After 2008, Huaguo entered a stage of rapid development, followed by the information age, and he was determined to be among the first to seize the opportunity.
Thinking of the more than two hundred men currently under his command, he realized that to lead this many people properly, he could not lead them into lawless behavior to make money, nor could he keep asking Chu Jixiong for funds to support them. The only viable path was to lead them to make money on their own, allowing Chu Chen to use this short timeframe to accumulate his first pot of gold.
Pondering how to make money in this lifetime, and drawing on his experience from his past life, he saw three major opportunities: the stock market, real estate, and the internet. However, all three required substantial capital, so he decided to start with the logistics industry.
Since he was still a college student, running a traditional courier service was out of the question, so he decided to start with food delivery.
Although smartphones were not yet widespread, the business potential for delivery services around the University Town was still immense, and Chu Chen resolved to write a thorough business plan.
The next day was Sunday. Early in the morning, Chu Chen woke up his dorm mates and a few of his underlings.
"Lads, I have a task for you today. Go investigate the restaurants and eateries around the University Town and see which ones offer delivery services."
"Boss, which place are we going to eat at?" One of the underlings rubbed his hands together and asked expectantly. "Actually, we can just go eat there directly, no need to have them deliver..."
"Eat, eat, you're only ever thinking about eating!" Chu Chen glared at him in exasperation. "Pull yourselves together and listen to me carefully! As for wanting good food, once we accomplish great things, what kind of delicious food and drink won't we have?"
"Boss, what on earth are we actually going to do?" another underling couldn't help asking.
Chu Chen's expression turned serious. "Have some of the guys go around the University Town to see which restaurants are doing well and which ones don't have delivery services. Understand?"
The underlings still looked utterly bewildered. "Boss, what are you trying to do?"
"What am I trying to do? I want to make money, and I want to bring you all along to make money!" Chu Chen wished he could crack open their skulls to see if they were stuffed with mush.
Why hadn't he noticed how stupid they were in his past life?
Oh right, in his past life, they basically just went wherever he pointed... equally stupid!
Realizing he would have to slowly whip these guys into shape, Chu Chen felt the weight of the world on his shoulders.
"Boss, you're having us ask if places deliver... how does that make money?" one underling asked timidly. "Are we going to shake down the busy restaurants for protection money?"
Chu Chen's face darkened. "Did you let the things I said yesterday go in one ear and out the other? Go do the investigation like I told you! Don't you want to make big money?"
Mentioning big money never failed to motivate people, and Blondie immediately headed out to gather the crew.
Chu Chen turned to Zhou Hongbiao. "Biaozi, take some men and survey the second-hand electric scooter and bicycle markets in Jincheng. Check out all the shops and figure out their price ranges and inventory."
Zhou Hongbiao had always followed Chu Chen's words implicitly, so he didn't ask any questions and agreed right away before heading out.
Chu Chen then shifted his gaze to the remaining underlings. "You guys go take a tally of how many people we have who own mobile phones."
"Mobile phones?" The underlings grew even more confused.
Wang Chiyuan, the tall and lanky one, also wore a puzzled expression. "Boss, why are you asking about this? First electric scooters, now phones."
"Don't ask so many questions, just do as I say," Chu Chen said with a serious expression. "We're doing our preliminary groundwork."
Though they had no idea what Chu Chen was up to, they were loyal followers who had stuck with Chu Chen ever since entering school, and they had benefited quite a bit from following him. So, upon hearing his instructions, they went off to busy themselves.
When everyone returned by evening, Chu Chen already had a stack of various survey data in his hands, and a rough plan had formed in his mind.
By Monday at 5:00 PM—the time when everyone's classes had ended and the off-campus underlings had all arrived punctually—they gathered at a nearly bankrupt movie theater not far from the University Town.
As usual, Chu Chen handed the owner five hundred yuan to rent out the largest screening hall. They didn't need to play any movies; they just needed to borrow the space.
The underlings soon arrived in groups, many with barely concealed excitement on their faces.
