novelraw Chapter 1421 - 718: When in Doubt, Start with a Raid
Chapter 1421 - 718: When in Doubt, Start with a Raid
"Are you sure?"
Ji Jue looked coldly at Busstaman.
Is the Sujano Family involved with the Federation?
I'm a Federation person, how could I not know!
"It's just a guess, but my principle is that it's better to be cautious and prepared." Busstaman quickly bowed his head and answered, "The Sujano Family is very secretive in this aspect, and there's a tyrant covering up, hiding many secrets. Others might not know.
But my intelligence channels, as you know, are quite extensive..."
More than extensive, they're downright excessive!
After all, it's rare for ordinary people to have in-laws all over the world.
The Chopra family can still maintain relative independence, not locked in public service, thanks to Busstaman's maneuvers and his talent for navigating complex situations.
Wild paths aren't necessarily paths, but they're definitely wild enough.
Various small movements and chaotic information come through different channels, and with the right analysis, you can always read something not visible on paper.
Indeed, the secrecy on Luo Island is well done. After all, those doing dirty work can't always put the employer's name out there as a cover, right?
Even if Sujano tries to hide it, once a flaw appears, it's hard to hide.
"In fact, it's all thanks to Mr. Ji." Busstaman changed his tone and looked at Ji Jue, leaving him in a daze, feeling confused about why these troubles always seem to involve him.
Ji Jue frowned, "Don't keep me guessing, speak straightforwardly!"
"Ahem, it's the Long Island Chamber of Commerce."
The name sounds familiar... Ji Jue pondered deeply for a long time, and finally, he slapped his forehead, remembering that it was the Blood Washing Fleet!
Back then, representatives of the Blood Washing Fleet came to bribe him, bearing the name of this chamber of commerce!
"So it really is a legitimate chamber?"
"It exists. After all, pirates need to sell their plunder too, and the Sujano Family holds shares in enterprises in Harlot Town." Busstaman said, "After Mr. Ji destroyed the Blood Washing Fleet and wiped out Harlot Town, I noticed Luo Island's unusual reaction... It should be the heavy losses in Harlot Town, making them unable to deliver. The Venom Fleet was busy for a long time, and exposed some clues, otherwise, I couldn't find any leads or evidence.
Then..."
"So, stop dodging, tell me exactly where!" Ji Jue interrupted him, already losing patience.
Busstaman suddenly felt awkward, coughed, and lowered his head.
"...I don't know."
Seeing Ji Jue's eyes grow increasingly cold, he hurriedly added, "After all, such matters, the Sujano Family wouldn't just openly announce. Investigating necessitates caution, which is why I've been observing quietly. However, there are some unreliable guesses."
He hesitated for a moment, then mustered the courage to say, "It's very likely related to the Eastern City of the Federation."
"Damn it, I knew it!!!"
A furious roar erupted.
Ji Jue was startled; it was a Spirit Crystal Beast on the table.
It was Lou Feng, who had been eavesdropping, loudly shouting!
Within less than half a minute, Lou Feng, who was in the workshop, kicked the door open and barged in, and after asking several times, his expression grew increasingly grim.
He resolutely concluded:
"—There's no need to guess, it's the Xu Family!"
East City Xu Family.
One of the two major powers in spiritual industry within the entire Federation, standing opposite the Lou Family in the north and south, the East City's Servant Spirit Xu Family!
Business competition is inherently a battle to the death, especially when it comes to ecological niche competition between the Chosen Ones, it's even more brutal.
Since the Federation's establishment over four hundred years ago, the two families have fought fiercely, with their animosity well documented, enough to pile two or three people high.
However, the Lou Family focuses on spiritual material production and change, while the Xu Family specializes in spiritual body modification, control, and catalysis... As a result, the Lou Family's reputation is relatively good, but the Xu Family's name stinks to high heavens.
After all, with peace in the Federation for a long time, where can you find so many living beings to supply spiritual bodies and souls? When Ji Jue sought cooperation for the Fly King project, the Xu Family was the first one banned, even for his own projects, he wouldn't consider them.
Their reputation was too foul, and their greedy monopolizing made working with them intolerable. If he did, Ji Jue feared he'd have to disappear completely.
Lou Feng's support for the Fly King was not without thoughts of challenging the Xu Family.
"I knew it, I damn knew it! Apart from the Xu Family, who else would need so many spiritual bodies, who would have such a large gap? I was puzzled about how last year's overseas project failed, turns out it was you damned scoundrels!
No wonder the family couldn't find any information for so many years, playing tricks right under our noses! I just—"
Once courtesy was discarded, Lou Feng cursed relentlessly for half an hour, giving the Xu Family a thorough tongue-lashing from top to bottom, inside out, eliminating their nine clans dozens of times!
"Let's do this, Ji Jue!"
Lou Feng paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, turning dozens of circles, his eyes burning red, "I'm gonna send a message home now, anything you need, be it people or supplies, just ask! All spiritual material consumption will be on me!
After flattening the Sujano Family, the Lou Family will lead the support for you to govern the Seven Cities!"
"Don't rush, let's keep steady." Ji Jue calmly held down the fervent Lou Feng, smiling wide, "If it really is the Xu Family, we'll have to take our time..."
Lou Feng looked over suspiciously.
Not worried that Ji Jue suddenly chickened out, but knowing him well enough to anticipate his intentions: "You're still planning to bait?!"
