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墨書 Inktalez
As soon as the topic of Salary was mentioned, the crowd erupted into a buzz, with small groups whispering to each other. In the Stone Dagger Gang, there were only two ways to make money: through gang missions and protection fees. Zhang Qiu intended to manage the gang with a corporate approach, and implementing Salary was just the first step. Looking at the noisy crowd, Zhang Qiu raised his voice and asked, "What's wrong? Are you dissatisfied with this system and want things to go back to how they were before?"
The crowd was in an uproar, and Zhang Qiu couldn't hear the specifics, but judging by everyone's expressions, it seemed they were quite interested in his proposal. Zhang Qiu patiently waited as the voices in the crowd gradually dwindled until it became quiet. He then said, "Let me ask first, is there anyone who disagrees?"
People looked at each other, murmuring but no one stepped forward to express their unwillingness. Zhang Qiu smiled and said, "Since no one is unwilling, I’ll take it that you all agree."
After a brief pause with still no objections, Zhang Qiu continued, "Since everyone agrees, then..."
Before he could finish his sentence, someone interrupted from the crowd, shouting, "Who said we all agree? I don't."
Zhang Qiu turned to see who spoke—a tall, lean man wearing a sleeveless shirt over a vest, his hair meticulously styled. He raised his chin defiantly.
"What’s your name?"
"I’m called Ma San. What about it?"
"Ma San, right? Okay, let me ask you: are you the one who disagrees?"
"Yes, I disagree." Ma San tilted his head back and tossed a peanut into his mouth.
Zhang Qiu asked, "Do you disagree with working with me or with my Salary system?"
"I disagree with the Salary system."
"Got it. Well then, you can leave."
Ma San, who was chewing on a peanut, choked slightly and looked at Zhang Qiu in disbelief. How could someone be dismissed so easily over a disagreement?
Zhang Qiu noticed Ma San's reaction as well as those of the others and chuckled, "What’s wrong? Is my point not understood?"
"You... what gives you the right to make me leave!"
"It was your own choice not to agree. Anyway, I won't change my mind, so you have no choice but to leave."
Ma San stood up abruptly from the sofa and shouted, "I have over a hundred brothers under me!"
"That's not a problem. Those brothers who want to stay can continue working; I won't make things difficult for them. Hall Society welcomes every brother who sincerely wants to join."
"You’re playing me; this is clearly intentional!"
"Yes, I’m doing it on purpose."
Zhang Qiu admitted generously, leaving Ma San momentarily speechless. He had never encountered someone like Zhang Qiu before.
"Just go already; don’t waste the Brothers' time here."
As soon as Zhang Qiu finished speaking, the roll-up door slowly rose. Ma San found himself stuck, unable to move forward or backward, already regretting his impulsive behavior. The treatment Zhang Qiu offered wasn’t bad; in fact, it was even better than before. However, he wanted to save face and get people to notice him. Now, people were indeed paying attention, but what should he do? Submitting would mean losing all his face. Ma San was torn, the crowd was waiting, and Zhang Qiu remained silent with a smile. In the end, Ma San made a decision he would regret countless times.
Feeling the scorching gazes around him, Ma San slammed his hand on the table and pointed at Zhang Qiu, cursing loudly: "Zhang Qiu, you really don’t take us seriously. Brother Leopard isn’t here, so it’s not your place to act wild."
The smile vanished from Zhang Qiu's face as a sharp glare shot toward Ma San, causing the previously noisy hall to fall silent instantly. Before Zhang Qiu could speak, Yang Yu had already led a group toward Ma San. Ma San wasn’t afraid of Yang Yu and the others approaching him; in his eyes, they were just kids. He raised his head and shouted, "What do you want!"
"Zhang Qiu, I see what you're trying to do; you want to usurp power!" Ma San yelled again, grabbing a few people beside him and urging them, "Brothers, don’t be fooled by Zhang Qiu; what future is there with a kid like him? Trust me; let’s leave and go solo; we can have whatever we want."
"Ma San, you want to learn from Third Brother!" A voice erupted from the crowd as He Xiao stepped forward and addressed everyone, "Brothers, listen to me. Since Brother Leopard left word for us to follow Zhang Qiu before going abroad, then we should follow Zhang Qiu. If Zhang Qiu has wronged Brother Leopard in any way, we can leave then. But if anyone dares to cause division, I He Xiao will be the first not to let him off!"
When He Xiao said "if Zhang Qiu has wronged Brother Leopard," he intentionally looked at Zhang Qiu. Zhang Qiu simply smiled back at He Xiao without saying anything. On the contrary, he was quite interested in He Xiao's reaction.
"He Xiao, don’t think you can slander me just because you’re Brother Leopard’s confidant. It’s not me causing division; it’s him trying to force me out!"
"Listen, my child, remember this: no matter who you talk to in the future, put away that arrogant attitude of yours. No one owes you anything. Yang Yu, since he doesn't want to leave, then let him keep the finger he pointed at me."
