Chapter 708 Open Up and Talk
Amidst the laughter of the few, Chen Buhui and his two sons arrived.
"Mr. Liu Qiangxi, I apologize for being late and making you wait," said Chen Buhui as he promptly offered an apology and took a seat with his two sons.
"Grand Master Chen is too polite. We haven't been to this café before, so we came early to take a look and get a feel for the ambiance. You aren't late at all, there are still fifteen minutes left until our agreed time," Liu Qiangxi replied with a smile.
At this moment, a waiter came over to ask Chen Buhui and his sons what coffee they would like.
The three of them ordered something casual.
The purpose of coming here wasn't primarily to enjoy coffee, but to discuss business matters.
And naturally, the three of them were no exception.
After exchanging pleasantries and their coffee was served, Chen Buhui took the initiative to ask, "Mr. Liu, may I know how many states' agency rights you are granting us?"
It had already been mentioned during the phone call the previous afternoon that today's meeting was to discuss this matter.
With the niceties over, there was no need for further evasion.
There's no shame in talking about making money.
Most matters concerning those who come here are related to making money.
"We have decided to grant agency rights for two states," Liu Qiangxi stated.
"Only two states?" Chen Buhui was greatly disappointed. He had thought that if not a dozen or so states, then at least seven or eight would be granted.
Receiving rights for only two states was really too few, a far cry from his expectations.
Chen Hongwu and Chen Hongwen, the brothers, also showed flickering eyes and their expressions turned somewhat unsightly.
On their way here, the three of them discussed the potential number of states' agency rights they would acquire.
Their father spoke confidently, claiming that if not a dozen, then at least seven or eight.
After all, Chen Buhui had helped Liu Qiangxi in the past, and Liu Qiangxi needed his help again this time, although Liu Qiangxi didn't know the true situation. But even if Chen Buhui was just assisting in finding someone, he had still made an effort.
No matter what, the agency rights offered by Liu Qiangxi should not fall short.
Unexpectedly, it turned out to be agency rights for just two states.
It was truly too few.
To offer so few agency rights and still have them come all the way here for a grand discussion was humiliating.
However, Chen Buhui quickly recovered, a smile on his face, "Thank you, Mr. Liu. With the agency rights for two states, we can use this as a base to lead Hongmen into other industries. I am very grateful."
No matter what, they had secured agency rights for two states.
While the outcome was quite different from what was expected, it was better than having nothing at all.
And since they were granted two, it wasn't impossible to strive for more in the future.
Seeing Chen Buhui's reaction, Xu Yang and the others couldn't help but nod internally.
He was indeed an old fox.
Even in the face of disappointment, he could quickly adjust.
It has to be said, it's precisely due to this temperament that Chen Buhui secured his position as Grand Master of Hongmen Zhongyi Hall, with not the slightest bit of luck involved.
It's a pity that Chen Buhui colluded with the Brook Family in that unconscionable deed. Explore stories at My Virtual Library Empire
But that wasn't the critical point, as many have committed heinous acts.
Xu Yang and the others couldn't care less.
However, it just so happens that Liu Qiangxi and the Brook Family had a clash, aiming to use that event as a breakthrough to eradicate the Brook Family.
This inevitably put Chen Buhui in direct opposition.
Otherwise, it wouldn't be a problem for Chen Buhui to take over as the Grand Master of Hongmen.
Such a pity.
"Grand Master Chen, there's no need for formalities," Liu Qiangxi said with a faint smile, before deftly changing the subject, "However, we still hope that Chen Buhui could do us a favor."
Chen Buhui's eyes lit up, "Mr. Liu, why be so courteous? No need for favors or no favors, as long as it's something I can do, I'll definitely do it. Just say it."
It was always better to be tasked with an errand halfway through—getting the job done would improve their relationship, making it no problem to secure even more state agency rights.
