Extra Story - Tales of the Lost Capital - Whispers in the Wind

"Xiujian, remember this."

Li Hongji lowered his voice, his tone carrying a serpent-like coldness.

"Water that is too clear breeds no fish."

"If they want to investigate, it depends on whether we are willing to let them find anything."

"Have all those people we've cultivated above, all that money we've spent, been for nothing?"

"They eat from us, they drink from us, so they must work for us."

"That is the rule."

Li Xiujian's eyes lit up.

He understood.

His father meant that this so-called "net" was full of holes from the start.

And the ones patching the net were themselves.

"I understand, Dad."

"Also, stay away from that Mo Zhenbang from now on."

Li Hongji suddenly added.

"Why?"

Li Xiujian frowned.

"That kid, just like his father Mo Jingsheng, is a smiling tiger, full of wicked schemes. A fool like Lu Mingye can be seen through at a glance. But the Mo family, you can't see through them."

"We and them, we are not the same kind of people."

Li Hongji stood up and patted his son's shoulder.

"Don't overthink it. Just remember, you are the son of Li Hongji. Everything you want, your old man will help you get it!"

Li Hongji waved his hand,

"You won today, go relax and enjoy yourself. Remember, in Jingzhou, you are the king among the younger generation."

With that, he left the study and plunged back into the clamor and extravagance.

Li Xiujian watched his father's retreating back, his expression complex.

He knew his father was right.

But in his heart, that fire of defiance burned even fiercer.

Mo Zhenbang...

One day, I will make you admit defeat by my hand, wholeheartedly.

Just then.

A young girl in a white dress, carrying a plate of cut fruit, timidly approached.

The girl was about sixteen or seventeen, with delicate features, but her expression was somewhat nervous.

It was Li Xiujian's younger sister, Li Xiumei.

"Brother."

She placed the fruit plate on the table.

"Why aren't you joining the party?"

Li Xiujian's tone softened, a rare occurrence.

"I... I don't like it there. It's too noisy."

Li Xiumei said quietly.

She looked at the drunken men and the scantily clad women around, her eyes full of fear.

Li Xiujian noticed her discomfort.

"Then go back to your room and rest early."

"Mm."

Li Xiumei nodded, then looked at him with concern,

"Brother, you should drink less too."

"Understood, little housekeeper."

Li Xiujian managed a slight smile.

Only then did Li Xiumei feel reassured and turn to leave.

...

The Mo family's car was a black Bentley.

It drove very smoothly.

Inside the car, it was also very quiet.

Mo Jingsheng rested with his eyes closed.

Mo Zhenbang sat beside him, watching the street scenes speeding past the window.

Neither mentioned the horse race.

When they arrived home, the servants had already prepared supper and hot tea.

Mo Jingsheng changed into a comfortable linen mandarin jacket and sat opposite Mo Zhenbang in the tea room.

The fragrance of tea wafted upwards.

"Take a look at that South American merger and acquisition case."

Mo Jingsheng handed over a document.

Mo Zhenbang took it and began reading carefully.

In the tea room, only the soft rustling of turning pages could be heard.

After about half an hour.

Mo Zhenbang put down the document.

"A mining company in South America, its stock price has shown unusual fluctuations recently, showing signs of being targeted for acquisition."

Mo Zhenbang quickly summarized the core after browsing through it.

"Hmm." Mo Jingsheng nodded,

"As far as I know, a significant portion of the Li family's overseas funds are being channeled through this company."

"And the entity preparing to acquire it is an offshore fund with a mysterious background."

Mo Zhenbang's brow furrowed slightly.

"This is a trap."

He immediately judged.

"Go on."

Mo Jingsheng was very interested.

"This mining company's financial reports are too perfect, unnaturally so. Furthermore, the reserve data disclosed for several of its mining areas cannot withstand scrutiny. It's highly likely this is a hollow shell that's been dressed up."

"Once the acquisition is completed, just one anonymous short-selling report could cause its stock price to instantly crash."

"At that point, both the funds the Li family has invested and that acquisition fund would be completely wiped out."

Mo Zhenbang put down the file and looked at his father.

"Dad, is that offshore fund ours?"

Mo Jingsheng picked up his teacup and took a sip.

He neither admitted nor denied it.

"If you were to handle this operation, what would you do?"

Mo Jingsheng asked instead.

Mo Zhenbang pondered for a moment.

"I would let the acquisition proceed."

"But, before the acquisition is finalized, I would simultaneously establish a large number of short positions in the futures market."

"When the stock price crashes, we would not only recover the principal used for the acquisition but also gain substantial profits from the short selling."

"Most importantly, we could completely sever the Li family's overseas funding chain."

Mo Jingsheng smiled, a relieved and proud smile.

"Good."

"From now on, you are fully in charge of this matter."

"Come directly to me for any resources you need."

A glint flashed in Mo Zhenbang's eyes.

He knew this was his father's ultimate test for him.

Passing it would mean he had truly taken up the mantle of the Mo family.

"Yes, Dad."

Mo Jingsheng paused, then brought up another matter.

"Today, on the terrace, Secretary Qian from the municipal government said something to Li Hongji."

"He said, 'The source of funds must be clear and able to withstand scrutiny.'"

Mo Zhenbang's gaze sharpened slightly.

"Is this... a signal?"

"The wind is about to rise."

Mo Jingsheng stood up and walked to the window.

"The Li family tree, its roots are already rotten. Now, it's just waiting for a strong wind to blow it down."

"Our Mo family will not be the first to swing the axe."

"We will be the first to pick up the thickest branches after the tree falls."

Mo Zhenbang also stood and walked to his father's side.

"Dad, what do you need me to do?"

Mo Jingsheng turned and looked at his son, who was unusually steady for his age.

"Continue following the South American case."

"I want you to use all our overseas channels to investigate clearly every single flow of the Li family's unclean funds that have gone overseas over the years."

"I want a list that can uproot the Li family entirely."

Finally, a ripple of emotion stirred in Mo Zhenbang's eyes.

"Yes, Dad."