Half an hour later,the owners of various casinos,brothels,restaurants,and inns in the Happy Forest gathered in the hall of the Drunken Moon Pavilion.They exchanged pleasantries,all wearing expressions of distress.
In their line of business,it was normal to pay monthly tribute to the gang,but have you ever heard of paying three times in a month?
At the beginning of this month,Happy Forest originally belonged to the Green Bamboo Gang,and they had already paid once.However,right after making the payment,the Flying Eagle Gang took over Happy Forest.
After enduring the avaricious looting by Liu Sandao,they were already feeling the pain,and now with the arrival of Su Xin,they anticipated another significant loss.
"Liu Boss,Huang Boss,you've come early today.Have you inquired about what kind of person this Su Boss is?"someone asked the two bosses sitting in the front row.
Among these businessmen,the wealthiest was Liu Boss,the owner of the brothel,and the Drunken Moon Pavilion was his establishment.Next was Huang Boss,who ran a gambling den,and his Shunde Gambling House ranked among the top five in the entire Changning Prefecture.
Although Liu Boss ran a brothel,he had a handsome appearance and an air of refinement.Despite being middle-aged,at first glance,he seemed more like a Confucian scholar teaching in a school than the owner of a brothel.
Huang Boss,on the other hand,was short and chubby.Although he looked like a wealthy man,his face was full of bitterness and resentment.His gambling house earned a fortune daily,but Liu Sandao had squeezed him hard before,and now he didn't know how much Su Xin would extract from him.
Facing the inquiries,Liu Boss smiled and remained silent,while Huang Boss spoke harshly,"Who knows what kind of person he is?Certainly not a good one.I heard he just crippled the owner of Wang's Medicine Shop."
At these words,the onlookers exchanged glances.This new boss didn't seem to be as ruthless as described.At least,he appeared much better than the previous boss,Liu Sandao,who had become arrogant as soon as he came to power.
However,they weren't worried that Su Xin would harm them.Their status was different from that of Wang,who owned a medicine shop.
They were major players in the industry,with hundreds of followers dining at their tables.They were prominent figures in Changning Prefecture.
If the Flying Eagle Gang dared to harm them recklessly,it would have a significant impact.The authorities wouldn't turn a blind eye to it.
"Suzi is here!"
A gang member outside the door announced,interrupting the scattered thoughts of the various bosses.
Watching the handsome Su Xin enter the hall,the bosses felt a bit uncomfortable.Su Xin seemed too young,making it awkward for them to call him"boss."However,they had to bear with it since Su Xin not only managed the Happy Forest but was also Tiger Third Master's adopted son.
Behind Su Xin were Ji Gang and Li Huai,the ones supporting him.
"Respected bosses,I am Su Xin,newly in charge of the Happy Forest.I hope you all will take care of me in the future."
Su Xin took the main seat,smiling warmly at everyone and extending a friendly greeting.
Looking at the young and refined Su Xin,the bosses felt somewhat awkward.It wasn't easy to accept a young man under twenty as their boss.However,Su Xin wasn't just managing the Happy Forest;he was also Tiger Third Master's adopted son.
"Su Boss,you are too kind.We will rely on Su Boss to escort us in the future,"Liu Boss from the Drunken Moon Pavilion responded with a smile.
"Boss Liu,you are too polite.After taking your example,we of the Flying Eagle Gang won't let anyone bully you,"Su Xin said,making the bosses secretly think that if the Flying Eagle Gang didn't bully them,it would already be a great blessing.
Su Xin continued,"Gentlemen,I have a matter to discuss with you regarding the monthly payments."
Hearing this,the bosses simultaneously thought,"Finally getting to the point."
They already guessed that Su Xin had gathered them today for one thing:money.
In the past,under the management of the Green Bamboo Gang,the monthly payment was thirty taels.After Liu Sandao took over,it increased to fifty taels.Now,with Su Xin's arrival,they feared the amount would be much higher.
"Liu Boss,Huang Boss,did you come early today?Have you inquired about what kind of person this Su Boss is?"someone asked the two bosses sitting in the front row.
Among these businessmen,the wealthiest was Liu Boss,who owned the brothel,and the Drunken Moon Pavilion was his establishment.Next was Huang Boss,who ran a gambling den,and his Shunde Gambling House ranked among the top five in the entire Changning Prefecture.
Although Liu Boss ran a brothel,he had a handsome appearance and an air of refinement.Despite being middle-aged,at first glance,he seemed more like a Confucian scholar teaching in a school than the owner of a brothel.
Huang Boss,on the other hand,was short and chubby.Although he looked like a wealthy man,his face was full of bitterness and resentment.His gambling house earned a fortune daily,but Liu Sandao had squeezed him hard before,and now he didn't know how much Su Xin would extract from him.
Facing the inquiries,Liu Boss smiled and remained silent,while Huang Boss spoke harshly
Li Huai had no expression on his face,maintaining his usual deadpan demeanor,seemingly unaffected by Su Xin's words.On the other hand,Huang Bingcheng,guarding the door,was secretly anxious.
Su Xin had not revealed any information to Huang Bingcheng before,and if he had known about Su Xin's plan,he would have certainly tried to stop it.
"Su Boss,you're not joking,are you?"Liu Boss forced a smile.
