10.Even Between Brothers, Financial Matters Should Be Kept Clear And Transparent

Li Tae leisurely lit a cigarette and leaned back in the boss's chair, saying, "I'll handle the money."

"Bro, you're not planning on robbing the rich to help the poor, are you?" Ding Qing, of course, wasn't dumb. The territory they currently controlled brought in a clear amount of income each day, but with funds being pulled for business ventures, how much could possibly be left for modifying a smuggling speedboat? Even after several months, it might not be enough to get one built. All things considered, robbing the rich to help himself, the poor one, seemed like the only option.

"Don't worry about it," Li Tae said solemnly. "Keep this to yourself."

"Damn, we're in this together. I'm your big brother, of course, I've got your back." Ding Qing felt like this younger brother of his was always trying to overstep, so he added, "If we can manage to get that speedboat, I'll handle the goods."

"I'll sort out the channels, you just collect the cash. Fair deal, right?"

"Brothers should keep accounts clear," Ding Qing added. "For my business, I take 60% and you take 40%. For your business, I take 40% and you take 60%. OK?"

"OK!" Both reached out with their right hands and high-fived three times, sealing the deal. Even if Ding Qing hadn't brought it up, Li Tae would have approached him about this. In the early stages of any venture, if profit-sharing wasn't agreed upon, it would lead to chaos later. It was better to lay everything out upfront so everyone knew the rules, and things could proceed without unnecessary complications.

Ding Qing felt like he was living in a dream. Before meeting this little brother, he was stuck watching adult movies and getting friendly with his five fingers. But after meeting him, in just a few days, he had territory and was about to start a business. Life was good—no complaints!

"Hey, how about hitting the nightclub again tonight?" Last night had been wild, and Ding Qing was already itching for more fun before the sun had even set. "Actually, scratch that," Ding Qing suddenly changed his mind. "Let's just have some drinks tonight."

Li Tae couldn't help but laugh. "What's wrong? Can't keep up, little bro?"

"Damn it," Ding Qing muttered. "I think I'd better just stick to a hotel."

"Suit yourself," Li Tae didn't mind. These kinds of things were natural talent, and the joker in front of him could only feel envious.

"So, once the smuggling speedboat is sorted, what's your plan?" Ding Qing furrowed his brow, thinking for a moment. "The first batch will be booze and cigarettes. Jinro soju sells well in Japan. Once we make more money, we'll smuggle gold and gasoline. Later, we can even move cars."

Ding Qing grinned mischievously. "I'll get you a Rolls Royce. How's that for brotherly love?"

"Just don't rip the logo off and give me a knock-off."

"Damn," Ding Qing grumbled, "Even if I wanted to, I couldn't fake that golden emblem."

"Relax and drive your Rolls," he said, laughing. The business hadn't even started, but the two were already dreaming big, and it felt pretty good.

"Do you have any contacts for arcade game machines?"

"You want to ship arcade machines?" Ding Qing immediately caught on to Li Tae's idea. In South Korea, arcade games were legal, and most cities had arcades run by gangs. But shipping them out of the country could be tricky, especially because some of the electronic components were restricted goods.

Li Tae nodded, then shook his head, confusing Ding Qing. "Bro, what do you mean?"

"Open a factory." Building an arcade machine factory wasn't too complicated—the tricky part was the components and the software. The software could be cracked; there were plenty of hackers in China just getting started. They were cheap and skilled, and cracking software would be no problem. The real challenge would be the electronic components.

"Where are you planning to set up?"

"China? Hong Kong?" Ding Qing guessed correctly. There was no way to open such a factory in South Korea—the cost of exporting the machines would kill any price advantage.

"China, bro. If you've got the resources, why not contribute to the motherland?" Running an arcade wasn't something that would draw attention from the South Korean government, but the electronic components? Those were high-tech goods and definitely worth learning about.

"You're something else," Ding Qing said, impressed. This little brother of his was way more clever than him. They were supposed to be in it for the money, but here he was, adding a layer of patriotism to it. But truth be told, China's land, labor, and resources were all cheap right now, so investing in a factory there was a smart move.

Suddenly, Ding Qing's expression changed. "Bro, how much are you planning to make from this? Don't go overboard."

"If this gets too big, the prosecutors will be all over us." In South Korea, prosecutors had the final say in any case. They didn't care much about gang fights, but robbing the rich to save the poor? That could be a problem. After all, prosecutors were part of the elite, serving the rich and powerful. If you messed with their interests, they'd unleash their dogs.

"Shut up," Li Tae said, giving him a look. "I already told you, don't worry about this."

"Aren't you grown enough to show some sense?"

"Oh my god, bro," Ding Qing exclaimed, finally fed up. "Didn't we agree that I'm the big brother here? You're getting too cocky, man. Can't you follow the rules?"

"Alright, you little punk, if I butt into your business again, I'll be a dog!" Ding Qing stormed out, fuming. "Damn it, if I butt into your business again, I'll be a damn dog!"

"Where are you going?"

"Screw you, I can't control you, but I can sure as hell deal with the other underlings!" Ding Qing, cigarette dangling from his lips, left the manager's office, already yelling at someone in the distance.

"Hey, kid, yeah, I'm talking to you! Get over here and take a beating for your rude boss, or I won't feel right!"