Chapter 70 The Train Heads Toward the Land of Dreams

Does Master Zhang lack this bit of money? Of course not. During this period, Cai Weiqiang had mentioned that this elderly man owned several streets in Zhonghai and was the city’s largest landlord. He was simply doing it for amusement. When in the mood, Master Zhang picked up the pipe from the table, tapped it, and said, “Little Chai, I hear you’re heading to Shenzhen, aren’t you?”

Chai Jin lit a cigarette as well. “Yes, going there to make a living. Do you have any advice, Master Zhang?”

Master Zhang took a couple of puffs. “No advice, really. In Futian District, down in Xia Sha, if you run into any trouble you can’t solve, go to a teahouse called Jianglong Lou over there. My younger brother has some standing there. Most of the local toughs can be dealt with.”

“Your brother?” Chai Jin asked.

Another old man laughed heartily. “Zhang Yinglong’s a real man. Back when I was a porter at the docks, Zhang Yinglong could carry four or five sacks on his shoulder alone. Every time we got into a fight with the Subbei Gang, it was Zhang Yinglong who helped us win.”

The old men began bragging. They were old Zhonghai natives, once at the very bottom of society, each with their own stories of blood and steel. Chai Jin pieced together Zhang Yinglong’s story. Years ago, for the sake of a woman, he moved to Shenzhen, and now, at seventy, he was still settled there. As for his status in Shenzhen, Chai Jin wasn’t yet clear.

Shenzhen, a city that only began to take shape after the reforms, had, in less than a decade, grown from a small fishing village to a metropolis of over a million. The population of migrants had ranked first in the country for years. With such an influx, it was hard for the authorities to maintain control, so all kinds of security issues sprang up. It was a future city paved with gold, but also a place where all sorts of people gathered. Many of these problems would not be fully addressed until after the new millennium. Without some backing from the underworld, could anyone truly hold on to their wealth?

So Chai Jin took careful note of Zhang Yinglong’s contact information, planning to visit him in Shenzhen when he had the time. “I’m not walking their path, but I need them,” he thought.

When the subject ended, it was immediately Liu Qingwen’s turn to flatter everyone at the table, filling the room with laughter.

That night, many people came to the venue. They were all involved in the black market for subscription warrants in Zhonghai. Cai Weiqiang’s venue was the most profitable in the city, and once word spread that it was up for sale, many were eager to take over. After a night of negotiations, someone brought three million in cash and bought it outright.

Cai Weiqiang needed to return to his hometown, so the next morning he left for Guangdong. Before leaving, he called to arrange a meeting in Shenzhen. After breakfast, Chai Jin, together with Fang Yi and Liu Qingwen, also boarded the green train heading south.

The train was packed. In an era without developed highways, this was typical—the railways were under immense strain. Eventually, they managed to swap tickets for four sleeper berths, finally finding some comfort. Once their luggage was settled, Chai Jin sat on his bunk, gazing at the land of 1992. Leaving the city behind, the countryside bathed in spring’s glow was refreshing to the soul. Farmers with rolled-up pants planting rice, wildflowers blooming along muddy tracks—everything was peaceful and serene.

Only Chai Jin’s heart churned with stormy waves. In his previous life, he had lived in that city for over a decade, always at the very bottom. Now fate had kicked him back. In this life, he was determined to stand atop the city’s tallest building, looking down at the ceaseless waves of humanity.

Liu Qingwen, spotting an attractive girl with the look of someone from the underworld, went over to chat her up. Fang Yi, after arranging the luggage, still looked anxious. “Brother Jin, people are still after me in Shenzhen.”

Thanks to Master Zhang, no one had come after Fang Yi lately. But Master Zhang’s influence only covered Zhonghai; outside its borders, his power waned. In Shenzhen, people kept sending warnings—threatening that as soon as Fang Yi left Zhonghai, they would kill him, especially that loan shark.

Fang Yi couldn’t help but worry. Chai Jin, confident as ever, smiled, “Didn’t Master Zhang just introduce us to his brother? Let’s see how powerful this elder really is in Shenzhen. If his influence truly covers the city, we’ll settle your problem as soon as we arrive.”

“And what about your friend from Hong Kong—the one who ran off with all your money? Any news?” This was the crux of Fang Yi’s downfall. If not for that man, he wouldn’t have ended up so desperate.

Fang Yi slapped the table angrily. “I’ve been asking around about that bastard these past few days. He’s changed his identity again, still hustling in the Shenzhen stock market. I heard he’s ruined several more families. Apparently, he’s also got a big shot from Hong Kong backing him, so everyone just has to grit their teeth and bear it.”

Chai Jin looked at him calmly and was silent for a moment. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you deal with him. First, let’s talk about what you and Monkey need to do once we arrive.”

Fang Yi straightened up, listening intently. Chai Jin laid out their assignments: first, register an investment company; next, start gathering all sorts of information on the Shenzhen stock market. This was Fang Yi’s area of expertise—he knew what to do.

But at the end, Fang Yi hesitated. “You’re not planning to work with us?”

Chai Jin smiled, “I’m going to a factory to bring out a brother of mine.”

“A brother?” Fang Yi was puzzled. Having spent every day with Chai Jin, he thought he knew everything about him. He’d never heard of any brother working in a factory in Shenzhen.

Just as he was about to ask more, Chai Jin’s mobile phone rang. He signaled for silence before answering. The call was from Yu Pengfei in the northeast. They had been in close contact these days.

On the line, Yu Pengfei got straight to the point. “Boss Chai, where are you now?”

Chai Jin gazed out the window. “On the train to Shenzhen. Any news from the Soviet side?”

Yu Pengfei replied, “Niemanov—he’s a high-ranking official in the Russian Aviation Administration. He’s interested in our business and will be visiting China next month. I can arrange a meeting.”

“But he’s asking for a high price—you know what I mean?”

“How much?” Chai Jin asked.

“A hundred thousand US dollars. Want to keep in touch? If you think it’s too much, I’ll find someone else.”