50: Chapter 48 Chapter 047: In Wealth, Lack of Benevolence 50: Chapter 48 Chapter 047: In Wealth, Lack of Benevolence Da Xia hooked a comical smile, hands tucked into his pockets, then sat down beside.

Before long, Haozi crept in, back bent.

He immediately spotted Da Xia snoring by the door and quietly walked over to ask, “Da Xia, how’s Big Brother?”

“You’re back?” Da Xia blinked and chuckled, “The doctor said we have to wait twenty-four hours for results.

It’s still unclear for now.

If he doesn’t wake up in twenty-four hours, Big Brother could be in danger!”

“What?” Haozi was stunned and suddenly anxious, “Damn it, what’s going on?

If Big Brother doesn’t wake up, we’ll be carrying our own heads to the Clan Leader!”

“I know, but that’s what the doctor said!” Da Xia was helpless.

“Damn, just because the doctor said so, are we just going to wait like this?” Haozi looked at Da Xia angrily, saying, “No way, we must seek help from the family now.

If Big Brother doesn’t wake up, we’re as good as dead!”

“But…” Da Xia quickly grabbed Haozi, saying, “If we ask for help and Liu Jie’s people find out, we’re screwed!”

“We can’t gamble with Big Brother’s life though!” Haozi was fuming.

“Let’s just wait, wait until after the twenty-four hours!” Da Xia pulled at Haozi, stopping him from doing anything rash.

“Fine, I’ll listen to you this time.

But if something happens to Big Brother after twenty-four hours, hmm, I’ll be holding you responsible!” Haozi flopped down on a chair, and the two simply sat there, waiting.

…

The midnight hour.

In Jianghuai City, inside the General Manager’s office of the Si Yang Building, a middle-aged man sat under a light, clenching a Cuban cigar.

A secretary with gold-rimmed glasses stood beside him, holding a ZIPPO lighter, respectfully lighting the man’s cigar.

“Mr.

Zhang, this afternoon’s plan went down the drain!” the secretary with the gold-rimmed glasses bowed.

“So it went to waste!” Zhang Siyang waved his hand dismissively, “It’s also a warning to that little girl.

Ha, it shows her real estate isn’t so easy to get into!

Wanting to encroach on someone else’s market comes with a bloody price!”

“Yes, Mr.

Zhang!” the secretary with gold-rimmed glasses nodded hurriedly, then standing up straight, he looked at Zhang Siyang, “Mr.

Zhang, about the Jiangnan No.1, are we going to keep it going?”

“Mhm, tell them to hurry up, the bigger the fuss, the better!” Zhang Siyang sneered coldly, “What about Tianya Group?

Hmph, just a businessman who started everything, and now he’s actually pushing his daughter up front, haha, looks like the Li Family is out of successors!”

“Hmph, Tianya Group’s days are numbered.

As long as Jiangnan No.1 has an incident, they won’t last!” a cold smirk surfaced at the corner of the secretary’s mouth.

…

On the top floor of a high-rise in Jianghuai City, a man in black wearing a long cape stood with two robust men behind him.

The man in black had a face mask, obscuring his features, his dark eyes gazing up into the endless sky.

“Squad Leader, Si Yang Group made their move today!” the two men behind, also wearing masks, were indistinguishable in appearance.

“Hmm, how did it go?” the caped man turned to the two.

“There was no catch.

The assassin hired by Zhang Siyang didn’t succeed in sniping Li Ruo!” one of the masked men hurriedly replied.

“Hmph, useless!” the caped man gave a cold laugh, “Last time I asked him to do something for me, he botched it up.

And now this!”

“Should we remind him?” the two men behind asked anxiously.

“No need!” The man shook his head, “This matter can’t be rushed.

We have other things to do.

By the way, how’s our planted piece in Tianya Group doing?”

“Well, they’ve slowly gained trust!” the two men answered almost simultaneously, “They should be able to play a major role in the future.”

“Alright, keep an eye on both parties.

We still have our mission!” The man flung his cape and leaped from the building, disappearing quickly into the night, leaving a look of amazement in the eyes of the two masked men, which then returned to normal.

…

With Tianya Group’s Jiangnan No.1 Garden District experiencing such a severe shooting incident, it once again sparked a frenzy in Jianghuai City.

The lingering effects of the previous shooting incident at Li Ruo’s factory had not yet dissipated, and now there was yet another wave like this.

The safety issues in Jianghuai City rekindled the public’s inner anger.

Whether it was online media or TV reports, all were focused on the incidents at Jiangnan No.1 Garden District.

Under the push of some motivated individuals, the situation developed towards an unpredictable future.

Various versions of rumors abounded on the internet.

Netizens were driven by an invisible force.

“The title of model city should change hands in Jianghuai City!”

A post like this appeared, and instantly it was as if a nuclear warhead had exploded on the land of Jianghuai City.

The entire post detailed a series of dangerous incidents that had occurred in Jianghuai City.

Written in the third person, it started with the shooting at Li Ruo’s factory and went on to describe the major and minor cases in Jianghuai City, all originating from exposing the darkness of the city.

Every incident, big or small, was listed in the post, not a single detail missed.

Jianghuai City Municipal Government building.

Smack!

Jiang Zhonggen slammed his hand down on the table.

