Manhattan, Chinatown.
Outside the He'an Guild Hall, Liu Ren stood in a crisp, sharp suit just behind Uncle Qing's left shoulder, waiting to receive someone.
Before long, a motorcade rolled into Chinatown and pulled up before the entrance.
Stepping forward briskly, Uncle Qing opened a car door with deep deference. "Lord Situ, you're here!"
"It has been many years, Ah Qing! You've grown into a dependable man yourself!"
Smiling warmly at Uncle Qing, the elder—in his fifties—spoke as he gripped his walking stick, carrying himself with distinguished grace.
At first glance, Liu Ren felt an inexplicable warmth radiating from him, like a gentle kindness tempered by decades of weathering storms.
Looking past Uncle Qing toward Liu Ren, the elder stepped forward. "You must be the Liu Ren that Ah Qing is always talking about?"
"Greetings, Lord Situ!"
Bowing respectfully, Liu Ren did not dare put on airs before this man.
"Hahaha! I'm getting old, so old! Nowadays, whenever I see fine young men like you, I can't help feeling the future is in good hands!"
Beaming at Liu Ren, the elder walked into the guild hall surrounded by the crowd.
Upstairs in the conference room, Uncle Qing yielded the seat of honor and invited the elder to sit at the head of the table.
Gazing at the framed calligraphy behind him reading "The World Belongs to All," the elder said with genuine delight, "I didn't expect you to still keep this scroll!"
"Lord Situ must be joking. How could people like us ever forget?"
A painful memory seemed to flicker across Uncle Qing's mind, casting a shadow over his face.
"Indeed. Times have been hard for everyone over the years. But your young Ren here has done remarkably well! Even back in San Francisco, I've heard the boy's name. A job well done!"
Praising Liu Ren, the elder smiled warmly.
"You rascal, Lord Situ is praising you! Standing there like a wooden block—thank the elder, won't you?" Uncle Qing scolded with affectionate gruffness.
"Thank you for the kind words, Lord Situ. But I feel I haven't done nearly enough," Liu Ren said, bowing before him with genuine modesty.
"Come now, there's no need for humility before an old fellow like me. Across most of New York, who hasn't heard of your name? Hahaha!"
Laughing heartily, the elder leaned on his cane and continued, "I came today for two things: first, for our homeland; and second, because I need help. I wonder if you are willing to lend a hand to these old bones?"
Hearing this, Uncle Qing turned to look at Liu Ren.
The He'an of today was no longer what it had been when Uncle Qing was in sole command. Outside Chinatown, the true leader was Liu Ren.
"Lord Situ, since you have asked, of course we will do whatever it takes to help. How about this: I'll put up two million first. Please don't find it too modest!"
Nodding toward A Chao behind him, Liu Ren spoke as casually as if offering a couple of dollars.
After all, his current wealth was long beyond measuring in simple sums. Having opened bootleg liquor channels to France and Great Britain, Liu Ren was raking in gold hand over fist. Money had become nothing more than numbers to him; his everything was merely waiting for a red sun to rise over the Far East!
"Good! Truly living up to Ah Qing's praise!"
Hearing Liu Ren pledge two million dollars without a second thought, the elder grew visibly moved.
Looking at him, Liu Ren said nothing more, only bowing deeply in respect.
A few days later, Lord Situ departed New York to continue his mission to save the nation.
Standing on the street, Uncle Qing looked at Liu Ren and said, "Ah Ren, you really didn't need to put up so much money."
"The money doesn't matter. What matters is Lord Situ."
Lighting a cigarette beside Uncle Qing, Liu Ren exhaled a thick cloud of smoke and said softly, "Because I want to save our country too..."
With that, he sighed and waved a hand. "Never mind, let's not dwell on that, Uncle Qing!"
Patting Liu Ren's shoulder, Uncle Qing said, "If you ever need help, come back to your uncle. These old bones can still shoulder some trouble for you!"
"Hahaha! Then I'll be sure to trouble you when the time comes!" Liu Ren replied warmly.
Driving away from Chinatown, Liu Ren's expression turned solemn.
The time was not yet ripe. He had to wait—wait for that great leader who would overturn heaven and earth to appear!
*Crack.*
Clenching his fist, his yellow-brown eyes gleamed.
The great Chinese nation would inevitably rise and achieve its great revival. What he had to do now was remain dormant, greedily gathering every resource into his hands!
"Ah Ren, where to next?" A Chao asked from the front.
"Drop me off at the Morgan Group. I have a meeting with Little John to discuss a business deal. After that, you can head home to your wife and kid!"
Liu Ren smiled. Over the years, A Chao had also gotten married and had a healthy, adorable son with an endearing, spirited face.
"Just by yourself? Isn't that too dangerous?"
Looking at Liu Ren with concern, A Chao knew all too well how many enemies they had made over the years. If Liu Ren were caught alone, wouldn't that mean serious trouble?
"What, do you think the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are going to ram into me in New York?"
Liu Ren spread his hands with a smirk.
If something like that really happened, he would have to switch over to his "kind" persona to take the wheel!
*Liu Ren: Don't ask why it's 'kind'—because I don't have an ounce of that in me!*
In Midtown Manhattan, at the Morgan Group.
Looking up at the skyscraper piercing into the clouds, Liu Ren narrowed his eyes. One day, he too would stand atop New York, looking down upon the world.
Straightening his suit, Liu Ren met the assistant who had been waiting for him by the entrance.
After a brief exchange, the assistant said, "Mr. Little John cleared his upcoming meetings as soon as he heard you were coming. This way, please!"
Liu Ren's eyes narrowed slightly.
As expected of J.P. Morgan's heir, Little John was extraordinarily sharp just in the way he treated guests. But more importantly, Liu Ren was no small fry either.
Taking the elevator to the top-floor office, Liu Ren looked at Little John, who had just finished reviewing some papers, and offered a warm smile. "A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Morgan."
"I actually prefer people calling me Little John. The name Morgan always makes people think of my father."
Offering his hand to Liu Ren, Little John smiled back.
Once both were seated, an assistant brought over coffee, nodded politely, and left the room.
Studying Liu Ren, Little John stroked his mustache and asked, "Liu, what brings you to see me today?"
Though this was their first face-to-face meeting, Little John was well aware of Liu Ren's standing within the syndicate and knew any cooperation between them was mutually beneficial.
After all, though their New York Syndicate was formidable on its own, it was not the only syndicate in the country. Only by uniting every force that could be united could they go further.
"It's like this, Mr. Morgan. I want to acquire Cadillac from General Motors. Name your terms."
Liu Ren smiled pleasantly.
Hearing this, Little John furrowed his brow. "Cadillac? It belongs to GM, yes, but the real power behind it lies with the DuPont family. I'm afraid you've come to the wrong man."
"I don't have a direct line to the DuPont family, which is why I need your assistance."
With that, Liu Ren produced a document and slid it across the desk.
Glancing at the mining rights for a gold mine in Brazil, Little John listened intently.
"This is a fifty percent stake in a gold mine. As soon as you sign, fifteen million dollars' worth of gold is yours. The other fifty percent is my gift to the DuPont family."
Facing Little John, Liu Ren was well aware that the automotive world currently belonged to Ford.
Even with the DuPont family and Morgan backing GM, it made no difference. Now was his only chance to pry Cadillac away from General Motors!
"A very generous offer. I'll handle the negotiations for you."
Stroking his chin, Little John broke into a smile. This was an offer he truly could not refuse.
After all, Cadillac was currently selling a mere twelve thousand cars a year—while Ford was selling millions!
Chapter 38