Extra Story - Tales of the Capital - The Emergence

Mo Zhenbang's analogy about the Li Family piqued Lu Chengsi's interest.

A poisonous weed with two heads growing from the same stem?

"One head is their legitimate business in Jingzhou, like the logistics park in the east of the city. That's their public face, their biggest cash cow."

"That head, though large, isn't their vital spot."

"The real vital spot is the other head they've hidden overseas."

Mo Zhenbang's voice was calm and clear.

"I just reviewed some materials today about an iron ore company in South America."

"That company is the Li Family's biggest 'money bag' and 'washing machine' overseas."

"Targeting just the domestic logistics park will hurt them, but it won't be fatal."

"As long as their overseas funds can flow back, they'll recover quickly."

"If we strike, it must be a killing blow."

Mo Zhenbang's gaze grew heavier.

"Therefore, we must act on both fronts simultaneously."

"While we cut off their domestic loans, we must precisely snipe their capital chain overseas."

"Ensure not a single cent of their money can return. Even better, make their overseas assets instantly worthless."

"By then, we won't need to push; the Li Family's mansion will collapse on its own."

After Mo Zhenbang finished speaking,

the tea room fell into complete silence.

Lu Chengsi's face already showed signs of being moved.

Both are successors, but his own son compared to the Mo family's...

"Good."

After a long while, Lu Chengsi slowly uttered a single word.

He looked at Mo Jingsheng, his eyes filled with undisguised envy and the decisiveness of one making a final call.

"Brother Jingsheng, you've raised a fine son. Kept him well-hidden."

He turned to look at Mo Zhenbang, his gaze full of appreciation:

"We'll proceed as you suggest."

"You will have full responsibility for the overseas operation. The Lu Family will provide any assistance needed, without question."

Two days later.

The same teahouse.

But this time, five people sat in the tea room.

Besides Lu Chengsi and Mo Jingsheng, there were the heads of three other old-money families from Jingzhou.

These families were known for their clean dealings and spotless backgrounds, influential forces in their respective fields.

They were the allies Lu Chengsi had chosen.

The atmosphere in the tea room was somewhat grave.

Lu Chengsi outlined his plan in broad strokes.

When they heard it involved moving against the Li Family, the expressions of the family heads shifted slightly.

"Chengsi, this matter is too risky."

A family head surnamed Zhou frowned,

"The Li Family are mad dogs. Corner them, and they're capable of anything."

"Indeed."

Another concurred,

"If word leaks, all our families could suffer."

Lu Chengsi didn't speak, merely picking up his teacup and gently blowing on it.

He waited for them to voice all their concerns.

Then, he slowly began to speak.

"I understand your reservations."

"But have you considered this."

"Right now, it's not about whether we want to move against them."

"Rather, the wind from above has already started blowing."

"This time, if we don't take the initiative to clean house ourselves, next time, we might be the ones being cleaned out."

"Go with the tide, and we are contributors."

"Go against it, and we become the next Li Family."

Lu Chengsi's words struck home, each one hitting a nerve.

The family heads fell silent.

They were all shrewd individuals and naturally understood that Lu Chengsi spoke the truth.

Those chosen by Lu Chengsi were no mediocrities either.

They quickly reached a decision.

Family Head Qin Yan of the Qin family was the first to ask,

"How exactly do we proceed?"

"I have a preliminary plan here. You can all listen first."

Lu Chengsi nodded to him, then looked at Mo Jingsheng.

Mo Jingsheng pressed a button on the table.

After a moment, the tea room door was gently pushed open.

A young figure walked in.

It was Mo Zhenbang.

He bowed respectfully to the elders present.

"Father, uncles."

The family heads were somewhat surprised.

What was the meaning of bringing a junior to a secret meeting of this level?

Mo Jingsheng, however, acted as if it were the most natural thing.

"Zhenbang, sit."

He pointed to the seat beside him.

Mo Zhenbang sat down quietly, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

"Zhenbang."

Lu Chengsi spoke.

"Tell us your thoughts."

...

Meanwhile, inside "Caesar's Palace," Jingzhou's most exclusive nightclub, the scene was entirely different.

Deafening music.

A swaying, chaotic crowd.

The air thick with the mingled scents of alcohol and hormones.

In the largest booth, Lu Mingye was surrounded like the moon by a crowd of sycophantic friends.

"Mingye, you're the man! I heard you ditched a race for a beauty—that's true character!"

"Absolutely. That's what we call style, our Mingye here."

Lu Mingye held a glass of whiskey on the rocks,

a tipsy, smug smile on his face amidst the thunderous flattery.

The grievances and frustrations suffered at his father's hands seemed to evaporate in this cacophony of noise and adulation.

Here, he wasn't Lu Chengsi's son who needed to be taught a lesson.

He was the king.

Just then, a minor commotion arose at the entrance to the booth.

The crowd parted to make way.

Li Xiujian walked in with a few men.

His eyes immediately found Lu Mingye, surrounded in the center.

A contemptuous sneer curled his lips as he strode over.

"Well, if it isn't Young Master Lu?"

Li Xiujian's arrogant voice cut through the music, clear to everyone's ears,

"What's this? Didn't your dad break your legs when you got home? Still in the mood to party?"

The atmosphere in the booth chilled instantly.

The smile froze on Lu Mingye's face.

He looked up, meeting Li Xiujian's gaze.

The alcohol slowed his reactions but amplified his anger.

"Look who it is, the mad dog of the Li Family."

Lu Mingye swirled the ice in his glass, retorting leisurely,

"What's wrong? Got tongue-tied by Mo Zhenbang's one remark at the racecourse, so you come here looking for validation?"

Li Xiujian's face instantly darkened.

Mo Zhenbang's words, "It's too childish," were like a thorn deeply embedded in his heart.

"At least I dared to race."

Li Xiujian stepped closer, his eyes like daggers,

"Unlike some useless trash who didn't even dare to finish, running off with his tail between his legs."

"That's called gentlemanly conduct. A wild dog like you, who only knows how to bite, wouldn't understand."

Lu Mingye stood up as well.

He was roughly the same height as Li Xiujian and didn't yield an inch in presence.

The alcohol emboldened him, his family's pride propping him up.

He couldn't possibly lose face to Li Xiujian in front of so many people.

"Gentlemanly conduct?"

Li Xiujian glared at him, letting out a derisive snort,

"In Jingzhou, only the winner has style. Losers just get to roll out."

"Is that so?"

A mocking smile touched Lu Mingye's lips,

"Then tell me, who was the winner that day? You, or Mo Zhenbang, who couldn't even be bothered to play your game?"

"You're asking for it!"

Prodded on the sore spot again, Li Xiujian flew into a rage.

He suddenly reached out and grabbed Lu Mingye by the collar.

Lu Mingye's reaction was surprisingly quick.

Without backing down, he flung the remaining whiskey in his glass directly into Li Xiujian's face!

Splash!