Hong Kong Film: Short mules have no future, I am in charge of Hong Kong

Chapter 276: I will not consider Dongwan again
"Very good." Young Master Jin took a sip of whiskey, his eyes showing a hint of ruthlessness, "As long as the bet the day after tomorrow is successful, our capital chain will be completely stable. By then, I will make sure that Su Hanze can't even keep the stall owner at the night market."

Zhang Hai hesitated for a moment and asked in a low voice: "Master, the light festival in Xiwan doesn't seem to be affected too much, and the income of the stall owners is also stable... Do we need to add some more pressure?"

"Add pressure?" Jin Shao sneered and put down his glass. "We have already done so much, how else can we add pressure? The stall owners can make money because of tourists. As long as we attract tourists, they will follow us naturally."

Zhang Hai said no more, nodded and walked out.

However, just when Jin Shao was expecting a comeback in the gambling game, he didn't know that a report on the source of funds for the gambling game had been quietly sent to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and Qi Ye. Dongwan seemed to be bustling late at night, but the seeds of the storm had already been planted.

The next morning, Su Hanze sat in the theater office with a cup of hot tea in his hand, listening to Ah Liu report on the latest progress.

"Boss, the message has been sent. Qiye's account office will receive it soon. In addition, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority has also received our anonymous letter. I guess someone will check the capital flow of Dongwan soon."

"Very good." Su Hanze nodded, without any relaxation on his face. "Next, we just need to do our own things and wait and see."

Ah Liu nodded in agreement, but couldn't help but sigh in his heart: The boss's move, without making any noise, has pushed Young Master Jin to the edge of the cliff.

At this moment in Dongwan, Young Master Jin was preparing for his big bet, but he was completely unaware that his backer, Master Qi, had begun to become suspicious of him...

Ah Liu came running in with sweat on his forehead and threw a newspaper in front of Su Hanze, his tone was both excited and suppressed: "Boss, something happened to Young Master Jin! The people from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority raided the gambling house in Dongwan last night and said that there was a problem with their capital flow. Those big gamblers from Macau were all called in for questioning, and Qi Ye's people were also there!"

Su Hanze glanced down at the newspaper, sneered, and pushed the newspaper aside: "This is just the beginning. Young Master Jin played too big this time, and it's only a matter of time before something goes wrong. Keep an eye on Master Qi's movements and see how he will deal with Young Master Jin next."

"Boss, I heard that Master Qi has sent the accountant to check the accounts." Ah Liu lowered his voice with a gloating expression on his face, "It is said that Master Jin secretly withdrew a sum of money from Master Qi and used it for other purposes. Now the accounts don't match at all!"

Su Hanze raised his eyebrows slightly: "Somewhere else? What else could he do? Is it for the gambling game or for the stall owner?"

"I don't know the details, but it's possible that it's to help the stall owners." Ah Liu scratched his head. "Young Master Jin lowered the stall rents before and also gave a lot of extra subsidies. This money may also be from Master Qi."

"It's really a fight of trapped beasts." Su Hanze stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the Xiwan Street in the distance. "Young Master Jin has really pushed himself to a dead end this time. The only way for him to turn the tables is to quickly recover the cost of the gambling. But now that the gambling has gone wrong, he can't even keep the stall owner."

Ah Liu nodded, and then asked tentatively: "Then can we press on and increase the pressure?"

Su Hanze put his hands behind his back, thought for a moment and then said, "We are not in a hurry to make a move. Dongwan is in chaos now, and the stall owners have already moved when they saw this situation. Inform Xiaolong to extend the light festival for another two days, and increase the stall owner promotion to let tourists know that Xiwan is not only fun, but also more affordable."

"Understood!" Ah Liu turned around and made arrangements.

At the same time, the East Bay Nightclub was in a mess. Young Master Jin was sitting in his office, his face pale and his forehead covered with cold sweat. On the table was a half-torn account list, and his fingers kept tapping on the table, as if he was forcing himself to calm down.

Zhang Hai stood nearby and said cautiously, "Master, I just received news that Master Qi's accountant is still checking the accounts. Those big gamblers from Macau have spread the word that their money is clean, but the Hong Kong Monetary Authority is keeping a close eye on it."

"Bullshit!" Young Master Jin slammed the table, his eyes full of anger. "If their money was clean, would I have let this happen? Master Qi's people are lying with their eyes open! Aren't they just trying to make me a scapegoat?"

