A Life of Attributes Starting as a Nobleman in the Republic of China Era

"Our agreement was that the four major families would entrust the Green Gang with all their businesses in Shanghai, including overt operations such as canal transport, docks, warehouses, and transportation, while the Green Gang would take 60% of the profits from all underground operations."

Wang Jian picked up a piece of matsutake mushroom himself, chewing as he spoke.

"Yes," Chen Che nodded.

"Um."

Wang Jian nodded and then asked, "So, Young Master Chen, which area do you plan to start with?"

Chen Che already had a clear understanding of the four families' business plans in Shanghai: "The Chen and Dong families' canal transport business has already reached a certain scale in Nanjing. I think we should start with canal transport, transporting Nanjing's textiles and food to Shanghai. Then we can sell Shanghai's machinery, imported goods, and chemical products to the Jianghuai region."

Chen Che spoke fluently and eloquently.

"Next, the four major families will invest real money in Shanghai. They will build power plants, chemical plants, and even produce cars and arms with foreigners in Shanghai." Chen Che became more and more excited as he spoke, his eyes shining.

Wang Jian smiled politely and added another piece of mandarin fish to Chen Che's plate, saying, "It's pretty much what we were thinking. Of course, these businesses will generate a lot of intermediate profits, such as dock management, factory security, and the distribution of textile and food retail."

Chen Che leaned forward, looking eager: "Of course, we'll have to trouble the Green Gang brothers with this. As agreed, the profits will be split 40/60, I get 40% and you get 60%."

He had a good impression of Wang Jian. Undoubtedly, he was one of the most powerful figures in Shanghai. As the leader of the Green Gang, his martial arts skills must be unfathomable, perhaps even surpassing those of Sun Congzhou and Ren Zhan. However, Chen Che perceived him as a refined and polite scholar, not at all like the condescending and aggressive figure he had imagined.

Wang Jian and Chen Che chatted for a while longer. Before they knew it, half an hour had passed.

"I had a very pleasant meeting with Mr. Chen. We've pretty much finished discussing business matters," Wang Jian said. "Now, only one last question remains."

"Oh?" Chen Che's heart tightened. "Please speak freely, Chief Wang."

"When will Young Master Chen return to Jinling?"

"What does Chief Wang mean?" The negotiation went too smoothly, and Chen Che was preparing for unknown variables, but he was still taken aback.

"If I'm not mistaken, Young Master Chen has just entered the 'Martial Artist' realm, and he's at the crucial 'Blood Transformation' stage." Wang Jian maintained a polite smile throughout. "Furthermore, the guard waiting outside the cabin is also undergoing 'Blood Transformation'."

He looked worried: "Shanghai is not like Nanjing. There are many 'blood transfusion' martial artists here. With Young Master Chen here, it's really hard for the Green Gang to guarantee your safety."

Chen Che's heart sank, but his face remained calm: "But I have to stay here and look after the interests of the four major families in Shanghai."

"For example, in terms of canal transport, I have to personally plan the waterways and deal with people from the shipping bureau..."

"...Regarding the canal transport, our gang has already prepared three cargo ships in Shanghai. The cotton spinning machines, lathes, and imported goods that Nanjing needs have long been loaded onto the ships. Young Master Chen only needs to arrange for Nanjing to receive the ships and handle distribution." Wang Jian interrupted Chen Che, "In Shanghai, arranging some servants to manage miscellaneous tasks will be more than enough."

Chen Che's face remained expressionless, but he was furious inside.

It was obvious that Wang Jian wanted the four major families to only contribute money, not personnel.

This means that Wang Jian had no intention of sharing the Green Gang's resources and network of connections in Nanjing. While this might bring the four major families some financial gains, all operations, especially the crucial network of relationships, would remain in the Green Gang's hands. If this continued, the four families' plans to cultivate and sustain their presence in Shanghai would be in vain.

Wang Jian has laid his cards on the table.

