Chapter 647 - 647: Rush to Buy Shares
Qingfeng Club, under the control of Tianqing Gang, was making almost a billion in profit every month, famously known as the most profitable venue in Shenchuan City. A ten percent share, distributing ten million a month, was also considered normal. Just this money alone was enough for him to live very lavishly.
Moreover, if he cooperated with Ye Qing, Ye Qing still had so many other venues under his control. He was essentially pledging allegiance to Ye Qing now, expecting that Ye Qing would offer him some other revenue streams soon, and then he wouldn't have to worry about making money anymore.
When the crowd gazed at this man, each of them felt an itching rage yet could do nothing. Everyone coveted the ten percent share of Qingfeng Club, but what use was jealousy? Since they spoke too late and were beaten to the punch, they could only watch with wide eyes!
The man, naturally, was immensely pleased with himself; he was the shrewdest of all. He immediately saw that Ye Qing was trying to divide them, and of course, he also saw that they simply couldn't outcompete Ye Qing. Therefore, he was the first to speak up, seizing the largest share for himself and taking advantage of a great opportunity. Unfortunately, the others weren't as shrewd as he was, and now each of them was anxiously watching Ye Qing, waiting for him to sell the remaining shares.
"The second lot, Nine Heavens, eight percent of the shares!" Ye Qing looked at the crowd with a faint smile and said, "Still two million per share, a flat rate of sixteen million, everyone..."
Before Ye Qing could finish, a man slammed the table and said, "I want it!"
"Damn it, playing dirty!"
"Fuck, he hasn't even finished speaking, how can you bid like that!"
"Ye, I want the third lot, I'm booking the third one!"
"Damn it, I'm booking. The third lot, no matter how much you ask, I'll add two hundred thousand!"
"I'll add three hundred thousand!"
"I'll add five hundred thousand!"
Suddenly, everyone started bidding, and in that moment, nobody paid attention to Ye Qing's previous attempt to divide them. Now that both pornography and drugs were banned, their financial avenues were completely blocked, so they desperately needed to find new sources of revenue. Even if that meant pledging allegiance to Ye Qing, it was all for survival, and the fierce bidding ensued.
Li Lianshan was grinning so widely he could hardly close his mouth. Now, not only had Ye Qing significantly recaptured funds, but he had also brought most of them under his command. Those remaining would hardly stir any trouble and would soon have to submit. It seemed there would be no need for turmoil, as the underground forces of Shenchuan City were about to be unified.
Among the thirty people in the room, they were the most significant scattered forces. Once they were dealt with, the smaller forces outside would be even easier to handle. Thus, the situation was decided, and Li Lianshan's dream was finally coming true. Ye Qing did not want to be the boss, but he certainly did!
After two hours, the twenty shares had sold out. Those who secured them earliest, of course, got the best deal. By the end, one percent of a share led to three people fighting so fiercely that they were covered in blood, until Black Bear threw them out, directly removing them from the auction.
Indeed, their competition was understandable. It was the last share, and although it was only one percent, it still represented the last opportunity to collaborate with Ye Qing.
If they did not cooperate with Ye Qing now, they only had two outcomes. After running out of money, their men would slowly disperse, turning them into commanders with no troops, and then they were finished. Alternatively, if they did not want to end up as commanders with no troops, they would have to pledge allegiance to Ye Qing. But without shares, they would not be partners with Ye Qing; they would become his subordinates, a significant step down in status.
Thus, even though it was only one percent of the shares, it was bid up to thirty million and bought by one of the bosses. With only one percent of shares, distributing about one million a month, it would take him at least three years to break even. However, he was still extremely pleased; what he was purchasing was not the shares, but the relationship, and money was no longer important to him!
Those who didn't get any shares were utterly dejected. They knew very well that from now on, the forces in Shenchuan City would be divided into two parts. A large part would be led by Ye Qing and Li Lianshan, while they would be the smaller part, without money or power, and far fewer men than the others, directly marking a stark division.
Some begged Ye Qing to sell some more shares, but Ye Qing had no intention of doing so. He needed to keep these people separate, so that those who collaborated with him would feel fortunate and not harbor any ill intentions. If all of them were to collaborate with him, there would be no distinction, and those people without a sense of luck would not respect him.
Ye Qing said with a faint smile, "I'm really sorry, but I can only offer so many shares. Next, I need to have a meeting with my fellow shareholders. Those who didn't get the shares, please step aside for now!"
The few who remained were reluctant to leave, and ultimately, they were forcibly dragged out by Black Bear and others. But those who had secured shares were gleefully watching these people being dragged out. Previously united by a common cause, at this moment, they were split into two camps, feeling extremely fortunate to be collaborating with Ye Qing.
