Extra Story - Tales of the Capital - Horse Racing

Mo Zhenbang looked at Li Xiujian, his gaze as if regarding a reckless child.

"I never use the family business as a stake in a wager,"

he said calmly.

"That would be irresponsible to the Mo family."

With that single sentence, he drew a clear line between himself and Li Xiujian.

Li Xiujian's face darkened. "You don't dare?"

"I simply see no need."

Mo Zhenbang swung himself onto his horse in one clean, fluid motion.

"However, since Young Master Li wishes to settle who's superior, we shall have a match. As for a wager, let's dispense with that."

He didn't care in the slightest about winning or losing this race, nor about the so-called title of "Number One in Jingzhou."

He simply did not fear any challenge.

Seeing his utterly unruffled demeanor, the fury in Li Xiujian's heart burned hotter.

He felt as though he had thrown a punch with all his might, only to have it land on a ball of cotton.

"Fine!"

He forced the word out through gritted teeth.

...

On the second floor of the club, there was a terrace not open to the public.

The view was superb.

It offered a panoramic vista of the entire equestrian grounds.

Only three men were seated on the terrace.

Lu Chengsi, Mo Jingsheng, and Li Hongji.

They were the helmsmen of the Lu, Mo, and Li families.

As New Xia Nation soared from its weakened past, new and old powers intertwined.

Currently, Jingzhou was crowded with prominent families, yet none had truly reached the pinnacle of elite status.

The Lu, Mo, and Li families were the ones with the greatest potential to ascend to that top tier.

"Brother Chengsi, your Mingye is still so fond of being the center of attention,"

remarked Li Hongji, holding a glass of red wine, a trace of mockery in his tone.

He was a large man with rugged features and a booming voice.

Lu Chengsi's expression remained placid, possessing the composure of one unflinching even if Mount Tai were to collapse before him.

Yet, as he looked down at his son surrounded by the crowd below, a flicker of disappointment, almost imperceptible, still passed through his eyes.

"Young people, it's in their nature to enjoy amusement,"

he said mildly.

"Their nature?"

Li Hongji let out a hearty laugh.

"In families like ours, the last thing we need is to indulge our 'nature'!"

"Look at my Xiujian. From the moment he was born, he knew his purpose was to win!"

"To trample every opponent beneath his feet!"

His gaze fell upon his son, dressed all in black, filled with pride.

Mo Jingsheng, seated to the side, had remained silent the whole time.

He wore a traditional Chinese jacket and was rotating two decorative walnuts in his hand.

He simply watched his son, Mo Zhenbang, quietly.

Watching him check his tack, watching him accept the challenge with such ease.

"Brother Jingsheng, what is your view?"

Lu Chengsi suddenly asked.

Mo Jingsheng paused the rotation of his walnuts for a moment.

"They are all still children,"

he said, then resumed rotating the walnuts.

Both Lu Chengsi and Li Hongji fell silent.

They knew Mo Jingsheng was a man of few words.

But every word he spoke carried weight.

Just then, a middle-aged man in a gray Zhongshan suit carefully approached, carrying a tea tray.

"Mr. Lu, Mr. Mo, Mr. Li, please have some tea."

The man was the director of this club, retired from a certain municipal department with some connections.

Li Hongji glanced at him but said nothing.

Lu Chengsi and Mo Jingsheng gave polite nods.

"Director Zhao, you are most thoughtful."

Director Zhao, feeling immensely honored, quickly bowed.

He was about to say a few more words when a figure stepped onto the terrace.

"Uncle Zhao."

The newcomer was a young secretary from the municipal government office, surnamed Qian.

He first greeted Director Zhao, then turned and paid his respects respectfully to the three magnates.

The order of this was quite deliberate.

Li Hongji's brow furrowed.

What he hated most was this kind of roundabout, circuitous maneuvering typical of officialdom.

In recent years, the comprehensive opening-up of Xinxia had allowed many families who seized the early opportunities to grow rapidly.

The influence of officialdom on the market seemed to have weakened across the board.

It had also given rise to a large number of bold and unscrupulous families like the Li family.

"Yes?"

He asked, his tone rather impatient.

Secretary Qian felt somewhat awkward but pressed on regardless.

"Chairman Li, it's like this. The project in the east of the city is receiving high-level attention."

"During the meeting just now, the leadership mentioned that they hope the participating enterprises have complete procedures, clear fund sources, and can withstand scrutiny."

"What does that mean?"

Li Hongji narrowed his eyes.

"Is that a warning for me?"

"No, no, no, you misunderstand,"

Secretary Qian quickly waved his hands in denial.

"It's just a routine reminder, a reminder."

"Hmph."

Li Hongji snorted coldly and ignored him.

However, a glint flashed in Lu Chengsi's eyes.

He glanced at Mo Jingsheng beside him.

The speed at which Mo Jingsheng was rubbing his walnuts seemed to have slowed, just a fraction.

The two men exchanged a look that only they could understand.

The wind was beginning to stir.

Downstairs, the horse race began.

The starting pistol fired.

Three steeds shot forward like arrows from a bow.

Li Xiujian took the lead from the start.

He had given it his all right from the beginning.

His black figure quickly pulled away from the other two.

Cheers erupted from the stands.

Lu Mingye was in second place.

He was a skilled rider, his posture elegant.

He didn't seem in a hurry to catch up to Li Xiujian.

He cared more about his own poise in the saddle.

He even had the leisure to wave towards a certain direction in the stands.

Mo Zhenbang was last.

He maintained his own pace, unhurried and steady.

The first turn.

Li Xiujian took the corner at an extremely sharp angle.

He almost brushed past the inner rail.

He didn't just want to win; he wanted to win beautifully, to win in a way that left no room for argument.

When Lu Mingye took the turn, he chose a more secure line.

He lost a bit of speed, but his posture remained perfect.

Then it was Mo Zhenbang's turn.

It seemed he was preparing to overtake on the inside.

Right at that moment.

Li Xiujian ahead, as if he had eyes in the back of his head.

His horse suddenly shifted outward, just one position.

It blocked Mo Zhenbang's path, precisely and deliberately.

Mo Zhenbang had to pull hard on the reins and slow down abruptly.

"Excellent!"

On the terrace, Li Hongji shouted loudly and slammed the table.

"That move was brilliant!"

"The racetrack is a battlefield! Show no mercy to your enemies!"

Lu Chengsi picked up his teacup, gently blowing on the steam.

He said nothing.

No expression could be discerned on Mo Jingsheng's face either.

Only the two walnuts in his hand began to spin faster.

The race continued.

Li Xiujian led all the way, widening his advantage more and more.

He seemed to have victory in the bag.

He even began to look back, casting a provocative glance at the two behind him.

Lu Mingye was irritated by his gaze.

He began to urge his horse on, accelerating.

But his horse's explosive power was clearly no match for Li Xiujian's Arabian steed.

The distance did not close.

Instead, his impatience caused his movements to become somewhat awkward.

Mo Zhenbang remained unhurried.

He seemed to have already given up on the race.

He was simply enjoying the process of riding.

People in the stands also began to feel that the suspense had gone out of the competition.

Everyone's attention returned to their wine glasses and socializing.

Only the three fathers on the balcony were still fixed on the racetrack.

The final bend.

Li Xiujian, in the lead, could already see the checkered flag at the finish line.

A victorious smile spread across his face.