Financial freedom starts with smiling at life

"Mr. Jiang, we've found the person who leaked Zhao Wei's itinerary."

Shen Jun entered the study to report to the director.

Jiang Beichen, holding a book in his hand, nodded.

For him, the unexpected situation on opening day was both a challenge and an opportunity.

In the end, it actually made him successful.

Whether it's "Mr. Jiang" in the business world or "Young Master Jiang" in the underworld, both have established a foothold in Southeast Asia.

It doesn't matter who informed the police about Zhao Wei's visit to the restaurant to offer congratulations.

Jiang Beicheng was simply curious about who was being so inconsiderate, so he asked Aunt Shen to continue.

“Li Xiang, a young Singaporean banker, is a rising star in the financial world.” Shen Jun knew, “He also has another identity.”

Jiang Beicheng wasn't interested in the identities of these financial whizzes, mainly because they weren't qualified to be compared to himself.

He was more curious about her other identity, "A member of a gang?"

They made a bold guess.

The celebrities and wealthy businessmen who attended the dinner that day also knew Zhao Wei, but they didn't take him seriously and had no interaction with him. It's unlikely that they would deliberately make things difficult for Jiangbei City just to curry favor with the Singapore police.

After all, they have close ties with Jiangbei City.

Those who keep a close eye on Zhao Wei are either enemies, rivals, or people who see his potential for exploitation.

Thinking from these perspectives, it's easy to think of student organizations.

It is a common tactic for organizations to cultivate elites to enter the top echelons of society in various countries to expand their networks and information channels, thereby providing convenience for the organization.

Nine times out of ten, Li Xiang, this rising star in Singapore's financial world, is a social elite cultivated by the community.

Shen Jun nodded and said, "The godson of the Penang Ghost King."

Jiangbei City: "Ghost King? That smuggling boss from Malacca?"

"Yes, the major drug smuggling case that the Singapore and Malaysian police recently cracked was also part of Ghost King's business, but it was his disciples who were in charge."

"Was it on Ghost King's orders that Li Xiang informed the Singapore police about Zhao Wei?"

"Not sure yet!"

Jiangbei City: "Where is Li Xiang?"

"In the hands of the Cambodians!"

Jiang Beicheng nodded: "Let our people pick them up, and I'll deliver them to the Ghost King when I have time."

"Okay, sir."

As Shen Jun was about to leave to take care of it, Jiang Beichen reminded her again, "Aunt Shen, follow the rules of the underworld."

Shen Jun nodded, meaning that one should learn from mistakes.

As for how to teach them a lesson, just leave them alive.

Mr. Jiang said he would personally deliver it to the Ghost King.

……

Penang Ghost King's Headquarters.

"Boss, someone has broken into headquarters."

The subordinate rushed to the Ghost King to report.

Ghost King spat out the betel nut in his mouth, put his hands on the armrests of the chair and stood up, instantly tensing up.

Those who dare to raid his headquarters can't be social groups; they all know he has plenty of weapons, and a fight would only end badly.

Ghost King's first reaction was that government troops had come to raid his home.

The moment my mind decided to "transfer," a Rolls-Royce armored vehicle pulled up in the yard.

The Ghost King was relieved to see the car; it was impossible for government troops to drive luxury cars to carry out their missions.

I wonder which important person has come to visit today?
Driver Cai Jun parked the car, got out, and opened the door.

When Jiang Beicheng got out of the car, Ghost King stood there stunned.

Of course he knew that the young man in front of him was the famous Young Master Jiang.

That awesome guy who managed to protect Zhao Wei, an Interpol wanted criminal, from government authorities.

In the martial arts world, he is respectfully called "Young Master Jiang".

Jiang Beicheng dusted off his hands, looked around, and finally fixed his gaze on the Ghost King.

The Ghost King's appearance is very distinctive, with a face full of tattoos, making him easy to recognize.

Jiang Beicheng said, "Ghost King, this place is hard to find. I had to pull several strings to find it!"

He was about to take a step forward, but seeing a broken puddle in front of him, Jiang Beicheng pulled his foot back.

His eyes showed disdain.

Couldn't a smuggling ringleader on an international gold shipping route repair the roads in his headquarters?
The Rolls-Royce behind me was all dirty.

"Young Master Jiang, what brings you here today?" Ghost King stepped forward to greet him, then glanced back at his headquarters, following Jiang Beicheng's gaze, and joked, "Young Master Jiang, my place is a bit shabby, I probably don't deserve to receive someone of your esteemed status."

It means to kick out the guest.

Penang does not welcome people from northwestern Penang.

Actually, he was still resentful about that deal.