Chen Che knew there was no point in continuing the conversation, and he had already made up his mind.

He crouched down and stood up, saying to Wang Jian, "I understand what the leader means. Please allow me to go back and think about it carefully."

Wang Jian nodded: "The Green Gang has been established in Shanghai for a century, built on the blood and sweat of countless brothers. One million taels of silver a year?" He smiled, "Young Master Chen is quite the businessman."

Chen Che smiled slightly: "One million taels of silver could buy 500 Ford cars in Shanghai, enough to start a large textile factory. Chief Wang's appetite seems a bit too big?"

Wang Jian didn't speak, but simply lowered his head and gently put down his bowl and chopsticks. When he looked up again, his eyes were filled with murderous intent.

Suddenly, for no apparent reason, the air seemed to freeze.

Wang Jianming hadn't moved an inch, and Chen Che felt like a rabbit being locked onto by a falcon from high above in the wilderness.

An invisible wall of energy seemed to appear in front of Wang Jian, as if the weight of an entire mountain and sea had suddenly gained direction, irresistibly moving towards Chen Che.

Chen Che felt every inch of his skin was warning him, yet he couldn't move an inch. The aura was invisible and intangible, but it was colder and more inescapable than any weapon.

"Young Master!" Chen San, who was outside the cabin, also sensed Wang Jian's murderous aura. He flung open the curtain, revealing a gleaming short knife in his hand, and recklessly stabbed at Wang Jian.

But Huang Su was faster, and in a flash, he stood between Wang Jian and Chen San, pointing his pipe at Chen San's Jianjing acupoint.

In a flash, Chen Che saw Wang Jian's figure flash by, and then reappear in the same spot, holding Chen San's short knife and Huang Su's opium pipe.

"This guy is quite interesting." Wang Jian looked at Chen San, handed the dagger to Chen Che, and said with a smile.

"Do things as I say. I'm going into seclusion for a while. For matters in Shanghai, you can contact Master Huang," Wang Jian said, handing the opium pipe to Huang Su.

"Alright." Chen Che's forehead was beaded with sweat, but he still had a smile on his face. "Then I won't bother the gang leader any longer."

Wang Jian waved to Huang Su, lowered the airtight boat curtain, and the lights that had been shining from the large boat vanished in an instant, leaving the river pitch black again.

Huang Su lit the lantern.

Just as they had come, guided by five lanterns, the awning boat swayed back to the waterway in front of the cave.

Chen Che looked back at the waterway he had come from. In the moonlight, he could vaguely see the dense network of branching waterways in the reeds. Finding Wang Jian's location again from memory was absolutely impossible for him.

"Brother, you acted swiftly," Huang Su said to Chen San, leading the way with a lantern. Chen San remained silent.

Stepping out of the old house, a Citroën was already waiting at the door.

Huang Su jumped into the driver's seat and started the car.

After turning a few corners, another identical car appeared behind us. A little while later, yet another one appeared.

A cunning rabbit has three burrows. Chen Che knew this was to conceal the location of the old house.

Judging from Wang Jian's displayed skills, his martial arts cultivation is definitely at the "Martial Venerable" level; it's just unknown which breakthrough he's reached. That someone with such cultivation would be so cautious... this can only mean that his opponent is absolutely not to be underestimated.

Shanghai is indeed a place where hidden talents abound.

Chen Che's eyes gradually brightened, but fortunately Huang Su didn't notice.

It was almost 11 o'clock when we arrived at the Peace Hotel.

Huang Su stopped the car: "Young Master Chen, many brothers have been in the gang for over ten years but have never seen the gang leader. The fact that the gang leader is seeing you today shows that he is truly sincere in making some friends in Jinling."

He gave Chen Che a meaningful look: "Young master, take care of yourself."

Chen Che nodded sincerely, watching the three Citroëns drive further and further away until they disappeared from sight.

"It's our turn," Chen Che said to Chen San in a low voice.