Over two hundred people packed the screening hall to the brim, and the owner almost suspected that Chu Chen was bringing people to tear his establishment apart.
Once all the underlings had arrived, Chu Chen stood before the wide projection screen and looked out over these brothers who were going to help him conquer the world.
Noticing his gaze, the previously bustling screening hall instantly fell silent.
Chu Chen nodded in satisfaction.
"Brothers, I am Chu Chen, and I am the boss of Chen Gang," he said, raising his voice slightly. "Your big brother!"
The screening hall remained silent for two seconds before a resounding chorus rang out.
"Hello, Big Brother!"
The theater owner out front reading a novel jumped, almost dropping his book.
Chu Chen felt even more satisfied.
When the shouting died down, his tone grew a bit milder. "Come to think of it, whenever we held plenary meetings in the past, we only gathered the core members of Chen Gang to meet, and then they would pass the word along to everyone else. Today is the first time we've had everyone attend this plenary meeting. Although I might not be familiar with some of you, since you've joined Chen Gang, I trust you recognize my character. I swear once again here today, I will lead everyone toward glory!"
Chu Chen's voice was powerful and resonant, every word striking a chord in the underlings' hearts.
Down in the audience, the underlings were fired up with enthusiasm, itching to go out and accomplish great things with him right then and there.
"However!" Chu Chen changed the subject, his tone turning serious. "I believe you've all heard from others in the gang. Just a few days ago, the Azure Dragon Gang reached too far and crossed the line!"
The excitement on the underlings' faces gradually faded, replaced by anger.
"They thought we were scared of them, thought we wouldn't dare fight back!" Chu Chen's voice carried a fierce edge. "Let me tell you, I, Chu Chen, and the brothers of Chen Gang, have never been afraid of anyone!"
"Now, let's hear what those bastards from the Azure Dragon Gang are really up to!"
With that, Chu Chen beckoned to the side.
Blondie immediately stood up, walked over to Chu Chen, and took the microphone.
"Boss, I've found out. Those guys from the Azure Dragon Gang have been running around everywhere lately, trying to swallow up Chen Gang's territory!"
"They haven't even solidified their own school's sphere of influence yet, and they actually dared to set their sights on us..."
"They even said..."
By the time Blondie finished speaking, the entire screening hall was in an uproar, with everyone cursing the Azure Dragon Gang.
Seeing that Chu Chen remained silent, the voices gradually quieted down again.
Chu Chen glanced around at the agitated underlings and asked in a deep voice, "Brothers, what do you say we do?"
"Hit them back!" an underling shouted, standing up excitedly.
"Hit them back! Hit them back! Hit them back!"
The underlings were stirred up, standing one after another to raise their arms and shout, their voices deafening.
Chu Chen watched the scene with satisfaction. None of these kids had outgrown their rebellious phase yet, and they were far too easily riled up.
When all was said and done, he still had to look after them!
When everyone's emotions had calmed down slightly, Chu Chen raised a hand and pressed down.
Obediently, the crowd quieted down, fixing their burning gazes on Chu Chen as they awaited his instructions.
"If the Azure Dragon Gang wants to provoke us, we certainly won't hold back!" Chu Chen's voice rang out again, firm and powerful. "Moreover, according to my plan, scattering the Azure Dragon Gang and taking over their territory will also benefit our future development!"
Hearing this, the underlings were boiling with excitement, wishing they could instantly charge into the Azure Dragon Gang's lair and wipe them out in one fell swoop.
"Rest assured, since you are all willing to follow me, Chu Chen, as long as I have enough to eat, I will never let my brothers go hungry!"
"Together, we will achieve great things!"
"Yeah!" the underlings roared in agreement, their eyes filled with hope and anticipation.
After pumping his underlings full of adrenaline and morale, Chu Chen led the contingent of over two hundred people in a grand procession to a pre-arranged restaurant.
More than twenty banquet tables filled the entire main hall, making the atmosphere even more lively.