Zhang Qiu said this casually before walking downstairs. Wherever he went, people instinctively made way for him. Yang Yu, who received the order, was momentarily taken aback, confirming he hadn't misheard. He turned around and snatched a machete from one of his brothers behind him. The gleaming blade reflected on Ma San's face, causing him to feel fear for the first time. A kid like this wouldn't really be that ruthless, would he?
All eyes were on Zhang Qiu, who walked steadily, his gaze fixed intently on Ma San. The intensity of Zhang Qiu's stare made Ma San's hair stand on end, cold sweat breaking out from his pores. This child gave him the illusion of a lion approaching with its mouth wide open.
Before Zhang Qiu could get close, Ma San immediately shouted, "I'm leaving! I'm leaving!"
Ma San pushed past the people behind him and fled through the half-open rolling door. With just a glance from Zhang Qiu, Yang Yu quickly led his men to chase after him. Zhang Qiu stood still, scanning the crowd before returning to the stair platform and addressing everyone loudly:
"Brothers, I will never treat any of you unfairly. The Salary system I proposed should be clear to everyone. According to my standards, each person's income will be higher than before. You joined the Hall Society because you trust me, and I, Zhang Qiu, will ensure everyone's interests are protected. I've been through this before; you can ask the old employees of White Day Fire. I won't elaborate further on this; you'll witness it by the end of the month. Every word I say next is crucial; I hope you all—not just hope but must—remember it firmly."
"You all have been in this game longer than I have. If anyone feels uncomfortable, I can give you time to adjust. However, everyone must adhere to the discipline of the Hall Society. The details will be explained by several hall masters once you get to your respective places. My only requirement is obedience—absolute obedience. Those who treat me well will not be treated unfairly."
"Alright, that's enough for today. Those who are tired can go back to sleep; those who find it boring can stay and play. Dismissed."
No one moved in the hall until Zhang Qiu waved his hand and took Rui Rui back to his office. After Zhang Qiu left, people began talking amongst themselves, their voices growing louder until they had to shout to be heard.
"Damn, this is interesting! Is he trying to show us who's boss?"
"Who is this kid? Haven't seen someone so ruthless in years."
"Yeah, kicking people out over a disagreement and threatening to chop off Mao San's finger—does he really think he won't push someone too far?"
"You all know what kind of person Ma San is—too proud for his own good; now he's going to suffer."
"Ma San totally deserves it; if this kid follows through, we'll be making more money every month than before."
"Can he really pay us that much? I hope he's not just bluffing."
He Xiao stood by, leaning against the table, silently watching the staircase. Someone approached and asked him, "Everyone knows you are the most loyal to Brother Leopard. What do you think?"
He Xiao smiled lightly, "I seem to have started to understand why Brother Leopard wants us to follow him."
"Why?"
...
In the White Day Fire office, as soon as Rui Rui entered, she patted her chest and sighed, "Oh no, Brother Qiu, I was so nervous just now. I was really afraid something would go wrong."
"With such a beautiful woman like you around, who would have the heart to cause trouble?"
Rui Rui's face turned red as she pushed Zhang Qiu and said playfully, "Brother Qiu, stop joking with me."
"I'm just trying to lighten your mood. Come on, sit down."
Zhang Qiu and Rui Rui sat facing each other on the sofa. Zhang Qiu asked, "From your perspective, how was the effect tonight? Do you think we can win these people over?"
"Brother Qiu, while the effect was great, I feel that they might just be agreeing on the surface."
"Getting to the point," Zhang Qiu shifted his position and leaned forward. "When I was speaking, I deliberately observed each of their reactions. Many didn't pay attention to what I said; some were even just munching on seeds. That person named Ma San helped me out. If it weren't for using that as a threat, it wouldn't have had a deterrent effect."
"Brother Qiu, you're using a kill-the-chicken-to-scare-the-monkey approach, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Then do you really have to cut off his fingers? That sounds terrifying."
Zhang Qiu laughed and said, "Do you really think I'm that twisted in your mind?"
"You clearly act like Yang Yu. If he goes after Ma San and catches him, wouldn't he just chop off his fingers and bring them to you?"
"How about we make a bet? I guarantee Yang Yu won't come back with a finger."
"Deal!" Rui Rui agreed readily, then added, "But Brother Qiu, you really have guts. Aren't you afraid of provoking them? What if they turn against us?"
"That's impossible." Zhang Qiu was confident about this point. "You should know these people better than I do. Most of them over twenty-five have families, and some even have other jobs, right?"
Rui Rui nodded; Zhang Qiu was indeed stating the reality, something Rui Rui understood very well.
"That's the reason! What are these people out here for? Brotherhood? No, it's not that. What they want is simple: money. I give them money. They can earn more here than before, and it's more stable. So why would they not work with me?"
"That makes sense."
"During my time with Brother Leopard, I've learned a lot. Things are different now; no one wants to just fight and kill anymore." Zhang Qiu smiled and said, "Do you know what I fear hearing the most these days?"
"What?"
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