For businesses like theirs,especially casinos and brothels,monthly profits could sometimes exceed ten thousand taels.Calculating,one-tenth as equity would amount to a thousand taels,equivalent to a several-fold increase in the previous tribute.It felt like Su Xin was cutting into their flesh with a knife!
Huang Boss snorted,"Su Boss,this rule of yours is strange.In my many years in Changning Prefecture,I've never heard of such a thing!Even the strongest gang,the Three Heroes Society,never asked for our equity!"
This move would have the greatest impact on Huang Boss because his gambling den earned the most money.Therefore,the amount he had to contribute would naturally be higher than that of other merchants.
Su Xin pressed his hand,signaling everyone to calm down."Let me explain.I won't ask for your equity for nothing.I have a way to double your monthly profits."
Upon hearing this,the crowd expressed disbelief.
Huang Boss was sarcastic,"Oh,Su Boss,do you have such magical powers?I,Huang,have been navigating the business world for decades,but I dare not make such claims."
Ignoring him,Su Xin looked at Liu Boss and asked,"Liu Boss,I heard that your Drunken Moon Pavilion used to be the largest and most luxurious brothel in Changning Prefecture.Why is it now overshadowed by several brothels in the central area of Changning Prefecture?"
Liu Boss sighed and explained,"It's because of the capital relocation.When Changning Prefecture was the capital,the central areas like Changde District were under imperial control,and such places were strict about maintaining a certain decorum,banning casinos and brothels.
Due to this,everyone set up gambling dens,brothels,and other entertainment venues in the peripheral Changle District for the amusement of the aristocrats'children,wealthy merchants,and others.Even the name Changle District was derived from this.
However,after the capital moved,Changning Prefecture became less strict.Gradually,gambling dens and brothels appeared in places like Changde District.
The situations on both sides were similar,and naturally,people chose places closer to home rather than traveling half an hour to Changle District.If it weren't for some nostalgic customers who still visited,Changle District might not have retained even Happy Forest."
The many bosses present nodded in understanding.They had lived through that era and knew the situation well.
They could say they rose because of Changle District and fell because of it too.When the capital moved during the Great Zhou Dynasty,some shrewd people had already bought land and built buildings in places like Changde District near the center.When others realized,there was not even a plot of land left.
Sitting down,Su Xin rhythmically tapped the table with his fingers and continued,"Liu Boss explained it well;the decline of Changle District fundamentally stems from two words:geography.Due to the distance,in similar situations with equal scale and decoration,customers indeed rarely choose to travel farther.In that case,why don't we consider reform?"
"Reform?What do we reform with?"
Huang Boss sneered,"Our establishments are already among the largest in Changning Prefecture.Even if we invest more in decoration,it will only be a slight improvement.Such an advantage won't attract a large number of customers,and we might not even recover the money spent!"
Su Xin shook his head,"I'm not talking about redecorating but reorganizing Happy Forest from a service perspective."
Service?
The many bosses present exchanged glances,feeling somewhat unfamiliar with this term.
"In Happy Forest,we have gambling dens,brothels,restaurants,and inns everywhere.Simply put,we provide customers with four services:gambling,entertainment,food,and lodging.
However,what we do now is not enough.We haven't provided customers with the most convenient services.When a customer gambles,if there are girls around,they might bet more generously.If they win,they'll reward the girls,and if they lose,the girls will comfort them,boosting their spirits.
After a tiring gambling session,food and drinks from the restaurant can be served promptly.As the night ends,tired and weary,the inn is right behind,and there's no need to hurry home;staying within Happy Forest is enough.
So,my idea is to break up all the establishments in Happy Forest and reorganize them so that each gambling den is surrounded by a brothel,a tavern,and an inn.
Customers can get whatever they want in the shortest possible time."
As Su Xin's words fell,the many bosses were stunned for a moment,then they all slapped their thighs.How come they hadn't thought of this idea!
Actually,some customers had done this before,going to a brothel first,then heading to a gambling den for entertainment.However,only a few wealthy customers did this.
After all,Happy Forest was a long street,and it took about fifteen minutes to walk from one end to the other.If the girls went far,the prices would double.
Huang Boss's Shunde Gambling Den was so bustling because it was right next to the Drunken Moon Pavilion.
Su Xin's move was not entirely innovative;many large casinos abroad operated this way.In simple terms,it could be summed up with four words:customer comes first.
The many bosses,seasoned in the business world,were not fools.Su Xin's hint made them understand.
Liu Boss cautiously asked,"So,does that mean some shops need to relocate and switch places?"
Su Xin nodded,"Yes,it will be like that.But the land in Happy Forest has already been planned in advance.It's almost the same size for everyone.Swapping won't disadvantage anyone,and the difference between your establishments is mostly in decoration.
With your large establishments,you should be able to afford the money for redecoration.Moreover,the things from your original shops can also be moved to the new ones.I believe you can afford this."
The bosses pondered for a moment,feeling tempted.
If it was just redecoration,it would be like throwing money in without any returns.But with Su Xin's plan,there was a chance for a turnaround.
Huang Bingcheng,standing next to Su Xin,quickly handed him a cup of tea.He was quite impressed with the boss.With such sharp business acumen,Su Xin might even outcompete everyone present.Even Ji Gang,standing behind Su Xin,looked shocked,realizing he had underestimated Su Xin.
