#7 - Chapter 7 Looking for People and a Warehouse

"Mr. Niu, I had someone investigate. This person is named Dongfang Chen and has no background. The information shows he's just an ordinary college graduate," said Manager Xu on the phone.

"What about his family background?" asked Niu Xingwang.

"He only had a grandmother, who passed away long ago. He doesn't have any close relatives either; they don't really keep in touch," Manager Xu said.

"That's strange. How could someone like that easily come up with hundreds of millions?" Niu Xingwang wondered.

"There's also something else. A friend at the vehicle management office found out that he just bought a large number of vehicles under his name. He's the mysterious rich guy who bought 20 pickup trucks in one go online," Manager Xu said.

"Could he have won the lottery?" Niu Xingwang asked suspiciously.

"That's unclear," Manager Xu replied.

"Okay, that's all for now. Keep a close eye on him," Niu Xingwang said.

"Alright."

… …

The next day, early in the morning, Dongfang Chen was woken up by the delivery guy.

Starting from eight o'clock, he received over a dozen packages in half an hour.

He had to find a warehouse today, or his house would really be bursting at the seams.

"Boss, two packs of Huazi cigarettes, please," Dongfang Chen said as he walked into his usual convenience store.

"Oh, Xiao Chen, did you strike it rich?" The boss, a regular, asked jokingly as he turned to grab two packs of Huazi from the shelf.

Dongfang Chen didn't answer but instead asked:

"Brother Zhang, how much?"

"Twelve hundred," Brother Zhang replied cheerfully.

"Okay!" Dongfang Chen decisively took out his phone and paid.

"Brother Zhang, this is for you," Dongfang Chen said after paying, taking one pack of Huazi and pushing the other back.

"What's the meaning of this?" The boss was completely taken aback by this gesture.

"Brother Zhang, I need your help with something," Dongfang Chen said with a grin.

"Alright! Tell me, and I'll see if I can help."

This was ambiguous, meaning he might help or might not, depending on the situation.

"Brother Zhang, you know a lot of people. I want to rent a bigger warehouse. Can you help me ask around?"

"Oh, that's nothing. What do you need it for? Any requirements?" Brother Zhang asked.

"Just to temporarily store some things. As long as it's big enough and clean," Dongfang Chen said.

"That's easy. I have a comrade-in-arms who has several warehouses that haven't been rented out yet. I'll contact him for you," Brother Zhang said.

"That's a coincidence? Great, please ask him. Let me know the rent, and I'll transfer it to you directly," Dongfang Chen said.

"Wait a minute, I'll call and ask," Brother Zhang said, picking up the phone and dialing.

"One warehouse is 32,000 a year. How many do you want to rent?" Brother Zhang asked while on the phone.

"How many are there?" Dongfang Chen asked.

"Five."

"Okay, I'll rent all five!" Dongfang Chen said.

"Rent all five?" Brother Zhang was startled.

"Yes!" Dongfang Chen said with a smile.

"Okay! All rented. Yeah, alright, let's have a drink sometime!" With that, Brother Zhang hung up the phone.

"Done!" Hanging up the phone, Brother Zhang said with a smile.

"Then I really appreciate your help," Dongfang Chen said gratefully, as this saved him a lot of trouble.

"It's no trouble at all," Brother Zhang waved his hand dismissively.

"Oh, right, were you a soldier before?" Dongfang Chen asked.

"That's right," Brother Zhang replied.

Brother Zhang was now in his thirties and starting to gain weight.

"Here's the thing, Brother Zhang. I want to hire some retired soldiers. I was wondering if you could introduce me to some?" Dongfang Chen asked.

"You're hiring them yourself? What are they going to do?" Brother Zhang asked.

"Yes, I'm hiring them myself. The job is driver and bodyguard. I just started a company and I'm short on manpower," Dongfang Chen said.

"Don't joke around! How big of a business are you running that you need to hire bodyguards?" Brother Zhang laughed.

Looks like he wouldn't believe it unless he added some spice.

"Let me tell you, Brother Zhang, it's a big business. Did you see those 20 pickup trucks in the neighborhood?" Dongfang Chen asked.

"I saw them. What about them? Don't tell me you bought them!" Brother Zhang didn't believe it.

"That's right, I bought them! All cash, 20 at once! And there are 20 Hummers on the way," Dongfang Chen said softly.

"You really bought them?" Brother Zhang asked again to confirm.

"Really!" Dongfang Chen replied very affirmatively.

"Those cars aren't cheap, over two million each!" Brother Zhang said, as if stating a fact and asking a question at the same time.

"It's just small change! Do you believe me now?" Dongfang Chen asked.

"How many people do you want to hire?" Brother Zhang asked.

"See how many you can find; the more, the better," Dongfang Chen replied.

"What's the salary?"

"100,000 a month," Dongfang Chen replied.

He knew that with a generous reward, there would be brave men. As long as the price was high enough, he wouldn't have to worry about not being able to recruit people.

"100,000?" Brother Zhang exclaimed.

"That's right! If there are special tasks, the money will be calculated separately!" Dongfang Chen said.

"No, Xiao Chen, tell Brother Zhang the truth. You're not doing anything illegal, are you?" Brother Zhang thought the salary was too high; he even wanted to join.

"How could I? It's a real estate business," Dongfang Chen said.

Saying it was a real estate business wasn't wrong. The most important thing in the plan arranged by Xiao Lin was to build an underground base within two months.

"Stop kidding me. You can't find people anywhere with 100,000 yuan; why would you need me to introduce them?" Brother Zhang didn't believe there was such a good thing in the world.

"Brother Zhang, let me tell you, this job isn't easy, and it requires being on call 24 hours a day. Most importantly, I only want retired soldiers; I won't consider anyone else," Dongfang Chen said.

"Let me tell you, my brothers are all people who have gone through life and death together. Don't trick them when they come!" Brother Zhang warned in advance.

"Don't worry, I'll arrange a place for everyone who comes. Room and board included, and salary paid in advance! What else are you worried about?" Dongfang Chen assured.

"Alright, I'll ask around," Brother Zhang agreed.

"Great, I'll wait for the news!" Dongfang Chen said, turning to leave.

"Hey! Cigarettes!" Brother Zhang called out.

"Keep them for yourself!" Dongfang Chen turned back and smiled, then walked away.

"This kid!" Brother Zhang smiled sheepishly.

Brother Zhang thought for a moment and decided to call two unemployed brothers over to try it out first. If it didn't work out, it wouldn't be a big loss.

So, he picked up his phone and started making calls.