inside a dilapidated courtyard, a dozen young people gathered.
The older ones were around twenty, while the younger ones were only thirteen or fourteen. They sat or stood, each with a faint mixture of worry and excitement on their faces.
Dong Qingshan, wearing a short robe and baring his arms, distributed iron rods and wooden sticks to everyone, saying, "Brothers, listen to my command. When I shout 'attack,' everyone rush together and beat those bastards hard."
There was a commotion among the young people, a mix of fear and anticipation. Dong Qingshan halted the discussion and said, "Don't be afraid, think about it. Once we win this battle, Li Ergou's territory will be ours. With Li Ergou's turf, we can steadily recruit more guys, expand our influence in the south of the city, and have the strength to dominate. In the future, we'll continue to develop, not only occupying the south of the city but also advancing to the north and taking control of the entire Jinling city. By then, we'll collect protection fees at Xuanwu Lake, collect protection fees at Confucius Temple, and even collect protection fees on the flower boats of Qinhuai River. As for the girls on the flower boats, brothers can enjoy them as they please. As long as you like it, you can drink their milk every day without any problem. We're here to snatch their money, snatch their women, and strip them naked."
These young men burst into laughter, their eyes filled with greedy glints, like unevolved beasts.
Lin Wanrong, eavesdropping from outside, was stunned. Dong Qingshan was quite crude. Nevertheless— I like it!
These twenty-odd children, dressed in tattered clothes and malnourished, seemed to be from poor families. Some even begged for food. They were fearless and didn't hesitate to do anything. If they were truly organized, they would be a force to be reckoned with.
While Lin Wanrong was lost in thought, Dong Qingshan was proudly giving a speech. Suddenly, someone tapped him on the shoulder.
"Damn, get lost. I'm busy," Dong Qingshan said without turning around.
"Qingshan—" A familiar voice sounded from behind.
Dong Qingshan turned around and was pleasantly surprised. "Big brother, why are you here?"
Lin Wanrong nodded with a smile. "I was wandering nearby and happened to see you. What's going on? Are these all your little brothers?"
Dong Qingshan looked embarrassed, nodded, and turned to his subordinates. "What are you standing there for? Call the boss."
"Boss—" The twenty or so young men called out together.
Lin Wanrong broke into a cold sweat. When did he become the head of these gangsters?
Dong Qingshan didn't care about these things. Excited to see Lin Wanrong, he grabbed him and said, "Boss, you came just in time. We're going to have a fight with Li Ergou later."
"Li Ergou?" Lin Wanrong didn't know who this guy was. A chubby guy standing next to Dong Qingshan immediately said with a smile on his pale face, "He's Li Ergou, the one hanging out in the southern gate. This guy has twenty or thirty men under him, bullying and causing trouble. Today, we've made an appointment to have a fight with him outside the city. Whoever wins will take control of the southern territory."
"Oh, we're going to war so soon?" Lin Wanrong wiped the sweat from his forehead. He had just instigated Dong Qingshan yesterday to organize organized crime, and today he had started a gang war.
The chubby guy continued, "Boss, I've heard Brother Qingshan talk about you many times, saying you're wise and valiant. I believe that under your leadership, we will surely accomplish great things and dominate the underworld for generations, ruling over Jianghu."
Lin Wanrong couldn't help but laugh and cry. Unintentionally, he had been regarded as the leader of these gangsters. He didn't know whether to cry or laugh. However, looking at Dong Qingshan's achievements today, it was all thanks to Lin Wanrong's guidance. There was no one else to blame but himself.
After chatting for a while, Lin Wanrong learned that the chubby guy's name was Li Beidou, and besides Dong Qingshan, he was the best fighter. Dong Qingshan had mentioned him a few times.
The gang had not yet been formed, and they were already going to war against others. For a smart person like Lin Wanrong, he naturally wouldn't engage in such reckless behavior. However, Dong Qingshan was different. Young and spirited, and having accepted the latest theoretical guidance, he was full of fire, burning wherever he went.
Lin Wanrong sighed and thought, Let's be hasty and reckless. Whether it's a win or a loss, it's the gang's first battle; we can only win, not lose.
He carefully observed Dong Qingshan's subordinates. Although they all looked malnourished and ragged, their eyes were lively. Clearly, they were used to fighting and wouldn't easily suffer losses. Lin Wanrong felt a bit relieved.
As the agreed time for Dong Qingshan and Li Ergou's confrontation approached, Lin Wanrong, thinking about Dong Qiaoqiao's worries, was somewhat anxious about Dong Qingshan's impulsive actions.
Thus, he followed him out of the city.
The south of the city was a vast open area, with lush crops and dense forests, an excellent place for gang wars and settling scores.
Having previously observed the nearby terrain, Dong Qingshan led the big brother and little brothers, swiftly entering a dense area of vegetation while crouching.
The forest was extensive, and the twenty people hiding inside didn't feel crowded at all.
These plants, resembling trees but not quite, were about half a person tall, and the leaves had begun to wither. A familiar fragrance, faintly present on the leaf veins, wafted into Lin Wanrong's nose, invigorating his spirits.