Extra Story - Tales of the Capital - Cutting Down the Tree

After reprimanding Lu Mingye, Lu Chengsi remained alone in his study for a long time.

By the time he emerged, the night was deep.

He did not return to his bedroom. Instead, he walked alone to the terrace in the rear courtyard.

The autumn night wind carried a chill.

It could not disperse the restlessness in his heart.

His disappointment in his eldest son, Lu Mingye, was only part of the reason.

What made him more uneasy was that meaningful remark from Secretary Qian on the equestrian club's terrace.

"Fund sources must be clear and able to withstand scrutiny."

That wasn't said only for Li Hongji's ears.

It was said for everyone present.

And even more so, it was said for him, Lu Chengsi.

The wind was changing direction.

Lu Chengsi had a brief political career.

Though brief, he had retained a sufficiently keen sense of smell and some crucial connections within the system.

He returned to his study and closed the door.

Without turning on the light, he dialed an encrypted number in the darkness.

The phone rang for a long time before it was answered.

"Old Wang." Lu Chengsi's voice was heavy.

"Still awake at this hour?"

A steady male voice came from the other end of the line.

"Can't sleep."

Lu Chengsi said,

"I saw the municipal government's Secretary Qian at the Western Hills today."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end.

"What did he say to you?"

"He told Li Hongji that funds must be able to withstand scrutiny."

"So, you understood the implication."

Old Wang's voice lowered further,

"Recently, several documents have come down from above."

"Rectifying market order, cracking down on illegal fundraising, severing gray industry chains."

"The intensity will be significant."

Lu Chengsi's heart tightened with Old Wang's words.

Although he had a premonition, having it confirmed by his old friend still brought him immense pressure.

"Who is the target?"

"There's no specific target. But whoever has an unclean tail is the target."

Old Wang paused,

"Especially those families that have accumulated original sin through their reckless, unchecked growth."

"For instance... the Li family."

Lu Chengsi paused, then spoke the name directly.

"The Li family's conduct has been too unsightly these past few years."

Old Wang said,

"They've been on the radar for a while. This is an opportunity."

"For some, it's a crisis. For others, it's also an opportunity."

Lu Chengsi instantly understood the deeper meaning in his friend's words.

"I understand."

"Chengsi, take care. You're not like them. Don't get yourself entangled."

"I know where I stand."

After hanging up, the study returned to utter silence.

Lu Chengsi stood in the dark for a long time.

Crisis.

Opportunity.

His entire life had been about finding balance between these two words.

This time, he didn't want to merely seek self-preservation.

What he wanted was to ride this east wind and make the Lu family the true, undisputed leader.

He needed an ally.

An ally powerful enough, and clever enough.

The first name that surfaced in his mind was Mo Jingsheng.

In terms of family foundation, the Mo family was no less than the Lu family.

In terms of conduct, the Mo family was cleaner than anyone.

More importantly, Mo Jingsheng himself, like Lu Chengsi, harbored an ambition to swallow heaven and earth,

yet knew how to conceal that ambition beneath a genteel and refined exterior.

Lu Chengsi picked up another phone and dialed Mo Jingsheng's number.

"Brother Jingsheng, apologies for disturbing you so late."

"Brother Chengsi, you're too kind."

Mo Jingsheng's voice was, as always, mild.

"There are some matters I'd like to discuss with you in person."

Lu Chengsi said,

"Tomorrow morning, the usual place. How about it?"

"Good."

Mo Jingsheng did not ask what it was about.

The next day in Jingzhou, a light rain began to fall.

A teahouse located in a deep alley of the old city opened for business as usual.

It was not open to the public, serving only a few regular patrons.

An extremely low-key black sedan slid in silently.

By the time Lu Chengsi arrived, Mo Jingsheng was already there, brewing tea.

The tearoom was still filled with the calming scent of agarwood.

Mo Jingsheng personally poured a pot of Pu'er tea for Lu Chengsi.

The tea liquor was bright red, steam rising faintly.

The two men sat facing each other. Neither spoke first.

They waited until a cup of tea was finished.

"Brother Jingsheng, what is your view on the current situation in Jingzhou?"

Lu Chengsi set down his cup, getting straight to the point.

"A tall tree attracts the wind; a full cup overflows."

Mo Jingsheng said slowly.

"There is a big tree whose heart has rotted. If it's not cut down, it will harm the entire forest."

A cold glint flashed in Lu Chengsi's eyes.

Mo Jingsheng looked at him, saying nothing.

He knew the "tree" Lu Chengsi referred to was the Li family.

"Those above are already preparing to act."

Lu Chengsi continued,

"However, they need a knife. A sharp knife capable of uprooting this rotten tree. And this knife also needs a wielder."

Mo Jingsheng finally spoke,

"Brother Chengsi, do you wish to be this wielder?"

"No, it's not that I want to be."

Lu Chengsi shook his head,

"Rather, the times have chosen us."

"How many people's paths have the Li family blocked these years, how much resentment have they sown? You and I know this well. Now, it is time for a reckoning."

"Those above will take the lead, and we will respond. We follow the timing of heaven and answer the will of the people. We can rid Jingzhou's business world of a great scourge, and at the same time, open a new chapter for ourselves."

"This is a high-stakes gamble."

Mo Jingsheng said.

"If we win, Jingzhou for the next twenty years will be the domain of our two families."

Lu Chengsi's tone carried undeniable confidence.

The tearoom fell into silence once more.

Lu Chengsi's words were like a flame, igniting the air.

Mo Jingsheng knew what Lu Chengsi said was true.

But his way of doing things had always prioritized stability.

He would not be the first to eat the crab, nor would he ever be the first to stick his neck out.

"This matter is of great consequence."

Mo Jingsheng pondered,

"The Li family's roots are deep and intertwined. The slightest misstep could bring the fire upon ourselves."

"That's precisely why I came to you."

Lu Chengsi said,

"This endeavor cannot succeed without the alliance of our two families."

He looked at Mo Jingsheng, awaiting his answer.

Mo Jingsheng pondered for a moment. Instead of responding directly, he pressed the call button on the table.

A moment later, the door opened.

Mo Zhenbang walked in.

"Father, Uncle Lu."

He bowed slightly, his demeanor respectful.

Lu Chengsi was somewhat surprised.

This conversation between him and Mo Jingsheng could be considered top-secret intelligence regarding Jingzhou's future landscape.

Mo Jingsheng was actually letting a junior participate?

"Sit."

Mo Jingsheng gestured to the seat beside him.

He turned to Lu Chengsi, explaining in a calm tone:

"Brother Chengsi, pardon the informality. I previously had Zhenbang conduct some analysis on the industrial structures of Jingzhou's main competitors, which included the Li family."

"Let's listen to the homework done by the younger generation. There might be some details we've overlooked."

This explanation gave Lu Chengsi ample face, adopting a very humble posture.

Lu Chengsi nodded, saying nothing more, his gaze calmly settling on Mo Zhenbang.

He had heard of this scion of the Mo family—steady, with grand strategies in mind.

Earlier that day at the equestrian club, he had lost the competition, yet no emotion showed on his face.

He was a player.

Now was the moment to test his mettle.

"Zhenbang."

Mo Jingsheng spoke, his tone like that of an examiner.

"Your Uncle Lu asks how to cut down the rotten tree that is the Li family. Tell us your thoughts."

Mo Zhenbang fell silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts.

He did not answer immediately, but first gave a slight bow to Lu Chengsi.

"Uncle Lu, Father. I speak boldly. In my view, the Li family may appear to be a towering tree, but in reality, it is a poisonous weed with two heads growing from the same stalk."