As the chaos persisted, Li Lianshan quietly asked Ye Qing, "Ye Zi, when did you buy Qingfeng Club and Nine Heavens?"
"I didn't buy them!" Ye Qing replied in a low voice.
"Damn, then what you just said..." Li Lianshan widened his eyes.
"I was just bluffing them." Ye Qing chuckled and whispered, "But now, we have the money to buy. I did the math just now, these shares, sold for almost four billion. Acquiring these two venues, three billion will cover it, and we even made a billion!"
Li Lianshan: "Damn, that's pulling a fast one!"
"This is like Zhou Yu attacking Huang Gai, one is willing to strike and the other is willing to endure!" Ye Qing glanced at the people by the table, chuckled quietly, "Didn't you notice? They are all happy about getting the shares!"
Watching the excited people by the table, Li Lianshan couldn't help wanting to laugh, but he managed to hold it back. He gave Ye Qing a thumbs up and whispered, "You're awesome, tricking these people like they're monkeys!"
Ye Qing smiled faintly, watched the few who didn't get the shares being led out, then sat up straight and said, "Firstly, congratulations to everyone on becoming shareholders of Qingfeng Club or Nine Heavens. Starting today, we are all in the same boat, sharing our honors and burdens, making money together, and sharing responsibilities. Rest assured, since we are all partners now, I, Ye Qing, swear. Starting today, in Shenchuan City, as long as I, Mr. Ye, have something to eat, you all will definitely not go hungry!"
The crowd immediately burst into applause, and the man who got ten percent of the shares first excitedly said, "Ye, we trust you. Just tell us what to do, and we'll follow your lead!"
"Right, right, right, we'll listen to you, you definitely won't let us suffer!"
"How could Ye let us suffer?"
These people seemed to have forgotten how they had opposed Ye Qing just a moment ago, and now each of them was exceedingly happy; collaborating with Ye Qing seemed like a joyous occasion to them.
Ye Qing laughed softly and said, "Thank you all for your support. I'll hold your trust in me close to my heart. I definitely won't let you all down. Starting today, we are family. Whatever issues any of you have, it's all our business. Of course, there are still some things that I need to clarify with everyone!"
Ye Qing paused, then continued, "Firstly, what I said earlier still stands. Starting today, I hope that your venues will no longer be involved in prostitution or drugs!"
Upon hearing this, everyone instantly became a bit silent; they were obviously displeased with the prohibition on prostitution and drugs.
"Of course, I'll compensate you all!" Ye Qing said, "I've already discussed this with Li. We two, will offer twenty profitable venues to everyone here, one venue each, as compensation!"
"Ah?" Li Lianshan immediately widened his eyes, looking at Ye Qing in astonishment, his gaze seemed to say, when had we discussed this?
Ye Qing leaned closer to him, whispering, "They brought in four billion, we're just giving away twenty venues, we still profit. Besides, we still have sixty percent of the shares in Qingfeng Club and Nine Heavens, which definitely earn more than twenty venues!"
Hearing this, Li Lianshan immediately nodded and said loudly, "Right, I've already discussed it with Ye. I, Li Lianshan, will provide fifteen of the venues!"
This guy, truly generous. But it's no wonder, fifteen venues, worth at most one hundred and fifty million. However, sixty percent of the shares in Qingfeng Club and Nine Heavens are worth two to three billion each. Besides, these people brought in four billion, but acquiring these two venues only needed three billion, still leaving a net profit of one billion, of course he'd be willing.
Upon hearing this, everyone cheered ecstatically. After Tianqing Gang and Fu Bang collapsed last time, Li Lianshan seized the opportunity and almost entirely snatched up Shenchuan City's most profitable venues. The remaining venues weren't making much money. Now Li Lianshan offering fifteen venues immediately lifted everyone's spirits.
"Collaborating with Ye and Li is truly satisfying!" a man said excitedly, "This is what real dealmakers do!"
"Exactly, Ye, Li, we will always support you two!"
The crowd roared incessantly, each showing their loyalty to Ye Qing and Li Lianshan even more fervently than before. Such is the drive of interests; with benefits in sight, those so-called hostilities no longer mattered.
Ye Qing maintained his composed smile, while Li Lianshan was ecstatic, as if he could already see himself as the underground overlord of Shenchuan City.
"By the way, Ye, there is one thing I still want to ask!" At that moment, a man sitting in the corner said, "You mentioned that all venues must not be involved in prostitution or drugs, but there should be some criteria, right? Take the bars I own, for instance, I don't arrange for ladies myself, but in places like bars, it's inevitable that some people will go in to pick up girls, and some girls may go in to hunt for wealthy guys. Does this count as involvement in prostitution?"