The American TV series "Four-Round Boxing Champion Starts with Shameless"

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But before Blair could speak, Master Chen—the head of the Tai Chi school and the father of Michael Lee's girlfriend, Liz Chen—was already furious and complained directly in Chinese:

"The big players won't come out, so they send out a foreigner to discuss things with us?"

Franky had already discussed this with Old Joe—this was a great opportunity to escape the underworld—and immediately stepped forward:

“Victor fought Tyson for fifteen rounds and is currently recovering from an injury and giving interviews. He doesn’t have time, but everything said here is at his behest.”

Old Joe chuckled as he sat opposite Master Chen, speaking in a rather peculiar tone to this once-high-and-mighty Chinese man: "Victor is coming back, so we have to clean up the house."

The martial arts school members kept their eyes downcast – they had already realized that Franky, who controlled the greatest power, was not on their side. Their tacit approval the day before had made them believe that Franky had been put in power by them.

So they simply stopped talking.

Blair cleared his throat, his carefully crafted tone breaking the silence like a scalpel, precisely cutting to the point.

Good evening, everyone. The future remains to be seen.

His opening remarks immediately captivated everyone; his acknowledgment of uncertainty only amplified the weight of his subsequent words.

“But Victor believes that waiting can never earn respect and wealth; action can. So we’re gathered here today not to discuss survival, but to plan how to grow the pie together.”

The word made a few mature and steady people frown slightly, but it made the eyes of many more young people light up.

Without pausing, Blair, following Victor's vision, unveiled the grand plan: "As Victor suggested, 'Snow Honey Wind City' and your businesses will be combined to form a brand new giant—Tianji Wind City Group Co., Ltd, or TWC for short. Each of you will no longer be a lone captain, but the captain of this aircraft carrier."

The crowd's faces darkened. One man stood up; he was the owner of the establishment: "You want to take over our territory?"

Blair flatly rejected the idea: "It's just a reorganized addition. The group's main business will be divided into four modules: first, catering services and raw material supply and transportation—which will be built on the SHW framework; second, entertainment, leisure, gambling and other businesses; third, sports and sports projects; and fourth, security construction and other projects."

"Is this still an attempt to annex us?"

The martial arts school owner was furious, but Blair made him sit down: "I think the most important thing is to listen carefully, without trying to provoke him."

Everyone fell silent.

"Your martial arts school is declining, and your students are all getting involved with gangs, which is lowering the reputation of Chinese people. Therefore, your students can go to various sports through promotion companies and agencies to get more opportunities."

"The existence of gangs is always a risk, so you can exist in the form of a security company. You don't need to be very professional, just able to protect the group and franchisees."

"As for entertainment, it must be made clear first that we need to sever ties with illegal activities, completely cut off all previous illegal income, and those people are not allowed to distribute goods in the Chinese community."

"You can handle the physical training yourselves. Viktor will also have a training center. You'll see which is better at the time."

Blair elaborated on the architecture:

By integrating all the resources of the Chinese community in Chicago, five new companies were created: entertainment (casinos, nightclubs, bars), security (filled with members of the Frankie gang), sports training (the physical entities remain in the martial arts schools, with the group only having a management office), sports promotion, and sports brokerage.

“Victor needs to hold 70% of the group’s shares, while franchisees only need to pay 20% of the profits to get internal purchasing prices and security personnel protection, as well as high returns.”

Blair's voice was unequivocal: "This is not a request, but the cornerstone of this plan's external support and internal stability. His reputation, his fists, his SHW are the credit backing for all of this. As for the remaining company shares, we will calculate them fairly and justly based on your actual investment and resources."

As soon as he finished speaking, a murmur of discussion erupted like boiling water.

Chapter 99 Victor Returns to Loyal Chicago

"29%? Mr. Blair, does that mean we'll all be under Victor's command from now on?"

The speaker was Uncle Lin, the owner of the "Lin Family Martial Arts School." He was nearly sixty years old and ranked third in the school. His tone carried a traditional caution and a hint of barely perceptible resistance.

His greatest asset is the large number of disciples at his martial arts school.

“Mr. Lin, as a training venue, all the funds for the martial arts school are centrally allocated. It’s just that you collect them and hand them over to us. There is no question of ‘obeying orders’.”

Blair leaned forward, placing his hands on the table, his gaze sharp. "It's a win-win situation. Victor's shares guarantee the unity of the group's strategy and the efficiency of decision-making."

Looking at everyone else, Blair explained:

"With the merger of the martial arts school into a sports training and security company, the disciples have broader career paths—becoming professional athletes or senior security personnel, rather than just guarding the venue or working as thugs."

The revenue will far exceed the tuition and miscellaneous protection fees you currently collect, and we will recruit from all Americans. What you will own will be real equity in the corporation, not just an old martial arts school building.

"The security company that Frankie hired?"

Another middle-aged man, Li Kun, who ran a transportation team, interjected, his tone disdainful, "Those people have a bad reputation. We're getting involved in legitimate business with them..."

"Boss Li!"

A cold voice sounded.

Franky, sitting in the corner, looked up. He had a scar on his face that looked particularly menacing under the light.

"Reputation can't put food on the table, but it can make people lose their appetite."

Blanche stood up, dressed in a suit and tie, no longer the thug in the leather jacket from before:

“Victor is my confidant. He trusts me, and that means I can ensure the group’s assets and everyone’s businesses can sleep soundly at night. You call us ‘those people,’ so do you want to build your own security team to deal with the Italians from the north and the Mexican gangs from the south?”

