The Flying Eagle Gang doesn’t pay its members a monthly wage; any money these members have comes from following their respective bosses, who are responsible for distributing it to them.

If the regular payments stopped, the sixty or seventy men under Edward Sutton would disperse in less than three days.

Boss Lewis chuckled and said, “Boss Sutton, you really like to joke.”

Edward Sutton shook his head. “I’m not joking. I don’t intend to take the regular payments anymore, but I plan to collect in a different way.”

As soon as Edward Sutton said this, everyone understood, and at the same time, they felt a bit of disdain for him.

It’s just the same old thing in a new package—what’s the point of all this talk? Does he think changing the method makes him special?

“Boss Sutton, what method? Please explain,” Boss Lewis sensibly followed up.

Edward Sutton stood up and said, “It’s very simple. What I want is a ten percent dry share in each of your businesses, with monthly dividends.”

As soon as he said this, the whole room was stunned.

No one expected Edward Sutton to be so greedy—he was asking for a ten percent dry share right off the bat.

With such a huge appetite, calling him a lion opening its mouth is putting it mildly!

Standing behind Edward Sutton, Frank Keaton still wore his usual smile, his thoughts unreadable.

Mark Lee showed no expression at all, his face as lifeless as ever, as if he hadn’t heard Edward Sutton’s words.

Meanwhile, Richard Howard, who was guarding the door, was secretly anxious.

Edward Sutton hadn’t given him the slightest hint about this beforehand. If he’d known Edward Sutton was going to do this, he definitely would have tried to stop him.

“Boss Sutton, you’re not joking, are you?” Boss Lewis forced a smile.

Their establishments, especially the casinos and brothels, could make over ten thousand taels in net profit during good months.

By that calculation, a ten percent dry share would be a thousand taels—meaning the payment would be dozens of times higher than before. This was practically cutting into their flesh with a knife!

Boss Howard snorted coldly. “Boss Sutton, as the saying goes, the heart is never satisfied, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. I, Old Huang, have been in Changning Prefecture for so many years and have never heard of such a rule! Even among the strongest of the three gangs and four societies, the Three Heroes Society, they’ve never taken a dry share from us!”

If Edward Sutton did this, it would affect him the most.

Because his Shunde Casino made the most money, he’d naturally have to pay more than the other merchants.

Edward Sutton pressed his hand down, signaling everyone to calm down.

“Please hear me out. I’m not taking a dry share from you for nothing—I have a way to double your monthly profits.”

Hearing this, everyone curled their lips, clearly not believing him.

Boss Howard said sarcastically, “Oh, Boss Sutton has such skills? I, Old Huang, have been in business for decades, but I wouldn’t dare make such a claim.”

Edward Sutton ignored him and looked at Boss Lewis, asking, “Boss Lewis, I heard your Drunken Moon Brothel used to be the largest and most luxurious brothel in Changning Prefecture. Why can’t it compete with the brothels in the city center now?”

Boss Lewis gave a bitter smile and explained, “It’s all because of the capital relocation. Back when Changning Prefecture was the capital, the central districts like Changde Ward were all part of the imperial city, so appearances had to be maintained—casinos and brothels were completely banned.

Because of this, everyone opened their casinos and brothels in the outlying Changle Ward, for the amusement of the nobility, wealthy merchants, and the like. In fact, that’s how Changle Ward got its name.

But after His Majesty moved the capital, there were fewer restrictions in Changning Prefecture, and several sizable casinos and brothels sprang up in places like Changde Ward.

With both sides being about the same, people naturally chose the places closer to home, rather than bumping along in a carriage for half an hour to come to Changle Ward.

If it weren’t for some nostalgic customers who still come to play, Changle Ward probably wouldn’t even be able to keep its last entertainment venue, the Happy Forest.”

The other bosses present nodded in agreement. They’d all lived through that era and knew exactly how things had changed.

You could say they rose because of Changle Ward, but also fell because of it.

After the Zhou Dynasty moved the capital, some shrewd people had already bought land and built establishments in central wards like Changde. By the time these bosses realized what was happening, there wasn’t even land left for an outhouse.

Edward Sutton sat down, rhythmically tapping his fingers on the table, and said, “Boss Lewis explained it well. The root cause of Changle Ward’s decline comes down to two words: location.

Because it’s far away, and with both sides being equal in scale and decoration, customers rarely go out of their way. Since that’s the case, why not think about reform?”

“Reform? With what?”

Boss Howard scoffed, “Our establishments are already about as big as they can get in Changning Prefecture. Even if we invest more in renovations, it’ll only be a slight improvement.

Such a small advantage can’t possibly attract a large number of customers. We might not even make back the money we spend on renovations!”

Edward Sutton shook his head. “I’m not talking about redecorating, but about reorganizing the Happy Forest from the perspective of service.”

Service?

The bosses present exchanged glances, feeling a bit unfamiliar with the term.