He was definitely unhappy with Jiang Beicheng, but Zhao Wei's incident had made "Young Master Jiang" recognized by major gangs and organizations in Southeast Asia. Right now, Young Master Jiang's reputation in the Southeast Asian underworld was at its peak, and Penang dared not be the first to make a move.

It was expected that the Ghost King would not welcome him, but he was not here as a guest, nor was he here to visit this smuggling boss from the Strait of Malacca.

I've come today to settle a score with the Ghost King.

“Ghost King, I have some free time today, so I made a special trip to Malaysia to bring your godson back,” Jiang Beicheng said with a smile.

The Ghost King frowned.

To understand Jiang Beicheng's words, one might guess that Jiang Beicheng might have taken action against his godson.

As soon as the voice finished speaking, the door of a minivan behind them opened, and several bodyguards dragged a young man out of the car.

The young man was beaten so badly it was unbearable to watch.

Many of the wounds on his body had begun to fester.

It definitely wasn't something that happened in just a day or two; the godson must have been tormented for a long time.

The Ghost King remained expressionless and said in a deep voice, "What does Young Master Jiang mean by this?"

Jiang Beicheng: "Ghost King, don't misunderstand. It was the Cambodians who did it. My secretary went to the Cambodians for me, and they gave me face and spared his life. I'm bringing him back to you today."

The Ghost King looked up at Jiang Beicheng, knowing full well that this was Jiang Beicheng's "sweet talk".

The scenario of using someone else to do one's dirty work is all too common in their elite social circle in Jiangbei City.

They care about their reputation and don't want to get their hands dirty.

The Cambodians were definitely doing business for Jiangbei City.

His words were purely a provocation against Penang and against himself, the smuggling boss of the Strait of Malacca.

Throughout Southeast Asia, the title of "King of the Ghosts of Penang" is widely known.

Your behavior today is like defecating on my head.

They didn't give me any face at all.

"Young Master Jiang, you ruined my business. I haven't settled this score with you yet. Several friends advised me to back down. Fine, I'll give you face and consider it my own loss."

"But if you push them to the brink, even a cornered dog will jump over the wall," the Ghost King said directly. "What does your business with the Singaporean businessmen have to do with me?" Jiang Beicheng laughed.

He was targeting the Su family.

The Su family was dealt with first, and the Singapore police even held a press conference, making such a big fuss. You parties involved in the business still don't know how to deal with the evidence. I don't know whether to call you stupid or do you think that the luck of seeking wealth and fortune in danger will fall on your own?
The Ghost King did not respond.

He did indeed take that deal with the mindset of seeking fortune through risk.

All preparations were completed under the cover of darkness.

As a result, they walked right into a police trap.

The losses are devastating. The goods are secondary; the real danger is that my two brothers, who risked their lives for each other, are likely doomed this time.

The only hope is that I can pull some strings and save my life.

In Jiang Beicheng's eyes, this behavior was definitely extremely foolish.

They are businessmen who are far more ruthless and black-hearted than gangsters; they are just better at using their methods.

Ghost King: "Mr. Jiang, that's not very interesting."

“I’m not here to gossip and reminisce with you, Ghost King. Keep your people in check. No matter where you are in Southeast Asia, if your people act so recklessly, don’t blame me for not leaving you a way out.” Jiang Beicheng reminded Ghost King, “I can make Zhao Wei leave Singapore safely, and I can also keep you permanently trapped in Penang.”

The Ghost King stared blankly at Jiangbei City.

I don't know why, but I couldn't control my body and it trembled slightly.

If anyone else had said such a threat, he would have taken it as a joke and immediately sent them to their death.

But when Young Master Jiang said that, he got a little nervous.

He didn't deny that Young Master Jiang was a big shot with the power to take his life.

He would have been willing to visit Young Master Jiang if that business deal hadn't been ruined.

As Jiang Beicheng abandoned his godson and prepared to leave with his men, Ghost King came to his senses and said, "Young Master Jiang, make yourself clear."

Jiang Beicheng looked at his godson lying on the ground and said, "Ask your eldest son."

He closed the car door and left.

"Boss, I'll gather the men right away, grab our weapons, and go block him. Let him leave his life in Penang and dump his body in international waters," his subordinate said excitedly.

They have plenty of weapons.

In the smuggling business, firearms are considered "essential goods".

As long as the Ghost King nods in approval, his men will fight the people of Jiangbei City in Penang today.

The Ghost King did not nod.

After weighing the options, I realized I couldn't do anything to Young Master Jiang.

Young Master Jiang has too many connections behind him. Let alone whether they can defeat Young Master Jiang's armed security personnel today, even if they are lucky enough to get what they want, their lives are over.

Whether in the underworld or the legitimate world, there are quite a few important figures who stand up for Young Master Jiang.

