Chapter 98

Liu Yong looked at Zhao Jin with gratitude, his face flushed with excitement. He made his living this way, and today he had risen from the lowest level to the upper echelons, a leap that he could never have imagined yesterday.

"Once you're doing well, you must take care of us. My father's stall shouldn't have to pay rent anymore," Jixiang said with a smile, and Liu Yong nodded vigorously.

At this moment, Wang Zhaojing reminded with a smile, "Xiaoyong, be careful as Chen Ergou's deputy. Keep a close eye on things for the big brother, and don't let him deceive us."

Hearing this, Liu Yong's body trembled. Zhao Jin nodded with a smile, but in his heart, he thought that Wang Zhaojing was indeed wise and well-versed in human relations. This was his original intention, but it was more appropriate for Wang Zhaojing to say it.

"Please rest assured, Big Brother!" Liu Yong replied solemnly. Zhao Jin beckoned everyone to go inside but stayed behind to instruct Liu Yong, "Just be careful, but still treat Chen Ergou as the head. If you're unsure about anything, come ask me."

Liu Yong solemnly agreed. Now, there was no one else in the temple. Chen Ergou, the new "head brother," was busy boiling water and making tea, familiar with the routine.

Everyone practiced and competed in martial arts every day, but life was actually quite monotonous. They were very curious about this "gambling den." A few of them went in to watch, but Wang Zhaojing and Zhao Jin stood in the courtyard chatting.

When everyone had moved a bit further away, Wang Zhaojing asked with a puzzled look, "Brother Zhao, over the years, we've been together during competitions, and outside of competitions, you've been learning martial arts from Uncle Zhenxing. But from your demeanor today, it's clear you have the air of an old hand. How did you learn this?"

"You've been reading and practicing martial arts all along. What do you know about the world of the underworld?" Zhao Jin asked with a smile.

The reason he knew so much about the underworld was due to his experience of forming gangs and fighting in his previous life, as well as the influence of various media. Having seen a lot, he naturally exuded a commanding presence. Zhao Jin, of course, wouldn't reveal all this, just asked a question in return.

Hearing this, Wang Zhaojing said不服气地, "Brother Zhao, don't look down on me. This time when I came back, I saw the canal workers talking and acting with a certain set of rules. My father told me that these are the so-called underworld figures. Although what Brother Zhao does is different, the demeanor is very similar."

"Don't forget what my father does. I've been influenced by it and learned it," Zhao Jin said with a smile, being vague.

Wang Zhaojing suddenly understood and then whispered, "Brother Zhao, you have great ambitions. You shouldn't spend too much time on such trivial matters. If your reputation is tainted, it will be a loss for a greater gain."

Just as he said this, Chen Ergou called out from inside, "Young Master Jin, everyone, the water is boiling. Please come in for tea."

Zhao Jin smiled at Wang Zhaojing and walked into the room together.

The small room inside the gambling den was simply tidied up, and Chen Ergou somehow managed to produce ten decent-looking porcelain cups. He was pouring tea, but the teapot and cups didn't match, suggesting they were probably stolen goods or items pawned by gamblers.

The kang (a traditional heated bed) took up half of the room, leaving little standing space. Nine people crowded in, and Chen Ergou repeatedly invited them to sit down. They looked at each other and pushed Zhao Jin to sit by the kang, while the others stood, ignoring the chairs.

Chen Ergou poured tea into each cup and then went to a corner of the room, lifted two floor tiles, and revealed a small wooden box. He brought the box to Zhao Jin and said, "Young Master Jin, the gambling den keeps sixty taels of silver for offerings and payouts. Please take this, Young Master Jin!"

After saying this, he opened the box, which contained various pieces of silver and a few strings of copper coins.

Seeing the money, everyone's breathing became heavier, except for Sun Dalei, who remained calm. Among their group, many came from wealthy or even very rich families, but except for Sun Dalei, the others had strict family discipline and received little pocket money. Seeing the sixty taels, they couldn't help but be excited.

Zhao Jin took the wooden box and poured the contents onto the kang, roughly dividing it in half and said, "The gambling den still needs to operate. You have a lot to do. I'll leave half for you."

"How can I accept this?" Chen Ergou said nervously, not believing that Zhao Jin, such a shrewd person, would help him for nothing.

"Why not? I want you to maintain this situation for a long time, not just for a day," Zhao Jin said frankly.

Chen Ergou nodded repeatedly. Zhao Jin pondered for a moment and added, "You don't need to be so cautious. You are the head here. If you ask me about everything, you won't be able to manage. Come to me for help if you can't handle it."

The others standing there felt they couldn't interject. Listening to Zhao Jin's confident arrangements, they all felt they were far behind him. But thinking that they had a share in this, they couldn't help but feel excited and thrilled.

For Wang Zhaojing, Chen Sheng, Sun Dalei, and Dong Bingfeng, this small share was insignificant, but it was money they had earned themselves, which made it particularly meaningful and exciting.