"Master, what should we do now?" Zhang Hai was a little flustered. "If Master Qi investigates our accounts thoroughly, I'm afraid..."

"Shut up!" Young Master Jin stood up suddenly and swept the wine glass on the table to the ground. "Seventh Master doesn't dare to touch me! He invested so much money, and if Dongwan collapses, he will suffer the consequences!"

Zhang Hai didn't dare to say anything and stood aside with cold sweat on his forehead.

Young Master Jin panted heavily and sat down with a gloomy face: "Transfer all the remaining funds, and the gambling will go on as usual tomorrow night! As long as the gambling can hold up, all these troubles can be suppressed!"

"But..." Zhang Hai hesitated, "Master, this is too risky. If something goes wrong with the gambling, we won't even be able to keep Dongwan..."

"Then do you think I have any other choice?" Jin Shao stared at Zhang Hai fiercely with a dagger-like gaze, "Either gamble or die!"

Zhang Hai could only bow his head and agree, but he secretly sighed in his heart, Jin Shao had been completely forced into a desperate situation.

The light show in Xiwan once again filled the entire square, the stall owners were busy, and the tourists laughed one after another. A specially designed interactive performance had just ended, and many tourists lingered among the stalls with prizes. The atmosphere was so warm that people almost forgot that this was the most intense period of competition.

Xiaolong squeezed through the crowd, with an expression of excitement that he could not suppress: "Boss, the latest statistics just showed that the number of tourists tonight has doubled compared to the same period last week, and the income of the stall owners has also reached a new high. Several stall owners who were hesitant before came to ask if they could add more stalls."

"Let them build their stalls first." Su Hanze said calmly while looking at the lively scene in the square, "If there are too many stalls but the quality doesn't keep up, it will only drive tourists away."

Xiaolong nodded, then lowered his voice and said, "In addition, several stall owners in Dongwan have quietly come to contact us. They said that there is a problem with Dongwan's funds. The stall owners' subsidies have not arrived in the past two days, and everyone is starting to panic."

"Normal." Su Hanze nodded, his face still calm. "Mr. Jin put all his money on gambling, so the stall owner was naturally the one who was sacrificed. He can't even take care of the gambling game now, so how can he care about the life and death of the stall owner?"

"Should we take over those stall owners?" Xiaolong asked.

"No hurry." Su Hanze turned around, his eyes deep, "Wait until the gambling is over tomorrow night and East Bay is completely in chaos, then we will bring these stall owners back one by one. By then, not only the stall owners, but also the tourists will know that West Bay is their best choice." Xiaolong was very impressed and nodded repeatedly, "Boss, you are smart, and you have a long-term vision."

The lights in the theater were still bright, and the tourists in the square gradually dispersed. Su Hanze stood on the podium, surrounded by Xiaolong, A Liu and Shou Hou. The three of them each held a data report and a list of feedback from stall owners, looking ready for battle.

"Xiaolong," Su Hanze pointed to several names on the list of stall owners, "Are these the stall owners who came from Dongwan tonight?"

"That's right, boss." Xiaolong nodded. "There are seven in total. Three of them sell snacks, one sells souvenirs, and a few set up game stalls. They all said that the subsidies from East Bay have not arrived yet, but the stall rents have increased. Many people are beginning to be unable to bear it."

"Very good." Su Hanze nodded. "Arrange for them to come tomorrow morning and negotiate terms directly with our team. Give them the most basic rental discount. The key is to tell them that our share of Xiwan's profits will not be reduced and will be paid on time."

"Understood. I'll arrange it right away." Xiaolong noted the key points and immediately left.

Su Hanze turned to look at Ah Liu: "The gambling game in Dongwan will start in a few hours. Have you arranged for everyone to keep a close eye on it?"

"Keep an eye on it, boss." Ah Liu nodded. "We have people stationed at several exits near the nightclub. Once there is any news, they can report it back at any time. In addition, the accountant on Qiye's side has also started to intervene. I heard that Young Master Jin privately used some of the reserve funds for gambling. Qiye's people are already very dissatisfied."

"Seventh Master's dissatisfaction will be the last straw that breaks the camel's back." Su Hanze said calmly, "But we can't rely entirely on Seventh Master. If Seventh Master chooses to save his life, we have to keep a backup plan."

Ah Liu was slightly stunned: "Boss, you mean...if Master Qi suppresses this matter, we still have to find a way to move on Master Jin?"

