Chapter 261 - A Happy Collaboration
Chapter 261 A Happy Collaboration
As he had expected, everything Yu Wenhua said was true. This sparkling star in the political circle did have a wise mind that most people didn’t have. He could tell what people’s desires were only using some vague clues.
Xiao Bing couldn’t argue and he didn’t want to because it was smarter to be honest with a wise person.
Xiao Bing eased himself into the chair and smiled, “So Uncle Yu, may I know the reason for this invitation?”
Yu Wenhua looked at Xiao Bing earnestly, “To be honest, I’m considering who should I choose to help.”
Xiao Bing was surprised. He thought of all kinds of possibilities. He thought, most likely this man wanted to warn him not cause any trouble. But he had not expected that this political mogul would tell him in a serious tone that he was considering which one he should choose to help.
Xiao Bing had not expected that a Provincial Party Vice Secretary wanted to be involved in the underground world in this way. But he suddenly realized that Yu Wenhua might want to choose one to support?
Xiao Bing suddenly smiled. If that was the case, though Yu Wenhua might seem able to manipulate the underground world, actually he would not have such power.
Ever since Xiao Bing walked in, Yu Wenhua had been the dominating side because of his status. But now Xiao Bing believed that he finally had the initiative because he finally understood what Yu Wenhua planned to do.
Yu Wenhua’s eyes gleamed when he noticed the knowingly smile on Xiao Bing’s face. “Xiao Bing, you really are a clever man.”
“Thanks. Since it’s a conversation between two smart people, can you just tell me your plans, Uncle Yu? You are the magistrate of this province. We all live under your protection and we should offer you our help when you ask for it.”
Yu Wenhua nodded his head, “I’ll just make it very clear. I hate all of the underground gangs. If I was ten years younger, I would have rooted you out once and for all.”
Looking at Yu Wenhua, Xiao Bing said, “I believe that!”
Yu Wenhua smiled. “But I’m becoming an old man now. The older a man is, the more questions he will think about. He won’t do things according to what he likes or dislikes.”
Xiao Bing grinned, “So I should be lucky that you are over forty.”
“Yeah!” Yu Wenhua guffawed first, then he turned stern. “I once hated underground rascals like you. But where there is light there will also be darkness. You are the darkness of the city. I can eliminate you or even Lord Long, but the darkness will always find its way back into this world.”
Xiao Bing asked, “So what?”
“Hence, I want to choose one of you to offer my support. I don’t want the war between you and Lord Long to be a very long one. Many innocent people will die if the war won’t be over soon. You should know that even a small gang fight will involve many innocent people. That’s the last thing I ever want.”
Xiao Bing sighed, “Uncle Yu, you are a good official.”
“I’m just doing my duty. I can’t say if I am a good official or not, but I will try my best to protect the good people of this area. So I want this war to be over in a short time so that there will soon be a leader who can take control of the underground world of the three provinces in the north. By then, whether it’s you or Lord Long, there will be no commotion, which will make people feel safer.”
Yu Wenhua paused for a moment and continued as he looked at Xiao Bing, “The reason why I contacted you first is that you were a soldier. You became what you are now because you were pushed into it by the situation around you. Many times, you were forced to do things you didn’t want to do. A good soldier always remembers that he fights for the interest of the common people.”
“Besides, you and Yu Miao have become friends” From a personal perspective, it’s better to meet you first.”
Yu Wenhua said, “Hence, personally and publicly, this is my reason for meeting you. Of course, before I make my decision, I need to talk to you.”
Xiao Bing thought to himself, “Indeed this Yu Wenhua is a cunning old man. Since you won’t say it, I’ll say it for you.”
Xiao Bing grinned, “There’s one thing Uncle Yu has left out.”
Yu Wenhua asked, “What is it?”
“Compared with Lord Long, I’m smarter and more discreet when doing things. I never do things I deem inappropriate. But Lord Long is arrogant and arbitrary. If he becomes the lord of the underground world of the three provinces in the north, you might not be able to manipulate him, no matter how much power you hold. You can’t imagine the things he will do. This is the third point, am I right?”
