America 1919-Chapter 707 - : 243. The Rivals of the Baku Oil Field

Chapter 707: 243. The Rivals of the Baku Oil Field

Lu Honggui kept a very low profile after arriving in Atlantic City, seldom making public appearances. If it had not been for the interview he accepted with the “Atlantic City Post,” many would have been unaware that he had even come to Atlantic City!

“Old Lu, have you lost your mind? How could you agree to an interview? Aren’t you just telling your enemies where you are?”

Inside the Block Tavern, located on the boardwalk, Feng Zhangping, a dealer from the Surf Hotel, was chatting with Lu Honggui.

Both of them were Chinese and masters of gambling techniques; they had known each other for a long time and even addressed each other as old friends.

At the moment, Feng Zhangping was expressing his concerns to Lu Honggui.

Lu Honggui, in his thirties, possessed a somewhat delicate appearance, not at all looking like a man from the underworld but more like a scholar.

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“I didn’t want to, either!” Lu Honggui swirled his drink, saying somewhat helplessly, “Word has already come from New York: they want my hands. If I can’t make a name for myself in the Gambling God Contest and catch Donnie’s attention, I won’t be able to stay in the United States!”

As the saying goes, if you walk by the river often enough, you’re bound to get your shoes wet. Lu Honggui’s main battleground had been New York. With his superb gambling skills, impressive physical abilities, and a slick personality, he had indeed managed to dodge numerous hits from the casinos over the past two years.

But this had made him somewhat arrogant. Recently, while in the biggest underground casino in New York, he’d won a huge sum, which had displeased the casino owner, who made threats against Lu Honggui’s hands.

Upon hearing this, Lu Honggui fled to Atlantic City overnight and signed up for the Gambling God Contest.

His hope was to achieve good results during the contest and join the Surf Hotel. By doing so, he would use the hotel’s reputation to erase his troubles back in New York.

“It has to be said, it’s Atlantic City. I’ve been to many cities in the United States, but Atlantic City is the only city where I can quietly enjoy a drink in a tavern without being harassed,” Lu Honggui remarked with a sigh.

During this era, African Americans already faced significant discrimination in the United States, but people with Eastern faces suffered even more severe discrimination.

“Mr. Block appreciates Eastern faces quite a lot. Here, as long as we abide by Mr. Block’s rules, we’re not too affected in our daily lives,” Feng Zhangping said with a sigh.

“I did suggest that you come with me to the Surf Hotel in Atlantic City, but you refused to come. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have gotten into such a mess now,” Lu Honggui said helplessly, “How was I to know Mr. Block was different from other Americans? If I had known earlier, I would have come sooner!”

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After considering for a moment, Feng Zhangping replied, “How about I speak to Mr. Block on your behalf? He’s a very kind man, even learned some Chinese from me. If Mr. Block is willing to speak for you, you wouldn’t have to worry these next few days!”

Lu Honggui waved his hand dismissively, “No need, although Mr. Block is a nice person, I am just a small fry in his eyes. Until I have proven my worth, reaching out to Mr. Block will only make him look down on me. The Gambling God Contest is about to start soon.

“If I perform well in this contest, then Mr. Block might begin to regard me with respect!”

Feng Zhangping thought about it and agreed with the logic.

“Alright, just be careful during this time, and don’t let those people catch you!”

Lu Honggui nodded, “I know. During my days in Atlantic City, I’ve only frequented two places: the Surf Hotel and Block Tavern. I trust that those people wouldn’t dare to lay a hand on me in these venues.”

The unwritten rules of Atlantic City were clear: whatever grudges you had outside, no violence was allowed inside Donnie’s properties.

Feng Zhangping nodded, “That’s for the best then!”

While the two were talking, the doors to Block Tavern were suddenly pushed open, and four men in large black trenchcoats walked in.

Seeing them, Lu Honggui’s face changed instantly.

It was clear these four men had come for Lu Honggui, as they walked straight toward him.

“Lu, come with us,” said the leading man, standing in front of Lu Honggui and calmly placing his right hand inside his trenchcoat.

Lu Honggui didn’t move from his seat but said with feigned calm, “Tolga, this is Block Tavern. If you’ve got the guts, make your move right here!”

Tolga said coldly, “Our boss will explain it personally to Mr. Block. Now, leave with me, or face the consequences.”

With that, Tolga pulled out a handgun from inside his trenchcoat.

“Whoa, whoa!” Seeing this, Feng Zhangping quickly raised his hands and said, “Hey, I’m a dealer from the Surf Hotel. This is Mr. Block’s business. You can’t pull a gun in here!”

Tolga said impatiently, “Like I said, our boss will call Mr. Block personally!”

Just as Tolga finished speaking, the three men behind him prepared to move forward and take Lu Honggui away, but at that moment, Lu Honggui, holding his drink in one hand, was ready to strike back!

“What are you doing here?”

At that moment, Robbie Frank, the manager of Block Tavern, came over.

Robbie Frank hailed from Elwood Village and had a good relationship with Robert. Now that Robert was dealing with more matters for Donnie, he had handed over the management of the tavern to Robbie Frank.