"Why call it bait?" Ji Jue firmly retorted, "This is a rightful defensive counterattack!"
Lou Feng wants to target the Xu Family, while Minkler wants to target the Sujano Family of Luo Island.
Ji Jue targets everything.
How can there be a second hand stirring around the bowl in one's own pot?
Besides, there's still a chance to make another move on the Eastern City...
The site selection for the Leviathan Base is still in dispute, Hai Province and Eastern City are quarreling so fiercely in the House of Representatives.
At this time, whether as a supporter behind Chopra, or as one of Sea Tide's shareholders, since they bump into Ji Jue's barrel, he's going to weigh them!
Really want to get the iron evidence of the Xu Family and Luo Island colluding together, throw it into the House of Representatives, and the fun will be huge!
Therefore, at this critical moment, restraint is necessary.
They have barely gained a foothold, the Chopra family has just completed a generational change, their foundation is unstable.
Besides, the enemy is in the darkness, I am in the light, if I go about readying troops and preparing for the decisive battle now, that's the epitome of scaring them away.
If you didn't know before, then keep pretending you don't know now.
Regardless if Chopra's family pretends or not, they will keep fighting.
As for the Xu Family...
If in doubt, start with a siege and talk later!
He pondered, turned to Lou Feng, and suddenly grinned.
"First go call your third uncle."
Lou Feng frowned, "And then?"
"Just say you saw a brand new Ghost Flame bike outside, and plan to get another trendy haircut... It's tough for kids leaving home, life isn't easy."
Thinking of his good friend Lou Feng suffering outside, enduring hardships, unable to eat or keep warm in his pitiful state, Ji Jue sighed:
"Quickly dig out some Gold Coins!"
The next morning, the manager of Lou Family's Guangji Industry disembarked openly from the ship in Xiang State, accompanied by relevant personnel, to start a comprehensive inspection of the Seven Cities, enthusiastically discussing the investment and factory construction plans.
Simultaneously, an internal document has been circulated among Guangji Industry's high-level management, relating to the strategic direction of Guangji Industry's future – an investment plan of hundreds of billions over five years targeting Xiang State and Seven Cities, starting from energy, water resources, and freight, to layout the Seven Cities and march towards Thousand Islands!
With flowers blooming in the PPT, the outlook for the future seems incredibly bright, making those unaware feel: the gold and silver mountains of Thousand Islands can't be moved at all!
Although the current outside looks chaotic, don't be afraid or timid, the situation is in fact favorable.
Others are excited, I am afraid; others are afraid, I increase my holdings!
Just do it!
As for why this supposedly confidential document was leaked... just look at how Guangji Industry's stock price soared several points before closing, and you'll know.
Old investors laughed wryly.
Pulling the 'testing the waters' trick again!
Documents, real or fake, are just a matter of talking, or it could be pure performance, silent cancellation after some time, and when asked simply deny it ever happened...
No matter if it's fabricated or true, those mindful can already speculate, connecting Lou Feng's recent high-profile actions in Xiang State and the Chopra family's leadership change.
Believing it or not is another matter.
Worried or not... that's only known to oneself.
.
As it turns out, they were worried.
That evening, Fernan, the representative from Pu City, the acting speaker of Seven Cities Council Hall, came to visit.
After the previous Old Alliance Leader Aquilino died from a relapse of old injuries, his longtime, closely cooperating deputy temporarily assumed the role of speaker theoretically holding the highest power in Seven Cities.
Nominally, he is now the highest official until an Alliance Hierarch is chosen, but in fact, reality is lush.
Purely ceremonial.
Without Aquilino, no one listens anymore, and even when Aquilino was around, the so-called council was just a communication platform between the seven families.
It's a pity that Tian Yuan's system does not impose any constraints among the Seven Cities, without the support of the seven families, the council's existence has become a chat room, often unable to gather enough people.
Failing to elect an Alliance Hierarch may cause the council's collapse; but if a new one is chosen... Fernan, being the Old Alliance Leader's legacy, will be replaced mercilessly.
If he is smart, preparing his resignation early might land him safely; otherwise, there will be many dump trucks wanting to talk to him.
This position is even more troublesome than the previous Minkler's heir candidate!
Remember, over the years, Fernan forcefully implemented modernization reform in Seven Cities, definitely offending many; many progressive measures unprecedented in Seven Cities.
Unfortunately, even the best policies and bills, without proper execution, cannot be implemented.
Whether in education, healthcare, or financial regulation, held back by various impediments, the best reform turns chaotic, ends in minimal success.
Yet this acting speaker perseveres resolutely, remarkably persistent.
Xiang State's orphanages, old-age homes, and affordable healthcare are mostly his initiatives, but sadly, the end result is far from satisfactory.
Simply put, it's not failure or chaos that's prevalent.
After over forty years, expending efforts stitching Seven Cities into a semblance of complete modernization in tune with the international community, now he's nearing his dismissal, looking unfavorably.
The emaciated body left with broad bones, face slightly sallow appearing sleep-deprived, eyes slightly bloodshot.
But his eyes unusually large with minimal whites.
Though aware of his bleak future, recently he still confirmed Seven Cities' minimum wage standards, adding more fuel to his fire pit.
Indifferent.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Ji."
He looked at Ji Jue walking into the reception room, expression calm: "Should I say I'm unsurprised?"
"Just say hello."
Ji Jue sat calmly across from him, smile gentle, in the mutual gaze suddenly adopting Federation style:
"Have you eaten?"