"That's right." Su Hanze nodded. "With Young Master Jin's current situation, it's impossible to stabilize the situation. Once his money chain is broken, the stall owners and tourists will completely collapse. What we need to do is to accelerate his collapse at this point in time and make Dongwan completely unattractive."

Ah Liu nodded his head and said, "Boss, I understand. So what should we do next?"

Su Hanze pondered for a moment and said slowly, "Arrange a stall owner meeting to publicly explain our latest revenue data and profit-sharing policy in West Bay, especially let the newly joined East Bay stall owners speak, so that others know why they chose us. People's hearts are the easiest to be moved. As long as the stall owners see the comparison, East Bay will be completely finished."

"Okay, I'll arrange it right away!" Ah Liu responded excitedly and ran out in a hurry.

Su Hanze turned to look at the thin monkey: "There are also tourists from East Bay. Although Young Master Jin's gambling game can attract high-rollers, ordinary tourists will not always focus on the gambling game. Let our people step up publicity and package our light festival and night market into a 'family-friendly' theme event, especially for those tourists who come out with their families, and tell them that West Bay is safer and more affordable than East Bay."

The skinny monkey nodded and scratched his head: "Boss, East Bay has always used high-stakes gambling to attract attention. Can our down-to-earth activities really attract tourists?"

"Yes." Su Hanze said confidently, "The gambling in Dongwan is destined to be a one-time gimmick, but our night market is a long-lasting reputation. Tourists vote with their feet, and as long as the experience is good, word of mouth will spread."

The skinny monkey smiled: "Boss, I understand. This time we are not only going to organize an event, but also to firmly grasp the weak spot of Dongwan!"

Su Hanze nodded: "Go ahead, remember, all actions must revolve around the core of 'retaining tourists', and there must be no omissions."

The skinny monkey ran out quickly, and the entire backstage became busy again.

At the same time, on the top floor of the Dongwan Nightclub, Jin Shao was sitting in a luxurious box, holding a glass of whiskey in his hand, with a tired but determined look on his face. The table was piled with account books and documents, and Zhang Hai stood aside, looking nervous.

"Master, I just received news that Master Qi's accountant has sent someone to check our accounts again, asking about our use of reserve funds. These accounts don't match up at all. If Master Qi's people investigate..."

"Shut up!" Young Master Jin slammed his wine glass on the table with a cold look in his eyes. "I'll take care of Seventh Master, don't make trouble for me here!"

Zhang Hai lowered his head and dared not say much, but his eyes were full of anxiety.

Young Master Jin took a breath and pointed at the documents on the table and said, "Have you sorted out the accounts for the day after tomorrow? The cash flow of the big gambling game must be transferred smoothly, and there must not be any mistakes."

"It's already been arranged." Zhang Hai whispered, "But, Master, Xiwan has added a light festival and a stall owner conference. Many stall owners from Dongwan are already heading there. We..."

"Stall owner?" Young Master Jin sneered, "They are just fence-sitters, they will follow whoever pays them. When the gambling is successful, I will just give them some money, and they will have to come back obediently, right?"

Zhang Hai nodded and didn't dare to say anything more.

Su Hanze stood in front of the window of the theater office, lowered his head and lit a cigarette, the smoke slowly rising under the light.

His eyes fell on the brightly lit East Bay Nightclub in the distance. It was still bustling, with bright lights and loud music, seemingly having nothing to do with Jin Shao's recent predicament. But Su Hanze knew that it was just the last layer of illusion that Jin Shao was holding on to.

Ah Liu pushed the door open and walked in, holding a list of stall owners' feedback in his hand, with an irrepressible smile on his face: "Boss, the effect of tonight's stall owner meeting exceeded expectations. Many stall owners took the initiative to express their opinions at the meeting, saying that as long as West Bay continues to be stable, they will no longer consider East Bay. In addition, several stall owners in East Bay have signed long-term contracts after the meeting. Our stalls are now in short supply."

"Good news." Su Hanze exhaled a puff of smoke, turned around, took the list and glanced at it, "But the confidence of the stall owners is based on tourists. The theme activities of tomorrow's night market should be more in-depth to the needs of tourists. Remember, only when tourists can stay can the stall owners be stable."

Ah Liu nodded, "I understand. By the way, our brother who is watching East Bay sent a message that Young Master Jin's gambling game will start as scheduled tonight, but the high-roller's funds seem to be less than expected. Although the people from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority did not enter the game directly, there are many rumors outside that Young Master Jin is just trying to hold on this time."

(End of this chapter)