Urban All-Round Master

Chapter 1012: Chapter 1046: The Question of Strength

Very quickly, when Duan Tianhong of the Hongmen was defeated by Shao Huo, the entire Hongmen completely fell into the hands of the South Heavenly Gate.

This was also when Zhonghai City was fully unified. A few days later... everyone gathered in a conference room. Lin Zifeng convened a grand meeting.

Zhang Mengjie then analyzed the issue of how powerful the Southern Hongmen, which is linked to the Northern Hongmen, really is.

”Just how powerful is the Southern Hongmen?”

Cang Zhou opened his mouth and asked.

Last night, he witnessed an astounding scene of unity among the South Heavenly Gate members, with a battle involving tens of thousands, which is not often seen.

Yet now, at the mention of the Southern Hongmen, even Lin Zifeng felt a headache.

”Here’s a piece of information. If you all want to know how strong the Southern Hongmen is, you just need to take a look.”

Zhang Mengjie opened a touchscreen computer and pushed it in front of everyone.

”There are countless famous global crime syndicates, yet the Southern Hongmen ranks among the top few in the global arena. So, just how formidable do you think the Southern Hongmen is?”

”The Southern Hongmen is even more powerful than the Yakuza of Fusang!”

Cang Zhou exclaimed in shock.

”To be precise, the Yakuza is actually just a branch of the East Asia super gang Yakuza. The Yakuza is truly one of the global major crime syndicates.”

Zhang Mengjie, well-versed in global crime syndicate information, elaborated fluently.

”What about the Italian Mafia?”

”The existence of the Mafia can no longer simply be described as a crime syndicate. They have extensive branches in politics, the military, and commerce. Therefore, if the South Heavenly Gate wants to grow strong, it must establish its own forces rather than exist solely under the guise of a crime syndicate.”

”So, what do you mean?”

Lin Zifeng was somewhat enlightened.

Zhang Mengjie’s heart warmed; the more Lin Zifeng valued her words, the more she felt her status in Lin Zifeng’s heart was very high.

At least it had significance.

”For the South Heavenly Gate to truly grow strong, it must establish its own power, starting with politics and the military. The current biggest goal is to monopolize the economy. As long as we at South Heavenly Gate have enough money, nothing will be too big of an issue.”

”Money is an easy matter. At worst, we can just have our people collect more protection money and open more outlets, can’t we?” Cang Zhou said.

Everyone gave him an extremely peculiar look.

”What’s wrong? Is my plan not good?”

Being stared at by everyone, Cang Zhou’s old face turned red; he knew his plan was indeed a bit ridiculous.

”Good, very good, your plan is reasonable and fair,” Zhang Mengjie chuckled, twisting her slender waist, and walked in front of everyone, saying, ”Just having money is not enough. After all, this money has dubious origins. If we don’t have a good means to launder money, even with this money, we can’t use it.”

”Launder money? How do we do that?”

Shao Huo seemed to realize something.

A true crime syndicate, wanting to rise, must establish its own forces.

Moreover, it must launder money through many channels.

To elevate Lin Zifeng’s social status, they absolutely cannot engage in activities related to vice, gambling, or drugs, as offending public opinion would leave them unprotected.

”Corporation group,” Zhang Mengjie said seriously. ”Behind every large syndicate, there’s corporate investment at work. We can establish a group, grow the group, then invest all of our money into it, using the group as a cover. By then, every penny we earn has a justifiable reason as a profit from the group. Having a multinational company guarantees us protection in Huaxia and abroad. As long as we grow the group, control both domestic and foreign financial economics, we need not fear being targeted by the state.”

Zhang Mengjie’s meaning was clear. To grow the South Heavenly Gate, a multinational company must back it. This way, they can thrive in Huaxia and, by manipulating global financial economics, receive protection from other countries. Then, they need not fear other syndicates targeting the South Heavenly Gate, with the biggest threat being the formidable state itself.

Once a criminal force grows bothersome to a state, it is sooner or later doomed to be eradicated—everyone understands the principle of a tall tree catching the wind.

”But in creating our own enterprise group, what exactly should we do?”

Black Hawk very much agreed with Zhang Mengjie’s idea, although he came from a mercenary background. Having him do business is dozens of times harder than fighting.

”Entertainment.”

Zhang Mengjie’s pretty eyes sparkled.

”Now, the South Heavenly Gate is already at a dominant level in Zhonghai City and is bound to entangle with some unnecessary trouble. To resolve these issues, I think starting with an entertainment group is best. We can massively cultivate quality stars and singers, then promote them everywhere through publicity. Once these signed artists become famous and their societal influence grows, the South Heavenly Gate will have more survival capital, giving no reason for the country to act against us.”

”Good! I think this idea is excellent!”

Bu Chen very much endorsed Zhang Mengjie’s idea, slapping the table in agreement immediately.

Others, without saying a word, inwardly admired this underworld queen’s intelligence immensely.

”But have you considered, in establishing an entertainment group, who would manage it?”

Lin Zifeng asked.

If an entertainment group were established in Zhonghai City, it surely must be made into one of the country’s top groups.

A collision with Tianyu would certainly be inevitable, and he was now considering whether to inform Nangong Bing about this matter.

The South Heavenly Gate is the collective effort of everyone, not his alone. He couldn’t selfishly involve the South Heavenly Gate with Tianyu, as that would be extremely unfair to all his brothers.

”We can find someone to handle this.” Zhang Mengjie was full of confidence.

”Who should we find?”

”My sister, of course. I think my sister is a pretty good choice.”

”...”

Everyone remained silent.

”Sister Zhang, isn’t your sister too young? At least we should find a CEO with management experience for an entertainment group, right?”

”Alright, alright, can’t I just be joking with you?”

Zhang Mengjie rolled her eyes helplessly at them.

She turned her gaze back to Lin Zifeng, smirking, ”Young Master Lin, who do you think is suitable to be the CEO of the South Heavenly Gate Group?”

”Uh, this matter, for now, let’s just discuss it later once the South Heavenly Gate is truly stable, then we can revisit this subject.” Lin Zifeng instinctively avoided the question.

Zhang Elf’s words were clearly asking him, isn’t your wife the CEO of Tianyu? Why not bring her over to help South Heavenly Gate?

Joking aside, would Lin Zifeng actually be willing to involve Nangong Bing?

That’s impossible.

”Since we’ve discussed enough, let’s adjourn now. Shao Huo and Sister Zhang will manage the South Heavenly Gate for now, and everyone else stick to their duties. I think the Shadow Group’s combat power is not yet very high; this arduous task is entrusted to you.”

With that, Shao Huo quickly followed up, smoothing things over.

With an enthusiastic expression, he didn’t forget to give Lin Zifeng a knowing wink.

Poor Lin Zifeng was almost touched to the point of praising him as a good kid.