Then Xiao Bing looked at Yu Wenhua with a smile playing at the corner of his face. Though Xiao Bing’s eyes seemed mild, Yu Wenhua felt that this man could not be led by the nose anymore, because he had sniffed out the weak spot in him.
He deemed Xiao Bing a very terrifying and mentally mature. However, just as Xiao Bing had said, though Yu Wenhua seemingly could choose the one he favored, actually he didn’t get to choose.
In an instant, Xiao Bing became the dominating side.
Yu Wenhua said gravely, “Xiao Bing, you are one of those underground gangs while I’m a government official. In other words, I’m the sheriff and you are the thief. We are supposed to be enemies. I can arrest you for illegally organizing underground gangs now if I want to. You will be imprisoned for at least a few years. Do you believe that?”
“I do!” Though Xiao Bing sounded serious, he was actually not afraid. He knew that Yu Wenhua threatened him for the initiative, which was something Xiao Bing was willing to give. What was important to Xiao Bing was to see if he could gain some advantage in it.
Yu Wenhua seemed satisfied. Then he said, “Good. Then I’ll just be straight with you. I don’t want to see many people get killed for it. I will support one to destroy another. But I merely mentioned your advantages before. Compared with Lord Long, you also have disadvantages. Do you know that?”
Xiao Bing became vigilant. He didn’t mention it because he thought Yu Wenhua didn’t notice it. It seemed that Yu Wenhua was truly an experienced politician who was not easy to fool, “Of course I have my weaknesses. For instance, I’m outnumbered by Lord Long.”
“That’s right.” Yu Wenhua sounded more satisfied. “If it was one month or even one week ago, I would never have invited you to dinner. Because Lord Long’s advantages were overwhelming. Won’t it be easier for me if I supported Lord Long rather than you? I want it to be quick, so I can’t choose the losing side. However, several days ago, Jidong Province was in chaos and now you are in control of it, which gave you more chances of winning. But even so, to most people, you will still lose this war.”
“It’s because Lord Long has always been invincible. He never lost one battle. Besides, though I temporarily have Jidong Province, not every gang is willing to obey me. Moreover, during Lord Long’s travels, he made friends with several top masters, all of whom are now at his service. Hence, it’s reasonable for normal people to think that my failure is certain.”
Yu Wenhua smiled contentedly, “It feels great to talk to a smart person. I’ll give you an opportunity to convince me. Tell me why you think you will be the winner.”
Xiao Bing smiled confidently as if he’d won, “It’s I who succeeded in turning Lord Long against Zhuge Jiangnan. Two of Lord Long’s three sworn brothers were killed by me. Jidong Province belonged to Lord Long one week ago, and several days later, I made it mine without spilling blood. I only used the scheme of alienation. I spread the news that Lord Long killed his brother and his nephew. I just want you to know that I’m a smart man, as you have said. Not only will you find it a pleasure to talk to me, but you will also be surprised if you chose me.”
The two looked at each other and suddenly they both laughed. Then Xiao Bing continued, “After I’ve dealt with the Long family, I will immediately bring peace to the underground world of the three northern provinces while trying not to get too many people involved. Then I will eliminate drugs. I won’t allow drug-dealers to exist in my territory by cooperating with the government on that matter. Uncle Yu, if you need anything on that, I’ll do my best to serve you.”
Yu Wenhua fell silent for a while, seemingly wondering if Xiao Bing’s reasons were sufficient or not. But Xiao Bing’s eyes sparkled with confidence.
Finally, after quite a long silence, Yu Wenhua looked at Xiao Bing and said, “Tell me the time, the place and what I need to do.”
The two both smiled after they looked at each other in silence. After Xiao Bing said something to Yu Wenhua, they both stood up and held each other’s hands tightly. “May we have a happy cooperation.”
Then they sat down. Yu Wenhua pointed at the food on the table as he smiled, “Have a bite. Xiao Bing, the door of Harbin will always be open to you.”
“No no no… I should probably not come here too often.” There was a hint of wisdom in his smile, “It’s good for Uncle Liu.”
Finally, Yu Wenhua was completely satisfied with Xiao Bing.
The leaders of the government and the underground gangs will soon start their collaboration.