His words carried a blatant threat, but also stated a cruel fact: "Mr. Li, if I remember correctly, when you lost two cars in one year and both loans came due, it was me who led a group of people to the Koreans to bring them back for you!"

Li Kun's expression changed, and he shut his mouth.

Blair promptly regained control: "Frankie is capable, but they'll be paid by the group and bound by its rules. Victor wants order, not chaos."

He paused, then unveiled an even grander plan: "In addition, based on the existing industries in our Chinese community, the group will simultaneously establish specialized subsidiaries in areas such as decoration, construction, fresh produce, and transportation."

"Everyone, there's no need to be nervous. We don't intend to monopolize the market or wipe out everyone."

Old Joe glanced around and, seeing the tense expressions on the faces of the business owners in the related industries, continued, "On the contrary, what we need is integration. The top performers from your respective industries will lead the new company, leveraging the group's scale advantage for unified procurement, minimizing the cost of raw materials and equipment!"

Then, we'll serve the entire city of Chicago, and even further afield, with more competitive prices. We're not trying to steal your current business; we're giving you a big ship to sail together and capture a much larger market!

These words were like a bomb, shocking everyone.

This is no longer a simple act of banding together; it is a 'rebellion' by Chinese Americans against Westerners!

The balance in my mind began to swing wildly.

The fear of losing autonomy, the desire for immense wealth and power, and the yearning for a better life battle within everyone's heart.

"Mr. Blair,"

Aunt Wang, who runs a vegetable stall, asked timidly, "Can our small businesses be considered 'investment'?"

Blair gave an encouraging smile. “Your channels, your customers, and the reputation you’ve built up over decades are all valuable intangible assets that can be valued and contributed as equity by professional appraisers. The group needs your experience and network.”

A lengthy discussion began.

One question after another:

How exactly are shares calculated?

Who will have management control of the new company?

How should the existing debts be handled?

Blair had clearly made extremely thorough preparations, providing clear and convincing solutions to every question, adhering to the core principles set by Victor (such as the 29% equity stake) while demonstrating sufficient flexibility in the details.

Psychological changes are subtle.

From initial shock and skepticism, to gradually being drawn in by the blueprint and starting to calculate their own interests, a sense of excitement that "maybe it really can be done" quietly grows.

They saw Victor's ambition, and they also saw Blair's meticulous execution.

More importantly, they saw a future that they could never reach by going it alone—no longer huddled in Chinatown to make a living, but truly integrated into Chicago's steel jungle as the behemoth "Skywind City," and taking a large slice of the pie.

Lin Bo, the curator, finally sighed, as if relieved. He looked at Blair: "The plan is good, but it will take time. When do we begin?"

Blair knew that the most crucial moment had arrived.

He straightened his back, his voice clear and firm: "Except for the farm, which needs more time to set up, the rest of the projects will be implemented immediately."

Victor demanded that the group's overall framework be completed by the end of December 1985, and all integration work be completed by April 1986.

We will soon obtain some important tender documents through special channels.

At that time, the group will conduct an internal bidding process. We'll keep the profits within the company; our first big deal will be done by ourselves!

Blair raised his glass: "Gentlemen, join TWC, Yes or No?"

This means that the group had real projects and profits from the very beginning!

This final blow completely shattered most of the hesitation—everyone knew that Victor had the ability to persuade members of Congress, so everyone was very willing to believe it.

The group exchanged glances, seeing the resolve in each other's eyes.

Master Lin was the first to raise his hand: "My Lin Family Martial Arts School joins."

"I agree."

"Count me in!"

"Follow Viktor!"

Voices of approval rose and fell, eventually converging into a unified consensus.

Blair smiled for the first time that evening: "Very good! So, I hereby announce the official establishment of Skywind City Group. I will temporarily assume the position of General Manager, responsible for carrying out Victor's will and coordinating all parties until the group is fully on track."

Jimmy made a request: "Victor will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow and will recuperate at apartment 2312 in the South District. Victor has already bought all eight apartments in the vicinity, and there will be a dinner party tomorrow afternoon. Please make sure you attend."

As the meeting ended, people left one after another with mixed emotions—excitement, trepidation, boundless anticipation for the future, and a touch of awe for the unknown.

Only Joe, Blair, and Frankie remained in the meeting room.

Blair walked to the window and watched the crowd dispersing downstairs blend into the night in Chinatown.

Frankie came over and handed him a cigar.

“Well said, Blair. You’ve convinced them all.”

Frankie lit a cigar and said quietly.

“It wasn’t me, Franky. It was Victor, it was the future, it was fear and greed that convinced them.”

Blair took the cigar but didn't light it: "And this can't be called persuasion; so far, they haven't made any substantial contribution."

He paused, his gaze drifting to the city's glittering lights in the distance. "We've only lit the fuse. Now, the real storm is just beginning. Tell Viktor, the first step has been taken."

Outside the window, the Chicago sky seemed to be truly touched by their ambition, and a "skyline" transformation belonging to the Chinese community in the Windy City had already begun.

On October 29, 1985, Viktor returned to his loyal South District... only to be blocked by Ubelman outside the airport.

······

In the late autumn of Chicago, the air was already carrying a biting chill, but the street outside Victor Lee's South Side boxing gym was bustling with activity.

Colorful ribbons fluttered, crowds thronged, and reporters with their long lenses and microphones huddled together, their cameras fixed on two people—Chicago Congressman Ubelman and Victor Lee, the newly crowned city hero who had just fought a grueling 15-round battle with boxing champion Mike Tyson, though defeated with honor.