24: olive branch

"Manager Wang, what is the charity gala in Shanghai like?"

Lu Fan put down the newspaper and pointed at the news of the charity gala published on it, asking nonchalantly.

Wang Tianxi leaned over to take a look, showing a bit of hesitation, appearing to want to say something but stopping himself.

Lu Fan handed a cigarette to Wang Tianxi and asked casually, "Old Wang, just say what's on your mind. Why the hesitation?"

"How should I put it?" Wang Tianxi rubbed his hands together and said vaguely, "Viscount Louis, it's just a fundraising banquet."

"If it's a fundraising banquet, it's a fundraising banquet. Why are you acting so nervous?"

"Spit it out! Do you believe I'll withdraw all the funds from my account?"

Lu Fan glanced at him; this guy wasn't telling the truth.

"They say it's a charity banquet, but in reality, it's led by Shanghai's Three Tycoons."

"It's nothing more than auctioning off some worthless trinkets, with everyone bidding on them, claiming the proceeds go to charity."

"In truth, everyone knows the score. It's entirely The Three Tycoons being generous with other people's money to build their own reputation."

"People in the business circles privately call this charity banquet: The Hongmen Banquet."

Seeing Lu Fan being so direct, Wang Tianxi gritted his teeth and told the truth.

"That can't be right? Look closely, this event is being held at the Peace Hotel."

"Besides, it's even in the papers. With such a spectacle, would they really hang a sheep's head while selling dog meat?"

Lu Fan pointed at the event information in the newspaper and asked in confusion.

"This... this..." After leaning down to look closely, Wang Tianxi hesitated again.

He would only gossip about Shanghai's Three Tycoons in private; in public, he wouldn't dare say such things even if he were given a hundred times the courage.

Wang Tianxi played it off at the right moment: "I'm really not too sure this time. Let me ask around for you."

"Mm."

Hearing about the famous Three Tycoons of Shanghai, Lu Fan felt eager to give it a try.

Especially the one who reportedly understood the 'three bowls of noodles' to the core.

He truly wanted to meet him.

Wang Tianxi was very efficient; in the time it took to smoke a cigarette, he had returned.

"Viscount Louis, I've inquired about this banquet."

"It's hosted by people from Jinling, with The Three Tycoons assisting. Basically, all the celebrities of Shanghai will attend."

Wang Tianxi explained the situation clearly in a few sentences.

The moment Lu Fan finished listening, he made a decision.

If the first task can't be completed, then I'll settle for the next best thing and make a name for myself in Shanghai first.

So he said straightforwardly, "Old Wang, I've only been back for a few days and I'm unfamiliar with the place."

"I'll take this opportunity to meet the influential figures of Shanghai!"

"Can you help me get an invitation to this charity gala?"

"Our company has a few invitations. Since you need one, I'll go ask for you!"

Wang Tianxi scurried out eagerly, and in less than ten minutes, he returned with the invitation.

Lu Fan's mere two transactions were worth more than ten companies' annual volume.

If he didn't hold onto such a financier tightly, who would he hold onto?

Everything had to be arranged perfectly.

"Thank you, Manager Wang. I'll be heading back now."

Having achieved his goal, Lu Fan didn't linger; he waved the invitation and took his leave.

Wang Tianxi respectfully escorted him to the bank's entrance.

"Take care. I'll send a car to pick you up in a while..."

Lu Fan took a rickshaw and headed home slowly. There were far fewer inspections along the way compared to the morning.

But that was only on the surface. He keenly noticed that many people with bulging waists had suddenly appeared on the streets.

They remained alert at all times, scanning the passing pedestrians.

Soon, Zhao Chengqiang pulled Lu Fan back to his villa.

After parking, Zhao Chengqiang looked around and said, "Boss, I've looked into the matter."

"Come inside and talk!" Lu Fan gestured for Zhao Chengqiang to follow him into the house, then pointed to the sofa. "Sit down and talk."

"Thank you, Boss, but I'll stay standing!" Zhao Chengqiang said after awkwardly wiping his hands on his clothes.

"Boss, everyone who died last night was a foreigner."

"It's confirmed there were two Little Japs, one from Germany, and reportedly some Gauls."

"There are several versions of the rumors circulating."

"Some say it was a clash between foreigners in Shanghai over the Ya'ge people seeking refuge here."

"Some say the Traitor Elimination Squad killed the Japs and happened to take out a few Europeans as well."

"Some say it was an assassination led by Jinling to retaliate against the Little Japs."

"Some say the Little Japs were eliminating dissidents and pressuring the Municipal Council."

"The news is all over the place, a complete mess. Everyone is saying something different."

Zhao Chengqiang looked up directly at Lu Fan. After receiving an approving look, he plucked up the courage to give his own opinion.

"After listening around, I think it's more likely that the Traitor Elimination Squad did it."

At this point, Zhao Chengqiang clearly hesitated before continuing.

"In the early morning, while my mother was washing clothes, she smelled blood and saw a doctor in a white coat making a house call."

Lu Fan raised his eyes slightly. "How can you be so sure? It could also be an assassination led by the authorities."

Zhao Chengqiang replied promptly, "That's unlikely, because it involved Hans people and possibly Gauls."

"Oh? Tell me more!"

Lu Fan's curiosity was instantly piqued, and his evaluation interview unconsciously began.

"It's normal for Jinling to kill the Little Japs; after all, they've occupied a large part of our land. This enmity is irreconcilable."

"But they wouldn't dare provoke the Hans people, and they certainly wouldn't dare provoke the Gauls."

"So, when assassinating the Little Japs, they would never include them. At most, they'd wound them but wouldn't dare kill them."

"That's why I speculate it was the work of the Traitor Elimination Squad."

Zhao Chengqiang began to analyze logically based on the information he had.

Lu Fan asked nonchalantly, "Is the public's hatred for the Little Japs that intense now?"

"You bet!" Zhao Chengqiang puffed out his chest, filled with righteous indignation. "To say nothing of the past, ever since the Little Japs established a foothold in Hongkou District..."

"Those Ronin are even more lawless, picking fights all day long. Especially those of us in the shantytowns, we suffer the most."

"Since the beginning of the year, a Traitor Elimination Squad has been quietly formed among the people, specifically targeting the Little Japs."

"By now, the number of Japs they've taken out is at least eighty, if not a hundred."

The more Zhao Chengqiang spoke, the more excited he became, and a look of yearning unconsciously appeared in his eyes.

With a look of gratification on his face, Lu Fan asked softly, "It seems you also want to join the Traitor Elimination Squad?"

"Yes! I really do!" Zhao Chengqiang said with a solemn expression, not hiding his inner thoughts.

However, in an instant, his gaze dimmed. "But, it's just a thought. I still have my old mother and my younger siblings at home."

"If something happens to me, even if I die, I'm not afraid."

"But I can't involve them."

Zhao Chengqiang scratched his head, a trace of helplessness appearing on his face.

With these words, Lu Fan's evaluation of Zhao Chengqiang increased rather than decreased.

He was looking for an agent who was responsible, courageous, knew what was important, and knew when to advance or retreat.

But he certainly couldn't be a purely hot-blooded youth who would disregard everything in a moment of passion.

From this perspective, Zhao Chengqiang was indeed qualified.

Lu Fan took the opportunity to extend an olive branch: "Xiao Zhao, are you interested in working for me?"

"Ah?"

Zhao Chengqiang was very surprised and dazed for a long time before asking, "Boss, I only have some strength. What can I do?"

Lu Fan said steadily, "There's plenty you can do. I'm just asking if you're willing."