Inside the conference room, the heads of all departments in Jianghuai City had gathered, each hanging their heads, silently enduring the leaders’ fury.

At a time like this, speaking out was akin to running headfirst into a bullet.

“Liu Zhiqiang, tell me, what exactly is going on?” Jiang Zhonggen’s gaze bore into the police chief.

“Leader, I suspect someone is sabotaging things from behind!” Liu Zhiqiang furrowed his brow.

“Hmph, sabotage?

Can’t you investigate it?” Jiang Zhonggen glared fiercely at everyone.

Subsequently, his gaze landed on Minister Wang Qingkui of the Propaganda Department, and he coldly asked, “Minister Wang, what has your department been doing since the incident occurred?

With such damaging news, why didn’t you block it?

Why didn’t you come out at once to explain things to the citizens?”

“This…” Wang Qingkui, with his head lowered, didn’t dare make a sound.

“Useless!” Jiang Zhonggen’s anger soared as he declared, “Whoever dares to smear my face, huh, I will make sure to crush him!”

“Leader, we don’t actually need to investigate this matter; just thinking about it makes it clear!” Liu Zhiqiang stood up.

“Give us your opinion!” Jiang Zhonggen glanced at Liu Zhiqiang, then sat back in his chair, crossed his legs, and with a cigarette clutched in his hand, everyone’s eyes turned to Liu Zhiqiang.

This matter should have been investigated by the police department from the start, but as it developed, the public relations team of the municipal government was simply too incompetent, leading to the current situation where rumors were rampant on the internet.

“Si Yang Group is an old real estate company in Jianghuai City, and Tianya Group is a diversified enterprise.

Tianya’s subsidiaries are spread across Z Province, truly wealthy and powerful.

But now with the real estate boom, Tianya Group wants to get involved in real estate.

Jiangnan No.1 is just the first step, if they taste success here, the board of Tianya Group will definitely focus on developing real estate!” After a thorough analysis, Liu Zhiqiang slightly smiled and said, “But once Tianya Group moves towards developing real estate, it will inevitably squeeze Si Yang Group’s market.

Consequently, the two companies, originally unrelated, would become mortal enemies.

Therefore, my belief is that this is the work of Si Yang Group!”

Hisss!

Everyone immediately widened their eyes, looking incredulously at Liu Zhiqiang.

Si Yang Group was Zhang Siyang’s enterprise.

Who was Zhang Siyang?

Everyone knew he was the blood brother of Provincial Party Secretary Zhang Dekai.

To point the finger at Zhang Siyang at such a time, was Liu Zhiqiang tired of wearing his hat firmly?

“Do you have any evidence?” Jiang Zhonggen gave him a look.

“Not at the moment,” Liu Zhiqiang shook his head.

“Don’t talk nonsense without evidence!” Jiang Zhonggen scowled at him, saying, “Not only is Mr.

Zhang an outstanding entrepreneur of our Jianghuai City, but he’s also keen on charity work.

Don’t talk nonsense about him!

I understand him well.

Although he may seem a bit fierce on the outside, his heart is very kind.”

“Exactly, Director Liu, you mustn’t talk nonsense!”

“Haha, I can vouch for Mr.

Zhang’s character!”

Jiang Zhong’s allies quickly came out to criticize Liu Zhiqiang.

As for what kind of person Zhang Siyang was, they seemed to be as familiar with him as brothers, rushing to his defense.

“Alright, let’s leave it at that for now.

Minister Wang Qingkui of the Propaganda Department will take care of the public relations.

I want this handled swiftly; within three days, I don’t want to see any rumors about Jianghuai City Municipal Government on any media!” Jiang Zhonggen glanced at Wang Qingkui.

“Yes!” Wang Qingkui respectfully nodded.

After the meeting, everyone left with their heads down and heavy hearts.

The recent series of events had been overwhelming.

Rumors had risen, and the credibility of Jianghuai City was declining.

Everyone was worn out by these matters.

The next day, all kinds of rumors on the Internet and various reports on television media were suddenly cut off, as though severed.

The previously scheduled broadcast times were suddenly replaced with other advertisements, and the news disappeared in an instant.

Major online forums immediately received messages from the cyber police, demanding that related posts be deleted immediately and related IDs be blocked.

“What’s the situation?” Jiang Zhonggen personally sought out Liu Zhiqiang.

“Leader, the news has now been completely blocked.

However, due to the earlier impact, citizens are still in a state of doubt,” Liu Zhiqiang shook his head.

“No matter!” Jiang Zhonggen chuckled, saying, “It’s fine if the citizens doubt, as long as they don’t cause trouble.

They are doubtful now, but after a while, they will forget all about it!”

“Why?” Liu Zhiqiang was taken aback.

“Ha, remember how fiery the Li Gang incident was at the beginning?

What about now?

Hasn’t it quieted down?

Who knows what Li Gang is doing now?

Let me tell you, he has recently been promoted!” Jiang Zhonggen said with a cold laugh, “That’s the power of public relations, understand?”

Liu Zhiqiang suddenly broke into a smile.

It seemed Jiang Zhonggen was confident in mitigating the impact of the Jiangnan No.1 shooting incident.

Indeed, as it turned out, in just a few days, the matter was forgotten completely, life had to go on.

With soaring prices and the CPI skyrocketing, who had the mindset to pay attention to these matters anymore?