Chen Ergou's face relaxed a bit, and he felt a bit excited. Although he knew this was from Zhao Jin and he would have to follow his orders, he also wanted more autonomy. Zhao Jin's words aligned with his wishes.

"Please rest assured, Young Master Jin. I will never forget my roots. I will rely on your help in the future," Chen Ergou said, understanding that his current strength depended on these eight young men. Without them, even minor figures like Niaozhaomao and Datouhuang, or their subordinates, could swallow him up at any time.

Zhao Jin held a piece of silver and tapped it lightly on the kang, then said, "In the next few days, you need to understand the accounts. How much does the gambling den earn each month, and how much is paid out in offerings? You need to figure this out. I'll give you two days to get back to me, and we'll discuss it in detail then. Understand?"

This was a commanding tone, but everyone in the room felt it was appropriate. Chen Ergou bowed and agreed.

"The gambling den will open this afternoon. Don't let the people under you leave. In the next few days, find more people to be here to prevent any troublemakers."

After saying this, Zhao Jin looked at his companions and smiled, "Is there anything else you want to say?"

"Brother Zhao, I have a few things to say," Wang Zhaojing said with a smile. Zhao Jin nodded, and Wang Zhaojing said to Chen Ergou, "When something happens, Brother Zhao will lead everyone to help you, but try to mention Brother Zhao and us as little as possible here."

Seeing Zhao Jin nod, Chen Ergou hurriedly agreed. Wang Zhaojing was thoughtful. Among the eight, except for Liu Yong, the others were from good families and had status. If they were always mentioned by underworld figures, it would be inconvenient for the authorities and their elders, especially for Wang Zhaojing, who already had the title of xiucai (a degree in the imperial examination system). Being seen as uncultured would be a big problem.

Chen Ergou listened carefully, thinking the young masters had finished speaking, but Zhao Jin suddenly smiled and said, "Brother Chen, Tongtou died at his lover's place. She must be terrified and talking nonsense. Send her back to her hometown as soon as possible."

Hearing this, Chen Ergou couldn't help but shiver and nodded quickly.

After saying this, Zhao Jin wrapped up the silver, stood up, and said with a smile, "It's getting late. Everyone, let's go back."

Chen Ergou saw them off at the door. As they were about to leave, Zhao Jin turned and patted Liu Yong's shoulder, saying, "Remember to go to that courtyard later."

After Zhao Jin left, there were already people waiting at the temple gate, probably the leaders of various groups coming to pay respects to the new head.

They knew who had put Chen Ergou in this position. Seeing Zhao Jin and his group come out, they all smiled obsequiously. When they saw Zhao Jin pat Liu Yong's shoulder and speak warmly to him, they all had their thoughts.

Although they left early, after all the commotion, by the time they returned to the courtyard in the south of the city, it was time to disperse and go home for lunch. Not far from the courtyard, Shi Manqiang and Jixiang said goodbye to Zhao Jin, wanting to go home.

"You two go back and let your families know that I have urgent business at noon," Zhao Jin said, not letting them leave. Hearing this, Shi Manqiang and Jixiang quickly agreed.

When they arrived at the courtyard, Zhao Jin had Shi Manqiang and Jixiang go inside to wait and then said, "Everyone, go home and let your families know. Come back here in an hour. Make sure to come."

After saying this, everyone dispersed and went home.

When Zhao Jin got home, he found that his father, Zhao Zhentang, hadn't returned yet. He directly told He Cuihua that he wouldn't be eating at home for lunch.

Naturally, Zhao Jin was scolded by his mother, He Cuihua, but she knew that Zhao Jin was becoming more independent. After scolding him, she let it go. Mu Shulan wanted to go out with him but was refused, leaving her quite upset.

Taking a freshly baked pancake with two pieces of pickled vegetables, Zhao Jin ran directly to the courtyard.

When he arrived, he found that Sun Dalei was already there. Sun Dalei lived alone and had a lot of freedom, so he didn't go home. Instead, he went to a nearby tavern and had food delivered, two boxes of food, quite a feast.

Originally, Zhao Jin wanted Shi Manqiang and Jixiang to eat the snacks stored there, but now it wasn't necessary. Sun Dalei enthusiastically invited them to eat together.

When they were halfway through their meal, Wang Zhaojing, Dong Bingfeng, and Chen Sheng returned. Some had eaten lunch at home, and others had brought food. They gathered and ate together, discussing the morning's triumphs and victories, all very happy.

After the meal, they put the food boxes at the courtyard gate, and the tavern staff would come to collect them. Just as they put down the boxes, Liu Yong arrived with a heavy bundle, already sweating from carrying it from the south of the city.

Zhao Jin quickly took the bundle, which was quite heavy, about twenty to thirty pounds. Liu Yong had carried it all the way from the south, no wonder he was so tired.