From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 178

The spacious private room had already been drinking for three rounds, and the chats were all about some insignificant and lively things, without mentioning the rule-making and interest division of North City. This made the two leaders of the nine major gangs very anxious, after all, it was likely that their interests were the most seriously damaged.

How to agree with Zhou Yuan's views, how to explain to the superiors, and to what extent to compromise, all had to be judged on the spot.

After all, they were also afraid, not of Zhou Yuan, but of the woman who was drinking silently beside him.

Everyone present had seen her unpredictable methods, and no one dared to offend such a person.

"Master Zhou!"

The president of the Iron Knife Society was the first to be unable to help, and said: "It's getting late, and the wine has been almost drunk. If you have any opinions, just say it directly. My dozens of brothers are still suffering in the North City Bingmasi. I want to get them out. Please ask Master Zhou to set the conditions!"

The other gang leaders looked at each other, said nothing, and observed quietly.

Zhou Yuan put down the cup, just smiled and said: "I said, yesterday's market disturbance and tonight's debt collection are all small matters. Those dozens of people are not a great contribution to the North City Army. On the contrary, we have to spend money to feed and drink them."

"If you want me to release them, I can release them early tomorrow morning."

"But how do we get along after that?"

Speaking of this, Zhou Yuan knocked on the table lightly, and everyone knew that the highlight might be coming.

Zhou Yuan said calmly: "Which gang is the biggest in the world? I think there is no need to argue. From the royal relatives and cabinet ministers to the peddlers and prostitutes, everyone knows that the world's largest gang is the Cao Gang."

"It makes a living by transporting grain and water. It has developed for a hundred years and has a scale of hundreds of thousands. Even the Wusheng Sect in recent years cannot compare with it."

"Look at your gangs. They oppress the poor people, help people look after the place, manage the brothels and casinos, and at most select a few strong people to help the rich and powerful as bodyguards. What can you achieve?"

Everyone was embarrassed when they heard this and couldn't help but lower their heads.

Zhou Yuan continued: "I, Zhou Yuan, am only 18 years old this year, but I am a scholar. How did I get to where I am today? Does anyone know?"

This question really stumped everyone. In fact, except for the most critical few people, almost no one knew how Zhou Yuan rose to power.

The gang leaders also looked at each other in confusion.

Zhou Yuan said: "I was originally a poor scholar from a small town in Yunzhou, Jiangnan. I became a son-in-law due to life. In terms of origin, I am similar to you."

"But in June this year, three months ago, a riot broke out in Yunzhou, and tens of thousands of rioters slaughtered on the streets."

"I, Zhou Yuan, killed more than 200 rioters in one day, and led the good people of Yunzhou to suppress the riot. As a result, I was promoted to Lin'an Prefecture Jinyiwei as a centurion."

When these words came out, everyone's face changed.

I thought the person in front of me was a scholar, but I didn't expect him to be a ruthless man who killed more than 200 people.

Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes and said, "You guys in gangs have killed people, right? Have you killed more than me?"

Boss Qiu smiled bitterly and shook his head, "Master Zhou, although we are in gangs and we have killed people when we were young, we have only killed a few dozen people at most. How can we kill hundreds of people?"

Zhou Yuan said, "I went to Lin'an Prefecture to be a centurion, but it happened that Han Tuo, the Marquis of Annan, rebelled and occupied Lin'an Prefecture with 6,000 troops. I led a group of subordinates to flatten their gambling dens, split off a district, and fought to the death with them."

"That's why I made great contributions and was promoted to the commander of the North City Military Department of Shenjing."

Speaking of this, he looked at the people around him and chuckled, "Everyone, it only took me three months to go from a poor scholar and a despised son-in-law to my current position."

"What do you feel?"

Everyone widened their eyes and looked astonished.

To be honest, they thought Zhou Yuan was the son of some high-ranking official, so he was transferred from the south at such a young age, and he was not afraid of the Earl of Yong'an.

Unexpectedly, he was still a poor scholar three months ago.

This made everyone's heart a little envious and excited. Who the hell would want to be in a gang if they could be a high-ranking official? They would make a little money and be stabbed in the back.

Zhou Yuan chuckled and said, "I don't want to show off. I just want to tell you that people should not be bound by their origins and circumstances. A real man standing in the world, how can he not have great ambitions?"

"Qiu Yuanren, you are not old, right? As far as I know, you are only fifty years old, right? Are you willing to be the leader until you die?"

"Can you pass the position of the leader to your son? It's difficult, right? Your son also grew up in luxury, how can he not have the fighting spirit you did at that time? He can't do what you do."

Boss Qiu lowered his head and said,He sighed.

Zhou Yuan continued: "Lu Chong, it is said that you have nine sons, all of whom are playboys, which gives you a headache. Have you ever thought about why?"

"Because you are not a serious father. You are the leader of the gang, so of course they are unwilling to study."

"As the leader of the gang, you must have many enemies in these years. What will happen to your sons after you die?"

Boss Lu also lowered his head and said in a deep voice: "Master Zhou, please speak frankly. We have been in the underworld for so many years. We are not afraid of hearing harsh words, but we are afraid of the other side playing dirty."

The others also nodded one after another. As long as the matter is open, they can talk about it.

Zhou Yuan shook his head and said: "Playing dirty, to be frank, you are not worthy of me playing dirty. It is too easy for me to deal with you. I will send people to check for fire hazards every three or five days, and your casino and brothel business will be out of business."

The faces of the people suddenly became ugly.

Zhou Yuan said: "I disdain to do that. I came to Shenjing not to compete with you, but to do something serious."

"Let's be frank. Cao Ning's previous rules can only make you live comfortably in your own position."

"That rule is too conservative. The rules I want to set are to make you completely rise to the top."

Everyone sat upright, not because they were moved by Zhou Yuan's cake, but because they knew that Zhou Yuan was going to talk about the real rules.

Zhou Yuan said in a deep voice: "Starting tomorrow, all gangs will stop any behavior of oppressing the good, including but not limited to collecting protection fees, stall fees, transportation fees and other fees. At the same time, usury and gambling loans are no longer allowed."

Boss Qiu's face changed, and he immediately said: "Master Zhou, this is directly cutting off our source of income. It's not that the brothers don't cooperate, but without this money, we can't survive."

Zhou Yuan said coldly: "Does the Cao Gang collect protection fees? Do they lend money at high interest rates? How can they be so big?"

"I tell you, people from the Cao Gang who collect protection fees and lend money at high interest rates will be expelled from the gang!"

Lu The old man said: "That's different. The Cao Gang relies on the canal transportation for their livelihood. What can we rely on?"

"Too many!"

Zhou Yuan shouted: "You are a bunch of useless things. Can these things make you fat? You all have to die at the command of the court. Do you really think this is a good way to make money?"

"Does the court dare to let the Cao Gang die? If the Cao Gang is gone, the canal transportation will be paralyzed! The Cao Gang can negotiate with the court because of this."

"What can you rely on? Your life and death only depends on a word from the top. Haven't you had enough of such a precarious life?"

Everyone was still arguing and complaining.

But Boss Qiu suddenly stood up, slammed the table, and said angrily: "Stop arguing! Argue with your mother!"

The box was suddenly silent.

Boss Qiu took a deep breath and said solemnly: "Master Zhou, you are right. If Master Zhou has a way to make money, please show the nine gangs a way out. We will be grateful."

It was not until this time that many gang leaders woke up from their dreams and understood what Zhou Yuan wanted to express.

So, their faces changed.