Liu Qiangxi smiled and said, "With that commitment from Grand Master Chen, we're reassured. The favor we hope Chen Buhui can help us with is dealing with the Brook Family."
Chen Buhui's expression changed slightly, and he said with some difficulty, "Mr. Liu, you're asking me to deal with the Brook Family. I'm sorry, but that's beyond my power. It's not that I don't want to, but I really can't."
He already had dealings with the Brook Family; how could he possibly go against them?
Even without any cooperation, he wouldn't go against the Brook Family. They were so powerful, helping to deal with them would be nothing but trouble.
Liu Qiangxi gave a meaningful smile, "No, Grand Master Chen, you are quite capable of helping. There's no need to be modest."
Chen Buhui forced a bitter smile, "Mr. Liu, I'm not being modest, I genuinely don't have the ability."
Liu Qiangxi said, "Grand Master Chen, you're just being modest. If you didn't have the ability, how could you join the Brook Family in such a heinous venture as organ trafficking?"
Chen Buhui's face darkened. "Mr. Liu, what do you mean by that? I don't understand what you're saying."
Chen Hongwu and Chen Hongwen also had their expressions change slightly, unsure of what Liu Qiangxi was implying.
Could it be that Liu Qiangxi and his people knew about their collaboration with the Brook Family on human trafficking and organ smuggling?
Liu Qiangxi laughed, "My meaning is very clear. You've collaborated with the Brook Family on organ trafficking, which we're now aware of. Moreover, we know it was most likely you who tipped off the Brook Family, eliminating the witnesses we expected you to find. That's why you couldn't find any."
Chen Buhui's expression grew grim as he feigned great anger, "Mr. Liu, don't slander me. How could I possibly engage in such a heinous act? That's courting a curse from the heavens!"
"A curse from the heavens?" Liu Qiangxi couldn't help but laugh as he shook his head, "If that were the case, then the people from the Brook Family and all three of you wouldn't be living so comfortably."
Wang Xiaocong grew impatient, "Grand Master Chen, if we've come here and brought this up, it means we certainly have solid evidence. Otherwise, we wouldn't be discussing this with you. Stop making excuses; we're here to discuss a partnership, and your denials are pointless."
Chen Buhui's gaze darted back and forth between Xu Yang and the others, his eyes constantly flickering.
He didn't know if what they were saying was true or false.
Solid evidence—what could constitute solid evidence?
Were they just suspecting him because he couldn't find the people, and now they were bluffing?
In an instant, many thoughts ran through Chen Buhui's mind.
Xu Yang spoke up, "Grand Master Chen, we do indeed have the details of your collaboration with the Brook Family on organ trafficking. There's no need to play dumb."
Ma Hua Teng followed, "Grand Master Chen, since we know and still invited you here to talk, it shows we don't intend to cause you harm. We just need your help. Let's be open and talk."
Chen Buhui remained silent, his gaze still flickering.
After thinking it over, he had to admit that Xu Yang and his associates probably did have concrete evidence of his cooperation with the Brook Family.
Otherwise, they would have had no reason to reveal it.
In matters such as this, bluffing would be meaningless.
With this in mind, Chen Buhui said, "I would like to know how you found out about it?"
He really wanted to clear this up. Was it just speculation because he couldn't find the people?
Liu Qiangxi smiled, "We have Xu Yang to thank for that. Xu Yang's computer skills are excellent; he found out about it online."
"What!" Chen Buhui's eyes widened as he looked towards Xu Yang, "Mr. Xu possesses such skills? Able to uncover these matters?"
Xu Yang replied with a faint smile, "It's just a small trick, nothing to boast about. But sometimes, it can be quite useful, especially for looking up some information. We found out about the Brook Family's doings this way, and it was only after we got back that we found the connection to you."
Chen Buhui said, "Impressive!"
Xu Yang smiled and said nothing more.
Chen Buhui asked, "You said you want my help, what do you mean? Do you want me to testify against the Brook Family?"