In addition, he was puzzled as to what his godson had done to make Young Master Jiang so furious that he almost broke the principle of "keeping to himself".

His gaze fell on his godson, who was curled up on the ground.

"Godfather, I was wrong."

The godson was on the verge of death, and he admitted his mistake first.

The Ghost King sensed something was off about the tone and suspected his godson had offended Jiang Beicheng. "What did you do?"

The godson truthfully replied, "I was the one who leaked the information about Zhao Wei to the Singapore police."

The Ghost King was furious. If it weren't for his miserable state, he would have attacked him directly. "You really deserve to die at Young Master Jiang's hands."

Even he wouldn't dare to do such a thing in a situation like that.

This is a complete challenge to the authority of Singapore's political and business circles.

News of Zhao Wei's case has spread throughout Southeast Asian community organizations.

Many organization leaders are clamoring to find this ignorant "traitor" and deal with him according to the rules of the underworld, to avenge Young Master Jiang.

Young Master Jiang remained relatively calm and handled the situation very well. In that situation, if he had gone astray even slightly, the consequences would have been self-evident.

Unexpectedly, the "traitor" whom everyone condemned turned out to be his godson, whom he had placed in Singapore's elite circles to gather information.

I even misunderstood Young Master Jiang today.

Young Master Jiang didn't reveal that his godson had leaked the secret, which was already a favor to Penang.

Otherwise, he, as the smuggling boss of Malacca, would have no face to show in Southeast Asia unless he used extreme measures to get rid of his godson to establish his persona and authority.

Every circle has rules; without rules, nothing can be accomplished. The godson broke these rules, and he deserves to be tormented like this.

The Ghost King's eyes were cold as he asked, "What are you trying to achieve by doing this?"

The godson understood the meaning behind his godfather's look; he had already fallen out of favor with him. Trembling, he replied, "I want to pledge my loyalty to the Singapore police force and expand Penang's smuggling channels."

Singapore and Indonesia also have jurisdiction over the Strait of Malacca, a vital waterway. If channels between the Singaporean and Indonesian governments can be established, Penang's business will be able to expand even further.

The Ghost King squatted down, lit a cigarette, took two puffs, and then fed it to his godson, saying, "You'll die from having too big an appetite."

Take good care of your injury. Once you're healed, stay home and feed the livestock.

Li Xiang's eyes widened as he understood his godfather's meaning: he had fallen out of favor and was no longer qualified to contribute to Penang.

Although I regretted acting too hastily, I never expected that my godfather would be fooled by Young Master Jiang.

You are the Ghost King, the smuggling boss of Malacca.

He has been on multiple international wanted lists.

Are you still afraid of Young Master Jiang?

Li Xiang still didn't realize "Young Master Jiang's" status in the underworld.

……

"Ms. Qian said you went to Malaysia?"

Jiangbei City returned to his villa in Sentosa and had afternoon tea with his first wife, Haitangxi.

"I went to Penang."

Haitangxi didn't ask, but waved to the barista, asking him to make Jiangbei Chengcui a cup of coffee. "Good news and bad news, which do you want to hear, baby?"

"It's definitely good news."

"Hahaha, my project won an award! It won the Excellence Award in the Public and Commercial Buildings category at this year's World Architecture Festival!" Haitangxi announced to Jiangbei City. "I'll go to the organizing committee to pick up the award tomorrow."

"Congratulations, you're getting closer and closer to that highest honor in your heart." Jiang Beichen took the coffee from the barista, smiled and clinked glasses with Haitangxi. "When Ms. Qian comes back, let's have some drinks to celebrate tonight."

"Thank you to my beloved baby for the emotional support you've provided along the way," Haitangxi confessed.

Jiang Beicheng tilted his head slightly, and Haitangxi's red lips pressed against his.

"When will the annual Best Building Award be selected?" Jiang Beicheng asked with concern.

"Soon, probably within the next few days," Haitangxi said. "I saw the message Qianqian posted in the group chat; she definitely wants to go back before she gives birth."

"Yes." Jiang Beichen nodded. In his heart, nothing was more important than his first child. Not only the eldest son's family, but all the other members of the Jiang family had to be present.

"The bad news is?"

Haitangxi laughed while holding her phone: "You're trending again."

The opening ceremony of the North City Hotel Singapore branch was far too grand; netizens commented that it went too far this time.

Jiang Beicheng shook his head and smiled, thinking that the CEOs of several domestic social media platforms were again spreading his news while also inserting their own agendas, creating ambiguous topics to let netizens discuss and speculate. If that was the case, he would have to call and question them.

"Are you sure you don't want to take a look?" Haitangxi handed her phone to Jiang Beicheng. (End of Chapter)